Henry County, Illinois - The whole text, 1910 (part 26 of 32)

Dr. Duncan was educated in the country schools and remained on the farm until he was twenty-three years old, when he decided to begin the study of medicine at Milton, Wisconsin, and was graduated in 1896 from what was then the National Medical College of Chicago but is now the Homeopathic Medical department of the Northwestern University. Subsequent to his graduation, Dr. Duncan went to Constantine, Michigan, but in 1897 located in Kewanee and has been in active practice here ever since. He is a member of the Physicians Club of Kewanee, of the Galva District and the Henry County Medical Societies, and fraternally he belongs to the Masonic Order, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Mystic Workers and is medical examiner for the last named lodge.

same school of medicine as her husband in the same class but has retired from active practice. Three children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Duncan, namely: Maud, who married Arthur Caverno, of New York city, manager of the Kewanee Water Supply Company; Edith, who married Fred Steer, of Kewanee, assistant foreman of the National Tube Works of Kewanee; and Ida, who married Thomas M. Biddlecombe, principal of schools of La Fayette, Illinois.

Dr. Duncan is an excellent physician but not a surgeon and is a typical representative of his school of medicine. He is a man of dignity of character, honesty of purpose and sympathetic manner that makes him welcome in the sickroom. His practice is a large one and is increasing with each year of his residence here.

Andrew Ericson

Andrew Ericson, who for upward of a score of years has operated successfully a large tract of land in Weller township, was born in Helsingland, Sweden, December 23, i860. His parents, Eric and Christine (Johnson) Ericson, were also natives of the same province, where they spent all of their lives. The father was an agriculturist during the years of his activity. He passed away December 23, 1904, but the mother is still living in Sweden at the age of sixty-six years.

Andrew Ericson received his early training under the guidance of his parents at his home and in the public schools of his native land. In 1880, when he was about twenty years of age, he started for the United States, feeling confident that here he could better his fortunes. After crossing the Atlantic he made his way almost directly to Weller township, this county, where he secured work as a farm hand. After two years' experience, he went to Anoka, Minnesota, obtaining employment in the sawmills there. But Bishop Hill seemed to him to offer better opportunities for advancement, so he returned after a sojourn of three years in the northern state and again found work upon a farm. It was two years after that, in 1887, that he began farming on his own account. First he leased a tract of eighty acres near the village of Bishop Hill, and then, while he retained that land, he rented another tract of equal area, to which he removed. Two years later, while still renting those two farms, he leased a tract of two hundred and thirty-five acres, on which he has lived and worked for the past sixteen years. For the first two years of his residence here, he operated all three of the farms but at the expiration of that time, in order to be able to devote more attention to the larger place, he relinquished the first two places, cultivating the tract on which he now lives exclusively. In the past he gave much time to the raising of broom corn, but of late years he has raised general crops, and has raised about thirty head of full blooded cattle annually. From all of his industries he has derived a comfortable income.

Mr. Ericson has been twice married. On the 29th of May, 1885, in Bishop Hill, he was united to Miss Erica Ericson, a daughter of Eric N. Ericson, a well known farmer of Bishop Hill. Three children were born to them: Selma C, who is the wife of Fred Anderson, an agriculturist of Bishop Hill; Ernest E., now engaged in farming in Dakota; and Leroy A., who is still at home and assists his father on the farm. Later Mr. Ericson wedded Miss EHzabeth Sandberg, a daughter of Peter Sandberg, a blacksmith of Bishop Hill. Four children have been born of this union: Estella M., Herman T., William C. and Laura R. While generally Mr. Ericson gives his support in political matters to the republican party, he is not infrequently non-partisan in his views, casting his vote and influence as he deems best after having made a thorough investigation of the question at issue. He has, through a period of three years, rendered efficient service as highway commissioner, but in no sense of the word could he be called an office seeker. In fraternal matters, he has so far confined his affiliations to the Modern Woodmen of America, being an active member of the camp at Bishop Hill.

Dr. Nelson H. Lowry, one of the best known physicians of Henry county, whose skill and sympathy have distinguished his practice and made him an honored resident of Clover township, was born February i, 1847, in Erie county, Pennsylvania, a son of Samuel and Ruth Ann (Parsons) Lowry. The father, who was a shoemaker, gave his son but few advantages and, as he lost his mother when he ws eight years old, he was taken by his uncle. Dr. Ephraim Parsons to Muscatine, Illinois, in 1855. Dr. Parsons practiced in Altona and Kewanee for many years and under his instruction Nelson H. Lowry began to study the rudiments of his profession, even while attending the public schools of Altona. However, the Civil war interrupted them and he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Thirty-second Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry for one hundred days. The regiment saw active service with the Army of the Cumberland. After being mustered out the young man returned to Kewanee and began seriously to study medicine under the direction of his uncle. One year later he entered Cornell University of Ithaca, New York, as a member of the class of 1869, which was the first to be graduated from that institution. After leaving the university he entered the Hahnemann Homeopathic Medical College at Chicago, graduating in the class of 1872, and he began the practice of his profession at Woodhull, March 8, 1872, and here he has continued ever since. He is engaged in general practice and has been very successful, numbering the best peopie of Clover township among his patients.

On July 10, 1872, Dr. Lowry married Grace C. Fairman, a daughter of Andrew P. and Naomi (Wood) Fairman, of Ithaca, New York, formerly of Rhode Island. Her parents became residents of Woodhull, where both died and their remains were interred in Woodhull cemetery. Dr. and Mrs. Lowry became the parents of five sons and one daughter, namely: Fayette C, who is married and resides at Houston, Texas, where he is employed in a bank ; Harry C. ; Anna and Daniel K., at home ; Nelson H., a medical student ; and Merrill L., who is attending the University of Illinois.

Dr. Lowry has a fine farm adjoining the town of Woodhull, where he breeds high grade horses for speed and roadsters, making a specialty of the "Wilkes" and "Electioneers" and has been very successful in this business. From his farm have come some of the best speed horses of the day and all of his stock is fine bred and high class. He has an excellent half-mile track on his farm for training purposes and here the Woodhull horse fair is held each year. Dr. Lowry uses his farm as a recreation from his professional cares. He loves a good horse and finds much pleasure in driving. In politics he is a republican and takes an interest, in public affairs and has always favored the advancement of his community. As long as Holden Post, G. A. R., of Woodhull, was in existence he belonged to it, being a charter member. He is also a charter member of camp No. 13 1 5, M. W. A., and is its examining physician, as he is also of the Mystic Workers of the World, to which he belongs. Dr. Lowry is the examming physician for the Cosmopolitan Life Insurance Company as well as for several other old line life insurance companies.

His family are members of the Presbyterian church and active in its work and in the Sunday school, and while Dr. Lowry does not hold membership in the church he is liberal in its support and interested in its success. Woodlawn farm, the family home, is famous for its fine horses, liberal hospitality and many of the leading social functions of Woodhull occur beneath its roof. The Doctor has always been interested in scientific research and earlier in life devoted much time to study and investigation. Not many years ago he made a collection of Mississippi river fish for Cornell University and Oxford University, England. Finely educated, thoroughly abreast of his profession. Dr. Lowry is one of the best representatives of the medical profession now practicing in Henry county.

Melvin O. Sprouse

Melvin O. Sprouse, a farmer of Oxford township, was born in Weller township, Henry county, August 16, 1878, and is a son of Isaac and Mary (Anderson) Sprouse. The mother was born in Sweden, though reared in America, while the father was a native of Virginia. As a very young man, however, he left his southern home and came to Henry county, Illinois, where he took up farming. Shortly after the inauguration of the Civil war he enlisted as a member of Company G, Eighty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and during the three and a half years of his service participated in many of the hard fought battles of that conflict. When his country no longer required his services he returned to Henry county and to the life he had left. He became successful in his own affairs and widely known as a man whose activity in public matters was always directed to progressive measures, from which his fellowmen would derive great benefit. On the 15th of August, 1904, his useful life was brought to a close, but his widow still survives.

Melvin O. Sprouse grew to manhood on his father's farm, participating in the work which was carried on there as soon as he was old enough. The practical training he received was supplemented by the course of instruction provided by the district schools, which he attended as regularly as he could during the months they were in session. At the age of twenty-five he married and began farming for himself. The first year he rented a farm in Weller township, then removed to Osco township and a year later to Munson, where he remained two years. In 1907 he came to Oxford township, where he now lives, but on the ist of March, 1910, intends to move to Weller again. Progressive in his ideas and employing modern methods in the cultivation of his fields he has attained a marked success and finds his efforts rewarded by a handsome income.

On the 17th of February, 1904, Mr. Sprouse was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Eiker, who is a daughter of William and Emma (James) Eiker, of Woodhull, and was one of the county's popular and progressive teachers. They have two interesting little daughters, Helen and Ada. While Mr. and Mrs. Sprouse are not members of any church, they afifiliate with and contribute to the support of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Politically Mr. Sprouse is a democrat, but he is not an active nor aggressive partisan; on the contrary he is interested and well informed upon all matters of public concern and is able to support his position by sound arguments. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, and his wife belongs to the Royal Neighbors. A young man of high character he enjoys a high standing in the community to which he and Mrs. Sprouse belong. Both being very fond of reading, their home is well supplied with the best standard and current literature, and their influence is always given to such undertakings which are calculated to better the general social conditions around them. To educational matters especially they give their attention, advocating a progress that will keep abreast of the times.

Henry Atwell

Henry Atwell, a well known and progressive farmer and stock raiser of Cornwall township, is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of rich and arable land on section 15, and in its cultivation has won a gratifying measure of success. His birth occurred in Somersetshire, England, on the 24th of March, 1847, his parents being James and Mary Atwell. He was reared on the home farm and obtained a fair education in the common schools. When but nine years old he secured employment in the lead mines, where he remained until he had attained the age of about sixteen and then went to work on his uncle's farm. In 1869, having determined to establish his home in the United States, he set sail for the new world and after landing on American shores made his way at once to Illinois. On reaching Chicago he found that his financial resources were exhausted and had to borrow five dollars in order to come to Henry county.

Finding immediate employment a necessity, he here began working as a farm hand at a wage of eighteen dollars per month and the next season received twenty-two dollars per month. At the end of about seven years, by dint of close economy, he had saved sufficient capital to enable him to rent a tract of land in Cornwall township and thus he was identified with agricultural pursuits for about fourteen years. On the expiration of that period, in 1893, he found himself able to purchase a farm of his own and came into possession of one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 15, Cornwall township, one-half of which is located on the northwest quarter and the other half on the southeast quarter of the section. He paid fifty dollars an acre for the property and has since devoted his attention to its further cultivation and improvement with excellent results, the well tilled fields annually yielding golden harvests as a reward for the care and labor which he bestowed upon them. He is likewise engaged in stock raising and this branch of his business has contributed materially to his income.

On the nth of February, 1879, in Atkinson, Illinois, Mr. Atwell was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Dupree, who was borrf at Norwich, New York, on the 22d of April, 1856, her parents being Henry and Caroline (Barker) Dupree, natives of Hamburg and Berlin, Germany, respectively. They were married in that country and subsequently crossed the Atlantic to the United States, Henry Dupree following the cabinetmaker's trade in New York for about twenty-two years. At the end of that time he came with his family to Geneseo, Henry county, Illinois, and in addition to working at his trade also gave his attention to the operation of forty acres of land which he purchased west of the city. He passed away in 1906 at the age of ninety-six years, having for almost a quarter of a century survived his wife, whose demise occurred in 1882.

Mr. and Mrs. Atwell are the parents of seven children, namely: Edward J., who was born June 26, 1881 ; Bernice E., whose birth occurred October 5, 1883, and who is now the wife of Bernard Charlet, of Cambridge township; Frank, born October 17, 1885, who is an electrician of Ladd, Illinois; Clarence C, whose natal day was June 23, 1889; Howard L., who was born December 4, 1891 ; Maude E., born July 8, 1893, who is now a sophomore in the Atkinson high school ; and Harold James, who first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 28th of December, 1896.

Mr, Atwell exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party but has no desire for the honors and emoluments of public office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his private affairs. His wife is a devoted and consistent member of the Baptist church in Cambridge. Arriving in the United States with no capital save a stout heart and willing hands, he reahzed the fact that while in this country labor is unhampered by caste or class it is only by unfaltering diligence, guided by sound judgment, that success can be secured. By the exercise of these qualities he has made steady progress and is now one of the substantial and representative residents of his community.

Michael Collins Quinn

Michael Collins Quinn, who was one of the best known citizens of Kewanee, left a record which is in many respects worthy of emulation. Starting out in life for himself at the age of fifteen years and working in an humble way in his boyhood days, he became imbued with the laudable ambition to attain something better and steadily advanced in those walks of life demanding intellectuality, business ability and fidelity. He thus came to command the respect and esteem not only of his own community but wherever he was known.

He was born October 4, 1847, and was reared by an uncle on a farm near New Haven, Connecticut, spending his life amid rural surroundings to the age of about fifteen years, when he went to New York city, where he secured employment and thus started out for himself. Subsequently he removed to Utica, New York, where he secured a situation in the meat market of WhifTen Brothers, but thinking that the middle west offered better business opportunities he made his way to Illinois about 1866, settling in Kewanee. Here he secured a situation in the grocery store of Mr. Hopkins and later was in the employ of the firm of Shelton & Fessler, He was ambitious, however, to engage in business on his own account and, therefore, eagerly embraced the opportunity of forming a partnership with John Whiffen for the conduct of a meat market. This was carried on until 1873, when he sold out and went to Little Rock, Arkansas, and Fort Scott, Kansas, there entering into business relations as a traveling salesman. In 1874, however, he returned to Kewanee and purchased the Bazaar from Thomas Bennison. The new enterprise proved a profitable venture, his sales increasing as the result of his carefully selected stock, reasonable prices and honorable dealing. Later he removed to the corner of Tremont and Third streets, on the present site of the store now occupied by S. L. Arter, and while there formed a partnership with E. D. Mayhew and F. E. Terry under the firm name of Quinn, Mayhew & Terry. This firm existed until 1880, when Mr. Quinn erected what is known as the Quinn block on Main street and began business there with Mr. Terry under the firm style of Quinn & Terry. They did not confine their attention alone to merchandising, however, but branched out into other fields, whereby their income was annually augmented. In 1891 they purchased the Kewanee elevator and at the same time conducted the grocery store, Mr. Quinn, however, devoting his attention particularly to the grain trade. In 1896 he sold his interest in the grocery store to F. E. Terry and L. E. Nobiling and became sole proprietor of the grain business, which he continued to conduct until his retirement from active Hfe in 1903. Thereafter he devoted his attention to the improvement and sale of his real estate and to the activities which devolved upon him in his connection with the First National Bank and the Union Building & Loan Association. He was one of the organizers of that association, in the development of which he was deeply interested and in which he held all of the offices. At one time he was a director of the Union National Bank, and at the time of his demise was the vice president of the First National Bank. His judgment was sound concerning the management of financial affairs and his opinions constituted a forceful factor in the successful management of the banks.

On the nth of March, 1876, Mr. Quinn was united in marriage to Miss Mary C. White, and they became the parents of four children : Maytie and Myrtie, the eldest, were twins. The former is now the wife of C. A. Wylie, a' grain merchant of Kewanee. Myrtie is the wife of M. Hurd, engaged in the real estate business in Kewanee. Leonard D., the elder son, is an attorney at law, who was born in Kewanee and pursued his education in the public schools of this city. After completing his literary course he devoted two years to study in the law department of the University of Wisconsin and completed his course in the Law School of the Northwestern University at Chicago. He was then admitted to the bar in 1903 and entered upon general practice in Kewanee, where he has made an excellent record as an able and learned lawyer, whose abihty has brought to him a large clientage and connected him with much of the important litigation tried in the courts of the district. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and also belongs to the First Presbyterian church. In community affairs he is also active, has served as a trustee of the village of Wethersfield and by appointment of the village board has filled the office of village attorney. James M. Quinn, the younger son of the family, is now a student of the University of Pennsylvania.

The father suffered from a stroke of paralysis on the ist of May, 1907, and passed away on the 14th of the same month. He thoroughly enjoyed home life and took great pleasure in the society of his family and friends. He was also courteous, kindly and affable and those who knew him personally had for him warm regard. A man of great natural ability, his success in business from the beginning of his residence in Henry county was uniform and rapid. He persevered in the pursuit of a persistent purpose and gained a most satisfactory re-' ward, while his own high moral worth was deserving of the highest commendation.

Oscar H. Larson

Oscar H. Larson, supervisor and an enterprising and progressive farmer of Western township, was born on a farm in Lynn township, Henry county, on the loth of August, 1865, a son of Andrew G. and Helen Sophia (Larson) Larson. The father, who was born in Sweden, his birth occurring on the 28th of March, 1835, came to America as a young man of nineteen years, and here on September 15, 1859, married Miss Larson, who although of the same name was no relation. She was also a native of Sweden, born August 4, 1834, and came to America with her parents when a young girl, the family home being established in Lynn township. The father became the owner of two hundred acres of land in Lynn township, for which he paid eight dollars per acre, and later sold this tract and purchased two hundred and sixty-six acres in Western township, paying fiftytwo and a half dollars per acre. He still survives at the age of seventy-five years, living retired in Orion, Illinois, while his wife passed away about 1878. In their family were nine children, of which the subject was the fourth in order of birth. The others are: Ida, the wife of Albert Peterson, residing in Chicago; Emma, who married Alfred Henry and died in Wakefield, Nebraska, leaving four children; Anna, living with her father in Orion; Clara, also with her father; Francis, who was married on October 26, 1899, to Miss Othelia Engquist, and publishes the Swedish- American in Chicago; Victor, a resident of Wausa, Nebraska, who also owns a farm in Clark county. South Dakota; and Augusta and Gustaf Henry, who died in infancy.

Spending the years of his boyhood and youth upon his father's farm in Lynn township, Oscar H. Larson received a good common school education and when twenty-one years of age pursued a course of study in a business college at Davenport, Iowa, thus becoming well equipped for the responsible and practical duties of life. He remained at home until about twenty-three years of age and then, in 1889, opened up a grocery store in partnership with F. L. Anderson, this connection continuing for about one year. They were very successful in their undertaking, but in 1 89 1 Mr, Larson sold out his interest and went to Rockford. Illinois, where he became a partner or stockholder in a furniture factory, remaining in that city until 1897. In the meantime, in 1895, he was employed by a real estate firm as traveling agent, and during that year covered a large extent of territory, including Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Indian Territory and Texas. On the 20th of May, 1897, Mr. Larson was united in marriage in Orion to Aliss Amelia Swanson, who was born in Western township, Alay 12, 1871, a daughter of John V. and Anna Marie (Peterson) Swanson, both natives of Sweden. The father, who was born September 6, 1835, came to America with his parents in 1852, when about seventeen years of age, while the mother, who was born January 8, 1846, was a little maiden of four summers when she accompanied her parents to this country in 1849, the family being numbered among the pioneers of Western township, Henry county. Of their family of nine children Mrs. Larson was the fourth in order of birth, the others being: Hannah Marie, the wife of John A. Anderson, of Holdridge, Nebraska, by whom she has six children, Alice, Victor, Anna, Julia, Alfred and Edna; Joseph Albert, a resident of Windom, Kansas, who married Ellen Peterson and has one child, Albert N. ; John N., a resident of Galveston, Texas, who married Mabel T. Gallupe, by whom he has three children, Gracia, Barbara, and Charles V., who is a graduate of Bethany College at Lindsborg, Kansas, and at one time was teacher of penmanship in Northwestern Normal College at Geneseo ; Luther E., making his home in Western township, who married Mary Johnson and has three children, Martin, Mildred and Clarence; Carl A., who married Julia Peterson and lives in Western township; William, who also resides in this township; Otto, who married Emily M. Isaacson and makes his home in Western township; and Victor C, also of this township. --Mrs. Larson has lost both parents, the mother passing away on the 29th of August, 1908, and the father on the 29th of July, 1909.

After his marriage Mr. Larson removed to his father's farm, which he continued to operate until 1903, when he purchased eighty acres of his present farm, paying one hundred and six and a half dollars per acre. Later in 1909 he invested in another tract of eighty acres, at one hundred and fifty dollars per acre, and he now owns one hundred and sixty acres located on section 28, Western township, all of which he has brought under an excellent state of cultivation. He has erected in its midst a fine modern residence and has introduced many good improvements, so that the place is now one of the valuable and desirable properties in the township. Progressive and up-to-date in his methods, his business has been so carefully and wisely conducted that he now ranks high among the industrious, enterprising and substantial agriculturists of the locality.

With the passing of the years one child came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Larson, Elsie Marie Evaline, whose birth occurred on the 9th of December, .1900, and who is the light and life of the household. The parents are members of the Swedish Lutheran church in Orion, the teachings of which form the guiding influence in their lives. Mr. Larson is a republican in politics, and although he has never been an aspirant for public office, in 1908 he was offered the nomination for supervisor and was elected to that office, being appointed on the building committee. The following year he was placed upon the purchasing committee and also on a special committee to build a bridge over Rock river at Colona. This project fell through, however, when Rock Island failed to do her part. He was a member of the board who helped to elect John F. Smith chairman of the board. He has ever been public spirited in his citizenship, at all times casting his influence on the side of those matters which have for their object the general improvement and advancement, and his loyalty to the public interest is unquestioned, arising from a deep interest in the welfare of the community. His has been a life of continuous activity in which has been accorded due recognition of honest labor, and by the consensus of public opinion he ranks high among the substantial, representative and influential citizens of Western township.

William Miller

William Miller, whose demise occurred on the 226. of March, 1902, was closely identified with the interests and upbuilding of Henry county for twothirds of a century, having taken up his abode at Andover in 1836, He was born in Peekskill, New York, on the 31st of March, 1816, his parents being George and Mary Miller. The father followed farming near Peekskill throughout his active business career and passed away there when sixty-seven years of age. The mother was about seventy years old when called to her final rest. In their family were six sons and four daughters, namely: Bernard, William, Charles, John, Andrew, Lewis, Mary, Amanda, Eveline and Lucy.

William. Miller was reared to young manhood on his father's farm near Peekskill and then went to that city to learn the carpenter's trade, with which he was actively identified for a number of years. Subsequently, however, turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits. In 1836 he came to the state of Illinois with a colony that settled at Andover, Henry county, and in 1838 took up his abode in Geneseo, where he worked at the carpenter's trade for several years. He afterward purchased a quarter section of raw prairie land in Ed ford township, which he gradually transformed into a fertile and productive farm and on which he erected a substantial frame dwelling and other buildings. At the end of seven years he located in Geneseo and, disposing of his farm, was successfully engaged in the lumber business for a number of years.

On the 22d of December, 1842, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Harriet T. Cone, whose birth occurred in Victor, New York, December 26, 1826, her parents being Elisha and Eliza (Hill) Cone. The father was born at Wallingford, Connecticut, January i, 1803, and the mother first opened her eyes to the light of day at Bloomfield, New York, on the i8th of April, 1810. When twenty-one years of age Elisha Cone removed to New York, where he was married two years later. On the 13th of September, 1836, he left Bergen, Genesee county. New York, with a westward bound colony and after a long and tedious journey by wagon arrived at Geneseo, Illinois. His demise occurred on the 6th of September, 1846, while his wife, surviving him for more than six decades, was called to her final rest on the 7th of June, 1908, when ninety-eight years of age. Unto them were born five children, two sons and three daughters, as follows: Mrs. Miller; Clarissa F., the deceased wife of Elisha M. Stewart; Francis S., who served as a soldier in the Civil war and is now a resident of Crescent City, Florida; Ellen A., living in Orange City, Florida, who first wedded Roderick Manville and subsequent to his demise married Dr. P. W. Hill, who has also passed away; and Charles E., who died in a hospital at Nashville, Tennessee, as the result of his service in the Civil war. The paternal grandfather grandparents of Mrs. Miller were Solomon and SalHe Cone, and the grandfather participated in the war of 1812. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Miller, Josiah Hill, who was a farmer by occupation, passed away in Bloomfield, New York. He married Mrs. Cynthia (Cogswell) Robbins, and they had a family of thirteen children.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Miller were born three children, namely: George Lewis, who died when but eleven months old ; Emilie, the wife of W. S. Reed, a Methodist minister residing at Hampton, Illinois ; and George William, who obtained a good education in Geneseo and then took up his abode in St. Joseph, Missouri, where he acted as auditor for three different railroads. He passed away there when forty-five years of age. His widow, who bore the maiden name of Lydia Goodwin, now makes her home in Rock Island.

Mr. Miller was a stanch republican in his political views and for some years capably served his fellow townsmen as a member of the city council, while for several years he also held the office of county supervisor. He was called to his final rest on the 22d of March, 1902, when eighty-six years of age, and thus the county was called upon to mourn the loss of one of its most respected and worthy pioneer settlers. He was a devoted and faithful member of the Congregational church, to which his widow also belongs. The latter, who was a little maiden of about nine years when she came with her parents to Henry county, Illinois, has since made her home within its borders and is now the only member of the original colony that settled Geneseo who is still living here. She is a gentle, kindly woman, charitable in her estimate of every one and her many excellent traits of heart and mind have won for her the esteem and admiration of a host of warm friends.

Ralph Waldo Emerson Hayes

No history of Galva would be complete without extended reference to the Hayes Pump & Planter Company and the men who are prominent in managing and controlling its affairs. In this connection special reference should be made of Ralph W. E. Hayes, the manager of the company and one of the foremost men of Henry county. He was bom in Stark county, Illinois, February 19, 1872, and is the eldest of the five sons of Eugenio and Matilda (Dack) Hayes, of whom extended mention is made elsewhere in this volume, together with the ancestral history of the family in the paternal line. The maternal grandfather of our subject was John Dack, a native of Dublin, Ireland, and a shoemaker by trade. When four years of age he accompanied his parents on their voyage across the Atlantic to Canada, and when he came to the United States he settled in Stark county, Illinois, about 1834. Only two years before had the Black Hawk war occurred and the environments of pioneer life were his during his early residence in the Mississippi valley. After three years spent in Stark county he purchased land in Henry county lying at the southeast corner of Wethersfield township. There his remaining days were passed and with the early development and progress of the county he was closely associated, his labors constituting a factor in its reclamation for the purpose of civiliztion. He married Miss Jane Michaelson, who died at the age of eighty-two years. She was about three years old when she left Scotland, her native country, her birth having occurred in Edinburg. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dack were born ten children, five sons and five daughters, eight of whom reached years of maturity: Sarah Ann, John E., Matilda J., Albert L., Thomas E., Frederick E., all of whom are now living; William E., who died at the age of twenty-two years; Charles H., who died in Andersonville prison during the Civil war, when he was twenty-one years of age; and two, who died in infancy.

Ralph W. E. Hayes has been a resident of Henry county from the age of three years. The family home was maintained on a farm about two and a half miles east of Kewanee until he was nine years of age, when his parents took up their abode in the city of Kewanee, coming thence to Galva, when he was fourteen years of age. He attended the public schools of Galva and Kewanee and was graduated from the Galva high school with the class of 1889, He afterward spent two years as a student in the Northwestern University at Evanston and in the fall of 1891 he entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor where he practically completed three courses. He studied both mechanical and electrical engineering and was graduated with the class of 1895. He then returned to Galva and has since been associated with the Hayes Pump & Planter Company. He designs all their manufactured goods, his labors proving an important factor in the success which the enterprise now enjoys. The business had been established in Kewanee in 1881 but in May, 1886, was removed to Galva and has remained one of the most important of the productive industries of the city since that time, employment being now furnished to between two hundred and two hundred and fifty people.

On the 25th of February, 1896, Mr. Hayes was united in marriage to Miss Estella Mink, a daughter of William K. and Mrs. William K. (Fenton) Mink. She was born in New Marion, Indiana, and her parents were also natives of that state. They came to Henry county about 1885, settling in Galva where Mrs. Mink passed away. Mr. Mink continued to reside in Galva until 1908, when he removed to Galesburg, Illinois, where he is now living. Four daughters of the family still survive: Jennie, Estella, Nora and Nettie.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hayes has been born a daughter, Charlotte Lucile. The parents are members of the Methodist church and Mr. Hayes belongs to Galva Lodge, No. 243, A. F. & A. M., of which he is now senior warden. He has taken the degrees of capitulary Masonry in Kewanee Chapter, No. 47, R, A. M. and of chivalric Masonry in Kewanee Commandery, No. 71, K. T. He like- wise belongs to Peoria Consistory, S. P. R. S., and to Peoria Temple of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, while both he and his wife are connected with the Eastern Star,

His political endorsement is given to the republican party and, taking an active interest in its local work, he does all in his power to promote its growth and insure its success. He is now serving for the second term as a member of the city council and exercises his official prerogatives in support of those measures and movements which are of value as factors in a progressive and municipal life.

George Washburn

The student of history does not have to carry his investigations far into the records of Henry county to learn that the Washburn family has been long and prominently connected with the agricultural development of this part of the state, and George Washburn, whose name introduces this review, is now assiduously employed in the work of the farm, tilling the fields and raising, feeding and shipping stock. His home is now on the northeast quarter of section ii, Western township, but his birth occurred in Colona township, his natal day being October 20, 1863. His parents were Chauncey and Emily (Piatt) Washburn. The father was born near Springfield, Massachusetts, on the 17th of May, 1834, and was a son of Abisha and Isabella (Clapp) Washburn. He was only three years old when his parents came to Henry county, arriving in May, 1837. Only five years before had the Black Hawk war occurred and the work of civilization and improvement seemed scarcely begun in this part of the state. There were three families in the party that made the journey from Springfield, Massachusetts, to the Connecticut river. They took a boat there, proceeding down the river to Long Island sound and from that point made their way to the Erie canal and on to the Ohio river to its mouth and up the Mississippi to Hampton, being about three weeks on the way. On reaching their destination, Abisha Washburn rented a smoke house of Mr. Marshall and moved into it. It had no floor and was about ten feet square. At that time meat sold for twenty-five cents per pound. The next winter Mr. Washburn fattened a few hogs which he took to Stevenson, now Rock Island. He was paid a cent a pound for his meat and gave a dollar to cross Rock river and back on the ferry. He bought some "hard times" cloth for pants, for which he paid a dollar per yard but it could now be purchased at twenty-five cents per yard. The first wheat which the family raised was cut with the sickle or reap hook and threshed with a flail, and as there was no fanning mill they would take the grain by handsful and throw it against the wind and the best grain would drop farthest away. The nearest mill was sixty miles, and after making the journey with an ox team they would often have to wait a week for the grist. If the supply of flour and meal became exhausted they grated com, which they made into mush. That summer Abisha Washburn built a house into which the family moved in October. At first it had no doors nor windows and the mother would hang up a quilt before the door. The wolves would come and sit on the doorstep or howl around the cabin at night. The next summer they raised corn and got a fair crop but after it was harvested they had to plow the land with a cast iron plow, which would be driven through the ground for about two rods and then would have to be cleaned off with a paddle. All day long they would work that way. The harrow was made out of a small forked tree and to plant the corn they marked oflf the ground with an eight inch bar plow, which was also of cast iron like the big plow and had to be cleaned as often. As there were no stoves in those days cooking was done over the fire place, the Washburn family having a much better fire place than some of their neighbors. Theirs was built of stone and had a crane on which to hang kettles. The bake oven consisted of a kettle about five inches deep, with a cast iron lid. This was placed on live coals drawn out on the hearth and then hot coals would be put on the lid. After a few years, however, Mr. Washburn purchased a cook stove, which was the first in the neighborhood and people would come six or eight miles to see it. As they looked on it they would exclaim "How do you cook on that. I cannot see any fire. Where do you put your fire ?" In those days many of the houses were twelve or fourteen feet and the "large" houses were sixteen or eighteen feet. Some of these were made of round logs, while in others the logs were hewed on both sides and thus a fine house was built. The floors were made of puncheons and often additional space was secured by placing some joists overhead and a loose floor laid on them, this loft serving as a bedroom. The pioneers made their own shingles which were about two and a half feet long. The roof of pioneer times served very well to keep out the rain if the wind did not blow too hard, but the snow sifted in and Chauncey Washburn told that on many occasions as he got out of bed in the morning the snow lay six inches or more deep on the floor. Their house had its spinning wheel and a pair of cards. His mother carded the wool, spun the yarn to make all the socks, besides yarn to make some of the clothing, but as the sheep became more plentiful they put up a carding mill at Camden, so that the women could have their wool carded there, which greatly lessened their labor. If the fire v;ent out some one went to a neighbor's to borrow fire unless a tinder box and steel and flint were a part of the household equipment. The tinder box was made of tin about as big around as a quart cup but not as tall. It had two lids, one that shoved down to the bottom and one that fit on the top. The tinder was made of cotton cloth which was set afire and allowed to bum almost to a coal. Then it was dropped into the box and the loose lid shoved down on it and then they had their tinder. They made their own matches in those days, taking dry pine which was cut the right length and split the right size for matches, after which one end was dropped in melted sulphur. But they would not strike fire on the matches of the present day. It was necessary to take a flint and steel, striking them together until the sparks would fly into the tinder and set it afire, then the sulphur match was put against the tinder and the necessary light was secured. Such were some of the conditions which the pioneers faced during their early experiences in this county. Brought to Illinois when but three years of age, Chauncey Washburn aided in the arduous task of developing new land through the period of his boyhood and for many years carried on farming. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Emily Piatt, was bom in Indiana, and on coming to Henry county had settled near Bishop Hill. After their marriage they began their domestic life on land in Colona township belonging to his father. Subsequently Chauncey Washburn purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Western township, improved it and lived thereon for a few years, after which he sold the place and bought another one hundred and sixty acres on section I, and spent the remainder of his days there. He also bought a quarter section of land in Colona township, adjoining some which he inherited from his father, so that his possessions in that township aggregated two hundred twelve and a half acres. He was practical and progressive in his farm work, accomplishing excellent results by his earnest purpose and unfaltering diligence. In later years his friends, and especially the young people, delighted in hearing him relate incidents and stories of the pioneer days, for he had intimate knowledge of early events and keen recollection of the conditions of life which were here found in the period of his boyhood. His political allegiance was given to the democracy but he was never an office seeker. His death occurred in Western township, December 14, 1907, and his remains were interred in Western cemetery. He had for twelve years survived his wife, who passed away April 20, 1895. They were the parents of eight children: Ida, now the wife of Robert McLees, a farmer of Western township, by whom she has two children; Charlotte, the wife of William Durmann, an agriculturist of Colona township, by whom she has two children; George of this review; Otis, formerly a teacher in the Northwestern Normal at Geneseo, but now a stenographer of Chicago, where he lives with his wife, formerly Miss Minnie Dice; Edward, who wedded Mar>' Grier and lives on a farm in Colona township; Jane, who makes her home in Colona township with her sister ; Frank, who died at the age of three years ; and Emma, the wife of Norris Keel, living in Western township.

As a boy George Washburn spent his days on his father's farm and benefited by such instruction as the district schools afforded. He afterward enjoyed the benefits of a course in the Northwestern Normal School at Geneseo, where he pursued his studies one winter. After attaining his majority he rented land of his father for one year and then went to Thomas county, Kansas, where he took up government land, spending almost two years in that district, after which he abandoned the place and returned to his native county. While in the west he also worked on the Rock Island Railroad. On his return to Henry county he again rented land from his father, continuing to cultivate it until 1893, when with the capital he had acquired through his industry and economy he was at length enabled to purchase eighty acres of his present farm at fifty-five dollars per acre. In the spring of 1906 his dwelling was destroyed by fire, but with characteristic energy he rebuilt it in the same year. He now has modem improvements upon the place and the farm is a well developed property, giving evidence in its highly tilled fields of the care and labor which the owner bestows upon it.

On the 24th of September, 1890, Mr. Washburn was united in marriage in Geneseo to Miss Lizzie Kerwin, of Colona township. Mr. and Mrs. Washburn now have three children. Grace, born in Western township, spent three years in the high school at Geneseo and is now a student in Brown's Business College at Davenport, Iowa. Thomas, who was bom in Western township, has completed the district school course and has also spent some time in Brown's Busi-

Mr. Washburn gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but has never been an office seeker. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen Camp at Orion and is interested in progressive public measures but finds it necessary to devote the greater part of his time and attention to his business interests. He is now numbered among the leading farmers of the community and, moreover, is known as an honored representative of one of the oldest and most prominent pioneer families of the county.

John Robert Hanna

John Robert Hanna, who is overseer of the ten miles of the Illinois and Mississippi canal, from forty-three to fifty-three, and whose home is one and a half miles north of Geneseo, was born in the township of that name, February lo, 1854. His parents, Peter and Mary J. (Cherry) Hanna, were residents of the city of Geneseo where the father carried on a large trade in horses. There our subject grew to manhood, receiving a fair education in the pubhc schools. At the age of sixteen he began work on a farm in Geneseo township and then went to Iowa, where he spent two years, as he had an interest in a threshing outfit which was operated there. Disposing of his property in that state he returned to Geneseo and engaged with his father in the horse business, but the risks attached to the work discouraged his pursuit of it and in 1883 he joined the police force of Geneseo, on which he served for seventeen years, or until in 1901, when he became foreman, in the employ of the United States government, on the canal that was then being constructed. He was given the supervision of some of the buildings and of some of the culverts and locks and of the excavation for miles along the route of the waterway and then when the actual construction was completed, in recognition of the value of his services, he was made overseer of the ten miles before mentioned.

In Geneseo, May 10, 1873, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Hanna and Miss Sarah E. Morrow, who was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and was but two years of age when her father, Isaac Morrow, came to Illinois. He was one of seven brothers who came to Henry county among the early pioneers and swelled the number of her valiant sons who joined the Union army during the Civil war. Two of his brothers died in the service, but Mr. Morrow was spared to his family. His wife was Miss Jane J. McCracken in her maidenhood. Mr. and Mrs. Hanna have had nine children. John Otis, who lives in Freeport, Illinois, married Miss Lydia Rose and they have four children. Howard died in childhood. Daisy Pearl is the wife of Lenas Odstrom, a photographer of Geneseo, and they have one child. Maude E. married Albert W. Krueger, who is a lock tender under Mr. Hanna. Bud H. is assisant locktender under his father. Robert Ray died in childhood. Emory C. is at home with his

Mr. Hanna has always given his support unswervingly to the republican party for whose candidate in 1876, Rutherford B. Hayes, he cast his first presidential ballot. With his wife he is a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while fraternally he is a thirty-second-degree Mason and a member of the Knights of Pythias. In the former organization he has become a Noble of the Mystic Shrine and has filled various offices. A man who gives his whole attention to fulfilling his duties, he has won the confidence of his employers and of the citizens to whom indirectly he owes his time and efforts.

Dr. William Daniel Hohmann, president of the Kewanee board of health, who is at present at the head of the medical staff of St. Francis Hospital of this city, where he has been successfully engaged in the active practice of medicine since the fall of 1891, was born in Cassel, Germany, September 18, 1867. He is a son of William M. and Sophia (Volkmar) Hohmann, also natives of Germany, where they spent their entire lives. Most of his ancestors engaged in manufacturing or mercantile pursuits in the fatherland, although John Hohmann, his paternal grandfather, served in the German army during the Napoleonic wars and, during the latter part of his military career, was superintendent of the military prison at Cassel, Germany, where his death occurred in 1868. William M. Hohmann, the father of the Doctor, was a machinist by occupation, having followed that vocation throughout his entire life, his services for a greater part of that time having been for the government. During the Franco-Prussian war he had charge of the government round-house at Fulda, Germany, where his death occurred in 1872, while his wife passed away at Cassel, August 9, 1894.

WiUiam D. Hohmann acquired his education for the most part in his native land, having obtained an excellent knowledge of the English language in Hersfeld, Germany, prior to his emigration to the United States. Wishing to try his fortune in America, he crossed the Atlantic alone when he was sixteen years of age. He took up his residence in the east, having secured a position in a drug store in Baltimore, Maryland, working in that city for five years or until 1887. In September, 1885, however, he entered the Maryland College of Pharmacy, at the same time continuing his connection with the drug store, and was graduated from that institution in 1887. In the fall of the same year he entered the Baltimore Medical College and received the degree of M. D. on the 15th of April, 1890, having spent the last eight months in the Maryland General Hospital, as resident physician and student. He then engaged in the practice of medicine in Baltimore until the fall of 1891, when he came to Illinois, opening an office in Kewanee, since which time he has been successfully practicing in this city with the exception of the' time he has spent in further study in New York and Germany. In 1895 Dr. Hohmann spent some time in his native land, taking a postgraduate course in hospital work in Berlin under most eminent physicians of

In June, 1899, Dr. Hohmann was united in marriage to Miss Anna Frederickson, of Kewanee, and they have become the parents of two children, William Daniel, Jr., and Phillip Frederick.

Dr. Hohmann is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias and the Kewanee Club, while in professional lines, his membership relations extend to the Kewanee Physicians Club, in which he has held the office of secretary; the Galva District Medical Society; the Henry County Medical Society, of which he is now the president; the Illinois State Medical Society; and the American Medical Association. He is now serving on the Kewanee milk and dairy commission and is president of the board of health. Dr. Hohmann is an ambitious student, keeping in touch with the advancement and progress made in his profession, not only through his membership in the different medical societies, but also through extensive reading and investigation into the best scientific methods in use by the physicians of the present day.

William L. Painter

William L. Painter, who owns a large farm in Phenix township, is descended from one of the first nine settlers of Henry county. His father, William Painter, was born in Pennsylvania in 1820 and when a young man went to Ohio, and after a time came to Illinois, making the whole journey in a covered wagon. Here he took up a government claim and established his home and family, his house having been one of the first built in this county. He lived to see the sparsely settled district teem with people and blossom with farms, and he aided in its development, for he entered into the spirit of the little colony, participated in their government, and held all of the township offices. When the republican party was organized in this state he gave to it his pohtical allegiance and took part in the interesting discussions that were carried on in this county preceding the Civil war. He died in 1900 and was buried in Oakwood cemetery, where his second wife was also laid to rest, when on July 27, 1909, her life was brought to its close. She bore the maiden name of Jennie Ickers and was born in Ohio in 1845. William L. is the only child of that union. For his first wife, the father married Eliza Reicherd, also a native of Ohio, and to them were born four children who are still living, namely: Anna, who became the wife of Wellington March and lives in Vandalia, Illinois; Henrietta married John Scanlan and lives in Phenix township, north of her brother William L. ; Louisa is the wife of Frank Cherry, and lives in Geneseo ; and G. L. lives in Horton, Kansas.

In the house in which he now lives William L. Painter was born October 25, 1883. He began his studies in the little district school and later completed his education in the grade schools of Geneseo. Until seventeen years of age he stayed at home and worked with his father and then sought employment elsewhere, at the same time continuing his lessons. When he attained his majority he took possession of his mother's place, which he either tilled himself or rented to others. This, upon the death of his father, came into his exckisive possession, with the understanding that he should yearly pay to his mother a certain fixed sum. The farm consists of two hundred and forty acres altogether, one hundred and eighty acres lying on section 27, Phenix township, and sixty acres being situated on section 22. On it he has pursued general farming and has engaged somewhat in the raising of stock for market. An earnest worker and faithful, there would seem to be a bright future opening before him, and there is before him the example of his father who had the courage to brave the hardships of the frontiers.

On the 5th of December, 1907, Mr. Painter married Miss Beulah Fones, who was bom in Moline, Illinois, February 25, 1884, and is a daughter of Millard and Ellen (Neisweinder) Fones. The father was born in Buffalo, New York, in 1852, and came to Illinois when a very young boy. He was engaged in teaming and now lives in Geneseo. His wife, who was born in Henry county in 1861, passed away in 1886, survived by two children : Edward, who lives in Geneseo ; and Beulah, now Mrs. Painter. Mr. and Mrs. Painter have two children: Gertrude Ellen, who was born December 2, 1907 ; and an infant.

Politically Mr. Painter is a republican, the party which fought for the preservation of the Union almost half a century ago. In this struggle one of his uncles, John Painter, and two of his wife's uncles, Wesley and Samuel Neisweinder, participated so that he feels singularly bound to support its candidate.

Louis Oberg

Louis Oberg, a farmer of Henry county, living on section 20, Galva township, was born in Gestrickland, Sweden, September 29, 1849, ^ son of Jones and Kate (Johnson) Oberg, both natives of Sweden. The paternal and maternal grandparents were also of Swedish birth, and never left their native land, the former living to an advanced age and when they died leaving three children: Louis, Jones and a daughter. Jones Oberg followed farming in the land of his nativity and there died in 1884, at the age of seventy-four years. His wife survived him but a few years and like her husband died in the Lutheran faith, the creed they had professed during their lifetime.

Louis Oberg was reared at home on the farm and received a limited education from the country schools of his native land. In 1875 he came to America and made his way west until he arrived in Galva. He went to work first on a farm by the month and then removed to Moline, where he remained two years. Again he took up farm work at the end of that period, but only for a short time, for he went to Chicago, which was his home for six years. While he remained in that city he was employed for the most part in a furniture factory. In 1884 he removed to Bishop Hill, where he engaged in farming for himself on rented land. Five years later he came to Galva township and, after farming for a year on rented land, bought his present tract of one hundred and sixty acres. There were no buildings on that farm when Mr. Oberg obtained possession of it. Now a good and substantial house has been erected, barns and other necessary build-

On the 13th of November, 1879, at Chicago, Mr. Oberg was united in marriage to Miss Kate Peterson, a daughter of Peter and Christine (Anderson) Peterson. The parents died in Sweden, the land of their birth, at an advanced age. Of their family of eight children, three sons and five daughters, five are still living: Eric; Kate, now Mrs. Oberg; Andrew; Anna, the wife of Emil Wahlgren; and Betsey. Mrs. Oberg was born in Westmanland, Sweden, and came alone to America in 1869. She took up her residence at Bishop Hill, Illinois, with an old neighbor from her Swedish home. From there she went to Galesburg and later to Chicago, where she lived for thirteen years. To Mr. and Mrs. Oberg have been born four children: Jennie Elizabeth, who died at the age of fifteen months; Esther Christina and Edward Theodore, who live at home; and August Albin, who died at the age of three years and six months. Our subject has one brother and two sisters living: John Oberg, of Galva; and the two sisters in Sweden.

In political matters Mr. Oberg gives his support to the republican party, as it represents what he believes to be the best policy of general government, and although he has not been active in its councils or conventions he has served several terms as road commissioner and is filling out his fourth term as school trustee. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers Grain Elevators of Galva and Nekoma, of which he is one of the directors.

Charles E. Chase

Charles E. Chase belongs to that class of representative American citizens who are seeking their fortunes in agricultural lines and through their well directed efforts are meeting with most gratifying success. He was born in Jacksonville, Vermont, on the 17th of January, 1844, a son of Merrick and Sarah Maria (Brigham) Chase. The father, a native of Douglas, Massachusetts, was the son of Benjamin and Sarah (Sprague) Chase, who went to Vermont when he was a small child. There Benjamin Chase owned and operated a farm, at the same time following the shoemaker's business. Merrick Chase was reared upon the home farm and early in life learned the trade of clothier, in which he had to card his own wool, and he followed that occupation for some time in Jacksonville, Vermont, where he resided in a home built at the end of a mill. Later, however, he was forced by the mills to abandon that line of activity and he became the proprietor of a hotel and also served as deputy sheriff for a number of years. In the latter part of the '50s he took his family to Washington county, New York, where the home was maintained for many years, and subsequently he came to Henry county, Illinois, where his remaining days were spent. He was an old time abolitionist and later became a stalwart supporter of the republican party.

Charles E. Chase was a youth of fourteen years when his parents removed to Washington county. New York, and his education, which had been begun in the Vermont schools, was completed in the Empire state. He continued to make his home under the parental roof until nineteen years of age, when his father gave him his time and he was engaged by the month as a farm hand until twenty-five years of age, when he came to Henry coimty, arriving in Orion on the 12th of March, 1869. He had an uncle, Francis Brigham, who had located in Western township several years before. He was employed at farming by the month for about four years, and in the meantime, in 1873, his parents had come to Henry county, where the father purchased the farm upon which our subject now resides. The father continued to make his home on that farm until the time of his death, the son operating land in the capacity of renter for a number of years.

On the 26th of February, 1874, Mr. Chase returned to Vermont and was there united in marriage to Miss Sophia H. Farnsworth, who was born and reared near the birthplace of our subject. She is a daughter of Luke W. and Harriett (Brigham) Farnsworth, both natives of Vermont. She had enjoyed the advantages of a good education, and for twelve years resided in Boston, teaching school for a number of years. After his marriage Mr. Chase brought his bride back to Henry county and they began their domestic life upon the farm which is now their place of residence. It consists of one hundred acres on section 29, Western township, for which he paid sixty dollars per acre, and he also has become the owner of forty acres located on section 33. The place has become a very highly cultivated property, its excellent condition being due to the efforts and labor of his father, himself and also his son. They have instituted many improvements and in 1909 erected a new barn which is large and substantial in proportions and modern in construction, while the other buildings upon the place are all good and have been built by members of the family. Mr. Chase has divided his time between his general farming and stock-raising interests, feeding and shipping stock annually. He enjoys a substantial income from the fact that both branches of his business - the raising of grain and the raising of stock - are proving most profitable. He has made a close study of agriculture, is methodical, systematic, progressive and up-to-date in his methods, so that he is numbered among the substantial and successful farmers of his section of the county.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Chase has been blessed with one child, Arthur F., who was bom on the ist of March, 1879. After completing the course of study at the Orion public school he attended Knox College at Galesburg, from which he was graduated with the class of 1901. He then taught in a country school for one year and was principal of the high school at Castleton, Stark county, for two years. His identification with the educational interests was a source of benefit to the communities in which he labored, for he proved himself a most competent and able instructor, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. On the 20th of August, 1902, he was united in marriage to Miss Etta Love, a daughter of James and Anna (Beatty) Love. Since his marriage he has made his home with his parents and has assumed the active management of the home farm. He is making a specialty of raising pure bred shorthorn Durham cattle and Poland China hogs, and in this connection is meeting with most gratifying success. He is a young man who is well known throughout the community in which he has spent his entire life, and he has gained many friends who entertain for him high regard and esteem. He is republican in politics, with strong prohibition tendencies, being stanch in his advocacy of the cause of tem- perance. He is a director in the Western township library, located in Orion, and is interested in all matters which have for their object the material, political, intellectual and moral progress of the community.

Mrs. Charles E. Chase has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church since girlhood, and the son also belongs to that organization, being superintendent of the Sunday school. Charles E. Chase, whose name initiates this review, has long been a member of the Masonic order, having held some of the minor offices, while his wife is a member of the Ladies Aid Society. In politics he gives stalwart support to the republican party, but the honors of office have had no attraction for him as he prefers to devote his entire energies to the conduct of his business affairs. His has been a life of continuous activity which has been crowned with most gratifying success. Although he is now in the evening of life and has given the active management of his business affairs over to his son, he nevertheless remains an active and interested figure in the world's work, the consensus of public opinion according him a foremost place among the valued and representative citizens of Western township.

Edward Arthur Combs

Edward Arthur Combs, one of the successful agriculurists of this county, who also devotes considerable attention to^the raising, feeding and shipping of cattle, was born in the house in which he now lives, in Osco township, October 2, 1871. His father, Andrew Combs, was a native of Ohio and when he came to Illinois purchased the farm on section 23, Osco township, on which his son lives today. His wife was Miss Louise Ringle before her marriage and nobly fulfilled the duties that fell to her share.

On the farm which was his birthplace Edward Arthur Combs has passed the greater part of his life and has tilled its soil from the time that he was able to handle the implements of agriculture. He attended the public schools of the district, and from them obtained substantial education. After leaving school he devoted himself to the work on his father's farm until he was about twentythree years old, when he married and operated another farm in Osco township, though he continued to live at home. Upon his father's death he inherited one hundred and twenty acres of land and in 1903 purchased eighty additional acres, which brings his holdings up to two hundred acres, the extent of his present farm. At the time he bought the land the price was one hundred and twelve and a half dollars, but now it is worth fully one hundred and seventy-five or two hundred dollars an acre. It is all well improved and is rich, arable land, and also valuable as pasture.

In Gardner, Grundy county, Illinois, on the 6th of February, 1895, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Combs and Miss May Butterfield, whose home was in Scranton, Pennsylvania. She was born in Gardner, September 6, 1871, and was a daughter of Oliver and Lydia (Leach) Butterfield, but as her mother died when she was very young she was sent to an aunt in Scranton and there grew to maturity. In her young womanhood she came to Henry county to visit relatives, and here met Mr. Combs, who wooed and married her. They have become the parents of four children: Charles Andrew, born May 30, 1896; Josephine Susan, born May 13, 1898; Jessie May, born March 26, 1901 ; and Edward Pierce, born June 26, 1903.

Mr. Combs is a firm believer in the principles enunciated in the platform of the republican party and ever since he cast his first presidential ballot for Harrison has given his support to its candidates. He has never sought any office, however, though there can be no doubt of the ready and substantial approval with which his aspiration to public distinction would be met by the citizens of his community, for by his success he has proved himself to be steadfast in purpose and honorable in the conduct of his business.

Fred Schmoll, Sr

Fred Schmoll, Sr., who for many years was a leading farmer of Osco township, but has now retired from active labor, was born in Helsen, Arolsen, Germany, November 3, 1829, a son of Christian and Catherine (SchaeflFer) Schmoll. Until he was fourteen years of age he attended the public schools of his native land and then learned the trade of shoemaker, at which he worked for about five years. He next took up farming in Germany, and in 1858 came to America, bringing his wife and child with him. The family were about seven days in crossing the ocean and landed at New York, coming very soon after to Geneseo, Illinois, where Mr. Schmoll had an acquaintance living. After his arrival in this part of the state he worked for others for a time and then rented land, on which he farmed for about a year. By hard work and economy he was then able to buy thirty acres in Edford township, which was his home for about six years, during which time he put in many substantial improvements. Upon disposing of that place he bought, in 1865, the one hundred and sixty-one acres where he now lives. He paid only twenty-five dollars an acre for it at the time, for it was not improved, and now it is well worth one hundred and fifty dollars an acre, for Mr. Schmoll has built a number of substantial buildings and has cultivated the soil with a care that has enabled it to retain its fertility.

Mr. Schmoll has been married twice. In Germany, November 17, 1853, he wedded Miss Kate Schmoll and to them were born ten children. Fred, the eldest, married Miss Henrietta Frehl and lives in Osco township, where he owns one hundred and sixty acres of land. Henry married Miss Anna Fircht and also lives in Osco township. William married Miss Amelia Hauberg and resides in Boulder, Colorado. Catherine became the wife of John Temple and lives in Moline, Illinois. Mary is the wife of Ernest Walter and lives in Edford township. Louis married Miss Anna Wildermuth and lives in Cambridge township. George married Mrs. Minnie Harris, nee Schonau, and resides in Rock Island. Theodore married Miss Margaret Vogle and lives in Osco township. Two children died in infancy. Mrs. Schmoll passed away in January, 1897, and on the 23d of June, 1900, Mr. Schmoll married Miss Fredericka Schwerdtle, of Chicago. She was born in Germany, and after coming to this country made her home in Geneseo, where she became acquainted with Mr. Schmoll. She later went to Chicago, where she remained until within a few weeks of her marriage, when she came to Geneseo to be bridesmaid at the wedding of a friend. On that occasion Mr. Schmoll renewed his acquaintance with her, with the result that he persuaded her to become his wife, and eleven days after she had supported her friend she herself became a bride.

Mr, Schmoll has always given his political support to the democratic party but he has never sought any office within the gift of the people, feeling that his own interests required all of his attention. He attends the services of the German Evangelical Lutheran church in Edford township, which he helped to build, and he has also served as president of the church board.

Robert S. White

Robert S. White, a retired farmer of Woodhull and one of its representative citizens, who has been prominent politically in Henry county for a number of years, was born February ii, 1832, in Lincolnshire, England, a son of James and Rose (Smith) White. The family came to America in 1851, settling in Lake county, Ohio, with the exception of Robert S. White, who remained in Buffalo, where he had secured employment. At that time the family consisted of Mary, Sarah, Maria, Charlotte, Robert S. and Thomas, but the two sons are the only members now living and both reside in Woodhull. In 1856 all of them came to Woodhull and the father engaged in farming in this locality, achieving considerable success. He was a man of strong character and sterling integrity and commanded respect everywhere. His death occurred in 1880, his widow surviving until 1894, and both are buried in Andover.

Robert S. White obtained but a limited education in England and since coming here he has devoted himself to business affairs, securing a well earned competency. All of his money has been made by farming, he now owning three hundred and sixty-six acres of excellent land, as well as a handsome town residence, where he has lived since 1899, when he retired from agricultural pursuits.

On February 22, 1852, Mr. White married Elizabeth Neal, who came to America on the same vessel as the White family, to join her mother who had preceded her, her father having died some years previously. Twelve children have been bom to Mr. and Mrs. White, namely: Mary E., who married John Atkinson, of Sumner county, Kansas ; William G., who lives in Clover township ; John R., who resides in Knox county, Illinois ; Maria, who married Irich Nelson, of Moline, Illinois ; Angeline, who married Isaac C. Snow, of Geneseo ; Alice R., who is at home; Ethel I., who married John Logan Stires of Oxford township; Leslie A., who lives in Galesburg; Nellie F., who married John Rogers of LTtah, Cambridge township ; and Sarah, James and Frank E., all three deceased.

Mr. White is a republican and has been active in the affairs of his party, during the McKinley campaign of 1896 engaging in considerable work for the national committee that was productive of excellent results. He has been road commissioner for years, school trustee for several terms, and school director for twenty years. All of his children have been well educated and he has been interested in securing good schools for them and for other children of the district. Having been so efficient a public official, the people of his neighborhood have often endeavored to induce Mr. White to run for higher office but in vain as he always declines the honor. Mr. and Mrs. White are consistent members of the Methodist church, of which he is trustee. Some of his children are Methodists and others Presbyterians, and they are all active in church work wherever they are. Mr. White has been closely identified with the agricultural and stock-raising interests of Henry county and no man stands higher in public esteem than he.

Frederick Stahl

The life record of Frederick Stahl is another illustration of the fact that in America where effort is not hampered by caste or class the individual has opportunity to work his way steadily upward and gain the just reward of his labor. Frederick Stahl for many years a respected and honored resident of Henry county was. born in Holstein, Germany, January 17, 1841, his parents being Mathew and Anna Stahl, whose family numbered eight children. The father was a laborer in Germany and both he and his wife died in that country, the former when sixty-eight years of age.

Frederick Stahl was reared and educated in the fatherland and followed various pursuits there after he had attained an age sufficient to enable him to start in business life. In 1866, attracted by the favorable reports which he heard concerning America, and her opportunities he came to the new world, settling in Munson township, Henry county, where he worked by the month as a farm hand for a time. He desired, however, that his labors might more definitely benefit himself and therefore began farming on his own account by renting land. After two years spent in that way he was enabled, as the result of his industry and careful expenditure, to purchase eighty acres which he at once began to improve. As he further prospered he added to it a tract of sixty-four acres and upon that farm made his home until 1892, carefully tilling the soil that he might harvest rich crops, for which he found a ready and profitable sale on the market.

On the 3d of September, 1870, Mr. Stahl was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Peterson, a daughter of Gustav and Christine (Anderson) Peterson. Mrs. Stahl was born in Sniolan, Sweden, February i, 1841, and her parents were also natives of that country. Her mother died in Sweden in 1862 and her father married again and with his second wife came to the United States in May, 1869, settling in Geneseo. He continued a resident of this county until his death, which occurred in the winter of 1892 when he had reached the age of seventy-nine years and nine months. His second wife survived him ten years and passed away in April, 1902, at the age of seventy-five years and four months. By the father's first marriage there were two sons and a daughter : Oscar, Otto and Minnie, but the younger son died when sixteen years of age. By the second marriage there were three children who lived to maturity: Sophia, the wife of Olof Johnson;

Hilda ; and Mrs. Jennie Peterson. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Stahl wa^ Peter Peterson, a farmer of Sweden, who spent his entire life there. He married Anna Sophia Swanson, who was eighty-two years of age at the time of her demise. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Stahl was Andrew Peterson, a farmer of Sweden, who married Eva Samuelson.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Stahl was blessed with four children : Frank Emil, Jennie E., Nellie A. and Mabel A. The eldest married Jennie Durston, by whom he has three children : Marie, Madras and Arlo, and the family home is in Geneseo. The death of Mr. Stahl occurred September 13, 1902, when he was sixty-two years of age and he is still survived by his wife, who is a consistent member of the Lutheran church, to which Mr. Stahl also belonged, guiding his Hfe by its principles.

His political allegiance was given to the republican party and there was no more loyal son of America than Frederick Stahl, notwithstanding the fact that he was born across the water. He was always interested in the welfare and progress of the community and his efforts to promote the pubHc good made him a cooperant factor in many measures that were beneficial to the district.

Jacob Frank

Jacob Frank, now deceased, was for many years engaged in the harness business in Geneseo, where he arrived in early manhood. After living for some years in Annawan he removed to Geneseo, where his last days were past. He was born in Germany, May 8, 1829, and in that country was reared and educated but the reports which he had heard concerning America and its advantages proved to him an irresistible attraction and when a young man he crossed the broad Atlantic to the new world. After living for a time in Bucyrus, Ohio, he came to Henry county, Illinois, and settled at Annawan, where he followed his trade of harness making. He was a fine workman and the excellent line of goods which he manufactured secured him a large trade throughout the county. Coming to Geneseo he conducted a large business here, having one of the successful harness-making establishments of the city. He also built a fine home here and was a valued factor in the commercial and social circles of the city until his death.

Mr. Frank was married twice and by his first wife, Mrs. Delia Bowman Frank had five children. Leonard, the eldest, now deceased, married Etta Daily and they had two sons, Sherman J. and William ; Alice, the second child of the first marriage, became Mrs. McLaughlin and after the death of her first husband married Dr. Province, of Ottawa, Illinois, while her third husband was Charles Hamilton, of Geneseo. She has one son. Earl. William, the third member of the family, lives in Silvis, Illinois. He married Catharine Selmer, and they had one son, Leonard, and for his second wife he chose Hulda Holke. Minnie is the wife of William Brown, a barber of Chicago, and they have four children. Charles, the youngest child of that marriage, was killed in a runaway accident when thirteen years of age. The wife and mother, Mrs. Delia

Bowman Frank, died in 1880, and on the 4th of December, 1882, Mr. Frank wedded Mrs. Mary Hall, the widow of James Hall and a daughter of James and Mary (Shale) Orr. Her paternal grandfather lived and died in Ireland. He married a Miss McCreery, who also passed away in that country. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Frank also spent his entire life in Ireland where he followed the occupation of farming. Both Mr. and Mrs. James Orr, the parents of Mrs. Frank, were natives of Belfast, Ireland, and on coming to America settled in Philadelphia where Mr. Orr followed the weaver's trade, weaving Irish linen, which he made from flax. He afterward removed to Safe Harbor, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where he lived for several years and subsequently he became one of the early settlers of Henry county, Illinois, where he purchased a farm of forty acres lying in Cornwall township. He afterward bought eighty acres and from time to time added to his property until he owned a large tract of land. He died on the old home farm in 1884 at the age of seventy-four years, while his wife passed away two years later at the age of eighty-three. They were the parents of five children : Margaret, who died at the age of four years ; Mary, William, James and Eliza, all of whom are living. Mrs. Frank was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, August 26, 1849, and in early womanhood gave her hand in marriage to James Hall, a native of Belfast, Ireland, who died in 1883. There were two children of that marriage, Margaret, who died when six years of age, and Frank Hall, who is a civil engineer in the employ of the government. After losing her first husband Mrs. Hall became the wife of Jacob Frank and unto this marriage was born one son, Ira Robert, at home. Mr. Frank passed away June 4, 1903, at the age of seventy-four years. For some years prior to his death he was the president of the cemetery association. His business record was always such as won for him respect and regard as well as success, and all who knew him entertained for him warm esteem for his salient qualities were those of honorable, upright manhood. Mrs. Frank still survives her husband and is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of finely improved land in Cornwall township which she inherited from her father and also a beautiful home on College avenue and West Exchange street.

William Henry

William Henry, to whom fate has vouchsafed honorable retirement as the reward of his persistent and intelligently directed labor in former years, is now living in Wethersfield. He is one of the native sons of Henry county, his birth having occurred in Kewanee, November 24, 1870. His father, George Washington Henry, was born in the town of Moy in the north part of Ireland, June 7, 1835, and was of Scotch parentage. Coming to this country when a young man, he made his way to the south, where he remained until the outbreak of the Civil war. He then enlisted in a southern regiment and served for two years in defense of the Confederacy. In 1863 he was married in Mexico to Miss Elizabeth Duncan, a native of Scotland, and they became parents of five children, namely:

Mrs. F. G. Goodrich, of Kewanee; Thomas, who is now living on a farm in Wethersfield township; WilHam, of this review; John B., who makes his home at La Fayette, Knox county, IlHnois, where he is engaged in farming; and Anna, the wife of George Humfreville of Kewanee.

In the district schools of Kewanee township William Henry pursued his education. He worked on his father's farm until twenty-two years of age and was afterward employed as a farm hand by the month for a year. He then married and rented a farm of two hundred acres in Burns township, whereon he resided for four years, carefully cultivating the fields. He removed from that place to the Louis Hoppoch farm in Wethersfield township, where he resided for four years, after which he took up his abode upon his mother-in-law's farm of one hundred and twenty acres, residing there for two years. When he had saved sufficient capital as the result of his industry and economy he purchased the Isaac Pyle farm of two hundred and sixty acres in Kewanee township, but did not take possession of it at that time. He rented it for a year but was not satisfied with the way in which his tenant managed it and at the end of that time he began its cultivation himself. For a year he lived there and then sold out, making investment in his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres on Wethersfield township, where he lived for three years. On the 20th of January, 1909, he held a sale, disposing of all of his live stock and implements, this being one of the best sales that has ever been held in the locality. He then rented the farm, which he had greatly improved in the meantime. When he purchased the place he erected all the buildings upon it except the house which had recently been constructed. He built new fences, put in tile and otherwise improved the entire farm, making it a valuable property. In February, 1909, he purchased a new residence of ten rooms in Wethersfield, and removing his family to the town immediately took possession and now lives at No. 127 East Church street. Beside his home he owns a lot in the town of Wethersfield and from his farm he derives a substantial annual income.

On the 1st of January, 1893, in Kewanee, Mr. Henry was united in marriage to Miss Ida E. Lehman, a daughter of John and Ernestine Lehman, both of whom were natives of Germany and came to this county in 1856. Her mother was born in Brandenburg, Germany, May 26, 1848, and came to this county with her sister when twenty-two years of age. On the 6th of March, 1870, in the Lutheran church of Kewanee she gave her hand in marriage to John Lehman, Jr., who was born in Germany, December 29, 1820, and was the son of John Lehman, Sr. He came to America in 1856, settling in Bums township, where he lived for forty-one years, becoming well known by all in this vicinity. His death occurred upon his farm in Burns township March 19, 1897, and on the 20th of March his wife, Mrs. Anna (Onart) Lehman, passed away, John Lehman, Jr., was born in Germany, April 14, 1846, and when a lad of ten years came to this country with his parents, living with them on the home farm in Burns township until the war, when he enlisted and served for four years in the federal army. When leaving home he received from his father eighty acres of land, upon which he and his wife lived for five years. He then sold that tract and bought one hundred and twenty acres, which is still owned by Mrs. Lehman and is cared for by her son, William Henry, Mr. Lehman also cultivated his father's farm of two hundred and forty acres for many years and upon the death of his father he bought out the other heirs, thus becoming owner of the entire homestead, which is now the property of his widow, whose holdings aggregate four hundred and sixty acres, John Lehman, Jr., was a resident of Burns township for forty-five years and was widely known not only in Henry but in adjoining counties. He was prominently identified with the German Evangelical church of Kewanee for many years and took an active part therein, contributing liberally to the support of his church. Mrs. Lehman has always attended the same church. In politics Mr. Lehman was a stanch republican and died on the home farm December 28, 1901, at the age of fifty-five years and is survived by his widow and two daughters: Ida E., the wife of William Henry; and Emma T., the wife of William Charlet, of Burns township, by whom she has one child, Verene, six years of age, Mr. Henry is a stanch republican where national issues and questions are involved but at local elections votes independently nor does he believe that politics should enter into the consideration of those who exercise the right of franchise but rather that they should give every thought to choosing the best men for the performance of public duties. While living in Wethersfield township he served as school director. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen Camp at Kewanee and attends the German Evangelical church of that city. Working diligently and persistently in former years, he has been quite successful in his business affairs, his prosperity now enabling him to live retired.