Henry County, Illinois - The whole text, 1910 (part 29 of 32)

On the i8th of March, 1834, was celebrated the marriage of Charles Yocum and Miss Mary Smith, who was bom in Lancaster county, Ohio, February 21, 1814, and was a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Butler) Smith, both of whom were born in Delaware. Seven children were born to that union, one son and six daughters : Catherine is keeping house for her father in Galva. Elizabeth married James M. Wiley, who passed away in 1866. Edmund, a retired farmer of Galva, married Elizabeth Barefoot and they have five living children as follows : Charles Harry, Ervin, Ralph and Grace. Martha, who married Clarence Tucker, now deceased, lives in Columbus, Ohio, and has three children, Clara, Frederick and Jessie, all of whom are now living with the exception of Frederick. Mary married Adam Dum and both are now deceased. Two children were bom to them, Charles, now deceased, and Forrest, who is the assistant cashier in the First National Bank of Galva. Matilda wedded Pliny S. Jones and with their two children, Katharine and Merlin, they are now living in Qiiincy, Illinois. Luella is the wife of Thomas H. Simmons and they reside in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and have two children. Haven Yocum and Mary Deborah Simmons. Mrs. Mary Smith, the wife and mother, passed away July 12, 1875, at the age of sixty-one years. Her religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church as is that of her husband, who is at present a member of that denomination.

Before the organization of the republican party Charles Yocum gave his political allegiance to the whig party, voting for the first time in 1832 for Henry Clay, since which time he has not missed a single election, ballotting in all for twenty presidential candidates. Never desirous of political preferment as a reward for party fealty, he has not been an active politician in the sense of office seeking and with the exception of ten years, during which time he held the office of supervisor in Peoria county, Illinois, he has not held office. In his early manhood, possessing good sense and unflinching courage, combined with perseverance and industry, he prospered in his undertakings" and, after having lived a long and honorable life, he can look back over the past without regret and forward toward his eternal home without fear.

B. Franklin Stevens

The well cultivated fields and the excellent, commodious buildings which constitute the farm of B. Franklin Stevens on section 20, western township, ofifer but another evidence of what industry, economy and determination tO' succeed will accomplish. He was bom on a farm near the village of Bath, Steuben county. New York, January 18, 1843, his parents being William and Margaret (Bailey) Stevens. Before he can remember, they removed to the village of Bath, where his father found employment as a laborer and where he attended the public schools. In 1855, when he was about twelve years of age, he and a brother William W. Stevens, started upon their journey to Illinois. They came by train to Colona, this county, whence they walked to Rock Island county, where a paternal uncle, Henry Stevens, was living. With him, B. Franklin Stevens made his home for about two years, attending the common schools of the district for a few months.

When about fifteen, at an age when many boys are giving little thought to the responsibilities of life, Mr. Stevens began to make his own way in the world, receiving wages for his day's labor. Although this amounted at first to only twenty-five cents a day and later to five dollars a month besides his board, he contrived to save something. For the first year after his marriage he rented land in Rock Island county but came to Henry county in 1869. In 1880 he bought the place he now occupies, consisting of fifty-three acres, and has remodeled all the buildings and erected a handsome residence. He makes a specialty of breeding and raising pure blood Poland China hogs and barred Plymouth Rock chickens.

At Watertown, Rock Island county, Illinois, December 22, 1867, Mr. Stevens wedded Miss Lena Julia Demmer, of Brookfield, Missouri She was born in Germany and was little more than a child when, in 1847, she accompanied her parents, Adolph and Minnie (Schoder) Demmer, on their journey to America. Her mother died in St. Louis before they had reached their destination, and the father continued with his children to Buffalo, Iowa, where he made his home until his death. As this occurred when Mrs. Stevens was but seven years of age, she was placed under the guardianship of Captain Dodge, of Buffalo, with whom she lived until she was eleven. At that age she went to make her home with a sister in Aurora, Illinois, where she received a good education in the public schools. When the sister removed to Brookfield, Missouri, Mrs. Stevens, at that time being about twenty-one years old, accompanied her, but in 1865 she returned to Illinois to visit some friends in Watertown. While there she met Mr. Stevens and in the course of a couple of years they were married. Their first child, Clara, was born Septemb'er 24, 1868, while they were living in Rock Island county. She attended the country schools and became the wife of Fred Love, a farmer in Rock Island county. They have five children, namely : Edwin, born in Henry county, November 21, 1895; Florence, also born in Henry county. October 20, 1897; Dessel, born in Rock Island county, June 24, 1900; Harold, born in Rock Island county, March 3, 1903; and Gertrude, born November 16, 1904. The second child of Mr. and Mrs. Stevens was Flora, born in Western township, February 4, 1874. She graduated from the public schools of Orion and is now the wife of James Carson, a farmer of Western township. They have one child, Ethel, who was born in that township, April 18, 1908.

Mr. Stevens was reared in the democratic party and cast his first presidential ballot for its candidate, George B. McClellan, in 1864. He has never been an office seeker, although he has always kept well informed upon subjects of public concern. On the 13th of October, 1875, he was initiated into Sherman Lodge, No. 535, A. F. & A. M., and in the progress of years has filled some of the chairs, for he has ever evinced an interest in the society's affairs, and his life, ordered by principles of integrity, has won the approval of his fraternal brothers.

Edward Golden, Jr

Edward Golden, Jr., whose large mining interests occupy much of his time, is one of the responsible and public-spirited men of Kewanee. He is a native of England - that country which has established more colonies than all other civilized lands put together. He was born in Dudley, England, in November, 1865, and is a son of Edward and Mary (Willets) Golden. Two years after his birth his father came to the United States and, arriving in Kewanee, engaged in coal mining for two years, when he returned to England and spent a year there. In 1869 he again came to Kewanee and soon afterward sent for his family and this has continued the home of the Goldens. The father continued mining until about four years ago, when he retired. He is now sixty-seven years old and is residing in Kewanee.

Edward Golden, Jr., was given the advantages offered by the pubHc schools until he was eleven years old, when he began mining, and he has been connected with mining interests ever since. He also embarked in farming and operated a farm until 1906, when he purchased an interest in the Kewanee Co-operative Coal Company and served as its president for two years and is now one of its directors. Having been engaged in this line of work all his business life, Mr. Golden is an authority upon mining and the company with which he is connected reaps the benefit of his experience and ripe knowledge.

On July 14, 1883, occurred the marriage of Mr. Golden and Rose Lamb, a native of Kewanee but of English descent. Three children are living of the five born to them, two having died in infancy. The others are : Pearl E., who married Lois Bredt of Kewanee, and is connected with his father in the coal busiiness; and Elizabeth Frances and Harold Houstus, at home.

Mr. Golden has been very active as a working republican and in IQ06 was elected highway commissioner and is now president of the board, having been returned to office in 1909 for a term of three years. His work as a public official is strong and marked with a thorough comprehension of the requirements of his constituents. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic order, the Independent Order Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Improved Order of Red Men. In these fraternities he is deservedly popular and in every walk of life he has always been found able to meet whatever is required of him successfully and ably.

Oliver P. Nickerson

Since 1900 Oliver P. Nickerson has been busily engaged with farming and stock raising, feeding and shipping on the north half of the southeast quarter of section 15, Cornwall township. He has gained a gratifying measure of success from his business and may well be numbered among the representative agriculturists of Henry county. He was born on a farm in Milo township. Bureau county, Illinois, April 15, 1867, and is a son of John and Dora E. (Garner) Nickerson, who are now living in Atkinson, this county. They were natives of New York state, where they were married, and upon coming to Illinois, located first in Bureau county. Later they removed to Alba township, Henry county, where Mr. Nickerson bought forty acres of land, which he sold a couple of years afterward, buying instead eighty acres on section i, Cornwall township. Here he engaged in farming with distinct success, but with advancing years he decided to retire from active life and accordingly sold his property and removed to Atkinson. Ten children were born to him and his wife, and eight are still living.

Oliver P. Nickerson, who was the second in order of birth in this family, was a lad of four years when his parents came to Henry county, his earliest memories being connected with the home in Alba township, and he was about six when they came to Cornwall township. The subsequent years of his life have been spent here. When of suitable age he became a pupil in the district school here, but his elementary education was amply supplemented by the practical training he received while he assisted his father upon the farm. He gave him the benefit of his labor until he was twenty-three years of age when he started in business for himself. For two summers he hired out to others, and the next season did carpenter's work and also operated a steam thresher, following those occupations for several years after he married. Later, when his savings justified it, he rented land in Cornwall township, and as his financial resources increased bought his present farm, paying sixty-two dollars and a half an acre for it. Some improvements had already been made, but Mr. Nickerson increased and bettered them, in everything he did evincing the progress so characteristic of this age. The neat and attractive appearance of his place is a visable evidence that he is a careful, persevering and systematic farmer, while the size of the harvests he annually gathers and markets bear testimony to his skill and good management. In addition to raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he has engaged in the. stock business, finding that this also renders him a gratifying profit. In 1909 he bought another eighty acres, for which he paid one hundred and forty dollars an acre and will take possession in 1910.

On the 14th of February, 1894, in Cornwall township, Mr. Nickerson led to the marriage altar Miss Laura Patience Farnam, of Cornwall township. She was born here, February 16, 1868, a daughter of John S. and E-lizabeth (Tompkins) Farnam, and received a good common-school education. She has become the mother of seven children, namely: Nellie May, who' was born November 8, 1894; Edna Verne, born February 20, 1897; Bessie Farnam, April 26, 1899; Irene Blanche, October 10, 1900; Laura Patience, October 31, 1902; Ada Ruth, June 12, 1904; and Dora Elizabeth, June 24, 1906.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, Mr. Nickerson has invariably voted the republican ticket, on which he was elected assessor, serving in that capacity for several terms. His father had also ably filled that office, as well as that of school director, to which he was chosen after he removed to Atkinson. Fraternally Mr. Nickerson is identified with the Modern Woodmen, of America, holding membership in Atkinson Camp, No. 118. He is a man who conducting his business upon honorable methods, performing his duties of citizenship capably and at all times being true to the responsibilities that devolve upon him in every relation of life, well merits the esteem and good will which are uniformly accorded him.

John Straley

John Straley, who as postmaster has for many years handled all the mail of the town of Atkinson, was bom in Austria, December i, 1843. ^^s mother died m 1 85 1, and the following year, his father, George Straley, came to this country. He settled in Rock Island, Illinois, where he followed his trade of stone-mason until his death, which occurred in 1865. In his family were six children, five of whom are living. They are George, of Colorado ; Joseph, of Rock Island, Illinois ;

John Straley received his education in the pubHc schools of Geneseo and there learned the trade of a tinner. When he had reason to be confident of his proficiency he came to Atkinson and opened the tin shop and hardware store, which he conducted for fifteen years. He had a slight experience of war and battles in the great struggle in which the two parts of this country were engaged, for in 1864 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry. He was discharged after four months, however, and saw little hard service. In 1876 Mr. Straley was appointed postmaster of Atkinson and has held the office ever since, save during the two democratic administrations. Faithful in the performance of his duties, he holds the respect and good-will of all who have come in contact with him, some of them almost daily for the great part of fifteen years.

In 1865, Mr. Straley was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Garvin, who was born in Kentucky in 1843. For almost forty years the couple traveled life's journey together, but on the 29th of May, 1904, she was called away, and a few days later was laid to rest in Grand View cemetery, in Atkinson. Four children were born to them: William, whose birth occurred in Atkinson in 1866, married Miss Nora Smith. He is a conductor on the railroad and lives in Blue Island, Illinois. John G., was born in Atkinson in 1868 and in early manhood married Miss Jennie McClure, of Rock Island. They live in Los Angeles, California, where he is a railroad conductor, and have a son, Raymond, aged fourteen years. Ina, was born in Atkinson, Illinois, January 7, 1870. She married P. E. Geminder, a stone-mason and contractor of Atkinson, and they have one child. Halo. Halo, the youngest, was born in Atkinson in 1876 and married Fred Johnson, a fireman on a railroad. They live in Blue Island, Illinois, and have three children : Walter, aged seven years; Myron, aged five; and Eugene, who is three years old.

In 1876 Mr. Straley built his home on School street, but since the death of his wife he has lived with his daughter, Mrs. Geminder. A republican in his political views and a loyal citizen of Atkinson, he has found time to fill several other positions in addition to his duties as postmaster, for he has acted as town clerk, as supervisor and as tax collector. He is a member of the Methodist church and enjoys the most pleasant fraternal relations with the local lodge of Masons. A man easy of approach, genial in his attitude toward his fellowmen, and conscientious in the performance of his duties, Mr. Straley holds a position in the minds and hearts of the citizens of this town that few others can win.

Jared Hemingway Smith

Jared Hemingway Smith, who was numbered among the large land owners, successful business men and most highly respected residents of Osco township, was born in Harwinton, Connecticut, November 18, 1827, and was a son of Anson and Abigail (Holt) Smith. He grew to manhood in his native state but the sterile fields of New England did not give him the opportunities he sought and believing that he might have better advantages on the broad prairies of the middle west he came to Illinois in 1853 at the age of twenty-six years. Making his way to Henry county he lived for a time with the Welton family, whom he had known in his old home. Soon, however, he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 22, Osco township, which remained his home until his death in 1903. The year following his arrival in Henry county Mr. Smith returned to Connecticut and there wedded Miss Jane A. Welton, with whom he had been previously acquainted. With his bride he returned to the middle west and they began their domestic life in one of the primitive pioneer homes of the town. The dimension timbers for their home were hewn by Mr. Smith from a tract of forest land which he owned east of Cambridge. This was one of the three houses then standing between Cambridge and Brown's Grove. A description of the furnishings of the house is taken from a letter written in 1856: "We have a set of flag seat chairs, one large rocking chair, a black walnut table and a stand, two bedsteads, an old clock that Lester gave us stands on a shelf in the southeast corner of the room and the looking glass hangs beside it. A cupboard stands on the west side of the kitchen. Jane uses it to wash dishes on. The broom hangs in the northwest corner of the room." This room is still in daily use but has been added to and remodeled.

Three children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith : Amelia, who became the wife of M. M. Nash, who is represented on another page of this volume; Anson W., who died in childhood ; and Myra J., who married W. F. West and now lives in Berwyn, Nebraska. The mother died February 17, 1863, and on the i8th of August of the year following Mr. Smith married Miss Mary E. Knowles, of Lynn township. A native of Pennsylvania, she had come to Henry county with her parents in her early girlhood days and acquired her education in the public schools and afterward engaged successfully in teaching. By her marriage she became the mother of six children : Henry A., the oldest, wedded Miss Delia Atwood; Anna E. is the widow of William H. Patterson and now lives in Osco township with her brother, Charles E., on the home farm; Jared H. and George R. are twins and both are mentioned elsewhere in this volume; Charles E., as stated, lives on the old home farm and Mary Ethel resides with her brother and sister on the old home place.

Mrs. Smith died in 1894 while Jared H. Smith survived until the 23d of January, 1903, and was then called to his final rest. Throughout the period of his residence in Henry county he had devoted his life to general farming and had so capably and energetically managed his business affairs and so judiciously placed his investments that he had become the owner of eleven hundred acres of land all of which was under cultivation. Over nine hundred acres of this property is still in the possession of his children in Henry county. His success was never the cause of other men's failure but resulted from close application, careful business management and laudable ambition. He took keen interest in local affairs and rendered valuable service to the community in the offices of trustee, supervisor and treasurer of his township. He was one of the charter members of Grace Episcopal church and for eighteen years acted as senior warden. His entire life was in harmony with his profession, his sterling traits of character won him high regard and his activity contributed in no inconsiderable measure to the development and progress of the county within whose borders he established his home in pioneer times and lived to see it take its place with the leading counties of this great commonwealth.

John C. Dewey

One of the wealthy citizens of Annawan, Illinois, is John C. Dewey, the senior member of the firm of J. C. Dewey & Company, who are engaged in the grain business. Starting with but little of this world's goods, by untiring industry, by the exercise of good judgment and through the constant utilization of his opportunities he has attained to a position of wealth and respect in the community. But what is even more gratifying to him than this is that his children, to whom he gave the best advantages within his power, are all well established in life, a credit to him and factors in their respective localities.

Mr. Dewey was born in Berlin, Vermont, April i8, 1843. His parents, Harry Hovey and Mary Louisa (Commings) Dewey, were both natives of that state, and the year of the father's birth, that of 1809, is one that has become historic in the annals of famous men of England and America. Harry Dewey was a farmer in Berlin, Vermont, and in 1848 removed to Lunenburg, that state, where he lived until the fall of 1863, when he came to Illinois. Three years later he went to Iowa, locating in Keosauqua, where he remained about eight years, after which he returned to Illinois. He settled in Sheffield, and there passed the remainder of his life. A democrat in politics, he took an active interest in local affairs. While he lived in Vermont he served in several of the minor offices, and in Iowa he acted as justice of the peace. He died in 1899 and was laid to rest in Sheffield, Illinois, beside his wife, who had passed away some years before. There were six children born to the couple, two now deceased. They were Lucy, deceased; H. H., a resident of Wichita, Kansas; John C, of this sketch; B. F., of Sheffield, Illinois; Eva, who died at the age of eighteen years; and W. W., of Peoria, Illinois.

John C. Dewey attended the district schools of Vermont and assisted his father on the farm from the time he was able to handle a plow. After attaining his majority he took up farming, which he pursued until he was about thirty-five years of age. In March, 1863, he came to Illinois, locating in Sheffield, where he began farming but in May of the next year he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry for one hundred days' service. After about five months' service he returned to his home and went with his parents to Iowa, later returning to Sheffield. He next went to Atkinson, where for three years he was engaged in the grain business, and then went to Centerville, Iowa, where he gave his attention to poultry. After two years' experience there he again engaged in the grain trade in Minden, Nebraska, and two years later removed to Loomis, that state, where he remained for seven years. For three years he lived in Buda, Illinois, and then, in 1897, came to Annawan, where he has since made his home, engaged in the grain trade. He conducts two ele-

In 1881 Mr. Dewey was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Mears, who was born in Aurora, Illinois, and is a daughter of William and Ann (Lathrop) Mears, both natives of Ireland. The father was a brick mason and served through the greater part of the Civil war, blindness coming upon him before his death as the result of the hardships he endured in that great struggle. He and his wife are buried in Aurora. They were the parents of five children: Mary, deceased; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Dewey; William, a railroad engineer in Aurora, who died in Leadville, Colorado ; George, of Aurora ; and Joseph, also of Aurora.

Mr. and Mrs. Dewey have had four children, all living. Fenno C, born in Atkinson, IlHnois, November 8, 1882, was graduated from the Annawan schoolsand from the business college of Davenport, Iowa, and is now assisting his father in his office. Harry, born October 4, 1884, in Atkinson, is also a graduate of the Annawan schools and of the business college of Davenport. He is in the grain business in Camp Grove, Illinois. On the 28th of June, 1909, he married Miss Jessie Snozey. Annie L., born November 15, 1892, in Loomis, Nebraska, is a graduate of the Annawan schools and is attending Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois. William J., born in Loomis, Nebraska, in September, 1894, is a pupil of the Annawan grammar school.

When Mr. Dewey came to Annawan he purchased his handsome home on North avenue. It is modern in every respect and is furnished with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life, standing as a slight indication of the prosperity to which he has attained through his own efforts. In political matters he allies himself with the republican party, but he has never sought any public office.

James B. Ensey

James B. Ensey, who for many years was a successful farmer of Munson township but has now retired from active life and is living in the city of Geneseo, was born in Howard county, Maryland, November 25, 1859, ^^^ is a son of Richard L. and Mary Jane (Gosnell) Ensey, both natives of that state. The father was born March 29, 1825, and followed farming in the state of his birth until his death in 1906. He was a strong democrat in his political views. His wife, who was born in 1837, died in June, 1901, and like her husband was buried in Maryland. They were the parents of nine children, seven now living: Lydia, who was the wife of Lee Gardner and died in 1887; Perry, who lives in Maryland ; John, who lives in Dakota ; James B., of this review ; Susan, the wife of Will Selby, who lives in Maryland; Nimrod, a resident of Denver, Colorado; MolHe, who is in the convent at Springfield, Missouri; and Jessie Smith, who is the wife of Samuel Edminston and lives in Cumberland, Maryland.

James B. Ensey was educated in the district schools of Maryland and remained with his parents on the home farm until he was eighteen years of age. In 1877 he came to Geneseo, Illinois, and located in Munson township, Henry county, where he secured work by the month, for he had only one hundred and fifty dollars with him, and he was anxious to save that and add to it so that he might start in farming for himself. For five years he was in the employ of others and then rented land in Munson township. In 1895 he was able to buy one hundred and ten acres there, to which he later added one hundred and ninety acres, which brought his holdings to three hundred acres, of which he still retains possession. He made a number of important improvements upon the land from time to time and it is now quite valuable. On the 24th of December, 1908, Mr. Ensey decided to relinquish the heavier duties of life and bought the fine home he occupies on Mechanic and West North streets, Geneseo, where he enjoys the rest and comfort to which his years of toil have entitled him.

On the 24th of December, 1889, Mr. Ensey married Miss Anna E. Young, who was born in Munson township March 28, 1868, and is a daughter of James and Anna Young, both natives of Scotland. The father was born in Arbroath about 1819, and came to the United States in 1848, bringing his wife and eldest child with him. He located first in Ogle county, and later moved to Munson township, this county, where he passed the remainder of his days. He died May 17, 1894, but his wife, who was born in 1823, survived until June 24, 1905. They were the parents of eight children, three deceased : Jennie married Sidney Summers and lived in Kansas, until her death about seventeen years ago ; James lives in Munson township; Mary Ann is the wife of Robert Ruxton, of Des Moines, Iowa; John lives in Morristown, Osco township; Charles is deceased; William has also passed away; Margaret is the wife of Theo Souers, of Grundy Center, Iowa; and the eighth is Mrs. Ensey.

Mr. and Mrs. Ensey have seven children, all born in Munson township : James Herbert, who died at the age of eleven months ; John Linn, who was born September 2, 1891, and is now attending the Geneseo high school; Anna May, born July 7, 1893; Mary Elizabeth, bom July 14, 1895; Charles Albert Young, born February 10, 1902; Francis Genese, born May 21, 1904; and Florence M., born December 21, 1907.

Mr. and Mrs. Ensey are members of the Presbyterian church, and he allies himself with the democrats politically. He is, however, somewhat independent and frequently votes for whom he considers the best man irrespective of party affiliation. Public-spirited, he has served as school director and has always been in favor of progress. He enjoys fraternal relations with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, among whom he has made many friends. Industrious and enterprising, he has accumulated a gratifying quantity of this world's possessions, and what is more, enjoys the respect of his fellow citizens.

J. D. Ford

J. D. Ford, of Geneseo, is a retired farmer and stock dealer who has spent the greater part of his life in Henry county and is well known to its citizens as a representative and reliable business man. He was born near Rutland, Vermont, June 6, 1847, his parents being Henry S. and Ellen M. (Child) Ford, who were likewise natives of the Green Mountain state. The paternal grandfather, Olivet Ford, went from Canada to Vermont, establishing his home near Rutland, where he followed the occupation of farming. He wedded Mary Post and died in the east after which his widow came to Geneseo and spent her last days here. She reached an advanced age and her grave was made in the Geneseo cemetery Her three children were Henry S., David and Mary, the wife of Gardner Hunt. The matrnal grandfather of our subject was Horace Child, also a native of Vermont. He married a Miss Rice and they became early settlers of Rock Island county, Illinois. Mr. Child conducted an extensive dry-goods business there for some time before the railroad was built. He afterward removed to Geneseo, where both he and his wife died at an old age, their remains being interred in the Oakwood cemetery.

Henry S. Ford spent the days of his boyhood and youth in New England and on his removal westward to Henry county, Illinois, purchased a farm of sixty acres, all now within the city limits of Geneseo. He laid out most of the streets in the north part of the town and was closely associated with the development and progress of that portion of the city. He was also actively connected with general agricultural pursuits and live-stock dealing and in connection with his son, J. D. Ford, purchased and controlled a stock farm of three hundred acres east of Geneseo. He remained an active, enterprising business man of the county until his death, which occurred in June, 1891, when he was seventy-five years of age. His wife passed away May 6, 1902, at the age of eighty-two years. Both were members of the Congregational church and were consistent Christian people who enjoyed in large measure the warm regard of all who knew them. Their children numbered five sons and three daughters : Watson, who died in Andersonville prison; Sarah, the wife of Milo Parker, of Omaha, Nebraska; J. D., the subject of this sketch; Ella B., the widow of George Beale, of Van Wert, Ohio; Horace, of Guthrie Center, Iowa; Fannie, the wife of Albert Mc- Murphy, of Omaha, Nebraska; Fred and Harry, both having died in childhood.

J. D. Ford, whose name introduces this review, has lived in Geneseo since February, 1855, being about seven years of age at the time of his arrival. The educational advantages ofifered him were those afforded by the common schools, yet his course was not continuous for his labors were often needed in the cultivation and improvement of the home farm. He was reared as a farm boy, living at home until he had attained his majority and he then entered into partnership with his father. The business associations between them continued until the father's death and Mr. Ford was actively associated with general farming and live stock interests and the careful management which he displayed, combined with unfaltering energy and unabating industry, won for him the success which is now his. While he is practically living retired from the active management of business affairs he still gives some attention to farming and stock-raising in connection with his son Clyde and is yet financially interested in important enterprises, being a stockholder and director in the Farmers Bank, while for many years he was connected with the Farmers & Merchants Insurance Company.

On the 29th of December, 1869, Mr. Ford was united in marriage to Miss Mary K. Weston, a daughter of Thomas Weston. They became the parents of four children : ,Nellie H. ; Harry W., who was killed by lightning when twenty- five years of age; Ray B., who died when eight years of age; and Clyde D., who operates the home farm east of Geneseo. He married Maud Pritchard and they have a daughter, Phylhs Ehzabeth. Mrs. Mary K. Ford was born near Bucyrus, Ohio. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania and her mother of the Buckeye state. They came to Henry county, Illinois, in April, 1857, and later Mr. Weston made a trip overland to Pike's Peak. Finally he settled in Geneseo, where he conducted a tannery. He was twice married, his first wife passing away in 1849, while his second wife died in 1899. His death occurred when he was eighty years of age.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Ford hold membership in the Congregational church, with which their children are also identified. In his political views Mr. Ford is a republican but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, preferring to concentrate his time and attention upon his indivdual interests. The cause of education, however, finds in him a warm friend and for many years he was school director. His business aft'airs have been most capably managed and the success which he has achieved is well merited as it is the direct reward of enterprise and effort.

John J. Bloom

One of the citizens of Atkinson whose efforts during the years of his actiivty vastly aided the commercial prosperity of the city is John J. Bloom, a hardware merchant who now in his comfortable home on Williams street, enjoys the well deserved respite from toil to which the success of his previous years entitle him. He was born July 11, 1846, in Bradford, Bedford county, Pennsylvania. His father, Jacob Bloom, was a native of the same place, and was born in the year 1822. He had learned the trade of a blacksmith in his youth, and when he had attained to man's estate in 1853, he came west to Illinois, locating first in Mt. Carroll, Carroll county. For two years he followed his calling there and then removed to Polo, Ogle county, and in 1858 to Geneseo, where he worked at his trade for almost eight years. In the spring of 1866 he came to Atkinson, and after a short residence here removed to Ralls county, Missouri, whence in 1868 he went to Hannibal, Marion county, Missouri. There he passed away November 27, 1870. Miss Elizabeth Miller, who in 1845 became the wife of Jacob Bloom, was born in 1825 in the same place as her husband and son. She survived her husband more than thirty years, and was seventy-six years of age when in 1901 she responded to the call of death. Eleven children were born to them. John ]., of this review is the oldest. Ellen, born in Bedford, Pennsylvania, became the wife of William Johnston and lives in Oklahoma. Hezekiah, born in Pennsylvania, died July 2, 1895. J. C. lives in Chicago. George W., born in Illinois, resides in Hannibal, Missouri. Judson D., born in Illinois, lives in Arkansas. Rosalinda passed away at the age of fifty years. Henrietta, born in Geneseo, Illinois, is the wife of Charles Adams, of Kansas City. One, who was born in Geneseo, Illinois, died in childhood. Ida, bora in Geneseo, lives in Hannibal, Missouri. Jacob, Jr., born in Atkinson, Illinois, also lives in Hannibal, Missouri.

John J. Bloom received the greater part of his education in the public schools of Geneseo, but his success in life has been due almost entirely to his own efforts, for his youth knew many privations and was seriously handicapped by lack of opportunities. During the progress of the Civil war his blood was stirred by the accounts of heroism on the field of battles and though but seventeen years of age he enlisted in 1863 in the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. After six months of service he was discharged and enlisted again in February, 1864, finding a place in the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois, from which, after six months, he was transferred at Meridian, to the Thirty-third Illinois. In December, 1865, he was honorably discharged, and returned to take up the life of a civilian. In the two years he was in the army, however, he saw a good deal of active warfare, for he participated in the siege of Fort Spanish, which lasted thirteen or fourteen days. Upon his return to the arts of peace, he farmed as a renter for one year and then removed to Hannibal, Missouri, where for four and a half years he worked for the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad. In 1875 he came to Atkinson and, after following the blacksmith's trade for a time, found employment with John Straley in his tin and hardware shop. In 1878 Mr. Bloom purchased the stock and tools of the latter and embarked in business on his own account. In 1905, after having conducted the store for twenty-seven and a half years, he sold his interests to Milton Booth. He really retired from active life then, though for the next three years he remained with Mr. Booth, assisting him in learning the intricacies of the business. In 1879, shortly after he took up his residence in Atkinson he bought his comfortable home on Williams street. This he has since remodeled and made entirely modern and in 1900 he erected the fine brick store on Main street where Mr. Booth now conducts his operations. For three decades he has taken part in the advancement of Atkinson, his efforts have contributed more than a little to the growth of the city, and his success has meant the prosperity of his fellow citizens.

On the loth of November, 1867, Mr. Bloom married Miss Clarinda A. Lucas, who was born in New Philadelphia, Tuscarawas county, Ohio, May i, 1849. Her father, Eli R. Lucas, was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, March 25, 1817, and was a self-made man, for he started in life as a laborer. He had come to Illinois in 1855 and served for many years as a member of the school board. In politics he was a republican. His wife was born in Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1823, and went to Ohio with her parents when she was about fourteen years of age. On the 26th of September, 1841, she was united in marriage to Eli R. Lucas, and in the fifty years that the couple were permitted to pass down life's pathway together were blessed with six children. Rebecca, born July 19, 1843, became the wife of Samuel L. Stebbins and died March 3, 1895. John was born August 10, 1845, and died the 29th of the same month. James was born August 15, 1846, and died in Omak, Washington, January 10, 1908. Clarinda, the fourth child, is now Mrs. Bloom. George was born May 2, 1853, and died June 21, 1908. David was born October 2, 1856, and resides in Blue Island, Illinois. Mrs. Lucas died November 13, 1904, and was laid beside her husband who had .passed away August 23, 1892, in the Grand View cemetery, Atkinson.

Mr. and Mrs. Bloom have had four children. Mary Elizabeth, born December 18, 1869, died March 18, 1872. Bertha, born March 6, 1873, is the wife of

Thomas Goodman, of Atkinson, Illinois. Lois Gail, born January 26, 1876, is the wife of Frank Moloney, a teamster of Atkinson. They have one little girl,, Frances Clarinda, born August 16, 1903. Vinnie, the youngest, was born November 13, 1877, and died the 22d of the same month. The first child was laid to rest in the cemetery at Hannibal, Missouri, the last in Atkinson.

Mr. and Mrs. Bloom are members of the Methodist church, and in his younger years Mr. Bloom was very active in Sunday-school work and in advancing the cause of temperance. In his political views he is a democrat, but usually votes for the man he considers best qualified for office. For seventeen years he rendered effixient service as a member of the school board and for four years acted as village trustee. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias, and at the meetings of the local Grand Army post revives the memories of his war days, and he derived especial pleasure from attending the national encampment at Toledo a few years ago. Mrs. Bloom has seen Atkinson's entire development. When her parents located here Indians were not infrequently seen. A few years ago she revisited the Ohio home in which her childhood days were passed, and although time had changed the appearance of things, the trip is one of the most pleasant memories of her later years. She is a member of the Grand Army auxiliary, and her bright smile and happy disposition make her welcome wherever she goes. Enjoying good health, Mr. Bloom can look back over the sixty-three years of his life as well spent. Financial success and the comforts which this has made possible, assure him ease during the remaining years of his life. Though discouragement often came to him in his early years, he plodded along manfully, and the whole-hearted good will and respect which his friends and neighbors accord him is satisfaction enough, in his eyes, for the hardships of the past. Jovial in his disposition, sincere in his relations with others, he has made a warm place in the hearts of the citizens of Atkinson.

Abram J. Leuis

Abram J. Leuis, who is now living retired upon his farm on the east half of the northwest quarter of section 9, Cornwall township, was for a long period actively identified with the best agricultural and stock interests of Henry county, the success of his business being indicated by the fact that in addition to the ferile land on which he resides he also owns the southwest quarter of section 21. The Leuis family is of Welsh descent and the name was originally spelled with a '"u" instead of a "w". Wilham Leuis, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood and married Miss Elizabeth Lydia. Later he removed to Ohio, where he bought land and lived until the early '50s, when he came to Illinois, locating in Cornwall township, Henry county, where he secured a tract of land for which he paid the government price of a dollar and a quarter per acre.

His son, John Leuis, the father of Abram J. Leuis, was born in Indiana township, Indiana county, Pennsylvania, and was only a small boy when he accompanied his parents upon their removal to Ohio. In that state he married

Miss Mary Cozad, May 4, 1848, and lived there until the fall of 185 1, when he came to Illinois. For a few months he worked in a packing house in Fulton county, but in the spring of 1852 located in Cornwall township, Henry county, laying a soldier's claim which he bought from Henry Cozad, his wife's cousin. The land was situated on section 21 and he paid a dollar and a quarter an acre for it, buying it a few years before his father came to this state. He became one of the leading farmers of his locality and one of the large landholders, for with keen business sagacity he seized the opportunity to buy at a low price property that increased greatly in value as the years passed. Shortly before his death he deeded eighty acres to each of his thirteen children and still retained one hundred and twenty acres for himself, which indicates the extent of his possessions. He was a man of influence in his community, although he steadily refused to accept public office, and his voice was ever raised in support of progress and development. Politically he was allied with the democratic party, while his religious adherence was given to the Liberty Baptist church. Upon his death he was laid to rest in Liberty cemetery, Cornwall township, where his father and wife were buried, and where the graves of all the other deceased members of the Leuis family have been made. Of his family William J. is the oldest. Abram J. is the subject of this sketch, Samuel is now living in Geneseo. John U. is a resident of Cornwall township. James Andrew lives in Geneseo. George W. makes his home in Jasper county, Illinois. Francis Marion is living in Texas. Charles A. makes his home in Kansas City, Missouri. Charity A. is the wife of James Fell and they live in Geneseo. Stephen A. is a resident of Omaha, Nebraska. Alfred Theodore lives in Munson township, Henry county. Robert resides in Barton county, Missouri, and Mary E., who is the wife of George Hudson, also lives in that state.

Abram J. Leuis, whose name introduces this review, was born in Jackson county, Ohio, February 17, 185 1, and was but a mere child when his parents established their home in Cornwall township. He grew to manhood upon the farm, assisting in the work carried on there and at the same time becoming acquainted with the fundamental branches of education during the months he was a pupil in the district school. At the age of twenty-one years he married and rented land from his father, deriving such success from his farming that in the course of a few years, on the 27th of July, 1880, he was able to buy eighty acres on section 9, Cornwall township, for fifty dollars per acre. Later he purchased twenty acres on section 4, for forty dollars, and then bought the tract of eighty acres on which he now lives for fifty-three dollars an acre. The last addition to his landholdings comprised eighty acres on section 21, for which he paid sixtyseven dollars an acre. It was entirely through his own efiforts that such substantial investments were possible. As young a man he learned the invaluable lesson of industry and economy, and being endowed with rare business ability he was able to conduct his afifairs profitably. The natural fertility of the soil well repaid his labors in cultivating it, and the care he took of his stock enabled him to find a ready market and command a good price.

On the 9th of May, 1872, Mr. Leuis wedded Miss Mary C. Reese, of Cornwall township, and unto them two children were born. Lota became the wife of Warren Dunham, and they live on section 21, Cornwall township, where they are rearing their two children. John Roland died at the age of twenty-one months. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Leuis married ^liss Martha T. Mc- Farland, of Knox count}^ Missouri, April 14. 1885, in the city of Geneseo. She was born in Auglaize county, Ohio. December 12. 1859, and was about twelve years of age when her parents, John D. and Samantha (Julian) McFarland, removed to Knox county, ^Missouri, where they are still living. She received a fair common school education and was in Geneseo on a visit, when she became acquainted with Mr. Leuis. There was one daughter. Mamie Blanche, born of this union, but she died in infancy.

Mr. Leuis does not support any particular party, preferring to cast his ballot for the candidate he believes most deserving of office or the measure which will prove of greatest benefit to the community. He does not desire office for himself, however, although he ever evinces a keen interest in public affairs. His life has been quietly passed, and yet there are in his record elements that are well worthy of emulation, for he has sought his success along the legitimate lines of labor and his efforts have at all times conformed to a high standard of manhood.

The growth and progress of a city or community do not depend upon the machinery of government or even upon the men who control public affairs as much as upon those who are active in business circles, for the industry and enterprise, which are manifested by the merchants and other business men, constitute the standard of the city's development. Among the well appointed and well equipped grocery houses of Geneseo is that owned by the firm of Rastede & Wenke. of which the subject of this review is the senior partner. He has become widely and favorably known during the thirty-one years of his residence in this city and, therefore, the history of his life cannot fail to prove of interest to many of our readers.

Frederick J. Rastede was born in Elsfleth, in the dutchy of Oldenberg, Germany, September 4, 1851, and was the second in order of birth in a family of four children whose parents were Frederick and Helena (Gode) Rastede, who were likewise natives of the same country. The grandfather. Otto Rastede, was also of the Teutonic race and was a farmer by occupation. His wife, Mrs. Olga ]\Iargaretta Rastede, lived to a very advanced age and reared her family of one son and five daughters. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Eilert Gode, who died in Germany when about eighty-one or eighty-two years of age. His wife, however, was only about thirty years of age when called to the home beyond. He had been a lifelong farmer, providing for his family in the tilling of the soil. Frederick Rastede, Sr., was also a farmer and died in Germany in 1864, when fifty-two years of age. His wife survived for about twenty-six years, passing away in 1890 at the age of sixty-eight. They were adherents of the Lutheran faith and were consistent in their religious lives. Their children were : Otto, now deceased ; Frederick J. ; Amelia, who is living near Albany, Whiteside

In the schools of his native village Frederick J, Rastede acquired a good education, continuing his studies in accordance with the laws of his native land, to the age of fourteen years. He then started out in life for himself as a seaman and remained on shipboard for three years. During that period he heard attractive stories concerning the new world and its advantages and, heeding the call of the American continent, he came to the United States in December, 1867. landing at New York. He did not tarry in the eastern metropolis, however, but made his way at once to Clinton, Iowa, where lived his uncle, Henry Gode, who was the owner of a grocerv^ store there. ]\Ir. Rastede entered his employ and remained in the store for seven and a half years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Albany, Illinois, joining his mother who, in 1872, had come from Germany with the other children of the family and was living on the farm near Albany with her two younger children. For a time Mr. Rastede remained with his mother but, finding commercial pursuits more congenial than agricultural life, he formed a partnership with Stephen Smith and engaged in the grocery business in Albany for a year. In 1878 he removed to Geneseo, bought a lot and built his present store building. He then opened a grocery store, which he has conducted continuously since. He was alone in the business for sixteen years and then admitted his brother-in-law, Henry Wenke, to a partnership, which has since been maintained under the firm name of Rastede & Wenke. This is now one of the old grocery firms of the city and the store contains a large and carefully selected line of goods, such as meets the demands of the general public. They are among the foremost in introducing what is new to the market and their reliable business methods constitute, moreover, a salient feature in their success. In addition to his commercial interests ]\Ir. Rastede has made extensive investment in real estate and is the owner of a valuable farm of four hundred acres in Carroll county, Iowa, and another of two hundred and forty acres in Plymouth county, Iowa. He also has desirable city property in Geneseo, all of which is evidence of his life of well directed energy and thrift.

]\Irs. Rastede, in her maidenhood, bore the name of Lizzie Wenke. She was born at Hampton. Illinois, a daughter of John and Lena (Oldman) Wenke, who were natives of Oldenberg, Germany. Coming to America, they settled in Rock Island, Illinois, and continued their residence in this state throughout their remaining days. The father died in Geneseo at the age of eighty-four years and the mother is still living in this city at the age of eighty years.

Mr. and Mrs. Rastede have become the parents of six children : Fred J., who married Eva ]\Iohrman and lives in Pierce, Nebraska ; Louis, who wedded Laura Weidlein. of Geneseo and has a daughter. Marjory; Hulda. at home; Arthur, who died at the age of ten years ; and two who died in infancy. 'Mr. and ^Irs. Rastede were members of the Lutheran church and they occupy an enviable place in the social circles of the city. He is a stalwart democrat in his political faith and that his fellow townsmen have appreciation for his worth as a citizen is indicated in the fact that his ward, the second, twice elected him to the city council, where he served for four years. He has also been a member of the school board for six years and is a stalwart champion of progressive education. His record is altogether a most creditable one and he has justly gained the proud American title of a self-made man. Coming to this country where labor is unhampered by caste or class, he has steadily worked his way upward and the success which he has achieved is as creditable as it is desirable.

William Irvine

William Irvine, who was for years one of the substantial farmers of Atkinson township and is now living in retirement in Mansill's addition to the city of Atkinson, is one of the men in this county who has attained to success and affluence through his own unaided efforts. He was born in County Down, Ireland, in September, 1861, and is a son of John and Sarah (Hall) Irvine, both natives of Ireland. In 1872 the parents and children came to America, making their way to Illinois. They settled first upon a farm in Cornwall township, Henry county, and after two years went to Alba township, where the parents passed the remainder of their lives. In the old country John Irvine had been a tax collector and upon coming to this land he affiliated with the republican party. Reared in the Presbyterian church, he died in that faith on the 7th of January, 1896, in the eightieth year of his age. His widow survived until June 19, 1899, when she too passed away and was laid to rest in the cemetery at Geneseo. She was eightytwo years of age at her death. Nine children were born to them, four of whom have died. Those living are Thomas, who resides in Chicago; William, of this review; Jane, the widow of Robert Fulton and a resident of Atkinson; Sarah, the wife of James Purse, of Denver, Colorado; and Ellen, the wife of William Purse.

William Irvine attended the public schools of Ireland and assisted his father in farming in the old country. Upon coming to the United States, he worked with his father on rented land in Cornwall township, this county, for three years, and then bought one hundred and twenty acres in Alba township. This he improved greatly and by diligence and good management was able not only to bring it to a paying condition but also to buy land in Atkinson township from time to time, until he had two hundred acres there, which brought his holdings up to tliree hundred and forty acres. In March, 1906, he retired from active farming and removed to the handsome home which, in 1905, he had built in Mansill's addition to Atkinson. Confident that his fields are under the excellent care of good tenants, Mr. Irvine can enjoy the comforts to which his long years of arduous toil entitle him. His life was a struggle in the beginning and the rest he now enjoys is very desirable.

On the 30th of March, 1874, Mr. Irvine wedded Miss Margaret AlcWen, who was born in Ireland, in 1863. She was a member of the Congregational church and died in that faith February 3, 1892. Two of her family have since passed away. The others are: William, who lives in Denver, Colorado, and has two sons, Theo and Ernest; Nellie, the wife of John Graham, the proprietor of the Graham Hotel of Atkinson, by whom she has three children, Harold, Bernice and Carl; Ernest, who lives in Denver; Gertrude, the wife of William Nowers, of South Dakota, by whom she has two children, Margaret and Wilham; Sarah, the wife of Ralph Swaney, of Atkinson township; Clara, the wife of Fred Foster, of South Dakota ; and Nora May, a teacher in Atkinson township. In June, 1895, Air. Irvine married again, his second wife having been Miss Agnes Bailey, who was born in Ireland in 1861 and is a daughter of James and Eliza (McQuoid) Bailey. Her parents are of Irish birth and were both born in 1829. They are members of the Presbyterian church and are still living in their native home, surrounded by many of their family. Six of their seven children are living, namely : Hugh, who lives with his parents in the old country ; James, a resident of Belfast, Ireland; Frank, of Chicago, Illinois; Annie, the wife of William Alexander, of Belfast; Sarah, the wife of James Johnson, of Ballyobican, Ireland; and Agnes, who is the wife of Mr. Irvine. Of this second union there has been one child born, a son, James, born January 18, 1898, now attending the public schools.

Mr. and Mrs. Irvine are members of the Congregational church, and she belongs to the Royal Neighbors. In his political views Mr. Irvine is a republican but is liberal, voting usually for the best man irrespective of party. He is endowed with an attractive personality, is easy of approach, genial and kindhearted. His friends are numerous and are ever accorded a sincere welcome in his home in Atkinson, for his wife possesses those graces that make her a delightful hostess. Her assistance has been invaluable to her husband, especially in those first years of their married life when she cared so fondly for his motherless children.

J. W. Keener

J. W. Keener, a hardware merchant of Annawan, who has one of the finest herds of Jersey cattle in his locality, was born in Grafton, West Virginia, in 1865. Grafton was also the birthplace of his parents, James and Matilda (Means) Keener, the former of whom was born in 1838, the latter the year following. In his native home James Keener was engaged in farming and there he passed away two years after the birth of his son, J. W., who is the younger of his two children. Susan, the daughter, became the wife of D. O. Stover and lives in Enid, Oklahoma.

J. W. Keener came to Illinois in 1867 and here he has since resided. He had less schooling than the average boy, even of that period, for all told he received but eighteen months' instruction, and yet, despite this serious handicap, he has prospered in his afiPairs. His first experience in business was as a farmer, for he assisted his stepfather in the conduct of his agricultural work until he was thirty years old. He then found employment as a clerk with L. T. Dows, who was the proprietor of a general store in Annawan. After nine years' experience, in January, 1903, he purchased the hardware stock of the firm and embarked in business on his own account, opening a shop on Front street. He carried a general line of hardware and is well supplied with diflferent makes of stoves and with house furnishings, and as he does everything in his power to satisfy his patrons he has built up a large trade. Though so intimately connected with the affairs of the town, Mr, Keener also keeps in touch with agricultural pursuits. He lives on Front street, at the west edge of Annawan, on a pretty place to which he has given the name of Dairy Maid Jersey Farm. Here he has a herd of Jersey cattle, some of them being related to stock that was exhibited at the St. Louis fair, and one cow being the sister of a prize winner there. From these he obtains an excellent quality of butter which he delivers to many families in Chicago, and intends in the near future to give more and more time to this part of his business, both as regards dairying and the breeding of pure blooded animals.

Mr. Keener has been married twice. In October, 1897, he wedded Miss Mary E. Baldwin, a native of Annawan and a daughter of J. B. Baldwin, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. They became the parents of a daughter, Myrtle E., who was born in Annawan, April 11, 1899. Mrs. Keener died in August, 1902, and was buried in the cemetery of this village. She was a devout member of the Congregational church. In February, 1905, Mr. Keener married Miss Millie Mumford, who was born in Annawan and is a daughter of George and Catherine (Myers) Mumford. The father was a farmer of Henry county, and both he and his wife have passed away. They had four children, three of whom are living: Wendall J., of Annawan township; Millie, now Mrs. Keener; and Belle, who is the wife of George Carter, of Freeport, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Keener have one child, Catherine, who was born January 19, 1907.

Politically Mr. Keener is in sympathy with the platform of the prohibitionist party, but he has never sought any public office. He enjoys pleasant relations with the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen, and is regular in his attendance at the meetings of the local lodges of these organizations. Among his fraternal brothers and in the town of Annawan he has made many stanch friends, for he possesses those traits of character which naturally attract others to him. Eager to satisfy the desires of his customers and broad and liberal in his ideas, he richly deserves his success and the good name he holds among the citizens of his section of the county.

John E. Gustafson

John E. Gustafson, one of the young and successful farmers and stockmen of Western township, where he operates a tract of two hundred acres belonging to his father, was born in Lynn township, this county, near what is known as Swedona, January 6, 1875, his parents being John and Elizabeth (Weech) Gustafson, a sketch of whose lives appears elsewhere in this work. He was one year old when the family left the farm in Lynn township and removed to the place on which he now lives, although at that time it embraced but little more than a third as many acres as at present. Here he grew to manhood and has passed the greater part of his Hfe. He attended the country schools first and later the public schools of Orion, after which he entered a business college in Davenport, Iowa, where he spent one winter. He thus received a good education, which, united with the practical training he had obtained under his father's guidance, amply prepared him for the responsibilities of life.

Mr. Gustafson remained under the parental roof until his marriage and then assumed the management of the large tract which has since been under his care. In addition to purely agricultural pursuits, he has engaged to some extent in the stock business, making a specialty of the raising and feeding of fine bred Poland China hogs. From both branches of his business he has obtained an income that is gratifying and places him among the substantial men of Western township.

In Geneseo, June 23, 1900, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Gustafson and Miss Nellie Anderson, of Cambridge, Illinois. She was born near Stockholm, Sweden, a daughter of Swan and Nellie (Larson) Anderson, and was about eight years of age when the family came to this country. They took up their abode in Cambridge, where the father passed the remainder of his life. He died in June, 1908, but the mother is still living in Western tovv^nship. Mrs. Gustafson attended school in her home town and then was enrolled as a student in the Geneseo Collegiate Institute, from which she was graduated with the class of 1903. She had in the meantime, however, seven years' experience as a teacher in the country schools and later in Orion, where she made the acquaintance of her husband. One child has been born to them, Clayton Stuart, whose birth occurred February 23, 1904.

Since old enough to exercise the franchise right of an American citizen. Mr. Gustafson has given his support to the republican party but has never sought public office, although he has been interested in local affairs. He is a member of the Orion Lodge, No. 535, A. F. & A. M., and with his wife belongs to the Eastern Star, in which she served as Electa and is now secretary. They are also members of the Farmers Social Club. Their religious allegiance has been given to the Alethodist Episcopal church, and Mrs. Gustafson is a teacher in the Sunday school.

Robert E. Bailey

One of the citizens of Atkinson, Illinois, with whom time has dealt very lightly is Robert E. Bailey, who carries his sixty-six years as many another man carries fifty and is more active in his movements. Save for a slight difficulty in hearing time has left little mark upon him. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1844, he comes from sturdy Scotch-Irish stock. His parents, Thomas and Christina (Irquoihart) Bailey, were born in Edinburgh, Scotland, some ninety years ago and came to America shortly after their marriage. They settled first in Providence, where Dr. Bailey followed the medical profession, and then lived in Brooklyn and in other places on Long Island. A number of years ago, while on a visit to a son, he passed away, and his wife is also deceased. Five children, three sons and two daughters constituted the family born to Dr. and Mrs. Bailey ; James, who lives in Wisconsin; Charles A., who lives on Long Island; Emma, the wife of William Walker, a resident of Brooklyn, New York; Virginia, also of Brooklyn; and Robert E., of this review.

Robert E. Bailey received his education in the schools of Brooklyn, New York, and then entered a produce commission house in New York city. He remained with the firm for six years and then determined to start in the poultry business for himself. With this purpose in view he came west, locating in Meadville, Missouri, where during a period of twenty years he carried on business successfully, finding a ready market for his poultry and his eggs. Despite the good fortunes that had attended him in this business, he gave it up about thirty years ago to take up work as a painter and paper-hanger, which was his occupation in 1892 when he came to Atkinson and opened his shop on State street. In the seventeen years that he has been connected with commercial life here he has done much and good work, work which like the man that accomplished it has withstood the ravages of time.

In 1877 Mr. Bailey married Miss Clara Milar. She was born in Ohio in 1854 and was a daughter of R. W. and Rebecca (Kinsley) Milar. The father was a carpenter during his lifetime, but has been dead for some years as has his wife. Mrs. Bailey, who also departed this life on the loth of August, 1908, and was buried in Geneseo cemetery two days later, was a devoted wife, a kind neighbor, and beloved by all who knew her. Shortly after her marriage she joined the Baptist church with her husband and was ever afterward a conscientious adherent of that faith. Among the members of the Eastern Star, to which she belonged she made stanch friends who unite with her husband in mourning her loss. She became the mother of one child, now deceased. The home which \lr. Bailey occupies, a very pretty residence on State street, was one of the first houses built in Atkinson and was erected by Mrs. Bailey's father, so that it held many associations for both husband and wife. In politics Mr. Bailey is a good republican, finding his ideals of government best expressed in the platform of that party, but he takes no active part in either political or public matters.

Olof Moline

One of the successful agriculturists of Bishop Hill, whose influence extended throughout Weller township, was Olof Moline, who passed from this life March 16, 1896. He was born in Alfta Soken, Helsingland, Sweden, May 24, 1834, but was only twelve years of age when his parents cast their lot with the first company of men and women who sought a home in this county and founded the colony at Bishop Hill. He had received none of the educational advantages of the land of his birth, and did not attend school after he came to America, but being of a investigative turn of mind and very fond of books and study, he early acquired more than the rudiments of a good education. For a number of years he worked as one of the colonists, and then upon its incorporation he engaged in agricultural pursuits for himself, purchasing first a small tract of land, which now forms a part of his homestead farm. Later, as fortune favored his earnest endeavor, he added to the original tract until he had three hundred and twenty acres, all good land, at the time of his death, and later his family bought forty acres more. On this farm are up-to-date buildings and surrounding the house a fine yard which sets off the beauties of the home so that it is one of the most attractive places in Weller township. Another fea- ture of the farm are the numerous trees, which were all planted by Mr. Molina in early manhood. These likewise contribute greatly to the beauty which distinguishes the place, bearing witness in another manner to the care and thoughtfulness of the owner.

Mr. MoHne was twice married. His first wife was Miss Charlotte Johnson, to whom he was united September 24, 1867. She lived only until February 16, 1869, leaving one daughter, Emma. The latter is now the wife of T. Albert, of Galesburg. At Bishop Hill, Mr. Moline married Miss Christine Lundeen, a daughtr of Michael Lundeen, who was a well known farmer of Norvala Soken, Helsingland, Sweden, but later in his life removed to Sarrahra Soken. Several children were born of the second marriage. Esther H. and John W. are at home. Louise K. became the wife of E. Johnson and they have removed to California, intending to farm there. David H. spends much of his time upon the homestead. Peter E. has also gone to California. Olive C. is the wife of H. Linda, of Cambridge, Illinois. Clara F. married William Sandquist, a farmer of Cambridge. Lillian G., the youngest, became the wife of John Blomberg, of Bishop Hill.

In his political afhliations, Mr. Moline was an adherent of the democratic party and besides taking part in all the local elections, rendered the township efficient service during a period of twenty-seven years as a member of the school board, and for another long time as highway commissioner. He was a charter member of the Swedish Methodist Episcopal church and was ever among those who took an active part in all its business and social affairs, for he was one of its board of trustees until his death. Wherever he was known - and that was widely throughout the township - he was beloved. He was a man who had few if any enemies, for uprightness and integrity characterized all his dealings and his interest in the public welfare will long be remembered. Ever a hard worker, a good citizen, and a kind father, his memory is cherished by many, but especially by the members of his family who survive him.

Samuel Dickson

Samuel Dickson at the age of seventy- five years is living retired in Kewanee and the success which crowns earnest, persistent efifort is his, enabling him now to enjoy the comforts of life without further recourse to labor. He was for some time connected with general farming and house moving and his persistent energy and unfaltering industry made him one of the representative business men of Henry county. He was born in Knox county, Ohio, June 29, 1834. His grandfather was a native of Ireland and on coming to America settled in the state of New York. His father, Samuel Dickson, Sr., was born in the state of New York in 1 79 1 and when a young man removed to Ohio, settling in Knox county, where he followed general farming until his death, which there occurred in 1867. He served as a soldier of the war of 1812. The mother, Mrs. EHzabeth (Rood) Dickson, was a daughter of Nov. Rood, a native of Ohio. She was married in

In the district schools of his native county Samuel Dickson pursued his early education. Leaving school he worked on his father's farm until twenty years of age and gained intimate knowledge of the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He then came to Illinois, casting in his lot among the early settlers of Henry county. He settled in Wethersfield township, where he engaged in breaking prairie under contract for three years. His labors took him as far as Council Bluffs and he had as high as seventy-two head of oxen which were attached to breaking plows. In the meantime he also began house moving and digging ditches and tiling. His energy and ambition enabled him to seize every opportunity for the conduct of the successful business for which he was qualified and as he started out he determined to win success if it could be done by persistent and earnest efifort. In the early period of his residence here he bought eighty acres of land on section 30, Wethersfield township, which he broke and placed under cultivation. At length he purchased an adjoining tract of fifty acres on section 19. After that he confined the greater part of his time and energies to the farm work, although he did not entirely abandon his other lines of business. About two years later he bought an adjoining tract of eighty acres on the south, making his farm a complete quarter section, and with the fifty acres on section 19 his possessions aggregated two hundred and ten acres. His land is all improved and under a high state of cultivation, the place presenting a most neat and attractive appearance. He continued personally to till the soil until 1892, when he rented his farm and removed to Kewanee, after which he confined his entire time to house moving. In 1893 he purchased an acre of land at the corner of Rose and Franklin streets in Kewanee, where he has since lived. He continued as an active factor in business until 1901, when he retired and now gives his attention merely to the supervision of hs farm property, from which he derives a substantial annual income.

On the loth of December, 1857, in Wethersfield, Mr. Dickson was married to Miss Ann E. Prather, a daughter of Thomas Prather, a well known farmer of Knox county, Ohio, and later of Wethersfield, where he died November 11, 1854, at the age of sixty-two years. Mrs. Dickson was born in Knox county, Ohio, June 25, 1834, and there lived until 1853, when she accompanied her parents on their removal to Wethersfield. She died at her home in Kewanee August 9, 1899, at the age of sixty-five years, and her death was deeply regretted by many friends as well as her immediate family. By her marriage she had become the mother of four children, three sons and a daughter. Elwood, the eldest, was born December 20, 1859, and follows the business of house moving in this part of the state, making his home, however, in Kewanee. Pitt, the second son, was born September 12, 1864, and died January 14, 1866. Minnie, born March 8, 1868, was for a' number of years a school teacher in Kewanee and was well known and liked by all. She died March 16, 1895, and her passing was deeply regretted by many who knew her. States, the youngest of the family, was born November 8, 1870, and makes his home in Kewanee but at the present time is employed as a claim agent by James B. Clow & Company of Chicago.

In politics Mr. Dickson is a stanch democrat, usually voting the straight ticket at presidential and state elections, but at local elections often casting an independent ballot. He has never sought nor desired office but is always loyal in citizenship and is interested in the welfare of the community. His life has been well spent and those who know him entertain for him warm regard by reason of the fact that he has made good use of his opportunities and has always been fair and honorable in his relations with his fellowmen.

George W. Farnam

George W. Farnam, a native farmer of Cornwall township, was born April 13, 1866, and is a son of John S. and Elizabeth (Tompkins) Farnam. The mother was born in Tiskilwa, Illinois, in 1837, while the father was bom in Canaan, New Hampshire, in 1833. At the age of eighteen years he came to Henry county, Illinois, settling upon the farm in Cornwall township on which his son George W. now lives and which was his home until his death. During the progress of the Civil war he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served throughout the war, being in the battle of Nashville, in the siege of Atlanta and in the battle of Resaca. Our subject's uncle, George Farnam, also served in the Union army, having enlisted in Kansas City, w^here he was then residing. He was killed on the first day in battle. A stanch defender of the nation, the father joined the ranks of the republican party and become prominent in local affairs, holding many of the township offices. His death occurred in 1901, while his wife survived until 1903, when she was laid to rest near him in Liberty cemetery. They had six children all living: John W., of Cornwall township; George W., of this review; Laura, the wife of Oliver Nickerson, of Cornwall township; Ella, who makes her home with Mrs. Nickerson ; Martin, of Cornwall township; and IMabel, the wife of Walter Sleaford, of Cornwall township.

George W. Farnam attended the Shabbona Grove school and after the completion of his education remained with his parents on the farm until he was twenty-eight years of age. He continued his studies, however, receiving private instruction in engineering and electricity and then taking a three years' course in steam engineering in a school in Racine, Wisconsin. In 1893 he married and settled upon the farm on which he now lives. It is eighty acres in extent, located on section 10, Cornwall township, on which his father had built the house which he subsequently remodeled. In addition to general agriculture which he pursues, he owns threshing machines, corn shellers, corn shredders and feed grinders, which he operates for the farmers in adjoining townships.

In 1893 Mr. Farnam wedded Miss Jennie Lane, who was born in Munson township, Henry county, February 16, 1872. She was a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Clark) Lane, both natives of England, where the mother was born April 5, 1834, and the father March 11, 1830. At the age of twelve the latter came to America with his parents, settling in New York state. In 1857 he came to Henry county, Illinois, locating first in Munson township and then removing to Cornwall, where he died December 17, 1909, and was buried in Grand View cemetery, but his wife is still living. He espoused the cause of the democratic party upon becoming a citizen of this republic. Eight children were born to the couple, only seven of whom are now living. They are : Oliver, who resides in Missouri ; Sarah, the wife of George Atwell, of Cornwall township ; James, also of that township; Hannah, the wife of Iretus Van Housen, of Grand Island, Nebraska; Minnie, the wife of Thomas Devoy, of Cornwall township; JenniC; now Mrs. Farnam ; and May, the wife of Ed Werkheiser, of Cornwall township.

Mr. and Mrs. Farnam have had six children, all of whom were born in Cornwall tov/nship : Clora Blanche, born November 7, 1894, who is attending the country schools; John, who was born November 28, 1896, and died January 11, 1897, being buried at Liberty; Roland George, born Decem.ber 29, 1897; Elbert Boyd, born September 29, 1899, who is attending school; Harold Lane, who was born March 20, 1902, and died March 10, 1904; and Morris, who was born April 18, 1905, and died May 2 of the same year.

Like his father, Mr. Farnam is an adherent of the republican party and has occupied an influential position in township affairs. For some years past he has been school director and for twelve years justice of the peace. He is serving the second year as town clerk, his first year as collector, while for four years he has been constable of his township. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen, to whose interests he is devoted. Ambitious, energetic and possessed of considerable business ability, he has made his way in the world entirely through his own efforts so that he well deserves the proud title of a self-made man. He possesses many attractive qualities of personality and a genial nature as well as a broad and liberal mind.

F. E. Gresser, a well known citizen of Atkinson, the representative of several insurance companies in this town, was born in Cabstadt, Germany, September i, 1843, ^ son of John G. and Barbara Henrietta (Kachel) Gresser. The father was born in Saxe-Gotha in 1813 and in 1851 came to America in a sailing vessel. He located in Kinderhook, New York, where Martin Van Buren lived retired and died after having served as president of the United States and there for four or five years Mr. Gresser engaged in farming, the pursuit he had followed in the land of his birth. In 1857 he came west to Illinois, settling upon some land he had procured in Atkinson township, Henry county, Vv'here he lived and worked until his death, January 20, 1892, His wife, who was born in Saxony, Germany, September 26, 183 1, had preceded him to the grave by a little over a year, her death having occurred November 4, 1890. The couple were laid to rest in the cemetery in Geneseo. Their daughter Amelie became the wife of Samuel Cummings, of Chicago, Illinois, and is the mother of two children.

F. E. Gresser, the only son, attended the public schools of Germany for two years before he came to this country and received a little more education in the district schools of Illinois. At the age of fifteen or sixteen he began his business career as a clerk in a general store, first in Geneseo, and later in Chicago and Aurora. For a few months he was in the government service at Nashville, Tennessee, and then in 1869, after his marriage, he went to live upon a farm in Henry county. After about seven years' experience as an agriculturist he sold his land and again entered the mercantile world, opening a general store in Atkinson, which he conducted until 1891, when he sold his interests and has since devoted himself to public affairs. For a period of six years he was highway commissionei, for four years was police magistrate, for sixteen years was justice of the peace, and for six years, or two terms, served as a mem.ber of the village board. Sixteen years ago he was made a notary public and still retains that position. Seeing an opening as an insurance agent he became the representative of the Phoenix Company of Brooklyn ; the Hanover, of New York ; of the North British Mercantile, of London and Edinburgh ; and of several other fire insurance companies. In addition, he was for many years the reporter from Atkinson for the Geneseo News, when that paper was owned by Henry L. Kiner, so that his acquaintance with the different walks of life has been varied and has given him a broad outlook.

On the 28th of October, 1869, Mr. Gresser wedded Miss Christine Dannenfelser, who was born in Sharon, Portland township, Whiteside county, Illinois, May 5, 1848. Her parents, Frederick and Marie E. (Schuck) Dannenfelser, were both natives of Germany, the former born in 1808, the latter in 1810, and they came to America in 1838. They located first in Rock Island county, Illinois, and then removed to Portland township,' Whiteside county, where they engaged in farming, until they retired from active life and located in Geneseo. There they passed away, the mother, October 20, 1895, when she was eighty-five years of age, the father May 2, 1S89, in the eighty-second year of his age. They are buried in Geneseo. Their children were : Jacob, who died at the age of sixtyeight years; Elizabeth, the wife of John Freed, of Rock Island; William, of Pueblo, Colorado; Christine, the wife of Mr. Gresser; Carrie, who married A. F. Oberle, of Geneseo ; and Julia, the wife of S. S. Ott, of Topeka, Kansas.

Mr. and Mrs. Gresser are the parents of six children. Edwin S., born August 7, 1870, married Miss Ora Huff, of Topeka, Kansas, and they have one daughter, Helen M., who was nine years old in January, 1909. The family lives in Topeka. Grant, born August 5, 1873, married Miss Marie Shepper, of Moline, Illinois, and lives in Atkinson. He has two children: Earle, aged two, and Josie Marie, who was born April 24, 1909. Maude, born December 25, 1879, died two years later and was buried in Geneseo. Clarence E., born in Atkinson, March 11, 1883, married Miss Leonora Miller, of Topeka, Kansas, and has there taken up his residence. Clark J., born August 5, 1885, married Miss Clara Caton, of Topeka, where is now his home. Rollin F., born May 12, 1891, also lives in Topeka, Kansas, where he is taking a business course at college.

Mrs. Gresser united with the Baptist church of Geneseo when she was eighteen years of age, but since coming to Atkinson has affiliated with the Congregational church, in which she is very active, being chairman of the work committee. Politically Mr. Gresser gives his support to the republican party, having cast hi? first presidential vote for x\braham Lincoln. He has taken an active interest in all public affairs, and when the people have chosen him to fill any office he has fulfilled his duties carefully and honorably, to their entire satisfaction. Having guided his own life by sound principles, he has reared his five sons in accordance with the same standards and they are a great credit to him. Genial and kindhearted he has made many stanch friends, who are always made welcome in his pretty and comfortable home, over which his wife presides with grace and dignity.

John G. Gustafson

After long years devoted to arduous toil John G. Gustaf son feels that he is justified in retiring from active participation in agricultural pursuits and upon his home on section 28, Western township, just outside the corporate limits of Orion, lives in the enjoyment of the results of a life well spent. He was born in Sweden April 20, 1844, and is a son of Andrew Gustafson. In 1851, in company with his parents and the rest of their family he came to the United States. They located first in Lynn township this county, where Mr. Gustafson, Sr,, secured a tract of land, that in the course of years rapidly grew in area until, toward the close of his life, he was the owner of five hundred and twenty acres. Ten children were born to him and his wife. Andrew, the eldest, served as a soldier in the Civil war, was twice married, and when he died in Lynn township left three children. Gust W. died in Western township, leaving four children. John G. is the third of the family. Charlotte F. became the wife of Thomas Baldwin and they had one daughter, who has survived her mother, who died in Iowa. Frank Oscar lives in Missouri and has two children. Hans C. is a telegraph operator in Iowa and has four children. Alvin R. married but died in Missouri. Wesley O. lives in the same state. Charles Theodore also lives in Missouri, married and has seven children. Albert the youngest, died in Missouri leaving three children.

John G. Gustafson grew to manhood upon the home farm in Lynn township, and he attended the common school of the district from which he received a fair training in the rudimentary branches of English education. Shortly after he reached man's estate he began to do for himself, although it was not until he married that he became really enrolled among the agriculturists of Henry county. In 1 87 1, he went to live upon the old homestead and later removed to a place of eighty acres in Lynn township, which was a gift from his father. His two sons were born upon that place, but in the course of years he sold that land and came to Western township, where he first bought eighty acres, paying seventy-five dollars an acre. Later he purchased forty acres more for which he paid at the rate of sixty-five dollars, and lastly he added another eighty acres to this tract, paying eighty dollars an acre. These frequent additions to his landholdings are tangible indication of the success with which he has gained as a tiller of the soil. As he has spared neither his own labor nor the expenditure of money which would contribute to the advancement of his interest or increase the productiveness of his fields, he has been rewarded with harvests which entitled him to be known as one of the prominent farmers of his locality. In addition to his agricultural property he owns two residences in Galesburg.

In Cambridge, Illinois, December 25, 1871, Mr. Gustafson wedded Miss Elizabeth Weech, whose home was in Knox county, this state. She was born in Somerton, Somersetshire, England, February 9, 185 1, and is a daughter of Joseph and Martha (White) Weech. In 1859 her parents came to the United States, settling in Oneida, Knox county, Illinois, where they lived for a time before they secured the farm on which she grew to maturity. She received a fair commonschool education there. She was the eighth in a family of ten children. The others were Ann, who married Daniel Cox, in England, but died in Linn county, Kansas, leaving four children ; Steve who also lived in Linn county, Kansas, and left three children when he died ; Daniel, who died in Linn county, Kansas, leaving three children ; Joseph, who lives upon the homestead in Oneida, Knox county, Illinois, where he is rearing his ten children; Jane, who is the wife of Julius Rose, of Linn county, Kansas, and has ten children ; Sarah, who married William Cox, by whom she had four children, and after his death became the wife of John Burnison, who lives near Brooks, Iowa; Mary, who wedded John Burnison, and died in Red Oak, Iowa, leaving four children; James who lives at San Bernardino, California, and has two children; and John, who lives at London Mills, Illinois, and has four children.

Mr. and Mrs. Gustafson have had two sons : Dr. Joseph Ansley Gustafson and John E. Gustafson, sketches of whose lives appear elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Gustafson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In his political views Mr. Gustafson has been a stanch republican since the time when he cast his first presidential ballot for Grant in 1868. He has however, steadily refused any office which the people might bestow upon him, feeling that his private interests demand the greater part of his time.

Forrest Michison Lowes

Forrest Michison Lowes is prominently connected with the profession which has important bearing upon the welfare and stable prosperity of any community. Since 1899 he has continuously practiced law in Geneseo and has been identified with much of the important litigation heard in the courts of Henry county. His birth occurred in Atkinson township, this county, November 26, 1874, and he is the youngest of the three living children of William and Martha (Michison) Lowes, both of whom were natives of England. The paternal grandfather spent his entire life in England and following his demise his widow came to America and died in Atkinson, Illinois, when more than eighty years of age. The maternal grandparents were also natives of the "Merrie Isle" and Mr. Michison there followed coal mining until his death, which occurred when he was well advanced in years.