Alba Township

Alba Township

UWYER CORNELIUS, Farmer, Sec. 33; P.O. Annawan; born in Tipperary County, Ireland, in May, 1819; came to New York in July, 1848, and to Springfield, Illinois, in 1857, and to this county in 1860; wife was Mary Hayes, born in Tipperary County, Ireland, in the Fall of 1822; married Jan. 9, 1851; six children; two boys and two girls living; two boys deceased.

FOSTER LYDIA Mrs. Sec. 34; P.O. Annawan; born in Sussex County, N. J., Aug. 17, 1808; came to this county in 1865; Pres; 80 acres, $4,000; her first husband was Freeman Swayze, born in Sussex County, N. J., Sept. 28, 1808; married Oct. I, 1829; died April 6, 1837; second husband was Wm. R. Foster, who was born in New Jersey, Dec. 29, 1815; married Nov. 5, 1843; died Oct. 25, 1874; three boys and one girl by first husband; three boys and one girl by second husband.

/"MLBREITH JAMES, Sec. 30; P.O.Atkinson; farmer; Rep; Cong; born Ireland; 440 ac. ^-* GOEMBLE C. C. Sec. I; P.O. Annawan; farmer, lives on his father's farm; Rep; Ind. GOEMBLE Z. T. Sec. r; P.O. Annawan; farmer, lives on father's farm; Rep; Ind; born 111.

HAYES CORNELIUS, Farmer, Sec. 21, P.O. Annawan; born in Tipperary Co., Ireland, March I, 1832; came to this Co. March 4, 1860; Dem; Cath; owns 490 acres, val. $2,250; town prop. $3,000; landed in N.Y. 27th Nov. 1852; lived there 5 years; came to Springfield, Ills. 1857, and to this Co. 1860; lived here since; held the office of Assessor 8 years, and holds the office of T. Treas. the second term; Com. Highways 9 years; wife was Miss M. J. Smith, born in Antrim Co. Ireland, Feb. 24, 1851; married Dec. I, 1872.

KRAMER BERNHARD, Farmer; Sec. 19; P.O.Atkinson; born in Germany, June 19, 1826; came from Germany to Bureau Co. in 1852; afterward lived in Marshall Co. and set-' tied in this Co. in 1870; Dem; Luth; 240 acres, val. 88,400; wife was Eve Lippiu, born in Germany, Dec. 22, 1822; married Aug. 9, 1855; five children - two boys, Bernhard Jr., Frank, and two girls, Maria and Mary Kramer, living.

McCULLOUGH DAVID, Sec. 34; P.O. Annavvan; rents Mr. Dow's farm; Rep; Ind. McCULLOUGH FRANKLIN, lives with his father; P.O. Annawan; Rep; Ind; N.Y.

Mr.CLENNAN 1>AV1I>, Farmer; Sec. g; P.O. Annawan; born in Niagara Co. N.Y.. Sept. 5. 1820; came to this Co. 1855; Ind. in religion; 167 acres, $3.340; held the office of School Director five years; holds the offices of Pathmaster and Overseer of the Poor; wife was Mrs. Lucinda Call, who was born in Canada, Nov. 22, 1826; married Aug. 29, 1844; died Dec. 29. 1860; four children - one boy and two girls living; John McClennan Jr. was born in Kendall Co. 111. July 14, 1849; lives with his father.

PRITCHARD HENRY Sr. Farmer; Sec. 29; P.O. Atkinson; born in Co. Down, Ireland, in 1816; came to this Co. May 5, 1865; Rep; Cong; 320 acres, val. $16,000; first wife was Mary Warnock, born in Co. Down, Ireland, in 1816, June 16; married in 1836; died April 14, 1845; second wife was Mary lioyd, born in Co. Down, Ireland, 1826; married in Sept. 1845; ten children - three girls, seven boys; Alexander Pritchard lives in Iowa, Alice Pritchard lives in Ireland, Mary J. Pritchard lives in Yorktown, Sarah Pritchard lives with her father.

PKITCHARD HENRY Jr. Farmer, Sec. 20; P.O. Atkinson; born in Co. Down, Ireland, March 21, 1843; came to this Co. in 1864; Rep; Pres; 280 acres val. $5,600; wife was Miss Eliza Irvin, born in Co. Down, Ireland, 1846, Feb. 20; married Dec. 25, 1867; four children - two boys, Henry and John; two girls, Sarah J. and Mary W.

PRITCHARD SAMUEL, Farmer, Sec. 30; P.O. Atkinson; born in Co. Down. Ireland. Feb. 18, 1842; came to this county in 1858; Rep; Cong; 320 acres, $8,000; was in the I26th Reg. Co. H, I. V. I., Col. Richmond, in the i6th Army Corps. Gen. Hurlbut, until the fall of Vicksburg, then in the 7th Army Corps, Gen. Steele; was at the siege of Vicksburg and battles of Humboldt and Little Rock; enlisted Aug. 9, 1862, discharged Aug. 2, 1865. wife was Miss Alice Pritchard, born in Co. Down, Ireland, June 22, 1844; married Dec. 3, 1868; five children, three boys, one girl; Mrs. Pritchard's father and mother, who were born in Co. Down, Ireland, came to this county May, 1868, and are living with them.

PRITCHARD WM. Farmer, Sec. 30; P.O. Atkinson; born in Co. Down, Ireland, Sept. 26, 1836; came to Rock Island in 1858, and to Western Tp. in 1860, and to Alba in 1864; lived here since; holds the office of School Director; Rep; Cong; 240 acres, val. $12,000; wife was Miss Ellen Walker, born in Co. Down, Ireland, Feb. 1835; married Oct. 28, 1857; two children, one girl living, one girl deceased.

RICHMOND HENRY J. rents Wennergren's farm. Sec. 28; P.O. Annawan; born in Schuyler Co. N.Y. Nov. 29, 1843; came to this county 1854; Rep; was enrolled the I2th of Aug. 1862, in Co. A II2th Reg. I. V. I. Capt. Dow, 3d brigade, 3d division, 23d Army Corps, Gen. Schofield, Military Division of the Mississippi, under Sherman, was at the battles of Campbell Station, Knoxville, Bean Station, Kelly's Ford, where he was wounded, at Resaca, Atlanta, Columbia, Franklin, Nashville, Wilmington, and many skirmishes; discharged June 20, 1865; went to Iowa in 1865, came back in 1874; wife was Mary C. Mc- Cullough, born in Philadelphia, June 3, 1851; married Dec. 8, 1874; one girl, Anna Elenore, born Nov. 27, 1875.

ROCKAFELLOW E. M. Farmer, Sec. 32; P.O. Atkinson; born in New York, Jan. 13, 1850; came to this county in 1868; Rep; Ind; 160 acres, val. $6,400; his mother, Mrs. Christian Rockafellow, lives on the farm with him.

SEBLE ELI, Farmer, Sec. 15; P.O. Annawan; born in Chester Co. Pa. Feb. 6, 1824; came to this county March, 1872; lived in Morrow Co. Ohio, from 1853 to 1856, and in Bureau Co. 111. from 1856 to 1872; holds the offices of Justice of the Peace and School Director; Dem; Bapt; 200 acres, val. $5.000; wife was Miss Eliza McCreary, who was born in Ohio, June 24, 1832; married Feb. 20, 1856, died Dec. 19, 1868; five children, two boys and two girls living.

SMITH JOSEPH, Farmer, Sec. 24; P.O. Annawan; born in Pa. April 4, 1825; came to this county March 28, 1866; was in the Mexican War, in the 2d Reg. Pa. Vol. I. Co. E, under Gen. Patterson, and afterward Gen. Quitman, in the division under Scott; was at the taking of Vera Cruz, and the battles of Cerra-Gordo and Chepultepec; mustered out at Pittsburgh, Pa. July 15, 1848; was commissioned 2d lieutenant Co. H, &7th Reg. Pa. V. I. Jan. 16, 1862, under Col. J. F. Staunton, in the Army of the Potomac; was taken prisoner at the battle near Winchester, June 15, 1863; was in Libby prison eleven months, at Macon, Ga. three months; was taken with 600 officers and placed under fire, at Charleston two months, Columbia four months, and then to Charlotte, N. C.; was exchanged at Wilmington, N. C., and discharged at Annapolis, Md. March 9. 1865; holds the office of School Director; Rep; Ind; 160 acres, $2,400; wife was Eliza J. Schall, born in Pa. July 7, 1835; married April 24, 1851; seven children, two girls and one boy living; H. C. Smith lives in Pa.

TONKINSON JOHN, Farmer; Sec. I; P.O. Annawan; born in Norton, England (Yorkshire), July 4. 1850; came to this county in 1865; Rep; Ind; owns 120 acres, value $2,400; wife was Lydia Almira Widrig. born in Yorktown, Henry Co. 111., Dec. 10, 1853; married Nov. 18, 1869; three children, one boy and two girls.

VAUGHN C. M. Farmer, Sec. 28; P.O. Annawan; born in Chemung Co. N. Y., Sept. 15, 1848; came to this county in 1859; ^ePI l"d; owns 140 acres, value $4,900; holds the office of Town Clerk, Col;ector and School Trustee; wife \va> Mis- Alice M. Giles, who was born in Franklin, Johnson Co. Indiana, Jan. 20. 1847; married March 28, 1872; three children, two girls living.

AITARNOCK JOSEPH A. lives with his father; P.O. Atkinson; Rep; Meth; born N. J. * * WILSEY WM. Sec. 12; P.O. Annawan; farmer; Rep; born N.Y; 150 acres, $3,750. WRIGHT AMOS, Sec. 12; P.O. Annawan; farmer; Ind; Adv; born Ohio; 150 acres, $4,500. WRIGHT ZACHARIAH, lives with his father; farmer; Rep; born Ohio.

WAR1NX5CK JAMKS, Farmer and Painter; Sec. 33; P.O. Annawan; born in County Down, Ireland, March 26, 1834; came to this county April 4, 1873; Rep; Pres; 120 acres, $3.600; was enrolled as private April 16, 1861, in Co. A, 2gth Reg. Pa. Vol. I.; promoted July i to Third Sergeant; at the first battle of Winchester to Second Sergeant; July 10, 1862, at Williamsport, Md., to First Serg-ant, and at Gettysburg, July 4, 1863, to Sergeant Major; received his discharge, and commissioned Second Lieutenant the same day; received the commission July 26, and was mustered in Sept. 5, 1863; was in the battles of Ball's Bluff, Winchester, Antietam, Chancellorville, Gettysburg. Wahatchi, Lookout Mt., Missionary Ridge and Ringgold, Ga.;' resigned April 9, 1864; wife was Sarah B. Moreland, born in County Down, Ireland, March I, 1837; married Sept. 14, 1859; five children, two boys and two girls living, one girl deceased.

WABNOCK PETER W. Farmer, Florist and Gardener; Sec. 29; P.O. Atkinson; born in County Down, Ireland, Feb. 19, 1829; came to Burlington, N. J., in 1846; was there four years, in Philadelphia two years, and Camden five years; came to this county July I, 1857; held the offices of Justice of the Peace, School Trustee and Collector; wife was Elizabeth A. Castles, born in N. Y. City Aug. 20, 1836; married Feb. 22, 1854; nine children, six boys and two girls living, one boy deceased; Rep; Meth; 240 acres, value $7,200.

WENNERGREN JOHN F. Farmer, Sec. 28; P.O. Annawan; born in Goteborg, Sweden, July 25, 1822; Rep; Luth; 120 acres, $4,800; he started from Sweden Jan. I, 1851, landed in New Orleans April 5, 1851; took a steamer April 12 and came to Peru, 111., and by canal boat to Chicago, where he bought a team, which he drove to Henry Co., entered his land at the Dixon land office in June, 1851, where he has lived since; was School Director.

A DAMS JAS., P.O. Cleveland; miner; Dem; born England. -**- ADAMS JOHN. P.O. Cleveland; miner; Dem; born 111. AGUE CLINTON, P.O. Geneseo; miner; Rep; born Ohio; wife, one child. AGUE HORACE, P.O. Geneseo; miner; Rep; born Ohio.

AGUE JAMES, Sec. 35, P.O. Geneseo; farmer; Rep; born Ohio; owns 53 acres, val. $2,120. AGUE WILSON, P.O. Geneseo; farm laborer; Rep; born Ohio. AGUSTAFSON CHAS., P O. Cleveland; miner; Rep; born Sweden.

ALDRICH DANL. Sec. 25, P.O. Geneseo; farmer; Dem; born 111.; owns 220 acres, val. $8,800. AL/DRICH M. M. Proprietor of the Aldrich Bros, coal mines, Sec. 24, P.O. Geneseo; born

BERNARD JAMES, Sec. 36; P.O. Geneseo; farmer; Rep; 10 acres, valued $500. BERNARD OSCAR, Sec. i; P.O. Geneseo; farmer; Rep; born Henry Co; 80 acrs. val. $3.200. BERXARI) WM. Farmer; rents of Mrs. Miller 40 acres; Sec. 35; P.O. Geneseo; born in

BOLTON W. J., P.O. Cleveland; laborer; Rep; horn N. Y.; wife, three children. BRADY G. Sec. 36; P.O. Geneseo; farmer; Rep; born Ohio; 81 acres, valued at $3,240. BRANNON, D. J., P.O. Cleveland; millwright and engineer; Dem; Meth. BEARER JAMES, P.O. Cleveland; miner; Rep.

CHERRY ROBERT, Farmer and Stock Raiser; Sec. 26; P.O. Geneseo; born in Franklin Co. Ohio, 1825; came to Henry Co. in 1838; Dem; owns 354 acres of land, valued at $14,160; married Mary Ann Van Winkle of 111. in 1849; five children - James Henry, Robert Alexander, Alwilda Jane, Alice Luella, Lillie Lorenteen.

CRUL BENG-MAX, Farmer and Stock Raiser, Sec. 32; P.O. Cleveland; born in Pa. in 1820; came to Henry Co. in 1850; Rep; Meth; owns 107 acres land, value $5.350; married Mary Ann Bay, of Ohio, in 1847; four children; Sam'l A., Wm. David, Clara Jane, and Marcus Lafayette.

CRULIj SAMUEL A. Carpenter; Sec. 31; P.O.Cleveland; born in Indiana in 1848; came to Henry Co. in 1859; Rep; Melh; owns house and lot in town; married Barbara Kiefer, of 111. in 1872; one boy. Wm. Albert.

EDWARDS E. Farmer and Stock Raiser, Sec. 34; P.O. Cleveland; born in Wales in 1819; came to Henry Co. in 1856; Rep; owns &!'/£ acres land, value $4,000; was School Director three years; married Sarah J. Bellard, of Ohio, in 1844; ine children- -Elizabeth, Cynthia Ann, Alice Jane, Olive M., Wm. Tayler, Frank Ellsworth, John Franklin, Chas. Fremont, Albert.

ERWIN GILBERT, Farmer, Sec. 3; P.O. Cleveland; born in Pa. in 1830; came to Henry Co. in 1859; Kep; Meth; owns 65 acres land, value $2,600; is Assessor, has been four yiars; married twice; first wife, Nancy Hotchkiss, of Pa. in 1850; one child; second wife was Mary J. Dawson, of Ohio, married 1855; three children; Edwin Gilbert, Rosie Mary, Fannie L., Nannie Elizabeth.

FULLER C. W. Farmer and Stock Raiser, Sec. 35; P.O. Geneseo; born in N. Y. in 1825; came to Henry Co. in 1834; Rep; owns 360 acres land, value $14,400; was Assessor one year; Commissioner of Highways three years; married Kezia Rowe, of N. Y., in 1846, for first wife; four children; married Catherine Brady, of Pa. in 1858, for second wife; five children.

GOTTSCHE JOHN JACOB, Farmer, Sec. 3; P.O. Geneseo; born in Germany in 1814; came to Henry Co. in 1860; Rep; Luth; owns 240 acres of land, value $7,200; married Katharina Korb, of Germany, in 1858; four children, John Jacob, Henry, Kattie Lizzie and Anna Maggie.

HALL THOMAS, Constable, P.O. Cleveland; born in Madison Co. N. Y., in 1812; came to Henry Co. in 1865; Rep; owns house and lot in town, value $500; has been Constable eight years, City Marshal and Chief of Police seven years; married Abby Johnson, of Conn, in 1833; three boys, James T., Albert W. and Manvill S.

HANNA H. N. Farmer and Stock Dealer, Sec. 32; P.O. Cleveland; born in Henry Co. 111., in 1841; Rep; Meth; owns 160 acres of land, value $6,400; is Tax Collector, has been four years; was School Director tsvo years; married Mrs. Jane E. Hill, of Ohio, in 1862; one girl, name Lillian Florence.

P. K. Rev. Farmer and Stock Raiser, Sec. 32; P.O. Cleveland; born in Ky. in liio; came to Henry Co. in 1835; Rep; Meth. Epis; owns 450 acres land, value $18.000; was licensed to preach by the M. E. Church in 1829; and assisted in organizing most of the early religious societies of this and Rock Island Counties; at the organization of Henry County was chosen County Commissioner; also chosen several times Supervisor of Geneseo and Hanna Townships, and was chosen Representative of the, 4&th District of 111. in 1868; married for third wife Mrs. S. M. Fiedler, of Geneseo, 111., in 1857; is the father of twelve children.

HUEBNER CHRISTOPH, Farmer, Sec. 4; P.O.Cleveland; born in Germany in 1825; came to Henry Co. in 1868; Rep; Luth; owns 60 acres land. val. $2,400; married Miss Elizabeth Elze, of Germany, in 1854; two children, Henry and Augusta.

PADDELFOKD .TAMES H. Farmer and Stock Dealer, Sec. 4, P.O. Cleveland; born in Grafton Co. New Hampshire, in 1828; came to Henry Co. in 1837; Dem; Meth; owns 796 acres land, value $32,000; has served as Assessor, Collector, Supervisor and Town Clerk; married Rachel D. Hanna, of Henry Co. Ills, in 1857; six children, three boys and three girls.

O ALE J. H., P.O. Cleveland; physician and surgeon; Rep; born Indiana; owns two lots. ^ SCHUBER CHRIST., P.O.Cleveland; miner; Rep; born Germany.

SAWYER J. A. Jr. (of the firm of J. A. & A. Sawyer), Postmaster and General Merchant, P.O. Cleveland; born in Rock Island Co. Ills, in 1845; came to Henry Co. in 1850; Rep; Meth; has been Postmaster eight years; Treasurer of the Corporation of Cleveland three years.

SEARLES JOHN, Farmer and Stock Raiser, Sec. 28, P.O. Cleveland; born in Ohio in 1804; came to Henry Co. in 1858; Rep; he owns 279 acres land, val. $9,000; married Agnes Owens, of Ireland, in 1858; eight children, names: John Clinton, James, Truman, William, Margaret, Clarissa, Mary, Bell.

STORZ G. JACOB. Dealer in Grain and Saloon Keeper, Cleveland; born in Germany in 1840; came to Henry Co. in 1869; Dem; Luth; owns three houses and lots, val. $2,700; owns a four-ion Victor scales where all farmers can weigh their produce, grain, etc.; married Friederika Pfaff, of Germany, in 1873; two children, George Jacob and Anna Regina.

-"FALCOTT WM. H. Sec. 25, P.O. Geneseo; farmer; Rep; born Rock Island; 79 ac. in estate. TIMM H. Sec. 2, P.O. Geneseo; farmer; Rep; born Germany; owns 80 acres, val. $3,200.

TAYLOR H. R. Farmer and Stock Raiser, Sec. 9, P.O. Green River; born in White Co. 111. in 18 j2; came to Henry Co. in 1845; Rep; owns 280 acres land, val. $11,200; was in gth I. V. Cav. Co. A, as private one year; married Mary Ann Porter, of Rock Island Co. 111. 1855; six children, Mary Idella, Wm. Harrison, Geo. Hudson, Fred. Lincoln, John Jefferson, and Danl. Arthur. Held office Town Clerk one year, and Commissioner three years.

WALSH DANL., P.O. Cleveland; tailor; Rep; Meth. Epis; born Ireland; owns house, two lots. WALTHER FRED, P.O. Cleveland; farmer, rents; Rep; Luth; born Germany. WARNER JOHN, P.O. Cleveland; miner; Dem. WARREN G. W., P.O.Cleveland; butcher; Rep; wife, four children. WEAVER L., P.O. Cleveland; miner; Rep.

WHITTED FRANK M., P.O. Cleveland; farmer with father, W. Whitted; Rep; born 111. WHITTED J. C., P.O. Cleveland; miner; Rep; born Indiana; wife, three children. WHITTED M. W. Sec. 33; farmer, rents of father, W. W.; Rep; born 111. WHITTED WILEY, Sec. 33, P.O. Cleveland; farmer and stock raiser; Rep; born Ind; 250 ac. WHITTED WM., P.O. Cleveland; retired farmer; Rep; born N. C. in 1793. WHITTED WM. P. Sec. 33, P.O. Cleveland; farmer with father, Wiley Whitted; Rep; 111. WILCOX JAMES, P.O.Cleveland; miner; Rep; born England. WILLIAMS G. Sec. 35, P.O. Geneseo; farmer; Rep; born N.Y; owns 40 ac. val. $1,600.

WILLIAMS WM. S., P.O. Geneseo; boss boarding-house; Aldrich Bro's. mines; Rep. WITHROW JOHN W. Sec. i, P.O. Geneseo; farmer; Rep; born in 111; 240 ac. val. $9,600. WOODELL LOUIS, P.O. Cleveland; miner; Rep.

Source changes here: from Portrait and Biographical Album of Henry County, Illinois : Containing Full-page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County, Together with Portraits and Biographies of All the Governors of Illinois, and of the Presidents of the United States; Also Containing a History of the County, from Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, published 1885; 504 words in this source stream.

Alba Township

River, that meanders entirely from the east part of it to the west side, mostly in the northern tier of sections. And then, just west of the west line is the mouth of Mud Creek, which eni ters. the- township at the south line and bends around through sections 35, 29, 30, 19 and 20. These streams were, it seems, protecting barriers against the settlers, and they traveled around them, the immigrants from the east striking south of Mud Creek and the Green River swamps; and those, of course, which came by way of the river, stopped among their friends in other parts of the county, and often, for many years, lived there without seeing any part of Alba Township.

The name Alba was one of the unaccountable inventions of the Commissioners selected to give baptismal names to the twenty-four townships in the county. What, if any, meaning there is attached to it we are unable to ascertain. It is a case, perhaps, of purely poetic fancy, and will always remain a reminder to posterity of the oversight of those who gave names to localities in the county of what an opportunity was missed - what inadequate ideas the men who shaped the destinies of this fair portion of our land had of the real benefactors who had made the great sacrifices for our good. (The word alba in Latin signifies white)

There is a tradition, or rather an unverified story, that two brothers, James and John Sumatra, came into this part of the county in an early day, about 1836, and put up a pole cabin and made a small truck patch; but their chief occupation was hunting and trapping. Their home was the cheapest and easiest made they could design - simply a poor protection from the elements, and indicated that they were ready, upon short notice, to follow the game in its migrations from one portion of the country to another. They lived their solitary life, it is thought, wintering here only one winter and spending two summers, and had possibly been gone years before the remains of their camping place were discovered. Where they were from or where they went is not known.

It was only after the Winnebago Swamp Land Company had succeeded in demonstrating the feasibility of draining these swamp and overflowed lands that the permanent settlers and farmers began to turn their attention to the township, and now may be seen the tillers of the soil tickling the ground that breaks forth in smiling crops, where once a goodsized steamboat might have easily floated. These lands, wlien once restored to the husbandmen, like all overflow lands, are deeply covered with the richest 1 soil. This is true of the Green River swamp lands, except in spots where there is more or less peat in the drift deposits. While Alba Township still only has a sparse population, yet the future may transform it into a very rich garden spot, producing all the cereals and grasses in unexampled quantities.