History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II, Part 1

Author: Davis, William W
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 882

USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 1

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HISTORY

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WHITESIDE COUNTY, ILLINOIS

From Its Earliest Settlement to 1908

hete By WILLIAM W. DAVIS, M. A. 5 1836 100

ILLUSTRATED

With Biographical Sketches of some Prominent Citizens of the County

VOL. II

Chicago: THE PIONEER PUBLISHING CO. 1908

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MRS. TYLER MªWHORTER

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BIOGRAPHICAL

HON. TYLER MCWHORTER.

Hon. Tyler McWhorter, coming to Whiteside county in pioneer days, was closely associated with its early development and later progress and left the impress of his individuality upon its growth and development. His labors were a beneficial factor in public life, not only in the material interests of the county but in its political progress as well, and he was honored by his fellow townsmen with election to the state legislature, where he represented his district most creditably.

Mr. McWhorter was a native of Ohio, but was reared to manhood in Indiana, to which state he removed in his early boyhood with his parents, John and Mary (Lynn) McWhorter, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of West Virginia. John Mcwhorter was a descendant of Thomas McWhorter, who came from Scotland before the French and Indian war and took up his abode in New Jersey. His children were Gilbert, Hugh and Mary, the last named becoming the wife of William Buchanan. Hugh McWhorter married Keziah Tyler and they had six children-Thomas, Tyler, Betsey, James, Keziah and John. Of this family Tyler was the father of John McWhorter and the grandfather of our subject. He married and settled in Indiana, where was born unto him a son, John McWhorter, The last named, arriving at years of maturity, wedded Mary Lynn and their children were Lynn, Francis, Henry, Tyler, Keziah and Mary.

Reared to manhood under the parental roof, Tyler Mcwhorter early became familiar with the experiences of pioneer life in Indiana, as he aided in the development of new land there and its further cultivation as it was transformed into productive fields. He had no special advantages in his youth; in fact, his opportunities were rather limited than otherwise. During his boyhood days he pursued his studies in a log schoolhouse in Indiana and

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his father, who was a teacher, assisted him in acquiring a good practical edu- cation.

He remained at home until his marriage, which was celebrated Novem- ber 28, 1849, Miss Rhoda A. Ward becoming his wife. She was born near Cincinnati, Ohio, and is a daughter of Elias and Rhoda (Miller) Ward, who were natives of New Jersey. Her maternal grandfather was Major Luke Miller, who served with distinction in the Colonial army during the Revolu- tionary war. He spent his entire life in Madison, New Jersey, dying in the house in which he was born. He was a farmer and blacksmith by occupa- tion and lived a life of industry. His family numbered two sons and six daughters. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Rhoda A. Mcwhorter was Israel Ward, a native of New Jersey, who made farming his life work. In 1811, accompanied by his family, he removed to Hamilton county, Ohio, where he bought land for himself and his sons. He had a family of six sons and two daughters. His son, Elias Ward, the father of Mrs. McWhorter, was a soldier of the war of 1812 and for his services received a land warrant. For a number of years he followed the carriage-trimmer's trade in Cincinnati, but finally selling his farm in Ohio removed to Franklin county, Indiana, where he lived until a few years prior to his death. He then came to Whiteside county, Illinois, to make his home with Mr. and Mrs. McWhorter and some of his other children and here died September 6, 1870. His family num- bered twelve children and, with the exception of one who died in infancy, all reached years of maturity, were married and reared families of their own. Only two, however, are now living-Mrs. McWhorter and Lewis B. Ward, who resides in Rock Falls, this county.

Following his marriage Tyler McWhorter continued to reside in Indiana until 1854, when he started for Whiteside county, Illinois. He made the journey by team, bringing with him his household goods, after which he returned for his wife and three little children. This time they traveled by rail to Dixon and thence by team to Sterling. From that time forward until his death Tyler McWhorter was a prominent and influential citizen of this part of the state. The first farm he purchased comprised three hundred and twenty acres of land, which he bought from Jonathan Banes, who had secured it from the government. The purchase price was three dollars per acre. Not a furrow had been turned upon the place and the land was in the condition in which it came from the hand of nature. Mr. Mcwhorter first erected a small frame house, which is still standing and is yet in possession of the family. He performed the arduous task of developing new land and con- verting raw prairie into a cultivable farm and in the course of years, as the result of his indefatigable labor, he had one of the finest and best cultivated farms in his township, bringing his land under a high state of development and adding to it many modern improvements and equipments. All these, however, involved much earnest toil and conditions of life in the community afforded no such conveniences and advantages as are now to be obtained. The farm machinery was very crude and much of the labor now done by improved agricultural implements was then done by hand. His neighbors,

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too, were widely scattered. Only here and there had a settlement been made and many of the homes were built of logs. As a farmer Mr. McWhorter took a deep interest in all that pertained to the advancement of agricultural and. stock-raising interests and, stimulated by his example and words of encour- agement, many other farmers turned their attention to the improvement of their land and the advancement of their live-stock interests according to his methods. His labors were thus of direct benefit to his fellowmen. At one time he was the owner of five hundred and twenty acres in Montmorency township, while in Kossuth county, Iowa, he had six hundred and forty acres. He lived upon his farm in this county, however, until his death and was one of the most prominent agriculturists of northern Illinois.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Tyler McWhorter were born four sons and three daughters-Mary, now the wife of John Jamison, of Algona, Iowa; Ellis, who is living near Algona; Anna, the widow of Edgar Woods, of Mont- morency township, Whiteside county; John E., of Burt, Iowa; William L., who is represented elsewhere in this volume; Charlotte L., the wife of Fred Buell, of Sheridan, Wyoming; and LeRoy S., who makes his home near Burt, Iowa.

Mr. McWhorter through the period of his residence in this county was recognized as a most public-spirited man and was frequently honored with positions of public trust and responsibility. From 1868 until 1874 he served as supervisor of the town and both prior and subsequent to that period he held other offices. In the fall of 1874 he received the unanimous nomination of the republicans for the position of representative in the twenty-ninth gen- eral assembly and such was his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him that he was elected by a large majority. He served on several of the more important committees of the house and gave to the matters which came before the assembly the careful consideration necessary to arrive at a proper conclusion as to their merits. He was an earnest working member of the house and was connected with considerable important constructive legisla- tion. In community affairs he took a helpful part and his influence and aid were always given on the side of reform, progress and advancement, while his many good qualities made him one of the foremost citizens of the county. He was instrumental in securing one of the first schools in Montmorency township and served as school director for fifteen years, the cause of education receiving from him tangible aid. He was a recognized leader in the local ranks of the party and became a leading and active member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His death occurred on the 5th of May, 1889, when he was sixty-four years of age, and his wife, who survives him, has been a resi- dent of Sterling since 1890.

Though nineteen years have come and gone since Tyler McWhorter passed from the scene of earthly activities the influence of his life and labors has not ceased to be felt. His example was well worthy of emulation and the character of his work made him a citizen whom to know was to respect and honor. He lived to witness the transformation wrought in this county and was an active factor in the work of improvement as it was carried for-

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ward. His own life was at all times characterized by an orderly progression, and the motives which guided his conduct gained for him an unsullied repu- tation.

EDWIN WHITFORD MITCHELL.

Edwin Whitford Mitchell is operating his father's farm on section 13, Mount Pleasant township, renting this tract of two hundred and eighty acres of rich and productive land, while his father, Charles Winegar Mitchell, resides in Morrison, having retired from active business life. C. W. Mitchell was born in Cayuga county, New York, December 18, 1843, and is a son of Edward R. and Harriet (Winegar) Mitchell, natives of Madison and Onondaga countics, New York, respectively. Edward R. Mitchell was of English lineage and of Quaker ancestry. He was a blacksmith and, remov- ing to Whiteside county in 1865, settled in Mount Pleasant township, where he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, upon which he spent his remaining days, dying in 1892, at the age of eighty-three years. His religious faith was that of the Society of Friends and his political support was given to the whig party until he joined the ranks of the new republican party. His wife, who was born in 1810, and died in 1888, caine of Swiss ancestry. The first of the family to come to America located in Lee, Massachusetts, early in the seventeenth century. Her parents were Samuel and Tabitha (Crocker) Winegar, the former a farmer by occupation. Mrs. Mitchell was also a relative of Captain Clark, a soldier of the Revolutionary war. In childhood days Mrs. Edward Mitchell was baptized in the Episcopal church but later became a member of the Universalist church. By her marriage she had three children: Amanda, the wife of Charles Ward, a farmer of Niagara county, New York, who came to Illinois in 1863 and settled in Mount Pleasant township, Whiteside county, where he niade his home until his death; Charles W., father of our subject; and Lydia, who married Nathan Mitchell, of Elgin, Illinois, who was a railroad engineer but is now deccased. She has since married Theodore G. Knox, now a retired farmer of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Charles W. Mitchell was reared on a farm and educated in the public. schools of Syracuse, New York, also spending onc terin in the Fulton Sem- inary, at Fulton, New York. He taught school for a year in Oswego county, New York. In the fall of 1864, when twenty years of age, he enlisted at Cicero, New York, in Company D, One Hundred and Eighty-fifth New York Volunteer Infantry, and served until the end of- the war, being mustered out near Washington. He participated in the engagements in front of Peters- burg during the siege and was also in the battle of Quakers Farm, Gravelly Run and Hatchiers Run. He was at Appomattox and the flag of truce from Lee came into the battle line of the One Hundred and Eighty-fifth Regiment. At the time of the surrender Mr. Mitchell had but a single hardtack, which he gave to a Confederate in exchange for a Palmetto button off his coat. It was two days after this before rations were issued to Mr. Mitchell and his

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comrades. His division remained at Appomattox and the munitions from Lee's army were placed in their charge. From Appomattox they went to Richmond, thence to Washington, participating in the grand review, the regiment camping at Arlington, the former home of General Robert E: Lee.

In July, 1865, C. W. Mitchell came to Illinois, settling in Mount Pleas- ant township, where with his father he bouglit one hundred and twenty acres of land, while subsequently he purchased two eighty acre tracts and is now the owner of a valuable farming property of two hundred and eighty acres of finely improved land. Year after year he carried on farming with good success until 1903, when he retired to Morrison and is now occupying one of the attractive homes of that city.

C. W. Mitchell was married in June, 1869, to Lucy Whitford, who was born in Huron county, Ohio, February 6, 1844, a daughter of Philo and Eliz- abeth (Swift) Whitford, of Scotch-Irish ancestry. Her father was a car- penter and contractor, who removed from De Ruyter, New York, to Ohio at a later day. Unto Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Mitchell were born three children : Mary E., who became the wife of Dr. John F. Stokes, a dentist of Rockford, and died June 25, 1907, leaving three children; Edwin W., of this review; and Anna L., the wife of Rev. William E. Levitt, a minister of the Universalist church in Prince Edwards county, Ontario. The parents are members of the Universalist church and Mr. Mitchell belongs to Alpheus Clarke Post, G. A. R., of which he is a past commander. In politics he is a stalwart republican and has held some local offices. For forty years he has kept a diary and this volume has often been resorted to to settle disputes among the neighbors concerning events of the locality.

Edwin W. Mitchell, whose name introduces this record, was born on the farm he now cultivates, January 29, 1874. It remained his playground in youth and his training school for life's practical and responsible duties. He was afforded liberal educational privileges and after his graduation from the Morrison high school, spent two years in the State University at Urbana. He then returned to the farm and has since devoted his time and energies to the further development and improvement of the fields. He has also for the past ycar engaged in the breeding of thoroughbred shorthorn cattle and cach winter feeds a large number of cattle, for which he finds a ready sale on the market. In his business affairs he displays an aptitude for successful management and his enterprise has brought him gratifying success.

In October, 1902, was celebrated the marriage of Edwin W. Mitchell and Miss Julia Eggleston, who was born in Chicago, June 16, 1881, a daughter of George and Harriet (Howard) Eggleston, whose family num- bered three daughters, Mrs. Mitchell being the youngest. Her sisters are: Jerusha, now the wife of Fred Miller, of Sterling; and May, the wife of Clyde C. Kadel, of Rock Falls. Mrs. Mitchell was reared in Sterling and Rock Falls and was graduated from the high school in the latter city. She is a lady of natural culture and refinement and presides with gracious hospi- tality over her pleasant home. By her marriage she has become the mother of two children: Dorothy Eggleston, born September 18, 1903; and Donald Whitford, July 10, 1906.

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In his political views Mr. Mitchell is an earnest republican but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him, as he finds that the cultivation of a farm of two hundred and eighty acres makes heavy demands upon his time and energies. He is, however, meeting with success that is well merited. Since the 21st of August, 1899, he has been a member of Dunlap Lodge, No. 321, A. F. & A. M., of Morrison, while both he and his wife are connected with the Eastern Star. As representatives of pioneer families of the county they are well known and Mr. Mitchell is a young, energetic farmer whose business capacity and executive force are well demon- strated in his farming operations.

JOHN M. GALT.

Among those who, while active factors in the world, made a record that time cannot efface, while those who knew him are still connected with the community in which he lived, is numbered John M. Galt. His business interests became an important element in the commercial development of Sterling and the strong traits of his character left their impress for good upon public life.

Born in Strasburg, Pennsylvania, July 31, 1835, he was a son of William and Mary Ann (Thomas) Galt, likewise natives' of the Keystone state. ,In their family were ten children: Mrs. Amanda Crawford, now a widow; Thomas A., a resident of Sterling; John M., deceased; William J., who was a physician and has also passed away; Azariah T., living in Chicago; Mrs. Isabelle McCloy, the deceased wife of Alexander T. McCloy, of Sterling; Zad- dock, deceased; Mrs. Julia A. Lowrie, who has also been called from this life; Ruth A., the widow of Lott S. Pennington, and one who died in infancy.

John M. Galt became one of the early settlers of Sterling. His boyhood and youth were passed in Pennsylvania, where he acquired his education, and when a young man he made his way westward to Whiteside county, Illinois, and engaged first in the hardware business in Sterling. Later he turned his attention to the manufacture of buggies, in which he successfully continued for many years. Watchful of opportunity, he constantly extended the sphere of his activities and with his brother, T. A. Galt, established a bank, known as Galt Brothers Bank. This became a strong financial enter- prise of the county and after a connection therewith of some length, John M. Galt sold his interest to George S. Tracy. He then became a stockholder in the Eureka Manufacturing Company, established for the manufacture of mill machinery and school furniture, and in addition thercto became an extensive dealer in real estate. At a later date he disposed of his manufactur- ing interests and concentrated his entire time and attention upon his property investments, which included both city and country property. He was a man of keen business discernment and sound judgment, recognizing opportunities which others pass by heedlessly and so directing his energies that desired results were accomplished. Thus year by year he advanced in the business

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world and while manufacturing, individual prosperity also contributed to the general welfare.

On the 22d of January, 1868, John M. Galt was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth McPherran, a daughter of Andrew and Maria (Brubaker) McPherran, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. Her father was the first mayor of Dixon, Illinois, and from that city removed to Chicago, where his remaining days were passed. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Galt. were born six children : Bessie R., now the wife of Edward J. Bowman, of Anaconda, Montana; Katlıryn M., who is living in Sterling with her mother; William T. and John M., both of this city; Julia, the wife of Dr. Charles G. Beard, of Sterling; and Elizabeth Irma, the wife of Edgar W. Akin, of Carlisle, In- diana.

In religious faith Mr. Galt was a Presbyterian and Mrs. Galt belongs to the same church. He died November 26, 1889, at the age of fifty-four years. It seemed to those who knew him that he should have been spared for many more years of usefulness. He left behind him an untarnished record as a business man, while his example should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to those who, without aid, wealth or influence at the outset of their careers, must depend upon their own resources to win success. Mr. Galt possessed strong purpose and laudable ambition and with a recognition of the fact that in America labor is king he put forth inde- fatigable effort to win the success which he knew would crown all intelli- gently directed labor. He was, moreover, respected for the many sterling traits which he displayed aside from those manifest in his business life and his name came to be honored in the city of his residence.

JACOB J. LUDENS.

. Jacob J. Ludens, popular as one of the younger attorneys practicing at the Whiteside county bar, makes his home in Sterling. He was born at Garden Plain, this county, on the 13th of October, 1877, and is of Holland lineage, his parents, John P. and Dorothy (Vandenberg) Ludens, being natives of the land of the dykes. The father came to America in 1866, set- tling at Fulton, this county, where he purchased a tract of land and engaged in farming. There he reared his family and continued as one of the enter- prising and representative agriculturists of the community up to the time of his death, which occurred May 7, 1893, when he was fifty-five years of age. Mrs. Dorothy Ludens was a daughter of Jacob Vandenberg, who was a butcher of Holland. Both he and his wife, Mrs. Jennie Vandenberg, died in middle life. Mrs. Ludens still survives her husband and now lives with her youngest daughter in Chicago. She holds membership in the Holland Reformed church, in which John P. Ludens was a deacon for many years. He served as school director and was a most loyal and devoted citizen of his adopted country.

His family numbered cight children: Jennie, the deceased wife of J. B. Sterengberg; Annic, the wife of David B. Sterengberg, of Ustick township;

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Peter M., who is living in Montana; Elizabeth, the wife of Fred M. Dykema, of Virden, Illinois; Harry J., who is engaged in the practice of law at Mor- rison, this state; Jacob J., of this review; John, who is a student in Knox College at Galesburg, Illinois; David, a civil engineer for the Northern Pacific Railroad Company; and Mattie, the wife of William Parr, of Chicago.

Jacob J. Ludens was reared to farm life in this county, attending the district schools in his early boyhood and afterward becoming a student in the Northern Illinois College at Fulton, where he pursued a law course. He was admitted to the bar in 1900 and for two years thereafter engaged in teaching school. He then took up the active work of the profession, opening a law office at Eric, while two years later he removed to Sterling, where since July, 1904, he has continuously practiced. In the four years of his residence here he has won a creditable name for himself as a lawyer of ability and learning who prepares his cases with great care and precision and presents his cause in clear and logical manner.

On the 9th of January, 1907, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Ludens and Miss Ermyn I. Smith, a daughter of Dr. A. C. and Rachel Smith, her father being one of the oldest practicing physicians of Sterling. Mr. Ludens belongs to Rock River Lodge, No. 612, A. F. & A. M .; to Sterling Chapter, No. 57, R. A. M .; to Sterling Lodge, No. 174, I. O. O. F .; and Corinthia Lodge, No. 63, K. P. His wife is a member of the Baptist church. They are interested in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of the com- munity. Mr. Ludens is a republican in politics and an active worker in the party, serving now as a member of the county central committee. The alert, enterprising spirit of the middle west is manifest in all that he does and the place that he has already won for himself in professional circles argues well for a successful future. He is popular as a citizen and as an attorney, and he and his wife move in the best social circles of the city.

ELMER ELLSWORTH MENSCH.

Elmer Ellsworth Mensch, one of the representative and successful farm- crs of Jordan township, owes his advancement in the business world entirely to his own well directed efforts, his close application and honorable business. dealings. He was born October 19, 1862, in Montour county, Pennsylvania, the family home. being near Danville. His parents, Andrew and Elizabeth (Miller) Mensch, were also natives of the Keystone state, but they died. when their son was quite young and he has no definite knowledge of his: grandparents save that they, too, were natives of Pennsylvania and lived to. an advanced age, the grandfather, Jacob Mensch, being more than eighty years of age at the time of his demise.

Elmer Ellsworth Mensch was one of three children, of whom two are. now living, his sister being Mrs. Isabelle Osman, a widow residing in Colo- rado. At the time of the Civil war Andrew Mensch joined the army as a soldier and gave his life for the cause of the Union. He enlisted soon after-

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the outbreak of hostilities and remained continuously at the front until the battle of Petersburg, when he was killed in the engagement. He was a gal- lant soldier, always loyal to the old flag and ever brave in support of the cause which he espoused. Following his demise his widow became the wife of John Longenberger and to them were born four children, two of whom are yet living.

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History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II, Part 1

Author: Davis, William W Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 882

Author: Davis, William W
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 882