Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 101

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Rogers, Thomas H; Moffet, Hugh R; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : Muncell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 972

USA > Illinois > Winnebago County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II > Part 101

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William Liddle lived with his parents as long as they were alive. He engaged with the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad in its construction work, later going into its machine shop at Rock- ford. He became a fireman and then one of the first engineers of the road, working as such for eighteen years. He then bought a farm, and after his parents' death, he with three brothers conducted the homestead for a time, when he bought them out, in 1866, and became sole owner of the 160 acres, to which he later added eighty acres so that he operated 240 acres. He con- tinued on the farm until 1900 when he retired and moved to Rockton, which continues to be his home, but still owns 240 acres of land.

On December 4, 1867, Mr. Liddle married Anna M. Milton, born in Lincolnshire, England, September 29, 1848, a daughter of William B. and Mary Ann (Wilmer) Milton, who came to

Rockford in 1853. Mr. Milton there entered the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad's employ. Mr. and Mrs. Liddle became the parents of the fol- lowing children : Frank G., who died at the age of twenty-six years; Charles W., who lives in Rockton Township; Jay D., who resides in Owen Township; Cora M., who is Mrs. Bruce Clark of Burdett, Alberta, Canada ; Alice H., who is Mrs. John Griffith of Rockton Township; Mary Jane, who is deceased; Arthur M., who died at. Burdett, Canada ; and Ethel, who lives with her parents. Mr. Liddle is a very well in- formed man for he not only attended school in England and in this country, but he has kept up with the times and takes an intelligent in- terest in local affairs, being in politics a Repub- lican. He served as school director and road commissioner in Winnebago Township. The Methodist church holds his membership and benefits by his generosity.

LIND, Charles A., one of the prominent men of Rockford who comes of Swedish birth, and one who has honorably earned the confidence re- posed in him, was born in the southern part of Sweden, in Kroneberg Province, January 30, 1846, a son of H. Olson and Mary (Christopher- son) Lind.

On June 7, 1871, Charles A. Lind came to Rockford. As he had been a farmer in his native land, at first Mr. Lind engaged in farm work upon coming to Winnebago County, but soon became one of the organizers of the Union Furniture Company, which was established in 1876, and of it Mr. Lind was the cabinetmaker for a few years, having had some experience in Lander's planing mill on the water power for five years. For seven years he served the Union Furniture Company as shipping clerk, but in 1889 the plant was burned. In the meanwhile, in 1882, the Rockford Chair & Furniture Com- pany was organized, Mr. Lind being one of those interested, and when the plant of his original company was destroyed, Mr. Lind became a cab- inetmaker for the new one and later became its shipping clerk, continuing to hold the latter position until 1909, when he retired. In 1880 he was one of the organizers of the Scandia Plow Company, and was a director of it for years, and was on the directorate of the other two companies he assisted in establishing. He was treasurer of the Union Furniture Company from 1880 to 1888. He retains stock in the Rockford Chair & Furniture Company and the Rockford Machine Tool Company, which he also helped to organize, and also in the Union Furni- ture Company. He is also a stockholder in other Rockford concerns, his association with them giving them added stability. In 1891 Mr. Lind built a fine modern residence at No. 511 N. Sec- ond street, and has lived in the same block since coming to Rockford. In addition to his home, Mr. Lind owns other city property, and he is a stockholder of the Third National Bank.

On May 24, 1878, Mr. Lind was married to Miss Carolina S. Peterson, born in Sweden, Oster Gotland Province, September 23, 1856, a

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

daughter of Jolin Peterson, of Pecatonica, Ill., and their children are as follows : Jennie Fred- ericka, Alma Wilhemina, Henry J., George Reuben, Cora May and Julia Mabel. Mr. Lind belongs to the First Lutheran Church of Rock- ford. In politics he is a Republican. A man oť unusual business ability, Mr. Lind has known how to develop his faculties and his standing is deservedly higli among his fellow citizens, espe- cially those who are of the same nationality as he.

LINDBERG, Edward, manager of the Leath Furniture Company, which is conveniently lo- cated opposite the courthouse, is one of the lead- ing business men of Rockford, and deserves the prominence he has attained. He was born at Rockford, where he was reared and educated, attending both the grammar and high schools of the city. Upon leaving school, Mr. Lindberg went with the Skandia Furniture Company as salesman, so serving for seven years, then spent two years with the Leath's Furniture Company at Elgin, Ill. In 1915 Mr. Leath erected the block opposite the courthouse which is recog- nized as the finest furniture establishment at Rockford. When the store was completed, Mr. Lindberg was brought from the Elgin house to become its manager. Mr. Lindberg is a stock- holder in the company. This company is operat- ing stores at Elgin and Aurora, as well as at Rockford, and does an extensive mail order business, as well as handling a large local trade. Deliveries are made with auto trucks.

In 1913 Mr. Lindberg was married to Miss Edith Rolander, whose parents were born in Sweden but came to the United States in early life, aud located at Princeton, Ill. Mr. Lind- berg's father is employed at the Skandia Furni- ture Company as assistant superintendent. He lives in his beautiful residence at No. 1317 Charles street, Rockford.

LINDHE, John, manager and secretary of the Kishwaukee Street Grocery Company, at No. 630 Kishwaukee street, is oue of the best exam- ples of the live, progressive and capable business men of Rockford, where he is so profitably en- gaged. He was born in Westergotland, Sweden, April 19, 1858, a son of Andrew and Johanna (Jolinson) Lindhe. The parents were also born in Westergotland, Sweden, and there they both died, the father in 1906, and the mother in 1908. The father engaged in mining and neither he nor the mother ever came to the United States.

After attending the public schools of his na- tive place, John Lindhe learned the trade of a cabinetinaker and when twenty-three years old sailed for the United States and located at Rockford, Ill. Here he fouud employment first in a coffin factory, but after some time went to work for the Rockford Manufacturing Company and was with it from 1890 to 1899, when he embarked in a grocery business at his present location with Charles Stark, Mr. Bangstrom and John Glans as partners. The company owns and operates one of the finest grocery stores on the

East side of Rockford, and their trade is an extensive one and constantly increasing.

In 1885 Mr. Lindhe was married to Miss Junea Wickstrom, a daughter of Victor Wickstrom, who was of Swedish birth. Mr. and Mrs. Lindhe have one child, B. M. Lindhe, who is now a chiropractic doctor, at Madison, Wis. Mr. Lindhe is a member of Emanuel Lutheran Church, in which he has been deacon for twenty-seven years. In politics he is not a party man.

LINDSKOLD, Swan. Among the men who have won prominence in business and professional life at Rockford, Ill., a number are found to be of Swedish birth. In this class is Swan Lindskold, of 317 Seventh street, who is rapidly rising in legal circles and building up an ex- cellent business in real estate. Mr. Lindskold was born in Sweden, January 24, 1878, the son ot parents who are both now deceased and who never came to the United States.

Swan Lindskold was a youth of seventeen years when he immigrated to the United States, a poor youth, without capital or influential friends to help him over the rough spots. He located at Moline, Ill., where he secured employ- ment in a rolling mill, but after one year went to Bureau County and secured work on a farm, where he remained three years. He was not content to work thus all his life, however, hav- ing realized the value of an education, and when he had saved $175, through the strictest economy, he went to Kalamazoo, Mich., where he entered Kalamazoo College. While there he worked at whatever employment of an honor- able character presented itself and was thus not only able to complete a course of four years, but also to earn the money with which to take an extended trip to Europe. Returning to the United States in 1904 he again entered Kalama- zoo College, where he remained two years, and subsequently went to the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, being graduated therefrom in law in 1909, He went direct to Rockford, where he took the bar examination, and was admitted to practice October 14, 1909, at which time he opened his office. He has since enjoyed a con- stantly increasing practice and has been ac- counted one of the capable and learned attorneys oť the city.

While his practice has received his attention primarily, Mr. Lindskold has also interested himself in other matters. In 1911 he was the organizer of the society known as the American Nobles, which, one year later, was consolidated with the Fraternal Union of America, with offices in Denver. In 1914 this society was con- solidated with the Fraternal Aid Union, under which style it still continues, the local lodge being designated as Keystone Lodge No. 1140, of which Mr. Lindskold has been secretary and treasurer since its organization. He has further fraternal connection with the Woodmen of the World. He is engaged extensively in the handling of insurance and loans as well as building, He has shown his confidence in the future of Rockford and the community by

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY 1135

liberally investing his means in real estate and is particularly interested in Highland, which he firmly believes will become the most pro- gressive part of East Rockford. This locality, as its name would indicate, is placed high and above the dust of the lower levels, and is rapidly becoming the place of residence of a number of the professional and business men of Rock- ford, who are building there, erecting modern and beautiful homes. Real estate in Highland is being improved as fast as the city is able to do it, and during the past two years a number of streets have been macadamized, including Highland, Gardner, and Paris avenues, and Washington, Pearl and Shaw streets, while Lon- don and Chicago avenues were commenced in the summer of 1915. It is expected that this will be the place of settlement for American citizens, although many of them will probably be of Swedish birth. Mr. Lindskold has con- tributed to the upbuilding of Rockford by the erection of a number of houses, and his own residence is located at No. 130 Highland avenue. He and his family are members of the Centennial Methodist Episcopal Church.

On June 28, 1906, Mr. Lindskold was married to Miss Frances Martus, of Cass City, Mich., born October 23, 1881, and they have three children : Graydon M., born October 16, 1909; Neuman E., born July 24, 1911; and Mary Lorraine, born November 14, 1913.

LITTLEFIELD, Daniel Chapin. Although claimed by death many years ago, Daniel Chapin Littlefield is still remembered by those who had the honor of his acquaintance as a dignified man of kindly disposition whose delight it was to dis- cover the good in humanity rather than the evil. He was of English descent, born at Essex, Vt., January 9, 1822, a son of Daniel and Miriam (Chapin) Littlefield, natives of Chesterfield and Springfield, Mass. The father, Daniel Littlefield, was born March 14, 1777, and the mother June 27, 1777. He died December 23, 1858, at Burling- ton, Vt., aged eighty-one years. The mother died July 1, 1849, aged seventy-two years. They were married February 9, 1802. The paternal grand- father, Daniel Littlefield, was born in November, 1732, and married Catherine Cole, and there were born to them ten children. Later in life they located at Chesterfield, Mass. The paternal great- grandfather was Deacon Daniel Littlefield, born at Chesterfield, Mass., April 4, 1712, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Rebecca, was born June 20, 1715. They were the parents of eleven children. Deacon Daniel Littlefield died in 1800, and his wife died in 1771.

The maternal grandfather, Elisha Chapin, was of the fifth generation and married Eunice Jones, February 16, 1764. The children were of the sixth generation, eight in number, Miriam, the sixth child, being the mother of Daniel Chapin Littlefield. The maternal great-grandfather was Elisha Chapin of the fourth generation. Born July 16, 1707, he had nine children, and was massacred by the Indians at Williamstown, Mass., July 11, 1756. He was commander at Fort

Massachusetts in 1754. The great-great-grand- father was Samuel Chapin of the third genera- tion, born July 14, 1665, died October 19, 1729. He had ten children. The maternal great-great- great-grandfather, Japhet Chapin of the second generation was born in 1642, and died in 1675, having had seven children. The maternal great- great-great-great-grandfather was Samuel Chapin of the first generation, who was born in Spring- field, Mass., in 1642. He had seven children.

The father of Daniel Chapin Littlefield, pur- chased a farm at Essex, Vt., and on it erected a plank house three years before his marriage. There he took his bride. After the birth of four children, he built another house in which he lived until six months before his death in Bur- lington, Vt., at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Amos Bliss.

Daniel Chapin Littlefield lived at the old home- stead. On January 18, 1849, at Westford, Vt., he was married to Julia Ann Chase, a beautiful daughter of Truman Chase, who was born Jan- uary 17, 1790, at Stratford, Vt., and of Laura (Ballard) Chase, born November 11, 1795, in Vermont. The paternal grandfather, Isaac Chase, was born at Sutton, now Milbury, Mass., September 12, 1761. He married Sarah Bond, born September 21, 1769, at Milburn, Mass. The great-grandfather, Abel Chase, was born Septem- ber 11, 1732, at Milbury, Mass., married Judith Gale. The great-great-grandfather, Thomas Chase, was born September 15, 1680. The great- great-great-grandfather, Thomas Chase, . was born July 25, 1654, at Newbury, Mass., and mar- ried Rebecca Follansbee. The great-great-great- great-grandfather, the American founder of the family, Acquilla Chase, came from Cornwall, England, where he was born in 1618, to Hamp- ton, N. H., in 1640, and married Anne Wheeler, born at Hampton, N. H., a daughter of John Wheeler. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Chapin Littlefield became the parents of two daughters, namely : Miriam Florence and Rosamond Josephine.

In 1857 because of ill health Mr. Littlefield came west and located at Rockford, Ill. In 1858 his family joined him. He was a man of means and in April, 1861, purchased a fine residence on South First street, built in 1843, by the first mayor of Rockford, Willard Wheeler. There he lived until his death, January 13, 1884. His daughter, Miriam Florence, married Carlos Henry Blackman; and Rosamond Josephine married William Henry Fisher. Mr. Blackman died at Block Island, Mass., September 13, 1895. He was a son of Henry and Minerva (Lane) Black- man of Harvard, Ill. He was born in Jericho, Vt. Mr. and Mrs. Blackman had one daughter, Rae, who died in infancy.

William Henry Fisher, husband of Rosamond Josephine Littlefield, was born in Rockford, a son of Henry L. and Alma (Parkhurst) Fisher, formerly residents of Springfield, Mass., and Watertown, N. Y. His death occurred in Lon- don, England, April 21, 1893. There were no children. Mr. Fisher was a member of the firm of Holland, Gilruth and Fisher Abstract Com- pany, at the time of his death. Mrs. Blackman

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

and Mrs. Fisher live at the Littlefield homestead. They belong to the various prominent Rockford clubs. Mrs. Blackman has traveled extensively, lived abroad for several years, and once circled the globe.

Mrs. Daniel Chapin Littlefield died May 27, 1914, aged within six weeks of ninety. The Register-Gazette of Rockford, under date of May 27, 1914, speaks of her as follows :

"Mrs. Julia A. Littlefield, a resident of Rock- ford for fifty-six years, and widow of Daniel Chapin Littlefield, died at five o'clock this morn- ing at her home, 228 South First street. She had been in a decline for a year. Death was not due to any acute illness ; the vital powers were sim- ply exhausted, and she fell asleep as one who lies down to pleasant dreams.

"Mrs. Littlefield was nearly ninety years of age, and she had often of late expressed her de- sire to round out that period. To her was veri- fied the promises, 'With long life will I satisfy thee,' and thou shalt 'bring forth fruit in old age.' Mrs. Littlefield was born July 6, 1824, at Westford, Vt. She was a daughter of Truman Chase, descendant of a long line of ministers and professional men, and Laura Ballard, of an old colonial family. Her girlhood was passed in Westford, and in Bakersfield, Vt., where she at- tended the once famous Bakersfield Seminary. The marriage of Daniel C. Littlefield and Julia Chase was solemnized January 8, 1849. Their early home was in Essex, where their two daugh- ters were born.

"Mr. and Mrs. Littlefield came to Rockford in 1858, and in 1861 the husband purchased the home on the corner of South First and Oak streets, where their entire subsequent lives were spent. This Gothic residence is one of the land- marks of East Rockford, and was built in 1843 by Willard Wheeler, the first mayor of Rockford. Mrs. Littlefield was ardently devoted to her home. From there, her daughters went to found homes of their own, and when bereavement came to them, they returned to the old fireside, and ministered to their mother in her declining years with a lover's devotion. It has been the custom of the daughters, for several years, to observe the mother's birthday by inviting old neighbors to spend the afternoon, and these events became delightful memories.

"Mrs. Littlefield was a gentlewoman of the old school. Reared in a Christian home, its at- mosphere was the tint that colored, and the blood that nurtured, an ideal womanhood. Re- ligion was to her the most vital thing in life. If her faith was tested, it was triumphant, and at eventide it was light. Her life was gracious, and her memory will abide.

"The First Congregational Church was the re- ligious home of Mrs. Littlefield. She loved its services, as did the prophet of old, who prayed with his window open toward Jerusalem. She made it a point to welcome strangers, and with a word of kindly greeting made them feel at home. Mrs. Littlefield was one of the early mem- bers of the historic old missionary society, whose diamond jubilee was celebrated a few weeks ago.

"Two daughters survive, both of whom were with the mother when she passed away : Mrs. Florence Blackman and Mrs. Rosamond Fisher."

LITTLEFIELD, L. A., secretary, treasurer and' general manager of the Rockford Silver Plate Company, and a man of experience and capabil- ity who is advancing the interests of his com- pany and proving his worth as a man, was born in South Weymouth, Mass., February 20, 1856, a son of Lemuel P. and Mercey (Cook) Little- field, natives of Massachusetts.

L. A. Littlefield entered the employ of Reed & Barton, of Taunton, Mass., after he had com- pleted school, and remained with this concern for seven years. He then was engaged by the Pierpont Manufacturing Company at New Bed- ford, Conn., for three years, and in 1884 estab- lished a business of his own at New Bedford, for manufacturing silverware. In 1901 this business was incorporated under the name of the Littlefield Silver Company, of which he was secretary and general manager, and so contin- ued until 1908 when the business was bought by the Rockford Silver Plate Company, and he became its superintendent. Upon the death of Edward Taylor, the secretary of the company, Mr. Littlefield was made secretary and general manager, and he is also treasurer of the concern.

While living at New Bedford, Mr. Littlefield was married to Mary Gibbs, of Massachusetts. There are no children. Mr. Littlefield belongs to the Masons and Elks. He attends the Episco- pal Church, and contributes liberally towards . its support. A man of practical understanding of the requirements of his business, he is able to give its details intelligent attention, and his compauy benefits therefrom.

LODIN, Bengtron Aaron, a prosperous general farmer of Guilford Township, is one of the men who has materially assisted in developing the agricultural supremacy of Winnebago County. He was born in Sweden, October 29, 1854, and was there educated. On October 23, 1880, he landed in New York City, from whence he came as far west as Lilly Lake, Kane County, Ill., but only remained there a few months, leav- ing for Rockford. For the following two years he lived on Kishwaukee street, and then moved to Burritt Township and worked by the month until 1887. In that year he rented Needham's farm, and operated it until 1897 when he bought a house and lot, and kept adding to his land until he now owns thirty-one lots, and renting additional land, raising produce upon his prop- erty.

On June 28, 1878, Mr. Lodin was married in Sweden to Matilda Josephine Johnson, and their children are as follows : Laura J., who is Mrs. Frank Olson ; George B., who lives in Guil- ford Township; Lillie A., who is Mrs. Albert Rosen of Rockford; Harry Albert, who lives at Chicago; David Arthur, who lives in Guil- ford Township; Jenuie Marion, who is Mrs. Roy Grant of No. 1112 Crosby street, Rockford ; Alta F. J., who is Mrs. Chester Doane of Rockford;

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

Ernest Joseph, who died at the age of two years ; and Fritz Joseph B., who is at home. Mr. Lodin belongs to the Lutheran Church sit- uated at Fifth avenue and Sixth street. In politics he is a Republican. A hardworking and thrifty man he has never failed to make the best of his opportunities, and his success is well merited.

LOFGREN, Charles, mason contractor, and one of the most reliable men in his line in Rock- ford, is conveniently located at No, 1201 Fourth avenue. He was born in Ostergotland, Sweden, January 12, 1857, a son of John and Mary (Johnson) Lofgren, who were also born there. The father was engaged in farming all his life and also worked as a cabinetmaker. His death occurred in his native land in 1896, when he was sixty-nine years old. The mother died in 1899, aged seventy-six years. Her parents were farming people.

Charles Lofgren attended school in Ostergot- land and there learned the carpenter trade. When he was twenty years old he came to the United States and located at Rockford. Here he assisted on the construction work from Kishwaukee street to South Rockford, of lay- ing the track for the first street car line in the city. Later he went with the N. C. Thompson Manufacturing Company and remained with the concern for a number of years, leaving to go with John Linderot, with whom he learned the mason trade, and was with him for three years. For the next fourteen years he worked for John Palm, as a mason, and then em- barked in business for himself in partnership with Mr. Nelson, this association having con- tinued from 1898 to the present day.

In 1886 Mr. Lofgren married Miss Hannah Wallin, a daughter of August and Matilda (Carlson) Wallin, of Ostergotland, Sweden. Mr. Wallin was a miner in the copper mines of Atvidaberg, Sweden, and died in 1910, aged seventy-seven years. His wife died in 1907, aged seventy-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Lofgren have had three children, namely : Ernest G., who was born in 1887, died in 1910, aged twenty-three years; Egner C., who died in in- fancy ; and Linnea P. In politics Mr. Lofgren is a Republican. He belongs to the Swedish Methodist Church. In 1892 he went to Sweden for a visit, returning in 1893 after an enjoy- able voyage. He built a two-flat building and resides in one of the apartments, and owns considerable other property, being a man of means. but all he possesses he earned himself through his industry and thrift.

LOOP, James L., page 705.

LOTZ, Edward H., manager of the Rockford five and ten cent store of the F. W. Woolworth Company, at No. 116 S. Main street, Rockford, is one of the men who has made the operating of similar establishments a success throughout the country. It takes business judgment and tact of no usual type to successfully cope with the

problems present in the conduct of such a store, and that Mr. Lotz possesses these characteristics, his record proves. He was born at Buffalo, N. Y., October 3, 1887, a son of Reinhard and Minnia (Mann) Lotz, natives of New York state. The father was a painter and decorator, early in life, but later became confidential clerk for the Surrogate Court of Erie County, N. Y., and still holds this position,

Edward H. Lotz grew up at Buffalo, where he attended the public schools and a business col- lege, and after leaving school was employed in a wholesale drug and grocery house for a num- ber of years. In 1909 he went to Bloomington, Ill., to learn the methods of conducting profit- ably the five and ten cent business houses, with the S. H. Knox Company, with which he re- mained for three years. The firm name was then changed to that of the F. W. Woolworth Company, and Mr. Lotz was transferred to Chi- cago, where he took charge of one of the com- pany's stores at Forty-seventh street and Ash- land avenue. After a year he went to South Chicago, where he was manager of one of the company's stores for fifteen months, and was then sent to Kewanee, Ill., where, for eighteen months, he had charge of the company's store at that point. He then came to Rockford to become manager of the company's store at No. 116 S. Main street, where he has been for two years, and during that period has built up a very large and regular trade.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 101

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Rogers, Thomas H; Moffet, Hugh R; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Chicago : Muncell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 972

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Rogers, Thomas H; Moffet, Hugh R; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : Muncell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 972