Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 104

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 104

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

George Robert McCartney and wife were born in County Armagh, Ireland. In young man- hood he left Ireland for Canada, locating at a point in the vicinity of Toronto, where he en- gaged in farming. Later he came to the United States, and became a hotel clerk at Howard, Ill., remaining there for three years. He then came to Rockford, where he learned the tinning business and went into partnership with Daniel C. Muttiner, this association continuing for a number of years, when Mr. McCartney sold and went with the Rockford Watch Company. After some years he engaged in a real estate business, building and selling houses, and is still so occu- pied. He was married at Beloit, Wis. He be- longs to the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America

James William McCartney was educated at Rockford, and upon leaving school worked in different machine shops and factories at Rock- ford. Later he went to St. Paul, Minn., where he was with the Globe Iron Works, leaving this concern for the Stickney Gas Engine Works, and still later was with the Theim Manufactur- ing Company, manufacturers of bicycle supplies. After some years with this latter company, he went with the W. D. Brocket Machine Company of Minneapolis, Minn., leaving this company for the Valentine Bros. Gas Engine Works of

the same city. After a year he went with the Washburn-Crosby Flour Mills Company and still later went to Madison, Wis., where he spent a short period working at his trade of machin- ist. He then left Madison for New Orleans, La., by way of Chicago, where he stopped for a short time. Upon his arrival in New Orleans he began working at his trade, and so continued for eighteen months, when he went to St. Louis, and after a short stop went on to Belvi- dere, Ill. From that place he came back to Rockford, and engaged with the Barber-Cole- man Machine Company as a machinist, and this association continued for two and one-half years, when he connected himself with Sullivan & Bick, and they started the Oxyacytelene Welding and Repair Shop, on January 29, 1914. He continued with them until January 15, 1915, when he bought out his associate and now owns and manages the business, having a very large and liberal patronage. On May 25, 1916, he re- moved his place of business to 110-112 N. Madi- son street, the building being two stories and basement, having a frontage of 40 feet. Fra- ternally he belongs to the Yeomen of America. A skilled mechanic, and excellent business man, Mr. McCartney has kept advancing, and his pros- perity is well deserved.

McCREATH, James, one of the leading plumbers of Rockford, has his shop conveniently located at No. 320 Mulberry avenue, where he conducts a flourishing business. He was born at Guelph, Ontario, Canada, May S, 1866, a son of James and Anna (McKail) McCreath. The parents were married in their native place of Ayr, Scot- land, but left it for Canada, where the father engaged in farming and milling. In 1879 he brought his family to Peru, Ill., where he took charge of a flour mill, and conducted it for three years, when he moved to Ottawa, Ill., and spent a year, and then located at Milwaukee, Wis., where he died, and the mother also passed away in that city. They were consistent members of the Presbyterian Church. In politics the father was a Republican.

Until he was ten years old, James McCreath lived in Canada, but at that time was taken to Peru, where he completed his education. For five years thereafter he was with Benton, Grove & Company, who conducted a type foundry busi- ness, and then went to Chicago, where he learned to be a plumber. Four years later he went to Decatur, Ala., where he worked at his trade for a year, and then spent two years at Huntsville, Ala., with the gas company of that place. Returning to Chicago, he remained in that city for a number of years, after which he spent a short time at Galesburg, Danville and Decatur, Ill. In 1902 he came to Rockford, and was employed with E. S. Gregory. Subsequently he moved to Freeport, but returned to Rock- ford, and in 1909, established his present busi- ness, which he has built up to large proportions. He is a Woodman of the World, and important in that order.

In 1902 Mr. McCreath was married at Deca-

1147

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

tur, Ill., to Miss Olive Roberts, and they have two children : Isabell A. and Robert J. Mr. McCreath is industrious and thrifty, and being an expert in his line is able to carry out very satisfactorily the contracts he takes.

McDONALD, Charles W. Winnebago County is preeminently adapted for agricultural opera- tions, and many of the most progressive men of this section have devoted themselves to farm- ing, among them being Charles W. McDonald, a well known and respected resident of Peca- tonica Township. He was born in Richland County, Ohio, October 15, 1865, a son of Freidus and Rebecca (Cable) McDonald. The father served as a drummer boy in the War of 1812. He subsequently became a farmer and civil engineer. The boyhood of Charles W. McDon- ald was passed in Ohio. In 1881 he came to Winnebago County, Ill., and now is a farmer and stockraiser on section 9, Pecatonica Town- ship, where he rents 200 acres of land.

On November 8, 1896, Mr. McDonald was married to Miss Elizabeth Keehner, a daughter of Jacob and Ellen (Werts) Keehner. She was born in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. McDonald be- came the parents of the following children : Rob- ert E., Harvey R., Arthur F., Charles W., Eu- gene L., Bertha M., Dorothy E., Alice R. and Audry E. In politics Mr. McDonald is a Repub- lican, but has not aspired to public office. Fra- ternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.

McDONALD, John, a prosperous agriculturist of Harlem Township, has honorably earned his pres- ent position among the leading men of Winne- hago County. He was born in Argyle, Harlem, Township, March 16, 1860, a son of Duncan and Isabelle (Ralston) McDonald. After a boyhood spent in attendance at the public schools of his native township and in assisting his father, at the age of twenty years, John McDonald began working for David Andrews, proprietor of a grain elevator at Argyle, Ill., where he remained for fourteen months. For the following two years, he was once more with his parents, and then in 1883, he associated himself with the Spring Lake factory, owned by William Mc- Cready, who was also the proprietor of the McHenry Company Creamery and the cheese factory. After eight months with this employer, he spent another eight months with Charles Gould, proprietor of a creamery business, at Algonquin, Ill. Following this, for thirteen years Mr. McDonald was with the Argyle Creamery factory, and then returned to Harlem Township, where he purchased a creamery of his own. This he conducted very profitably for four years and then sold it to H. W. Cormickle of Rockford, Ill. Mr. McDonald then went to Davis Junction in Ogle County, Ill., and bought another creamery and conducted it for a year. At the expiration of that period he traded the property for 480 acres of Dakota land, and resided upon that farm for eight years. Once more he returned to Harlem Township, and since 1912 has made it

his home. In addition to his Dakota property, he owns about 200 acres in Harlem Township.

In 1894 Mr. McDonald married Anette Picken, a daughter of Charles and Grace (Morrison) Picken, natives of Argyleshire, Scotland. Mr. Picken came to the United States with his parents and settled at Argyle, Winnebago Coun- ty, Ill. Mrs. Picken died in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. McDonald had the following children born to them : Grace I., George D., Mary A., Blanch E., Florence J., and Charles J. Mr. McDonald is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Polit- ically he is a Republican. A man of sound principles, he has lived up to his convictions and is justly recognized as one of the sub- stantial men of his locality.

McDONALD, Wm. A prosperous representa- tive of the farming class of Winnebago County is found in the person of William McDonald, who is carrying on extensive operations in Har- lem Township. He has been a resident of this community all of his life, having been born on the old McDonald farm, owned by his father, February 6, 1869, a son of Duncan and Isabelle (Ralston) McDonald.

Duncan McDonald was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, in 1823, a son of John and Mary (Reid) McDonald, who both died in Scotland. He came to the United States in 1850, settling at Argyle, Harlem Township, Winnebago County, Ill., where he worked for a few years for Mr. Love, who had the contract for building the Northwestern Railroad through this part of the state. Mr. McDonald received fifty cents per day for his labor, and out of this was able to save enough to make the first payment on the farm where his son now lives, securing the 160 acres at $12 per acre. He added to this until he had a farm of 240 acres, and there resided until his death, in 1885, at the age of sixty-two years. He was a very public-spirited man and was ever ready to lend a helping hand in time of need, being also a liberal donator to the Presbyterian Church at Argyle, of which he was a member.

Duncan and Isabelle (Ralston) McDonald were married in 1857 on her father's farm near Caledonia, Boone County, Ill., and then went to live on the farm where the son, William, now resides. She still survives her husband and is eighty-three years of age. She was born De- cember 14, 1832, in Argyleshire, Scotland, where her parents were married, and with them came to the United States in 1850. The family lo- cated first at Argyle, and later her father bought 120 acres of land near Caledonia, Boone County, adding to this until he had 220 acres. Mr. Ralston died in 1865, at the age of seventy-five years, while the mother passed away in 1879. Mr. and Mrs. McDonald had six children : David, who died in Harlem Township in 1909; John, a farmer of section 10, Harlem Township; Isa- belle, who lives with her brother, William; Mary, who died at this home in 1880; and Martha, who died in Harlem Township in 1874. William McDonald spent his boyhood days in

1148

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

Harlem Township and received his education in the public school. He has always been a farmer, and at the present time engages in stockraising and feeding, as well as dairying. Mr. McDon- ald lived with his grandfather until he reached manhood, when he started out in life for him- self, first working by the day and later buying a farm of 180 acres, on which he now makes his home. He is a member of the Argyle Presby- terian Church, and in politics is a Republican.

In 1896 Mr. McDonald was married to a Miss McDonald, who is a daughter of John R. and Jessie (Breckenridge) McDonald, who were born in Argyleshire, Scotland, and came to the United States at different times. They have three children: Isabelle R., John D. and Martha O.

McDONNELL, Leo H., refrigerating engineer of the Consumers Company of Rockford, with resi- dence af No. 852 N. First street, is recognized as one of the most expert and reliable men in his line, and a man who stands very high in public esteem. He was born on a farm near Steward, Ill., February 18, 1SS1. While he was attending school, his family moved to Rochelle, and he completed his education in the schools of that place. In 1896 Mr. McDonnell came to Rock- ford and began working for the American Corn Products Company as assistant engineer, and remained with them about seven years, and then went with the E. V. B. Company and remained about five years as assistant engineer. Follow- ing this he was engaged in work for various plumbing and steam fitting establishments as a steam fitter, and then formed his present con- nection, his long and varied experience making him an adept at this work.

On December 25, 1902, Mr. McDonnell was married at Geneva, Ill., to Sarah L. Wigton, born af Geneva, and their children are as fol- lows: Frances L., Charles R. and Thomas H., all of whom are at home. Mr. McDonnell be- longs to St. James Cathedral, as do the other members of the family. He has always been a Republican. A man of steady, industrious habits, Mr. McDonnell has forged ahead, and de- serves the success to which he has attained.

MCDOUGALL, Donald Campbell, a man of un- usual keenness of mind and thoroughness of purpose, is now living retired at Rockford after many years devoted to agricultural pursuits in Winnebago County. He was born in Perthshire, Scotland, in the little village of Comrie, March 22, 1829. A peculiarity of this village is that generally whenever Mt. Vesuvius is in eruption, an earthquake takes place in it. During his young manhood Mr. McDougall learned to be a gardener and belonged to the Free Gardeners while living in Scotland. In 1851, he decided to come to the United States, and marrying the day before he took passage, he crossed the ocean with his wife, and spent the first three months of his stay in the New World on Long Island. Not finding conditions there to please him, he came on west to Winnebago County, and engaged

in farming and school teaching in order to earn sufficient money to buy some land. When he had enough to make a payment, he secured eighty acres of section 12, Burritt Township, and has since made all the improvements upon this farm. Later he added to his holdings until he now owns 300 acres. On this he lived until 1904, when he retired, and is now residing at 2607 W. State street, Rockford.

In 1851 Mr. MeDougall was married (first) to Jessie Patterson, a daughter of James and Jane (Mowaft) Patterson, the former of whom was a nailmaker. Mr. and Mrs. McDougall had six children, as follows: Jane, who is deceased ; Catherine, who is also deceased; John, who is a farmer in Burritt Township; James, who lives in Rockford; Alonzo, who is deceased ; and Arthur, who is living on the old homestead. On May 15, 1900, the first Mrs. McDougall died, and on October 15, 1904, Mr. McDougall was married (second) to Mrs. Urizla (Blackington) T. J. Whitney, widow of T. J. Whitney, formerly of Roscoe, Ill., where her parents, Jesse and Paula (Montgomery) Blackington, first settled. It is somewhat remarkable that Mrs. McDougall was married the first time in 1851, the same year in which Mr. McDougall's marriage oc- curred.

Mr. McDougall has held every political office in his township, except that of assessor, and was a faithful official. Generally speaking, he has been a Republican, although at times he has cast his vote for the man rather than for the party. He has always been interested in local matters. Since 1852 he has been a Spiritual- ist, and has witnessed some very remarkable demonstrations confirming him in his faith. He has one of the finest libraries of selected books in the West, having more than 500 volumes, all of them being of a scientific nature. At a very early date he started to study phrenology and studied under George Combe and Dr. Franz Gall, and learned the Spurzheim methods, and at this day, when aged eighty-seven years, he is a firm believer in this science and his faith. He has always given them exhaustive study, phrenology and spiritualism having been his hobbies all his life. The universe is governed by Law, and man's soul is no exception.

MCEVOY, Robert G., page 721.

McFARLAND, H. D., whose book and stationery store at No. 421 W. State street, Rockford, is headquarters for all kinds of goods in his line, is one of the progressive business men of the West side, and a very desirable citizen. He was born at Rockford, March 23, 1875, a son of Alexander and Carrie (Farr) McFarland.

Alexander McFarland was born at Spring- field, Mass., where he learned the cabinetmaker's trade, and was employed at the government arsenal in manufacturing gun stocks during the Civil war. Subsequently he came to Rockford to engage with the Clark & Utter Manufactur- ing Company, and while he was here, he and the chief mechanic, Mr. Gotham, secured a pat-

1149

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

ent on the knot tire for binders. The father remained with this concern for twenty-one years, and then retired, having the record dur- ing that long period of never having lost a day's work. He is now living in Winnebago Township, being eighty-six years old. The inother, who was also born at Springfield, Mass., is also living and is eighty years old. Her par- ents came to Rocktord with Mr. McFarland, and here died at the ages of eighty-four and eighty-two years, respectively. In politics Mr. McFarland is a Republican.

H. D. McFarland grew to manhood at Rock- ford and attended school until fourteen years old when he began working in H. H. Waldo's book-store, receiving $2 per week. For twenty- one years he maintained his connection with this concern, and was promoted from time to time. In 1911 he left to establish his present business, which he has built up intelligently, now having one of the most complete stocks of any similar store in the entire city.

In 1901 Mr. McFarland was married to Miss Lena K. Gill, a daughter of Frank C. and Catherine (Wallace) Gill of Geneva, Ill. Mrs. McFarland's father was one of the leading dentists of Rockford and here died. He was a consistent member of the Christian Church. In politics he was a Republican. It is an interest- ing fact to note that the elder Mr. McFarland built six houses at Rockford while in the em- ploy of the Clark & Utter Manufacturing Com- pany, all of this extra work being done after he had completed his day's labor extending over ten hours.

McFARLAND, Parley E., senior member of the firm of McFarland & Merritt, proprietors of the Marmon Garage, Inc., is one of the progressive men of Rockford. He has not been slow in showing his appreciation of the fact that the demand for efficient garage service is growing, and he and his partner maintain a first class garage and act as agents for the Marmon auto- mobile, their premises at Nos. 507-509 W. State street being admirably adapted for their pur- poses. He was born at Lowell, Washington County, Ohio, November 7, 1883, a son of Joseph and Constance (Kirtpatrick) McFarland. Jo- seph McFarland and his wife were both born at Lowell, and they still survive, he being now engaged in fruit growing. In politics Joseph McFarland is a Republican.

Parley E. McFarland lived at Lowell, Ohio. until he was fifteen years old. At that time he went to Maxberg, Ohio, to work in the oil fields and there became a tool dresser, being thus employed for five years. He then engaged with the Pennsylvania Railroad and after serving it for a short time, went to Kenosha, Wis., where he went with the Rambler Automobile Com- pany, and later came to Rockford, where he accepted a position with W. F. & John Barnes and continued with this concern for four years as a machinist. Following that he was with the Barber-Coleman Company's machine factory for a number of years. His next connection was

with A. T. Roberts in his garage, and after two years Mr. McFarland bought out Mr. Roberts, and in partnership with a Mr. Vandervyllen founded the present business and conducted it for two years. At the expiration of that time Mr. McFarland bought out his partner, and later sold a half interest to R. R. Berryman, in 1913, and W. S. Merritt purchased Mr. Berryman's interest in November, 1915. The firm is known now as the Marmon Garage, Inc. This garage is the most fully equipped in Rockford, and a large business is carried on at all seasons. Mr. McFarland is a Republican, but has not gone into public life, his time being fully occupied with his business affairs.

McGEACHY, William R., a prominent and suc- cessful farmer of Winnebago Township, whose agricultural operations are carried out according to progressive ideas, was born on the farm where he now resides, May 9, 1868, a son of John and Martha (Ralston) McGeachy, both natives of Scotland. His paternal grandpar- ents were William and Elizabeth (Andrew) Ralston. They emigrated to the United States from Scotland, in 1843, and settled in Boone County, Ill., where they lived and died on the farm where they originally settled.

John McGeachy, the father of William R., was born in Scotland, June 13, 1833, and was reared to manhood on his native heath. He worked on a farm there until 1857, when he emi- grated to Canada, and remained there six months, then left for Boone County, Ill. In 1863 he left Boone County for Winnebago County and worked on a rented farm for four years. In the fall of 1867 he purchased 134 acres of land on sections 3 and 4, Winnebago Township, where he still resides, being now eighty-two years old. On June 10, 1864, he was married to Martha Ralston, who was born in Scotland Feb- rnary 10, 1832, and came to Boone County, Ill., with her parents in 1843. She died on her birthday, February 10, 1914, aged eighty-two years.

The only child of his parents, William R. McGcachy was reared on his present farm where he has always resided. He was educated in the high school of Winnebago and took a course of instruction at the Agricultural Experimental Station connected with the Wisconsin State Uni- versity at Madison, Wis. He has made a success of his farming and is one of the leading men of his township. All of the buildings now stand- ing on his place were erected by him, and in addition to the 134 acres of the homestead he owns eighty acres of fine productive land ad- joining on section 9. He is an active member of the Presbyterian church of Winnebago of which he served on the board of trustees for six years. A Mason in high standing he belongs to Win- nebago Lodge No. 745, A. F. & A. M., and Winnebago Chapter No. 24, R. A. M. Mr. Mc- Geachy has held various local offices in the town- ship and in politics he is a Republican.

1150

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

McGREGOR, Andrew. It is remarkable how many of the substantial men of Winnebago County who are now living retired at Rockford, made their money and attained their prominence as farmers. The tilling of the soil in a locality like this proves profitable if a man is willing to work and save during his years of activity so that in his declining ones he can take his comfort and ease. Such a man is Andrew Mc- Gregor, one of the retired farmers of Rockford. He was born at Edinburg, Scotland, February 12, 1835, a son of Thomas and Isabella Mc- Gregor, the latter of whom died in Scotland. In 1845 the father came to the United States look- ing for a suitable permanent location, and about one year after his arrival, he returned to Scot- land, not being satisfied with what he found.

Andrew McGregor attended the common schools of Edinburg, Scotland, and when seven- teen years old he began an apprenticeship as a inachinist in his native city, but after working for a few months, went to Glasgow, Scotland, where lie continued to work at his trade until 1856, when, with his father and three of his father's children, he came to the United States and located at Madison, Ind. There he began as a machinist and engineer, and later he be- came a stationary engineer, working in Indiana and Kentucky. His peaceful operations were in- terrupted by the Civil war, and he enlisted in Company E, Third Indiana Volunteer Cavalry, at Madison, Ind., on August 22, 1861, and was sent to Washington, D. C., where he was placed in Hooker's Division in the Army of the Po- tomac. Mr. McGregor was in the following engagements : Poolsville, September 8, 1862; Co- tocton Mountain, September 13, 1862; Middle- town, September 13, 1862; South Mountain, September 14, 1862; Antietam, September 17, 1862; Martinsburg, October 2, 1862; Union, No- vember 2, 1862; Upperville, November 3, 1862; Barbers Crossroads, November 5 and 14, 1862; Little Washington, December 10, 1862; Fred- ericksburg, December 13, 1862; Beverly Ford, April 15, 1863, and June 9, 1863; Upperville, June 21, 1863; Gettysburg, July 1, 1863; Wil- liamsport, July 6, 1863; Boonsboro, July 8, 1863; Funkstown, July 10, 1863; Brandy Sta- tion, August 1, 1863; Culpepper, September 13, 1863; Bentron Station, August 24, 1863, and thirty skirmishes. Although once taken pris- oner, in ten minutes he managed to escape, and he received his honorable discharge in August, 1864.

After his discharge, Mr. McGregor returned to Madison, Ind., and a few days later came to Rockford to visit his brother William, who had been here for many years. So well was he , suited with conditions that he began working in Thompson's Agricultural Implement Works as a machinist, and so continued until he bought a farm in Byron Township, Ogle County, Ill., and lived upon it from 1866 to 1901, when he retired, in the meanwhile improving it to a considerable extent. He rented his farm in April of that year, and bought ten acres on Cory's Bluff, this county, where he was engaged

in gardening until 1910. In that year he moved to Rockford and bought a handsome residence on Elm street, which has since continued to be his home.

Mr. McGregor has the following children : Thomas, who lives at Dubuque, Iowa, is a Pres- byterian minister ; William, who resides in Ogle County, Ill .; Elizabeth, who is her father's housekeeper ; Rachel, who is Mrs. Laverne Cole of 2122 W. State street, Rockford; Nannie, who died at the age of two years; and Andrew, who lives at Stanbaugh, Mich. Mrs. McGregor. whose maiden name was Rachel Bishop, died December 31, 1912. Mr. McGregor belongs to the First Presbyterian Church of Rockford. He is a Republican and while living in Ogle County he held a number of the township offices. Nevius Post No. 1, G. A. R., holds his member- ship and benefits from his interest in it.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 104

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