Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 106

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 106

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

beth E., who married Edward Sheldon, of Rock- ford, and they have two children, Nelson and Eva; the latter married Calvin Evans; and John F., who is of Winnebago Township, mar- ried Blanche Evans, and they have a son and daughter, Howard and Laota. The first Mrs. Mitchell died March 21, 1891. On September 16, 1892, Mr. Mitchell married Catherine Mar- tinnis, who died April 14, 1907. On November 14, 1907, Mr. Mitchell married (third) Harriet A. (Atwood) Tole, born at Cincinnati, Ohio, April 22, 1840, a daughter of Hiram and Ann (Clemens) Atwood, natives of Rutland, Vt., and Massachusetts, respectively. She was the widow of Thomas Tole, born in New York, who was a contractor at Rockford for some years, and died here February 13, 1901, having had the following children : John, who resides at Rockford, mar- ried Nellie Winchester, and they have three children, Arthur, Dorothy and John; Sarah, who married Fred Savage of Rockford, and they have one daughter, Harriet; Robert, who lives with Mr. Mitchell; Alice, who is Mrs. Robert Kelley, of Rockford; and Clayton, who resides at Rockford. Mr. Tole enlisted for service dur- ing the Civil war, at Dixon, Ill., in the Thir- teenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in 1861, and served until the close of the war. Two of his brothers enlisted with him and died in the serv- ice. While living at Rockford, Mr. Tole served as a member of the city council two terms. Mrs. Mitchell attended the Rockford High School and is a very well educated lady. She belongs to the Woman's Relief Corps, and is one of the most efficient charity workers of Rockford and is deeply interested in the G. A. R., both of her husbands having served their country as sol- diers.

Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are members of Grace Methodist Church. He has been on its official board since 1875. Nevius Post No. 1, G. A. R., holds his membership and he has done much to advance its interests. He helped to organize the Winnebago Township Memorial Association and served it as president for twelve years. There was a monument erected in that township by this association in memory of veterans of the Civil war. A Republican, he has held a number of township offices. For six years Mr. Mitchell was president of the school board and was a . director of it for nine years.

MOORE, T. B., whose agricultural success has come from earnest and intelligent endeavor and the practice of scientific methods, is one of the leading farmers of Roscoe Township. He was born in Jefferson County, Wis., July 14, 1849, a son of Stephen and Sarah (Waite) Moore. Stephen Moore, and his wife were both born at Bugbrook, England, where they were married, At an early day they set sail for the United States in the old Ashburton steamer, on her last trip, and upon arrival at New York City, left for Milwaukee, Wis. There Stephen Moore estab- lished himself in a meat business, but later moved to Waukesha. Wis., where he was en- gaged in the same line for a short time, leaving

that place for Watertown, Wis., where he not only conducted a butchering establishment but also dealt in live stock for a number of years, developing a large business. Later he bought a farm on which he kept his live stock. A few years later he retired, and died in 1864. His wife survived and moved with her family to Roscoe Township, Winnebago County, Ill., where she died March 17, 1881. Both she and husband were members of the Baptist Church. He was a Republican in politics.

T. B. Moore was educated at Watertown, Wis., and learned the essentials of farming on his father's farm. Although himself too young to serve during the Civil War, he had two elder brothers who were soldiers during that conflict. After the father's death, T. B. Moore moved with the rest of the family to Roscoe Township, this county. He was afterwards engaged in a hardware business at Lesueur, Minn., but after two years returned to Roscoe Township, where he bought a farm, now . owning 250 acres of very fine farm land. His farm is recognized as one of the best in the county. In addition to farming, Mr. Moore is a stockman and feeder. Fraternally he is a Mason and Modern Wood- man. In politics he is a Republican and for twenty-one years he has been a member of the school board. The Congregational Church holds his membership.

In 1877 Mr. Moore was married to Miss Emma Fassett, a daughter of Luther and Amanda (Bates) Fassett, and they have one son, Frank F., who married Miss Claire Runyard, a daugh- ter of Robert and Ella (Ketcham) Runyard. Frank F. Moore and wife had four children as follows : Emma Fassett, Eliza Beth, Frances Claire, who died June 4, 1912, and Robert Stephen.

Luther Fassett, father of Mrs. Moore, was born at Cambridge, Rutland County, Vt., while Mrs. Fassett was born at Berry, N. Y. In 1833 Mr. Fassett came to New York state, and there lived until 1853, but in that year he settled in Roscoe Township, this county, and bought the farm now the property of Mr. Moore, this continuing his home until his death in 1895, when he was eighty-one years old. His wife died in 1888, aged sixty-six years. For a number of years Mr. Fassett was a school director and he was a man of consequence in his neighborhood. Mr. Fassett lived to see many changes since he first came to Roscoe Township. When he and his family first made the trip, the only means of conveyance was a wagon from Chicago to the new home.

MOORE, William Henry, founder and owner of the City Mills and Light Plant of Rockton, and one of the sound men of this place, has had ex- cellent constructive ideas regarding his civic duties, and put them into effect. He was born in Beloit Township, Rock County, Wis., October 11. 1869, a son of Thomas and Julia (Seatus) Moore, natives of England and New York state, respectively. Thomas Moore was brought from England to Chicago by his mother when he was

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four years old. He was married in Wisconsin, and became a farmer in Beloit Township, Rock County, Wis. During the Civil war he served as a soldier in the Union army, belonging to Company F, Seventeenth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, and his period of service extended over four years and seven months. He participated in eighteen battles and made an honorable record for himself. His death occurred in 1903 when he was fifty-nine years old. His widow lives at Beloit, Wis.

William Henry Moore attended the public schools of his township, and resided on a farm with his parents until his marriage, which oc- curred September 23, 1896, when he was united with Nellie V. Gaton, born in Roscoe Township, this county, a daughter of George J. and Martha ( Starmer) Gayton. There are no children of this marriage.

Mr. Moore rented land in Beloit Township, Rock County, Wis., after his marriage, and operated it until November, 1904, when he bought a feed and grist mill at Rockton and founded the Rockton electric light plant under the name of the City Mills and Light Plant, which he continues to operate. The Baptist Church of Rockton holds his membership, and he has been a trustee of it since 1909. In politics he is a Republican, and stands high with all who know him.

MORGAN, Abiram, page 645.

MORRELL, John, page 649.

MORRIS, Harrow J., whose activities have led him into different lines of business, is one of the enterprising young men of Winnebago County. He was born in Wisconsin December 8, 1894, and in 1900 his home town was totally de- stroyed by fire. His parents are Henry and Mary (Field) Morris, the former born at Lake Mills, Wis., June S, 1870, and the latter at Waterloo, Wis., September 13, 1872. The grand- parents on the paternal side of the house came from Scotland and Ireland, respectively. The maternal grandparents, John and Mary Field, were natives of England and New York State, respectively. All are now deceased.

Henry Morris, father of Harrow J. Morris, was a raiser of high grade stock for some years, but later located at Pecatonica, where he became foreman for the Wisconsin Canned Milk Company, of that place. The children born to Henry and Mary Morris were: Ray E., who was born May 11, 1890; Myron, who was born June 2, 1892; and H. J., who is the young- est. Henry Morris has a brother, William, who lives near New Rockford, N. Dak .; and a sis- ter, Mrs. Mary Norton, who lives at Milwaukee, Wis. Mrs. Morris has two sisters: Ida Field, who lives at Los Angeles, Cal. ; and Mrs. Lina Rass, who lives at Port Huron, Mich.

Harrow J. Morris was educated in the grade schools of Pecatonica, Ill., and the Burlington, (Wis.), High school, and he took a commercial course at the business college at that point. He

then was employed in a basket factory as a nailer, and also as a moulder in a brass fac- tory, at Burlington, Wis. Still later he learned the installation of automatic telephones. Mr. Morris has attained to considerable distinction as a boxer, in Wisconsin and some of the more western states, and enjoys athletics. At one time, for about eight months, he was pilot on the Mississippi River steamboat, Sidney, which plied between St. Louis, Mo., and St. Paul, Minn. His father owns 140 acres near Carlis, Wis., and 300 acres in North Dakota, and Mr. Morris has had some experience on these big farms as an agriculturalist, but spends his vaca- tions from work at Pecatonica with his parents.

MORSE, Charles S., whose business activities have now ceased, is at present one of the sub- stantial retired residents of Rockford, although at one time he bore a busy part in developing this locality. He was born at Perlermo, in western Canada, August 31, 1845, a son of Wil- liam K. and Levina (Smith) Morse.

The father was a native of New York state. In 1852 he and his wife drove with their pos- sessions in wagons through to Rockford, Ill., and bought 200 acres of land in Winnebago County, that was unimproved. This he culti- vated and farmed, and with the assistance of his five sons established and developed a large contracting and building business throughout the county. In 1859 he sold and went to Fay- ette County, Iowa, where he conducted a wagon and machine shop, being a first-class carpenter and mechanic. During one period of his life, with four companions, he went to Pike's Peak, Col., and then on to California, making the trip with oxen. He was in both Upper and Lower California, working as a mechanic until 1865, when he returned to Rockford and there rounded out his life. He and his wife were the parents of the following children: Willian, who is of Canada ; Sardius, who is of Michigan ; Benjamin, who is of Rockford; Salem and Cecelia, who are deceased ; Tirzah, who is the widow of Gersham Woodworth, lives at Rockford; and Charles S.

Charles S. Morse when only thirteen years old bound himself out to learn the printing trade at West Union, Iowa, to receive in return . for his services for a year his board and clothes. For the following two years he received wages. As he could he secured educational training in the common schools. On July 16, 1862, he en- listed for service in the Civil war, in Company H, Eighteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and saw service in Missouri chasing bushwackers, but was discharged on account of disability December 29, 1862. After his discharge he came to Rockford and began farming by the month and also worked for different manufacturers, finally going into farming on his own account. In 1891 he left the farm to become engineer and operator of the steam-roller for the city of Rockford. In 1914 he retired and now makes his home at his handsome residence on Jack- son street. In addition to this, Mr. Morse owns other property which he rents out. In politics

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

he is a Republican. Nevius Post No. 1, G. A. R. holds his membership.

On May 2, 1903, Charles S. Morse was mar- ried to Mrs. Henrietta (Blunk) Hall, widow of Friend C. Hall. There are two sons in the family, born to Mrs. Morse by a former mar- riage, she having been married three times. Her parents lived in Guilford Township, where they were farming people, but later moved to Rockford, where they died.

MORSING, Paul Philip, not only is one of the leading photographers of his part of the state, but a man of a high order of artistic ability, and his work bears the stamp of originality and perfect workmanship. He is very conveniently located at No. 427 Seventh street, Rockford, and his studio is visited by the most particular peo- ple of city and vicinity. Mr. Morsing was born at Upsala, Sweden, January 29, 1871, a son of Gustof Napoleon and Ebba (Dahlberg) Morsing ,the former born in 1827, and the latter May 14, 1845. The father was an officer of the civil engineer corps in the Swedish army, with rank of major. Although pensioned off at the age of sixty-five years, he was reinstated as chief of engineers, as it was found that his ser- vices were necessary to the maintenance of the high standard he had raised.

Paul Philip Morsing attended the common, a private and a high school in his native place, and spent two years of that period studying photography. During his boyhood he spent much of the summer months in the woods, and always has been interested in artistic things. When he was seventeen years old, he came to the United States, and secured employment at Chi- cago with a photographer, receiving $6 per week at the start. His proficiency resulted in succes- sive raises in salary. In 1901 he came to Rockford, but after a year went to Elgin, Ill., and opened a studio, but in 1909 he returned to Rockford where he has since remained. During the period between 1888 and 1894 he spent a year in Sweden and operated a studio at Kalmar.

Mr. Morsing was married (first) to Alfreda Borg, and they had three children, one of whom died. On May 15, 1909, he was married (second) to Charlotte Ingeborg Nilsson, who was born in Dalhsland, Sweden, April 5, 1873, a daugh- ter of John Fred Nilsson and Hedrick S. (Lar- son) Nilsson. Mrs. Morsing is a graduated doc- tor of Swedish massage. The children of Mr. Morsing are as follows: Ebba Olivia, who was born April 30, 1897; Wilborg Hildur Lydia, who was born September 26. 1899, died February 29, 1904; Royal Paul Napoleon, who was born Feb- ruary 13, 1902; ; and Melba Ottolina, who was born November 27, 1911.

In 1905 Mr. Morsing was made a Mason and has since continued in good standing with that order. He was an Odd Fellow, but is not at present connected with that fraternity, but belongs to the W. O. W., which he joined in 1915; the Germania Singing Society, which he joined in 1911, and the Viking Society, which he joined in 1911. In religious matters he

belongs to the Swedish Zion Lutheran Church. A Republican, he favors the extension of uni- versal suffrage to women.

MOULTHROP, Levi, page 643.

MUDGE, Jeremiah C., whose building opera- tions while he was actively engaged as a car- penter and contractor of Rockford, assumed large proportions, is one of the substantial re- tired residents of the city. He was born at Gilmington, Belknap County, N. H., January 19, 1828, a son of George and Hannah (Allen) Mudge.

George Mudge was born in Belknap County, N. H., and in 1830 left New Hampshire' for New York state with his family, locating in Bennington Township, twenty miles east of Buf- falo, where he engaged in farming until 1834, when he came further west, and rented some wild land in Sandusky County, Ohio, thirty iniles east of Toledo. He joined his father, Richard Mudge, at this point, the latter having entered land from the government and on it built two log houses, with the help of friendly Indians and three white men. After some years, during which period Richard Mudge died, in Indiana, the family moved to the vicinity of Fort Wayne, Ind., and rented a farm upon which a log house was erected, and there the grand- mother passed away. In 1893 the family came to Rockford, Ill., and rented a house in the south part of the town, and then built a home near Corey's Bluff. Two years after arrival George Mudge died, in 1895, of apoplexy. His wife survived until 1905, when she passed away, aged seventy years. The father was a Mason. In political faith he was a Republican, while the Methodist Church was his religious home.

Jeremiah C. Mudge was educated at San- dusky, Ohio, and afterward he taught school in Sandusky County for twenty-seven terms, among his schools being the same one in which he received his first instruction. During the sum- mer months, while he was teaching school, Mr. Mudge worked as a farm hand. In 1863 he proved his patriotism by enlisting for service during the Civil war, in Company K, Fiftieth Ohio National Guards, formed in 1863, and fol- lowing the election of officers, he was chosen captain of his company. The regiment was sta- tioned at Johnston's Island, Sandusky Bay, guarding prisoners of war, and spent nine months at this point. At the close, of the war, Mr. Mudge was honorably discharged, and re- turned home.

In 1869 Mr. Mudge moved to Fort Wayne, Ind., where he worked as a carpenter, having learned the rudiments of the trade from his grandfather, who was a millwright during his early days. In 1893 Mr. Mudge moved to Rock- ford and was recognized as one of the best me- chanics in the city, and after branching out into a contracting business he built a number of Rockford's substantial business houses, as well as many of the fine residences of the city. In 1905, on account of failing health, he retired,

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and while he is now eighty-seven years old, he enjoys excellent health, and takes a pride in his beautiful home at No. 1005 Haskell avenue.

In 1849 Mr. Mudge was married to Miss Abi- gail McNutt, a daughter of Calvin and Jane (Stults) McNutt, who passed away at Sandusky, Ohio, in 1858, having had two children, namely : John A., who died at Tiosa, Ind., in 1905; and Elvira, who is now Mrs. Briney, of Tiosa, Ind. Mr. and Mrs. McNutt were farming people and never left Ohio. In 1864 Mr. Mudge married (second) Miss Mary E. Cochrane, a daughter of John and Margaret (Patterson) Cochrane, of Pennyslvania, Mrs. Mudge passed away at Rockford in 1905, the mother of one daughter, Rosie A., who lives with her father. Mrs. Cochrane died at Rockford at the home of Mr. Mudge, and Mr. Cochrane died on his farm near Sandusky, Ohio. Mr. Mudge is a member of the Masonic fraternity. In politics he is a Republican. The First Presbyterian Church of Rockford holds his membership. A man of deep convictions, Mr. Mudge has always done what he has believed to be his full duty, and he can look back upon his life with contentment, know- ing that he has accomplished much.

MULDOON, Rt. Rev. Peter James. The per- plexities and problems, often difficult of solution, that enter into the life of every man, are usually of a personal character, pertaining to the imme- diate circle in which his interests are centered. In the solution of these his activities are en- listed and his energies are often taxed to their utmost capacity. However, weighty as they may be, their sum amounts to little when com- pared with the aggregation of responsibilities that repose in the duties of the dignitaries of such a mighty organization as the Roman Cath- olic Church. The profound, distinctive doctrines of this denomination have been cherished and perpetuated for ages by the individuals who have been particularly prepared for this great and important labor, and no more pious, zealous, scholarly, broad-minded and broadly-informed men can be found the world over than those chosen as bishops of the Roman Catholic Church. With heavy burdens, with great re- sponsibilities, their influence is wide-spreading and their value to civilization is incalculable.

The Rt. Rev. Peter James Muldoon, Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Rockford, Ill., not only personifies the highest conception of Catholi- cism, but embodies in his personality the char- acteristics which attract man to his fellow-man, and which have taken Bishop Muldoon straight to the hearts and into the lives of his people.

Bishop Muldoon was born at Columbia, Tuo- lumne County, Cal., October 10, 1863, and is a son of John J. and Catharine (Coughlin) Mul- doon, natives of Ireland, the father having been born in County Cavan and the mother in County Galway. John J. Muldoon was a young man when he emigrated to the United States and for a number of years followed contracting at Stock- ton, Cal., in the public schools of which city Peter J. Muldoon received his early education.

He was fourteen years old when he entered upon the classical and commercial course at the college at Saint Mary's, Ky., and when he was graduated from that institution, four years later, he began the two years' philosophical course at Saint Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, Md. He completed his studies with a four years' theological course at the same institution. Bishop Muldoon's ordination to the priesthood of the Roman Catholic Church occurred at Brooklyn, N. Y., December 18, 1886, under Bishop Loughlin, and his first appointment was as assistant pastor of Saint Pius' Parish, Chi- cago, where he remained for eighteen months in 1887 and 1888. In November of the latter year he was appointed Chancellor of the Arch- diocese of Chicago and Secretary to his Grace Archbishop Feehan, and continued in these capacities until appointed, November 1, 1895, pastor of Saint Charles Borromeo's Parish, Saint Charles Church being situated at Twelfth and Cypress streets, Chicago.

On July 25, 1901, Bishop Muldoon was conse- crated Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, and July 25, 1902, on the death of Archbishop Feehan, was appointed administrator of the Archdiocese of Chicago, acting in that capacity until the arrival of Archbishop Quigley, in March, 1903. Under Archbishops Feehan and Quigley, he acted as Vicar-General of the Archdiocese of Chicago, and September 23, 1908, was appointed the first Bishop of Rockford, Ill., taking posses- sion of the See of Rockford December 15 of. that year. The Diocese of Rockford comprises the twelve northwestern counties of the state of Illinois.

During the great Columbian Exposition, at Chicago, Bishop Muldoon held the secretaryship of the Chicago Catholic educational exhibit. He is actively interested in fraternal work, being state chaplain of the Knights of Columbus and of the Catholic Order of Foresters, and is also president of the Social Service Section of the Federation of Catholic Societies. man of commanding stature and dignified appearance, Bishop Muldoon possesses also the charm of manner and wealth of humor which character- ize those of true Irish lineage. A loving, kindly, compassionate friend, working zealously in God's garden of endeavor, into his every-day labors he brings the cheeriness that lifts the burdens from the oppressed and down-hearted and that strengthens the will and incites the efforts of the human souls whom God has placed in his affectionate charge.

MULLER, L. Fred, secretary and manager of the Union Dairy Company at No. 216 and 218 S. Church street, Rockford, is a man of sound judgment, wide experience and excellent busi- ness ability. He was born in Denmark, in 1871, a son of L. Carl and Meta (Hertel) Muller, both natives of Denmark. The father was a customs collector for fifty-six years. He died in 1911, at the age of seventy-eight years. The mother died in 188S, aged fifty-four years.

L. Fred Muller was reared and educated in

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his native land, and began learning the carpenter trade when he was fourteen years old, contin- uing to work at it in Denmark until he attained his majority. Leaving for the United States, he reached here in time to secure employment on the World's Fair buildings during 1892 and 1893, and in 1894 went to West Virginia, where he worked at his trade. However, that same year he returned to Chicago and engaged with the Borden Milk Company, with which he remained until October 22, 1899, when he came to Rock- ford. Here he began to wholesale and retail condensed milk. Later he was able to interest some Rockford men in the production of sani- tary milk, and on May 1, 1900, they formed the Union Dairy Company at No. 808 S. Fifth street, where they continned for four years. In 1904 they built the present building, which is one of the most modern and sanitary milk depots in Rockford. Mr. Muller was made the first secre- tary of the company and its manager, and has continned to hold these offices ever since, so it is largely dne to his knowledge of the business and his conscientions attention to details which have resulted in the growth and development of the trade.

In 1898 Mr. Mnller was married to Miss Margaret L. Tanner, a danghter of J. W. and Harriet (Corbett) Tanner. Mr. and Mrs. Mnller have two children, namely: Meta Harriet, who was born July 28, 1899; and Joseph Percy, who was born September 18, 1901. Mr. Mnller is a thirty-second degree Mason and a Shriner, and also is a member of the Odd Fellows and the Dainiche Brotherhood. He and his family be- long to the English Lutheran Church of Rock- ford, to which they are generons contributors of time and money.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 106

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