Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 107

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 107

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The production of sanitary milk has attracted the attention of physicians and scientists the world over, and those who understand such mat- ters are willing to admit that nowhere are con- ditions more ideal than at the premises of the Union Dairy Company.

MURPHY, William Francis. Some men appear to be able to utilize their natural capacities to snch excellent effect that they become useful citizens and prosperons along any lines they choose to follow. Such is the case with William Francis Murphy, one of the leading business men and officials of Rockford. He was born at Marengo, Ill., March 22, 1877, a son of James and Alice (Russell) Murphy. After completing his conrse in the Rockford public schools, Mr. Murphy was employed in the office of the dry goods establishment of Burnham & Son for eight months, and then was with Bnrr Bros., grocers, for five and one-half years. Following this he was in the cigar store owned by Lewis & Bros. for seven years, then spent one year on the road for the Globe Tobacco Company of Detroit, Mich. He then went in business for himself, buying out the business owned by a Mr. Revel and continning it for four years, when he sold to Charles Sheldon. On February 7, 1914, he formed a partnership with Frank Fitzgerald in

an undertaking business, being located at No. 509 W. State street, Mr. Fitzgerald being a licensed nndertaker. The firm employ both men and women attendants and everything is done to render efficient and satisfying service. Dnr- ing the Spanish-American war, Mr. Murphy en- listed in Company H, Third Illinois Infantry, and was promoted to the rank of corporal during the campaign in Porto Rico, he being in the thickest of the fight. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and much interested in the work of that fraternity.

On June 27, 1900, Mr. Murphy was married to Ella R. Raidy, a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Whalen) Raidy, and they have three chil- dren, namely : Fay Frances, Margaret Erlyn and Clare Ramona, all of whom are attending school. On April 15, 1913, Mr. Murphy was elected alderman of his ward, and his majority was the largest of anyone ever sent to the city conncil of Rockford. Mr. Murphy's success in life has come through his own efforts and is all the more commendable for this reason. He stands high with his associates, and is looked npon as one of the representative yonng men of Rockford.

MURTFELDT, William C. It is remarkable how many of the men who during the Civil war fought for their country with soldierly energy, when hostilities ended engaged in the peaceful pursuits of farming. Winnebago Connty has a number of these veterans who are either still engaged in agricultural operations, or who are now living retired, after many years of nseful and profitable endeavor as farmers. Among these is William C. Murtfeldt, of Rockford. He was born at St. Louis, Mo., April 2, 1844, a son of Charles W. and Esther (Thorp) Murtfeldt, he born in Germany, and she in Onondaga Connty, N. Y. When he was sixteen years old, Charles W. Murtfeldt came to the United States, and landed in New York City, where later he married. His parents accompanied him to the new world, and as the father was a tailor, he learned that trade and worked at it. Later the two established a tailoring business at Natchez, Miss. From there Charles W. Murtfeldt moved to St. Louis, Mo., and established himself in a tailoring business, while his father conducted a stage line. Desiring land, Charles W. Murt- feldt moved to Marion Township, Ogle Connty, Ill., where he bought 340 acres of land, as valu- able as any to be found in the connty.

William C. Murtfeldt received unusnal ednca- tional advantages as he not only attended the schools in his district, but the Rock River Semi- mary at Mount Morris, Ill., and the Rockford High school. He lived with his parents nntil he enlisted for service during the Civil war on August 9, 1862, in the Ninety-second Illinois Volunteer Mounted Infantry, and was with Wilder's Brigade of Mounted Infantry for a year when he was transferred to Henry Kill- patrick's cavalry command. He was under fire sixtv-three times, and participated in the battles of Chickamauga, Stone River, Resaca, Rawley,

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and Jonesboro, aud had a very narrow escape at the latter engagement, never being wounded, however, nor taken prisoner. The regiment was the first to reach Chattanooga aud plant the Union flag on the old Crotchfield House. This regiment took part in Sherman's march to the sea and the campaigu around Atlanta, and was discharged June 21, 1865.

Following his discharge, Mr. Murtfeldt came to Rockford to join his father who had moved to this city, having traded other property for forty acres just outside the city limits. In 1866 the father returned to St. Louis, and became editor of the Rural World, and William C. Murt- feldt secured the homestead, which he conducted as a fruit and dairy farm. In 1913 he rented his land, and has since then lived practically retired, but still couducts the fruit farm.

Ou June 4, 1868, Mr. Murtfeldt was married to Sarah L. Spare, born January 18, 1843, at Galena, Ill., a daughter of James Spare, of New York state. Mr. and Mrs. Murtfeldt became the parents of the following children : Fred J., who lives at St. Louis, Mo., married Blossom Hawk, and has two sons, Lawrence W. and Frederick Harold; Minnie A., who is a school- teacher of Rockford, lives with her father; aud Charles, who died at the age of six years. Mrs. Murtfeldt died August 13, 1914. Mr. Murtfeldt belongs to the Westminster Presbyterian Church, and for a number of years has been one of its elders, and he has also been a deacon. A Republican, he served as a director of school district No. 69, since 1880, is now clerk, and while two schoolhouses were being built, he was president of the school board. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, and is a valued member of Nevius Post No. 1, G. A. R., in which he is as popular as he is highly esteemed by the outside world.

MUTIMER, Daniel C. Many of the men who laid the foundations of Rockford's manufactur- ing pre-eminence are not now alive to see the results of their industry and foresight, but to them the city owes a debt not easily discharged. One of these men was Daniel C. Mutimer, whose association with the sheet metal interests was important. He was born in England, March 11, 1835, a son of Jeremiah and Frances (Cobb) Mutimer, who in the fall of 1836 came to the United States, and located in New York state.

Daniel C. Mutimer was married in Amster- dam, N. Y., September 29, 1857, to Mary Ann Conde, horn near Schenectady, N. Y., a daugh- ter of Nicholas De Groff and Ann (Dewandler) Conde, natives of New York.

The children born to Daniel C. Mutimer, and wife were as follows: Elizabeth, who died in infancy ; Daniel C., Jr., who died November 26, 1908; Nicholas, who died at the age of two years and two months; Walter C., who lives with his mother, married Alberta Atwood, and has one son, Guy S .; Carl, who died at the age of seven years, and Henry C., who was the youngest son

of Daniel C. Mutimer, Sr., and wife, died in infancy.

For a year following his marriage, in 1857, Mr. Mutimer lived at Amsterdam, conducting a hardware store, and then moved to Schen- ectady, where he carried on the same line of business until 1870, when the family came to Rockford. He went into the hardware business in a store on Winnebago street, where he re- mained for six years and then went into a grocery business, which he conducted until his death, April 9, 1892. His widow has since resided at Rockford, in the old home on Winne- bago street.

MUTIMER, Daniel C., Jr. It is a lamentable fact that many of the best men of a community are taken from the midst of their activity when life seems to offer so much, and their value as citizens is so generally recognized. The late Daniel C. Mutimer, Jr., was a man of solid qualities and business importance, and had he been longer spared he would have accomplished even more than he did in the brief span allotted him. He was boru at Amsterdam, N. Y., Febru- ary 20, 1860, a son of Daniel C. and Mary Ann (Conde) Mutimer, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.

Daniel C. Mutimer resided with his parents until his marriage when he formed a house- hold of his own. A sheet metal worker, in 1907 he established himself in business and was doing very well at the time of his death, on November 26, 1908. . His widow continued the business with marked ability until 1913, when she sold it to her son, Leigh R. The family residence at No. 609 Huliu street, Rockford, was not yet completed when Mr. Mutimer died, but Mrs. Mutimer carried out the plans and made of it a beautiful dwelling.

On October 20, 1880, Mr. Mutimer was mar- ried to Caroline Beemer, born at Romeo, Mich., a daughter of Samuel C. and Almira (Newman) Beemer, natives of New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Mutimer had the following children: Charles D., who is at home; Leigh R., who lives at Rockford; Lula May, who died at the age of six years ; Earl B., who is at home; Kathleen, who is Mrs. Ross T. Stewart, of Rockford; and Harold H. and Clarence Walter who are both at home. Mr. Mutimer belonged to the Methodist Church of South Rockford. In politics he was a Republicau. A man who believed in the value of fraternal organizations, he was a Mason, an Odd Fellow and a member of the Modern Wood- men of America.

MUTIMER, Frederick, now deceased, for many years, until sickness attacked him, was one of the representative men of Wiunebago County. He was born at Amsterdam, N. Y., April 14, 1842, a son of Jeremiah and Frances (Jacobs) Mutimer of England. His parents came to Winnebago County in 1861, the father purchas- ing land in the southern part of Rockford. The following year he was joined by his son, Fred- erick Mutimer.

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Frederick Mutimer attended the common schools of New York State, and after coming to Rockford was employed in the bolt works of this city, and became the superintendent of this establishinent. He was an inventor and several of his patented articles, all of which are practicable, are in use at the bolt works today. They are designed for use on the ma- chinery used in bolt manufacturing. In 1885 Mr. Mutimer bought the farm of 135 acres in Rockford Township on which he lived for twenty-five years, and which is now conducted by his son, Grant. Later he moved back to the residence at No. 1433 Clifton avenue, Rock- ford, where his widow still resides. This prop- erty had been purchased by his father and used as his residence until his death, following which Frederick Mutimer became the owner. In 1900 Frederick Mutimer was taken ill, and he never recovered the use of his faculties, dying March 6, 1915.

In 1861 Frederick Mutimer was married at Amsterdam, N. Y., to Cornelia Fulmer, born in Herkimer County, N. Y., a daughter of Rev- erend Isaac and Lydia (Churchill) Fulmer, natives of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Mutimer became the parents of the following children : Nellie, who is Mrs. Dudley Thompson, a widow, who resides on West strect, Rockford; Hattie, who is deceased; Francis, who is Mrs. A. R. Morgan, of Rockford ; Addie, who is superinten- dent of the Winnebago County farm school ; Jessie, who is the widow of Thomas Buttimer, lives with her inother; Emeline, who is Mrs. John Chappell ; Fred and Isaac, both of whom are rural free delivery mail carriers from the Rockford postoffice ; Grant, who lives on the homestead; Ruth, who is the wife of Morris McNair, a Rockford mail carrier; and Violet, who is Mrs. Paul Russell of Rockford. Mr. Mutimer belonged to the Methodist Church, in South Rockford. In politics he was a Repub- lican.

MUTIMER, Grant Edmund. A number of the more successful agriculturalists of Winnebago County are combining dairying with general farming with excellent results. One who has proven that these lines can be profitably worked together is Grant Edmund Mutimer of Rock- ford Township. He was born at Rockford, Jan- mary 13. 1880, a son of Frederick and Mary C. (Fulmer) Mutimer.

After attending the grammar and high schools of Rockford, Grant Mutimer began farming on the farm owned by his mother in Rockford Township, where he still resides, cultivating 135 acres. His operations as a dairyman and general farmer are well conducted and he is a recognized authority on both branches of agri- culture.

On June 2, 1906, Mr. Mutimer was married to Gertrude Palmer, born at Marshall, Wis., June 6. 1882, a daughter of Adelbert and Emma (Calkins) Palmer, natives of Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Mutimer have the following children :

Mary Elizabeth, born June 29, 1908; Ethel Lu- cile, born October 16, 1909 ; Adelbert Grant, born April 3, 1911; and Robert Homer, born May 8, 1913. In politics Mr. Mutimer is a Republican, but he has not sought office, preferring to devote all of his time to his private affairs. Mr. Muti- iner stands very well with his neighbors, and is one of the leading men of his township. The family attends the Methodist Church.

MUTIMER, Nathaniel I., rural free delivery carrier on Route No. 1 out of Rockford, and one of the sterling men of Winnebago County, was born at No. 1433 Clifton avenue, Rockford, March 29, 1878, a son of Frederick and Mary C. (Cornelia ) Mutimer, natives of Amsterdam and St. James, N. Y. Nathaniel Mutimer spent his boyhood at Rockford, where he was edu- cated, and where he also learned the black- smithing trade. His apprenticeship at this trade commenced when he was sixteen years old, and he continued to follow it until his en- listment for service during the Spanish-Ameri- can War, on April 28, 1898, in Company K, Third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was as- signed to Porto Rico. After the close of hos- tilities he remained in the service until January 16, 1899, when he was honorably discharged.

Returning home, Mr. Mutimer worked at his trade until 1900, when he was appointed a rural free delivery carrier, and has so continued ever since. In December, 1896, Mr. Mutimer was married to Hattie N. Denton, born at Rockford, a daughter of Delos H. and Anna (Lambert) Denton, natives of Rockford, and Prince Ed- ward Island, respectively. Mrs. Denton died November 14, 1882, and Mr. Denton died Feb- ruary 23, 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Mutimer have one daughter, Marian Cornelia. Mrs. Mutimer was educated in the common and high schools of Rockford. In politics Mr. Mutimer is inde- pendent. Fraternally he belongs to Rockford Lodge No. 66. A. F. & A. M.

NELSON, August, junior member of the well known grocery house operated under the caption of the Peterson & Nelson Grocery Company, No. 702 Kishwaukee street, Rockford, is one of the substantial men of Winnebago County. He was born at Smoland, Sweden, September 3, 1872, a son of Nels and Emma (Carlson) Nelson, both of whom were born, reared, and married in Smoland, Sweden, where they carried on farm- ing. There the father died in 1905, but the mother survives, making her home in Sweden.

August Nelson lived at Smoland where he attended school, until he was fourteen years old, at which time he left home for the United States, and in 1896 located in Stillman Valley, Ogle County, Ill., and worked on a farm for his uncle. Carl Carlson, for a year. He then came to Rockford and worked in a chair factory for a year, learning to carve furniture. Not caring for this business he went with Olson & Palm, F. State street grocers, for a year, and tlien was with Frederickson & Anderson, grocers on E. State street, for three years. In 1900 Mr.

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Nelson interrupted his business career to enlist in Company L, Forty-second United States Vol- unteers at Rockford, and served two years in the Philippine Islands, when he was honorably discharged and returned to Rockford. He then rented 160 acres of land in Stillman Valley, which he operated for five years, then estab- lished himself in a grocery business at No. 835 Kishwaukee street, Rockford. Within two years he formed a partnership with Mr. Peterson, and since 1909 the firm has been at its present stand where they do a large business, theirs being the largest store on Kishwaukee street. Mr. Nelson is an Odd Fellow and belongs to the Spanish- American War Veteran Association. In politics he is a Republican.

In 1901 Mr. Nelson was married to Miss Hulda Peterson, a daughter of John and Sophia Peterson, and they have three children, namely : Genevieve, Evelyn and Norma. Mrs. Nelson was born at Smoland, Sweden, and came to the United States with her parents who located in Stillman Valley, Ogle County, Ill., where Mr. Peterson became labor foreman for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. Later the fam- ily moved to Rockford and live at 1604 Seventh street, Mr. Peterson being now retired.

NELSON, Augustus, one of the substantial capitalists of Rockford whose investments in city realty have proven his faith in the future of this city, is one of the leading men of Winne- baco County. He was born in Sweden, October 13, 1834, and was there educated. In 1854 he left Sweden for the United States, and locating at Chicago, worked there for a short time. He then went to Batavia, Ill., where he was em- ployed in a wagon and carriage factory and learned the trade. On account of hard times in that section he left Batavia for Aurora, where he worked at his trade for two years, and go- ing then to Joliet was employed at his trade there for two and one-half years, or until 1861, when he came to Rockford and found work in a wagon shop here until 1864. In that year he engaged in work as a carpenter for the govern- ment. enlisting in the Union army as such, and remaining nntil the close of the Civil war.

On returning to Rockford, Mr. Nelson and Thomas Sully opened a wagon and carriage shop, and this business association continued until Mr. Sully was made city marshal, when Mr. Nelson took another partner. After seven years in this line of business. Mr. Nelson went into a clothing business, and did tailoring for some years. His beginning was small. and later he moved to Wyanet, Ill., where he con- ducted a similar establishment upon a larger scale, and as his capital increased, was able to return to Rockford and became the partner of Elander and S. A. Johnson. and the firm for seven years did a large business as clothiers. After his partners sold out. Mr. Nelson then conducted the business alone for eighteen years. Since 1897 he has been living practically rc- tired, although he superintends the manage- ment of his property. In 1862 he bought land

on South Third street, and built a very nice residence upon it and here he still lives. He owns a four-flat building on Market street, and also some Chicago residences, all of his invest- ments being of a solid character.

In September, 1858, Mr. Nelson was married to Christina M. Peterson, born in Sweden, a daughter of Carl Peterson. He was a farmer who brought his family to the United States and located at Rockford in 1852. Mrs. Nelson died in 1894, the mother of the following chil- dren : Otellia, who died in infancy; Alice Mary and Frank, who are deceased; Albin, who lives at Rockford; Della, who married Rev. N. J. Vlunder, of Stockholm, Sweden, is deceased ; and Ada Adura, who is Mrs. Fred Blake of Los Angeles, Cal. In September, 1911, Mr. Nelson was married (second) to Mrs. Matilda (Oker- berg) Buford, born at Moline, Ill., a daughter of Eric and Johanna Okerberg, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Nelson was the widow of John Buford, a native of Sweden, and the mother of two children, namely : Ella and Mabel. The former, who married George Schwenker, 'a shoe dealer of Moline, Ill., Davenport, Iowa, and Rock Island, Ill., with residence at No. 211 Tenth street, Rock Island, was born October 13, 1880, at Mo- line, and was married November 25, 1912, at the home of her parents in Rockford. Mr. Schwenker was born March 5, 1877, at Bur- lington. Iowa. Mrs. Schwenker finished her education at the Moline High School, and has many friends in that city and in Rock Island and Rockford. The second daughter mar- ried Albert Bawden. a sketch

of whom appears elsewhere in this work. At both wed- ding ceremonies the Rev. J. W. Johnson, of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Rockford, offici- ated. Mrs. Nelson attended the common schools and the Moline High school and is a member of the English Lutheran Church, as is also Mr. Nelson, in which he has held office for many years. In politics he is a Republican. A Mason in good standing, he belongs to Rockford Lodge No., 102. A. F. & A. M. Mrs. Nelson belongs to the Woman's Relief Corps, the Court of Honor and the Woman's Christian Temperance Asso- ciation.

NELSON, E. A., actively engaged in business as a sporting goods merchant, is one of the leading men of Rockford and one who stands unusually high in public estimation. He was born at Crys- tal Lake, McHenry County, Ill., March 18. 1875, a son of Gust and Christine Nelson. Gust Nelson was born in Smolan, Sweden, where he was edu- cated and learned the tailoring business, which he followed until he came to the United States. After locating at Crystal Lake, Ill., he rented a farm and oncrated it until 1889, when he moved to Rockford and worked in the factory of the American Furniture Company until it failed, when he established himself in a confectionery business on the corner of Tenth street and Fourth avenue, but later moved to Ninth street and Railroad avenue. Still later he built a

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business block on Kishwaukee street and Peoples avenue, where he conducts a grocery and con- fectionery business. He is seventy-eight years old and his wife is eighty years old, and both are in excellent health. In politics he is a Republican.

E. A. Nelson remained on the McHenry County farm until he was fourteen years old, at which time the family moved to Rockford, and he began working for the American Furniture Com- pany, but after two years went to Elgin, Ill., where he engaged in a grocery business with his brother-in-law, Henry Burger, for a number of years. He then served for three years in Troop F, Fifth Cavalry, U. S. Army, during the Philippine insurrection, and later the regiment was ordered to Fort Duchesne to suppress an Indian riot caused by the government survey of an Indian reservation. At the expiration of his three years' service, Mr. Nelson was honorably discharged and returned to Rockford, where he entered a feed business on Ninth street and Rail- road avenue. He later bought his father's con- fectionery business and operated both lines for two years. He then built a store on the corner of Twentieth avenue and Eleventh street, where he went into the grocery business and so con- tinued for three years, when he sold and went to Davenport, Iowa. There he was engaged in a bottling business for two years, but returned to Rockford and started in a sporting goods busi- ness at No. 219 Seventh street, where he is still located, controlling a large and growing busi- ness.

In 1908 Mr. Nelson was married to Miss Alice Blumberg, a daughter of August and Tillie Blumberg of Rockford. Mr. Nelson is a Spanish- American war veteran, and belongs to the Swedish order of Vikings. In politics he is a Republican, but has not entered the arena for political honors.

NELSON, Frithiof, secretary and treasurer of the Forest City Knitting Company, and a director of the Nelson Knitting Company and of the Manufacturers Bank, with residence at No. 1315 National avenue, is one of the most thoroughly representative men of Rockford, and one who is a strong factor in determining the policies of the several concerns with which he is associated, as well as in advancing the general welfare of the city. He was born at Rockford, July 18, 1865, and here educated in the grammar and high schools.

Upon leaving school, Mr. Nelson went to work in the office of the Nelson Knitting Company as shipping clerk and bookkeeper, and so continued until 1889, when he began organizing his present company, which opened its plant in 1890. In this work Mr. Nelson was associated with his three brothers, William Nelson, who was made president ; Oscar Nelson, who was made vice president ; and J. Franklin Nelson, who was the inventor. The mother of these sons is also a stockholder, and A. D. Early also holds stock. A sister at one time held stock, but sold it. The father, John Nelson, was an inventor, and in-

vented the Nelson knitting machine, and both the concerns, the Forest City Knitting Company and the Nelson Knitting Company, use his patents. John Franklin Nelson, one son, has im- proved upon his father's inventions, he inheriting his genius along this line, and he has perfected a machine which finishes a sock with a ribbed top, something every inventor of knitting ma- chines has struggled to do. The father strove to put his ideas into concrete form, but died several years before his son succeeded.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 107

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