Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 110

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

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Mr. Page is a native of Canada, born at Clarksville. near the city of Toronto, July 30, 1842. and is a son of Jonathan and Lamira (Baker) Page, the former a native of Maine and the latter of Massachusetts. They moved to Canada as young married people, but in 1845 returned to the United States and located in Winnebago County, Ill .. where the father pur- chased 160 acres of prairie land and forty acres of timber, in Owen Township, from the gov- ernment. The family resided on this farm un- til June. 1854. when they sold out and moved to Winneshiek County. Iowa, where Mr. Page purchased a elaim of 240 acres from the gov- ernment. but this he also sold in 1860 and moved to Mitchell County, Iowa. where he died in January, 1861. Previous to his death he had bought a tract of land in the extreme north- east corner of Iowa, in Allamakee County, and there Mrs. Page moved with the family, taking with them a large herd of cattle, which the son, Dorson D .. wintered.

Dorson D. Page had received his education in the public schools of Illinois and Iowa. On June 24. 1862. at Waukon, Iowa. he enlisted in Company B. Second Battalion. Sixteenth Regi- ment United States Infantry, for service in the Civil war. His command was attached to the Army of the Cumberland, and Mr. Page's mili- tarv service continued until his honorable dis- charge. June 24. 1865. The company and regi- ment had headquarters first at Columbus, Ohio,

from whence they went to Kentucky, and for a time were engaged in pursuing the bushwhack- ers. After four weeks at Lexington, the com- mand went to Perryville, where it received its baptism of fire, then on to Nashville, being in camp six miles east of that place. On December 27, 1862. the regiment started in the advance on Murfreesboro, driving the Confederate forces to Stone River. The battle started December 31, 1862, and lasted until January 3, 1863, and in this engagement there were twenty-three sol- diers from Mr. Page's neighborhood. Among these was a younger brother of Mr. Page, who met his death: on the battlefield ; and only four of the twenty-three were left alive; and two of these were so injured by gunshot wounds that they were unfit for service. The battle of Stone River was one of the most hotly-contested in the entire war. In Mr. Page's battalion there were 752 men, and in his company ninety- seven men, before the battle; when the san- guinary engagement was finished there were but 250 of the battalion to muster, and twenty-eight of his company. At that battle, Mr. Page, who was then sergeant, was so injured by a fall into a ditch, that he was sent to the hospital at Murfreesboro for eighteen months, but during the latter part of his stay he was able to act in the capacity of steward. He finally re- joined his regiment and company in time for the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, took part in the siege of Atlanta and went on to Jonesboro, where his command assisted in defeating the enemy. and then returned to Atlanta, which had been evacuated by the Confederate forces. The brigade was then sent to Lookout Mountain where it was stationed at the time Mr. Page received his honorable discharge.

Returning to his home in Iowa, Mr. Page re- mained there until 1866, when he removed to Mankato. Minn., and was married there on July 4 of that year, to Mary Luce, who was born at Addison, Steuben County, N. Y., daughter of Seneca and Caroline Luce, natives of the Empire state. After his marriage Mr. Page returned to Iowa and sold his belongings, and then re- turned to Mankato, Minn., where he secured employment in the lumber woods and worked that winter. In the following spring they went to Minnesota Lake, but on account of the rainv weather they soon returned to Mankato, and Mr. Page again went into the lumber woods in the winter. although he devoted the summer months to farming. About this time came the great grasshopper sconrge, which destroyed all the crops of the locality and caused the county to offer a bounty of ten cents per quart on all grasshoppers caught and delivered to town clerks. All other business was suspended and

everyone went grasshopper hunting. The bounty lasted about two weeks at that rate and was then made $1.00 per bushel, which lasted about five weeks, when it was taken off en- tirely. On the last day Mr. and Mrs. Page drove out into the fields and during the day secured 311% bushels of the insects, which they cashed at the town clerk's office for $31.50. In

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the following year Mr. Page moved again into Mankato, where he became a teamster and hauled and sold cord wood, but in 1882 left Minnesota and came to Rockford, Ill., which has since continued to be his home. While he was a resident of Minnesota, on one occasion the James and Younger boys, famous bandits of those days, went to Mankato, took dinner at the American House, and subsequently met Mr. Page, who had been at his timber tract for wood and was traveling with a load. The eight bandits stopped him and engaged him in conver- sation, which lasted for about an hour, after which they thanked him for his information and moved on without molesting him.

On coming to Rockford, Mr. Page went to work on the water power with O. I. Luce, a brother-in-law, and engaged in making screen doors, mouldings of all kinds and screen windows. He remained as a foreman there for two years, and then became interested in the Co-operative Coal Company, on North Madison street, being connected with that enterprise for three years. Finally he turned his attention to the carpenter trade, and since giving up that vocation has lived in retirement. His pleasant and comfortable home is located at the corner of Ferguson and Loomis streets. Mr. Page is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and of Nevius Post No. 1, Grand Army of the Republic, and in politics is a Republican.

Mr. Page's first wife died July 23, 1903, the mother of four children : Charles, a resident of Springfield, Ill. ; Pearley, of Rockford; William, of San Francisco, Cal .; and Mable, who is de- ceased. Mr. Page was again married August 12. 1914. to Mrs. Caroline (Bauehle) (Bret- schneider) Atwood, who was born in Wurttem- burg, Germany, and came to Rockford, Ill., in 1875. Her first husband was Gustave Bret- schneider, who died in March, 1890, leaving two daughters: Amelia, the wife of William Hous- man, of Houston, Tex .; and Minnie, the wife of Ray Van Alstine, of Rockford, III, Mrs. Bret- schneider. in 1894. married George H. Atwood, a Union veteran of the Civil war, who died in 1910.

PATTERSON, James M., a prosperous farmer of section 33. Burrit Township, is also inter- ested in the Winnebago Lumber & Supply Com- pany. He was born in Owen Township. this county, March 8, 1856, a son of John M. and Lillian (Stephenson) Patterson, the former born in Scotland in 1834 and the latter in 1838.

John M. Patterson came to the United States in 1849 and lived at New York City for a time, after which he made his way westward to Illi- nois and settled at Rockford, where he spent a year. He then took up his abode in Owen Township, and lived there for many years, fol- lowing farming. He was married in Owen Township, to Lillian Stephenson, who came to Owen Township in 1855. She died at St. Paul, Minn .. in September, 1900. Their children were as follows: James M .; Nettie, who was born in November, 1857, married Joseph Brewster

and resides in Rockford; Jennie, who was born in April, 1860, married J. W. Stocks, and is re- siding at Freeport, Ill .; Andrew, who was born in June, 1863, is residing on the old homestead in Owen Township; John, who was born August 21, 1865, is a farmer of Owen Township; and Lillie, who was born in 1867, married Robert Geddes of Stillman Valley, Il1.

James M. Patterson spent his boyhood very uneventfully in the country, but in attending the public schools secured an excellent prac- tical education. Under his father's direction he became familiar with all of the work of the fields so that he was prepared for farming when he started out in life on his own account. He lived in his native township until twenty-six years old, at which time he moved to Ogle County, Ill., and lived for eight years, and then located on his present farm in Burrit Town- ship, where he now owns 160 acres of land which is carefully cultivated according to mod- ern methods. He has followed farming prac- tically all his life, and in his work is systematic. His labors have been attended by success be- cause of his close application and untiring industry, and he is now one of the prosperous agriculturalists of his community. He also has other business interests, being financially con- nected with the Winnebago Lumber & Supply Company, a stock concern comprising fifty farmers of the neighborhood.

On October 29, 1884, Mr. Patterson was mar- ried in Winnebago, Ill., to Miss Barbara Hill, daughter of Donald and Agnes Hill, early resi- dents of Winnebago Township. She was born September 17, 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson have the following children: John, who was born August 29, 1886; William, who was born March 9, 1888; Ralph, who was born September 25, 1890; and Donald, who was born September 22. 1897. all of whom are at home except Wil- liam, who married Rosa Staffman, and they have a daughter, Ellen Beatrice.

Mr. Patterson is a member of Winnebago Lodge No. 745, A. F. & A. M. He and his wife belong to the Second Congregational Church, and are large contributors to its good work. · He was clerk of the town school board and held that office for the past twelve years. A success- ful, progressive and enterprising man he de- serves all his prosperity and stands very high in public esteem.

PATTISON, Harry A., M. D., a physician and surgeon who is a credit to his profession and locality, has offices at No. 705 Trust building, Rockford, and stands very high in public esteem. He was born at Astoria. Long Island, N. Y., June 2, 1877, a son of Charles S. and Ellen F. (Cressy) Pattison. The father was born in Ver- mont, and the mother in New Hampshire. The father had charge of the drilling on the Illinois and Michigan Canal for a time, but later re- turned to New York, where he had charge of the dredging of the East River, at Hell Gate. Still later he was connected with the construc- tion of the Hoosac tunnel, at North Adams,

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

Mass. In 1912 he came to Rockford, where he is now living retired with his son, Dr. Pattison. The mother, on account of delicate health, is living in California. In politics the father is a Republican.

Harry A. Pattison attended the public schools of New England, Mt. Hermon school in Massa- chusetts, and in 1899 matriculated at the Chi- cago Homeopathic College, from which he was graduated in 1904. For the next five years he practiced at Benld, Ill., when he took a post graduate course at the University of Illinois, and was graduated from the medical depart- ment in 1910, when he came to Rockford, and has since remained here engaged in an active general practice.

In 1905 Dr. Pattison was married to Miss Florence Street, a daughter of John A. and Delia (Phelps) Street, natives of Lancaster, Wis. The father was a lawyer and later a judge of the circuit bench in Salt Lake City, Utah. Still later he went to Chicago, where he is now gen- eral counsel for the Mascott Copper Company. Dr. and Mrs. Pattison have two children, namely : Helen S. and Francis E.

Dr. Pattison is a Mason and a member of the order of Eastern Star. He belongs to Winne- bago Chapter of Elks, the University Club, the Unity Club, of which he is a trustee, is secretary of the board of trustees of the Rockford Tuber- culosis Sanitarium, and a member of its execu- tive committee. On July 27, 1915, he was ap- pointed a member of the Illinois Conference of Charities and Correction. He is county physi- cian, a director of the Boys' and Girls' Exposi- tion, and a member of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce. It may thus be seen that he is a man of considerable importance professionally and otherwise. The family residence is at No. 1030 Ridge avenue, Rockford.

PAUL, Ira O., M. D., a well known physician of Winnebago County, and a skillful practi- tioner at Rockford, was born at Brookville, Ogle County, Ill., July 24, 1860. Little is known of his ancestry, beyond the fact that his paternal grandfather was Valentine Paul, a native of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, who settled in the anthracite coal regions of Pennsylvania, prob- ably about the beginning of the nineteenth cen- tury. Dr. Paul's parents, Michael and Mary (Shierk) Paul, were both natives of Pennsyl- vania who became pioneers of Ogle County, Ill., when they located in the town of Brookville in 1852. Michael Paul bought eighty acres of land for $10 per acre, on which he made all the im- provements, and subsequently added to his pos- sessions until he had accumulated 320 acres on which he resided until his death, January 5, 1913, when he was eighty-five years old. Of his family of four children, Dr. Paul is the only surviving member. The others were: Josiah W., Simon and Franklin.

Ira O. Paul was reared to manhood on the homestead, receiving his educational training in the high school of Polo, and the Northwestern College, at Naperville, Ill., from which he was

graduated. In 1882 he entered the College of

Physicians and Surgeons, Chicago, and was graduated therefrom March 25, 1885. In July of that same year, Dr. Paul began the practice of his profession at Leaf River, Ill., three years later removing to Penrose, Ill., and after eight- een months in that hamlet, in 1890 located at Winnebago, Ill., where he built up a large prac- tice. On October 26, 1915, he moved to Rock- ford, Ill., and has his well appointed office at No. 407 Trust Building.

Dr. Paul was married June 2, 1887, to Alice, a daughter of John H. and Sarah (Willier) Hammond, of Leaf River, and they have two children : Arquilla Ariel and Ethel Loretta. Dr. Paul belongs to the Winnebago County and the Illinois State Medical societies. He is a member of Winnebago Lodge No. 245, A. F. & A. M., of which he is past master, having served as master for five years; Rockford Chapter No. 24, R. A. M .; Rockford Commandery No. 17, K. T .; Freeport Consistory; Rockford Lodge No. 64, B. P. O. of E .; the Germania Society of Rockford; the L. O. M .; and White Oak Camp No. 59, M. W. A. He organized the local chap- ter of the Eastern Star at Winnebago, and was its first patron. Politically he has always been a Republican of the stalwart type, and takes an active interest in the success of the party. Dur- ing his residence at Winnebago he held many offices, including that of mayor and justice of the peace, serving in the latter position for sev- eral terms. Dr. Paul is a genial, courteous gen- tleman, an able physician, and a public spirited as well as enterprising citizen.

PAULSEN, Peter. The realty men of Rock- ford have not only placed the people of this section under obligations to them for their ef- fective work in building a large city, but to the public at large in attracting here those who, under ideal conditions, could invest their capi- tal of either money or labor, and in the end reap gratifying results. One of the enterprising real estate dealers who belongs to this class is Peter Paulsen.

Peter Paulsen was born at Fleisburg, Ger- many, June 20, 1869, a son of Peter and Chris- tena (Honsen) Paulsen. When he was five years old he was brought to the United States by his parents, who located at Waterford, Wis., and there the mother died at the birth of twin infants, when Peter was nine years old. Two years later he lost his father, who was killed in a railroad wreck at Burlington, Wis. The boy was then taken by strangers. Being an inde- pendent little fellow, he decided to make his own way in the world, and with his belongings done up in a red handkerchief, he walked to Milwaukee, Wis., and there obtained work doing chores for his board and a little money. Al- though his wages were meagre, he was very thrifty, and in time managed to save $300. He then engaged with the Wisconsin Bridge Works to drive rivets for a year, when he engaged in bridge construction work, and later he was able to do contract work for his company at $5 per

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

day, acting as their superintendent as well, and was with them for eight years. His next ex- perience was as a traveling salesman for a com- pany handling artificial limbs, and subsequently he located at Rockford, and established an ar- tificial limb factory. After some twenty months he went to San Francisco and established a sim- flar establishment there on Market street, but sold it in nine months for $5,000 cash, and then traveled for the firm for several months, when he returned to Rockford, and once more engaged in the manufacture of artificial limbs. After being alone for a year, he took A. E. Block into co-partnership with him, and eighteen months later sold Mr. Block the other half interest for $1,000. Mr. Paulsen then went into the real estate business and has continued in this line ever since, being very successful in handling property, specializing in western lands and lo- cal realty. He has built and sold many houses, and has instituted and carried out a number of important local improvements. A member of the Rockford Real Estate Board, he has held some of its offices. He belongs to the Home Fraternal League. While a member of the Ger- man Lutheran Church, he attends the Methodist.

In 1898 Mr. Paulsen was married to Cornelia Estella Grover, a daughter of Edwin R. Grover, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Paulsen have no children.

PEAKE, Laomi, page 660.

PENFIELD, David S., page 658.

PENFIELD, John Giddings, whose realty hold- ings in Rockford and vicinity are very extensive, is a representative man of Winnebago County, and one who stands very high in public estima- tion. He was born at Pittsford, Rutland County, Vt., June 9, 1824, a son of Sturgis and Laura (Giddings) Penfield, natives of Fairfield, Conn., and Sherman, Conn. The father was a farmer in early life, but later became the owner of a gristmill and subsequently embarked in the manufacture of woolen goods. He was also in- terested in the hat trade, and was a man of much enterprise.

John Giddings Penfield worked on a farm in his boyhood, but later assisted his father in his milling enterprise, selling cotton and woolen goods through New England, so continuing until April, 1854, when he came to Rockford, and embarked in a real estate business and since then has been interested along this line. He platted Gregory's addition, which included prop- erty amounting to 160 acres along the present Seventh street, and also handled an undivided interest in the Riverside addition. He was also interested in the South Park on the east side of Rock River and operated in partnership with his brother, David S. Penfield, now deceased. Among other pieces of property, Mr. Penfield owned ten acres of land called Large Park, a lot south of South Park lot. At one time he was in partnership with Benjamin F. Spaulding, but later this connection was dissolved, Mr. Pen-

field has always loaned money on realty and retains holdings in Rockford and its vicinity that are very valuable.

In October, 1856, Mr. Penfield was married to Mary Elizabethi Crosby, born at Troy, N. H., in 1832, a daughter of Alpheus and Mary (Fox) Crosby, natives of Troy, N. H. Mr. and Mrs. Penfield became the parents of the following children : Helen M., who is the widow of E. M. Revell, had three children; Constance E., who is deceased ; Mildred and Edwin M .; Fannie H., who is Mrs. C. E. Shelton, ot Rockford, her husband being manager of the western depart- ment of the American Insurance Company of New Jersey ; and Katherine C., who lives with her father. Mrs. Penfield died July 20, 1901.

It is a source of pride to Mr. Penfield that he was present at the convention that re- nominated Abraham Lincoln for the presidency. In addition to other enterprises in which Mr. Penfield has been interested was the Briggs, Spafford & Penfield Bank of Rockford, operated by him and his brother. A man of unusual busi- ness ability, Mr. Penfield has always striven to improve his community and bring about re- forms calculated to raise its moral tone.

PENFIELD, Samuel Franklin, who for many years was an important factor in the business life of Rockford, won fairly and honorably the reputation he sustained tor uprightness of deal- ing and keenness of judgment. Mr. Penfield was born at Pittsford, Vt., January 13, 1822.

About 1858 Mr. Penfield came to Rockford, Ill., and in partnership with his two brothers, David S. and J. G., established a real estate and insurance business. Later he and his son George branched out and added the handling ot fire insurance to their other lines. Mr. Penfield was a deacon in the First Congrega- tional Church of Rockford tor many years and Very active in church work.

On December 10, 1851, Mr. Penfield was mar- ried at Pawlet, Vt., to Lemira B. Clark, who was born at Pawlet, January 22, 1834. Mr. and Mrs. Penfield became the parents of the following children : George Franklin, who died at Oakland, Cal., February 21, 1911; Charles Sey- mour, who died at San Antonio, Tex., March 30, 1912; Edward Martin, who died at Los Angeles, Cal., December 21, 1910; Robert Sturgis, who died when nine years of age; Mabel Stewart, who is Mrs. A. O. Wilson, of St. Louis, Mo. Mr. Penfield died at Rockford, January 3, 1896. Mrs. Penfield survives and lives at St. Louis, Mo.

PENNEY, Julius A., who, for a number of years was a leading factor in the mercantile life of Rockford, but is now deceased, was born at Lon- don, England, February 21, 1827, a son of Thomas and Sarah Penney, both of whom were also born at London. There they married, and he became a prosperous dry goods merchant of that great metropolis. Both he and his wife passed away in London.

In early manhood Julius A. Penney left Lon- don for the United States, carrying with him

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

letters of recommendation to firms in New York City, but being very anxious to enter into busi- ness in the West, came to Rockford, Ill., where he obtained employment with the Samuel With- row Company, dry goods merchants, but within a short time left to embark in a grocery busi- ness with his father-in-law, Thomas Anyon. Having acquired valuable experience in this connection, Mr. Peuuey associated himself with the Ashtou Drygoods Company of Rockford, and continued with that firm for nearly thirty years, becoming its vice president, serving iu that capacity at the time of his retirement. Mr. Pen- ney and Mr. Brantiugham of the Emmerson- Brantingham Manufacturing Co., were the clos- est of friends, the latter having served as book- keeper uuder Mr. Peuuey while he was with the Ashton Dry Goods Co. In 1914 Mr. Penney died, passing away at his residence at No. 214 Rock- ford avenue, Rockford, at the age of eighty- seven years. Mr. Penney left a great many friends who felt his loss. He was one of the oldest Odd Fellows in the state of Illinois. In politics he was a Democrat. In religious faith he belonged to the Independent Church.

In 1862 Mr. Penney was married to Sarah Anyon, a daughter of Thomas and Catherine (Stewart) Anyon, of Rockford, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Penney became the parents of a daughter, Catherine Sarah, now Mrs. Collver, who is liv- ing with her mother, and has three children, namely : Eugenie, Julius Penney, and Stewart.

Thomas Anyon, father of Mrs. Penney, was born in England where he married a native of England. In 1852 they sailed for the United States on the steamer American Congress. They came from New York City to Chicago by rail, and thence to Rockford by stage, stopping at the old Browu Hotel. After Mr. Anyon had acquainted himself with the soil in various lo- calities in the county, he bought a farm of 160 acres in Rockford Township, on the Wolff Grove road, from a Mr. Hyde. Mr. Anyon improved this property and lived on it for three years, when he moved to Rockford, and bought the old stone house on Rockton avenue, near where his widowed daughter, Mrs. Penney, now lives. Here he lived retired until his death iu 1878, at the age of eighty-six years. His wife died at the age of sixty-nine years, in 1869. Their children were as follows: Thomas, who was a soldier in the Civil war, died at Rockford in 1863; Susan, who is now living at Phoenix, Ariz .; Emily, who is a widow is now living in Pecatonica Township, this county; Sarah, who is Mrs. Penney ; John Henry, who died in 1901; and Matilda, who died in 1892.

PEPPER, Dewitt Clinton, who for some years was a resident of Rockford, and prior to that took an active part in agricultural matters in the county, was born in Cherry Valley Town- ship, in a log cabin, February 17, 1840, a son of William and Mary (Hatfield) Pepper, natives of Virginia and New Jersey. These parents came to Winnebago County at an early day, securing land in Cherry Valley Township.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 110

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