Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 112

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 112

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PETERSON, W. A., proprietor and manager of the Peterson Clothing Company of Rockford, at Nos. 1141 and 1143 Fourteenth avenue, is one of the substantial and reliable business men of the South End. He was born in Westergotland, Sweden, March 2. 1855, a son of John and Chris- tine Peterson. John Peterson and his wife were born in the same place as their son, and they were married there. The father became a farmer. They lived there until 1866 when they set sail for the United States, and upon their arrival in this country located in Mason County, Ill .. where the father bought a farm and con- ducted it until he retired. He died on this farm in 1885, aged seventy-five years. The mother survived, dying in 1901. aged eighty-eight years. The father was a Republican. He was a member of the State Lutheran Church in Sweden.

W. A. Peterson spent his boyhood in his

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

native land and was there educated. Coming to the United States in 1869, he located at Havana, Mason County, Ill., where he found employment as a tailor, having learned this trade in Sweden, and continued in that place until 1885 when he came to Rockford and started in business for himself as a merchant tailor on Seventh street, where he remained until 1907. He then erected a building on Four- teenth avenue and Ninth street, to which he moved his business and remained there until February 1, 1914, when he sold the building and erected his present brick block, three stories in height, with a frontage of 44 feet, which is olle of the finest on Fourteenth avenue. After this block was completed, Mr. Peterson moved his business to it, and is enjoying a very profit- able trade. He has taken his two sons, W. O. and E. A. Peterson, into partnership with him, the three forming the company which is oper- ated under their name. In politics Mr. Peter- son is a Republican. His rise in the world has come about through his own efforts. He re- ceived no outside assistance, but kept on work- ing and saving, and wisely invested his earnings and now is ranked among the leading business men of his locality.

PETRIE, John. Rockford numbers among its most representative residents men who have retired from the activities of life, and are now enjoying the comforts their former industry has provided for them. One of these is John Petrie, a retired carpenter, of No. 1703 W. State street. He was born in Oneida County, N. Y., May 22, 1844, a son of John and Catherine (Pease) Petrie, natives of Germany, who were mar- ried in their native land and came to the United States, locating in New York state, and there he died, having been a farmer all his life.

John Petrie was engaged in farming in York state when he responded to his country's call in August, 1862, and enlisted at Rome, N. Y., in Company H, One Hundred and Seventeenth New York Volunteer Infantry for service dur- ing the Civil war, and was assigned to the Eastern Army. Mr. Petrie participated in the principal battles of his division, including those of Drury's Bluff, Petersburg Heights, siege of Petersburg, siege of Charleston, Chapin's Farm, Derbytown Road, siege of Richmond, and Fort Fisher, and was slightly wounded by a bayonet in the left leg, and twice with gunshots. He was honorably discharged in June, 1865, and returned to Oneida County, N. Y. For some years following he was quietly engaged there at work at his trade. In 1872 he came to Steward, Lee County, Ill., and in 1895 moved to Rockford, where he found ready employment as a carpenter. After his arrival in this city he built his present handsome frame residence which has all the modern improvements, and in it he is now living retired.

On December 10, 1873, Mr. Petrie married Jane Roberts, born in Canada, September 15, -1849, a daughter of Mahlon and Ellen (Run- chie) Roberts, natives of Canada. Mr. and

Mrs. Petrie became the- parents of the follow- ing children : Jennie, who was born November 14, 1874, and John W., born June 15, 1878. Jennie was married to George F. Cook Septem- ber 9, 1894 at Steward, Ill., and later moved on a farm near Davis Junction, Ill. They be- came parents of three children: Alfred, born July 19, 1895, was married to Margaret Rainey of Stillman Valley, on June 12, 1915. Wilbur, born July 17, 1900; Wesley, born May 25, 1902. John W. Petrie was married to Mabel I. Stief- man on Sept. 3, 1903 and has no children. John W. was in the Spanish-American war, in 1898- 1899. He is now the manager of the East Side Inn at Rockford, Ill.

Mr. Petrie attends the Methodist church. In politics he is a Republican, but does not care for public honors. Nevius Post, No. 1, G. A. R. holds his membership and he enjoys meeting his old comrades by whom he is highly esteemed as he is by all who know him.

PHELPS, Charles E., manager of the Fay Lewis Tobacco Company, dealers in cigars and soft drinks at No. 314 W. State street, is one of the most capable business men of the West Side, and an excellent representative of Rockford's best citizens. He was born in Owen Township, this county, where he lived until he attained his ma- jority, at which time he moved to Rockford and was employed in the Rockford Watch factory for eighteen months. For the next three years he was with H. O. Hinkley's greenhouse and leav- ing there went with F. E. Osmer, in the Men- delssohn building, for eighteen months. Follow- ing this for a short period he was with Mr. Moffatt. when he went in the branch store of the Fay Lewis Tobacco Company on S. Main street. After three years of efficient service, he took a trip throughout the West, returning to his old position upon his return to Rockford. His capa- bilities received proper recognition on January 1, 1909, for he was placed in charge of the com- pany's branch store at No. 314 W. State street, which is one of the finest and most important of its kind in the city.

In September, 1910. Mr. Phelps was married to Miss Bertha Cummings, a daughter of F. B. and Nettie (Benedict) Cummings of Roscoe, Ill. Mr. Cummings is one of Winnebago County's leading stockmen. Mr. and Mrs. Phelps have one child, Charles C. Mr. Phelps is a thirty-second degree Mason, and also belongs to the order of Elks. A man of enterprise, he has forged ahead, and having proven his worth through years of efficient service, stands very high with his com- pany and the public generally.

PHELPS, Egbert, now a retired farmer of Rock- ford, in his days of agricultural activity became prosperous in Winnebago County, and is still re- garded as an authority upon matters relative to the tilling of the soil and the handling and rais- ing of stock. He was born at Rockford. Ill., April 20, 1837, a son of John and Lucretia (Kim- bell) Phelps.

John Phelps was born in Vermont in 1810, and

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there educated. He learned the carpenter trade and became a prosperous contractor in Vermont, and then decided to try his fortunes in Michi- gan. After locating in that state he married, and worked at his trade there for a time, and then moved to Rockford, Ill., and entered land from the government in the vicinity of Cherry Valley. To his original 160 acres he added until he owned 200 acres, but this he sold in 1864, and went to Pecatonica, and embarked in a hard- ware business, which he sold at the end of two years and went to Davistown, Stephenson County, and conducted a lumber business for two years. His next removal was to Durand, Ill., where he died in 1874, aged sixty-four years. His wife survived him many years, dying at Plymouth, Mo., at the home of her son, John A., December 1, 1902, when she was ninety-one years old. She was born July 17. 1811, in Vermont, and went to Michigan to visit a sister and there was mar- ried. Her parents both died in Vermont. John Phelps was a Republican in politics and was a member of the Methodist Church.

Egbert Phelps was reared at Rockford and educated in its public schools. In 1863, when he was twenty-six years old, he enlisted in Com- pany K. Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, for service during the Civil war. Later, on account of this regiment being filled, he enlisted in the Seven- teenth Illinois Cavalry and served for two years, being honorably discharged at the close of the conflict as quartermaster of Company K. He was in a number of states and was employed in chasing bushwhackers mostly during his term of service.

On his return to Rockford, Mr. Phelps bought eighty acres of land in Owen Township, to which he continued to add until he had over 240 acres. This he cultivated until his retirement, at the age of sixty-four years, when he moved to Rockford, where he lives in the comfortable residence at No. 1307 School street, which he owns.

On November 29, 1866, Mr. Phelps was mar- ried to Mary E. Brown, who was born in Owen Township September 12, 1843, a daughter of Mowry and Lucy M. (Pease) Brown. Mr. and Mrs. Phelps have two children : Charles E., who is a resident of Rockford, married Bertha Cum- mings, and they have a son, Charles C .; and Zora E., who married R. G. W. Kinder, who resides at Rockford. Mr. Phelps is a member of Nevius Post No. 1, G. A. R., and his wife belongs to the Woman's Relief Corps. Frater- nally Mr. Phelps is a member of Rockford Lodge No. 31, I. O. O. F., and both he and his wife are members of the Rebekahs. He has the distinc- tion of being the oldest living native son of Rockford, and Winnebago County.

PHELPS, John, page 639.

PHELPS, William Anderson. The late William Anderson Phelps was a very successful agricul- turalist and set a standard for excellence in that line. He was born in Wyoming County, N. Y., April 6, 1825, a son of James and Phoebe

(Resigne) Phelps, natives of New York state, who were farming people who lived and died in that locality.

Until 1848, William Anderson Phelps resided with his parents but in that year went to Cat- taraugus County, N. Y., and spent two years. In the meanwhile, in 1836, Dr. Lippett, who later became the father-in-law of Mr. Phelps, had gone to Winnebago County, Ill., and had bought a tract of land, making the trip on horseback, leading another horse. These he sold to pay for his land, and returned to New York state on foot. At a later date once more he made the same trip, in company with two mem- bers of his family, coming with teams and traveling six weeks. He settled in Sherland Township, where both he and wife died. Owing to the settlement of Dr. Lippett in Winnebago county Mr. Phelps came to the same locality, and he and his wife located in Rockton Township, where he bought a large farm, paying $8 per acre. On this he made all the improvements, and later bought several other tracts in different places, owning at one time several hundreds of acres. His death occurred November 17, 1903. He left his widow the homestead of 300 acres, and an 11-acre timber tract in Sherland Town- ship.

On January 13. 1848, Mr. Phelps was mar- ried in Crawford County, Pa., to Mary J. Lippett, born in September, 1826, a daughter of John Wesley and Almira (Joslyn) Lippett, natives of Otsego County, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Phelps became the parents of the following children : Byron W., who was born July 21, 1850, lives at Beloit. Wis. ; Mary P., who was born March 13. 1853. is the widow of Frank P. Miller, born at Rockton, Ill .. July 19, 1851, a son of Alexander and Mary (Mackey) Miller, natives of Vermont and Scotland, and died February 19, 1898, since when Mrs. Miller has resided with Mrs. Phelps; Ella V., who was born May 11, 1854, died June 16, 1858 ; William H., who was born July 12, 1858, lives in Roscoe Township: Carey E., who was born December 25. 1860. lives at Rockton : Hattie E., who is Mrs. Allen M. Wilson, of Beloit. Wis .; George H., who was born October 14, 1866, lives at Oakham, Mass. ; and Rose L., who was born July 30, 1868, is Mrs. George Peppers of Groton, So. Dak .. and has two children, Gail and Ralph. The other grandchildren are: Cora, who is Mrs. George Boswell of Sherland, Ill., and Dr. Frank W. Phelps, of Seattle, Wash .. the children of Byron W .: Clarence Miller, who is of Los Angeles, Cal., Fred Miller, who is of Los Palos, Cal .: Eugene Miller, who is of Fresno, Cal., and Grace, who is Mrs. Ralph E. Bucke- ridge of Beloit, Wis., all of whom are the children of Mrs. Frank P. Miller ; Lloyd Wilson, who is of Harrison Township; Violet, who is Mrs. Marvin Bates, of Harrison Township : and Wilma, who is Mrs. Clarence Wishop, of Harri- son Township, who are the children of Mrs. Allen M. Wilson ; and Gladys, Pearl and Joyce Phelps, who are the children of George H. Phelps.

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Mrs. Phelps did not have many educational advantages in her youth, but she is a very intelligent woman, and an earnest church mem- ber, having belonged to the Methodist church of Sherland since she was sixteen years old. During the latter part of his life Mr. Phelps was a superintendent of the Sunday school of this church, and was very sincere in his relig- ious profession. Originally a Republican, he later became a Progressive, and served in all of the township offices. He was one of the best men in every respect that this locality has pro- duced and his influence for good is still pre- vailing.

PHELPS, William H. The name of Phelps is a well known one in Winnebago County, and has been associated with some of the most pro- gressive farming done in this section. One who bears this name and lives up to its traditions is William H. Phelps, of Rockton Township. He was born in this township July 12, 1858, a son of William A. and Mary Jane (Lippett) Phelps, natives of New York state, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.

William H. Phelps attended the schools of his district and those of Beloit, Wis., for two terms, and has added to his store of knowledge by observation. He remained at home until 1888 and then took up his residence on his present farm of 256 acres, a portion of which he inherited from his father. He has always been a general farmer and raises Holstein cattle of registered stock, keeping twenty-eight cows in his herd. He also breeds and raises Norman mares. In addition to building his modern residence, he has made other improvements and increased the value of his property very materially.

On January 26. 1888, when he was twenty- eight years old, Mr. Phelps married Cora D. Crandall, born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., a daughter of Enoch Crandall of the same county. Mr. and Mrs. Phelps have one son, Everett Crandall, who was born August 30, 1899. Mr. Phelps belongs to the Sherland Metho- dist Church. He is a Republican in politics and holds very decided views in favor of temperance. He has served as a road commis- sioner and school director, and is a wide awake, ' capable man with sterling principles. The Modern Woodmen of America lodge at Sherland holds his membership.

PHILLIP, Peter P., owner and manager of the Phillips' Electric Garage at Nos. 418 and 420 Mulberry street, has one of the most perfectly equipped establishments of its kind in this part of the state, and is a recognized leader in his line at Rockford. He was born at Aurora, Ill., January 22, 1887, a son of Michael and Thresa (Arch) Phillip. The parents were born in Austria, and came to the United States early in life. In 1880 they located at Aurora, Ill., / where the father was employed in the paper mill at that point until his death in 1910, when he was sixty-one years old. The mother died in

1906, aged forty-five years. The father was a Republican. Both he and the mother were con- sistent members of the Catholic church.

With the exception of a short time at Van- dalia, the boyhood of Peter P. Phillip was spent at Aurora, and here he secured his edu- cational training. His first work was done for the Aurora cotton mills, he receiving fifty cents per day for his services. After a year with this concern he entered the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad as machinist and steam fitter, and after four years, left to engage with the Electric Storage Battery Com- pany of Chicago, at $9 per week. Three years of faithful service for this company resulted in his being sent to Rockford, Ill., to work for the Joslyn Motor Company, and here he found an opening, and in eighteen months, or in 1909, he embarked in his present business. The volume of his trade increasing So materially, in 1913 Mr. Phillip erected his present building, designing it especially for garage purposes, and here he is enjoying a prosperous business. He handles the Baker, Rauch and Lang electric cars.

In 1913 Mr. Phillip was married to Miss Margaret O'Malley, a daughter of Austin and Anna Nolan O'Malley, and they have one son, Paul F. Phillip, born August 19, 1914. A man of progressive ideas, Mr. Phillip has never been afraid to go ahead, and his present success may be attributed to his courage in branching out and having confidence in his own business ability.

PIERPONT, Theron Gaylord, a prosperous re- tired farmer of Rockford, attained considerable prominence as an agriculturalist during the inany years he was in active life. He was born in North Haven, Conn., April 21, 1851, a son of Guy and Jerusha (Gaylord) Pierpont, natives of North Haven and Cheshire, Conn. The grand- parents were Giles and Sally (Bassett) Pierpont, of Connecticut, and Titus and Hannah (Hitch- cock) Gaylord of Cheshire, Conn. Guy Pierpont and his wife came to Rockford, Ill., in 1857, and he rented a farm for five years, then bought it, a tract of 247 acres just one-half mile west of Rockford city limits. This farm was an im- proved one and he lived on it the remainder of his life, dying January 3. 1870. His wife died November 14, 1894. Their children were as fol- lows : Elenor, who is Mrs. Samuel N. Jones; Theron G .; and Watson T., who lives at Bruce, Wis.

Theron Gaylord Pierpont attended the district schools of Winnebago County and the Lounsbury school. His inclinations led him to adopt farm- ing as his calling, and he continued his en- dea vors in that line until 1900, when he retired. He belongs to the Second Congregational Church of Rockford. In politics he is a Republican and has been a school director. Mr. Pierpont was a member of the Old Rockford Rifles, a history of which organization will be found in this work. Fraternally he has belonged to the Royal Ar- canumn for some years.

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On October 25, 1878, Mr. Pierpont was married at Rockford, to Helen Mary Blakeman, who was born at Oronoc, Conn., a daughter of Benjamin and Caroliue (Fairchild) Blakeman, who came to Rockford in 1856. Mr. aud Mrs. Pierpont became the parents of the following children : Birdseye, Elenor, Florence and Blakeman. The two older children are at home. The two younger died iu infaucy. Mrs. Pierpout died July 24, 1910.

There is a "grandfather's clock" in the Pier- pont family that has an interesting history. It was made by Silas Marriman in September, 1764, for Silas Atwater of New Cheshire, Conn. When his estate was settled, iu 1784, this clock was appraised at ninety shillings aud sent to Nathan Gaylord, a son-in-law. In 1829 the estate of Nathan Gaylord was settled, and this clock, then appraised at $20, was sold at auction to Titus L. Gaylord for $23. The old case was in bad condition and Calviu Doolittle made the present one for $7. When the estate of T. L. Gaylord was settled, iu 1850, this old clock was appraised at $1.50. His son, Heury Gaylord, took the clock at that price, in 1882, aud shipped it to the mother of Mr. Pierpont, August, 22, 1882, and it has since been used in the Pierpout family. It is in excellent couditiou and keeps perfect time.

PLAMBECK, Karl Kristian. The handling of milk to meet an ever increasing demand for clean, pure products from the cow, has been developed by men of enterprise and good judg- ment into a very profitable business. Some of the most reliable men of Winnebago County are engaged in this line of endeavor, among them being Karl Kristian Plambeck, of No. 1532-1534 Second avenue, Rockford. He was born in Denmark, November 22, 1884, a son of F. W. and Maren (Hansen) Plambeck, who came to the United States iu 1905. The father located at Rockford and went to work for the Schumann Piano Company as a cabinetmaker, and is still so engaged.

Karl Kristian Plambeck attended the local schools in his native land and learned the gro- cery trade, beiug apprenticed to it at the age of eighteen years. He worked as a salt and dried meat clerk until 1906, when he followed his parents to Rockford, aud for the next two years worked for the Rockford Desk Company. He then was in a machine shop for another year, when he engaged with the Union Dairy Com- pany, first as a driver, but later became foreman of the drivers. On October 1, 1910, having learned the business, he started the Standard Dairy, and now handles from 3,500 to 4,000 pounds of milk per day, owning eight wagons, aud giving employment to twelve men. His dairy has gained a wide reputation for the qual- ity of its product and the reliability of its service.

In January, 1912, Mr. Plambeck was married to Andrea Sommers, born in Denmark, a daugh- ter of Nels and Anna Sommers, who came to the United States about 1SS4. Mr. and Mrs. Plam-

beck have one daughter, Marian, who was born in the fall of 1912. Mr. Plambeck is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Republican. He belongs to the Danish Brother- hood, and is popular with his associates. 1

PLUMMER, Perry H., D. D. S. Perhaps never before the present, in the history of the deutal profession, has such attention been paid to the care and preservation of teeth, for people gen- erally have beeu awakened to the vital impor- tance of mouth sanitation. Dr. Perry H. Plum- mer, whose office is at No. 306 E. State street, and resideuce at No. 230 London avenue, is a compe- tent deutal practitioner of Rockford. He was born at Davenport, Iowa, September 11, 1882, a son of Seth H. aud Mary F. (McConnell) Plum- mer, natives of Maine aud Wisconsin, respec- tively. The father is a farmer.

Perry H. Plummer attended the public schools of Hurou, S. Dak., and was graduated from the high school of that place, following which he took a three-year course at Huron College, sub- sequeutly entering the Northwestern University Dental School, Chicago, being graduated from the latter institutiou iu 1905. Dr. Plummer then located at Rockford where he has since re- mained, building up a large aud valuable prac- tice.

On September 25, 1907, Dr. Plummer was mar- ried at Rockford, Ill., to Catherine Dougherty, born March 23, 1885. Dr. and Mrs. Plummer have one son, Perry H., Jr., who was born Aug- ust 20, 1910. Mrs. Plummer belongs to St. James Church.

POLLARD, Ethelbort (Bert). When the records of Winnebago County are fully compiled it will be found that a large part of the work of de- velopment of this locality has been borne by the agriculturists, aud oue who is deserving of much more than passing mention in this connection is Ethelbort Pollard, of Owen Township. He was born in England, September 12, 1877, a son of William and Thursa (Lambert) Pollard, who were born in England. In 1881 they came to the United States, locating at Rockford where the father worked by the day for two years. He then rented land iu Harlem Township to the extent of 100 acres and operated it for three years, when he moved to Owen Township, and rented 240 acres of land, and remained on the place for three years. He then weut to Win- nebago Township and rented 160 acres for seven years, when he bought the old Kerns farm of 175 acres and lived on it for eight years. Sell- ing, he moved to Rockford where he bought a handsome residence on Kent and West streets where the family now resides. Both the pater- nal and maternal grandparents died in England.

Ethelbort Pollard attended the public schools of Winnebago County, and later rented a farm of 120 acres in Winnebago Township. In three years he sold his stock and moved to Rockford, where he mauaged a milk route through the city, and thus continued for three years, when he sold and went to Edmonds County, S. Dak.,

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and bought 160 acres of land, living on it for three years. He then rented the farm for two years, giving his time to buying livestock and cream for the Bowdle Creamery Company. He then sold the farm in Edmonds County and re- turned to Rockford, where he bought a small farm near the city which he operated, and at the same time managed a farm of 180 acres for the Hoahondle Canning Company for a year. He then bought the 160-acre farm in Owen Town- ship where he now lives, and is a breeder of White-tace and Hereford cattle, and Duroc- Jersey hogs. In politics Mr. Pollard is a Re- publican and now serves as commissioner of highways.

On November 6, 1902, Mr. Pollard was married to Miss Emma Layng, a daughter of George and Jane (Richardson) Layng, and they have two children, namely : Wayne E., born April 9, 1904, and Georgia Jane, born May 7, 1906. Mr. Layng was born at Newark, N. J., and was brought to Belvidere, Ill., by his parents. There he was reared and educated. In 1861 he enlisted for service during the Civil war, in an Illinois in- fantry regiment, and served three years and eight months, and was honorably discharged. He returned to Belvidere where he married. Mrs. Layng was born in Lewiston, N. Y., and came to Belvidere, Ill., on a visit, where she met and married Mr. Layng. She was a daugh- ter of John and Mary (Newlove) Richardson, Mr. Richardson being a manufacturer of shoes. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Layng lo- cated at Rockford, and here he died in 1911, aged sixty-two years. Mrs. Layng survives, and lives at Rockford.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 112

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