Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 113

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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POOL, William C., for a number of years an important factor in the life of Ogle and Winne- bago counties, but lately living partially re- tired at Rockford, is one of the well known men of this part of the state. He was born at Darwin, Clark County, Ill., August 11, 1838, a son of Dr. Simeon and Hannah J. ( Hogins) Pool, natives of Windom County. Vt., and Onondaga County, N. Y. They were married in the latter state in 1836, and started by way of the Erie Canal to Clark County, Ill. Dr. Pool was one of the very first physicians of that locality, and died at Marshall, Ill., in 1861. On April 6, 1840, he was appointed colonel of the Fifty-sixth Regiment Illinois Militia.

William C. Pool attended the common schools of Clark County, Ill., and remained with his parents until his enlistment in June, 1861, for service during the Civil war, when he enrolled as a member of the regimental band of the Fourteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. In 1862 the bands were disbanded, and he returned home and assisted in the organization of Company K, One Hundred and Thirtieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, of which he was elected first lieutenant, and was assigned to the army under command of General Grant. He was detached to act as guard for his gen- eral during the entire siege of Vicksburg, after

which he was assigned to the Department of the Gulf, under General Banks, and during the Red River campaign, while at Mansfield, La., the entire brigade was taken by the enemy, and imprisoned at Camp Ford, Tyler, Texas. They were held prisoners for fourteen months, until May, 1865, which was some time after Lee sur- rendered and the war was over, they being the last prisoners held by the enemy, after which they all went to Shreveport, La., secured trans- portation to New Orleans, from whence they were sent to St. Louis, and on from there to Springfield, Ill., where they were discharged in August, 1865.

After this trying experience, Mr. Pool went to Marshall, Ill., where he entered the drug business and conducted it for three years. He then went to Evansville, Indiana, and became a traveling salesman for a crockery house, his territory extending over Illinois, Indiana, Ken- tucky and Tennessee. In 1873 he moved to Forreston, Ill., to enter the grain business and spent the following twenty-three years at that point. In 1895 be sold his business and took his family for a year's trip through Europe. In 1896 he located at Rockford, buying a fine property on North Court street, which he re- modeled, and in it he has since lived somewhat retired, although he carries on a private real- estate business.

On May 12, 1875, Mr. Pool was married at Forreston, Ill .. to Anita A. Salter, born at Mt. Morris, a daughter of Jacob and Sophia Salter, natives of England. Mr. and Mrs. Pool became the parents of the following children: Robert S., who died at the age of seven years; Kate, who died in infancy ; Adah S., who is Mrs. Ray E. Neidig, of Iowa City, Iowa ; and Annie J., who is Mrs. Elmer H. Kuhlmeier, residing in Rockford, Ill. . Mr. Pool belongs to the Methodist church. In politics he is a Democrat, and fraternally he is a Mason. A man of broad ideas, he takes a warm interest in civic matters, and is a potent factor in handling local affairs.

POOLE, Hilary T., foreman of the machine de- partment of the Illinois School Furniture Com- pany, with residence at No. 228 S. Court street, is a man who during his entire career has shown the value of earnest endeavor and steadfast purpose. Mr. Poole was born in Davis County, Ky., November 7, 1876. Growing up in his native place, he attended the local schools, and learned the wood-working trade. His initial work was as a cash boy, and he proved himself so capable that he was later made a clerk, and then he entered a piano factory. Subsequently he was employed in a planing mill for two years, and in 1913 came to Rockford to enter the employ of the Illinois School Furniture Company as foreman of his present department where his skill and expe- rience are brought into play.

On April 11, 1899, Mr. Poole was united in marriage with Lena Dittman of Owensboro. They have had children as follows: Katherine, Martine, Hilary T., who died December 31, 1915,

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age fourteen months, and three others who died in infancy. Mr. Poole belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. St. Mary's Catholic Church holds his membership. In politics he is independent. A live, energetic, faithful man and excellent citizen, Mr. Poole stands well with all who know him.

PORTER, Roland Goodwin, engineer for the Rockford Gas Light & Coke Company, has re- cently settled there. He was born at Reading, Mass., May 14, 1879, son of Moses and Julia Hinckley Goodwin. His father was born at North Berwick, Me., and his mother at Lowell, Mass., and they were married in Philadelphia at the home of Isaac Hinckley, Mrs. Goodwin's father. During his later years Mr. Goodwin was one of the leading wholesale rug and drapery merchants of Boston, but died at Read- ing, Mass., in 1883.

Roland G. Porter lived after his father's death in Philadelphia at his grandfather's home, attending a private school there. In 1889 his mother married Hobert C. Porter of Philadelphia and at ten years of age upon their going to Germany, he attended the gymnasium at Rostock. Mechlenburg, for one year and the Real Schule of Dresden, Saxony, the follow- ing year. Returning to the United States he was a pupil at the Model School in Trenton, N. J., for two years and then entered the St. John's Military School at Manlius, N. Y., from which he was graduated. He then matriculated in the Green Scientific School, Princeton University from which he was graduated in 1901 with the degree of B. S. Specializing along gas engineering lines, he went to Munich, Germany, for two years, studying at the Polytechnical School of that city, after which in 1903, he once more returned to America, and engaged with Riter-Conley Manu- facturing Company of Pittsburgh, Pa., as chemist-engineer. In this capacity he worked for them at Lowell, Mass., and at Astoria, L. I., also at New Haven, Conn. In 1908 he was promoted to resident engineer for the com- pany at Worcester. Mass., erecting a coal gas plant there and at Lowell, Mass., and also hav- ing under his charge work at Sault Ste. Marie, Canada. For a time after these were com- pleted, he was located at the home office of his company in Pittsburgh on design work, then again in 1910 to Worcester, Mass., in charge of construction for a year and a half and approximately another eighteen months on work in Lowell, Mass. For the two years pre- ceding his move to Rockford he was located at the home office again, first as assistant gas engineer, then as assistant manager of erection. On March 1. 1915. he entered the employ of the Rockford Gas Light & Coke Company, which connection he still maintains.

In 1906 Mr. Porter married Miss Frances C. Porter, a daughter of Henry C. and Clara Hol- combe Porter of Towanda, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Porter have one child, Frances.

POSSON, Henry Augustus. The pioneers of Winnebago County are gradually passing away, only a few remaining of the original brave, hardy settlers who came here in the early days and began developing that which was to prove one of the most fertile regions of the state. One of the families that is closely associated with events in the thirties and early forties, as well as afterwards, is that bearing the name of Posson, and one of its representatives that became typical of the best class of men in Winnebago County, was the late Henry Aug- ustus Posson. He was born at Media, N. Y., July 8, 1836, a son of Jacob and Mary (Sher- wood) Posson, natives of New York state. They came to Winnebago County in 1836, and settled in Guilford Township on land they entered from the government. At that time the only dwellings were log huts, and they lived in one of them for some years. Finally they bought land at Rockford, on which they built, and in their new house Henry A. Posson grew to manhood.

In young manhood, Henry Augustus Posson returned to New York state and there learned the painting trade, but after two years, came back to Rockford, and worked at this trade until he enlisted in September, 1861, for ser- vice during the Civil war, in Company G, Forty- fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry known as the Lead Mine Regiment, and was wounded at the battle of Shiloh in his right arm, on April 6, 1862, and was honorably discharged in Septem- ber, 1862, on account of disability. Once more he came back to Rockford and resumed work at his trade, continuing in this line of business until a few years of his death, which occurred November 2. 1912. In addition he was identified with the postal service for a number of years, dating from 1890.

On September 19, 1867, Mr. Posson was mar- ried Hannah McClafferty, at Rockford, she having been born in Nova Scotia, March 2, 1837, a daughter of Roger and Mary (Deeper) McClafferty, of Scotch and Irish descent, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Posson became the parents of the following children: George A., who died at the age of thirty-nine years; and Mary A .. who is Mrs. Addison Burr of Rock- ford. Mr. Posson was a Republican, and he belonged to Nevius Post No. 1. G. A. R. Mrs. Posson is still living at the old homestead.

POSSON, Jacob, page 646.

POST, John Rosell. One of the old and hon- ored residents of Winnebago County, who dur- ing the seventy-four years of his life has been an eyewitness to the development which has transformed this part of Illinois from a wilder- ness into a fertile garden, John Rosell Post has himself played no inactive part in this progress and development. His entire life has been passed upon the farm which he now owns in Guilford Township, where he was born in a log house, June 1. 1842, a son of Nathaniel and Eliza (Rich) Post.

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

The Post family in America was founded by two brothers, who came from County Essex, England, about the year 1636, Stephen and Grant Post, the former of whom became a man of considerable distinction. In the year 1794, two of his descendants, Dan and Nathaniel Post, located in New York and purchased land in the wilderness of Herkimer County, the former of these two being the paternal grand- father of John R. Post. The grandfather con- tinued agricultural pursuits in New York throughout his life, and there died. Nathaniel Post, the father of John R. Post, was the next to the youngest of nine children and was born May 21, 1810. He was married at Newport, Herkimer County, N. Y., to Eliza Rich, who was also born there, a daughter of Levi and Marcey (Brewster) Rich, this marriage being contracted October 12, 1837. Almost immedi- ately thereafter they went to Painesville, Ohio, where they remained until 1839, and in that year, with Mr. Post's brother and the latter's wife, came to Illinois, arriving after fifteen days on the road, where they were greeted by old friends whom they knew at Newburg, Boone County, Ill. After a short stay they came to the farm in Guilford Township. Nathaniel Post secured 213 acres of land where his son, John R., has passed his life, and here his entire career was spent in the development and cultivation of a valuable property. He improved his farm in numerous ways, planted shade and orna- inental trees, and passed away amid their comfortable and honestly-won environments, November 11, 18SS, Mrs. Post surviving until February 2, 1890. They were members of that sturdy class to which Illinois owes so much for its development, honest, industrious and God- fearing people, whose lives are eminently worthy of emulation. Three sons were born to them : John R .; Irvin, who died in infancy ; and Erwin, who died in 1901, leaving two children.

John R. Post attended the district schools of Guilford Township until 1859, when he entered the Rockford High School. Brought up to agri- cultural work, in 1864 he took charge of the home farm, eighty acres of which he purchased. Later he secured many more acres from his fa- ther, and his property now comprises 223 acres, 130 of which were formerly in the original home- stead. He has always been a general farmer and feeder of cattle, and has been successful in his operations because of the constant exercise of industry and good management. While he still supervises the operation of his land, since 1892 it has been under the management of his son, Frank M. A Republican in his political views, Mr. Post has been active in his party, and since the spring of 1901 has served continu- ously in the capacity of supervisor of Guilford Township. Fraternally, he is connected with Cherry Valley Lodge No. 173, A. F. & A. M.

On May 31, 1866, Mr. Post was married at Muskegon, Mich., to Miss Ella Georgianna Fish, who was born in northeastern Pennsylvania. February 19, 1848, a daughter of Andrew and Marinda (Sherwood) Fish, the parents natives

of Greenwich, N. Y. To Mr. and Mrs. Post there have been horn the following children : Minnie E., born August 2, 1867, a resident of Austin, Ill .; Frank M., born December 3, 1869, married June 1, 1892, Frances Maud Albright, born at Belvidere, Boone County, Ill., and has two daughters, Dorothea Louise, born June 18, 1896, and Irene Elizabeth, born May 20, 1898; Spencer N., born February 28, 1872, died August 25, 1872; and Fannie S., born April 2, 1876, died September 19, 1876.

POTTER, Herman B., page 645.

POTTER, Joel B., page 658.

PRATT, William C. The most representative men of any community are not those who attain to greatness in public office but those who pur- sue the ordinary vocations of life, dealing honestly and fairly with everyone, and building up -business houses which stand to their credit after they are gone. Such a man was the late William C. Pratt of Rockford. He was born at Manchester, Vt., in February, 1838, a son of Chester and Almira (Collins) Pratt, natives of Connecticut and Cambridge, N. Y., re- spectively. The father died when fifty-six years old, and the mother married twice afterwards.

William C. Pratt was the eldest of four chil- dren born to his parents, and spent his boyhood days with them. In young manhood he came to Rockford, and for a time was engaged in tean- ing, and then sold goods for a Mr. Leonard. Later with a Mr. Burroughs he engaged in busi- ness, but within two years bought out his associates. Subsequently he established the fruit and confectionery store he conducted to his death, which occurred March 9, 1893. Fol- lowing his demise his widow and son carried on this business as a wholesale and retail concern, selling it after some years. They became noted for the quality of their goods, particularly for their ice cream.

On November 14, 1860, Mr. Pratt married Julia F. Spink, born on the line between New York and Vermont, a daughter of Robert and Julia Ann (Warner) Spink, natives of Rhode Island and Connecticut. They came to Rockford in 1852, where Mr. Spink worked as a carpenter before he bought land in New Milford Township and farmed for ten years. Return- ing to Rockford, he lived in that city for a time and then bought another farm in Seward Town- ship and conducted it for five years, when once more he sold and came back to Rockford, bought a residence and lived in it until his death in 1895. Mrs. Spink died in 1892, she then being eighty-three years old, while he was eighty-five years old at the time of his demise. He was always a man of action and not happy unless at work. Mr. and Mrs. Spink had the following children : Andrew C., who is de- ceased ; Mrs. Pratt. and Angeline, who is de- ceased. Mrs. Pratt was educated in the com- mon schools of Rockford, and the Rockford High school, and when only seventeen years old

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began teaching in the country schools aud so continued for two years, being a very popular educator. Mr. and Mrs. Pratt had the follow- ing children : Andrew, who resides at Rock- ford ; Edwin, who died in infancy ; Robert, who resides at Rockford; George, who died in infancy, aud Fanuie, who lives with her mother. Andrew married Edith Tan- ner, of Chicago, and they had two chil- dren : Marguerite and Joseph. Robert mar- ried Myrtle Lewis and they have two chil- drei : Harry Lewis, who married Agues Nichol; and William. Mrs. Pratt owns a lot on W. State street on which she has built a fine moderu frame residence aud here she and her daughter live. Mr. Pratt belonged to the Masonic order and his widow is a member of the Eastern Star and White Shrine. In politics Mr. Pratt was a Republicau and reli- giously he was a Methodist. He was a man of high principles and sought to do his full duty according to his ideas, and was a desirable citizen and upright Christian man.

PRENTICE, Jonas W. Faithfulness to duties either great or small, makes for good citizen- ship and this fact is never more forcibly brought home to the thoughtful persou thau after a man has been taken away from the scene of his activities, and a review is made of his life. Such was the case with the late James W. Prentice of Rochelle, whose widow is one of the honored residents of Winnebago County. He lived his life according to what he believed was right. and left behind him a name for honest dealing and honorable purpose. Mr. Prentice was born at Binghamtou, N. Y., May 2, 1852. In 1871 he came as far west as Rochelle, Ill., and was in a butter and egg business, but later went to Plymouth, Iowa, and spent seven years. He was also at Jacksou, Tenn., for fifteen months, and then returned to Rochelle, Ill., where he died October 1, 1887.

In 1872 Mr. Prentice was married to Mary E. Slaughter, and they had two children: May- nard W. and Lloyd I., both of whom live at Readgier, Canada. After the death of Mr. Prentice, Mrs. Prentice returned to Tennessee where she spent several years. She then went back to her old home in Ogle County, but in 1903 bought fourteen acres of land just south of Rockford where she is now residing.

PRESCOTT, William, one of the oldest native born citizens of Winnebago County, is uow liv- ing retired at the village of Winnebago. His father, William Prescott, a uative of England, emigrated to Canada iu early manhood, and was married at Quebec, Canada, to Margaret Hickey. Iu 1836 they came to Illinois and purchased a tract of land in Lysander Township, Winne- bago County, where they lived until the early forties, at which time they moved to Winnebago Township, this county. Here the father pur- chased a half section of land, improved a portion of it and erected some buildings, but sold in 1852, and started for Iowa, but was never heard

of afterwards. It is uot even known where he remained the first night. As he had consid- erable money with him, it has always been sup- posed that he met with foul play. The mother died in 1890 in her seventy-fifth year. They had a family of niue children, all of whom grew to maturity, as follows: Robert, who is deceased ; Mary, who married C. M. Fountain, is deceased, her husband having been one of the manufacturers of the Fountain reapers; James, who was killed by lightning in 1891, served for three years during the Civil war as a member of Company E, Fifteenth Illinois Vol- unteer Cavalry; William; Edward, who is de- ceased, served for three years during the Civil war, in the Seventy-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was shot through the body at the battle of Missionary Ridge; Sarah, who is the widow of W. B. Anderson, a soldier of the Civil war who died some years ago; Charles, who served as a soldier during the Civil war as a member of the Eighth Illinois Volunteer Cav- alry ; John, who served in the regular army for eighteen months following the close of the Civil war ; and Ellen M., who married Henry Beecher, is deceased, as is her husband.

William Prescott born in Lysander Township, October 4, 1841, but was early taken to Winnebago Township by his parents, and there grew to manhood, with the exception of a year spent in Iowa. He was a soldier in the Civil war, enlisting as a private July 19, 1861, in Company A, Secoud Illinois Volunteer Cav- alry, and later was appointed a non-commis- sioned officer. He took an active part in the battles of Forts Henry and Donelson, Shiloh, the siege of Corinth, and the taking of Vicks- burg, a number of skirmishes and the battle of Fort Blakley near Mobile, the last engagement of the war. After a service of four years, five months and eleven days, Mr. Prescott was dis- charged and mustered out at San Antonio, Tex., receiving his final discharge at Springfield, Ill., January 6, 1866. He had the good fortune not to have been either wounded or taken prisoner. On his return home he engaged in farming and buying stock, which he followed off and on until his retirement from active business in 1911.

On February 22, 1879, Mr. Prescott was mar- ried to Ada, a daughter of Alfred and Emma (Faulkner) Runyard, pioneers of Winnebago County. Mr. and Mrs. Prescott became the par- ents of three children as follows: Harvey Lee, Oral G., and Ila B., the last-named being de- ceased. Mr. Prescott has held various local offices, including those of road commissioner and tax collector, and in politics is a staunch Re- publican.

PRICE, Henry W., page 934.

QUICK, Albert F., D. D. S., one of the skilled and successful dental surgeons of Rockford, with offices conveniently located at 603 Trust Building, and residence at No. 310 North Church street, was born at Hillsdale, Ill., No- Vember 19, 1879, a son of Garrett S. and Ketu-

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

rah (Smith) Quick, farming people. Dr. Quick attended the country schools of his native county, and Cordova High School, following this course with one at a normal school during 1899- 1902. For the succeeding three years he was an instructor in a high school. In 1904 he began attending the Chicago Dental College, from which he was graduated in 1907, and immedi- ately thereafter he located at Rockford, where he has since been engaged in an active practice. that shows a normal and healthy increase with each year. Dr. Quick is a member in good standing of the Winnebago Dental Society, and with the Masonic order. Of late years Dr. Quick has been one of the representatives of his profession to minister to the public school chil- dren, he being appointed each year by the school board.

On March 4, 1904, Dr. Quick was married to Mary E. Patterson of Genoa, Ill., the ceremony being performed at Moline, Ill. Dr. Quick keeps abreast of the times, and is a recognized leader in his profession in this part of the state. He has done much to awaken the public to the necessity of caring for the teeth of the young, and his work among the school children is very effective and important, and the services he is rendering in this direction entitle him to a high position in public regard.

RALSTON, Matthew L. The agricultural inter- ests of Winnebago County are many and varied, and a number of the sound and reliable men of this section are engaged in tilling the soil and raising stock. One of these who stands high in public esteem is Matthew L. Ralston of Guilford Township. He was born in Harlem Township, this county, April 10, 1873, a son of Mathew and Janette (Lightbody) Ralston, natives of Camp- beltown, Scotland, who came to Winnebago County in 1868. For some years they rented land and then bought a farm in Belvidere Town- ship, Boone County, Ill., where they now reside. They had the following children: John W., who resides on N. Court street, Rockford; El- len, who is deceased; Mathew L .; Catherine, James and Thomas, who live with their par- ents ; and Margaret, who died at the age of eleven years.

Matthew L. Ralston attended the schools of his native township, and resided with his par- ents until he reached his majority, learning from them habits of industry and thrift which he still follows. At that time he and his brother, J. W. Ralston, rented a farm in Har- lem Township and operated it for four years. They then bought 170 acres in Caledonia Town- ship. Boone County, and worked it together for two years, when Matthew L. Ralston sold his interest to his brother and bought the Daniel David farm of 100 acres in Guilford Township. Three years later he bought eighty acres in the same township from his father-in-law, which was a portion of the latter's homestead, and has resided upon it ever since. He raises Shorthorn cattle and Polled-Angus cattle, Po-

land-China hogs, and Norman horses, being very successful in his ventures.

In March, 1902, Mr. Ralston was married to Mary Jane Brown, who was born in Guilford Township, a daughter of Hugh and Jane (Picken) Brown, born in Caledonia Township, Boone County, Ill., whose settlement in Guil- ford Township dates back to its early days. Mr. and Mrs. Ralston became the parents of one son, Floyd H., who was born December 29, 1906. Mr. Ralston is a Presbyterian in re- ligious faith, attending the church of that de- nomination at Argyle, Ill. The Republican party has his support, but he has not entered public life, preferring to exert his influence as a pri- vate citizen.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 113

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