Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 120

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 120

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SKOG, Richard P., foreman of the machine shop of the Excel Manufacturing Company, with resi- dence at No. 1411 Fifteenth avenue, is one of the skilled workmen and reliable men of Rockford and one who stands very high in public estima- tion. He was born in Sweden, February 21, 1872, and there educated. In 1888 Mr. Skog came to the United States, and locating at Rock- ford, commenced working on a farm, so con- tinuing for two years. For the subsequent two years he was in the Diamond chair factory, and then for about one year was with the Illinois chair factory. For seven years he was with the Frame & Fixture Company, and then for four years he worked for the Rockford Cabinet Company, during all of this time gaining an' experience that developed him into a very valu- able man, so that when he went with his present company, he was made foreman of its machine shop.

In 1897 Mr. Skog was married at Rockford to Esther Lindstrom, born at Rockford, and their children are as follows : Paul, Sylvia and Stan- ley. Mr. Skog belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. In politics he is a Republican. Zion Lutheran Church holds his membership and he takes comfort in its services. Not only does Mr. Skog own his residence, but also stock in his company, and is justly numbered among the sub- stantial, reliable men of the city where tor so many years his efforts have been centered.

SLADE, Carrie A., superintendent of the Jen- nie Snow Home tor Aged Women, and a woman of an uncommon order of mentality, was born at New York City, N. Y., a daughter of Stephen and Phoebe Ann (Huestis) Slade, natives of Massachusetts and New York, respectively. The tather was a dentist who came to Polo, Ill., in 1860, and in 1869 moved to Elgin, Ill., where he (lied in 1899, his wife passing away in 1878. Miss Slade went to' Chicago in 1886, and for several years was a very efficient stenographer there.

E. Payson Snow, husband of Mrs. Jennie Snow, was born in Maine, and from there came to Illinois, and for twenty years was a farmer of Ogle County. He then sold his property and moved to Rocktord, but died at Vineland, N. J. Mrs. Snow continued to reside at Rockford un- til lier death in '1904. A lady of charitable ten- (Iencies, slie desired to donate a portion of her fortune for the purpose of assisting those less fortunate than herself, and decided that the philanthropy she preferred was one that would provide a home for some members of her sex

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who had been left destitute. The Jennie Snow Home for Aged Women is one of the worthy charitable institutions of Rockford, and its establishment and maintenance bear witness to the broad and kindly benevolence of the founder. The home was founded in June, 1907, for the purpose of caring for aged women, there being accomodation for sixteen inmates, and since its foundation, its affairs have been in charge of Miss Slade, who was acquainted with Mrs. Snow all her life, and much of the success- ful operation of the institution is due to this lady's experience and wise management.

Miss Slade is a well educated lady, having attended the grade and high schools of Elgin and further cultivated her natural abilities by contact with the world and by extensive read- ing. She is a member of the Christian Union Church. A club woman, she is a potent factor and member of the Woman, Mendelssohn and Unity clubs and the Art Association, all of which receive benefit from her connection with them.

SMITH, Abraham E., page 734.

SMITH, Archie M., now retired, is one of the prominent and influential citizens of Winnebago Township. He was born in Seward Township, this county, September 12, 1868, a son of Robert C. and Catherine (Stewart) Smith. The mater- nal grandfather, a native of Scotland, was among the pioneers of Minnesota, and two of his sons, Andrew and John Stewart, were sol- diers in the Union army during the Civil war.

Robert C. Smith, father of Archie M. Smith, came from Scotland to the United States about 1854, and to Winnebago County in 1856, first locating in Burrit Township where he lived on rented farms until 1860, in that year purchasing eighty acres of land in Seward Township, and on this spent the balance of his life. He con- tinued to add to his acreage until he owned 520 acres of fine land, and made the greater part of the improvements upon his property. His death occurred upon his farm in 1900 when he was seventy-one years old. His widow died in 1910, aged eighty-four years. Their children were as follows : Andrew Hugh; Robert ; John, who is deceased; Lizzie, who married J. Z. Smith ; and Archie M.

Archie M. Smith was reared on the homestead, and attended the schools in his district. When he was eighteen years old he and his brothers rented the farm, but one by one they left it, only Hugh and Archie M. remaining. They own 240 acres of the original homestead. Archie M. re- tired in 1912, and purchased his handsome brick residence and five acres of land in Winnebago Township where he now lives.

On April 3, 1912, Archie M. Smith was married to Tillie Schenck, a daughter of George and Lanah (Mitchell) Schenck, of Nebraska. In the autumn of 1912 Mr. and Mrs. Smith spent sev- eral months in touring the Pacific coast and had a most enjoyable trip. Both are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Smith was elected

assessor of Winnebago Township in 1914, although he has no inclination for official honors. In politics he is an independent voter.

SMITH, Cecil Chapman, whose dyeing and cleaning establishment is located at No. 110 N. First street, Rockford, has a reputation for high class work and reliability of service that extends all over the city. He was born in Bur- lington Township, Kane County, Ill., June 8, 1875, a son of Ira W. and Ada (Chapman) Smith of Kane County, Ill. The father was a farmer who spent all of his life in Kane County with the exception of four years when he was in Iowa. His death occurred in 1895. The mother lives at Burlington, Ill. Their children were as follows: Cecil Chapman ; Ethel M., who is deceased; Pearl, who lives at Selma, Cal .; Franklin, who lives with his mother; Clyde, who lives in North Dakota, and Claude, who lives at Rockford, the last two being twins.

When he was thirteen years old, Cecil C. Smith went to Spring Valley, Minn., and worked for farmers during the summers and attended school in the winters until he was nineteen years old, at which time he came to Rockford and began working on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad as a brake- man, being later promoted to the position of baggage master, and continuing with this road for eight years. In 1903 he started into a tailoring and pantatorium business, and a year later established his present enterprise at No. 119 S. Third street, but in 1910 moved the busi- ness to N. First street, where he has com- modious quarters, and is prepared to do all kinds of dyeing and cleaning of clothing. His work is of so excellent a quality that his trade is a very large one that shows a healthy in- crease with each year.

In 1902 Mr. Smith was married to Mary E. Logan, born January 6, 1884, at Worcester, Mass., a daughter of John W. Logan. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have no children. He belongs to Genoa Lodge No. 163, A. F. & A. M., Rockford Lodge, B. P. O. E. No. 64; Rockford Lodge, O. E. S .; Rockford Lodge, White Shrine and Moose. A man of excellent business capabili- ties, he has known how to push ahead, and his other traits of character combined with this quality, make him a desirable addition to the business life of Rockford.

SMITH, Daniel M. One of the oldest and best known families of Winnebago County is that founded here in 1842 by Daniel Smith. He was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, and there grew up amid rural surroundings, learning the les- sons of thrift and economy so characteristic of his people. With a family of children, he saw, that in order to give them the oppor- tunities he desired for them, he must seek a wider field for labor and with them, in 1842, he took passage on an old sailing vessel which took a month to cross the ocean to the United States. The trip from New York to Rock- ford, Ill., also took a month, but once he

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

arrived, the hardy pioneer took up government land in Harlem Township, and lived upon it for the years he survived the journey. His children were as follows: Robert, John, Alexander, Arch- ibald, Daniel, William, Mary and Jane.

A grandson of Daniel Smith, Daniel M. Smith, now living retired at Rockford, is a son of John Smith, the second son, and his wife Elizabeth (Moutgomery) Smith. He was born in Harlem Township, May 25, 1852, and lived in that township until 1879, when he located on a 150-acre farm he bought in Rockford Town- ship. There he coutinued to reside, operating his property until 1912, when he retired, and located at No. 1618 Montague street, Rockford.

On February 13, 1879, Daniel M. Smith was married to Catherine Brown, a daughter of Charles and Isabella (Kelly) Brown, and they have one son, Charles, who is operating the home farm. Mr. Smith was elected supervisor of his township in 1909, and has served ever since. He is a member of the local Grange, and after being its master for one term, became its treasurer and is still serving as such He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Rockford.

SMITH, Frederic A., president and treasurer of the Frederic A. Smith Lumber Company, and president of the Smith, Duplain and Crumb Company, jobbers and wholesale dealers in lumber, with offices at No. 202 Brown building, is an important factor in the lumber interests of this section, as well as one of the sound busi- ness men of Rockford. He was born in this city, June 16, 1858, a son of George M. and Calista J. (Bronson) Smith. Both parents were boru in New York state, the mother's birthplace being Warsaw. In 1857 the father came to Rockford, where he embarked in a dry goods business and continued in this line until his death in 1878, at the age of forty-five years. The mother died in July, 1912, aged seventy-six years. They were members of the Congrega- tional Church. In politics the father was a Republican, while fraternally he was a Mason.

Frederic A. Smith was reared and educated at Rockford, and for a number of years was associated with his father iu the dry goods business. For five years he was with the Emerson-Talcott Company as a member of its office force, leaving to embark in a lumber busi- ness at Kewanee, Ill. After three years, he sold this enterprise, and was a traveling salesman for the lumber house of I. Stepheusou Company of Chicago for ten years. Returning to Rockford, he embarked in a retail lumber business, but later sold it to become a wholesale jobber of lumber. In 1903 he established a retail line yard business, operating at several points in central Illinois, with his general offices at Rock- ford, A man of unusual capacity for business operations, Mr. Smith has developed his oppor- tunities, and become an important factor in his special lines. Fraternally he is an Elk. His politics make him a Republican. The Congre-

gational Church has his membership and sup- port.

In December, 1895, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Nellie Lyman, a daughter of Elias and Adelaide T. (Trask) Lyman of Kewanee, Ill., where Mr. Lyman successfully operated very extensively as a dry goods merchant. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have two childreu, namely : Helen Lyman and Louise Lyman, both of whom are at home. The family residence is at No. 1227 National avenue, where a gracious hospitality is dispensed and a lovely home atmosphere created.

SMITH, George Warren. Judging from the prosperity of the agriculturists of Winnebago County, farmiug is an occupation that pays large dividends, and one of the men who devoted many years to this line of work is George War- ren Smithi of Owen Township. He was born at Rockton, Ill., March 26, 1869, a son of Henry and Julia (Warren) Smith. The paternal grand- father, Roland Smith, came to Winnebago County, Ill., in the early forties, emigrating from Horseheads, N. Y. Taking up government land, he lived upon it until his death. He mar- ried Margaret Westlake, and their son, Henry, was one of nine children, all of whom grew to maturity in Winnebago County with the excep- tiou of one who died in infancy. Roland Smith enlisted in the Seventy-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry for service in the Civil war, and con- tinued therein for four years. The maternal great-great-grandfather, William Warren, was a Revolutionary soldier.

George Warren Smith attended the public schools of his native place, and was reared as a farmer. His tastes running in this direction, he engaged in cultivating the soil for a considerable period, owning a valuable farm in Owen Town- ship. This farm he subsequently sold. On Oc- tober 1, 1909, he was chosen to fill the position of superintendent of Wiuuebago County Farm. He has here performed his duty so well that he still remains iu that position. Many people have visited the farm to note the system of carrying on the farm work. For four years he was constable of Owen Township, and has also been a school director. Mr. Smith is one of the best known citizens in Rockford and Winne- bago County, as his work takes him a great deal in the city where he meets with many peo- ple. He is a man of much enterprise.

On January 18, 1890, Mr. Smith was married at Rockford to Mary E. Sohner, a daughter of Edward and Rosina (Witland) Sohner, and they have four children : Mabel M., Edith H., Eva M., and Nellie M., all of whom are at home. The family attend the Methodist Church and are prominent in the good work of the local denom- ination.

SMITH, Hugh S., a representative citizen of Seward Township, has spent nearly all his life in Winnebago Couuty. He was born in Guilford Township, February 14, 1858. His father was Robert C. Smith, who was a pioneer iu what is familiarly known as the "Scotch Settlement."

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The elder Smith and his family subsequently removed to Burrit Township, and from there removed in 1861 to a farm on section 36 in Seward Township. Their son, the subject of this sketch, resided in Seward until 1894, when he settled on a farm in York County, Neb. He remained there until February, 1900, when he returned to Seward. Mr. Smith and a brother, Archie M., purchased the Dudley Day farin of 160 acres on section 16, which they own to- gether.

Mr. Smith and Miss Mary S. Hunter, of Winnebago Township, were united in marriage October 15, 1895. She is a native of Camp- belltown, Argyleshire, Scotland, where she was born December 29, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have four children : Janet, Robert, Agnes and Elizabeth.

Mr. Smith has been repeatedly honored by the citizens of his township. He was elected supervisor of Seward in 1904, has been re- elected at every succeeding election, and is now serving his twelfth year. Upon the reorganiza- tion of the county board in April, 1916, Mr. Smith was unanimously elected chairman for the year. Mr. Smith has a record book that is unique. One feature is a transcript, which he has made, of the returns of all township elec- tions held in Seward since 1850, when town- ship organization went into effect, down to 1916. In later elections, where it has been possible to do so. Mr. Smith has recorded the vote given each candidate. This record tells a large part of the political history of Seward Township in the smallest possible space. In every com- munity there is at least one person who has the historic instinct, by which he collects material for some · historian. Mr. Smith has performed this service for Seward.

SMITH, James, who for many years was one of Winnebago County's most respected and rep- resentative men, was born in England, a son of Edward Smith. When the latter died he had fifty-four grandchildren, thirty-three great- grandchildren and three great-great-grandchil- dren, the family being a very prolific one. On the day that King George IV died, James Smith set sail from London, England, for New York, in the year 1830, and the voyage took six weeks. From New York City he made his way to Dear- born County, Ind., and this trip also took six weeks. Subsequently he went to Canada where he remained until 1863, hut in that year came to Winnebago County, Ill., ind for a year lived at Rockford. In 1864 he bought 160 acres of land in Seward Township, and operated it until 1875, in that year retiring to the village of Winnebago where he lived until his death on April 7, 1885, when he was eighty-seven years old.

James Smith married Jane Langdale, a daughter of Thomas and Jane (Hill) Langdale, natives of Yorkshire, England. Their children were as follows : Elizabeth, who married Stephen Liddle ; Thomas James, who was killed in battle during the Civil war, when he was in

the command of Gen. Banks; Mary Jane, who married Rohert Raymond; Edward; Martha, who married Thomas White; John; Ann; Rob- ert ; and Sarah H. who married Rev. James Thaxter. James Smith wrote his own epitaph which he designed for his tombstone, but this interesting item was accidentally destroyed. The Smithi family is one of the best known in Winnebago County, and its representatives have all borne their share in its upbuilding and ad- vancement.

SMITH, Nicholas, manager of the American Express Company at Rockford, is a man typical of the policy of his company, and in his alert, capable manner is furnishing the people of this vicinity with a service that is unsurpassed. He was born at Green Bay, Wis., May 1, 1889, 'a son of George and Hannah (Christopherson) Smith. The father was born in Schleswig- Holstein, Germany, and the mother at Green Bay, Wis. In early life the father left Germany, came to America, and located at Winona, Minn., where he engaged in farming, but after a year moved to Green Bay, Wis., where he continued farming, and is still living at that point. The mother's people were farmers in the vicinity of Green Bay. In politics the father is a Repub- lican. He is a member of the Moravian Church.

Nicholas Smith grew up at Green Bay, and after completing the public and high school. courses, attended a business college for two years. Going then to Menominee, Mich., he became a clerk with the American Express Company, and was so efficient that he was made manager for the company's office at Escanaha, Mich., and later on at Green Bay. On June 23, 1913, he was transferred to Rockford, to become the company's representative in this city. He belongs to the Masons and the Modern Wood- men, and is popular in both orders. The Mora- vian Church holds his membership.

In September, 190S, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Emily Owen, born April 7, 1878, at Esca- naba, Mich., and they have one child, Roder Owen, born June 23, 1910. It is rather unusual for a man to spend his entire business life with one company, hut in Mr. Smith's case this con- centration has worked to the mutual benefit of his company, himself, and the public.

SMITH, Richard W., a veteran of the Civil war and one of the substantial residents of Rock- ford, is a man who has made his mark in the world and stands high with his fellow citizens. He was born in Medina County, Ohio, October 5, 1844, a son of Giles C. and Electa (Hayden) Smith, natives of Connecticut. The grand- parents were Isaac George Smith and Richard Hayden, also natives of Connecticut, the latter being a sea captain.

The parents of Richard W. Smith were mar- ried in Connecticut, hut later moved to Penn- sylvania, where they engaged in farming, and subsequently went to Ohio. 1852 they moved to Winnebago County, Ill., where the father bought a farm south of Pecatonica, and

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conducted it for some years, but then sold and went to Jo Daviess County, Ill. The mother died February 25, 1858, and after her death the father returned to Pennsylvania and lived with some of his relatives, but later went to Nebraska to join his son, Richard W., and there he died November S, 1873. His children were as follows: Isaac George, who died at the age of twenty-one years; Elizabeth, who died at the age of twenty-two years; Hollem and Mary, who are both deceased ; Richard W .; Phoebe, who is Mrs. Albert Atkins, of Elgin, Nebraska ; and Sophia, who is a widow, living at Sterling, Ill.

After his mother's death, Richard W. Smith worked on the farm in Jo Daviess County until his enlistment on June 11, 1861, for service during the Civil war, at Freeport, Ill., in Com- pany D, Fifteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was assigned to the Western Army. He was in the battle of Shiloh and mounted guard over the body of Colonel Ellis of Rockford, after he was killed iu that engagement; siege of Corinth; battle of Hatchie Ruu; siege of Vicksburg ; battle of Champion's Hill, after which he was on detached service at division headquarters of the quartermaster's depart- ment. He received his honorable discharge June 15, 1864, after which he went to Pecaton- ica and attended school for one year. He then embarked in the business of manufac- turning corn planters, at Sterling, Ill., but after two years returned to farming. Iu 1876, he went land and conducted it until 1876, when he went to Elkhorn, Neb., and took up a homestead and tree claim, proving upon them and remaining on them until 1888 when he sold and returned to Rockford on account of poor health. He bought one eleven-acre piece of land and auother of twenty acres near Rockford, and made a specialty of raising small fruit. Later he iu- vested in other land, but finally sold his holdings and bought property at Rockford, where he has since resided, with the exception of three years when he lived in Chicago in order to give his daughter better educational advantages.

In 1869 Mr. Smith was married to Eva Eggleston, born at Medina. Ohio, a daughter of Asahel and Naucy (Teachout) Eggleston, na- tives of Saratoga Springs, N. Y., and New York State, respectively. Their children were as follows: Oscar, who is a Methodist minis- ter of Ewing, Neb .; William, who is deceased ; Mrs. Smith; and May, who is Mrs. W. H. Wilcox, of School street, Rockford. Mr. and Mrs. Smith became the parents of one daugli- ter, Vera Eggleston. She was educated in the Chicago Conservatory of Music and Wendell Phillips High School. She is a student member of the Mendelssohn Club, and belongs to the Woman's Club at Rockford; she is a fine musician, and an interpative dancer of ability. In politics Mr. Smith is a Republican. He be- longs to Nevius Post No. 1. G. A. R. Mrs. Smith was educated in the public and high schools of Rockford and taught school in Antelope County, Neb. She belongs to the Mendelssohn and

Woman's Clubs and to the Woman's Relief Corps, both she and her daughter being highly educated ladies of more than usual mentality.

SNELL, August G., superintendent of transpor- tation of the Rockford aud Interurban Railroad Company, and a man of uncommon intelligence and executive ability, has worked remarkable changes in his road since assumiug his present position, and has developed its service until it is second to none. He was born in Muncie, Ind., in 1875, a son of Albert and Sarah (Harri- son) Snell. Albert Snell was born at Piqua, Ohio, and the mother was born near Muncie, Ind. After receiving his educational training at his native place, the father learned the machin- ist trade, and became a general mechanic. Later he moved to Muncie, Ind., where he followed his trade as a general mechanic, and continued in the same line when he went to Marshall County, Ind. There he died in 1906, aged fifty-six years. The mother survives. Her people were sub- stantial farmers. In politics the father was a Republican.

August G. Snell grew up at Lake Maxin- kuckee, Ind., where he was educated. He taught school for two years, and then moved to Muncie, Ind., where he was employed in the service of the Citizens Street Railway Com- pany's shops. Later he became a motorman, and subsequently was made trainmaster in the superintendent's office at Anderson, Ind. His next position was that of division freight agent at Indianapolis, Ind., and iu 1913 he came to Rockford, where he accepted his present posi- tion. As he is a practical man and has worked his way up from the bottom, he is able to under- stand his men and not to ask more of them than he has already done himself.

In 190S Mr. Snell was married to Miss Ida Richter, of Anderson, Ind., and they have one child, Dorothy L., who was born in 1910. Mr. Snell is an Odd Fellow and a member of the Order of Moose. In politics he is a Republican, He is greatly interested in religious work, and is superintendent of the Central Christian Sun- day school. The family residence is at No. 1830 Harlem avenue. Mr. Snell is a very well edu- cated man, aud in addition to his literary studies, read law, and was admitted to the bar at Muncie, Ind., in 1906. A man of ability, he has not allowed himself to develop along one line only, but has brauched out and has trained his powers so that he is well balanced.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 120

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