Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 122

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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On June 16, 1901, Mr. Sparks married Miss Margaret L. Allen, a daughter of Judge H. Clay Allen. IIis bride accompanied him to the Phil- ippines. Mr. and Mrs. Sparks have had three children, namely : Allen Louis, who was born in 1904; Will C., Jr., who was born in 1913; and Mary Elizabeth, who was born in 1915. Mr. Sparks belongs to the Elks. He is interested along building lines at Rockford, and can be counted to give his hearty support to any meas- ure calculated to advance the material welfare of his community.

SPAULDING, Daniel G. A man who proved his worth as a factor in the business life of Rockford, as well as a supporter of the city's civic interests, was the late Daniel G. Spauld- ing, who never failed to respond ably to every demand made upon him, and is remembered with respect by those with whom he was asso- ciated. He was born at Acworth, N. H., Novem- ber 25, 1839, a son of Nehemiab and Betsy (Hay- ward) Spaulding, of New Hampshire. The father was a physician who emigrated to Iowa in 1851, where he practiced medicine.

In 1857 David G. Spaulding came to Rock- ford, and afterward, until his death, cast his lot with this city. When the country had need of his services, in the Civil war, he enlisted as a member of Company I, Seventy-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, at Rockford, and was mus- tered out as a first lieutenant, serving four years. During the struggle that followed his enlistment he participated in all the battles in which his regiment engaged, and when the war was over, in 1865, he enlisted in the regular army, at Chicago, as a first lieutenant. His detachment was sent into the more western states to subdue the Indians and settle difficul- ties arising from Mormon troubles, and after three years of active service, he was mustered out, and returned to Rockford. Here he was severally engaged as a sboe merchant and a grocer, and was remarkably successful in all his undertakings. Later on in life he retired, and at the time of his death, April 9, 1902, was

not engaged in an active life. He was a Re- publican, and represented the Seventh Ward in the city council, and was also a member of the board of supervisors, and in both offices sus- tained his reputation for sound business sense and principles. Fraternally he was a Mason and an Odd Fellow, and he also belonged to Nevius Post No. 1, G. A. R., seldom being absent from the camp fires, as he took a deep interest in the work of the post.

David G. Spaulding was married (first) in 1858, to Priscilla Smith, and they had one son, now deceased. On January 8, 1872, Mr. Spauld- ing was married (second) to Sophia Rannie, born in Aberdeen, Scotland, a daughter of William and Christina (Gibb) Rannie, who in 1860 caine to Rockford. Prior to the outbreak of the Civil war, Mr. Rannie was engaged in farming, but seeing an opening for a restaurant at Rockford, established himself in that line. Mr. and Mrs. Spaulding had one daughter, Louise, who is now Mrs. Charles C. Scovill and resides with her widowed mother at No. 404 North Court street.

Mrs. Spaulding is a charter member of the Woman's Relief Corps, and served as presi- dent of the Rockford branch for four years, . having a very successful administration. In 1892 she was elected state or department president of the Relief Corps of Rock Island, Ill., and held that office for a year, as well as other offices of the order, and her daugh- ter is also a member and active worker, being her mother's secretary during her incumbency of the presidency. She has also been state sec- retary and state treasurer. Both ladies belong to the Woman's Club of Rockford. Mrs. Spauld- ing is a Presbyterian, while Mrs. Scovill is an Episcopalian. The latter was married Febru- ary 10, 1903, to Charles C. Scovill, born at Rock- ford. He is connected with the freight and passenger departments of the Illinois Central Railroad at Rockford, and is a very enterpris- ing young man.

SPENCER, Douglas W., senior member of the reliable firm of Douglas W. Spencer & Son, pro- prietors of the Rockford Welding Company, is one of the pioneers in his line at Rockford, and one of the city's reliable men. He was born in Cherry Valley, Otsego County, N. Y., March 28, 1833. When he was only ten years old he left school, which was of the subscription type of his time, and began picking berries and doing cbores for farmers in order to become self-sup- porting. For his services he received $13 per month, his father taking his wages until he at- tained his majority.

On October 15, 1852, Douglas W. Spencer was married to Elizabeth Hamilton of New York, and began farming, continuing thus for two years, when he moved to Cherry Valley, N. Y., where he continued his agricultural occupations for a year, and then for one year was employed in teaming by T. C. Bates. He then located on his father-in-law's farm and worked for three years. In 1864 he came to Winnebago County, Ill., and

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

spent two months at Big Bottom, then came to Rockford and rented a house on Church street for which he paid $5 per month rent. In the meanwhile he worked at whatever offered, earn- ing about $2 per day, and saved his money. In 1869 he went to Iowa and engaged in farming until 1872 when he returned to Rockford and worked on Charles Spafford's farm for four years. He then went into a milk business and conducted it for twenty-two years, when he originated the idea of delivering milk to the city residences. This proved so popular that he adopted it and continued in this business for twenty-two years, until 1897. His customers felt so grateful to him for his faithful services that in 1898 they made him a substantial present. After retiring from his milk business he lived retired for a year, and then for a year trimmed lamps for the light company. He then spent eight months in some of the more northern states, when he returned to Rockford and for a short time was engaged in carpentering and similar work. In 1910 he and his son, William D., founded their present business, and have developed it into a profitable undertaking.

By his first wife Mr. Spencer had the following children: Lizzie, who married C. P. Doane of California ; Lena, who married Frank Dresbach ; Jessie, who married Samuel Hall of Rockford; and Anna, who died at the age of twelve years. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Spencer married (second ) Harriet Winters, and they had two children : William D., who married Anna Dennis, has two children, Douglas W. and Wil- liam D .; and Myrtle B., who married Frederick Travers of Detroit, Mich. Mrs. Spencer died in 1905. He has served as a school director but aside from that has held no political office. He owns some valuable property and his residence at No. 1026 Rockton avenue.

SPENCER, William D. Rockford is the home of some of the most flourishing manufacturing plants which have been developed from small beginnings to present prosperous conditions through the energy, foresight and natural ability of the alert men who own them. One of the concerns that is counted among the reliable and substantial ones of this locality is that con- ducted by William D. Spencer and his father Douglas W. Spencer, as the Rockford Welding Company at No. 1026 Rockton avenue.

William D. Spencer was born at Rockford, February 5, 1880, a son of Douglas W. and Harriet (Winters) Spencer, natives of New York and Rockford. He was educated in the excellent schools of Rockford, and began his business career as a machinist and worked in the various plants at Rockford until he became a brakeman on the Illinois Central Railroad and later a fireman. After two years, in 1910, he and his father founded their present business upon a small scale. The thoroughness and ex- pertness of father and son were soon recognized, and the firm now does a very large business in · welding and repair work of all kinds. The ex- perience of both partners comes into excellent

play for their line of work is exceedingly im- portant in a manufacturing city. Skilled and accommodating, William D. Spencer is rapidly forging to the head in his particular line, and in every way stands very high in his community.

William D. Spencer was married January 25, 1907, to Anna Dennis, of Cleveland, Ohio. They have two children, Douglas W., and William Douglas.

SPOTTSWOOD, Robert, whose progressive ef- forts in behalf of his community have been exerted in the business field offered by the village of Winnebago, was born at Lisbon, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., September 21, 1846, a son of Robert and Mary C. (Graham) Spotts- wood, natives of Roxburyshire and Dumfrees, Scotland, respectively. The paternal grandpar- ents came to the United States about 1834, and located in the state of New York, while the maternal grandparents, James and Catherine Graham, settled in Canada about 1828. After their marriage, Robert Spottswood and wife lived in St. Lawrence County until 1851, when they moved to Kemptville, Greenville County, Canada, where they remained until 1867, but in that year they came to Westfield Corners, Win- nebago County, Ill., where he conducted a black- smithing shop for a number of years. They had a family of nine children, three of whom died in infancy, the others being as follows: Mary C., who died in 1903, for eighteen years taught in the Rockford public schools; Catherine, who married Robert Simpson; Jennie, who married Edwin Ware; and Elizabeth, Margaret and Robert. The father died in 1900, in his eighty- first year, and the mother died in July, 1904, aged eighty-five years.

Robert Spottswood, Jr., was educated in the public schools of Canada, and coming to Winne- bago County with his parents in 1867, worked with his father at the blacksmithing trade until he located in the village of Winnebago, in 1883, since which time he has been operating a lumber and grain business. He was instrumental in organizing the Winnebago Lumber Compauy, and his entire time and attention are absorbed in the management of its affairs. The company has been developed until a large business is con- trolled, and it is the leading commercial interest of the locality.

On June 30. 1875, Mr. Spottswood was mar- ried to Miss Eleanor F. Ellis, a daughter of William and Justina (Abbott) Ellis, pioneers of Winnebago County. Mr. Ellis died at Byron, TIl., in December, 1903, aged ninety-six years. He was a man of consequence in the county, having at different times owned property at Rockford, and a valuable farm, and enjoyed the entire confidence of his associates. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis had three daughters and two sons, namely : Mrs. Spottswood; Harriet, who mar- ried Labra C. Spoor : Adelaide J., who married David J. Simpson ; Fred W., who resides in the state of Washington ; and one who is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Spottswood have had two children, namely : M. Justina, who was for several years

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

a teacher in the public schools of Rockford, later marrying Harry M. Robins of Detroit, Mich., both of them having been graduated from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Mich. ; and Ralph B., who is assistant eashier of the Forest City Bauk, of Rockford.

For a period exceeding thirty years Mr. Spottswood has been oue of the leading busi- ness iueu of Winnebago, and is also prominent fraternally, belonging to the Modern Woodmen of America aud the Knights of the Globe. Politi- cally he is' an independent Democrat. He is a notary public, and has held various local offices, including those of justice of the peace, township treasurer and supervisor, at the pres- ent time being the incumbent of the last named office. A man of uprightness, he has lived up to the responsibilities of his life, and stands very high in public esteem.

SPRAGUE, Mrs. Mary L. (Ames), is one of the best examples of tbe self-reliant, capable and intelligent business women Rockford has pro- duced. Her example of making use of her tal- ents, together with broad sympathy, has been helpful to others. She was born in Marion Township, Ogle County, Ill., in 1859, a daughter of Warren E. and Guiddy (Vine) Ames. The parents were born at Syracuse, N. Y., where they married, later moving to Ogle County, Ill., where they lived on a farm in Marion Township for some years. Subsequently they went to Byron, Ill., and still later to Scott Township, Ogle County. Finally they went to Greene County, Iowa, where the father died Deeember S. 1905, the mother having passed away in 1869. The father married Margaret Kennedy for his second wife, who survives and makes her home at Valley Junction, Iowa. The children born to the parents of Mrs. Sprague were as follows: George, who resides at Peters- burg, Ill .: Henry and Alva, who are deceased ; Mrs. Sprague; Ella, who is Mrs. Chester Whit- more, of David City, Neb .; and Harriet, who died at the age of three years. By his second marriage the father had two children, namely : Charles W., who lives at Oskaloosa, Iowa, aud John, who resides at Valley Junction, Iowa.

Mrs. Sprague attended the public schools of her vicinity, and leaving the high school when she was sixteen years old began to be self sup- porting by teaching school, at Byron, Ill. On September 15, 1881, she was married to George WV. Sprague, born at Memphis, Tenn., February. 22, 1859, and they moved to Roekford, where for two years he was with the Utter Manufacturing Company, and then was associated with a Mr. Ginders for nine years in a livery business. Their children were as follows: Nellie, who is Mrs. Roy G. Fickett, of Rockford, has two chil- dren, Olive and Lewis; Lawrence M., who re- sides at Rockford, married Lula Arnold ; aud Ethel L., who lives with her mother at No. 314 N. Fourth street, Rockford.

Sinee 1885 Mrs. Sprague has employed her energies and talents in doing fine and artistic dressmaking, and many of the leading women

of the city depend upon her for their finest clothing. Her business is a large one, and her skill is recognized and appreciated. Mrs. Sprague has belonged to the Baptist Church siuce 1872, and is a valued worker in the local ehureh. A lady of high character, and deter- mined personality, she is held iu much esteem by all who kuow her.

STAPLETON, Vincent, superintendent of the Illinois School Furniture Company, with resi- dence at No. 425 Peach street, is one of the skilled and experienced men of Rockford, and one in whom implicit trust is placed by those who know and appreciate his abilities. He was boru in Sheffield, England, November 17, 1870.

In 1898 Mr. Stapleton eame to the United States from Canada, to which he had been taken by his parents in 1879. His educational train- ing was obtained in Canada, and there he began working in furniture factories. Later he was employed in a furniture factory at Grand Rap- ids., Mich., and also at Edinburg, Ind., Milwau- kee, Wis., Minneapolis, Minn., Mebane, N. C., Nashville, Tenn., Owensboro, Ky., New Decatur, Ala., and Bowling Green, Ky., and then became a commercial traveler for a varnish company, remaining on the road for about a year. He then located at Sanford, N. C., but went back to Owensboro, Ky., and from there eame to Rock- ford, arriving in this city March 4, 1912, and as- sumed his present duties. He had been super- intendent of nearly all the factories with which he was eonnected, so brought to his uew work a trained knowledge and wide experience that have made him very successful. He is a stock- holder in this company, and a man of means.

Mr. Stapleton has been married twice, and had the following children born to his first union : George, Etra, Emily and Floyvela, all of whom are at home. In October, 1908, Mr. Stapleton was married (second) in North Carolina, to Miss C. Limberry.

STARR, Chandler, cashier of the Winnebago National Bank of Rockford, is a man whose standing in his community makes his counection with this institution a strong factor in determin- ing its business policies. He is a favored uative son of Rockford, Ill,, where he was born April 27, 1851, a son of Melancthon and Lucretia (Nevin) Starr. The father came to Winne- bago County from New York City, in 1850, and established himself in a general store on the corner of State and Main streets, where he did a flourishing business for three years. Then selling, he formed a partnership with Thomas D. Robertson, under the style of Robertson & Starr, for the purpose of continuing the private banking business founded in 1848 by Messrs. Robertson and Holland, and was connected with it until his demise in 1SSS. The mother died in 1859.

Chandler Starr was reared at Rockford, and after attending its common and high schools, took a special eourse at Willeston Seminary, at East Hampton, Mass. Returning to Roekford,

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

he was night clerk at the old Holland House for a time, and then went with C. W. Brown & Co. Leaving the latter firm, he entered the bank of which his father was part owner, as an office, boy, and has worked himself up from that position to his present responsible one, his connection with the bank extending over a period of forty-five years. He is now president of the Clearing House Association, and a man of the highest standing in every respect. The Elks hold his fraternal connection, while his religious home is the Second Congregational Church of Rockford.

On January 1, 1874, Mr. Starr was married to Blanch Ellis, a daughter of Col. F. W. and Lucy (Dobbins) Ellis. Mr. and Mrs. Starr have one daughter, who married W. S. Miller, assist- ant cashier of the Peoples Banking and Trust Company of Rockford.

STARR, Melancthon. The name of Starr is associated with the financial history of Winne- bago County, for members of this honored family have been in the banking business here for over half a century. The founder of the family in Winnebago County was Melancthon Starr, whose career at Rockford was marked by a broad minded policy that did much to lay the sound foundations of the Winnebago National Bank with which he was associated for so many years. He was born at Albany, N. Y., April 14, 1816, a son of Chandler and Hannah (Smith) Starr, and grandson of Peter and Hannah ( Robbins) Starr, the former, born at Bridgeport, Conn., in Sep- tember, 1744, was a Congregational minister for seventy-seven years. Chandler Starr was born at Warren, Conn., January 11, 1791, and his wife was born in New Jersey in 1795. The Starr an- cestry is traced back to Captain Josiah Starr, who was born September 1, 1657, at Charlestown, Mass. Chandler Starr died in Connecticut, and his wife died in the same state in 1866.

Melancthon Starr was educated at Albany, N. Y., attending its public schools, and the Albany Academy. His business career commenced when he became a clerk in a wholesale dry goods house in 1839, and in 1840 he left New York state for Tallahassee, Fla., where he embarked in a mer- cantile business and handled cotton as a Factor. The conditions of slavery, however, made it ini- possible for him to continue there, so in three years he returned to New York state, and he was in a Wall street bank as cashier until 1850, when he came to Rockford, and opened a mer- cantile establishment. With Mr. Robertson, he founded the firm of Robertson and Starr, and they continued the banking business which later was incorporated as the Winnebago National Bank, he becoming its vice president, and held that office at the time of his death, No- vember 28, 1885.

Mr. Starr was married to Lucretia Mary (Nev- ins), born in 1817, at Norwich, Conn., and they had the following children : Henry N., who re- sides at Rockford ; Florida L., who is deceased ; Elizabeth, who married Charles W. Brown, is deceased and so is her husband ; Chandler, cash-

ier of the Winnebago National Bank, Rockford, married Blanch Ellis, a daughter of Col. Ellis, who was killed on the battlefield during one of the engagements of the Civil war; David N., who lives at Clearwater, Fla. ; and Lucretia M., who lives at Rockford. Mrs. Starr died April 26, 1857. Mr. Starr was married (second) to Ellen Marilla Townsend on August 5, 1861, at Great Barrington, Mass. She was born in Massachu- setts, January 13, 1834, a daughter of Cyrus and Murilla (Merritt) Townsend, natives of Monte- rey and Otis, Mass. Mr. Townsend died in Massachusetts in 1842, and his widow moved to Rockford, Ill., in 1880, and died there in 1891. There were no children by Mr. Starr's second marriage. Mrs. Starr resides at Rockford, her home being on North Church street. She is a member of the Century Club, and has belonged to the Women's Christian Temperance Union since 1874. Mr. Starr was a Unitarian, and ear- lier in life was a Republican, but during his later years was a strong Prohibitionist, and was one of the strong advocates of St. John, candidate of the Prohibition party for president. Among other public-spirited measures with which Mr. Starr was connected was the founding of the public library at Rockford, and he was among the first contributors to a fund for that purpose. He was also very much interested in securing distinguished men to deliver lectures at Rock- ford, from the Lyceum bureau, among them being Wendell Phillips, Thomas Starr King, and many others of equal prominence whose names were, at the time of their appearance at Rock- ford, household words. (See page 664.)

STENLUND, William, general superintendent of the Forest City Knitting Company, with resi- dence at No. 816 S. Third street, is one of the men who has noticeably come to the front in the industrial world of Rockford, and proven himself a skilled workman and reliable citizen. He was born in Sweden, March 23, 1875, and there attended what corresponds to the high school in this country, being graduated there- from. He then worked on his father's farm until he was seventeen years old, at which time, in 1893, he came to the United States. At first he located at Minneapolis, Minn., and for a time worked as bookkeeper for J. H. Hayes & Company, later being made their general super- intendent, and remained with them for eight years. Leaving Minneapolis for Rockford, Mr. Stenlund engaged with the Nelson people as shipping clerk, later being made foreman, and in 1904 was made general superintendent of the Forest City Knitting Company, which is owned and controlled by the Nelsons. Here his prac- tical worth and ability to govern men is recog- nized and materially appreciated.

Mr. Stenlund was married at Rockford June 12, 1903, to Marie C. Oberg, born in this city. They have one son,-Mark William. Mr. Sten- lund belongs to the Moose, Owls, S. M. and S. F. A Republican in politics he has been alderman from his ward for four years, and is a man of undoubted influence among his asso-

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ciates, especially those of his own nationality. Steadfast, industrious, sound in his judgment, and reliable in his actions, Mr. Stenlund stands well with his company and his men, and de- serves the prosperity which has attended his efforts.

STENVALL, John A., a retired merchant of Rockford, who at one time was a potent factor in the commercial life of this city, was born in Sweden, October 19, 1851, a son of John and Annie (Johnson) Anderson. His parents were natives of Sweden, and farming people. After the death of the father, the mother came to the United States with her son John A., in 1869, and they located at Rockford, where she died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Seger, in 1890, aged sixty-eight years.

John A. Stenvall attended the public schools of Sweden until seventeen years old, at which time he came with his mother to the United States, and after his arrival at Rockford, he Worked during his first year for farmers in the county. Later he engaged with the Emer- son-Talcott Manufacturing Company, but a year later went with the Trahern Pump Company and remained with that concern for fifteen years. At the expiration of that time he opened a grocery store at the corner of Fourteenth ave- nue and Seventh street with J. B. Swanson as a partner. . This association continued for five years, and then Mr. Stenvall went into business for himself on the same street, and conducted a grocery business for nineteen years. In 1915 he retired from active life.

In 1875 Mr. Stenvall was married to Wilhel- mina Holmquist, a daughter of P. J. Holmquist of Sweden. Mrs. Stenvall died April 23, 1893, and is buried in the Scandinavian Cemetery. They became the parents of five children : Mrs. Arthur Rohlen, whose husband is with the Swedish-American National Bank of Rockford; Mrs. Wallace Hobart, who lives at No. 416 Catlin street, Rockford ; Elmer W., who lives at Sioux City, Iowa; Oscar T., who is manager of the Model Laundry of Rockford; and Mrs. Harry Stongberg, whose husband is a druggist, lives at No. 416 Catlin street, Rockford; and two who died in infancy.

Mr. Stenvall in politics is a Republican and was a member of the board of supervisors for ten years, and is at present chairman of the education committee. He is a member of the First Lutheran Church of Rockford and has been a deacon for thirty years and Sunday School superintendent for many years. A most estimable man, he has done his full duty as he saw it, and is highly respected.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 122

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