Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 124

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 124

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On April 26, 1893, Mr. Sullivan was married to Mary Sheehan, born at Rockford, a daugh- ter of David and Margaret (Ambrose) Sheehan, natives of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan have one son, Elmer, who is a graduate of St. Thomas High School of the class of 1916. Mr. Sullivan belongs to the Mystic Workers of the World, and was twice a delegate to national conventions. For seven years he served the Modern Woodmen of America as escort. In re- ligious faith he is a Catholic, and belongs to St. Mary's parish of Rockford. An earnest, skilled man, he has won liis present position through individual effort, and deserves the con- fidence he inspires.

SUMNER, Edward Blake, one of the wealthy and highly respected residents of Rockford who has accumulated his means through well directed activities, is now one of the distinguished mem- bers of the Winnebago County bar. He was born in Pecatonica Township, this county, in Novem- ber, 1850, a son of Ephraim and Betsy (Blake) Sumner, the former born in 1808 in Vermont, and the latter in Maine. The maternal grand- parents were Thatcher and Sarah (Evans) Blake.

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On September 17, 1835, the father of Edward B. Sumner came to Pecatonica Township, before government land was in the market, being the first permanent settler. He bought and sold farms and at one time was a large landholder. In addition he was a lawyer and was admitted to the bar of Illinois. On May 4, 1847, occurred his marriage, his wife being a sister of the Thatcher Blake who, with Mr. Kent, was the first settler in Rockford. Upon his retirement the father moved to Rockford where he died in October, 1887. The mother died in September, 1884. During 186S-9 the father was a member of the State Assembly and he was postmaster of Vanceboro, this county. At the first election in Winnebago County he was elected justice of the peace of Peekatonika, which was composed of the territory which is now the townships of Pecatonica, Burrit and Seward. The children born to him and his wife were as follows: Ephraim, who died at the age of four years; Edward B .; and Anna, who is Mrs. Lane, and resides with her brother, Edward B.

Edward B. Sumner attended the schools of his district, the West Rockford public and high schools and is a graduate of the literary depart- ment of the University of Michigan, and also of its law department. In 1873 he was admitted to the bar of Illinois. In 1879 he was city attor- ney and from 1880 to 1884 he served as a mem- ber of the General Assembly and from 1884 to 1888 was a member of the State Senate. Mr. Sumner is a man of large means, owning over 1,500 acres of fine farm land in Pecatonica Township that he rents out, and also consider- able city property, including business and resi- dence realty. He is proud of his family and the part his father bore in the earlier history of the county. Among other things the father with James Holmes constructed the dam across the Pecatonica River in 1874 which gave the water power for operating the grist mill at Peca- tonica for many years.

Mr. Sumner has never married. His sister, Mrs. Lane, was educated in the public schools of Pecatonica and Rockford and attended Vassar College. She has two children : Robert S., who is at home; and Mary Elizabeth, who married Dr. Paul Oliver, of Oak Park, Ill. Mr. Sumner belongs to Rockford Lodge No. 64, B. P. O. E.

SWANBORG, Charles J., superintendent of 'and a stockholder in the Rockford Frame & Fixture Company, with residence at No. 619 Lewis street, is one of the substantial Swedish born residents of Rockford. He has risen to his pres- ent desirable position through his own unaided efforts, and as the result of inherent qualities which make for good citizenship. He was born in Sweden, January 17, 1861, and there edu- cated. In 1880, he came to the United States, and located at Rockford, going to work for the Price glove factory, where he remained two years. He was then with the Rockford Mitten & Hosiery Company for six years. During this period he gained an adequate acquaintance with business methods and the English language. He

then embarked in a milk business and carried it on for twelve years. In 1897 he became identi- fied with his present company as a sawer, and was promoted to be superintendent in 1914. In addition to his business connections mentioned, Mr. Swanborg owns city property and is in com- fortable circumstances.

In February, 1882, Mr. Swanborg was married to Augusta Palmgren, born in Sweden, and their children are as follows: Florence, who married Alben Anderson, has four children, Floyd, Ker- mit, Wesley and Chester ; Flavina, who married Morris Munson has children; and Walter. Mr. Swanborg belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Lyran Society, being one of the founders of that organization. Zion Church holds his membership and benefits by his inter- est. In politics he is a Republican. A man of enterprise, he has exerted himself to accom- plish his ends, and his success proves that his judgment was good.

SWANSON, C. M., president of the United Fix- ture Company at No. 621 Cedar street, of which lie is also general manager, is one of the best examples of self-reliant men of Swedish birth that Rockford affords. He was born in Smoland, Sweden, December 9, 1870, a son of A. J. and Josephine (Yonquist) Swanson. A. J. Swanson was also born in Smoland, and the mother was born at Cooper, Sweden. They came to the United States in 1882, locating at Hauto, Carbon County, Pa., where for three years the father was engaged in coal mining. He then left for Des Moines, Iowa, and embarked in a coal business which he continued until he retired. Both he and the mother survive. In politics he is a Re- publican.

C. M. Swanson was twelve years old when the family came to the United States. While resid- ing at Des Moines, Iowa, he began his business career with A. A. Anderson in a planing mill business at No. 221 East Third street, that city, with whom he remained for eight years. For the next twelve years he was with Martin & Culver- son, and upon leaving them went to Omaha, Neb., where he was foreman for Alfred Blinn dur- ing the two years that followed. The National Wood Company then secured his services as su- perintendent of their shops at Sioux City, Neb., and he held that position for two years, leaving to return to Des Moines, where he was foreman for four years of the Jaeger Manufacturing Company. Mr. Swanson then' came to Rock- ford and after being associated with different factories for two years, went into business for himself with the United Fixtures Company on March 15, 1913, at No. 621 Cedar street, manu- facturing all kinds of office and store fixtures thrift, he has advanced ahead of many of his and mill work.

In 1894 Mr. Swanson was married to Miss Carrie Sundquist, a daughter of John and Martha Sundquist. Mr. and Mrs. Swanson have four children, namely : Earl E., May V., Violet E., and Carl M. In politics Mr. Swanson is a Re- publican. His fraternal affiliations are with the

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

Yeoman order. A man of untiring industry and thrift, he has advanced ahead of many of his former associates, and is one of the substantial men of Winnebago County.

SWANSON, Gust E. There are a number of natives of Sweden at Rockford and in Winne- bago County, and few, if any of them, have failed to succeed in their undertakings, the char- acteristic of these people makng for ultimate prosperity. One who is now numbered among the leading grocers of Rockford is Gust E. Swanson. He was born in Smoland, Sweden, October 7, 1887, a son of Swan Magnuson and Mary Swanson,

When he was fourteen years old, Gust E. Swan- son, who had attended school in his native land, came to the United States, locating at Rockford in 1902, having in the meanwhile worked for eighteen months as a farm hand in the vicinity of Huntley, Ill. Upon coming to Rockford he engaged with the Union Furniture Company, with which he continued for two years, and then embarked in a grocery business for himself on Fourteenth avenue. There he conducted a small business for eighteen months and then sold out and was a clerk for Carl Sandsteadt, a grocer. Having spent three years with him, on Decem- ber 10, 1911, Mr. Swanson once more became a grocer on his own responsibility, this time at No. 604 Seventh street. After a year he moved to No. 526 Seventh street, where he has a large store and is doing a fine business, being noted for his reliability and moderate prices.

On June 14, 1910, Mr. Swanson was married to Miss Bertha Johnson, a daughter of A. L. and Matilda Johnson, and they have one child, Loraine B. M. Mr. Swanson is an Odd Fellow and Modern Woodman. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were born in Sweden and were married there, but came to the United States soon thereafter, locating at Rockford. Mr. Johnson was employed in dif- ferent manufacturing plants for a number of years, and then was made a city employee. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson reside at Rockford.

SWANSON, John Edward. After many years of useful endeavor John Edward Swanson is now enjoying the fruits of his energy and hard work, and is living retired at Rockford. He was born in the southern part of Sweden, January 19, 1862, a son of Carl and Ingred Swanson. In 1880 John Edward Swanson came to the United States, locating in De Kalb County, Ill., where he was joined by his parents four years later. Until 1890 he worked on various farms, and then desiring to increase his store of knowledge, he came to Rockford and attended a business col- lege for a year. He then established himself in a real estate and insurance business, in com- pany with others, and continued this association for three years, when he started the same kind of business for himself, with offices on Seventh street. After three years, he sold and was made secretary of the Scandia Furniture Company, holding that office for eight years, when he was made secretary and treasurer of the Standard

Furniture Company. In 1912 ill health com- pelled him to retire from business activity, al- though he retains his interest in the Standard Furniture Company.

In 1897 Mr. Swanson was married at De Kalb, Ill., to Hannah C. Gustafson, born in Sweden where her parents both died. Mr. and Mrs. Swanson have the following children: Ingred, Eveline and Vivian, all at home. Mr. Swanson purchased his fine residence at No. 732 Semi- nary avenue in 1903, which is modern in every detail. He is a member of the First Lutheran Church, of Rockford. Since 1910 he has served as election commissioner. Fraternally he be- longs to the Knights of Pythias and the Court of Honor, and is very popular with all who know him.

SWANSON SISTERS, The. As much artistic skill is requisite in designing a hat as in paint- ing a picture, and sometimes much more, for the artist working with canvas and oils does not have to take into consideration the action of sun and rain upon his completed masterpiece, nor adapt it to the vagaries of fashion, or the require- ments of a carping customer. Women who ap- preciate proper dressing are as particular with regard to their headgear as their other gar- ments, and soon learn where to go to secure something that while it is in the very advance of fashion is distinctive and suited to their per- sonal requirements and tastes. So it is that one who has made of her calling an art can always command a large patronage that is steady and reliable. Miss Jennie R. Swanson, who, with her sister Miss Nellie, conducts a millinery estab- lishment at No. 404 E. State street, Rockford, learned her profession at Nordstrum's on W. State street, and then for ten years had a very valuable experience as head trimmer for Hill, the milliner.

Miss Jennie R. Swanson was born at Green Bay, Wis., while Miss Nellie Swanson was born near Lincoln, Neb. They are daughters of John and Matilda Swanson. After the birth of the elder daughter, her parents went to Lincoln Neb., where the father was engaged in farming for a time. He then went to Marshfield, Wis., and spent four years in a furniture factory as a cabinetmaker, and then located at Rockford, where he and the mother have since been resi- dents.

Having fully established her right to artistic consideration in her line, Miss Jennie felt that she ought to have a wider field for its expres- sion, and so she and her sister Miss Nellie, bought the millinery and dry goods store of Anton Hill, but later disposed of the dry goods department, and since 1909 have been at No. 404 E. State street, where they carry on a large and flourishing business. Prior to forming her partnership with her sister, Miss Nellie was with Dunn & Company on S. Main street for five years, as a valued assistant in their dry goods de- partment.

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SWANSTROM, Charles A., proprietor of the popular grocery at No. 1304 and 1306 Kilbourne avenue, has one of the best establishments of its kind in this part of Rockford. He was born at Sundswall, Sweden, July 4, 1888, a son of John and Mary (Lundstrom) Swanstrom. In early life the father came to the United States, and after locating at Minneapolis, Minn., was employed in the waterworks department of that city. Five years later the mother came from Sweden, and joined her husband, bringing their son, Charles A., with her, he then being six years old. These parents survive and are still living at Minneapolis, where the father still holds his position with the waterworks. Both belong to the First Lutheran Church of that city.

Charles A. Swanstrom was educated at Min- neapolis, and began to learn the dyeing business, but found that it was too hard a strain on his eyes, and so abandoned it and in 1905 came to Rockford, where he engaged with the Nash Watch Company. In a short time he left to engage with the D. Pizer Furniture Company of E. State street, and remained with that concern for two years. He was then with the E. & W. Clothing Company on S. Main street for seven years, at the expiration of which time he saw an excellent opening, and started his present business, which he has developed considerably in the years which have followed, and now con- trols a fine trade.

On February 23, 1910, Mr. Swanstrom was married at Freeport, Ill., to Miss Sigrid Erick- son, born January 10, 1888, a daughter of John F. and Ellen Pylad Erickson, natives of Sweden, and they have two children, namely : Lucille M., born March 25, 1911 ; and Kenneth C., born April 25, 1916. Mr. Swanstrom is a Repub- lican. Both he and his wife belong to the First Lutheran Church of Rockford and are honored and valued members of that congregation.

SWEZEY, Adoniram Judson. It may be true that the man who gains his education from books through his own earnest efforts, is better edu- cated in many ways than he who has had ad- vantages of a collegiate training. That was certainly the case with the late Adoniram Judson Swezey, of Guilford Township, who was one of the best informed men of Winnebago County. He was born at Harmony, Chautauqua County, N. Y., February 22, 1836, a son of Darius A. and Esther (Brooks) Swezey, natives ot Herkimer County, N. Y., and Cortland County, N. Y. The grand- parents were Daniel and Clarissa ( Sperry) Swezey, natives of Swezeytown, R. I., and New Haven, Conn., and James and Rhoda (Williams) Brooks, natives of New Marlborough, Mass., and Montgomery County, N. Y. The great-grand- parents were Daniel and Sarah (Beale) Swezey, natives of Long Island, N. Y., and Connecticut, and James and Phoebe (Collier) Brooks, of Massachusetts.

In the spring of 1845 the family moved to northeastern Pennsylvania. The parents of Adoniram J. Swezey had been married in Chau-

tauqua County, N. Y., but lived with the father's parents until 1851, when they migrated from Erie, Pa., via Detroit, Mich. From there they took a train to New Buffalo, Mich., then went by boat to Chicago, and from thence to Elgin, Ill., by railroad, completing the journey from the latter place by stage to Rockford, the entire trip consuming ten days. The father looked about until he found land that suited him, and then bought fifty acres of the present farm of his son's estate, which at that time was covered with timber. A. J. Swezey and his father erected a frame house, and grubbed out the timber, among which were fifty hard maple trees. The father died January 13, 1864, and the mother April 1, 1897, having had the following children: A. J., who was the eldest; Edward P., who was born August 7, 1837, died November 4, 1865; Harlon P., who was born May 25, 1842, died November 26, 1876 ; S. Adelia, who was born March 3, 1844, married Malcolm Bruner, and died March 25, 1879; Rhoda B., who was born December 10, 1845, died October 17, 1871; and Almeda A., who was born December 15, 1855, died August 28, 1878.

Adoniram Swezey attended Waterford Academy at Erie, Pa., and the high school of Warren, Ohio, spending sixteen weeks in the latter institution. He also attended the Rock- ford High school during one summer and was ambitious about entering college, but circum- stances prevented. He taught school nine terms and for one term of that time was instructor of mathematics in the Elgin Academy, having pre- pared himself for this work through personal study and reading. Possessing a remarkable memory, Mr. Swezey retained interest until the last in the wealth of information he had acquired, remembering all that he had read or heard, and no man in his neighborhood was better posted on the current events of the day.

On June 28, 1866, Mr. Swezey was married to Malinda Bruner, born at Gossfield, Ontario, Can- ada, October 6, 1843, a daughter of Philip and Mary (Monger) Bruner, natives of Ontario, who in 1850 moved to Harlem Township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Swezey became the parents of the following children : Esther Mary, who was born September 4, 1867, is the widow of Dr. Robert E. Coy of Rockford, who died November 21, 1905, and has one daughter, Isabella Mary, born Feb- ruary 25, 1905; Otto H., who was born June. 7, 1869, lives at Honolulu, Hawaii, being a member of the Hawaiian Island Sugar Planters Asso- ciation, and is a professor of biology there, mar- ried Mary Walsh, born at Cleveland, Ohio, Janu- ary 15, 1877, and they have a son, Joseph, who was born September 21, 1906 ; Royal E., who was born October 31, 1870, lives at Eugene, Ore., where he is a fruit grower, and he married Irene Chamberlain, born September 18, 1885, and they have one son, Melvin, who was born September 9, 1907 ; and Anna M., who was born May 3, 1874, lives with her mother.

Mr. Swezey was a strong temperance man, and was once nominated for the legislature on the Prohibition ticket. For many years he was a very devout member of the Baptist church. He

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was one of the founders and a leading member of the county Grange, held the office of school director for some years, and was an important factor in the order of Good Templars. His death occurred October 8, 1915, and his remains were interred in the Marsh Cemetery. Ambitious, he never allowed personal interest to obscure his sense of right and justice, and while he succeeded in a material way, he always preserved the power to exert a good influence in his community, and regarded the esteem of his neighbors as more worth while than the amassing of wealth.

SWIFT, Edwin G., was born in Livingston County, N. Y. December 21, 1826, and came to Illinois in 1837, his parents locating near Pec- atonica. He was a carpenter by trade and died at Pecatonica, February 9, 1897. Hs wife sur- vives and makes her home with her son Arba. She was born October 10, 1830, and was mar- ried October 20, 1848. The following children were born to her and her husband : Osker, who was born October 20, 1819; Oreil, who was born October 19, 1851; L. B. and L. V., twins, who were born February 4, 1853; S. A., who was born October 3, 1855; Kenneth, who was born Feb- ruary 22, 1858; ; Delbert, who was born March 25, 1860; Mrs. Ella King, who was born in July, 1862; Ulysses, who was born September 22, 1866; Elmer, who was born May 9, 1869; and Arba who was the youngest.

In 1861 the father of these children enlisted for three months for service in the Civil war. On August 25, 1862, he re-enlisted and was wounded at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, and participated in all in twenty-six battles, being in Company B. Seventy-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. From one engagement he emerged with sixteen bullet holes in his blanket, and one in his hat, but was not wounded. He was discharged in 1865, having served for nearly four years. At Charleston, S. C., he was taken prisoner and confined at Andersonville but es- caped, but was recaptured and taken to the Florence prison, where he remained for six months. This was prior to his promotion to the captaincy of his company.

After his return home Mr. Swift resumed his work as a carpenter. During the early days he used to shoot wild hogs in the timber, dress them and take them to Galena, the nearest market. Ile was one of the early settlers of the county and passed through many hardships. His parents secured land from the government, and fifty- four acres of this original homestead is now a tarm that until recently was owned by Arba Swift and his mother, but they sold and invested in Pecatonica property. Arba Swift is taking care of his aged mother, who had the mis- fortune to lose her eyesight seven years ago. He is a Republican but has not cared for public honors. A hardworking man he has won his present position through his own efforts and stands high in his community.

SWORDS, T. E., a prosperous merchant of Rockford who has made his establishment rep-

resentative of fair dealing and desirable mer- chandise, is a recognized leader in his line. He was born at Freeport, Ill., December 19, 1881, a son of Dennis and Elizabeth (Ryan) Swords. The parents were born in Ireland, the father in 1834, and the mother in 1859, but the former was educated in Scotland. In young manhood he came to the United States, and stopped in New York City for a short time. He then came to Rockford, where he embarked in a refining sugar business and continued it for a number of years. He was made engineer of the Rockford water works later on in life, and held this position at the time of his death in 1897, when he was sixty-three years old. The mother died in 1902, aged forty-five years. In politics the father was a Democrat.

After being graduated from the Rockford High School, T. E. Swords went to work for W. F. and J. Barnes Company where he learned the trade of a machinist, and remained with this concern for two and one-half years. Then with liis three brothers he established a plumbing business located at Nos. 704-06 Seventh street. and is still interested in it, being secretary of the company. The firm carry a full line of fire protectors, automatic sprinklers, heating and lighting fixtures and have installed over one million dollars' worth of appliances at Rock- ford alone.

In 1912 Mr. Swords was married to Miss Frances K. O'Connor, a daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Pendergrass) O'Connor of Rock- ford. Mr. and Mrs. Swords have one child, Elizabeth. Mr. Swords is one of the enterpris- ing men of Winnebago County, and although still a young man, has accomplished much, and is destined for further success, for he possesses energy. good judgment and business acumen, characteristics which make for advancement.

TALCOTT, Wait, page 704.

TALCOTT, William A., page 934.

TAYLOR, Allen Lawrence, senior member of the well known firm of Allen L. Taylor & Bro., the leading general blacksmiths of Winnebago, was born at McVeytown, Mifflin County, Pa., Janu- ary 24, 1884, a son of James A, and Annie E. (Stine) Taylor, both natives of the Keystone state. James A. Taylor was a farmer. He was accidentally killed by a railroad train at Vine- yard, Pa., in 1909, when but fifty years of age. He had a family of ten children, as follows : Milton ; Joseph, who is the partner of A. L. Tay- lor ; Della, who is the wife of John Vinson of Winnebago; Allen L .; Frank; Rebecca, who is the wife of James Shore; Nona; Clark, who is a resident of Winnebago; and Elizabeth, John and Anna.

Allen Lawrence Taylor was reared in his na- tive county, and educated in its public schools. In 1904 he came to "Winnebago, Ill., and served his apprenticeship to the blacksmithing trade. He worked as a journeyman until 1912 when he formed his present partnership with his

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brother Joseph, and they purchased the shop they now occupy. These young men have the majority of the business in their line in their vicinity. In 1914 they purchased an adjoining lot on which they erected a garage 30x50 feet with storage capacity for sixteen machines, and they have become adepts in repairing auto- ınobiles.

On November 29, 1911, Mr. Taylor was mar- ried to Miss Gertrude Houghton, a daughter of Thomas and Clara (Houghton) Houghton of Durand Township, who now reside in the vil- lage of Winnebago. She is a granddaughter of Aaron and Mary Ann (Barningham) Houghton, natives of England and pioneers of Durand Township. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have two daugh- ters, Verna and Margaret. Mr. Taylor is a pro- gressive and alert business man. Politically he is a Republican.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 124

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