Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 125

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 125

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TAYLOR, Horace W., page 709.

TAYLOR, Walter Brownell, proprietor and man- ager of the Taylor garage at Nos. 318 and 320 Chestnut street, is one of the progressive men of Rockford who has taken advantage of the demand for first class service in his line. He was born at Taunton, Mass., September 15, 1851, a son of James D. and Mary W. (Brownell) Taylor. The father was born at Assonet and the mother at Fall River, Mass. The father was reared in his native place and there became a manufacturer of tacks. His death occurred at Taunton, Mass., in 1905. A Republican in poli- tics during all his mature years, he was never an office seeker. The mother survives and makes her home at Taunton, where she is active in the Congregational Church, to which the father also belonged.

Walter B. Taylor was reared and educated at Taunton, Mass., where he entered upon a busi- ness career as a clerk in a dry goods store, but after a year became associated with his father in the manufacture of tacks, and so continued until 1877, when he came to Rockford, and until 1900 was with the Rockford Tack Company. In that year he connected himself with the Rockford Nail Company, and in 1904 left that concern to become foreman of the milling de- partment of W. F. & John Barnes. In 1906 he embarked in an automobile business at the old Bradley Planing mill, leaving that site in April, 1907, when D. P. Cutler erected for him the building he now owns, having purchased it in 1909. He also owns the lot upon which it stands. Later Mr. Taylor remodeled the building, and now has one of the most modern garages in the city. He has been agent for the Hupmobile, Buick, and Stoddard-Dayton machines, but of late years has confined himself to automobile repair work, and has more business than he can handle. He is president of the organization oť garage owners of the state of Illinois, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce at Rock- ford.

In 1872 Mr. Taylor was married to Miss Ella Virginia Knight, a daughter of Moses H. and

Sarah D. (Garlin) Knight, of New Bedford, Mass., and they have three children : Walter B., Jr., Mrs. Edna Knight Taylor Brown, and Frank C., who is interested in business with his father. Mr. Taylor is a member of the Royal Arcanum, the Mystic Workers, and is a Mason in high standing. Energetic, reliable and ex- pert, Mr. Taylor has built up a fine business, and his standing is very high in his community.

TEAGUE, John. The tribute paid a man by his associates after death has claimed him, usu- ally is characteristic of his life, for appreciation is not shown one who has not earned it. With the passing of the late John Teague Rockford lost one of its worthy and useful citizens, and those who knew him best testified to his worth in many ways. For years he had been a pros- perous business man, and he was also known in social circles. He was born in Cornwall, Eng- land, October 12, 1856, a son of William and Catherine (Penrose) Teague, natives of Fal- 4 mouth and Truro, England. In 1866 these par- ents emigrated to the United States, locating at Mineral Point, Wis., where the father worked as a carpenter and contractor for two years, and then a change was made to Rockford, Ill. Here the father continued as a carpenter and con- tractor and had a carpenter shop. Subsequently he opened a restaurant at No. 116 So. Main street, but later retired and lived on South Church street. In 1893 he went to Chicago and conducted the Rockford House, located on South Clark street, opposite the post office, until his death in the latter part of that same year. The children born to these parents were as follows : John ; Elizabeth, who is deceased; William, who is with the B. & O. Railroad; George, who is deceased ; and Etta, who is Mrs. Charles Rein, of Houston, Tex.

John Teague learned the printer's trade and was assistant foreman on the Indianapolis Sen- tinel, and resided in that city until 1881 when he went to Chicago, and was there employed on the Chicago Times. In 1882 he returned to Rockford and took over his father's restaurant business, conducting it until his death, February 23, 1909, developing it into a prosperous con- cern. After his demise, his widow continued the business until May, 1911, when she sold it. She resides in her beautiful residence on South Church street, and in addition to it she owns another residence on Harlem avenue.

On September 29. 1875, Mr. Teague was mar- ried to Martha A. Dayman, born at Brantford, Canada, April 28. 1859, a daughter of Samuel and Sarah Ann (Moore) Dayman, natives of London, Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Teague became the parents of the following children: Edna Catherine, who is Mrs. W. C. Sproul of Rockford, Ill. ; Martha Evelyn, who is Mrs. Floyd Westen- burg of No. 1137 Harlem avenue, Rockford ; and Bessie E., deceased.

Mr. Teague was a member of the Court Street Methodist Church, to which his family also be- long. In politics he was a Democrat. He was a charter member of the Royal Arcanum, join-

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

ing that order at Chicago, and was regent there and at Rockford. At the time of his death he was serving the order as chaplain. Mr. Teague also belonged to the Knights of Pythias.

THAXTER, Rev. James, whose ministerial serv- ices extended over a long period, and whose beautiful Christian character influenced count- less numbers to lead a better life, was for niany years a resident of Winnebago County. He was born in Norfolk, England, March 24, 1837. Although he studied in the schools of his native place, and the night schools of Chicago, he was practically self-educated. He began his apprenticeship to the carpenter trade during his boyhood in England. In 1870 he left Eng- land for the United States, and after his ar- rival located at Chicago, where he followed his trade for some years. During this time he pre- pared himself for the ministry and about 1873 was ordained a minister of the Free Methodist Church. Later he had charge of churches at Polo and Winnebago, Ill., Beaver Dam and St. Charles, Wis., and Rockford, Ill. When, on account of his health, he was forced to retire, he settled at Winnebago. In 18SS a change in his religious views caused him to unite with the Congregational Church and he continued a member of that denomination until his death at Winnebago, March 12, 1907, aged seventy years.

In 1885 Mr. Thaxter was married to Sarah H., a daughter of James and Jane (Langdale) Smith, natives of England, who came to the United States in 1830, and to Winnebago County in 1863. Mr. Thaxter survives her husband.

THAYER, Elisha L., senior member of the well known and thoroughly reliable jewelry firm of Elisha L. Thayer & Bro., at No. 201 W. State street, Rockford, is one of the leading business men of the West Side. He is a native son of Rockford, born here on North Winnebago street, February 18, 1864, a son of William Thurston and Catherine (Woodruff) Thayer.

William T. Thayer was born in Massachusetts in 1830 and came west in 1852, locating at Rock- ford, where he worked in the lumber yards then located on the present site of the postoffice. Later he went to Pecatonica Township, where he engaged in a grocery business for a number of years, but subsequently went to Boston, Mass. After some time spent in that city, he returned to Rockford, where he established himself in a grocery business on West State street, and con- tinued to operate that store for thirty years, or until his retirement. He passed away at his residence here on February 20, 1902, aged sev- enty-one years. Both he and his wife were members of the Congregational Church. He belonged to the old fire company of Rockford. From the formation of the party, the father was a Republican.

The mother of Elisha L. Thayer was born in New Marlboro, near Great Barrington, in the Berkshire Hills, Mass., in 1836, and came to Rockford with her parents in 1851, when she was

fifteen years old, and here she was subsequently married to Mr. Thayer. The Woodruffs made the trip by water from Massachusetts to Chi- cago, and then drove the remainder of the dis- tance. Her father, Elisha L. Woodruff, became a farmer just south of Rockford. For the first three years after their arrival, the Woodruffs lived in a log cabin the father erected, and then he built a stone house on the river road. After six years in it, he moved to Rockford and built a fine residence on Winnebago street and Park avenue, and there lived retired, still later moving to Woodlawn avenue, where he died in 1869, aged seventy-three years, his wife having died in 1865. Mrs. Thayer died February 9, 1908, aged seventy- one years.

Elisha L. Thayer was reared and educated at Rockford, and he began his business career as a delivery boy for the Cole, Day Grocery Company, and was with this concern for two years. He then started to learn the jewelry business, with Paxton & Peers, and spent twelve years with this firm, when he went into business for himself in the old Loomis block, but after six years he moved to No. 306 West State street and occupied that store for eleven years. On May 29, 1915, he secured his present store at No. 201 West State street, where he has one of the very finest jewelry stores in the city. Fraternally Mr. Thayer is a Mason, a Knight Templar and Shriner, and belongs also to the Elks. His re- ligious connection is with the Congregational Church.

Mr. Thayer is the eldest of a family of four children, the others being : Frank T., Adeline L., and Phoebe E. Frank T. Thayer was born in Pecatonica Township, April 28, 1867, and was educated at Rockford. He was with L. B. Hal- sted, in gents' furnishings, for some time, and then engaged with John D. Godfrey in the same line of business. Later he was with the Grand Union Tea Company, and then was in the watch factory until having gained a practical working knowledge of this line of business, and desiring to be his own employer, he went into business with his brother Elisha L., and the two form a strong combination, and have built up a very valuable trade.

THAYER, Warren B., treasurer and general manager of the Kurtz Action Company of Rock- ford, is a man whose entire career is marked by steadfast purpose and energy of action that have advanced him far on the road to success. He was born at Boston, Mass., September 3, 1870, of sturdy New England stock. His educa- tional training was received in the excellent schools of Boston, where he made his home and earlier ventures in business until 1902. In that year he came to Illinois, locating in Chicago until 1910. There he took charge of the Piano & Organ Supply Company as general manager and treasurer, successfully operating its large North-side plant until he left in 1910 for Rock- ford to enter upon his present duties with the company in which he is substantially interested. A man of retiring disposition, Mr. Thayer has

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

not come before the public politically, preferring to concentrate his efforts upon his business, but he takes a public-spirited interest in civic mat- ters, and has always proved a valuable addition to any community in which he has seen fit to establish himself. He is a Thirty-second degree Mason, a Shriner and an Elk, and a member of the Illinois Athletic Club, Chicago Yacht Club, and the Piano Club, all of Chicago, as well as the Country Club, Motor Club, and all of the booster organizations of Rockford.

THOLIN, Oscar A., a prosperous contractor of painting and decorating whose technical skill combined with his artistic perceptions make him rank among the leaders in his line at Rockford, is conveniently located at No. 613 Seventh street. He was born at Grenna, Sweden, May 5, 1861, a son of Anders P. Tholin, natives of Sweden, who never left that country.

Oscar Tholin spent his boyhood in Sweden and was there educated and taught painting and dec- orating, following these trades until 1878 when he sailed for the United States. Coming to Rockford, he was with different furniture fac- tories for a short time, and then, in 1880, he established himself in a painting and decorating business and conducted it for ten years. In ten years he became a member of the Rockford Painting and Decorating Company, later with his brother, Charles F., buying out his associ- ates, and the two continued together until 1901, when Mr. Tholin bought out his brother and has since continued alone, in that year removal being made to the present quarters. He has built up a very profitable trade.

In March, 1890, Mr. Tholin married Mrs. Aug. Waltin, who was born in Westergotland, Sweden, and she had one child, Agder J. Mr. and Mrs. Tholin became the parents of two children, namely : Rudolph and Harriett Julia Marie. In 1914 Rudolph married Miss Helen Bushaw, a daughter of Frank and Anna (Kennedy) Bu- shaw, and he is now acting as manager of his father's business. Mr. Tholin is a Modern Wood- man. In politics he is a Republican. In addi- tion to his business, Mr. Tholin owns farming land in Logan County, Cal., and his beautiful residence at No. 820 Fourth avenue. He is one of the representative men of Winnebago County, and few stand any higher in public esteem.

THOMAS, Alden, page 652.

THOMAS, John B., whose life has been spent in farming, is one of the energetic men of Winne- bago County. He was born in Erie County, N. Y., September 11, 1858, a son of Isaac Thomas and his wife Lydia (Lazell) Thomas, natives of New York state. The father, a stonemason by trade, died in 1894, while the mother died in 1861. The children born to them were: Delbert, who lives at Buffalo, N. Y. ; Lafayette, deceased ; Charles, who lives in New York state; Jerome H., who lives in California; Frank, deceased ; and John B.

John B. Thomas was educated in the public

schools and when he completed his education began working for farmers by the month. Six- teen years ago he began farming for himself, and has remained on his present farm for the past thirteen years. In 1898 Mr. Thomas was married to Mrs. Carrie Hamilton, widow of Leonard L. Hamilton. Her father was born at Fairfax, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., in 1832, and her mother was born in Vermont, in 1844. They came to Illinois in 1854, locating in Stephenson County, where they farmed. The father died in 1901. Their children were: Mrs. Thomas and a sister, Mrs. Susan E. Titus, who lives at Pecatonica. By her first marriage Mrs. Thomas had two sons, namely : Harry L., and William J., both of whom live in the village of Winnebago. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have the fol- lowing children: Frank, who was born April 19, 1899; Fred, who was born October 14, 1901; and Clarence, who was born January 20, 1903. Politically Mr. Thomas is a Republican, but his time has been too much engrossed in his work for him to seek public honors.

THOMAS, O. P. Located on section 7, Owen Township, is found the well-cultivated farm belonging to O. P. Thomas, one of Winnebago County's old and honored citizens and a resident of this locality for many years. Mr. Thomas was born in Wayne County, Pa., December 17, 1837, and is a son of William M. and Eliza (Conklin) Thomas. The grandfather of O. P. Thomas, Judge Thomas, was one of the promi- nent citizens of his community, a well known jurist and prominent lawyer, who, when not busy with his practice engaged in farming and in floating logs down the Susquehannah River.

William M. Thomas was born in Pennsyl- vania, November 9, 1805, and grew up on his father's farm, on which he worked in addition to engaging in the lumber business. On No- vember 13, 1825, Mr. Thomas was married. He moved to Harrison Township, Winnebago County, Ill., where for one year he worked out among the farmers as a day laborer. He sub- sequently moved to Rockton Township, where lie secured a claim of eighty acres, on which he built a small log house, and to the west of this tract later added sixteen acres. The log cabin continued to be his place of residence for sixteen years, at the end of which time he built a frame house, and resided therein until his retirement, when he went to Rockton, built a comfortable home, and there lived quietly un- til his death, July 5, 1882, when he was seventy- seven years of age. On November 13, 1878, he and Mrs. Thomas celebrated their golden wed- ding anniversary. Mr. Thomas always was a Republican in politics ; his fraternal connection was with the Masons, and he and Mrs. Thomas were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Thomas, who survived her hus- band twelve years and died at Rockton, was born in Wayne County, Pa., where her father kept a tavern for a number of years, and where he died. although his widow survived him for several years and died at Rockton, Ill.

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The boyhood days of O. P. Thomas were passed at Rockton, and his education was se- cured in the public school. He remained at home until 1862, in which year he enlisted for service during the Civil war, as a private in the Seventy-fourtb Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and after three years of brave and valiant serv- ice returned to his liome at Rockton. For a time after the war he worked as a farm hand, and later drove with his brother-in-law to Iowa, along the Minnesota line, in search of land which at that time was selling for $5 an acre. However he could not find what he wanted and accordingly returned to Rockton, where he again found work as a farm hand. He then began working on the farm for his father and continued to be so engaged until December 1, 1870, when he was married to Miss Alice Carr, daughter of John and Irene ( Bibbins) Carr. He is a Republican in politics, but not a poli- tician, although he takes an interest in the welfare of bis community and is always ready to give his support to beneficial movements.

The parents of Mrs. Thomas were both born in the State of New York, the father in Steu- bent County in 1828, and the mother in Living- ston County, where Mrs. Thomas was born, They migrated to Illinois at an early day and settled as pioneers in Will County, but after one year came to Winnebago County and for a time rented a farm in Owen Township. Later they removed to Rockton, where they rented a farm for a short space, and then went to Rock County, Wis., where they purchased eighty acres of land, which they cultivated and de- veloped into a handsome property. There the father passed away in 1897, aged sixty-nine years, while the mother died at Beloit, Wis., in 1912.

THOMAS, Peter, whose grocery establishment at No. 2002 Fourteenth avenue, may well serve as a model for others in the same line, is one of the substantial young business men of Rock- ford. He was born at Kenosha, Wis., August 28, 1882, a son of Matthias and Marie (Harb) Thomas, natives of Milwaukee, Wis., and Switzerland. After his marriage, the father en- gaged in farming in the vicinity of Milwaukee, Wis., for a few years, and then moved to Kenosha, where he bought property, and is still residing in that city. He belongs to the Catholic Knights. The mother also survives.

After being reared and educated at Kenosha, Peter Thomas entered the Kenosha Knitting Works and remained there for six years. He was then employed in a grocery for a short time, and also in a clothing store, when he went to St. Louis, Mo., and for a year was employed in a restaurant. Returning to Ke- nosha, he was, for a year, in the employ of the Simmons Bed factory, and then in 1904, came to Rockford. For the following three years he was with the Rockford Mitten Company on Wyman street. Desiring to branch out for himself, Mr. Thomas went into the grocery business, and built his present building, a two-

story brick structure at No. 2002 Fourteenth avenue, and here he enjoys a fine trade.

In 1905 Mr. Thomas was married to Miss Julia Haim, a daughter of Joseph and Chris- tina (Selbach) Haim of Gelsen, Kirchen, Ger- many, who came to the United States in 18SS, locating at Racine, Wis., where the father is employed by the Mitchell Wagon Works Com- pany. The mother also survives. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have two children, namely: Lillian and Pearl. Mr. Thomas belongs to the For- resters. In addition to his store building he owns property on Twelfth avenue. He is a man of considerable means and has high standing in the city and county.

THOMPSON, Joel M., formerly an agricultur- ist of Winnebago County, but now living in the village of Pecatonica, where he owns five acres of fine truit land, is one of the substantial men of his community. He was born in Summit County, Ohio, July 8, 1839, a son of Joel M. and Emily (Mills) Thompson, natives of Ohio who came to Winnebago County many years ago. They secured land from the government four miles east of Pecatonica, on which they erected a log cabin and lived in it for many years.

On April 17, 1861, Joel M. Thompson was mar- ried to Sarah Ryan, who was born January 6, 1842, and they have two children, namely : Edward and Villa. The latter married John Benedict, a native of Winnebago County, Ill., who died May 9, 1912, and they had one son, Cecil Edward, born September 16, 1901. The other grandchildren in the family are: How- ard C., who was born March 28, 1894 ; Vera, who was born June 24, 1896; and Ina, who was born October 21. 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson cele- brated their golden wedding anniversary April 17, 1911. They have lived in their present house for forty years, and are in comfortable circum- stances.

Mr. Thompson was road commissioner for nine years, being elected on the Republican ticket. He is proud of the fact that he cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. The Methodist Church holds his membership. Mr. Thompson enlisted in defense of his country in 1861, in Company K, First Illinois Cavalry, under Gen. Steel, and served eighteen months in the Civil war. After his discharge he returned home, but in 1863 re-enlisted, in Company L, Eleventh Illinois Cavalry, and was made a corporal. He is a member of Ellis Post, G. A. R., at Pecaton- ica, Ill. In both war and peace he has been an efficient man. At one time he owned eighty acres of land in Pecatonica Township, but sold it some years ago.

THOMPSON, Norman C., page 709.

THOMPSON, Norman F., president of the Man- ufacturers National Bank of Rockford, one of the sound. reliable and efficient bankers of this city. whose connection with the bank extends over a period of fifteen years, was born in the

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

state of Georgia, June 27, 1856, a son of Norman C. and Laura J. (Blackmer) Thompson, born in Georgia and Vermont, respectively. The tam- ily is of English origin, Anthony Thompson, the American progenitor, having come to the colo- nies in 1637, and was one of the first settlers of New Haven, Conn. The paternal grandparents were Norman Brace and Seraph Howe ( Ruggles) Thompson, natives of Vermont and Massachu- setts, respectively.

Norman C. Thompson was born in Georgia, but when his son, Norman E., was a year old, he moved to Rockford, Ill., arriving here on June 7, 1857, engaged in manufacturing and banking with his father, Norman B. Thompson, becom- ing one of the substantial and representative men of Rockford.

After completing his courses at the Rockford public schools, Norman F. Thompson entered Yale University, from which he was graduated in 1881. Returning to Rockford, Mr. Thomp- son found ample opportunity to develop his busi- ness capabilities along manufacturing lines, but subsequently went to New York City, where he was profitably engaged in a mortgage and invest- ment business. In 1898 he came back to Rock- ford, and on May 8, 1900, was elected a member of the board of directors of the Manufacturers National Bank of this city, and at the same time was made its vice president, holding both offices until January 10, 1905, when he was placed in the executive chair. and has retained this posi- tion ever since. Under his able management the business of the bank has increased very ma- terially and it occupies a foremost place among similar institutions throughout the state. Mr. Thompson belongs to the American Bankers Association and the Illinois Bankers Association. Fraternally he is an Elk. The Second Congrega- tional Church of Rockford holds his membership.

On January 10, 1883, Mr. Thompson was mar- ried to Adaline E. Emerson, a daughter of Ralph and Adaline E. (Talcott ) Emerson. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson became the parents of three chil- dren, as follows: Norman F., Jr., who is secre- tary and treasurer of the Burson Knitting Co., resides in Rockford ; Ralph E .. who is superin- tendent of the Gillette Safety Razor Co., resides at Brookline, Mass. : and Adalyn, who was Mrs. Allan C. Dixon, of Chicago.

THOREN, Carl, foreman of the cabinet depart- ment of the Rockford Furniture Company, with residence at No. 1306 Third avenue, is one of the skilled workmen in his line at Rockford. He was born in Sweden, July 18, 1865. There he was educated and taught the cabinetmaking trade, working at it in his native land until he came to the United States in 1SSS, at which time he stopped at Ishpeming, Mich, for three years. He then located at Rockford, which has continued his home ever since. For eighteen years after his arrival in this city he was in the employ of the Scandia Furniture Company, and then for two years was on a farm. Returning to the city in 1912 he became a stockholder in

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 125

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