Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 126

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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the Rockford Furniture Company, and was made its foreman in the fall of 1912.

In 1893 Mr. Thoren was married at Rockford, to Augusta E. Swenson, of Sweden. They have the following children : Norman, Stanley, Roy and Mildred, all of whom are at home. Mr. Thoren belongs to the Swedish Mission Church, in which he is a valued factor. In politics he is independent, but very often has exerted himself to support men and measures which he believed would prove beneficial to the people at large. In addition to his stock, Mr. Thoren owns city property.

THORNE, Artemus C., a veteran of the Civil war, clerk ot Winnebago Township since 1872, and of the village ot Winnebago since 1882, and one of the leading men of his section, was born at Taberg, Oneida County, N. Y., December 7, 1846, a son of Charles and Angeline (Grippen) Thorne, of English and German descent. They came to Winnebago County in 1858, settling in Durand Township. The father was a carpenter by trade, but after coming to this county he rented a farm of eighty acres. Before his mar- riage he built the first sawmill at Beloit, Wis. He was colonel of a regiment in the War of 1812. His death occurred in 1859 when he was about sixty-five years old. His children were as fol- lows: Mary, who married John Chambers, now resides in Kansas; Artemus C .; and Celestia, who married Charles Treadwell, is deceased.

Artemus C. Thorne came to Durand Township, this county, with his parents, and in the spring of 1859 came to Winnebago Village where he was reared to manhood and learned the carpenter trade, which he followed nearly fifty years, re- tiring in 1907. In 1863, when he was only sev- enteen years old, Mr. Thorne enlisted as a pri- vate in Company I, One Hundred and Fortieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for service during the Civil war, and was discharged at Chicago, and re-enlisted in February, 1864, in Company F, One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and after sixteen months' service he was again honorably discharged, at Springfield, Ill. He participated in several engagements, but was principally assigned to guard duty.

On November 3, 1868, Mr. Thorne was married to Martha, a daughter of Elanson and Salina (Rumsey) Benedict, of New York, who came to Winnebago County by herself. Mr. and Mrs. Thorne became the parents of four children : Mabel, who is the wife of Ulysses G. Dennison, a druggist of Winnebago; Mary, who is the wife of Burton Faulkner; Dora, who is the wife of Emmet Foley ; and Charles A., who is a con- ductor on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. Mr. Thorne is a member of Nevius Post No. 1, G. A. R., of Rockford, and for thirty years has been a member of Winnebago Lodge No. 745, A. F. & A. M. He has a pleasant home in Win- nebago, and is a highly esteemed resident of this county. As before stated, he has filled township and village offices for many years and has al- ways been a loyal member of the Republican party.

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

THORNE, Ralph E., who is successfully con- ducting a billiard parlor and cigar store at No. 515 W. State street, Rockford, is one of the alert young business men of the city who is proving the truth of the assertion that this is the age of the young man. He was born Febru- ary 15, 1894, a son of Charles H. and Adeline (Starks) Thorne, at Marengo, Ill. The father was born in the same town, but the mother was born in Pennsylvania. The father was a heavy stock feeder and breeder, having succeeded to his father's large agricultural holdings of lands and stock, the latter, Henry M. Thorne, having been one of the pioneers of Marengo, Ill. In 1912 Charles H. Thorne sold his interests and came to Rockford, where he bought a fine resi- dence at No. S28 Garfield avenue, and there he is now living retired. The mother is also living. Both are members of the Methodist Church, and fraternally the father is a member of the Mod- ern Woodmen of America.

After completing his studies in the public schools of Marengo, Ill., Ralph E. Thorne at- tended Brown's Business College at Rockford. He then took a position with the Eclipse Stove Company and held it for a year, when he engaged with the Kurtz Action Company for a year. Mr. Thorne then formed a partnership with Cooper & Thorne, tailors at No. 419 W. State street, but on November 1, 1914, he embarked in his present business, and has built up a large and profitable patronage. He still retains a half interest in the tailoring establish- ment at No. 419 W. State street.

THURSTON, Henry, page 648.

TICKNOR, James S., page 170.

TINKER, Robert H., now living retired at his beautiful home in Rockford, is an excellent ex- ample of the self-reliant, self-made man. He was born at Honolulu, Hawaii, December 31, 1836, a son of Reuben and Mary T. (Wood) Tinker, natives of Massachusetts. They went to the Hawaiian Islands in 1830, as Presby- terian missionaries, and remained there until 1840, when they returned to the United States and located in Lake County, Ohio. Later the father was called to a charge in Westfield, Chau- tauqua County, N. Y., where he died in 1854. The mother died about 1868, aged eighty-six years.

After he was fourteen years old, Robert H. Tinker had no educational opportunities. In 1856 he came to Rockford, after having been a clerk in a Westfield (N. Y.) bank for over four years, following the recommendation of William A. Knowlton, who had just taken charge of John H. Manny's estate at Rockford. Mr. Tinker became a clerk for Mr. Knowlton, and remained in this capacity until the two formed a partnership, buying their machines from Mrs. Manny. Three years later the factory owned by Mrs. Manny was placed in charge of Mr. Tinker, in whom Mrs. Manny from the first placed complete confidence. In July, 1862, Mr.

Tinker took a pleasure trip to Europe with Rev. J. H. Vincent, now Bishop Vincent, and was gone until April, 1863. After his return he took charge of the water power and Mrs. Manny's plant, and was a director of the former for a number of years. He was then made president of the water power and held that office for many years. He later was made president of the Chicago, Rockford & Northern Railroad, which was subsequently absorbed by the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy Railroad. Mr. Tinker man- aged the Manny interests, and conducted the business of the water power until 1915 when he sold it. He disposed of many acres of land for the railroad yards for freight and passenger purposes. Although now living retired, Mr. Tinker acts as one of the board of park com- missioners.

On April 24. 1870, Mr. Tinker was married to Mrs. Mary (Dorr) Manny, widow of John H. Manny. She was born at Hoosic Falls, N. Y., August 30, 1829, a daughter of Josephus and Marshie (Ball) Dorr, of New York state. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Tinker was married (second) March 14, 1904, to Mrs. Jes- sie (Dorr) Hurd, widow of Guy C. Hurd. She was born at Hoosic Falls, N. Y., August 7, 1859. Mr. Tinker has no children, but has an adopted son, Theodore H., born June 15, 1908.

Politically Mr. Tinker is a Republican, and he was elected mayor of Rockford in the spring of 1875, and gave the city an intelligent and businesslike administration. At that time the city was struggling to pay for its water works.

On March 3, 1900, Mr. Tinker met with a de- plorable accident, being struck by a railroad train, which resulted in the loss of his left foot.

His life throughout has shown unusual merit. His youth was spent in acquiring a grasp of the fundamental principles of business, and his maturity in putting this knowledge to practical purposes, and without doubt he is a citizen of the highest type. He has shown wonderful ability as a landscape gardener, and the Tinker residence is a beautiful Swiss cottage, one of the show places of Rockford. A regular at- tendant of the Second Congregational Church, he has served it as a member of the building committee.

TIPPLE, Robert C., one of the prosperous and experienced agriculturalists of Rockford Town- ship, has done much to raise the standard of farming in Winnebago County. He was born at Chicago, Ill., May 7, 1862, a son of Robert and Ann (Kemp) Tipple, natives of England, who came to Chicago, about 1847. The father was engaged in brewing there, and spent the balance of his life in that city.

When Robert E. Tipple was one year old he was adopted by Robert Clark, of Chicago, who became very much attached to the little child. By the time he was eight years old his parents were in more affluent circumstances and tried to get him back, but as Mr. Clark would not waive his claims, the child remained in his pos- session. Robert lived with his adopted parents

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

at Chicago until 1865, when they brought him to Galva, Ill., and in the meantime they lived on a small farm at Union, McHenry County, and later he was brought to Rockford, in 1874. Mr. Tipple lived at Rockford until 1879, in a resi- dence which he built and improved and he acquired other property, but traded it for 160 acres in Rockford Township where he has resided since 1879, being engaged in operating his farm,

On January 8, 1884, Mr. Tipple was married to Addie Emma Slaughter, born at Rochelle, Ill., a daughter of Daniel and Hannah (Parks) Slaughter, natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Slaughter had the following family : Mrs. Pren- tice ; John F., who lives at Denver, Col. ; William M., who lives at Sioux City, Iowa ; Dana Parks, who is of Tacoma, Wash .; Mrs. Tipple; Vida, who is Mrs. Ernest Cross, of Rochelle, Ill .; and Stella M., who is Mrs. Fred Wetzel, of Ashton, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Tipple became the parents of the following children: George C., who is at home ; Robert W., who is of Bloomington, Ill., married Jennie Dixon, and they have one son, Robert; Susie I., who is Mrs. Joseph Becker, of Freeport, Ill., has two children, Robert J. and George C .; Daniel S., who is of Indianapolis, Ind., married Effie Fingal ; and Addie May, who is of Freeport, Ill., married Emil Pearson, and they have two children, Gladys M. and Ethel E. In politics Mr. Tipple is a Republican. An intel- ligent man and practical farmer, he stands high in his community and is justly regarded as one of the representative citizens of Winnebago County.

TRAHERN, W. D., page 709.

TROSTLE, F. W., secretary of the Rockford Leather Washer Company, with residence at No. 609 N. Church street, Rockford, sets forth in his career the fact that industry and thrift meet with their own reward and that success is possible to any man who is willing to be industrious and frugal. He was born near Linganore, Md., November 17, 1866, and was educated in the country schools of his native state and in the Rockford night schools,

Until he attained his majority, F. W. Trostle assisted his father, but at that time began learn- ing the carpenter trade and worked at it for eight years at Ashton, Ill., and Rockford, the last two years being spent in this city. He then went with C. E. Sovereign and worked for him fourteen years, becoming one of the stockholders in the company and superintendent of the works. He left in 1910 to assist in organizing the Rock- ford Leather Washer Company, of which he was made secretary and treasurer. His practical knowledge and skill make him a potent factor in his company.

On November 2, 1903, Mr. Trostle was mar- ried at Buffalo, N. Y., to Myrtle Kendall, of Rockford, who was born in January, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Trostle have a daughter, Dorothy B., who was born September 28, 1904. Mr. Trostle

is a member of the Elks. He belongs to the Court Street Methodist Church. In politics he is a Republican. In addition to his other inter- ests Mr. Trostle owns stock in the West End Furniture Company and in the Sinnissippi Farm & Orchard Company in Bitter Root Valley.

TUITE, John E., M. D. One of the physicians and surgeons of Winnebago County who has a widespread reputation for professional ability and fully lives up to it, is Dr. John E. Tuite, who is conveniently located at No. 404 Trust building, Rockford, his residence being at No. 230 N. Church street. He was born in Ohio, July 20, 1864, a son of Christopher and Rose (Gormley) Tuite, natives of Ireland and early settlers of Ohio; both are now deceased. They were farming people.

Dr. Tuite attended the schools of Clark County, Ohio, and then taught for one term in the country schools and thus earned the inoney to complete an academic course at Springfield, Ohio. Following that he entered St. Ignatius College, Chicago, and was graduated therefrom in 1887, with the degree of B. A. After he had studied at Rush Medical College, Chicago, for one year, his health failed, and he was advised to try the climate of Texas, and following tliis advice he proceeded to San Antonio, and while there made the acquaintance of a shoe man- ufacturer of Rockford, Ill., and subsequently was made the agent to represent his goods throughout the entire South, and held that position for four years, being very successful.

In 1892 Mr. Tuite became interested in a re- tail shoe business at Rockford, but still re- tained his ambition to become a physician, and in 1896 re-entered Rush Medical College, and was graduated in 1900, with the degree of M. D. He won a fellowship at Rush Medical College but was obliged to resign on account of his wife's health. He returned to Rockford and estab- lished himself in this city as a physician, and has continued here ever since, becoming one of the best known medical men of the county, For several years he was consulting physician for Dr. Broughton's sanitarium, at Rockford, and is a member of the medical staff of the Rockford Hospital. He belongs to the Winne- bago Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society and the American Medical Association and the American College of Surgeons. Fra- ternally he belongs to the Elks and Knights of Columbus.

In February, 1889, Dr. Tuite was married at Rockford, to Frances Schmauss, born August 19, 1862, at Rockford, She died March 23, 1901. Dr. and Mrs. Tuite had two children: Marga- ret, who was born August 26, 1892; and John, who was born August 6, 1896. On March 7, 1908, Dr. Tuite was married (second) to Emma McSweeney, of Rockford.

TULLOCK, George, page 662.

TUTHILL, William H., whose activities during life were directed along several divergent lines,

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

was a man who always commanded universal respect, and dying left behind him a name that is synonymous with honorable dealing and high- est principles. Mr. Tuthill was born at New- burg, Orange County, N. Y., in August, 1851, a son of John Norton and Mary Elizabeth (Smith ) Tuthill, natives of Orange County, N. Y. The parents came to Winnebago County, and bought land in Guilford Township. This they sold in 1869, and moved to Argyle, Ill., where the father worked at his trade of carpentering until 1880, when he moved to Mason City, Iowa, and there died. The mother later passed away at the same place. Their children were as follows: Jacob Nelson, who is deceased; Esther C., who is the widow of G. W. Stackpole, resides with Mrs. William H. Tuthill ; and Isaac W. and William H., who are deceased.

William H. Tuthill remained with his parents until his marriage, in 1881, when he went to Mason City, Iowa, and was employed as a car- penter on railroad work for two years. He then came to Rockford where he followed his trade, and in 1896 opened a restaurant on E. State street. After this date he divided his time be- tween the restaurant and his building opera- tions, his wife being in charge of the restaurant when his other interests called him away. In 1902 he sold the restaurant and thereafter until his death, November 28, 1913, he devoted him- self exclusively to his building business. Mr. Tuthill built many houses in various parts of the city, selling them when completed, and had some in course of construction when his sudden death occurred.

In November, 1881, Mr. Tuthill was married at Popular Grove, Ill., to Jennie Caddick, who was born at Popular Grove, a daughter of Isaac and Catherine (Bowder) Caddick, natives of England and Germany. There were no children of this marriage. Since the death of Mr. Tut- hill, Mrs. Tuthill has lived at her residence, No. 513 Olive street, Rockford. In politics Mr. Tut- hill was a Democrat. The Modern Woodmen of America held his fraternal membership. A man of strong purpose, he pushed ahead and was one of the energetic and successful men of his time.

TYLER, Silas D., although for many years a resident and landowner of Ogle County, had been well known in Winnebago County for a long period, and since 1897 until his death, on December 15, 1915, had been an honored citizen of Rockford. He was born at St. Lawrence, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., August 1, 1831, a son of Asa and Fannie ( Tupper) Tyler of Mont- pelier, Vt. Of their thirteen sons and three daughters, Silas D. Tyler was the last survivor.

In 1832 the Tylers moved with their family to Ashtabula County, Ohio, and located in the town of Saybrook, where they lived until 1852, when they came to Belvidere, Ill., and bought farm in Monroe Township, Ogle County, Prior to their removal to Ogle County, the a father had driven from Ohio to Rockford, in 1847, returning home in the following spring by

way of Chicago, and thence by boat. He in- tended to stop at Milwaukee, but on account of a terrible storm coming up, the boat did not dock, and the cargo, 800 barrels of lard and 500 barrels of flour, shifted and was thrown overboard in twenty-two minutes. A remark- able occurrence was that all of this cargo was washed up at Milwaukee uninjured. The boat was stuck on the Racine sandbar for four days, after which return was made to Milwaukee for repairs, which took two weeks. The boat finally arrived at Cleveland, Ohio, and the father re- turned to Ashtabula by stage.

Until he was thirteen years old, Silas D. Tyler attended the schools of his district, and he was always useful to his father, both in Ohio and Illinois. After arrival in Monroe Town- ship, he secured 160 acres of land by trading for it a team of horses. This property is now cut in two by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, and the town of Monroe is located in the center of this 160 acres. Mr. Tyler assisted his father and brothers in coopering, this being his father's trade, and having learned it him- self, Mr. Tyler worked at it during the winter months, and farmed in the summer for many years. He kept on adding to his land until he owned three farms, 340 acres in all. This prop- erty is recognized to be the finest in all of Ogle County, and on it he carried on general farming and stock raising until 1897, when he retired, and came to Rockford. To provide a comforta- ble home, he bought a lot on N. Court street and erected a beautiful residence where he lived until death.

On October 17, 1860, Mr. Tyler was married to Francina Blakeman, born in Vermont, a daughter of Walter and Esther (Ward) Blake- man, and their children were: Charles C., who is ex-county treasurer of Ogle County, lives at Rockford; William B., who resides at Monroe Center, Ill., is a general merchant; Frederick W., who lives on the home farm; Addie, who is Mrs. Edwin Raup, resides at Monroe Center, Ill .; May, who is Mrs. James Thompson of Ogle County, Ill. ; and Fannie Tyler Dunn, with whom Mr. Tyler resided. Mrs. Tyler died March 29, 1912. In politics Mr. Tyler was a Republican. A man of ample means, he had the satisfaction of knowing that he had earned his money through his own efforts and wise investments, and his standing in the community was de- servedly high.

UPTON, Charles O., page 706.

UTTER, Isaac, page 706.

VAN ALSTINE, Margaret Isabell, one of the talented ladies of Winnebago County, has for some years been a leader in social circles at Rockford, and belongs to one of the old and honored families of this locality. She was born at Wempletown, this county, a daughter of Jacob G. and Margaret (Coventry) Van Alstine. The father was born at Glen, Montgomery County, N. Y., April 6, 1814, a son of John A., born at

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

the same place, and grandson of Abraham, who was also born at Glen, coming of Dutch ances- try. He served in the Revolutionary war. The maiden name of his wife was Quackenbush, and she and her husband died on the same day, in 1832.

Jacob Van Alstine was a carpenter, later a farmer, and seeking better living conditions moved to Michigan. He had once been a boat- man on the Erie Canal, and later became the owner of a boat running on that canal, which he used for freighting between Buffalo and New York City, and he carried on that line of busi- ness for several seasons. In 1853 Jacob Van Alstine came to Winnebago County, and bought eighty acres of land in Burrit Township, seven acres of which were already broken. On this land there was a shell of a house which was set on blocks. This he repaired and lived in while he improved the land, splitting rails from the timber and selling them to gain additional money. For fifteen years he occupied this farm, and then sold and bought a farm on the state road in Winnebago County, seven miles west of Rockford, where he erected substantial frame buildings. In 1884 he retired, moved to Rock- ford, and erected a fine residence at No. 236 Rockton avenue. Later he sold and built another at No. 131 Hinkley avenue, where Miss Van Alstine now resides. He attended the Presby- terian Church. In politics he was a Republican.

On January 16, 1843, Jacob Van Alstine was married to Margaret Coventry, born at Utica, N. Y., a daughter of Dr. Alexander and Margaret (Van Vacton) Coventry. Dr. Coventry was born in Scotland and studied medicine at Edinburgh. Mr. and Mrs. Van Alstine became the parents of the following children : John W., who was killed in the Union cause during the Civil war; Charles, who died at Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1902; Jane, who died in February, 1905; Albert, who died aged eight months; Alonzo, who re- sides at Seattle, Wash .; Martha, who is Mrs. Benjamin Bilsorough of Kalaskel, Mont .; Mary, who is Mrs. Charles Luther, of Rockford; Wil- liam, who resides in Idaho; Leonard, who lives at Ontario, Cal .; Margaret Isabell; Cyrenus, who lives at Ontario, Cal., and Clara, who died aged six years. The father of this family died June 13, 1906, and the mother died October 19, 1893.

Margaret Isabell Van Alstine resided with her parents, caring for them in their old age, and so devoting herself to their comfort that she won the commendation, admiration and respect of all who know her. She possesses consider- able artistic talent and has produced some very creditable work in both oil and water colors. She is also an adept in china painting. For one year she visited with her sister and brothers in California, enjoying herself thoroughly, but pre- ferred to return to her own home at Rockford as a permanent place of residence. No lady stands higher in public esteem and she has many warm personal friends in the city which has *been her place of residence for so long.

VAN MATRE, Willard Naremore, president of the Schumann Piano Company, is one of the sub- stantial business men of Rockford, and his suc- cess has been gained through knowledge of his special work and his ambition not to be satis- fied until he had reached entire proficiency. He was born on a farm in northern Illinois in 1851, and traces his ancestry back to the Van Metrens who lived during the sixteenth century at Ant- werp, Belgium. This family descended from Hrolt, the Viking Duke of the Normans. Jans Gybestin Van Matren and his son Jansen, landed at New Amsterdam in 1663, and locating at New Utrecht, on Long Island, N. Y., became the American progenitors of the family. Among their distinguished descendants was Col. Gar- rett Van Matre, an intimate personal friend of George Washington.

Willard N. Van Matre attended the high school of Monroe, Wis., from which he was graduated in 1869. His first business expe- rience was gained in selling fruit trees, and he later embarked in sewing machine salesman- ship. Subsequently he associated himself with the organ trade, becoming the representative on the road of the Chicago Cottage Organ Com- pany. In 1885 he became a stockholder in that company, taking charge of the selling depart- ment. Branching out, in 1895 Mr. Van Matre became interested in the Smith & Barnes Piano Company, having charge of the correspondence and selling, holding the office of secretary. An expert salesman, Mr. Van Matre, however, was not satisfied but became desirous of building a piano in which he could embody his own ideas of construction and tone quality, and therefore bought in 1900, the controlling interest in the Schumann Piano Company. He started out to produce in the Schumann piano an instrument as good as many years of experience and ample capital would make. Accepting the best of modern construction, regardless of cost, he and his experts developed many novel ideas which are embodied in the construction of the Schu- mann piano.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 126

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