Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 127

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 127

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The Schumann Piano Company was incorpo- rated with a capital of $300,000. The factory and general offices are located at Rockford, while the company has warerooms in the North American Building, Chicago. The officers of this company are: Willard N. Van Matre, presi- dent and treasurer ; W. N. Van Matre, Jr., secretary. The Schumann pianos and player- pianos are of unquestioned merit and reputation and of the very highest grade. All bear the one name "Schumann" and are backed by the Schu- mann unlimited warranty.

The Schumann piano is noted for the many exclusive and improved features which it con- tains. One of these features of particular value from a tonal standpoint, is the system of dowel pin construction of the sounding board, ribs and bridges, doing away with any metal coming in contact with the sensitive sounding board, as- suring a tone of exceptional depth and purity. Workmanship and material are of the highest

1246

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

grade in these instruments. Schumann cases are of beautiful design and finish.

The factory at Rockford is very finely equipped, electric power being used and every facility being afforded for the production of a piano of the most artistic quality. Schumann pianos have been endorsed by many of the most noted artists. They are also very popular with dealers who are practical piano men, because of their special features of excellence. Schumann instruments are handled by a representative line of dealers from coast to coast. The Schu- mann player-piano is manufactured complete in the Schumann factory under their own patents, and contains a number of exclusive features. Purchasers are expressly cautioned against spurious or imitation Schumann pianos, several of which have appeared in the trade. All genu- ine Schumanns bear the Schumann head trade mark and the signature of W. N. Van Matre, president.

Mr. Van Matre was married to Minnie Swee- ley, born at Winslow, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Van Matre have had two children, namely : Maud, who married L. R. Phillips, of Chicago, has two children, Hubert and Brooke; and Willard N., who married Erma Donnelly. The Van Matre residence is at No. 849 N. Church street, where the many friends of the family are hospitably entertained.

VAN MATRE, W. N., Jr., secretary of the Schumann Piano Company of Rockford, one of the live, alert young men of the city, is an im- portant factor in this important industry. He was born at Chicago, August 19, 1889, and has devoted his life to piano making. In order to secure a thorough grounding in every detail of the business, he served for six years at the bench, and then for two years was assistant superintendent. For the next two years he was on the road for the company, so there is no branch of the business with which he is not familiar, and this fact is an important asset to him and the concern. He is associated with his father in the management of the business.

In 1911 Mr. Van Matre was married to Emma Donnelly, a daughter of Minnie and John H. Donnelly. Mr. Van Matre has not gone into public life, but he displays an intelligent interest in local matters, and is always in favor of any- thing looking towards further civic betterment.

VAN WIE, Edgar Allison. Each year the ranks of the veterans of the Civil war are thinned, and some of those who were brave men in peace as well as war aided very materially in the de- velopment of Winnebago County, among them being the late Edgar Allison Van Wie, of Rock- ford. He was born at Ira, N. Y., April 30, 1837, and died at Rockford, February 1, 1902. He was a son of Hon. Abram Haver Van Wie, born in Cayuga County, N. Y., April 22, 1816, and died March 23, 1903. The mother of Edgar A. Van Wie was Lydia (Osborn) Van Wie, born in New York State. After her death, her husband married (second) Minerva Swartz of New York.

His third wife was Emily Partridge of Elbridge, N. Y. Soon after his first marriage, the father moved to Sheboygan, Wis., and there became a farmer. He was elected a member of the state legislature and established a bank at Waupaca, Wis., which his son later conducted. About the close of the Civil war, he moved to Rockford, where he did gardening and farming and lived in retirement on S. Main street, where he died.

Edgar A. Van Wie enlisted for service during the Civil war in the Second Wisconsin Volun- teer Infantry, and was soon thereafter made a second lieutenant, but was later transferred to the First Wisconsin Heavy Artillery, and sent to Fort Cass. He was in the first battle of Bull Run. During the last year of the war he was acting inspector general of a brigade, having risen through sheer merit. He received his honorable discharge in 1865, and the following year came to Rockford. Upon his arrival he be- came a member of the hardware firm of Sovereign & Van Wie, but after three years sold and opened a music store which he conducted for some years. He then became a partner of William Dyson in a woolen mill at Rockford, and later became traveling special agent for the Singer Sewing Machine Company, operating from their St. Louis office for five years. He then associated himself with his father in conducting the Rock- ford Burial Case Company, of which he was one of the organizers. For six years he served this company as secretary and treasurer, and then held the same offices in the Rockford Electric Company, but about eight years before his death, he retired.

On April 17, 1873, Mr. Van Wie was married to Flora I. Brady, born in Burrit Township February 7, 1849, a daughter of Charles P. and Mary L. (Huntsman) Brady, he of Bucks County, Pa., and she of Darke County, Ohio. Mr. Brady was born December 14, 1814, and died June 27, 1893, and Mrs. Brady was born July 2, 1814, and died October 5, 1883. They were married January 12, 1842, in Winnebago County, Ill., to which he had come in 1836, but after a short time 'returned to Pennsylvania, coming back to Winnebago County in 1840, taking up his residence in Burrit Township, he having se- cured from the government land in Burrit Township and Harrison Township. In 1861 he traded this land for Rockford property.

Mr. and Mrs. Van Wie became the parents of the following children: Ethel Lydia, who was born January 23, 1874, married October 11, 1909, John L. Zaugg of New York City and have one daughter, Charlotte; Ada May, who was born April 3, 1876, married Robert A. Gross, of Rock- ford, on November 11, 1903; and Earl J., who was born January 19, 1878, married October 16, 1912, Hazel Johnston, and lives at Boston, Mass. Mr. Van Wie attended the Methodist church, to which his widow belongs. In politics he was a Republican. He was a member of the Masonic order, and Nevius Post No. 1, G. A. R. Mrs. Van Wie belongs to the Menselssohn Club and the Woman's Club.

1247

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

VARNER, Howard C., superintendent and man- ager of the Rockford Upholstering Company, with residence at No. 60S Elm street, is a man who has risen steadily, not through the influence of wealth or outside assistance, but because of his own natural ability, industry, thrift and fore- sight. He was born at Senatobia, Miss., April 19, 1877, and there educated, being graduated from the high school of that place in 1897.

Beginning his career as a self-supporting per- son as a clerk in a drug store, he continued in that line for seven years, and then went to St. Joseplı, Mo., and entered a manufacturing line, so continuing for fourteen years, gaining thereby a varied experience and a knowledge of men. During this period he associated himself with the Talge Lounge Company. He later was con- nected with the Varner Furniture Company of St. Joseph, and when the plant was sold Mr. Varner came to Rockford, and in 1915 assumed the duties of his present position with the Rock- ford Upholstering Company, for which his for- mer experiences made him particularly well adapted.

Mr. Varner was married at St. Joseph, Mo., April 29, 1902, to Emma O. Stinson, born in that city. They have one daughter, Lalla Rookh. Mr. Varner belongs to the First English Lutheran Church. In politics he is independent. A man of means, he owns city property at St. Joseph, Mo., and is held in the highest esteem there and at Rockford, both as a business man and public-spirited citizen.

VESTAL, Alonzo E., engineer for the Rockford Manufacturing Company, with residence at No. 611 Prairie street, is not only chief of his depart- ment, but owner of his home and a man of in- fluence among his associates. He was born in Ogle County, Ill., in 1864. At the age of three years he moved with his parents to Winnebago County, where he worked on a farm until he was eighteen years old. At that time he left home and went to Kansas and spent eight years in that state and in Indian Territory and Missouri, working in zinc and lead mines. He was also in Wisconsin for a short period, but in 1892 came to Rockford where he entered the employ of the City Railway Company as fireman and assistant engineer. A short time thereafter, however, he left to go with Emerson & Talcott, now the. Emerson-Brantingham Company, and was with that firm for a few months. Mr. Vestal then went with the McDermott Churn Company, and then was with the Union Furniture Company for two years, and for some time afterward was with various other plants. In 1907 he went with the Schmaus Company and remained until 1915, when he was offered the position of chief engi- neer by his present company, and accepting, found congenial surroundings, and has given the company the services of a very valuable man.

In November, 1892, Mr. Vestal was married at Rockford to Bertha Fischer of Germany, and their children are as follows: Iva Grace, Harry, Raymond, Bertha, Frank, Eugene and Robert, all of whom are living, and John, who died in in-

fancy. Iva married Harry Swope and has one child, Lucile. Mr. Vestal is independent in poli- tics. He is a man widely known and universally liked, and his responsibilities are admirably met.

WAGNER, Jacob W. Rockford has long been an objective point to those men who having retired from agricultural labor seek a residence where they can enjoy the comforts of urban life. Among those who have thus shown appreciation of Rockford's advantages, is Jacob W. Wagner. He was born in Williamsburg, Northampton County, Pa., October 29, 1842, a son of Peter A. and Rachel (Eyer) Wagner, he born in Germany, and she in Northampton County, Pa. Peter A. Wagner came at the age of twenty years, in 1820, from Germany to New York state, and from there to Wililamsburg, Pa., where he conducted a boot and shoe manu- facturing establishment until 1852 when he came as far west as Freeport, Ill. Later he bought land in Wisconsin joining Stephenson County, Ill., on which he lived until 1875, when he retired and was with his children until his death in 1880. His wife died in 1872, Their children were as follows: Fredreka, who is deceased, was Mrs. Daniel Brobst; Amelia, who married Elisha Kirby and both are deceased ; Mary, who died in 1861; Malinda, who took care of her parents until their death, is now deceased ; Jacob W., and Harrison and Alvin, both of whom live in Chicago.

Jacob W. Wagner was educated in the schools in his district, and lived with his parents until lie enlisted for service during the Civil war, on August 27, 1862, in Company I, Seventy- fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, at Davis, Ill. He was at Camp Fuller, Rockford, for some time and then was sent to Louisville, Ky., where he joined the main army starting after General Bragg, participating in the battle at Perryville, Ky. From there the regiment went to Bowling Green, Nashville and Chattanooga and Mr. Wagner was in all the battles of his command until June 21, 1864, when at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain he was shot in the right knee and a bullet passed through his leg. His injury was so serious that he was sent to the hospital of Big Shanty, Ga., transferred to that at Chattanooga, thence to the one at Louis- ville, and was finally sent to that at Mound City, Ill. He then took a furlough of twenty days and arrived home in time to cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, his father going with him, although he was a Doug- las Democrat, but loyal to the Union. Returning to Mound City while still on crutches, he was confined for another three weeks in the hospi- tal and then sent to the government office at Cairo, Ill., from whence he went to rejoin his regiment at Nashville, and was discharged Jnne 10. 1865, as sergeant, having been a brave and faithful soldier.

Returning home Mr. Wagner remained with his father until 1867 when he rented a farm in Rock Grove Township. Stephenson County, for three years. and then bought a farm of 120 acres in Byron Township, Ogle County, Ill., where he

1248

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

lived until 1906, in which year he rented his farm and retired to Rockford where he invested in city property.

On March 28, 1867, Mr. Wagner was married to Marthena L. Barker, from Rock Grove, Ill., a daughter of Schuyler and Philura (Blake) Barker, natives of Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Wagner became the parents of the following children : Timothy E., married Francis Scott, issue, Scott and Charles; Mary, who is Mrs. C. J. Clothier, of Rockford, was a teacher in the public schools for many years, issue, Ernest, Chillis, Milton and Mabel; Lura, who is the wife of William Robinson, of New Milford Township, was also a teacher for many years, has one daughter, Evelyn ; Bertha, who is Mrs. Niel Nicholson of Cavalier County, N. Dak .; Cora, who was a teacher, is now Mrs. J. C. Mclaughlin of Rockford and has one son, Earl ; and Ray, who is at home, married Hattie Bradt. Mr. Wagner is a Methodist and has been a trustee of his church since 1894. A Republican, he held various township offices in Byron Town- ship. Nevius Post No. 1, G. A. R., holds his membership.

WALDO, Hiram H., page 663.

WALKER, Mrs. Freda Pearson, who owns and conducts one of the leading millinery establish- ments of Rockford, is conveniently located at No. 301 Seventh street. She was born in Oland, Sweden, October 13. 1875, a daughter of John and Britta (Larson) Pearson. John Pearson sailed from his native land for the United States in 1880, and located at Rockford where he found employment with the old Scandia Plow Works, and remained for a number of years, later going with the chair and furniture company on Rail- road avenue. After twelve years he left that concern and became associated with the Union Furniture Company, but soon thereafter retired and lived at his beautiful home at No. 1142 Thirteenth street, until his death, June 1, 1907, aged seventy-five years. The mother of Mrs. Walker survives, and lives with her daughter at No. 1137 Fourth avenue.

Mrs. Walker was only five years old when she was brought to the United States, and she was reared at Rockford, and educated in its schools. After leaving school she engaged with the Pot- ter Bros. millinery and dry goods establishment and was retained by this concern for a number of years. She was then employed at Wortham's department store and was retained in this posi- tion until the store was destroyed by fire, when she went to Iowa City, Iowa, and became man- ager of the main floor of Wortham's store at that place, there remaining until 1903, when she returned to Rockford to engage with Anton Hill as manager of his millinery department. After three years in this position, she was associated with Miss Ida Liljeholm, in a millinery business, buying out her partner within three years, and continuing it at No. 422 Seventh street until 1914, when she moved to her present location.

Here she has built up an elegant trade and controls a large business.

In 1907 she married E. W. Walker of Erie, Pa., who, at present, is an inspector for the Free Sewing Machine Company of Rockford. A true artist, Mrs. Walker takes pride in her creations, and her taste and innate refinement are shown in her work.

WALKER, Samuel H., now living practically retired at Rockford, is one of the veterans of the Civil war, and a former agriculturist of Winnebago County. He was born in Lawrence County, Pa., July 4, 1840, a son of James and Jane (Hezlep) Walker, both natives of Pennsyl- vania. After the death of his first wife, James Walker married (second) a Mrs. Dow, a sister of his first wife. He was a painter, and died in Lawrence County.

Samuel H. Walker lett home when fifteen years old, and came to Oswego, Ill., where he lived with an uncle, James Marquis, on his Ken- dall County farm. Here he attended the public schools and learned farming in all its details. On December 29, 1863, Samuel H. Walker enlisted for service during the Civil war in Company C, Fourth Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, and was as- signed to the department of the Mississippi. In June, 1865, this regiment consolidated with the Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, and was in Louisiana and Texas, and Mr. Walker was discharged from it at Houston, Tex., May 29, 1866. For three years following his discharge from the army, Mr. Walker worked at Oswego, Ill., and then in 1869 he located in Leaf River Township, Winnebago County, where he worked among the farmers, and farmed on his own account until in April, 1906, when he moved to Rockford, and has lived retired ever since, although for a por- tion of the time he was a partner in the Eclipse Gas Works.

On January 1, 1870, Mr. Walker was married to Lydia Williar, of Dauphin County, Pa., a daughter of Jacob and Lydia (Troutman) Wil- liar, of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Walker be- came the parents of the following children : Oscar R., who resides at DeWitt, Neb .; Nora, who is Mrs. Bursell Fountain, of Rockford; Blanche, who is Mrs. Henry A. Palmer, of Win- nebago County ; and Elmer, who is a resident of Rockford. Mrs. Walker died November 27, 1912, having been a true Christian woman and devoted wife and mother. She was a member of the Central Christian Church, of which Mr. Walker is also a member. In politics he is a Republican. Nevius Post, No. 1, G. A. R., holds his membership. He is one of the best repre- sentatives of the retired farmer class in the county, and his prosperity has been earned through his own efforts.

WALKUP, Liberty. The career of Liberty Walkup, secretary and treasurer of the Air Brush Manufacturing Company, of Rockford, is one which has been filled with diversified ex- periences. On several occasions he has placed himself in a position of financial independence,

1249

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

only to see the fruits of years of labor swept away by misfortune, but through all vicissitudes, he has not allowed himself to become disheart- ened, and as a result he is today known as one of the successful business men of Winnebago County. Mr. Walkup is a native son of Illinois, born in Pine Creek Township, Ogle County, July 14, 1844, his parents being Samuel and Sophia L. (Ruggles) Walkup. Samuel Walkup was born in Pennsylvania and his wife in Ohio, and they were early settlers of Ogle County, Ill., to which he canie in 1836. They were there married and passed the remainder of their lives, Mr. Walkup being a farmer.

Liberty Walkup, who was reared in a Chris- tian family, was named in commemoration of the sentiment which inspired the landing in America of the Pilgrim Fathers. He was an energetic and industrious iad and in his youth learned to face the hardships and dangers of life, his first occupation being the watching of sheep, to protect them from the wolves, when he was only eight years of age. At that time also there were many deer in this part of the coun- try and bands of Indians still roamed the woods and prairies. His early education was confined to the primitive district schools. He was eigh- teen years of age when he enlisted, in August, 1862, for service in the Civil war, at Mount Morris, Ill., in Company K, Ninety-second Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry, his regiment being or- dered to Covington, Ky. During the first win- ter, Mr. Walkup contracted a severe case of measles which incapacitated him for further service, and he was finally honorably discharged because of disability, in April, 1863. During the next two years he applied himself assiduously to completing his education, with the result that he was able to secure employment as a school- teacher and continued thus in Ogle County for three years. He was then attracted to Tama County, Iowa, where for two years he cultivated a farm of eighty acres, but because of poor health was compelled to sell out, and subse- quently bought a general store at Indiantown, Iowa, When he sold this business, two years later, Mr. Walkup took an agency and traveled for the American Bible Society. Two years later he returned to Illinois and became a cheese and buttermaker in Carroll County. In this business he was so unfortunate as to have two fires, in the latter of which he lost everything lie pos- sessed and was forced to commence all over again.

It was at this time. when he had naught left but his hands and his fertile brain, that Mr. Walkup gave himself up to inventing. He finally conceived the idea of an air brush, and after six months, realizing that he had an article which was bound to succeed. came to Rockford, 111., in December. 1881, in order to secure better facilities. The first patent was issued for this invention in 1882, and was the first for any similar article ever granted by the United States Patent Office. Mr. Walkup was compelled to put his brush upon the market, in order to secure capital for its manufacture, and then or-

ganized a stock company, but being unable to control the majority of stock., was promised a royalty by his associates. Instead of living up to their agreement, they endeavored to "freeze him out," but he was finally able to secure a loan, with which he purchased a majority of the stock, and since 1890, when he assumed con- trol, has put the business on a paying basis. For over seven years prior to this, the business had only paid 16% dividends. During the first year he had control he paid dividends of 19%, and in the second year 23% was realized. In 1895 Mr. Walkup again experienced loss by fire, when his plant and everything in it, save sev- eral tools, were destroyed. At this time he was advised by many to make an assignment, but he had been reared to carefully meet all engage- ments and obligations and preferred to pay in full, which has been his policy to the present time, and his business reputation is one of the best in the city and his name today is an hon- ored one on commercial paper. As secretary and treasurer and directing manager of the Air Brush Manufacturing Company, he has had as many as twelve men at times employed at his plant.

On October 7, 1868, Mr. Walkup was married to Miss Phebe C. Johnson, who was born in Ohio, daughter of William and Margaret (Noe) Johnson, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of New Jersey, and to this union there was born one daughter: Eva, who died aged three years. Mr. Walkup is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and is popular with his comrades in Nevius Post No. 1. He is a stalwart Presbyterian, and has been an elder in the church since 1886. In political matters he was formerly a Republican, but of late years has been a supporter of prohibition. He has never tasted liquor nor tobacco, and has always assisted movements of a temperance character. One of his public services was his success in bringing the Chautauqua exercises to Harlem Park. He is a member of the Law and Order League, with which he has been connected for thirty years, and through his efforts the first registration of voters was secured, and many measures encouraged to suppress the all too prevalent rowdyism of public gatherings.

WALCK, Levi. There must be considerable sat- isfaction to a man when he can look back over years of useful endeavor, from the vantage point of peaceful retirement from former labors. One of the retired men of Rockford who has earned the years of rest he is now enjoying, is Levi Walck of No. 815 Elm street. He was born in old York County, Pa,, February 6, 1841, a son of George H. and Elizabeth (Flory) Walck, na- tives of York County, Pa.

Levi Walck was educated in the common schools of Pennsylvania, and remained at home until he enlisted for service in the Civil war, in September, 1862, in the Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, and was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. He was in the campaign about Richmond and Cold Harbor, in the battle

1250

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

of Petersburg, aud in many skirmishes, and was uever wounded. He was twice taken prisoner but escaped on both occasions and got to the Uuiou liues. On June 19, 1865, he was honor- ably discharged aud mustered out at Richmond, Va., after which he returned to York County, l'a. Iu August of that same year he left York County for Freeport, Ill., and became a sta- tionary engineer and so continued for fourteeu years, when he embarked in a coopering busi- ness and conducted it successfully until 1882, then he moved to Rockford, and continued in the same line for some time. He was then made car inspector for the Illinois Ceutral Railroad and so remained until 1911, when he was placed on the retired list of the road.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 127

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