Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 131

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 131

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Charles A. Wilson was eleven years old when the family came to the United States, and some of his boyhood was therefore spent at Rockford. Here he obtained employment with the Rockford Mantel Company, but in 1896 left this concern to engage with the Rockford Street Railway Com- pany in their car service, and so continued until 1905, when he entered the H. E. Kling Bottling Works as a driver. In 1910 he bought Mr. Kling's bottling business and since that time has so increased the business that it now warrants two motor trucks and three horses to handle the delivery business, and at times Mr. Wilson utilizes his private automobile for business pur- poses. On July 6, 1914, the business was in- corporated as a stock company, with a capital of $25,000, and on July 27, 1914, bought the Kling property on Fifteenth avenue and went into the cider and vinegar business on a large scale. Mr. Wilson is secretary-treasurer and general manager. The stockholders are: Mrs. Charles A. Wilson, his wife, H. Soderquist, V. A. Bodorff, and H. Magrinson.

In 1891 Mr. Wilson married Miss Beda Kling, a daughter of Joel and Charlotte (Johnson) . Kling, natives of Nerike, Sweden. In young manhood, Mr. Kling came to the United States. and locating at Pecatonica, was engaged in farm- ing until 1887. when he moved to Rockford to take a position with the Co-operative Fur Com- pany, later becoming one of its stockholders.

After four years with this concern, he purchased a valuable farm south of Rockford on the Kish- waukee road where he remained for a number of years. He then retired and moved into the city of Rockford, where he now resides, owning his beautiful home at No. 1026 Fourteenth avenue. The mother of Mrs. Wilson also sur- vives. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have two children : Sylvia and Gladys. Mr. Wilson is a Mason, and belongs to the Lyran Society, the Independent Order of Svithiod, Mystic Workers, Woodmen of the World and the Vasa Order and the Moose Lodge. Starting out in life without means, Mr. Wilson has risen to his present position through his good judgment and business management, and is now justly numbered among the most representative of Rockford's successful men.

WINN, Charles S., M. D. The medical profes- sion of Winnebago County has an able and dis- tinguished representative at Rockford in the person of Charles S. Winn, M. D., who has prac- ticed at this place since 1902. Here he has built up an excellent professional business, and has firmly established himself in the confidence of the people. Doctor Winn was born at Syracuse, N. Y., August 23, 1863, and is a son of Morris and Nancy (Simmons) Winn, natives, respect- ively, of Wales and Holland, who came to the United States during the early '30s and settled in New York, where they were married, in 1864 removing to Wisconsin. Morris Winn, who in his earlier years had been a boatman on the Erie Canal, subsequently turned his attention to farming, but in his declining years moved to Rockford, Ill., and retired, and both he and Mrs. Winn died in this city.

Charles S. Winn received his early education in the public schools of Clinton Junction, Wis., and after his graduation from the high school there began to prepare himself for examination at Northwestern University, Chicago. It had been his intention to pursue a college course, but the bank in which he had his money de- posited failed about that time, and, being un- willing to give up his cherished professional career, he personally prepared himself for the required examination in the medical department of the university. In 1897 he took the ex- amination before the State Board of Health and received his certificate in July, 1897, two years before the law was passed requiring examina- tion. In June, 1898. he received his diploma. This certificate permitted him to practice medi- cine during his last year in the university. After completing his medical preparation, he at once entered practice at Chicago, where he con- tinued for one year. Feeling that better oppor- tunities were to be found by the young physician in the smaller communities, he moved to Byron, Ill., where he remained for about four years, and from there, in 1902, came to Rockford, where he has since been in the enjoyment of a con- stantly increasing practice. He has limited his work here to office practice and attention to clinical diagnosis, and is a member of the staff of Saint Anthony's Hospital. Doctor Winn is a

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member of the Winnebago Couuty Medical So- ciety, of which he was secretary for three years, the Illinois State Medical Society and the Ameri- can Medical Association, and fraternally is con- nected with the Masouic order aud is enthusias- tic in its work. A stanch temperance man, he has been a worker aud lecturer in the cause, and for some years was a member of the Ridpath Lecture Bureau, in connection with which his fine abilities as a speaker made him oue of the most popular lecturers on the circuit. Doctor Win has numerous other attainments, being a natural mechanic and an inventor of some note, with several successful articles manufactured and ou the muarket. In his inventions aud me- chanical work he finds his needed mental recrea- tiou, while his physical needs are filled by long walks, the Doctor being an enthusiastic believer in this form of exercise. He is a member of the Centennial Methodist Episcopal Church. Doctor Winn's offices are located at No. 603, Trust Building, while his pleasant home is at No. 1112 North Church street.

On March 10, 1SS7, Doctor Winn was married to Miss Emma L. Taylor. who was boru Febru- ary 15. 1862, at Rockford. Ill., daughter of James Taylor, a pioneer of this locality who conducted the ferry across the river when there were uo bridges here, and when his farm was the site of the city of Rockford from Peach street north. He was also one of the six men who founded the Third Street Church, now known as the Centennial Methodist Episcopal Church.

WISE, Charles R., secretary, treasurer and manager of the Rockford Bolt Company, with residence at No. 522 N. Church street, has fairly won his present prosperity and his right to be numbered among the leading men of Rockford, for he has climbed through his own efforts and according to his own judgment has intelligently directed his undertakings. He was born at Williamsport, Pa., September 22, 1849. After attending the schools of his native place and a seminary, he became bookkeeper aud shipping clerk in a planing mill at Williamsport, but left that city in 1870 for Rockford.

After his arrival in this city, Mr. Wise fur- ther fitted himself for business life by a com- mercial course, and then began working for John F. Landers, in his planing mill, taking the place of a bookkeeper who was sick. Within a month he was engaged by Guns and Company, as bookkeeper aud shipping clerk. This firm con- ducted the Rockford Bolt works. and Mr. Wise. has maintained his connection with this plant ever since. rising to au official position with the concern. His successive promotions have been the reward of his efforts. and the present pros- perous condition is largely due to his foresight and excellent management.

Mr. Wise was married at Rockford in 1875, to Anna M. Glenny of Rockford, and they be- came the parents of two children : Rubetta E .. and one who died in infancy. The daughter married Dyer Butnan, and they have four chil-

dreu: Dyer C., Margaret, Elizabeth and Kath- eriue. Mr. Wise belongs to the H. L. Martin Chapter of the Brotherhood of the Court Street Methodist Church. In politics he is a Repub- lican. Alert, thoroughly conversant with every detail of his business, and progressive in his ideas, Mr. Wise is one of the public spirited business men of Rockford aud one who stauds deservedly high in his community.

WISHOP, Andrew. The agricultural labors of the late Andrew Wishop iu Winnebago County covered a long period of years, during which he built up a substantial reputation as a farmer aud business man, as well as an honorable citi- zen. He was born in the state of New Jersey, in 1852, and was a sou of Audrew Wishop.

The father of Mr. Wishop was born at Paisley, Scotland, and was a youth when he accompanied his parents from Scotland, the family settling in New Jersey, where he was reared to agricultural pursuits. Iu 1856 he moved with his own family to Winnebago Couuty. Illinois, settling in Harri- son Township, where he bought a farm of 160 acres, a part of it being timber land. After improving this property he continued to be eu- gaged in its cultivation until his death. His wife was born in New Jersey, was there reared and educated, and passed away in Illinois some teu years previous to her husband's death.

The boyhood of Andrew Wishop was passed ou the farm of his father in Harrisou Township, whence he had been brought as a child of four years. He received his education in the public schools and remained under the parental roof until his marriage to Miss Maggie Harper, at which time he began farming his father's farm. Subsequently he moved to near Clinton, Wis., where he was engaged in farming on his owu account for three years, and then returned to Harrison Township and continued his agricul- tural pursuits. From that locality he removed to Owen Township aud was engaged in the culti- vation of a farm of 170 acres until 1SS9, iu which year his wife died at the age of thirty-three years. the mother of three children: John C., Mamie, and. Edna.

At that time Mr. Wishop sold his stock aud equipment to his brother, John H., who rented the property, while Andrew made a trip to Wis- consin and remained a short time. Upou his re- turn he settled down again to live in Owen Town- ship with his brother, aud four years later, March 15. 1893, was married to Miss Margaret Geddis, daughter of Alexander and Jane (Cor- mack) Geddis. Mr. and Mrs. Wishop at that time settled on the old home place, and there continued to reside until Mr. Wishop passed away, at the age of fifty-seven years, iu 1910. Mr. Wishop was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics was a Re- publican. He was generally esteemed in his com- inunity for his admirable traits of character, and is still remembered as a good and public-spirited citizen.

Mr. and Mrs. Wishop were the parents of one child. Roy G., who resides with his mother at No.

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1106 Grant avenue, Rockford, where they moved after Mr. Wishop's death. Her parents were born, rearcd, educated and married in Edin- burgh, Scotland, and came to the United States in 1854, settling first in New York, where the father engaged in farming at Avon, near Roch- ester, and also carried on gardening. In 1879 he came to the West, locating in Owen Township, Winnebago County, Ill., and after renting land for two years purchased a farm of eighty acres. There he continued actively engaged in general farming until his retirement, when he moved to the home of his son-in-law, Mr. Wishop, with whom he died in 1905, the mother surviving him one year.

WISSEN, Gust T., foreman of the finishing de- partment of the Rockford Furniture Company, with residence at No. 645 Chapin court, is one of the substantial and representative men of Rockford of Swedish birth, who have advanced from small beginnings to positions of trust and responsibility through natural ability and sheer merit. Mr. Wissen was born in Sweden, Janu- ary 31, 1873, and there educated.

In 1886 Mr. Wissen left his native land for the United States, and locating in Winnebago County, employed himself with farming for three years. He then came to Rockford and was with the Forest City Company for a short time, leaving to go with the Skandia Furniture Company, and then for four years was with the Rockford Desk Company. In 1893 he entered the employ of the Royal Mantel Company, and for eight years was with the Co-operative Furni- ture Company. His next business connection was with the Union Shoe Company, and this he maintained for four years, when on April 20, 1907, he engaged with the Rockford Furniture Company, as foreman of its finishing depart- ment, which position he still holds, his long and varied experience making him one of its most valued men.

On July 25, 1900, Mr. Wissen was married to Hilma C. Swenson of Rockford, and their son, Vernet T., was born August 22, 1901. Mr. Wis- sen belongs to the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica, the Knights of Pythias, the North American Union and the Northwestern Union. Emman- uel English Lutheran Church holds his member- ship. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Wissen is a thrifty man and not only owns stock in the Rockford Furniture Company, but also stock in the Swedish Building & Loan Associa- tion. A skilled workman and reliable citizen, Mr. Wissen stands high among his associates, and Rockford may well be proud of him.

WITHERELL, Henry A., was born at Attle- boro, Mass., April 24, 1844, a son of Albert and Rosemma (Davis) Witherell. The father was born at Foxboro, Mass., in 1818, and the mother was born at New Portland, Somerset County, Me., in 1818. The grandparents were Benjamin and Ruth ( Selee) Witherell, he born at Mans- field in 1790, and she at Easton, Mass., in 1795. The American founder of the Witherell family

was William, who came to the colonies in 1634. On the maternal side of the house the grand- parents were James Davis, of Massachusetts, and Mary ( Cleaves) Davis, of New York state. The parents of Henry A. Witherell spent their lives in Massachusetts, after their marriage be- coming farming people in Franklin County, near Warwick, where they died. Their children were as follows : Henry A .; Helen, who is de- ceased ; George E., who lives at Hartford, Conn .; Frank E., who lives at Warwick, Mass .; Ida C., who is the widow of Frank Atkinson, of West Swanzey, N. H., owns and lives on the old Josh Whitcomb farm; and Edward E., who lives at Bristol, R. I.

Henry A. Witherell attended the common schools in Massachusetts. In 1854 he accom- panied his parents to Warwick, Mass. On November 1, 1861, he enlisted in the Prescott Guards, Company B, Thirty-second Massa- chusetts Volunteer Infantry, for service during the Civil war, and was garrisoned at Ft. Warren, Boston Harbor, during the winter of 1861-1862, guarding Confederate prisoners. He was trans- ferred in the following May to Washington, where the regiment joined General Mcclellan's army, and on July 3, 1862, they were under fire at Harrison's Landing. Mr. Witherell par- ticipated also in the second battle of Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellors- ville, and was through the Wilderness campaign. He was discharged at Petersburg, Va., November 26, 1864, his period of service having expired.

Returning to Massachusetts, he remained there until 1866, when he went to New Haven, Conn., where he learned the burnisher's trade, and in September, 1873, became foreman for Crain, Breed & Company, of Cincinnati, Ohio. Six months later he went with the Aurora (Ill.) Silver Plate Silver Manufacturing Company as a burnisher, remaining with this concern until July, 1875. With the organization of the Silver Plate Company of Racine, Wis., he became foreman of the burnishing department and held that position until the plant was destroyed by fire in 1882. He then came to Rockford, Ill., to engage with the Rockford Silver Plate Com- pany as foreman of the burnishers, remaining as such until March, 1890, when he became com- mercial salesman for silverware for different firms, so continuing until 1905. For some years he was engaged in a grocery business, in Rock- ford, Ill., but retired in 1914.

On January 1, 1870, Mr. Witherell was mar- ried to Emily M. L. Young, born in Wiltshire, England, a daughter of Philip and Mary Jane (Cook) Young, of England. Mr. and Mrs. Witner- ell have had two children: Winnifred Helen, who is Mrs. R. O. Trenholm of Rockford; and Benjamin Philip, who lives at No. 203 Oak- wood avenue, Rockford. There are three grandchildren : Eleanor and Henry Alexander Trenholm, and Helen Witherell. Mrs. Witherell is a member of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Witherell is an independent Democrat. He belongs to the Moderu Woodmen of America and to Nevius Post No. 1, G. A. R., Rockford, Ill., the

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oldest member by charter, on earth at this date, 1916.

WODE, Adam, secretary and manager of the P. Hohenadel, Jr., Packing Company, of No. 1215 Kilburn avenue, is one of the reliable, self- reliant business men of Rockford, and one who stands very well with his associates and men. He was born at Port Colborne, Ontario, Can- ada, March 29, 1864, a son of Adam and Mary (Gerber) Wode, natives of Germany and Can- ada, respectively. Early in life the father came from Germany to Canada, where he engaged in farming, and was married. When his son Adam was six months old, he came to the United States, and located near Buffalo, N. Y., where he bought land and operated it until his death, in 1901, at the age of eighty-four years. The mother died in 1907, aged seventy-nine years. In politics the father was a Democrat.

Adam Wode grew up at the home of his par- ents, and learned the canning business, follow- ing that line of endeavor at Buffalo until 190S. In that year he left for Rochelle, Ill., and worked for the P. Hohenadel, Jr., Canning Co. for a year, then he and Mr. Hohenadel and Mr. Stocking bought the canning factory herc which at that time was known as the Rockford Packing Company. They changed its name to the P. Hohenadel, Jr., Packing Co. In two years Mr. Wode returned to Rochelle, and managed the two plants there. Once more he came to Rockford, and now is manager of the Rockford plant, the company being composed of the fol- lowing parties : George E. Stocking, Mrs. Hohenadel, Marie B. Bumgertner, and Mr. Wode. The company makes a specialty of canning peas and corn. It operates about 1,200 acres of land on which the peas and corn are raised. This plant was founded as the Rockford Packing Company, until bought by above parties.

In 1889 Mr. Wode was married to Miss Anna Lytle, of Ithaca,, N. Y., and they have one child, Alice L., who married Emmet Murphy, of Janes- ville, Wis. In politics, Mr. Wode is a Repub- lican. A skilled man in his line, Mr. Wode has given his best efforts to the promotion of the interests of his company, and in consequence its products have a recognized standing in the market, and meet with a ready sale.

In the spring of 1916, the above company made application to the Secretary of State to have the name of the company changed to Rock- ford Canning Co., but there will be no change in the business or officers.

WOLLSTADT, John P., proprietor of the Rock- ford Art Glass Works, corner of Seventh street and Railroad avenue, is one of the leading busi- ness men of the city and stands deservedly high in public esteem. He was born at Chicago, October 9, 1SS4, and was there educated. His first position was with Flaning & Biedenweg & Company, dealers in glass, and he later appren- ticed himself to learn the art glass cutting trade with this firm, being with them five years in all. He then worked for various Chicago art glass

concerns until 1904, when on June 4 he came to Rockford and was with the Art Glass Works for.a month. In that same year he founded his present concern on a small scale, gradually de- veloping his plant, although at first he met with many difficulties, but he overcame them through excellent management and keen judgment. His business shows a healthy increase annually, and lie controls a large trade. Mr. Wollstadt takes a great many contracts on the outside and over half of his business is from territory adjacent to Rockford but not in the city.

Some of the concerns of Rockford which have patronized him are: the Jewish, Westminster Presbyterian, Christian Science, Central Chris- tian, and St. James churches. Outside of Rock- ford are: the Presbyterian Church of DeKalb, Ill .. the Congregational Church of Rantoul, Ill., and the Methodist Church of Sioux City, Iowa. He lias also furnished the glass for a great many store fronts at Rockford, including those for the Freburger Drug Company, Hanson & Bros., Elmer Johnson, Hassell, public library build- ing, Carty & Dever, Jack Trager, Cutting's jewelry store, Colburg & Falkner, Williams Bros. and the adjoining store, and signs for William Roeburg's art store, the canopy for the East Side Inn, the Register Gazette, Gehaner, the furrier. the Schuman Piano Company, Elisha Thayer & Bro., the Ashton Dry Goods Company, the Ellis Camlin building, the Warren building, and many smaller concerns.

Mr. Wollstadt was married at Crown Point, Ind., April 23, 1906, to Hilda Schnell, and they have one son. Jolin P. Mr. Wollstadt belongs to the Masons, Columbia Knights and the Ger- mania Society, and is a member of the chamber of commerce. In politics he is a Republican and is committeeman from the First ward, and was candidate of his party for alderman in 1913. An alert, sensible business man and desirable citizen. Mr. Wollstadt deserves the success which has attended him, and is destined for further honors to judge the future by the past.

WOODRUFF, Gilbert, page 709.

WOODRUFF, S. M., whose plumbing establish- ment at No. 514 W. State street is one of the best on the West side, and whose reliability is generally recognized, stands very high in Rock- ford. He was born at Hornellsville, N. Y., December 25, 1880. a son of Charles P. and Laura C. (Batchelder) Woodruff. The father was born at Ellicottsville, N. Y., March 23, 1854. He went to Fond du Lac, Wis., and clerked in a dry goods store for ten years, and during that period he was married, at Guilford, Ill., at the home of John Mulford. Subsequently he re- turned to New York and clerked in a hardware store at Hornellsville until he established him- self in a tinning and plumbing business and con- tinned to conduct it until his death on March 4, 1884, when he was thirty years old. He was a member of the Temple of Honor and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

The mother of S. M. Woodruff later came to

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Rockford, Ill., with her children, and she is now living, in the enjoyment of excellent health, at No. 725 Chestnut street. In 1888 she married (second) William A. Jackson. She was born at Sheboygan, Wis., June 26, 1856. Her father was a carriage trimmer and painter at Fond du Lac, Wis., until he went to Sheboygan Falls, where he worked in a flour mill for a few years. Subsequently he embarked in a carriage making business and continued in it until his death in 1871, when he was fifty-two years old.

S. M. Woodruff spent his boyhood at Rock- ford, being only three years old when brought to this city. He attended school in Pecatonica and Rockford. Later he began working for W. J. Bucklin in his machinery and windmill works, remaining with him for four years, then became manager of the pump windmill business of A. E. Cutler & Co., and held this position for five years, when he went with Jacob Royer and during the two and one-half years he remained with him learned the plumbing business. He then took a state examination and passed it very successfully. The next year he spent with Craddick & Johnson, and was three years with A. S. Gregory, and one year with Sword Bros. For two years he was with Maher & Smith, and also spent some time with E. Lesterbarger, whom, on March 9, 1913, Mr. Woodruff bought out, and since then has conducted the business alone. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum. In politics he is a Republican, The Baptist church holds his membership. A thoroughly trained man with a wide experience, Mr. Wood- ruff is fully qualified to handle his business and enjoys a profitable trade.

WOODRUFF, W. F., president of the Rockford National Bank, and one of the most astute and experienced financiers of Winnebago County, if not in this section of the state, was born at Dubuque, Iowa, March 21, 1858, a son of Gil- bert and Nancy (Fay) Woodruff. When he was one year old his parents located at Rockford, Ill., and he has spent all of his life with the exception of that first year in this city. His educational training was received in the gram- mar and high schools of the city, and his in- terests are all centered here.

The business career of Mr. Woodruff com- menced with his entrance into the Rockford National Bank. Although his father was then its president, the lad began at the bottom, and worked his way up until he now occupies the executive chair. Having given all of his mature years to financial matters, he is naturally specially fitted for his present responsible posi- tion and justifies the confidence placed in him. Through his efforts, the bank has grown very considerably, and is now the largest bank of deposits in the city, while its standing has been maintained without interruption.

On December 24, 1878, Mr. Woodruff was married at Rockford to Lizzie C. Cotton. a daughter of William B. and Elizabeth Cotton. She was adopted by her grandfather, Robert HI. Cotton. Mr. and Mrs. Woodruff have no

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 131

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