Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 66

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 66

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).

In December. 1893, Mr. Appelhlom was mar- ried to Miss Paulina Hersler, and they have two children, Elsie and Evert. A man of travel and wide experience, he has shown much enter- prise in developing a fine business, and person- ally holds the respect of all who know him.

ARMSTRONG, Johnston W. The man who can intelligently operate his land is a valuable asset to any community, especially in these days when there is such a demand for farm products. One of these representative agriculturists of Winne- bago County is Johnston W. Armstrong of Rock- ton Township. In 1852 he came to Winnebago County with his parents and has resided here continually since, with the exception of five years spent in the states and territories of the west. Returning from his western trip, he engaged in farming, in which occupation he has been fairly successful. He has ever taken an active interest in the public affairs of his town, having been elected to many of the township offices up to and including that of supervisor, but it is in his record as highway commissioner that he takes special satisfaction. Being one of the original good roads boosters he claims to have built more permanent bridges and culverts and to have made more good roads than any other commissioner in Winnebago County outside of the township of Rockford. He belongs to Rock- ton Lodge No. 74. A. F. & A. M., and Rockton Chapter No. 190. R. A. M. In every respect he is an excellent business man, progressive farmer and public-spirited citizen, and has rendered his community efficient service.

ARMSTRONG, Levi. Rockford has long been noted for the magnitude of its business houses

982

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

and this condition has attracted to this city some very enterprising men from other places who have brought capital with them and invest- ing here have developed additional large con- cerns. One of the leading business men of Rockford is Levi Armstrong, whose clothing house, located at Nos. 315-17 West State street, is second to none in this city in size, con- venience, equipment or stock. Mr. Armstrong was born January 22, 1852, in Carroll County, Ohio, and is a son of Dr. James M. and Nancy (Westfall) Armstrong. The father was a native of Scotland and the mother of Ohio. In 1864 they moved to Linn County, Iowa.

It was in Linn County, Iowa, that Levi Arm- strong completed his preparation for college and in 1870 entered Cornell College, at Mount Ver- non, and continued a student there for four years. He started in business in 1879 in the clothing line, at Waukon, Iowa, and from there, in 1892, came to Rockford. Here he was careful and cautious as an astute business man should be, looking about for a suitable investment for a time and then buying a small clothing house ou his present location, with the intention of expanding as he found it prudent to do so. He has succeeded in his laudable ambition and now owns an establishment ranked with the leading ones in the county, it now being the largest exclusive clothing store in the city of Rockford. The main floor of his establishment is given over to attractive display of seasonable cloth- ing, his good taste being shown in his selec- tions, and the basement is made use of for trunks and storage.

On April 22, 1875, Mr. Armstrong was united in marriage, at Independence. Iowa, to Miss Anna C. McLaury, who was also a student for a time in Cornell College. She was born at Delhi, Delaware County, N. Y., and is a daugh- ter of Robert and Margaret (Rowland) McLaury. She is a lady of education and re- finement, is very active in the Woman's Club, and is an earnest worker in all benevolent movements in the Court Street Methodist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong have two children : Helen and J. Edwin, and four grand- children. Helen Armstrong was born at Mount Vernon, Iowa, and is the wife of Emory C. Andrews, a business man of Chicago, and they have two children, Robert Armstrong and Wayne Andrews. J. Edwin Armstrong was born at Mount Vernon, Iowa. After being graduated most creditably from the Rockford High school, he spent one year at Madison, Wis. Developing business abilities of a high order, he was admit- ted to partnership by his father, in August, 1905. In 1905 he was married to Mary C. Mix, who died in 1907. They had one son born to them, John Mix Armstrong.

In 1910 Mr. Armstrong was married to Vir- ginia Starr, and they have one daughter, Mary Elizabeth Armstrong.

Always a Republican, Levi Armstrong has been anxious for the success of his party in every campaign, but for himself has not desired

public office. He is essentially a business man and as such maintains high standards of busi- ness honor and is respected and esteemed by all who know him. For many years he has been identified with Masonry and belongs to the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Commandery and Shrine, at Rockford and the Consistory at Freeport.

ARNOLD, John M., whose character creates re- spect and invites confidence for any enterprise with which he may see fit to associate himself, lias borne well his part in the development of sound business methods in the city of Rock- ford. He was born at Wittenburg, Germany, January 5, 1859, a son of Gotlieb and Johanna Arnold.

John M. Arnold was educated in the public schools of his native place and when twenty years old he came to the United States, first locating at Elgin, Ill., where he was engaged in the hotel business for three years. In 1883 he came to Rockford and here was in business un- til 1909, when he retired. He is president of the Rockford Germania Gesang Verein and is much interested in this society.

On August 13, 1883, Mr. Arnold was married to Lisetta Lampert, born November 4, 1867, a daughter of Christof and Johanna (Hochhilder) Lampert. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold became the par- ents of eight children as follows: Jennie, born January 15, 1885, who married Rev. Theodore Due. and their children are Homer, born January 31, 1911, and Theodore R., born July 11, 1914; Otto, born April 10, 1887, who married Lillian Peterson, and they have one son, Harold, born April 17, 1910; Charles, horn June 24, 1889, who married Bernice Ray, and they have one son, Eugene A., born August 1, 1912; Lillian, born February 28, 1891; Freda, born March 2, 1893; Maria, born March 3, 1895; Helena, born June 25, 1896; and John, born May 1, 1898, Mrs. Arnold died April 1, 1909, and is buried in the West Side cemetery. She was forty-two years old at the time of her demise. Mr. Arnold is a member of the Christian Union Church, and is highly esteemed in this congregation.

ASH, John B., one of the prominent business men of Rockford, and one who enjoys the full confidence of his associates, was born in New York City, June 1, 1858, a son of Matthew G. and Catherine (Blake) Ash. The father was born in Cornwall, England, in 1835, and the : mother at Belfast, Ireland, in 1838. They were married in England in 1857, and immediately thereafter came to the United States. Tlie father photographer. With Charles Vivian, Frank Langhorne and Richard Stirley, he assisted in organizing what was called the Jolly Corks, which later became the order of Elks, His death occurred at Havana, Cuba. in 1871, from an attack of yellow fever. The mother died at Ridgewood, N. J., in 1910.

In 1872 John B. Ash came to Geneseo, III., and worked as a moulder for a year, then went to Moline, Ill., in 1880 to Milwaukee, Wis., and was there associated with N. C. Thompson, as a

Shan, Q. Salen

Mathilda

983

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

moulder. In 1885 he went into a book and stationery business at No. 325 E. State street, Rockford, but a year later became connected with the watch factory and continued with it until 1SSS, when he went to Springfield, Ill., to work in the watch factory at that point. He was also connected with the watch factory at Peoria, and that at Elgin, Ill., being one of the expert finishers at the latter. In 1893 he re- turned to New York City and became a sales- man for the Nestles Food and Chocolate Suchard. In 1895 Mr. Ash became traveling salesman for a manufacturing jeweler at North Attleboro, Mass., and remained with that con- cern until it closed in 1897, at which time he embarked in business for himself as a whole- sale jeweler and importer of ebony toilet goods. The later part of his business developed to suchi an extent that he discontinued the former, and now confines himself to the French Ivory and Ebony goods, which he sells to retail jewelers only.

On November 23, 1SS2, Mr. Ash was married to Loretta Ferguson, of Rockford, who died in 1905. She was a daughter of Samuel and Cath- erine (McCall) Ferguson of Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Ash had the following children: Edith Bell, who was born in 1SS3, married Leigh S. Martin of Portland, Ore., and they have two chil- dren, Elizabeth Loretta and Mary Eline ; Robert E., who was born in 1SS6, lives at Otis Orchard, Wash., and married Agnes McDowell, a daughter of Dr. W. A. McDowell of Rockford, and they have two children, Caroline and Hurlbut. On October 5, 190S, Mr. Ash was married (second) to Julia B. Lange, born in Chicago in 1876, a daughter of John F. and Fredericka Lange, natives of Germany. Mr. Ash is a Mason in good standing, and has joined every branch of the order. He is a charter member of the old lodge of Elks, No. 64, and since 1SS7 has been a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. His success in lite is all the more remarkable because his educational advantages were con- fined to five years attendance only in the public schools.

ASHTON, Andrew, page 934.

ASHTON, Willard H., president of the Ashton Dry Goods Company, located at 301-303-305 West State street, is interested in the general welfare of the community, as well as in his own particu- lar field of activity. He was born at Durand. Winnebago County, Ill., March 2, 1869, a son of Andrew and Mary J. ( Johnson) Ashton. Andrew Ashton was born at Argyle, Washington County, N. Y., and the mother, Mary J. Johnson, was born at Palermo, Oswego County, in the same state. In early manhood Andrew Ashton left his birthplace and located at Parish, N. Y., where he engaged in a general mercantile business for two years. About this time gold was discovered in California and in 1851 he and his younger brother, William, joined in the onward wave that rolled toward the Pacific Coast. He made the trip by way of the Isthmus of Panama and

upon his arrival in the Golden State began pros- pecting and so continued for four years. Upon his return he located at Durand, Winnebago County, Ill., opening a small general store, and he also engaged in the grain and stock business throughout northern Illinois and southern Wis- consin. He became one of the active factors in developing .this section and gave much practical assistance to the neighboring farmers and to the community in general. When later he moved to Rockford. he retained his Durand interests, eventually, however, disposing of them.

Taking up his residence at Rockford in 1878, lie started in business in the building at the corner of State and Main streets, later buying from David Wallock, the owner, the building which his business partly occupied. This was a three story brick structure. 66x100 feet, which in 1902 lie tore down and replaced with a modern store and office building, and in which was now housed the old business, greatly increased in size, and newly incorporated under the name of ' the Ashton Dry Goods Company. In 1879, the year following Andrew Ashton's removal to Rockford, he secured the services of Mr. Julius A. Penny, an expert in draperies and carpets, and who for more than thirty years following was Mr. Ashton's right-hand man and of very substan- tial assistance in the conducting and develop- ing of the Ashton store.

Andrew Ashton's independence in action and thought made him the leader of the political free lances of this section and in 1876 he was elected to the State Legislature upon the Inde- pendent ticket. He served the district at Spring- field for two terms and in 1890 the same forces again brought strong pressure to bear and induced him to run for congress. When it is realized that the then Congressman Hitt's nor- mal majority in one of the banner Republican districts of the State was 14,000 and that Mr. Ashton reduced that figure to a scant 500, his strength as a leader of the Independents will be appreciated.

Willard Ashton's more active association with the Ashton Dry Goods Company dates from the year following Andrew Ashton's death, which occurred in August, 1910.

ASPROOTH, Vernie O., manager of the Newark Shoe Store, at No. 312 W. State street, is one of the native sons of the city who, although still a young man, has already earned his place among the capable and successful business men of the county. He was born at Rockford, July 29, 1SS4, a son of Fritz and Emma (Bowman) Asprooth, the former of whom was born in Smoland, Sweden, the latter being a native of Rockford. The father was educated in his native land, and became a telegraph operator. He was twenty years old when, in 1877, he came to the United States. Locating at Rockford. lie was first engaged with the Rockford Price Glove Company, and later with the Nelson Knit- ting Mills. Still later, he was appointed a. mail carrier, and held the position for twenty years. At present he is in the employ of the Greenlee

984

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

Manufacturing Company, being a steady, reliable man who stands well with all who know him. He was married at Rockford to Emma Bowman whose parents were of Swedish birth. They came to the United States in a sailing vessel. After his arrival at Rockford, Mr. Bowman was a painting contractor until his death which oc- curred at Rockford, where his wife also passed away.

Vernie O. Asprooth attended the public schools until he was thirteen years old, and then went to work for the Van Duyer & Co.'s dry goods store, remaining with this concern for two years, then was a clerk for Harnett & Hall. shoe merchants, and was with this firm for four years. For the next two years he was employed by the Hemming Shoe Company. For five years he was with the E. & W. Clothing Co. in the shoe department, and his next connection was with the Armstrong Clothing Co., for five years, when he took charge, on March 4, 1914, of the Newark Shoe Store, at No. 312 W. State street, where he is maintaining a high order of service and building up additional trade relations.

On June 7, 1906, Mr. Asprooth was married to Miss Ora May Johnson. a daughter of Abner and Emma (Awe) Johnson, of Lena, near Free- port, Ill. Mr. Johnson is now a carpenter and contractor of Rockford. Mr. and Mrs. Asprooth have one child, Vernette J. They reside at No. 730 N. Church street. Fraternally Mr. Asprooth is a Mason. His long and varied experience pre- pared him for his present position and he is justifying the good judgment of his employers in placing him in charge of their interests.

ATWOOD, Sylvester Gardner. While it is cer- tain that a fair proportion of the wealth of Winnebago County comes from the immense manufacturing interests centered at Rockford, it is equally true that the agricultural activities have produced and are producing a vast aggre- gate for those interested in farming. One of the men who for years was a potent factor in the agricultural life of Winnebago County, and now living in honorable retirement at the county seat, is enjoying the fruits of his labors, is Syl- vester Gardner Atwood. Mr. Atwood was born at Washington. Berkshire County, Mass., May 5, 1835, a son of Phineas and Hulda (Haskell) Atwood, of Massachusetts, the latter a daughter of Roger Haskell, a native of England.

Phineas Atwood was orphaned in infancy and was reared by a man named Gardner. He learned the trade of blacksmith. and he also engaged in farming and sheep raising. In 1845 he came to Winnebago County, Ill., and lived for a year in New Milford Township, but in 1846 moved to Harlem Township where he bought 100 acres of land. a portion of which was improved, all of it being prairie. He began farming it and later purchased other land. Nine of his ten children worked on this land, and then they all combined to get a farm for each one. Tbe parents re- sided on the homestead until they died. Their children were as follows: Phineas H., who was born January 7, 1819, died January 23, 1892;

Harriet, who was born January 4, 1S21, died May 23, 1868; Mary, who was born November 21, 1819, is deceased; Patience, who was born August 5, 1822, died August 16, 1902; David, who was born June 11, 1823, died September 22, 1904; Louise, who was born September 15, 1824, is deceased; Jonathan, who was born August 25, 1825, died in 189S; Hezekiah, who was born February 16, 1830, lives at Ames, Iowa; Bradley S., who was born January 7, 1832, died April 13, 1900; and Sylvester G., who was the youngest.

Sylvester Gardner Atwood attended the dis- trict schools in Massachusetts and in Winue- bago County, and resided with is parents until his marriage in 1863, after which he located on a farm that joined his father's, consisting of thirty-seven and one-half acres. To this he kept on adding until he had eighty acres. He also bought 14734 acres in Guilford Township. While conducting his own property he also operated his father's farm, this making over 400 acres under his management. The homestead came into his possession after the death of his par- ents. In 1896 he moved to Rockford where he now owns a four-family flat, on W. State street, and a two-family flat on Peach street, as well as vacant lots on Campbell avenue. When he first came to Rockford he rented his farms but subsequently sold them.

On October S. 1863. at Beloit, Wis., Mr. At- wood was married (first) to Lydia Rosecrans, born at Troy. N. Y., who died in November, 189S. Mr. and Mrs. Atwood had the following children : William, who was born May 20, 1865, lives at Seattle, Wash .; Belle, who was born May 19, 1874, is Mrs. Eugene Frey, of Polo, Ill. ; Gay, who was born in April, ISSO, is Mrs. Horace Easton of Harlem Township. On Oc- tober 31, 1900, Mr. Atwood married (second) Louisa Kellogg, born at Lawrenceville, N. Y., a daughter of Orson and Eliza (Smith) Kellogg, natives of Mt. Upton, N. Y., and Canada, re- spectively. In 1862 Mrs. Atwood came to Rock- ford where she was married (first) to Alexander Hartwell, born in Canada. He was a captain in the Union army during the Civil war, and fol- lowing the conclusion of that conflict, conducted a meat market for many years, while she was engaged in a millinery business from 1865 to 1902, and then sold. The Hartwells had one daughter, Belle, who was born July 4, 1869, now Mrs. Willis L. Blinn, who lives with Mr. and Mrs. Atwood. Mr. Atwood belongs to the Chris- tian Union Church. In 1894 he served as super- visor for Harlem Township. In politics he is a Republican. Fraternally he is a Mason, and he and his wife belong to the Eastern Star and White Shrine of Jerusalem. He is also a mem- ber of Harmony Grange of Harlem Township. The family residence at No. 1904 Harlem boule- vard is owned by Mrs. Atwood.

BABCOCK, Francis Dwight Earl, one of the most intelligent and aggressive men of Winne- bago County, whose broad experience is a guar- antee of his careful judgment and keen insight

985

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

into conditions, was born at Marengo, Ill., August 12, 1872, a son of John Bartow and Marcia (DeWolt) Babcock. The father was one of the oldest publishers and editors of Illinois, for thirty-eight years editing and publishing the Marengo Republican. He, with the late Ben Shaw, of Dixon, and John R. Marshall, of Yorkville, were the three deans of Illinois news- paper men.

Until he was twenty years old, Francis Dwight Earl Babcock remained at Marengo, and then spent a year at Chicago. After returning home, he was with his father on the latter's newspaper for a time, then accepted a position at Kalamazoo, Mich., where he gained a valuable experience on a daily paper. Once more he re- turned to his old home and was in business with his father until 1905, when he sold and went to Belvidere, Ill., and was business man- ager of the Daily Republican of that place for seven years. He was then appointed secretary of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, entering upon his duties April 1, 1913, and he still holds this important position.

In 1902 Mr. Babcock was married to Grace M. Hall, a daughter of Frank M. and Ella (Ander- son) Hall. Mr. and Mrs. Babcock have one son, Robert Woodbury. Mr. Babcock belongs to the Elks, of which he was for one year esteemed lecturing knight. He also belongs to the Royal Arcanum, and at one time served this order as secretary. He was brought up in the Methodist faith, although he does not belong to any re- ligious organization.

BAILEY, Clarence M., chief engineer of the city pumping station, with residence at No. 517 N. Third street, is one of the most reliable and conscientious men in the employ of the city of Rockford, and one who is devoting his time and talents toward rendering the people ef- ficient and satisfactory service. He was born at Rockford, October 31, 1873, a son of Norton G. and Emert (Dickerman) Bailey. After com- pleting his course at the public schools of Rock- ford Mr. Bailey took up some studies at Mrs. Carpenter's Academy.

After leaving school, Mr. Bailey learned the silverplating metal soldering trade and worked at it for five years, when he went with the General Electric Company, and was in the em- ploy of this concern for nearly three years, as engineer. He then went with the Glucose Sugar Refining Company, and remained over two years. Then for a short period he was with Buckbar's seed plant as engineer, for a year was with Nelson's Hotel as engineer, and in 1905 was made assistant engineer of the city pumping station, and June 1, '1912. was made chief engineer. During the past ten years Mr. Bailey has only had three days vacation, which is a somewhat remarkable record of continuous application.

On June 21, 1900, Mr. Bailey was married at Glencoe, Ill .. to Catherine Holverson, a daugh- ter of John and Sarah Holverson, and they have a daughter, Mildred G. who was born May 30,

1901. In politics Mr. Bailey is a Republican. His long and varied experience specially fitted him for the discharge of his present duties, and the city is to be congratulated upon securing the services of a man of Mr. Bailey's calibre.

BAKER, Edward H., page 657.

BAKER, George H., engineer of the Burson Knitting Company, is one of the skilled men of his profession at Rockford, and is held in high esteem by his employers and associates. He was born at Rockford, February 11, 1870, a son of William H. and Anna ( Shannon) Baker, natives of Montreal and Toronto, Canada, respectively, and descendants of French and German stock.

Growing up at Rockford, George H. Baker was educated in its excellent schools, and after completing his education, was employed by neighboring farmers for three years. Mr. Baker had had experience in many lines. He entered the paper mills of Bradner & Smith in the capacity of boiler cleaner, being advanced through merit until he was foreman of a depart- ment, and continued with that firm for six years, in 1895 becoming a utility man in a churn factory. After several years in that capacity, he became foreman in a sugar refinery, leaving after eight months to go with the Rockford Paper Mill Company as engineer, and ten months later entered the Burson Knitting Company as fireman, but in ten months was engaged by the Illinois Sewing Machine Company as engineer. After a short period with this and other con- cerns, in 1911 he returned to the Burson Knit- ting Company as engineer, which position he still holds.

Mr. Baker was married to Minnie Kreipki, and they have several children. In 1898 Mr. Baker enlisted for service during the Spanish- American war, at Rockford as a member of Company H, Third Illinois National Guard, and participated in the Porto Rico campaign, and was in service from April until Jannary of the following year. He belongs to the Spanish- American Association and the order of Owls. A hardworking, intelligent man Mr. Baker has earned his successive promotions and is a man to do credit to any community.

BAKER, Ira W., page 657.

BANCROFT, Charles A., editor of the Durand Gazette, of Durand, and the Davis Leader, is one of the men largely instrumental in shaping public opinion in Winnebago County. He was born in Hennepin County. Minn., September 17, 1859, a son of Daniel W. Bancroft, who was reared in Vermont, and after his marriage moved to Hennepin County, Minn., where he engaged in farming. When Charles A. Bancroft was two years old his mother died, and the father returned to Vermont, where he lived until his own death.

From the time of his mother's death until he attained his majority, Charles A. Bancroft lived in various homes, and until he was fifteen years

986

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

old these were located in country regions. He attended the country schools and when seven- teen years old began learning typesetting. His business career, however, was interrupted when he was nineteen years old by the death of his foster parents, and for the succeeding two years he conducted their homestead, but then he re- sumed work at his trade. Until 1SS4 he worked as a journeyman printer, but in that year estab- lished the Elkton Herald at Elkton, So. Dak., selling it in two years to buy the West Liberty Enterprise, at West Liberty, Iowa. In 1893 lie again became a journeyman printer, but seven months later leased the Buda Plaindealer, in Bureau County, Iowa, and conducted it a year. He then moved to Ashton, Iowa, and founded the Aslıton Gazette, conducting it until 1904, when he sold it to Ralph J. Dean, the present owner, and ten days later bought the Franklin Grove (Ill.) Reporter. In 1907 Mr. Bancroft sold this paper and bought the defunct Durand Clipper, rechristening it the Durand Gazette, and has since continued to issue it. In 1911 he founded the Davis Leader, of Davis, Stephenson County, Ill., which is published in the Gazette office, both papers being conducted along neu- tral political lines, although personally Mr. Bancroft is a Republican. When Mr. Bancroft bought the Clipper plant it was not worth over $750, and the circulation was practically noth- ing. It has now between 1,100 and 1,200 sub- seribers and the plant and equipment is valued at $4,500. His religious connections are with the Methodist church. Fraternally he is a Mason, an Odd Fellow, Knight of Pythias, and member of the Mystic Workers.

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 66

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