Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 69

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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Mr. and Mrs. Best have had the following children : Manuel Alfred, who was born March

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28, 1883, married Lillie Morris and lives on his maternal grandfather's old homestead, which liis father now owns; Walter R. P., who was born December 21, 1SS4, married Elfida Tilkemeier, lives at home ; Cora Emma, who was born June 21, 1886, married William Runte and lives in Durand Township; Orris Jacob, who was born February 2, 1SSS, married Clara (Heitkorn) and lives in Durand Township; Babe, born in 1890, died in infancy; Clarence Milford, who was born December 23, 1895, is at home and is going to conduct the garage and light plant ; Floyd Willard, who was born August 1, 1898. is at home. With the exception of Clarence, who is running a garage and light plant at Davis, Ill., all the sons are assisting their father in operating the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Best are members of the United Evangelical Church. Politically he is a Republican, and has been a member of the school board for a number of years, and is now a school trustee of Durand Township. His postoffice address is Davis, Stephenson County, Ill.

BEST, Reuben, a prosperous and honored re- tired farmer of Durand Township, was born in Northampton County, Pa., February 16, 1828, a son of Jacob N. and Susannah (Unangst) Best, both natives of Pennsylvania, where all their children were born. In 1855 these parents, with their ten children, the eleventh, a daughter, being left to follow later, migrated to Illinois by steamboat and railroad to Pecatonica. They had been attracted to this region because of the favorable reports made by Reuben Best, who, in 1850, had come to Winnebago County to look over the region and visit some former Pennsyl- vanians whom he had known. At that time there were no settlements on the east of Free- port, and only one brick building in the place. The prairie was all open and settlers were few. Jacob N. Best bought 120 acres of prairie and forty acres of timber land, the former on section 20, and there was, for that time, a fairly good frame house on the property. Jacob N. Best continued to live on this farm during the bal- ance of his lite, dying February 20, 1885, when over eighty-six years old. His wife, born Novem- ber 4, 1799, died August 9, 1891.

For two years after settling in Durand Town- ship, Reuben Best worked as a carpenter and then bought thirty-six acres of the farm where he now resides. This land had been broken and had a small frame house upon it. From time to time he added to his first purchase until he owned 160 acres, forty acres of which was a portion of his father's homestead, and here he lived continuously for sixty years, with the exception of four years when he was on all adjacent place.

Reuben Best was married in Pennsylvania to Miss Catherine Long, on April 24, 1852. and they became the parents of six children, the first of whom was born in Pennsylvania, and the others in Winnebago County. They were as follows : Albert, who was born January 30, 1853, is now

living at Rockford; William Ervin, who was born October 25, 1857, is living in Stephenson County, Ill .; Jacob Manuel, who was born Jan- uary 25, 1860, lives in Durand Township; Mary Ann, who was born June 15, 1862, died in August, 1915, and lived at Rockford; Ida Alice, who was born November 20, 1864, died when eleven months old ; and Emma L., who was born September 11, 1869, is living in Kansas. Mrs. Best died November 2, 1891, aged sixty-one years, two months and twenty-one days. She was a consistent member of the Evangelical Church, as is Mr. Best.

Politically Mr. Best is a Republican, and he served as a school director for many years. He has seen many changes in the county. He built the first frame house in Davis, and a number of houses in Durand Township, including the one in which he lived for so many years, and did a great deal of building during his first few years of residence in the county. Durand Town- ship was fast settling up when the Best family arrived, and soon thereafter land began to ad- vance in value. The year 1915, April 13, marked the sixtieth anniversary of the arrival of the Best family in Durand Township, and members of it have lived here continuously ever since.

BEST, Simon Peter, a capable, energetic, intelli- gent man and good citizen, is a retired farmer living at Durand, Ill. He was born in Easton, Northampton County, Pa., April 13, 1844, a son of Jacob N. and Susanna ( Unangst) Best, both na- tives of Easton, Northampton County, Pa., where he was born December 1, 1798, and she Novem- ber 4, 1799.

The Best family originated in Germany, two brothers founding the family in America in 1727 by locating in Pennsylvania and it is a fact worthy of note that its members have always been self-respecting and hard working ever since. The maternal ancestors located in the colonies at about the same time as did the paternal ones. The parents married in Pennsylvania and their eleven children were born in that state, of whom Simon Peter was the youngest, the others being as follows: William, who was born November 26, 1821, died in Illinois, March 25, 1903; Mrs. Sarah Unangst, who was born August 22, 1823, lied August 12, 1896, at Davis, Ill. ; Mrs. Rosana Glasser, who was born July 21, 1825, died July 8, 1912, at Davis, Ill .; Reuben, who was born February 16, 1828, is living in Durand Town- ship; Mrs. Anna Maria Gold, who was born November 27, 1830, died at Davis, Ill., November 8, 1895 ; Susanna, who was born January 3, 1832, died at Easton, Pa., October 25 1833; Sophia Weaver, who was born February 28, 1834, is living at Davis, Ill .; Mrs. Rebecca Richard, who was born February 12, 1836, is living at Lena, Ill. ; Elizabeth, who married Thomas Jenne- weine, who was wounded at the battle of Stone River, during the Civil war, and died a prisoner, January 1, 1863, leaving two sons, and later Elizabeth married (second) Adam Rheinegans; Lavina Baker, who was born September S, 1841,

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died June 19, 1913, at Davis, Ill .; and Simon Peter.

Jacob N. Best, the father of the above chil- dren, was a farmer. In 1855 he sold his prop- erty in Pennsylvania and came with his family to Winnebago County, Ill., arriving here April 13, settling on a farm in Durand Township, comprising 160 acres, partly improved. On this he made additional improvements and de- veloped it into one of the best farms in the county. On it he passed the balance of his life, dying February 20, 1885, the mother also passing away upon this farm Angust 9, 1891, that is still in possession of the family. These parents were members of the Evangelical association. In politics the father was a Republican and a strong anti-slavery man. IIe served for seven years in the Pennsylvania state militia, belonging to the Twenty-sixth regiment. A public spirited man he helped to build the first schoolhouse in his dis- trict in Durand Township after coming to the county. At that time Pecatonica was the near- est market, it being seven miles from the Best farm, and Durand village was not even thought of, let alone being in existence, it not being laid out until 1856, following the construction of the railroad through Durand Township.

Simon Peter Best was eleven years old when he was brought to Durand Township and he was reared on the homestead, and sent to the district schools. On February 13, 1868, he was married to Elizabeth Hannah Matter, of Davis, Stephen- son County, Ill., born at Freeport, Ill., March 21, 1847, a daughter of Jonathan Matter who settled in Stephenson County in 1845, coming there from Pennsylvania by boat and team. Although ninety-three years old, he survives and makes his home at Freeport. The paternal great-great- grandfather of Mrs. Best was captain of a com- pany in the Revolutionary war and one of his sons served also as a soldier. Following his marriage, Simon Peter Best carried on the home- stead farm for eleven years and during this time he purchased land to which he moved in the spring of 1880 to which he has since added until he now owns 320 acres of land, all improved. On it he has built a large barn and made other improvements and lived upon this property until 1896 when he retired and moved to his present residence at Durand, renting his farm to a son. He and his wife became the parents of nine children, as follows: Fernando, who was born October 10, 1869, is living at Redfield, S. Dak., and has three children; Arthur Jonathan who was born December 7, 1870, is mentioned else- where in this work; Jacob Edgar, who was born October 14, 1872, is living on a farm in Durand Township; Wallace V., who was born August 22, 1874, is living in Texas; Signora, who was born September 9, 1877, married E. D. Shakey of Durand; Sylvia D., who was born October 23, 1882, married Frank Sodaman of Durand Town- ship; Oscar L., who was born September 11, 1884, married Esther Brinker, September 16, 1915, is living on his father's farm ; Arvilla M., who was born November 26, 1886, married Roy Randell of Durand; and Susanna Pearl, who was

born October 2, 1888, married Walter Bliss of Durand, and has a son, Raymond W. Mr. Best is a Methodist, and in politics is independent. He served as assessor of Durand Township and was also highway commissioner, discharging the duties of these offices with the same faithful ad- herence to high ideals which has characterized him along other lines.

BILLICK, Edward, now living in honorable re- tirement at his residence, No. 429 S. Court street, was at one time very prominent in business circles of Rockford, as a meat merchant and hotel man. He was born at Pecatonica, this county, May 10, 1855, a son of William and Laura (Swift) Billick. The Billick family is one of the oldest in the United States, a member of it having been a passenger on the Mayflower. This family was early established in New York state, and it was in Allegany County, that state, that William Billick was born, April 10, 1827. When still a lad his parents became pioneers of Win- nebago County, Ill., buying land from the gov- ernment in Pecatonica Township, and there the grandfather died in 1864. The father remained on the homestead until 1873, when he went to Tama County, Iowa, there buying land, but sold it and moved to Caro County, Iowa, where he died at the age of seventy-nine years and eleven months. The mother survives, and makes her home at Manning, Iowa. The father was a Re- publican in politics.

Reared and educated at Pecatonica, Ill., Ed- ward Billick came to Rockford and did teaming from 1872 to 1873, and then established himself in a meat business, and also dealt in cattle for a number of years. He then went to Iowa, and was associated with his father in farming opera- tions for two years, but returned to Rockford and went into the hotel business, first conducting the Forest City House for a number of years, after which he assumed charge of the Rexton Hotel. This is a well known hostelry, very popular with commercial travelers. Mr. Billick has been managing this hotel for seventeen years. He owns thirty-seven acres of land on Kilbourne avenue, where a dairy is operated and farm products are furnished for the hotel, and has a ranch in Texas.

In 1871 Mr. Billick was married to Miss Augusta Kling, a daughter of August and Anna (Free) Kling. Mr. and Mrs. Kling were natives of Sweden, and Mr. Kling was an officer in the Swed- ish army. They came to the United States in 1864, first stopping at Rockford, but later going to Pecatonica Township, where they farmed until the death of Mr. Kling at the age of fifty- two years. Mrs. Kling died in 1910, at Rockford. Mr. and Mrs. Billick became the parents of two children, namely : Harry E. and Ethel V., the latter of whom married James Enright and they have one child, Reginald E. Enright. Mr. Kling was a well known man in his day. Genial, en- tertaining and reliable, Mr. Billick stands well in popular esteem and has the reputation of always being an ideal host.

Om Sherwood

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

BILLSTROM, John E., superintendent and gen- eral manager of the Nels J. Billstrom Machine Company, with residence at No. 1315 Tenth street, Rockford, is proving in the success that attends his every day work, the value of expert knowledge coupled with natural aptitude for a certain line of endeavor. He is a son of Nels J. and Anna (Hanson) Billstrom, and was born at Rockford, Ill., September 25, 1896.

Mr. Billstrom grew up in this city and at- tended the public schools. He then took a course in engineering and also was a student in the Draughors-Porter Business College, Rockford. Immediately following the completion of his studies, he took a position in his father's manu- facturing plant. This business had been estab- lished in 1903, upon a small scale, but has been developed until now two buildings are utilized, one 75x100 feet in dimensions and one 50x100 feet. The shops are among the best equipped in their line in the state. The company manufac- tures wood working machinery and the product is shipped all over the world, the company having customers in Canada and in all foreign countries. In 1915 four car loads of machinery were shipped to Russia. The business has shown a healthy and genuine increase annually.

Mr. Billstrom is recognized as one of the live, enterprising young business men of Rockford, and under his active supervision further develop- ment may be anticipated.

BILLSTROM, Nels J., president and treasurer of the Nels J. Billstrom Machine Works, with residence at No. 1315 Tenth street, Rockford, was born in Malmo, Sweden, December 15, 1856, and in 1880 emigrated to America. Mr. Bill- strom became foreman of the East Rockford Machine Tool Company. In 1903 he invented the Gluing Clamp Carrier, and in 1909 the Contin- uous Feed Attachment for Buzz Planers. He started in on a small scale and has succeeded. The plant now comprises one building 75x100 feet and one 50x100 feet. The company manu- factures wood working machinery and the prod- uct is shipped to all parts of the civilized globe.

BIXBY, James Milton. Another of the old vet- erans of Winnebago County passed away with the death of James Milton Bixby, but this locality lost more than a survivor of the Civil war, for he was one of the substantial men of Rockford. During earlier years he had made his mark as a farmer and carpenter, He was born at Royalton, Niagara County, N. Y., Octo- ber 24, 1839, a son of Caius and Louisa (Comp- ton) Bixby, natives of Canada and New Jersey. In 1844 these parents came to Winnebago County with his parents, Levi and Lucinda (Burch) Bixby, natives of New York, and they all settled at Elida. Levi Bixby was one of the early physicians of Winnebago County, and it was with him that James Milton Bixby resided until his enlistment, in August, 1862, for service during the Civil war, in Company F, Seventy- fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, being as-

signed to the Army of the Cumberland. He took part in all the engagements of his regiment, having the good fortune never to be wounded llor taken prisoner. After his period of faithful service expired, he was honorably discharged in June, 1865. He was justly proud of the docu- ment, a part of which is given :

KNOW YE, That J. Milton Bixby a Corporal of Captain George R. Bradshaw's Company, (F) 74th Regiment of Illinois Infantry Volunteers who was enrolled on the Fifth day of August one thousand eight hundred and sixty two to serve Three years or during the war, is hereby DISCHARGED from the service of the United States, this Tenth day of June, 1865, at Nash- ville, Tenn. by reason of being mustered out in accordance with instructions from War Depart- ment dated May 29th, 1865.

(No objection to his being re-enlisted is known to exist.)

After Mr. Bixby returned to Winnebago County he resumed farming, Later he went to Michigan, but not liking that state, came back once more to Winnebago County, and in 1870 inoved to Plymouth County, Iowa, and bought a farm. This he operated until 1882, when he sold it, and going further west bought land in Lan- caster County, Neb., and operated it until 1893, when he sold, and locating then at Rockford, was for a time engaged in carpenter work. On .September 3, 1913, he died, and is buried in Cedar Bluff Cemetery.

While residing in Plymouth County, Iowa, Mr. Bixby was married to Sarah E. Seal, born in Guilford Township, this county, a daughter of Christopher and Sarah (Finch) Seal, natives of England. Mr. and Mrs. Bixby became the parents of two children: Achsah Marie, who died at the age of two years; and Ellis Milton, who resides with his mother, and works for the Security Insurance Company. Mr. Bixby be- longed to the Centennial Methodist Church. In politics he was a Republican. Nevius Post No. 1, G. A. R., held his membership and he was highly regarded by all his comrades. A man of higli character, he did his duty as he saw it, and had the satisfaction of amassing a desirable com- petency during the years he was actively en- gaged.

BJORKLUND, Jesse Nathan, a dry goods mer- chant who is correctly numbered among the leading business men of Rockford, is very con- veniently located at No. 1113 Fourteenth av- enue, where he enjoys a fine trade. He was born at Rockford, Ill., September 28, 1881, a son of Charles and Clara (Bredberg) Bjorklund. Charles Bjorklund was born in Smolan, Sweden, and came to this country about 1871. Clara Bredberg was born in Westergotland, Sweden, came to this country about 1865, and they were married at the home of the mother's parents at Rockford, Ill., in 1880, and located at Rockford. Here Charles Bjorklund, in association with others, embarked in the manufacture of bricks, so continuing until 1910, when he was placed

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on the staff of Green & Coleman, manufacturers of lumber and boxes, and is still with this coll- cern. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of the Zion Lutheran Church, having been instrumental in securing the erection of a place of worship for this denomination at Rock- ford, so that he could worship according to the faith he had espoused in his native land. His wife died at Rockford, in 1900, at the age of forty-three years.

Jesse Nathan Bjorklund grew up at Rockford, where he was educated in the public schools. Upon completing his school training he was en- gaged by the Skandia Brick Company, and con- tinued with this company for three years, when he became a clerk for Mr. Nelin, dealer in soft drinks and cigars, on E. State street. After leaving Mr. Nelin he was employed by Cutting and Co., dry goods merchants, being promoted to be assistant manager. Then Mr. Bjorklund and Mr. Cutting established themselves in a dry goods business at No. 1113 Fourteenth avenue, and after a month of prosperous operation, Mr. Bjorklund bought out his partner, and now con- ducts it alone.

On June 5, 1912, Mr. Bjorklund was married to Miss Laura Valentine, a daughter of Charles and Anna (Wallin) Valentine of Rockford. Her parents were of Swedish descent and birth, and she was born in Sweden, and was brought here by her parents when five years old. Upon arriv- ing at Rockford, her father became an employe of the old Emerson Reaper Company, later going with the Skandia Plow Company. After a num- ber of years spent with the latter company; he went to Iowa and for a year was engaged in an implement business, and then returned to Rock- ford. and going in with the Rockford Mannfac- turing Company. continued with that concern un- til his death, in 1910. The mother of Mrs. Bjork- lund survives and lives with Mr. and Mrs. BjorkInnd at No. 1316 Ninth street, where he owns the four flat building. Mr. Bjorklund is a member of the Royal Arcanum, of the Svea- soner lodge. and is treasurer of the Fourteenth Avenue Business Men's Association. A man of independent spirit and excellent business judg- ment, he has made his own way in the world, and is now looking for a larger building for his dry goods business.

BLACK, Samuel Mclain, the leading paper hanger and decorator of Rockford, is an artist in his line and his services are in great demand in this city and vicinity by those who appreciate good work. He was born in Louisiana, May 13. 1844. a son of John Henry and Anna (Oakley) Black, natives of Newark. N. J., and Brooklyn, N. Y. The father was a school teacher and taught in a college at Oakland, Miss., remov- ing in 1849 to Bloomfield, N. J.

Samuel MeLain Black had a governess in childhood and later attended the public schools of Bloomfield. N. J. He learned the painting and paper-hanging trade, for which he took . contracts, and remained at Bloomfield until 18SS. when he came to Rockford and embarked here in the same line. He does all the most particu-

lar work in this locality, faithfully completing all contracts, and his skill is very generally recognized.

On March 4, 1869, Mr. Black was married to Ann Elizabeth Smith, born in Wynoeky, New Jersey, and they became the parents of the following children : Jenney, who died at the age of four years; Ella Oakley, who died at the age of twenty-two years; Robert, who lives at Meridian, Miss. ; and Ralph, who lives at home and is associated in business with his father. Mr. Black belongs to the First Congregational Church of Rockford. In politics he is a Repub- lican. A man of unquestioned skill, his long experience and artistic perceptions make his work exceedingly desirable in quality, and that this is true is proven by the fact that he has more business than he can attend to.

BLACKLAWS, Walter Scott, a prosperous farmer and stockraiser of Rockford Township, lias the reputation of being one of the most successful agriculturists of Winnebago County. He resides on the old homestead of his parents, where he was born May 29, 1880, a son of James and Helen (Welch) Blacklaws, natives of Scotland and Rockford, respectively. After marriage they located on the farm in Rockford Township, a portion of which is now owned by Walter Scott Blacklaws. To the original tract the father kept adding until he owned 400 acres. His death occurred August 11, 1901. The mother died in November, 1891. By a prior marriage the father had three sons; Lewis, who is a farmer in Owen Township; and two who are now deceased. By his second marriage he had the following children : Nellie, who is Mrs. Joseph Welsh, of Belvidere, Ill .; Hattie, who is Mrs. William Moore of Rockford ; James, who is also of Rockford ; and Walter Scott.

Until his marriage. Walter Scott Blacklaws resided with his parents. but then moved to a tarm of seventy-three and one-third acres. this being his portion of the homestead. On it he bas erected a fine residence and has otherwise improved the property. and here carries on gen- eral farming and stockraising with an energy that brings very satisfactory returns.

On November 6. 1901. Mr. Blacklaws was married to Edith Atkinson, born in Burritt Township, a daughter of B. C. and Maryette ( Henry) Atkinson, and a granddaughter of Brown Conklin and Marvette ( Henry) Atkin- son. the former born in Winnebago County. and the latter born in Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Blacklaws have no children. Mr. Blacklaws has spent his life in Rockford Township. even ob- taining his educational training in its schools, and is very loyal to his own neighborhood. HIe is a live, progressive young man who stands very high in public esteem.

BLAISDELL, Elijah W., page 720.

BLAKE, Thatcher, page 639.

BLAKELEY, John E., assistant foreman of the wood department of the Emerson-Brantingham

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Company of Rockford, Ill., is one of the sub- stantial native sons of Winnebago County who has risen through his own efforts and is worthy of all consideration. He was born August 10, 1872, a son of George W. and Hannah (Page) Blakeley, natives of Illinois. For some years prior to his demise, the father was a traveling salesman. The mother survives, and makes her home at Rockford.

John E. Blakeley was educated in the public schools of Rockford, and began his business life as an employe of the Palmer Churn fac- tory where he spent six years, and then for four years was city electrician. In 1901 he entered the employ of the Emerson-Brantingham Com- pany as assistant foreman of the wood depart- ment, and continues to hold that responsible position.

On October 1. 1885, Mr. Blakeley was married to Gertrude Molson, born at Chicago, Ill., Aug- ust 30, 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Blakeley have the following children : Joseph E., Alma E., John Stanley, Loetta and Clifford. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Odd Fellows, and stands well in both fraterni- ties. The English Lutheran Church holds his membership. Mrs. Blakeley belongs to the Court of Honor. The family residence is at No. 519 Island avenue. and in addition to it, Mr. Blakeley owns other city property.

BLINN, Jesse, page 704.

BLISS, A. C., whose operations in Owen Town- ship entitle him place

among the agriculturalists of Winnebago County, was born in this same township on the old Bliss home- stead in 1875, he being a son of James and Ann M. (Colton) Bliss. The parents were natives of North Adams, Mass., where the father was educated and spent his boyhood. Later he learned the carpenter trade, and worked for neighboring farmers for $13 per month. His first wife was Miss Liddie E. Fife, who died on the Owen Township homestead in 1862. The father later married Miss Anna M. Colton who died July 1, 1882. In 1887 the father married (third) Amanda Henderson. The death of the father occurred on the homestead, when he was over seventy years old.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 69

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