Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 70

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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A. C. Bliss was educated in Owen Township where he grew to manhood. Choosing farming as his life work, he has continued in this line ever since, and upon the death of his father inherited part of the homestead. Mr. Bliss married Miss Harriet Harmon.

BLOMQUIST, Gust E., whose operations as a furniture dealer place him among the reliable and progressive business men of Rockford, is conveniently located at No. 1121 Fourteenth avenue, where he enjoys a fine trade. He was born in Westergötland, Sweden, December 27, 1883, a son of John and Sophia Blomquist. John Blomquist was also born in Westergötland and ame to the United States with his wife in 1887, 'nd locating in Rockford Township, engaged in

farming for a short time, but later came to Rockford and worked in different factories. Subsequently he moved to Wood County, Wis., where he bought a farm and operated it for ten years, when he retired.

Gust E. Blomquist was educated at Rockford. and his first work was done for the Rockford Cabinet Company, where he received seventy- five cents per day. He remained with this con- cern, being steadily advanced, and then went with the Rockford Furniture and Undertaking Company for six years, then with Hess Brothers department store. Mr. Blomquist then went to Marinette, Wis., to take a position with Lauer- man Bros .. managing their furniture department for nine months, when he returned to Rockford and established himself in a furniture business at No. 1209 Fourteenth avenue, but after eight- een months moved to his present address, where he has one of the finest houses in Rockford. When Mr. Blomquist was with the Rockford Furniture & Undertaking Company he pat- ented what is known as the "Blomquist Short Rail." used for beds, which is being sold in large quantities from coast to coast, and is still bring- ing him excellent returns.

On October 5. 1910. Mr. Blomquist was mar- ried to Miss Esther M. Anderson, a daughter of L. John and Annie J. Anderson of Rockford. both being of Swedish descent. Mr. and Mrs. Gust E. Blomquist had one child. Wilbur, who died at the age of two months. Mr. Blomquist is a Republican. He is a member of the Swedish Free Church. A man of progressive ideas, he has known how to put them into practical use and has profited thereby.

BODFORS, Prof. Andrew Daniel, whose school of music and oratory is one of the best known in the state outside of Chicago, is a genius in his several lines, and amply able to impart to others his trained knowledge of music and the art of delivery. He was born at Cambridge, Minn .. December 13, 1871, a son of Daniel J. and Christina (Jolinson) Bodfors, natives of Swe- den. In 1869 they came to Minnesota, locating at Cambridge, where they took up a homestead, which they subsequently sold but continued to live in the neighborhood. The father was a farmer. The mother of Prof. Bodfors died De- cember 19, 1871. The father married a second time, and this wife died September 24, 1913. He died March 17, 1892.

When he was sixteen years old Andrew Daniel Bodfors entered Augustana College at Rock Island, as a student of music, the course includ- ing instruction on the piano, organ and other instruments, and he remained from 1887 'until 1891. when he was graduated. He taught in the musical department of the college for a few months, and then became organist in the Au- gustana Lutheran Church at Minneapolis, Minn., holding that position for two years, when he went to Stockholm, Sweden, and studied music in the Royal Conservatory. In August, 1895. Augustana College secured his services as a

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

teacher of the piauo and organ and he had charge of the musical department until 1904, when he came to Rockford and founded his present school of music aud oratory on Sixth street. Three years later he bought the large resideuce of the late Dr. Clark at No. 302 S. Madisou street, which he altered for his pur- poses. He has accommodation for from 250 to 500 pupils ; his course is a nine mouths' one dur- ing the fall and winter months, and he also conducts a vacatiou conrse of six weeks. Siuce 1905 he has been organist of Zion Lutheran Church of Rockford, and without doubt is the uiost artistic aud skilled musiciau in this city.

On June 26, 1901, Prof. Bodfors was married at Moliue, Ill., to Alma S. Wahlberg, born at Moline, a daughter of C. M. and Mary (Swan- sou) Wahlberg of Sweden and Moline, respec- tively. Prof. and Mrs. Bodfors have one son, Franz D. W., who was born July 19, 1910. Prot. Bodfors belongs to Zion Luthern Church of Rockford. In politics he is a Republican.

BOEHLAND, Gustave J., general manager and half owner of the E. & W. Clothing Company, at Nos. 118 and 122 S. Main street, is one of the men who has aided in making Rockford what it is today. He was born at Freeport, Ill., September 20, 1878, a son of Frederick and Frances Boehland. The father was born in Saxony, Germany, and when but a small boy, came to the United States. His home was at Mad- ison. Wis., where he learned the blacksmithing trade, and followed it for a uumber of years. Later he moved to Stephenson Couuty, Ill., and followed his trade , in the vicinity of Freeport, and also conducted a farm, on which he and the mother still reside.

Gustave J. Boehland was reared and educated in Silver Creek Township. Stephenson County, Ill., but later moved to Freeport and became a clerk in Ennenga & Wagner's gent's furnish- ing store, with whom he remained for six and one-half years. In 1895 he came to Rockford and opened a branch store for this firm at No. 118 S. Main street. continuing as its manager. Atter three years Mr. Wagner died and the two remaining partners purchased Mr. Wagner's interest and continued under the same name. In 1898 the store was enlarged, and in 1901 the premises on the south were secured. In 1911 the firm rented three stores and a part of a fourth, known as the Winnebago Bank Building. They remodeled the premises, making one large store. At present the firm occupies the base- ments of all four stores, and also a second floor, and have the largest store of its kind in Rockford, their floor space being 25.980 square feet. The firm also operates a large store at Sioux City, Iowa. Employment is given here to forty-five people. When Mr. Boehland opened the Rockford store in 1895, he had one man aud a boy to help him, so some idea can be gained from this comparison of the immense increase in the facilities and volume of business twenty years have produced. Mr. Boehland has long been a member of the firmn.

In 1899 Mr. Boehland was married to Miss Rosalind Remingtou, a daughter of Major T. J. L. and Martha ( Sauborn) Remington. Mr. and Mrs. Boehland have one son, Robert R. Mr. Boehland is very much interested iu the wel- fare of children and has proved his interest in many ways. In 1914 he gave to the school children of Winnebago Couuty, 12,000 American elm trees, aud in 1915 gave them 12,000 apple trees, all of the best varieties. His residence is one of the most beautiful at Rockford, on Corey's Bluff, which overlooks Rock River. There are seveutcen acres in the estate, and Mr. Boehland bought it of Samuel C. Withrow. Mr. Boehland is treasurer of the Illinois Retail Clothiers Association, a trustee of Rockford College. president of the Young People's Expo- sition, and fraternally is a member of the Royal Arcanum, the Elks and the Conrt of Honor.

BOLLMAN, Claude F., treasurer of the Illinois School Furniture Company of Rockford, is one of the men whose business acumen has been utilized in building up a sound concern that yields handsome returns to its stockholders, places upon the market reliable goods, and gives to the city a prestige that is appreciable. He was born at Clinton, Iowa, October 24, 1SS9, a son of Ben and A. Maude (Fenlon) Bollman, natives of Rock Island, Ill., and Clinton, Iowa. The mother is now living at the Nelson Hotel, Rockford.

Claude F. Bollman was educated in the grade schools of Elgin, Ill., and the grade and high schools of Rockford, beiug gradnated from the latter with the class of 1908, following which he entered Cornell University, aud took a course at that institution. His business career began when he entered the employ of Greenlee Bros. & Company, as draughtsman, and he later became one of the salesmen of this concern, represent- ing them upon the road, continuiug with the company for five years. Ou October 18, 1914, he assumed the duties of his preseut office, and since then has rendered efficieut service.

On February 6. 1915, Mr. Bollman was mar- ried to Myra M. Bausch of Rockford. He is a member of the Elks. Socially he belongs to the Motor Club, and the Country Club, while he maintains his connections with his college fra- ternity, he being a Delta Phi. For some time he has been a member of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Bollman owns stock in the Union Dairy Company, the Barnes Drill Com- pany. the Chicago Cold Storage Company of Chicago, in addition to his interest in the Illi- nois School Furniture Company, and is cor- rectly numbered among the leading young busi- ness men of Rockford.

BOOM, William Hamilton, a retired farmer, and alderman from the First Ward of Rockford, is a man who has never failed to live up to his convictions, nor to support what he has believed to be right. He was born at Watertown, N. Y., September 11. 1854, a son of William and Cyn- thia (Wheeler) Boom. Both parents were na- tives of New York state, and there they married.

R. B. SHUMWAY

MRS. R. B. SHUMWAY

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

In September, 1855, they came to Illinois, mak- ing the trip by the great lakes from Buffalo, N. Y., to Sheboygan, Mich., on the sailing ves- sel Queen City, It was blown ashore by the wind, and the little party then took a railroad train from Sheboygan to Beloit, Wis., from whence they drove to Winnebago County. There they rented land near Rocktou and Roscoe, but later went to New Milford Township, all in this county, and remained three years. The next change was made when they rented first, then bought, land in White Rock Township, Ogle County, Ill., and there the father died in 1897, aged eighty-seven years. The mother died in 1873, aged seventy-four years. In politics the father was a Democrat. In religious matters both parents were Methodists.

William Hamilton Boom grew up at White Rock, where he attended the neighborhood schools, and when old enough engaged in farm- ing with his father. Later he bought a farm of 310 acres and conducted it until 1900, when he moved to Rockford, and bought his present home at No. 1915 E. State street. He also owns a farm at Westfield Corner, Winnebago Town- ship, this connty, of 270 acres, which is operated by his two sons, Robert William and Eugene Hamilton.

In 1SS2 Mr. Boom was married to Miss Cath- erine Miller, a daughter of Carl and Catherine (Jones) Miller, natives of Alsace, Germany, where they married, coming to the United States in 1861, and locating in Ogle County, Ill. They bought land in White Rock Township, and there continued until some time during the last term of President Cleveland, when Mr. Miller bonght land at Haipville, Ga., near Atlanta, and there he died in 1903, aged seventy-five years. His wife died in 1912, aged eighty-three years. Mr. Miller was a Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Boom be- came the parents of seven children as follows : Robert W., who lives on his father's farm ; Ger- trude Higley, who lives at Rockford; Clara Johnson, who lives at Greeley, Col .; Sarah L., who is teaching school at Boise City, Idaho ; Eugene H., who is operating the homestead in conjunction with Robert W .; Norma E., who married Roscoe Martin, lives in Greeley, Colo .; and Catherine, who is attending Rockford Col- lege. A very strong supporter of temperance, Mr. Boom was manager of the dry campaign in April, 190S, when the drys won, and in 1915 he was made alderman from his ward. He is a Republican in his political views, but does not allow party lines to conflict with what he be- lieves to be best in local matters. A Mason in good standing, Mr. Boom belongs to Rockford Lodge No. 102, A. F. & A. M. The Methodist Church has in him a consistent member. A man of broad sympathies, and deep understanding, Mr. Boom has done much for his community, and is always to be depended upon to support those measures looking toward moral uplift and civic betterment.

BOURLAND, Robert C., M. D., one of the lead- ing and experienced physicians of Winnebago

County, who is conveniently located at No. 505 in the William Brown building, Rockford, has his residence at No. 914 North Main street this same city. He was boru at Peoria, Ill., June 5, 1876, a son of Benjamiu L. T. and Clara (Par- sons) Bourland, natives of Kentucky and Massa- chusetts, respectively. The father conducted a real estate and loan business at Peoria under the firm name of Bourland & Bailey, and died Sep- tember 26, 1915, aged ninety years. The mother survives and is seventy-seven years old.

Robert C. Bourland attended the Peoria public schools, in the meanwhile having the advantage of a European trip with his parents when he was six years old. The family remained abroad for three years, being in France, Switzerland and Germany, and during that period the lad studied under private instructors in these countries, and in a private school in Germany. Before com- pleting his public school course, he went to Pettengill Seminary, and later entered the

Peoria High school, from which he was grad- uated in 1893. He then took a six years' course in the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated in 1897 with the degree of A. B., and received his M. D. degree in 1899. For a short time he was an interne in the University Hos- pital, at Ann Arbor, Mich. Dr. Bourland was appointed instructor in anatomy in the Univer- sity of Michigan, and held this position for three years, when he resigned in order to enter upon a general practice at Rockford, coming here Jan- uary 20, 1903, where he has since remained. In 1900 he traveled in Europe, during which he visited the leading cities and viewed the great anatomical laboratories in London, Cambridge, Oxford, Antwerp, Brussels, Paris, Frankfort, Jena, Berlin, Vienna, Munich, Berne, Basel, Strassburg, Amsterdam, Leiden and Rotterdam. Dr. Bourland is on the staff of the Rockford Hospital. He is also a member of the medical corps of the Illinois National Guards, holding the rank of major. He belongs to the Winnebago Medical Society, the Illinois Medical Society, the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States. His fraternal relations are with the Elks. He belongs to the Country and Gnn clubs, being president of the latter, to the Rockford Singers and Players' Club, of which he is presi- dent, and the Rockford University Club, and he is also an honorary member of the Mendelssohn Club.

On October 10, 1908, Dr. Bourland was married to Elizabeth M. Stimson of Appleton, Wis., born December 1S, 1886, a daughter of James E. H. and Rebecca C (Cuffe) Stimson, natives of Wis- consin, now living in that state, Mr. Stimson being a photographer. Dr. and Mrs. Bourland have three children : Clara E. P., who was born July 12, 1909 ; Rebecca S., who was born October S. 1910; and Robert C., who was born February 19, 1913. Mrs. Bourland is a member of the same social clubs as her husband, and both belong to the Art Society. They attend Emanuel Episcopal church, and Mrs. Bourland belongs to St. Mar- garet's guild, being active in church work.

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

BOWEN, George Marion, a progressive farmer of Durand Township, and a man of substance in his community, was born in Erie County, Pa., Angust 10. 1835, a son of Nelson L. and Amanda Malvina Fitzallen (Heath) Bowen, the former born at Baltimore, Md., in 1800, and the latter born in Washington County, N. Y., in 181S. The father died in 1845, and the mother died at Du- luth, Minn., at the home of one of her children while on a visit, in 190S.

Although he farmed during his later years, by trade the father was a tanner and currier, and worked at these trades before coming to Illinois in 1837. The journey was made by boat and teams, and upon arriving in Winnebago County, the father entered land in Pecatonica Township to the extent of 100 acres. It was necessary for him to go to Dixon, Ill., to make the entry of his land and paid the purchase price. in silver. He and Mortimer Franklin started for Dixon with a "pung." The snow gave out before they reached their destination and they had to complete their journey on foot. The silver money in their pockets weighed so heav- ily that they found it difficult to carry it in that way and finally they put it in mittens and tied them on their backs. On the land he had secured, the father built a log house and cleared twenty-five acres of the timber around it, and here he lived until his death. The mother and her children then returned to her people in Penn- sylvania, making the CO0-mile journey with teams.

Thus it was that George M. Bowen was edlu- cated in the district and subscription schools of Pennsylvania and lived with relatives there un- til old enough to earn his own living. After her return to Pennsylvania, the mother married (second) Newman Campbell, and in 1851 she returned to the farm in Winnebago County, mak- ing the trip by the lakes to Chicago, from whence the party came with a hired team to the farm. In order to earn some money for himself. George M. Bowen first worked until he was able to buy a team of oxen and a plow. and then was employed for a year in a saw- mill. He began farming in Durand Township on rented land. operating various farms until, in 190S. he moved to his present comfortable home just south of the village of Durand, where he owns three acres of land on which he is living retired. He owns 160 acres of land in Michigan. and eighty acres in Wisconsin. While he rented and cultivated land, Mr. Bowen was provident and accumulated a comfortable com- petence so he and his wife are enabled to pass their last years in peaceful retirement. They belong to the pioneers of this region and only a few of their friends of the early days remain.

On October 9. 1855. Mr. Bowen was married to Miss Helen Monteith, who was born at Mor- gan, Ashtabula County. Ohio. May 11, 1835, a daughter of John and Elmira Lurana (Manches- ter) Monteith. the former born in New York state, and the latter in Massachusetts. The father was a shoemaker and worked at his trade in Ohio, and there married December 23, 1830.

In 1838 the Monteith family moved to Indiana where the father died in 1850, and three years later the mother came to Winnebago County with her two children, Mrs. Bowen and Scott Monteith, and they made their home with the mother's brother, Egbert Peppers. The mother died January 28, 1901, in Durand, when she was nearly eighty-nine years old. Mr. and Mrs. Bowen became the parents of eight children : Eulalie Isadora, who is deceased ; Mary Leoline, who is deceased ; Arden Everett, who lives at Los Angeles, Cal. ; Clara Esmeralda, who is the wife of R. H. Towne, of Los Angeles, Cal. ; Charles Scott, who is a resident of Los An- geles. Cal .; Jessie Miriam, who is the wife of Edward Dix of Chicago; Gerald Clark, who is a resident of Salt Lake City, Utah ; and Helen Ethel, who is the wife of Herbert F. Spencer of Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Bowen have ten grandchildren. In politics Mr. Bowen is inde- pendent. During the many years he has been a resident of Winnebago County, Mr. Bowen has seen material changes, and is well posted in early history. He has always been a reader and enjoys his books and papers today.

BOWER, Andrew C. There are no more re- spected men in Winnebago County than the retired farmers who, now that their years of great activity are over, are living in the enjoy- ment of the rest and plenty their toil has earned for them. One of these is Andrew C. Bower. of Rockford. He was born at Wurttemberg. Germany, December 5, 1835, a son of Frederick and Ragina Bower, who died in Germany.

Growing up in his native land. Andrew C. Bower received but limited educational advan- tages. In 1853 he left it with his brother Michael on a sailing vessel for New York City. the voyage across the Atlantic consuming forty- seven days. After their arrival in the new land. Andrew C. Bower first obtained work in a truck garden in New Jersey, and every morning went to New York City, carrying vegetables for the early trade. After two years, however, he left New Jersey and located four miles west of Chicago, where he acted as hostler for a dairy- man for a few months. His next location was in South Chicago, where he assisted an uncle on a farm for one year. Following this experience, he came to Cherry Valley Township, Winnebago County, and from 1856 until 1861 worked among the farmers. In that year he went to Kankakee and spent a few months, but then returned to Cherry Valley. Marrying, he moved to Flora. Ill., but a year later returned to Cherry Valley and worked the Phon Fitch farm, operating this as a dairy farm. In 1867 he purchased a farmi of his own in Cherry Valley Township, known as Skelly's Mill. He kept adding to his land until he owned 420 acres, which he conducted as a stock farm, raising cattle, horses and hogs, and feeding stock. In 1891, Mr. Bower retired and moved to Rockford, where he bought several pieces of property and rented his farm to his son, but later sold the farm. He owns his fine

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

residence on Charles street and is in very com- fortable circumstances.

On October 8, 1861, Mr. Bower was married to Sarah Shetter, born in York County, Pa., a daughter of Peter and Catherine Shetter, na- tives of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Bower became the parents of the following three chil- dren : Elizabetlı, Sadie and Eugene. Elizabeth is Mrs. Charles Radcliff of South First street, Rockford, and her children are: Nina, Bessie, Sadie and Bower Radcliff. Eugene, who died in October, 1913, lett a widow who lives on Longwood street. Sadie died at the age of eighteen years. Mr. Bower is a Republican in politics and has held a number of the township offices in Cherry Valley Township. Of natural intelligence, he pushed his way ahead and stands today a fine example of the self-made man.

BOWLES, Leroy, proprietor of the National Plating Works, is successfully engaged in carry- ing on a large business and proving his worth as a man and a citizen. This concern does all kinds of nickel, brass, copper plating and oxidiz- ing, and makes a specialty of piano hardware manufacturing. It is conveniently located in the Talcott building, No. 66 Forbes street, Rockford. He was born at Rockford, February 18, 1887, and here received his educational training. Formerly he was foreman of the firm of Barber & Coleman, and before he entered the employ of this firm, he had had considerable experience with Spengler Bros. After going with Barber & Coleman he proved himself so valuable that he was made a foreman and so continued for five years, when he was made superintendent of the Rockford Plating Works, and in 1913, became proprietor of the business, manufactur- ing a similar line of goods, and adding the manufacture of piano hardware, now furnishing this line of goods to two large piano manufac- turers. He also furnishes all of the finishing of the output of the Gem Bread Sealing Machine Company. His business in refinishing inetals is also very heavy and he has the contract on 1,500 mitre boxes for the Fish Mitre Box Company. In the fall of 1914 he began doing work for the Creamery Supply Company of Janesville, Wis., and also turnishes the spark plugs for the Auto- matic Screw Machine Company, of Janesville, Wis. During 1914 he took the contract for 500 stove tops for a large Wisconsin firm. In the spring of 1915 he took the contract for the manufacturing and disposal of the B. B. Bread Scaling Machine Company. He refinishes prac- tically all of the automobiles ot Rockford for the various firms, and in 1915 began the finish- ing of all of the Rockford Brass Company's brass goods, which, in itself, is a very important and large contract. There is no other concern of its kind that does as large and varied a busi- ness, and Mr. Bowles is noted for the quality ot his work and the faithfulness with which he executes his contracts.

On November 7, 1907, Mr. Bowles was married at Rockford, to Jennie Layng, born at Rockford, January 23, 1SS7. He belongs to the Odd Fel-

lows, Brotherhood of Americau Yeomen and the Homesteaders. The Methodist Church holds his membership and profits by his generosity. In politics he is a Republican. It is remarkable how Mr. Bowles has forged to the front, for his progress has been entirely of his own making, and his business future looks still brighter than his past. There is every reason for him to be proud of what he has accomplished.

BOWMAN, John A. Perhaps no one quality plays so important a part in the advancement of a man than that of being able, through inherent ability, to accomplish things. Many can lay excellent plans, but without the capacity to execute these same plans, no definite end is reached. John A. Bowman, county recorder of Winnebago County, is one of the best examples of the man who is able to carry out his plans successfully and capably. In every line he has entered, Mr. Bowman has reached his goal.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 70

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