USA > Illinois > Winnebago County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II > Part 71
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John A. Bowman was born at Smoland, Jon- kopings, Lan, Sweden, January 22, 1860, a son of Samuel A. and Anna (Anderson) Bowman. In 1869 the family came to the United States, and upon landing made their way direct to Rock- ford, III. A short time afterward, they moved to the iron regions of Michigan where the father worked in the mines. In 1872 he left Michigan for Minnehaha County, S. Dak., where he took up a homestead, and he and the mother lived upon its until their death, the father · passing away in 1901, and the mother in April, 1912.
In 1884 John A. Bowman left home and going to Valley Springs, S. Dak., was a clerk in a general store for a short time, when he estab- lished himself in the same line of business, con- finuing to operate it until March 1, 1890, when lie came to Rockford, Ill., and engaged in a shoe business opposite the courthouse. That same year, he, together with his brother-in-law, Andrew Borg, built a two-story business block on the corner of Seventh street and Fourth avenue, into which Mr. Bowman moved upon its completion, and continued his shoe business for a year, when he sold it and became secretary of the Royal Sewing Machine Company, 110W the Illinois Sewing Machine Company, After two years in this connection, Mr. Bowman resigned to become secretary of the Excelsior Furniture Company. For two years he was associated with this concern, but resigned and opened a grocery, which he conducted fromn 1893 until 1899 when he sold to his partner, Algot Gasslander. In the latter year he went to South Dakota and for a year conducted a store for his brother-in-law. Returning to Rockford Mr. Bowman organized the B. & K. Clothing Company, first being a partner, and later, upon its re-organization, a stockholder and president and general manager. From this he resigned in 190S and engaged in a real estate loan and fire insurance business. Mr. Bowman was on the board of review from 1907 to 1913, and in the fall of the latter year was elected county recorder, being the first man to hold that office in Winne-
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bago County. He is a director of the Rockford Furniture Company, of which he was first presi- dent, this concern being capitalized for $150,000; a director of the Central Life Insurance Com- pany of Ottawa. Ill., and still owns the building he helped to erect in 1890, which was the third business block on Seventh street. Fraternally he is a Mason, member of the order of Elks, Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen of America. Zion Lutheran Church of Rockford holds his membership, and at one time was its treasurer and a trustee for many years.
On November 11. 1885, Mr. Bowman was mar- ried in South Dakota to Hannah Hetland. and they have the following children : Leland A., who is a partner with his father in the real estate business ; Chester A. ; Blanch May, who is a school teacher ; and Irving C., John Stanley and Grace Evelyn. Each change Mr. Bowman has made has been for the bettering of his con- dition, and he has never heen connected with a concern without advancing it, for he possesses a capability that enables him to expand and develop business fields, and renders him a very desirable addition to any establishment or any community.
BOYD, Nels. While the founders of Rockford's prosperity have nearly all passed away, a new generation has arisen to maintain the prestige already gained, and they have added to it in no small measure. One of the present day pros- perous business men is Nels Boyd, owner and manager of the Seventh Street Hardware Com- pany of Rockford. He was horn in Sweden, March 3, 1873. a son of John and Elizabeth (Bongstrom) Boyd. They were born and mar- ried in Sweden, and there the mother died when Nels was four years old. In 1904 the father came to the United States, and died the year after his arrival in this country, aged seventy- nine years.
After a boyhood spent in Sweden, where he was educated. Nels Boyd came to the United States in 1890. and located at Rockford, where he found employment in the Chair-Furniture factory, and after a year there, was with other factories until 1898, when he went to the Klon- dike gold fields. He met with success and still owns paying property in Alaska. After fourteen years in the Klondike. he returned to Rockford and here with his brother-in-law. John Ander- son, organized the Seventh Street Hardware Company in 1905.
While Mr. Boyd has made several visits to the Klondike since his first, he has continued his hardware business, and has so enlarged its scone that he finally required the large huilding which he erected in 1909. This is the second largest hardware establishment in Rockford and much of its present prosperous condition is due to Mr. Boyd's intelligent management. His suc- cess is all the more remarkable in that it is self earned, for when he first arrived at Rockford he had only twenty cents, and his first night in this city was spent in a box car in the yards of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad
Company. Now he is the owner of considerable property. In politics he is a Republican, al- though he has never sought any office. There are few men who stand higher in public esteem at Rockford than Mr. Boyd.
BOYER, J. Richard, junior member of the firm of Boyer Bros., whose bottling works are located at No. 111 N. Avon street, is justly included in the self-made men of Rockford. He was born at Keyser's Ridge. Garrett County, Md., April 29, 187S, a son of William P. and Anna (Mosser) Boyer. As the father was ambitions and sought new industrial fields in which to follow his trade, that of a carpenter, the family made sev- eral changes in residence, J. Richard growing up in Sahetha, Kas., and Rockford, Ill., arriving at the latter city in 1893.
Believing in the dignity of lahor, the father saw to it that his sons learned through practical experience the worth of a dollar, and J. Richard Boyer early began working to support himself, engaging with the Rockford Watch Company, remaining with this concern for four years. He was with the Elgin Watch Company at Elgin, Ill., for ten years, and then returned to Rock- ford, to join his brother, Jonas E. Boyer, in establishing their present firm. The brothers manufacture ginger ale and soda waters, and their product is marketed at Rockford, Ill., and vicinity.
On June 6, 1905, Mr. Boyer was married to Miss Norma Harding, a daughter of A. B. and Carrie (Thurston) Harding, natives of Sweden. Mr. Boyer belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. and the National Guards. A young man of high principles, and steady habits, he, with his brother, is entitled to the confidence of the public.
BOYER, Jonas E., senior member of the firm of Boyer Bros., proprietors of the bottling works at No. 111 N. Avon street, is one of the sul- stantial inen of Rockford. He was born at Dills Mills, Somerset County, Pa., July 7, 1876, a son of William P. and Anna (Mosser) Bover. The father was born in Somerset County, Pa., while the mother was a native of Virginia. For some years the father was engaged in a sawmill busi- ness in his native county, but moved to Sabetha, Kas., in 1SSS, where he was a contracting car- Penter for three years, and then to Rockford, Ill., where he has still engaged in carpenter contracting. The mother also survives.
Jonas E. Boyer was reared in Kansas, and in Garrett County, Md., attending school through boyhood. His father believed it the wisest plan to compel his sons to work their own way in life unassisted, and the lad's first business experi- ence was as a driver of a coal wagon. He also drove an ice wagon for a time and then engaged in a bakery commission business and worked np an excellent trade, continuing in this line for fourteen years, during this time forming a very valuable connection. On April 1, 1915, he em- barked in a bottling business at No. 406 N. Avon
Eng by E & Williams & Bro NY
Fred D. Skey han.
Munsell Publishing Co
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
street. Rockford, moving a little later to his present location.
In 1913 Mr. Boyer was married to Miss Blanche Allen, a daughter of Thomas and Emma (Gregory) Allen of Rockford. In politics Mr. Boyer is a Republican. A man of earnest pur- pose, he has steadily forged ahead, and his present prosperity is the result.
BRANDON, Martin W., manager, secretary and treasurer of the Indestructible Luggage Com- pany, with headquarters at No. 217 S. Main street, is one of the sound business men of Rock- ford, one whose judgment, resourcefulness, shrewdness and force of character have con- tributed largely to his success in lite. He was born in Norway, May 4, 1886, a son of Thomas and Mary (Olson) Brandon, natives of Norway. The father, who was a graduate of the agricul- tural school at Christiania and later an assistant instructor in the school, came with his family to the United States in 18SS, locating at Eau Claire, Wis. He is still engaged in educational work. In politics he is a Republican. He be- longs to the Lutheran church. man of scholarly attainments he has been a force in his community, and is held in the highest esteem. The mother died of typhoid fever after reaching the new home, her age being forty-seven years.
Martin W. Brandon was reared amid scholarly surroundings, and given careful educational training. When he started out for himself his first work was with the Eau Claire Trunk Com- pany, and he learned the trunk business with this concern, and later became its representative on the road, being with it eight years in all. He then went with the Minneapolis Dry Goods Company, taking charge of its leather, gas fixture and toy departments, and held this posi- tion for four years. In September, 1914, he came to Rockford to assume his present duties. Mr. Brandon is a stockholder in his company, and one of the most forceful of its officials. Live. alert, understanding every detail, Mr. Brandon is not only a valuable addition to his company, but to Rockford as well, and he stands very high among his business associates.
On June 23, 1915, Mr. Brandon was married to Miss Lillian Rosen, a daughter of Peter Rosen of Minneapolis, Minn.
BRAZEE, Christopher M., page 720.
BRECKENRIDGE, E. M. Progressive methods are prevailing among the successful agricul- turists of Winnebago County, and one who has taken a deep interest in advancement along this line is E. M. Breckenridge, of Guilford Town- ship. He was born in the township where he now lives, in March, 1870, a son of H. C. and Ellen (McPhail) Breckenridge, of Argyleshire, Scotland. They came to Winnebago County and located in Guilford Township where they developed a fine farm. There the mother died in March, 1898, since which time the father has made his home with Mrs. John G. Ralston. of Rockford. The children of these parents were
as follows: E. M., of Guilford Township; Margaret, who is Mrs. J. G. Ralston; Mary Ellen, who is Mrs. William T. Eachran, of ·Caledonia, Ill .; and Elizabeth, who is Mrs. J. Earl Ralston, of Beloit, Wis.
E. M. Breckenridge is a well educated man, having attended the public school of his town- ship, the Rockford Business College and Lake Forest Academy. The homestead engrossed his attention until 1907, but in that year he moved to Rockford and went into a flour and feed business. Eighteen months later he sold this business, and in the spring of 1912 returned to the county, having in the meanwhile purchased his father's farm of 160 acres, all of which is improved. Here he carries on general farming and raises Holstein cattle and Duroc-Jersey logs. For nine years Mr. Breckenridge served as secretary of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company of Guilford Township. He is a man of more than ordinary enterprise.
In December, 1909. Mr. Breckenridge was mar- ried to Ethel J. McKerrall, born at Chatham, Ontario, Canada. a daughter of Edward and Elizabeth (McKean) McKerrall of Scotland, Mr. and Mrs. Breckenridge have two daughters : Annetta Jean, born July 15, 1912, and Ina Maud, born May 19, 1916. The Westminster Presbyterian Church of Rockford holds his mem- bership, and he served it as trustee for three years. In politics Mr. Breckenridge is independ- ent, preferring to cast his vote and exert his influence for the best man according to his own judgment.
BRECKENRIDGE, James Arthur, one of the most substantial agriculturalists of Winnebago County, occupies his fine farm in Guilford Town- ship that was originally the property of his father. He was born in this township, March 18, 1882, a son of Edward and Barbara (Cun- mings) Breckenridge, natives of Scotland and Boone County, Ill., respectively. The grandpar- ents, Angus and Isabel (Loynachan) Cummings, natives of Scotland, were early settlers in Boone County, Ill., having come there from Ohio where they had located when young soon after their marriage. Angus Cummings was a son of Robert and Barbara (McEchran) Cummings, who died in Scotland. Isabel Loynachan was a daughter of David and Isabel (Breckenridge) Loynachan, who died in Ohio. Angus Cummings died in Boone County, Ill., July 10, 1910, aged eighty- seven years, and his wife died in the same place November 14, 1910, aged eighty-two years. Their children were as follows: Barbara, who became the mother of James Arthur Breckenridge ; David, who died in infancy ; Isabel, who lives with her nephew, James A. Breckenridge, having been his housekeeper since the death of his father ; Mary, who is Mrs. James Reid, of Boone County ; Katherine, who is Mrs. John Jones, of Lenox, Iowa : Robert, who is of Boone County, Ill. ; Net- tie, who is of Caledonia, Ill .; Angus, who died December 25, 1909; and Agnes, who died in infancy.
Edward Breckenridge secured 220 acres of fine
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land in Guilford Township, this county, and car- ried on farming there until his death on January 27. 1909. His wife died January 22, 1912. Their children were as follows: Edward, who died at the age of two years; Robert E., who lives at Tacoma. Wash. ; and James Arthur, of Winne- bago County.
James Arthur Breckenridge attended the Bell district school and also took a course at Johnson's Business College, Rockford. From the time he attained his majority until his father's death, he rented the homestead. and when his father passed away. he received his half of the farm. In 1911 he bought his brother's share, and now owns the entire farm which he devotes to geil- eral farming and the raising of cattle. horses and hogs, being very successful in his work. He be- longs to the Argyle Presbyterian Church of Wil- low Creek. In politics he is a Republican. but has not entered into public life to any extent. his interest being centered upon his farm and its attendant responsibilities, but he maintains in- telligent views concerning local affairs and keeps well posted.
On October 14. 1915. Mr. Breckenridge was married to Fannie E. Clark, who was born De- cember 29, 1890, in Rock County, Wis .. a daughter of Leroy and Fannie (McCulloch ) Clark, natives of Wisconsin, now of Rockford.
BRECKENRIDGE, Robert, who is profitably en- gaged in operating his large farm according to modern methods, is proving the valne of science in farm work. He was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, January 1S. 1848. a son of Edward and Margaret (Mitchell) Breckenridge, who in August. 1854. came to New York and from thence went on up into Canada. Still later the father bought a farm in Guilford Township, Winnebago County. Ill., and moved on it in March. 1855. There were eighty acres of prairie land in this farm, and ten acres of timber land. He also owned thirteen acres of timber land in Boone County. Ill. The father improved his place and lived on it until his death in October. 18C5. aged sixty-seven years. The mother died March 27. 1902. aged ninety-seven years. Of their eleven children. only three survive. these being : Elizabeth. who is the widow of William Reid of Rockford : Hugh C., who lives in Win- nebago County : and Robert.
Robert Breckenridge attended the schools of his district and after the death of his father he assisted his mother and then later rented the place from her until he was twenty-eight years old. when he purchased the interest of the other heirs. Since buying the property. he has made many improvements, including the remodeling of the house in 1900. and the erec- tion of other buildings, all of which are modern. Mr. Breckenridge purchased eighty acres of fine land connecting with his homestead in 1895. of which about twenty-five acres were cleared, the balance being in timber. He now has the whole 160 acres under cultivation and in a fine state.
On June 10. 1875. Mr. Breckenridge was mar- ried to Catherine McMillan, born in Roscoe
Township, December 28, 1850, a daughter of Niel and Margaret (McCarthy) McMillan, na- tives of Argyleshire, Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. Breckenridge became the parents of the follow- ing children : James E., who was born July 21, 1876, died June 27, 1904; Margaret, who was born May 17. 1STS, is Mrs. Robert Watson of Guilford Township: Mary, who was born Sep- tember 30. 1SSO. is Mrs. Matthew Andrew of Harlem Township; Catherine I., who was born June 17. 1883. is Mrs. George Raymond Picken of Rockford: Arthur Niel, who was born June S. 1885. is at home: Elizabeth Jennie, who was born September 19, 1891, is at home; Nettie Grace, who was born September 25. 1893: Rob- ert Hugh, who was born August 7, 1896. Willow Creek Presbyterian Church holds the member- ship of Mr. Breckenridge and family. He is a Republican, and served as a school director for twenty-one years. and was elected a school trustee in the spring of 1914, and still holds that office.
BRIGGS, Chester C., page 706.
BRINCKERHOFF, Geo. C., page 648.
BROITZMANN, August G., junior member of the well known firm of Schmeling & Broitz- mann. and one of the well known business men of Winnebago County. was born in Scott Town- ship. Ogle County, Ill .. February 10. 1866, a son of Carl and Wilhelmina (Wendt) Broitzmann, both natives of Germany. The father came to the United States, and located first at Milwau- kee. Wis., in 1SCO. the mother coming later. The father and a friend used to walk from Mil- waukee to Cherry Valley Township, Winnebago County. each spring. and spend the summer working on farms, walking back in the fall to work at Milwaukee during the winter, there usually being employed in cutting wood.
August G. Broitzmann was educated in the Beacon District school, attending it during the winter. while in the summer he worked on the farm. so continuing until 1SS1. when he came to Rockford and went to work at the carpenter trade for William Reitsch. After eleven years. he was associated with John Deuel for eight months. and with W. W. Johnson & Son for a year. For five years he was a member of the firm of Wagner. Broitzmann & Newcomber. and then for seven years he was foreman, and for three years more was general shop superintend- ent of the Spafford planing mill. In 1910 he became a partner of Emil Schmeling. under the name of Schmeling & Broitzmann. Mr. Broitz- mann was the youngest of the six charter mem- bers of St. Paul's German Lutheran Church, and is still very much interested in it.
On December 16. 1SS7. Mr. Broitzmann was married. in Ogle County. to Wilhelmina Klewin, Forn in Posen. Germany. October 25. 1869. a daughter of John and Wilhelmina Klewin. They and their three youngest children. Edward, Wil- helmina and Reinhard. came to Rockford in 1SS3. Gnstav. Pauline and Henrietta having
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come here several years before. In Germany Mr. Klewin was a shepherd, but after coming to Rockford, he lived in retirement with his family, and he and his wife died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Broitzmann, he passing away August 28, 1908, aged eighty-six years, and she in March, 1909, aged seventy-nine years. Mr. and Mrs. Broitzmann have four children, namely : Mabel L., born May 8, 1890, and is employed by her father as bookkeeper; Marga- ret H., born March 16, 1894; Gertrude L., born January 21, 1897; and Ruth Emma Henrietta, born October 8, 1907. Mr. and Mrs. Broitzmann have resided in their present home since 1887, it being a large modern dwelling. An excellent business man and reliable citizen, Mr. Broitz- mann is held in high esteem by all who know him.
BROOKS, Frank C., M. D. The medical pro- fession has many able representatives in Winne- bago County and among them is Dr. Frank C. Brooks of No. 402 Seventh street, Rockford. Dr. Brooks was born at Dayton, Ohio, a son of Frank C. and Emily J. (Woolsey) Brooks, na- tives of Virginia. The father was a mechanic, and a very worthy man. Dr. Brooks' parents suffered severely during the Civil war because of their loyalty to the Union, their home being utterly destroyed by the enemy. The father served for more than three years as a member of the Thirty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and Dr. Brooks is very proud of his war record.
Frank C. Brooks attended the public schools of Dayton, and was graduated from its high school, following which he spent two years in the Wesleyan University at Ada, Ohio. For the next two years he was in the medical depart- ment of the University of Ohio, at Columbus, and then took a four-year course at Hahnemann College, Chicago, from which institution he was graduated in 1900. Immediately thereafter Dr. Brooks entered upon a general practice at Wash- ington, Ill., but within seven months came to Rockford, where he has since resided. He has built up a very valuable connection. Dr. Brooks belongs to the Winnebago County Medical Society, and is a member of the staff of St. Anthony's Hospital. Fraternally Dr. Brooks is a Knight of Pythias.
Dr. Brooks was married at Peoria, Ill., Novem- ber 15, 1900, to Gertrude A, Carlson, born at Galesburg, Ill., April 8, 1882, and they have one daughter, Verna L., who was born at Rockford, December 10, 1903. Both Dr. Brooks and wife are members of the Court of Honor, Knights and Ladies of Honor and the Mystic Workers.
BROWN, Charles E, Although not now so actively engaged in farming as formerly, Charles E. Brown has not lost his interest in agricul- tural matters and is accounted an expert upon many matters pertaining to his line of work. He was born in Owen Township, September 15, 1841, a son of Mowry and Lucy A. ( Pease) Brown, he born near Providence, R. I., and she at Oak Orchard, N. Y.
Mowry Brown came to Alton, Ill., in 1834, and
engaged in carpenter work. There he married, and in May, 1838, came to Rockford on a Mis- sissippi River steamboat. For a few years fol- lowing his arrival at Rockford, he worked at the carpenter trade and then entered 160 acres in Owen Township. Although he did some farm- ing, it was not very profitable as there was no market for his produce nearer than Chicago, and trips to that city had to be made overland by teams, so he had to continue work at his trade. He added to his land however, until he owned 240 acres. He died on his farm in June, 1878, and his widow died about 1888. They had eleven children as follows: George S., who is ot Rockford ; Charles E .; Mary, who is Mrs. Egbert Phelps of Rockford; William, who died at the age of twenty-one years; Henry, who lives on King street, Rockford; Florence, who died at the age of eleven years; Ellen, who died at the age of nine years; Fred, who lives at Rockford; and Richard E., who lives on Glen Road, Rockford.
Charles E. Brown attended the district schools of his township and for six months was a student in the Rockford High school. He re- mained at home until 1864, when he moved on eiglity acres of land he owned in Owen Town- ship. This he operated until 1870 when he went into partnership with his father in making white brick, this association continuing for two years, when George S. Brown bought the father's interests and the brothers continued together for eight years on the father's farm. Mr. Brown then bought 240 acres in Owen Township which lie conducted for six years, when he purchased sixty acres in the north part of Rockford and farmed it until 1890. He then sold this in city lots, with the exception of seven acres which he retained and built on this property a comfort- able modern brick house in 1887. He owns now eighty-seven acres of land in Owen Township, and 110 acres of land in Rockford Township on which his son Ralph is located. Mr. Brown personally looks after the farms, Alinost con- tinuously since 1858 he has conducted a thresh- ing machine in season, a J. I. Case eight horse- power being his first purchase. During the years he was manufacturing brick he did not operate a thresher, but with this exception has been in the business ever since.
On December 27. 1864, Mr. Brown was mar- ried to Frances Mary Burritt, born in New York state, November 5. 1844, a daughter of Charles and Laura (Remington) Burritt, natives of Connecticut who came to Winnebago County in 1856, settling in Owen Township, where she died in April, 1878, and he in 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Brown became the parents of the following children : Harry W., who lives in Manitoba, Canada ; Nellie Laura, who is Mrs. Charles E. Jackson of N. Second street, Rockford ; Mabel Frances, who married A. B. Rowan, is deceased ; Morey C., who lives on Melrose street, Rock- ford ; Ralph E., who lives in Rockford Town- ship; and Maude E., who is Mrs. Ernest Stock- burger, lives with Mr. Brown. The Christian Union church holds his membership. Independ-
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