Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 73

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. Skinner's extensive land holdings border- ing West State street on the sonth, are now partly within the city limits. Horace and Mir- iam avenues were named by him for a grandson and a danghter. He was an anthority on frnit culture and in demand as a lecturer on the subject.

Mr. and Mrs. John T. Buker reside at 2016 Harlem boulevard, Rockford. They have one son, Horace Edward, and one grandson, John Horace, who was born in 1902. Horace E. Buker has been managing editor of The Re- public and associate editor of The Star, serving for ten years as dramatic editor also for one or the other paper, and is now devoting his atten- tion to the short story field in which he has met with success.

Throughout a long and active career Mr. Buker has devoted considerable time to promoting out- door sports, and for many years a sporting goods department was a prominent feature of his store. When a schoolboy he organized the Pioneer base- ball club, which was the first nine in which A. G. Spalding ever pitched. Thronghont his youth he attained reputation as an athlete and gymnast and later in life became known as an expert shot-gnn marksman three times winning trophies

emblematic of the championship of Illinois, and for over thirty years standing among the leading amatenrs of the Middle West.

His mechanical training gave impetns to the inventive faculty and in this he was a worthy successor of his father, who devised many of the tools and appliances which are now a necessary part of every watchmaker's equipment. The safety pinion nsed on the Rockford watch is the invention of John T. Bnker, and he devised the first grass catcher for lawn mowers, besides many other novelties and improvements applying to the gun, bicycle and watch trade.

For nearly fifty years the name of Bnker was never absent from a business sign on West State street and the firm not only claimed patronage from Winnebago Connty bnt sold by catalogue to adjoining states. Mr. Bnker was the first jeweler to test eyes by trial lenses, and in keeping pace with the development of the bicycle industry he built up a repair department which was prac- tically a mannfactoring plant, including appli- ances for brazing, enameling and vulcanizing. As captain of the Illinois his acquaintance has extended until he is known to nearly every per- son in the connty. Although approaching three score and ten years, Mr. Bnker is still young in mind and body and gives every indication of con- tinuing indefinitely in the business life of the city. He gives his personal attention not only to his steamboat but to his other affairs as well and has no intention of laying down the burden for many years.

BUNT, Anson E., merchant policeman on East State street, Rockford, was born in Schoharie, N. Y., October 22, 1859, a son of George and Sarah (Nashold) Bnnt. The father was born in the same place as his son, in 1826. and the mother was also a native of that connty, in which they later married and became farming people. They continned in New York state nntil the spring of 1860, when removal was made to Rockford, Ill., and here the father followed the trade of a carpenter until his death, which occurred in 1890, when he was sixty-four years old. The mother survives and lives at Sonth Bend, Ind., with her son, L. L. Bunt. Her parents came to Illinois in 1860, locating in Rockford, where they died, the father in 1878. and the mother in 1879. George Bunt was a Mason, fraternally, and a Republican in politics.

Anson E. Bnnt spent his boyhood at Rockford, where he attended the public schools. His busi- ness life began with his acceptance of a posi- tion with the Wm. A. Knowlton Mannfacturing Co., with which he remained until 1SS9, a period of ten years. He was then with the W. F. & J. Barnes Co., as foreman, for six years. In 1895 he went on the police force, and continued a member of the police department for seven years. Mr. Bunt then engaged with B. F. Barnes Co., as foreman of the shipping depart- ment, and continned with this company for fonr years, and then for eighteen months was with the L. A. Weyburn Co. For the last eight years

OH. . Sampler

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

he has been merchant policeman, as above men- tioned, and is a very efficient man.

In December, 1880, Mr. Bunt was married to Miss Lizzie C. Carpenter, a daughter of Coles and Margaret (Suits) Carpenter of New York state. The Carpenters came to Rockford in 1853, where Mr. Carpenter embarked in a grocery busi- ness and continued in it until his death in 1876 at the age of fifty-three years. The mother survives and makes her home at Elgin, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Bunt have had two children, namely : Frank, who lives at Lancaster, Pa .; and Mar- garet, who is at home. Mr. Bunt belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, and is a Re- publican in politics. His standing is very high among his associates and he deserves his popu- larity.

BURCH, John, who for many years was an important factor among the farmers of Winne- bago County, becoming the owner of 558 acres of fine land, was born at London, Canada, August 3, 1823, a son of John and Lydia (Hogaboom) Burch, born at Woodstock, Vt., and in Saratoga County, N. Y., respectively. They came to Win- nebago County, Ill., in 1839, from Port Stanley, to which place they had gone in 1834, and lo- cated at Westfield Corners.

John Burch lived at home until he attained his majority. He then started out for himself, engag- ing in farm pursuits on his own account and be- ing industrious and provident soon was able to buy the farm in Winnebago Township, a part of which is still in the family. This he cleared of timber, and developed it into a very valuable property, on it later erecting new buildings, and making the improvements that demonstrated that he was a practical farmer and very sensible man. In 1909 he retired and moved to Rockford where he had bought a fine modern residence, and there died June 9, 1911. The homestead adjoin- ing, contains 558 acres, all in one tract, and is the property of Mrs. Burch and the children.

On January 22, 1866, Mr. Burch was married to Sarah Martha John, born in Northumberland County, Pa., December 27, 1843, a daughter of Jehu and Patience (Housewart) John, natives of Pennsylvania, who had come to Winnebago Township in 1849. Both died on their farm. Their children were as follows: Lorenzo, Kim- ber, and Cephas, who are deceased; Edmond, who lives at Plankington, So. Dak .; Mrs. Burch ; Ann Eliza, who is Mrs. Sims Biglow, a widow of Erie County, N. Y. ; and Berdelia. Mr. and Mrs. Burch became the parents of the following chil- dren : Georgia, born December 13, 1866, who lives with her mother; Judson, born October 19, 1869, who lives at Santiago, Cal., married Ann Coulter ; Willard, born March 9, 1872, who lives at Rockford, Ill., married George Somers ; Nellie, born February 18, 1876, who is Mrs. Dr. Clarence Wray, of Iowa Falls, Iowa, has one daughter ; Miriam Jesse, born January 22, 1878, who lives at Pasadena, Cal .; Mildred, born May 27, 1879, who lives at Pasadena, Cal., married Thomas V. · Maguire; and Preston, born April 19, 1874, died

May 17, 1907, married Maude Simpson, and they had two children, Ramond and Kenneth, who live in Pasadena, Cal. Mrs. Burch belongs to the Mendelssohn Club, and Miss Georgia to the Woman's Club of Rockford.

BURDEN, W. M. Successful as an agricul- turalist and respected as a citizen, W. M. Bur- den is one of the best types of prosperous Illi- nois farmers Winnebago County possesses, and his fine rural property in Harlem Township bears testimony to his industry and good judg- ment. He was born in Canada, in 1865, a son of John and Elizabeth (Hawkey) Burden. John Burden was born in Devonshire, England, but came with his parents to Bomanville, Canada, in 1819, and there father and son engaged in a nursery business, later becoming interested in a logging business at Quebec, Canada. Still later they developed a sawmill business, and John Burden became an expert lumberman, fol- lowing this line in its several branches for seven years. During this period he married in Canada, afterward moving to Roscoe, Ill., lo- cating here in 1868. He bought two lots and a comfortable residence, and lived in the village for nearly all his subsequent life, although he spent some time upon different occasions at the home of his son, W. M. Burden, his death occurring while there, January 24, 1909, aged ninety years. His wife died at the age of sev- enty years, in 1906. Both the paternal and ma-

ternal grandparents died in Canada. John Burden took pride in the fact that he was an expert with the scythe and cradle when these primitive implements were used in agricultural work. He was a member of the Methodist Church, and in political views upheld the prin- ciples of the Republican party.

W. M. Burden grew to manhood in Roscoe, Ill., and there attended the public schools. When still a child of eight years he began mak- ing himself useful, once driving a reaper for Thomas Ralston on the west Lane Road at Argyle, and he also worked for Fred Warner on his farm for ten years, and was with George Haskell of Rockford in a partnership for the purpose of raising seeds. Later Mr. Burden started farming for himself, renting the old Warner farm of 120 acres, which he conducted for eight years. He then rented the Hill farm in Harlem Township for one year, and for the following eight years rented the John Ralston farm. He then bought 230 acres in the same township, and now carries on general farming and raises Poland-China hogs and Durham cat- tle. For fifteen years he sheared sheep. He has never failed to do willingly whatever lay to his hand, for he was obliged to earn for him- self every cent he has possessed. He is an honest, reliable man, and has been very liberal to others less fortunate than himself, and with the family has been held in deep affection in Winnebago County. Mr. Burden is unmarried, his two sisters, Sarah and Laura Burden, living with him.

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

BURDICK, Ward P., M. D. The modern med- ical man cannot rest upon his ability or inclina- tion nor upon the training he has obtained dur- ing his extended course of study, for new dis- coveries and methods of treatment make it necessary for him to continue his scientific reading along with his daily practice. Members of the. younger generation of physicians and surgeons are proving their worth, and perhaps one of the best examples of this class offered by Rockford is Dr. Ward P. Burdick. He was born at Milton Junction, Wis., August 12, 1882, a son of Abel C. and Sarah A. (Blaisdell) Burdick, natives of Illinois and Wisconsin. The father was a carpenter, and is now deceased. The mother survives and lives with Dr. Burdick.

Ward P. Burdick was reared at Milton Junc- tion, attending its grade and high schools, and won honors in the local and league contests of 1902. Desiring to travel, in 1902 Dr. Burdick left Milton Junction and secured appointment to the government hospital service. He was attached to the California coast hospitals a year, then was ordered to the Philippines, and nursed a number of wounded Russian soldiers during the Russo-Japanese war. In recognition of his services in this connection, the Russian government tendered him a handsome souvenir. Following this experience he spent two and one-half years in China and Japan.

On coming back to the United States Dr. Burdick located at Rockford, and in 1907, hav- ing determined upon a medical career, he entered Loyola University, Chicago, and earned his way through a four-year course by lecturing for three years at the Illinois Post Graduate and Training School for nurses, and one year at Jefferson Park Hospital. He also spent eighteen months in the receiving ward of the Cook County Hos- pital. He then entered Bennett Medical Col- lege, Chicago, and was superintendent of clinics and assistant professor of pathology, and upon his graduation was valedictorian of his class, which numbered over 100. For a year after his graduation from the latter institution, Dr. Bur- dick practiced in Chicago, and was assistant surgeon in the ear, nose and throat work at the Jefferson Park Hospital, but in 1913 he returned to Rockford and since then has main- tained a general practice in this city.

Dr. Burdick belongs to the Winnebago County Medical Society. He is a member of the Masonic order, the local order of Owls, being its physi- cian and surgeon, and holds the same position for the Forest City Motorcycle Club, the Winne- bago Outing Club, and the Fraternal Reserve Association.

BURNAP, Francis, page 656.

BURNS, Tobias, formerly one of the influential factors in the agricultural life of Winnebago County, but now deceased, was born in County Carlow, Ireland, October 13, 1834, a son of John. and Julia (Schaughnessey) Burns. In 1849 Tobias Burns came to the United States. He

lived for five years in Vermont, where he worked at various callings, but after coming to Belvi- dere, Ill., he was engaged in farming. Later he moved to Cherry Valley Township, this county, where he farmed for many years. In 1862 he moved to Owen Township and spent four years, and then bought 240 acres of land in Burritt Township, and added to it until he owned 500 acres in this same county. He personally conducted it until March 13, 1902, when he turned his farm over to two of his sons, and removed to Rockford and lived in his beautiful home on Winnebago street until November 20, 1905, when he died.

On July 2, 1861, Mr. Burns was married, in East Rockford, to Mary Doyle, born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, October 13, 1843, a daughter of Timothy and Elizabeth (Ryan) Doyle, who came . to New York state in 1849. For some years Mr. Doyle carried on stone mason work, until 1853, when he removed to Rockford, and here worked at gardening until his death.

Mr. and Mrs. Burns became the parents of the following children : John H., Mary, Charles, Timothy P., Elizabeth, Robert, James, William, Thomas, Thomas (2), Catherine and Mildred. John H., who resides with his family in Min- neapolis, Minn., was married to Anna Richmond, and they have six children: Tobias, Gregory, Anne, Robert, Thomas and Julia. Mary became the wife of Thomas G. Doran, of Rockford, and they have had the following children : Miles, who married Margaret Cox, lives in New Mil- ford Township; Maria, Annetta, Ramona, An- drew, William, Ruth, Catherine, Robert, Made- line and two who died in infancy. Charles, who lives in Burritt Township, married Catherine Rodgers, and they have the following children : Mary, Margaret, David, Catherine, Mildred, Charlotte, Harriet and Charles. Timothy P. is a resident of Burritt Township, married Mar- garet Shean, and they have the following chil- dren : William, Philip, Tobias, Clement, Allan, Timothy and Elizabeth. Elizabeth became the wife of W. J. Doran, of Rockford, and they have the following children : Loretta, Marian, Thomas, Clarence, Dorothy and Milo. ' Robert, a physician, resides at Freeport, Ill. He married Mary Cox and they have five children : Mary, Marjorie, Robert, Elizabeth and Edward. James Burns is a resident of Rockford. He married Elizabeth Bailey and they have the following children : John James, Margaret and William. William Burns died at the age of nineteen years and Thomas, the next in order of birth, at the age of two years. Thomas Burns (2) is a resident of Belvidere, Ill. Catherine became the wife of George Cannel, of Burritt Township, and they have the following children : John, William, Frederick, Mary Jane, Catherine and Woodrow. Mildred lives with her widowed mother in the old homestead at Rockford.

Mr. Burns was a consistent member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of Rockford.'On the Democratic ticket he was elected in his town- ship a road commissioner and a school director. In every relation of life he was a very highly

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respected man. He started with nothing and not only reared honorably and comfortably a remarkable family, but became a weathy man.

BURROUGHS, Niram C., one of the prosperous retired men ot Rockford, who, after years ot fruitful endeavor, can honorably enjoy leisure amid the comforts his own toil has provided, was born in Erie County, Pa., August 21, 1839, a son of Charles C. and Sally Sophia (Phelps) Burroughs, he ot New York and she of Pennsyl- vania. In 1844 they came as far west as Marengo, and in 1847 moved to Lindenwood, III., and later, in 1864, moved to Rockford. At the time of his death, the father was a retired farmer. His children were as follows : Niram C .; Hiram, Polly and Phoebe, who are all deceased ; Myram, who lives at No. 20S S. West street, Rockford; Emma, who is deceased; Anna, who is Mrs. M. R. PenDell of Rockford; Chandler, who lives at Vera Cruz, Mexico; Cory, who is deceased ; Clara, who is Mrs. Charles Miner of Rockford; and Eva, who died in infancy.

On September 14, 1862, Mr. Burroughs en- listed in Company G, Seventy-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for service during the Civil war, and was assigned to the Army of the Cum- berland, being in Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia, and participating in the battles of Stone River, Perryville, Chickamauga and Dan- ville. At the latter place, while on picket duty, he' tell over a ledge, in the dark, and broke his hip and sustained other injuries. After he returned to the service, he was placed on hos- pital duty. In June, 1865, he was honorably discharged, at Chicago, and then returned to his father's farm in Ogle County. There he spent three years, and then bought 160 acres in that county, and operated it for six years. He then rented his farm and moved to Rockford and went into a fruit and confectionery business which he conducted for six years. Selling it, he went into an undertaking business on the east side, but a year later sold and went into the same line of business on the west side, and operated it for twenty-two years. After selling he retired, and has not engaged in further busi- ness activities, living in his beautiful modern residence at No. 1606 Harlam boulevard.

In September, 1865, Mr. Burroughs was mar- ried to Algeline Campbell, born at Lindenwood, Ogle County, Ill., in 1839, being the first white child born in that neighborhood. Mr. and Mrs. Burroughs had one child, Levina, who is Mrs. W. W. Sawyer of No. 806 N. Main street. Mrs. Burroughs died May 29, 1914, and is buried in Rockford cemetery. On August 18, 1915, Mr. Burroughs was married in Rockford, to Aramintie (Claywell) Stevens, who was born in Springfield, Ill., September 27, 1854. Mr. Bur- roughs is a Republican. Fraternally he belongs to the Masons and Odd Fellows. Nevius Post No. 1, G. A. R., holds his membership, and he enjoys his reunions with his old comrades.

BURROWS, William H., one of the leading florists of Rockford and a man whose knowledge

and experience fit him for a proper conduct of this line of business, was born in Cornwall, Eng- land, November 29, 1856, a son of John and Mary (Lamerton) Burrows who died in England.

William H. Burrows spent his boyhood in England where he was educated. In 1881 he came to the United States, locating at Rockford, and here he worked for J. G. Chick as a miller, that being the business lie had learned in his native land. He also was employed by C. B. Sturdevant. In 1883 he returned to England and continued to work there as a miller until 1891, when he once more came to Rockford and resumed his connection with the Chick Milling Company. After four years he embarked in dairying and farming, buying a farm near Argyle, Ill., and he continued in. this line until 1905, when he bought twelve acres of land at No. 2000 S. Main street, Rockford. This place had a few greenhouses on it, which he has remodeled, and he has added to them, until he has now one of the largest greenhouse plants of the city, there being 25,000 square feet of glass. In 1906 he opened a sand and gravel pit and continued to operate it until 1912, when he sold his rights to August Johnson, and now devotes all his time to luis florist business, being a leader in his line here.

In May, 1887, Mr. Burrows was married at Falmouth, England, to Harriet Ann Thomas, born at that place. She is a daughter of Peter and Harriet (Brewer) Thomas, the latter of whom is deceased, but the former is living and resides in England. Mr. and Mrs. Burrows have the following children: Amy, who is at home, is a member of the International Bible Students Society; May, who died at the age of seven years ; Edwin, who died in infancy ; and Louise, William George, Martin, Nellie and Winston E., all of whom are at home. Mr. Burrows belongs to the First Congregational Church of Rockford. He is a Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Commandery, Shrine and Consistory, and he is also a member of the Sons of St. George.

BUSKE, Albert E., chief engineer for the Burson Knitting Company of Rockford, with residence at No. 228 Oakwood avenue, was born at Rock- tord, December 14, 1879, a son of Albert and Berthia (Baller) Buske, natives of Germany.

Mr. Buske began his career as an employe of the Rockford General Electric Company, and re- inained with this concern for five years, begin- ning July 8, 1896, as a utility man, and leaving January 10, 1901, as an engineer. He then entered the employ of the Emerson Manufacturing Com- pany, but left December 22, 1902, to engage with the Burson Knitting Company as chief engineer, a position he holds at the present time. Mr. Buske is unmarried and lives with his mother. Fraternally he is a Mason.

BUTLER, Thomas M., M. D., who for many years was one of the able and beloved physicians ot Winnebago County, and long one of its effi- cient officials, was well known to Rockford people. He was born in Lycoming County, Pa.,

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

June 21, 1833, a son of Thomas and Hannah (Farr) Butler, the former of whom was born in Ireland in 1787, and the latter in Pennsyl- vania in 1802. During the War of 1812 the father served his country as a soldier, and for his services was granted 1,000 acres of land in Lycoming County, Pa. In 1854 he sold this land and came to Winnebago County, Ill., where he bought a farm just north of Rockford, on which he died in 1851. The mother died in 1891, aged eighty-nine years. They are buried in the East Side Cemetery at Rockford.

Thomas M. Butler attended the Bloomsburg Medical College and the Lewisburg University, and was graduated from the Cincinnati Medical College in 1857, and on coming to Rockford en- tered upon a general practice. A few years later he moved to Waterloo, Iowa, and there practiced until 1861, when he returned to Illinois, locating at Pecatonica, and continued in practice until 1876. At that time he was elected circuit clerk of Winnebago County and moved to Rockford, serving as circuit clerk until 1SSS. He then went to Milwaukee, Wis., where he practiced for two years, from there to Detroit, Mich., and continued in practice in that city until 1893. In that year he returned to Rockford, and kept up his practice until he became an invalid. His death occurred November 28, 1912.

On September 1, 1864, Dr. Butler was married to Adalaide Prouty, born at Brooklyn, N. Y., November 14, 1841, a daughter of William C. and Adaline (Wheelock) Prouty, born in Ver- mont in 1810 and 1812, respectively. They were married there June 21, 1833. The grandparents were Elisha Prouty, who was born at Brattle- boro, Vt., in 1772, died in 1852; and Elizabeth (Plummer) Prouty, who was born in Vermont in 1791, and died in 1851. In 1865 Mr. Prouty, father of Mrs. Butler, came to Rockford and bought a dry goods stock and conducted a store for several years, and then sold that and went into a shoe business. He was also engaged in business at Byron and Pecatonica. Ill., and ad- ditionally conducted a farm. His death oc- curred in 1878. The mother of Mrs. Butler died December S, 1894. The sons of Mr. Prouty con- tinued his mercantile operations for many years after their father's death. Frederick C. Prouty is the only son left in the Prouty family.

Dr. and Mrs. Butler had two children, namely: Annie C., who was born May 7. 1866, who re- sides with her mother; and William H., who was born October 13, 1867, died November 28, 1894. He married Mary A. Baker and they had one son, Norman H., who married Emma J. Can- field December 15, 1915. Norman H. Butler is now a petty officer in the United States navy. William H. Butler served for many years as deputy circuit clerk and at the time of his death was with Holland Ferguson in his abstract office.

Dr. Thomas M. Butler belonged to Pecatonica Lodge, A, F. & A. M., and was past eminent commander of Crusader Commandery, K. T., of Rockford. In politics he was a Republican. Mrs. Butler is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and is an associate

member of the Mendelssohn Club, and her daughter is a member of the chorus of that club. Miss Butler is also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and is recorder of that order and belongs to the State Historical Society. The family is one of the most prominent in Winnebago County.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 73

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