USA > Illinois > Winnebago County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II > Part 75
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132
Benjamin B. Cassidy was reared in Wiscon- sin, living in the primitive log cabin erected by his father on the new farm until he was seven- teen years old. At the age of nineteen he came to New Milford Township, Winnebago County, Ill., and for four years was engaged in farming, then moved to Rockford, and accepted a posi- tion with the Bartlett Milling Company, with which he remained for twelve years, when, on account of failing health he retired and so lived at his home on South First street, Rockford, until his death in 1875. In March, 1864, Mr. Cassidy enlisted at Dixon, Ill., in Company D, Fifteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for serv-
CH Spafford
0
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
1021
ice in the Civil war, and after serving for one year was honorably discharged, and then re- turned home.
In 1862 Benjamin B. Cassidy was married to Elizabeth Payne, a daughter of Benjamin and Ann (Bray) Payne, of Rockford, and they be- came the parents of four children, as follows : Rose A,, who is principal of the Turner High school of Rockford ; Addie B., who is Mrs. Frank Jiles of Evanston, Wyo .; Lucy, who is Mrs. E. E. Allen, residing at No. 139 East street, Rock- ford ; and George H., who lives at Canton, Ohio.
Benjamin Payne, father of Mrs. Cassidy, was born at Crockerton, Wiltshire County, England, June 12, 1812. His wife was also a native of England, her parents being very wealthy land- owners who never left that country. During long lines they were prominent members of the Church of England. Benjamin Payne was edu- cated in England. In 1840 he sailed for the United States with his family, accompanied also by two sisters, Mrs. Curley and her three children, and Sarah Payne, and they made the trip from Buffalo, N. Y., by water to Chicago, and thence by wagon to Rockford, Ill., where Mr. Payne was a carpenter for some years, and then became sexton of the Cedar Bluff Cemetery of Rockford. Later he retired and lived at his home on South First street, Rockford, where he died at the age of forty-three years, in 1855. He was a Republican in politics and was a mem- ber of the Church of England. Benjamin Payne and wife had the following children: Richard, who died at the age of three months at Rockford, Ill .; Elizabeth H., who is Mrs. Cassidy ; Lucy, who married B. H. Miller and is living at Hazel- ton, Iowa; William, who is living at Shannon, Ill., and Charles, who died at the age of six years, at Rockford, Ill.
CATLIN, A. M., page 652.
CATLIN, Edward Pratt, M. D. The representa- tives of the medical profession of Winnebago County have largely been, since the beginning of its history, men of unusual ability and their services to the afflicted have been earnestly rendered. One of these physicians, who is re- membered with gratitude and affection by those to whom he ministered, was the late Dr. Edward Pratt Catlin, of Rockford. Dr. Catlin was born at Chester, Ohio, July 1, 1837, a son of Archi- bald and Marietta (Harwood) Catlin, natives of Connecticut. They came to Winnebago County in a covered wagon in the fall of 1837, and built a log cabin on land that is now included in Sinn- issippi Park. Archibald Catlin owned all of the land comprised in this park as well as many additional acres. By profession he was a physi- cian, and the first of his calling to locate in the county. His death occurred when he was ninety- two years old.
Edward Pratt Catlin studied medicine at Rush Medical College, Chicago, and also at Bellevue Hospital, New York City. At the outbreak of the Civil war, he enlisted in the One Hundred and
Fifty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry as sur- geon and served until 1865, when he returned to Rockford and there continued in active practice until his death, September 26, 1904,
On December 31, 1866, Dr. Catlin was mar- ried to Mary H. Robinson, who was born at Huron, Ohio, August 18, 1840, a daughter of Sylvester S. and Emily (Skinner) Robinson, na- tives of Glastonbury, Conn., and Prattsburg, N. Y., respectively. In the spring of 1847, the Robinsons came to Rockford, Ill., and Mr. Robin- son was employed for two years as a clerk. In 1849 he went overland to California, the trip consuming three months, and died in the fall of that same year. Dr. and Mrs. Catlin became the parents of the following children : Archibald M., who is a resident of Topeka, Kas .; Sanford Robinson, who is a physician of Rockford; and Norman E., who is in business in Rockford. Mrs. Catlin, who resides with her son, Norman E., was educated in the select school kept by Miss Sill, of Rockford. She is a member of the Woman's Club, and the Home for the Aged has long had her support, and is corresponding secretary of the same. She is a member of the Second Con- gregational Church of Rockford. For eighteen years Dr. Catlin served as pension examiner. He was a member of Nevius Post, No. 1, G. A. R. In politics he was nominally a Republican, but did not care for public life, and often cast his vote for the men he deemed best suited for the several offices, irrespective of party. He was valued as a physician, as a citizen and as a friend.
CHICK, Thomas, one of Rockford's best known business men. the genial owner and proprietor of the famous hostelry that bears his name, the Chick House, is a familiar character not only to the people of Rockford, but to the traveling public as well. His hotel is conveniently located at the corner of So. Main and Elm streets, in the very heart of Rockford's business district. He has occupied these premises since September, 1888, and to say that he has been successful, is but a mild form of expression, for his hotel is always filled with satisfied patrons, and its atmosphere is that of the busiest place in the city.
Thomas Chick was born in Devonshire, Eng- land, in 1846, a son of William and Hannalı Chick, typical English people. He was educated in the public schools of his native land, although he left school at an early age to learn the wheelwright trade, and this he followed, and mil- ling for a number of years. From the time he came to the United States, until the present day, Rockford has been his home nearly all of the time and he has its interests deeply at heart.
Although he had learned a trade, he did not follow it long, accepting work with the Nortli- western Railroad system as locomotive engineer, holding that position for fifteen years. He then resigned to resume work at the milling trade, taking up the roller process system. which had come into use, and was so engaged until 1888, when he opened the Chick House, and the con-
1022
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
duct of this hostelry has tully occupied his time ever since.
Mr. Chick was married to Lena Kennedy, also born in England, and she co-operates with hier Insband in making the Chick House one of the most homelike and desirable hotels in this part of the state. The Chick House is run on the American plan, and its furnishings are such as to attract attention, the lobby being the finest in the city. However, Mr. and Mrs. Chick endeavor to make their guests comfortable above everything else. and succeed in doing this to a remarkable degree. For twenty-five years Mr. Chick has been a member of the order of Elks, and he is a thirty-second degree Mason. A brother of Mrs. Chick. James Kennedy, upon coming to the United States, identified himself with his adopted country, and when it had need of him. he enlisted in its defense during the Civil war, and laid down his life for it at the siege of Vicksburg, when he was killed by a bullet from the gun of an enemy.
CHRISTENSON, Wilbur. Very often business men combine undertaking with the handling of furniture and the Rockford Home Furniture Company is no exception to this rule, Wilbur Christenson, one of the substantial stockholders of the above mentioned company not only being interested in the success of the company, but he is an expert embalmer and undertaker as well and has full charge of this branch of the busi- ness. He was born at Portland, Conn., January 17, 1885, a son of Nels and Elnora Christenson, the former of whom was born and married in Sweden, and in 1875 came to Portland, Conn .. from his native land. there engaging in agri- enltural pursuits, and thus continuing for fifteen years. Then he became interested in a stone business at Jamestown, N. Y., and also in some worsted mills at that point, but after several years retired and he died October 14, 1914. aged eighty years, nine months and two days. His widow survives and lives with her son Wilbur. The father was a Republican, and a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church. During his life he was insured in the Swedish Mutual Life In- surance Company of Brooklyn, N. Y.
Wilbur Christenson was educated at James- town. N. Y., and there he began his business career, in the worsted mills. but left them after three years and came to Illinois and was with the Cable Piano Company at St. Charles for two and one-half years and learned the piano business. Leaving there he came to Rockford and was with the Haddorff Piano Company for four years, when he went to Chicago, and for one year and seven months was a salesman for the Killeen Piano Company . on Milwaukee avenue. Following this he was on the road for the same firm. acting as its representative in the state of Nebraska. Returning to Chicago, lie entered the Warsham College of Embalming, and was graduated in 1914, then took the state examination which he passed with high honors, and received a license to practice anywhere in the state. Mr. Christenson then accepted a posi-
tion with E. A. Arntzen, undertaker, at No. 810 No. Clark street, Chicago, but left him to return to Rockford, and on July 2, 1914, took charge of the undertaking branch of the Rockford Home Furniture Company.
Mr. Christenson belongs to the Foresters, at Chicago, the Svithiod Society of Rockford, and is insured with the Skandia Life Insurance Company. In politics he is a Republican. His religious connections are with Zion Lutheran Church. A young man of unusual ability, he is an expert in his line.
CHURCH, Charles A., was born in Chemung, McHenry County, Ill., July 21, 1857. He was the oldest of three sons born to Dr. Richard C. and Eliza A. Church, and a grandson of Dr. Charles Church, who settled in Guilford Township, Win- nebago County, in 1844, and later removed to Belvidere. Mr. Church's father died when he was eight years of age. In 1873 he entered the office of the Belvidere Standard, and began to learn the printer's trade. In two years from that time he made regular contributions to the editorial as well as to the local department of the paper. He remained with the Standard until April 1, 1878, when he became city editor of the Rockford Journal, of which Hiram R. Enoch was proprietor.
Mr. Church remained at Rockford until the autumn of 1878, when he returned to Belvidere and purchased an interest in the Semi-Weekly Recorder, which he published with C. E. Kelsey until October, 1881, when he assumed entire management of the paper and made it a weekly. IIe continued its publication until 1883, when he sold the business and good will.
Mr. Church in 1SS3 again made his home in Rockford, where he has since continuously re- sided, and has, with a single exception, spent more years in the newspaper business than any other citizen of Rockford. In 1887 he became foreman and assistant editor of the Golden Cen- ser, a position he retained until 1892. In that year he organized the Spectator Publishing Com- pany, with the late A. E. Smith, United States consul at Victoria, and others. It was the high- est grade literary paper ever published in Rock- ford, but it was continued in this form only one year. In 1897 the Calvert Brothers purchased the Golden Censer, and Mr. Church was chosen its editor. In 1898 he became editor and pro- prietor, and published the Censer until the sub- scription list was sold to a Chicago paper. Since 1901 Mr. Church has been on the staff of the Register-Gazette. In 1887 he was appointed evening assistant at the Rockford Public Library, and served in that capacity nearly nineteen years.
In January, 1894, Mr. Church was licensed to preach by the State Street Baptist Church. Since that time he has supplied nearly fifty churches in Northern Illinois. He spent por- tions of 1894 and 1895 in theological study at the University of Chicago. Among his instructors were: President W. R. Harper and Prof. Alex- ander B. Bruce, the famous Scotch author and
1023
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
theologian. Mr. Church was graduated in the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle in 1889.
Mr. Church's "History of Rockford from 1834 to 1861" was published in 1900. It is used in all the public schools of Rockford, and is the recog- nized authority on local history. In 1902 he wrote the life of Gen. Allen C. Fuller, adjutant- general of Illinois during the Civil war, and delivered an address upon him before the Chi- cago Historical Society. In 1905 he edited "The Past and Present of the City of Rockford and Winnebago County." Mr. Church's next work was the "History of the Republican Party in Illinois from 1854 to 1912," published in the latter year. It has circulated in thirteen states and is in the largest public and university libraries in the country. Mr. Church has also edited several memorial pamphlets.
May 22, 1879, Mr. Church was united in mar- riage to Hattie M. Lake, daughter of Dr. L. L. Lake, one of the earliest practitioners in Bel- videre and surgeon in the Civil war in the Fif- teenth Illinois Infantry and in the Thirteenth Cavalry. Mr. and Mrs. Church have four chil- dren : Holland L., of the staff of the Freeport Bulletin ; Lorena M. Church, A. M., instructor in English and registrar at Rockford College ; Gertrude, now Mrs. Charles R. Stiles ; and Ruth A., a teacher in the P. A. Peterson school. There are two grandchildren : Dorothy Ruth and Carolyn Gertrude Stiles. Mr. Church's mother died in February, 1914, in her ninetieth year. His only surviving brother, C. M. Church, is county treasurer of Boone County. Mr. Church and family are members of the Second Congre- gational Church. Mr. Church is a member of the Illinois State Historical Society.
CHURCH, Selden M., page 645.
CLARK, Elbert Judson, M. D., one of the most highly esteemed members of the medical profes- sion in Winnebago County, resides at No. 119 Oakwood avenue, Rockford. He was born at Java, N. Y., September 6, 1847, a son of Roswell and Mary (Walton) Clark, natives of Putney, Vt., and Chester, Mass., respectively. In early life the father was a teacher, but later engaged in farming in New York state, having gone there in young manhood. In 1856 he came to Peca- tonica, Ill., and bought a farm and a tavern known as the Grove House. There he died in June, 1884, aged seventy-six years. The mother died in 1903, aged eighty-six years. Their chil- dren were as follows : Elbert Judson; Hannah Amelia, who is deceased; James Austin, who died in infancy ; Alonzo Walton, who served through the Civil war, reaching the rank of major, died in 1869; and Eliza Adell, who is deceased.
Until he was eighteen years old, Elbert J. Clark resided with his father, and in boyhood attended the local schools. In August, 1864, Dr. Clark enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Forty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry and was on provost marshal duty throughout Illinois and
some of the southern states, receiving his honor- able discharge at Cairo, Ill., from the hospital where he had been for six weeks on account of illness. A portion of the regiment formed an escort for the body of President Lincoln at his funeral.
Atter proper preparation Mr. Clark then en- tered the Northwestern University, Chicago, and was graduated from its medical department in 1871 and appointed assistant surgeon of the Marine Hospital at Chicago, holding that posi- tion a year when he resigned and entered the United States army and was assigned to duty on the Grand River Indian Reservation in Dakota. In 1872 he returned to Pecatonica, Ill., tor his marriage, after which he was ordered to the Cheyenne Indian Reservation. There his young wife suffered greatly, for the Indians were still hostile, and their numerous depredations caused her many trying times. In 1876 Dr. Clark was detailed to report to General Custer tor duty with the famous expedition of 1876. Fortunately for Dr. Clark, after several months acting in field service he was assigned to the field hospital and Dr. George Lord was sent in his place, for, as is well known, the command was wiped out in the terrible massacre. The following winter Dr. Clark was ordered back to the agency, and in the summer of 1877 he lo- cated at Northfield, Minn., where he practiced for three years, and then came to Winnebago, Ill., where he was in active practice until 1904, at which time he retired and moved to Rock- ford.
On December 25, 1872, Dr. Clark was married to Hattie M. Carpenter, born at St. Albans, Vt., a daughter of Augustus V. and Martha (Proctor) Carpenter, natives of St. Albans and Burlington, Vt. Dr. and Mrs. Clark became the parents of one daughter, Mary Florence, who was born September 15, 187S. She married Frederick D. Kellogg, who is with the Ohio Stone Company. of Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg have a daughter, Virginia, who was born April 18, 1907. Dr. Clark belongs to the First Presby- terian Church of Rockford. He has served on the town and school boards of Winnebago, and on the Republican county central committee. In politics he is a Republican. Fraternally he belongs to Rockford Lodge No. 166, A. F. & A. M. and to the Modern Woodmen of America. He is post surgeon of Nevius Post No. 1, G. A. R., at Rockford.
CLARK, George R., page 624.
CLARK, Lucius, page 663.
CLIKEMAN, Charles, now living retired at Rockford, was for a number of years a very suc- cessful agriculturalist. He was born in New York state. December 12, 1853, a son of Minor and Anna E. (Allen) Clikeman, also natives of New York state. The grandparents, Peter Clike- man and William and Eliza Allen, were also natives of New York.
In 1857 Minor Clikeman came to Rockford,
1024
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
Ill., and remained one year, then returned to his old home in New York, remaining there until 1861. In that year he brought his family to Winnebago County, and began farming, a few years later purchasing 160 acres of land, to which he added 100 acres later on. This farm he greatly improved, erecting all the buildings, and making the other improvements. In 1901 he went to Lakefield, Jackson County, Minn., and bought 160 acres of raw prairie land, on which he put up buildings, and continued to improve it until 1909 when he rented the land to others and moved to Rockford from Owen Township. Later he sold both his Minnesota and his Winnebago farms and went to Haines City, Fla., where he bought a twenty-acre orange grove, and there spent his winters until his death, February 6, 1912. His wife died in 1907. Their children were as follows : Charles ; Sidney, who lives at Rockford; Austin, who lives at Greene, Iowa ; Verni A., unmarried, who lives with Charles at Rockford; William, who lives in Chicago; and Adella, who died at the age of fourteen years.
Charles Clikeman attended the public schools in his district, and Prof. Lounsbury's Academy. When he was twenty-three years old he went to Janesville, Wis., and learned telegraphy. He was first engaged by the Burlington & Missouri Railroad as night operator at Doniphan, Kas., but six months later transferred to Iowa Point, Kas., and in three months more to Highland, Kas., becoming station agent there as well as operator. After a year at that point, he returned home, and for two years was engaged in farm- ing his father's property in Owen Township, this county. He then went to Hardy & Su- perior, Neb., where he became a telegraph oper- ator. After six months, however, he once more returned home, and rented his father's farm and conducted it until 1904. In that year he bought the original farm of 260 acres. On July 22, 1906, the buildings were struck by lightning and burned, and the farm implements and tools were also destroyed, nothing being saved but the residence. Mr. Clikeman rebuilt and car- ried on general farmning and dealt heavily in cattle and hogs until his retirement, when he rented his farm and moved to Rockford.
On May 16, 1883, Mr. Clikeman was married to Mary Cundiff, born in Pulaski County, Ky., a daughter of John and Polly Ann (Dutton) Cundiff. They were natives of Kentucky, but moved to Kansas in 1865, where both died and where Mrs. Clikeman was married near Highland. Mr. and Mrs. Clikeman became the parents of the following children : Roy, who lives in Owen Township, married Allie M. Dennis, and they have one son, Minor L .; Rex, who also lives in Owen Town- ship, married Alta Usher, and they have one son, Charles; Ray, who lives on the home farm, married Charlotte Allen ; and Stella, who is a public school teacher in Rockford Township. Mr. Clikeman is a Methodist in religious faith. In politics he is a Republican, and he served fifteen years as a school trustee, fourteen years
as town clerk, and for four years was super- visor, all of these offices being held in Owen Township. Fraternally he belongs to the Mod- ern Woodmen of America, and has been clerk of the local lodge since 1893. He also belongs to the Merchants & Manufacturers Club of Rock- ford, and is one of the leading men of his com- munity.
COLBY, Nathan L., one of the founders of the Pecatonica News, was one of the most influential and well known men of the county. He was born at Beloit, Wis., December 20, 1854, a son of Nathan D, and Sybil W. (Pease) Colby, who came to Beloit, Wis., in 1847, from Maine, being among the earliest settlers of that place. Mrs. Colby died at Beloit, Wis., December 17, 1884, and Mr. Colby died seven years later, July 12, 1891, these pioneers being well known, for they were worthy people and of the type that makes many friends.
Nathan I. Colby learned the printer's trade in his youth in a printing establishment at Beloit, where he also secured an excellent education. In 1870 he went to Milwaukee, Wis., where he be- came a compositor on the Sentinel, but the fol- lowing year moved to Davis, Ill., and with his brother, William A. Colby, established a paper of his own, moving his plant to Pecatonica in De- cember, 1872, and changing its name to the present one. In 1880 he purchased his brother's interest and conducted the paper alone with marked success until the time of his death. Mr. Colby was a staunch Republican, and filled vari- ous offices of trust, serving for five years as township clerk, and he was also village treas- urer, president of the village board, a member of the board of education and a justice of the peace. In September, 189S, he was appointed postmaster and was reappointed in 1902. For many years he was chief of the fire department, president of the electric light company, and was otherwise identi- fied with the upbuilding of the community. In lis social connections he was identified with A. W. Rawson Lodge No. 145, A. F. & A. M., at Pecatonica ; Crusader Commandery No. 17, K. T., and Tebala Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Rockford; the Freeport Consistory; Eureka Camp No. 50, M. W. A .; Monitor Garrison No. 19, at Pecatonica, and was at one time connected with the Odd Fellows. His sudden death oc- curred July 11, 1904. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Ella M. Smith, was born in Ridott Township, Stephenson County, Ill., April 8, 1859, a daughter of Gilbert F. and Helen M. (Shaw) Smith. She was educated in the coun- try schools and afterwards taught school for a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Colby were mar- ried at Freeport, September 15, 1880, and they had the following children : Gilbert F .; Claude A., who was born July 27, 1883; and Smith W., who was born May 15, 1887. Mrs. Colby was a true helpmate to her husband, and their united efforts resulted in the accumulation of a compe- tency that left her well provided for when death removed her husband. She went to San Jose, Cal., in 1906, where she still resides.
٤٠٠
Douglas W Spence
1025
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
Gilbert F. Colby, editor and publisher of The Pecatonica News, was born at Pecatonica, July 19, 1881, a son of Nathan L, and Ella M. (Smith) Colby. He received his educational training in the Pecatonica public schools from which he was graduated in 1897. He then entered upon the duties of assistant postmaster under his nnele at Union Grove, Wis., resigning to accept a similar position with his father. In 1901 he was ap- pointed to a position in the railway mail service of the government, running first between Chicago and Dubugne, Iowa, and later from Chicago to Lake Geneva, Wis. At the Lake Geneva post- office, his terminal office, he became acquainted with Lena A. Voss, then a elerk in the office, and a daughter of Carl Voss, with whom he was nnited in marriage March 30, 1904. Mr. Colby resigned his railway position immediately following his marriage, and was with his father nntil the latter died, when the son assumed the management of the paper. Mr. and Mrs. Colby have had two children, namely : Charles Nathan, who was born June 17, 1905; and Wilda Rue, who was born July 15, 1911. Politically Mr. Colby is a Repnb- lican and conducts his paper in the interests of that party. He has served as a member of the village board of trustees and is greatly interested in promoting the welfare of Pecatonica.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.