Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 80

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Rogers, Thomas H; Moffet, Hugh R; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : Muncell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 972

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Mr. and Mrs. Dodge had two children : Horace A., who married Isadora Haight, lives in Vir- ginia, Minn., and they have four children, Helen, who married Arthur Inman and they re- side at Duluth, Minn., Isadore, Lucien and Kate; and Alice, who married Kay McCurry, and they have one daughter, Constance. Mr. Dodge belonged to Roscoe Lodge No. 75, A. F. & A. M. For forty years he was a consistent mem- ber of the Methodist Church. In politics a Re- publican, he served as road commissioner for twenty-five years and for a number of years was supervisor of Roscoe Township.

DOUGHERTY, John, who founded a substantial business house at Rockford, gave the city his support and showed enthusiastic confidence in its future, has passed away from the scenes of his former endeavors, but the results of his labors remain and influence the rising genera- tion. He was born on the Isle of Man, January 2, 1835, a son of John and Loretta (Criss) Dougherty, who came to Ohio at an early day, and there became farming people. The mother died in that state.

John Dougherty came to Illinois in 1857, and became a farmer in Ogle County, but in 1865 moved to Rockford and here founded the pump works he conducted until his death in August, 1913. The business is carried on by his sons, who had become active in the concern a few years before they lost their father. He was a consistent member of the Methodist church. In politics he was a Democrat.

In 1861 Mr. Dougherty was married to Minerva C. Beeker, born at Vienna, La Salle County, Ill .. November 2, 1840, a daughter of John E. and Orilla (Buck) Beeker, he of New York, and she of Vermont. The Beekers were very early settlers of Illinois, spending some years at Rochelle, where the father died. the mother dying at Rockford some years later. Mr. and Mrs. Dougherty became the parents of the following children: William, who is a con- tractor of Rockford : Charles, who is associated with his brother in the pump business; Ira, who is a plumber, resides with his mother ; Bert, who is the other son engaged in the pump business, and Frank E., who died in infancy.

DOW, Daniel, page 662.

DRAGER, John C., proprietor of the modern and sanitary barber shop at No. 412 E. State

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

street, Rockford, as well as of the billiard and pool parlors and cigar store at the same ad- dress, is one of the energetic and prosperous young business men of this city. He has dis- played in all his undertakings the spirit and acumen which have insured his advancement. He was born at Monroe Centre, Ill., November 28, 18S5, a son of August and Ernestine (Schu- marker) Drager. His father was born in Ger- many, and his mother in Jefferson, Wis.

Leaving Germany when he was eighteen years old, the father came to the United States and located in Wisconsin, but after a short period moved to Monroe Centre, Ill., and in that vicinity bought eighty acres of land, to which he later added until he had 400 acres. Here he remained until 1897, when he came to Rockford and bought a fine residence at No. 1601 E. State street where he subsequently lived in retirement from business cares. It was in this home that he died November 2, 1902. The mother died June 4, 1912. In politics the father was a Re- publican. Trinity Lutheran Church of Rock- ford held his membership.

John C. Drager grew up at Monroe Centre where he commenced his educational training, completing it at Rockford. He then engaged in a painting and decorating business at Rockford for eight years, at the expiration of which time he went into the cigar and billiard business at No. 421 E. State street. After two years occu- pancy of this location he moved to No. 412 E. State street, and has built up a very large and flourishing business. A young man of ex- cellent family connections, and pleasing per- sonality, he makes and retains many friends, and is held in the highest esteen by all - with whom he is associated. He belongs to the Loyal Order of Moose and to the Germania Society.

DROHAN, William J. The prosperity of Winne- bago County farmers is proverbial and those of this generation are only living up to the ex- ample set them by their forebears. One of the men who has succeeded as an agriculturalist is William J. Drohan of Rockford Township. He was born in Rockford Township, August 8, 1868, a son of Patrick and Mary (O'Brien) Drohan, natives of County Waterford and County Limerick, Ireland, who came to the United States when very young and married and located in Rockford Township. The father died July 16, 1894, and the mother died February 21, 1011. Their children were as follows: Ellen, who died January 17, 1892; Thomas, who lives af Rockford ; and William J.

William J. Drohan resided with his parents as long as his father lived, and he received 115 acres of his present farm as his share of the estate. He bought more land and now has 147 acres and has made all the improvements. He raises horses, cattle and hogs, and has made a success of his undertaking.

On January 27, 1904 Mr. Drohan was married to Anna Fitzgerald, born in Rockford Town- ship, a daughter of John Fitzgerald, a native

of Ireland, now of Rockford, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Drohan have no children. St. Mary's Catholic Church holds the membership of both Mr. and Mrs. Drohan. In politics he is independent. A live, progressive man, Mr. Drohan has brought modern methods to bear in his work, and the results justify his action.

DUFEK, Frank. Only the more efficient men rise to have charge over their fellows in any line of work. Especially is this true in piano mak- ing, because such skill is required in this line of manufacturing, and one of the men whose inerit and efficiency is recognized by the Had- dorff Piano Company is Frank Dufek, foreman of the sounding boards department. He was born in Bohemia, March 9, 1870, and was there educated, being given a three years' college course.

Mr. Dufek is a practical piano man and worked at his trade in Paris, in London, and in Austria and Germany, and in 1893 came to the United States. At first he was in Chicago, being employed by the Rise & Hinsey Company, but soon left them for S. L. House with whom he remained for four years. For the following five years he was with Story & Clark, after which he went to Oregon, Ill., and worked for the Schiller Piano Company about three months. In 1902 lie came to Rockford and engaged with the Haddorff Piano Company, and was at once made forcman of his present department.

In 1893 Mr. Dufek was married to Mary Wachuta, born in Wisconsin, and their children are as follows : Helen, Frank, George and May. Mr. Dufek is a member of the order of Moose. He is insured in the Central Life Insurance Company. A skilled, industrious workman, he stands very high with his associates and is a substantial man of Rockford, residing at No. 1410 Sixteenth avenue.

DUNN, Elisha Charles, M. D., who for many years was one of the leading physicians of Winnebago County, with residence at No. 819 W. State street, was born at Bethel, N. Y., July 27, 1840, a son of Hiram and Charlotte (Clark) Dunn. Hiram Dunn, the father, was born in Clark County, N. Y., as was the mother, and there they became farming people. Later they went to Sandusky, Ohio, where the father be- came a ship builder, but upon moving to Battle Creek, Mich., he resumed his farming, and con- tinued to till the soil until his death in 1865. The mother died in Battle Creek, Mich., in 1878, aged seventy-five years.

Elisha Charles Dunn spent his boyhood at Battle Creek, Mich., where he attended school, later entering the university at Ann Arbor, Mich,, being graduated from its medical department. He began the practice of medicine at Battle Creek, continning there for three years, and then took a post-graduate course in a school of sur- gery at Philadelphia, Pa., having located in Rockford in 1862, where he erected a fine home and became one of the city's substantial resi-

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

dents. In 1888 he took a course in an electrical college at Cincinnati, Ohio. After some years' practice at Rockford, he began traveling through different states, specializing on chronic diseases. During his later years, he lived at his Rockford home in retirement, and there died March 23, 1914, aged seventy-four years.

Upon one occasion while abroad, Dr. Dunn was made a member of the Villers Lodge No. 1194, A. F. & A. M., of London, England, in 1875, at the time that Edward VII., then Prince of Wales, was worshipful master, and up to his death Dr. Dunn treasured his Masonic apron given him by the Prince. This apron is now the property of his grandson, Charles T. Hamlyn. Upon his return to the United States, Dr. Dunn advanced in Masonry, becoming a Knight Tem- plar, and a Shriner. He also belonged to the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. In re- ligious matters, he was a Methodist.

Dr. Dunn was married in Marshall, Mich., to Carrie M. Etts, born March S, 1840, and they became the parents of two children, namely : Aeola Myrta and James M. The former, who was born August 17, 1864, married Richard P. Hamlyn, November 25, 1886, born February 1, 1856, at London, Ontario, Canada, but came to Rockford November 25, 1876, and later em- barked in a meat business in this city. He and his wife have one son, Charles T., who was born May 10, 1888, was graduated from St. John's Military Academy at Delafield, Wis., in 1907. On May 12, 1914, he married Dorothy Russell Dinsmore, of Kansas City, Mo., and they have one daughter, Marguerite Dunn Hamlyn, who was born July 9, 1915. Mr. Hamlyn is a thirty-second degree Mason. James M. Dunn was born De- cember 25, 1867, and is a dealer in hats on Main street, Rockford. He married Miss Mildred Prince of Detroit, Mich. Mrs. Dunn died in Rockford, May 2, 1893. She was an artist and studied under Prof. Robertson of Rockford. She painted in oil life size pictures of Dr. Dunn and herself and many others that are very valuable especially to the family now that she is deceased. Dr. Dunn circled the globe with Dr. J. M. Peebles, now of California, then American consul to Turkey. Dr. Dunn practiced in New Zealand, and in Melbourne, Australia, for nearly one year, but he visited and lectured in many other places. He personally met Queen Victoria in London and has a family picture of her that she gave him. He lectured in the Prince Albert Hall in London.

DUNN, Thomas, Jr., a reliable druggist of Rock- ford, whose pharmaceutical knowledge is generally recognized, is conveniently located for business purposes at No. 202 W. State street. He was born in Cornwall, England, June 20. 1870. a son of Thomas and Grace ( Ham) Dunn, Thomas Dunn and wife were born at Leices- ter. England, and they came to the United States in 1882. Locating at Chicago, the father became associated with the John V. Farwell Company, in the wholesale dry goods business. and maintained this connection for thirty-eight years, when he retired. He still makes his

home at Chicago. The mother passed away in 1912, aged sixty-six years. The father belongs to the Odd Fellows, is a member of the Episco- pal church, and in politics is a Republican.

Thomas Dunn, Jr., attended school in his native place until thirteen years old, and com- pleted his educational training at Chicago. When he was sixteen years old, he entered upon business life in the employ of the John V. Far- well Company and continued with this concern for sixteen years. He then came to Rockford and embarked in a dry goods and drug business on S. Main street, continuing there for eleven years, when he sold out his dry goods interests, and went to California to recuperate his health. After two years in that state, he returned to Rockford and resumed his drug business, occupy- ing the corner of State and Wyman street, it now being one of the leading drug stores of the city, and he also established a drug store at Danville, Ill. He also associated himself with the Charles S. Kidder Company, a bonding com- pany, and is a director in the Wabash Life Insurance Company, so that his interests are solid and varied.

In July, 1912, Mr. Dunn was united in mar- riage with Miss Isabelle Laws, a daughter of Alexander and Louise ( Hobbs) Laws of Rock- ford. Mr. Laws is one of the leading contractors of Rockford. Mr. and Mrs. Dunn have one child, Jack Thomas. Mr. Dunn is a thirty-second degree Mason, a Knight Templar ,and a mem- ber of the Eastern Star, the Order of Elks, Order of Moose. the National Union, the Sons of St. George and the Germania Society. Mr. Dunn purchased the Emily Dodd residence at No. 619 Ashland avenue, and improved it very materially and here he and Mrs. Dunn main- tain their home and entertain their numerous friends.

DWYER, William P., a contractor in the line of steam and gas fixtures, located at No. 424 S. Main street, Rockford, exemplifies in his every- day life the value of expert knowledge and re- liable business policies. He was born at Lake Bluff, Ill., January 20, 1870, a son of James and Hannah (O'Keath) Dwyer. The father was born in New York state, and the mother in Ireland. James Dwyer came to Chicago in 1836, accompanying his parents, and after a short stop in that place, settled at Lake Bluff, Ill., where he and his father engaged in farming. After the death of the latter, James Dwyer continued to operate the homestead, and remained on it until 1SSS, when he moved to Rockford, later living retired in this city on S. Church street, where he died in 1903, aged seventy-nine years. His widow died in 190S, aged sixty-seven years.

William P. Dwyer lived at Lake Bluff until he was twelve years old, and attended the local schools. After coming to Rockford he again attended school until he began working for the Rockford Gas Company, remaining with that concern for a year. He then learned his trade of steam fitter and was with J. M. Kennedy for eight years. In 1909 he assumed charge of Mr.

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Kennedy's business at No. 519 W. State street, and remained at that location a year, and then moved to his present one, on S. Main street where he enjoys a very large patronage. Mr. Dwyer carries a full line of hot water and steam fixtures of all kinds, and has one of the largest stores of its class at Rockford.

In 1896 Mr. Dwyer was married at Rockford to Miss Marie Madison, a daughter of Louis and Marie Madison, of Denmark. Mr. and Mrs. Dwyer have four children: Romona, William, Agnes and Thomas. Competent, reliable and honorable, Mr. Dwyer has firmly established himself in the confidence of the people of Rock- ford and has carried out some very important contracts in his line of work.

EARLY, John, page 665.

EDWARDS, John, page 665.

EDWARDS, Philip F. The mercantile interests of a city like Rockford are of so varied a character that they afford employment to some of its most capable young men and among them is Philip F. Edwards, manager of Hill's Dry Goods Store, at No. 510-12 Seventh street. He was born in Smolan, Sweden, January 20, 1888, a son of Carl and Amelia (Pearson) Edwards. The father and mother were born in Smolan, Sweden, and there married. In that place he conducted a tailoring establishment, as had his father before him, and is still living, but the mother died in 1903. Her people were agricul- turists.

Philip F. Edwards spent his boyhood in Sweden, but in 1904 left his native land for the United States, coming direct to Rockford. Here he obtained employment with the Palace Furniture Company, and remained with that concern until he went with the grocery of Nor- deen & Sons, on Ninth street. After two and one-half years, he became a clerk for Mr. Hill, the merchant, who promoted him to his present position, after two years of faithful service. It may thus be judged that he is a very reliable young man. He stands well with all who know him.

In 1913 Mr. Edwards was married to Jennie E. Lundeen, a daughter of Claus and Sophia Lundeen, of Rockford. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards have one child, David Philip. The family resi- dence is at No. 1704 Ninth street. In politics Mr. Edwards is a Republican, but he has never sought any public office. The Swedish Baptist Church holds his membership.

EKLUND, August, whose prosperity has been gained through hard work and honorable methods, conducts a meat market at Rockford and enjoys the confidence of his associates and customers. He was born in Westergötland, Sweden, September 5, 1863, a son of Lars Ander- son and Johanna (Anderson) Eklund. The father was born at the same place as his son, in 1829, and this was also the place of birth of the mother. They married there and never

left that neighborhood. The father was a farmer and wagonmaker. He died January 12, 1915, aged eighty-five years, the mother passing away in 1880, aged forty-two years. The maternal grandparents were farming people.

August Eklund was educated in Sweden where he remained until he was twenty-two years old, at which time he came to the United States and located at Rockford, arriving here in 1886. He at once went to work for the Chicago & North- western Railroad, but left shortly to work in the Rockford Chair factory, and after two years there was engaged by the Co-operative Furni- ture Company and remained with the latter for four and one-half years. Mr. Eklund then em- barked in a meat business for himself with a Mr. Rosander at Ninth street and Railroad avenue, and the firm remained at this stand for six months, and then moved to Eleventh street. After a year another change was made, the firm selling, and Mr. Eklund with August Alstrand, John Anderson, John Wollgren and Charles Anderson formed the Swedish Meat and Sausage Company, with plant at 1103 Seventh street. In 1899 the business was sold, and a new company formed at No. 702 Seventh street, where it was continued for three years, when l'emoval was made to the 500 block, but after two years there, another change was made to the present location at No. 620 Seventh street. Here he has remained for seventeen years and has been very successful in business. Mr. Ek- lund has one of the finest equipped meat markets here in the city, and enjoys a large and valuable patronage. For the past few years he has been one of the directors of the Swedish American National Bank of this city. In politics he is a Republican, and in religious matters he is a member of the Mission Church. .

In 1889 Mr. Eklund was married to Miss Anna S. Larson, and they became the parents of the following children : Paul T. and Morris W., who are in business with their father; and Francis, Florence, Mildred and Virginia. Mrs. Eklund is of Swedish birth. Her father was an art basket maker. He died in Sweden in . 1888. The widowed mother came to the United States in 1890, locating at Rockford where she died May 11, 1914, aged eighty-six years.

EKSTROM, A. I., proprietor of the Rockford Pattern Works, maker of wood and metal pat- terns, and one of the leading men in this line of work, resides at No. 1005 S. Third street. He was born in Sweden, May 24, 1873, and there spent his boyhood and received his educational training. In 1889 he came to the United States, and locating at Rockford worked in furniture factories until 1901, and during that period was, for a time, interested in a grocery business. In 1901 he went to Chicago and was in the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad shops for about six years. Once more he came to Rock- ford and for a short time worked as a carpenter, and then resumed his work in furniture fac- tories. Desiring to start a business of his own,

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he learned the pattern-making trade, and worked for Redin, Ekstrom & Company for about two years, when once more he returned to the furni- ture factories. A short time thereafter, he went back to Redin, Ekstrom & Company, and re- mained with this firm for two years when he engaged with the Rockford Pattern Works, and after two years more was able to realize his ambition to have a concern of his own, and pur- chased this business in 1914. He makes ma- chine, architectual, ornamental and novelty pat- terns to order, and has a fine business.

Mr. Ekstrom was married to Mabel Mattoon, born at Rockford, and their children are as fol- lows : Russell L., Francis, May E. and William F. He belongs to the Swedish Mission Church. In politics he is an independent. A man of industrious habits, Mr. Ekstrom has worked hard for what he possesses, and his sterling traits of character give him standing among his associates.

ELLIS, D. H., whose long services in behalf of the agricultural interests of Winnebago County have won for him an enviable reputation as an expert on farming matters, is now one of the honored residents of Rockford. He was born in Ontario, Canada, October 7, 1838, a son of David and Mariah (Spencer) Ellis, natives of Canada, of English descent, and Lower Canada, respectively. In his younger days the father was a blacksmith. In 1845 he came to Owen Township, Winnebago County, Ill .. where he bought a farm and operated it until his death about 1848. The mother died about 1852. They had the following children: William, who died in Iowa ; Hannah, who was Mrs. J. B. Conklin, died about 190S; Lois, who was Mrs. J. V. Conk- lin, died while living in Harrison Township; Mary, who was Mrs. Churchill. died at Rockford about 1900; John; D. Henry ; George, who re- sides at Rockton; and Adam, who died at Port Byron, Ill., about 1890.

D. H. Ellis attended the common schools of the county, and after his mother's death lived with his brother-in-law, J. V. Conklin, who owned a farm in Harrison Township, this county. When he was twenty-one years old, Mr. Ellis began working for farmers, but after a year married and rented land which he oper- ated until he enlisted on June 6, 1862, for serv- ice in the Civil war. as a private in Company A, Seventy-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was in Kentucky and in Tennessee, and at Atlanta. and participated in the battles of Perryville. Stone River and Lookout Mountain, and was discharged October 1, 1864, having been a brave and faithful soldier. He was in the hospital at Murphreesboro sick for some time, and later was sent to a hospital in Louisville, Ky., and was then discharged.

On returning home Mr. Ellis rented a farm for a year and then bought a farm of forty- three acres in Harrison Township, but four years later sold it and bought eighty acres in Owen Township. At the expiration of another four years he sold this second property, and

soon thereafter bought 130 acres, and after nine years he sold it and moved to Rockford. A year later he went to Pecatonica, and spent a year, then went to Rock Rapids, Iowa, where he conducted an agricultural implement business. He was engaged in this same line at both Rock- ford and Pecatonica. Returning to Rockford, he bought a fifteen-acre fruit farm and a fine brick block, at No. 414 Chestnut street, where he resides. He also owns property on W. State street just west of the city limits. In order to pleasantly occupy his spare time he does gardening in the summer.

On October 24, 1860, Mr. Ellis was married to Amanda Burbank, born in Harrison Town- ship, May 14, 1842, a daughter of Eli and Ann Maria (Smith) Burbank, natives of Spring- field, Mass., and Delaware. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis became the parents of the following children : Etta, who is the widow of W. H. McBarnes, resides at No. 514 Park avenue, Rockford ; Floy, who married Fred Douglas; Ola, who married Earl Peacock, and they have one son, Earl, Jr. ; and Burt H., who is janitor of the courthouse and resides at No. 319 S. Court street, married Emina Young, and they have two children, Florence and Ralph H. Mr. Ellis is a Spiritual- ist. Until 1912 he was a Republican, but then became a Progressive, and Mrs. Ellis shares her husband's political views. For four years Mr. Ellis served as deputy sheriff under Sheriff Joel Burbank. He belongs to Nevius Post No. 1. G. A. R., and his wife is a member of the Woman's Relief Corps.

ELLIS, Edward F. W., page 705.

ELLISON, Harry A. There are many men who after experimenting along different lines, find their place in the world in an entirely different avenue from the one in which they started. Such is the case of Harry A. Ellison, whose experience has been somewhat varied, and who is now one of the substantial men of Rockford. This is his native city, tor here he was born May 6, 1867, a son of Judson and Hattie (Pratt) Ellison, natives of New York state and Cherry Valley, Ill. They had two children: Minnie, who is deceased ; and Harry A.

Harry A. Ellison attended school at Rockford until seventeen years old, when, having shown considerable dramatic talent, he began working for the New York Lyceum Theatre Company, and for two years was an acceptable performer with that organization. Deciding then, however, that he did not fancy a theatrical career for a permanency, he started to work as a mechanic in a watch factory in Rockford, and in 1894 en- tered a piano manufacturing company, con- tinuing until he became one of its skilled me- chanics. He has shown that his judgment was not at fault when he changed his business out- look.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 80

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