Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 81

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

USA > Illinois > Winnebago County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II > Part 81

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).

In March, 1898, Mr. Ellison was married to Mary Grandsire, born in Jersey City, N. J., a daughter of Edward A. and Mary ( Greene) Grandsire, natives of Paris, France, and Shef-

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

field, England, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Ellison have one son, Harry, who was born December 6, 1900. In politics, Mr. Ellison is a Republican. He is a member of the Union Fraternity and the Independent Fraternal Order of Owls No. 67, Rockford.

ELLISON, Judson A. While the ranks of the Grand Army of the Republic are thinned each year, this fact only renders more valued those heroes who still remain, and Winnebago County has never been backward in rendering homage to the survivors of the great Civil war. One of these, worthy of all consideration, is Judson A. Ellison of Rockford. He was born at Lyons, Wayne County, N. Y., January 28, 1837, a son of George and Susan (Drake) Ellison, natives of New York state. The mother died in 1839, and for his second wife the father married Anna Wooleaver.

Until he was thirteen years old Judson A. Ellison remained at home, gaining such educa- tional training as the neighborhood schools afforded, but at that time he began working for farmers for $4 per montlı. In 1855 he came as far west as Dixon, Ill., making the trip driving a team of horses, and after selling them, he came to Rockford, and worked in a livery stable for a year. He then hired out to James Williams, proprietor of the American House, and was thus employed at the outbreak of the Civil war.

On April 17, 1861, Mr. Ellison enlisted in Com- pany B, Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Captain Nevius commanding, and was assigned to the Western army. After his first enlistment expired, he returned to Rockford and was sent out with A. B. Coon, provost marshal, hunting deserters. After a year Mr. Ellison helped to organize the Sixty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry for the purpose of guarding prisoners at Camp Douglas. This was a three-month regiment. In 1865 Mr. Ellison re-enlisted in Company A. One Hundred and Forty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and after a year's service was discharged January 16. 1866, at Savannah, Ga., and mustered out at Springfield, Ill .. February 9, 1866.

Once more returning to Rockford, Mr. Elli- son resumed work at the American House, but six months later began to buy grain for Colonel White, this connection continuing for two years. He was then engaged along various lines until he became a merchant policeman and so con- tinued for five years. when he began working for the Bradley planing inill, sash, door and blind factory. and continued there for three years. For the next two years he worked in the watch factory, when he bought a billiard parlor and conducted it for nine years. Selling it, he became a collector for the Rockford Pub- lishing Company, and held that position for three years, leaving to become a police patrol- man and held that position for ten years, retiring then to become a merchant and citizen policeman, which position he held for six years,

and then became a regular member of the police force. Since 1907 he has been city jailor.

In 1862 Mr. Ellison was married to Hattie B. Pratt, born in Cherry Valley Township, a daughter of Seneca Pratt, of New York, who came to this township in 1835. Mr. and Mrs. Ellison became the parents of two children, namely : Minnie B., who married Albert Thomp- son, is now deceased ; and Harry A., who resides at Rockford. Mrs. Ellison died in February, 1902, since which time Mr. Ellison has resided at No. 403 E. State street. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of Nevius Post No. 1, G. A. R., and the Masonic fraternity. His life has been hard in some respects, from the time when he had to walk four miles to school, which was held but three months in the year, until the present when at an age when many are content to live retired, he is faithfully discharging the duties of a public office, and yet he has always been willing to work, and through liis industry and reliability, has won friends and supporters.

ELLSWORTH, Charles J., whose grocery at No. 115 Rockton avenue, is one of the best in Rock- ford and reflects credit upon his ability and business judgment, was born at Manchester, Ogle County, Ill., in a log house on February 9, 1875, a son of Jerome and Catherine (Camp- bell) Ellsworth, The father was born in Illi- nois, but the mother was born at Toronto, Canada.

Jerome Ellsworth was reared and educated in his native place, and was married at Belvidere, Ill. After his marriage he conducted the family homestead until the death of his father in 1883, at the age of forty-four years. In politics he was a Republican. He married Catherine Camp- bell, who came to the United States with hier parents who located at Poplar Grove, Ill., and there her father engaged in general merchandis- ing until his death. Mrs. Campbell survives, making her home at Belvidere, Ill., but Mrs. Ellsworth died June 15, 1912. The paternal grandparents of Charles J. Ellsworth were born in Vermont, and after their marriage they lo- cated in Boone County, Ill., where they bought land and erected a log house. The paternal grandmother survives.

Charles J. Ellsworth was reared in Boone County, Ill., and was there educated. Until he was twenty years old, he engaged in farming, and then went to Harvard, Ill., where he had charge of the electric light plant, but after three years went back to farming. He conducted the farm of his father-in-law in McHenry County, Ill., for three years. In March, 1896, Mr. Ells- worth came to Rockford where he engaged first with the Forest City Furniture Company, but in a short time went to work for the Rockford & Interurban Railroad Company, and remained with that company from 1896 to 1909. For eight years he was trainmaster and was train dispatcher for some time. Through knowledge of electricity he was given the contract to wire the first vestibule cars on the Rockford-Beloit

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

Railroad. For two and one-half years he was in the employ of the Aurora, Elgin & Chicago Electric line, commonly called the Third Rail line, and was still later on the line running from Milwaukee to Evanston. In 1912, however, Mr. Ellsworth returned to Rockford. Here he established his present business, which he has built up very satisfactorily. Mr. Ellsworth is proud of the fact that he worked his way up from employment in the railroad shops to posi- tions of trust and responsibility, one of his completed contracts being the installing of the first heating plants in the first cars on the Beloit railway line.

Mr. Ellsworth was married (first) to Miss Helen Hovey, a daughter of Edward Hovey. She died in 1895, aged twenty-two years, leaving two children, namely : Leonard and Burdette. In 1906 Mr. Ellsworth married (second) Miss Winnifred Cleveland. In politics Mr. Ellsworth is a Republican. A sound business man and substantial citizen, Mr. Ellsworth has been a valued addition to every community in which he has lived.

ELVIDGE, Charles R., superintendent of the Rockford Manufacturing Company, and a stock- holder, is one of the men who have brought about the present supremacy of Rockford as an industrial center, and he stands well among leading men of his line in this part of the state. He was born at New Milford, Ill., and was educated in the country schools of Winnebago County. Until he was eighteen years old, he found employment for his energies on the home farm but at that time went into a creamery business and operated creameries in Minnesota. Iowa and Illinois, and also had charge of a mining plant in Colorado for about two years. All this varied experience developed his busi- ness faculties and fitted him for other things. Returning to Rockford in 1900, he associated himself with the Rockford Desk Company for a year, and in 1901, became engineer for his present company, and in 1912, his services received proper recognition when he was made superintendent.

On February 28, 1895, Mr. Elvidge was mar- ried at Rockford, to Mabel Bailey, and they have two children : Grace M. and Lucille C .. both of whom reside with their parents at No. 1412 W. State street. He belongs to the Mod- ern Woodmen of America. Although not a member of any religious denomination. Mr. Elvidge supports Grace Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is independent. A man of considerable force of character. Mr. Elvidge has known what he wanted and how to go after it.

EMERSON, Ralph, page 704.

ENOCH, Hiram R., page 646.

ERFFENEYER, W. G., a substantial retired farmer of Rockford, is numbered among the leading men of Winnebago County. He was

born in Germany, November 8, 1840, a son of Ernest and Elsey (Ernestener) Erffeneyer. Both parents were born in Germany, which country they never left, the father dying in 1856 when he was seventy-two years old, and the mother in 1875, aged seventy-six years. Her people were extensive landowners and farmers of Germany. The father carried on cabinetmaking as his life work, but was also interested in farming.

W. G. Erffeneyer was educated in Germany and there learned ore mining and farming. In November, 1860, he came to the United States, landing in New York City, and spent some time in New York state. He then came to Winnebago County, Ill., and on February 15, 1861, became a farm hand in Cherry Valley Township, and for five years worked in that vicinity. For six years he rented land, and then bought 106 acres from a Mr. Benedict, and added to this until he owned 186 acres, and he also owns 320 acres in Clay County, Iowa. In 1905 he moved to Rockford, where he bought a comfortable resi- dence on Hinkley avenue, where he still lives.

In 1872 he was married to Miss Mary Engleb- ben, a daughter of Frederick Englebben, and they have had four children as follows: Olive ; Emma, who died in 1893; Ida Burrett, who lives at No. 442 Hinkley avenue, Rockford; and Frank, who lives in New Milford Township. In politics he is a Republican and for eighteen years served as a school director, and for six years was a school trustee. He is a Christian Scientist and is a profound believer in the teach- ings of his faith. A man of reliability, he is an excellent neighbor and good citizen, and is a valued addition to Rockford.

ERICKSON, Jonas. Rockford has afforded many instances of self made men among its reliable citizens in days past, and one of them who held the esteem of all who were associated with him, was the late Jonas Erickson. He was one of the first settlers of Rockford when it was a wilderness and had but a few log cabins. Mr. Erickson was machine foreman for the old N. C. Thompson Manufacturing Company of Rockford. He had the distinction of being the first of that name to come to Rockford. Mr. Erickson was born in Sonners Tannaker, Smoland, Sweden, May 9, 1823. He was a son of Jonas and Marie Erickson. These parents who were born and died in Sweden, never left their native land.

Jonas Erickson, the younger, passed his boy- hood in Sweden where he was educated. In young manhood he organized a military company of which he was made captain. In 1853 he left Sweden for the United States, on a sailing vessel that took fourteen weeks to make the voyage, bringing his family along with him. For the first three years he worked in Elgin, Ill .. and then came to Rockford where he obtained em- ployment in various places. During the latter portion of his life, he was foreman for the N. C. Thompson Company where he gave many a poor man employment in turn. Subsequently he re- tired, thirty years ago, and lived at his resi-

Malinda, B, Surgery,

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

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dence which he owned, No. 304 South Second street, until his death. It is an old landmark. Mr. and Mrs. Erickson lived there sixty years.

In February, 1851, Mr. Erickson was married to Marie Rickerson, a daughter of Joseph and Sarah Rickerson, while he was still living in Sweden.

Mrs. Erickson was born in Kafset, Vilstad, Smoland, Sweden, April 18, 1830. The parents of Mrs. Erickson were both natives of Sweden and never came to the United States. The father died at the age of thirty-five years and the mother at the age of ninety-five years.

Mr. and Mrs. Erickson became the parents of children as follows: John, who is in the manu- facturing business in Chicago, married Christine Anderson and their children are Genevieve and. Ethel ; Andrew, who is foreman at the Emerson- Brantingham Company plant of Rockford, mar- ried Matilda Braid and their children are Fred- erick, William, John, Louis, George, Luella, Ger- trude and Edna; Cyrus, who is interested and foreman in the Woodward Governor Company of Rockford; Arthur Lawrence, who is with the Rockford Watch Company, married Minnie Shumway and their child was Vera Shumway Erickson ; Simeon Dewey, who is a painter of Rockford ; Martha, who was born on the sailing vessel to America and died later in Elgin ; Christine, who married Alfred John Lindloff,

has two children, Alfred Louis and Lillian - as general superintendent through successive Eleanor, both of Chicago; Anna, who married Frank Westfeldt, has three children, Thiedolph, Louis Erickson and Bertha May.

Mr. and Mrs. Erickson were members of the First Lutheran church of Rockford for sixty years. Mr. Erickson was a Republican in poli- tics. His death occurred in May, 1913, and Mrs. Erickson died in June, 1914. In the passing of these two, Rockford lost some of its best people.

ERICKSON, John, secretary and treasurer of the Rockford Cedar Furniture Company, with residence at No. 1120 Sixth avenue, is one of the sound, reliable business men of Rockford. He has risen to his present position through his own efforts and ability. He was born in Sweden, September 24, 1860, and there began his educa- tional training, completing it after his arrival in the United States.

In 1880 John Erickson left his native land and after reaching the United States stopped for a short time at Chicago, then came to Rockford, but later returned to Chicago and spent six years there working for various firms. In 1890 he came back to Rockford and engaged with the Rockford Furniture and Mantel Company, with which he remained until the organization of the Haddorff Piano Company, at which time he became foreman of the finishing department, and was with this concern until the establish- ment of the Rockford Cedar Furniture Company, in 1911, he being one of the organizers. At that time he was made secretary and treasurer and still holds these offices.

Mr. Erickson was married at Chicago to Han- nah Goranson, born in Sweden, and they have

two children : Ella and Edith. Ella married C. E. Johnson and has one son, Robert. Edith married Franklin Eldridge who is now deceased, they having had no children. Mr. Erickson is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America, the John Erick- son Lodge, I. O. S., and the Germania and Lyran societies. His religious connection is with Zion Lutheran Church of which he is a con- sistent member. A man of sound business judg- ment and unusual ability he has steadily risen and in his present position stands well in his community.

ERIKSON, Abel F., general superintendent of the Forest City Bit & Tool Company of Rock- ford, is one of the men who has attained to his present position through sheer ability and a de- termination to win out. He was born in Sweden, January 2, 1870, a son of J. E. Johnson. In 1884, Abel F. Erikson came to the United States, and for four years worked on Illinois farms. He then came to Rockford where he learned the ma- chinist trade in the employ of the Barnes Com- pany, remaining with that concern for three years, and then was with the Ingersol Milling Machine Company for a short period, when he associated himself with the Forest City Bit & Tool Company, and since 1892 has continued with it, rising to his present important position stages. This company turns out all kinds of wood working tools, special and twisted tools. When this business was re-organized in 1900, Mr. Erikson bent all his energies to place it in the front ranks of concerns of its kind, and that he has succeeded beyond any one's expecta- tions, the present conditions prove.

In 1908 Mr. Erikson was married to Nannie Monson a daughter of Hans and Anna (Nelson) Monson, and they had three children, namely : Anita, Edna and John. Mrs. Erikson died De- cember 1, 1913, and is buried in the Rockford Cemetery. Mr. Erikson belongs to the Knights of Pythias. The Lutheran Church holds his membership and profits by his liberality. A man of energy who has always been willing to work steadfastly and hard, he has fully earned his present prosperity and stands high in public esteem.

ERIKSON, Rev. August, pastor of the Swedish Mission church of Rockford and one of the ear- nest religious workers and teachers of this sec- tion, was born in Westergotland, Sweden, April 16, 1868, a son of Erik and Beata ( Andreason) Erikson, both of whom were also born in Wester- gotland. They lived all their lives as farming people. The father died September 3, 1912, and the mother in 1902.

August Erikson lived at his home in Sweden until he was twelve years old when he entered the college at Gathenburg, Sweden, and there spent five useful years. He then entered a com- mission house at Gathenburg with Frederick Johnson, but after three years left Sweden for the United States, being then twenty years old.

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

In 18SS he located at Menominee, Mich., and later attended the Evangelical Mission Covenant Seminary, at Minneapolis, Minn., for one year. The school was then transferred to Chicago, but he accepted a call to Ishpeming, Mich., as pastor of the Swedish Mission church there and con- tinued in charge of it for four years, and then he went to the school again and continued his studies for one year. After that he was sta- tioned in Marinette, Wis., for two years. His next charge was at Boston, Mass., and he re- mained in that city tor ten years, and then came to Rockford and took charge of the Swedish Mission church, June 1, 1910, this church having been founded in 1875.

In 1898, at Iron Mountain, Mich., Mr. Erik- son was married to Miss Carolina Lofstrom, a daughter of John and Marie (Nelson) Lofstrom of Vermland, Sweden, Her parents came to the United States in 1SSO, and Mrs. Erikson came in 18SS, and located at Norway, Mich., but later the family moved to Iron Mountain, Mich, Mrs. Lotstroni died in 1896 but Mr. Lofstrom still resides there and is engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Erikson are the parents of the following children : Reuben, Enoch, Ruth, Esther, Hannah and David. Mr. Erikson is much beloved by his people and is recognized as an earnest Christian and eloquent preacher.

ERLANDSON, Evan V. Some of the most con- venient and beautiful residences and substantial flat buildings of Rockford have been erected by Evan V. Erlandson, whose skill and experience qualifies him particularly well for this kind of work. He was born in Sweden, in February, 187S, a son of John and Christina Erlandson, who came to the United States in 1882, locating in McKean County, Pa., where the father en- gaged in coal mining. In 1907 they came to Rockford. Their children, all of whom live at Rockford, are as follows: Oscar; Evan V .; Gertrude, who is Mrs. J. R. Johnson ; Tinie, who is Mrs. A. M. Olson ; and William, Frank and Charles.

Evan V. Erlandson attended the public schools in Pennsylvania, and lived with his parents until 189S. In that year he went to Ridgeway, Pa., where he engaged in carpenter work for seven months, and then came to Rockford where he continued to work at his trade until 1906. In that year he established himself in a contracting business, in partnership with Frank P. New- burg, but this association continued only a year, and since then Mr. Erlandson has been alone. He is busy both summer and winter, and through honest methods has built up a very solid busi- ness.

In May, 1904, Mr. Erlandson was married to Hilda Johnson, who was born in Sweden, and their children are as follows: Clifford, Lillian, Alvina and Raymond. Mr. Erlandson belongs to Salem Lutheran church. In politics he is a Republican. Having always made it a policy to live up faithfully to the terms of his con- tracts. Mr. Erlandson has gained the confidence of the people of the city and vicinity, and is

justly numbered among the leading contractors of the county.

FARB, Axel, whose successful operations as a farmer entitle him to a place among the rep- resentative agriculturalists of Winnebago Coun- tv, was born at Smolan, Sweden, December 3, 1864, a son of Adolph and Louise (Lundberg) Farb, both of whom were natives of Smolan, Sweden, where they were married. The father was a farmer and died in Sweden at the age of seventy-eight years, and the mother, who sur- vived him for a time, at the age of eighty-five years. The paternal grandfather, Magnuss Farb, was also born at Smolan, and he was a cavalry- man in the Swedish army, serving during 1S08 in the campaign against Russia. Later on in life he was a farmer and a manufacturer of potash, and died in Sweden.

Alex Farb spent his boyhood in Sweden and there was educated. On March 27, 1SS3, desir- ing better opportunities, he sailed for the United States, and after arriving at New York City, April 22, he made his way to Buena Vista County, Iowa, near Alta, where he worked as a tarm hand for a year. He then came to Winne- bago County, Ill., and for a year worked on the farm of L. Powell in Rockford Township. The next year he worked for Frank Morey, and then during the following eighteen months worked for John Anderson, when he rented land and oper- ated it for another year. Giving up his rented forty acres, he moved to Scott Township, Ogle County, Ill., where he rented eighty acres from Austin Fay, and operated it for a year. Mr. Farb then rented and operated a farm during four years in Ogle County, from Woodruff & McGuire. At the expiration of that time he came to Rockford, Ill., and was a cabinetmaker for the Union Furniture Company, for a short time. Once more he returned to farming, mov- ing to the vicinity of Byron, Ogle County, where he rented a farm from Jeffrey Ryan for a year, and then returned to Winnebago County, where he rented a farm of 200 acres in Winnebago Township, from a Mr. McCormickle, for ten Years. He then returned to Rockford where he still resides, although he rents and operates a farm of 200 acres, owned by E. P. Lathrup. Mr. Farb has a large herd of Holstein cows which he uses for dairy purposes, and he also raises hogs. His 100 acre farm in Rockford Township is operated by his son. Mr. Farb is a member of the First Lutheran Church of Rockford. In politics he is a Republican. In 1907 Mr. Farb made an interesting trip to Sweden and brought back with him some valu- able relics of his native land.

On February 9, 1SS7, Mr. Farb was married to Anna Celia Peterson, a daughter of Peter and Johanna Peterson, and they became the par- ents of the following children: Arbid Almer; Joseph W., who died April 9, 1893; Remon, who died December 27, 1894; and Wallace Leonard, who died September 2, 189S. The par- ents of Mrs. Farb were born in Sweden, where they followed farming, but later came to the

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

United States, settling at Rockford, Ill., where Mr. Peterson worked in different factories until 18SS, when he moved to Marshall County, Kas., to live with his son who was an extensive farmer of that locality. There he died in 1SS9, aged eighty-three years. The mother of Mrs. Farb died at Winona, Ill.

FARMER, Leon, president and secretary of the Farmer Brothers Rug Works, and sole owner, is one of the best examples Rockford affords of the progress which a self-reliant man may make if he is not afraid of hard work and is willing to save his money and has the judgment to invest it wisely. Leon Farmer was born at Marengo, Ill., but was brought to Rockford when seven years old, and was educated in this city,

From childhood Mr. Farmer showed business aptitude and industry, becoming a carrier of the Morning Star newspaper when only twelve years old. He received one dollar per week for his services. It is interesting to follow his ad- vance from one position to a better one, his progress showing that good principles and in- dustrious habits are very generally recognized and rewarded. He also worked in a cotton mill from 6:15 A, M. to 6:15 P. M. for twenty-five cents per day. The lad felt he had indeed risen in the business world when he was en- gaged by the Wilkins Hosiery Company, at fifty cents. per day, and he continued with that concern for about a year, He then went to work in the card room of the Ziock Mitten and Hosiery Company, for sixty cents per day, and was receiving eighty-five cents per day when he left to go to the Rockford Woolen Mills. At that time he was eighteen years old, and lie re- mained there for two years, working by the piece. At the expiration of that time he went in the wheel room of the Emerson & Burson company, and then became a delivery boy for H. S. Post, the grocer, and later for H. S. Crandle.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 81

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