Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 82

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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In 1898 Mr. Farmer went into the rug busi- ness, beginning in a very small way in one room, with a single loom. He was persevering. ener- getic, industrious and honest and prospered. After several changes, in 1913 he bought his present plant, and now has about 7,000 square feet of floor space for cleaning carpets and mak- ing rugs. Mr. Farmer has made a special study of the material used in making fine rugs, and is an expert in his line of business. He was formerly associated with his brothers, but now conducts the business alone, being sole owner. In addition to owning his residence at No. 519 Cherry street, Mr. Farmer owns his plant and a store building at No. 210 Morgan street, and is considered in very comfortable circumstances.

On November 22, 1898, Mr. Farmer was mar- ried at Winnebago, Ill., to Rachael A. Two, who was born December 22, 1879, on the farm where she lived until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Farmer have one son, Clarence E., born March

29, 1905. He is a member of the Modern Wood- men of America. In politics he is a Republican. The record of the life of this alert man shows that he never faltered, but always continued in one position until he could obtain one a little better. His success has not come through any outside assistance, but through unremitting, ceaseless labor, and a thrifty and intelligent investment of his money.

FAULKNER, Marshall, a retired farmer of the village of Winnebago, and one of the representa- tive men of the county, was born in Seward Township, this county, October 24, 1857, a son . oť Samuel and Sophia (Hulett) Faulkner, both natives of England. The father was born in 1833, and came to the United States in 1846, and to Winnebago County the same year. He began working as a farm hand and so contin- ued until his marriage in 1854, at which time he bought a farmi of eighty acres in Seward Township. So well did he succeed that his first year's crop was sufficient to finish paying for the land, and he subsequently purchased eighty acres adjoining his first farm. As time went on he added to his possessions until he owned 750 acres in Seward and Winnebago townships, at the time of his death in April, 1895, when he was sixty-two years old. His wife died at the homestead in April, 190S, at the age of seventy- two years. They were the parents of eleven children, seven of whom survive, namely: Ed- win ; Marshall; Elizabeth, who married William Smith ; Calvin ; Henry ; Irving and Fred.

Marshall Faulkner was reared on the old homestead and spent his life there until his re- tirement in 1913. In that year he turned over the management of the farm to his youngest son, and located at Winnebago. On February 8, 1SSO, he married Emeline Hudson, born April 17. 1860, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Margit) Hudson, natives of England, and early settlers of Winnebago County. Mr. and Mrs. Faulkner became the parents of three chil- dren, namely : Galvin, who married Lizzie Markum, has one son, Charles; Bessie, who is deceased ; and Floyd, who married Eva Dunkley. Mr. Faulkner was a successful farmer, and is a highly respected resident of his native county, where his family is so well known.

FAULKNER, William, one of the prosperous farmers of Winnebago County, has always lived in the county where he was born, May 7, 1856, oll Water street, Rockford. He is a son of George and Elizabeth (Colethrop) Faulkner, natives of Bedfordshire, England. These par- ents came to the United States immediately after their marriage, about eighty years ago, making the trip in the sailing vessel William Amido, that took seven weeks to cross the ocean. During the long voyage Mrs. Faulkner gave birth to a child. When George Faulkner located upon his farm on what is now South Water street, Rockford, the land was held very cheap, he obtaining forty acres in Seward Town- ship in trade for a sow and her litter of pigs.

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Here he lived for many years and died in Rock- : ford in 1873.

For over thirty years William Faulkner has resided upon his present farm of fifteen acres, just outside the city limits of Rockford, on which he has made all the present improve- ments, having one of the most desirable prop- erties in the county. In addition to this farm, he owns ten acres on the corner of Glenwood and Rockton avenues, all being very valuable land. He engages in gardening.

In 18SO Mr. Faulkner was married to Anna Layng, a daughter of Robert and Mary (Mc- Cann) Layng. Mrs. Faulkner was born July 26, 1863, at Rockford, where her parents located when they came from Ireland. The father was an Englishman, and the mother was of Scotch descent, but they were married in Ireland.

Mr. and Mrs. Faulkner have had the follow- ing children : Minnie, who died at the age of twenty-nine years, married Verne Ellis, and their children were: Jeanette, born September 25, 1903 ; Holland, born in September, 1905; Wil- liam, born March 31, 1909, died July 21, 1911. Etta, who was born May 9, 1882, was married October 17, 1914, to Edward O'Brien. George, who was born July 26. 1883. Fannie, who was born May 30, 1885, was married January, 1902, to Bert Maxon, and their children are: Del- bert, born in February, 1903; Olive, born in May, 1906; Homer, born in May, 1907. Alice, who was born October 10, 18SS, was married June 19, 1915, to Adolph Olson. Oliver, who was born December 18, 1890, was married Sep- tember 2, 1914, to Vera Anderson. Clara, who was born July 23, 1892. William, who was born October 22. 1893. Arthur, who was born Janu- ary 12, 1894. Harry, who was born July 13, 1896. Frances, who was born December 8, 1899. Eva, who was born August 12, 1904, and two who died in infancy.

FAUST, Henry E., now deceased, but formerly one of the highly respected and capable con- tractors of Rockford, was born in Belfonte, Center County, Pa., August 5, 1835, a son of Jacob and Mary (Troy) Faust, both of whom died at that place. After his mother's death, in 1848, Henry E. Faust, lived with various fam- ilies near his home, and attended school when- ever possible. He learned the carpenter trade, in which he became so proficient that he devel- oped into a contractor and builder and finisher. In 1855 he went to Sycamore, Ill., making his home with a sister who had come to that point several years before. Later he went to For- reston, Ill., and, from there, enlisted in 1864 in Company D. One Hundred and Forty-secoud Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for service during the Civil war. He was discharged at the close of hostilities, and returned to Forreston, but about 1866 went to Ashton, Ill .. where he built many of the finest houses. In 1891 he came to Rockford where he continued the contracting business until his health failed him and he was forced to retire, and here lived until his death, August 25, 1913.

On June 28, 1865, Mr. Faust was married to Lydia J. Shout, born at Monroeville, Clarion County, Pa., a daughter of Jonathan A. and L. Gertrude (Anrand) Shout, he of New Berlin, Union County, Pa., and she of Buffalo Valley, Uniou County, Pa. Mr. Shout studied to be a physician and was a Latin and Greek scholar, and among his acquaintances was called a walk- ing eucyclopedia, but his eyesight failing him, he was forced to abandon his studies, and he entered the Free Will Baptist ministry. In 1863 he came to Forreston, Ill., and buying a farm, divided his time between farming and preaching. Still later he went to Shannon, Ill., where he died.

Mr. and Mrs. Faust became the parents of the following children: Clarence C., who died at the age of forty-eight years ; L. Blanche, who is Mrs. E. E. Bloomfield, of Los Angeles, Cal .; Ila I., who, with Rose R. and Florence F., live with their mother, and Elizabeth E., who died in 1901, aged twenty years. Mrs. Faust attended the public schools in Penusylvania and the semi- mary of Mercer, Pa., and when only fourteen years old, began teaching school, and continued teaching at intervals until her marriage. She is a member of the Woman's Club, and for many years was a member of the Woman's Relief Corps, and the Woman's Christian Temperance Uniou. She is a member of the Second Congre- gational church as was Mr. Faust. In politics he was a Republican. Fraternally he belonged to the Odd Fellows. For years he was an hon- ored member of Nevius Post No. 1, G. A. R.

FAVOR, Oscar B. When a man has passed from the scene of his former activities, the good that he has accomplished during his life is recog- nized, and his worth as a man and a citizen remembered. The late Oscar B. Favor is re- called as one of the substantial and honorable men of his neighborhood. He was born in Win- nebago County, October 18, 1844, a son of Wad- leigh Favor. The latter was born in New Hampshire, in 1806, a son of Moses Favor, a farmer of New Hampshire. Wadleigh Favor went to Canada in 1832, and was employed as manager of a stove foundry for six years. He then came to Rockford, Ill., and soon embarked iu farming near the city, taking a claim of eighty acres from the government in Owen Township in 1845. He located upon that tract, moving into a log hut upon the land, with his family. His death occurred September 2, 1889, and his wife died in 1904. Her maiden name was Mary Bryning and they were married in 1842. She was a native of England. In 1855 Wadleigh Favor erected a substantial residence upon his farm, and later added 100 acres to it. He and his wife had the following children : Achsa, who is deceased; Oscar B .; and Walter, who is a druggist of Rockford.

Until his marriage, Oscar B. Favor resided with his parents, and then went on a farm owned by his wife's parents. Here he lived uutil 1SSS, when he moved to Rockton, Ill., renting the farm. From January, 1889, until 1893, he held

John League

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

the office of postmaster at Rockton. During ten successive years he was assessor of Rockton Township, and he also held other township offices. In politics he was Republican, true blue. After coming to Rockton he was engaged in · several lines of business, having the first milk route in Rockton, and also handled grain and stock. For three years he was a school trustee and was much interested in educational matters. His death occurred November 25. 1908. He belonged to the Knights of the Globe.

On March 8, 1870, Mr. Favor was married to Mary L. Bligh, born at Racine, Wis., a daughter of Alpha and Elmira H. (Wiard) Bligh, born in Oneida County, N. Y. They came to Rockton Township, Winnebago County, but later rented their farm and moved to Racine, Wis., where they lived a few years and then went to Rock County, Wis. Still later they returned to the Rockton Township farm, where the father died in 1857, and the mother in 1885. Their children were as follows : Adelia, who died at Rockford in 1912, was Mrs. Henry Abbott; Milton, who is deceased ; Emily, who was Mrs. George W. Stanton, is deceased; Runyan, who died in 1865 while in California ; and Mrs. Favor. Mr. and Mrs. Favor became the parents of one son, Oscar Bligh, who was born October 1, 1877, and died April 22, 1881. Since the death of Mr. Favor, Mrs. Favor has lived in her fine resi- dence at Rockton. Her sister Emily resided with Mr. and Mrs. Favor from 1896 until her death. Mr. Favor was a general favorite with all who knew him, and his death was deeply deplored throughout a wide circle for in it the community lost a fine citizen.

FERDINAND, Charles, who is successfully cul- tivating his valuable farm in Pecatonica Town- ship, is one of the substantial men of Winnebago County. He came to America from Germany in 1881, first locating in Wisconsin, but after six months left that state for Illinois, and for two and one-half years after his arrival worked by the month for different farmers in Pecatonica Township. Twenty years ago he bought ninety- three acres about five miles northeast of Peca- tonica, and has been very successful in business affairs, and his property has increased in value largely because of the excellent improvements he has put on it. The advance made by Mr. Ferdinand is all the more praiseworthy as he had his own way to make in the world and came here saddened by the loss of his parents, their deaths being occasioned by cholera, which raged in his native land just prior to his em- barkation for this country. Mr. Ferdinand has a sister who lives in California, and a half brother, John Millar, who lives at Freeport, Ill.

On November 11, 1884, Mr. Ferdinand was married to Miss Mary Hunting, who was born October 23, 1856, in Hanover, Germany, and was brought to this country in August, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Ferdinand became the parents of the following children: Mrs. Lizzie Strakeljohn, who lives in the village of Winnebago, her hus- band being a farmer; Fred, who lives in Seward

Township; William, who lives at home; Henry, who lives in Pecatonica Township; Charles and Minnie, who live at home, and Helen, who is de- ceased. There are five grandchildren in the family, namely: Marie, Alice, Bernard and Bernice (twins), and Dora. Mr. Ferdinand is a staunch Republican. He belongs to the Ger- man Lutheran Church, A hard-working man, he has earned all he has through his own efforts and deserves the confidence and respect he enjoys.

FERGUSON, Duncan, page 656.

FERGUSON, William H. Although many years have passed since William H. Ferguson was among the living, his stability of character is not forgotten by his family, and without doubt the example he set of honorable industry was help- ful, its rewards being financial independence and the esteem of all who knew him. Mr. Ferguson was born on the road between Canada and the United States, July 8, 1819, a son of Erastus and Lydia (Overton) Ferguson. They made the trip from Canada to Royal Oak, Mich., with ox teams, and there Mr. Ferguson engaged in farming. They were both of Scotch descent.

William H. Ferguson attended the schools of his district, and was reared to a farm life. In young manhood he moved to Paines Point, Ogle County, where he bought 400 acres of prairie land. In 1850 he was married to Mary C. Juvinal, of Illinois, and their children were as follows : Lydia, who died at the age of thirteen years ; Julius, who is deceased; Anna, who is Mrs. L. Youngman of Grand Junction, Iowa ; Ida, who is deceased ; Fred, who resides at Omaha, Neb .; William, who resides at Dana, Iowa; Ella, who is Mrs. James H. Crouse, of Cooper, Iowa ; and Edward, who is deceased. On October 9, 1871, Mr. Ferguson was married (second) to Mary R. (Burchfield) (Woodworth) Hurburt, born in Crawford County, Pa., March 26, 1831, a daugh- ter of David and Elsie (Scowden) Burchfield, of Pennsylvania. She had been the widow of Ira D. Woodworth and lived in Crawford County, Pa. Her children were as follows: Anna Bell, who is deceased; Theodore P., of Itasca, Ill., who has two daughters, Ila and Jannette, and one son, Frank. The latter's daughter, Bessie, is of Des Moines, Iowa, who married Frank Coffee. After the death of Mr. Woodworth, his widow married Nelson Hurburt of New York, at King- ston, DeKalb County, Ill., and they lived near Byron, Ogle County, Ill., on a farm. They had one daughter, Bertha, who died at the age of five years.

Three years after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson moved from their 400-acre farmi in Ogle County and lived retired at Rochelle, Ill., for ten years, and then came to Rockford, where they bought a lot on Grant avenue, and built a modern residence on it, and here Mr. Ferguson died December 18, 1901. Mrs. Fer- guson continued to live in this home for three years, and then moved to Catlin street. Four years afterwards she came to her present resi-

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

dence at No. 610 Union street. For over sixty years Mr. Ferguson was a Methodist. and Mrs. Ferguson has been a Methodist all her mature years. In politics Mr. Ferguson was a Repub- lican, and he served his township as supervisor while living in Ogle County.

FITCH, Edward, who for years was one of the leading agriculturists of Winnebago County, operating on sections 5. 12 and 13, Guilford Township, since March 1. 1916, has resided at Rockford, occupying a residence he purchased at No. 307 S. Third street. He was born at Marion, Ogle County, Ill., February 2S. 1867, a son of Julius and Louisa (Liverings) Fitch, born in Saxony and Mecklenberg, Germany, respectively. They came to the United States, he at the age of eighteen years, and she when older, and they met and were married in the vicinity of Roches- ter. N. Y.

Soon after his arrival in the United States, Julius Fitch went as far west as the Mississippi River, and worked for a time on boats travers- ing that waterway, but soon returned to New York state. About 1856 he once more made his way westward, and stopping at Rockford, lo- cated on the east side of the city. During his first winter at Rockford he made a living for his family by hunting and selling rabbits. In the following spring he went to work as a farm land, and after a year, he and his brother-in- law took the contract to clear or "grub" a farm owned by a man named William Mulford, in Cherry Valley Township. It was not a money proposition but they were to get the wood in pay- ment. After the land was cleared they put in the first crop and received the harvest from it as payment for breaking the land. As the soil was very fertile. they harvested as high as 100 bushels of oats to the acre. Following this first harvest. they engaged to cultivate the land for one-half the crops and remained with Mr. Mul- ford for five years. They then moved two miles north of Stillman Valley, in Ogle County, and bought 160 acres of land. This they cultivated for five years, when they sold.

In December. 1869, Julius Fitch returned to Winnebago County and bought the old Miller Hill farm of 145 acres on sections 12 and 13, Guilford Township. In 1STS he purchased eighty acres. in 1890 sixty acres, and. after his re- moval to Rockford. made an additional purchase of thirteen acres. all adjoining his original pur- chase. In 1891 he moved to Rockford, where he lived in retirement until his death, December S. 1904. His wife died December 12, 1903. They were the parents of eight children. six of whom are living. namely : Sarah, who is the wife of Alfred Johnson, resides at Belvidere. Ill. : Ella. who is the wife of Reynolds Reidburn, resides in North Dakota: Ida. who is the wife of John Schaffer, resides at Rockford; Edward: Eliza- beth, who is the wife of William C. Hoffman, a farmer of South Dakota : and Bertha, who is the wife of Carl Bliss, resides at Lisbon, S. D.

Edward Fitch was educated in the district and grade schools of Boone County, and has

devoted his life to farming. Until his father went to Rockford, Edward Fitch worked with lin, and for the following eight years rented the farm, then bought it, the property then comprising 300 acres, 140 acres of which lies across the line in Boone County, but the 300 acres all join on the county line. In 1906 he bought 160 acres in Ransom County, N. D. He carried on general farming and raised livestock, and has been very successful in his undertakings.

On December 7, 1892, Mr. Fitch was married to Florence M. Davis, born in Guilford Township, a daughter of Jacob and Harriet (Campbell) Davis, and they have four children : Howard J., who was born September 20, 1893, is attending Champaign University ; Mabel L., who was born in 1901: Elsie F., who was born in 1903; and Lee Edward, who was born September S, 1908. In politics Mr. Fitch is a Republican. Indus- trions and thrifty, Mr. Fitch has put his prac- tical knowledge of farming to excellent use, and was rightly numbered among the leading men of his townsbip. He lived on the home farm for forty-seven years, one of the oldest living resi- dents of Guilford Township, until, as noted above, he removed to Rockford. While the town- ship lost a good citizen, the city gained one.

FITCH, William H., M. D. When the history of Winnebago County medical men is adequately written. it will be found that nowhere is the standard higher nor have the physicians or sur- geons elsewhere developed to a greater extent than in this locality. One of these representa- tives of the noblest of professions is Dr. William H. Fitch of Rockford, who is conveniently located in suite 305 Masonic Temple, while his residence is at No. S49 N. Main street. Dr. Fitch was born in Cherry Valley. Ill., a son of John and Lucy (Sewtelle) Fitch, natives of Massachu- setts. The father, a farmer, came to Winnebago County in 1837, and became one of the pioneers of Cherry Valley.

William H. Fitch was educated in the schools of his native place, the preparatory school of Beloit (Wis.) College, and the college itself, being graduated from the latter institution in 1866. He then entered the Chicago Medical College and was graduated therefrom with the degree of M. D. in 1868. For the following two years Dr. Fitch studied in European cities, in- cluding Vienna. London and Berlin, and in 1870 returned to his native land to take up a general practice at Rockford, which he has since con- tinued, but in order to pursue some special studies, Dr. Fitch studied for six months more in European cities. He recognizes the value of medical associations and belongs to the Winne- bago County Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society, the American Medical Associa- tion. the American College of Surgeons.

In 1SS7 Dr. Fitch was married to Katherine Kuntz, of Allegheny, Pa., and they have two children, Katherine L., a charity worker in Chicago ; and William K .. a mechanical engineer, a graduate of Yale and Madison universities. now at Indianapolis, Ind., having charge of the

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

office of Draso-Doyle Contracting Company of Pittsburgh. Dr. Fitch is consulting surgeon ot the Rockford Hospital, having held that position since the establishment of this institution. Fra- ternally he is a member of the Elks. A close student, and a man of ripened experience Dr. Fitch easily ranks among the leading medical men of his county, and stands very high in public esteem.

FITZGERALD, John, one of the highly respected retired farmers of Rockford, was born in County Waterford, Ireland, July 23, 1838, a son of Ed- ward and Bridget (Mounhan) Fitzgerald who died in Ireland. John Fitzgerald spent his boy- hood in his native land but did not have many educational advantages. In 1857 he crossed the ocean to Quebec, Canada, and obtained work as a laborer. For some time he was employed at different points in Canada, and then went to New York, later to Philadelphia, and March 15, 1859, arrived at Rockford.

Farming seeming a satisfactory means of live- lihood to him, Mr. Fitzgerald worked for farm- ers in the vicinity of Rockford for three years, and then rented land for eight years in Rock- ford Township. He then bought a small farm in the same township, and kept adding to it until there now are 123 acres in it. In March, 1909, he retired, and moved to Rockford into the modern residence he had built on Rockton avenue, where he still lives. In 1902, he sold his farm. In 1862 Mr. Fitzgerald enlisted for service in the Civil war, in Company A, Nine- tieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was in the Department of the Mississippi, a portion of the time in the Fourteenth Army Corps, and the remainder of the time in the Fifteenth Army Corps. In the battle of Missionary Ridge he was wounded by gun shots in both legs and feet. He was honorably discharged July 6, 1865.

On July 11, 1866, Mr. Fitzgerald was married at Rockford to Honora Carney, born in County Kerry. Ireland. a daughter of Patrick and Han- nah (Horn) Carney. Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald became the parents of the following children : Agnes, who is deceased; Edward, who is of Rockford Township; Mary, who is Mrs. John Shields of Winnebago Township; Mark James, who is of Guilford Township; Anna, who is Mrs. Drohan of Rockford Township; John, who is deceased ; Catherine, who is Mrs. James Redmond of Rockford; Margaret, who resides with her parents; Patrick William, who is of Rockford ; and Clara, who is Mrs. Edward Ken- nedy of Rockford. St. Mary's Catholic Church holds his membership. In politics he is a Demo- crat. Mr. Fitzgerald belongs to Nevius Post No. 1, G. A. R.

FLOBERG, August Peter. The standing of Winnebago County banks is exceedingly high, and small wonder when the character of the men connected with them is taken into consideration. These men are one and all possessed of those characteristics which make for able financiers and sound business men, and among them none

stands higher than August Peter Floberg, vice- president and cashier of the Manufacturers Na- tional Bank of Rockford. Mr. Floberg was born in Sweden, October 6, 1856, a son of Christof and Mary ( Johnson) Floberg. When he was twelve years old, Mr. Floberg was brought to America by his mother. and they located at Rockford. Here lie attended the public schools until old enough to begin earning his living.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 82

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