USA > Illinois > Winnebago County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II > Part 83
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His business career began when he became a messenger for the Peoples Bank, and so reliable did he prove that he was made a bookkeeper of that establishment. For seven years he main- tained desirable connections with this institution, and then left to become secretary for the Cen- tral Furniture Company. With the organization of the Manufacturers National Bank, at the ex- piration of his seven years with the last named company, Mr. Floberg became its cashier, and was elected its vice president in 1906, having since held botlı offices. He is a member of the First Lutheran Church of Rockford, of which he is now a trustee, and he has been its treasurer for twenty-seven consecutive years. He con- tinues to be treasurer of the Central Furniture Company, which he helped to establish, is treas- urer of the Mechanics Furniture Company, presi- dent of the Excell Manufacturing Company, the Forest City Bit and Tool Company, the Rockford Lathe and Drill Company, is treasurer of the Scandia and Forest City Hardware Company, and is also interested in a number of other con- cerns, his interest being widespread and impor- tant.
On November 17, 1880, Mr. Floberg was mar- ried to Augusta S. Ekberg, a daughter of Jonas and Anna Ekberg. They have four children, namely : Adelbert R., who is assistant cashier of the Manufacturers National Bank; Frances E .; Mamie L .; and Fred A., secretary of the Old Colony Chair Company, all of whom are at home, with the exception of the eldest, who mar- ried Mildred Tishhauser of Sycamore, Ill., and they have two children-Rowland Adelbert and Arthur Frederick. The Floberg family is one of the most highly respected in Winnebago County.
FORBES, Alexander D., page 706.
FORBES, Walter A., president of the Rockford Malleable Iron Works, and one of the progres- sive and substantial men of Winnebago County, is a native son of Rockford. having been born in January, 1870, a son of Alexander and Eliza- beth (Ostrum) Forbes, natives of Scotland and Schoharie County, N. Y., respectively. The grandparents were Duncan and Jessie ( Russell) Forbes, and Abraham and Elizabeth (Warner) Ostrum. After attending the Rockford public schools. Mr. Forbes completed his education at . the University of Michigan.
In 1852 Duncan Forbes, grandfather of Walter A. Forbes, established a gray iron foundry and began doing casting in a small way, and this was Rockford's first foundry. Two years later the expansion of the business justified Mr. Forbes in adding stovemaking to the foundry. With associates, in 1862, he began
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
making malleable iron castings, and this foundry was one of the first to engage in this line of production west of Pittsburgh, Pa. The foun- dry was operated under the firm name of D. Forbes & Son.
The Forbes family originated in Scotland. The father and son learned their trade in their native land and followed it in various foundries in New York state prior to coming to Winne- bago County in 1852.
With the death of the founder in 1871, the son. Alexander D. Forbes, took as his associates G. R. Forbes and W. O. Wormwood. They con- tinued the business under the firm name of the Rockford Malleable Iron Works, but dissolved the partnership in 1878, and the business was continued under the management of A, D. Forbes until 1890. In that year it was incor- porated with A. D. Forbes as president, and H. F. Forbes as secretary and treasurer. In 1896, W. A. Forbes was made vice president. Upon the death of A. D. Forbes in 1902, H. F. Forbes was made president, W. A. Forbes vice president, and G. O, Forbes secretary and treas- urer. Another change was made in November, 1910, after the death of H. F. Forbes, W. A. Forbes being made president, with G. O. Forbes as secretary and treasurer. The original plant was located on the water power. In 1907. the present plant was completed on Peoples avenue. In 1862 employment was given to twelve mould- ers and twenty-four other workers. Today 200 moulders and 300 other employes are required to work the plant to its capacity.
In September, 1894, Walter A. Forbes was married to Marie Thompson Perry, of Rockford, a daughter of Seely and Marie (Thompson) Perry. They have two children, namely: Alex- ander Duncan and Seely Perry. W. A. Forbes belongs to the First Preshyterian Church of Rockford. In politics he is a Republican, and fraternally he belongs to the Rockford Lodge No. 64. B. P. O. E.
H. F. Forbes married Hannah W. Patterson, of Westfield, N. Y .. and they had one son, Duncan P. Mrs. H. F. Forbes is deceased.
G. O. Forbes married Elizabeth Barnes. daughter of John and Mary J. Barnes, of Rock- ford. They have two children, John Alexander, and Constance.
FORT, Clarence E. The life of the average business man would seem, at first glance, to present few items of general interest, or hut little material upon which to base an article appealing to the general public. However, if we take into consideration the lessons which may be taught and learned from the career of one who has worked his way steadily into prominence thorugh an appreciation of oppor- tunities and with the possession of but ordinary advantages, it may he found that a sketch of such a man's life may be not without great interest. From work on a Wisconsin farm, through which lahor he was ahle to gain his education, to the position of secretary and gen- eral manager of the Flexotile Floor Company. one of Rockford's most important business con-
cerns, is the span which covers the energies of Clarence F. Fort, business man. Oppor- tunities come to each man, but every one has not the perception to recognize them, or, recog- nizing, the courage to grasp them. Mr. Fort has perceived and he has wrested-therein lies his success, and therein may be found the lesson to be learned from his career.
Clarence E. Fort was born in Schaghticoke, on the banks of the Hudson River, in Rensselaer County, N. Y., June 19, 1876. His parents, Henry Beekman and Mary Elizabeth (Elms) Fort, farming people, moved from New York to a farm in southern Wisconsin in 1878, and in 1894 came to Rockford, Ill., to reside with their son, the father dying here in February, 1896, and the mother in February, 1914. In and around Monroe, Green County, Wis., Clarence E. Fort secured a graded and high school education. His parents were in moderate cir- cumstances and the lad, ambitious and energetic, paid his own way through school by doing general work and driving for Dr. William Mon- roe, a physician of that city.
On September 1, 1892, he came to Rockford, Ill., having determined upon a business career and completed his training by a course in a business college, then accepting a position as stenographer in the office of the Savage & Love Company. There he remained two years, follow- ing which he passed a like period in the fire and life insurance business. His next connec- tion was with the Elmore Coal Company, where the young and energetic employe soon acquired an interest in the business and, his confidence growing and the opportunity offering, he even- tually became sole owner of this enterprise, the name of which he changed to the C. E. Fort Coal Company. Even with the responsibilities of this business on his hands. his energies were not satisfied, and he cast about in other directions, looking for an opening. This was found when he became certain that Rockford needed a modern, reliable laundry to take care of its demands in that direction, and he built the Sanitary Laundry, which he operated until accepting a satisfactory offer from parties from. Beloit, Wis., who have since owned this indus- try. In October. 1912, Mr. Fort took another step forward, when he hecame secretary and general manager of the Flexotile Floor Com- pany. He soon found that the duties of these offices demanded his entire attention and he accordingly disposed of his interests in the coal company.
Mr. Fort's military record is embodied in his service as a member of the Wisconsin State Militia, in 1891 and 1892. He was a member of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, having joined that body at its incention, and is con- nected with the Rockford Manufacturers and Shippers Association and the Rockford Retail Merchants Association. In 1908 he was made a Mason, and immediately passed through all the bodies to and including the Mystic Shrine, and in 1910 was initiated into the Elks. He belongs also to the insurance orders of Royal League and Royal Arcanum. A Republican from
MR. AND MRS. JOEL M. THOMPSON .
JOEL M. THOMPSON, SR.
EMILY M. THOMPSON
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY .
his majority, he still holds fast to the principles of that party. Mr. Fort intends to place his name among the residential builders of Rockford by the erection of a home at No. 1301 Camp avenue, in the near future.
At Rockford, June 23, 1896, Mr. Fort was united in marriage to Miss Florence M. Keal, daughter of James and Elizabeth Keal, of Aurora, Ill., pioneers of western Iowa. Mrs. Fort, because of better educational opportunities to be obtained, made her girlhood home with her aunt and uncle at Rockford. Mr. and Mrs. Fort are the parents of two children : Harold Stan- ton, born May 4, 1899; and Florence Marie, born June 14, 1903.
Few men have in greater degree the confidence of their associates, or a higher standing in business circles. It is not a simple matter, this, of placing oneself firmly in the esteem of men who have fought the battles of commercial and industrial trade and who know the qualities demanded of the efficient soldier in the ranks and the officer at the head, but the qualities developed through fidelity, earnest striving and conscientious integrity, are readily recognized, and inherent talent may not be kept under cover.
FOWLER, Rollin D., one of the substantial retired business men of Rockford, for many years was a potent factor in the industrial life of the city. He stands very high in public confidence and esteem. He was born at Crown Point, Ind., April 28, 1839, a son of Luman A. and Louisa (Cochran) Fowler, natives of Mas- sachusetts and New York state, respectively. They married in 1835, at Detroit, Mich., but a year prior to that the father had secured gov- ernment land in Lake County, Ind., which county he later assisted in organizing, becoming its first sheriff and holding that office for twenty- eight years. In 1849 he went overland to Cali- fornia, making the trip with ox teams, and spent seven years in that state, but returned to his old home, where he spent the balance of his life.
Rollin D. Fowler attended the public schools of his native state, and in 1856 went to Scott County, Minn., where he spent a year trading with the Indians. He then preempted 160 acres of land near Jordan, in Scott Connty, and re- mained there until the fall of 1860, when he returned to his old home. On April 2, 1861, Mr. Fowler was one of the first men in his neighborhood to respond to the president's call for troops for use during the Civil war, and was enrolled a member of Company B, Twentieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, as second lieuten- ant, for a three-months' service. He later re- signed, bnt on August 1, 1862, re-enlisted in Company A, Seventy-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry as sergeant, and was mustered out July 1, 1865. Mr. Fowler participated in the battles of Lexington, Perryville, Nashville and Stone River, and was captured by the enemy in May. 1863. near Rome, Ga., and was confined for four days in Libby prison, and then trans-
ferred to Belle Isle across the James River, where he remained for ninety days. In the fall of 1863 he had the good fortune to be exchanged.
Returning home after he was mustered out, Mr. Fowler then went into a grocery business at Crown Point, and conducted it for two years, when he went to Minneapolis, Minn., and worked at the trade of a stonemason until 1881. In that year he came to Rockford, and after some time spent working at his trade, he engaged in con- tracting tor laying drain tile, so continuing until 1907, when he retired, now living very comfortably at No. 1030 So. Main street.
On January 31, 1858, Mr. Fowler was married at Jordan, Minn., to Jennie C. Varner, born at Cincinnati, Ohio, a daughter of William Varner. She died at Rochester, Minn., in 1878 and is there buried. Mr. and Mrs. Fowler became the parents of the following children : Josephine B., who lives at St. Louis, Mo .; Charles R., who is an attorney of Minneapolis, Minn .; Elvira C., who was Mrs. Charles Squires, is now deceased ; and Ira, who died at Rockford in September, 1911. Mr. Fowler belongs to the Odd Fellows of Orchardville, Wis. Nevius Post No. 1, G. A. R., holds his membership.
FREBERG, Miss Marie N., owner of one of the leading millinery establishments of Rockford, is very conveniently located at No. 514 Seventh street, and is recognized as a lady of uniisual artistic ability. She was born at Rockford, Sep- tember 23, 1882, a daughter of P. J. and Charlotte (Jasperson) Freberg, natives of Westergotland, Sweden. In 1865 P. J. Freberg came to the United States and located at Rock- ford, Miss Jasperton not coming until 1867, and they were married at Rockford and subsequently bought a beautiful home at No. 335 Bremer street, where they still reside. Upon coming to Rockford Mr. Freberg became a cabinetmaker with the Central Furniture Company, and con- tinned with that concern until he retired.
Marie Freberg attended the schools of Rock- ford, and her natural inclination made her turn towards some line in which she could give expression to her artistic ideas, so she accepted a position with Gust Nordstrom, proprietor of the dry goods and millinery store on Sonth Main street. She remained in his employ for five years, when she went with the dry goods and millinery establishment of Hill & Ekeberg, as manager of the millinery department, and held this responsible position for four years, when Mr. Ekeberg sold to his partner. Miss Freberg then accepted a position with the Tay- lor Millinery store as trimmer, at Spokane, Wash., and remained a season, then going to Coeur d'Alene. Idaho, to spend a season with the Robertson Millinery Company of that place. The next season she was with the wholesale millinery house of Frederick & Nelson, Seattle, Wash., and then returned to Rockford, and became manager of the millinery department of the F. Hassell Millinery Company at No. 411 Seventh street, where she continued for fonr years, and then went into business for her-
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
sclf, April 1, 1911, at No. 514 Seventh street. She has one of the finest millinery establish- ments in Rockford and numbers among her patrons some of the leading people of the city who depend entirely upon her artistic taste and good judgment.
FREBERG, Oscar L., is one of the valued em- ployes of the Mechanics Furniture Company of Rockford, with residence at No. 617 Seminary street. He was born at Rockford, Ill., November 5, 1874, a son of Peter J. and Charlotte (Jesper- son) Freberg. The father was born in Wester- götland, Sweden, but came to the United States in 1869, and locating at Rockford, entered the employ of the Upson & Herrick Furniture Fac- tory, and later was with the Central Furniture Company, being with the latter from 1879 until 1906, when he retired and is now living at No. 335 Bremer street. The mother is also living. The father is a Republican. He belongs to the First Lutheran Church of Rockford. The mother came to the United States in 1871, from Sweden, where she was born.
Oscar L. Freberg was reared and educated at Rockford. His first place of employment was with the Central Furniture Company, and he re- mained with this concern for two years, and then went with the Mechanics Furniture Com- pany and remained a year. Desiring to take up certain studies, he attended Augustana Col- lege at Rock Island, but returned to Rockford when he had completed them, and resumed his connection with the Mechanics Furniture Com- pany. From 1893 until 1903 he continued with this company, and then was engaged with the Schumann Piano Company for eighteen months, when he returned to the Mechanics Furniture ' Company, where he has since remained, being head carver, and thus is a man of considerable importance with his company.
In 1903 Mr. Freberg was married to Miss Agnes T. Johnson, a daughter of James and Adolphnie Johnson, and they have one living child, Oscar W. A daughter, Evelyn, died April 22, 1911. Mr. Freberg belongs to the Knights and Ladies of Honor, John Erickson Lodge of Svithiod. He is a Republican in his political proclivities. The First Lutheran Church of Rockford holds his membership, and values the interest he takes in its progress. A fine work- man, and excellent citizen, Mr. Freberg stands deservedly high among his fellows at Rockford and throughout the county.
FREE, W. C., president of the Free Sewing Machine Company, Rockford, has the distinction of being the executive head of one of the lead- ing sewing machine companies of the country, the Free machines being recognized as being standard machines at popular prices. He was born at Alexander, Ind., March 16, 1868, and there attended not only the public schools but a commercial college as well. Possessing con- siderable talent, he devoted himself for a time to portrait painting, but discovered that he
possessed in addition what few artists are for- tunate enough to have, excellent business judgment, and so he branched out, and in time founded the Chicago Portrait Company and the Chicago Picture Frame Company, building his own plant.
About this time he was led to invest heavily in the Illinois Sewing Machine Company, and on fully recognizing the possibilities of the latter business, he subsequently disposed of his other two concerns and has since then devoted all of his time and attention to the sewing machine industry. In 1910 he incorporated his business as the Free Sewing Machine Company. The plant at Rockford has a capacity of 500 machines per day, and employment is given to 500 people. Not only is Mr. Free the executive head of this large concern, but he is also the inventor and patentee of numerous devices attached to his machines, and his latest model, a cabinet machine, is probably one of the most beautiful on the market today.
Mr. Free was married at Kokomo, Ind., to Mazie Bell. His fraternal affiliations are with the Knights of Pythias, Elks and Masons, and he stands very high in all these orders. In religious faith lie is a Methodist, and his local church has every reason to be glad that it has Mr. Free as a member of this congregation, for he is exceedingly generous. A man of many ideas, he has never been content to develop one or two of his talents, but has sought to bring them all into play and has raised himself to a high position among the successful manu- facturers of his locality and age.
FREY, W. M., manager of the Butterfield Mil- linery Company, at No. 309 W. State street, Rockford, sets a pace for others to follow in his good judgment and efficiency in every respect, being regarded as one of the most capa- ble men in his line on the West Side, if not in the city. He was born at Chicago, March 27, 1873, a son of John and Minnie (Heinsath) Frey. The father was born in Germany and the mother at Chicago, the former coming to the United States when he was three years old. His parents located at Dayton, Ohio, where the grandfather of W. M. Frey followed wagon- painting all his life, and died there, as did the grandmother. The father of W. M. Frey left Dayton, Ohio, where he had been educated, and came to Chicago, where he engaged in a meat business at Larrabee and Oak streets, and car- ried it on until his death, when he was forty- nine years old. The mother survived him for some time. IIer parents came to Chicago, from Germany, in early life, and her father, a cabinet- maker, died at No. 138 Townsend street, Clicago, as did her mother.
W. M. Frey was rearcd and educated at Chi- cago, and there entered upon his business career as an employe of the Merchants Telegraph Com- pany. Later he entered the millinery business with the Edson Keith Company, and was with this concern for twenty-seven years, and then leaving, came to Rockford. His long and
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY
valuable experience with the Chicago house re- sulted in his entering into association with Edward Butterfield in the millinery business of which he is manager and a stockholder. This company owns and operates stores at Peoria, Kankakee, Aurora, Belvidere, Ill., Beloit, Madi- son and Racine, Wis., and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Their immense connection and wide territory make it possible for them to handle large stocks and offer prices that are acceptable to all and extremely low considering the quality of their goods, and their distinctive styles.
In 1914 Mr. Frey was married to Gertrude Robinson, a daughter of Fred Robinson, an extensive farmer, of Leaf River, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Frey stand very high in social circles.
FRITZ, John A, The business of supplying Rockford with wholesome groceries is one that shows substantial returns, and is engaging the time and attention of some of the most reliable men ot the county. One of them is John A. Fritz of No. 411 E. State street. He was born in Smolan, Sweden, August 24, 1872, a son of John and Caroline (Samuelson) Fritz. John Fritz was born in Smolan, Sweden, where he farmed and learned the carpenter trade, and ac- cording to the law, gave his country the cus- tomary military service, being a corporal in his company. In 1887 he came to the United States and located at Rockford, Ill., where he followed the carpenter trade and also did work as a stone mason as occasion demanded. Both he and his wife survive and make their home at Rockford ..
Until he was fourteen years old, John A. Fritz lived in Sweden, and attended school, and then accompanied his parents to Rockford, and here learned the moulder's trade, at the Union Foundry, and later went to work for the Illi- nois Central Railroad. After six months, how- ever, or in 1901, he entered the employ of Claus Bangstson, grocer on East State street, as a clerk, and here he remained for five years. He then entered into a partnership with Fred John- son, in a grocery business, on Seventh street, but sold to his partner after two years, and went in with Frederickson & Anderson, as a clerk. Atter three and one-half years with them, he became a partner of a Mr. Norrlander, incor- porated as the Glove Grocery Co. The firm operated two stores, one at No. 622 Seventh street, and the other at No. 411 E. State street. After a few years the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Fritz taking over the E. State street store which he still owns and operates, and controls here a very desirable trade.
In 1896 Mr. Fritz was married to Miss Emma Ekstrom, and they have four children: Harold E., Roland A., Mildred E. and Catherine C. Mr. Fritz is a Republican. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternally and is prominent in the order. Zion Lutheran Church holds his membership and he is liberal in his contributions to it. A hardworking, capable man, Mr. Fritz has also shown much business ability and de- serves the prosperity which is his.
FROST, Arthur H., judge of the Circuit court of Winnebago County, was born at St. Johns- burg, Vt., May 12, 1855, a son of Jeremiah and Maria Sophia (Kilborn) Frost. Judge Frost was educated at Rockford, where his boyhood was passed, and from childhood he evidenced a love for his books, and spent all the time he could spare in study and reading. Atter his admission to the bar, he entered upon an active practice at Rockford. He served as state's at- torney from 1892 to 1902, when he was elected to the Circuit bench, where he has since con- tinued, his present term not expiring until 1921. His record as a fearless and efficient prosecutor is only equaled by his work on the bench. In politics he has always been a strong Republican.
On May 17, 1SS3, Judge Frost was united in marriage with Ida Southgate, who died January 15, 1909, and they had the following children : Bertha, who was born April 18, 1884; Raymond Southgate, who was born December 22, 1885; Arthur H., Jr., who was born April 29, 1891; and Walter Kilborn, who was born February 20, 1896. On October 24, 1911, Judge Frost was married (second) to Mrs. Laura Starr Beal. Fraternally Judge Frost belongs to the Masons, Knights of Pythias and Elks, and stands high in all these orders. He is also a member of the Hamilton Club of Chicago. The family resi- dence is at No. 712 N. Court street, Rockford, where a gracious hospitality is dispensed and from which an influence radiates that is felt throughout the circle in which Judge and Mrs. Frost move. (See page 718.)
FULLER, Chas. E., page 179.
FULLER, Franklin Washington, Some of the most representative men of Winnebago County were those who when their country had need of them, served as soldiers. Many of these vet- erans of the Civil war have passed from the scenes of their later peaceful activities, one of them being the late Franklin Washington Fuller, formerly a carpenter of Winnebago County. He was born May 19, 1835, in New York, of which state his parents were also natives. He came to Illinois in 1837, and from then on until his death Mr. Fuller was identified with Illinois. In 1862 Franklin Washington Fuller enlisted in Company I, Seventy-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, as second sergeant, and served until the close of the Civil war. He was wounded in the leg by a piece of shell, but recovered. Not only was he a skilled carpenter, but during his earlier life he taught school acceptably.
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