Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 85

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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Frank Gilmore was reared and educated in Rockford and Owen townships, and when old enough rented his father's farm for some years, later inheriting 160 acres at his father's death. On it he carries on general farming, growing alfalfa, and breeding and raising Percheron horses, making a success of his operations.

On January 16, 1889, Mr. Gilmore was mar- ried to Miss Julia Peckham, born February 27, 1858, a daughter of Decius Peckham of Rock- ford, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore are the par- ents of five children, namely: Grace E., born November 12, 1889; William, born January 25, 1891, married Bula Francis; Nellie A., born April 15, 1893; and Laura Jane, born July 11, 1894, married Everett A. Denney, living at home ; and Harold D., born January 19, 1897,

who was drowned in the creek near Byron, III., August 27, 1913, when he was sixteen years old. Mr. Gilmore is president of the Burritt Mutual Fire Insurance Company. The Methodist church holds the membership of himself and family. He is a hardworking man and good farmer and his standing is high in his neighborhood. He is independent in politics. He belongs to the M. W. A., the Royal Arcanum and the Grange.

GILMORE, Thomas. It is only occasionally that we find an unassuming but extremely earnest individual who wrests from his daily and often depressing surroundings the victory of a notable accomplishment. We have always with us the poor-those who are incapable of caring for themselves-and the work of caring for these unfortunates is often grim and fre- quently charged with the tragic. It is true that tender women and generous men periodically bring their cheer, their kind words and their good deeds to bear upon the lives of the inmates of our charitable institutions, but for the super- intendent of these institutions to burden himself with the moral responsibility of the unfortu- nates in his charge, to carefully look after their every interest, to endeavor to lighten their burdens, has been the effort of but few, among whom may be mentioned Thomas Gilmore, over- seer of the poor of the town of Rockford, a Civil war hero, and a man who has demonstrated in many positions his capacity as an incumbent of public trust.

Thomas Gilmore was born near Belfast, Ire- land, March 20, 1843, and is a son of David and Margaret (Duff) Gilmore, and a grandson of people from Paisley, Scotland, who moved to the vicinity of Belfast, Ireland, where both of Mr. Gilmore's parents were born. His father was a carpenter by trade, an industrious, energetic man, who applied himself to his vocation and found in America, an outlet for his energies. Thomas Gilmore was a child when brought to this country, and his education was secured in the public schools of the state of New York. His first occupation was that of driving horses on the Erie Canal, and he was but nineteen years of age when he joined other patriotic youths in enlisting under the colors of the Union for service in the Civil war. On August 1, 1862, he enrolled as a member of Company I, One Hundred and Seventh New York Volunteer In- fantry. With this famous command he fought in the fierce engagement at Antietam, bloody Fredericksburg and the awful Gettysburg, as well as Chancellorsville, and when the Twelfth Corps, of which he was a member, was trans- ferred to the army under the doughty General Hooker, he invaded Tennessee and subsequently fought at Dalton, Resaca and Dallas, Ga. The last named engagement terminated Mr. Gil- more's service as a soldier, for, receiving a serious wound, it was found necessary to ampu- tate his leg, an operation which was performed on the battlefield. He received his honorable discharge at New York City, July 20, 1865.

Marthena & Wagner

Jacob. I Vagner

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

From New York Mr. Gilmore came to Illinois in 1871. His first location was the town of Harrison, in Winnebago County, where for fif- teen years he conducted with some success a general store. While there he gained his first experience as a public officer, and the fact that he remained as town clerk for thirteen years, and for a long period as township treasurer and postmaster of Harrison, speaks well for his integrity and fidelity. When he was elevated to the post of county treasurer of Win- nebago County, in November, 1898, he sold his Harrison property and came to Rockford, where he has since resided in his own home at No, 217 Royal avenue. In December, 1910, Mr. Gil- more was elected overseer of the poor of the town of Rockford, a position entailing work of the most responsible character, and one to which only one in whom the utmost confidence is placed is elected. While a strict disciplinarian, having learned the value of discipline while wearing his country's uniform, Mr. Gilmore has won the affection as well as the respect of those who have been placed in his charge, while, as a public officer, his executive ability has conserved the best interests of the town. 1

In 1864 Mr. Gilmore voted for Abraham Lin- coln as a Union soldier, and he has tound no reason since to change his political principles. He has never lost interest in his old armny friends, and is a valued comrade of G. L. Nevius Post No. I, Grand Army of the Republic. He is a charter member of the Harrison Camp No. 684, Modern Woodmen of America. He was reared in the faith of the Presbyterian church, but at this time is not a member of any con- gregation, although a generous supporter of all religious movements,

Mr. Gilmore was married at Astoria, Long Island, N. Y., July 4, 1868, to Miss Margaret Hamilton, who was born April 2, 1841, near Bel- fast, Ireland, daughter of Robert and Jane (Carrol) Hamilton. To this union have been born the following children all of whom are connected with agricultural interests : David Hamilton, born July 16, 1869; Agnes Jane, born January 9, 1871; Chauncey A., born December 25, 1873 ; Ellen H,, born April 30, 1875; Eliza- beth M., born December 2, 1880; and Mary A., born April 7, 1882. All are married.

GILMORE, Willis. Few counties have more prosperous agriculturalists than does Winne- bago County, and supremacy in this line is almost entirely due to the enterprise of the farmers of this section who appreciate the value of their work and the independence of their calling. One of them is Willis Gilmore of Owen Township. He was born in his present township, April 21, 1865, a son of William and Jane (Mack) Gilmore, pioneers of Owen Town- ship, natives of Scotland, and Germany, re- spectively. A sketch of these parents appears elsewhere in this work.

Willis Gilmore spent his boyhood on his father's homestead, attended the schools in his

district, and adopted farming for his life work. He has spent his life on his present farm, formerly owned by his father, and he specializes in the breeding and raising of Percheron horses and Chester-White hogs. -

On April 17, 1890, Mr. Gilmore was married to Miss Alice Ann Abram, whose parents were natives of England. The parents came to the United States in 1883, locating in Owen Town- ship where the father worked as a stone mason, but later moved to Rockford where he lived until his death, May 3, 1904, the mother having passed away April 20, 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore have one son, Leland S., who was born July 19, 1896, and who now assists his father on the farm. Mr. Gilmore belongs to Lodge No. 51, Modern Woodmen of America, and in politics is a Republican. He is a practi- cal man and well-informed citizen, but has never souglit public office. His personal standing among his neighbors and associates entitles him to their respect and esteem.

GINDERS, George H, Winnebago County has made generous returns to those men who have been engaged in operating her fertile acres, and among those who reaped these benefits during his lifetime, was the late George H. Ginders. He was born in Billingborough, England, in 1836, a son of Henry and Sophia (Bitting) Ginders. The father and mother were born at the same place as their son, and there they married. In 1851 the family came to the United States, and first located in New York state, five years later, however, removal was made to Rockford. Henry Ginders was engaged in several lines of work atter locating in this city, and then took up railroad work with the Chicago & Galena division as track foreman and later became division foreman. In the latter part of his life, he moved on a farm of eighty acres, in Scott Township, Ogle County, Ill., which' he bought of a Mr. Spofford, and on it he died in 1885, having survived his wife fourteen years. He was a Republican in political faith, and the Methodist Church held his membership.

After a boyhood spent in New York state and at Rockford, Ill., during which period he se- cured a public school education, George H. Ginders worked with his father on the railroad in the vicinity of Rockford, and later spent one summer at Janesville, Ill. Returning to Winnebago County, he took charge of a section of track of the Northwestern road as foreman, and was so engaged for three years. He then moved on his father's homestead in Ogle County and spent a year. Coming back to Rockford he was in the employ of Thomas Derwent, a miller, for seven years. At the expiration of that time he went on a farm in Winnebago Prairie, owned by James Patrick, where be spent three years and then went to South Bend, Ill., where he was on a farm owned by a Mr. Rodgers for three years, The following three years he was on a farm in New Milford Town- ship. For two years he conducted the Charles Johnson farm in Monroe Township, and then

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

for four years was on another farm in that vicinity. When his father died Mr. Ginders bought the homestead and spent six years on it. He then returned once more to Rockford and bought a flour and feed business on Seventh street, but after five years, returned to his farm and spent four and one-half years more upon it. He died August 16, 1899, aged sixty-three years. His widow survives him, being eighty years old.

In 1856 Mr. Ginders was married to Miss Mary Peck, a daughter of George and Elizabeth Peck, natives of England, who never came to the United States. Mr. and Mrs. Ginders became the parents of seven children as follows: Eliza- beth ; George Henry, who died at the age of seventeen months; Ira Edward, who died Jau- uary 24, 1909; Carie Etta; Will; Lucy; and J. T.

GINDERS, Guy W. Public office and public honors are seldom continuously bestowed upon those who have not earned them through special service, or demonstrated a peculiar fitness for certain duties. Guy W. Ginders of Rockford is a man who has shown his worth in every capacity he has been called upon to fill, and no honor bestowed upon him will be undeserved. As election clerk and as deputy sheriff under Sheriff Young, he proved he was to be trusted, and when the people of his community put him upon the Republican ticket for sheriff, they but voiced the sentiment of the community that in him the county would have an efficient and capable officer.

Guy W. Ginders was born at Rockford, Sep- tember 3, 1SS5, a son of I. E. and Margaret (Waugh) Ginders. The lad was educated in the grade and high schools of Rockford, and at the same time he assisted his father in the livery business the latter had founded in 1SS1, first opening for the accommodation of the public on E. State street, where the Hess Bros. big store now stands. In 1SS5 the present build- ing of brick, three stories in height, 130x44 feet, at Nos. 115 and 117 E. State street was built by the elder Mr. Ginders specially for livery pur- poses, and it has been used as such ever since. When Guy W. Ginders was twenty-one years old, lie bought a half interest in the business, and he and his father continued together, until the latter's death January 24, 1910. On Febru- ary 1, 1913, Guy W. Ginders took Joseph T. Ginders, his uncle, into partnership, and this association continues. The firm have twenty-three horses, and specialize on funeral work, maintaining connections with six under- takers, and doing business for the county cor- oner's office. For the past twenty years, the Ginders have held the contract for the county work in this direction. The firm also maintains five hearses, and are prepared to execute all orders promptly and in a dignified manner.

On November 26, 1913, Mr. Ginders was mar- ried to Anna E. Andrew, a daughter of John Milton Andrew and Kate (McNeal) Andrew. For three years Mr. Ginders was election clerk,

and served very acceptably under Sheriff Young as one of his deputies. A man of unquestioned bravery, cool deliberation and keen judgment with regard to men and affairs, Mr. Ginders measures up to the highest standards of efficient officials and desirable citizenship.

GLEASMAN, Edwin S. One of the leading business interests of Winnebago County is that conducted by the United States Wheel & Tire Co., at Rockton, of which Edwin S. Gleasman is president. Mr. Gleasman has been a farmer of Rockton Township for a number of years, and since 1900 he has been in an implement business at Rockton, so that he is one of the well known men of this neighborhood. He was born in Owen Township, this county, January 12, 1868, a son of George and Sarah Ann (Lake) Gleasman, natives of Oneida County, N. Y., and Owen Township, respectively. The grand- parents, Godfrey Gleasman, a native of Ger- many, and Hiram and Elizabeth Lake, natives of England, came from Pennsylvania where they had first located, to Owen Township, Win- nebago County, in early days, and took up land from the government. Godfrey Gleasman was killed at the battle of Antietam during the Civil war, together with his two brothers, all three being killed by the same exploding shell. In 1863 George Gleasman, together with Fred Gleasman, a brother, bought 400 acres in Owen Township. The parents of Edwin S. Gleasman married in Owen Township in 1866, buying the old homestead, on which the father died, January 1, 1891. The mother has lived at Rockton since 1893. The children born to these parents were as follows: Charles, who resides at Rockton ; Mina L., who is MIrs. Rev. William Doble, of Sterling, Ill .; Catherine, who is Mrs. George Crawford, of Rockton, Ill .; Rachel, who is Mrs. Walter Liddle, of Rock- ton ; Alice, who is Mrs. Ernest Gridley, of Bel- videre, Ill .; Abby L., who lives with her mother ; Frank W., who lives in Rockton Township; and Edwin S.

Edwin S. Gleasman attended the common and high schools of Rockton. After his father's death he took charge of the home farm and conducted it until 1900, when he rented it to his brother, now owning 320 acres in Rockton Township and large tracts of land in the Da- kotas. In 1900 Mr. Gleasman went into an im- plement business at Rockton which he still conducts. On December 14, 1914, the United States Wheel & Tire Co. was organized at Rockton, with Mr. Gleasman as president, John Roy Atwood as treasurer, and H. M. Wilcox as secretary. In addition to the officials, the fol- lowing sound business men are on the board of directors : George Curry, George W. Shaw, L. H. Moore, Homer P. Moses, Edward Hoffman, and N. P. Nelson. This company manufactures a wheel which is designed to overcome the danger of puncturing the tire, and at the same time give the same resiliency.

On February 18, 1SS9, Mr. Gleasman was mar- ried to Lissie May Truman, born in Rockton

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

Township, a daughter of J. C. and Mary Hol- lister (Case) Truman, natives of New York State. Mr. and Mrs. Gleasman have two chil- dren, Marie Hollister and Ruth Lake, both of whom are at home. The family are Methodists. Mr. Gleasman is a Republican, and has been president of the township commissioners since 1906, and of the high school board since 1910, and since 1900 has been secretary of the library board of Rockton. His fraternal affilations are with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Mystic Workers of the World.

GLEASMAN, Fred G. After many years passed in agricultural pursuits and as a cattle dealer, Fred G. Gleasman is now living in comfortable retirement at Rockford. With the exception of several years his entire life has been passed in Winnebago, his birth having occurred on a farm in Owen Township, May 1, 1863. He is a son of Valentine and Margaret (Gridley) Gleas- man.

Valentine Gleasman was born at Utica, N. Y., in 1836, was educated there, and as a boy proved his industry by working at driving a team on the Erie Canal. In the fall of 1856, the opportunities of the great West beckoned to him and he left New York for Winnebago County, Ill., finding his first home with M. H. Patton, who was an early schoolteacher at the Canada school. He assisted Mr. Patton, who owned a small farm, and they became close friends, and later Mr. Gleasman bought an ox- team from Mr. Webber, a friend, and put in crops. The following fall he returned to New York and with his mother and her two younger children, came to, Roscoe, Ill., renting the old Talcott farm, near Harrison, and operating it for two years. He later became the owner of much land. He purchased eighty acres from Ingalls, Carlton and Hollister, of Owen Town- ship, but sold this and bought 280 acres from Sylvester Talcott, retaining this land until his death. Next he bought eighty acres from George Moffatt, moved to that farm and remained two years, next rented the Steven Mack farm for three years, and later bought the Talcott farm near Harrison, 670 acres, the eighty-acre Captain Erquhart farm, the Collins farm of eighty acres, the Charles Atkinson farm of eighty-eight acres, the Tom Webber farm of seventy-two acres and the Sylvester Smith farm of eighty acres. When he retired from active labor he bought one more farm, the Henry Hollister place, at Rockton, where he died at the age of fifty-six years, in 1893. Mrs. Gleasman survived him until 1914, dying at the age of seventy-two years. At the time of his death Mr. Gleasman was the owner of 1600 acres of fine Winnebago County land, and at one time rented and operated 2500 acres. He was a Republican in politics, and attended the Methodist Episcopal church.

The boyhood of Fred G. Gleasman was passed in Owen and Rockton townships, where he se- cured his education. Being the oldest boy of the family, he was depended upon by his father to a great extent in the overseeing of the vast

farm enterprises which he was at that time carrying on. When he was but fourteen years of age he was doing a man's work. He re- mained with his father until 1883, and then began life for himself and for five years rented farms from different parties and operated the same. He then bought 240 acres, which he cul- tivated for eighteen years, or until 1904, and during that time also operated threshing ma- chine outfits and also dealt heavily in cattle. In 1904 he removed to Rockton, where he bought a nice home and resided for five years, then sold out and moved to Beloit, Wis., where he remained two years. Since his return to Illi- nois he has lived at Rockford, for a short time residing on Park avenue and then moving to his present place, No. 1325 School street. Mr. Gleasman is a Mason. He built a fine Masonic Home at Rockton. Politically he is a Repub- lican, is connected with the Methodist Episcopal church, and is president of the C. B. Williams Corporation, of Rockford.

In 1885 Mr. Gleasman was married to Miss Hattie R. Stryker, daughter of Isaac B. and Kate H. (VanDyke) Stryker, of Rockton. It is known that she is a relative of the consul to Belgium, of same name. To this union there have been born three children: Clara M., who died April 9, 1889, at the age of three years; Howard V., who married Dora Webber, daughter of Pollard Webber, of Rockton, Ill. ; and Pearl O., who died February 15, 1896. The parents of Mrs. Gleasman were born in New Jersey, and came to the West in 1858, settling in Bur- ritt Township, Winnebago County. Two years later they moved to Harrison Township, and in 1885 went to Farnhamville, Iowa, and two years later to Nebraska. There Mr. Stryker homesteaded land and remained seven years, and then moved to Guide Rock, Ark., where he died aged seventy-two years, in 1906. Mrs. Stryker died in Owen Township, Winnebago County, August 1, 1881. Mrs. Gleasman's ma- ternal grandfather, Cornelius VanDyke, fought as a soldier in the War of 1812. She has a brother, John Stryker, who is a teacher in the State Normal school, at Kearney, Neb.

GLEASMAN, George, a very successful general farmer and stockraiser of Rockton Township is justly included among the leading agriculturists of Winnebago County. His operations are con- ducted along extensive lines and are productive of very gratifying results. He was born in Owen Township, October 3, 1864, a son of Val- entine and Maryett (Gridley) Gleasman, natives of Oneida County. N. Y., and Iowa, respectively. The father came to Owen Township, this county in 1857, where he married about 1862, but after a short stay in Owen Township, he moved to Rockton Township and bought a tract of land. He already owned 120 acres in Owen Township to which he added until he owned 360 acres in that township. and 660 acres in Rockton Town- ship. He lived on the latter farm. but operated all of it and improved it to a considerable extent. His death occurred at Rockton in 1893.

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

The mother survived him and lived until April 22, 1914. Their children were as follows : Fred Godfrey, who resides at No. 1325 School street, Rockford; George; Jessie and Adelbert, who are deceased ; and Ona, who lives on the homestead at Rockton.

George Gleasman secured the farm in Rock- ton Township by gift from his father and after the latter's removal to Rockton he lived on the Erciut farm that his father bought for him. When his mother died, he bought the home place from the other heirs, and now owns about 900 acres, and oversees his entire property and raises stock and does general farming.

In June, 1898. Mr. Gleason married Lillian J. Wilder, born in Rockford Township, a daugh- ter of Bradley and Edna Wilder, natives of New Hampshire. Mr. and Mrs. Gleasman have two children, namely: Adelbert George and Helen Mariett. Mr. Gleasman attends the Methodist church. He has been a school director for three terms and understands the needs of lis district as he went to the public schools him- self. In politics he is a Republican, and he is a man of sterling attributes and high principles, and his standing is high in his community.

GLEICHMANN, Oscar G., Jr., manufacturer and retail dealer in confectionery in the Palm Theatre building at No. 105 W. State street, Rockford, is an expert in his line and under- stands how to produce pure and attractive caudy, and to sell it at prices that are reasonable con- sidering the quality of the goods. He was born at Brooklyn, N. Y., February 6, 1889, the youngest son of Oscar G. and Susan (Mitchell) Gleichmann. The other children are: Oliver D., Gertrude, Arthur and Harold. The parents came to Rockford when their son was seven years old, and here the father established him- self in a confectionery business.

Oscar G. Gleichmaun was reared and edu- cated at Rockford, and after leaving school, spent four and one-half years with Sels, Miller & Santee on S. Wyman street, electricians. Mr. Gleichmann then went to work for his father at No. 114 N. Main street, with whom he learned the confectionery business and continued for six years. On December 1, 1914, he established his present business. The premises are beautifully decorated and finely equipped for this enterprise, and this is one of the best stands in the city. Because of his' excellent service and the quality and purity of his product, he has built up a very large and desirable trade, and is doing a big business.

On September 16, 1913, Mr. Gleichmann was married to Miss Anna Lavisa Butler, a daughter of Arthur and Nellie Butler of Vermont and they have one daughter, Barbara Jane, born Septem- ber 18, 1915. Mrs. Gleichmann has two brothers : Raymond O. Butler, who is with Hibbard, Spencer Bartlett & Company, wholesale hard- ware dealers of Chicago ; and Fred Butler, who is a law student of Valparaiso, Ind. Mr. Gleich- mann is a member of the order of Moose. He

and his wife have a beautiful home at No. 114 Albert avenue, Rockford.

GLEICHMANN, Oliver D., proprietor and mana- ger of the Gleichmanu confectionery store at No. 114 N. Main street, has an establishment that ranks among the leaders in this line. Noted for the purity and excellence of the product, it attracts the best trade of Rockford and vicinity. He was born at Newark, N. J., Novem- ber 8, 1892, a son of Oscar G. and Susan (Mit- chell) Gleichmann. The parents were born at Brooklyu, N. Y., where the father was early engaged in making watch cases, but later be- came a confectioner. In 1897 he came to Rock- ford, where he engaged in business for twelve years in a retail line, and then founded the con- fectionery business and ice cream parlor now owned by his son, Oliver D. Gleichmann. After establishing his son, he went into a wholesale confectionery business at 125 S. Madison street, Rockford. He is a Moose and Eagle in good standing in the lodges. The Episcopalian church holds his membership.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 85

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