Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 86

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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Oliver D. Gleichmann was five years old when he was brought to Rockford, and he here re- ceived his educational training. After he com- pleted his school courses, he went east for two years, but returned to Rockford, and entered his father's confectionery store, which he now owus. A young man of enterprise, he is an expert in his line and takes a pride iu keeping his product up to standard. His store is patronized by a large number of particular people, who appre- ciate the fine quality of his goods, and his busi- ness is steadily growing.

GLENNY, Henry. Numbered among the lead- ing retired business meu of Rockford is Henry Glenny, who for years conducted the reliable tailoring establishment of Rockford that bore his uame. He was born in County Sligo, Ire- land, August 12, 1827, a son of Henry and Nancy (Allen) Glenny, natives of Ireland, where they were married. The father worked as a weaver. He died, in 1839, a victim of asthma, aged fifty-four years. The mother died in Ireland in 1863, aged sixty-five years. Her parents passed their eutire lives in Ireland,

After attending a public school, Henry Glenny learned the merchant tailoring trade and fol- lowed it in Irelaud until 1847, when he left for America on a sailing vessel from Sligo wharf, landing at Quebec, Canada, from whence he went to Bolton, Canada, and thence to Elmira, N. Y., where he worked at his trade for ten years. He also worked at Belmont, N. Y., for a short time, and then came to Rockford, Ill. After his arrival here, he worked for Joseph Burns and George Smith, merchant tailors, for two years, and then went into business for himself near the present stand of the Henry Clothing Co., and conducted a prosperous mer- chant tailoring business for twelve years. On account of illness, he was forced to retire and then bought the property where he now resides, at No. 1402 Rockton avenue. In politics Mr.

Sam Walton

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

Glenny is a Republican, but he has never aspired to office. In religious faith he is a member of the Court Street Methodist Church.

In 1857 Mr. Glenny was married to Docia M. Wilbur, a daughter of Simeon and Maria (Gil- bert) Wilbur, of Elmira, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Glenny became the parents of five children, as follows: Anna M., who is now Mrs. Charles Wise of N. Church street, Rockford; J. Henry, who died at Rockford, Ill., in 1880; Libby, who died at Rockford, in 190S; Fred, who resides at Firesteel, So. Dak .; and Warren, who died at Rockford, in 1880. -

Simeon Wilbur, father of Mrs. Glenny, was born at Boston, Mass., and his wife was born at Hartford, Conn., and they were married in New York state. In 1838 Mr. Wilbur located near Waukegan, Ill., buying 160 acres on the State road in McHenry County, and remained on this farm for two years and then sold and went back to New York state, and operated a farm he owned in Delaware County, near Mason- ville, for the next ten years. Once more he came to Illinois, and bought a farm of 160 acres in Owen Township, Winnebago County, which he conducted for four years. After sell- ing this property, he went back to Elmira, N. Y., and there died in 1878, aged eighty-two years. His wife died at Burlingame, Kas., . while on a visit to her son, Henry Wilbur, in 1872, aged seventy-three years. John Gilbert, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Glenny, was born in Con- necticut, and died in New York state, having followed forming all his life, and been a Re- publican from the organization of the party. The grandmother also died in New York state.

Mrs. Glenny is one of a large family, as fol- lows: Clarissa, who died at Elmira, N. Y .; Lorinda, who died in Missouri in 1907; Alex- ander, who was a soldier during the Civil war, died at Little Rock, Ark .; Hattie, who died at Elmira, N. Y .; Warren, who died in New York state; Hetty, who is living in New York state; Simeon, who was a soldier in the Civil war, died on Cape Hatteras; Henry, who lives in Arizona ; Beldon, who lives in Colorado; John, who also lives in Colorado; and Docia M., who is Mrs. Glenny. Mr. Glenny is one of the two survivors of a family of five children, as follows: James, who died in Ireland; Sandy, who died in Iowa ; Thomas, who died at Rockford ; Bessie, who lives in Iowa; and Henry.

GODFREY, Charles Howes, who belongs to one of the old and prominent families of Winnebago County, was born in Chicago, December 10, 1857, a son of Stephen R. and Mary Ann Baker God- frey, natives of Pawtucket, R. I., and East Den- nis, Mass., respectively. He came to Rockford with his parents when one year of age. He at- tended the public schools and later Beloit Col- lege, and then became associated with his father in the clothing business, in which business he remained for about twenty years. In 1900 he became a traveling salesman and so continued for seven years, when he established his present business, that of a inerchandise broker.

Mr. Godfrey is a member of the First Congre- gational church. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Illinois Commercial Men's Associa- tion, the United Commercial Travelers, and was a charter member of the Rockford Rifles.

In 1880 Mr. Godfrey was married to Eugenia Spafford, younger daughter of Charles H. and Abbie ( Warren) Spafford. Mr. and Mrs. God- trey became the parents of the following chil- dren : IIenry Spafford, of Kansas City, Mo .; Edward Warren, of Rockford, and Carolyn, who resides with her parents in this city. Mrs. Godfrey is a member of the Woman's Club, Rockford College Association, is president of the Rockford College Musical Alumnae, and is ex-regent of the Rockford Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.

GODFREY, Stephen R., deceased, was for many years a potent figure in the business life of Rockford. He was born at Johnstown, R. I., a son of Elisha and Patience (Webber) Godfrey, natives of South Dennis, Mass. When only thirteen years old, Stephen R. Godfrey began his business career as a dry goods clerk, and three years later was made the manager of the store. Later the stock was sold, and when only nineteen years old, Mr. Godfrey went to Boston, Mass., where he clerked for J. R. Gardner & Brother, later being with W. D. S. Havens of Pawtucket, R. I. In 1849, Mr. Godfrey like so many others was attracted to California, making the trip by water, and the journey took from March 4 to September 5, 1849. From San Fran- cisco the little party of which Mr. Godfrey was a member, proceeded to Sacramento, and thence to what was then called Hangtown, but is now Placerville. He was not satisfied with the re- sults of his mining, and so soon sold his interest to his comrades, and returned to Sacramento, where, with Capt. Charles Clark, he became pro- prietor of the Sacramento Hotel, but in 1851 sold his interest, and returned to mining. Es- sentially a business man, however, he soon formed connections with Charles N. Felton, later United States senator from California, and they ran a pack-mule train from Marysville and traded in the mountains, having at one time a store at Doneysville and another at Gibsonville. In the winter of 1852-3, Mr. Godfrey went to San Francisco and clerked for Strowbridge & Blake, and during the following winter returned to the East, via the Isthmus of Nicaragua, and a few months later went back West via the Isthmus of Panama.

In the fall of 1854 Mr. Godfrey formed a co- partnership with James C. Eddy and carried on a large clothing business at San Francisco until April, 1857, when he returned East. In De- cember of that year he came to Rockford, and formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, John M. Tappen. Later Mr. Godfrey became manager of the clothing house of W. V. Webster, subsequently buying him out. For two years he was in business with Charles Smith, and then, in 1885, he organized the Godfrey Clothing Com-

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

pany, with himself as president, and his son Charles II., as secretary and treasurer. In poli- tics Mr. Godfrey was a Republican, Fraternally he was a Royal Arch Mason. All his matnre years he was a Congregationalist, and during his residence at Rockford was connected with the First Congregational Church of this city. His death occurred in the fall of 1905, he having lived in retirement during the last five years of his life. His wife died in 1SS5.

Mr. Godfrey was married at Pawtucket, R. I., to Mary A. Baker, born in East Dennis, Mass., where she was educated. From her sixteenth year she was a consistent member of the Con- gregational Church. Mr. and Mrs. Godfrey be- came the parents of four children as follows : Emma. who married N. S. Robinson, of Rock- ford, died eighteen months before her mother; Anna, who married D. S. Hongh of Rockford ; Charles H., who married Eugenia Spafford, and Lulu who died when only eighteen years old, just two months after her mother. The two deceased daughters were very active in the work of the First Congregational Church, while Anna was equally faithful in her adherence to the Christian Church.

GOLDEN, Michael H., known to Rockford as a former efficient police official, and to the conntry at large as one of the older baseball favorites of national fame, was born at Shirley. Middle- sex County, Mass., September 11, 1851, a son of Roger and Elizabeth (McDonongh) Golden, na- tives of Ireland and Scotland, respectively. They located in Winnebago Connty, Ill., in March, 1853, living at Rockford, where the father worked as a stone mason. He died in 1854 of cholera. aged twenty-nine years. Mrs. Golden later married William Roche and resided at Rockford until her death in March. 190S, aged seventy-three years. Mr. and Mrs. Golden had three children, of whom Michael H. was the second in order of birth.

When he was fourteen years old Michael H. Golden began working for the Rockford Ice Company, driving one of its wagons, and re- mained with this concern for two years. In 1868, lie went to New Orleans, La., and re- mained a month, when he came back to Illinois and joined the Springfield baseball club as catcher. After a year, he went with the Keokuk (Iowa) team and continued with it for three years. He then joined the Chicago White Stock- ings, and was with that team for a year, and for two years was with the Indianapolis (Ind.) team. Returning to the Springfield team he was with it a year, and then was with the Milwaukee team for a year. Coming back to Rockford, he was with McKee's Western League nntil it was disbanded the following year.

Mr. Golden then retired from baseball, after a long and successful career, and on May 4. 1880, joined the Rockford police force as patrolman. and continued on the force for thirty years and six months. Although he might often have re- ceived much deserved promotion, he preferred to remain a patrolman. When he retired October

30, 1910, his friends and enthusiastic admirers of South Rockford presented him with a valuable gold watch as a mark of their esteem and con- fidence. At the same time the police department presented him with an entire equipment for fishing, that sport being his chief relaxation, and a gold star inscribed with date of retirement. As is but natural, Mr. Golden is a rabid baseball fan, and in 1908 Mr. Golden and Thomas Walsh bought the franchise in the Wisconsin and Illi- nois League and presented it to Rockford. Since his retirement he has transacted some business in real estate and writing insurance. It is his boast that during the forty-one years that he was associated with baseball and the police force, he never took a drink of intoxicating liquor, a re- markable record. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of Colum- bus, and is a consistent member of the Catholic Church. Politically he is a Republican. In 1884 he built his present residence at No. S10 N. Winnebago street.

On October 29. 1874, Mr. Golden was married to Elizabeth Ward, born at Cleveland, Ohio, July 6. 1856. a daughter of John and Rose Ward, natives of Ohio, who located at Morning Sun, Iowa, where they continned to live until their deatlı. Mr. and Mrs. Golden have had the fol- lowing children: Gertrude, who is the wife of Charles T. Nelson of No. 819 N. Winnebago street. Rockford ; Charles J., who is a stock and commission broker of Chicago ; Genevieve, a high school gradnate, who married William Julian, captain of fire station No. 6 of Rockford ; Mabel E., a high school graduate, who is a stenographer, lives at home ; Helen, who married C. M. O'Brien of Davenport, Iowa ; Laura E., who is the cashier of the Rockford Electric Company. Mr. Golden nas two grandchildren, Frances E. Nelson and Helen O'Brien. Charles J., who was gradnated from the Rockford High school and took a two years' course at the Northwestern University, was catcher of the latter's baseball team during his freshman year, and was also a member of the football team, being a noted athlete and after his return to Rockford, was manager of the Rockford baseball team for a year. Mr. Golden owns a twenty acre farm in Florida.

GOLDMAN, David. One of the hardworking, reliable and prosperous business men of Rock- ford is David Goldman. He was born in Rus- sian Poland, in 1877, a son of H. and Anna Goldman. The father came to the United States and located at Elgin, Ill .. where he estab- lished himself in a junk business that he still conducts. His arrival took place in 1873, his family following him as soon as he had a home ready for them.

David Goldman attended the public schools of his native place and also was nnder the immediate instruction of a rabbi. He remained with his parents until 1899 when he came to Rockford and started to dealing in junk. han- dling all kinds, including paper and rags. and has built up a large and profitable business.

In 1900 Mr. Goldman was married at Chicago to Annie Coplin, born in Russian Poland. Mr.

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY .

and Mrs. Goldman have had the following chil- dren : Lillian, Evelin, Sylvia, Marian, Edward and Louis. Mr. Goldman is of the Jewish religious faith. His political convictions make him a Republican. Fraternally he belongs to the Royal Arcanum. Thrifty, industrious and capable, Mr. Goldman has forged ahead and deserves full credit for what he has accom- plished.

GOODHUE, Josiah C., page 651.

GOODWIN, A. E., page 706.

GOODWIN, Samuel. For a number of years the name of Samuel Goodwin has been associated with the prosperity of Winnebago County, and since he retired from active participation in business life, he has taken an added interest in the local affairs of Rockford. Mr. Goodwin was born in Worcestershire, England, July 5, 1826, a sou of John and Sarah (Wagstaff) Goodwin.

John Goodwin and wife were born in Wor- cestershire, England, and they were married at Old Church, Kidderminster, in the same county, her birthplace, February 9, 1819. John Goodwin learned the milling trade, with his father, and followed it all his life at Hult and Worcester, England, and in connection carried on an ex- tensive grain business, For some years he was mayor of his town, Worcester, and in his official capacity, in 1851, attended a fair given at Lon- don by Prince Albert. A number of other mayors were present, and Mayor John Goodwin won one of the prizes offered, and had the honor of being presented to Queen Victoria, at her request. John Goodwin died in his native county, at the age of seventy-five years. Mrs. Goodwin died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Eugene Oswald, when aged ninety years.

Samuel Goodwin was reared and educated in England, where he learned the milling trade, but in 1856 he left home, setting sail on March 28, for the United States. His objective point was Chicago, Ill., but after reaching that city he did not find an opening to suit him. He then went to Ridott Township, Stephenson County, Ill., where he bought a farm of eighty acres, which took all his available money, and he spent the next nine years upon this property. Later he rented a farm belonging to Frank Salisberry, which he operated from January, 1864, to 1868, and then bought the old Coolidge farm of 120 acres, adding to it until he owned 325 acres, and lived upon it until 1880, during this time becoming an extensive cattle raiser and feeder, and still owns this property. In 1SSO, he moved to Rockford, and lived on the George Hastings place of ten acres on East State street, but in 1884 erected the residence he now occupies, situated on fifteen acres of land. In 1882 he organized with others, the Rockford Co-operative Furniture Company. While living in Ridott Township, he was treas- urer of schools, being elected upon the Re- publican ticket, but aside from that has held

no offices. The Episcopal Church holds his membership.

In March, 1865, Mr. Goodwin was married to Miss Hannah Green, a daughter of Richard and Elenor ( Whitehouse) Green, of- Warwick- shire, England, who died at Rockford, January 12, 1902, having borne her husband two chil- dren, namely : Bertha Galton, who married Ed- ward Garst of Coon Rapids, Iowa ; and Ida M., who lives with her father. Richard Green, fa- ther of Mrs. Goodwin, was a builder of canals and bridges and also handled large tracts of land for farming purposes. The family on the ma- ternal side were all interested to an extensive degree in agriculture. Both parents died in England. Mr. Goodwin is a venerable man of eighty-nine years, and fortunately enjoys ex- cellent health, owing to his temperate life. He stands very high in the estimation of his neigh- bors, and is a man of consequence in his lo- cality.

GORHAM, Marquis L., page 709.

GOVERN, Michael J., foreman, police officer and deputy sheriff of Sinnissippi Park, Rockford, is a man who has placed the people of this city under a debt of gratitude because of the services he has rendered in keeping in order one of its finest pleasure grounds. He was born in Cherry Valley Township, Winnebago County, Ill., August 1, 1856, a son of Patrick and Mary (Turley) Govern, natives of County Galway and County Roscommon, Ireland. They were married in New York state, and lived there for four years, afterward engaged in farming. In 1853 they came to Cherry Valley Township, Winnebago County, and for some years lived on rented land, but in 1864 bought forty acres, to which they kept adding until they owned 271 acres, which their son Peter now owns. The father died on this farm in 1906, and the mother then moved to Rockford, where she died in 1903.

Michael J. Govern attended school in his home district, and until he was twenty-seven years old resided with his parents on the home place. Then he bought an adjoining farm of 120 acres, which he conducted for twenty-three years. He then sold and in 1910 moved to Rockford and began working in the city parks. So efficient did he prove himself that in 1911 he became foreman of construction and improvement for the various parks, and later was made foreman, police of- ficer and deputy sheriff of Sinnissippi Park. There are fifteen men under his control, and he keeps the park in order and supervises the im- provements.

On July 1, 1885, Mr. Govern was married to Mary Corcoran, born at Rockford, a daughter of John and Bridget Corcoran, natives of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Govern became the parents of the following children : Mary A., who lives at Free- port, Ill .; and Elizabeth V. and Joseph, both of whom are at home. In politics Mr. Govern is a Republican, and while residing in Cherry Valley Township, he served as overseer of highways for nine years, and as school director for six

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

years. He attends St. James Catholic Church, of which he is a consistent member. Fraternally he helongs to Rockford Lodge No. 470, K. of C. During 1907 Mr. Govern took an enjoyable and interesting trip of six months through the western states and as far as Manitoba, Canada.

GOVERN, Peter F. The records of Winnebago County show that some of the most reliable and substantial of its citizens have gained their ample fortuues from agricultural pursuits, the money thus earned permitting them to live at the county seat in comfort. One of these re- tired farmers is Peter F. Govern, of Rockford. He was born in Cherry Valley Township, Au- gust 14, 1866, a son of Patrick and Mary (Turley) Govern, natives of Westcommon, Gal- way, Ireland. They were married in New York State, and soon thereafter located in Cherry Valley Township on a farm of 271 acres which they rented at first, aud later hought, and im- proved. The father died March 25, 1900, fol- lowing which the mother moved to Rockford, where she died on October 15, 1909, both being buried in St. James Cemetery. Their children were as follows: Mary, who is Mrs. Matthew Hickey, a widow, who lives on Crosby street, Rockford; Johu, who died in March, 1902, in Cherry Valley Township, left a widow who resides on his former farm; Michael, who lives on Longwood street, Rockford; Julia, who is Mrs. John Nash, lives on the corner of Long- wood and Crosby streets; aud Peter, who was the youngest of the family.

Peter F. Govern resided at home and after his father's death he bought the farm from his mother, hut in 1902 he rented it and came to Rockford where he engaged in teaming until 1909. In that year he returned to the farm and conducted it for three years, and then came hack to Rockford and huilt a fine modern hrick residence on Kishwaukee street. He is now practically retired, although he does a little teaming when he feels so inclined, merely to occupy his time.

He has served as a school director and road commissioner. In politics he is an independent voter. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Columbus No. 470, of Rockford. Both he and Mrs. Govern belong to St. James Roman Catholic Church, and are popular in it as they are in the outside world.

GRAVES, Isaac. It is rather remarkable that any of the old soldiers of the Civil war were ahle to take up peaceful occupations after their return from their military service, for not one

escaped injury of some kind. Yet the majority developed into excellent business or professional men and those who survive are accounted among the reliable and substantial citizens of any com- munity in which they are located. One of these honored veterans is Isaac Graves of Rockford. He was born at Watertown, N. Y., June 10, 1841, a son of Joel and Eliza Ann (Dodge) Graves, natives of E. Barnard, Vt., and the Mohawk Valley, N. Y.

Isaac Graves attended the common schools of his native place, and for some time acted as secretary of the Watertown fire department, of which he was a member. Iu August, 1862, he enlisted to preserve the integrity of the flag during the Civil war, in the Tenth Heavy Ar- tillery, aud spent eighteen months acting as a guard of Washington, D. C. After that he was in the hattle of the Wilderness, and in the pits about Petersburg. Mr. Graves also took part in the battle known as the crater at Petershurg, and was the last man to speak to Gen. Stead- man before the officer was killed iu that en- gagement. The regiment was ordered back to Washington, and was at Alexandria for a month, when it was sent to the Shenandoah Valley to assist in taking a provision train through to Gen. Sheridan. The next stand was in the Lowden Valley to assist Gen. Custer, who had secured a large number of cows, sheep and other stock. The troops traveled in six trains across the Shenandoah Valley, and sev- eral tines across the Lowden Valley. Although Mr. Graves was never wounded nor taken pris- oner, he has always felt the effects of the hard- ships and privations he underwent. He received his honorable discharge July 5, 1865.

Returning to Watertown, Mr. Graves spent a season in that locality, and then went to Mis- souri, driving through from Brookville to Brunswick, spending a season at the latter place. Once more he returned to Watertown and spent three years, conducting a grocery business, but in 1874, left that place for Joliet, Ill., and there he was in a grocery husiness for a season. Leaving Joliet, he came to Rockford, where he worked for the water works company, and was the first man to strike a blow on its water pipes. For eight months he continued this liue of work, hut heing then injured was forced to lay off uutil he recovered. Upon his return he was made foreman of a gang of workmen, and had the misfortune to be caught in a cave-in, which resulted in the breaking of several bones. Upon

On April 12, 1909, Mr. Govern was married to Mary L. Hayes, horn at Rockford, a daughter of John and Mary (Mitchell) Hayes, born in County Cork, Ireland, and married at Waltham, Mass. They came to Rockford at an early day, and for many years the father was foreman for J. P. Manny. Mrs. Govern was educated in the common and high schools of Rockford, but Mr. Govern's educational advantages were limited to those offered by the district schools. . his recovery he found it impossible to return to such strenuous labor, and so worked at what- ever he could find to do until he had saved sufficient money to establish himself in a butch- · ering business. For twenty years he was en- gaged in this line, although his poor health oftentimes necessitated his selling his store and resting for a period. During ten seasous he conducted a meat wagou route through the rural districts, but of late years he has been keeping a dairy and selling milk. He bought a piece of property on Peach street from which he re- moved the old buildings, and erected a fine

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 86

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