Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 87

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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Campbell Brother. NY

frank Ward.

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

modern house. In addition to this he owns another residence and two additional lots on the same street.

In the fall of 1873 Mr. Graves was married to Frances Parker, born August 13, 1849, at Hounsfield. N. Y., a daughter of Henry Parker, and they became the parents of the following children : Jesse P., who lives at Waltham, Mass., married Elizabeth Steckle; Dorothea, who is Mrs. George Sherman, of Rockford, Ill., has two children, Dorothea and Mildred ; Bertha, who is Mrs. Kelsey Dawson, of Rockford; Mil- dred, who is at home; Grace, who is Mrs. George Harvey, of Rockford, has three children, Jane, Richard and Marion; and Perry, who is in Louisiana, in the lumber business. In politics Mr. Graves is a Republican but he has not de- sired public honors. He belongs to Nevius Post, No. 1, G. A. R., and is a most estimable man in every respect.

GRAVES, Warren H. General farming and stock raising are kindred industries and ones which have attracted considerable attention from the progressive men of Winnebago County, and one who has made a success in both is Warren H. Graves of Rockton Township. He was born in Hoosick Falls, Rensselaer County, N. Y., October 29, 1839, a son of Timothy and Frances (Thomas) Graves, natives of Hoosick . Falls, N. Y., and Williamstown, Mass. After their marriage the parents settled in Hoosick Falls, N Y., where the paternal grandfather and great- grandfather were living, the Graves family being an old one in that section.

Warren H. Graves attended the common schools of his native place, and one term at the Burr Academy in Manchester, Vt. Early in the beginning of the Civil war he began to feel that his country had need of him, and he enlisted in the Union army in June, 1861, and served in the Thirtieth New York Volunteer Infantry for two years, being assigned to the Army of the Poto- mac, and participated in the battles of Chan- dlersville, second battle of Bull Run and Fred- ericksburg. At the second battle of Bull Run he had his left thumb shot off, but aside from that was not injured. The regiment was transferred to Washington to guard that city, and there Mr. Graves was honorably discharged in July, 1863. Returning to Hoosick Falls, he remained there until 1866, when he came to Illinois, and bought 160 acres in Rockton Township in April, 1867, and has operated it ever since. He has put in all the present improvements, and has added to his farm until he now owns 233 acres, all under cultivation except about forty acres of timber. On this farmi he carries on general farming and hog raising.

On January 21, 1867, Mr. Graves was married to Clara Amanda Farnsworth, born in the town of Eaton, Compton County, Canada, Province of Quebec, September 27, 1832, a daughter of Sam- uel and Tabitha (Barlow) Farnsworth. The marriage took place at Beloit, Wis., to which Mrs. Graves had come in 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Graves became the parents of two children :

Walter, who was born July 24, 1871; and Nettie C., who was born October 27, 1874, both of whom are at home. Mr. Graves has served as a road commissioner and school director, being a Re- publican in politics. He belongs to Nevius Post No. 1, G. A. R., and is a man who stands very high in his neighborhood in every way.

GREEN, Simon. Some of the most substan- tial business houses of Rockford were founded by men who, having carried out their ideas and discharged their duty to society and their fami- lies, are now living retired, having transferred the responsibilities of an active life to the shoulders of their descendants. This is the case of the reliable shoe house founded by Simon Green. Mr. Green was born in County Clare, Ireland, March 12, 1837, a son of Francis and Bridget (O'Niel) Green, who, in 1852, came to Boston, Mass.

In the next year, Simon Green followed his parents to America, and spent seventeen years at Boston, where both of his parents died. His educational training was limited to the schools of his native place, but as he is a very intelli- gent and observing man, he has added to his store of knowledge, and is very well informed. After coming to Boston, he learned the shoe- making trade, and after 1870 moved to Elgin, Ill., where he spent five years. Mr. Green then came to Rockford and established a shoe busi- ness which he built to substantial proportions and in 1903, retiring, turned over to his sons who continue it.

In 1863 Mr. Green was married at Quincy, Mass., to Bridget O'Connor, born in County Cork, Ireland, July 28, 1833. Mr. and Mrs. Green became the parents of the following chil- dren : Julia, who is the wife of John Weldon, lives in Chicago, Ill., and has the following chil- dren : Hannah, John, Julius, Rose M., James, Helen. Genevieve and Charles; John; Simon, who married Ann O'Donnell, has the following children, Rose. Katherine, James, Joseph, Thomas and John ; Michael, who married Mary Joyce; James, who, like the others, lives at Rockford; and Rose, who is Mrs. John Pender- gast of Galesburg, Ill., and has four children : Francis, Robert, Jack and Thomas. St. James Catholic Church holds the membership of Mr. Green and his family. He is independent in his political views.

Mr. Green is a self-made man and is one of the most prominent citizens of Rockford.

GREGORY, Eliphalet, page 643.

GREGORY, James Bateman, who is rightly numbered among the sound and representative men of Winnebago County, is now living in comfortable retirement at Rockford. He was born in this city February 28, 1842, a son of Samuel and Joanna (Bateman) Gregory, the former born at Danbury, Conn., April 4, 1810, and the latter born in Lower Canada, November 16, 1812. They were married in one of the eastern counties in New York, February 9, 1832,

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and in 1836 came by boat to Chicago and by ox- team and one old horse to Rockford.

Samuel Gregory entered 160 acres in what is now the east part of Rockford and built the third house in Rockford, which was constructed of logs, he being one of the earliest settlers here. As he had money deposited in the East, he sent his brother back for it, and instead oť taking chances of its being stolen, it being all in bills, the brother took a novel way of pro- tecting himself. He cut the bills in half, and took one section and entrusted the other to an- other man, and when both packages were de- livered to Samuel Gregory it was not a difficult matter to paste the bills together. Samuel Gre- gory improved his tarm and operated it until 1864 when he sold it for $52 per acre. This farm is now Woodruff's Addition to Rockford. He then bought a farm of 175 acres in Cherry Valley Township, and returned to Pekin, N. Y., where he died in May, 1886, but was buried at Rockford. His wife died August 23, 1866. Their children were as follows: S. Deloss, who died in Guilford Township; Delia A., deceased, who was Mrs. I. D. Johnson; John C., who lives at Alexandria, S. Dak .; Samuel Homer, who is deceased; James B .; Edna Lorana, who died in infancy ; Sarah Adalaide, who is Mrs. G. W. Witwer, a widow, of Chicago; and Edna Joanna, who was Mrs, Harvey Hulbert, is de- ceased.

James B. Gregory resided with his parents, attending the common schools and the Henry Freeman school of Rockford until 1866, when he took charge of his father's farm, and con- ducted it for two and one-half years. He then had the contract tor sprinkling the streets of East Rockford for one year, when he rented a farm in Guilford Township, and remained on it for three years. He then returned to Rockford and spent two years, but went back to Guilford Township and rented a farm for eight years, when he bought 104 acres in the same town- ship. In 1891 he sold and traded sixty acres for city property. He then retired. The family reside in a residence on South Second street that Mrs. Gregory's father built in 1868, which has been remodeled until it is now thoroughly modern.

On November 4, 1866, Mr. Gregory was mar- ried to Caroline S. Springer, born in Genesee County, N. Y., September 16, 1848, a daughter of Isaac W. and Sophia (Besona ) Springer, natives of New York state who came to Rockford in 1857, where Mr. Springer became a merchant and contractor. He died January 13, 1897, aged seventy-one years, while Mrs. Springer died November 19, 1892, aged sixty-eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Gregory became the parents of the following children: Ward S., who was born June 10, 1868, lives in Guilford Township and married Minnie Snyder, issue, Aubrey J., Henry S. and Donald S .; Henry O., who was born July 24, 1870, died November 4, 1894; Arthur S., who was born October 11, 1874, lives at Rockford and married Virgil Ferguson; and Earl I., who

was born December 3, 1SS5, married Anna Han- son and lives at Beloit, Wis., and they have two children, Ralph H. and Stanley S. Mrs. Gregory is a member of the Methodist church. Mr. Gregory belongs to Rockford Lodge No. 102, A. F. & A. M., and is in high standing with this order, as he is in the community where he and his have for so long been residents.

GREGORY, Mrs. Laura Potter, one of the women of Winnebago County who has made herself a potent factor in its life, has been instrumental in securing many much needed reforms. Her connection with the Rockford Board of Educa- tion has been productive of excellent work re- sulting in a general improvement in the schools of this city. She is the daughter of Joel B. and Adaline (Lathrop) Potter, and was born at Rockford, her parents having come to this city in 1839, from Genesee County, N. Y.

In 1889 occurred the marriage of Laura Potter and Edward S. Gregory, the latter having been born at Rockford, Ill., April 11, 1853, a son of Louis B. and Lucy (Spafford) Gregory. Mr. Gregory was in a plumbing and steamfitting business until his death, November 13, 1911. About 1884 Mr. Gregory was made a member of the city council of Rockford. He belonged to the Westminster Presbyterian Church for many years, and served it as trustee for a long period. Mr. and Mrs. Gregory became the parents of one daughter, Evalyn A., who is at home.

Mrs. Gregory was first made a member of the Rockford Board of Education in December, 1905, and served as such until she resigned in 1909. Her services, however, were recognized to have been so valuable that in May, 1913, she was re- appointed and was induced to again accept the responsibilities of the office. She is a very use- ful inember of the Rockford Woman's Club, and is active in the Daughters of the American Rev- olution, owing her membership in this organiza- tion to the fact that she is a descendant of Dr. James Potter of Revolutionary fame. Mrs. Gregory, capable and alert, is typical of the progressive times in which she lives. Never- theless she retains all those qualities of refined womanhood which make for the highest class of her sex, and her influence and leadership is ac- cepted by the intelligent people of her city.

GREGORY, Lewis B., page 662.

GROVER, Edwin Ruthben, now one of the highly respected retired residents of Rockford, has had many experiences and during his active years bore au important part in the develop- ment of business conditions. He was born at Olean, N. Y., April 1, 1826, a son of John and Esther (Reed) Grover. The father went to Cattaraugus County, N. Y., from New Jersey, in young manhood, and there he and a man named Conrad cut the road from Olean to Franklin- ville, where he settled. The mother was reared in Connecticut and came with her father, Eben- ezer Reed, to Olean. He had served in four companies during the Revolutionary war, going

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

out from Connecticut, and when he applied for a pension he was given a land grant at Olean Point, N. Y. John and Esther Grover had ten children, seven sons and three daughters. The mother died when Edwin R. was a baby. Later the father married (second) Sarah (Burbank) Sprout, a widow, and they had four children. In 1837, the father, with his wife and eight of his children, took a boat from Buffalo, N. Y., to Chicago, and in the latter place bought wag- ons, having horses, and loaded his household goods and before daylight started for Harrison, Ill., where he took up 160 acres of government land. This was the family home until the father died in 186S. In reaching their destination the little party passed through Rockford, which at that date consisted of seven houses, and land could have then been purchased in what is now the heart of the city, for $1.25 per acre.

E. R. Grover and a brother made the trip from Chicago to Harrison, a distance of 112 iniles, on foot, starting before daylight on the morning of May 13th, and reaching the site of their new home in time to go to sleep on the night of the 14th. Atter he reached his ma- jority, E. R. Grover returned to New York and was engaged in lumbering, running board rafts down the Alleghany River to Pittsburgh, and often would walk back from Pittsburgh to Olean Point. For three or four years he was thius ell- gaged, and then carried on the same line of business along the Wisconsin River and ran the first raft down Rock River. He took the con- tract for getting out timber for the first bridge built across the river at Rockford in 1844. In the spring of 1854 he took a contract from the Chicago & Galena Railroad, now a part of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad system, for the ties for this road, and he cut 60,000 and carted them across country to the right of way. Mr. Grover had many business transactions with Mr. Kent, the first settler at Rockford, and run lumber down Rock River to Mr. Kent's mill.

In 1850 Mr. Grover was married to Eliza- beth Scott, a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Fisher) Scott, and located on a farm six miles from Rockford. This property he improved and lived upon until he came to Rockford in 1897. Mrs. Grover died in December of that same year. In July of the same year Mr. Grover met with an accident that caused him serious trou- ble, including blood infection, so that finally his left leg had to be amputated. Mr. and Mrs. Grover became the parents of three daughters, as follows: Mary Marcella, who died in 1913; Cornelia 'Estella, who is Mrs. Peter Paulsen ; and Ida, who is Mrs. Louis Dobson. Mr. Grover has never dabbled in politics, although he served very effectively as constable for two years, and collector for the same length of time. He was a charter member of four different Odd Fellow lodges, and has passed the chairs eleven times, and represented the lodges three times in the grand lodge. Tlie Methodist Church holds his membership. After selling his farm, he came to live with his daughter, Mrs. Paulson, at No. 827 Maple street.

Some of the incidents related by Mr. Grover relative to his early experiences are intensely interesting. When he first began operating on Rock River, the Indians were his only neigh- bors, and were very numerous, but peaceful. Some of them would come and spend the even- ing with him each night, or he would visit them. At the time of the Mexican war, he was at Cin- cinnati, Ohio, on a lumber ratt, and four of his men enlisted there and went into the service. Many of his trips took him through St. Louis in the early days, and he oftentimes went on to New Orleans, the fare being one dollar. He says that he oftentimes saw a stack of gold on a poker table on these boats, where high stakes were the rule, as big as a peck measure. The players protected themselves against each other with large daggers and braces of pistols. Were there sufficient space many other entertaining facts miglit be given of the scenes through which Mr. Grover passed, and which he recalls so vividly, These early days have passed, but the events which belonged to them, go to make up the history of our country.

GSCHWINDT, Adam, vice president and general manager of the Rockford Electric Company, at No. 11S S. Wyman street, is a fine example of the reliable and progressive business men of Rockford, whose financial standing is unques- tioned. He was born at Stroudsburg, Pa., July 28, 1876, a son of Christian and Katherine Gschwindt, the former of whom was born at Wurttemberg. Germany, and the latter at Stroudsburg, Pa. When he was fourteen years old, the father left Germany for the United States, and located at Stroudsburg, Pa., where he found employment in the Kistler tannery. This concern had a number of tanneries at different points, and the father later became general superintendent of all of them, moving subse- quently to Scranton, Pa., where he is now living retired.

Adam Gschwindt was reared at Stroudsburg and at Scranton, Pa., and attended school in botlı places. He was associated with the Ameri- can Gas & Electric Company at Scranton, Pa., later going to its offices at New York City, be- coming the company's third vice president, and purchasing agent, so continuing for five years. He then came to Rockford, and became asso- ciated with the Rockford Electric Company, of which he is now vice president and general manager. From the first he has made his in- fluence felt in business circles. He is now presi- dent of the Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Rockford School Board of Engineering, a director of the Rockford Motor Club, a director of the Rockford School Exposition, and secre- tary and treasurer of the Sinnissippi Farm and Orchard Company, giving to all the benefit of his excellent judgment and wide experience.

In 1896 Mr. Gschwindt was married to Miss Miriam Davis, a daughter of William and Mary Davis of Catasauqua, Pa., where her father is manager of a large steel plant. Mr. and Mrs. Gschwindt have five children, namely: Chris-

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tine, William D., Janice K., Richard C., and Adeline. The family reside in a beautiful home at No. 1239 Harlem boulevard. Mr. Gschwindt belongs to the Masonic order in which he has attained to the thirty-second degree, and he is also a Shriner. A man of great capability, he has widely directed his efforts, and steadily ad- vanced in his chosen line.

GULLIVER, Julia H., president of Rockford Col- lege. The inspirational power that permeates the personality of certain individuals, irrespec- tive of sex, sets them apart as natural leaders. In the intellectual life, they are found at the head of organizations and institutions that mould the development of youthful minds, find- ing in this environment a congenial and com- pensating field. This great endowment, aug- mented by experience and ripened scholarship, thus becomes a vital factor in thousands of lives. Possessing this natural gift of inspiring others with her own enthusiasm, Julia H. Gul- liver, president of Rockford College, has been the means of opening many doors of opportunity to those who have come under her educative care. Through executive ability, also, she has built up an institution of learning that is a credit to the state in which it is situated.

Julia Henrietta Gulliver was born at Nor- wich, Conn., July 30, 1856. She is a daughter of New England in every sense and a descendant of Revolutionary patriots. Her parents were Jolın Putnam and Frances Woodbury (Curtis) Gulliver.

John Putnam Gulliver was born at Boston, Mass., May 12, 1819, and died at Andover, Mass., January 25, 1894. He was a descendant of Anthony Gulliver, who emigrated from England to America in 1645. His grandfather, Gershom Gulliver, was active throughout the Revolution- ary war, taking part at Lexington, Ticonderoga and Crown Point. For sixteen years prior to his demise, John Putnam Gulliver was professor of the "Relations of Christianity and Science" in the Andover Theological Seminary. His en- tire life was one of great intellectual force. In 1840 he was graduated from Yale College, sub- sequently was graduated at Andover and imme- diately afterward accepted a call to take charge of the Broadway Congregational Church, Nor- wich, Conn. After a pastorate of twenty years he accepted a call to the New England Church, Chicago, where he served from 1865 to 1868, be- ing one of the founders of the Advance during this period. His presidency of Knox College, Galeshurg, Ill., from 1868 to 1872, followed. From 1872 to 1879 he was pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Binghamton, N. Y., and from 1879 until death he filled the office of Stone professor, the first incumbent of that chair, in Andover Seminary. He was a scholarly man of strong convictions and great moral courage. On September S. 1845, he was united in marriage with Frances Woodhury Curtis, who was born at Torrington, Conn., August 15, 1823, and who died at Andover. Mass .. March 9. 1892. She was of distinguished lineage, a direct descendant of

Governor Bradford, the founder and for thirty years the governor of Plymouth Colony. Of the six children born to this marriage, Julia Hen- rietta was the fourth in order of birth.

In the atmosphere of a cultured home, Miss Gulliver spent childhood and youth, a delicacy in health preventing any attendance at school until she was eight years old. Her natural ten- dency in the direction of literary and educational effort afterward led her into studious paths and she hecame a student at Smith College, North- ampton, Mass., from which institution she was graduated with the A. B. degree in 1879, the Ph.D. degree being conferred in 1888. From Who's Who, 1914-1915, the following information is gained: Student Leipzig, Germany, 1892-3; (LL.D., Smith College, 1910). Head dept. of philosophy and Bibl. lit. Rockford (Ill.) Sem. 1890-2; head dept, philosophy and Bibl. lit., 1893 ; pres .. since 1902, Rockford College. Officer d'Académie, 1909. Mem. Am. Philos. Soc., Re- ligious Edn, Assn., Phi Beta Kappa. Contrib, on psychology and kindred subjects to various periodicals. Forthcoming book: The Essence of Democracy, G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York.

GUSTAFSON, Clarence A., physiological phy- sician and a man of importance at Rockford, is conveniently located in office No. 102 Elcamba building, at No. 419 West State street. He was born at Altona, Ill., August 1. 1891, a son of John E. and Catherine (Cheline) Gustafson, natives of Sweden who were farming people. They came to the United States in 1880, stop- ping first in Kansas, later going to Texas, and still later going to Altona, Ill., where they re- mained until 1915, when they located at Galva. Ill., their present home.

Dr. Gustafson was educated in the public schools of Altona, Ill., and then went to the Western Illinois State Normal School at Ma- comb, Ill., taking a three-year course to prepare himself for the profession of teaching. Com- pleting this course, he took an additional one of a year's duration in Brown's Business Col- lege, Galesburg. He then accepted a position with the Galesburg National Bank and continued with that institution for eighteen months. In the meanwhile he became convinced of the efficacy of drugless treatment, and entering the International College of Osteopathy, completed the course, following it with a course at tlie Universal Chiropractic College of Davenport, Iowa, was graduated therefrom in 1912, and for a short period was in active practice at Wilton Junction, Iowa. Later he took up the work at the National Post Graduate School of Chicago and after passing the examination before the Illinois State Board of Health, he came to Rock- ford where he has since been in practice, meet- ing with remarkable success in his method of treatment. He is a drugless practitioner and is a graduate of the best schools in his line of work. Osteopathy, Chiropractic, Neuropathy and Mechanical Therapeutics claim liim as an exponent of their practice and art. He is also

Engåby Campbell Broth, -

Drank R. Dand.

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

a specialist in Electric Therapeutics, which he studied at the Chicago Institute of Physiological Therapeutics. His office is fitted with every ap- pliance known to his profession, for he is thor- oughly modern in his work. Dr. Gustafson's methods meet with the approval of the public, and he has proven himself worthy of the con- fidence reposed in him. He uses no drugs or surgery in effecting his cures, his science work- ing along different lines. His patients are not confined to the city or county, but come to him from all over northern Illinois. Dr. Gustafson belongs to the Rockford Lodge of Elks. His religious affiliations are with the Christian Church. He is unmarried. A man of high principles and strong personality, Dr. Gustafson has advanced rapidly and deserves the position he has gained in public esteem.

HAIGHT, Daniel Shaw, pages 642-665.

HAINES, Anthony, page 706.

HALL, Charles R. The standing of Winnebago County agriculturists has been established through the efforts of the men now engaged in operating the farm lands of this region. One of them who has achieved a desirable pros- perity through his own efforts is Charles R. Hall of Rockford Township. He was born at Bristol, Conn., in August, 1855, a son of Friend C. and Loly B. (Mathews) Hall, natives of Wallingford and Waterbury, Conn., his birth occurring July 23, 1831, a son of Lyman and Mila (Hall) Hall, natives of Connecticut. Mrs. Hall was born April 1, 1835, a daughter of Joel and Julia (Ford) Mathews, also born in Con- necticut.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 87

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