Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 89

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

USA > Illinois > Winnebago County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II > Part 89

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HARRIS, Jesse F., cashier of the Citizens State Bank of Durand, is one of the able financiers of Winnebago County and a man who stands very high in public confidence. He was born July 3, 1867, a son of Elisha and Calista (Robb) Harris, both born in Ohio, in 1818 and 1822, respectively.

In 1837 Elisha Harris came, with others from his home locality, to Winnebago County, Ill., making most of the trip on foot, driving stock. Immediately following his arrival he took up 160 acres of government land in Durand Town- ship, one and one-half miles south of the village of Durand. At that time his farm was wild land, which he broke, and otherwise improved, making it his home until death claimed him in 1902. Soon after he came here he was mar- ried to Calista Robb, who was a daughter of Scott and Lavina (Preston) Robb. The Robbs came overland from Ohio to Winnebago County in 1836. Scott Robb took up government land two miles southeast of Durand village, which he improved and lived upon until he died at the age of sixty-two years. Mrs. Harris died in 1882.

The following children were born to Elisha and Calista (Robb) Harris : Henry, who served in the Union army during the Civil war as a private in Company D, Eleventh Illinois Volun- teer Infantry ; Erastus, who served in the same command and died at Murphreysboro; Eugene, who lives at Seattle, Wash .; Lewis, who died in Kansas; Julia, who died at the age of eigh- teen years ; Charles, who is deceased; Scott, who is also deceased; Willis, who lives at Sycamore, Ill. ; Elmer, who lives at Grand Junc- tion. Col .; and Jesse F.

Jesse F. Harris was reared on the home farm and attended the country schools, and later the graded school at Durand, following which he taught school in this county for several years. He then attended the State Normal school at Normal, Ill., and for the following five years

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

was a teacher in the Durand school, thirteen years in all being devoted to scholastic work. In 1902 Mr. Harris was made cashier of the Citizens Bank at Durand, owned by H, M. Schorb, and so continued until 1913, when he spent six months at Grand Junction, Col., from which place he returned to accept the position of cashier of the Citizens State Bank of Durand, which had been organized during his absence, which place he continues to fill very acceptably. The bank has a capital stock of $30,000, a sur- plus of $3,000, deposits of $100,000, and bills receivable of $100,000. The officers are: A. E. Swinson, president; W. H. Randall, vice pres- ident; Jesse F. Harris, cashier; and M. B. Dolan, assistant cashier. The directors include the above and A. J. Best, E. D. Shakey, E. H. Boomer, Roy Cross, George Meier and Dr. F. J. Lins.

In 1899 Mr. Harris was married to Miss Flor- ence Brenton of Beloit, Wis., a daughter of Dr. and Mrs. J. L. Brenton of Beloit. Mr. Harris attends the Methodist church and is a teacher in the Sunday school. Fraternally he belongs to the Odd Fellows and Mystic Workers of the World. While he is a Republican, he has never taken an active part in public matters, his pri- vate affairs absorbing his time and attention.

HART, George L. Some men are fortunate enough to secure the homestead of their fore- fathers, and to spend their lives amid familiar surroundings. All are not accorded such privi- leges, but among those who are thus favored is George L. Hart of Winnebago Township, who was born on his present farm in Winnebago Township. July 7, 1882, a son of Cornelius and Bridget (Regan) Hart. The parents were born in Ireland, but were married at Rockford, fol- lowing which they located in Burritt Township buying a farm which they conducted for five years. They then sold and bought 240 acres in Winnebago Township. The father retired in 1909, and died in December, 1912. The mother died December 11, 1911. They had thirteen chil- dren, of whom George L. Hart was the eleventh in order of birth.

George L. Hart attended the schools of his township. and the Winnebago High School, fol- lowing which he took a commercial course at the Rockford Business College. He has always taken an active interest in educational matters and was a school director for three years. In politics he is a Democrat. St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church has in him a warm supporter and faithful member.

On April 10, 1911, Mr. Hart was married to Elise Hyden, born at Chicago, a daughter of Frederick Hyden, and they have one son,-Cor- nelius Leo, who was born May 21, 1913. Mr. Hart has developed into one of the progressive agriculturists of Winnebago County and stands very high among his neighbors.

HARVEY, Harold, M. D. Modern research and the diffusion of education has awakened an in- terest in the possible preservation of health that

has resulted in a better appreciation of the science of medicine and the services rendered by its practitioners to humanity, and a consequent more intelligent recognition of the debt owed by any community to its medical men. Rockford in particular should render due meed of this appre- ciation to the members of its medical profes- sion for they have always ranked among its most useful citizens, and one worthy of special men- tion because of this and other qualities is Dr. Harold Harvey, of No. 503 W. State street. He was born in Colchester, Conn., August 13, 1888, a son of William E. and Annie (Foote) Harvey, natives of Connecticut. The father is deceased, but during life was a farmer. The mother sur- vives and makes her home at Chestnut Hill, Conn.

Harold Harvey attended the public schools of his native place, the Windham high school and Heald's College, at San Jose, Cal., from which latter he was graduated in 1910. He then entered the University of Vermont, at Burlington, and later Bennett Medical College, Chicago, from which institution he was graduated in 1914, with the degree of M. D., and took high honors in his class. Dr. Harvey chose to attend Ben- nett Medical College because its president, Dr. John Dill Robertson, is his cousin. However, he practically made his own way through college, earning the money to pay for his course, receiv- ing but little assistance from anyone, so deserves all the more credit for what he has ac- complished. For the succeeding three months after graduation, he did post graduate work at the Chicago Union Hospital, coming then to Rockford. He established himself in practice in this city, where he is still located. He is a member of Loyola University. The Congregation- alist Church holds his membership. Dr. Harvey is unmarried.

HASKELL, George, page 654.

HASKIN, Daniel. Some of the most substan- tial and highly respected citizens of Winnebago County are those who, having spent their active years in tilling the soil, are now residents of Rockford, where they are enjoying the com- forts of urban life. One of these who is spe- cially worthy of mention is Daniel Haskin, a retired agriculturalist. He was born on the farm of his father in Harlem Township, this county, November 7, 1860, a son of Charles and Mary W. (Atwood) Haskin, and a grandson of Amos and Lovisa (Bille) Haskin. The pater- nal grandfather operated a grist-mill at Wash- ington, Mass. A son became a stone workman and built 80 rods of a stone wall around the property owned by the Shaker Society, at New Lebanon. Mass. He also made his own tomb- stone, and had it ready for use when he died.

Charles Haskin, father of Daniel Haskin, was born at Washington, Berkshire County, Mass., in 1817. He was reared at home and was bound out to his brother Orin, but went for himself wlien aged sixteen years. On August 29. 1841, he was married in Jefferson County, N. Y.,

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

his wife being a daughter of Phineas and Hulda (Haskell) Atwood. This marriage resulted in four children : Amos, Emily L., Wright and Daniel. Of these, Amos enlisted in Company A, Seventy-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry for service during the Civil War, and died at Huntsville, Ala. Emily L. died in 1893 and Wright died in infancy. In 1841, Charles Haskin came to Illinois, and bought eighty acres in Harlem Township, from the government. He also rented additional land, and within a few years was able to purchase 160 acres more for which he paid seven dollars per acre. On this he lived until 1SS2, when he moved to Rock- ford, where he bought a valuable lot at No. 415 East street, and lived there until his death in 1903, when he was eighty-six years old. Mrs. Haskin survived her husband until the middle of 1904, passing away aged eighty- six years. Charles Haskin was a Republican and served as a justice of the peace, assessor, commissioner of highways and as a member of the school board. Belonging to the Methodist Church, he liberally assisted in erecting the church edifice of that denomination at Harlem, and also the Centennial Church at Rockford. The father of Mrs. Haskin was a local preacher, by trade was a blacksmith at Hinsdale, Berk- shire County, Mass., where Mrs. Haskin was born November 21, 1S19.

Daniel Haskin grew up in Harlem Township where lie attended the public schools. On De- cember 14, 1SS1, he was married to Miss Fran- ces L. Hall, a daughter of Jonathan and Lau- retta (Roth) Hall. She died in 1SS9, when thirty-two years old. They had two children, namely : Bernice who died in 1SS2: and Emily Fern who was born in 1SS5, married Edmond Ruh of Rockford, and they reside in that city at No. 2034 Cumberland street. On September 30, 1891, Mr. Haskin married (second) Miss Florence Paulton. a daughter of Thomas and Sarah E. (Patterson) Paulton. Mr. and Mrs. Haskin became the parents of three children as follows : Charles T., Marjorie E. and Stan- ton D.

When his father retired to Rockford, Mr. Haskin took charge of the farm and continued on it until 1896. when he moved to Rockford. At first he lived in rented property, but later built a comfortable residence on East State street. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen, and the Odd Fellows and is popular in both orders. His political convictions make him a Republican. He has always been active in the Centennial Methodist Church.

HATCH, W. Grant., M. D. The complications and multiplicities of medical science have in- duced a number of the most distinguished prac- titioners to specialize along certain definite lines so as to be able to become expert in those diseases to which they have given particular attention. Experience and experiment have taught the profession much and thus conscien- tions general practitioners are apt to refer the majority of their more serious cases to those

physicians and surgeons who have proved especially skillful in certain lines. One of the most successful eye, ear, nose and throat spe- cialists of Rockford, is Dr. W. Grant Hatch, whose office is in the Trust Building, at No. 1419 National avenue. He was born at Kilbourn City, Wis., May 2, 1869, a son of David M. and Harriet S. (Butterfield) Hatch, natives of New York state. The mother is deceased, but the father survives and makes his home at Kilbourn City.

After being graduated from the high school of his native place, W. Grant Hatch began teaching, in 1890, so continuing until 1894, when he entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1897, with the de- gree of M. D. He then located at Prairie City, Ill., and spent four and one-half years in prac- tice there, after which he went to Europe and for nearly two years studied at Vienna, Austria, on diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. Upon his return he attended the Knapp clinics in New York City, to further perfect himself. In 1902 he located at Rockford, where he has since continued, limiting himself to the special- ties mentioned above. Dr. Hatch was awarded the Brainerd mnedal at Rush Medical College in 1896, and has always been a close student. He belongs to the Winnebago Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society and the Amer- ican Medical Association, and is on the staff of St. Anthony's Hospital. For one year he served the Winnebago Medical Society as vice president and for another year was its presid- ing officer. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic order and the order of Elks. Dr. Hatch is a director in the Andrews Wire & Iron Works.

In 1S9S Dr. Hatch was married at Milwau- kce, Wis., to Amy F. Elwell of that city, and they have had three daughters: Harriet R., Eleanor P. and Beatrice R., deceased.

HAUGHTON, Thomas D., a substantial agricul- turalist of section 36, Durand Township, and a man who stands high in the estimation of his fellow citizens, was born in Cheshire, Eng- land, December 6, 1832, a son of Aaron and Harriet (Derwent) Haughton. These parents were married in England where four of their children were born. The father was a mason by trade. On April 23, 1841, the family left Liverpool, England, for America, spending their first year after landing in the state of New York, the father finding employment on the aqueduct being built over the Genesee River, at Rochester, N. Y. In 1842 they came by canal to Buffalo, thence to Chicago by the lakes, and from Chicago drove to Winnebago County, Ill.

While in New York state, the maternal grandfather, Thomas Derwent, had joined the family, and he came with them to Winnebago County. While traveling on the Erie Canal, Mr. Derwent became acquainted with a man named James Colton, who owned a claim in Durand Township and Pecatonica Township, and from him Mr. Derwent bought nearly a sec-

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

tion of land in these two townships. A few acres had been broken, but it was largely timber land and white oak openings. Log houses were built, with the help of other settlers, and Mr. Derwent built a stone house in which the bal- ance of his life, which was not a long period, was lived. John, William aud Samuel Derwent came with their father to Winnebago County, at first, and Thomas and Edmund followed the next year. The eldest Derwent aud all his sons were mechanics and soon after they located in the county, they quarried the stone from which they built the above house.

Prior to the death of Thomas Derwent, Aaron Haughton had bought from him 120 acres of land in Duraud Township and Pecatonica Town- ship, on which he built a stone house. About four years after the Haughtons came here, Mrs. Harriet (Derwent) Haughton died. She was the mother of : Thomas D., Aaron, Mary, Nye, Eunice and Samuel. Later Aaron Haugh- ton married for his second wife, Mary Ann Barningham. By the second marriage there were three children, namely : Sarah, Clara and Henry. Of the nine children, only Thomas D., Clara and Henry are living.

Aaron Haughton improved his farm, adding forty acres to it, which he bought from Austin Coulton. He also did a good deal of work at his trade in Rockford, helping to erect many of the oldest buildings now standing in that city. His death occurred in 18SS, when he was sev- enty-six years old. He and his wife were mnem- bers of the Church of England. In politics he was a Republican.

Thomas D. Haughton was nine years old wheu the family came to Winnebago County, and had already attended school in England and New York state, and after his arrival here, he attended school in a little log schoolhouse later erected in his neighborhood, it being one of the largest pioneer schools in the county at that period. Prior to this, however, he had been given some instruction in a little school that was held in the home of his grandfather, Thomas Derwent, the latter being the teacher. When the log schoolhouse was built it was con- sidered a great achievement although it lacked all ordinary comforts. The boys and girls sat on slab seats on different sides of the room, and the greater part of the time necessarily with their backs to the teacher.

Thomas D. Haughton remained at home until February 21, 1855, when he was married to Miss Agnes Sarver, of Harrison Township, a daughter of Henry and Elenor ( Hauek) Sarver, who came to Harrison Township in 1847, from Huntington County, Pa. Mrs. Haughton was born April 16, 1837, at Broadtop. Pa. With her parents and three brothers and grandfather, John Sarver. she came to Winnebago County, by stage to Pittsburgh, then by water to Savan- nah, Ill., from which point the travelers drove through to Harrison Township. Mrs. Haugh- ton, who died May 31, 1914, was one of a large family, the following members surviving her : Mrs. Johu Derwent, Mrs. Alec Derwent, Mrs.

Jaynes, and four brothers, Rayme, Carr, Alec and Ross. Mr. and Mrs. Haughton had the following children: Everett, who died in 1895, aged forty years; Emily, who married J. G. Barningham and died when about thirty years old, leaving a son, Lloyd J .; and Dell, who is the wife of James Derwent, has a son, Ralph. Lloyd J. Barningham married Cora Patterson, a daughter of Niles Patterson of Durand and they have a daughter, Helen Agnes. They now have charge of the farm, and Mr. Haughton lives with them.

After marriage Mr. Haughton bought an eighty-acre tract of land in Harrison Township for $4 per acre, and there he aud his wife lived until 1860, when they moved on a sixty-acre tract he purchased near his former farm, and there they continued until in 1870, when he bought his present farm of 200 acres. The pres- ent stone house was under way but not com- pleted, and Mr. Haughton finished it and erected the other buildings and made many additional improvements. He has added to his original 200 acres until he now has about 500 acres. When he came to the county all the marketing was done at Chicago, 100 miles away, and it took about a week to make the trip. At one time Mr. Haughton's father took thirty-seven bushels of wheat to Chicago, for which he re- ceived fifty cents per bushel, and that he spent for groceries and provisions, and, as Mr. Haugh- ton says, "brought it all home in a two-bushel sack." The first years were full of hardships. It was not until 1853 that the steam railroad came to Rockford, and it was three years more before it reached Durand.

In childhood Mr. Haughton was baptized into the Church of England. Politically he is a Democrat, and has served as road commissioner and as school director. He is one of the few surviving pioneers of the county and if there was space, many interesting incidents of those days as related by him would be inserted. He has seen many changes. When he came here there were few farm implements, all the plow- ing being done with single shovel plows drawn by oxen.

HAYNES, Walter, foreman of the National Plating Company, with residence at No. 1318 Benton street, is one of the substantial, reliable men and expert workmen of Rockford, and a man who stands high in public estimation. He was born in Nebraska, February 27, 1882, and there educated in the country schools. His first experience in work was when he assisted his father on the farm, continuing to be so engaged until lie reached his majority. He then worked at various things in his own neighborhood until 1906, when he went to Omaha, Neb., and was there engaged in the manufacture of gasoline lamps and systems for five years, leaving in 1911 to come to Rockford. Here he engaged with the Rockford Platiug Company, and remained with that concern for over a year, leaving to come to the National Platiug Company to be- come foreman, since which time he has remained

P. W. Welch.

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

with this company to the satisfaction of all concerned,

On November 28, 1911, Mr. Haynes was inar- ried at Rockford to Ruth N. Reecher, and they have had two children, namely ; one who died in infancy ; and Alice V. Mr. Haynes attends Trinity Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Republican. Owning city property, Mr. Haynes is a man in prosperous circumstances, and all that he has, he has earned through his own, unaided efforts.

HELMS, Alexander, an engineer for the St. Paul Railroad at Rockford, with residence at No. 1515 Elm street, possesses the conventional virtues in fullest measure, as is exemplified in his achievements and successes. He was born at Berlin, Wis., April 16, 1863, a son of William and Mary Mumbleau Helms, natives of Aurora, Ill., and St. Ann, Ill. The father was a millwright. He enlisted during the Civil war, in the Fourth Illinois Infantry, and participated in the battle of Gettysburg. His brother, Alexander, met his death in this battle. After serving for two years, William Helms was honorably discharged and came home. Following his return, he mar- ried and resumed work at his trade. Later he bought a farm at Winneconne, Wis., which he conducted until his retirement, but he continued to reside on the farm until his death, July 6, 1891. In politics he was a Republican. His wife survived him, dying August 12, 190S, aged sixty- seven years.

Alexander Helms was reared in Milwaukee, Wis. There he entered the employ of the Chi- cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad as brake- man in 1SS1, was made fireman in 1887 and was promoted to engineer in 1892. He was on freight until 1904, since which he has been on passenger trains. In 1898 he moved to Janesville, Wis., and lived for twelve years. He then came to Rockford and was connected with the Rochelle (Southern division) road when it was being con- structed, and was one of four engineers employed . ou this work at Davis Junction. When the road was completed, he was the first man to take lis engine over it, its number being 1356.

In 1888 Mr. Helms was married to Miss Alice Burke, a daughter of John and Bridget (Boyle) Burke, and they have had seven children as fol- lows : John William, who was killed by a train at Walworth, Wis., and Joseph, Gladys, Anna, Rachel, Aloysius and Edna. Mr. Helms belongs to the order of Locomotive Engineers and the Columbia Knights, He is connected with the Forest City Life Insurance Company. There are few engineers in the employ of the road who are held in higher esteem than Mr. Helms. His long period of service combined with his faithfulness and reliability have placed him among those who can be trusted, and his record is one that he may well take a pride in hav- ing made.

HENRY, Albert E. The late Albert E. Henry, long one of the substantial and conscientious

business men of Rockford, was worthy of the esteem which his fellow citizens express in l'ecalling him, He was born at Plymouth, Mass., in July, 1858, a son of John Martin and Ursula Henry. A sketch of the Henry family is given elsewhere in this work. Albert E. Henry was the youngest of the children of his parents, and was sent to the Rockford public schools until he was fourteen years old, the family having located in Winnebago County when he was still a child.

With the completion of his school course, he entered the store of Beal Brothers, jewelers, as an apprentice, as he was mechanically inclined, and he learned the trade thoroughly in all its branches. So anxious was he to become profi- cient in his trade that when his employers were willing to release him, he insisted upon remain- ing two years longer. In 1878 he began business on his own account, renting a window in a store, and repairing watches and jewelry and engraving silver and gold articles. He soon built up a reputation for expert work, and all of the jewelers sent their repairing to him. His business so expanded that in 1888 he rented tlie store at No, 104 W. State street, put in a stock of jewelry, and success attended him, and in 1905 he erected the present building at No. 118 W. State street, where he was located at the time of his death. He was very successful and accumulated a large estate. He owned the property occupied by the Rockford Electric Company, and the magnificent residence, the home of Mrs. Henry, at No. 1057 Franklin Place, which he bought in 1910, having sold his former residence at No. 418 Peach street.

In February, 1890, Mr. Henry was married to Miss Anna Kauffman, born at Rockford, Decem- ber 15, 1864, a daughter of August and Elizabeth (Katzung) Kauffman, natives of Germany, both of whom came to Rockford in their youth, and were married at Rockford, making their home in this city until 1SS5, when they went to San Diego, Cal., where the Kauffman family now resides. Mrs. Henry is one of the leading social factors in her neighborhood, and her beautiful home is hospitably open to her wide circle of friends.

HENRY, C. F., president of the C. F. Henry Clothing Company of Rockford, was born in the historic old town of Plymouth, in the home of Elder Brewster, the old gray house from which Love, Jonathan, Wrastling, Fear and Patience went out to found homes of their own, Every day in his childhood and youth, as he looked from the windows his eyes fell upon Captain's Hill, where history tells that the doughty little "Generalissimo of the Armies of Plymouth," was wont to stand and caress the iron muzzle of his beloved guns. In the attic and forgotten long ago, were three chests filled with relics of these staid old Pilgrim fathers and mothers of the Mayflower.

C. F. Henry came to Rockford with his sister, Mrs. Joseph Schmauss, when she returned from a visit to her old home, in 1864, and this city

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 89

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