Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 91

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 91

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

HOLLAND, Hosmer Philip, veteran of the Civil war, business man, attorney and public official, occupied a prominent place in Rockford affairs during his long and useful life, and dying left behind him a record of good deeds and thought- ful service for others worthy of commenda- tion. Mr. Holland was born at Millersburg, Ohio. January 15, 1838. a son of John A. and Maria Louisa (Curtis) Holland, natives of Mor- gantown. Va., and Mt. Vernon, Ohio. In 1846 these parents came to Rockford, Ill. He was an attorney and spent the remainder of his life at Rockford. The mother of H. P. Holland died after their arrival, and Mr. Holland married (second) Catherine F. Goodhue.

Hosmer Philip Holland grew up at Rockford, and remained with his father until he was seven- teen years old, when he entered Antioch College, Ohio, and later attended Union College, Schenec- tady, N. Y. Following this he returned to Rock- ford and studied law. After his admission to the bar, he continued .in active practice the remainder of his life, although interested in other things as well. For several years he was secretary and treasurer of the Rockford Watch Factory. In politics he was a Democrat and held a number of important offices. His death occurred October 5, 1912.

In September. 1862, Mr. Holland enlisted for service in the Civil war, in the Seventy-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, as orderly sergeant, and later became lieutenant. He was honor- ably discharged in the fall of 1864. He was severely wounded in the chest at the battle of

Missionary Ridge, and suffered much also from exposure and privations.

On November 21. 1865, Mr. Holland was mar- ried to Laura Blinn, born at Rockton, Ill., No- vember 11, 1846, a daughter of Jesse and Aurilla (Simons) Blinn, the former born at Benning- ton, Vt., in 1809, and the latter at Lebanon, N. H., in 1814. They were married at Con- neaut, Ohio, in 1834, and there Mr. Blinn carried on a wagonmaking business until he went to Chicago, After a year at that place, he returned to Olio, but in 1838 migrated to Macktown, Ill., one inile above Rockton, on Rock River. There he conducted a ferry until 1842, when business interests brought him to Rockton and he here established a wagon shop and conducted it for ten years. He then moved to Rockford, Ill., and with Ralph Emerson started the first hardware store at that place, they continuing together for some years. Mr. Blinn then formed a partner- ship with John H. Manny, for the purpose of manufacturing reapers, but later sold his inter- est. His demise was in 1879. Mrs. Blinn died in 1905, aged ninety years. The Blinn children were as follows: William C., who lives at Rock- ford ; Charles, who is deceased ; Laura ; Edmond. who resides at Rockford; and Jessie, who died in 1SS1.

Mr. and Mrs. Holland had the following chil- dren : Louise, who is the widow of Daniel Mc- Mullen, of LaGrange, Ill., has one daughter, Laura: Aurilla, who is the widow of C. D. Allyn of Western Springs. Ill., has three chil- dren, Hosmer H., Chancy B., and Elizabeth ; El- enor, who resides with her mother : Laura, who died aged ten years; Guy, who resides at Zam- boanga, P. I .; and Kate, who is Mrs. G. S. Patton, of Rockford, has one son, Goldwin P. Mrs. Holland was educated in the Rockford High School. Mr. Holland was a Unitarian. He be- longed to the Rockford order of Elks, and to Nevius Post No. 1, G. A. R.

HOLLAND, John A., page 707.

HOLLENBECK, Jacob A., a prosperous and re- liable hardware merchant at No. 1020 and 1022 S. Main street, is one of the men who occupies a solid position in the business world of Rock- ford. He was born in Winnebago Township, in 1864, a son of Jacob and Mary (Warner) Hollen- beck. Jacob Hollenbeck and wife were born in Schoharie County, N. Y., where they were mar- ried, coming to Winnebago County, Ill., in 1856. They bought a farm in Winnebago Township and improved it, and continued to live on it until death. Mr. Hollenbeck died in 1901. His widow survived until June 4. 1914, passing away when aged ninety-three years. In politics Mr. Hollen- beck was a Republican. In religious matters he was a Congregationalist and helped to found the local church of that denomination.

Jacob A. Hollenbeck grew up in Winnebago Township. His first business experience was gained with the Westinghouse works at Schenec- tady. N. Y., but within a year he bought a threshing outfit and brought it to Rockford from

1091

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

New York state, operating it for a time. He then went into the employ of the city at the water works, and filled a position there for two years. in 1900 he embarked in a hardware busi- ness for himself at No. 1030 South Main street. By 1908 his trade had so expanded that he felt justified in erecting his present building. His business is in a very flourishing condition and he stands well in the commercial field.

On June 23, 1892, Mr. Hollenbeck was married to Miss Katie L. Faulkner, a daughter of Joseph and Catherine ( Faulkner) Faulkner, natives of Scotland and England, who were married in Winnebago Township. Mr. and Mrs. Hollen- beck have two children: Vera M. and Joseph r., both of whom are at home. Mr. Hollenbeck is a Mason. His political convictions make him a Republican. In religious faith he is a Pres- byterian, and is prominent in church affairs.

HOLM, Charles O. Roscoe Township numbers among its property owners some of the most substantial farmers of Winnebago County, and one of them is Charles O. Holm. He was born in Sweden, October 20, 1859, a son of John and Gustava (F'olin) Holm, natives of Sweden. They came to the United States in 1893, and two years thereafter the mother died at Chicago. The father survives and makes his home with his son, Charles O. Holm. While residing in Sweden he was a farmer.

When he was twenty-seven years old, Charles O. Holm left his native land, where he had lived up to that time, and coming to the United States, located at Chicago. Later he worked in a Wisconsin lumber camp, and then went to Ogle County, Ill., where he worked for three years on a farm owned by Calvin Coun- tryman. In 1891 he rented a farm in Lind- ville Township, Ogle County, Ill., and continued on it for nine years, when he rented the Calvin Countryman farm in Winnebago County, but at the expiration of three years' occupancy of it, in 1903, bought his present farm of 122 acres on which he has since resided. Mr. Holm de- votes his land to dairying purposes and rais- ing of hogs and finds these lines very satisfac- tory.

In 1890 Mr. Holm was married to Miss Anna S. Carlson, born in Sweden, a daughter of Carl Argus and Maria (Hanson) Carlson, natives of Sweden, who never came to the United States. Mr. and Mrs. Holm are the parents of four children, namely: Esther Marie, Helen Caroline, Edith Gustava, and Anna Elvira. Mr. Holm is a Mason and also belongs to the Grange. In politics he is a Republican, while in religious faith he is a Lutheran. An alert, energetic man, Mr. Holm has steadily advanced and owes his prosperity to his hard work and economy.

HOLMES, R. W., a prosperous retired farmer of Rockford who is a recognized factor in the affairs of the city, was born in Ogle County, Ill., January 16, 1855, a son of Joseph and Mary (Greenhow) Holmes. The father was born in

Staffordshire, England, and the mother was also a native of England. In his own country Joseph Holmes was a gardener and butcher. He left England in 184S and came to Rockford, Ill. For some time thereafter he worked as a farm hand for Jonathan Miller, in New Milford Township, and then worked near Caledonia, Ill., as timekeeper on the railroad then being built, but lived at Roscoe, Ill. Still later he bought a farm in Ogle County, Ill., and moved his house to it from Roscoe. Until he retired, he lived on this farin, then leaving it passed his last days with his sons and daughters, and died at the home of his son, George R., in November, 1910, aged eighty-five years. His wite died on the Ogle County tarm, in 1897, aged sixty-three years. He was a Republican in politics. His wite came to the United States with her parents when a little girl, and they settled at Franklin, DeKalb County, Ill., where her father took up government land, and lived on it until his death in . 1877, aged sixty-five years. The mother sur- vived and spent the remainder of her life with her daughter, Mrs. Pitt, in Chicago.

After he was old enough, having in the mean- while been educated in the schools ot Ogle County, R. W. Holmes assisted his father in farming, this state of affairs continuing until he was twenty-three years old. He then bought a part of the homestead, on which he erected a residence, and lived in it until he was fifty-five years old. On November 30, 1909, he moved to Rockford where he bought the house he now occupies at No. 20S Forest avenue. In politics he is a Republican. Grace Methodist Church holds his membership and benefits by his liberality.

In December, 1877, Mr. Holmes was married to Miss Florence A. Clark, a daughter of Wil- liam A. and Mary (Bennett) Clarke of Monroe Center, Ogle County, Ill., who died at their home in Rockford, September 5, 1910. They had eight children, as follows: Hulbert Leroy. who married Maud Atchison of Monroe Center, Ill. ; Marian E., who married John Hildebrand of Monroe Center, Ill .; Ella C., who married Jacob Hildebrand of Monroe Center, Ill. ; Beatrice A., who married Cecil T. Atchison of Monroe Center ; Edwin R., who married Mabel Richardson of Monroe Center; Ralph J., who married Estella Knight of Lynnville Township, Ill .; Bernice, who married William L. Poliska of Lynnville Township; and Avis, who married Dr. Harry H. Howe of Rockford, Ill., October 14, 1915. In 1912 Mr. Holmes married (second) Miss Gracia M. Hoisington, a daughter of Horace Edwin and Priscilla (Peck) Hoisington of Batavia, N. Y., who came to Monroe Town- ship, Ogle County, Ill., in 1846, there buying 160 acres of land. They sold their property later on and moved to Kishwaukee, Ill., where they bought 100 acres of land at $25 per acre, and there the father died in 1903, two days before he was eighty years old. The mother of Mrs. Holmes died January 19, 1883. .

1092

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

HOLMQUIST, Frank E. From a utilitarian standpoint perhaps no invention has proven of greater value to the general masses than that which substitutes cement products for those manufactured from stone. The general adoption of this class of building material has given an unusual impetus to the industries associated with its production and a firm which is rapidly gaining a fair share of the business at Rockford and vicinity is that of Frank E. Holmquist, contractor.

Frank E. Holmquist was born at Rockford, Ill., November 3, 1885, a son of Gustaf E. and Mary (Braid) Holmquist, natives of Rockford, Ill., and of Sweden. They were married at Rockford, where the father conducted a meat market. He died in 1887, the mother passing away three years later. Their only child was Frank E., and after his parent's death, he was reared by an aunt, Anna C. Braid.

Mr. Holmquist attended the common and high schools and a business college of Rockford until he was fifteen years old, when he began working as a clerk in a mercantile establishment. When he was twenty he went to Red Rock, Mont., and had many experiences, and he was for a time camp tender, and later sheep foreman on a sheep ranch, being there for three and one-half years. He was then employed by the government as a forest guard, with headquarters at Kalispell, Mont., but six months after his appointment he returned to Rockford, where he formed his present association and began manufacturing cement stone and concrete specialties of all kinds.

Mr. Holmquist has never married. He is a member of the First Lutheran Church of Rock- ford. In politics he is a Republican and be- longs to the Swedish American Republic Club. In a business way he is now engaged in con- tracting, specializing in concrete construction. A man of ideas, alert and energetic, Mr. Holm- quist has made a place for himself in industrial circles and his outlook is very promising.

HOLMQUIST, John P., although now retired from active participation in the business affairs of Rockford, at one time was an important fac- tor in its commercial life. He was born at Skona, Sweden, March 15, 1841, but left his native land for the United States and arrived in Chicago, Ill., July 5, 1869. From that city he came on to Rockford and worked as a black- smith in the reaper works of Emerson & Talcott for fourteen years. He bought stock in the Standard Furniture Company, and engaged with it as a machine hand and continued in its em- ploy for eighteen years, but retired in 1909, although he retains his stock in the company. A farsighted man, he invested in some real estate on Seventh street when he first came to Rockford, and this has greatly increased in value. In 1885 Mr. Holmquist built a fine resi- dence on Fourth avenue where he has since lived.

In September, 1866, Mr. Holmquist was mar-

ried in Gottenborg, Sweden, to Louisa Hokon- son, born in Smoland, Sweden. Mr. and Mrs. Holmquist became the parents of the follow- ing children: Ida, who died at the age of thirty-four years; Agnes, who is Mrs. W. F. Bond, of Taunton, Mass .; Esther, who is Mrs. 'Ernest Johns, of Los Angeles, Cal .; Clara, who is Mrs. C. M. Moon, of Oakland, Cal .; Anna, who is Mrs. Adolph Salzman, of Los Angeles, Cal .; and Harold, who died at the age of twenty-four years. Mr. Holmquist belongs to the Swedish

Methodist church. In politics he is a Republi- can. Perhaps Rockford contains no better exam- ple of the self-made man than Mr. Holinquist. He even had but few educational advantages, having attended school only in Sweden, and that to no great extent, but he knew how to save and invest, and was not afraid of hard work, and he is now reaping the desirable results of his years of frugality and labor.

HOOD, Daniel N., page 708.

HOOPLE, Allan. Among the substantial and enterprising farmers of Winnebago, one who has made an especially creditable record in hus- bandry is Allan Hoople. He is the owner of a valuable farm, located in section 32, Owen Town- ship, which has been secured solely through his own efforts, and while he has been advancing his own fortunes he has not been indifferent to the needs of his community, for the value of his citizenship has been constantly recognized. Mr. Hoople is a native son of the community in which he now resides, having been born in New Milford Township, Winnebago County, Ill., June 30, 1865, his parents being John and Hannah (McCammond) Hoople.

John Hoople was born in Canada and there reared, educated and married, and in the fall of 1861 came to the United States and settled at New Milford, Winnebago County, Ill. There he secured employment by the day and was so engaged for a time, when he allowed himself to be attracted by the glamour of war, and enlisted in the Federal army, as a member of the Fifty-second Regiment, Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, an organization with which he served for a period of six months, making an excellent record as a soldier. When he received his honor- able discharge he returned to New Milford, where he worked until he had accumulated suffi- cient means with which to rent a farm in Ogle County, Ill., on which he was engaged for a num- ber of years. He again returned to New Mil- ford and turned his attention to teaming, but after his wife died there in 1870, at the age of thirty-six years, Mr. Hoople went to western Iowa, settling in the vicinity of Emmet, where le engaged in farmning, and where it is believed he still resides. In political matters he was a Republican.

The boyhood and youth of Allan Hoople were passed in Winnebago and Ogle counties, and his education was secured in the district schools of these farming communities. He resided with his uncle, Warren Sheffield, until he reached the

Best & Nity

1093

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

age of twenty-eight years, at which time he began to work out on farms by the month and was thus engaged for five years. Going then to Tama County, Iowa, he remained for three years, and upon his return to Illinois located in New Milford Township and worked for two sea- sons, at that time becoming a renter on a prop- erty of 120 acres, in Ogle County. In 1904 he was married to Mrs. Jennie (Cally ) Browdway, daughter of William and Jane (Gibson) Cally, and moved back to Winnebago County, locating on a farm in Seward Township, where he re- mained for five years, on a farm of 260 acres. This was followed by his location on his present place, known as the Phelps Farm, a tract of 240 acres in Owen Township. This he has brought to an advanced state of development through the use of modern methods and the exercise of judgment and industry, and in addition to general farming, he has made a success in the feeding and breeding of live-stock, and particu- larly of Percheron horses. Mr. Hoople is a member of the Stars of Equity.

The grandfather of Mrs. Hoople died in Ireland in 1884, at the age of sixty-two years, but the grandmother survived until 1912 and had reached the advanced age of ninety years at the time of her death. Mrs. Hoople's father and mother were married in their native County Down, Ireland, where they passed their lives in farming. Mrs. Hoople was born and reared there, and was married to Mr. Browdway, by whom she had four children : Wallace, Maud, Eddie and Alice. After the death of her first husband she made a trip to the United States to visit her brother, at Rochelle, Ill., and sub- sequently moved to Rockford, where she met and married Mr. Hoople. They are the parents of four sons : Ralph, Allen, Harry and Burt.

HORSMAN, Charles I., page 645.

HOUGHTON, Bethuel, page 646.

HOUGHTON, Lester Linwood, one of the sub- stantial agriculturists who has met with more tban ordinary success in his farming operations, was born in Pecatonica Township, Winnebago County, April 4, 1874, a son of Thomas and Clara Houghton. The father was born in 1845, and the

Thomas Houghton was brought up in his native township, where he was educated. During the Civil war he enlisted in May, 1862, in Company H, One Hundred and Seventy-fourth Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry, and served about nine months when he was discharged on account of disability. He reenlisted in May, 1864, for the 100-day serv- mother in 1841, the birth of the latter taking . ice in Company C, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth place in the house now occupied by her son, Lester Linwood, which was erected in 1838. The father's birth took place one-half a mile north, in a log cabin. The grandparents on both sides of the family took up government land in Winne- bago County. Both the parents are deceased, the father dying in 1870, and the mother in 1888. Their children were as follows: Lester Linwood; Wilbur, who was born August 10, 1875, lives in Harrison Township, this county ; a child who died in infancy ; and Mrs. Gertrude Taylor who lives at Winnebago. During the Civil war the father served his country as a soldier, first enlisting in 1862, and when his term expired, reenlisted in 1864.

Lester Linwood Houghton resides on the home-

stead where he was born, comprising 100 acres of land and the beautiful farm residence. In 1896 he married Miss Margretta Keller, born at Rockton, Ill., September 11, 1879, a daughter of Alva and Mary J. (Turner) Keller, natives of Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Keller had eight chil- dren as follows: R. H., who lives at Rockton ; Mrs. Houghton ; Eva Phillips, who lives at Rock- ton ; Enos, who lives at Beloit, Wis. ; Mrs. Carrie Kelley, who lives at Beloit, Wis .; Mrs. Mabel Hering, who lives at Oregon, Wis .; Mrs. Bessie Hanks, who lives at Madison, Wis .; Mrs. Hattie Olegard, who lives at Madison, Wis .; and Ada Haning, who lives in Rockford. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Houghton are as fol- lows: Forest, who was born July 10, 1901; Robert A., who was born June 15, 1906; Howard Aaron, who was born February 17, 1909; Thom- as. who was born November 26, 1912, and Helen Olive, born June 23, 1914. A Repub- lican, Mr. Houghton has served as path- master for ten years, and for three years he was a school director. He is liberal in donating of his time and money to forwarding church work, and stands very high in public esteem.

HOUGHTON, Thomas, a retired farmer of Win- nebago, was born in Durand Township, this county, October 23, 1844, a son of Robert and Dewillah (Hartley) Houghton, natives of Eng- land. Robert Houghton came to the United States in 1843, his wife having come in 1839, and they were married in Winnebago County, and settled in Durand Township in the fall of 1843. There he purchased 120 acres of land on which there was a log house and sheds for stock. They lived on this farm until his death. Their five children were as follows: Thomas; Jane, who married Martin Brown; Ellen, who died the wife of Charles M. Derwent; Alice, who later married Charles M. Derwent, is also de- ceased; and Amelia, who became the wife of William Randerson.

Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was honorably discharged at the expiration of that period. He participated in the battle of Perryville, Ky., and was in several skirmishes. After his return from the war, Mr. Houghton rented land until 1880 when he bought 100 acres in Pecatonica and Durand Townships, the house being in the latter township, and lived on this property until Feb- ruary, 1914, when he retired and moved to Winnebago.

On July 4, 1872, Mr. Houghton was married to Clara Houghton, a daughter of Aaron and Mary Ann (Barningham) Houghton, natives of Eng- land, and pioneers in Durand Township where they owned 190 acres of land. On this they erected the first stone dwelling in Winnebago

1094

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

County, and lived in it until their death. They had three children, namely : Sarah, now de- ceased, who was the wife of A, E. Osborn ; Clara, who married Thomas Houghton; and Henry. The homestead is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Houghton who bought it in 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Houghton have three children, namely : Les- ter, who resides on the farm ; Wilbur ; and Ger- trude, who is the wife of Allen L. Taylor of Win- nebago, and she has one child, Verna. Mr. Houghton is a member of Ellis Post No. 320, G. A. R. Pecatonica. His last discharge, dated October 1. 1864, is signed by Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, and Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War. While a resident of Durand Township, Mr. Houghton held the offices of road commissioner and school director, being elected on the Republican ticket.

HOWE, Harry, a leading realty operator, and one of the alert young business nien of Rockford, with offices located at No. 106 S. Wyman street, was born at Darlington, Wis., February 12, 1883, a son of Edward and Anna (McPhillips) Howe. The father was born in New York City, and the mother was born near Darlington, Wis. The paternal grandfather came to the vicinity of Darlington, Wis. at an early day, and took up government land on which he erected a log house, and when he had a place prepared for his family, he was joined by them. On that farm he passed away in 1887, at the age of eighty-two years. The grandmother survives, although she has attained the century mark, and lives at Darlington, Wis. In politics the grandfather was a Democrat.

When Edward Howe was twenty-two years old, with his brother James he bought a farm near their father's homestead, and they were engaged in cultivating this for some years. Later on Edward bought out his brother, and remained on the farm until his wife's death, when he sold and moved into Darlington. For a time he lived retired, but later bought the John Pilling farm three miles north of Darlington. For his second wife he married Bridget Doyle, a daughter of James Doyle, of Kendall Township, and remained on his farm until 1910, when he returned to Darlington, where he and wife have since resided.

Harry Howe lived with his father until eighteen years old, when he began working for a blacksmith in his neighborhood, remaining with liim for two years. He then went to Beloit, Wis., to engage with the Fairbanks-Morse Company, blacksmiths, for two years more. Recognizing the advantage of a commercial training, he took a complete course in the Beloit Business College, from which he was graduated, and in 1906 came to Rockford to engage with the Emerson Manufac- turing Company as bookkeeper, a position he held for a year, when he returned to blacksmithing, with Charles Wendon, for a year, then was with Martin Corcoran at No. 315 S. Main street the succeeding two years. Mr. Howe then erected a building on N. Madison street, where he en- gaged in blacksmithing for a year, and then

rented his property to a laundry. In 1910 he embarked in a real estate business, and found it so congenial and profitable that he has con- tinued in it ever since.

HOWE, O. Baxter, one of the reliable phy- sicians and surgeons of Winnebago County, espe- cially skilled as a diagnostician, is conveniently located at No. 319 Masonic Temple, Rockford, while his residence is outside the city limits on a farm. He was born in McHenry County, Ill .. March 1, 1853, a son of Obadiah and Sarah (Lamphere) Howe, natives of New York state. The father was a farmer who came to McHenry County, Ill., some time in the thirties. During the gold excitement of 1849, he crossed the plains to California, but later returned to Illinois.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 91

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