USA > Illinois > Henry County > History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 10
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On the 28th of February, 1867, Mr. Ringle was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Humphrey, who was born in New York city on the 31st of March, 1844, her parents being Nicholas and Sophia (Van Allan) Humphrey, both natives of Canada. The father was of French parentage and the mother came of German lineage. Of their family of ten children, seven lived to attain years of maturity and two still survive, namely : Mrs. J. M. Loomis, of Missouri; and Mrs. John
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Ringle. Nicholas Humphrey passed away in New York city in 1862, at the ven- erable age of ninety-eight years, and the demise of his wife occurred in the year 1847. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ringle have been born three daughters, as fol- lows: Annie L., who is now the wife of Daniel Conneghy, by whom she has three children-Ora, Clayton and Lela; Ida A., who is the wife of Charles C. Curtis and has four children-Delia, Mabel, John and Chester; and Kate L., who gave her hand in marriage to Thomas M. Neville and has two children -- Gladys and Mildred.
Politically Mr. Ringle is a stalwart advocate of the republican party. He still maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his member- ship in the G. A. R., and while in the service belonged to the Union League. His wife is a faithful and exemplary member of the Congregational church. He has long resided in this county and, owing to his upright and honorable career, enjoys in unqualified measure the confidence and esteem of all who know him.
WILLIAM WALKER.
William Walker, a prominent and well-to-do farmer of Munson township who, although he has already reached the seventy-third milestone on life's journey, is still active in the world's work, has, with one exception, probably lived in one place longer than any other resident of the township, having removed to his pres- ent location in 1865. A native of Scotland, he was born in Aberdeen in the year 1836, his parents being James and Ellen (Stewart) Walker, and is the fifth in order of birth in a family of seven children, all of whom grew to maturity, the others being: James, who was killed by a runaway team in Iowa; David; John, who passed away while living in Grank Forks, North Dakota, leaving a family to mourn his loss; Alexander; Ellen, who is the widow of James Richmond and resides in Orient, Iowa; and George.
William Walker was still quite young when he lost both parents and was about seventeen years of age when he left the land of hills and heather and came to America in company with his eldest brother, James. They remained with relatives in Canada for a time and then spent one or more years in Indiana, after which, in 1857, they came to Illinois. Upon arriving in this country he had noth- ing but the clothes he wore, and he possessed little more than that when he came to Henry county. Undaunted, however, and eager and willing to work, he bor- rowed sufficient money to purchase a team and became engaged in agricultural pursuits in the capacity of a renter, continuing thus for some time. In 1864 in connection with his brother John he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, William Walker taking possession of the south half of the property. John Walker soon afterward married and William made his home with his brother and his wife for a short time. He then bought his brother's share in the farm and has since been sole owner. At one time the interest on his purchase was over a dollar a day. His property now consists of two hundred and forty-eight acres located on section 9, Munson township, and constitutes one of the highly im- proved and valuable farms of the township. The first house built upon the place,
William Walker
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in 1854, is still standing, while the more modern and attractive dwelling which he now occupies was erected some time in the '90s. Mr. Walker has confined his attention to general agricultural pursuits, practicing rotation of crops and studying the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, and with the passing of the years he has been preeminently successful, his industry and enterprise bringing to him a most substantial degree of prosperity. He possesses excellent business ability and his farming interests have been so carefully and wisely managed that he is today numbered among the substantial and wealthy agriculturists of his section of the county.
Mr. Walker has been a stalwart republican from the time he cast his first bal- lot, although the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him, as he has preferred to concentrate his energies upon the conduct of his per- sonal affairs. The loss of his parents at an early age made it necessary for him to forego the advantages offered by a school education in order to earn his own livelihood, but he has ever been a great reader and has kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day, while through experience and observation he has gained a broad general knowledge which has made his a well rounded nature. For more than four decades he has resided in Henry county and in the meantime has witnessed the work of advancement and improvement being carried on within its borders, while at all times he has lent his influence to all matters hav- ing for their object the substantial and permanent upbuilding and growth of the community. His has been a long and active business career and now, although he has already passed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten, he is still an active factor in the world's work and occupies a foremost place among the honored and valued citizens of Munson township.
JOSEPH M. McCONNELL.
Joseph M. McConnell, one of the prosperous farmers and public-spirited citi- zens of Clover township, was born here, December 28, 1857, being a son of William and Catherine (Morthland) McConnell. The parents came to Clover township from Path Valley, Pennsylvania, in 1855, when the settlers were few and far between. They made the trip by railroad to Altoona, Pennsylvania, taking there an ox wagon to complete their journey. Arriving in Clover town- ship, they settled on the unbroken prairie, enduring all the hardships of the pioneers of Illinois. Fortunately, however, for them prosperity attended their efforts, the father entering a considerable amount of government land which he developed into a valuable farm. His death occurred January 1, 1870, but his widow survived him until August, 1905, when she joined him in the better world and all that remains of their earthly habitation lies side by side in the local ceme- tery at Summit Level. Nine children were born to them, five daughters and four sons, of whom Joseph M. is the youngest.
The subject of this review grew to manhood upon the homestead, assisting his father and attending the country schools. In 1888 he married Amanda Peregoy, a daughter of David and Sarah Peregoy, residents of Clover township
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who came here from Ohio in 1883. Mr. and Mrs. McConnell have six children, namely : Nellie M., a teacher ; and Blanch W., Daisy P., Grace O., Frank E. and Katie L., all at home.
Mr. McConnell has always lived in Clover township and now owns two hun- dred acres of valuable land, on which he raises stock and carries on general farming. Politically he is a democrat, but while interested in public affairs he is not in any sense an office seeker. Public spirited, he favors improvements that will bring about better conditions and advance the general welfare of his com- munity. Although his parents were devout Presbyterians and he was brought up in that faith, he belongs to no church and is connected with no societies. Mrs. McConnell and four eldest daughters are all members of the Methodist Episcopal church. A splendid farmer, who understands thoroughly every detail of his work, prosperous in his undertakings and honorable in all of his dealings, Mr. McConnell stands high in the estimation of his fellow citizens.
GRANT D. OLLSON.
Grant D. Ollson, owning and operating a farm of ninety-five acres on section 17, Geneseo township, was born in Hanna township, Henry county, Illinois, in 1868. His parents, Andrew and Lucinda (Nesbaum) Ollson, are natives of Sweden and Indiana respectively. The paternal grandfather of our subject was likewise a native of Sweden. The maternal grandfather, Daniel Nesbaum, whose birth occurred in Pennsylvania, was a farmer by occupation. He wedded Miss Elizabeth Stein, and they became early settlers of Jones county, Iowa, where the wife died at the age of fifty-four years. Subsequently he took up his abode in Henry county, Illinois, where he passed away when eighty-four years of age, his demise occurring in Geneseo. His family numbered six children, of whom Mrs. Lucinda Ollson is now the only survivor. When twelve years of age An- drew Ollson, the father of Grant D. Ollson, crossed the Atlantic to the United States, in company with two brothers, and settled in Hanna township, Henry county, Illinois. When about sixteen years of age he enlisted for service as a soldier in the Civil war, thus loyally defending the interests of the Union until the close of hostilities. After returning from the army he became identified with general agricultural pursuits in Hanna township as a renter and subse- quently purchased a tract of ninety-two acres, which he improved. Both he and his wife now make their home in Geneseo and are well known and highly esteemed throughout the community where they have long resided. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party, and his wife is a devoted mem- ber of the Grace Evangelical church. They have reared a family of seven sons namely : Grant D., Charles, Louis, Hollie, Richard, LeRoy and Archie.
Grant D. Ollson was reared on his father's farm in this county, attending the district schools in pursuit of an education. He left home at the age of fifteen years and has since made his own way in the world, winning success as the re- sult of his untiring, persistent and well directed labor. He first began working as a farm hand by the month and subsequently operated a rented tract of land for
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two years. On the expiration of that period he purchased his present farm of ninety-five acres on section 17, Geneseo township, situated northwest of the cor- porate limits of Geneseo. In the conduct of his agricultural interests he has gained a gratifying measure of prosperity by reason of his unwearied industry, perseverance and capable management.
On the 30th of November, 1893, Mr. Ollson was united in marriage to Miss Hattie L. Garrison, whose birth occurred near Rochester, New York, April 22, 1870, her parents being Robinson P. and Harriet Lucy (Davis) Garrison, also natives of the Empire state. Her maternal grandfather, Nathaniel D. Davis, who was likewise born in the state of New York, passed away when seventy- three years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Clarissa M. Sat- terly, was eighty-four years of age when called to her final rest. Of their family of seven children only one survives-Mrs. William Patrick, a resident of Mena, Arkansas. Mrs. Ollson lost her mother when but nine days old and when four years of age was left an orphan by the death of her father. She was then reared by her maternal grandparents in Henry county, this state, until fourteen years of age, when she went to live with her aunt in Geneseo township. She has made her home in this county continuously since 1874 and has a wide ac- quaintance within its borders. By her marriage she has become the mother of one son, George Dewey Ollson.
Mr. Ollson gives his political allegiance to the republican party, while fra- ternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias. His wife is a Congregation- alist in religious faith. Mr. Ollson has spent his entire life in this county and is therefore familiar with its development from pioneer times down to the pres- ent, having aided in the arduous toil which brought about the wonderful trans- formation that is everywhere apparent in this part of the state.
GEORGE W. WILLIAMS.
George W. Williams, who since 1901 has acted as manager for the Galva Grain Elevator Company of Galva, was born in London, England, on the 2d of January, 1837. His parents were Thomas and Emma (Bentley) Williams, the former a native of Mortlake, Surrey county, England, while the latter's birth occurred at Stanstead, Hertfordshire, England. The paternal grandfather, George Williams, who was a native of England and a potter by trade, passed away in 1840. His wife, Mrs. Sarah Williams, also died in England. They reared a family of six children, five sons and one daughter. William Bentley, the maternal grand- father of our subject, was likewise a native of the Merrie isle. Unto him and his wife were born five children.
Thomas Williams, the father of George W. Williams, was a market gardener and salesman in his native country. In December, 1851, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, taking up his abode on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres near Victoria, Knox county, Illinois, and in August, 1852, was joined by his wife and children. His demise occurred in November, 1873, at the age of sixty
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years, while his wife passed away in February, 1878, when sixty-eight years of age. They were both devoted members of the Church of England. Their union was blessed with eight children, six of whom still survive, namely: George W., of this review; Mary Ann, the wife of J. B. Freed, of California; Thomas E., a resident of Lathrop, Missouri; Walter H., living in Victoria, Illinois ;. Emily, the wife of L. D. Blackwood, of Lathrop, Missouri; and Alfred Charles, who also makes his home in Victoria, Illinois.
George W. Williams remained a resident of England until his sixteenth year, obtaining a good practical education in the common schools of that country. In 1852 he came to the United States in company with his mother and the other children of the family and continued to reside on his father's farm near Victoria, Illinois, until twenty years of age. He then made his way to what was then Calhoun county, now Jackson county, Kansas, and preempted a tract of one hundred and sixy acres of government land. After residing thereon for three years he returned to Knox county, Illinois, in November, 1860, and there made his home until 1864. Subsequently he spent two years in Kentucky in the tele- graph department of the government service and after returning to this state followed farming in Knox county for two years. The year 1869 witnessed his arrival in Galva, Henry county, where he was successfully engaged in the grain business until 1878. Subsequently he was engaged in the grain trade at Aledo, Mercer county, for ten years, on the expiration of which period he returned to Galva and here carried on his interests as a grain merchant until 1892. In that year he again went to Aledo but in October, 1901, returned to Galva and has since been identified with the business interests of this place as manager for the Galva Grain Elevator Company. He is widely recognized as a man of keen discrimina- tion, sound judgment and excellent executive ability and is numbered among the most substantial and respected citizens of the community. In early manhood, during the years 1859, 1861 and 1862, he was engaged in teaching school, im- parting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired.
On the 10th of December, 1866, Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Azelia Helen Annis, a native of Knox county and a daughter of Eleson and Catharine (Meroe) Annis, both of whom were born in Maine and became early settlers of Knox county, this state. The father followed farming as a life work. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Annis were born eleven children, five of whom still survive, as follows: Mrs. Mary Bonar; Mrs. Julia Ann Starboard; J. K .; Ellen Collinson ; and Mrs. Williams. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are the parents of seven children, three sons and four daughters : Minnie, living in Alberta, Canada, who is the wife of Robert B. Holmes, by whom she has two children-Vera Pauline and Robert I .; Thomas E., who is a resident of Riverside, California, and wedded Miss Robertina Mills on the 10th of June, 1909; Kate, who resides near La Fayette and is the wife of Fred L. Keim, by whom she has four sons- Forrest, Fred, Rolland and Harold; Fred, living in Lushton, Nebraska, who married Miss Katie Strater and has two children-Grace and John Frederick; Ruth, who is at home; George, who is an electrical engineer residing at Mus- kogee, Oklahoma; and Grace, also at home. The last named has been a student in the Illinois University at Champaign for three years and won a scholarship in a contest.
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Politically Mr. Williams is a stalwart advocate of the principles of the democ- racy. He was on the school board for a number of years and also capably served his fellow townsmen as a member of the city council. He was made a Mason in Kansas in November, 1858 and now belongs to Galva Lodge, No. 243, A. F. & A. M., and Cyrus Chapter, No. 211, R. A. M., of Aledo. Both he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star. They have a commodious and at- tractive residence in the western part of town which is a favorite resort with their many friends.
JOHN F. LAWSON.
John F. Lawson is a successful farmer and stockman of Western township, his home being on section 10, where he owns a large acreage. He was born on a farm near the little village of Linkoping, Sweden, May 20, 1856, a son of Jo- hannas and Gustava (Pierson) Lawson, who were farming people of that coun- try. The mother died in Sweden but the father still survives, hale and hearty, at the advanced age of eighty-one years, and makes his home with our subject
John F. Lawson was reared to the pursuits of the home farm and acquired his education in the common schools. When he reached his majority he was called for service in the Swedish army, in which he participated for two years. When twenty-four years old, foreseeing no future for him in Sweden, and hav- ing heard favorable reports concerning the opportunities in America, he decided to try his fortune in the new world. In the fall of 1880, after a voyage of eleven days on the Atlantic, he first set foot on American soil, arriving in New York city. He had a brother, Charles Lawson, who was living in Henry county and our subject made his way direct to this place. He immediately began work as a farm hand and in this way gained his start in Henry county. When he felt that he had a sum that would justify him in engaging in farming on his own account he rented a tract of land and operated the same for twenty years. In the meantime, he had prepared a home for the lady whom he expected to make his wife and having sent for her, they were married at Crampton Station, Henry county, on the 29th of May, 1884. She bore the maiden name of Gustava Wil- helmina Larson.
Mrs. Lawson proved a valuable helpmate to her young husband and through their united efforts they were enabled in the fall of 1899 to purchase his present farm of two hundred acres, paying for it forty-eight and a half dollars per acre. Mr. Lawson continued for some time to operate a rented tract in addition to his newly acquired possessions but now gives his attention to his own two hundred acres. He has erected nearly all of the buildings on the place and in 1907 built his fine, modern residence, which is one of the best country homes in Western township.
Two daughters grace the home of Mr. and Mrs. Lawson : Agnes ; and Esther, who is a graduate of the Orion high school of the class of 1909. She is now engaged in teaching in the home school. Mr. Lawson is a republican but aside from acting as school director for the past twelve years, he has filled no public
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office. He and the members of his family are identified with the Swedish Luth- eran church, in which he is now serving as a deacon. True to the interests of his adopted country, Mr. Lawson is classed with the best citizens of Western town- ship, where he has now made his home for almost three decades.
ROY SCOTT BROWN.
Roy Scott Brown, an enterprising and progressive agriculturist and stockman of Osco township, has been actively engaged in the operation of a farm of two hundred and eighty acres on section 13 since 1904. He is numbered among the worthy native sons of Henry county, having been born on the old family home- stead on section 15, Osco township, on the 5th of January, 1881, a son of James Monroe and Martha E. (Myers) Brown. He was reared to manhood on the home farm and supplemented his preliminary education by attendance at the Geneseo Collegiate Institute during one fall and two winter seasons. In 1904 he took charge of his uncle's farm of two hundred and eighty acres on section 13, Osco township, and has since devoted his time and energies to its operation with excellent success. In addition to cultivating the various cereals best adapted to soil and climate he also devotes some attention to the feeding and shipping of cattle and is a young man of good business ability and sound judgment. In August, 1908, he bought a Reo automobile, his brother having purchased one of these cars in the previous October. In 1909 the brothers began selling the machine and disposed of seven during the summer of that year.
On the 16th of January, 1907, in Cambridge, Mr. Brown was joined in wed- lock to Miss Elnora Hornecker, a native of Edford township, this county, and a daughter of Martin and Martha (Schumaker) Hornecker. Their union has been blessed with one child, Marjorie, whose birth occurred on the 3Ist of August, 1908. Mr. Brown is a stanch republican in his political views and cast his first presidential vote for Theodore Roosevelt in 1904. Both he and his wife are well known and highly esteemed throughout the county in which they have spent their entire lives and have an extensive circle of warm friends who en- tertain for them the kindliest regard.
ALEXANDER K. CLARK.
In a history of the building operations of Geneseo it is imperative that def- inite mention be made of Alexander K. Clark, a member of the well known firm of J. F. Clark & Sons. He was born March 15, 1862, at Ridott, Stephenson county, Illinois, and is a son of James F. Clark, of whom extended mention is made elsewhere in this volume. Following the removal of the family to Anna- wan, Henry county, Illinois, he pursued his education in the schools of that place and when he put aside his text-books he began learning his trade with his father who was very thorough and systematic in teaching him so that he acquired
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a practical knowledge of the business, well qualifying him for the work which he undertook as he entered the firm in partnership relation. The greater num- ber of the best buildings in Geneseo during the past thirty-five years have been erected by this firm, a fact which is indicative of their standing in building circles.
Alexander K. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Anna R. Ogden, a sketch of whose father, John Ogden, appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Clark was born September 27, 1867, in Henry county, and it was on the 29th of November, 1888, that she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Clark. Their union has been blessed with four children: two sons who died in infancy ; Mary Ethel, who was born May 23, 1893, and is now in school; and Grace Elizabeth, born May 18, 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Clark occupy an attractive modern residence, which is, more- over, the abode of warm-hearted hospitality. They have many friends in the county and are greatly esteemed by all who know them. Mr. Clark is a man of unquestioned business probity as well as enterprise, to be depended upon under all conditions, and the success which he has attained is well merited.
F. WILLIAM FUERST.
F. William Fuerst, whose time and energies are given to the operation of a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres on section 26, Kewanee township, was born in that township on the 9th of July, 1872, a son of August and Au- gusta Fuerst. He supplemented his preliminary education, obtained in the dis- trict school of his home locality, by a year's course of study at Elmhurst, Illinois. After returning to this county he was associated with his father in the cultivation of the home farm until the latter retired and took up his abode in Kewanee in March, 1901. At that time Mr. Fuerst of this review took possession of the home place and has since given his attention to its further cultivation and im- provement with excellent success. The property comprises three hundred and twenty acres of valuable and productive land, and in addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate Mr. Fuerst also makes a specialty of stock raising, selling about one hundred and fifty head of hogs annually. Since the farm has been under his direct supervision he has built a tenant house, a substantial barn and also a corn crib, and the neat and thrifty appearance of the place indicates the enterprising and progressive spirit of the owner. The shaft and works of the Kewanee Coal Mining Company are located on the prop- erty.
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