History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II, Part 102

Author: Kiner, Henry L., 1851-
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago : The Pioneer Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1138

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George E. Troline was reared on his father's farm in Galva township and supplemented his preliminary education, obtained in the district schools, by a course in the Galva high school. He remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority and subsequent to his marriage purchased the old homestead farm, which he has since owned and operated. The property com- prises one hundred acres of good farming land and also a five-acre tract of tim- ber. In the conduct of his agricultural interests he has met with a gratifying and well merited measure of success, annually gathering good harvests as a re- ward of the intelligence which he displays in the planting and cultivation of his crops.

On the 27th of December, 1891, Mr. Troline was united in marriage to Miss Hulda C. Ringborg, a native of Sweden and a daughter of Andrew and Caro- lina ( Jacobson) Ringborg, who were likewise born in that country. The father was born December 2, 1829, in Skolvened, Socken, Elsbors Lan. He came from Sweden to the United States in 1869, making his way to Andover, Illinois. In that locality he devoted his attention to farming. His father, whose name was Andres Ein, died in 1836 at the age of sixty years. He was a soldier in the Finnish war and was in seven battles. The mother died in 1866 at the age of seventy-two years. In the family were ten children, of whom two died in infancy, while five lived to a ripe old age, two being more than eighty-five years of age at the time of their death. The first wife of Andres Ein had two chil-

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dren, but the daughter died in infancy, while the son lived to the age of seventy years. In 1862 Andrew Ringborg was married to Miss Carolina Jacobson, who was born in Roksocken, Ostergottan, Sweden, October 9, 1839. They became the parents of the following children : John Alfred, who was born May 4, 1863, and is yet living in Sweden; Carl August, who was born in November, 1864; Hulda C., who was born December 11, 1866, and came to the United States in 1870; Emma, who was born in 1868 and died in infancy; Ellen D., who was born June 18, 1871, and is now the wife of Hans Paulson, of California; Augusta Matilda, who was born December 3, 1872, and is the wife of Peter Benson; Ida Otilia, who was born November 10, 1874, and is the wife of Ed- ward Hultgren; and Anna Sophia, who was born December 8, 1886, and is the wife of Henry Nelson, who is now deputy sheriff of Riverside county, Cali- fornia. The grandmother of Mrs. Ringborg was born in 1809 in Ekeborg, Tre- homa, Socken, Ostergottan, Sweden, and died at the age of eighty-two years. Her husband was born in May, 1813, and died November 1, 1857. They were married in 1833 and had six children, of whom three died in infancy, while three are still living: Anna, Carolina and Franz August, aged respectively seventy-six, seventy and sixty-eight years. The great-grandmother was Hulda Maria Christina and she was born in Ekeborg. The great-grandfather was born in Sweden, four generations of the family being born in the same house.

Mr. and Mrs. Troline are now the parents of four children: Vincent E. R .. Mildred C. C., Myrtle H. and Minerva M. Mr. Troline gives his political alle- giance to the democracy and has served as a school director for nine years, the cause of education ever finding in him a stalwart champion. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen and also to the Valhalla Society. As he has lived in this county throughout his entire life, he has a wide acquaintance here and his friends know him as an enterprising agriculturist and a man of genuine worth.

JOHN F. NOWERS.

John F. Nowers, a leading citizen of Atkinson, Illinois, and the organizer of the only bank in that place, was born in Oswego county, New York, January 20, 1837. His father, Thomas Nowers, was born in Hastings, England, in August, 1805, and came to America in 1828, crossing the ocean in one of the old sailing vessels which required eleven weeks to make a journey that can now be made in half as many days: In his native town he had been engaged in mercantile business, but upon landing in New York he started a large sawmill, which he operated for about twenty years. In 1849, seeking the best interests of his family, he came west to Illinois, settling in Mercer county, where he took up farming. In 1860 he gave up agricultural pursuits and for a year conducted a flourishing business in grain and general merchandise, and then retired from active life. In 1866 and 1871 he made two pleasure trips to his native home, but he was as loyal to the land of his adoption as if he had been born here. Always distinguished by his great energy and industry, he unselfishly devoted a good deal of time to public affairs, for from 1856 to 1860 he was treasurer of

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Henry county, and he took an active interest in the soldiers and their widows during the Civil war. Upon becoming a citizen of this republic he joined the ranks of the whigs, and when the republican party was organized he became one of its loyal supporters. Reared in the faith of the Episcopal church he always attended its services. He died in the latter part of May, 1888, and was laid to rest in Grand View cemetery, Atkinson. Decima Foster, who became his wife and the mother of his children, was born in Hortrup, England, October 26, 1807, and was the tenth daughter born to her parents. She came to this country on the same ship as her husband and after arriving in New York lived with an older married sister. . In 1829 she became the wife of Thomas Nowers, with whom she lived as a devoted wife until her death March 22, 1875. Seven chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Nowers: Thomas and William, both deceased; John F., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Elizabeth Lyons, a resident of Atkinson; Mrs. Mary Walters and Mrs. Louise Mussey, also of that city; and James, now living retired from active life in Atkinson.

John F. Nowers received his education in Mercer county, and at first pursued his studies in a little log schoolhouse. He is very loyal to his early teachers and to them gives much of the credit of the instruction that made possible his suc- cess when he grew to manhood. When he was sixteen years of age he began work as a farm hand, in which he continued for four years, and then found em- ployment as traveling salesman with Mr. McCormick, the father of the whole reaper industry. His territory embraced Scott, Henry, Cedar, Muscatine and other counties, and for about six years he was very successful. In 1866 he and his brother Thomas bought their father's general store, which they conducted for about nineteen years, selling their interests in 1885 to engage in the banking business. In March, 1881, they opened a small bank in connection with the mercantile business, and the public support which this venture was accorded convinced them of the need of a well organized financial institution. Thomas Nowers was made president, and since his death, which occurred September 17, 1907, no other has been appointed to his place. John F. Nowers has been the cashier since the beginning, and has had a guiding hand upon its financial pol- icy. Being the first bank organized in Atkinson, it remains the only one to this day, and its organizer has no competitor in Atkinson's commercial life. In 1866 Mr. Nowers erected his first home, and in 1901 built the house on Main and School streets in which he now resides. He owns considerable farm land in Henry county in addition to the property he holds in Atkinson, and though he began his life humbly enough he has attained to a position of wealth and in- fluence.

Mr. Nowers has been married twice. His first wife was Miss Lorena A. Wright, who was of New England birth but came to Illinois in her early child- hood. She died April 24, 1890, and was buried in Aledo, Mercer county, where her parents also rest. Two children were born of this union, one who died at the age of two months, the other when seven years old. On the 20th of Septem- ber; 1894, Mr. Nowers married Mrs. Elizabeth P. Swaney, nee Carson, who was of Pennsylvanian birth. Her mother, who was Miss Catherine K. Posey before her marriage, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, in 1824, and was a daughter of Jesse and Elizabeth (Care) Posey. She died January 24, 1903, on

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her seventy-ninth birthday, and is buried in Ottawa, La Salle county, Illinois. Mrs. Nowers' father is John B. Carson, who was born in Chester county, Penn- sylvania in 1822. In the spring of 1865 he came to Illinois and engaged in farm- ing in Ottawa, where he still lives. Mr. and Mrs. Carson became the parents of ten children, five of whom died before they came west. Of the others, An- nie became the wife of O. E. Harding, of Hinsdale, Montana. Elizabeth is the wife of J. F. Nowers. John J. H., who has remained unmarried, is a stockman in Atkinson. Mrs. Luberta M. Cleave lives in Ottawa and her father makes his home with her. Frances, the youngest, is the wife of F. D. Ketchem, who is chief inspector of the animal bureau of South St. Paul, Minnesota. After com- pleting the high-school course in Kentland, Indiana, Mrs. Nowers attended the normal school that is now known as the University of Valparaiso. She engaged in teaching for a number of years and when she married Mr. Nowers was principal of the school in Wethersfield, Henry county, a position she had held for two years. No children have been born to Mr. Nowers' second union, but by her first husband Mrs. Nowers had two sons. Ralph J., born in Chicago, Illinois, January 22, 1885, is an industrious and energetic young man and is at present conducting his parents' farm. Frank C., born in Iroquois county, Illi- nois, October 13, 1886, is a graduate of the Chicago Veterinary College and holds a responsible government position in Montana.

Like his father, Mr. Nowers is a firm believer in the principles of the repub- lican party, but he has never sought any office, although he has filled positions on the school board from time to time. Wealthy, prominent and influential, he is withal modest and unassuming, sincere in his relations with others and kind- hearted toward all who appeal to him. Mrs. Nowers also is gracious and pleas- ant and modest of her many accomplishments. The home of which she is mis- tress is distinguished by its beauty, good taste and refinement, and is frequently the scene of congenial gatherings, for she has made many friends, both among her sisters of the Eastern Star and in the city at large.

CHARLES YOCUM.

Among the venerable pioneers of Henry county is Charles Yocum, who has resided in Galva, Illinois, since 1866. Born in York county, Pennsylvania, October 11, 18II, he has now reached the advanced age of ninety-eight years though still retaining a vigorous constitution, hardened by exposure incident to frontier life, and all of his mental faculties, that have only been ripened and strengthened through the passing years. His parents, Elijah and Catharine (Wagner) Yocum, were also natives of the Keystone state and unto them were born nine children, seven of whom reached maturity, but at the present time Charles is the only survivor of the family.

Elijah Yocum was a carpenter by occupation in his early manhood but later turned his attention to manufacturing carding machines. Becoming imbued with the spiritual enthusiasm of those early days of religious freedom in this country, when he was forty years of age he became a local Methodist preacher,

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ministering to the spiritual needs of the few scattered congregations in his circuit. At that time he removed to Ohio, settling near Wooster, where he purchased a half section of land, which had only been partially cleared. He also built a grist mill, hiring a miller to attend to that branch of his business, while he bent his energies to the improvement and cultivation of his farm. He had made several trips to Illinois but resided ón his place near Wooster until his death, which oc- cured September 27, 1867, when he had reached the ripe old age of eighty-four years. His wife passed away just eleven years previous to his demise when she was sixty-five years of age.

The paternal grandfather of Charles Yocum was John Yocum, who was also a native of Pennsylvania and resided twenty miles above Harrisburg on the Juniata river. He was of Scotch descent and a farmer by occupation. He married Mary Thomas and both passed away when they were about eighty-four years old. Their family numbered eleven children: Lydia, Elijah, Charles, Elizabeth, Abraham, Jesse, John, Mary, Andrew, Rebecca, and Elmore, who has now been a presiding elder in the Methodist Episcopal church for the past thirty years. John Wagner, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was, as his name indicates of German parentage. His birth occurred in the Keystone state and he, too, devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. Both he and his wife Mary lived to be eighty-five years of age, passing away in the same year. Two sons and two daughters were born to them, namely: Frederick, Jacob, Cath- arine and Susan.

Charles Yocum, whose name introduces this record, resided in the state of his nativity until fifteen years of age, at which time he accompanied his parents on their removal from York county, Pennsylvania, to Ohio, where his father had purchased a half section of land. The present public-school system of Pennsylvania did not then exist and schools were maintained by subscriptions. Born and reared under these conditions, Charles Yocum acquired as much knowledge of English learning as was attainable in the Keystone state in that generation and after his removal further pursued his studies in the common schools of Ohio. After having resided in the latter state for twelve years, he came to Illinois in 1838 and settled in Peoria county, where he bought land and engaged in farming. Later he built and operated a carding mill for six years, at the expiration of which time he returned to his former occupation. The year 1866 witnessed his arrival in Galva, where he engaged in the lumber bus- iness for five years, since which time he has lived retired, enjoying a well earned rest after so many years of unremitting toil.

On the 18th of March, 1834, was celebrated the marriage of Charles Yocum and Miss Mary Smith, who was born in Lancaster county, Ohio, February 21, 1814, and was a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Butler) Smith, both of whom were born in Delaware. Seven children were born to that union, one son and six daughters: Catherine is keeping house for her father in Galva. Elizabeth married James M. Wiley, who passed away in 1866. Edmund, a retired farmer of Galva, married Elizabeth Barefoot and they have five living children as follows: Charles Harry, Ervin, Ralph and Grace. Martha, who married Clarence Tucker, now deceased, lives in Columbus, Ohio, and has three children, Clara, Frederick and Jessie, all of whom are now living with the exception of Frederick. Mary

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married Adam Dum and both are now deceased. Two children were born to them, Charles, now deceased, and Forrest, who is the assistant cashier in the First National Bank of Galva. Matilda wedded Pliny S. Jones and with their two children, Katharine and Merlin, they are now living in Quincy, Illinois. Luella is the wife of Thomas H. Simmons and they reside in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and have two children, Haven Yocum and Mary Deborah Simmons. Mrs. Mary Smith, the wife and mother, passed away July 12, 1875, at the age of sixty-one years. Her religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church as is that of her husband, who is at present a member of that denomination.

Before the organization of the republican party Charles Yocum gave his po- litical allegiance to the whig party, voting for the first time in 1832 for Henry Clay, since which time he has not missed a single election, ballotting in all for twenty presidential candidates. Never desirous of political preferment as a re- ward for party fealty, he has not been an active politician in the sense of office seeking and with the exception of ten years, during which time he held the office of supervisor in Peoria county, Illinois, he has not held office. In his early man- hood, possessing good sense and unflinching courage, combined with perseverance and industry, he prospered in his undertakings' and, after having lived a long and honorable life, he can look back over the past without regret and forward toward his eternal home without fear.

B. FRANKLIN STEVENS.

The well cultivated fields and the excellent, commodious buildings which con- stitute the farm of B. Franklin Stevens on section 20, western township, offer but another evidence of what industry, economy and determination to succeed will accomplish. He was born on a farm near the village of Bath, Steuben coun- ty, New York, January 18, 1843, his parents being William and Margaret (Bailey) Stevens. Before he can remember, they removed to the village of Bath, where his father found employment as a laborer and where he attended the public schools. In 1855, when he was about twelve years of age, he and a brother William W. Stevens, started upon their journey to Illinois. They came by train to Colona, this county, whence they walked to Rock Island county, where a paternal uncle, Henry Stevens, was living. With him, B. Franklin Stevens made his home for about two years, attending the common schools of the district for a few months.

When about fifteen, at an age when many boys are giving little thought to the responsibilities of life, Mr. Stevens began to make his own way in the world, receiving wages for his day's labor. Although this amounted at first to only twenty-five cents a day and later to five dollars a month besides his board. he contrived to save something. For the first year after his marriage he rented land in Rock Island county but came to Henry county in 1869. In 1880 he bought the place he now occupies, consisting of fifty-three acres, and has remodeled all the buildings and erected a handsome residence. He makes a specialty of breeding and raising pure blood Poland China hogs and barred Plymouth Rock chickens.

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At Watertown, Rock Island county, Illinois, December 22, 1867, Mr. Stevens wedded Miss Lena Julia Demmer, of Brookfield, Missouri. She was born in Germany and was little more than a child when, in 1847, she accompanied her parents, Adolph and Minnie (Schoder) Demmer, on their journey to America. Her mother died in St. Louis before they had reached their destination, and the father continued with his children to Buffalo, Iowa, where he made his home until his death. As this occurred when Mrs. Stevens was but seven years of age, she was placed under the guardianship of Captain Dodge, of Buffalo, with whom she lived until she was eleven. At that age she went to make her home with a sister in Aurora, Illinois, where she received a good education in the public schools. When the sister removed to Brookfield, Missouri, Mrs. Stevens, at that time being about twenty-one years old, accompanied her, but in 1865 she re- turned to Illinois to visit some friends in Watertown. While there she met Mr. Stevens and in the course of a couple of years they were married. Their first child, Clara, was born September 24, 1868, while they were living in Rock Island county. She attended the country schools and became the wife of Fred Love, a farmer in Rock Island county. They have five children, namely: Edwin, born in Henry county, November 21, 1895; Florence, also born in Henry county. October 20, 1897; Dessel, born in Rock Island county, June 24, 1900; Harold, born in Rock Island county, March 3, 1903; and Gertrude, born November 16, 1904. The second child of Mr. and Mrs. Stevens was Flora, born in Western township, February 4, 1874. She graduated from the public schools of Orion and is now the wife of James Carson, a farmer of Western township. They have one child, Ethel, who was born in that township, April 18, 1908.

Mr. Stevens was reared in the democratic party and cast his first presidential ballot for its candidate, George B. McClellan, in 1864. He has never been an office seeker, although he has always kept well informed upon subjects of public concern. On the 13th of October, 1875, he was initiated into Sherman Lodge, No. 535, A. F. & A. M., and in the progress of years has filled some of the chairs, for he has ever evinced an interest in the society's affairs, and his life, ordered by principles of integrity, has won the approval of his fraternal brothers.

EDWARD GOLDEN, JR.

Edward Golden, Jr., whose large mining interests occupy much of his time, is one of the responsible and public-spirited men of Kewanee. He is a native of England-that country which has established more colonies than all other civi- lized lands put together. He was born in Dudley, England, in November, 1865, and is a son of Edward and Mary (Willets) Golden. Two years after his birth his father came to the United States and, arriving in Kewanee, engaged in coal mining for two years, when he returned to England and spent a year there. In 1869 he again came to Kewanee and soon afterward sent for his family and this has continued the home of the Goldens. The father continued mining until about four years ago, when he retired. He is now sixty-seven years old and is residing in Kewanee.

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Edward Golden, Jr., was given the advantages offered by the public schools until he was eleven years old, when he began mining, and he has been connected with mining interests ever since. He also embarked in farming and operated a farm until 1906, when he purchased an interest in the Kewanee Co-operative Coal Company and served as its president for two years and is now one of its directors. Having been engaged in this line of work all his business life, Mr. Golden is an authority upon mining and the company with which he is connected reaps the benefit of his experience and ripe knowledge.

On July 14, 1883, occurred the marriage of Mr. Golden and Rose Lamb, a native of Kewanee but of English descent. Three children are living of the five born to them, two having died in infancy. The others are: Pearl E., who married Lois Bredt of Kewanee, and is connected with his father in the coal busi- iness ; and Elizabeth Frances and Harold Houstus, at home.

Mr. Golden has been very active as a working republican and in 1906 was elected highway commissioner and is now president of the board, having been returned to office in 1909 for a term of three years. His work as a public official is strong and marked with a thorough comprehension of the requirements of his constituents. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic order, the Independent Order Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Improved Order of Red Men. In these fraternities he is deservedly popular and in every walk of life he has always been found able to meet whatever is required of him suc- cessfully and ably.

OLIVER P. NICKERSON.

Since 1900 Oliver P. Nickerson has been busily engaged with farming and stock raising, feeding and shipping on the north half of the southeast quarter of section 15, Cornwall township. He has gained a gratifying measure of suc- cess from his business and may well be numbered among the representative agriculturists of Henry county. He was born on a farm in Milo township, Bureau county, Illinois, April 15, 1867, and is a son of John and Dora E. (Carner) Nickerson, who are now living in Atkinson, this county. They were natives of New York state, where they were married, and upon coming to Illinois, located first in Bureau county. Later they removed to Alba town- ship, Henry county, where Mr. Nickerson bought forty acres of land, which he sold a couple of years afterward, buying instead eighty acres on section I, Cornwall township. Here he engaged in farming with distinct success, but with advancing years he decided to retire from active life and accordingly sold his property and removed to Atkinson. Ten children were born to him and his wife, and eight are still living.

Oliver P. Nickerson, who was the second in order of birth in this family, was a lad of four years when his parents came to Henry county, his earliest memories being connected with the home in Alba township, and he was about six when they came to Cornwall township. The subsequent years of his life have been spent here. When of suitable age he became a pupil in the district

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school here, but his elementary education was amply supplemented by the prac- tical training he received while he assisted his father upon the farm. He gave him the benefit of his labor until he was twenty-three years of age when he started in business for himself. For two summers he hired out to others, and the next season did carpenter's work and also operated a steam thresher, fol- lowing those occupations for several years after he married. Later, when his savings justified it, he rented land in Cornwall township, and as his financial resources increased bought his present farm, paying sixty-two dollars and a half an acre for it. Some improvements had already been made, but Mr. Nick- erson increased and bettered them, in everything he did evincing the progress so characteristic of this age. The neat and attractive appearance of his place is a visable evidence that he is a careful, persevering and systematic farmer, while the size of the harvests he annually gathers and markets bear testimony to his skill and good management. In addition to raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he has engaged in the stock business, finding that this also ren- ders him a gratifying profit. In 1909 he bought another eighty acres, for which he paid one hundred and forty dollars an acre and will take possession in 1910.

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History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II, Part 102

Author: Kiner, Henry L., 1851- Publication date: 1910 Publisher: Chicago : The Pioneer Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1138

Author: Kiner, Henry L., 1851-
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago : The Pioneer Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1138