History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II, Part 105

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

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In Geneseo, June 23, 1900, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Gustafson and Miss Nellie Anderson, of Cambridge, Illinois. She was born near Stock- holm, Sweden, a daughter of Swan and Nellie (Larson) Anderson, and was about eight years of age when the family came to this country. They took up their abode in Cambridge, where the father passed the remainder of his life. He died in June, 1908, but the mother is still living in Western township. Mrs. Gus- tafson attended school in her home town and then was enrolled as a student in the Geneseo Collegiate Institute, from which she was graduated with the class of 1903. She had in the meantime, however, seven years' experience as a teacher in the country schools and later in Orion, where she made the acquaint- ance of her husband. One child has been born to them, Clayton Stuart, whose birth occurred February 23, 1904.

Since old enough to exercise the franchise right of an American citizen, Mr. Gustafson has given his support to the republican party but has never sought public office, although he has been interested in local affairs. He is a member of the Orion Lodge, No. 535, A. F. & A. M., and with his wife belongs to the Eastern Star, in which she served as Electa and is now secretary. They are also members of the Farmers Social Club. Their religious allegiance has been given to the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mrs. Gustafson is a teacher in the Sunday school.

ROBERT E. BAILEY.

One of the citizens of Atkinson, Illinois, with whom time has dealt very lightly is Robert E. Bailey, who carries his sixty-six years as many another man carries fifty and is more active in his movements. Save for a slight difficulty in hear- ing time has left little mark upon him. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1844, he comes from sturdy Scotch-Irish stock. His parents, Thomas and Chris- tina (Irquoihart) Bailey, were born in Edinburgh, Scotland, some ninety years ago and came to America shortly after their marriage. They settled first in Providence, where Dr. Bailey followed the medical profession, and then lived in Brooklyn and in other places on Long Island. A number of years ago, while on a visit to a son, he passed away, and his wife is also deceased. Five children, three sons and two daughters constituted the family born to Dr. and Mrs. Bailey ; James, who lives in Wisconsin; Charles A., who lives on Long Island; Emma, the wife of William Walker, a resident of Brooklyn, New York; Virginia, also of Brooklyn; and Robert E., of this review.

Robert E. Bailey received his education in the schools of Brooklyn, New York, and then entered a produce commission house in New York city. He

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remained with the firm for six years and then determined to start in the poultry business for himself. With this purpose in view he came west, locating in Meadville, Missouri, where during a period of twenty years he carried on business successfully, finding a ready market for his poultry and his eggs. Despite the good fortunes that had attended him in this business, he gave it up about thirty years ago to take up work as a painter and paper-hanger, which was his occupa- tion in 1892 when he came to Atkinson and opened his shop on State street. In the seventeen years that he has been connected with commercial life here he has done much and good work, work which like the man that accomplished it has withstood the ravages of time.

In 1877 Mr. Bailey married Miss Clara Milar. She was born in Ohio in 1854 and was a daughter of R. W. and Rebecca (Kinsley) Milar. The father was a carpenter during his lifetime, but has been dead for some years as has his wife. Mrs. Bailey, who also departed this life on the 10th of August, 1908, and was buried in Geneseo cemetery two days later, was a devoted wife, a kind neighbor, and beloved by all who knew her. Shortly after her marriage she joined the Baptist church with her husband and was ever afterward a conscientious adherent of that faith. Among the members of the Eastern Star, to which she belonged she made stanch friends who unite with her husband in mourning her loss. She became the mother of one child, now deceased. The home which Mr. Bailey occu- pies, a very pretty residence on State street, was one of the first houses built in At- kinson and was erected by Mrs. Bailey's father, so that it held many associations for both husband and wife. In politics Mr. Bailey is a good republican, finding his ideals of government best expressed in the platform of that party, but he takes no active part in either political or public matters.

OLOF MOLINE.

One of the successful agriculturists of Bishop Hill, whose influence extended throughout Weller township, was Olof Moline, who passed from this life March 16, 1896. He was born in Alfta Soken, Helsingland, Sweden, May 24, 1834, but was only twelve years of age when his parents cast their lot with the first company of men and women who sought a home in this county and founded the colony at Bishop Hill. He had received none of the educational advantages of the land of his birth, and did not attend school after he came to America, but being of a investigative turn of mind and very fond of books and study, he early acquired more than the rudiments of a good education. For a number of years he worked as one of the colonists, and then upon its incorporation he engaged in agricultural pursuits for himself, purchasing first a small tract of land, which now forms a part of his homestead farm. Later, as fortune fa- vored his earnest endeavor, he added to the original tract until he had three hundred and twenty acres, all good land, at the time of his death, and later his family bought forty acres more. On this farm are up-to-date buildings and surrounding the house a fine yard which sets off the beauties of the home so that it is one of the most attractive places in Weller township. Another fea-

OLOF MOLINE

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY

ture of the farm are the numerous trees, which were all planted by Mr. Moline in early manhood. These likewise contribute greatly to the beauty which dis- tinguishes the place, bearing witness in another manner to the care and thought- fulness of the owner.

Mr. Moline was twice married. His first wife was Miss Charlotte Johnson, to whom he was united September 24, 1867. She lived only until February 16, 1869, leaving one daughter, Emma. The latter is now the wife of T. Albert, of Galesburg. At Bishop Hill, Mr. Moline married Miss Christine Lundeen, a daughtr of Michael Lundeen, who was a well known farmer of Norvala Soken, Helsingland, Sweden, but later in his life removed to Sarrahra Soken. Several children were born of the second marriage. Esther H. and John W. are at home. Louise K. became the wife of E. Johnson and they have removed to California, intending to farm there. David H. spends much of his time upon the homestead. Peter E. has also gone to California. Olive C. is the wife of H. Linda, of Cambridge, Illinois. Clara F. married William Sandquist, a farmer of Cambridge. Lillian G., the youngest, became the wife of John Blomberg, of Bishop Hill.

In his political affiliations, Mr. Moline was an adherent of the democratic party and besides taking part in all the local elections, rendered the township efficient service during a period of twenty-seven years as a member of the school board, and for another long time as highway commissioner. He was a charter member of the Swedish Methodist Episcopal church and was ever among those who took an active part in all its business and social affairs, for he was one of its board of trustees until his death. Wherever he was known- and that was widely throughout the township-he was beloved. He was a man who had few if any enemies, for uprightness and integrity characterized all his dealings and his interest in the public welfare will long be remembered. Ever a hard worker, a good citizen, and a kind father, his memory is cherished by many, but especially by the members of his family who survive him.

SAMUEL DICKSON

Samuel Dickson at the age of seventy-five years is living retired in Kewanee and the success which crowns earnest, persistent effort is his, enabling him now to enjoy the comforts of life without further recourse to labor. He was for some time connected with general farming and house moving and his persistent energy and unfaltering industry made him one of the representative business men of Henry county. He was born in Knox county, Ohio, June 29, 1834. His grand- father was a native of Ireland and on coming to America settled in the state of New York. His father, Samuel Dickson, Sr., was born in the state of New York in 1791 and when a young man removed to Ohio, settling in Knox county, where he followed general farming until his death, which there occurred in 1867. He served as a soldier of the war of 1812. The mother, Mrs. Elizabeth (Rood) Dickson, was a daughter of Nov. Rood, a native of Ohio. She was married in

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Knox county to Samuel Dickson and there resided until her death, which oc- curred in 1875.

In the district schools of his native county Samuel Dickson pursued his early education. Leaving school he worked on his father's farm until twenty years of age and gained intimate knowledge of the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He then came to Illinois, casting in his lot among the early settlers of Henry county. He settled in Wethersfield township, where he engaged in breaking prairie under contract for three years. His labors took him as far as Council Bluffs and he had as high as seventy-two head of oxen which were attached to breaking plows. In the meantime he also began house mov- ing and digging ditches and tiling. His energy and ambition enabled him to seize every opportunity for the conduct of the successful business for which he was qualified and as he started out he determined to win success if it could be done by persistent and earnest effort. In the early period of his residence here he bought eighty acres of land on section 30, Wethersfield township, which he broke and placed under cultivation. At length he purchased an adjoining tract of fifty acres on section 19. After that he confined the greater part of his time and energies to the farm work, although he did not entirely abandon his other lines of business. About two years later he bought an adjoining tract of eighty acres on the south, making his farm a complete quarter section, and with the fifty acres on section 19 his possessions aggregated two hundred and ten acres. His land is all im- proved and under a high state of cultivation, the place presenting a most neat and attractive appearance. He continued personally to till the soil until 1892, when he rented his farm and removed to Kewanee, after which he confined his entire time to house moving. In 1893 he purchased an acre of land at the corner of Rose and Franklin streets in Kewanee, where he has since lived. He continued as an active factor in business until 1901, when he retired and now gives his attention merely to the supervision of hs farm property, from which he derives a substantial annual income.

On the 10th of December, 1857, in Wethersfield, Mr. Dickson was married to Miss Ann E. Prather, a daughter of Thomas Prather, a well known farmer of Knox county, Ohio, and later of Wethersfield, where he died November II, 1854, at the age of sixty-two years. Mrs. Dickson was born in Knox county, Ohio, June 25, 1834, and there lived until 1853, when she accompanied her parents on their removal to Wethersfield. She died at her home in Kewanee August 9, 1899, at the age of sixty-five years, and her death was deeply regretted by many friends as well as her immediate family. By her marriage she had become the mother of four children, three sons and a daughter. Elwood, the eldest, was born December 20, 1859, and follows the business of house moving in this part of the state, making his home, however, in Kewanee. Pitt, the second son, was born September 12, 1864, and died January 14, 1866. Minnie, born March 8, 1868, was for a number of years a school teacher in Kewanee and was well known and liked by all. She died March 16, 1895, and her passing was deeply regretted by many who knew her. States, the youngest of the family, was born November 8, 1870, and makes his home in Kewanee but at the present time is employed as a claim agent by James B. Clow & Company of Chicago.

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In politics Mr. Dickson is a stanch democrat, usually voting the straight ticket at presidential and state elections, but at local elections often casting an inde- pendent ballot. He has never sought nor desired office but is always loyal in citizenship and is interested in the welfare of the community. His life has been well spent and those who know him entertain for him warm regard by reason of the fact that he has made good use of his opportunities and has always been fair and honorable in his relations with his fellowmen.

GEORGE W. FARNAM.

George W. Farnam, a native farmer of Cornwall township, was born April 13, 1866, and is a son of John S. and Elizabeth (Tompkins) Farnam. The mother was born in Tiskilwa, Illinois, in 1837, while the father was born in Canaan, New Hampshire, in 1833. At the age of eighteen years he came to Henry county, Illinois, settling upon the farm in Cornwall township on which his son George W. now lives and which was his home until his death. During the progress of the Civil war he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served throughout the war, being in the battle of Nashville, in the siege of Atlanta and in the battle of Resaca. Our subject's uncle, George Farnam, also served in the Union army, having enlisted in Kansas City, where he was then residing. He was killed on the first day in battle. A stanch defender of the nation, the father joined the ranks of the republican party and become prominent in local affairs, holding many of the township offices. His death occurred in 1901, while his wife survived until 1903, when she was laid to rest near him in Liberty cemetery. They had six children all living: John W., of Cornwall township; George W., of this review; Laura, the wife of Oliver Nickerson, of Cornwall township; Ella, who makes her home with Mrs. Nickerson ; Martin, of Cornwall township; and Mabel, the wife of Walter Slea- ford, of Cornwall township.

George W. Farnam attended the Shabbona Grove school and after the com- pletion of his education remained with his parents on the farm until he was twenty-eight years of age. He continued his studies, however, receiving private instruction in engineering and electricity and then taking a three years' course in steam engineering in a school in Racine, Wisconsin. In 1893 he married and settled upon the farm on which he now lives. It is eighty acres in extent, located on section 10, Cornwall township, on which his father had built the house which he subsequently remodeled. In addition to general agriculture which he pursues, he owns threshing machines, corn shellers, corn shredders and feed grinders, which he operates for the farmers in adjoining townships.

In 1893 Mr. Farnam wedded Miss Jennie Lane, who was born in Munson township, Henry county, February 16, 1872. She was a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Clark) Lane, both natives of England, where the mother was born April 5, 1834, and the father March II, 1830. At the age of twelve the latter came to America with his parents, settling in New York state. In 1857 he came to Henry county, Illinois, locating first in Munson township and then removing

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to Cornwall, where he died December 17, 1909, and was buried in Grand View cemetery, but his wife is still living. He espoused the cause of the democratic party upon becoming a citizen of this republic. Eight children were born to the couple, only seven of whom are now living. They are: Oliver, who resides in Missouri; Sarah, the wife of George Atwell, of Cornwall township; James, also of that township; Hannah, the wife of Iretus Van Housen, of Grand Island, Nebraska; Minnie, the wife of Thomas Devoy, of Cornwall township; Jennie, now Mrs. Farnam; and May, the wife of Ed Werkheiser, of Cornwall township.

Mr. and Mrs. Farnam have had six children, all of whom were born in Corn- wall township: Clora Blanche, born November 7, 1894, who is attending the country schools ; John, who was born November 28, 1896, and died January II, 1897, being buried at Liberty; Roland George, born December 29, 1897; Elbert Boyd, born September 29, 1899, who is attending school; Harold Lane, who was born March 20, 1902, and died March 10, 1904; and Morris, who was born April 18, 1905, and died May 2 of the same year.

Like his father, Mr. Farnam is an adherent of the republican party and has occupied an influential position in township affairs. For some years past he has been school director and for twelve years justice of the peace. He is serving the second year as town clerk, his first year as collector, while for four years he has been constable of his township. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen, to whose interests he is devoted. Ambi- tious, energetic and possessed of considerable business ability, he has made his way in the world entirely through his own efforts so that he well deserves the proud title of a self-made man. He possesses many attractive qualities of per- sonality and a genial nature as well as a broad and liberal mind.

F. E. GRESSER.

F. E. Gresser, a well known citizen of Atkinson, the representative of several insurance companies in this town, was born in Cabstadt, Germany, September I, 1843, a son of John G. and Barbara Henrietta (Kachel) Gresser. The father was born in Saxe-Gotha in 1813 and in 1851 came to America in a sailing vessel. He located in Kinderhook, New York, where Martin Van Buren lived retired and died after having served as president of the United States and there for four or five years Mr. Gresser engaged in farming, the pursuit he had followed in the land of his birth. In 1857 he came west to Illinois, settling upon some land he had procured in Atkinson township, Henry county, where he lived and worked until his death, January 20, 1892. His wife, who was born in Saxony, Germany, September 26, 1831, had preceded him to the grave by a little over a year, her death having occurred November 4, 1890. The couple were laid to rest in the cemetery in Geneseo. Their daughter Amelie became the wife of Samuel Cum- mings, of Chicago, Illinois, and is the mother of two children.

F. E. Gresser, the only son, attended the public schools of Germany for two years before he came to this country and received a little more education in the district schools of Illinois. At the age of fifteen or sixteen he began his business

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career as a clerk in a general store, first in Geneseo, and later in Chicago and Aurora. For a few months he was in the government service at Nashville, Ten- nessee, and then in 1869, after his marriage, he went to live upon a farm in Henry county. After about seven years' experience as an agriculturist he sold his land and again entered the mercantile world, opening a general store in At- kinson, which he conducted until 1891, when he sold his interests and has since devoted himself to public affairs. For a period of six years he was highway commissione1, for four years was police magistrate, for sixteen years was justice of the peace, and for six years, or two terms, served as a member of the village board. Sixteen years ago he was made a notary public and still retains that posi- tion. Seeing an opening as an insurance agent he became the representative of the Phoenix Company of Brooklyn; the Hanover, of New York: of the North British Mercantile, of London and Edinburgh; and of several other fire insur- ance companies. In addition, he was for many years the reporter from Atkinson for the Geneseo News, when that paper was owned by Henry L. Kiner, so that his acquaintance with the different walks of life has been varied and has given him a broad outlook.

On the 28th of October, 1869, Mr. Gresser wedded Miss Christine Dannen- felser, who was born in Sharon, Portland township, Whiteside county, Illinois, May 5, 1848. Her parents, Frederick and Marie E. (Schuck) Dannenfelser, were both natives of Germany, the former born in 1808, the latter in 1810, and they came to America in 1838. They located first in Rock Island county, Illinois, and then removed to Portland township, Whiteside county, where they engaged in farming, until they retired from active life and located in Geneseo. There they passed away, the mother, October 20, 1895, when she was eighty-five years of age, the father May 2, 1889, in the eighty-second year of his age. They are buried in Geneseo. Their children were: Jacob, who died at the age of sixty- eight years ; Elizabeth, the wife of John Freed, of Rock Island; William, of Pue- blo, Colorado; Christine, the wife of Mr. Gresser; Carrie, who married A. F. Oberle, of Geneseo; and Julia, the wife of S. S. Ott, of Topeka, Kansas.

Mr. and Mrs. Gresser are the parents of six children. Edwin S., born August 7, 1870, married Miss Ora Huff, of Topeka, Kansas, and they have one daughter, Helen M., who was nine years old in January, 1909. The family lives in Tope- ka. Grant, born August 5, 1873, married Miss Marie Shepper, of Moline, Illi- nois, and lives in Atkinson. He has two children: Earle, aged two, and Josie Marie, who was born April 24, 1909. Maude, born December 25, 1879, died two years later and was buried in Geneseo. Clarence E., born in Atkinson, March 11, 1883, married Miss Leonora Miller, of Topeka, Kansas, and has there taken up his residence. Clark J., born August 5, 1885, married Miss Clara Caton, of Topeka, where is now his home. Rollin F., born May 12, 1891, also lives in Topeka, Kansas, where he is taking a business course at college.

Mrs. Gresser united with the Baptist church of Geneseo when she was eight- een years of age, but since coming to Atkinson has affiliated with the Congrega- tional church, in which she is very active, being chairman of the work committee. Politically Mr. Gresser gives his support to the republican party, having cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He has taken an active interest in all public affairs, and when the people have chosen him to fill any office he has

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fulfilled his duties carefully and honorably, to their entire satisfaction. Having guided his own life by sound principles, he has reared his five sons in accordance with the same standards and they are a great credit to him. Genial and kind- hearted he has made many stanch friends, who are always made welcome in his pretty and comfortable home, over which his wife presides with grace and dig- nity.

JOHN G. GUSTAFSON.

After long years devoted to arduous toil John G. Gustafson feels that he is justified in retiring from active participation in agricultural pursuits and upon his home on section 28, Western township, just outside the corporate limits of Orion, lives in the enjoyment of the results of a life well spent. He was born in Sweden April 20, 1844, and is a son of Andrew Gustafson. In 1851, in company with his parents and the rest of their family he came to the United States. They located first in Lynn township this county, where Mr. Gustafson, Sr., secured a tract of land, that in the course of years rapidly grew in area until, toward the close of his life, he was the owner of five hundred and twenty acres. Ten children were born to him and his wife. Andrew, the eldest, served as a soldier in the Civil war, was twice married, and when he died in Lynn township left three children. Gust W. died in Western township, leaving four children. John G. is the third of the family. Charlotte F. became the wife of Thomas Baldwin and they had one daughter, who has survived her mother, who died in Iowa. Frank Oscar lives in Missouri and has two children. Hans C. is a telegraph operator in Iowa and has four children. Alvin R. married but died in Missouri. Wesley O. lives in the same state. Charles Theodore also lives in Missouri, married and has seven children. Albert the youngest, died in Missouri leaving three children.

John G. Gustafson grew to manhood upon the home farm in Lynn town- ship, and he attended the common school of the district from which he received a fair training in the rudimentary branches of English education. Shortly after he reached man's estate he began to do for himself, although it was not until he married that he became really enrolled among the agriculturists of Henry county. In 1871, he went to live upon the old homestead and later removed to a place of eighty acres in Lynn township, which was a gift from his father. His two sons were born upon that place, but in the course of years he sold that land and came to Western township, where he first bought eighty acres, paying seventy-five dol- lars an acre. Later he purchased forty acres more for which he paid at the rate of sixty-five dollars, and lastly he added another eighty acres to this tract, pay- ing eighty dollars an acre. These frequent additions to his landholdings are tan- gible indication of the success with which he has gained as a tiller of the soil. As he has spared neither his own labor nor the expenditure of money which would contribute to the advancement of his interest or increase the productiveness of his fields, he has been rewarded with harvests which entitled him to be known as one of the prominent farmers of his locality. In addition to his agricultural property he owns two residences in Galesburg.

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History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II, Part 105

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