USA > Illinois > Henry County > History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 109
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115
PERRY E. WESTERLUND.
Perry E. Westerlund, the proprietor of the Cloverdale Farm, which embraces one hundred and sixty acres on section 25, Western township, was born on the same section January 24, 1876, and is a son of Peter and Christine (Hultman) Westerlund. The parents are now living in the village of Orion, resting after many years devoted to agricultural pursuits.
The youngest of a family of five children, Perry E. Westerlund was reared on the home place and attended the district school, where he secured his first in- troduction into the world of books and knowledge. For one year he attended Augustana College, where he pursued a business course, and then returned home to work for his father. He shortly afterward rented land of the latter and en- gaged in farming for himself, with what success may be judged from the extent of his fields and the general prosperous appearance of his land and the condi- tion of his buildings. In 1899, the year in which he married, he erected his handsome residence, commodious, well constructed and equipped, which set the standard to which he tried to conform when he put up the other buildings on his place. A successful tiller of the soil, yet it is as a stockman that he has made his reputation, for his cattle and hogs are well known in the markets to which he sends them.
At Woodhull, Illinois, March 22, 1899, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Westerlund and Miss Selma Edmund, who was born and reared in Oxford town- ship, where her birth occurred September 4, 1875. Her parents were Andrew J. and Johanna (Carlson) Edmund, the former of whom is a resident of Wood- hull, but the mother has passed away, her death having occurred February 14,
1017
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
1907. Mrs. Westerlund was the third in a family of six and has become the mother of three children, two sons and a daughter: Forest Edmund Emanuel, born October 19, 1901 ; Lyle Ruth Eleanor, born October 14, 1903; and Mahlon Howard Peter, born April 2, 1907. Mr. Westerlund is a member of the Swedish Lutheran church at Orion and gives his support to the candidates of the repub- lican party. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica, being a member of Camp No. 261, and takes part in all the meetings of the society and is deeply interested in the welfare of his brothers. Thrifty, indus- trious and energetic, he is now numbered as one of the leading farmers of Western township. Cloverdale Farm might in many ways serve as a model for others of like kind, while the stock which has made for it its name is some of the best in this locality.
WILLIAM RILEY.
William Riley, proprietor of the Rock River Heights summer resort, who for many years was one of the prosperous farmers and skillful blacksmiths of Atkin- son township, was born in Cornwall township, Henry county, October 4, 1854, a son of James and Sarah Ann (Dunbar) Riley. Both parents were born in Ohio but were brought to Illinois by their respective parents and were married in Bureau county, where they resided for a number of years. Later they came to Cornwall township, Henry county, where the father purchased a farm and made his home until his retirement to Atkinson, where his death occurred No- vember 3, 1905. His widow survives, being now eighty-one years of age.
William Riley received a common school education and was reared to hard work on the farm. On February 27, 1875, he was married in the village of At- kinson to Miss Elizabeth Schwab, who was born in Switzerland, January 20, 1853, a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Maglie) Schwab. She was four years old when brought by her parents to this country, the trip being made on a sailing vessel and consuming forty days. The Schwabs first settled near Ke- wanee, Illinois, and then went to Annawan, but finally located in Cornwall town- ship, where Mr. Schwab bought two hundred and eighty acres of land, which he improved and made into a fine farm. He came with a brother-in-law and the two assisted one another until both were well established.
After Mr. Riley was married he rented land from his father for several years, then buying eighty acres to which he added an adjoining eighty acres, building upon it a comfortable residence. Having always loved the river, at one time he built a launch and operated it at Joslyn ferry. While traveling back and forth he had seen the possibilities of the land he now owns and operates as a summer resort so that in 1903 he bought it, putting up a log house and the same fall added ten cottages. This resort makes no pretentions toward fashionable life but is used by those desiring to get away from city life and enjoy the pleas- ures of nature. The camp is beautifully located and commands a magnificent view of the always lovely Rock river. Mr. Riley still owns his farming prop- erty having in all two hundred and forty acres as well as three residences and four lots in Atkinson, which is his winter home.
1018
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Riley, namely: Samuel James, who died in infancy; Catherine, who was born in Annawan and who attended the Geneseo Collegiate Institute for two years; and Frank Leonard who died at the age of two years and eight months. The daughter has devoted a good deal of her attention to music and is now an accomplished pianist and vocalist and a most charming young lady.
Mr. Riley is a democrat and while not an office seeker has served as road commissioner in Cornwall township and as school director and alderman of At- kinson, discharging all of the various duties pertaining to these positions with marked fidelity. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and its auxiliary, the Royal Neighbor's, and is a genial, whole-souled man who has made friends all his life and never loses one. His camp is a favorite one for fishermen and hunters and those who are once his guests seldom fail to avail themselves of the privilege of coming to the resort again.
ARTHUR J. DICKEY.
Arthur J. Dickey, a prominent agriculturist and stockman of Henry county, owns and operates a highly improved and valuable farm comprising three hun- dred and twenty acres of land on section 27, Cornwall township. He is num- bered among the worthy native sons of this county, his birth having occurred in Cornwall township on the 23d of September, 1863. A sketch of his parents, David T. and Eliza E. (Peterson) Dickey, appears on another page of this work.
Arthur J. Dickey passed his boyhood days on the home farm in Cornwall township and after leaving the district school spent a year as a student in the Kewanee public school. Subsequently he pursued a commercial course in the Davenport Business College and after being graduated from that institution re- tured to the home farm, there remaining until he was married at the age of twenty-four years. In 1889 he went to Clay county, Nebraska, with his young wife and there gave his attention to the operation of a rented farm for three years. On the expiration of that period, in 1892, he returned to Henry county, Illinois, and in 1895 bought one hundred and sixty acres of his present farm from his father, paying seventy-two dollars an acre for the land. In 1901 he purchased another quarter section at one hundred dollars an acre and at the end of five years sold the property for one hundred and fifty dollars an acre. Two years later he again bought the place, paying one hundred and fifty dollars an acre for the land and five hundred dollars for the improvements that had been made upon it. His holdings therefore embrace three hundred and twenty acres on section 27, Cornwall township, and in recent years he has not only re- modeled the buildings on the place but has added a number of others until today it is lacking in none of the improvements and conveniences of a model farm of the twentieth century. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, he also devotes considerable attention to the raising, feeding and shipping of stock and in both branches of his business has won a gratifying and well merited measure of success.
1019
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
On the 4th of January, 1888, in Cornwall township, Mr. Dickey was united in marriage to Miss Hattie B. Hayden, a native of that township and a daughter of Gideon and Mary E. (Casteel) Hayden. The father still survives and now makes his home at Guide Rock, Nebraska, but the mother passed away when her daughter Hattie was only eight years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Dickey have two children. Leslie A., whose birth occurred during the sojourn of his parents in Nebraska, is now a young man of twenty. After completing the prescribed course of study in the district school he entered the high school at Kewanee and was graduated therefrom in 1909. Lela Grace, the daughter of our subject, is now a sophomore in the Kewanee high school.
Since age. conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Dickey has cast his ballot in support of the men and measures of the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to good government. The cause of educa- tion has ever found in him a stalwart champion and he is at present serving as the capable incumbent in the office of school treasurer. He and his family be- long to the Liberty Cornwall Congregational church, formerly called the Union Congregational church of Cornwall, of which both he and his wife are charter members. Mr. Dickey acts as trustee and also as superintendent of the Sunday school, having served in the latter capacity for about fifteen years. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America at Atkinson. His entire life has been guided by the most honorable principles and his self-reliance and unfaltering industry, combined with his integrity, constitute the salient features in his prosperity.
FRANK A. SNODGRASS.
Frank A. Snodgrass, the owner of a good tract of land on section 23, Edford township, is one of the progressive farmers, who, though handicapped in his youth by the poverty and lack of opportunities, has won success and has profited greatly by the rise in agricultural land that has indicated the prosperity of Henry county. He was born on a farm on Moline Bluffs, Hampton township, Rock Island county, August 24, 1870, and is the son of John and Sarah (Jamerson) Snodgrass. There were but two children in the family, his elder brother, Ben- jamin, being a farmer in Hanna township.
Frank A. Snodgrass was but three years of age when his father was killed by a stroke of lightning, and early had to seek his own fortunes in the world. When ten years of age he began to work by the day. His industry and ability having been proved through severe tests he was soon able to obtain employment by the month. The desire to get ahead in the world and the necessity of saving the greater part of his earnings having been inculcated in him, when he became twenty-one he found that he had one thousand dollars with which to start in busi- ness for himself. For seven years he rented from his uncle a farm in Hanna township, and then in 1895 bought a tract of ninety-five acres, paying fifty dol- lars an acre for it. In nine years it had more than doubled in value and he sold it for one hundred and five dollars an acre. He had also purchased one hundred
1020
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
and sixty acres at forty dollars an acre, and this, in the space of six years, has almost doubled in price, for when he disposed of it he received seventy-two dol- lars an acre for it. He next bought some land east of Geneseo for which he paid one hundred and thirty dollars an acre, and three years later sold it for one hun- dred and fifty-one dollars. He thereupon moved into the city of Geneseo where he has made his home to the present, though he contemplates moving in the near future to the farm he has purchased in Edford township.
While he was renting of his uncle in Hanna township Mr. Snodgrass was married to Miss Clara Shafer, a native of that township and a daughter of Wil- liam and Mary (Varns) Shafer. After Mrs. Snodgrass had completed the work of the district school she took a course in the Collegiate Institute in Gene- seo. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Snodgrass: John Clinton, who was born in Hanna township, October 5, 1899, and Harry W., who was born in Hanna township, April 9, 1902. Both Mr. and Mrs. Snodgrass are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church and will rear their children in that faith. Mr. Snodgrass has served the congregation of the local church for many years in the capacity of steward and as trustee. Politically he affiliates with the republican party and while he was a resident of Hanna township he acted as highway commissioner and for part of two terms was school trustee. His well developed business capacity and powers have enabled him to work his way steadily upward, and benefiting by the rise in land values, following his judicious investments, and by his intelligently directed energy he is now in the possession of a comfortable competency.
JOHN E. MAGNUSON, D. D. S.
Among those who have figured prominently in professional circles in Orion is numbered Dr. John E. Magnuson, who for a number of years has practiced successfully as a dentist, gaining equal prominence and respect as a citizen. A native of Illinois, he was born in Lynn township, Henry county, on the sixth of October, 1860, a son of Charles J. and Johanna C. Magnuson. As the name indicates the family is of Swedish origin, both parents having been born across the water. They came to America in early life with their parents, both families arriving in this country in 1851. They immediately came to Illinois, settling first near Swedona, Mercer county, and later became residents of Henry county. In this country the parents were united in marriage and began their domestic life in Lynn township, near Ophiem, where the father carried on general farm- ing. He also engaged extensively in stock feeding and became very successful, being an extensive landowner. He was one of the founders of the Swedish Mutual Fire Insurance Company, which was organized for the purpose of in- suring farm and town residence property, and he served as secretary of the company for several years. He was a member of the Evangelical church, of which he was secretary, and was a very public-spirited man, taking a deep and helpful interest in all community affairs. He passed away about twenty years ago, while his widow still survives and makes her home in Orion.
1021
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
On his father's farm J. E. Magnuson spent the period of his boyhood and youth, and during the winter months attended the district schools in the acquire- ment of his literary education. Later he enjoyed the advantages of a course of study in Miller's Business College at Keokuk, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1882. The periods of vacation were devoted to assisting his father in the work of the home farm, and immediately after his graduation from business college he went to Colorado, where he was engaged in prospecting for a time. Later he returned home, carrying on farming for himself for some time, and then, in the fall of 1891, he entered the Chicago College of Dental Surgery, from which he was graduated in June, 1895. He has become a very skilled and successful dentist and has for many years enjoyed a very extensive patronage, which is steadily increasing in volume and import- ance. Through the years of his practice he has kept abreast with the onward march of the profession, has secured the latest improved instruments and equip- ments found in the modern dental office and followed methods of practice which receive the sanction of this progressive age. He has high ideals concerning his work and conforms to a high standard of professional ethics.
It was on the 28th of November, 1898, that Dr. Magnuson was united in marriage to Miss May Westerland, the only daughter of Peter Westerland, who represents a very prominent and well known family of Western township. Unto this union has been born one daughter, Marion Eleanor, who is a student in the schools at Orion. The family are all members of the Lutheran church and are active in the work of the church and Sunday school.
Fraternally Dr. Magnuson is identified with Sherman Lodge, No. 535, A. F. & A. M., and with Orion Lodge, No. 686, I. O. O. F., and also holds membership with the Modern Woodmen camp and with the Royal Neighbors of America, in all of which organizations he is well known and popular. His political views are in accord with the principles of the democracy and he has figured prominently in local public affairs. He has been a member of the democratic county central committee for a number of years and has frequently been sent as a delegate to various conventions, while he has also been a member of the Orion village board. When a young man on the home farm he was highway and drainage commis- sioner and likewise served as census enumerator for Lynn township in 1890. In addition to his practice he is also a stockholder in both banks at Orion and is a man of affluence, who occupies a high place in the community. No history of Orion would be complete without mention of Dr. Magnuson, for he stands fore- most among her valued, respected and successful representatives.
SAMUEL G. WIGANT.
The days pass busily for Samuel G. Wigant for a farm of one hundred and sixty acres claims his attention. It is situated on section 31, Cornwall township, and its attractive appearance indicates the careful supervision of its practical and progressive owner. A native of this township, he was born on section 19,
1022
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
February 9, 1871, his parents being Hiram and Mary (Long) Wigant, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume.
As a boy Samuel G. Wigant enjoyed the educational opportunities afforded by the district school near his home, while he acquired practical training for his future work through the assistance he rendered his father in cultivating the home farm. When he attained his majority he hired out to his father for a year, after which he married and, with the natural desire to establish a home of his own, rented some land in Burns township. He was industrious and ambitious, and in 1895 had saved enough to enable him to purchase eighty acres in Corn- wall township, where he now lives. He paid forty-seven dollars an acre for the tract and in 1900 was able to buy the eighty acres adjoining at the same price, although the land, if placed upon the market today, would bring one hundred and forty dollars per acre. Plowing, planting and harvesting largely occupy his time and with excellent results, but he has recently turned his attention to raising, feed- ing and shipping stock, and finds this enterprise also makes him a profitable re- turn upon his investment of thought and labor, for he is painstaking as well as persevering, and being satisfied with only the best that can be produced and sparing no efforts to attain his ideal of excellence, finds a ready market for both his crops and his stock.
In Geneseo, April 3, 1893, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Wigant and Miss Sarah J. Clark. She is a daughter of William and Martha (Shakespeare) Clark and was born upon the old Clark homestead in Munson township, this county, July 19, 1872. There are five children in Mr. and Mrs. Wigant's family, namely : Bessie, who was born April 13, 1894; Harry, January 10, 1897; Alice, October 13, 1898; Hazel, March 2, 1906; and Clara, March 23, 1909.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, Mr. Wigant has been a stalwart champion of republicanism, having cast his first presidential ballot for William McKinley. He has never aspired to official distinction, however, although his devotion to the general welfare was manifest in the able manner in which he filled the position of road commissioner during the six years he held that office and in the progressive policies he advocated while he was school direc- tor. He is a young man of enterprise and ambition, and as he has based his life upon the sound principles of upright manhood he may look forward not only to successful future, but to one which will bring him the esteem of his associates, a guerdon that is even more enviable than financial prosperity.
ALPHONSE L. PHILLIPS.
Energy, industry and perseverance have enabled Alphonse L. Phillips, one of the respected citizens of Atkinson to overcome the many obstacles with which his life was beset and to attain to a substantial position among his fellowmen. He was born in Holland, March 25, 1868, a son of Leo and Sophia (Van Winkle) Phillips. The former was born in 1837 in Belgium and there followed the occupa- tion of farming. At the age of thirty-two he came to America and, settling in New York state, farmed there for about sixteen years, when he returned to his
1023
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
home on a visit of seven months. In 1884 he came to Atkinson, Illinois, and after living in the village for a year went to work for Mr. Boomer on a farm in Atkin- son township. He remained there only a year, however, when he returned to the town which has since been his home. Of recent years he has lived with his son, for advancing age has made it impossible for him to do much work. On be- coming a citizen of this republic he espoused the cause of the republican party and all his life has been a devout member of the Catholic church. His wife, who was born in Holland in 1835, died four years ago and was buried in the Catholic ceme- tery in Atkinson. By her marriage she became the mother of five children, four of whom are living : Alphonse L .; John, who lives in Canada; Mary, the wife of Leopold Bercroft, of Atkinson; and Louise, the wife of Peter Verkruise, who lives in Atkinson township.
During his parents' residence in New York Alphonse L. Phillips attended the country schools of that state for eight winters, and assisted his father on the farm during the summer months. He accompanied his father and mother on their visit to the old country and, coming with them to Atkinson, worked at farm- ing and odd jobs in this locality until twenty-one years of age. He then tended bar for a year, for the next two and a half years conducted a saloon, after which he went to Wisconsin, where he took up a claim. After living upon the land for three years he sold his rights to the homestead, but continued his residence in the Badger state for three years longer. On July 11, 1903, he opened a restau- rant and lunchroom on State street, Atkinson, where he has built up a good business.
Mr. Phillips was first married February 9, 1890, to Miss Jennie Bercroft, a native of Atkinson. Her mother died when she was six years old, but her father is living in Atkinson, retired after an arduous life as a farmer. She was one of five children: Peter, a resident of Atkinson; Sophia, the wife of Peter Billiet ; Leopold, of Atkinson; and Jennie, who became Mrs. Phillips. To our subject and his wife were born four children : John, November 14, 1892; Leo, June 26, 1896; Charles, April 14, 1899; and Mary, June 14, 1900. On the 4th of April, 1905, Mr. Phillips was married again, his second union being with Miss Emma Vandewaestyne. She is a native of Atkinson, born in 1882 and is a daughter of Peter and Minnie (Sterphien) Vandewaestyne. The father was born in 1842 in Belgium, and came to this country about thirty years ago. In Atkinson and vicinity he followed farming, which he had taken up in the old country. Atkin- son township was the scene of his labors for about twenty-five years and then he removed to Geneseo, farming there for about ten years. He died September I, 1904, and was buried in Atkinson. He was a republican in politics. He was twice married, his first wife being Miss Matilda DeCrane, who bore him three children : Charles, of Atkinson, Illinois; Mary, of Chicago; and Julia, the wife of August Cable, of Atkinson. The wife and mother died in 1880 and was buried in Atkinson. Mr. Vandewaestyne subsequently married the mother of Mrs. Phillips. She was born in Belgium in 1845, and at the time of her marriage was the widow of Sterphien Vandewaestyne, who died in 1880. She had four chil- dren by her first husband: Gus, who lives in South Dakota; Daisy, of Atkinson ; Edward, of Geneseo; and Ida, the wife of Theodore Desonville, of South Dakota. She had five children by her second husband : Emma, the wife of A. D. Phillips ; Christian, the wife of Mell De Frieze, of Geneseo; Elizabeth, the wife of Frank
-
1024
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
Drew, of Atkinson; Stephina, at home in Atkinson; and Emlia, also at home. There has been but one child, Alfred, born of Mr. Phillips' second marriage, his birth occurring January 26, 1906.
Mr. Phillips is a member of the Catholic church and has brought his children up in that faith, sending those old enough to the Catholic school in Atkinson. Though he began life in very moderate circumstances and in his early life met with a great loss in the death of his wife, who left him with four small children to care for, he has plodded along manfully, and with the help of his devoted wife has secured a substantial position for himself. His business has proved more successful than he had hoped and he has gained the respect and esteem of the entire community. Mrs. Phillips belongs to the Mystic Lodge, while her husband is a member of the Domestic Workers, is a republican, and carries insurance in the Capital Life Association of Springfield.
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.