USA > Illinois > Henry County > History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 111
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Frank Herbert Edwards spent his boyhood under the parental roof and at- tended the district schools of his locality. After the death of his father he assisted his mother in the operation of the home farm, for as the oldest son the heavier burdens naturally fell upon his shoulders. He inherited a small tract of land, when he attained his majority, but he added to it continuously as the years passed, buying several of the shares in the homestead belonging to his brothers and sisters, until the farm in his possession today represents the greater part of a section. In 1908 he built a new home of cement blocks, which is as fine a struc- ture of its kind as may be found in Western township. These material evidences of his success afford no insight into the reputation he has attained among his fel- low townsmen but as an able farmer and a man of sound principles, he is well entitled to the respect they accord him.
On the 23d of January, 1883, Mr. Edwards was united in marriage to Miss Anna M. Smith, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, but at that time a resident of Livingston county, Illinois, whither her parents had moved. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Edwards: Ella B., who is the wife of William Ten- nant, Jr .; H. Royce, who was born October 29, 1887 ; Ethel H., who graduated from the Geneseo high school with the class of 1909; and Elwood Glenn, who is now in the public school. Mr. Edwards is a member of the Congregational church of Geneseo, and has always given his support in political matters to the republican party. He has, however, neither been active in its ranks nor in the public life of his locality.
HUGH LIVINGSTON GRIER.
Hugh Livingston Grier, who devotes his energies to the pursuits of farming and stock raising, is the owner of a valuable and productive tract of land compris- ing one hundred and twenty acres on sections 31 and 32, Cornwall township. His birth occurred on this farm on the 6th of May, 1864, his parents being William
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and Isabelle (Livingston) Grier. The father, who was a native of County Mon- aghan, Ireland, came to the United States alone when about fourteen years of age and worked for a time in the rolling mills at Harbour Creek, Pennsylvania. Subsequently he was employed by a gardener at Philadelphia, which city re- mained his home until he came to this county. There he wedded Miss Isabelle Livingston, who was likewise a native of the Emerald isle and came to America when about sixteen years of age, locating in Philadelphia. They remained in that city for a few years following their marriage and two children were born unto them there, one of whom passed away ere they came to Henry county. Following his arrival here Mr. Grier lived for a time with a brother-in-law, Hugh Armstrong, residing in a sod house in Cornwall township. He was actively engaged in the operation of rented land for about two years and then purchased a tract of eighty acres, which is now included in the home farm of our subject, and at various times bought land until he owned four hundred and eighty acres. Agricultural interests claimed his attention throughout the remainder of his life and he became widely recognized as one of the successful and respected citizens of the community. He was reared in the Presbyterian faith and held member-
ship in the Calvary church of Cornwall township. His political allegiance was given to the republican party but he had no desire for the honors and emoluments of office. He passed away in 1900, having for a number of years survived his wife, who was called to her final rest in 1888 when fifty-four years of age. Their children were nine in number, the record of whom is as follows: John died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. William is now a resident of Wethersfield, Illi- nois. George passed away when twenty-eight years of age. James H. is mar- ried and makes his home at Neponset, Illinois. Hugh Livingston, of this review, is the next in order of birth. Margaret first gave her hand in marriage to Schuy- ler Parker, by whom she had two children, and following his death she wedded Dr. Franklin S. Adams, with whom she resides at Waterville, Kansas. John R. and Benjamin F. Grier both make their home in Cambridge township. Edward lives in Cornwall township.
Hugh Livingston Grier was reared on the home farm and obtained a good practical education in the common schools. He gave his father the benefit of his assistance in the work of the fields and after he had attained his majority re- ceived wages for his services. He thus worked for his father for a year and then rented a part of the home place for two years, on the expiration of which period he rented land belonging to his brother-in-law for a similar period. In December, 1888, he went to St. Paul, Nebraska, and purchased a livery barn but subse- quently returned to this county. Following his marriage in June, 1889, he again made his way to Nebraska and there continued to reside until the following Octo- ber, when he disposed of his interests in that state and returned to Illinois. He gave his attention to the operation of rented land in Cornwall township until 1900, when he came into possession of his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres on sections 31 and 32, in the further cultivation and improvement of which he has since been actively engaged. The land cost him seventy dollars an acre. In addition to the cultivation of cereals he also devotes considerable attention to the raising, feeding and shipping of stock and has won a creditable and well merited degree of prosperity in his undertakings along these lines.
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On the IIth of June, 1889, in Cornwall township, Mr. Grier was united in marriage to Miss Edith Emma Dugdale, who was born in that township on the 16th of July, 1866, her parents being George and Elizabeth (Hill) Dugdale. The father, whose birth occurred near Essex, England, crossed the Atlantic to the United States when twenty-three years of age and took up his abode in Henry county, Illinois. Here he met and married Miss Elizabeth Hill, a native of Vir- ginia, who came to this county with her parents when a maiden of nine years. Mr. and Mrs. Dugdale have now attained the ages of eighty and sixty-four years respectively and reside in Geneseo. George Dugdale is a stanch democrat in his political views, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, with which his wife is also identified. They had a family of four children, as follows: Mrs. Grier; Mina E., who is the wife of Joseph Souers and lives in Geneseo; Bertha May, who is the wife of Charles W. Nelson, of Munson township; and Charles Swartz, who died at the age of six years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Grier have been born two children. Alta Isabelle, whose birth occurred in Cornwall township, March 13, 1890, completed the grammar school course in June, 1906, and is now a junior in the Geneseo high school. Zella Elizabeth, who was born in Cornwall township on the 16th of April, 1895, was graduated from the grammar school in 1909 and is now a pupil in the Geneseo high school.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Grier has supported the men and measures of the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to good government. For two years he has served in the office of collector. He has resided in this county throughout practically his entire life and is therefore largely familiar with its upbuildings and substantial devel- opment, especially along agricultural lines, with which he has been connected since early manhood.
ROSS WESLEY BLACK.
Ross Wesley Black, the mail carrier on route No. 2, of Atkinson, Illinois, who is distinguished by a gentlemanly bearing, kindness and a genial disposition in his relations with his patrons, was born in Atkinson, November 16, 1882, and is the eldest son of Robert W. and Julia Curtain (Foy) Black. The father, who was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania, April 17, 1856, was the fourth in a family of thirteen children, only six of whom are now living. They were Henry, who died in childhood; Elizabeth, the wife of David Sisler, who lives in Pennsylvania; George E., a resident of Altoona; Robert W., the father of our subject; Ruth, who died at the age of nineteen years ; Henrietta, the wife of Charles Daugherty, of Altoona, Pennsylvania; Minnie, the wife of William Bowser of Pennsylvania ; Susan, the wife of Edward Smeigh, also of Pennsylvania; and five others who died young.
In his youth Robert W. Black learned the trade of a painter and decorator and followed it for five years in the Pennsylvania car shops and in the car shops at Altoona for two or three years, when he lost his health. He then engaged in
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farming for two years, after which he returned to his trade. In 1876 he came to Atkinson, Illinois, and has since made this town his home. His wife, Mrs. Julia C. Black, was born September 16, 1860, and was a daughter of Gideon and Mary Ann (Bryan) Foy. Both parents were natives of Pennsylvania and are buried side by side in Adams county, Iowa, their deaths having occurred in that state, the mother's in Prescott in 1895, the father's five years later. The latter was a farmer all his life and was the father of ten children, six boys and four girls, all but the youngest born in Pennsylvania. They were John W., of Galesburg, Illinois, a member of the legislature of this state in 1877, when he espoused the cause of the Greenback party; Stephen, of Prescott, Iowa; Sarah, the wife of G. A. Aboners, of Creston, Iowa; James W., of Prescott, Iowa; Tonar, who died in January, 1894, in Prescott, Iowa, though a resident of Atkinson, Illinois ; Samuel A., of Prescott, Iowa; Mary Elizabeth, who was the wife of Robert Par- ker, of Atkinson, and died in November, 1877, being buried in Fair View ceme- tery ; Julia Curtain, the wife of Robert Black of this review; Laura M., the wife of James Campbell, of Prescott, Iowa; and Warren B., born in Illinois, living now in Kansas. In her girlhood Mrs. Black attended the school in which her two sons and her daughter-in-law at one time taught, for she was reared in this locality. By her marriage to Mr. Black she became the mother of six children: Ross W .; George Edward, who was born in Atkinson in 1887 and is in business with his father; Ruth Anna, a graduate of the Atkinson high school and now a teacher in the country schools of the township; Robert Julian, also a graduate of the high school and like his sister a teacher in the country schools; Susan May, now a pupil in the high school; and Julia Foy, attending school. The parents live in what is known as the Riley addition to Atkinson, where in 1898 Mr. Black erected a very pretty home. He is a man who was compelled to rely upon him- self for his success in the world and by his own efforts has acquired a comfortable living. His educational advantages having been somewhat limited he has spared no pains to give his children the best schooling within his power. Politically he is in sympathy with the prohibitionist party and is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen. Mrs. Black is a Royal Neighbor and both husband and wife belong to the Congregational church.
Ross W. Black received his education in the schools of Atkinson and was graduated from the high school with the class of 1899. Immediately upon the ex- piration of his own school days he engaged in teaching and during the two years he was connected with the schools of Henry county achieved success as a popular and progressive instructor, who possessed the faculty of endearing himself to his pupils. Subsequent to his experience as a teacher he took a course of one year at Brown's Business College at Davenport, Iowa, and then in 1905 began carry- ing the mail from Atkinson to the residents on route 2. Here again the amiable qualities of his personality came to the front and he has made a large number of friends, who are attracted by the heartiness of his greeting and courtesy of his bearing.
On the 30th of May, 1908, Mr. Black married Miss Emma Louisa Wahlert. She was born in Cornwall, Atkinson township, in 1880, and is a daughter of William and Johanna (Lehse) Wahlert. The parents were born in Schleswig- Holstein, Germany, between 1840 and 1850 and came to America in 1874, being
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three weeks in crossing the ocean. They settled first in Cornwall township, where the father engaged in farming, and then came to Atkinson, where he worked as a laborer and where he died about twenty-five years ago. The mother is still living in Atkinson at the age of sixty years. Of the children that were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wahlert, six are now living: Ernest, a mechanical engineer of Britt, Iowa; Lena, the wife of Robert Graham, of Atkinson, Illinois ; Amelia, the widow of Machen Winters, who lives in Iowa with her four sons ; William Claus, also mechanical engineer of Britt; Emma Louisa, now Mrs. Ross W. Black; and James, who is a soldier in the Philippines. Mrs. Black attended the graded schools of Atkinson until she was twelve and then continued her education in the high school of Geneseo, from which she was graduated in 1899. She also en- gaged in teaching in the country schools of Henry county for three years and then took a two years' course in the Baptist Hospital and Training School, from which in 1904 she received her diploma as a trained nurse. For almost five years she practiced her profession in Annawan, Atkinson and Geneseo, and by her phy- sicians was considered a very capable woman and one of the best nurses in this locality. A son, Henry Thomas, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Black, September 14, 1909.
Mr. and Mrs. Black are members of the Congregational church and the Royal Neighbors. They both possess to an unusual degree the capacity for making strong friendships and hold an enviable place in the hearts of the peo- ple of Atkinson. Politically Mr. Black is connected with the prohibition party,
HENRY W. OLE.
Henry W. Ole, who since 1908 has lived retired in Geneseo, was formerly ac- tively identified with the agricultural interests of Henry county and is still the owner of a fine farm of eighty acres on section 5, Cornwall township. His birth occurred near Wells, Somersetshire, England, on the 3d of September, 1844, his parents being William and Jane (Poole) Ole. He received a fair education in the common schools but began providing for his own support at a very early age, working by the day or month as he found employment. When a young man of twenty-one he was married and soon afterward embarked on a steamer bound for American shores, arriving in the United States after an ocean voyage of four- teen days. Because of the fact that his wife had relatives living in Geneseo he made his way direct to this county and for the first two years following his ar- rival worked as a farm hand for a brother-in-law, while subsequently he was employed in that capacity by Joshua Harper for eleven years. On the expiration of that period, by dint of unremitting industry and close economy, he had accumu- lated sufficient capital to enable him to purchase a farm of his own and in 1878 came into possession of eighty acres on section 5, Cornwall township, paying a little more than fifty dollars an acre for the property. Bending his energies to its further development, he soon brought the place under a high state of cul- tivation and improvement and annually garnered bounteous harvests that found a ready and profitable sale on the market. In 1908, having won a competence
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by reason of his well directed labors and capable management, he put aside the active work of the fields and has since lived retired in Geneseo.
On the 29th of March, 1866, in England, Mr. Ole was united in marriage to Miss Fannie Ward, a native of Somersetshire, by whom he had two children, namely : Edwin Maurice, who resides on his farm in Munson township; and Jennie Helena, who also lives in Munson township and is the wife of A. T. Lewis. The wife and mother passed away on the 3d of March, 1875, and on the IIth of June, 1876, Mr. Ole was again married, his second union being with Miss Eunice Kewer, whose birth occurred in Onondaga county, New York, August 4, 1855. Her parents, John and Maria (Gay) Kewer, both of whom were natives of Eng- land, passed away in Michigan and New York, respectively. In the fall of 1857 Mrs. Ole was brought to Illinois by an aunt, Mrs. Susan Field, and it was in Geneseo that she gave her hand in marriage to our subject. Her children are two in number, as follows: Frank, who resides on the home farm in Cornwall township; and Susan Alice, who lives at North English, Iowa, and is the wife of E. L. Hannon, by whom she has a son, Vincent L.
In his political views Mr. Ole is independent, always supporting the candi- date whom he believes best qualified regardless of party affiliation. For nine years he did effective service for the cause of education as a school director and likewise acted as road commissioner for three years. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to America, for in this country he has found the opportunities which he sought and through their utilization has worked his way upward until he is now one of the substantial and respected citizens of his community, his life indicating what may be accomplished by determination and well directed energy.
LOUIS VERBECKMOES.
One of the busiest business places in Atkinson is that which is known as the "up-to-date department store," of which Louis Verbeckmoes is the proprietor. A man of broad education and of wide experience, he has used his opportunities of advancing the welfare of this prosperous little city, as well as of promoting his individual interests. For a score of years he has been connected with the life of Atkinson. He was born near Antwerp, Belgium, in the year 1853, and is a son of Martin and Johanna (Smith) Verbeckmoes, both natives of Belgium, where the father was engaged in farming until his death. They were the parents of four children : Joseph, of Green Bay, Wisconsin ; Louis; Frank, also of Green Bay, Wisconsin; and May, the wife of John Quatsoe, of Green Bay, Wisconsin. About seven years ago both father and mother passed away.
Louis Verbeckmoes received a good education in the land of his birth, in the college in Ghent. After his graduation in 1870 he came to America, settling upon a farm in Wisconsin, which remained his home for about twenty years. He came then to Atkinson, opening here a general store on State street. He soon built up a large trade, and in 1905 erected the substantial brick building, on Main and State streets, which is now a veritable bee-hive for industry. Complete
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in the many lines of stock exhibited and elegant in its appointments and in its facilities for the display of his merchandise, the "up-to-date department store" has won for itself a reputation that is not limited by the confines of the city of Atkinson. Courtesy, obligingness and fair-dealing on the part of the proprietor and the clerks, as much as the quality of goods displayed, insures the large pat- ronage the store enjoys.
In 1882 Mr. Verbeckmoes was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Wyn- gaerd, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, but at the time residing in Green Bay, Wis- consin, whither she had gone with her parents when but a young girl. Her father and mother have both passed away, and are survived by five other children : Mrs. Verbeckmoes; Anthon and Alphons of Green Bay, Wisconsin; Barney, who was the third son; and Mrs. Christine Van DeVelde, who resides in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Verbeckmoes have five children, three born in Green Bay, Wiscon- sin, and two in Atkinson. Arthur, the eldest, married Miss Gertie Rumler, and they have two children, Kenyon and Luretta. Kittie, is a graduate of St. Mary's Academy of Nauvoo, Illinois, and is now her father's bookkeeper. Joseph is a student of St. Bede's College, at Peru, Illinois. Maude and Frederick are pupils of the Atkinson schools. The family are members of the Catholic church and are devout in the performance of their religious duties. In their pretty home on Main street they enjoy the many comforts that are made possible through suc- cess in life. Well educated through books and through the great school of obser- vation and experience, Mr. Verbeckmoes is broad minded and liberal in his views. He owes allegiance to no political party, but after due consideration gives his vote and influence to, as he believes, the best candidate and measure. Generous and kind-hearted, he possesses in large degree the capacity for making friends, who, knowing him intimately, confirm the high opinion of him entertained by those who are acquainted with him only through their business dealings.
WILLIAM OLIVER.
William Oliver is one of the most venerable citizens of Henry county. He has made his home in this district for so long a period and his life has been so honorable and upright in all its relations that no history of the district would be complete without extended reference to him. His birth occurred in Rossshire, Scotland, February 7, 1827, and when a lad of ten years he was brought to Amer- ica, the family home being established in that section of Fulton county which later, by division, became Stark county. His father, Thomas Oliver, was a shepherd in Scotland but on crossing the Atlantic to the new world became a farmer, de- voting many years to general agricultural pursuits. He died at the age of eighty- three years, having long survived his wife, who passed away at the age of fifty- eight.
William Oliver was a lad of only ten years when he left the land of hills and heather for the western world, and his youthful days were passed in Stark county, the public schools affording him his educational privileges. He was reared, however, amid the wild scenes and environments of pioneer life. The
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Black Hawk war had occurred only five years before the arrival of the family in Illinois and this entire section of the state was a wild pioneer district. The family settled on government land and there was little money in circulation, so that the people traded back and forth. William Oliver started to earn his own living as a chore boy, receiving ten cents per day but gradually his wages were increased until he was paid ten dollars a month for his services as a farm hand. In his early boyhood it seemed to him that he dropped all the corn in the neigh- borhood, a man following and covering the seed over with the hoe. This was not in plowed fields as we now plow but they were furrowed out and cross furrowed, the corn being dropped at the junction. Four or five acres would be planted in this manner in a day. As previously stated, the Oliver family first settled in Stark county, living on the open prairie. Many of the early settlers from the east thought nobody could live on the prairie, especially in the winter, and a very large number of the early citizens settled around the creeks and in the timbered portions of the county and very naturally became afflicted with ague. The first winter which the family spent in the state was passed at Joliet. They purchased forty acres of timber land in Stark county and possession was to be given at a certain time but as the previous owners could not build other houses for their accommodation the parents of William Oliver, with their ten children, and a son-in-law and two other families, totaling twenty-two, lived in a log house eigh- teen by twenty feet, with a loft. In entering the land from the government it was necessary to go to Dixon, where the government office was located. There was in that neighborhood one case of another man going in and entering his neighbor's land, which caused great commotion. An organization was formed for self pro- tection in the community to keep out those who would jump claims. The early settlers had to pay from twenty to thirty per cent interest on money which they borrowed in order to purchase their land and pay for the necessary expense of its entry.
Mr .. Oliver said land which he bought in later life at a cost of seventy-five dollars per acre was not nearly as hard to pay for as the first forty acres purchased through the efforts of other members of the family, who were working at ten cents per day. William Oliver's first farm, however, comprised one hundred and sixty acres, for which he paid less than a dollar per acre and the place is today easily worth one hundred and fifty dollars per acre. He accumulated six hundred and forty acres, which is still in the family. Success came to him as the years passed by, owing to his unfaltering diligence and determination. He also manifested keen discernment in making his investments and won a place among the wealthy families of the county. He arrived in Henry county in 1852, settling in Wethersfield township, where he devoted his time and energies to general agri- cultural pursuits.
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