USA > Illinois > Henry County > History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 112
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In April, 1854, William Oliver was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Trumbull, a native of Scotland. Her father farmed after coming to this coun- try, although he, too, had been a shepherd in his native land. He settled with his family in Stark county, where he purchased and developed farms and both he and his wife lived to a ripe old age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Oliver were born ten children, all of whom reached years of maturity, while six are yet living : Thomas, a resident farmer of Henry county; Mary, the wife of Archie Turner, who fol-
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lows farming in Iowa; William, who also follows farming in that state; John H., a practicing physcian of Kewanee; Jane, the wife of Elmer S. Good, who is en- gaged in the furniture business in Kewanee; and Nellie, the wife of W. J. Chubb, a farmer, residing in Colorado.
After a busy and useful life covering many years, William Oliver retired from business and established his home in Wethersfield, where he is now living in the enjoyment of well earned rest, the fruits of his former toil being sufficient to sup- ply him with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. For many years he served as school director and the cause of education finds in him a sub- stantial friend, his efforts being effective in promoting the interests of the schools and raising the standard of education. He holds membership in the United Presbyterian church and has been an elder in the church for the past twelve or fifteen years. His life, honorable and upright in all of its purposes, has made him one of the valued citizens of the community, constituting his record an ex- ample that is well worthy of emulation. His mind forms a connecting link be- tween the primitive past and the progressive present. He can remember when almost this entire section of the state was an unclaimed and uncultivated property for only here and there had a little cabin been built to show that the work of civilization was begun and the seeds of progress planted. Mr. Oliver tells many interesting tales of the early days when wild game was plentiful and wolves and other wild animals were frequently seen. The homes of the settlers were mostly cabins, lighted by candles, while the cooking was done by the fireplace. He has lived to see remarkable changes and has always rejoiced in the progress made by the county.
LAWRENCE CHARLES JOHNSON.
Lawrence Charles Johnson, a well known and prominent citizen of Galva, his native town, has continuously served as notary public since 1893 and is also iden- tified with the abstract and fire insurance business. He was born on the 6th of December, 1868, a son of Swan P. and Mary (Swanson) Johnson, both of whom were natives of Sweden. The paternal grandfather and grandmother passed away when well advanced in years. Olof Swanson, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was likewise born in Sweden but in 1854 established his home in this country. He passed away in Dayton, Webster county, Iowa, at a ripe old age. His wife, Mrs. Anna Swanson, also lived to be very old. They had a family of six children, two of the sons enlisting in the Union Army and giving up their lives for their adopted country.
Swan P. Johnson, the father of Lawrence C. Johnson, crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1857 and at once made his way to Galva, this county. The lady who afterward became his wife took up her abode in Galva soon after the year 1854. He was actively and successfully engaged in the merchant tail- oring business at Galva until the time of his demise in February, 1893, when he had attained the age of fifty-five years. At the time of the Civil war he loyally fought for the interests of the Union as a private of Company D, Seventeenth
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Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for about two years. He was taken prisoner at Holly Springs, Mississippi, but was soon afterward paroled. He gave his political allegiance to the men and measures of the republican party and took an active and helpful interest in all matters pertaining to the public welfare. His wife, surviving him for more than a decade, was called to her final rest in May, 1903, when sixty-three years of age. She was a devoted and faithful member of the Congregational church and was the mother of three children, one son and two daughters, as follows: Mary L., the deceased wife of M. M. Keeler, of Galesburg, dying in January, 1904; Lawrence C., of this review; and Emma A., who died in January, 1894.
Lawrence C. Johnson was reared and educated in the place of his nativity, completing the high-school course by graduation in 1885. He then took a course in the Davenport Business College and in 1887, after leaving that institution, en- tered his father's tailoring establishment. In 1890 he was admitted to a partner- ship in the concern and soon after his father's death, in 1893, became sole pro- prietor of the business, which he successfully conducted until 1907, when he sold out. Early in the following year he disposed of the handsome stone front block at the head of Front street, which he had erected in 1895 and in which he con- ducted his business and on the site of which his father before him had been in active business since the Civil war. This building occupies the site of Mr. John- son's birth and is now the elegant home of the Yocum Bank. As before stated he has continuously held the office of notary public since 1893-a fact which stands in incontrovertible evidence of his faithfulness and capability in the discharge of his duties, and with the exception of two years has been school treasurer since 1892. In 1908-9 he erected a handsome and modern office building on Main street at the north end of Exchange street, and the first floor of this he occupies as his office in connection with Judge A. E. Bergland. He has decided to devote his time and energies to the practice of law in the future and is now studying with that end in view.
On the 11th of June, 1891, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Clara Louise Seely, a native of Galva, Illinois, and a daughter of Isaac B. and Ann E. (Whittemore) Seely, who were married in Galva, Illinois, January II, 1857, and were the parents of five children, as follows : Joel W., born April 16, 1858, died March 13, 1859; Whitfield W., born October 10, 1866, died August 25, 1883; Mary E., born October 3, 1870; died January 9, 1876; Clara Louise, now Mrs. Johnson, was born March 25, 1872; and Edward Isaac, born January 15, 1876, was accidently drowned August 2, 1901. Mr. Seely was born in Orange county, New York, June 22, 1825, and came to Galva in 1856, where he conducted a drug business until his death, May 10, 1879. His ancestors for several generations back were residents of New York.
Ann E. (Whittemore) Seely was born February 10, 1838, at Enfield, Sullivan county, New Hampshire, and comes of Revolutionary stock, being a daughter of Joel Whittemore and Rachel Rebekah (Brown) Whittemore. Joel Whittemore died in 1855 and was a son of Peter Whittemore, who served in the Revolutionary war and was with Washington at Valley Forge. Rachel Rebekah (Brown) Whittemore died in Galva, Illinois, April 20, 1904, at the advanced age of ninety- two years, eight months and three days, having resided in Illinois since 1851. She
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was born in Andover, New Hampshire, August 17, 1811, and was a daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Huntoon) Brown, and Jonathan Brown's father served as a recruiting officer at his own expense in the Revolution and the state of New Hampshire afterward gave him a portion of land to reimburse him. Mrs. Seely still resides in Galva and holds a high place in the hearts of its citizens.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are now the parents of five children: Amy S., born September 30, 1892; Alice H., born September 5, 1894; Whitfield W., born March 25, 1897; Marian R., born September 13, 1900; and Edward L., born November 4, 1902.
Politically Mr. Johnson is a stalwart advocate of the republican party and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to various positions of publc trust. He acted as town clerk for several terms, was also a member of the board of education and of the city council, and is now serving as school treasurer. He belongs to Galva Lodge, No. 243, A. F. & A. M., of which he is a past master, and takes a keen interest in all things pertaining to Masonry throughout the state and has been active in the Grand Lodge of Illinois. For four years he was junior grand deacon, has been a grand lecturer since 1900, and is now a member of the board of grand examiners, composed of five members who teach the work, holding schools of instruction throughout the state. He is also a member of Kewanee Chapter, No. 47, R. A. M .; Kewanee Commandery, No. 71, K. T .; and Mohammed Temple of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Peoria. Both he and his wife belong to the Eastern Star, being members of Galva Chapter, No. 57. Their religious faith is indicated by their membership in the Baptist church, in which Mr. Johnson is serving as trustee and treasurer, Mrs. Johnson as organist, while the two oldest daughters are members of the choir. His well spent life, characterized by all that is honorable in business and straightforward in his relation with his fellowmen, has brought him the uniform respect of all with whom he has come in contact.
WILLIAM RICHARD WINTER.
One of the well improved and thoroughly modern farms of Cornwall township is that of three hundred and twenty acres on section 24, owned and operated by William Richard Winter. One of the native sons of Henry county, he was born in Annawan township, March 1, 1860, his parents being George and Mary (Gash) Winter. Both were born in Lincolnshire, England, were reared upon farms and there united in marriage May 13, 1859. Shortly after that date they started upon their journey to America, and after six weeks upon the ocean landed at New York, whence they came direct to Henry county, as two of Mr. Winter's brothers, Charles and John, were already living here. Upon arriving here Mr. Winter secured work at chopping wood for fifty cents a day and later herded sheep for Mr. Rider. He was frugal as well as industrious, and it was but a short time before he was able to buy some land and engage in farming for himself. Soon he owned one hundred and thirty acres, for which he had paid ten dollars an acre, and when his financial success warranted he bought one hundred and fifty acres
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more, for forty-five dollars an acre. This large tract now constitutes the farm on which his son lives and thereon he spent the rest of his life, his death occur- ring September 8, 1899. His wife had passed away September 28, 1891. They were members of the Episcopal church, having been reared in that faith, while in his political views Mr. Winter adhered to the republican party. He was loyal to the country of his adoption and ever interested in advancing the welfare of the community in which he lived, although he never participated in public affairs. The hope that led him to seek a home in America was more than realized, and his last years were attended with many comforts and the esteem of a large circle of acquaintances.
William Richard Winter, who was the only son born to his parents, enjoyed the educational privileges afforded by the district school near his home, while even as a boy he was initiated into farm work. He remained with his father until his marriage, when he assumed the management of the property. Later it came to him as an inheritance and he has since carried on his agricultural labors so carefully and systematically that they have brought him a large measure of suc- cess. He was able to add forty acres to the tract his father had secured, his three hundred and twenty acres affording him not only spacious arable fields for the cultivation of cereals, but also large pastures for the stock he raises and feeds for the market. He has made many improvements upon the place, the good barn he built in 1904 and the large house in 1909, deserving especial mention. Both were constructed upon thoroughly modern plans and are equipped with many conveniences, including gas light throughout.
In Kewanee, Henry county, Illinois, on the 18th of February, 1891, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Winter and Miss Priscilla Plumbtree. She was born in Sheffield township, Bureau county, this state, November 27, 1863, a daughter of Elijah and Sophia (Bowles) Plumbtree. Her father was a native of Cambridgeshire, England, and came to America first when about fourteen years of age. After about a year he returned to his home accompanied by his two brothers, but was not content to live in the old country and accordingly when six- teen, came to the United States the second time. He located in New York state where he found employment on a dairy farm and in a cheese factory, and later removing to Lockport, that state, met and married, April 15, 1856, Miss Sophia Bowles. She was born in London, England, and was a maid of ten when she went to Canada with her parents, who later removed to New York. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Plumbtree came west to Illinois, settling first in Princeton, where he conducted a meat market, and later removed to Sheffield township, Bureau county, where he engaged in farming. Subsequently he leased his land and undertook coal mining, to which he devoted himself as long as he was able. He is now living retired in Kewanee, at the advanced age of seventy-eight years, while his wife has passed the seventy-fourth milestone on life's journey. They were the parents of eleven children, nine of whom are living. Politically Mr. Plumbtree is a stanch republican and in his religion a strict adherent of Meth- odism, while his wife is equally consistent in her allegiance to the Episcopalian faith.
Mr. and Mrs. Winter have had three children. William Clausen died in in- fancy. Ethel Jane was born on the home farm, February 17, 1893, and is now
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in her second year in the Geneseo Collegiate Institute. Elijah, who was also born on the home farm, June 30, 1897, is likewise a sophomore in the Geneseo Collegiate Institute.
Mr. Winter has always been allied with the republican party politically, and while not an aspirant for office he has served efficiently as school director for a number of years. His life has been that of an energetic farmer, who carefully tills the soil, utilizing such modern, progressive and scientific methods as pro- duce the best results in the raising of crops, and the success which is his is well merited.
JARED HEBER SMITH.
Jared Heber Smith, an enterprising farmer of Osco township, who in addi- tion to the cultivation of the soil is extensively engaged in raising, feeding and shipping stock, owns and occupies a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 23. He was born on the 9th of Marchi, 1870, just across the road from his present home, his parents being Jared Hemingway and Mary E. (Knowles) Smith, who are represented on another page of this volume. He spent the days of his boyhood and youth upon the old home farm and in addition to the train- ing received in the district schools benefited by two years' instruction in the high school at Cambridge and a year's study in the Geneseo Collegiate Institute and by further training in Bryant & Stratton Business College in Chicago. He had almost completed his course in the last named institution when he obtained a position as clerk in a wholesale house in that city and remained in the employ of the firm for about a year, after which he returned to his farm to assist his father. He has since given his attention to general agricultural pursuits and is a representative of that progressive spirit which has been particularly manifest in agricultural circles in the last quarter of a century. In 1896 Mr. Smith mar- ried and purchased of his father eighty acres of land, for which he paid eighty dollars an acre. He has since extended the boundaries of his farm by additional purchase and is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres in Osco town- ship and owns in addition three hundred and twenty acres in Wilkin county, Minnesota. That tract, like his farm in Henry county, is under a high state of cultivation.
On the 17th of June, 1896, in Grace church in Osco township, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss Minnie May Hadley, who was born in Osco township, May 23, 1877, and is a daughter of David and Julia (Gillett) Hadley. Her girlhood days were spent in her parents' home and during that period she acquired a good education in the public schools. Eight children have been born of this marriage: Jared Heber, born April 8, 1897; Julian David, April 28, 1898; Thorwald Hadley, November 10, 1899; Frederick George, December 10, 1901 ; Richard Knowles, June 17, 1903; Majorie May, January 2, 1905; Janice Minerva, October 13, 1906; and Ruth Elizabeth, July 25, 1908.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith are devoted members of Grace Episcopal church, in which Mr. Smith is serving as a vestryman. Politically he is a republican, with firm faith in the principles of the party but without desire for political office. He
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has served, however, as school trustee and is interested in progressive move- ments whereby the material, intellectual and moral advancement of the com- munity is promoted. He enjoys pleasant relations with his brethren of the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in Cambridge Lodge, No. 49, A. F. & A. M. His has been a well spent life in which energy, industry and determina- tion have enabled him to overcome all obstacles and difficulties in his path and work his way steadily upward. He is now numbered among the representative farmers of Osco township and as a citizen holds high rank.
JOHN MYERS.
John Myers, who since 1897 has conducted a dry goods and clothing estab- lishment at Galva, is numbered among the worthy native sons of this county, his birth having occurred near Galva on the 10th of September, 1865. His parents, Fred and Mary (Healey) Myers, were natives of Pennsylvania and Ireland re- spectively. The father, who was left an orphan when still very young, became an agriculturist by occupation. He took up his abode at Galva, this county, in 1854 and there continued to reside until called to his final rest, being engaged in various pursuits. He did active service as a soldier during the entire period of the Civil war, being a private in the Fifty-seventh Illinois Cavalry. His demise occurred in 1907, when he had attained the ripe old age of seventy-eight years, and his loss was deeply mourned throughout the community in which he had made his home for more than a half century. He was a faithful communicant of the Catholic church, to which his widow also belongs. The latter still survives at the age of seventy-four years. Mr. Myers of this review had but one brother, Fred, who died in infancy.
John Myers was reared in Galva and attended the public schools in the acquirement of an education. On putting aside his text-books he began clerking for Messrs. Stoddard and Larson and after the latter purchased Mr. Stoddard's interest, he remained in the employ of Mr. Larson for a period of sixteen years. In 1897, believing that his long experience and familiarity with mercantile in- terests justified him in embarking in business on his own account, he opened a dry goods and clothing store on the south side. Though he established the en- terprise on a small scale, it has steadily grown year by year until he now has an extensive patronage and employs several clerks to assist him in the conduct of the business.
On the 10th of February, 1909, Mr. Myers was united in marriage to Mrs. C. W. Olberg, the widow of Louis Olberg, of Camp Point, Illinois. She is a native of Knox county, Illinois, and her parents, Peter and Christine (Norquist) Osterberg, were born in Sweden. They became early settlers of Knox county, Illinois, and there passed away. Their children were three in number, namely: Fred, who is now deceased; Gus, a resident of Knox county ; and Mrs. Myers.
Mr. Myers gives his political allegiance to the men and measures of the democracy but has no desire for the honors and emoluments of office, preferring to devote his undivided attention to his business affairs. Fraternally he has been
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identified with the Improved Order of Red Men for twenty years, and his wife is a consistent and faithful member of the Presbyterian church. Having spent his entire life in this locality, he has a wide acquaintance and his salient character- istics are such as have gained for him the friendly regard and good will of all with whom he has been associated through either business or social relations.
WILLIAM S. WEIMER.
William S. Weimer, who devotes his time and energies to general agricul- tural pursuits, is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section II, Geneseo township. His birth occurred on the 9th of August, 1869, his parents being Samuel and Catherine (Neiswender) Weimer, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. The father was a farmer by occupation and remained a respected and worthy resident of Henry county until called to his final rest in February, 1899. In politics he was a democrat. His wife has also passed away, her demise occurring on the 7th of April, 1896. They became the parents of seven children, six of whom still survive, as follows: Ella, who is the wife of Byron Beers and resides in Atkinson township; Ma- tilda, who gave her hand in marriage to William Neiswender, of Geneseo; Wil- liam S., of this review; Isabelle, who is the wife of Alden McHenry and makes her home in Phenix township; Pearl, who is the wife of Arthur Townley, of Hanna township; and Delia, who wedded William Hannon and resides in South English, Iowa.
William S. Weimer obtained his education in the Jackson school and re- mained with his father until two years after his marriage, assisting in the culti- vation of the home farm and thus becoming thoroughly familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and planting the crops. In February, 1899, he took up his abode on the farm where his wife had been born and reared, the place consisting of one hundred and twenty acres on section II, Geneseo township. Here he has since carried on his agricultural interests with gratifying success, the fields annually yielding golden harvests in return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them.
On the Ist of February, 1893, Mr. Weimer was united in marriage to Miss Celia Burgeson, who was born in Geneseo township on the 30th of June, 1874, her parents being Jonas and Anna Marie (Swanson) Burgeson, natives of Swe- den. The father, whose birth occurred October 5, 1821, came to Henry county. Illinois, in August, 1856, and here followed farming until called to his final rest on the 23d of November, 1888. During the period of the Civil war he loyally defended the interests of the Union as a member of a regiment of Illinois Volun- teer Infantry. His political allegiance was given to the republican party, while fraternally he was identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Both he and his wife were devoted and consistent members of the Swedish Lutheran church, and their remains were interred in the Geneseo township cemetery. Mrs. Burgeson, who survived her husband for two decades, was born on the 27th of December, 1831, and passed away April 7, 1908. During the last six years of
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her life she was confined to her bed as the result of a paralytic stroke and her cheerfulness and patience during this trying period proved a source of inspiration to those who ministered to her wants. She was the mother of ten children, eight of whom reached years of maturity, namely: Hannah, whose birth occurred December 25, 1858, and who now resides in Montana with her brother Jacob; Burg, who was born on the 2d of September, 1860, and who makes his home with our subject; Abraham, whose natal day was March 6, 1862, and who passed away December 31, 1895; Isaac, who was born November 6, 1864, and lives in Washington; Jacob, born December 22, 1866, who makes his home in Montana; Bertha, who first opened her eyes to the light of day on the 25th of April, 1869, and who gave her hand in marriage to Edward Johnson, of Chicago; Samuel, who died in infancy ; and Mrs. Weimer. All of the above named were natives of Geneseo township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Weimer were born five children, as follows: John, who died in infancy ; Laura Anna, whose birth occurred January 3, 1901 ; Ruth Orvilla, whose natal day was September 13, 1903; Dorothy M., who was born July 15, 1903; and Spencer Andrew, born September 27, 1909. They also have an adopted son, Richard, whose birth occurred in Geneseo town- ship on the 26th of January, 1895, and whom they have reared from the age of fourteen months. The lad was a son of Abraham and Pauline (Lidque) Burge- son, his father being a brother of Mrs. Weimer.
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