USA > Illinois > Henry County > History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 12
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VINCENT J. ROOT.
Vincent J. Root, attorney at law and court reporter of Galva, now enjoys an extensive and lucrative practice, which has come to him as the reward of an earnest endeavor, fidelity to trust and recognized ability. He was born on a farm five and a half miles west of Galva, in Weller township, Henry county, Illinois, his natal day being June 27, 1875. His parents are John and Betsy (Ogren) Root and a sketch of the father appears on another page of this work. Vincent J. Root was reared on his father's farm and began his education in the district schools, while subsequently he pursued his studies in the public schools at Bishop Hill and Galva. He next attended the Metropolitan Business College at Chicago and during the years 1901 and 1902 taught shorthand in that insti- tution. Determining upon the legal profession as his life work, he then entered the law department of the Northwestern University at Chicago, and was graduated with the class of 1904. He was admitted to the bar in June, 1905, and since that time has won a large and distinctively representative clientage. He main- tains his residence and office in Galva, but his practice extends throughout Henry, Mercer and Whiteside counties. In addition to his work as a legal practitioner, he also utilizes his knowledge of shorthand as a court reporter. His logical grasp of facts and principles of the law applicable to them has been a potent element in his success, and a remarkable clearness of expression, an adequate and precise diction, which enables him to make others understand not only the salient points of his argument but his very fine gradation of meaning, may be accounted one of his most conspicuous gifts and accomplishments.
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On the 5th of October, 1905, Mr. Root was united in marriage to Miss Christine Wing, a daughter of Peter and Martha (Olson) Wing, of Ofvanoku, Helsingland, Sweden, in which country her parents still make their home. At the polls Mr. Root casts his ballot in support of the men and measures of the republican party. He is a member of Galva Lodge, No. 243, A. F. & A. M., and of Peoria Con- sistory, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He is also a member of Mohammed Temple of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Peoria and both he and his wife belong to Eastern Star Lodge, No. 57, and Rebekah Lodge, No. 430. He is likewise identified through membership rela- tions with Galva Lodge, No. 408, I. O. O. F., and Modern Woodmen Camp, No. 241. Though still a young man, he has already attained an enviable position in the ranks of legal fraternity in this part of the state, and in professional and social circles alike has won a host of warm friends.
MRS. MARY A. MELOY.
Mrs. Mary A. Meloy, the widow of Robert W. Meloy, has spent her entire life in this county and is well known and highly esteemed within its borders. She was born in Cambridge, Illinois, on the 21st of December, 1861, her parents being James and Mary A. (Lilly) Mascall, who were natives of England and New York respectively. They were among the earliest settlers of this county, James Mascall purchasing a farm in Cambridge township, where he reared his family In addition to his agricultural interests he also conducted a mercantile establish- ment in Cambridge and, being a man of unfaltering energy and excellent busi- ness ability, met with gratifying success in his undertakings. He became an ex- tensive landowner and was widely recognized as one of the most substantial, enterprising and progressive citizens of the community. He lived to attain the venerable age of almost eighty years, while his wife, who survived him, was seventy-three years old at the time of her demise. He was a devoted member of the Episcopal church and his wife was a Methodist in religious faith. They were active church workers and contributed liberally to all charitable and religious or- ganizations, while the poor and needy never sought their aid in vain. Seven children were born unto them, five daughters and two sons, but only four are now living, namely: John R., a resident of Cambridge; Jennie S., the wife of Peter E. Walline, of Upland, California ; Daniel S., living in Cambridge; and Mary A., of this review. Julia A., the wife of Seth Perkins, is deceased, and two children died in infancy. The parents also reared Emma L. Mascall. who made her home with them from the age of three weeks until her death.
Mrs. Meloy was reared in the place of her nativity and in her girlhood days attended the public schools but, becoming ill with typhoid fever, was obliged to leave before completing the course. On the 3d of May, 1882, she gave her hand in marriage to Robert W. Meloy, by whom she had three children, as follows: George, living in Chicago, who wedded Miss Myrtle Story and has two children -Robert and Russell; Bessie, a dressmaker residing in Galva; and Robert, who makes his home in Chicago.
Many A. Mascall, Meloy ,
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Mrs. Meloy is comfortably situated financially, owning a valuable and finely improved tract of land of two hundred and forty acres in Cambridge township. It is one of the best farms in the entire county and returns to her a gratifying annual income. Her property holdings also include a good residence and two lots in Cambridge, where she has lived from her birth to the present time. She is a faithful and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, exemplifying its teachings in her daily life. Her many excellent traits of heart and mind have endeared her to all with whom she has come in contact, and she well deserves mention in this volume as a worthy representative of one of the earliest pioneer families of Henry county.
ANDREW JACKSON RECORD.
Success results not so much from any unusual combination of circumstances or the possession of traits that are not commonly found in the majority of men, but rather in the recognition and utilization of opportunity. In his business career Andrew Jackson Record has employed every moment to its best ad- vantage, and it is thus that he has gained a foremost place among the substantial and influential citizens of Cambridge. Born in Venango county, Pennsylvania, on the 2d of September, 1856, he is a son of Benjamin J. and Sarah A. (Deets) Record, also natives of the Keystone state.
The Record family, which originated in Scotland, has long been represented in Pennsylvania, the grandfather, Philip Record, having been born in that state where he and his wife, Sarah (Hill) Record, lived to a ripe old age. In their family were six children, as follows: Benjamin J .; Mary, the deceased wife of John Bell; Jane, who married Hugh Walker ; Agnes, now deceased; Archibald; and Sarah, the deceased wife of David Resinger. On the maternal side also Mr. Record comes from an old Pennsylvania family, the birth of his grandfather, Joseph Deets, having occurred in Germany. Coming to America, he settled in Pennsylvania where throughout his entire life he was identified with agricultural interests. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, who at the close of hostilities, re- fused to accept a pension. He married Sarah Cousins and they both passed away in their native state when well advanced in years. They were the parents of fifteen children, twelve of whom reached mature years, while six yet survive, namely : Jane, the wife of Joshua Johnson; Sarah A., the widow of Benjamin J. Record; Jackson Deets, of Upland, California; Hannah, the wife of Cal Ritchey; Lavina, who married John Taylor; and Louisa, the wife of James Kifford.
Benjamin J. Record, the father of our subject, devoted his entire life to the occupation of farming. In 1863 he left his native state and came west to Illinois, settling first in Mercer county, while in 1865 he removed to Henry county, where for ten years he made his home in Burns township. At the expiration of that period he went to Osco township, where he purchased two hundred and forty acres of land, which he continued to operate for fifteen years. He then withdrew from active business life and removed into Cambridge, where he lived retired for about sixteen years, or until his death, which occurred Decem-
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ber 31, 1905, when he had attained the age of seventy-six years. His wife still survives at the age of seventy-six years, and is a devoted member of the Methodist church, as was also her husband. In their family were the following children: Andrew J., of this review ; Ella J., the deceased wife of Perry Dickerson; Ben- jamin Sylvanus, a resident of Woodward, Iowa; Frank F., of Cambridge; Emery J., who also makes his home in Cambridge; and Flora, who passed away in infancy.
Andrew J. Record was a little lad of seven years when he accompanied his parents on their removal from Pennsylvania to Illinois, and on his father's farm in Osco and Burns townships, Henry county, the days of his boyhood and youth were passed in the usual manner of the country lad. In the district schools he mastered the elementary branches of learning and he later attended the public schools of Cambridge, while he remained under the parental roof until twenty-five years of age, giving his father the benefit of his assistance in the meantime. He took up general farming on his own account as a renter, con- tinuing in that capacity for several years, and then purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Dallas county, Iowa, upon which he resided for three years. Selling this farm he moved to DeWitt, Nebraska, where he conducted a livery business for four years. He later traded his barn for a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and subsequently traded that tract of land for prop- erty in Andover township, Henry county, Illinois. He has since withdrawn from agricultural pursuits but still owns two hundred acres of rich farming land which annually returns to him a most gratifying income. He is now closely identified with the business interests of Cambridge, being well known as a partner in the firm of Johnson & Record, dealers in lumber. The company is one of the prosperous and progressive enterprises of the community and Mr. Record's efforts have been important factors in the substantial success which the firm is now enjoying.
On the 10th of January, 1895, Mr. Record was united in marriage to Miss Minnie E. King, a daughter of Rufus and Rebecca (Whitney) King, and unto them has been born one daughter, Ella Marian Record. Mr. Record is a promi- nent figure in Masonic circles, belonging to Cambridge Lodge, No. 49, A. F. & A. M., to Kewanee Chapter, R. A. M., and to Rock Island Commandery, No. 18, K. T., while he is likewise identified with the Peoria Temple of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Politically he is a stalwart republican, having supported that party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, and on that ticket he has served as township clerk for fourteen years. He has also been school director for three terms, and is deeply interested in the cause of education, serving as a member of the building committee that erected the Cambridge high school in 1906.
Public-spirited in his citizenship, his influence is ever upon the side of prog- ress, reform, improvement and advancement, and these qualities constitute him a citizen of value in the community. He has been preeminently successful in his business relations, but the story of his success is short and simple. It con- tains no exciting chapters but in its completeness lies one of the valuable secrets of the prosperity which it records. Beginning business life as a renter, with no especial advantages at the outset of his career, he has worked his way upward
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by earnest, persistent and unfaltering effort until today he is ranked among the influential and well-to-do residents of Henry county. No man's history indicated more clearly the value and power of close application, of concentration, of earnest and honorable purpose and of wise utilization of opportunity.
RODERICK R. STEWART.
Roderick R. Stewart, deceased, belonged to the original colony that established the town of Geneseo in 1836 and was its oldest member. He was born at Ste- phentown, Rensselaer county, New York, on the 25th of February, 1787, his parents being Colonel Elisha and Sarah (Witter) Stewart, natives of Stoning- ton, Connecticut. The father, whose birth occurred on the 29th of June, 1757, participated in the Revolutionary war, enlisting from Stonington, Connecticut. Subsequently he took up his abode in Stephentown, New York, where most of his eleven children were born. His demise occurred June 19, 1839, while his wife, who was born December 12, 1757, was called to her final rest on the 14th of July, 1812.
Roderick R. Stewart, who was the fifth in order of birth in his father's family, made his way from Geneseo, New York, to Geneseo, Henry county, Illinois, in 1836, and here spent the remainder of his life. In early manhood he followed the carpenter's trade, subsequently became a manufacturer, and during the period of his residence in this county was engaged in general agri- cultural pursuits. His counsel was always sought in matters pertaining to the general welfare and his neighbors solicited his aid in solving many of their diffi- culties. At the time of his demise he was serving as justice of the peace. He was the oldest man in the colony and was familiarly known at Father Stewart. His death, which occurred in Geneseo on the 12th of July, 1860, was deeply mourned and the people of the community felt that they had sustained a serious loss.
On the 3Ist of October, 1813, Mr. Stewart was united in marriage to Miss Clarissa Dresser, whose birth occurred in Charlton, Massachusetts, September 4, 1789. She was the fifth in order of birth in a family of nine children and in early life accompanied her parents on their removal to New York. During the war of 1812 she devoted her spare time to making bullets for the American soldiers. She traced her ancestry back to John Dresser, of Rowley, England, who in 1639 settled at Rowley, Massachusetts. Her father, Isaac Dresser, and her grandfather, John Dresser, were both soldiers of the Revolutionary war. The mother of Mrs. Stewart, who bore the maiden name of Susan Taft, was dis- tantly connected with President Taft's family. Although an invalid for some years, Mrs. Stewart recuperated in a measure after her removal westward and proved of valuable assistance to her friends and neighbors in cases of sickness. She was called the "mother" of the Geneseo colony and was widely known as "Mother Stewart." She had nine children, all of whom are now deceased, one passing away in infancy. A record of the others is given below.
Isaac Newton Stewart, the eldest, was an old settler of this county and was the father of Mrs. George S. Wells, who still resides here. He was twice mar-
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ried, his first wife being Mary Weller, of Avon, New York. He conducted the old hotel in Geneseo for several years. By his first marriage he had four children and two of his sons, Edward and Frederick, both of whom have passed away, were soldiers in the Civil war. Another son, Frank N., is a prominent railroad man residing at Huron, South Dakota. Frank N. Stewart has a son, Ralph, who is in the naval service on board the battleship Kentucky. For his second wife Isaac N. Stewart chose Mrs. Sylvia Close, by whom he had one son, Frank.
Narcissa, the second child of Roderick R. and Clarissa (Dresser) Stewart, became the wife of Huntington Wells, of Moline, and passed away in 1850. Elisha M. Stewart, whose birth occurred in 1818, made his home in Geneseo from 1836 until 1876 and during that entire period was prominently identified with the interests of the town. In 1848 he wedded Miss Clarissa Cone, a daughter of Elisha and Eliza Cone, and they continued to reside in Geneseo until 1876, when they took up their abode in Kansas. Their union was blessed with six children, four of whom still survive and have children of their own. Both Mr. and Mrs. Elisha M. Stewart died in Wichita, Kansas, the former passing away in 1899, while the latter's death occurred in 1905. Susannah Stewart gave her hand in marriage to James M. Allan in 1839, their's being the first wedding in Geneseo. Unto them were born four daughters, namely: Sarah, Mrs. Amelia West, Mrs. Frances Pearsall and Mrs. Louise Williams. Permelia Stewart, the fifth child of Roderick R. Stewart, became the wife of Dr. S. T. Hume in 1846. They lost five children in infancy and Mrs. Ella N. Taylor is the only one of their children now living. Lafayette Stewart, whose birth occurred in 1824, passed away in 1898. In 1849 he had wedded Miss Amanda Faxon, who was called to her final rest in 1899. They had five children, one of whom died in infancy. Josiah Stewart was born in 1828 and passed away in 1855. In early manhood he married Miss Eliza Ward, by whom he had a daughter, who died a short time prior to the demise of her father. George W. Stewart, who first opened his eyes to the light of day in 1830, passed away at Atchison, Kansas, in 1903. He was twice married and by his first wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Fiester, had three children. For his second wife he chose Miss Isadore Fenner, of Bellevue, Iowa, and unto them were born six children. Mrs. Clarissa (Dresser) Stewart died at Geneseo, Illinois, on the 5th of August, 1867, having survived her husband for seven years.
JOHN L. BLOMBERG.
John L. Blomberg is a representative of the younger generation of farmers, now operating seventy-six acres of land which he rents in Weller township. He was born in Bishop Hill, May 25, 1880, a son of Isaac and Christine (Soder- quist) Blomberg. The father, who was born in Bishop Hill, October 31, 1854, has made farming his life work and for many years has been identified with the cultivation of the homestead farm of one hundred and eight acres, located two and a half miles southwest of the village. The mother, who was likewise
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born in Bishop Hill, is a daughter of Lars Soderquist, a prominent representa- tive of the Swedish settlement of this district.
John L. Blomberg pursued his studies in the district schools of the neigh- borhood and through the period of his boyhood and youth he was trained to the work of the home farm, lessons of integrity and economy early being in- stilled into his mind, and in later years he has not departed from this discipline. In the spring of 1908 he rented his present farm of seventy-six acres. Through experience he has learned much of value along agricultural lines and his efforts are being rewarded with bounteous crops.
On the 26th of March, 1908, Mr. Blomberg was united in marriage to Miss Lilly Moline, a daughter of Olof Moline, who is now deceased and whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Blomberg is well known in this section of Henry county and is a member of the Methodist church at Nekoma, taking a prominent part in all the social events of the church.
Mr. Blomberg is a republican, always voting for the men and measures of this party. His fraternal relations connect him with the Modern Woodmen at Bishop Hill and with his wife he attends the Methodist church at Nekoma. They are popular young people, having a wide circle of friends who esteem them highly for their genuine, personal worth.
SULLIVAN F. FRANCIS.
Sullivan F. Francis, a well known and prosperous young resident of Ke- wanee, has been successfully engaged in business as a dealer in horses since starting out in life on his own account. His birth occurred in Kewanee town- ship, this county, on the 6th of December, 1877, his parents being S. R. and Anna I. (Barnes) Francis, who are mentioned at greater length on another page of this work. At the usual age he entered the district schools and after com- pleting the prescribed course he spent one year as a student in the Kewanee high school. On putting aside his text-books he began dealing in horses and has since been continuously identified with that line of activity, now devoting his entire attention thereto. He employs men in Henry and adjoining counties to purchase the stock and gives his personal attention to the retail trade. He is a good judge of horses and their value and always has on hand a number of excellent specimens of the noble steed. The old homestead where he was born now belongs to him and has been in possession of the family for almost seven decades, the father of our subject having taken up his abode thereon about 1841. He purchased a residence prior to buying his present home at No. 421 South Vine street, where he has resided since April, 1907.
On the 8th of June, 1904, at Galesburg, Illinois, Mr. Francis was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Dean, a daughter of William Dean of that place. They now have two children: Dean Sullivan, who was born on the 13th of January, 1906; and Gano Elizabeth, whose natal day was August 11, 1909.
Mr. Francis casts his ballot in support of the men and measures of the re- publican party but aside from that takes no part in politics, preferring to con-
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centrate his energies upon his private affairs. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church of Kewanee, while frater- nally he is identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He has remained a resident of Henry county from his birth to the present time and that his life has been honorable and worthy of public regard is indicated by the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from boyhood.
ALBERT W. ERRETT.
Albert W. Errett, who is serving for the third term as postmaster of Ke- wanee, while his service as alderman has covered nine years, has made an ex- cellent record as a public official, his course being highly beneficial to the city in many ways. In all that he has done he has been actuated by a desire to promote the best interests of the community, and his labors have been effective, far-reaching and beneficial. He was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, December 24, 1848, his parents being Rev. John and Eliza (Gary) Errett. The father was for a quarter of a century a minister of the Christian church.
Albert W. Errett engaged in clerking in the Parrish book store and in the Phillips dry-goods store and entered the field of merchandising as a proprietor in 1882, in which year he became junior partner in the firm of Moffett & Errett. In this he continued for eight years and then became manager of the Kewanee Coal Company, being thus identified with the business life of the city until 1899 when he was appointed by President Mckinley as postmaster of Kewanee. He has since been reappointed and is now serving for the third term in that position, the duties of which he discharges in a prompt and capable manner, being thorough and systematic in all of the work of the office.
Mr. Errett was married in 1874 to Miss Martha H. Boyd, of Cambridge, this county, a daughter of Samuel Boyd, a tailor, who located in Cambridge in 1858 and there resided until his death which occurred when he had reached the venerable age of eighty-four years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Errett have been born three children: Harry Boyd, residing in Portsmouth, Ohio, who is president and manager of the Portsmouth Refractory Company; Albert W. Jr., an en- gineer, director and vice president of the Kewanee Water Supply Company, resid- ing in this city ; and Nellie D., now the wife of A. E. Witherell, a resident of Kewanee, who is connected with the Kewanee branch of the National Tube Company.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Errett is an Elk and is also associated with the Modern Woodmen of America. He likewise belongs to the Kewanee Club and the Commercial Club and of the latter is chairman of the investment com- mittee. His wife is very active in the Daughters of the American Revolution, has served for several terms as regent of the local chapter and was again elected in 1909. They are both prominent socially, and the hospitality of the best homes of Kewanee is cordially extended them. Mr. Errett is recognized as one of the prominent leaders of the republican party in this district, and that he has the entire confidence and trust of his fellowmen is indicated in the fact that
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he has been elected at various times to the office of alderman, in which his service has covered nine years. He has proved a most trustworthy incumbent in the office, exercising his official prerogatives in support of all measures and move- ments for the general good.
FRANK S. HAYNES.
Frank S. Haynes, well known as one of the leading and representative citi- zens of Geneseo, owns and occupies a fine home in the town while his property interests also include three hundred and sixty acres of valuable farming land in Geneseo township, which he has brought under a high state of cultivation, and which returns to him a gratifying annual income. He is a representative of one of the pioneer families of this part of the state, his parents being Henry B. and Lucy (Wood) Haynes, who settled in Putnam county, Illinois, in 1844. The father at that time purchased a farm which he cultivated for many years, making his home thereon until his death in 1889. His wife continued to reside upon the old homestead until her demise, which occurred in 1896.
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