History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II, Part 18

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

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In politics Mr. Mulligan is an active democrat, doing everything in his power legitimately to promote the interests of his party and secure its success. He re- ceived reward for his effective and earnest labor in its behalf in his election to the state legislature in 1892 and in 1894 was reelected, serving also during a call session of 1895. While connected with the house he gave careful consideration to each question that came up for settlement and threw the weight of his in- fluence on the side of every measure and movement which he deemed would benefit the commonwealth at large. He has served as the chairman of the dem- ocratic city and county central committees and his opinions carry weight in the councils of his party.

In 1880 Mr. Mulligan was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Dixon, of Biggsville, and they have three sons: J. Frank, who is engaged in the real-estate business in Kewanee; Charles E., a lawyer mentioned elsewhere in this volume; and William W., who is with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Com- pany at Kewanee. Mr. Mulligan and his family are communicants of the Catho- lic church and he belongs to the Knights of Columbus, the Tribunes, the Modern Woodmen of America and to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, being quite active in the last named. He is also a member of the Commercial Club of Ke- wanee and is not only interested in its social features but also in the active work of the organization for the promotion of the city's interests.

BENJAMIN I. STAFFORD.

Benjamin I. Stafford, who for a considerable period was closely associated with the agricultural interests of Henry county, was born in Rutland county, Ver- mont, December 6, 1823. His parents were Palmer and Betsey (Paddock) Stafford, who were also natives of the Green Mountain state, where the father followed general farming and also conducted a dairy. He died in Vermont at the age of about sixty-three years, while his wife, who survived him for twenty years, passed away in 1863. They were the parents of twelve children, but

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only one is now living, Jay Stafford, the youngest, who resides at South Well- ingford, Vermont.

Benjamin I. Stafford was reared on a Vermont farm and there pursued his education. Some years after his marriage he took up his abode in Essex county, New York, where he lived for seven years, after which he continued his west- ward journey, reaching Henry county, Illinois, in 1859. Settling in Munson township, he continued there for three years, after which he removed to Geneseo. Later he took up his abode in Colona township, where he resided upon a farm, owning a section of land there. His fields were highly cultivated according to the most approved methods and the energy which he displayed in the devel- opment of his place and the keen discernment which he showed in the manage- ment of his affairs brought him substantial success as the years went by.

It was on the 4th of March, 1844, that Mr. Stafford was united in marriage to Miss Cornelia U. Holden, a daughter of Jonas and Olive M. (Lee) Holden. Mrs. Stafford, who was born at Crown Point, Essex county, New York, January 25, 1825, is now eighty-four years of age. Her grandfather, Jonas Holden, was born in Vermont and served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, loyally de- fending the interests of the colonies. He lived to a ripe old age and his wife, Mrs. Sarah (Reed) Holden, was ninety-nine years and eight months of age at the time of her death. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Stafford was Richard Lee, a native of Rhode Island, who became a Baptist minister. He also worked in brass, making all kinds of brass utensils, and Mrs. Stafford has in her posses- sion a dipper which he manufactured and which is well preserved. He reached an advanced age, but his wife, Mrs. Susie (Brown) Lee, died when compara- tively young.

Jonas Holden, the father of Mrs. Stafford, was a native of Vermont and married Olive M. Lee, who was born in Rhode Island. On leaving New England they became residents of Essex county, New York, where Mr. Holden erected a large flour mill, and at one time in his life he was quite wealthy. He died in Dickinson, New York, about 1854 at the age of sixty-three years, while his wife long survived him and died in Geneseo at the home of her daughter. Mrs. Staf- ford, in August, 1894, at the age of ninety-two years and six months Her mem- ory remained bright and clear to the last, and death came not from illness but from old age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Holden there were born thirteen children, of whom five sons and six daughters all lived to adult age, but the sons are now deceased. Five daughters are living, namely : Mrs. Cornelia Stafford; Lucinda, who is the widow of Harley Collins, of Des Moines, Iowa; Harriet, who is living in Munson township; Patty, the wife of John Rothenbutcher, of Reno, Nevada; and Emily, the wife of Franklin Baum, of Moline, Illinois.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Stafford was blessed with three children. Palmer, the eldest, wedded Marian Gilbert and lives in Geneseo. They have two living children-Betsey and Clinton. Joseph I., the second son, died in 1882. He had married Iola Cook and they had three daughters-Cornelia, Lucy and Lovina. Jonas H. married Ella Frances, and they reside in Geneseo with their three children: Joseph, Ethel and Bertha.

Mr. Stafford was a man of influence in his community, and his efforts were an essential factor in the growth and progress of the town. He held various

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township offices and was supervisor for many years. He died on the old home- stead in Colona township, January 2, 1886, at the age of sixty-three years and his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, not only to his im- mediate family, but to many friends who had learned to know and esteem him. His widow survives at a venerable age and is one of the most highly respected ladies of the county.

STEPHEN TYLER HUME, M.D.

In the year 1845 Stephen Tyler Hume became a resident of Geneseo and with the exception of two brief periods continued to make his home in the city until his death. During the interim he was for many years an active prac- titioner of medicine and afterward a prominent factor in the banking interests of the city, and throughout the entire time he was a progressive citizen whose public spirit prompted his active cooperation in those movements which have given strength and character to the community. In the years of his early resi- dence here Geneseo was a collection of small houses, many of them built of logs, and the surrounding country was largely undeveloped. He lived to witness its transformation into one of the thickly settled districts of the state, rich in its natural resources and in its acquired business activity and interests.

Dr. Hume was born in Riga, Monroe county, New York, May 3, 1818, and passed away on the 21st of March, 1908, lacking but forty-six days of reaching the ninetieth anniversary of his birth. The Hume family traces its ancestry back in this country to Nicholas Hume, of Boston, who was born in 1761, while the ancestry goes back to 1010, when the family flourished in Scotland. Moses Hume, the father of Dr. Hume, was a native of Massachusetts and was the son of Stephen Hume, who was also born in the old Bay state, when it was still numbered among the colonial possessions of Great Britain. Serving as a soldier of the Revolutionary war, he thus aided in achieving American independence and his son, Moses Hume, who served in the war of 1812, wedded Sarah Stew- art, who was also a native of Massachusetts and traced her lineage back to the royalty of Scotland. To provide for his family Moses Hume followed carpen- tering and contracting. At the age of twenty-two years he removed to New York and made his home at Riga until 1854, when he became a resident of Hudson, Michigan, where he died in 1864 at the age of seventy-seven years. His wife survived him until 1868 and was eighty-four years of age at the time of her demise. Their family numbered eight children, all of whom reached adult age and one son, George, the youngest, died while serving in the Civil war. The others were: Alonzo S., Mrs. Sarah Moore, Henry L., Roderick R., Stephen T., Cutler E. and Mrs. Anna L. Dresser.

Dr. Hume was the last survivor among the family of six brothers and two sisters. He was born and reared on a farm, the outdoor life developing a rugged and vigorous manhood. He supplemented his common-school education by an academic course preparatory to taking up the study of medicine and he made his way through medical college largely by working on the farm in the sum-

DR. STEPHEN T. HUME

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mer and teaching district school in the winter seasons, thereby acquiring the money sufficient to meet the expenses of a college course. At length he was graduated from Berkshire Medical College with the class of 1844 and in the following year he came to the middle west, his objective point being Janesville, Wisconsin. However, while en route he stopped to visit relatives in Geneseo, Illinois, and finding but one physician here, Dr. Pomeroy, he decided to remain and was soon accorded a large and growing patronage. As the country was then but sparsely settled his professional duties forced him to take long rides all over this and adjacent counties as he traveled over trackless prairies to the homes of the early settlers. No night was ever too dark, no road too long or heat or cold too intense to prevent him from responding to the call of one who needed his medical aid, and he is yet remembered as the loved family physician in many a frontier household.

On the 18th of March, 1846, Dr. Hume was united in marriage to Miss Permelia T. Stewart, the wedding being celebrated in the old log hotel which was conducted by her father, R. R. Stewart, where the Swedish Lutheran church now stands. She was born in Brockport, New York, June 7, 1822. Her parents were well known and prominent residents of that place and in 1836 assisted in the organization of the Congregational church at Bergen, New York. On the following day, in company with four other families, they set out for Illinois, making the trip in prairie schooners. Two months were required to complete the journey but at length Elisha and Reuben Cone, Cromwell K. Bartlett, Cul- ver Bartlett and R. R. Stewart, with their respective families, reached Princeton, Illinois, where they remained until a house could be erected at Geneseo. The first house was built where the Collegiate Institute now stands and the first hotel was built by R. R. Stewart. It was in that primitive hostelry that Mrs. Hume spent her girlhood days and she and her sisters, Mrs. Susanna Allan and Mrs. Narcissa Wells, were the first school teachers of Henry county. Dr. and Mrs. Hume traveled life's journey happily together for more than fifty-one years and were then separated by the death of the wife on the 4th of Decem- ber, 1897. They were the parents of six children, but all died in infancy with the exception of Mrs. Ella Taylor, who now lives in the old home in Geneseo, and with her daughter, Mrs. J. H. White and her family, are the only descend- ants of Dr. Hume.

With the exception of six months spent in Sharon and nine years in the '50s in Moline, Dr. Hume remained continuously in Geneseo from 1845 until his demise. The earlier years of his residence here were devoted to the prac- tice of medicine, in which he was very successful, keeping in touch with the advance of the profession. Defective eyesight, however, caused him to retire from the profession nearly thirty years ago and from that time until his death he was more or less closely identified with the management of the First Na- tional Bank. He was the last survivor of its original stockholders and directors as organized in 1864, and he succeeded James McBroom as president at the lat- ter's death, serving in that position from 1895 until he, too, passed away. His memory was keen and retentive, and, always active in mind and body, he re- tained a deep interest in everything about him to the end of his days. Unlike many old people, he did not live largely in the past but was interested in all

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that indicated the progress of the times. In his demise Geneseo sustained the loss of a great and good citizen, for he was a man of character and genuine worth. He was known as the "dignified and venerable man" and therefore was honored and loved for his many good qualities of head and heart. His long resi- dence here and his professional and business service made him most widely known and his acquaintance with and knowledge of the old settlers and of events which shaped the history of the county was perhaps greater than that of any other man. Mrs. Hume's health was never good after an accident which she sustained, causing an injury to her spine. This was occasioned by the over- turning of a wagon while on a trip to Galesburg many years ago. She was made an invalid and for many years suffered greatly but through it all was patient, gentle and sweet tempered, bearing her sufferings with Christian fortitude until called to the home beyond, December 4, 1897, when seventy-five years of age. Thus have gone from the community two of Geneseo's most esteemed and highly respected citizens, active in the interests of the community from the time of the establishment of the colony that founded the city. Their lives were at all times an exemplification of Christian belief and faith and constituted an example well worthy of emulation. They were filled with many good deeds of kindness and acts of charity-those little daily ministrations which mean so much to the recip- ient and awaken unfaltering love and gratitude.

JAMES ALBERT BRADLEY.

Among the young men who are leaving their impress upon the business de- velopment and material progress of Geneseo is numbered James Albert Bradley, the assistant cashier of the Farmers National Bank. He was born in this city September 16, 1871, and is a son of Michael and Lila J. (Cassidy) Bradley, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Indiana. The paternal grandfather spent his entire life in the Emerald isle, but his widow afterward came to Ameri- ca and was residing in Pennsylvania at the time of her demise. Michael Bradley accompanied his mother to the new world during his early boyhood, and for a few years they remained at Blairsville, Pennsylvania, the son thus spending his youthful days in a region where the development of the coal fields constituted the most important industry. In 1859 he came to Illinois and took charge of the coal mines at Minersville where he remained until his removal to Geneseo. At that time he turned his attention to the grocery business, opening a store which he conducted continuously until April, 1908, when he retired to private life. In 1896 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife. She was a faithful mem- ber of the Catholic church, and Mr. Bradley is also connected with the same re- ligious organization. In their family were six children, all sons, but only three are now living: Francis M., James A. and Virgil C.

James A. Bradley has spent his entire life in Geneseo, his youth being passed in the usual manner of village lads, who divide their time between the duties of the schoolroom and the pleasures of the playground. After mastering the branches of learning taught in the public schools here he had the benefit of instruction in

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the Northwestern Normal, and later he engaged in teaching school for nearly five years, his educational work proving a valuable factor in the schools of the locality. On the expiration of that period he accepted a position in the Farmers National Bank as bookkeeper and was subsequently promoted to assistant cashier, in which capacity he is now serving.

On the Ist of November, 1898, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Bradley and Miss Anna Louise Stewart, a native of Geneseo and a daughter of John P. and Helen L. (Morton) Stewart. Her father was a native of New York and is mentioned elsewhere in this volume in connection with the sketch of his son, William M. Stewart. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bradley has been born a daughter, Helen Lida. Mr. Bradley belongs to the Catholic church, and his wife is a mem- ber of the Congregational church. He also affiliates with the Knights of Colum- bus, and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He has served as town clerk and school treasurer and is loyal to the trust reposed in him, whether in public office or in his bank connections. He is well known in the city where he has always made his home, and his social qualities render him popular, while his business ability has made him a leading factor in financial circles.

THOMAS C. WILLIAMS.

Thomas C. Williams, deceased, was for many years identified with the farm- ing interests of this county and was a veteran of the Civil war. Other features in his life work are equally creditable, and altogether his was an honorable record which has caused his memory to be enshrined in the hearts of all who knew him. He was born in Harrison county, Kentucky, August 14, 1836, his parents being James C. and Mary (Lindsey) Williams, both of whom were natives of the Blue Grass state. The father was a farmer by occupation and in 1848 removed from Kentucky to Clayton, Illinois, where he resided until his death, which occurred when he was well advanced in years. His wife had passed away some years previous. They were the parents of nine children, two sons and seven daughters, all of whom are now deceased, with the exception of the eldest daughter, Mrs. M. J. Meats, of Clayton, Illinois.

Thomas C. Williams was reared in Clayton on the old home farm, his youthful days being passed in a manner similar to that of most farm boys who faced the necessity of assisting in the work of the fields, and at the same time had the op- portunity of acquiring a fair English education in the public schools. He attended the district schools of Adams county, living at home until he attained his majority, when he began providing for his own support by working as a farm hand by the month. He was thus employed for about a year or two, after which he was married. It was on the 16th of November, 1859, that he was joined in wedlock to Miss Margaret A. Lafferty, a daughter of James and Anna (Boyle) Lafferty. Mrs. Williams was born in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, December I, 1841. Her grandfather in the paternal line was John Lafferty, likewise a na- tive of the Keystone state, where he spent his entire life. He married Martha McElmoyle, and they had four children. The maternal grandfather of Mrs.

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Williams was Charles Boyle, a native of Scotland, who for many years made his home in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, where he devoted his life to general agri- cultural pursuits. He married Margaret Pomeroy, both continuing residents of Pennsylvania until called to the home beyond. Their daughter, Anna, became the wife of James Lafferty, and they were parents of Mrs. Williams. Both were natives of Pennsylvania and, coming to Illinois in the middle of the nineteenth century, settled in Adams county in 1851. There the father died at the age of fifty-one years, while the mother reached the age of seventy-two years. In their family were nine children, of whom three are now living: Margaret Ann ; Amanda M., the wife of Andrew B. Lafferty, of Alma, Nebraska ; and James C. Lafferty, of Danbury, Nebraska.

The eldest of the surviving members of the family is Mrs. Williams who, as stated, gave her hand in marriage to our subject in 1859. They had been mar- ried but three years when he left his young wife in order to aid his country in her hour of peril. On the 14th of August, 1862, he joined the army as a member of Company E, One Hundred and Nineteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for a little more than three years, holding the rank of sergeant. He was once slightly wounded and on many other occasions was a target for the enemy's bullets, for he was frequently in the thickest of the fight. He partici- pated in the battle of Franklin and of Shreveport, was with Major A. J. Smith on a trip to the Yellow Bayou and took part in the battles of Memphis and Baton Rouge. When the war was over he returned to his home in Adams county and there engaged in farming.

It was after the war that Mr. and Mrs. Williams received from her father the gift of a farm of one hundred acres. In 1873 they became residents of Henry county, settling in Orion, where Mr. Williams conducted a farming implement business until 1886. In that year he was elected sheriff and removed to Cam- bridge. He had previously served as deputy sheriff for twelve years, and he filled the office of sheriff for four years. At the close of his term he became ill and was sick for a long time. He had made a competent officer, being faithful and zealous in the discharge of his duties, so that his record was one which gained for him high commendation.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Williams were born four children: Ida B., J. I. Delbert, Charles D. and Lulie V. The eldest, Ida B., married George M. Baugh, and they reside with Mrs. Williams. They had ten children, as follows: Patience K .; L. Max; Anna Pearl; Clelland R .; Charles M .; Juanita Fern; Forrest Claire; Benjamin Burdette; Marjorie; and Otallie ; of whom Charles M. died in 1905. J. I. Delbert, the next in order of birth, wedded Gertrude Nowers, by whom he has one daughter, Helen Lucile. They now make their home in Cam- bridge. Charles D., who married Mrs. Louisa Ryan, resides in Chicago; while Lulie V., the youngest, passed away December 27, 1890, when seventeen years of age.

The death of the husband and father occurred August 30, 1896, when he was sixty years of age. He belonged to the Modern Woodman Camp, was an exem- plary member of the Masonic fraternity and also maintained pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in the Grand Army post. His political allegiance was given to the republican party, and he was recognized

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as one of the strong workers in its ranks in this part of the state. His religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church, to which his wife also belongs. He left to his family the priceless heritage of a good name, for his record was at all times honorable and upright. Mrs. Williams still survives and makes her home in Cambridge, where she has an extensive circle of warm friends.

WILLIAM McMEEKIN.

William McMeekin, the editor and publisher of the Galva Standard, was born in Henry county, Illinois, on the 13th of November, 1858, his parents being William and Agnes (Reed) McMeekin, both of whom were born in the vicinity of Belfast, Ireland. The father was a fisherman and shipbuilder in his native land and for some time was also a sailor. He first came to the United States in 1846 but subsequently returned to Ireland and in 1854 once more crossed the Atlantic to America, taking up his abode on Mill Creek, near Milan, in Rock Island county, Illinois, where he turned his attention to general agricultural pur- suits. Subsequently he removed to Rural township and in 1858 came to Henry county and purchased a farm of eighty acres near Orion in Western township, on which he still resides with his wife. He has now made his home on that place for more than a half century and is well known and highly esteemed throughout the community as a most substantial and worthy citizen. His political allegiance is unfalteringly given to the republican party, and during the Civil war he was a member of the Union League. Unto him and his wife were born nine children, seven sons and two daughters, as follows: James R .: Mary, the wife of W. T. McWhinney ; William, of this review; Frank; John; Robert C .; Hugh H .; and Alexander and Alida, who are at home.

William McMeekin was reared on his father's farm in this county and ob- tained his preliminary education in the district schools, while later he pursued his studies at Orion and Coal Valley, Illinois, and Iowa City, Iowa, being grad- uated from the academy at the last named place in June, 1881. He afterward entered the State University at Iowa City but left the institution in his sophomore year and took up the profession of teaching. He taught school at Sunnyhill, this county, for almost four years and then came to Galva and began the study of law in the office of Thomas E. Milchrist. When he had about completed the course he once more became identified with educational interests as an instructor and was principal of the south side school from 1887 until 1889. On the Ist of July, 1889, he purchased an interest in the Galva Standard and during the fol- lowing ten years published the paper in partnership with James H. Boyd under the firm style of Boyd & McMeekin. In 1899 he was appointed to the position of postmaster at Galva and shortly afterward bought Mr. Boyd's interest in the Standard, of which he has since been the sole proprietor. It is a weekly repub- lican newspaper and has a large subscription list, as well as good advertising patronage. In addition to his journalistic interests Mr. McMeekin also does general job printing and likewise is an extensive dealer in real estate. A man

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History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II, Part 18

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

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