History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II, Part 19

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

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of sound judgment, keen discrimination and excellent business ability, he has won a gratifying measure of success in his various undertakings and is widely recognized as a most prosperous, progressive and respected resident of his native county.

On the 27th of June, 1889, Mr. McMeekin was united in marriage to Miss Clara C. Bates, whose birth occurred in Galva on the 30th of September, 1861, her parents being John and Julia A. (Sipes) Bates, natives of Pennsylvania. Of the eight children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Bates, five still survive, namely: Jen- nie, the widow of Samuel Willis, of Mapleton, Iowa; George F., a resident of Crosby, Texas; Mrs. J. M. Wick and William H., both living in Galesburg; and Mrs. McMeekin. Another son of the family, Frank, died when about seventeen years of age from the effects of a disease contracted while he was serving as a soldier in the Civil war.

In his political views Mr. McMeekin is a stalwart republican and, as before stated, was appointed to the postmastership of Galva in 1899. He held the office until 1907 and, with the assistance of his estimable wife, capably discharged the duties devolving upon him in this connection. His wife also assists him in the printing and newspaper office and has proved a most valuable helpmate in many ways. They are both consistent and faithful members of the Methodist Episco- pal church, exemplifying its teachings in their daily lives. Fraternally Mr. Mc- Meekin is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America. His good qualities, and they are many, have strongly endeared him to those with whom he has been associated and wherever he is known he is popular with a large circle of friends.

GEORGE W. DUSTIN.

On the roll of Henry county's honored pioneers appears the name of George W. Dustin, who arrived in Wethersfield in 1855, coming to Illinois from Wash- ington county, Ohio, where he was born on the 29th of January, 1831. Thinking to find better opportunities in this section of the country he made his way toward the Mississippi and on reaching Wethersfield began work at whatever he could get to do. It was a sparsely settled region, only a few homes having been estab- lished on the prairie, while the work of civilization and development seemed scarcely begun. As there were no railroads in the district he drove stage and took the first mail to the Kewanee postoffice. He afterward entered the employ of a nursery company, devoting his attention largely to the sale of hedge fences, which at that time were coming into popularity as a means of protection against the winds as well as a division for the fields. Later he went upon the road as a trav- eling salesman for the Haxtun Steam Heater Company, out of which enterprise has grown the Kewanee branch of the National Tube Works. His life was a busy and useful one, characterized by the faithful performance of every duty that devolved upon him and in his business record he made that steady progress which results from energy, close application and intelligence.

In the ancestral history of Mr. Dustin there appears a most interesting and fascinating chapter-the story of his great-grandmother, Hannah Dustin, the

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wife of Thomas Dustin. It was in April, 1697, that the Indians went upon the warpath and captured Mrs. Dustin and her eight children. They dashed the brains of her infant out against a tree and took the mother and the nurse into the wilderness, the father having escaped with seven children. Mrs. Dustin with heroic purpose planned their escape. She, therefore, waited her opportunity and succeeded in killing all but two of her captors, after which she made her way back to her old home. The family is one of the oldest of New England, having been there established in early colonial days.

It was in 1859 that George W. Dustin was united in marriage to Miss Maria D. Jackson, who arrived in Wethersfield, October 10, 1840, having made the journey by team from Ohio in company with her parents. Her mother died in 184I at the age of twenty-four years and her's was the second burial in Wethers- field. The father long survived, passing away in 1907 at the very venerable age of ninety-one years. Mrs. George W. Dustin has six living children and has lost four. Those who still survive are: John Francis, a physician and ranch owner in South Dakota; George Lewis, a member of a government life saving crew in Michigan; Albert M., who is with the St. Louis & Iron Mountain Rail- way in Arkansas; Charles M., who is connected with a newspaper in British Columbia ; Mitchell J., of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, who is with the Pennsylvania Railway Company, as Y. M. C. A. secretary for the railroad; and Forest T., who is manager and salesman for Selz, Schwab Shoe Company of Chicago.

Mr. Dustin was a loyal adherent of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also equally faithful in his allegiance to Masonry, which is based upon the brotherhood of mankind and inculcates among its members the principles and practices of mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness. He was a man of gen- ial, social nature, which made him popular as a traveling salesman and wherever he was known, and in Kewanee he had a circle of friends coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance. His death occurred in April, 1881. Mrs. Dustin still survives and makes her home in Kewanee. She is a member of the First Baptist church and for over fifty years has lived a consistent Christian life as a representative of that organization.

WARREN T. HEAPS, M. D.

Although one of the younger members of the medical fraternity in Kewanee, the success of Dr. Warren T. Heaps is such as many an older physician might well envy, and prompted by laudable ambition and manifesting conscientious effort in his professional services, his progress with the years to come is assured. He was born in Annawan, Illinois, January 11, 1879, and is the son of I. G. Heaps, who is mentioned on another page of this volume. After mastering the elementary branches of learning Dr. Heaps continued his studies in the high school of Kewanee and thus laid a good foundation upon which to build the superstructure of professional learning as he entered upon preparation for the practice of medicine. His professional course was pursued in the medical department of the St. Louis University, from which he was grad-

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uated in 1906, and he afterward spent a year in St. Mary's Institute at St. Louis, in the capacity of assistant surgeon. This brought him the practical . experience that well qualified him for the private practice of medicine.

On the 5th of June, 1907, Dr. Heaps was married to Miss Georgiella Blake, and on the Ist of July he began practice in Kewanee in connection with Dr. Cole under the firm style of Cole & Heaps. In the months which have since elapsed he has secured a good practice and has demonstrated his ability in coping with intricate problems which continually confront the physician and surgeon in his efforts to restore health and prolong life. He keeps in touch with the advanced thought of the profession through his membership in the County Medical Society and the Illinois State Medical Society. He is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

BAXTER FULLER.

Baxter Fuller, who is the owner of a fine farm of two hundred acres on section 35, Wethersfield township, this county, and forty acres in Stark county, and another of one hundred and sixty acres in Galva township, leases most of his land at the present time, cultivating only a small portion himself. He was born on the old homestead place on section 35, Wethersfield township, his natal day being March 29, 1845. His parents, Jehiel and Emeline Fuller, were natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively and were married in the latter state. The first representatives of the family in this country came to the new world on the Mayflower. Jehiel Fuller, who made his way to Henry county about 1838, took up his abode among the earliest settlers of Wethersfield township and, locating on section 35, there sucessfully carried on his farming operations until called to his final rest about 1865, when he had attained the age of sixty- five years. Unto him and his wife were born eight children, three of whom are yet living, as follows: Baxter, of this review; Jehiel; and Mrs. Helen Maxfield, of Cincinnati, Ohio.

In early life Baxter Fuller enjoyed the educational advantages afforded by the district schools of his home locality. At the time of the Civil war he es- poused the Union cause and for six months did duty as a member of Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. When he had attained his majority his father gave him eighty acres of land on the west quar- ter of section 35, Wethersfield township, where he erected the necessary build- ings and made his home until 1895. About 1892 he purchased a tract of eighty acres adjoining this farm on the east and built thereon a new residence of eight rooms with all modern conveniences, including an acetylene gas plant. In 1895 he took up his abode in that dwelling and has continually extended the boun- daries of his farm by additional purchase until it now comprises two hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land. Until four years ago he was ac- tively engaged in the operation of this large farm but now leases the greater part of the land and cultivates only a small tract, which he devotes principally to the raising of corn and garden truck. In addition to his agricultural inter-

MR. AND MRS. BAXTER FULLER

MR. AND MRS. JEIIIEL FULLER

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ests he has always given considerable attention to the raising of stock, keeping on hand from twenty-five to forty head of cattle, eight or ten horses and also some hogs. He likewise has a quarter section of land in Galva township which he rents, and his wife is the owner of a tract of one hundred acres on sec- tion 34 and 33, Wethersfield township. Formerly Mr. Fuller was also the owner of farming lands in Stark county, this state, and in Nebraska. The suc- cess which he now enjoys is entirely the result of his own well directed labor and enterprise and he is accounted one of the substantial and progressive citi- zens of his native county.

On the 14th of September, 1869, at Toulon, Illinois, Mr. Fuller was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary A. Peterson, a daughter of Jonas and Martha Peter- son, of Wethersfield township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fuller have been born three children, namely: Arthur, who is thirty-eight years of age and resides at home; May, the wife of Charles Broughton, an agriculturist of Wethersfield township; and Trella, a maiden of fourteen, who is at home.

Mr. Fuller is a stanch advocate of the prohibition party and an active worker in its ranks, believing that the liquor traffic is the worst evil with which our country has to contend. For four years he capably served as justice of the peace and has advanced the cause of education as a school director, acting in the latter capacity for some years. His religious faith is indicated by his mem- bership in the Saxon Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a trustee and in which he served as class leader for many years or until his recent resignation. For some time he also acted in the capacity of steward. He is well known throughout the county where his entire life has been passed and where he has so directed his efforts as to win the respect and confidence of his fellowmen.

ERVIN CRAMER.

Success has come to many men who have labored earnestly and persistently. It is not an unusual thing to obtain a competence, but the record is one which never fails to elicit admiration and command respect if honorable methods have been followed in its attainment. Such has been the history of Ervin Cramer, who is now living retired in Cambridge after long years of active connection with agricultural interests. He was born in Columbus, Ohio, June II, 1835, and in both the paternal and maternal lines comes of old families of Penn- sylvania. His grandfathers were both farmers of the Keystone state. John Cramer, the father of our subject, was also born in Pennsylvania and made farming his life work. He arrived in Illinois during the pioneer epoch in its history, taking up his abode at Farmington in 1837, only five years after the Black Hawk war had determined the question of the supremacy of the white over the red race in this state. He had served as a drummer in the Black Hawk war and thus aided in reclaiming this state for the purposes of civilization. He died a few years later, when in middle life, while his wife reached the very advanced age of eighty-five years. Mrs. Cramer bore

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the maiden name of Catharine Coble, and she too was a native of Pennsyl- vania. Both were members of the Methodist church, and the Christian teach- ing of their home left its impress upon the lives of their children. They reared eight to years of maturity, namely: Jacob, William, Daniel, Isaac, Samuel, Keys, Wesley and Ervin.

Ervin Cramer was only two years old when brought to Illinois by his parents and in Fulton county his youthful days were passed. When he had attained his majority he proudly cast his first presidential vote for James Buchanan, and soon afterward he removed to Peoria county, this state. In his youthful days he had attended the old fashioned subscription schools where the methods of instruction were very primitive while the school term was of brief duration. The remainder of the year was devoted to the labors of the fields and he remained on the old home farm until he had attained his majority. For two years in his early manhood he engaged in cultivating the home place and then bought a colt which he traded for a tract of land at Bradford. Later he disposed of that property and in 1856 came to Henry county, purchasing eighty acres in Munson township, on which he turned the first furrows. He also fenced and improved the place and added to it a tract of one hundred and twenty acres which he still owns. As the years went by his farm work was conducted along the lines of progressive and modern agriculture, with the result that he became the owner of one of the best improved farms in the county, its rich fields making ready response in generous harvests to the care and labor which he bestowed upon them. He prospered as time passed on, and at length, feeling that his competence was sufficient to enable him to live retired, he removed to Cambridge on the 26th of February, 1902, and bought a fine residence, which he still occupies. He also owns his farm, which is one of the finest in the county, and the land for which he paid three dollars and thirty cents per acre would now sell for one hundred and fifty dollars per acre.

On the 14th of December, 1862, Mr. Cramer was united in marriage to Miss Lilley Hoose, who was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, June II, 1845, and is a daughter of Nicholas and Phebe (Castaline) Hoose. Her parents were natives of the Empire state, whence they removed to Pennsyl- vania, while in the spring of 1851 they came to Illinois, settling in Munson township, Henry county, where the father purchased land and began farming. He died here January 20, 1875, at the age of sixty-two years, while his wife still survives him and is now in her ninety-second year. Mr. Hoose was the son of Jacob Hoose, a native of New York and of Dutch descent. The latter was loyal in his citizenship and served as a soldier of the war of 1812. He married Sarah Curtis, and their last days were passed in Pennsylvania. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Cramer were Louis and Elizabeth (Elster) Castaline. The former was also one of the defenders of American interests in the second war with England, and in days of peace he followed the occu- pation of farming. He was nearly ninety years of age at the time of his demise, while his wife passed the ninetieth milestone on life's journey. They had nine children, all of whom grew to maturity and were married, with the exception of one.

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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cramer were born two sons, but they lost both, Alfred having died at the age of seven years and John passing away in infancy. Poli- tically Mr. Cramer is a democrat, and his support of the party is based upon an intelligent understanding of its principles and the belief in their efficacy as features in good government. In business he has won his success along lines which bear close investigation and scrutiny, for never has he sacrificed the interests of others to further his own prosperity.

WILLIAM H. HOLZINGER.

Banking interests are the heart of the commercial body and indicate the healthfulness of trade. The bank that follows a safe, conservative policy in times of widespread financial depression does more to estalbish public con- fidence than any other one agency, and back of the institution are the men who manage and control its affairs. Active in this connection is William H. Holzinger, who in 1906 became the cashier of the Geneseo Savings bank and is also the president of the bank of Annawan. He makes his home in the latter town, and the records indicate that he is one of the native sons of Henry county for his birth occurred in Yorktown township on the 17th of August, 1861. His parents were George and Elizabeth (Lehman) Holzinger, the former a native of Baden, Germany, and the latter of this county. George Holzinger was a son of George Holzinger, Sr., who married a Miss Ackerman and with his family crossed the Atlantic to the new world. Locating in Henry county he here followed farming for many years, but is now deceased. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Lawrence Lehman, a native of Alsace, Germany. He wedded Elizabeth Lehman and on coming to the United States settled first at Warren, Pennsylvania, but afterward came to Henry county, Illinois, and cast in his lot with the first settlers of Loraine township. He, too, carried on general agricultural pursuits and spent his last days in York- town township, where he passed away when more than sixty years of age. His wife survived and died when over seventy years of age. They were the parents of six children, four sons and two daughters: Lawrence, Daniel, Jacob, William, Elizabeth and Clara. Of this family Elizabeth became the wife of George Holzinger, Jr., who during the early period of his residence in Illinois lived at Naperville. He afterward removed to Henry county and was one of the first to establish a home in Yorktown township, where he carried on gen- eral farming and reared his family. The soil, naturally rich and productive, responded generously to the care and labor which he bestowed upon it and as the years passed brought to him a substantial income. In community affairs he was somewhat active and held various local offices, the duties of which he discharged with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He belonged to the German Evangelical church and died in that faith in 1891, at the age of fifty-eight years. His wife, also a member of the same church, yet resides on the home farm. Their family numbered nine children, five sons and four daughters : William H .; Anna, the wife of John Wolf, of Pilot

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Mound, Iowa; Ella, the wife of Edward Mapes, a resident of Annawan; Dan- iel J., cashier of the bank at Annawan; George A., also of the same town; Emma, a teacher in Iowa; Harvey E., who is assistant cashier of the Geneseo Savings Bank; Fred C., of Hooppole, Illinois ; and Inez, at home.

William H. Holzinger, a lifelong resident of Henry county, was reared on the farm with all its routine of duties and its happy experiences. He attended the district schools and likewise continued his education in the Geneseo high school for a year, while later he attended the Northwestern College at Naperville. He afterward engaged in teaching school for fifteen years, and, taking up the study of law, was graduated from the Kent College of Law, in Chicago, with the class of 1898. He has never engaged in practice, but his knowledge of legal principles has been of material benefit to him in the conduct of business affairs. Following his graduation from the law school he turned his attention to the real-estate business and to banking, and the same year established the Bank of Annawan, while in May, 1906, he became one of the organizers of the Geneseo Savings Bank, of which he has served continuously as cashier. His real-estate holdings include farm lands in the Dakotas and in Minnesota. His discernment is keen, his judgment sound and reliable and his enterprise is undaunted by any of the usual obstacles and dif- ficulties which bar the path to success. That he is one of the more progressive business men of the county is indicated in the fact that he was for two years the president of the Geneseo Business Men's Association.

On the 16th of June, 1891, Mr. Holzinger was married to Miss Ella Galvin, a daughter of William and Bridget (Duffey) Galvin. They now have two children, William Homer and Mary. Mr. Holzinger belongs to Stewart Lodge, No. 92, F. & A. M .; to Geneseo Chapter, No. 12, R. A. M .; Kewanee Commandery, K. T .; the Knights of Pythias; and the Modern Woodmen of America, and in his life exemplifies the beneficent spirit that underlies these organizations. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise he has given stalwart allegiance to the republican party, is serving as a member of the city council at Annawan, at the present time, formerly filled the office of justice of the peace and for several terms was school treasurer. In association with five others he was instrumental in building the armory in Geneseo. He is closely connected with the business development and progress of both cities and makes his home in Annawan, where he owns and occupies a beautiful resi- dence. In his life he has displayed much of the initiative spirit which enables him to institute and execute carefully formulated plans and to coordinate forces until they bring about a successful conclusion.

JOHN I. HUNT.

John I. Hunt, a prominent and successful farmer and stock raiser of Henry county, whose well directed efforts in this line of activity are bringing to him a gratifying measure of success, was born in Weller township on the 12th of July, 1863, a son of Henry J. and Ellen (Hoare) Hunt. The father, a

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native of London, England was the eldest of four brothers who came to America with his mother about 1848. He came direct to Henry county, where he leased farms for many years, his remaining days being passed within the borders of this county. He was connected with the Masonic order, and passed away on the 25th of January, 1891, when fifty-two years of age. He was twice married, his first union being with Miss Ellen Hoare, a daughter of Samuel Hoare, one of the earliest settlers in Henry county. Unto them were born four children, namely: Clara, the wife of James Laub, of Weller township, now residing in Clark county, Nebraska; Alice, the widow of John Laub, also of Weller township, who now makes her home in Iowa; John I., of this review ; and Alice, the wife of Frank Holt, of Cable, Illinois. After the death of his first wife he was united in marriage to Miss Ida Hall, a daughter of John I. Hall, who settled here about the time of the arrival of the Bishop Hill colony. She still survives him at the age of about sixty years, and is the mother of four children.

Spending the period of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof, John I. Hunt was sent at the usual age to the public schools of Galva, where he acquired a good knowledge of the various branches of English learning. When not busily engaged with his text-books he assisted his father in the work of the home farm, and early became familiar with the tasks that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. Upon attaining his majority he started out in the busi- ness world upon his own account, wisely choosing as his life's work the oc- cupation to which he had been reared. He was employed on the farm of John I. Hall for eleven years, and during the meantime carefully saved his earn- ings, being ambitious of some day owning property himself. When he had accumulated sufficient means he purchased the farm of ninety acres which is now his home, and about eight years ago invested in fifty acres across the road from his original purchase, so that his holdings now aggregate one hun- dred and forty acres. The farm, which is located on section 2, Weller township, is all under a high state of cultivation, and he has made many improve- ments upon the place, so that now it is one of the valuable and desirable prop- erties of the township. There was not a building nor a tree upon the place at the time it came into his possession, but since that time he has erected a neat and attractive residence and substantial barns and outbuildings, and he has also a good orchard and grove of his own planting. In connection with his general farming he makes a specialty of raising fine hogs, having on hand about one hundred head. Systematic, methodical and progressive in the con- duct of his affairs, he is now enjoying a substantial income from the fact that both branches of his business-the raising of grain and the raising of stock- are proving most remunerative.

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History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II, Part 19

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