History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II, Part 22

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

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City, Iowa, after which he removed to the Bahama Islands, where he engaged in packing pineapples for a time. The year 1904 witnessed his arrival in Geneseo, where he established a large canning factory, which is now one of the important industries of the city, furnishing employment to about three hundred people in the busy season in the canning of peas and corn. The excellence of the product of this factory insures a ready sale on the market, and from the beginning the business has proved a profitable one.

On the 31st of August, 1869, Mr. Dawes was married to Miss Emma Allen, a daughter of Florence and Mary Allen, who were natives of New York, while Mrs. Dawes was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The children of this mar- riage are: Mary Emma, the wife of Andrew Garner, of Longmont, Colorado, by whom she has one daughter, Edna; Alice B., who died at the age of twenty-six years; Sciota, who died when about two years old; Ida V., who is a teacher employed in the schools of Davenport, Iowa; Roberta, the wife of Hugh J. Har- rison, and the mother of one daughter, Dorothy; Raymond, who is at home; and Ruth, who is still in school.

Mr. and Mrs. Dawes hold membership in the Congregational church and con- tribute generously to its support. Mr. Dawes belongs to Trinity Lodge, No. 208, A. F. & A. M., of Davenport. His political views are in harmony with the platform of the republican party. While in Davenport he served as city al- derman but does not seek nor desire office at the present time. He finds that his business affairs make heavy demands upon his energies and attention, his labors, however, bringing him the substantial reward of persistent purpose and honorable effort. He is now well known as a prominent representative of the industrial and commercial interests here, and his business is one which con- tributes to general prosperity as well as to individual success.

CHARLES E. MULLIGAN.

Charles E. Mulligan, attorney at law at the Kewanee bar, now practicing as the junior partner of the firm of Haskins & Mulligan, was born in Biggsville, Illinois, November 22, 1881, and is a son of Joseph H. and Catherine (Dixon) Mulligan, the former now agent for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad at Kewanee. Extended mention of the father is made on another page of this volume.

Charles E. Mulligan was a little lad of five years when his parents came to Kewanee, and in the public schools of this city he acquired his preliminary edu- cation, while later he spent three years as a pupil in St. Bede's College at Peru, Illinois. On the completion of his literary course he took up the study of law in Notre Dame University in Indiana and finished his preparation for the bar by a year's reading in the office and under the direction of Charles E. Sturtz, of Kewanee, being admitted to practice on the 4th of April, 1906. He had previously been professor of telegraphy at Notre Dame University for a year and in 1905 was elected city clerk of Kewanee, which position he filled for two years. On his retirement from that office in 1907 he began the practice of law

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alone and in 1909 entered into partnership with Thomas N. Haskins, of LaSalle county, Illinois, under the firm name of Haskins & Mulligan. Although a young man he has made an excellent record during the period of his active connection with the profession and his ambition, diligence and known fidelity to his clients' interests will undoubtedly bring to him increasing success as the years go by. He is careful and thorough in the preparation of cases and his careful analysis of his cases, combined with logical deductions is constituting him one of the strong members of the Kewanee bar.

Mr. Mulligan is a member of the church of the Visitation (Catholic.). Fra- teranlly he is connected with the Elks, was secretary of the local lodge and was made an honorary life member of the order, while he is also a member of the Mystic Workers and the Modern Woodmen of America. His political allegiance is given to the democracy, and he is recognized as one of the workers in its ranks in this county.

BENJAMIN WARD.

In the life of Benjamin Ward there were many qualities which gained him firm hold upon the affection and regard of friends, neighbors and all with whom he came in contact. There was never any esoteric chapter in his history, and with strong hatred of hypocrisy and sham he so lived that his position was never an equivocal one, but, on the contrary, his record was such as would bear the closest investigation and scrutiny. For a long period he was connected with the farming interests of Henry county and for a time lived retired in Geneseo, but his last days were spent in Boulder, Colorado.

Mr. Ward was a native of Somersetshire, England, born May 3, 1837. His youthful days were there passed, and during that period he was denied the op- portunity of even a common-school education. He had spent his boyhood on a farm and the years of his minority constituted a period of earnest and per- sistent toil. In 1861, when about twenty-four years of age, he bade adieu to friends and native country and sailed for America, for the reports which he had heard concerning business opportunities and advantages in this country led him to the belief that he might more rapidly acquire a competence here. He did not tarry in the east but made his way at once to Henry county, Illinois, and in the vicinity of Geneseo secured employment as a farm hand. He was very economical and diligent and saved every dollar possible from his wages until he could gain a start for himself.

On the 21st of October, 1864, Mr. Ward chose as a companion and helpmate for life's journey Miss Amanda Yonker, of Munson township, and immediately thereafter the young couple began their domestic life upon a farm. About a year later Mr. Ward made his first purchase of land, becoming owner on the 19th of October, 1865, of the west half of the northwest quarter of section I, Munson township. With characteristic energy he began to till the fields, con- verting his place into a productive tract of land. To this he added from time to time until he had eight hundred acres, all well improved. He was one of a

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family of seven children, six of whom came to America but only one is now liv- ing, Thomas, who resides in Phenix township.

Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Ward there were born four children. John, the eldest, married Alice Payne and they have two children, Vernon and Morris. Abel D., the second of the family, is represented on another page of this volume. Clara is the wife of Dr. John H. Murphy, living in Gen- eseo, and Leila resides with her mother.

For forty-four years Mr. and Mrs. Ward traveled life's journey together and were happy in their home life and in rearing their children, who are a credit and honor to their name. In addition to the children who were born unto them, they took to their hearts and home a niece, now Mrs. Mattie Liken, of Geneseo. who in early life was bereft of a mother's love and care. She was always con- sidered as one of their own and the spirit of love and helpfulness thus shown has been beautifully appreciated and reciprocated by her. Mr. and Mrs. Ward continued to reside upon the farm until 1891, when they removed to Geneseo, where they lived retired for fifteen years, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil. In 1906, however, the family removed to Boulder, Colorado, that their daughter Leila might attend the University of Colorado, and in 1907 Mr. Ward purchased a home there and continued to reside in Boulder until his death, which occurred on the 22d of May, 1908, when he had reached the age of seventy-one years and nineteen days. In a review of his life it will be re- membered that he was a model farmer and one who had intense love for his work. He stood for all that was progressive in agricultural life and sought not only his own success but the general welfare of the community also. In Colorado as elsewhere he made many friends who felt the deepest regret at his passing. His religion was intensely practical and constituted deeds rather than words. His qualities as a friend and neighbor were of the highest and he was generous and tender of heart. He despised hypocrisy and sham, had high ideals in regard to the rights of others and his business methods would put to shame many who professed much more than he. He was not only just but generous, was consid- erate in his opinions and held to the highest standards of business integrity. Wherever known he was esteemed and honored, but most of all where he was best known.

JOHN MOORE.

John Moore was for many years one of the most prominent and active business men of Kewanee, becoming a resident of the city in 1855 and here con- tinued to make his home until his death, which occurred suddenly in Vicksburg, Mississippi, November 26, 1904, where he had gone to look after his interests in cotton lands in which he had been interested for a number of years. He was born in Pennsylvania, on the 21st of April, 1842, and in 1855, soon after the building of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad through Kewanee, his father, John R. Moore, came west with his family and settled on a farm southeast of the city. There the youth of John Moore was passed in the usual manner of farm lads who divide their time between the work of the fields and

JOHN MOORE

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the acquirement of an education. Following his father's death he took a trip through Iowa and other western states, remaining some time in Iowa. Upon his return he became a factor in the commercial circles of Kewanee, opening a general mercantile store upon the present site of the Kewanee National Bank. While he was still proprietor of the store he took up the business of shipping horses to eastern markets and continued in that field of labor throughout his remaining days. For fourteen years he also bought and shipped hogs. Retir- ing from the field of general merchandise he became the senior member of the firm of Moore, Pumphrey & Company in the conduct of a hardware business, there remaining for about five years. From 1893 until 1896 he was connected with his son Lewis in buying grain at the elevator. In the winter of 1897-8, in connection with A. B. Huckins, of Kewanee, he took a large shipment of horses to London, and thus as the years passed by he won substantial success through the activity, enterprise and perseverance which characterized his business career, so that in his later years he lived somewhat retired. While in Iowa, in 1867, he had been engaged in business at Afton for about a year as a member of the grocery firm of Myers, Hyde & Moore. It was in the following year, 1868, that in connection with his brothers, Robert and Daniel, he purchased the Hop- kins' grocery store in Kewanee. While engaged in shipping hogs he was asso- ciated a part of the time with A. F. Bigelow and John Zang, and during the remainder of the time was alone. He enjoyed the reputation of being one of the heaviest shippers in the state and he was personally known to all the men in the business at the Chicago stock yards. For many years he shipped on an average of one hundred carloads of hogs annually. In all his business affairs he was thoroughly reliable and his interests were of a nature that contributed to the growth and welfare of the city as well as to individual prosperity.

On the 25th of September, 1867, at Henry, Illinois, Mr. Moore was united in marriage to Miss Algenette Merritt, and unto them were born four chil- dren: Dr. N. M. Moore, a practicing physician of Rock Island, Illinois; J. Robert, a lawyer of Kewanee; Dr. Lewis A. Moore, a member of the medical profession of Monroe, Wisconsin; and Nettie, the wife of John McLean, of this city.

Notwithstanding the fact that his business interests made heavy demand upon his time and attention, Mr. Moore always found opportunity to cooperate in movements for the public good and served his city and township in many offices of trust and responsibility. He represented his township on the board of super- visors and was a member of the board of trustees of Kewanee for a number of years, part of the time occupying the president's chair. He was assessor of the township and was the incumbent of many other offices to which he was elected by the townspeople. He took pride in performing his public duties well and gave freely of his time and energy when it was demanded. He was one of the organizers of the Kewanee district agricultural board and for thirteen years its efficient secretary. In 1903 he was elected president of the board and it was a source of satisfaction to him that the fair that year was the most suc- cessful ever held. In later years he was connected with numerous enterprises, served as a bank director and as a director of other business concerns. He was also an honorary member of the Kewanee Fire Company, with which he had

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been actively associated for fourteen years. He laid out the present track at the Kewanee fair grounds and his ideas were adopted in much of the early work in connection with the organization of the association in 1885.

Mr. Moore was long a devoted member of the Masonic fraternity and in his life exemplified the beneficent spirit of the craft, being always loyal to its teachings concerning mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness. His funeral services were conducted by the Masonic fraternity and the funeral sermon was delivered by the Rev. J. V. Whiting, pastor of the First Baptist church, in which he had long been a devoted member. In November, 1904, he went south and died very suddenly at the Piazza Hotel in Vicksburg on the 26th of that month. His remains were brought back to Kewanee for burial and his was one of the largest funerals ever held in this city, all Kewanee uniting in paying their last tribute of respect to one whom they had long known and honored. One of the local papers said of him: "Mr. Moore was of a genial, social disposi- tion, a man who prized the friendship of his associates and who was willing to make any sacrifice to oblige them. He had his own convictions and was not afraid to express them, so there was no doubt at any time as to where he stood on questions in which he was interested. He was of a rugged, strong nature, not seeking disagreement, but not afraid of a contest of opinions when it seemed inevitable. He admired courage, fairness and integrity wherever found, and he sought to exemplify these qualities in his own life."

SAMUEL J. ARNETT.

For more than forty years Samuel J. Arnett has lived in Henry county and at different periods has been identified with general agricultural pursuits and commercial interests, his capable direction of his business affairs making him one of the substantial and prosperous citizens of Geneseo. His birth occurred in Portland township, Whiteside county, Illinois, January 16, 1844. The Arnett family is of French origin and was founded in America by Louis Arnett, the grandfather, who arrived in this country in 1828, settling first near Warren, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in farming. He became one of the pioneer residents of Henry county, Illinois, settling in 1837 just across the county line from his son. He took up land from the government and at once began the arduous task of breaking the sod and developing new fields. He served as a teamster in the French war of 1812, prior to his emigration to America. His life in this country was a busy and useful one and his labors constituted an element in the agricultural development and substantial growth of the section in which he lived. He died on the old home place at the age of seventy-seven years, while his wife, Mrs. Clarissa Arnett, passed away in 1866 at the age of seventy years. They were the parents of seventeen children, twelve of whom reached years of maturity.

Jacob Arnett, the father of Samuel J. Arnett, was born in France but was reared in Illinois and chose as his life work the occupation with which he became familiar in his boyhood days. It was in 1828 that he arrived in the United

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States and after living for about eight years in Warren, Pennsylvania, he became a resident of Whiteside county, Illinois, in 1836, settling in Portland township before the land was surveyed. He shared in all the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life, but with the passing years his labors brought good results, and for a long period he was one of the enterprising agriculturists of the community. He took up considerable land and his possessions were therefore quite extensive, for later he made additional purchases. In 1852 he made an overland trip to California with two ox teams of four yokes each and ran a pack train while on the Pacific coast. In 1854 he resumed his farming operations in Whiteside county and in the spring of 1876 he removed to Geneseo where he was engaged in business for a short time but afterward lived retired until his death. He was called to the home beyond in 1900 at the age of eighty- five years while his wife died in 1881 at the age of sixty-six years. They were both devoted members of the German Evangelical association. Mrs. Arnett bore the maiden name of Charlotte Sommers. Her father was a native of Alsace, Germany, while her mother was born in Heidelberg, Germany. On making the long voyage across the Atlantic they settled at Warren, Pennsylvania, where the father followed farming. He died at an advanced age, but his wife passed away in early womanhood. They were the parents of four sons, and their only daughter became Mrs. Jacob Arnett. Of that marriage there were seven children, four sons and three daughters: Lewis C., now living in Prophetstown, Illinois; Samuel J .; Philip S., of Erie, Illinois; Mary, the wife of Andrew Smith, of Geneseo; Albert W., living in Ogallala, Nebraska; Clara A., the wife of Abraham Rapp, of Henry county; and Otilla, the wife of Charles Alber, of Kansas City, Kansas.

On taking up the personal history of Samuel J. Arnett we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known here, measur- ing at all times up to the full standard of honorable manhood. He was reared in Whiteside county, Illinois, on his father's farm, attending the old time sub- scription schools of the early days, while later he completed his education in the college at Plainfield, and also in the high school at Warren, Pennsylvania. He remained at home until about the time he attained his majority, and at eighteen years of age he suffered a serious accident in a mowing machine, resulting in the loss of a foot. Following his marriage he took up farming on his own account on a tract of land which he owned in Whiteside county, and subsequently he purchased a farm originally in the possession of his paternal grandfather and has lived in Henry county since 1868. The place comprised two hundred and fifty-seven and one-half acres of rich land which he care- fully cultivated until 1875. He then sold the place to his brother-in-law, Abra- ham Rapp, who is still the owner. At that date Mr. Arnett came to Geneseo and opened a dry goods store which he conducted for five years. He then turned his attention to the agricultural implement business, in which he still continues, and now has a well appointed establishment while his annual sales reach a large and satisfactory figure. His business probity is above question, and his reliable methods insure him a continuance of a liberal patronage.

· On the 17th of September, 1865, Mr. Arnett completed his arrangements for having a home of his own in his marriage with Miss Eliza Grossenburg,

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who was born in Warren, Pennsylvania, March 20, 1843, and is a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Yost) Grossenburg. Her grandfather, also Samuel Grossenburg, was a native of Switzerland, where he wedded Mary Ann Stopfel and they spent their entire lives in the land of the Alps. The maternal grand- father of Mrs. Arnett was Francis T. Yost, a farmer by occupation, who became one of the early settlers of Rock Island county, Illinois. He had crossed the Atlantic from Germany and, taking up his abode in this state, developed and improved a farm upon which he lived to the advanced of eighty-one years. His wife, Mrs. Catharine Yost, died in middle age. Mr. Yost had served under Napoleon in the war that was waged in Alsace-Lorraine and sustained a severe saber slash across the back. Unto him and his wife were born the following children : Catharine, the wife of Joseph Hauser; August; Elizabeth, who became Mrs. Grossenburg; Solomon; and Rebecca, who married Charles Stamm.

Samuel Grossenburg, the father of Mrs. Arnett, was born in Canton Berne, Switzerland, and when twenty years of age came to the United States, locating in Pittsburg. He there worked as a laborer for six months and as a butcher for three and a half years. He afterward went to Warren, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in the butchering business and in 1839 he took up his abode near Stoneham, Pennsylvania, in Meade township, Warren county. When he re- moved to that locality he penetrated an almost trackless wilderness and in the midst of the forest he cleared and developed a farm, his original home there being a log cabin, which was afterward replaced by a fine dwelling. He was a man of great energy and of undaunted enterprise and as the years passed by prospered in his undertakings, becoming the owner of one farm of ninety acres, one of eighty-two, and another of two hundred and forty acres. On the last mentioned tract, in 1866, he built a sawmill which was removed in 1885. On the 19th of January, 1836, he married Elizabeth Yost, who was born in Alsace, Germany, and when eight years of age was brought to America by her parents. This worthy couple had a family of ten children : Samuel, Jr., Eliza A., William H., Jerome C., Albert G., Clara E., Lillie O. and three who died in infancy. The father died September 23, 1885, at the age of seventy-six years, while the mother passed away September 25, 1907, at the age of eighty-nine years and three months.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Arnett were born two daughters and two sons: Minnie C., who died when six and a half months old; Jerome J., who married Amelia Hoeft and is a barber of Geneseo; Glenn W., who wedded Ida Williams and is conducting a barber shop at Silvis, Illinois; and Blanche E., who married Frank F. Pierce, of Geneseo, and has one son, Samuel Dale. The family resi- dence is on North State street, where Mr. Arnett owns a beautiful home. His wife is a member of the Congregational church. Politically he is a republican and has been called to serve in various positions of trust and responsibility. He served as collector in Portland township, Whiteside county, and since com- ing to this county has been school director, assessor, collector and supervisor and also served for eight years as alderman from the third ward in Geneseo. As a member of the city council he exercised his official prerogatives in support of many measures for the public good and leaves tangible proofs of his loyalty and progressive citizenship. Throughout his entire life he has been a resident

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of this portion of the state, interested and active in works of public moment, and displaying in his business life those sterling qualities which make for honor- able and substantial success.

ROBERT H. ANTES, D. D. S.

The history of the dental profession in Henry county would be incomplete were there failure to make prominent and extended reference to Robert H. Antes, for he is the oldest practitioner in this part of the state. He possesses marked mechanical ingenuity and skill as well as comprehensive knowledge of the scientific side of his chosen calling and for years has done excellent service for the public in professional lines. Because of this he has been accorded a liberal patronage and has always maintained a foremost place among the members of the dental fraternity in Henry county. His birth occurred in Canandaigua, New York, in 1838. His grandfather, William Antes, likewise a native of the Empire state, was of German-English descent. In early life he learned and followed the gunsmith's trade, utilizing it as a source of livelihood for many years. He wedded Miss Mary Barlow, and both died at a very advanced age, Mr. Antes being almost a centenarian at the time of his demise. His son, Wil- liam Antes, Jr., likewise a native of New York, became a merchant of Can- andaigua. He reached the ripe old age of eighty-eight years and was survived by his wife, who passed away at the age of seventy-eight years. She bore the maiden name of Alice Coleman, who was a native of Connecticut. Her father, Eliphalet Coleman, was a Congregational minister and married a Miss Fitch. They, too, were well advanced in years when called to their final rest. Both Mr. and Mrs. William Antes held membership in the Congregational church and were people of the highest respectability, who enjoyed in unqualified measure the confidence and regard of those who knew them. Of their family of six children four reached adult age, namely : Charles, a resident of Rogers Park, a suburb of Chicago; Catharine; Robert H., of this review ; and Dr. Henry T.

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History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II, Part 22

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