USA > Illinois > Henry County > History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 26
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On the 15th of April, 1854, Mr. Mayhew was united in marriage to Miss Eliza M. Wright, a daughter of John and Phoebe Wright, who resided in Orange county, New York, of which state they were natives. The mother's people, the Halsteads, were representatives in the Revolutionary war, while the Wrights sent representatives to the war of 1812. Eliza Wright came to the middle west with her sister, Mrs. Mary White, in the fall of 1850 and they settled on a farm in Henry county four miles east of Kewanee. Mrs. Mayhew was born October 13, 1834, and was therefore a maiden of about sixteen summers when she came to Illinois. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mayhew were born six children of whom five are now liv- ing: Addie E., the wife of George O. Brown, the president of the First National
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Bank at Cozad, Dawson county, Nebraska; Ernest D., who for some years has been a merchant in Kewanee and was formerly postmaster; Milford, who re- sides in Seattle, Washington, where he is connected with a shipping company ; Jacob Y., of the Kewanee Transfer Company; and Winston L., now the wife of Charles A. Demmler, a draughtsman. The death of the husband and father oc- curred November 27, 1880, and was the occasion of deep regret, not only to his immediate family but to many friends, for in the life of the community he was an active and representative factor, honorable in business and progressive in his citizenship. To his family he was a devoted husband and father and was always loyal in friendship. Mrs. Mayhew yet survives her husband and has always remained true to his memory. She has now passed the seventy-third milestone on life's journey and is one of the most highly esteemed residents of Kewanee, her friendship being prized by young and old, rich and poor. She is a member of the Presbyterian church, with which her people have been connected for generations.
PETER H. TAYLOR.
The life record of Peter H. Taylor, now numbered among Geneseo's honored dead, measured up to the full standard of all that is best and most com- mendable in business life, in citizenship and in social relations. He had many friends in the county who shared with the family in their keen sorrow when he was called from earthly activities.
A native of Vermont, Peter H. Taylor was born in Wardsboro, Windham county, October 28, 1844, his parents being Alfred and Martha (Hammond) Taylor. Both were representatives of old New England families and were na- tives of the Green Mountain state, continuing to reside among the hills of that district until they came to Illinois in the spring of 1855 and located on the broad prairies of the Mississippi valley. The ancestry of the family can be traced back to Ebenezer Taylor, a native of Massachusetts. He removed to Vermont and his son and namesake, the grandfather of our subject, was born in the latter state. Alfred Taylor was born in Wardsboro, Vermont, in 1806 and there he was reared and spent his early manhood. In 1833 he wedded Martha Hammond, a daughter of Peter Hammond, the centenarian, who died in Geneseo on his one hundred and second birthday. His wife sur- vived him and on the 23d of July, 1895, was stricken with paralysis, and died the following day at the age of eighty-eight years, having been born in Wards- boro, Vermont, in 1807. She was a lady of most beautiful character, which en- deared her to all with whom she came in contact.
Peter H. Taylor grew to manhood in Geneseo, where his parents establish- ed their home when he was a youth of ten years. When he had arrived at man's estate he was married, on the 30th of January, 1873, to Miss Ella N. Hume, a daughter of Dr. Stephen T. and Permelia (Stewart) Hume, who were pioneers of Geneseo and are mentioned elsewhere in this volume.
Mr. Taylor had been educated in the schools of this city and when he reached adult age turned his attention to farming, later being connected with the com-
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mercial interests of the city until 1880. In that year he removed to Grinnell, Iowa, and purchased five hundred and sixty acres of land in that vicinity. He was then engaged in general farming until 1882, but preferring Geneseo as a place of residence he returned to Henry county and here embarked in the grain business, although retaining the ownership of his Iowa land. He became the successor of the firm of Lawbaugh & Dillenbeck, who were among the pioneer grain dealers here. He operated quite extensively in grain, making large annual shipments, and was considered one of the leading and most ener- getic men of Henry county. Early in life he manifested those traits of char- acter which are indispensable to success in business. He was diligent, persever- ing, farsighted and ambitious, and as the years passed he prospered in all that he undertook. Moreover, he was a tireless worker and a man of great personal courage and fortitude. He seemed to know almost intuitively when, where and how to make investments and in the management of his business displayed a spirit of capable control.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were born two children: Maurice Hume, who died at the age of thirty-one years; and Louise Martha, now the wife of James H. White, an employe in the First National Bank. Unto Mr. and Mrs. White have been born two children, Janet and Margery.
The home life of Mr. Taylor was exemplary in many respects for he was a man of tender and affectionate nature who found his greatest happiness in promoting the welfare of the members of his own household. Socially he was affable and kind and had a smile and good word for every one. When eighteen years of age he joined the Congregational church and continued an active member thereof until his death, which occurred in Geneseo on Saturday morning, February 23, 1895. His record was never that of a sordid business man seeking only financial gain, for his means were liberally used for the benefit of others wherever assistance would be a deed of kindness or an act of mercy. His commercial integrity was never called into question and his life exhibited many splendid traits of honorable, upright manhood. Mrs. Taylor, who still resides in Geneseo, is a lady of education and refinement, held in the highest esteem in Geneseo, where she was reared. There is perhaps no one now living in this district who is better informed concerning the history of the county than she.
WILLIAM LEWIS MYERS.
The development of a community never depends upon a single individual but upon the cooperation of many. These who figure prominently, however, in the work of public improvement are the business men who, actuated by a spirit of enterprise, carefully manage commercial and industrial interests, and thus contrib- ute to the life and activity of the district. Such a one is William Lewis Myers, who is conducting a furniture store and undertaking establishment in Geneseo. He was born in Yorktown township, Henry county, Illinois, November 8, 1865. His parents were Jeremiah and Mary (Taylor) Myers, natives of Pennsylvania
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and of Illinois respectively. The paternal grandfather was also born in the Key- stone state and was of German descent. He was a mechanic, possessing consid- erable natural ability along that line, but later in life he devoted his energies to farming. Removing westward to Illinois in 1843, he settled first at Moline and afterward removed to Eight Mile, a place about ten miles northeast of Geneseo, where he died at the age of seventy-six years. His wife died when past middle life, leaving a family of five children : John, Jacob, Emanuel, Jeremiah and Dan- iel. The maternal grandfather of our subject was an early settler of southern Illinois, becoming a large landowner and stock shipper and died in that section of the state at an old age.
Jeremiah Myers has always been a farmer, devoting his entire life to the work of tilling the soil up to the time of his retirement from business. He came to Illinois in 1843, settling in Moline, where he followed teaming when a young man. In 1860 he took up his abode in Yorktown township and invested his sav- ings in eighty acres of land, which he at once began to cultivate and improve. Subsequently he sold that property and invested in two hundred acres upon which he resided until the spring of 1879. He then removed to Colona township, where he bought forty-two acres of land and made his home thereon for twenty-three years, or until the fall of 1902, when he resolved permanently to put aside business cares and took up his abode in Geneseo, where he is now living retired. His wife is a member of the Grace Evangelical church. Mr. Myers has held various town- ship offices and has always been loyal and progressive in his interests of citizen- ship, doing whatever he can for the welfare of the community at large. Unto him and his wife have been born three children: Annette, who died in infancy ; William Lewis; and Jesse, who is now living in East Lansing, Michigan.
William L. Myers was reared in Henry county, spending his youthful days upon his father's farm, his responsibilities increasing as the years advanced, while his broadening experience made him well qualified for business cares in later life. His early education, acquired in the district schools, was supplemented by study in the Geneseo Collegiate Institute, and he lived at home until he had attained his ma- jority. He then rented land for a year, after which his father assisted him in gaining a start, and he bought a farm of one hundred and eighty-nine acres in Hanna township, whereon he lived until 1902, having in the meantime added twenty acres to the original tract. For years he carefully tilled the soil and in the cultivation of his crops met with fair success, but eventually he rented his farm and removed to Geneseo. However, he still owns the property and derives therefrom a substantial income. In January, 1905, he bought the interest of Clin- ton F. Luther in the furniture and undertaking business, Hart R. Sweeney owning the other half. This partnership was continued for nine months, at the end of which time Mr. Myers bought Mr. Sweeney's interest and has continued the busi- ness alone since that date. He now has a well equipped furniture store, carrying a large and carefully selected line of goods, ranging in value from low-priced to high-priced articles, so that he can meet the demands of a varying trade. His store is attractive in its arrangement, and Mr. Myers employs judicious adver- tising to increase his business, while the methods that he uses in its conduct are such as recommend him to the further patronage of those who once give him their trade.
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On the 26th of January, 1887, Mr. Myers was united in marriage to Miss May Shafer, a daughter of William and Mary (Varnes) Shafer. Mrs. Myers was born in Hanna township and by her marriage has become the mother of four children : Myrtle, Jerry, Ethel and Sherman. The religious faith of the parents is indicated by their membership in the Methodist church, in which Mr. Myers is a steward. They are active in various lines of the church work and do all in their power to promote its growth and extend its influence. Mr. Myers belongs to Stewart Lodge, No. 92, A. F. & A. M., also to several other fraternities. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him. He has always lived in Henry county, and the years chronicle the progress that he has made as he has utilized his opportuni- ties both in agricultural and commercial lines.
THOMAS QUIRK.
Thomas Quirk, who devotes his energies to both farming and carpentering, makes his home on section 31, Cambridge township, where he owns a well im- proved and productive tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres. His birth occurred on the Isle of Man, on the 22d of July, 1846, his parents being Thomas and Margaret (Cregen) Quirk, who were likewise born there. The paternal grandfather was a native of France and his wife, Mrs. Ager Quirk, was of Scotch birth. Both passed away on the Isle of Man, when well advanced in years. They reared a family of three sons and three daughters, namely : Thomas, William, Paul, Margaret, Essey and Ann.
Thomas Quirk, Sr., the father of him whose name introduces this review, was a veterinary surgeon in early manhood but later turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits. His demise occurred on the Isle of Man in 1861, when he had attained the age of fifty-one years. His wife, long surviving him, was about eighty years of age when called to her final rest. They were devout and faithful members of the Methodist church. Their children were seven in number, as follows: Margaret, Nessey, Anna, Thomas, Mary, Elizabeth and William.
Thomas Quirk was reared in the place of his nativity and there acquired his education. In early life he began learning the carpenter's trade and this has claimed his time and energies to some extent throughout his entire business ca- reer. In 1868, when a young man of twenty-two years, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and traveled in Illinois and Kentucky for a time. In Feb- ruary, 1869, he came to Henry county, Illinois, and turned his attention to the pursuits of farming and carpentering. He owned some land in Nebraska and in 1886 traded that for a farm of eighty acres in Cambridge township, to which he has since added a tract of similar proportions, so that his holdings now em- brace one hundred and sixty acres of rich and arable land. The property is supplied with all conveniences and accessories necessary for the successful con- duct of a farm, and each year he harvests good crops as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields. In addition to his agricultural in-
THOMAS QUIRK
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terests he also follows the trade of carpentering and in both lines of activity has gained a creditable and gratifying degree of prosperity.
On the 12th of August, 1874, Mr. Quirk was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary J. Coldy, a native of Weller township, Henry county, Illinois, and a daugh- ter of Henry and Mary (Fenn) Coldy. She was one of a family of five chil- dren, her sisters and brothers being as follows: Emily, Eliza, Theodore and Edward. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Quirk have also been born five children, namely : William C., Frank E., Mary Alice, who is the wife of Fred Sandquist, of Cam- bridge, and has two children, Denzel and Lawrence; Maggie M. and Mabel.
In his political views Mr. Quirk is independent, supporting the candidate whom he believes best qualified for office regardless of party affiliation. He has served as a school director for twenty-two years and the cause of educa- tion has ever found in him a stalwart champion. His fraternal relations are with the Modern Woodmen, and in religious faith both he and his wife are Metho- dists. He has now been a resident of Henry county for four decades, and he never feels that he has any reason to regret his determination to seek his for- tune in America, for he has found a good home here, has met with success in his business undertakings and has gained many friends whose regard and com- panionship make life pleasant for him.
JOHN AUGUST HORBERG.
John August Horberg, whose record as a public official well entitles him to mention among the representative and valued citizens of Cambridge in Henry county, is now acting as county treasurer. He was born in Kisa, Sweden, March 26, 1867, and is the only child of John and Charlotte (Swanson) Horberg, like- wise natives of the same country. The father devoted his life to the occupation of farming and coming to America in 1876 took up his abode in Osco town- ship, Henry county, where he purchased a small farm of ten acres. Later he bought a home in the village of Osco, where he has now lived for the past twenty years. His wife died in the spring of 1897 at the age of sixty-one years in the faith of the Lutheran church, to which John Horberg also belongs.
Under the parental roof John August Horberg spent his youthful days, being a lad of nine years at the time of the emigration of the family to the United States. He then remained upon his father's farm in Osco township and attended the district school, after which he became a high school pupil at Alpha, Illinois. When his course was completed he secured a certificate and engaged in teaching for two years, after which he entered the Geneseo Collegiate Institute and was there graduated with the class of 1896. The succeeding year was again devoted to teaching, at the end of which time he matriculated in Augustina College at Rock Island, Illinois. He was afterward for six years the teacher of the village school at Andover and on withdrawing from educational circles turned his attention to general merchandising in Osco, where he entered into partnership with August Anderson. He is still connected with the business but is now a partner of Charles J. Emroth. The business is capably conducted and
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has reached gratifying proportions, owing to the progressive methods and un- daunted enterprise of the proprietors. Mr. Horberg gave his attention entirely to its conduct until the fall of 1906 when he was elected county treasurer, entering upon the duties of the office on the Ist Monday of the December, following.
Pleasantly situated in his home life Mr. Horberg was married on the 17th of April, 1907, to Miss Laura A. Larson, who was born in Andover town- ship, this county, while her parents, Charles E. and Eulalia (Swanson) Lar- son, were both natives of Sweden. Coming to the United States they cast in their lot with the early settlers of Andover township and following the out- break of the Civil war Mr. Larson enlisted for active duty in the Union army. He died in September, 1908, at the age of seventy-three years and is still survived by his wife. Their family numbered four sons and three daughters who are yet living : Frank, Luther, Arthur, Emil, Eva, Laura A. and Amy.
Mr. and Mrs. Horberg hold membership in the Swedish Lutheran church and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He has been for some years an active worker in its ranks and has been rewarded by the offices of town clerk and township collector, serving in the former for nine years and in the latter for one year. The capable manner in which he discharged his official duties made him a logical candidate for the office of county treasurer and he is now proving most capable as the custodian of the public funds, his official record and his private life both commending him to the confidence and good will of those with whom he comes in contact.
ALFRED METCALF HEWLETT.
Thomas Carlyle has said: "Biography is the most interesting as well as the most profitable of all reading." This statement finds its verification in the life record of such men as Alfred Metcalf Hewlett-a man whose life purpose was not the attainment of success although by virtue of his ability, enterprise and careful management he became one of the most successful citizens of cen- tral Illinois. He regarded business but as one phase of existence, realizing fully the responsibilities of wealth and his obligation toward his fellowmen. Care- ful analyzation of his character would indicate perhaps as his strongest motive force a desire to be of service to others, for he regarded this as the central point of Christian teaching, and his Christain faith was a permeating influence of his life.
It was amid comparatively humble surroundings at his parents' home in Jeff- 'ersontown, Kentucky, that he was born on the 13th of June, 1849, and with the passing years he reached the fifty-seventh milestone on life's journey. His education was acquired in the schools of his native city and in the Louisville, (Ky.) Educational Institution. He afterward engaged in teaching school for a brief period. The most notable indication which he gave of his strength of char- acter and devotion to principle in his youthful days was when he ran away from home during the latter part of the Civil war to join the Union army.
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Although reared on southern soil he believed in the righteousness of the Federal government to hold the Union intact, and going to the front he served until the close of hostilities. After the close of the war he engaged in teaching for a brief period and later entered the employ of Bradstreet, in St. Louis, Missouri, where he remained until 1875, when he came to Kewanee, making this city his home until his demise. Here he entered the employ of his cousin, H. C. Parker, in the capacity of bookkeeper, continuing in that position for some years, after which he went upon the road as a traveling salesman. When a few years had passed he entered the employ of the Western Tube Company as bookkeeper and by reason of the efficiency and ability which he displayed he was promoted successively through intermediate positions until he became secretary and treas- urer and eventually vice president of the company. Still higher honors awaited him, however, for two years prior to his death he was chosen to the presidency of the mammoth enterprise which has given Kewanee its present commercial prominence.
It was to this company that Mr. Hewlett came as bookkeeper in 1883 and gradually he acquired an intimate working knowledge of the business which, combined with his diligence and keen foresight, made his services of such value that he was promoted from time to time, eventually reaching the position of chief executive officer. At the time of his death the tube company was em- ploying four thousand people, including the office force and traveling sales- men. The sales annually reached many millions. From 1892 the business de- veloped rapidly, being confined to tubular goods, valves and fittings, its substan- tial and continuous growth making it in time the largest concern of the kind in the west. Mr. Hewlett had worked his way upward from both executive and operative offices, and he continued in the presidency until his death which occurred December 20, 1907. His steady rise stands in unmistakable proof of his business ability, his power to recognize and utilize opportunities and coordinate forces. He became a recognized power in manufacturing circles in central Illinois and his record commanded the admiration of the business world. There was, however, another side to his busines career that might well serve as an example for those who employ large forces of workmen. He regarded each employe as a man and not as a part of some great machine. In this connection Xenophon Caverno, president of the Kewanee Water Supply Company and of the Kewanee Print- ing & Publishing Company, said: "In these days of great corporations when the individual worker is so often looked on as a machine to be used for grinding out money or success for a man at the top, it is inspiring to find a man like Mr. Hewlett, to whom every employe was a man with body, brain and soul. Most men's motives are doubted, but no man, friend or foe, whether he agreed with him or not, doubts that Mr. Hewlett's chief desire was the welfare of his employes, and, in fact, of every man, woman and child in Kewanee. It was stamped in his genial, kindly face so that he who runs might read. That such a man succeeded and reached the highest business position in Kewanee gives the lie to the assertion that a business conducted on the basis of the golden rule can not succeed. The influence of such a life can never be measured." Words equally commendatory and equally well merited were spoken by other prominent citizens. E. E. Baker, president of the Kewanee Boiler Company, said: "There
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is not anything good to be said that Mr. Hewlett did not richly deserve. He was a man of probity, ability and high ideals, one whose public spirit could always be counted upon as one of the community's assets. Such men are too few. We can not afford to lose one of them. Kewanee will ever have reason to remember Mr. Hewlett's life and works most kindly."
In the years of early manhood Mr. Hewlett wedded Miss Maude Elliott, of Kewanee, and only a few years prior to his death they celebrated their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. Their only child, the Rev. George R. Hew- lett, is now the rector of St. John's Episcopal church. In his home Mr. Hewlett was as elsewhere, thoughtful, kind and unselfish, finding his greatest joy in ministering to the happiness of those who constituted his household.
The beautiful life and character which made the name of Alfred M. Hew- lett honored wherever he was known had its root in his Christian belief. He was one of the most prominent members of the Baptist church, which he served in an official capacity for many years, while with all the different activities of the church he was closely associated. He was deeply interested in others and a desire to be of help to his fellowmen resulted in his founding the first Ymmiet- drah Society, the motto and creed of which is "Young men make it easy to do right and help,"-the initials of these words forming the name of the society. Several other large societies of young men, the outgrowth of the first, have organized under the same name and have adopted the noble principles laid down by Mr. Hewlett, who was the adviser of the Baptist Society from its organ- ization until his demise. As the result of his initial effort in this direction there are now five hundred young men banded together in an effort to "do right and help." In the Sunday school Mr. Hewlett was a most earnest worker, having a class of more than one hundred young men who listened eagerly to his teach- ings and found inspiration and encouragement in his example. He was also a prominent worker in the Young Men's Christian Association and when a proposition was made to erect a building for the society he not only made large financial donations thereto but gave the undertaking every other assistance in his power. It was largely through his interest in the new building proposition that the plan was realized. He served for several years as president of the board of trustees and only when he could no longer continue in the office was his successor chosen. Any movement which had for its object the betterment of mankind received his stanchest support and cooperation.
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