USA > Illinois > Henry County > History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 29
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Albert F. Offerle, the father of our subject, was a shoemaker of Warren, Pennsylvania, and when a young man came with his parents to Geneseo, where he spent the remainder of his life, saving the last few years, which were passed in Helena, Montana. There he died in the 'gos. His widow still survives and is a member of the German Evangelical church, to which Mr. Offerle also belonged. For a short time he was proprietor of a boot and shoe store in Geneseo. In their family were two children, William Albert and Roy G. F.
The younger was reared in Geneseo and lives in the house where he was born. He attended the public and high schools, and after putting aside his text-books he began clerking in the grocery store of George Drehmer, by whom he was em- ployed for six or seven years. He afterward accepted a clerkship in the clothing store of Lager & Offerle, where he has continued to the present time, and he is well known in the business circles of the city.
Politically, Mr. Offerle is a republican, and fraternally he is connected with the Improved Order of Redmen. He lives at home with his mother on Center street and is well known in the social circles of the city, having many warm friends in Geneseo where his entire life has been passed.
ERNEST HARDING.
While still residing on his farm on section 17, Geneseo township, Ernest Harding is practically living a retired life and the rest which he is enjoying is well earned, being the merited reward of his persistent and earnest labor in former years. He was born in Germany July 23, 1841, and is a son of Carl and Henrietta (Otto) Hartung. In later years the orthography of the surname has been changed to its present form.
Ernest Harding was but ten years of age when his parents sailed for America, arriving on the shores of the new world in 1851. Making their way into the interior of the country they settled on a farm in Cook county, Illinois, the father purchasing sixty acres of land which is now comprised in one of the parts of Chicago. Little realizing how valuable the property would one day become he sold it in 1854 and removed to Geneseo, where he followed farming. He also lived for a short time in Rock Island but afterward returned to Geneseo, where he spent the remainder of his days. There were four children in the family, of whom Ernest was the eldest, the others being Fred, who now lives in Rockwell City, Iowa; Amelia, who became the wife of Jacob Arnett and died in Rock Island Illinois ; and Mollie, the wife of Mike Long, a resident of Rock Island.
In his youthful days Ernest Harding attended the public schools of Geneseo and also devoted a portion of his time to assisting his father until he had attained
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the age of about sixteen or seventeen years. He then began to work as a farm hand and with the sum which he was able to save from his wages purchased a horse. He was a young man of twenty years when in September, 1861, he re- sponded to the country's call for troops, enlisting as a member of Company C, Ninth Illinois Cavalry. He served as a private and took part in many skirmishes. He continued to the front until the close of hostilities but was never injured, nor was he ever ill in the hospital. On the contrary he was always qualified for duty to which he was most loyal, never faltering in his allegiance to the Stars and Stripes.
After leaving the service Mr. Harding was married to Miss Caroline Helweg, of Dubuque, Iowa, whose acquaintance he had formed while in Rock Island where her father was serving as minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. Four children have graced this union : Charles E., Louis T., Alice and Benjamin P.
Following his marriage Mr. Harding embarked in business as a grocer at Muscatine, Iowa, where he remained from 1866 until 1869. He next took up his abode upon a farm belonging to his father-in-law at Charles City, Iowa, where he remained until 1882 when he removed to Dexter, Minnesota, and became fore- man of a large farm. It was while living there that he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife. After a year spent in Minnesota he returned to Geneseo and later was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Rettinger, nee Waggoner. Not long afterward his wife purchased the present home of seventy-two acres situated on section 17, Geneseo township, where they now reside. They are both highly esteemed throughout the community and have an extensive circle of warm friends.
In his political views Mr. Harding is a republican, and he cast his first pres- idential ballot for Abraham Lincoln in 1864, since which time he has been un- faltering in his allegiance to the party, although never an office seeker. He be- longs to Jenkins Post, G. A. R. and enjoys its camp fires. The activity which he has displayed in his business affairs now enables him to live retired, while the salient traits of his character have won him the esteem and respect which are uniformly accorded him.
H. NELSON HEFLIN, M. D.
Dr. H. Nelson Heflin, a worthy and successful representative of the profes- sional interests of Henry county, has been engaged in the practice of medicine at Kewanee since November, 1895. He was born on a farm in Allamakee county, Iowa, September 17, 1864, his parents being Ezekiel and Eleanor (Moore) Heflin. The father was identified with general agricultural pursuits in early life but after- ward became a minister of the Christian church.
Dr. Heflin obtained his education in the common schools and remained on the home farm until seventeen years of age, when he entered the employ of a creamery company at Austin, Minnesota, there remaining for three years. Sub- sequently he was identified with the Minnesota Creamery Association as super- intendent of their various creameries until 1892, when he entered the medical department of Hamline University, having previously read medicine under the
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direction of his brother, Dr. E. Henry Heflin. Following his graduation from that institution in 1895 he located for practice at Minneapolis, but at the end of a year came to Kewanee and has here remained to the present time. He is a member of the Galva District Medical Society, the Henry County Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, and has served as secretary of the first two organizations named. He has likewise acted as secretary and president of the Physicians Club at Kewanee, of which he is a valued member. He was one of the organizers of the medical and surgical staff of St. Francis Hospital and has since served as its secretary. Upon the organi- zation of the Kewanee Dairy and Food Commission he was made its president, having been the father of the ordinance which resulted in the establishment of the commission on the Ist of January, 1909. He is medical examiner for the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York and also for the Royal Arcanum.
On the 28th of June, 1905, Dr. Heflin was united in marriage to Miss Ilma M. Kerr, of Kewanee, Illinois, a daughter of Edwin and Anna Kerr. Fraternally the doctor is identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Royal Arcanum, of which he was past regent. He also belongs to the Kewa- nee Club, and his wife is a devoted and consistent member of the Episcopalian church. He is a man of easy dignity, frank and cordial in address and possessing that confidence and courage which rightly come from conscious personal ability, a right conception of things and an habitual regard for what is best in the exer- cise of human activities.
WILLIAM GODFREY.
William Godfrey, now engaged in business as a live-stock dealer at Geneseo, is known as one of the leading citizens of this part of the state, manifesting the same loyalty and interest in public affairs and in matters of citizenship that he displayed when he served as a soldier of the Union army on the battlefields of the south. He was born in Kent, England, February II, 1842, and is a son of Richard and Ann (Amos) Godfrey, who were also natives of England. The father was employed in various ways in that country and died in England in 1857. His wife passed away in 1847, and William Godfrey is now the only survivor of their fam- ily of six children. The father also had six children by a previous marriage, but only one is living-Mrs. Charlotte Hastings, who resides in Kent, England.
When a lad of ten summers William Godfrey left his native country and came to America with his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. John Amos, who settled near Troy, Rensselaer county, New York, where they lived for two years. They then came to Henry county, Illinois, in May, 1854, and Mr. Amos followed the mason's trade in Geneseo. In their family the nephew was reared, acquiring his educa- tion in the public schools. He learned the butcher's trade when in his teens and followed the business for three years before he enlisted for service in the Civil war. Responding to the country's call he was assigned to duty with Company I, One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for about eighteen months. He joined the army as a private, was promoted to or-
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derly sergeant and was afterward mustered out as second lieutenant. He had been transferred to the Sixty-fifth Illinois when he received his promotion, and he did active duty in the Atlanta campaign in Tennessee and in North Carolina, participating in a number of the important battles of the war and in many skirm- ishes. His military record was at all times creditable, being characterized by un- flinching loyalty to duty.
When the country no longer needed his aid Mr. Godfrey returned to Geneseo and resumed the butchering business, in which he continued for about twenty years. In the meantime he also became interested in live-stock dealings, to which he now gives his undivided attention, and as he is an excellent judge of stock he has been enabled to make judicious investments and profitable sales. He is now recognized as one of the leading live-stock dealers of this part of the state.
Mr. Godfrey was married September 10, 1868, to Miss Myra J. Goodman, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John S. Goodman and a native of Pennsylvania : Unto this marriage have been born four sons and four daughters: Charles M., who wedded Elizabeth Mohr and has two children, Marjorie and Virginia, is a stock salesman in the Chicago stock yards and lives in Englewood; Lulu M., is the wife of Judge Emery C. Graves of Geneseo, and they have one daughter, Gretchen ; Harry M. died at the age of twenty-four years ; Helen M. is occupying a position as stenographer ; Bessie M. is employed as a clerk in Geneseo; Gertrude M. is deceased; John M. died at the age of seventeen months; and Arthur, who married Miss Ollie Sommers of Englewood, is engaged in the stock business with his father.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Godfrey are members of the Congregational church, and their position in social circles is a prominent one. They occupy a beautiful home on West First street, and its hospitality is most generous. Mr. Godfrey main- tains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in the Grand Army Post and has always given his political allegiance to the repub- lican party, which was the defense of the Union in the dark days of the Civil war. On its ticket he was elected to the office of alderman, in which he repre- sented the second ward. He is one of Geneseo's respected and progressive citizens, well deserving mention with the representative residents of Henry county.
FRANK H. GREENE.
On the roster of city officials in Geneseo appears the name of Frank H. Greene. He is filling the position of postmaster, and the record which he is making is one of capable service characterized by prompt and efficient discharge of the duties that devolve upon him in this connection. He was born in Whiteside county, Illinois, May 28, 1857, and is a son of Thomas and Julia (Graves) Greene, both of whom were natives of New York. Both parents were representatives of fam- ilies who were connected with the farming interests of that state. The maternal grandmother, however, spent her last days in Geneseo, where she died at an ad- vanced age. Thomas Greene was a carpenter in early manhood, although born and reared upon the farm. In early life he came to Illinois, settling in White-
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side county, after making the trip down the Rock River in a skiff. About 1863 he arrived in Henry county and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Edford township. To this he added one hundred acres, and although he took up his abode in Geneseo he managed his farm which was pleasantly and con- veniently situated about three miles from the town. His carefully directed bus- iness affairs won him substantial success and he enjoyed in the fullest degree the confidence and good will of those with whom he was associated. Both he and his wife were members of the Congregational church. Their family numbered but two children, the daughter being Helen, now the wife of C. F. Young, of Chicago.
Frank H. Greene has lived in Geneseo from the age of six years and, entering the public schools, passed through consecutive grades and was a pupil in the high school. He made his initial step in the business world as a clerk in the dry-goods store of Mr. Van Valkenburg, with whom he remained for eight years. He was afterward with Peterson Brothers for three and a half years and his ambition to engage in business on his own account led to the careful husbanding of his re- sources until his capital was sufficient to enable him to purchase a stock of gro- ceries. He then conducted a store of his own for several years but put aside commercial pursuits to accept public office and is now serving the last year of his second term as postmaster. He has been most careful and diligent in per- forming the duties of the position, and his record has been altogether satisfactory to the general public.
In June, 1891, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Greene and Mrs. Mary E. Davison, the widow of Theodore Davison and a daughter of Hushai Thomas. By her former marriage she had one child, Mary Louise Davison. Mr. and Mrs. Greene are members of the Congregational church, and in Masonry he has at- tained to high rank, belonging to Stewart Lodge, No. 92, A. F. & A. M .; Geneseo Chapter, No. 12, R. A. M .; Rock Island Commandery, No. 18, K. T .; and Kaaba Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is likewise connected with the Modern Wood- men of America. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, and where matters of general interest are involved he is always found on the side of right, justice, truth and progress. His fellow citizens know him as a man who is to be depended upon in any vital situation, and the good qualities that he has manifested have won for him the warm regard of those with whom he has been associated.
FREDERICK W. WEINRICH.
One of the prosperous farmers and successful stockmen of Henry county is Frederick W. Weinrich, who carries on operations on his farm of one hundred and twenty-four acres on section 6, Munson township. He was born in Geneseo township, June 15, 1862, and is the eldest son of William F. and Christina (Kipping) Weinrich. The parents were born, reared and married in Germany and came to America on their wedding journey in 1852. William F. Weinrich had received a limited education in the land of his birth and had learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for about ten years after his coming here, during which period he made his home in Geneseo. He then took up agricul-
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F. W. WEINRICH
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tural pursuits, to which he devoted his attention from 1862 until 1893, when he retired from active labor. He owned a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of land, which had been broken when he purchased it, but on which he added many valuable improvements, making it one of the most desirable properties of its size in his locality. In connection with general farming he was interested in the stock business, but gave that up also when in 1893 he laid aside the cares of life and retired to Geneseo. He was a supporter of the democratic party, but never took an actve part in political affairs. He attended the Methodist church in Geneseo, and his life, ordered by high standards, won him the re- spect and esteem of all who knew him. In his family were nine children, all of whom reached maturity: Emma, who is now the widow of Gottlieb Zimmer- man and lives in Geneseo; Clara, who died unmarried at the age of thirty years; Christina, who lives in Geneseo; Frederick W., the subject of this sketch; Wil- liam F., a hardware merchant of Cambridge, Illinois; Matilda, the wife of Mathew O'Connell, of Geneseo; Edward, who is extensively engaged in the stock business on the old home farm; Charles, who was a printer by trade and died in 1897; Herman, who is engaged in the poultry and commission business in Cambridge, Illinois.
Frederick W. Weinrich received his education in the district school near his boyhood home, and he grew to manhood upon the farm, which, as the eldest in the family, he assisted his father in cultivating as soon as he was large enough to handle a plow. On attaining his majority he embarked in business for him- self as a stock dealer on a small scale. He gave his attention first to Poland hogs, which he raised for sale and breeding purposes. Although still a young man he is one of the oldest dealers in his community, and his stock is of high grade and very valuable. Every year he exhibits his animals at the fairs and has thus far received first prize on his hogs. He has also extensively engaged in feeding cattle for the market, and his barns with their well filled stalls give evidence of his practical skill in this branch of his undertakings. In connec- tion with his brother Edward, he is interested in the raising of full blooded draft horses, and polled Durham cattle have recently been added to high grade stock they own. These two brothers, in company with George Weinrich, under the firm title Fred, Ed & George Weinrich, are importing Percheron stallions from France and have large sale and breeding stable in Geneseo. In short Mr. Wein- rich has engaged in almost every branch of the stock business; in every case he has devoted himself to the raising of animals of high grade; and has met with pronounced success, so that a brilliant future should be in store for him, and he should become one of the leading stockmen of the county. From 1888 to 1894 he rented land in Geneseo township, and in the latter year bought the one hundred and twenty-four acres in Munson township he now occupies. On this he has made a number of valuable improvemets, including the 'erection of additional buildings for the accommodation of his constantly increasing busi- ness.
In 1888 Mr. Weinrich was united in marriage to Miss Ottilie Bartz, who was born in Germany in 1869, but in 1871 was brought to the United States by her parents, John and Anna (Fritz) Bartz. The father died in Edford town- ship, this county, in 1900, and the mother followed him to the grave in October,
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1903. Mrs. Weinrich died December 21, 1902. She was the eldest of eleven children. The others were: Bertha, who died at the age of three years in Ger- many; Albert, who died in Geneseo when a child! Gustaf, a farmer of Edford township; Hulda, the wife of B. Woodruff; Emma, unmarried, who is now in the home of Mr. Weinrich, caring for the household; Edward, who is married and lives on the home farm in Edford township; Mary, who married James Maloney and is now deceased; Minnie, the wife of Clemons Heineman, of Springfield, Illinois; John, unmarried, who lives in Prophetstown, Whiteside county, Illinois; and Otto, deceased.
Mr. Weinrich and his wife were liberal supporters of the Methodist church. Politically his sympathies are with the republican party, but he has not taken an active part in public affairs. Ambitious and hardworking he requires only time to attain the unqualified success his friends predict for him.
PHILIP BURR KEELER.
Philip Burr Keeler, clerk of the circuit court, with office in Cambridge, was born in Clarendon, New York, August 27, 1843, his parents being Ira B. and Clarissa Harlow (Foley) Keeler, both of whom were natives of the Empire state. His grandfather in the paternal line came from England and settled near Sara- toga Springs, New York, where his remaining days were passed. He is num- bered among the heroes of the Revolutionary war, having served for six years to attain American independence.
Ira B. Keeler was a carpenter, cabinet-maker and bridge-builder and in all those lines displayed excellent workmanship. He was also active in the public life of the community, belonged to the state militia, filled the office of school di- rector and was likewise a member of the board of supervisors. His active and helpful cooperation in many public movements made him a citizen of worth. He died in Clarendon in 1851 at the age of fifty-two years and his wife, long surviv- ing him, passed away in Scottsville, Kansas, at the age of eighty-two years. Both were members of the Universalist church. In their family were the following children who reached years of maturity: Harriet B., who married Clark Glid- den ; Rufus ; Delia, deceased; Josiah; Elizabeth V., who married J. W. Eddy, an old resident of Kewanee; Mary E., wife of Andrew Wood; Viola M., the de- ceased wife of Lewis Wilson; and Philip B.
Philip B. Keeler resided at Clarendon, New York, until fifteen years of age, when he came to Henry county, Illinois, and has since made his home in Kewanee. His early education was acquired in the schools of his native village, and was con- tinued in the high school at Kewanee, while subsequently he pursued a commer- cial course in Bryant & Stratton Business College of Chicago. In early life he acquainted himself with the jeweler's trade and also with the machinist's trade, following both for a number of years. Having lost his right arm while working in the machine shop, he then returned to the jeweler business, entering the jewelry and music store of his brother-in-law, J. W. Eddy. They formed a partnership in the music department under the firm style of Eddy & Keeler, selling musical
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instruments and handling musical merchandise. Mr. Keeler continued in that line of business until 1896, when he was elected clerk of the circuit court and his capability and fidelity in office are fully attested in the fact that he has now served for thirteen years in that position, having been elected for the fourth successive term. He has also been a member of the board of supervisors for more than fifteen years and was chairman of the board for five or six years. During his connection therewith he instituted several new plans for the benefit of the com- munity and supported many others which had for their object the betterment of conditions at large.
On the 20th of December, 1866, Mr. Keeler was united in marriage to Miss Mary Frances Whittemore, a daughter of Caleb and Maria (Russell) Whitte- more. Mrs. Keeler was born in Peoria, Illinois, while her father is a native of Connecticut. He is a mechanic and put in the first water works in Peoria where he is still living. He yet devotes a number of hours each day to work although he has now attained the advanced age of ninety-two years. His wife has passed away. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Keeler have been born two sons: Rufus W., who is night electrician for the San Francisco Examiner; and Philip Burr, who is an artist and is now in the Azore Islands, taking pictures for a large photographic concern in San Francisco.
Mr. Keeler is a member of Kewanee Lodge, the Encampment and Canton of the Odd Fellows society and is a past grand and past chief patriarch, while in all branches of the grand lodge he has also been connected. He served at one time as grand marshal of the Grand Encampment of Illinois. His political alle- giance has been unfalteringly given to the republican party since he cast his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln. He has always taken an active interest in the welfare of his home city and the county and was one of the organizers of the Kewanee Building & Loan Association. He has also given helpful assistance to the Kewanee Public Library and has ever encouraged enterprises for the benefit of the city. It is safe to say that he has as many friends as any man in the county and all who know him are glad to be numbered as such.
GUSTAV A. POBANZ.
The agricultural interests of Henry county find a worthy representative in Gustav A. Pobanz, a farmer and stock raiser living on section 19, Geneseo town- ship, where he owns one hundred and eighty acres of rich and productive land. He believes in modern improvements for the house as well as for the field and has an attractive home in the midst of well tilled land. A native of West Prus- sia, he was born December 5, 1854, of the marriage of Frederick and Elizabeth Pobanz. They sailed for America when their son Gustav was but seven years of age. They took passage on a sailing vessel which was more than eight weeks in completing the voyage, and after reaching the shores of the new world they came to Henry county. For a time the father worked as a common laborer, but as soon as he could save a small sum of money he purchased ten acres of land in Edford township and built thereon a little cabin. There they lived for about a
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