USA > Illinois > Henry County > History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 31
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The children of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Becker were eight in number of whom five are still living: Mrs. Charles Clark, whose home is in Atkinson,
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Illinois ; Theodore; Gustav, of Hooppole, Illinois ; Will, who is located in Geneseo; and Mrs. Emma Collins, of Atkinson.
Theodore Becker has lived in Geneseo since 1863. He attended the public schools here, and, having thus qualified for the practical duties of life, he enter- ed business circles in the Peterson Dry Goods Store, where he acted as cashier for five years, and as salesman seven years. The year before he left that establish- ment he became interested in hardware, heating and plumbing business and at the end of that time concentrated his energies upon the commercial interests which now claim his attention. For the past twenty-one years he has been in the hardware business and has enjoyed a liberal patronage, a number of his patrons remaining with him throughout the entire period while others have long given him their business in his line. He is also doing a heating and plumb- ing business and both departments are bringing to him a good financial return.
On the 25th of September, 1890, Mr. Becker was united in marriage to Miss Kate Goembel, a native of Alba township, this county, and a daughter of Henry and Catharine Goembel, who were born in Germany but became early settlers of Henry county. Her father died in 1901 while her mother is still living. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Becker has been blessed with four children : Leslie Goembel, Hobert Theodore, Marguerite Mildred and Theodore Lester. Mrs. Becker is a member of the Zion Evangelical Association. Mr. Becker belongs to Stewart Lodge, No. 92, A. F. & A. M .; Geneseo Chapter, No. 12, R. A. M .; and Rock Island Commandery, No. 18, K. T. He is also connected with Kaaba Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., and is affiliated with the Yeomen of America. He is in hearty sympathy with the underlying principles of Masonry, believing firmly in the teachings of the craft and its beneficent pur- poses. His political support is given to the republican party, but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him. He is preeminently a man of affairs and one who wields a wide influence for his opinions are regarded as sound and his vision keen. Moreover, he is known to be loyal to other move- ments for the public good, does not regard citizenship as an idle term, nor is he neglectful of the obligations that devolve upon him.
BARNEY F. GREENHOW, D. D. S.
Dr. Barney F. Greenhow, who has been successfully engaged in the prac- tice of denistry at Kewanee since March, 1903, was born at Vincennes, Indiana, on the 16th of June, 1877, his parents being Richard J. and Elizabeth (Hays) Greenhow, the former a grain dealer. Dr. Greenhow supplemented his prelimi- nary education by a course of study at Vincennes University and subsequently entered the dental department of the Northwestern University at Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1899. Locating for the practice of his profession at Pekin, Illinois, he there remained for two years and in March, 1903, came to Kewanee, where he has since resided. He now enjoys an extensive and lucra- tive patronage and is widely recognized as one of the skilled and able represen-
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tatives of the dental fraternity in this county. He is a member of both the Knox County and Illinois State Dental Societies.
On the 18th of June, 1901, Dr. Greenhow was united in marriage to Miss Nelly Mae James, of Pekin, Illinois, her father being James M. James, the vice president of the Farmers National Bank of that city. Dr. and Mrs. Greenhow have no children of their own but are rearing an adopted child.
In his political views Dr. Greenhow is a stanch republican and at the present time is serving as a member of the board of education. He is a valued member of the Kewanee Club and also belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Masonic fraternity, being now a Royal Arch Mason. He served in the Spanish-American war as a member of the One Hundred and Fifty-ninth Indiana Volunteers, having been stationed at Camp Alger, Virginia. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Episcopal church. The young couple are well known and highly esteemed throughout the community, having won the warm regard and friendship of all with whom they have been associated.
WILLIAM S. JOHNSTON.
William S. Johnston, well known as a successful farmer, stockman and grain buyer of Henry county, is the owner of three hundred and eighty acres of valu- able land on section 21, Cambridge township. He was born in Knox county, Illinois, on the 29th of May, 1867, his parents being James and Abigail (Powell) Johnston, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The paternal grandfather was a native of Scotland, and crossed the Atlantic to the United States and settled in Ohio, where his demise occurred. The maternal grandfather of our subject died in Gallia county, Ohio, when he had attained the venerable age of almost one hundred years.
James Johnston, the father of William S. Johnston, was an agriculturist by occupation and became an early settler of Knox county, Illinois. In 1876 he took up his abode in Cambridge township, Henry county, Illinois, where he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres and there spent his remaining days, passing away when sixty-five years of age. He was widely recognized as a most respected and substantial citizen and while residing in Knox county acted as supervisor for many years and also held the office of assessor. His wife was seventy years of age when called to her final rest. They were both devoted and consistent members of the Methodist church, exemplifying its teach- ings in their daily lives. Unto them were born seven children, six sons and one daughter, four of whom still survive, as follows: Daniel J., a resident of Fair- field, Iowa; Alice, the wife of Alexander Julian, of Fairfield, Iowa; William S., of this review; and Fred, living in Cambridge township.
William S. Johnston spent the first nine years of his life on his father's farm in Knox county and then came with his parents to Henry county, where he has since made his home. He supplemented his preliminary education, ob- tained in the district schools, by three year's attendance at the high school of Cambridge. On putting aside his text-books he turned his attention to general
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agricultural pursuits and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. Subsequently he was engaged in the cultivation of rented land for two years and then bought a farm of eighty acres in Cambridge township, which he still owns. His landed holdings now comprise three hundred and eighty acres in Cambridge township, and his wife and her mother are joint owners of two hundred and forty acres. He likewise has a half section of land in Randall county, Texas, and has long been numbered among the most prosperous, enterprising and progressive citizens of the community.
On the 4th of February, 1890, Mr. Johnston was united in marriage to Miss Helen Morris, a native of Cambridge township, this county, and a daughter of Charles A. and Edna (Warner) Morris, who were born in the state of New York. They became early settlers of Henry county, where the father passed away in 1897, when sixty-eight years of age. The mother of Mrs. Johnston still survives. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Johnston has been blessed with three sons and two daughters, namely: Harry ; Clyde; Bertha ; May ; and Elmer, who died in infancy.
Mr. Johnston exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and is now capably serving his fellow towns- men in the office of school director. Fraternally he is identified with Cambridge Lodge, I. O. O. F., and in religious faith both he and his wife are devout Meth- odists. His aid and cooperation can be counted upon to further every movement calculated to benefit the community, and he and his estimable wife are held in high regard by their many friends.
FRED LONSER.
Fred Lönser, a resident of Geneseo, living retired in the fourth ward of the city, is still the owner of valuable farming property, having one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 20, Geneseo township. He belongs to that class of worthy citizens that the fatherland has furnished to this part of the state, his birth having occurred in Germany, November 26, 1850, his father being Godfrey Lönser. His youthful days were spent on the home farm in his native country until he was able to earn his living by working as a farm hand in the neighborhood. He was very young at the time of his mother's death, and the other children of the family also passed away, leaving Fred Lönser and his father as the survivors. The father afterward married again, and there is one half-brother, Louis Lönser, who now resides on a farm in Rock Island county, Illinois.
Fred Lönser was about nineteen years of age when he and his half-brother came to America, leaving their father in Germany, where he soon afterward departed this life. The young men were attracted to the new world by the opportunities which were afforded in this country. They came to Henry county, and for a long period the subject of this review worked as a farm hand by the month, carefully saving his earnings until he was at length enabled to purchase land. His diligence and economy have brought him substantial success
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as the years have gone by. After he had been a resident of Henry county for eighteen years, he purchased eighty acres of land where he now resides, going in debt for a part of this. However, he practiced rigid economy until he was able to cancel that financial obligation, and since that time he has added forty acres to the original tract. His home place now comprises one hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land from which are annually gathered good crops, and from the farm he receives a substantial income.
On the 31st of March, 1890, in Geneseo township, Mr. Lönser was united in marriage to Miss Frederica Hamman, who was also born in Germany and came to the United States with her parents. Three children have blessed this union: Fred, at home; Flora, the wife of George Yager ; and Minnie, who completes the family. The parents are members of the German Lutheran church and are possessed of many good qualities which have won for them the confidence and warm regard of all who know them. Mr. Lönser deserves great credit for the success which he has accomplished for he started out in life empty-handed, and, coming to America, unacquainted with the customs, manners and language of the people, he readily adapted himself to changed circumstances and environ- ment and gradually worked his way upward until he is now numbered among the men of affluence in his part of the county. -
JACOB Y. MAYHEW.
Jacob Y. Mayhew, who since 1896 has been successfully engaged in the conduct of a storage and transfer business at Kewanee, is numbered among the worthy native sons of this city, having been born here on the 13th of Sep- tember, 1863. After completing his education in the public schools he secured a position as clerk in the grocery store of M. C. Quinn, where he remained for four years. On the expiration of that period he made his way to Seattle, Washington, where he remained for two and a half years, working on a steam- boat and also as an employe in a restaurant. After returning to this county in December, 1886, he etnered the service of the Americn Express Company, in whose employ he remained for about seven years or until 1893, acting in the various capacities of clerk messenger, cashier and agent at various places. In November, 1894, he entered business circles at Kewanee as the junior mem- ber of the firm of Stancliff & Mayhew, engaging in the buying and selling of poultry. In 1896 he disposed of his interest in that concern and bought the transfer business of A. F. Bigelow, establishing the Mayhew Storage & Transfer Company, which he has successfully conducted to the present time. His busi- ness methods will bear the closest scrutiny and investigation, and his well known probity has gained for him the respect of all.
In November, 1889, Mr. Mayhew was united in marriage to Miss Effie L. Kayser, of Litchfield, Illinois, by whom he has three children, namely: Laila P., who completed the high school course in 1909; George Albert, a high school student; and Max J. Mr. Mayhew belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Modern
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Woodmen of America and the Masons, having attained the Knight Templar degree in the last named fraternity. He is also a past exalted ruler in the Elks lodge. Upright character and sterling worth have gained him a favorable place in the regard of many friends, and Henry county numbers him among her valued citizens.
MARVIN K. PAUL.
Fifty-two years have come and gone since Marvin K. Paul became a per- manent resident of Henry county. He had previously visited the district in 1854 and had invested in eighty acres of land which is now a part of the old homestead. When he took possession of the place it was entirely wild and un- improved and that he has led an active and busy life is indicated in the attrac- tive appearance of the farm today, which is one of the well developed proper- ties of Geneseo township. It is situated on section 7 and for many years Mr. Paul in addition to tilling the soil has also carried on stock raising. He is far departed from the place of his nativity, for he is one of New England's sons, his birth having occurred near Union, Tolland county, Connecticut, on the 22d of August, 1829. His parents were Chauncey and Polly (Armour) Paul, the former a son of Robert and Anna (Sessions) Paul. Robert Paul was a native of the north of Ireland and of Scotch descent. Coming to America he espoused the cause of the colonists and served as a soldier of the Revolu- tionary war. The mother of our subject was a native of Union, Tolland coun- ty, Connecticut, and was an aunt of Philip Armour, the multi-millionaire meat packer of Chicago.
On the home farm Marvin K. Paul was reared and acquired a good educa- tion, for the father prepared each of his children for teaching. He attended both the Munson Academy in Massachusetts and Williston Seminary in East- hampton, Massachusetts. At seventeen years of age he began teaching in the town of Stafford, Connecticut, and followed the profession through the winter seasons, while the summer months were devoted to farm work. He taught one winter in North Providence, Rhode Island, and proved a capable educator, imparting readily and clearly to others the knowledge that he had acquired. While still living in the east he was married, the wedding being cele- brated at Willington, Connecticut, on the 24th of March, 1856, the lady of his choice being Miss Janette Fuller, who was born at that place, May 29, 1832. Her parents were Willard and Minerva (Walker) Fuller, and on the home farm she was reared and acquired a good education in the public schools, after which she became a public-school teacher in Connecticut, teaching off and on for about ten years.
In the year following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Paul came to Henry county, Illinois, to which district two of his brothers had made their way the previous year. Mr. Paul had visited the county in 1854 and had purchased eighty acres of land which is now a part of the home farm. He paid four dollars an acre for this property, which was entirely destitute of modern im-
MR. AND MRS. M. K. PAUL
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provements. There were no trees, only a few bushes growing along the creek and deer were frequently seen on the place, while wild game of other kind was quite plentiful. It was an arduous task to break the sod and till the fields for the first time, but as the work was carried on year by year it became easier and his labors were rewarded by generous harvests. When he came to the county in 1857 Mr. Paul brought his wife with him and they lived at a neigh- bor's home while he built the upright part of his residence. Here he has lived continuously since and is now the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land, which is a valuable and productive tract. The Hennepin canal passes through one forty acre tract of his place.
As the years went by five children were added to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Paul, but two of the number died in childhood. The others are: Jennie L., the wife of William Jaques, a resident of Kansas City, Kansas, by whom she has two sons, Ewart Paul and Kenneth; Marilla, the wife of Jackson B. Young, a resident of Oakland, California; and Nellie, who is the wife of William A. Walters and has one child, Paul Merrill. Mrs. Paul's ancestors came from England in 1689 and settled on the land where she was born, it continuing to be the home of the family for over two hundred years.
Mr. Paul cast his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont and for a number of years continued to support the republican ticket but later became a greenbacker and populist. He has never been an office seeker but served as school director for thirty years and has always been an ardent advocate of any measure that furthers good schools. He was reared in the faith of the Congregational church but is now liberal in his religious views. He has at- tained the age of four score years and is yet a vigorous, enterprising man, well preserved for one of his age. He does not live in the past as so many old people do but is yet interested in the affairs of the present and to a large ex- tent supervises the cultivation and improvement of his farm. Much to his sur- prise, on the eightieth anniversary of his birth, there gathered at his home not only his children but also many old friends from town and the surrounding country to offer their congratulations and tokens of their esteem.
CONSTANT BROWN.
Constant Brown, pleasant and genial in manner and faithful to every trust reposed in him, is well qualified for the position which he is now filling as freight and ticket agent for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway Company, at Geneseo. His life record began on the 20th of March, 1845, the place of his nativity being Canajoharie, Montgomery county, New York. He was named for his paternal grandfather, Constant Brown, Sr., who was also a native of the Empire state. He-was prominent in community affairs there, served as sheriff of Montgomery county for several years and was also justice of the peace. He was likewise a soldier of the war of 1812, and his military record and his official career were alike creditable and honorable. He married Miss Phoebe Albertson, and they continued their residence in New York until called to their.
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final rest, Mr. Brown passing away at the age of eighty-six years, while his wife died when sixty-eight years of age. They had two sons and two daughters: Julia, Eliza, Charles H. and Constant. The last named, however, was drowned when six years of age.
Charles H. Brown, the father of our subject, was born in New York and devoted his entire life to business as a merchant tailor. He wedded Susan H. Hees, who was likewise a native of the Empire state, as were her parents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Lipe) Hees. Her father was for many years a farmer of Mont- gomery county, New York, and was of Holland-Dutch descent. He passed away when sixty-five years of age, while his wife lived to the advanced age of seventy- eight years. They were the parents of eleven children, all of whom are now deceased. This number included Mrs. Susan H. Brown. For years after their marriage the parents of our subject remained in New York but when well advanced in years sought a home in Geneseo in 1889. Here the death of Mr. Brown occurred in 1903, when he was eighty-four years of age. His wife sur- vived him and died in 1907 at the age of eighty-five years. Both were consistent Christian people and held membership in the Presbyterian church, and their upright lives won them the love and esteem of all who knew them. They were the parents of two sons and two daughters, three of whom reached years of maturity : Mary E., the deceased wife of J. E. H. Kelley; Constant; and Jacob H., who is living in Cleveland, Ohio.
Constant Brown spent the first eight years of his life in the place of his nativity and then accompanied his parents on their removal from Montgomery county to Oneida county, New York, living in Rome and Utica until twenty years of age. He attended the public schools there and was graduated from the Rome Academy in 1862. He afterward taught school for two winters and one summer and in 1865 came west to Illinois. Through the succeeding winter he engaged in teaching in Bureau county and in the following summer was employed at farm labor. On the 17th of October, 1866, he entered the service of the Rock Island Railway Company as agent of what was then called Pond Creek but is now Wyanet. There he continued until the Ist of July, 1884, when he came to Geneseo and was made freight and ticket agent here, which position he has filled continuously since for a period of a quarter of a century.
On the 23d of August, 1866, Mr. Brown was married to Miss Annie M. Wilcox, a daughter of Oliver G. Wilcox. Mrs. Brown was born in Oswego county, New York, and her parents were also natives of that state. Arriving in Illinois in 1853 they settled at Princeton, where their remaining days were passed. The father was a soldier of the war of 1812. Mrs. Brown attended the first county fair held in Bureau county, over a half century ago, the place being in a schoolhouse, the exhibits being displayed on the school desks. She has lived to see many notable changes in this part of the state, as northern Illinois has put off the evidences of frontier life and taken on all the advantages of modern civilization.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been born seven children. Charles H., who is now station agent at Marquette, Illinois, married Nelly O'Leary, and they have three daughters: Annie M., Beatrice and Helen. Constant, who married Matie Striker, is engaged in the grain and stock business at Wyanet.
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Fred H., a grocer at Geneseo, married Jessie L. Sargent, and they have two children : Dorothy and Constant. Harry E. is a lawyer of Geneseo, who married Mabel Welton. Roy W., who married Grace McLean, is manager of the Globe Manufacturing Company, of Amsterdam, New York. Susan H., who married Elmer C. Wilcox, lives in Argentine, Kansas. And Leslie R. died at the age of nineteen years on board a hospital ship during the Spanish-American war and was buried at sea.
Mr. and Mrs. Brown are members of the Methodist church, interested in its work and active in various movements for its upbuilding. Mr. Brown is serving as one of the church trustees. He belongs to Stewart Lodge, No. 92, A. F. & A. M., and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. For three years he was a member of the board of education, and his work in behalf of the schools was far-reaching and effective. That he has remained with the railroad company in one position for twenty-five years is unmistakable proof of his ability and trustworthiness, and his manner is at once so courteous and ob- liging as to make him a most popular official with the patrons of the road.
THEODORE H. COLDY.
A fine farm of eighty acres on section 32, Cambridge township, is the prop- erty of Theodore H. Coldy, and annually pays tribute to his care and labor in bounteous harvests. He was born in Weller township, Henry county, Illinois, on the 30th of December, 1847, his parents being Henry and Mary (Fenn) Coldy, who were natives of Prussia and Cambridge, England, respectively. The ma- ternal grandfather, James Fenn, was likewise born in England and both he and his wife died in that country.
Henry Coldy, the father of Theodore H. Coldy, became one of the earliest settlers in Henry county and took up a tract of eighty acres of government land in Weller township. He was actively identified with agricultural interests until the time of his death, which occurred in 1852. In religious faith he was a Lutheran, and his life was at all times in harmony with his professions. His wife, who survived him for more than a half century, was called to her final rest in 1903, when she had attained the age of seventy-nine years. She belonged to the Church of England. By her marriage she had become the mother of five children, two sons and three daughters, as follows: Emily, the deceased wife of William B. Pettit, of Rock Island; Eliza, the wife of Edward Harrison; Theodore H., of this review; Mary Jane, the wife of Thomas Quirk; and Edward, who has also passed away.
Theodore H. Coldy was reared on the home farm in Weller township and attended the district schools in pursuit of an education that would equip him for the practical and responsible duties of life. He inherited a tract of thirty acres and afterward bought fifty acres more, so that his farm now comprises eighty acres of rich and productive land on section 32, Cambridge township. When the property came into his possession it was all raw prairie, but he reso- lutely set to work and gradually transformed it into a valuable and well im-
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