USA > Illinois > Henry County > History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 39
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115
Mr. Swanson had been married twice. On the 2d of July, 1848, he wedded Miss Christiana Gabrielson, who bore him seven children. Two daughters and two of the sons died in infancy, but three sons survive-Walter, Linnie and John. Mrs. Swanson died October 2, 1877, and October 8, 1881, Mr. Swanson married Miss Kate Erickson, who with a daughter, Dorothy, survives him. His life, which had been a constant devotion to high ideals, has left its impress upon the men and women among whom he lived, and whose welfare was his deep concern. They are the better for the memory of his service in their midst and this surely is the sincerest praise which may be bestowed upon a good man.
JACOB KROLL.
Among the foreign born residents of Galva who are figuring prominently in the business circles of this city is Jacob Kroll, to whom the consensus of public opinion accords a foremost place among the highly respected and hon- ored citizens of the community. As the name indicates he is of German descent, his birth having occurred in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, on the 15th of March, 1856. He lost his father when a little child, too young to remember him, and the years of his boyhood and early youth were spent in the home of his widowed mother, where he remained until seventeen years of age. During that time he acquired his education in the common schools of his native land and after
373
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
putting aside his text-books he applied himself to mastering the cabinet-maker's trade with the intention of making that his life work. He had scarcely reached young manhood ere rumors reached him concerning the splendid advantages of- fered by the new world, and thinking to obtain better opportunity for advance- ment along business lines, in 1873, when but seventeen years of age, he left the fatherland and came to the United States, arriving here with but five cents in his pocket. He did not tarry on the eastern coast, however, but came direct to Illinois, locating in Pekin where he joined an uncle, Jacob Kroll, with whom he made his home for a short time. He then began working at his trade, which he followed for several years, and during this period was very successful. He was called upon, however, to suffer the loss of his furniture factory by fire, this catastrophe leaving him almost penniless, and as though to attest the truth of the old adage that "Misfortune never comes singly," he was immediately taken ill with chills and fever, and for some time was compelled to give up all work. Undaunted, however, by this double trouble, when again able to assume business activities he accepted a position in a furniture factory in Peoria, where he was engaged for several years. He was then identified with carpentering for a num- ber of years and subsequently took up the millwright's business. He located in Davenport, where he was again burned out, losing all of his tools. He then took a trip through the west and after his return to Illinois accepted a position as fore- man in the Peoria Oatmeal Mills, which he occupied for fifteen years. The year 1901 witnessed his arrival in Galva, where he purchased the cereal and feed mill of William McBride & Son, in the conduct of which he has since been actively engaged. Since becoming proprietor of the mill he has made many substantial improvements therein and has built up an excellent trade, the thorough and comprehensive experience previously obtained along this line well fitting him for carrying on an enterprise of this nature. He is directing his energies toward the successful control of the mill and his good business ability and close appli- cation are proving potent factors in the success which is now his.
In 1877, Mr. Kroll laid the foundation for a happy home life in his marriage to Miss Lena Weers, a daughter of Harry and Margaret Weers, and as the years passed five children came to bless that union. John, the eldest, makes his · home in Chicago, where he is a bookkeeper in Marshall Field's store. He mar- ried Annie Reinhart and in their family are four daughters. Minnie, the second in order of birth, became the wife of John Zweifel, and with their two children, Harold and Ruth, they make their home in Peoria. George assists his father in the operation of the mill, while the other two, Carl and Harold, both passed away in early life. After the death of the wife and mother Mr. Kroll was again mar- ried, his second union being with Miss Lena Mennett, who is also deceased, hav- ing been called to her final rest August 24, 1909. They became the parents of two children, Gussie and one who died in infancy.
Mr. Kroll is a member of the Lutheran church, the teachings of which form the guiding influence of his life, and he has always been deeply interested in church work, doing all in his power to further its influence throughout the com- munity. He gives his support at the polls to the republican party but has never sought nor desired office for himself, preferring to devote his entire attention to the conduct of his personal affairs. He has never had occasion to regret his
374
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
determination to seek his fortune in the new world, for in this country where individual effort is unhampered by caste or class he has won success which places him among the progressive and prosperous business men of the community in which he resides. His success, however, has been honorably won for the methods which he has pursued have at all times been honest and upright, while his integrity of purpose and the high principles which govern his life have gained him the unqualified respect and regard of his fellowmen.
DAVID WINE.
The upbuilding and developing of a community does not depend upon its machinery of government or even upon the men who control its municipal affairs, but upon those who are active in its commercial and professional circles, lending their aid and influence to progressive public measures and promoting through their individual interests not only their personal success but also the business progress of the community. To this class of men belongs David Wine, who in 1904 came to Kewanee and established the works of the Kewanee Iron and Metal Company, of which he is sole proprietor.
A native of Prussia, Mr. Wine was born on the 19th of May, 1874, and is a son of Mayor and Dora Wine, the former a farmer in Prussia, Germany. He has always devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and is now the owner of a large tract of land of twenty thousand acres.
David Wine began his education in the public schools near his father's home and also attended the colleges of that district. In one respect Germany has gone ahead of America in her educational institutions in that her colleges are supported by the state and thus the opportunity of a collegiate course is open to all. After completing his studies David Wine turned his attention to bookkeeping in Lodz, entering the employ of one of the largest cotton importers of that country. He spent two years there and then sought the opportunities of the new world.
In the meantime, however, Mr. Wine was united in marriage on the 5th of January, 1897, to Miss Rebecca Lavin, of Prussia, and in June, of the same year, crossed the broad Atlantic to the United States. They did not tarry on the eastern coast but made their way to Chicago, where they resided for two years, during which period Mr. Wine was employed as bookkepeer by the Cable Piano Company. He afterwards traveled for the Joseph Iron Company of Aurora, Illinois, buying and selling iron. This was a wholesale enterprise, which he rep- resented for four years. In 1904 he came to Kewanee and established the Kewanee Iron and Metal Company. He is sole proprietor of the business, which has become one of the most important industries of the city. He handles about one thousand cars per year and buys and sells iron from New Orleans to Omaha, Arkansas and Oklahoma. His yards are well equipped with the most modern and important machinery and the plants which he has instituted for the control and expansion of his business are such as are producing excellent results.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wine have been born three children: Ruth, Erwin and Laura. The family attend the Orthodox Jewish church and Mr. Wine in his
375
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
fraternal relations is connected with the Masons and the Elks. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world for he has here found the opportunities he sought and in his business life has made steady progress, placing his dependence upon the substantial qualities of energy, de- termination and progressiveness.
GEORGE DUFF.
Among Henry county's venerable citizens is numbered George Duff, who has now passed the eighty-eighth milestone on life's journey, and his record has at all times been so honorable, his actions so manly and his purpose so sincere that he now receives the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded one who has lived long and well. He was born near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, March 24, 1821, his parents being William and Mary (Johnson) Duff, who were also natives of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. The former was a son of John Duff who was likewise born in the Keystone state and was a farmer by occupation. Unto him and his wife were born six sons and four daughters. The maternal grandfather of George Duff devoted his life to general agricultural pursuits. He wedded Martha Johnson and both lived to an old age. William Duff, the father of our subject, was a tanner by trade and conducted business of that char- acter in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, near the place where his birth occurred. He died there when about fifty-seven or fifty-eight years of age, while his wife passed away at the age of forty-seven years.
In their family were twelve children, but George Duff is now the only survivor. He was reared in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, pursued his education in the public schools and worked in a tan yard and ground bark. Later he engaged in teaming for a time and subsequently turned his attention to farming in Penn- sylvania, but, rightly judging that the middle west offered better opportunities to the agriculturist, he came to Henry county in 1857 and here rented land. A few years later he purchased a farm of eighty acres to which he afterward added a tract of similar size. For some years he remained upon that place and at dif- ferent times owned farms in the county but lived mostly in Penn township. At one time he was the owner of two hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land but eventually sold his farm to his son and for fifteen or twenty years has made his home in Geneseo.
Mr. Duff was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Cyphers, who was born in Penn township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of Philip and Nancy (Quinter) Cyphers, who were likewise natives of the Keystone state. Mr. and Mrs. Duff became the parents of six children, of whom four are now living : Nancy Ellen, the wife of Darwin R. Amsden; William, who wedded Re- becca E. Wilson; Anna, the wife of George H. Wilson; and Mary Frances, the wife of Charles Magee. Of the family John P. and Freddie died in childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Amsden have three living children : Cora B., Ina M., and Roscoe John, while Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have one son, Alden George. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Magee are Elsie M. and Elan C. Mrs. Mary Ann Duff died
376
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
November 1, 1906, at he age of eighty-two years and one month. She was a number of the Christian church and a most estimable lady whose many good traits of heart and mind endeared her to all who knew her.
In his political views Mr. Duff has long been a stalwart democrat. He has resided in Henry county for fifty-two years and is one of the most highly re- spected citizens. He has always been an honest, hard-working, upright man and has made his way in the world unaided, since he started out for himself empty- handed. His industrious habits and good management, however, have secured him a competency for his old age. In the early days he bought land when it was cheap, and his son now owns and operates the old homestead. The farm is now finely improved and is today worth one hundred and fifty dollars an acre. Mr. Duff owns a good and comfortable home on North State street close to the busi- ness part of the town. Though past eighty-eight years of age he is quite active for one who has traveled thus far on life'e journey, and at all times he keeps informed on the current events of the day. He is very social and genial of nature and it is a pleasure to converse with him. He has a host of friends who hold him in the highest esteem for his life has ever been upright and honorable. Although he has now advanced far on the journey he still keeps a cheerful spirit and sheds around him the cheerful influence of a sunny disposition. His record is altogether most creditable and no history of the community would be complete were there failure to make prominent mention of George Duff.
IRA COUCH MILLER.
On the roll of Henry county's honored dead appears the name of Ira Couch Miller, who for almost sixty years lived within the borders of the county, this covering the entire period of his life save the first six months. He always took a deep interest in what was being accomplished along the lines of substantial growth and improvement, and in his own business affairs kept abreast with the trend of general development. Mr. Miller was born September 16, 1842, the place of his nativity being Gran de Tour, Illinois. His parents were Abram and Sarah Ann (Southworth) Miller, the former a native of East Hampton, Suffolk county, New York, where he was born August 24, 1816. Sarah Ann Southworth was born at Bemis Point, near Jamestown, New York, and was a daughter of Hiram and Rachel (Couch) Southworth. They removed from the vicinity of Jamestown, New York, to Henry county, Illinois, when this district was largely an undevel- oped region and with its early progress were closely associated. Mr. Southworth served for some years as justice of the peace and was otherwise closely asso- ciated with public interests. His wife died when more than seventy years of age. Their family numbered six children, including Sarah Ann Southworth, who in the year 1842 gave her hand in marriage to Abram Miller. He had come to the west in 1838 and had settled in Geneseo. They were married at Spring Creek and remained among the pioneers who were busily engaged in reclaim- ing this district for the uses of civilization. During the first sixteen years of his residence here Mr. Miller devoted most of his time to the carpenter trade, but in
377
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
1854-the year in which the Rock Island Railroad reached Geneseo-he embarked in the hotel business and for forty years was well known as the popular host of a hotel, especially of the Geneseo House. He died July 8, 1893, at the age of seventy-seven years, while his wife passed away in 1902 at the age of eighty-two years. They were the parents of three sons and a daughter.
Ira Couch Miller was only six months old when his parents took up their abode in Geneseo, so that he was reared in Henry county. The public schools of the town afforded him his educational privileges, and when not busy with his text- books and after he had completed his education he was his father's assistant in the hotel. After the outbreak of the Civil war he went to Springfield to enlist and was there made clerk of the commissary department. Subsequently he was transferred to Rock Island and then to Camp Douglas, where he remained until the camp was discontinued by reason of the cessation of hostilities and the inau- guration of peace. After the war he continued in the hotel business with his father, and this brought him a wide acquaintance, while his genial manner and many substantial qualities gained for him the warm regard of those with whom he came in contact.
On the 16th September, 1866, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Jo- sephine McFarlane, a daughter of Andrew and Keziah Ann (McCloskey) Mc- Farlane. Mrs. Miller was born in Pulaski, Pennsylvania, June 19, 1847. Her father was born on a farm in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, September 23, 1804. and was a son of John McFarlane, who was a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, but was born of Scotch parentage, belonging to the McFarlane brothers' clan, whose exploits and accomplishments constitute an important part in the Scotch history, the home of the family being on Loch Lomond. John McFarlane wedded Katharine McNickle and after coming to America, they resided at Lowellville, Ohio. Mr. McFarlane purchased fifteen hundred acres of land in Pennsylvania and gave to each of his children a farm. The family name was originally spelled McFarland. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Miller were Thomas and Rachel (Creighton) McCloskey and resided at East Palestine, Ohio, where both died, the former when more than sixty years of age while the latter had passed the seventieth milestone on life's journey when called to her final rest.
Andrew McFarlane, the father of Mrs. Miller, was married December 10, 1845, to Miss Keziah Ann McCloskey, who was born in East Palestine, Colum- biana county, Ohio, September 22, 1826. On the 20th of October, 1851, they ar- rived in Henry county, Illinois, and took up their abode in Geneseo, where he engaged in the dry goods business, opening a little line of goods in Deacon Ward's woodshed where the Collegiate Institute now stands. In the east he had been engaged in merchandising, and at the time of the big Pittsburg fire, in 1847, his cotton mills were destroyed. He was a stanch advocate of abolition and was one of the committee of five in Geneseo who conducted the underground railroad. On retiring from the dry goods trade he looked after his landed and other prop- ¡ erty interests in Geneseo, for he had made extensive investments in real estate. He died January 27, 1885, at the age of eighty-one years and thus passed away
į one of the prominent and representative citizens. He was survived for some time I by his wife, who died December 29, 1898, at the age of seventy-two years.
-
378
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
Their only child was Mrs. Miller, who by her marriage became the mother of two sons and a daughter: Andrew Abram, who married Jessie Frances Vilas and has been in the employ of the J. V. Farwell Dry Goods Company, of Chicago, from the age of eighteen years; Lulu Grace, at home; and Percy Burdette, who died in 1882 at the age of two years. The husband and father passed away April 8, 1901, when fifty-nine years of age. His many good qualities having gained him a large circle of warm friends his death was deeply regretted by many who knew him. Practically his entire life had been spent in Geneseo and few had a wider acquaintance. His social qualities were such as made him a genial landlord, while his business ability well prepared him for the duties which de- volved upon him in connection with the management of a hotel. Mrs. Miller has also spent the greater part of her life in this county, and she, too, is widely and favorably known in the city where she has made her home for so many years.
CARL FREDERICK JOHNSON.
A finely improved farm of eighty acres located in Weller township is the home of Carl Frederick Johnson, who was born in Collamerlane, Smoland, Sweden, September 10, 1840, a son of Jacob and Lena Johnson, who were like- wise native of that country and there spent their entire lives, the former passing away in April, 1888. The mother is also deceased.
Carl Frederick Johnson was reared in his native country and was there educated in the public schools. After starting out upon an independent busi- ness venture he worked at farm labor and also for some time in a stone quarry. He remained in Sweden until twenty-nine years of age, when, foreseeing no future there and having heard favorable reports concerning the opportunities to be enjoyed in the new world, he accordingly set sail for America in 1869, ar- riving at his destination-Bishop Hill-on the Ist of May of that year. A little later, however, he continued his journey to Iowa and for a year worked on the railroad. He then returned to Bishop Hill and for two years was em- ployed at farm labor near this place. During these years he carefully saved his earnings for his one ambition was to engage in business on his own ac- count. To this end he then rented sixty acres of land lying northeast of Bishop Hill and to its cultivation gave his attention for six years. Through this means he gained his real start in life. In 1878 he possessed a sum of money that justi- fied his purchase of land and accordingly he became the owner of forty acres, which constitutes a portion of his present home place. The tract at that time bore little resemblance to its present condition. When he bought it it was cov- ered with timber. Mr. Johnson in due time had this cleared off and he then erected a good house, barn and other outbuildings, divided his land into fields by building fences, and through modern methods of farming placed his land in a cultivable state. In a few years he was able to purchase forty acres more and he now owns eighty acres. He has added to his residence, which is now one of the fine country homes of his section of the county. For thirty-two years he was actively identified with farming interests, his main crops being corn and
MR. AND MRS. C. F. JOHNSON
381
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
oats. He has been so successful that in the past year he purchased two lots and a nice residence in Bishop Hill, to which place he will remove in the spring of 1910. He still retains possession of his farm property and rents the same. .
Mr. Johnson was married in this city to Miss Christine Soderburg, a daugh- ter of Olof Soderburg, who came from Sweden to Bishop Hill in 1865, and rented a farm in Weller township for about three years and in Clover township for five years. He then removed to Kansas, where he purchased a farm near the town of Dwight. Mr. Soderburg passed away in January, 1906, but his wife is still living and remains on the farm with one of her sons. Mr. John- son is a republican, stanch in his advocacy of its principles. His first presi- dential ballot was cast for James A. Garfield and he has supported every can- didate of the party since that time. He takes a deep and active interest in local affairs and is most loyal to his adopted country.
EZRA S. DEAN.
Ezra S. Dean, who since 1900 has lived retired in Galva, was formerly suc- cessfully engaged in farming for many years and is still the owner of four hun- dred and eighty acres of rich and productive land in Cambridge township. His birth occurred in Chester, Vermont, on the 14th of February, 1841, his parents being Ezra and Eliza (Sargent) Dean, likewise natives of the Green Mountain state. The paternal grandfather, Darius Dean, was a native of Massachusetts and followed general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career. He passed away at Chester, Vermont, when eighty-five years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Esther Fisher, also lived to attain a ripe old age. They reared a large family of children. Ezra Sargent, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was likewise a farmer by occupation and died at Chester, Ver- mont, when well advanced in years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Betsy Putnam, was more than ninety years of age when called to her final rest. They, too, had quite a large family of children.
Ezra Dean, the father of Mr. Dean of this review, was engaged in general agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career. He was sixty-one yeare of age when called to his final rest, his demise occurring in Illinois in 1855, while he was on a visit to his older children. He was twice married and his sec- ond wife, the mother of our subject, passed away about 1875 when sixty-eight years of age. She was a Baptist in religious belief and Mr. Dean was a devoted member of the Congregational church. Their union was blessed with two children, namely : Ezra S., of this review; and Julia E., the deceased wife of Allen J. Davis. Mr. Dean first wedded Miss Phoebe Burgess, by whom he had three children, as follows : Rosanna, the deceased wife of James H. Hewitt; Leverett B., a resident of Kansas; and Lucia M., the widow of S. B. Arnold, of Creston, Iowa. Mrs. Eliza (Sargent) Dean was also twice married and by her first hus- band, Abner Field, had a daughter named Zilia. She became wife of A. W. Davis, of Chester, Vermont, but is now deceased.
382
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
Ezra S. Dean was reared on his father's farm near Chester, Vermont, and there remained until the latter's death. He supplemented his preliminary edu- cation, obtained in the district schools, by a course in Chester Academy. In 1862 he enlisted for service in the Union army as a member of Company H, Tenth Vermont Infantry, loyally defending the stars and stripes until honorably dis- charged on the Ist of December, 1865. He served as a private until 1864 and afterward acted as first lieutenant and adjutant of the Forty-third Regiment of United States Colored Troops. He participated in all the battles of the Rich- mond campaign and took part in most of the engagements under Grant, begin- ning with the battle of the Wilderness. When the country no longer needed his aid he returned to his home in Vermont and soon afterward removed westward to Logan county, Illinois, where he shipped cattle and handled stock for a year. In the fall of 1866 he came to Henry county and, in association with A. W. Davis, purchased a farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Cambridge town- ship. Subsequently he bought half of Mr. Davis' interest and his holdings now embrace four hundred and eighty acres of finely improved and highly productive land. For a third of a century he carried on the work of the fields with good success, his care and labor being annually rewarded by bounteous harvests. Since 1900, however, he has lived retired in Galva, making his home in a com- modius and beautiful residence which he erected on North street.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.