History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II, Part 4

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

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The death of Nathaniel B. Gould occurred August 27, 1907, when he had reached the age of seventy-nine years and five months. His was a long, useful and active life, crowned with honors and success. He was regarded as one of . the political leaders of this part of the state and took an active and helpful in- terest in many measures relative to the public welfare. He gave unfaltering sup-

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY

port to the republican party, believing that its principles were most conducive to good government and keeping at all times well informed on the vital questions and issues of the day. For a number of years he filled the position of chief executive of Cambridge and his service as mayor was of a businesslike character, in which needed reform and improvement played an important part. When his salary as mayor was given him it was immediately turned over to some poor widow or person in need and thus his official life proved a dual blessing to the community, to the city which benefited by his practical efforts in its behalf and to the one who was the recipient of his bounty. He served in the office of super- visor for a quarter of a century and for many years was a member of the school board, discharging every official duty with singleness of purpose, actuated at all times by his devotion to the general good. He had the respect and trust of even his political opponents and throughout the entire community was recognized as a man whom to know was to esteem and honor. His philanthropy was one of his strongest characteristics. He could never listen unmoved to any tale of sor- row or distress and his benevolent spirit found expression in generous assistance to the poor. In his business relations he was prominent as the president of the First National Bank of Cambridge from its organization until his death. Mrs. Gould still survives her husband and makes her home in Cambridge. She was reared in the Episcopal church, which she still attends, and is a lady whose many splendid traits of character have endeared her to all with whom she has been brought in contact.

WILLIAM HENRY LYMAN.

William Henry Lyman, who is now at the head of an extensive and im- portant mercantile enterprise as the senior partner of the Lyman-Lay Company of Kewanee, has long been numbered among the city's most enterprising and prominent residents. His birth occurred at Whiteriver Junction, Vermont, on the 3d of June, 1852, his parents being George and Minerva (Briggs) Lyman. The father was actively and successfuly identified with general merchandising for many years and likewise served as postmaster from 1861 until 1878, at Whiteriver Junction, Vermont. .

William Henry Lyman obtained his early education in the public schools of his native state and afterward spent two years in a select private school at Norwich, Vermont, while subsequently he received special instruction under the preceptorship of Hiram Orcutt. Under the direction of his father he early became familiar with the business of merchandising and when he came to Kewanee, Illinois, in September, 1869, he entered the department store of Lyman & Lay, of which his brother Elias was the senior partner. In 1874 he was admitted to a partnership and the style of the firm was changed to " Lyman, Lay & Lyman, which was maintained until 1883, when Elias Lyman retired and the concern adopted the name of Lay & Lyman. Since 1905 the enterprise has been conducted under the name of the Lyman-Lay Company and the business has continually grown until it is now one of extensive and

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY

profitable proportions. In 1890 Mr. Lyman assisted in the organization of the Boss Manufacturing Company and has since acted as its president. He has likewise served as the vice president of the Union National bank since its organ- ization and since 1904 has been the chief executive officer of the Galesburg Kewanee Electric Railway Company. The latter corporation was incorporated on the 9th of May, 1902, and began operating its lines on the 22d of August, 1903, while on the 6th of December, 1906, its interurban system was extended to Galva. Mr. Lyman became a director of the company in December, 1903, and since 1904 has been its president. His connection with any undertaking insures a prosperous outcome of the same, for it is in his nature to carry forward to successful completion whatever he is associated with. He has earned for himself an enviable reputation as a careful man of business, and in his dealings is known for his prompt and honorable methods, which have won him the deserved and unbounded confidence of his fellowmen.

On the 19th of June, 1877, Mr. Lyman was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Webb Stevens, a resident of Kewanee and a daughter of William W. Stevens, who is a retired agriculturist. Mr. and Mrs. Lyman have a son, William Henry, Jr., who was educated in the Kewanee high school and is now associated with his father in business.

Mr. Lyman gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is a most loyal, public-spirited citizen whose aid and cooperation can ever be counted upon to further any movement or measure instituted to promote the general welfare. He was on the village board of trustees for four years and for two years of that time served as its president. His religious faith is indi- cated by his membership in the Congregational church, of which he is a trustee and in the work of which he is actively and helpfully interested, having served as a Sunday-school teacher for a number of years. He belongs to the Mer- chants and Commercial Club and also the Kewanee Club. The salient qualities of his life have ever commended him to the confidence, good will and friend- ship of those with whom he has come in contact and he has always enjoyed the warm regard of a host of friends.

GEORGE JACOB HORNECKER.

George Jacob Hornecker, who since 1901 has lived. retired in Geneseo, was formerly actively and successfully identified with agricultural interests in this county for many years. His birth occurred in Germany on the 30th of September, 1838, his parents being G. J. and Christine (Weise) Hornecker, both of whom were also natives of the fatherland, the former born in 1808 and the latter in 1811. In 1854 they crossed the Atlantic to the United States, taking up their abode in Qunicy, Adams county, Illinois, where the father fol- lowed farming for ten years. On the expiration of that period, in 1864, he came to Osco township, Henry county, here remaining until called to his final rest in 1884. His wife passed away in 1882, and both lie buried in Morris- town. Unto them were born eight children, four of whom still survive, namely :

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY

G. J., of this review; Fred, a resident of Wichita, Kansas; Caroline, the wife of Jacob Ernst, of California; and Martin, living in Cambridge, Illinois.

G. J. Hornecker, who obtained his education in the schools of his native land, was sixteen years of age when he accompanied his parents on their emi- gration to the new world. He remained under the parental roof until twenty- six years of age and then started out in life as an agriculturist on his own account, being first engaged in the operation of rented land for a few years. In 1872 he bought a tract of land in Western township and four or five years later took up his abode on a farm of two hundred and forty acres which he had purchased in Osco township and which still remains in his possession. He placed many substantial improvement on the property and brought the fields under a high state of cultivation, successfully carrying on his farming inter- ests until 1901, since which time he has lived retired at Geneseo.

On the 22d of February, 1865, Mr. Hornecker was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Ernst, whose birth occurred in Germany in 1849, her parents being Jacob and Catherine Ernst, also natives of that country. They came to the United States about the year 1862, locating in Henry county, Illinois, where their remaining days were spent. They reared a family of seven chil- dren, four of whom are yet living, as follows: George, a resident of Geneseo; and Martin, William and John, all of whom make their home in California.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hornecker were born nine children, seven of whom still survive. Catherine, the eldest, gave her hand in marriage to Lewis Koch in 1889 and remained a resident of Osco township until she passed away on the 7th of September, 1897, when twenty-eight years of age. She was the mother of two children, namely: Alfred H., now sixteen years of age; and Laura Cath- erine, born September 4, 1897, who lives with her grandfather, Mr. Hornecker of this review. Emma, residing in Osco township, is the wife of Lewis Blank, by whom she has the following children: Freda, Clyde D., Violet, Viola and Lee. Edward H., who lives on his father's farm in Osco township, wedded Miss Theresa Hamann and has three children : George H., Lydia Ida and Earl E. George, a resident of Geneseo, married Miss Clara Willie, by whom he has five children : Laura, Martin, Robert, Rhinehart and George. Ida, who makes her home in Cambridge, is the wife of Frank Hadley and the mother of two children-Mildred and Gilbert. William, a resident of Geneseo, married Miss Molly Pinks and has one child, Helen. Rose makes her home with her father in Geneseo. Frank, who wedded Miss Bessie Rubeck, is likewise a resident of Geneseo. Mrs. Catherine (Ernst) Hornecker was called to the home beyond on the 2d day of July, 1899, when fifty years of age, passing away in the faith of the Lutheran church. She was a gentle, kindly woman and her demise was deeply mourned by all who knew her.

Politically Mr. Hornecker is a stalwart advocate of the democracy but has no desire for the honors nor emoluments of office. He was at one time elected road supervisor but declined to serve. Religiously he is a valued and faithful member of the German Lutheran church and has held various official positions therein. He deserves much credit for the success he has achieved and his life is an excellent illustration of what may be accomplished through determination and energy. Having been a resident of this county for forty-five years, he

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY

has a wide and favorable acquaintance within its borders, and in the success- ful conduct of his agricultural interests has gained a measure of prosperity that now enables him to spend his remaining days in well earned ease.

ANDREW LONG.

Andrew Long, carrying on general farming and stock raising on section 7, Osco township, is the owner of a well improved and valuable farm of two hun- dred and twenty-four acres. He was born in Edford township, Henry county, Illinois, on the 19th of April, 1859, his parents being Michael and Anna B. (Reisick) Long. The father was a native of Bavaria, Germany, and in early manhood served his country as a soldier. Following his marriage he set sail for the United States and, after landing on the shores of the new world, came direct to Illinois, making his home for a time about twenty miles from Chicago. Subsequently he secured employment with the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company, working in the vicinity of Moline. Coming to Henry county in January, 1859, he was engaged in the operation of a rented farm in Edford township for two years, on the expiration of which period he took up his abode on a farm near Morristown, while later he located in Munson town- ship. After being identified with general agricultural pursuits as a renter for seven years, he bought eighty acres of the farm which is now in possession of our subject, paying eighteen or nineteen hundred dollars for the property. As time passed by and his financial resources increased, owing to his well directed . industry and capable management, he extended the boundaries of his place by additional purchase, buying ninety-five acres at thirty-five dollars per acre in the year 1878, while later he purchased forty acres more at fifty dollars an acre. He placed many substantial improvement on the property and brought the fields under a high state of cultivation, annually gathering rich harvests, which found a ready and profitable sale on the market. He passed away on this farm on the 2d of October, 1884, when about sixty-six years of age, and his demise was deeply mourned by all who knew him, for his life had ever been upright and honorable in all relations. He was reared in the Catholic faith and assisted in the erection of a church of that denomination at Geneseo. His political alle- giance was unswervingly given to the men and measures of the democracy, but he did not desire office as a reward for his party fealty. His widow still survives at the age of seventy-six years. Their children were four in number, namely : Theresa, who passed away at the age of four years; one who died in infancy; Sophia, the wife of James Kerwin, of Osco township; and Andrew, of this review.

The last named attended the common schools in his youthful days and at an early age became familiar with the various duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, for his father was in poor health and therefore much of the work of the home farm devolved upon him. In 1885 he purchased one hundred and ten acres of land where his sister Sophia, now resides, paying sixty- five dollars an acre. In 1899 he bought eighty acres more at seventy-two dollars

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY

an acre, disposing of half of the tract to his brother-in-law, James Kerwin. At the present time he owns two hundred and twenty-four acres in one farm on section 7, Osco township, and in addition to cultivating the various cereals best adapted to soil and climate, is engaged in the raising, feeding and shipping of stock. He has remodeled the residence and erected two barns, and the farm is likewise equipped with corn cribs, a scale house, wells, windmills, etc. As the years have passed he has prospered in his undertakings and is now widely recognized as one of the substantial, progressive and enterprising residents of his native county.

On the 25th of February, 1892, in Western township, Mr. Long was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary A. Keleher, a native of that township and a daughter of Daniel and Ellen (Currin) Keleher. By this union there are four children, as follows: Daniel M., who was born April 22, 1893; John A., whose natal day was March 6, 1895; Irene, born April 25, 1897; and Leo Lawrence, who first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 24th of July, 1900.

In 1880 and 1884 Mr. Long supported the democratic nominees for the presidency but has since voted independently, casting his ballot in support of the candidates whom he believes best qualified, regardless of party affiliation. He was a candidate for school trustee and missed election by only three or four votes. For a long period, however, he has served as a school director and the cause of education has ever found in him a stalwart champion. In 1909, in association with others, he circulated a petition for the erection of a town- ship high school and it was signed by all the districts in the township except two. He has always taken an active and leading part in all matters pertaining to public improvement and when telephone development was suggested he be- came one of the warmest advocates of the project, as well as of the rural free delivery of mail. Both of these matters were discussed in the Farmers' Social Club, of which he is a prominent member. Mr. and Mrs. Long have an ex- tensive circle of friends throughout the county in which they have spent their entire lives and the hospitality of the best homes is cordially extended to them.

LAWRENCE C. WARNER.

Lawrence C. Warner, well known in business circles of Western town- ship as president of the Warner Elevator Manufacturing Company and the owner of three hundred acres of valuable land, was born on the old Warner homestead in this township on the 27th of February, 1861, a son of Wilder W. and Olive (Washburn) Warner. The father, a native of Massachusetts, was there reared and educated, receiving a good education in the common schools of that state. He came west to Illinois in 1849 and for a time was engaged in teaching school in Rock Island, Illinois, then known as Stephenson, and later in Andover, Henry county. Subsequently he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Western township, which formed a nucleus of his later extensive possessions, paying seventy-five cents per acre for this tract. He was here mar- ried to Olive Washburn, also a native of the Old Bay state, who came to Henry

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY

county with her parents in 1835, when about four years of age. She was a daughter of Nathan W. and Elizabeth (Sheldon) Warner, who upon their ar- rival in this county took up their abode in Colona township. Here she received a good education in the common schools of Rock Island and also became a pupil in Old Oxford, a select school in Clover township. She was united in marriage to Mr. Warner about 1853 and they took up their abode upon the farm which he had purchased in Western township. He later added to his possessions, unti! he became the owner of seven hundred acres in this and Colona township. He took an active part in bringing the railroad to this section of the county, the road passing through his land, upon which was established the station known as Warner's Station. Here he erected an elevator and began buying and selling, grain. Previous to this he had been engaged extensively in feeding and shipping cattle and had been very successful in his undertaking. He became well known in local republican circles, being elected to fill various offices such as assessor and collector, and for several years served as justice of the peace and also as supervisor of Western township. He also represented his district in the state legislature in 1871-72. He was one of the early members of Mount Pleasant Baptist church, which was organized in the home of his maternal grandfather, Nathan W. Washburn. The congregation afterward moved to Orion and a branch was established at Warner's Station in 1893. In 1896 he built himself a handsome mansion on the old homestead but lived but a few years to enjoy it, passing away on the 31st of January, 1898, his remains being interred in Western cemetery.

In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Wilder W. Warner were six children, namely : Wilder W., the eldest, married Ella Lockwood and has two children. He now makes his home in Sedalia, Missouri. Mary E. resides at home with her mother, Wilmot S., who married Fannie Wood, resides in Geneseo and is associated with our subject in the manufacturing business as secretary and treas- urer of the company. He has two children. Lawrence C., of this review, is the next in order of birth. Frank C., who married Harriet Sanford, by whom he has four children, makes his home in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he is treasurer of the Great Western Printing Company. Alice M. became the wife of Clarence M. Bills and makes her home in Geneseo, where Mr. Bills is en- gaged in the real estate business. She is the mother of three children.

No event of special importance came to vary the routine of daily life for Lawrence C. Warner during the period of his boyhood and youth, which were spent on the home farm. He attended the district schools during the winter months, acquiring a good knowledge of the various phases of the English lan- guage. He remained with his father, assisting him in his different business enter- prises, until the death of the latter, after which he and W. J. Blodget acted as administrators of the estate. Mr. Warner took, along with other property, his father's elevator and store, which he later sold in 1902. In 1903 they organized the Warner Elevator Manufacturing Company and began the manu- facture of portable elevators for farm use. In 1905 they extended their business to include the manufacture of gasoline engines, also for farm use, and today they have one of the largest manufacturing industries in the county. They have worked up an extensive trade, shipping their product to all of the greatest grain

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY

producing states of the union and also to Canada. Mr. Warner has been presi- dent of the company since its inception, and as its head has directed his efforts toward the further upbuilding and growth of the business, the gratifying pro- portions which it has already assumed being due in no small measure to his ex- cellent administrative ability and executive control.

It was on the 23d of June, 1891, in Western township, that Mr. Warner was united in marriage to Miss Isabelle Carson, a native of Yonkers City, New York, and a daughter of David and Jean (McGee) Carson. The parents came to Henry county in 1861, the father now making his home in Western township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Warner has been born one daughter, Inez Jean, who is now in her sophomore year in Rock Island high school. The entire family are members of the Baptist church, in which Mr. Warner is serving as a trustee. He is stalwart in his support of the republican party, and, like his father, has never sought nor desired public office as the reward for party fealty, although he has been called upon to serve as justice of the peace and also as a member of the school board. Fraternally he holds membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Colona, having filled all of the chairs therein and having been sent as a delegate to the state lodge. His interests in public affairs is deep and sincere and is manifest in the substantial cooperation which he has given to plans and measures for the public good. He stands as an excellent representative of the business life of the times, alert and enter- prising, watchful of opportunities and recognizing and improving advantages as they come.

ELIAS LYMAN.

The life record of Elias Lyman covered seventy-three years, and there stood conspicuously forth in his history those traits of honorable, upright manhood, of business sagacity and commercial enterprise which ever awaken respect and re- gard. Kewanee numbered him among her citizens for more than forty years and profited in large measure by his efforts in her behalf. He was one of New England's contributions to the citizenship of Illinois. His birth occurred in Roy- alton, Windsor county, Vermont, January 5, 1831, and in the Green Mountain state his early life was passed. In his youth he embraced the opportunities of- fered by the public schools near his home and later spent some time as a pupil in the military academy. His father, removing to White River Junction, Vermont. there established a mercantile store, in which the son received his initial business training, becoming his father's assistant. Afterward he was employed in a store owned by his grandfather Briggs at Rochester, Vermont, and it was while resid- ing in that place that Mr. Lyman formed the acquaintance of and wedded Miss Adelaide Trask, their marriage being celebrated on the 14th of December, 1858.

Largely through the influence of his friend, Mr. Willard, of Galesburg, Illi- nois, Mr. Lyman determined to locate in the middle west and in February, 1862, established his home in Kewanee. He had little idea of locating here when he paid his first visit to the small prairie town, but finding the outlook for trade

Elias Syman,

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY

bright, he determined to establish his permanent residence here. Forming a partnership with W. C. Willard of Galesburg, the pioneer store of Kewanee was purchased and the business conducted under the firm style of Willard & Lyman, the store being located on Main street. At length Mr. Willard disposed of his interest to Henry R. Trask, under the firm name of Lyman & Trask, and the business was thus carried on for about two years. Mr. Lyman then became sole proprietor by the purchase of his partner's interest and was conducting the bus- iness alone when his store was destroyed by fire June 6, 1866. His building and stock were covered to the sum of fifteen thousand dollars, and with this and other resources which he was able to obtain, Mr. Lyman at once opened another store so that there was but a brief lapse between the time of the fire and the period in which he reentered commercial circles in Kewanee. About 1868 he admitted H. T. Lay to a partnership and the firm of Lyman & Lay was then or- ganized. In 1874 W. H. Lyman, the brother of our subject, also became a part- ner to the firm and the style of Lyman, Lay & Lyman was assumed. A business of extensive proportions was developed until the firm name became a familiar one throughout all this part of the state. When Elias Lyman disposed of his interest to his partners in 1883 the firm name of Lay & Lyman was assumed and Mr. Lyman remained an active factor in the management and control of the business until 1883, when he retired. He was a successful business man, well known as a careful buyer, whose keen insight and business acumen constituted effective and valuable forces in the prosperous management of the institution which he built up. His commercial integrity stood as an unquestioned fact in his career and his ability to coordinate forces into a harmonious whole was one of the salient fea- tures in his career.

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History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II, Part 4

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

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