USA > Illinois > Henry County > History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 40
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On the 5th of March, 1867, Mr. Dean was joined in wedlock to Miss Marian Hobley, a native of Brooklyn, New York, and daughter of Jesse and Elizabeth Hobley, both of whom were born in England. The father was a silk manufac- turer and after coming to this country took up his abode in Brooklyn, New York. Unto him and his wife were born four children, namely: Arthur R., who is de- ceased ; Mrs. Dean; Thomas H .; and Ada, living in Galva.
At the polls Mr. Dean casts his ballot in support of the men and measures of the republican party, being convinced that its principles are most conducive to good government. He still maintains pleasant relations with his old army com- rades through his membership in Galva Post, G. A. R., and while living in Cam- bridge township belonged to A. A. Dunn Post. Both he and his wife are devoted members of the Baptist church and are well known and highly esteemed through- out the community as people of genuine personal worth and upright, honorable lives. He has now made his home within the borders of this county for more than four decades and is well entitled to representation in this volume as one of its substantial, respected and enterprising citizens.
LEON VAN ZELE.
Leon Van Zele is proprietor of the Red Mill at Geneseo, in which connection he does grinding and sells all kinds of feed and also flour and coal. He estab- lished business in March, 1907, and in the intervening period has developed a substantial and gratifying trade.
Mr. Van Zele was born in France, May 26, 1868. He deserves all the credit implied in the term "a self made man." He was a youth of twelve years when
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in 1880 he came to America with two uncles. He was at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Warnock, four miles east of Atkinson, Henry county, from the time he was thirteen years of age and always called them father and mother. He found with them a most pleasant home and was carefully reared by them as a farm boy, the district schools affording him his educational privileges. When eighteen years of age he went to Colorado and took up a homested of one hun- dred and sixty acres, which he afterward sold, removing thence to Fillmore county, Nebraska. He conducted a feed mill at Strang, Nebraska, for sixteen years and on the Ist of March, 1907, came to Geneseo, where he purchased the Red Mill. He here does grinding and sells flour and coal, together with all kinds of feed. His business has reached large and profitable proportions and his suc- cess is well merited.
In 1893 Mr. Van Zele was married to Miss Gertie King, a daughter of Charles P. and Melvina (Van Nice) King. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Van Zele have been born four children : Verlie; Gladys, who died in May, 1908, at the age of thirteen years ; Howard; and Ruth, who died March 8, 1908, at the age of two years.
Mrs. Van Zele is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Van Zele belongs to Geneseo lodge of Odd Fellows. Politically he is a stalwart repub- lican and has been quite active in local political circles. While living in Strang, Nebraska, he served as mayor and was alderman of the city for several years, exercising his official prerogatives in support of many measures for the public good. He was also a school director for three years and the cause of education has ever found in him a stalwart champion. An orphan boy, he started out in life for himself at the age of thirteen years, acquired a good common-school education and has bravely fought the battle of life, coming off victor in the strife. He possessed a stout heart and willing hands, and his industry and energy suc- ceeded in winning for him the confidence and good will of those with whom he lived, of his neighbors and of those who belong to the larger circle of acquaint- ances that is his since he actively entered business life. He has the good will of the entire community, possesses a genial, courteous nature that wins him friends, while his business enterprise has placed him in a substantial position as a rep- resentative of the trade interests of Geneseo.
FREDERICK GUNTHER.
The name of Frederick Gunther is inseparably interwoven with the history of Kewanee in its material development, business activity and substantial im- provement. He figures prominently in connection with many of the "first events" which have had to do with shaping the history of the city and in more recent years has taken an active part in promoting the manufacturing interests of Ke- wanee, being now a member of one of the most extensive and important pro- ductive industries which have made Kewanee a leading manufacturing center of Illinois.
A native of Germany, Frederick Gunther was born June 15, 1832, a son of Michael Gunther, who was a carpenter by trade. In his native land Frederick
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Gunther was reared and educated and after leaving school was apprenticed to the brick mason's trade in which he became an expert workman, being employed in that line of labor until he came to Kewanee.
It was in the year 1855, when a young man of twenty-three years, that Fred- erick Gunther arrived in this city, having come to America as the result of en- ticing tales which he heard concerning the business opportunities of the new world. Here he took up the brick mason's trade and erected the present City Hall, also the building at the corner of Tremont and Second street, including four stores, one of which is now occupied by the Savings Bank. He was for- merly the owner of this block. At length, abandoning building operations, he turned his attention to the manufacture of brick, established Gunther's Brick Yard, which became one of the early and important industries of the city. He manufactured brick and erected the first brick building for the Haxtun Heater Company. The product of his kilns was such as to secure him an excellent and growing patronage and he continued in the manufacture of brick until 1890, when he withdrew from that field of activity. His business had developed to large proportions and the plant covered ten acres. Prior to 1890 he made the brick for nearly all the brick blocks in the town, including the Savings Bank building, the Odd Fellows Hall, the Lyman building and the Pierce building. After he had ceased to engage in brick manufacture he devoted his time for a period to the erection of six brick houses. In 1890 he formed a partner- ship with his two sons, Frank and William Gunther, and with Peter Wistrand, for the manufacture of what is known as the Peters Pump. When the Gun- thers bought into the pump works there were but two men employed and the growth of the business is indicated in the fact that employment is now furnished to between thirty-five and forty workmen. The trade gradually increased, and the scope of the business was extended to include the manu- facture of Kewanee Planters and Gunther Hot-Water Heaters. Today the output includes a full line of pumps, planters and hot-water heaters and the company makes extensive shipments, finding a ready sale for its product on the market in both America and Canada. The company is a private concern, all of the stock being owned by the father and two sons. The factory is well equipped with all facilities needed for the successful conduct of the busi- ness, the machinery being of the latest improved patterns, while skilled workmen are employed in the manufacture of the various products turned out. In addi- tion to his manufacturing interests, Mr. Gunther has financial connection with other important enterprises and is now a director in both the First National Bank and the Union National Bank.
In 1857 Mr. Gunther wedded Miss Fredericka Brandt and they became the parents of a daughter and two sons: Mary, now the wife of Emil Spiegel, of San Diego, California; and Frank and William, who are associated with their father in business. Mr. and Mrs. Gunther hold membership in the German Lutheran church, to the support of which they make liberal contribution. Mr. Gunther has been prominent in community affairs, taking an active interest in all things that pertain to municipal affairs, and for five consecutive years he served as alderman of the village, doing everything in his power during his incumbency to advance the welfare and promote the growth of the town. Fraternally he is
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connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in lodge as well as in business and social circles he has won the high regard of his associates. He is a man of sterling strength of character, and the steps in his business career are easily discernible. Progress has been his watchword and with a realization of the fact that in America labor is king, he has persistently applied his energies and so directed his labors that at any one point of his career he seems to have accomplished the full possibilities for success at that point.
FRANK GUNTHER.
Frank Gunther, a member of the Gunther family of Kewanee, needs no in- troduction to the readers of this volume, for through more than a half century the name has figured prominently in connection with the business development of the city. Frank Gunther was here born on the 9th of January, 1859, and the public schools afforded him his educational privileges. After he had put aside his text-books he began the manufacture of brick in connection with his father and the business relations between them have since continued. On withdrawing from the field of brick making they established the Peters Pump Company, and with the development and extension of the business they are now actively en- gaged in the manufacture of pumps, planters and hot-water heaters, their product having extensive shipment not only in this country but also across the border in Canada. Frank Gunther has always given his attention to promoting the growth and development of the business interests in which he has been associated with his father and is today recognized as one of the leading and respresentative busi- ness men of the city.
In October, 1882, occurred the marriage of Frank Gunther and Miss Emma Zabel. They have two children: Louis, who is now a bookkeeper in the manu- facturing plant ; and Hazel, at home. The family is prominent socially and Mr. Gunther is a member of the Commercial Club.
WILLIAM GUNTHER.
William Gunther, a son of Frederick Gunther, was born in Kewanee, Jan- uary 6, 1867, and his youthful days were passed in a manner similar to that of most lads of the period whose time was divided between the attainment of an education and the pleasures in which most boys indulge. He was educated in the public schools and in business college at Burlington, Iowa, and then entered business life in connection with his father's manufacturing interests. While he was fortunate in this respect, parental judgment was too wise to allow him liber- ties which other employes did not have and the demands made upon him in a business way were such as have developed his latent powers and energies, making him a forceful factor in the control of the Peters Company, now one of the lead- ing manufacturing concerns of this section of the state.
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William Gunther was married in 1893 to Miss Fannie Zabel of Faribault, Minnesota, and they have two children, Helen and Harold. William Gunther is also a member of the Commercial Club and occupies a similar prominent posi- tion to his father and brother in the social and manufacturing circles of the city.
JOHN OGDEN.
In the years of his residence in Henry county John Ogden was known as a worthy citizen, and his name is now on the roll of Geneseo's honored dead. He was born in Pennsylvania, November 12, 1836, his parents being John and Re- membrance (Evans) Ogden, who were early settlers of Phenix township, Henry county. His father secured a tract of land here and began farming but was not permited long to enjoy his new home, his death occurring soon after his arrival. Unto him and his wife were born six children, four sons and two daughters, four of whom married and had children, namely : Elizabeth, who became the wife of John Taylor; Samuel; Emeline, who married James Dawson; and John. The mother of these children continued a resident of the county until her demise, which occurred when she was in middle life.
John Ogden was only a small child when brought by his parents to Illinois, and upon the old home farm in Phenix township he was reared, experiencing the usual routine of the life of the agriculturist. He attended the district schools and also the Geneseo public schools and was thus well qualified by thorough men- tal discipline to meet and solve life's problems. His education complete, he began working at farm labor by the month and his practical experience well qualified him to take charge of a farm of his own, when his industry and economy enabled him to purchase one hundred and ten acres of land. This he improved and added to the property from time to time until he was the owner of two hundred and forty acres, while his wife had two hundred and eighty acres received from her father's estate. Mr. Ogden had managed both properties and in so doing had displayed excellent business ability, knowing what crops were best adapted to soil and climate and understanding the methods which could be most successfully utilized in the cultivation of his fields.
On the Ist of January, 1867, Mr. Ogden was united in marriage to Miss Mary Elizabeth Graf, a daughter of Gustavus and Barbara (Artman) Graf. Her paternal grandparents were George and Elizabeth Graf. Her parents were both natives of Germany, her father coming to America when about twenty-nine years of age, while her mother was only a little maiden of eight summers at the time of her arrival on this side the Atlantic. They were married in Maryland and afterward removed to Warren, Trumbull county, Ohio. In 1852 they made the long and arduous journey across the plains and through the mountain passes to California, and four years later they returned as far as Illinois, at which time they settled in Phenix township, Henry county, where Mr. Graf engaged in farming. In early manhood he had learned and followed the tailor's trade but here took up general agricultural pursuits and purchased a large tract of land, having at his death four hundred and eighty acres. He was born in Eisenach,
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Saxe-Weimar, Germany, November 10, 1813, and died in Phenix township at the age of sixty-nine years, while his wife was born in Milhausen, Koenigreich Preussen, Germany, March 27, 1825, and passed away in Sterling, Nebraska, in the spring of 1889 at the age of sixty-four years. Their daughter, Mrs. Ogden, was born in Maryland, January 2, 1846, and by her marriage has become the mother of nine children : Anna R., now the wife of A. K. Clark, of Geneseo, by whom she has two children-Mary Ethel and Grace Elizabeth; John Otis, who married Elizabeth Beck; Lucy E., who died December 22, 1874, at the age of twenty-six months; Louis G., who married Effie Caffal, and has five children- John, Louise, Henry, Robert and Effie; Nellie M., who died February 17, 1894, at the age of seventeen years and ten months; James E., who married Helen Walker and has four children-Stuart, Cheston, Florence and John; Hulda, who for several terms was a teacher in the public schools and is now the wife of Charles W. Farber; Willis R., who married Hazel Limle; and Grace Elizabeth, who was also a teacher in the public schools.
The death of the husband and father occurred January 2, 1887, when he had reached the age of fifty years and two months. He was a member of the Meth- odist church and his wife, who survives him, is of the Presbyterian faith. Fra- ternally he was connected with the Odd Fellows, and his life embodied the sterling principles which underlie that order as well as the Christian teachings of the church. He endeavored to live peaceably with all men, sought success along honorable methods and made a record which at all times measured up to the highest standard of honorable manhood.
ROBERT OTLEY.
Robert Otley follows farming on section 34, Kewanee township, and has con- tributed in substantial measure toward the agricultural development of the district. He has also taken active part in the substantial growth of Kewanee in that he has laid out three different additions to the city and has operated quite largely in real estate. His sound business judgment and enterprise are recognized as sali- ent features in his life work, bringing to him the creditable success which is today his. He was born in Westow, Yorkshire, England, June 13, 1831.
His father, John Otley, was also a native of Yorkshire, where he engaged in farming until 1840, when he came to the United States and settled near Win- chester, Scott county, Illinois, where he purchased a tract of unimproved land of three hundred acres. With characteristic energy he began its development and successfully carried on the work of the fields until his death, which occurred August 5, 1864, when he was seventy-eight years of age. He organized and built the first log schoolhouse of the district and also organized the first religious con- gregation, which held its services in the schoolhouse. It was through his instru- mentality that the first circuit rider came to this district and in the early years the visiting ministers here were always entertained at his home. Thus, while carefully conducting his business interests, he also contributed to the intellectual
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and moral progress of the community and his labors were a valuable factor in the early progress of the county. He married Jane Chapman, also a native of Yorkshire, and her death occurred October 29, 1875, at the age of seventy-nine years, in the home which is now occupied by her son Robert. The children of the faimly were George, John, Robert, Thomas C., Richard, William, and four daughters who died in England. Only two are now living, Robert, and Thomas, the latter a retired farmer of Neponset, Illinois.
Robert Otley acquired his education in the old log schoolhouse which his father built near Winchester, mastering the branches of learning through the winter months, while with the return of spring he took his place in the fields to aid in the cultivation of the crops, and not until the harvests were gathered in the autumn did he again have the privilege of attending school. When twenty-four years of age, upon his father's retirement, he took charge of the home farm and conducted it until he purchased his present farm of two hundred and fifty-four acres on the south line of Kewanee township and just southeast of the village. The former owner of the property was Sullivan Howard. The purchase was made in March, 1865, and Mr. Otley removed to the farm on which he has since lived. Later he bought forty acres in the village, adjoining his original tract on the west. In 1874 he erected a fine house on the first tract to replace the old dwelling. He brought with him from Scott county to this farm in 1865 forty head of cattle, a part of which were thoroughbred shorthorns, and for fifteen years he engaged extensively in the breeding of fine cattle and also Berkshire and Chester White hogs and high grade horses. He was the first to introduce thor- oughbred shorthorns in this and some of the neighboring counties. He became widely known as a breeder throughout this section of the state and on the 10th of June, 1874, he held a sale which brought him over sixteen thousand dollars. He also engaged extensively in buying and shipping stock and was recognized as one of the foremost live-stock dealers of central Illinois. Since 1874 he has confined his attention to fine stock raising and general farming. At different times during the past fourteen years, especially in 1895, 1900 and 1902, he has operated quite extensively in real estate, laying out three additions to the city, comprising in all forty acres of land. Mr. Otley also, at his own expense, laid out one-half mile of East Prospect street, which is considered one of the finest streets in the city. He has also been interested in other real estate and now owns other farm lands and city property.
On the 28th of January, 1858, in Scott county, Illinois, Mr. Otley was married to Miss Rebecca Gibbs, a daughter of Robert and Rebecca Gibbs, who also came from England and were early settlers of Scott county, Illinois. Mrs. Otley died April 21, 1863, at the age of twenty-seven years, leaving three children: Ellen Jane, who was born in 1858; Mrs. Mary May Bunton, who was born in 1861 and lives in Kewanee; and George Thomas, who was born in 1863 and follows farm- ing near Kewanee. Alice Ann, who was born June 23, 1860, passed away on the 15th of August, 1860. Mr. Otley was married a second time in Canandaigua, New York, on the 30th of March, 1876, to Miss Mary A. Hayes, of that place. She died April 4, 1877, at the age of thirty-nine years, leaving one son, Robert Hayes Otley who was born February 23, 1877, and died on the 16th of August, of the same year.
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Mr. Otley cast his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont in 1856, cheered for him in the parade at Jacksonville, Illinois, and in 1860 supported Abraham Lincoln, with whom he had a personal acquaintance. He was in the grand rally and parade at Springfield, Illinois, cheering for Lincoln and against slavery. He has since been a stanch republican and in early life was an active worker in the ranks of the party. He served as highway commissioner for several years and assisted in laying out some of the roads here. He has always been interested in the work of public progress and his aid and influence have ever been given on the side of improvement and advancement. He is respcted by all because of his up- right life, fidelity to duty and reliability in business affairs, and well deserves mention in this volume.
WILLIAM LORENZO WICKSTROM.
William Lorenzo Wickstrom, owning and operating a fine farm on section 19, Galva township, was born in the house where he now lives, his natal day being September 6, 1866. His parents, Peter Mathias and Ingrid (Johnston) Wick- strom, were both natives of Gefleborg, Sweden. The paternal grandfather, P. M. Wickstrom, came to America and passed away on the home farm of his son, Peter M., his demise occurring when he was eighty-six years of age. The death of his wife occurred in Sweden.
Peter M. Wickstrom, the father of William L. Wickstrom, was a miller in his native land. He came to the United States in 1846 and made his way direct to Henry county, locateing at Bishop Hill with the Bishop Hill colony. He farmed with the colony until 1860, when it was disbanded. In 1861 he offered his services in defense of the Union, becoming a member of Company D, Fifty- seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He first served as sergeant and was pro- moted from time to time until at the close of the war he was acting as captain. He participated in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh and a number of other hotly contested engagements and went with Sherman on the march to the sea. After taking part in the grand review he returned to Henry county and resumed agricultural pursuits, purchasing two hundred and ten acres of land in Galva township. As the years passed by he brought the fields under a high state of cultivation and improvement and continued to reside on this farm until the time of his death. The place is now in possession of his son, William L. He died on the 30th of October, 1890, when a little past sixty-three years of age, while his wife was called to her final rest on the 24th of August, 1899, being at that time seventy-three years of age. They were both devoted and faithful members of the Lutheran church. Peter M. Wickstrom held membership in the Grand Army of the Republic and in politics was a stanch democrat. He was one of the most worthy and respected pioneer settlers of the county and his labors proved an important factor in its early development and upbuilding. Unto him and his wife were born six children, as follows: Annie, the deceased wife of Valentine Newman; Jacob; John; Lottie, the wife of E. R. L. Rudmann; William L., of this review; and one who died in infancy.
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William L. Wickstrom was reared on the farm which is now his place of residence and where he has lived throughout his entire life with the exception of a period of four years, which he spent at Galva in the employ of the railroad. In the spring of 1897 he returned to the home farm and bought out the other heirs to the property, which has since remained in his possession and in the cul- tivation of which he has gained a gratifying measure of success. The farm now embraces one hundred and thirty acres of rich and productive land on section 19, Galva township, and in its neat and thrifty appearance indicates the supervision of a most practical and progressive owner.
On the 4th of February, 1897, Mr. Wickstrom was joined in wedlock to Miss Carrie S. Peterson, whose birth occurred in Kalmar, Sweden, March 26, 1866. Her parents, Charles M. and Emma (Johnston) Peterson, came to the United States in 1872 and took up their abode at Bishop Hill, Henry county, Illinois. In 1876 they located in Galva township, where they rented land for a year and then established their home in Weller township. There Charles M. Peterson was actively and successfully engaged in the operation of a rented farm for twenty- two years. He and his wife now reside at Bishop Hill and have attained the ages of seventy-three and seventy-one years respectively. They reared a family of ten children, six sons and four daughters, seven of whom still survive, namely : August J .; Gust F .; Manfred; Alvin; Mrs. Wickstrom; Amanda C., the wife of W. J. Frye, of Chicago; and Hildor E., the wife of Walfred Okerstrom, of Weller township. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Wickstrom, Carl and Maja Peterson, had quite a large family of children. The grandfather, who was a carpenter by trade, passed away in Sweden. The death of his wife occurred in Bishop Hill, this county, when she was more than seventy years of age. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Wickstrom were Johann and Greta Lizzie (John- son) Johnson. The former, who was a miller by trade, was drowned in Sweden when about sixty-five years of age. He had six or seven children.
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