USA > Illinois > Henry County > History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 42
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RESOURCES.
Loans and Discounts
Overdrafts
$ 341,276.53 1,214.63
400
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
U. S. Bonds
30,000.00
Stocks and Securities
129,105.25
Banking House and Fixtures
12,000.00
Cash and Exchange
102,855.49
Redemption Fund
1,500.00
$ 617,951.90
LIABILITIES.
Capital Stock
$
60,000.00
Surplus and Profits
45,341.56
Circulation
30,000.00
Deposits
482,610.34
$ 617,951.90
On the 6th of November, 1870, Mr. Herdien was united in marriage to Miss Martha Johnson, who was born in Bollnes, Sweden, and when nine years of age came to America with her parents, Lars and Brita( Ericson) Johnson, who set- tled near Victoria, Illinois. Her father there passed away, while her mother died in Galva. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Herdien have been born three children: Jen- nie Madelia, the eldest, is the wife of Fred P. Bodinson, president of the Citi- zens National Bank at Baker City, Oregon, and they have two children, Colleen Geneva and Earl Herdien Bodinson. Walter Lawrence, the elder son, is an attorney of Chicago, and married Mabel Sharp, of Kewanee, by whom he has one son, Walter Lawrence. Elmer Forrest is a practicing physician of Martin- ton, Illinois. He married Nellie Johnson of Kewanee. The mother has been in poor health for a number of years and has spent much of her time with her son, Walter, in Chicago, besides traveling a great deal for her health.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Herdien are members of the Methodist church. His political allegiance is given to the republican party which finds in him a stal- wart supporter. He has served on the town board and has also been a member of the school board for many years. The consensus of public opinion is that he aims to do his duty in the affairs of Galva and Henry county, for the extent and importance of his business interests are such that his life work has had some bearing upon the material growth and development of the community in which he lives.
FRANCIS A. McHENRY.
Francis A. McHenry, who for many years was a farmer of Phenix township, was born in White county, Illinois, September 27, 1828, a son of William and Susanna (Land) McHenry. The father was a native of Kentucky and was born in 1803, while the mother was a native of White county, Illinois, 1811 being the year of her birth. In 1820 William McHenry settled in White county, and later came to Henry county, securing a claim of government land. There he passed the remainder of his life, being buried upon his own farm when death called him
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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
in 1868, for he had given of his land to make a cemetery. When he came to this state it was still a wilderness and Indians were frequently to be seen. His wife died in 1890. They were the parents of twelve children, eight of whom are now living. They were: Francis A., of this review; Coke, who lives in Kansas; J. Benson, deceased; Charles Holiday, who lives in Cambridge; two who died in infancy; Elizabeth, the widow of Isaac Stafford, a resident of California; Mary, the widow of Brown Mapes and a resident of Davenport, Iowa; Julina, the wife of George Imel, of Rushville, Illinois; Emma, the widow of Silas Aldrich, of Geneseo, Illinois; Laura, the wife of Frank Cox, of Dakota; and Malinda, who is the wife of Absalom King, of Nebraska.
Francis A. McHenry received his education in the schools of Phenix town- ship, and until he became of age he worked for his parents on the home farm. He then bought of his father one hundred and twenty acres of the land the latter had procured from the government and on this he lived until he relinquished the active duties of life and retired to the pretty house he had built in 1881. There the closing years of his life were spent in the enjoyment of the fruits of his ar- duous labors and of the pleasures of home. On the Ist of October, 1893, he passed away and was buried in the McHenry cemetery, known as Oak Grove. Since his death his widow has carried on his interests. She is a woman of consid- erable business ability and her investments have brought her profit.
In 1858 Mr. McHenry wedded Miss Polly Ann Foster, who was born in Ma- coupin county, Illinois, March 22, 1837. She is a daughter of William Y. and Mary A. (Park) Foster, both natives of Kentucky, where the father was born February 14, 1811, and the mother July 22, 1816. Mr. Foster was a teamster in early life, but came to Illinois, in 1830, settling in Macoupin county, where he pursued farming. He later removed to Galena and then to Phenix township, this county, where he passed the last five years of his life in the home of Mrs. McHenry. He died in February, 1905, and was buried in Oak Grove cemetery. His wife had died many years before, in 1877, and was buried in the cemetery at Morseville, Jo Daviess county, Illinois. They were the parents of ten chil- dren, only one of whom has passed away. Of these Mrs. McHenry was the eld- est; Nancy is the widow of Wellington McCreery, and lives in Dubuque, Iowa; Isabelle married S. C. Gault, who is now dead, and she lives with friends; S. Ellen Foster is a dressmaker in Cripple Creek, Colorado; Julia A. is the wife of I. M. Rawlings and lives in Colorado; Martha married Milton Singer and passed away in 1893; Josephine is the wife of Harmon Hopkins and lives in Alma, Nebraska ; Rosana is the wife of Edward Arnold and also resides in Nebraska ; Henriette married Samuel Clay, now deceased, and she lives in Cripple Creek, Colorado; and Mary E is the wife of Frank Arnold and also makes her home in Colorado. Mr. Foster served in the Black Hawk war and as a republican occu- pied most of the county offices within the gift of the people. With his wife he was a devout member of the Methodist church and was a conspicuous figure in the early congregations.
Mr. and Mrs. McHenry had eight children : William, born April 26, 1859, in Henry county on the place where his mother now resides, died in 1903. Oscar, who was born. October 4, 1860, lives with his mother. Alvin, born November 23, 1862, married Miss Lottie Weimer and lives in Wayne county, Illinois.
402
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
They are the parents of three children-Harry C., born in 1892; Helen Irene, born in 1899; and Lloyd Alvin, born April, 1903. Frank, the fourth child of our subject died in infancy. Mary F., born May 23, 1867, is the wife of Wilber L. Roberts and lives in Phenix township. Park, born December 19, 1869 is un- married and lives with his mother. Ollie A., born January 20, 1873, married John A. McKibbon and lives in Atkinson township. She has three children-Robert Orrin, born November 1901; Gertrude M., born November 23, 1903; and Ethel F., born May 16, 1909. Anna May, the youngest of the family, was born May 2, 1876, and died on the 19th of that month.
One hundred years ago, in October, 1809, Mr. McHenry's maternal grand- father, R. Land, came to Illinois to make it his home. His descendants have con- tinued the work of development which he began and when Mr. McHenry himself passed away the stories he had heard from him were tales of the far distant past. During his life, he, too, did his share in the progressive work of Phenix township, for besides being a farmer and stockman who knew how to make his efforts pay he was a man of public spirit. In his political views he was a demo- crat, while his religious allegiance as given to the Methodist church, it being the faith in which he had been reared.
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J. J. HADLEY.
J. J. Hadley, who is well known in Osco as the proprietor of the largest busi- ness enterprise in the city, is a native of Osco township, his birth having occurred on a farm a half mile east of the town where he now resides, the date of his na- tivity being November 18, 1863. His parents were David and Susan (Kilmer) Hadley, the father a native of Lincolnshire, England, and the son of John Had- ley. He came to America in company with a brother when about eighteen years of age and for three years remained in Lockport, New York. When about twen- ty-one years of age he came west to Illinois, where he had a brother residing in Munson township, Henry county. He became engaged in agricultural pursuits in this county and later became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land in Osco township. It was in that township that he was united in marriage to Miss Kilmer, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of William and Lucinda Kilmer, with whom she came to Henry county in early life.
The son, J. J. Hadley, whose name introduces this review, was reared to man- hood on his father's farm about a half mile east of Osco, and acquired a good common school education, being a student in the Cambridge high school for a short time and also took a collegiate course in the college at Geneseo. After laying aside his text-books he remained on the home farm, continuing to give his father the benefit of his assistance until about twenty-eight years of age. In the meantime, under the latter's direction, he acquired a thorough and compre- hensive knowledge of the best methods of tilling the soil and in the school of experience learned many practical lessons concerning the value of industry, energy and perseverance. He was married on the 12th of August, 1891, in Meadow Grove, Nebraska, to Miss Cora L. Attwater, of that place, and the young couple
403
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
began their domestic life upon a farm, which Mr. Hadley continued to operate for a few years. In 1897 he began buying and shipping live stock and a year later became identified with the grain business and has continued his connection therewith to the present time. For one year he bought and shipped grain, loading directly on the cars, and then, in 1899, erected an elevator to facilitate the hand- ling of the business. In 1900 he began dealing in lumber and as the years have gone by has continued to extend the scope of his activities to include various en- terprises. In October, 1908, he purchased the elevator and lumber trade of Samuelson & Company and his business now covers the following commodities : grain, flour, feed, salt, agricultural implements, building material, woven wire fencing, tile, etc. Under his careful management his undertaking has already assumed extensive proportions, being considered the largest business enterprise in Osco, and it is continually growing in volume and importance. His success indicates clearly the business ability which he has displayed and his untiring energy and unfaltering industry have been salient elements in the gratifying de- gree of prosperity which is now his.
With the passing of the years the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hadley has been blessed with three children, George C., Alice L. and Attwater, all of whom are still under the parental roof. The mother, however, has been called to her final rest, her death, which occurred on the 19th of September, 1904, being a matter of deep regret not only to the bereaved family, who knew her as a loving wife and mother, but throughout the community where she was recognized as an ex- cellent neighbor and true friend. In his fraternal relations Mr. Hadley is a mem- ber of Camp No. 2248, M. W. A., and in politics gives stalwart support to the republican party. Although he has never been an office seeker, he was elected to the office of assessor, in which capacity he served for one year. A man of re- sourceful ability, constantly watchful of opportunities which he improved to their full extent, he has made continuous progress in the business world, and the suc- cess which he now enjoys is all the more merited because it has come entirely as the result of his own well directed efforts and his honorable and upright methods.
LEONARD R. BOTHWELL.
Leonard R. Bothwell, who resides in an attractive home on Washington street, Orion, Illinois, was for many years identified with the agricultural interests of Henry county and is classed among those men whose industry, diligence and well directed efforts have gained for them a degree of success which now enables them to live retired and enjoy in well earned rest the fruits of their former toil. A native of New York, he was born in Jefferson county on the 28th of April, 1838, a son of David and Jemima (Spencer) Bothwell, both of whom were also born in the Empire state. The family is of Scotch lineage, the grandfather on the paternal side having been a native of Scotland. Unto Mr. and Mrs. David Bothwell were born five children, of whom our subject is the youngest. The others are: Mary B., who married James Scott and resides in DePere, Brown county, Wisconsin; Martin, a shoemaker of Watertown, New York, who mar-
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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
ried Marinda Chapin; Jeremiah, who wedded Sarah Davis, and resides in Os- wego, New York, where at one time he followed the trade of a molder; and David, who married Maria Wilson and makes his home in Hannibal, New York.
Leonard R. Bothwell was a little lad of six years when he lost his mother and his father passed away when he was only eight years of age. At the age of ten years he went to Wisconsin with his sister, Mrs. Scott, and in the common schools of Brown county, that state, he acquired a fair education. The days of his boy- hood and youth were there passed amid the scenes and environment of rural life and he gained much practical experience on the farm and in the lumber camp. In 1860, when twenty-two years of age, he came to Henry county, Illinois, on his way to Knox county, but upon the road he met Mahlon B. Lloyd, who, in the course of a conversation which they held, learned that he was seeking work and offered him employment upon one of this farms in Western township. This Mr. Bothwell accepted and he was thus engaged until August, 1861, when, ac- tuated by a spirit of patriotism, he enlisted under a recruiting officer as a soldier in the Civil war, becoming a member of the Eleventh Ohio Battery. He went to St. Louis to join his company and spent the winter of 1861 in central Missouri, being first under fire at New Madrid. He participated in the battle of Iuka, where on the 19th of September, 1862, he was wounded by being twice shot through the right arm and side. He was sent to the hospital at Jackson, Ten- nessee, and was there honorably discharged January 12, 1863, because of these wounds. After leaving the army he went back to his sister's home in Wisconsin to recuperate, remaining there until the spring of the following year. He then returned to Henry county and again entered the employ of Mr. Lloyd, with whom he remained until the fall of 1864, when he went back to Wisconsin. In the spring of 1865 he went to Tama county, Iowa, where he operated a rented farm until the spring of 1867, when he returned to Henry county and on June 6, 1867, was united in marriage in Western township to Miss Florence D. Lloyd, a daugh- ter of his former employer, who was born in Western township, Henry county. on the 12th of May, 1844.
Mahlon B. Lloyd, the father of Mrs. Bothwell, was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and was the son of Jesse and Ann (Yardly) Lloyd. He came to Henry county in the fall of 1837 and was the very first settler in Western town- ship, locating on section 27. He purchased two hundred and forty acres of land at two dollars and fifty cents per acre, and there in the spring of 1838 erected the first dwelling in the township, a frame house built of oak, in which he continued to reside until his marriage. He was a very successful farmer and one of the extensive landowners of the locality, becoming the possessor of eight hundred or more acres of valuable land. He was well known in Western township, being a prominent figure in community affairs, serving in various township offices. He was a school director in the first district, which comprised the entire township. He had himself enjoyed the advantages of good educational training and the cause of education ever found in him a warm champion. He served as justice of the peace for many years and also as supervisor for some time. His death occurred on the 12th of November, 1882. In 1840 he had married Miss Amelia L. Daven- port, a native of Greenwich, Connecticut, who came to Henry county, with her parents in 1838, when about sixteen years of age. Charles Davenport, one of
405
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
her brothers, had come to this county with the New York colony in 1836 and here entered land for the family in Edford township. Mrs. Lloyd survived her hus- band several years, her death occurring on the 18th of September, 1902. In their family were three children, of whom Charles, the only son, passed away in in- fancy. Mrs. Bothwell was the second in order of birth, while the youngest daughter, Isabelle, married William Love and became the mother of five chil- dren. Of this number John and Lizzie both passed away in infancy, while Mahlon, who is also deceased, married Grace Ferguson and left three sons. Ar- thus is an attorney in Chicago, and Edgar C., a farmer of Western township, is mentioned elsewhere in this volume.
After his marriage Mr. Bothwell took up his abode upon a farm which his father-in-law had given him on section 22, Western township, and upon that place he continued to reside throughout the remainder of his active business ca- reer. He devoted his entire energies to the development of this property and brought his fields under a high state of cultivation. As the years passed he pros- pered in his undertaking and was able to add to his farm until today he owns three hundred and six acres located on sections 22, 23, 26 and 27, Western township, all in excellent condition, constituting one of the valuable and desirable proper- ties of the township. Industry, energy and perseverance have characterized his labors and were the salient elements in a success which later enabled him to retire from the active duties of business life, and consequently he left the farm and removed to Orion, where he has since resided in a home on Washington street.
Although well known throughout the community as a successful business man, Mr. Bothwell is perhaps equally prominent by reason of his interest and activity in community affairs. A stalwart republican in politics, he cast his first presidential ballot in 1864 for Abraham Lincoln, since which time he has supported every candidate upon that ticket. He has held various township offices, serving as assessor for a number of years and as collector for two years, while he filled the office of supervisor for twenty-one years continuously. Something of his personal popularity in the community was indicated when in 1909 he was elected to the office of mayor, his fellow citizens thereby conferring upon him the great- est honor in their power to bestow. He has already given evidence of a business- like, progressive and beneficial administration, in which he has inaugurated various needed reforms and improvements, and his record thus far has not only brought honor to himself but reflected credit upon his constituents.
With the passing of the years the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bothwell has been blessed with thirteen children, namely: Ada F., who married Charles Anderson, of Western township, by whom she has six children; Herbert L., who married Otillia Blixt and makes his home in Orion; Amelia, the wife of Edward Reed, of Rock Island, Illinois; Esther, residing with her parents; Lizzie, the wife of Harvey Foster, of Maple Hill, Emmet county, Iowa; Elwood, who married Es- tella Nelson and is assisting in the operation of the home farm; Arthur C., also operating the home farm, who married Mabel Bell and has one child; William, who is still under the parental roof; Clarence, a resident of Moline, Illinois, where he is engaged in teaching music; and four who died in infancy.
Mrs. Bothwell is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while her husband, although not identified with any special denomination, is interested in
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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
church work and recognizing it as a force for good in the community, is a gen- erous supporter of all church organizations. Fraternally he is a charter member of the Modern Woodmen of America Camp, No. 261, and has held the office of quartermaster of Edgar Trego Post, No. 394, G. A. R., since the organization of the post in 1884. Mrs. Bothwell holds the office of treasurer of Edgar Trego Corps, No. 293, W. R. C. His active business career was ever such as to warrant the trust of his fellowmen, for at all times he conducted his transactions along the strictest principles of honor and integrity. His devotion to the public good is unquestioned and the honor bestowed upon him in his election to offices of honor and trust shows that he occupies a high position in public regard and en- joys in large measure the confidence of his fellowmen. Orion has benefited by his efforts in her behalf and he is, without invidious distinction, classed among the foremost representatives of Western township.
WILLIAM WALLACE SEELY.
William Wallace Seely, who was connected with the agricultural interests of Wethersfield township for a long period and developed one of the valuable farm- ing properties of the county, was born in Barlow, Washington county, Ohio, April 17, 1853. His father, Joseph Seely, also a native of that state, was a car- penter by trade and died in Ohio at the age of seventy-six years. He was a great-grand son of William Seely, who served in the Revolutionary war. The mother, Mrs. Caroline (Richards) Seely, died when her son William was but four years of age.
In the public schools of his native town William W. Seely pursued his edu- cation and at the age of sixteen years began providing for his own support by working as a farm hand. He was thus employed to the age of twenty-one, when in February, 1875, he came to Illinois and settled in Kewanee. He was then employed at farm work near this city for three years, after which he was mar- ried and began farming on his own account.
It was on the 24th of December, 1878, that Mr. Seely wedded Miss Electa J. Fulper, a daughter of Charles T. Fulper, a native of Pennsylvania and a wheelwright by trade, who came to Henry county in 1851. He followed farm- ing in Wethersfield township, being actively connected with the cultivation and development of the soil until his life's labors were ended in death on the 28th of May, 1884. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Hoppock, was a native of New Jersey and a daughter of John Hoppock, who became a prominent farmer of Wethersfield township. The death of Mrs. Fulper oc- curred September 13, 1904.
Immediately after his marriage Mr. Seely rented the Hoppock farm of one hundred and ten acres on section 25, Wethersfield township, and following the death of Mrs. Hoppock about seven years later he purchased the farm and continued its cultivation until his demise. He made various improvements and in addition to tilling the soil and producing crops best adapted to climatic con- ditions here he also raised considerable stock, having about fifty or sixty head
WILLIAM W. SEELY
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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
of cattle and an equally large number of hogs. In connection with his own he also operated other farm land adjoining and his practical methods and un- daunted enterprise brought him a substantial measure of success. On coming to this county he borrowed money but acquired financial independence before his demise and so was enabled to leave his widow well provided for. He was widely known as a man of the highest integrity, thrift and industry, never taking advantage of his fellowmen in any business transaction but seeking his success along the legitimate lines of trade.
In 1876 Mr. Seely became a member of the Methodist church and lived an earnest Christian life, endeavoring to shape every action by the teachings and principles of Christianity. His membership was in the Saxon Methodist church, in which he had served as steward for twenty years prior to his demise. In poli- tics he was a stanch republican and was strongly opposed to the liquor traffic, doing all in his power to further the cause of temperance. His death occurred May 28, 1904, when he had reached the age of fifty-one years, one month and eleven days, and his demise was the occasion of deep regret to the many friends whom he left behind. In the fall of 1904 Mrs. Seely rented the farm and re- moved to Kewanee, where she has since resided. On the Ist of May, 1906, she bought a modern eight room house at No. 106 North Vine street and in Feb- ruary, 1906, she purchased forty acres adjoining her farm. Her property there is a valuable one, returning to her a substantial annual income. Like her hus- band she is deeply interested in the work of the Methodist church, as treasurer of its missionary society and superintends the home department work of the church. She is kindly and considerate to others and her many good qualities have won her high estem.
CARL EDWARD PETERSON.
The progressive ideas which contribute so much to success in the field of agri- culture have been conspicuous elements in the life record of Carl Edward Peterson, who owns and operates a fine tract of land in Colona township. He was born in Western township, near the place on which he now resides, Novem- ber 5, 1874, and is a son of Carl P. and Mary (Erickson) Peterson. The parents came from Sweden in 1868, settled first in Andover, this county, and later re- moved to the vicinity of Orion, where they remained a few years. Finally they took up their residence in the locality in which the family has since lived. Here the father followed farming with a success that has rendered ample return for his labor. He is still living, but his wife passed away July 3, 1906. Four chil- dren were born to them: Hida, who is the wife of John Nelson, of Osco township; Selma, who has remained unmarried; Louise, who is the wife of Otto Samuel- son, of Orion township; and Carl Edward, the subject of this sketch.
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