USA > Illinois > Henry County > History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 45
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FRED DACK HAYES.
Fred Dack Hayes, of the Hayes Pump & Planter Company, at Galva, was born near Kewanee, Illinois, and has spent his entire life in Henry county. He is a son of Eugenie and Matilda J. (Dack) Hayes, of whom extended ref- erence is made on another page of this volume. His father was one of the most prominent business men that has figured in industrial and commercial circles in Henry county. His early life was devoted to agricultural pursuits and later he began the manufacture of agricultural implements and other mechanical devices which he himself had invented.
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The subject of this review was educated in the Galva public schools, graduat- ing therefrom in 1897. He attended the Art Institute in Chicago one year, after which he represented the Hayes Pump & Planter Company as traveling sales- man. Since 1906, he has had charge of the publicity department of his firm.
Mr. Hayes is an Episcopalian in his religious belief, being a member of the church of the Holy Communion in Galva. He belongs to Galva Lodge, No. 243, A. F. & A. M., and his political endorsement is given to the republican party.
VICTOR J. OLSON.
Victor J. Olson, the manager of the Galva Grain Elevator Company, one of the most important business enterprises of the community, was born at Bishop Hill on the 10th of June, 1879, and is therefore numbered among the younger business men of Nekoma. He is a son of S. P. and Catherine (Nor- dine) Olson, and on the maternal side is a direct descendant of the Bishop Hill colonists, both grandparents having come from Sweden as members of the original colony. The maternal grandfather, Lars Nordine, died while serving as a soldier in the Civil war. Their daughter, the mother of our subject, was born in the Bishop Hill colony. The father, a native of Sweden, came to America in 1865, locating at Bishop Hill, where he has engaged in the occupa- tion of farming ever since, being the owner of a farm of eighty acres located in Galva township.
In the Hickory Grove school of Galva township, Victor J. Olson acquired his education, and during the periods of vacation assisted his father in the work of the home farm. He remained under the parental roof until 1904, in which year he entered the employ of Regnold Johnson, a lumber merchant of Bishop Hill, with whom he remained for two years. On March 9, 1907, he accepted his present position as manager of the Galva Grain Elevator Company at Ne- koma. The company owns an elevator with a capacity of thirty thousand bushels, and they handle about three hundred and fifty thousand bushels of grain per year, dealing principally in corn and oats. It is a cooperative organi- zation, consisting of farmers, and is capitalized for fifteen thousand dollars. They purchase grain throughout the country for a radius of about seven miles and ship chiefly to the Chicago market, this being the only grain center in the township. The business has already reached extensive proportions and is con- tinually growing in proportion.
On the 18th of January, 1905, Mr. Olson was united in marriage to Miss Cassie Smith, a daughter of Mrs. M. E. Smith, of Bishop Hill, and unto this union has been born one son, Stewart Clifton. The family residence is in Nekoma, where Mr. and Mrs. Olson are prominent in a large circle of friends, who entertain for them high regard and esteem. Fraternally he is a Mason and also holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America, while in politics he gives stalwart support to the democracy, although the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him. Mr. Olson is yet a young man but has already attained a gratifying measure of success which augurs well
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for a bright future, while his many good qualities, his social manner, his genial disposition and his cordiality have made him popular with those with whom he has been brought in contact.
FREDERICK HERB.
Frederick Herb, who owns and operates an excellent farm of one hun- dred and twenty acres on sections 17 and 18, Burns township, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, on the 8th of July, 1848, his parents being John C. and Elizabeth C. Herb, who spent their entire lives in the fatherland. John C. Herb followed general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career and passed away on the 6th of October, 1863, when forty-six years of age. His wife was called to her final rest in the fall of 1868, when she had attained the age of fifty-three years. They were the parents of five children, only two of whom came to the United States, namely: Frederick, of this review, and Rosina, the wife of Chris Miller, who was a native of Germany and there passed away.
Frederick Herb obtained his education in the public schools of his native land and after putting aside his text-books learned the plasterer's trade, which he followed until 1868. On the 13th of June of that year, when a young man of twenty, he set sail for the new world and after landing on American shores made his way direct to Sturgis, Michigan, where he was engaged in farming for about two years. The construction of the Grand Rapids & Indiana Rail- road was begun in 1870, and he immediately secured employment with that corporation, working in all parts of the state until the road was completed. Sub- sequently he worked on the Michigan Air Line from Jackson to Niles, Michigan, until February, 1871, and then went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he labored in a vineyard until fall. Making his way to Canton, Ohio, he there worked as a digger of ditches until April, when he removed to Cincinnati and secured em- ployment at his trade of plasterer. He afterward worked at his trade in Middle Point, Van Wert county, Ohio, next went to St. Louis and then to Iron Mountain, Missouri, there also being engaged as a plasterer. He returned to St. Louis for the fair of 1872 and subsequently went to Louisiana, being there employed as a sugar maker. Once more going back to St. Louis, he worked at his trade in that city for a time and then became identified with farming interests, harvesting in Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota. Subsequently he worked for a short time as a farm hand in Cambridge, Henry county, Illinois, and afterward was employed in a similar capacity by Jacob Cosner, of Kewanee. He was also employed by George Day, of Wethersfield township, and Jacob Sauceman, of Burns township, and picked corn for Oscar Fisher, of Burns township. When a young man of about twenty-nine years, he was married and took up his abode on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which he pur- chased, on sections 17 and 18, Burns township. He remodeled the house, erected a new barn, sheds and other outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock, put up fences and also tiled the land. At the end of five years, he leased
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the place and removed to Beadle county, South Dakota, which at that time was still a territory, taking up four hundred and eighty acres of government land. He made his home in South Dakota for eleven years, on the expiration of which period he returned to his farm in Henry county and has lived thereon continuously to the present time. The place is devoted to general agricultural Pursuits and in addition to the cultivation of the fields, which have been brought to a high state of fertility, he also makes a specialty of Hereford cat- tle, Poland China hogs and colts. He still retains possession of his farm of four hundred and eighty acres in South Dakota and leases the property.
On the 3d of May, 1877, in Burns township, Mr. Herb was united in mar- riage to Amelia Gobst, her father being Jacob Liebsch, a native of Saxony, Ger- many. Mr. and Mrs. Herb have two children, a daughter and son. Josephine is the wife of James Schreck, who follows farming in Iowa. Frank T., whose birth occurred in South Dakota on the 8th of July, 1884, now operates the home farm. On the 10th of February, 1903, in Geneseo, he wedded Miss May At- well, a daughter of George Atwell, of Cornwall township. They now have a son, Cecil, four years of age.
Mr. Herb gives his political allegiance to the republican party and takes an active and helpful interest in all matters pertaining to the public welfare. While living in South Dakota, he held the offices of township collector, school treasurer and school director. He is a devoted and consistent member of the Christian Science church. He has never had occasion to regret his determina- tion to come to America, for in this country he has found the opportunities which he sought and through their utilization, has worked his way upward, be- coming one of the successful representative agriculturists of the community, his life indicating what may be accomplished by perseverance and well directed energy.
EDWARD WASHBURN.
Among the many progressive farmers of Colona township, whose work has contributed no mean share to the fair name enjoyed by this locality as an agri- cultural center must be included Edward Washburn, who operates a fine farm of eighty acres. A native of this county, he was born in Western township, January 24, 1867, and is a son of Chauncey and Emily (Piatt) Washburn, of whom extended mention is made in the sketch of George Washburn, a brother of our subject, in another part of this volume.
Edward Washburn spent his childhood and youth upon the home farm, ob- taining the fundamental lessons for life under the guidance of his parents and in the district schools of his native township. When he had completed the course of instruction offered by those institutions he attended for a time the normal school at Geneseo. He did not relinquish his agricultural interests, however, but worked with his father until he married and had the natura' desire to establish a home of his own. In the spring of 1896 he took up his residence upon the place in Colona township which has since been the scene of his labors. Forty acres was the home of the Piatt family when Chauncey Washburn and Miss Emily
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Piatt, the parents of our subject, were married, and as it came into the possession of Mr. Washburn shortly before his own marriage it still belongs to a descendant of the Piatt family. The tract Mr. Washburn now operates, however, embraces eighty acres and is one of the fertile farms of Colona township. As it is cul- tivated by careful and progressive methods, by a man who has an understanding of the science underlying the best agriculture, it yields harvests that compare favorably with those reaped from fields which are known widely as rendering the largest returns for the investment of thought and toil.
On the 25th of December, 1895, Mr. Washburn wedded Miss Mary A. Greer, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Bell) Greer, of Coal Valley, Rock Island county, Illinois. The Greers came originally from Ireland, while the Bells came from England, and both settled in Rock Island county among the early pioneers of this state. Mr. Greer was for many years a successful coal operator, but later in life gave his attention to agricultural pursuits, in which he found a success that justified his retiring from active life. He and his wife are still living in Rock Island county. It was there that Mr. Washburn met their daughter, she being at that time a popular and progressive teacher.
Like all the Washburn family, Edward Washburn is a democrat, but he takes little part in political matters, though he is a student of issues and conditions and is always an intelligent voter, being well informed upon all matters of loyal or national importance. His administration as road commissioner and school di- rector has been marked by zealous exertions in behalf of public welfare. For the past twenty-one years he has been a member of Riverside Lodge, No. 684, I. O. O. F., has been prominent in its affairs, holding the greater number of the chairs of the organizations, finishing with the rank of past grand. He is also a member of Clement Lodge, No. 680, A. F. & A. M., at Colona, of which he is junior warden, and he and his wife belong to the Eastern Star.
In the belief that judicious public improvements are a mark of a progressing community, Mr. Washburn never fails in his support of such and exerts an in- fluence in advancing the efficiency of the local schools. The pleasures of hunting and fishing still occasionally allure him and in these sports he finds his greatest diversion and relaxation from the daily cares of the farm.
JOHN W. LOUGHIN.
John W. Loughin well deserves distinction among those citizens of Geneseo township who, entirely through their own industry and well directed efforts, have worked their way upward from a humble beginning to a creditable place among the substantial and representative citizens of the township. A native of Pennsylvania, his birth occurred on the corner of Third and Dock streets, Philadelphia, April 1, 1845, his parents being John and Ann( Woodworth) Loughin. When he was but four years of age, he accompanied his mother and father on their removal to Montgomery, Pennsylvania, where the former was engaged in business for a few years. In that town Mr. Loughin was reared to manhood. When only eight years old he lost his father and as he was
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the eldest in a family of four children, it was necessary for him to go to work at a very early age in order to provide for his own livelihood and also to aid in the support of the other members of the family. He remained at home, car- ing for his widowed mother, until twenty-five years of age, when he went to Port Kennedy, where he became identified with the coal business. He had been thus engaged for about five years and was meeting with creditable success when the panic of 1873 broke out and he was among those who were forced to suc- cumb. Two years later, in 1875, he came west to Henry county and here ac- cepted employment as a farmhand, working by the month up to the time of his marriage, which occurred on the 23d of September, 1885, in Osco township, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary J. Poppleton. Mrs. Loughin was born in Geneseo on the 30th of November, 1856, and is a daughter of George and Esther (Hall) Poppleton, natives of Lincolnshire, England, and County Fer- managh, Ireland, respectively. The father, who arrived in America in 1851, remained in New York state about three years and then came to Illinois, taking up his abode in Geneseo. The mother came to this country when sixteen years of age, and it was during her residence in Geneseo that she made the acquain- tance of Mr. Poppleton. After their marriage he followed the occupation of carpenter and joiner for several years and then in 1858 removed to Osco town- ship, where he purchased a farm and reared his family, which consisted of six children, of whom Mrs. Loughin is the eldest.
Mr. Loughin and his wife began their domestice life upon a farm belonging to his father-in-law, which he continued to operate in the capacity of renter for about six years, and then he purchased fifty acres of land in Cambridge township. The period of his residence thereupon covered seven years, at the expiration of which time he sold out and invested in ninety acres in Munson town- ship. In 1904 he purchased his present farm, consisting of one hundred and thirty-eight acres located on sections 8 and 9, Geneseo township, at a price of sixty-five dollars per acre. Under his wise and careful management the fields have been brought under a high state of cultivation, and everything about the place indicates that he has kept in touch with modern and up-to-date methods of agriculture.
As the years have come and gone the home of Mr. and Mrs. Loughin has been blessed with five children. Esther Ann, the eldest, graduated from the Geneseo Collegiate Institute with the class of 1905, after which she taught for a few years. She is now the wife of Herman F. Lohman and makes her home in Geneseo, where her husband is engaged as an engineer. John Sherman, who also attended the Geneseo Collegiate Institute, is now engaged in agricultural pursuits. Alexander B. has completed his freshman year in high school and is now a member of the sophomore class. Lenora Elizabeth resides at home and is also a student in the high school, being now in her junior year, while Myra Dorothy, the youngest, is at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Loughin are members of the Trinity Episcopal church, of which Mr. Loughin is serving as senior warden. Politically he is a republican, having been a stanch supporter of that party since casting his first presidential vote. Although he has never sought nor desired public office, yet he has served as road commissioner and as school director and has always been a
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stanch "advocate of all measures pertaining to the material, political, intellectual and moral growth and advancement of the community. Although his arrival in this township was comparatively recent, nevertheless he has already won an extensive circle of friends who honor and respect him for the excellent traits of character which are his.
JOHN DURMANN.
One of the successful farmers of Colona township, is John Durmann, who was born in Rock Island county, Illinois, July 6, 1854, and is a son of Joseph and Amanda (Killing) Durmann. The former was born in Bavaria, Ger- many, December 15, 1813, his father being Mike Durmann, a farmer in his native land, who died when his son was seventeen years old. In 1839 Joseph Durmann came to America to better his condition. After living for a time in Ohio, he removed to Illinois, locating in the city of Rock Island, where he fol- lowed his trade as a cooper for a number of years. Having saved money dur- ing that time, in 1867 he was able to purchase three hundred and twenty acres of land in Colona township, upon which he took up his residence. As he pros- pered, he was able to add to his landholdings until he owned five hundred and forty acres, so that he became one of the prominent and substantial men of his locality. Although so much of his time was given to the prosecution of his vo- cation he found time to devote to the cause of the public and was identified with its best interests, serving most efficiently for a number of years as a member of the school board. One of the pleasant memories of his life, however, was the trip he took in 1873 to his native land, when he was given a chain by his brother which had been in the possession of the family for three hundred and fifty years and is still one of the cherished heirlooms.
While living in Rock Island, Joseph Durmann was married, April 21, 1845, to Miss Amanda Killing. The five children born to their union are still living : Frank, John, Joseph, William and Mary. The youngest is now the widow of Patrick McKee. Mr. Durmann died in February, 1896, and his widow survived him but a little more than two years, her death occurring July 26, 1898.
John Durmann grew to manhood upon the paternal farm and acquired his early education in the district schools of the township. Later he was enrolled as a pupil in a private school at Orion and then spent one winter in study at Davenport. His education completed, he devoted himself assiduously to the cultivation of the soil, although he did not engage in farming for himself until 1883, when he married and bought the place on which he lives and works today. It is a tract of one hundred and twenty acres, which is well improved and under a high state of cultivation, being devoted to general farming. While he has won from it a most gratifying income and an unequivocal success, he has achieved equal distinction from his operations in the stock business. As prog- ress has been his guiding star and industry his rule in life, the good fortune which places Mr. Durmann in the front rank of the farmers of his locality comes
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not as something unexpected but as an assured thing in the natural course of events.
On the 29th of January, 1883, Mr. Durmann was married to Miss Margaret E. Purse, a daughter of Robert J. and Margaret (Montgomery) Purse. The parents were born natives of Ireland, the father of County Antrim, the mother of County Down, and they came to America in 1849 on the same steamer. Mrs. Purse is a direct descendant of the Riddle family, which can trace its ances- try back to 860 and played no small part in the history of the Emerald isle. Mr. Purse worked in the city of New York for about five years after having crossed the Atlantic, was married July 9, 1854, and in the spring of the next year came to Henry county, Illinois, locating in Western township. In 1898 he went to Moline, where he lived until 1902, when he went to Oklahoma, re- turning after three years to Moline, where he has since resided. Eleven children, seven daughters and four sons were born to him and his wife, namely: Margaret E., now Mrs. John Durmann; James, a Baptist minister in Oklahoma; Susan, who is deceased; William, of Moline; Elizabeth, the wife of Elvin E. Bell, of Moline; Robert of Moline; Mattie, now Mrs. Chas. Rost; Georgiana, who is the wife of John J. Bell, of Moline; Abigail, who married D. C. Keleher, of Western township; Emma E., the wife of O. L. Benway, of Louisiana; and Edward. deceased. Both Mr. and Mrs. Purse are members of the Baptist church, while in his political views, Mr. Purse is a republican, having cast his first presi- dential ballot for Abraham Lincoln.
Mr. and Mrs. Durmann are the parents of three children: Mary Eva, Sarah May and James. They were educated in the public schools of the township and later in the schools of Orion and Moline, Sarah May graduating with the class of 1903. After the completion of her own education she taught for a few years and then married John H. Sheesley, of Western township. The son, James, has remained at home.
Mr. Durmann is a republican and is deeply interested in public affairs, hav- ing been a member of the local school board for a number of years. With the rest of his family he belongs to the Baptist church at Orion, has been deacon and trustee of the congregation for a considerable period and is closely identi- fied with church and Sunday-school work. Appreciative of the fact that upon progress depends the advance of a community, his voice and influence are ever raised in its behalf and his advocacy of public improvements is always guided by a desire to see his fellow citizens keep abreast of the advance of civilization in other parts of the state and country.
OSCAR GAESSNER.
Oscar Gaessner, one of the prominent farmers and stockmen of Osco town- ship, was born in the village of Wechselburg, Saxony, Germany, April 8, 1840, and is a son of Fred and Wilhelmina (Vieweg) Gaessner. He received a good education by private instruction, obtaining a knowledge of the Latin and French languages in addition to the branches usually taught. Reared with the idea that
OSCAR GAESSNER AND FAMILY
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he was to be a gardener, he followed that occupation for some years, until his marriage, in fact, which occurred in 1875, when he decided to come to the United States to try his fortunes. The ship on which he embarked took nineteen days to cross the ocean, being delayed by lack of coal, and after landing in New York Mr. Gaessner came immediately to Henry county, Illinois. Here a brother had located about five years before and had purchased for him a farm of one hun- dred and eighty acres. Mr. Gaessner had sent the money for this from his native land, paying for it at the rate of fifty dollars an acre. Were it placed upon the real-estate market today it would easily command three times that sum, for many improvements have since been made, including the erection of a good house and the tiling of the land. The place is located on the northeast quarter of section 8, Osco township, and is devoted to general farming and stock raising.
In Freiburg, Saxony, February 9, 1875, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Gaessner and Miss Bertha Ebigt, who was born in that city May 30, 1841, and is a daughter of Edward and Wilhelmina (Schmidt) Ebigt. In her native land she received a good education in the common branches and also in domestic economy, for which the households of the old country are famous. She came with her husband to America a few weeks after their marriage and here they have reared their family of three children : Olga, who was born February 28, 1876, and died upon her sixth birthday ; Alma Wilhelmina, born March 4, 1881, who has received a good education and lives with her parents; and Charles Frederick Edward, born May 24, 1882, who has likewise received an education that well fits him for the duties of life. The children and their parents are members of the En- glish Evangelical church at Morristown. Politically Mr. Gaessner looks to the democratic party for guidance, having affiliated with it since he first became a citizen of this republic, but has never sought office.
CHARLES CHENEY BLISH.
The activities of Charles Cheney Blish were of a varied character but in every field of endeavor in which he labored he was the same honorable and honored gentleman whose business probity was proverbial while his enterprise and intelligently directed labor won him substantial success. No history of Henry county would be complete without the record of his life which had its beginning at East Glastonbury, Connecticut, May 26, 1820, his parents being Colonel Sylvester and Rhoda (Cheney) Blish. He began his education in the schools of his native village and afterward completed a course in Middletown, connecticut, paying especial attention to surveying. He was a youth of seven- teen years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois as one of the colony that founded Wethersfield, Illinois, and was active in the pioneer development of this part of the state. On the 23d of December, 1840, at Goshen, Stark county, Illinois, when twenty years of age, he wedded Eliza- beth . Potter Bonar, a daughter of Matthew and Catharine (Cosner) Bonar, who lived at Walnut Creek, south of Lafayette. The marriage was opposed by the parents on both sides on account of the youth of the contracting parties, but
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