USA > Illinois > Henry County > History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 49
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Coming to his present home when a little lad of six years, Carl Edward Swanson has therefore spent almost his entire life within the borders of Mun- son township, the period of his boyhood and youth being devoted to acqiuring an education as a pupil in the district schools and assisting his father in the work of the home farm, while he later benefited by two terms of study at the Geneseo Collegiate Institute. When twenty-one years of age he began working for his father by the month and continued in that capacity until he was about twenty- five years of age, when his father retired from the active duties of business life, at which time the son took full charge of the home farm, in the capable opera- tion of which he has since been engaged. The farm consists of five hundred and ninety acres all in one body and all under an excellent state of cultivation.
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Well equipped for the responsible and practical duties that devolved upon him when he took up the work laid aside by his father, he has since applied himself with a diligence and industry that has already gained him rank among the pro- gressive and enterprising young farmers and augurs well for a most successful future.
In politics Mr. Swanson is a republican, giving stalwart allegiance to that party at the polls but never seeking nor desiring public office for himself as a reward for party fealty. He is a member of the Swedish Lutheran church and is a young man whose sterling traits of character and honorable and upright manhood have gained him the respect and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact. Having passed almost his entire life in this township, he has become widely known and his circle of friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
,
ANDREW SWANSON.
Among the residents of Geneseo whose well directed efforts in agricultural lines during former years now make it possible for them to live in retirement, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of their many years of labor, is Andrew Swanson. As the name indicates, he is of Swedish origin, his birth having oc- curred in Jonkoping, Sweden, on the 24th of July, 1847, The father passed away when the son was but six months old. The first eight years of his life were spent in the land of his nativity, and then in 1855 he accompanied his mother, two sisters and a brother-in-law to the United States, where settlement was made near Cleveland, Henry county, Illinois. This continued to be his home for several years, when he started out on an independent business career as a farm hand, working out by the month. He was thus engaged for some time and later carried on general agricultural pursuits for several years in the capacity of renter. In the meantime he labored diligently and industriously, his efforts being actuated by the laudable ambition to some day own a farm of his own, and through close application and economy he was eventually able to enjoy the fulfillment of his desire. With the money which he had carefully saved he purchased five hundred and ninety acres of land in Munson township, located on section I, and at once began its further improvement and development. During the former years he had made a close study of agriculture and had gained a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the best methods of plowing, plant- ing and harvesting, so that when he entered upon an independent venture of his own, he was well prepared to carry it forward to successful completion. His farm became one of the highly improved properties of the township and as the years passed he prospered in his undertaking, his labors being crowned with a most substantial success. In 1908 he put aside active business duties and re- moved to Geneseo, where he erected a beautiful residence, equipped with all mod- ern conveniences and accessories. He has now attained the sixty-second mile- stone on life's journey and in the evening of life is enjoying all the comforts made possible by the possession of a handsome competence.
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On the 23d of October, 1873, Mr. Swanson was united in marriage to Miss Christina Swanson, a native of Sweden, who in 1871 came to the United States, with two sisters, Anna and Mary, locating in Geneseo. Anna Swanson passed away in Ottawa, while Mary became the wife of Axel Parson and now makes her home in Pueblo, Colorado. The parents of Mrs. Swanson were Swen Parson and Keise (Peterson) Swanson, both of whom died in Sweden, the father in 1905 when past eighty years of age, and the mother in 1908 when eighty-six years of age. In their family were nine children, six of whom still survive, namely: Andrew, Christina, Mary, Emma, Carl and Gust. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Swanson were born eight children, four sons and four daugh- ters, as follows: Nellie Cecelia, who resides on the old homestead with her brother; Anna E., still at home; Lillie Amelia, the wife of Charles Larson, of Geneseo township; Carl Edward, operating the home farm; Arthur LeRoy and. Eva Caroline, who are yet under the parental roof; and two who died in in- fancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Swanson hold membership in the Lutheran church of Geneseo, in the work of which they are deeply interested and in which Mr. Swanson is serving as trustee. Politically he is a republican, giving stalwart support to that party which in his opinion is best adapted to conserve the public welfare. For a number of years he served as school director, but otherwise never sought nor desired public office, preferring rather to concentrate his energies upon his private business affairs. He has never been remiss, however, in the duties of citizenship and in spite of the fact that he was born across the waters he has ever been most loyal to the interests of his adopted country. His has been a life of continuous activity in which industry, thrift and enterprise-common characteristics of his race-have been salient elements. His success has been honestly won, however, having ever been honorable and upright in his dealings with his fellowmen, and the principles which have been the guiding influences of his life have been such that now, in the sixty-second year of his age he can look back upon the past without regret and forward to the future without fear.
MICHAEL SHARP.
One of the farms in Colona township which enjoys the distinction of being called a model one in its appointments for the caring of stock and in its facilities for carrying on successful farming is that known as the Wayside farm, of which Michael Sharp is the proprietor. It was the place of his birth, which occurred December 22, 1871. He is a son of William J. and Anna (Bowman) Sharp, the former a native of Hawkins county, Tennessee, where he was born April 17, 1832, the latter a native of Bedford county, Pennsylvania, where her birth occurred June 1, 1838. The families of both came to Illinois about 1841 and settled in Rock Island and Henry counties, and on April 27, 1856, the young people were married and Mr. Sharp brought his bride to the farm on which his son still lives in Colona township. He here pursued general farming and became identified with the best interests of the locality. A democrat in his political views, he filled
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the offices of school trustee, road commissioner and school director for many years, while as a member of the Methodist Episcopal church he gave his best ef- forts to promoting its interests. All his life he was closely identified with its work, being for a number of years a class leader and superintendent. He died February II, 1906, and was buried in the Western cemetery. His widow still lives on the home farm. They were the parents of seven children, namely: Sarah H., who has remained unmarried; Henrietta, who is the wife of Joseph Charles, of Rock Island; Rachel, deceased; George, who is married and lives in North Da- kota; Matilda, who is the wife of Edward Brown, of Moline; Michael, who is the subject of this sketch; and Stella, who is deceased.
Michael Sharp grew to manhood upon the farm on which he now resides, participating in its work and receiving his education in the public schools of Colona township. In his early manhood he married and brought his bride to the home place, which he has since operated. While he has engaged to some extent in di- versified farming, he has given the greater part of his attention to stock raising, making a specialty of red polled dual purpose cattle, American Hampshire or thin rind hogs and mules. The mules are sent to the market. His hogs and cattle are used for breeding purposes and, being thoroughbred animals, command good prices throughout the country. His excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres is a model in its equipment for handling stock, for there are adequate barns and stock sheds, affording shelter and feeding facilities in bad weather, so that every animal has the best housing and protection from the elements. He exhibits nearly every year at the Chicago International Fat Stock Show, almost invariably being a successful competitor for prizes. Not infrequently he exhibits also at the Illi- nois State Fair, from which he also receives numerous medals and ribbons. The results of his thoroughgoing method have thus won him wide recognition as a breeder and feeder of the best stock.
On the 8th of January, 1896, Mr. Sharp was united in marriage to Miss May Washburn, a daughter of Benjamin F. and Maria (Williams) Washburn. To that union have been born two sons, Homer L. and William F. A republican in his political views, he is always interested in public questions but has taken little active part in local government. He has, however, served as road com- missioner and is still a member of the board of education. Although he finds little time to devote to matters outside his private concerns, he is public spirited, ever giving his support to improvements which are calculated to advance the wel- fare of his fellow citizens. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Interested in his business and unsparing of effort for its advance- ment, he has placed the Wayside farm among the most paying in this county.
GEORGE EVANS.
George Evans, who in his sixty-fifth year is still active in the world's work as a prominent and successful representative of agricultural interests, is the owner of valuable farm property in Henry county, where he makes his home on section 21, Phenix township. Born in this township on the 4th of October,
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1844, he is a son of James and Lydia (Spaid) Evans, natives of Pennsylvania, the former's birth occurring in Luzerne county and the latter's near Sugar- grove, Warren county. The parents were married in the Keystone state and came west to Illinois about the year 1838. locating in Phenix township, Henry county, where the father purchased eighty acres of land from a Mr. Browning. Here he reared his family and spent the remainder of his life. As the years passed he prospered and was able from time to time to add to his realty hold- ings until at the time of his death he was the owner of five hundred acres of land. When he left home at the age of twenty-one years to seek his own for- tune he had but enough money to buy his dinner, and from that humble begin- ning he worked his way upward until he ranked among the substantial and prosperous farmers of his part of the township. He was a stalwart republican in politics, but never sought nor desired office for himself. In his family were nine children, of whom George Evans is the fourth in order of birth. Sabine, the eldest, became the wife of Joseph Hanney and passed away in Phenix township. John C. married Emeline Fritz and had three children. He moved west, since which time all trace of him has been lost. Thomas Evans was united in marriage to Christina Hershman and passed away in Geneseo, leaving three children. Frank, who is also deceased, married Sabina Spaid, by whom he had one child. Elizabeth died in infancy. Freeman married Emma Graft and makes his home in Geneseo. Millard Fillmore passed away when about twenty-one years of age. Lydia, the youngest, is the wife of Gilbert and resides in Oklahoma. The subject's grandfather, Thomas Evans, came to Henry county some years after the arrival of his son. He was then an old man and he made his home with one of his daughters in Cornwall, where he and his wife both passed away. Their remains were interred in the old Geneseo cemetery.
George Evans, whose name introduces this review, spent the period of his boyhood and youth upon his father's farm and at the usual age was sent as a pupil to the district schools, where he acquired a good knowledge of the common branches of the English language. He also obtained much experience in agri- cultural lines under his father's direction, for the periods of vacation were spent in the work of the fields, and he remained under the parental roof until twenty-five years of age, when he was united in marriage. After this event 1 e remained with his mother for two years operating a portion of his father's land, and then removed to his present farm, which he had previously purchased from his father. He has since directed his energies to its further development and has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation, while he has made many modern improvements upon the place which constitute it one of the valuable farming properties in the township. As he has prospered he has been able to purchase additional property and he now owns, aside from the sixty acres in his home place, another farm of one hundred and twenty acres and a tract of tim- berland in Phenix township. Progressive and up-to-date in his methods, he is meeting with substantial success, his agricultural interests proving a source of gratifying remuneration to him.
On the 28th of September, 1869, in Cambridge, Mr. Evans was united in marriage to Miss Martha Adeline Santee, of Loraine township. who was born
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near Reading, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Martin and Mary (Henry) Santee. She benefited by good common school education and came to Illinois with her parents when about nineteen years of age. By her marriage to Mr. Evans she became the mother of five children: Carrie, the widow of Edwin Claypool, who has one child, Julia, and makes her home in Geneseo; James Martin, living on the home farm; George Francis, a farmer of Phenix township, who married Stella Thompson and has two sons, Howard James and Floyd Raymond; Mary Estella; and Christina, who passed away in infancy.
Fraternally Mr. Evans is a member of the Yeoman of America and in poli- tics he gives stalwart allegiance to the republican party, but is not an office seeker. He has never been unmindful of his obligations to his fellowmen, and that he has never intrenched upon their rights and privileges is indicated by the fact that he has never been involved in any law suit. He is always the same honorable and upright gentleman in whatever relation of life he is found and his salient char- acteristics are such as have gained him the respect, confidence and good will of all with whom he has come in contact.
ALBERT A. SEDGLEY.
Albert A. Sedgley, who carries on general farming on section 17, Geneseo township, first became a resident of Henry county in 1855. His business acti- vities, however, afterward carried him into various sections of the country, but in 1892 he turned to Geneseo and through the past seventeen years has continu- ously remained in the county.
His birth occurred in Broomfield, Maine, September 7, 1840, his parents being Levi and Martha (Johnson) Sedgley, who were likewise natives of the Pinetree state. The former was a son of William Sedgley, a farmer by occu- pation, who lived at Limington, Maine, where he died at the venerable age of eighty-four years. His wife also spent her entire life in that state. In their family were eight children including Levi Sedgley, who took up the mason's trade in early manhood and became a skilled workman. While still living in New England, he wedded Martha Johnson, a daughter of Daniel and Mary Johnson, who were natives of Maine and there reared their family of thirteen children. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Levi Sedgley began their domestic life in Maine and in 1855 removed westward with their family, settling first in Gene- seo, where the father erected the first gristmill of the town. Following his trade, he erected many buildings in Geneseo, thus becoming closely associated with its material improvement. He was also active in public affairs, and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, called him to several local offices. For many years he served as supervisor of Geneseo township, was also a member of the school board and was a well educated man. His services in the state militia of Maine won him the rank of major, by which title he was always known. He held membership in the Unitarian church while his wife was a member of the Freewill Baptist church. His death occurred in this county
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in 1890 when he was seventy-eight years of age, while his wife passed away in 1872 at the age of sixty years. They were the parents of three sons, namely : Albert A .; Charles W., of Mount Vernon, Illinois; and Benjamin L., of Chi- cago. The eldest child, Charles William, was a soldier of the Civil war.
Albert A. Sedgley arrived in Geneseo when a youth of fifteen and spent the succeeding six years of his life in that city. He supplemented his public- school course by study in a commercial college, after his return from the war. In the opening year of hostilities between the north and the south he espoused the cause of the Union, enlisting as a member of Company B, Ninth Illinois Cavalry, with which he served for three years and seven days, holding the rank of corporal. He was in the battles of Stewart Farm, Cash River and a number of other engagements.
When peace had crowned the Union arms Albert A. Sedgley received an honorable discharge and after the war turned his attention to railroading, remain- ing in the train service for nineteen years, acting as conductor during the greater part of that time. Subsequently he went to Los Angeles, California, where he resided for five years and during two years of that time conducted a dairy. In 1892 he returned to Geneseo where for five years he worked at the carpen- ter's trade and then purchased his present beautiful farm of thirty acres on section 17, Geneseo township, where he is now comfortably situated in life. In addition to his home place he is financially interested in business enterprises of the county, being a stockholder in the First National Bank of Geneseo, and one of the organizers and now president of the Edford Star Telephone Company.
On the 17th of November, 1885, occurred the marriage of Mr. Sedgley and Miss Mary E. Scott, who died in 1894, leaving a son Sherman Levi, who is now a resident of Colfax, Illinois. On the 17th of April, 1901, Mr. Sedgley was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Julia Ann Beck, the widow of Elias Beck and a daughter of Eli and Eleanor (Jackson) Allen. Mrs. Julia A. Sedgley was born in Ohio, while her father was a native of Pennsylvania and her mother of Indiana. Her paternal grandfather, Solomon Allen, was likewise a native of the Keystone state and devoted his life to farming. Unto him and his wife, Mrs. Sarah Allen, there were born a son and two daughters. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Sedgley were William and Julia (Cooley) Jack- son. The former was born near Brookville, Indiana, and followed the occu- pation of farming to provide for his family, which numbered eight children. Both he and his wife died in Indiana at an old age. Mr. and Mrs. Eli Allen, the parents of Mrs. Sedgley, removed to Iowa, settling on a farm near Ottumwa. There they lived for a time but afterward sold that property and took up their abode in the city, where Mrs. Sedgley was reared to womanhood. Her father is deceased but her mother is still living in her eighty-ninth year. Their family numbered fourteen children, nine sons and five daughters : Solomon ; William J .; Ephraim Thomas; Sarah Charlotte Helen; Julia A .; James Edward; Mary Ellen, the widow of Benjamin Huddleston; Harriet Jane, who died in early childhood; Charles Franklin; David Eli; Warren Olondo; Samuel Siegel; Ma- tilda Josephine, the wife of Daniel Kinney; and Theodore Hercules. Of this family William J., Ephraim Thomas and James Edward Allen, served as soldiers of the Civil war.
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In his political views Mr Sedgley is a republican, giving stanch allegiance to the party, for he believes its principles are most conducive to good govern- ment. He has served as a school director for several terms, and the cause of edu- cation finds in him a stalwart champion. That he is prominent and popular in E. J. Jenkins Post, No. 452, G. A. R., is indicated in the fact that he has held various offices in the organization and is a past commander. His religious faith is that of the Unitarian church, while his wife is a member of the Methodist church and both are highly esteemed in this community.
JAMES S. HADSALL.
For more than half a century James S. Hadsall has been identified with the history of Burns township and is now numbered among its most honored and respected citizens, not only by reason of his age but also for the character of his life and those things which he has accomplished in the world of business. He is now living practically retired, but in the past farming, building and carpen- tering interests in this section of the state profited by his ability, good judgment and enterprise.
He was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, September 26, 1822, and is descended from an English family, some of whose members crossed the Atlantic at an early day and were numbered among the first settlers of the Wyoming valley. They secured a large tract of land at the mouth of Sutton's creek, five miles up the Susquehanna river from the head of the Wyoming valley. There the great-grandfather of Mr. Hadsall, together with his negro servant, was killed by Indians while hoeing corn in 1776, the day before the Wyoming massacre. His brothers, Stephen and John Hadsall, were serving in the Colonial army and were then located at Wyoming, but their lives were spared by reprieve. To the former was given the task of carrying to Connecticut the keg of paint which was used to paint the reprieved prisoners every morning.
At the time of the massacre Edward Hadsall, the grandfather of James S. Hadsall, by a fortunate circumstance was in New England, whither he had gone to procure cattle, but subsequently he returned to the original Hadsall farm at the mouth of Sutton's creek, making it his home until 1805, when he sold his property and with other members of the family removed to Martinsville, Ohio. He located just across the river from Wheeling and there passed the remainder of his life. He was twice married and reared a large family. By his first union he had three sons: James, Edward and Benjamin. The last named, a physician by profession, came west at an early day and built the first tavern in Rock Island, Illinois, at which place he later erected a hotel. He resided in that city until after the death of his wife, when he removed to California and there passed away.
James Hadsall, the father of our subject, was born in Connecticut, March 20, 1787, and spent his youth in the Wyoming valley. When his father removed to Ohio, he remained in Pennsylvania, being engaged in farming in Luzerne
J. S. HADSALL
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county. When about twenty-three years of age, on February 4, 1810, he wedded Miss Elizabeth Smith, who was born in Connecticut, December 29, 1795. For seventy-five years they traveled life's highway together and both died in 1885. All of their fourteen children were born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. Of these the two eldest died in infancy and Edward, born January 26, 1813, married Jane Diamond, of Luzerne county, and in 1856 removed to Michigan, where he still resides.
Reared in the county of his birth, James S. Hadsall attended the public school near his home and subsequently learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until 1896. In 1852 he came to Henry county, Illinois, for the first time, entering the southwest quarter of section 34, Burns township, but he did not locate here permanently until 1856, spending the four intervening years in Pennsylvania. In 1857 the year following his return, while he was erecting buildings upon his property, he discovered a coal bank on the southern part of his farm. He opened the vein at that time and worked it intermittently for the next thirty years, at one time operating three mines to their full extent, but of recent years has done little along that line, although the whole farm is under- laid with coal, some of which is in very deep veins. In connection with his mining interests and his farming he has engaged in carpentering and contract- ing, doing a great deal of building in Burns and adjoining townships, as well as in Nebraska and Iowa, and building many of the bridges in this and other localities. This was his principal occupation through the summer months, dur- in which time he employed from four to eight men. He also thoroughly im- proved the home farm, upon which several new buildings have been erected recently, and at one time he owned a tract of land in Saunders county, Ne- braska, which he later gave to his daughter.
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