History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II, Part 50

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

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On the 13th of January, 1848, Mr. Hadsall wedded Miss Malinda Brace, the ceremony being performed in New Troy, now Wyoming, Pennsylvania. Her parents, William and Anna (Munson) Brace, were natives of New York state. Unto the couple were born five children, as follows: Medora, who died in infancy; Anna E., who is the wife of Edgar Kimerling, of Nebraska; Henry, who was born September 23, 1855, and was killed by falling from a building December 3, 1882; one who died in infancy ; and Smith, who is engaged in farm- ing in Burns township. He was born September 12, 1860, and married Miss Julia Zeigler, of Kewanee

In the spring of 1864 Mr. Hadsall enlisted at Chicago in the Union army for service in the war of the Rebellion and was honorably discharged in the fall of the same year. Now he belongs to the Grand Army post and is also connected with the Masonic fraternity. He cast his first presidential ballot for Henry Clay and was a stanch supporter of the whig party until its dissolution, when he allied himself with the republican party, with which he has been since identified. Since coming to Henry county he has taken a deep interest in public affairs and has frequently been honored by the people by being chosen to dif- ferent offices. For long periods he served as school director and commissioner of the highways, for sixteen years acted as justice of the peace, to which position he was elected first in 1860 and then refused to serve longer, and for twenty-two years he was postmaster at Hawley. He was appointed to that office June 16,

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1879, and his administration of his duties was marked by the same carefulness and system that characterized his work in other fields.

Until 1906 Mr. Hadsall was still active in the work of his farm and in su- pervising his other interests, but since then he has not been able to accomplish much and has rented his land to his granddaughter's husband, William R. Kramer. Yet he is in fairly good health, save for being a sufferer from rheumatism, by which he was confined to the house during the past year, and at the venerable age of eighty-nine years still has a bright outlook on life. His wife is also very active, despite the fact that she is now in her eighty-third year. Few men have led a more active life, and few have directed their energies so well or for so long a period in channels that have brought them a gratifying measure of pros- perity, and at the same time the unqualified esteem of a large circle of friends. He is a man who has made the most of each opportunity, but also one who has not swerved from the principles of upright manhood.

ALLAN BYRON CADY.

Allan Byron Cady, secretary and treasurer of the North Side Cemetery As- sociation of Geneseo, was born about a mile and a quarter northeast of the city on the old homestead of the Cady family, July 8, 1845. His ancestors were among the early settlers of New England. His grandfather, John Cady, removed from Connecticut to Genesee county, New York, carrying with him a red handker- chief, which was all he possessed. He began life there literally empty handed, but gradually worked his way upward. He married Anna Johns, who came from Wales when twelve years of age, and both lived to advanced years. The death of Mrs. Cady occurred in Geneseo, after which her remains were taken back to Genesee county, New York, for burial. In their family were nine sons and a daughter: Dwight, Hiram, Austin, Boardman, Miles, Silas, John, Thomas, Philo and Emily, who married Elijah Burt.

Hiram Cady, the father of A. B. Cady, was a native of the Empire state and devoted his life to farming. In the fall of 1837 he removed from Genesee county. New York, to Illinois, settling on a tract of land a mile and a quarter east of the Geneseo postoffice, which his father had entered in 1836. The place com- prised about four hundred and eighty acres; and the land was wild prairie, not a furrow having been turned nor an improvement made thereon. At that time Hiram Cady was twenty-one years of age. With resolute purpose he bent his energies to the task of cultivating the fields and improved one hundred and sixty acres of the land. He had also added thirty-one acres to the tract. In his latter years he retired from active life, and removed to Geneseo, where he passed away March 15, 1888, at the age of seventy-four years. In early man- hood he wedded Mary Bartlett, also a native of New York, and a daughter of Cromwell K. and Catharine (Kess) Bartlett. Her father was born in the state of New York and for some years engaged in teaching, while later he followed farming. His wife was a native of the Mohawk valley, and they were among the colonists who settled Geneseo, but Mr. Bartlett died soon after their ar-

MRS. J. S. HADSALL

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rival in Henry county. His widow survived him for a long period and lived to be about ninety-four years of age. In their family were eight children, who reached maturity : William; Mary, who became Mrs. Cady; Hiram; Amanda, the wife of Carl Taylor; Lucinda, the wife of William Austin; Julia, who mar- ried Silas Cady ; George; and Martha, the wife of Horace Smith. Mrs. Cady, the second of that family, was but twelve years of age when she accompanied her parents on their removal to Henry county, Illinois. They made the trip with wagon and horses, and after their arrival the men of the party built their log cabins, chinking the spaces between the logs with mud and prairie hay, while the roofs were made of canvas. They found, however, that the rooms were cold when thus covered, and they later roofed with "shakes," which were thinly split but were thicker than the regular shingle. Amid such pioneer surround- ings Mrs. Cady spent her girlhood days. She survived her husband for three years, passing away July 19, 1891, while on a visit in Tallapoosa, Georgia. Her remains were then brought back to Geneseo and were buried in the North Side cemetery. She was then sixty-seven years of age, her birth having occurred March 8, 1824. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cady were zealous members of the Con- gregational church, and he was an earnest champion of the cause of education. He served as school director and in other township offices and gave a portion of his orchard as the site for a schoolhouse. Unto him and his wife were born three children who reached mature years: Allan B., Monroe Carroll and Nellie Catharine, the last named being the wife of Mark A. Green, of Tallapoosa, Georgia.

Allan B. Cady has lived in Henry county throughout his entire life. Being reared upon his father's farm he attended the district schools, the Geneseo Sem- inary and the Commercial School of Davenport. After he had reached adult age his father gave him fifteen and a half acres of land and, purchasing forty acres additional, he began farming. Each year thereafter he carefully plowed his land, planted the seed and cultivated his crops, gathering in the autumn rich harvests. After owning the tract for a few years he sold his original place of fifty-five and a half acres and then bought eighty acres south of the town, adding to this from time to time until he was the owner of two hundred and eighty-six acres, constituting one of the valuable and productive farms of the county. He carefully, systematically and sucessfully carried on general farm- ing until 1900, when he retired and removed to Geneseo, where he built a good house, that he now occupies. He is still the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land, and this returns to him a substantial income, which enables him to enjoy many of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life.

On the 30th of October, 1871, Mr. Cady was married to Miss Ella J. French, a daughter of Oliver and Jane (French) French. Mrs. Cady was born in Michigan, while her parents were natives of Coventry, Connecticut. They lived for many years in Henry county, Illinois, and when called to their final rest their graves were made in Oakwood cemetery. They had two children: Sarah, who became the wife of Levi Hoit, and Mrs. Cady. The paternal grandfather was Eleazer French, a native of Connecticut and of English descent. He was a shoemaker by trade and followed that pursuit throughout the greater part of

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY

his life. He married Fannie Woodard, and died in Connecticut, when more than eighty years of age, while his wife also reached an old age They had four sons and three daughters: Eleazer; Oliver; Daniel; Nathaniel; Ann, who became the wife of Henry Gooding; Mary, who married Charles Lee; and · Abbie, the wife of Rolland Clark. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Cady was Aaron French, who engaged in driving a stage from Avon to Hartford, Connecti- cut, but died in early manhood. His wife, Mrs. Avis French, lived to an old age. They were the parents of two sons and four daughters, five of whom reached mature years, namely : Mrs. Jane K. French, the mother of Mrs. Cady ; Adelia, who married William Clark; Juliette, the wife of Ephraim Woodford; Jolın R .; and Aaron.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Cady was blessed with two sons: Guy M., and Walter F., whose history is given below. The parents are members of the Congregational church, and their fidelity to its teachings has developed in them a character worthy of the highest esteem and regard. In his political views Mr. Cady is republican and is well known in Geneseo as the secretary and treasurer of the North Side Cemetery Association, which position he has filled since 1888. His business record has been characterized by a progressive spirit, by close ap- plication and undaunted energy, and the success which he has enjoyed is at- tributable entirely to his own labors.

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GUY M. CADY.

Guy M. Cady, conducting a profitable business as a general farmer and breeder of Aberdeen Angus cattle, is living on section 28, Geneseo township, where he has one hundred and sixty-six acres of land that partly extends onto section 29. His entire life has been devoted to general agricultural pursuits, and he purchased his present farm in 1894, since which time he has continuously made it his home. It presents a neat and attractive appearance, indicating the enterprise of the owner, whose methods are practical and progressive.

Mr. Cady was born in Geneseo township, east of the city of Geneseo, April 24, 1873, and is the son of Allan B. and Ella J. (French) Cady, who are now living on East Main street in Geneseo and are mentioned in the sketch preced- ing. They had but two children, the younger son being Walter F. Cady, who also lives in Geneseo township.

In his youthful days Guy M. Cady divided his time between the work of the fields, the duties of the schoolroom and the pleasures of the playground. He was provided with good educational advantages and completed his course by graduation from the high school at Geneseo with the class of 1893. At twenty-one years of age he began the cultivation of the farm upon which he now resides, and in 1894 he purchased the property and has since owned, occu- pied and cultivated it. He has greatly improved the place by erecting thereon all of the buildings, with the exception of the house, and this he has rebuilt and remodeled. In commodious barns and outbuildings there is ample shelter furnished to grain and stock, while well maintained fences divide the place into

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fields of convenient size. Modern farm machinery is used in planting, cultivat- ing and gathering the crops, and everything about the place indicates the pro- gressive spirit of the owner.

On the 3d of May, 1899, in the city of Geneseo occurred the marriage of Mr. Cady and Miss Albertina Johnson, who was born in Atkinson township and is a daughter of Gunner and Elna Johnson, both of whom were natives of Sweden, in which country they were reared and married. After coming to the new world they established their home in Henry county, and the father died in Geneseo, but the mother is still living. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cady have been born five children: Leala, who was born December 2, 1900; Ima, born May 18, 1902; Burton, born January 31, 1904; Florence, June 3, 1906; and Ralph, August 2, 1908.

Mr. Cady was reared in the faith of the republican party but is now indepen- dent in politics, preferring to exercise his right of franchise as his judgment dictates. He has never sought nor desired office, preferring to concentrate his time and energies upon his business affairs, while he and his wife belong to the Congregational church. His life is upright and honorable, his many good qualities winning for him the high regard of all who know him.

WALTER F. CADY.

Walter F. Cady is one of the enterprising young farmers of Henry county, living on his father's farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which is situated on section 28, Geneseo township. He was born January 9, 1875, about a mile east of Geneseo and is a son of Allan Byron and Ella Jane (French) Cady. He was about a year old when his parents removed to what is now the old home- stead farm, which had been purchased the previous fall, and here Walter F. Cady has resided continuously since. He was reared to the occupation of farming, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, as he assisted his father in the cultivation and im- provement of the fields. He acquired his education in the public schools of Geneseo, passing through consecutive grades until he became a high school student and was graduated with the class of 1894. In the eleven years his attendance was so regular that the record has rarely been equaled. He failed to attend a session less than a dozen times in the entire period in which he was pursuing his education. He remained with his father until he was twenty-one years of age and then began farming on his own account by renting the old home place. He won a companion and helpmate for life's journey in his mar- riage, on the 18th of March, 1897, to Miss Myrtle Lamont, of Prophetstown, Illinois, who was born in Yorktown township, Henry county, October 22, 1875, and is a daughter of Jesse L. and Mary J. (Pritchard) Lamont. Her education was acquired in the district schools and in the city schools of Geneseo, and by her marriage she has become the mother of four children: Neva M., who was born December 1, 1900, and has completed the second grade work in the schools,

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never having missed a half day thus far; Famah L., born June 23, 1904; Dale L., born September 26, 1905; and Jessie C., October 7, 1908.

At the time of his marriage Mr. Cady brought his bride to the home farm. He has met with varied success in the cultivation of the place, for there have been seasons when the crops were poor. However, he is persevering and ener- getic, and these qualities eventually win in the end. In connection with the tilling of the soil he is engagd in the breeding of thoroughbred Chester White hogs, for which he finds a ready sale on the market. In politics he is a republi- can where national questions and issues are involved but casts an independent local ballot. He and his wife are members of the First Congregational church and it its work take an active and helpful interest, Mr. Cady serving as assist- ant superintendent of the Sunday school and as an usher of the church. He is a worthy representative of a family long and prominently known in this county.

J. WALFRED OKERSTROM.

J. Walfred Okerstrom gives his attention to one hundred and thirty-one acres of land in Weller township, which he rents. As the name indicates, he is of Swedish birth and parentage, born in Alfta, Soken, Helsingland, October 5, 1878. The father, Jonas Okerstrom, was born in Ofvanoker, Soken, Hel- singland, Sweden, and is a watchmaker by trade. He was married in that coun- try to Miss Cathrine Wansburg, who was born in Soderala, Soken, Helsing- land, April 4, 1856. They emigrated to the new world in 1882, arriving in Bishop Hill on the 3d of July of that year. The father opened a jewelry es- tablishment in this city, where he did a general retail and repair business. He continued his business in Bishop Hill until 1894, when he removed to Cam- bridge and spent four years, subsequent to which time he went west, locating in Mendon, Kearney county, Nebraska, where he opened a similar establishment and is still engaged in business, in which he is meeting with excellent' success.

J. Walfred Okerstrom was less than four years of age when brought to America by his parents, so that he was practically reared in Henry county and acquired his education in the public schools of this district. When he started out on his own account he worked at farm labor in Weller township for six years . and at the age of twenty found employment in the lumberyard of Reynold Johnson, with whom he remained five years. Farm life, however, seemed to offer more inducement to him and when he found himself able to engage in business independently he leased eighty acres of land in Weller township, three and a half miles northwest of Bishop Hill, making his home thereon for three years. He then removed to another farm of ninety acres and made his home there for one year. On the Ist of March, 1909, he sought another location and took up his abode on one hundred and thirty-one acres in Weller township. He planted his seeds in due season and in the summer and fall of that year har- vested good crops.

Mr. Okerstrom was married February 26, 1902, in Bishop Hill, to Miss Hilda E. Peterson, a daughter of Charles M. Peterson, a retired farmer of

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Bishop Hill. Their home has been blessed with three interesting children, two daughters and a son: Lenore G., who at the age of six years is attending the district school; Kathryn H., two years of age; and Karl J., nine months old.

A republican in politics he always votes for republican candidates at presi- dential elections but at local elections does not bind himself to party ties. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp at Bishop Hill, in which he held the office of clerk two years, while for a similar period he acted as escort. He is numbered among the representative Swedish-American citizens of Henry county, possessing the characteristics of energy, honesty and perseverance, so strong in the people of that race.

GEORGE GARLAND, SR.

Among the successful agriculturists of the older generation in Colona town- ship, whose well tilled fields bespeak the careful methods and good manage- ment of the owner, is George Garland, Sr. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Perry county, March 15, 1837, his parents being Samuel and Mary Ann Garland, both of German ancestry, although born in the Keystone state. In 1851 they moved their family to Illinois, locating in Peoria county, where they remained for about fifteen years, and the father followed the occupation of farming. From that county they removed to Marshall county, Illinois, where they lived for a few years and then went to Indiana and later to Nebraska, where the father's death occurred. His first wife had died in Marshall county, but before he made his last move he married again. Of this first union seven chil- dren were born: Mary, Jane, Caroline, Elizabeth, Hannah, William and George. All are living except Jane and Elizabeth.

George Garland was reared under the parental roof and remained at home until after the death of his mother. He received his education in the public schools of the township, and obtained his practical experience for the responsi- bilities of life upon the farm, for from the time he was able to handle a plow he assisted in the work that was carried on there. When he started to make his own way in the world he found employment in a livery barn in Henry, Marshall county, and after about two years spent there went to Rock Island, where he worked for another two years. Then he engaged in agricultural pursuits, work- ing for James Glenn, of Colona township, for eleven dollars a month and board. His employer enjoyed the distinction of having been the first man to plow a furrow in this county, and the plow which performed that work is now on ex- hibition in the courthouse. While he was in the employ of Mr. Glenn during the greater part of three years, but during the threshing season he was employed by William Killing to assist in operating a thresher and in the winter months he hauled coal, in this way eking out the meager wage he received in the sum- mer. Later he worked for George Sibley, a farmer of Colona township, from whom he received fifteen dollars a month, the highest pay he ever got for farm labor. While he was still toiling for Mr. Sibley, he married, shortly after rented a tract of land and later bought the place on which he lives today, for he had

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saved money and was able to purchase eighty acres. While this is not one of the largest in its locality, it is certainly one of the richest, is well improved and maintained under a high state of cultivation so that it renders large returns for the time and thought spent in tilling it. Mr. Garland no longer actively partici- pates in the actual work of operation, but the ideas which he fostered and the methods which he initiated have been carried out by his son George. In addi- tion to purely agricultural interests, they have given considerable attention to rais- ing and feeding hogs, finding this a most profitable adjunct to their business.

In 1864 Mr. Garland wedded Miss Catherine Hunt, a daughter of Anthony and Catherine Hunt, of Colona township, to which Mr. Hunt came with the early pioneers. All of the five children born to the couple are living. They are Clarence A., who has married and is a farmer of Colona township; John, who has married and is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Rock Island county ; George, who operates the home place; Minnie, who is the wife of William Williams, a farmer of Colona township; and Mabel, who married Hugh McGraw, of Wes- tern township. Mrs. Garland passed away in December, 1899. George was married, January 21, 1904, to Miss Clara Hollins, a daughter of Charles and Sarah (Morgan) Hollins, of Colona township.

Mr. Garland has always been a stanch believer in the principles of the repub- lican party, but while ever interested in public matters could never be persuaded to accept any office within the gift of the people. Nevertheless he is a man to whose support the citizens would quickly flock, for his career has been distin- guished by acts of a strong character, evincing the sterling integrity of his thoughts and deeds, and he enjoys the respect and confidence of all who have come in contact with him.

ALBERT F. JOHNSON.

Albert F. Johnson is well known as a representative of the business public of Cambridge as a member of the firm of Johnson & Record, lumber dealers, and also as the manager of the Citizens Mutual Telephone Company. He is, moreover, numbered among the public-spirited citizens whose devotion to the general good has been manifest in many tangible ways. He was born in An- dover on the 12th of July, 1867, and is one of eight children, whose parents, Charles E. and Christine Johnson, were natives of Sweden. The father was a carpenter by trade and after following that pursuit in early manhood turned his attention to farming. With the hope of bettering his financial condition in the new world, he came to America in 1866 and settled in Cambridge, purchas- ing a farm of fifty-six acres in Andover township, to which he afterward added thirty acres. Upon that farm he reared his family and made his home for many years, but has lived in the town for six of seven years, enjoying now in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil. His wife passed away at the age of sixty-seven years in the faith of the Lutheran church, to which Mr. Johnson also belongs. Their family numbered four sons and four daughters: John S .;

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Charles A .; Huldah H., the wife of Charles Buck; Albert F .; Frederick; Tillie, the wife of William O'Neill; Norine; and one who died in infancy.

Albert F. Johnson spent his youth in the usual manner of farm lads, the routine work of the fields and the duties of the schoolroom largely occupying his time and attention. He continued under the parental roof until he had reached adult age, after which he worked by the month as a farm hand for a year, but, thinking to find other pursuits more congenial and profitable, he then learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for about seven years. In 1894 he became connected with the lumber business as a partner of Peter S. Peterson, who afterward sold his interests to A. J. Record, and since 1895 the firm has been Johnson & Record. They conduct an extensive business, carrying a large line of all kinds of lumber and builders' supplies, and their patronage makes their business one of substantial proportions. In addition to his interests in the lumberyard Mr. Johnson has acted as manager of the Citizens Mutual Tele- phone Company for six years and puts forth effective effort to give the pa- trons of the line satisfactory service.

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History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II, Part 50

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

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