USA > Illinois > Henry County > History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 51
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On the 16th of July, 1891, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Minnie A. Swanson, who was born on the 8th of July, 1867, in Sweden, where her parents, Charles D. and Helen B. Swanson, still live. She is one of a family of six children, two sons and four daughters, namely: C. Otto; John L .; Augusta C., the wife of John Grann; Minnie A., now Mrs. Johnson; Anna M., the wife of Mr. Hanson; and Emma C., who died in early childhood. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been born five children: Mamie, Jessie, Max, Francis and Natalia.
The parents hold membership in the Lutheran church and are highly es- teemed in the community, where the hospitality of the best homes is freely ex- tended them. Mr. Johnson belongs to Cambridge Lodge, No. 49, A. F. & A. M., and is a thirty-second degree Mason, holding membership in Peoria Consistory, S. P. R. S. He also belongs to Cambridge Lodge, No. 199, I. O. O. F., and to the Mystic Workers, No. 54, in which he has been treasurer since the organi- zation of the lodge His political endorsement has been continuously given to the republican party, since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, and he is now serving as a member of the village board of trustees, in which connec- tion he is doing effective work to further the welfare of the community His life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recog- nition of labor, and today he is numbered among the substantial citizens of the county.
LEVI WILSON HOIT.
Among those men who, while active factors in the world's work, contrib- uted to the growth and development of Geneseo and Henry county was Levi Wilson Hoit, whose life record began in Canaan, Grafton county, New Ham- shire, November 15, 1827. His parents, Bartlett and Prudence (Wilson) Hoit, were also natives of Canaan, and unto them were born two sons, but the younger Nathan W., died when only eighteen months old. The paternal grandfather
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was John Hoit, also a native of Canaan, New Hampshire. He was descended from the old Puritan stock that settled in New England. The first of the name of whom we have record was John Hoit, who was one of the founders of the town of Salisbury, Massachusetts. He was born in England in 1610 and, cross- ing the Atlantic to America, became one of those who aided in planting the seeds of civilization on the soil of the new world. When the country became in- volved in war with England John Hoit, the grandfather, espoused the cause of the colonists and fought for independence. He married Miss Hannah Rogers, also a native of New Hampshire.
The maternal grandfather of Levi W. Hoit was Robert Wilson, who was born in Gilmanton, New Hampshire, in January, 1767, and died in April, 1847, when eighty years of age. His entire life had been devoted to general agricul- tural pursuits. He was twice married and his first wife was the first person buried in the Canaan (New Hampshire) cemetery. Robert Wilson was the son of Captain Nathaniel Wilson, who won his title by valorous service in the war for independence.
Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett Hoit, the parents of Levi W. Hoit, removed from New England to Henry county, Illinois, and became farming people of Edford township where they spent their remaining days. They were closely associated with the early development of this part of the state and were especially well known in connection with agricultural life. The death of Bartlett Hoit occurred November 3, 1864, when he was sixty-six years of age, while his wife passed away June 1, 1875, at the age of seventy-seven years.
Levi Wilson Hoit was a carpenter and carriage-maker in the east, working with his father. Seeking the opportunities of the growing west, he made his way to Henry county, Illinois, where he purchased a farm of two hundred and forty acres lying in Edford township. This he improved from the raw prairie, transforming it into highly cultivated fields, and as time passed and he prospered in his undertakings, he purchased much other property. At his death there were about four hundred acres in the farm. He had lived upon the farm for a quarter of a century and about 1881 he removed to Geneseo where he erected a fine home at the corner of Maine and Henry streets. There he lived until his death. He always kept up his interest in the farm, giving to it his general supervision and he was, moreover, a director in the First National Bank. He was always a busy man, for idleness and indolence were utterly for- eign to his nature, and even after he retired from the farm he occupied his time with business or other interests. While living in Edford township he served as supervisor for many years and community affairs always found in him a stal- wart champion if he felt that a measure or movement instituted was one which would promote the general development and progress.
On the 22d of May, 1856, Mr. Hoit was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. French, a daughter of Oliver B. and Jane K. (French) French. The son of that marriage, Otis W. Hoit, married Miss Henrietta M. P. Schroeder, and they have one son, Maurice Elon Hoit. Mrs. Levi W. Hoit was born in North Coventry, Connecticut, November 1, 1836. Her parents were natives of Tol- land county, Connecticut, and were early settlers of Henry county, Illinois, tak-
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ing up their abode in Geneseo township east of the town. In this locality they spent their remaining days and as people of the highest respectability were widely and favorably known. They had two sons and two daughters: Mrs. Sarah E. Hoit; Ella Jane, the wife of Allan B. Cady, of Geneseo; and two sons who died infancy. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Hoit was Eleazer French, a native of Connecticut and a shoemaker by trade. He wedded Fannie Woodward and they lived to old age, rearing a large family of children, namely : Eleazer; Oliver B .; John; Ann; Nathaniel; Abbie and Daniel. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Levi W. Hoit was Aaron French, who was born in Connecticut, and at the time of his death was the owner of the line of stages between Hartford, Connecti- cut, and Albany, New York. He passed away at the comparatively early age of thirty-five years, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Avis Dart, lived to advanced age. They were the parents of five children : Jane K., Adelia, John R., Aaron and Juliet.
The death of Mr. Hoit occurred May 1, 1892, when he was sixty-four years of age. He and his wife attended the Congregational church, and though he was a member of no religious denomination he was a friend to all and always advocated that which is right and just between the individual and his fellow- man. In his business transactions he was thoroughly reliable and his enter- prise won him success which was most creditable and desirable. He possessed too, many social qualities which endeared him to those with whom he came in contact and his memory is yet treasured by those who knew him. Mrs. Hoit still survives and makes her home in Geneseo. She is in comfortable financial cir- cumstances, and throughout her entire life she has displayed sterling traits of heart and mind which have brought to her warm regard.
ROBERT CALFE MORSE.
Robert Calfe Morse, who since 1900 has engaged in the practice of law at Kewanee, was born near Tremont, Tazewell county, Illinois, September II, 1859, his parents being Enoch Garrish and Elizabeth (Edes) Morse, the for- mer a farmer by occupation. The father came from New Hampshire to Illi- nois in the fall of 1835, and settled near Tremont, where he lived until his death in 1896. The mother was born near Tremont, March 12, 1836, and still lives in that village.
While spending his early life in his boyhood home Robert C. Morse attended the country schools and also the village school of Tremont, while later he was a pupil in Knox Academy and College at Galesburg, completing his course there by graduation in 1884, when he received the degree of A. B. He afterward entered the Yale Divinity school at New Haven, Connecticut, pursuing a course in theology, and when he had devoted three years to that study he was grad- uated from Yale, in 1887, with the degree of Bachelor of Divinity. For three years he engaged in preaching in the Congregational church, spending two years of that time at Westmoreland, Pottawatomie county, Kansas, and one year in Fairfield, Clay county, Nebraska. He afterward went to Iowa City, Iowa, and
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was pastor of a Unitarian church for a year and a half. On the expiration of that period he took up the study of law in the state university of Iowa, where he spent a year and received the Bachelor of Law degree. He completed a course in the Harvard Law School in the spring of 1893 and at that time passed the examination required for admission to the Illinois bar. Immediately after- ward he located in Chicago, where he practiced until the fall of 1895 when, on account of his wife's health, he removed to Phoenix, Arizona, where he spent four years.
In January, 1900, Mr. Morse returned to Illinois and, settling in Kewanee, became identified with the legal profession of this city. He has since given his attention to general practice and has been connected with much important liti- gation tried in the courts of the circuit. In January, 1909, he formed a partner- ship with Nicholas J. Demerath under the firm name of Morse & Demerath, and they now represent a number of the leading corporations of this locality. Mr. Morse has won for himself very favorable comment for the careful and systematic methods which he has followed. He has strong powers of concen- tration and application, and his retentive mind has often excited the surprise of his professional colleagues. As an orator he stands high, especially in the dis- cussion of legal matters before the court, where his comprehensive knowledge of the law is manifest, and his application of legal principles demonstrates the wide range of his professional acquirement. The utmost care and precision characterizes his preparation of a case and has made him one of the most suc- cessful attorneys in Kewanee.
On the 31st of July, 1889, Mr. Morse was united in marriage with Marietta Lay, a daughter of Hiram T. Lay, and unto them have been born three chil- dren, Robert Lay, Martha Elizabeth and Sidney Gilbert. The parents are mem- bers of the Congregational church and are widely known in the social circles of the city, having many warm friends here. Mr. Morse is active in the public life of the community and for four years served as city attorney. Gifted by na- ture with strong mentality and using his opportunities to good advantage he has made steady progress in the profession of the law, and his course at the same time commends him to the confidence and good will of his fellow townsmen.
HENRY H. LAY.
Henry H. Lay occupies a prominent position in the commercial circles of Kewanee as a partner in the Lyman-Lay Company. He is one of the most pro- gressive of the younger business men of the city. His birth here occurred July 20, 1876, his parents being Hiram T. and Martha (Morrill) Lay. He is in- debted to the public-school system for the early educational privileges which he enjoyed and following his graduation from the high school entered Morgan Park Academy and was graduated therefrom in 1895. He is also a Harvard man, having completed a four years' course within the classic halls of that insti- tution in 1899. Returning to Kewanee, he entered as clerk in the general store of Lay & Lyman and was admitted in January, 1905, member of the Lyman-
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Lay Company, as a junior partner and has since taken active part in the man- agement and control of this leading commercial enterprise of his native city. He is also active in matters of public concern, being a member of the library board and also a member of the Congregational church.
MARTIN LUTHER.
Martin Luther has been a resident of Geneseo for eighteen years and has been so closely and prominently connected with educational and moral interests of the town during this period that no history of the community would be com- plete without the record of his career. It is a widely acknowledged fact that the most important work to which a man can direct his energies is that of teaching, whether it be from the pulpit, from the lecture platform, or from the school- room. Its primary object is ever the same-the development of one's latent powers that the duties of life may be bravely met and well performed. It is to the work of instructing the young that Martin Luther has devoted his time, energies and thought with good results and that his record as a teacher was al- together satisfactory is indicated in the fact that in 1892 he was elected county superintendent of schools and is now serving the third year of the fourth term in that position of responsibility.
Professor Luther was born in Waukegan, Illinois, December 27, 1849, and is a son of John J. and Mary Ursula (Fehlman) Luther, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume in connection with the history of Clinton F. Luther. Martin Luther was twelve years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal from Lake county to Henry county, Illinois, and upon his father's farm he was reared to manhood. His early education, acquired in the district schools, was supplemented by study in the Northwestern College of Naperville, Illinois, and at the age of eighteen years he began teaching. He is still con- nected with school work, although in the meantime he engaged in farming for two years. He was first connected as a teacher with the district schools but afterward was chosen principal of the public schools at Paton, Iowa. Subse- quently he became principal of the north side public school of Geneseo, where he remained for two years, after which he filled out the unexpired term of J. B. Russell as county superintendent of schools. He has since been chosen to the office by popular suffrage for four successive terms and has now entered upon the third year of the fourth term. His frequent reelection indicates most clearly the confidence reposed in him and the excellent service which he is rendering in connection with the cause of public education.
On the 27th of December, 1877, Mr. Luther was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Louisa Ringel, a daughter of John and Georgianna Matilda Frederika (Voigt) Ringel. Mrs. Luther was born in Peoria, Illinois, but her parents were natives of Germany and were still single on coming to America. They settled in the state of New York and were married there. In 1855 they removed west- ward to Illinois and took up their abode in Peoria, where Mr. Ringel engaged in broom-making for a time, while subsequently he turned his attention to farming
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in that locality. In 1867 he came to Henry county, taking up his abode in York township, where both he and his wife died. In his native land he had served as a soldier in the regular army. His death occurred in 1901 when he was more than seventy-nine years of age and his wife died in 1907 at the age of seventy-seven years. They were members of the United Evangelical church. Their family numbered eight children: Henry J .; Mary, the wife of John W. Brown; Au- gusta L., now Mrs. Luther; Wilhelmina, the wife of Reuben Ott; John, who died at the age of eighteen years; William F .; Rebecca, the wife of George W. Urban; and Emma, who died at the age of fourteen years.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Luther was blessed with four children: Ber- nice May, the eldest, is the wife of Anderson Berriman Gee and they reside in Madison, New Jersey; Jessie Irene, Edward Le Roy and Mary Georgiana are at home, the family residence being on College avenue.
Professor and Mrs. Luther are members of the United Evangelical church and their influence is always on the side of progress, improvement and advance- ment. Mr. Luther belongs to Stewart Lodge, No. 92, A. F. & A. M., and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He served as police magis- trate in Paton, Iowa, and for seven years was a member of the board of super- visors in this county from York township, before elected to his present position as county superintendent of schools. He has always held to a high standard in educational work both as a teacher and county superintendent of schools his labors have been directly beneficial in promoting the intellectual progress of the community.
BERNHARD L. DEEM.
Among the many qualities which have been conspicuous in advancing Bern- hard L. Deem to the esteemed position he holds in the agricultural community of Colona township, are an indefatigable industry and a high ideal of honor and trustworthiness. He has attained a pronounced success in the pursuits to which he has devoted his attention and has played no inconsiderable part in the polit- ical life of the township.
He was born in New York city, February 9, 1854, a son of Jacob L. and Mary A. (Schernann) Deem. The parents were both natives of Germany, but came to the United States as young people, and in New York became acquainted and were married. In that city the father followed the trade of a drapery manu- facturer, until 1858, when he came to Colona township and bought the south- east quarter of section 36, township 18, range I, east of the fourth principal meridian. There he engaged in agriculture, while he also opened a coal bank that was situated upon his place. In the course of years he sold this, which he and his brother Louis, with whom he had come west, had operated, and devoted him- self entirely to farming. During the Civil war, the latter enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving throughout the war, but as he was a carpenter he was frequently detailed to follow his trade; in the building of bridges and other army necessities. After the culmination
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of hostilities, when he was discharged from the service and returned to Illinois, Jacob Deem joined him in the prosecution of his carpentry and millwright busi- ness, until advancing age incapacitated him for active work. He was a demo- crat in his political views and was active in party affairs. For many years he was the Colona township delegate to the democratic county central committee and he filled the offices of road commissioner and assessor for a number of years. For another long period he was the Colona township member of the county board of supervisors, for he was widely recognized as a man who was deeply interested in public improvements. His judgment was always rendered in ac- cordance with what he believed to be right and just, and many times he was called upon to act as administrator of estates. Whatever his work or his occu- pation, he was ever found to be a man of high standing and sterling integrity, so that when his death occurred, January 23, 1898, he was mourned as most noble citizen. His widow still survives and is in fairly good health, despite the fact that March 16, 1909, she celebrated the seventy-ninth anniversary of her birth.
Jacob Deem and his wife were the parents of nine children. Of these, Bern- hard L., the subject of this sketch, is the eldest; Mary L., became the wife of George W. Taylor, of Burlington, Iowa; Matthew L., who was a farmer of Colona township, died April 17, 1893; Henry H., is married and lives in Chi- cago; Margaret K., is the wife of Henry Gottsche, of Hanna township; Frank J., is married and resides in Cleveland, Henry county; Charles F., is married and lives in Chicago; and two died in infancy.
Bernhard L. Deem was about four years of age when his parents came to Colona township and until he became seventeen was reared upon the farm here. During those years he attended the public schools, receiving his final instruction under Professor Comstock, who was then superintendent of the Colona schools. At the age of seventeen be began to learn the carpenter's trade, which he followed until he was thirty-five, for it was not until 1886 that he took up his residence upon the farm which is now his home. It lies just upon the outskirts of the village of Colona and is a fine tract of eighty-four acres, upon which he pursues general farming and stock feeding. He also gives consider- able attention to bee culture, some years having as much as five tons of market- able honey. In the twenty odd years that he has been a member of the farm- ing community of Colona township, he has won a success that places him in the front rank of those who are pursuing the same line of work. His fields are cultivated by methods that render large returns for the expenditure of time and labor, and his stock is always equal to the best placed upon the market.
On the 25th of August, 1880, Mr. Deem was united in marriage to Miss Anna Dennhardt, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Jensen) Dennhardt. Shortly after their marriage her parents came to this country, settling in Rock Island county, Illinois, where Mr. Dennhardt became a prosperous farmer. He and his wife are still living in Hampton township, that county. To Mr. and Mrs. Deem have been born seven children: Charles H., Mary E., Andrew W., Min- nie M., Florence A., and Burl L., who are still living, while Arthur J., the third in order of birth, died in infancy. The younger children live at home, but Mary E., is now the wife of Charles Johnson, of Osco township.
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Mr. Deem has always been a stanch democrat in his political views, as was his father, and like him has taken an active part in public and party matters. He lias frequently been a delegate to democratic county and district conven- tions, and has for many years past been the Colona township member of the central committee. As a member of the Colona township school board his influence was ever exerted in behalf of better educational facilities, for he is a man of progressive ideas, from which his fellow citizens benefit, in the way of good roads, substantial bridges and in other ways which are calculated to pro- mote the public welfare. In every way a splendid member of the community, he is held in high esteem by his friends and neighbors.
JOHN SODERQUIST.
Among the many men who have contributed to the reputation of Bishop Hill as being the home of industrious and progressive agriculturists must be included John Soderquist, one of its native sons. He was born November 21, 1850, a son of Lars Soderquist, who came to Bishop Hill with the original colonists. The father was a carpenter by trade and left his native Helsingland, Sweden in 1846. After locating here he followed his chosen vocation during the existence of the colony, and then, when it was incorporated into a village, he continued in his chosen line of work, although he had also considerable agricultural interests. He passed away in 1903, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years and nine months. His wife, whose maiden name was Barbara Peterson, came to the colony in 1847, and died here July 25, 1901.
John Soderquist attended the public schools here, deriving a good educa- tion, and later continued his instruction under the tutelage of Mr. Randall of Cambridge. His schooling completed he engaged in agricultural pursuits and about 1870 bought of his father one hundred and twenty acres of land west of Bishop Hill. On this he built a house, barns and the necessary outhouses to make the place one of the well equipped farms in the locality. Until within a few years ago he engaged in general farming, but recently he has devoted considerable attention to the raising of broom corn, finding it a most profitable adjunct to his other farm interests. Hardworking and industrious, careful in his methods, it is but natural that he should have attained a high degree of suc- cess in his vocation. He has added twenty acres to the original tract of land and the returns from his labor thereon are large and gratifying.
On the 22d of August, 1871, Mr. Soderquist was united in marriage to Miss Mary Blomberg, a daughter of P. O. Blomberg, a blacksmith of Bishop Hill. Her father came from Helsingland, Sweden, with the second band of colonists who settled at Bishop Hill, and he took a very active and prominent part in the affairs of the colony. He was one of the party sent to California in search of gold and he also assisted in the construction of the old town clock, which still keeps good time. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Soderquist, six of whom are living. They are: Minnie Evalina; Laura Elmira, who died in infancy; Laura, who is the wife of Victor Tillman, of Galva township; John
PETER O. BLOMBERG
LARS SODERQUIST
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Wallace; Leslie William, who is in the postoffice at Galesburg; Milton Isaac ; and Myrtle Verona, who is teaching school.
Since old enough to exercise the franchise right of a citizen of this republic, Mr. Soderquist has given his support invariably to the candidates of the republi- can party, feeling the greatest confidence in the tenets it presents for the govern- ment of a nation. While he has not been an aspirant for office, he has served as school director for a period of eighteen years and is ever interested in matters which concern his fellow citizens. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, being an active member of the Galva lodge. The men who have come into close contact with him at the meetings of the society have but corroborated the reputatior he has gained of being a man of principle and strong character and well worthy of the respect he enjoys.
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