USA > Illinois > Henry County > History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 52
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CHARLES W. LAGER.
Charles W. Lager, who is identified with the business interests of Geneseo, Illinois, as the proprietor of a dry-goods and shoe store, was born in Sweden on the 23d of October, 1873. His father, Alfred Lager, was also a native of Sweden who, on coming to the United States, located in Geneseo, Illinois, in 1882. He had been a soldier in the Swedish army and in his native country was a furniture manufacturer by trade, but after his arrival in the new country he became identi- fied with the carpenter and carriage-maker's business. He passed away in Geneseo in 1903, at the age of fifty-five years. His wife, whose maiden name was Amelia Anderson, still survives, her parents having both passed the ninetieth milestone on life's journey before passing to their final rest. She was the mother of eight children, which number included: Alma, the wife of Charles Anderson; Charles W .; Oscar; Hilma; Emil; Martin; Arthur; and Jessie.
Charles W. Lager, whose name introduces this review, was but eight years of age when he accompanied his parents to this country so that he is indebted to the school system of Geneseo for the educational privileges enjoyed. He attended the public schools of this city, passing from grade to grade until in due course of time he was graduated from the high school. After putting aside his text-books he served as a clerk in a general store for a number of years, and then, at the age of twenty-two years, engaged in the mercantile business on his own account in Atkinson, Illinois, in partnership with Frank Cook. This relation continued for seven years, at the expiration of which period Mr. Lager withdrew from the concern and returned to Geneseo, where he purchased the interest of Mr. Mc- Broom in the firm of Lambert & McBroom, dry-goods merchants. The business, which is now conducted under the style of Lambert & Lager, has reached gratify- ing proportions, being accorded a liberal patronage which is constantly increasing. The house deals in general dry goods and shoes and carries an extensive line of goods which has been carefully selected with the view of meeting and satisfying popular demand. The business methods employed have always been honorable and upright and have gained for the firm the trust and confidence of the entire community.
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It was on the 14th of May, 1903, that Mr. Lager was united in marriage to Miss Emma Vermere, who was born in Moline, Illinois, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Vermere, both natives of Holland. They were early settlers in Moline, where the father passed away in 1903 at the age of sixty years, while his wife still survives. By her marriage she became the mother of three children, all of whom grew to maturity, namely : Emma, now Mrs. Lager; Nettie, the wife of Frank Styvant; and Edward. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Lager has been blessed with two children, Carol Lillian and Wilbur.
The family are members of the Lutheran church, while in politics Mr. Lager gives stalwart support to the republican party. He is public-spirited in his citi- zenship and although born across the waters, has the interests of this country at ·heart as truly as does any American born citizen. He has made good use of his opportunities, prospering from year to year, and has conducted all business mat- ters carefully and successfully, his close application to his affairs and his excel- lent management having brought to him the degree of prosperity which is today his. Having spent almost his entire life in this community, he has gained a wide acquaintance while his many sterling traits of character have won for him the regard, esteem and good will of all with whom he has been associated.
CYRUS B. ARNOLD.
The agricultural interests of Henry county find a worthy and successful rep- resentative in Cyrus B. Arnold, who is the owner of an excellent farm of two hundred and forty acres on sections 28 and 29, Cambridge township. He was born in Windsor county, Vermont, on the 28th of August, 1835, his parents being William A. and Mary (Brooks) Arnold, likewise natives of the Green Mountain state. The paternal grandparents, Amos and Amelia Arnold, reared a family of sixteen children and passed away when well advanced in years. Amos Arnold was a farmer by occupation. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Solo- mon Brooks, who was a native of Vermont and likewise carried on general agri- cultural pursuits as a means of livelihood. In young manhood he wedded Miss Amelia Fisher and they became early settlers of Peoria county, Illinois, taking up their abode there in 1842. Both died in Peoria county when about eighty years of age. Their children were five in number, namely: George, Cyrus, Mary, Martha and Elvira.
William A. Arnold, the father of Cyrus B. Arnold, was a carpenter by trade. In 1844 he made his way to this state, settling in Brimfield, Peoria county, where he was killed by lightning about three months later. His wife, long surviving him, was called to her final rest in March, 1889, being at that time almost ninety- two years of age, for she was born June 13, 1797. She was a devoted and con- sistent member of the Congregational church. By her marriage she had become the mother of eight children, four sons and four daughters, two of whom still survive, as follows: Mariette, the wife of T. J. Owen, of Cambridge township; and Cyrus B., of this review.
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The last named, who was a little lad of eight years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois, grew to manhood on the home farm in Peoria county. He attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education and, as he was the youngest son in the family, was the last of the children to leave the parental roof. When twenty years of age he started out in life on his own ac- count as an agriculturist and in 1868 established his home in Henry county, this state, purchasing the farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Cambridge town- ship on which he still resides. He has since extended the boundaries of the place by the additional purchase of an adjoining tract of eighty acres and his farm now embraces two hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land. His property has been developed in keeping with the most progressive ideas of modern agri- culture and he annually gathers bounteous harvests. He is likewise the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land in Roosevelt county, New Mexico.
Mr. Arnold has been married twice. On the 16th of November, 1857, he wedded Miss Ellen S. Owen, a daughter of Easton and Sarah (Gilbert) Owen. She passed away in 1859 and on the 6th of October, 1861, Mr. Arnold was again married, his second union being with Miss Mercy Miranda Fuller, a native of Windham county, Vermont. Her parents, Martin Luther and Edna (Converse) Fuller, were also born in the state of Vermont. They had six children, three sons and three daughters, four of whom grew to maturity, namely: Martin Luther, Edna Selina, Lucina and Mercy Miranda; Charley H., Mary Edna and Lily are deceased. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Arnold was Bartholomew Fuller, who fought in the war of 1812. By his second marriage, Mr. Arnold had three children, Charley H., Mary Edna and Lily, but the daughters are both deceased.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Arnold has given his political allegiance to the men and measures of the republican party. In re- ligious faith both he and his wife are Baptists. He is a man whom to know is to respect and honor, for in every relation of life he has manifested those sterling traits of character which in every land and clime command confidence and awaken regard. The period of his residence in this county now covers more than forty years and he has a wide and favorable acquaintance within its borders.
WILLIAM MORRIS.
William Morris, numbered among the representative farmers of Munson township, his home being located on section 34, is now the owner of a very ex- tensive tract of land of six hundred and fifty-five acres. This constitutes one of the most valuable farms in the county, and its improvement has been carried on along the most modern and progressive lines of agriculture. Mr. Morris' was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, March 12, 1832, and has therefore passed the seventy-seventh milestone on life's journey. He is undoubtedly one of the heirs of Robert Morris, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, who, during the Revolutionary war, loaned the government one million, four hun- dred thousand dollars, which has never been repaid. Without the aid of this
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timely loan, it is said, George Washington would not have been able to capture Yorktown. At five per cent interest this sum would now amount to about sixty- seven million, two hundred thousand dollars, which the government will pay when proper proof of the heirs is submitted.
William Morris is the son of Augustus and Hannah (Elston) Morris. The father was born in Connecticut and was a son of Andrew and Polly (Frost) Morris, who removed from New England to Pennsylvania during the boyhood of their son Augustus, and there both passed away. Both Andrew and August Morris were farmers and lumber manufacturers, and in his boyhood days Will- iam Morris worked in one of the lumber mills through the winter seasons, while in the summer months he engaged in farming. He received but a limited edu- cation in the public schools but through reading and observation, possessing an observing eye and retentive memory, he picked up much knowledge and throughout life has kept well informed on all matters of general interest. Seek- ing a home in the west, he came to Henry county, where his brother Julius had previously located. He made his way to his brother's home but soon after- ward rented land from a Mr. Mascal. He brought with him to Illinois a little money which he had saved from his earnings after he reached the age of twenty- one years, but it was not enough to purchase land, and for a long period he continued to rent a farm. Eventually, however, he saved from his earnings a sum sufficient to justify his investment in property.
On the 7th of May, 1857, in Munson township, Mr. Morris was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Jane Cochran, a daughter of William and Lydia (Mor- iarty) Cochran. Mrs. Morris was born in Knox county, Ohio. Her father was a native of Ireland and when sixteen years of age started on the voyage to the new world. While the family were enroute the father of William Cochran died on the ocean, and the mother with her children afterward settled at Zanesville, Ohio, where William Cochran was reared. Having arrived at years of maturity, he wedded Lydia Moriarty, who was born in Virginia, but in her girlhood days accompanied her parents to Ohio. Mrs. Morris was less than nine years of age when her people drove across the country from Ohio to Fayette county, Illinois, and after three years came to Henry county, arriving in 1853-the year before Mr. Morris reached this district.
As soon as possible after he came to Henry county Mr. Morris purchased forty acres of land. He also cut logs which he hauled to Cambridge that they might be converted into lumber. When this was done a little house was erected therefrom, and it is still standing upon acres that yet belong to him. After a few years he and his brother purchased forty acres more, which they divided, and by successive purchases Mr. Morris has extended his landed interests until he is now the owner of six hundred and fifty-five acres all in one body. This is one of the largest farms in the county and one of the best improved, giving every evidence of the careful supervision and progressive methods of the owner.
As the years passed by eight children were added to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Morris, namely : Mary E., who is the wife of James Taylor and resides in Munson township; George, who married Tina Walker; Charles H., who married Blanche Henwood and resides in Britt, Iowa; Lettie, who died at the age of twenty-four years; Frank, at home; Ida, the wife of Lester Crouch, a resident
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of Munson township; and James and John, twins. Of these, however, James died at the age of six years.
Mr. Morris has been a stalwart republican since the organization of the party but not an office seeker. He has served, however, for many years as school di- rector and for one term as road commissioner. For more than a half century he has lived in Henry county, witnessing many changes here as its wild land has been converted into fine farms, in the midst of which have sprung up thriving towns and cities, so that industrial and commercial as well as agricultural inter- ests are well represented here. His success is due entirely to his perseverance and well directed energies, and in all of his business methods he has been found equally reliable. His worth is widely acknowledged and Munson township proudly claims him as one of its leading farmers.
NILS AUGUST CARLSON.
Nils August Carlson, who since 1899 has acted as manager for the firm of J. C. Simpson & Company, lumber dealers of Galva, was born in Ystad, Sweden, on the 22d of December, 1863. His parents, Carl and Anna (Rasmussen) Carl- son, were likewise natives of that country .. The paternal grandfather, Carl Johann Rosenberg, who was born in Sweden, was a millwright by trade and built wind flouring mills. He lived to attain an old age and reared a family of three sons. Rasmus Martinson, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was a farmer by occupation and died in Sweden when about seventy years of age. The demise of his wife likewise occurred in that country. Unto them were born five sons and a daughter, namely: Peter, John, Hans, Martin, Nils and Anna.
Carl Carlson, the father of Nils A. Carlson, was a carpenter by trade and worked as such throughout the greater part of his life. He crossed the Atlantic to the United States in the fall of 1883 and came direct to Galva, this county, assisting his son Olaf in the coal mine. He died in Galva when seventy-two years of age, passing away in the faith of the Lutheran church. He was twice married, and the three children of his first wife are as follows: Olaf; John; and Mary, who is the wife of Nils Anderson and resides near Kewanee. His second wife, who bore the maiden name of Anna Rasmussen, still survives at the age of eighty-one years and is a faithful and devoted member of the Lutheran church. She was the mother of three children, namely: Andrew, of Kewanee, Illinois; Nils August, of this review ; and a daughter who died in infancy.
Nils A. Carlson obtained a common-school education in Sweden and worked on a farm there until a little past eighteen years of age. It was in the spring of 1882 that he emigrated to the United States, wishing to take advantage of the opportunities which the new world afforded. After landing on the shores of this country he made his way at once to Galva, Henry county, where he worked as a farm hand for a time and for one summer was employed on the railroad. Subsequently he labored in the coal mine during the winter season and in 1888 commenced work in the lumberyard of the E. W. Houghton Lumber Company, with which concern he remained until 1897. In that year he accepted a position
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with the firm of J. C. Simpson & Company, and that he soon gained the trust and confidence of his employers is indicated by the fact that in 1899 he was made manager of the company. He still holds this responsible position, and his sound judgment and excellent executive ability have contributed in no small degree to the success which has attended the enterprise.
On the 28th of November, 1899, Mr. Carlson was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Anderson, a daughter of John Anderson. She passed away in March, 1902, when but twenty-six years of age. Mr. Carlson is a stanch republican in his political views and capably served his fellow townsmen as a member of the city council for two terms. He also acted as township clerk for four years, ever discharging his official duties in a most prompt and efficient manner. He is a member of Galva Lodge, No. 408, I. O. O. F., in which he is serving as lodge deputy, and also belongs to the Encampment and to the Rebekahs. He is likewise identified with the Independent Order of Svithiod, an insurance and sick benefit society, and has served as its president since the time of its organization. He is a man of literary attainments and is especially gifted as a poet. A number of years ago he published a book of poems called "Hoppets Behag," meaning "The Pleasures of Hope." He is well educated in both the Swedish and English lan- guages and translates from the Swedish to the English and vice versa. The period of his residence in this county now covers more than a quarter of a century and he has an extensive circle of warm friends within its borders. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in America but on the con- trary has found here the business opportunities he has sought and in their utiliza- tion has won a goodly measure of success.
FRED H. BROWN.
Fred H. Brown is a leading grocer of Geneseo with a large establishment and a fine stock of goods, and his success has resulted from his progressive methods. A native of Illinois, he was born at Wyanet, August 6, 1870, and is a son of Con- stant and Annie M. (Wilcox) Brown, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. He remained a resident of Wyanet until thirteen years of age and dur- ing that period attended the public schools. In the summer of 1884 he came to Geneseo and was graduated from the high school of this city with the class of 1887. His education completed he began clerking in the grocery store of George T. Wilkinson and afterward entered the employ of the Rock Island Railroad Com- pany, which he served in various departments, acting as a fireman for several years, or until 1897, when he purchased a half interest in the Ramsey grocery store of Geneseo, forming a partnership with William Lowes. This association was maintained with mutual pleasure and profit until 1905, when Mr. Brown pur- chased his partner's interest and has since been sole proprietor of the store. He has developed a fine business, employing several clerks, while his stock is always fresh and contains a full line of staple and fancy groceries. His store, too, is neat and tasteful in its arrangement and judicious advertising is also a feature of his business.
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On the 20th of June, 1894, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Jessie Sargent, a native of Geneseo and a daughter of Daniel F. and Abra (Dunning) Sargent. Mr. and Mrs. Brown now have two children, Dorothy and Constant. The parents and children are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The. family occupies a pleasant home on Stewart avenue, which is the abode of hos- pitality, its doors being ever open for the cordial reception of their many friends.
H. J. STEWART, M. D.
H. J. Stewart is a prominent and successful member of the medical profession, now specializing in the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat in Kewanee. He has also taken prominent part in the public interests of the city, advocating, supporting and cooperating in all measures for the upbuilding and development of Kewanee along the lines of material, intellectual, aesthetic and moral progress. He was born in Warren county, Illinois, March 21, 1868, and is a son of David B. and Sarah E. (Pilkington) Stewart, both of whom were na- tives of Pennsylvania and early settlers of this state. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, died in May, 1902, but the mother is still living and makes her home in Kewanee.
On the homestead farm Dr. Stewart spent his youthful days, while his early education was obtained in the district schools. He afterward attended the high school at Alexis, Illinois, and in the preparation for his profession pursued a course in the medical department of the Northwestern University at Chicago, from which he was graduated with the class of 1893. He devoted several months to hospital work, his broad experience in that connection proving an excellent equipment for the duties which devolved upon him when he entered upon private practice. In June, 1893, he opened an office in Viola, Mercer county, Illinois, where he remained until his removal to Kewanee on the Ist of March, 1900. In the meantime in 1899 he took a post-graduate course on diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. He has since specialized in this department of practice and has done excellent work in this connection, carrying his investigations and researches far and wide into the realms of scientific knowledge, whereby his efficiency is in- creased and his work is rendered of greater value to his fellowmen. He is also chief of staff of St. Francis Hospital, is oculist and aurist there and for two years, by reason of his position as chief of staff, was at the head of the St. Francis Hos- pital Training School for nurses, which was organized during his incumbency. He is a member of the Henry County Medical Society, the Illinois State and the American Medical Associations, and for two years was president of the Phy- sicians Club of Kewanee.
In 1894 Dr. Stewart was united in marriage to Miss Adelaide H. Frazier, of Viola, Illinois, a daughter of H. B. Frazier, who was one of the leading mer- chants of that place, where his death occurred July II, 1898. Dr. and Mrs. Stew- art have become parents of two daughters, Florence Verl and Louise Ruth.
Dr. Stewart is a member of the Presbyterian church and of the Masonic fra- ternity, finding in those organizations the principles which constitute the guiding
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forces of his life and in 1893 was president of the building committee of the former. He has always taken an active interest in public affairs, giving his aid and his influence for the benefit of the community at large. While living in War- ren county he served as school trustee for a time and was president of the vil- lage board of Viola for six years and a trustee and chairman of the village coun- cil. He also acted as township school trustee for three years. He was elected to those positions on the democratic ticket but at the present time is not an ad- vocate of modern democracy and gives his political support to the republican party. Called to the school board of Kewanee he has done active work to further the interests of education here and the present high-school building was erected. during his administration as president of the board. In the building of the school- house the financial interests were managed by a committee of which Dr. Stewart was made president, and the building was completed at a cost of one hundred and fourteen thousand, one hundred and ninety-five dollars and twenty cents. After serving one year Dr. Stewart was again elected. He belongs to the Kewanee Club and has been honored with its presidency, being now the incumbent in the office, and is vice president of the Commercial Club. Again and again called to official preferment, the honors that have thus been conferred upon him indicate clearly his high standing and the regard entertained for him by those who know him most intimately.
JAMES McBROOM.
James McBroom, who came to the United States after being liberally edu- cated in Ireland under a private tutor, manifested keen perception in determin- ing the value of opportunities which were presented and as the years passed by made for himself a position most creditable and honorable in the business circles of Geneseo. He was very active in managing his affairs and became one of the leading grain merchants of this part of the state. Prompt, energetic and notably reliable, he made for himself an honored name and one which deserves to be perpetuated on the pages of Henry county's history. He was born in County Armagh, Ireland, on the 5th of October, 1827, and his parents, William and Jane (Harrison) McBroom, were also natives of the same country. The father was a farmer and stockman there and conducted business for many years, pass- ing away at an advanced age. In the family were three sons and three daughters but only one is now living, John McBroom, who resides on Mamboo Island, Australia, near Sidney, and owns nearly the entire island.
James McBroom spent the first eighteen years of his life in the place of his nativity and about 1845 crossed the Atlantic to America. He settled first in New York where he remained for a time and in 1854 came to Illinois where he and Andrew and James Crawford, entered the employ of a railroad company, build- ing fences. Soon afterward, however, James McBroom went to work for Mr. Van Winkle, owner of a grain elevator and later he formed a partnership with I. N. Wilson. They operated the elevator for many years, beginning in 1857 and were widely known as prominent and successful representatives of the grain trade. A man of resourceful business ability, Mr. McBroom extended his ef-
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