USA > Illinois > Henry County > History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 59
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Jonas Bergland was only about three years old when brought to the new world by his parents, who settled at Bishop Hill in Weller township, where he was reared to manhood, his experiences including the usual routine of farm life. He died when a comparatively young man of thirty-six years and is still survived by his widow who now lives in Galva. At the time of his death he was acting as school director in his district, and he was an advocate of general progress and improve- ment. His children were four in number: Edwin, who is living on the old home- stead near Galva in Weller township; Albert E .; Victor A., a physician of Rock Island, Illinois ; and Fred E., who is also on the home farm.
Judge Bergland was reared in the usual manner of farm lads, spending his youthful days in Weller township, where he attended the district schools, while later he became a student in the Galva high school. He then entered Knox College at Galesburg, Illinois, and was graduated with the class of 1891. After teaching school for a short time he began preparation for the bar as a student in the law school of the University of Maryland, from which he was graduated in 1894. He was then admitted to the bar of that state and, upon his return to Galva in the same year, successfully passed the examination required for admission to the Illinois bar. Opening an office in Galva, he practiced continuously and success- fully there until November, 1906, when he was elected county judge, taking his seat upon the bench in the following December.
On the 14th of March, 1898, Judge Bergland was married to Miss Pearl J. Hendricks, a daughter of Dr. William S. and Martha P. (Johnson) Hendricks. Mrs. Bergland was born in Tennessee, McDonough county, Illinois, while her father was a native of Kentucky and her mother of this state. Her grandfather, Henry A. Hendricks, was likewise born in Kentucky and represented one of the old colonial families. The ancestry is traced back to Nathan Hendricks, who was killed in the engagement which brought about Braddock's defeat. He was a Vir- ginian by birth and the father of John Hendricks who served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, belonging to the Tennessee Rangers. His son, John Hendricks,
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Jr., was a soldier of the war of 1812 and was the father of Henry A. Hendricks, the grandfather of Mrs Bergland. He made farming his life work and as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life chose Melvina Jones. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Bergland was John T. Johnson, a native of Ohio, who, in 1826, came to Illinois and settled in Hancock county. He, too, chose farming as a life vocation. He married Maria Wright, and both lived to old age, rearing a large family of ten children. The father of Mrs. Bergland is now a resident of Chicago, but her mother died in 1901, at the age of forty-five years. They were both members of the Baptist church. Their family numbered a daughter and two sons: Mrs. Bergland; Dr. Homer C. Hendricks, a resident of Williamsfield, Illinois ; and Hugh A. Hendricks, living in Chicago.
The marriage of Judge and Mrs. Bergland has been blessed with one daughter, Martha Helen. The parents are prominent socially, and their own attractive home in Galva is the abode of warm-hearted hospitality. Judge Berg- land owns this property together with a half section of land in Manitoba, Canada. His wife is connected with the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the judge belongs to Galva Lodge, A. F. & A. M., the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Kewanee. Politically he is a democrat, interested in the success of the party and was an active worker in its ranks until called to the bench. He served for several terms as city attorney but has never held office outside the strict path of his profession. His election as county judge came as a logical sequence of the ability which he had displayed as a member of the bar. Devotedly attached to his profession, systematic and method- ical in habit, sober and discreet in judgment, calm in temper, diligent in research, conscientious in the discharge of every duty, courteous and kind in demeanor and inflexibly just on all occasions, these qualities have enabled Judge Bergland to take first rank among those who have occupied the bench of the county court and made him the capable conservator of that justice wherein is the safeguard of individual liberty. His reported opinions show a thorough mastery of the questions involved, a rare simplicity of style and an admirable terseness and clearness in the statement of the principles upon which the opinions rest.
THOMAS P. PIERCE.
The financial record of Kewanee would be incomplete and unsatisfactory were there failure to make prominent reference to Thomas P. Pierce, who since its organization in 1880 has been the president of the Union National Bank. More- over, he is active in republican politics, exerting a wide felt influence in the local ranks of the party.
A native son of Illinois, Mr. Pierce was born in Kane county, October 3, 1838, his parents being Thomas and Ruth (Powell) Pierce. The father was a native of Wales and in his youthful days came to America, settling first in the state of New York, where he made his home from 1817 until 1835. He was there engaged in contracting and building, having learned the carpenter and joiner's trade upon coming to America. In 1835 he came to Illinois by way of the great lakes and
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established his home near Aurora, in Kane county, where he purchased and im- proved land, devoting his attention to general agricultural pursuits for about two decades or until 1854, when he removed to Aurora, where he lived retired through- out his remaining days, his death occurring in 1872. His wife passed away twenty years later, dying in 1892.
In the period of his boyhood Thomas P. Pierce was a pupil in the district school of Sugar Grove township, Kane county, and subsequently continued his education in the high school of Aurora. In the spring of 1859 Mr. Pierce came to Aurora, where his eldest brother, William W., was engaged in the hardware business. He made his initial step in a humble capacity, devoting his time to learning the tin- ner's trade, but this qualified him for the conduct of business on his own account and in the fall of 1863 he opened a tinshop in Kewanee and later embarked in the hardware business. He prospered in his undertaking and three years later he admitted his brother John H. Pierce to a partnership in the business under the firm name of Pierce & Brother. Later O. J. Brown became interested in the business under the firm style of Pierce & Brown, but this association did not continue long on account of Mr. Brown's health. Mr. Pierce was then alone until he disposed of the business about 1883. He was known for a number of years as one of the leading merchants of Kewanee, having a well appointed establishment and winning a large trade by reason of his fair prices and his honorable, straightforward deal- ing. In December, 1880, he became connected with the banking business. The Union National Bank secured its charter at that time and Mr. Pierce has been one of the directors and the president since its organization. He has given his energies to the successful solution of banking problems and has been an important factor in making this one of the strongest financial enterprises of this part of the state. He was also further connected with the business interests of the city as a member of the board of directors of the Kewanee Boiler Company at one time and was one of its original stockholders.
In September, 1864, Mr. Pierce was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte L. Talcott, formerly of Michigan. Her father, Joseph Augustus Talcott, was a native of Wethersfield, Illinois, but subsequently gave his attention to the insurance bus- iness. He passed away in 1891, while his wife survived until 1895. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pierce were born two children: a daughter who died in infancy; and William T., who is now in the Union National Bank of this city. The parents are members of the Congregational church and are prominent in the social circles of Kewanee. In Masonry Mr. Pierce has attained the rank of Knight Templar and is ever loyal to the teachings and purposes of the craft which is based upon the principles of mutual kindliness and the brotherhood of man. Politically he is an ardent republican and was a member of the state board of equalization from 1884 to 1900, having refused the renomination in 1900. He has served on all important committees. He has also been honored with other official preferment, having for several terms been president of the village board while for a number of years he was a member of the county board of supervisors and was a presidential elector in the fall of 1900 at the time of Mckinley's election. His entire life has been passed in Illinois and has now covered more than the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten. It has been characterized by orderly progression, by the masterful solution of business problems and by unfaltering enterprise in the labors
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that have come to him as his share of the world's work. He is a man of unflinch- ing integrity and commercial honor and enjoys in the highest measure the respect of all who know him.
WILLIAM CLARK.
One of the valuable pieces of land in Munson township is that lying in section 13, owned by William Clark. He was born in February, 1834, in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and is the son of William and Deborah (French) Clark. When he was about six months old his parents moved to the village of Cedarville, Washington county, Ohio, where his father followed his trade as a shoemaker. About seventeen years later the family came west to Illinois, and after living for a time in Burns and Atkinson townships, removed to Munson township, where the father had bought eighty acres. On this he passed the remainder of his days. Nine children were born to the senior William Clark and his wife. They were Jacob, who died at the age of three; Joseph, who went to California about 1852 and of whom nothing has been heard for forty years ; Ellen, who is the widow of James Adams and lives in Idaho with her two children; William of this Sketch; Ruth, the wife of William Richardson, of Nebraska, and the mother of a son; Deborah, the wife of James Sporleder, who died in Kansas, leaving five children; John, of Henry county; Lydia, who married Charles Mooney, of Kansas, and is the mother of seven children ; and John, of Atkinson Township.
At Cedarville, Washington county, Ohio, William Clark received a fair com- mon-school education. He came west with the family, and assisted his father in his work in every way that lay in his power. Until he became of age the results of his toil went to the family support. On attaining his majority, however, he began to work for himself. Upon the death of his father, Mr. Clark bought from the other heirs their interest in the home farm and has since conducted the work on it. It is now a valuable tract worth very much more than the price originally paid for it, which seems but little more than nothing beside the amount it would bring were it placed upon the market today.
On the 2d of September, 1871, Mr. Clark was married to Miss Martha Shake- speare, who was then living in Munson township. She was born in England and was about seven when her parents, William and Sarah (March) Shakespeare, came to the United States. It was before the day of the fast ocean liners, and six weeks were consumed in crossing the sea that separates the two continents. The father was a coal miner and on coming to Illinois located in Kewanee where he bought ten acres and followed his line of work. He lived to enjoy this new life but two years, however, but his wife survives him to the present and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Clark.
Mr. and Mrs. William Clark have become the parents of six children. Sarah, married Samuel Wigant and they have five children. Nora married Custer Bismark, of Munson, and they have four children. William married Miss Clara Lane and they have two children: Grace and Harold. Martha married Fred
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Wigant and they have five children. Alice married Jacob V. Clark and they have one child. Cora, the youngest, lives at home.
Mr. Clark cast his first ballot for John C. Fremont in 1856, and has since supported the candidate of the republican party, which was the defense of the Union in the days of the great struggle and which, Mr. Clark believes, stands for the best form of government. He is not an office-seeker, however, and takes but comparatively slight interest in public matters.
MORRIS A. BOLTENSTERN.
In none of her citizens can Lynn township be accounted more signally fortun- ate than in Morris A. Boltenstern. The son of William and Mary (Anderson) Boltenstern, he was born November 16, 1860, in the very township in which he now resides. His father, a native of Germany, and his mother of Sweden, severed their association with Europe about the year 1852 and, coming directly to Illinois, were led by the very evident resources of Lynn township, Henry county, to settle here. Fortune smiled upon their undertakings, the father eventually becoming a large landowner and cultivator. Five sons came to bless their home, as follows: Theodore, now postmaster at Cambridge; Morris A., the subject of the sketch; Edward, deceased; Henry E., who is married and in busi- ness in Galesburg; and Victor F., who is married and resides in Cambridge. The father was a trained agriculturist, having held the position of supervisor of farms when in Germany, and being educated along that line, was especially well fitted to make the most of the resources of a newer country. He was a man of large natural endowment, entitled to take a prominent place in public affairs. The republican party possessed his allegiance, and he was a devoted churchman, Presbyterian in belief and a deacon in his church. He died July 29, 1892, and was buried in the Andover cemetery. His widow is still living.
The surest "open sesame" to success or prominence seems to be to have spent one's younger days upon a farm and such was the lot of Morris A. Boltenstern. He received a thorough education, supplementing his early training in the district schools of Lynn township and the public schools of Andover by a course in Geneseo Academy. Five years of his young manhood he spent in farming in Andover township, and then came back with his family to the old homestead in Lynn township (section 24, township 15, range I). This splendid farm is six hundred and twenty acres in extent, and Mr. Boltenstern has additional interests which give him the management of no less than one thousand acres of land. It would be difficult to find anywhere a more progressive and scientific agriculturist, his success extending to every branch of the pursuit. Stock raising and cattle feeding is one line in which he is extensively engaged.
The marriage of Mr. Boltenstern to Miss Amelia J. McKillop was celebrated January 20, 1887. Her parents were Malcomb and Catherine (Cook) McKillop, both natives of Scotland, who as young people emigrated to Canada and were there married. They came to Henry county, Illinois, in 1855 and the father became a well-to-do farmer. They were upright citizens and devout Christians,
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the father holding the office of deacon in the Scotch Presbyterian church. In their family were eight children, as follows: Mary, now Mrs. L. H. Mumau, of Nebraska ; Donald, at home; Archibald, deceased; Malcomb, at home; Catherine, at home; Marjorie, now Mrs. M. L. Eaton, of Lincoln, Nebraska; Flora, now Mrs. S. G. Empey, of Oklahoma, and Amelia J., now Mrs. Morris A. Boltenstern. The father died in April, 1884, and his widow followed him in August, 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Boltenstern's union has been blessed by four children . Alberta, Flor- ence, Dorothy and Clifford, all of whom are at home.
Mr. Boltenstern's convictions are with the republican principles, and he is active in party affairs and in the fostering of better conditions. He has been a member of the county central committee and a delegate to the county, district and state conventions. He has filled the office of school director and for fourteen years represented Lynn township on the county board of supervisors, being relieved of this responsibility only because he declined to serve longer. His abilities have naturally recommended him for the chairmanship of various important committees. and he has been a director of the Henry County Agricultural Association for a number of years, as well as a director of the First National Bank of Cambridge. He and his family are Presbyterian in their church association. "Forward" is Mr. Boltenstern's watchword in regard to any matter which effects the public welfare. He believes particularly in the importance of good schools and is willing to do all in his power to secure them. He has an intimate knowledge of educa- tional affairs, having been president of the board of education for many years, and to those of his fellow citizens who by chance may be less progressive in their ideas he is setting an example by giving his own children the advantages of higher education. He is potently assisted in his high endeavor by his wife, who is a woman of marked refinement and good breeding, devoted to her family and home. The household rejoices in an atmosphere of culture and altruism.
JOHN JOHNSON, JR.
John Johnson, Jr., one of the most prosperous of Osco township's agricul- turists, who is intimately connected with its farming and stock-raising interests, was born in Sweden, March 24, 1850. His parents were John and Johanna (Han- son) Johnson, both of Swedish nativity, who came to this country in 1856. They were seven weeks in crossing the ocean, a journey which can be made in that num- ber of days now, and before they were finally established in Swedonia, Mercer county, Illinois, where they located first, thirteen weeks had elapsed since they had set forth from their old home. Two children endured the hardships of that jour- ney with them-August and John, of this review. Mr. Johnson had left his na- tive land with some means, but they had dwindled on the way so that when he ar- rived in Illinois he had to start at the beginning to win a competence for himself and family. He bought first one hundred and sixty acres, but on account of fail- ure of crops he was compelled to sell the greater part of this until he had only fifty acres left. About nine years after his arrival in this state, he moved to Andover township, this county, where he secured one hundred and sixty acres, and as his
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agricultural ventures prospered he was able to add to this tract from time to time until he had large landholdings in several townships of Henry county. In 1885 he built the first brick store erected in Osco and engaged in mercantile business, keep- ing up an active trade in grain and especially in broom corn at the same time. Later, having won a pronounced success and a large income, he retired from active life, taking up his residence in Cambridge, where he passed away in 1902. In his family were five children, namely : August, who died unmarried; John, the subject of this review; Edd, who is now living in Cambridge; P. A., also a resident of Cambridge; and Carl B., who was the only child by his second marriage.
John Johnson, Jr., was about six years of age when his parents came to the United States and about fifteen when his father came to Henry county. He attended the common schools of his locality, and at home he acquired a practical knowledge of farming. At the age of twenty-five he left the paternal roof, for he had married and was naturally desirous to establish a home of his own and started in life for himself, receiving from his father a team of horses, a wagon, two cows and two pigs. The latter also rented him a tract of land, on which he lived for about ten years. At the end of that period in 1891 he purchased the farm he now occupies, paying sixty-seven dollars an acre for it. It is a fine tract, embracing two hundred and eighteen acres on section 33, Osco township, from which Mr. Johnson gained such rich returns for his labor that he has been able to add exten- sively to his landholdings. He owns one hundred and sixty acres in Merrick coun- ty, Nebraska, and after that purchase bought one hundred and sixteen acres in Clover township, this county, at the rate of sixty-five dollars per acre, obtaining one hundred and four dollars for it when he sold it in 1907. Next he procured the Tyson farm, of two hundred acres, on sections 16 and 17, Osco township, for twenty-five thousand dollars and in 1909 contracted for the Man- guson place of two hundred and forty acres, on sections 18 and 20, the same township, for thirty-seven thousand dollars. From his father he had inherited one hundred and sixty acres and is the administrator of the three hundred and twenty acres which his father bequeathed to his son Carl B. Other investments which he has made include two houses in Cam- bridge and stock in the Farmers Bank and State Bank of that village and in the bank at Osco. In 1872 he assisted in the organization of the Swedish Insurance Company, of which he was for a number of years an appraiser. In short he is a man who through foresight, united with a great industry exercised in the most effective manner, has been able to derive from his agricultural pursuits and his extensive stock business a position in the community in which he lives that might be enviable were it not so inspiring as a record of what may be accomplished if one but make the best use of the opportunities at hand. His father had received but a very limited education, and he himself obtained one which would be accounted very meager were it placed alongside of such a one as boys acquire as a matter of fact today, yet both father and son won a fortune that came not from books but from the employment of those qualities which belong to men of strong character and determined purpose.
On the 21st of August, 1872, Mr. Johnson wedded Miss Matilda Hanson, also a native of Sweden, who came to this country in 1869. To their union four chil- dren have been born: Anna, who married Enoch Swanson and is now the mother
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of two daughters-Clarice Ethel and Mildred Leona; J. Albert, who is at home with his father; Amanda Otelia and Nellie, who are also at home.
Mr. Johnson is a republican in his political views but is not an office seeker, although he has served as school director for a number of years. He and his family are members of the Swedish Lutheran church at Andover as was his father during his lifetime. Indeed, in 1867, when the church was rebuilt, the latter took an active part in the work, contributing generously to the fund raised for the purpose. Mr. Johnson, Jr., has also been lavish in supporting the congregation and for some time has served on the board of trustees.
WILLIAM R. REHERD.
William R. Reherd is well known in Geneseo, his native city, where he has an office while reading law and is also a notary public. His birth occurred December 13, 1869, his parents being Jacob K. and Lucy L. (Ware) Reherd, the former a native of the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, while the latter was born in Geneseo county, New York. The paternal grandfather, William Reherd, was a Pennsyl- vania German and died in Virginia at a very advanced age. The maternal grand- father was Joel Ware, a native of New Hampshire, who married Lucy Crossett. He followed farming as a life work and both he and his wife died when more than eighty years of age.
Jacob K. Reherd devoted his life to general farming. He came to Geneseo just prior to the outbreak of the Civil war and after the close of hostilities he was mar- ried here and engaged in farming in Geneseo township. His original tract of land comprised one hundred and sixty acres but he subsequently increased its bounda- ries to include two hundred and forty acres. In his business affairs he was capable and enterprising and his success was the merited reward of his labor. He died in Geneseo in 1903 at the age of sixty-nine years and is still survived by his widow. Both were charter members of the First Presbyterian church of Geneseo, which was organized in 1868, and Mr. Reherd served as one of its elders. His political allegiance was given to the democracy and his personal popularity was indicated in the fact that he served for twelve or fifteen years as assistant supervisor in a re- publican county. He was also a member of the library board and a member of the first board of directors of the Geneseo Collegiate Institute. His cooperation in public affairs was of much benefit to the public at large, for his services were actuated by unfaltering devotion to the best interests of the community. Unto him and his wife were born five children: William R, Herbert W., Harry A., Mary Louisa and Fannie F.
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