History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II, Part 6

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

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Mr. Mccullough was a many-sided man, not only intensely active in business affairs but also deeply engaged in the finest forms of public service, a devout church man and an active member of club and fraternal organizations. He be- longed to the First Congregational church and to the Kewanee Club, of which he was president at the time of his death. His retirement from business giving him time and leisure, he manifested much interest in the affairs of the club, giv- ing of his energy and ability to promote its upbuilding. He was also a member of the Kewanee Lodge of Elks and when in Polo, Illinois, was raised to Master Mason in Mystic Tie Lodge, No. 187, F. & A. M. On the 20th of April, 1883, he became affiliated with Kewanee Lodge, No. 159, and was raised to the posi- tion of master, holding the office in 1888. He became a member of Kewanee. Chapter, No. 47, R. A. M., and was filling the office of treasurer at the time of his death. His name is also on the membership roll of the Kewanee Council, R. & S. M., Kewanee Commandery, No. 71, K. T. and Medinah Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He was regarded as one of the leading representatives of Masonry in Kewanee and was honored with various official positions in the different branches of the fraternity. He acted for many years as worthy patron of Harmony Chap- ter, O. E. S., and was a member of both committees which undertook the work of securing the establishment of a commandery in Kewanee. When the Masonic Building & Aid Association was organized he was named as the representative of Harmony Chapter, was reappointed every year to the time of his death and was treasurer from the time the organization was effected.

On the 28th of December, 1875, Mr. Mccullough was united in marriage at Brookville, in Ogle county, to Miss Sarah Garman, and unto them was born a

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY

daughter, Martha Alice, who became the wife of Charles R. Lewis, a native of Chicago, who at that time was residing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mrs. Lewis passed away November 7, 1904, leaving one child, Mary Wakefield Lewis. Mr. Mccullough spent his last evening at the Kewanee Club and, returning to his home, had but entered his door when he dropped dead, his death being occa- sioned by apoplexy. This was on the 23d of April, 1909, so that he had scarcely rounded out his sixtieth year. He was a man in whom both the physical and moral life were intensely vital. It was impossible to be with him half an hour without recognizing his capacity and his moral vigor. He was one of the men whose character gives a ringing response to every test and his was a familiar face in the many places where the most interesting men of Kewanee gathered.

At the time of his passing one of the local papers said: "Charles E. McCul- lough was a man among men. His best friends were those who knew him best. A trifle reserved many thought, yet no trace of anything but cordiality was evi- dent to all with whom he mingled. He was a man of plain, direct speech and of thought that was never devious. His ideals were high and he sought daily to approach them. He was a man of lofty patriotism and keen sense of duty to his fellowmen. His ability, wide information and his rugged honesty are qualities first to be recalled by those who knew him. His interest in his surroundings was ever deep. In whatever he engaged he went at the matter heart and soul. When he worked he gave his exclusive attention to the affair in hand; when he took his recreation nothing except that which was before him seemed to receive a thought. So he lived and so he died, his faculties alert to the last. He would have had it even so. We can ill afford to lose such a citizen. The years come and go, but they bring none too many like Mr. Mccullough. As the sympathy of the com- munity goes out to the bereaved family circle all realize that not alone has the sorrowing home suffered, but the city as well."

ALBERT AUGUST FUERST.

The agricultural interests of Henry county find an enterprising and pro- gressive representative in Albert August Fuerst, who owns and operates a well improved and productive farm of one hundred and ninety-six acres on section 25, Kewanee township. He was born in that township on the 14th of July, 1866, his parents being August and Augusta (Bartz) Fuerst, who are men- tioned at greater length on another page of this work. Our subject obtained his education in the district school of section 23, Kewanee township, and also pursued a course of study in a German school, learning to read and write that language. After putting aside his text-books he remained on the home farm until the time of his marriage, giving his father the benefit of his services in the cultivation of the fields. For one winter season he was employed at the pumping station of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company and during another winter he worked in the shops of the Plano Machinery Company at Plano, Illinois. Subsequent to his marriage he took up his abode on his present farm of one hundred and ninety-six acres three miles northeast of

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY

Kewanee, which was given to him by his father. The place is known as the old Enslow property. Mr. Fuerst has built an addition to the house, has like- wise erected several sheds and has made numerous other improvements until today the place is lacking in none of the accessories and conveniences of a model farm of the twentieth century. The land is all under a high state of cultiva- tion and annually yields bounteous harvests as a reward for the care and labor which is bestowed upon it. Mr. Fuerst has the assistance of but one hired man in the active work of the farm and the success which has crowned his labors is directly attributable to his untiring energy and capable management.

On the 10th of March, 1892, in Kewanee township, Mr. Fuerst was united in marriage to Miss Antonie Schmidt, a daughter of William Schmidt, who was formerly a prominent agriculturist of Brandenburg and is now living retired near Kewanee. He was one of the founders and is a leading member of the German Evangelical church at Brandenburg. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fuerst has been born a son, Clarence A., who is now six years of age.

In his political views Mr. Fuerst is independent, always supporting the can- didate whom he believes best qualified for the office in question, regardless of party affiliation. For a number of years he acted as secretary of the Farmers Alliance Association. Both he and his wife are valued and faithful members of the German Evangelical church near Kewanee, and he takes an active and helpful part in its work, having for a number of years served in the capacity of Sunday-school superintendent. He has remained a resident of Henry county from his birth to the present time and that his life has ever been upright and honorable is indicated by the fact that the associates of his boyhood and youth are still numbered among his stanch friends and admirers.

CHARLES H. McHENRY.

Charles H. McHenry, of Cambridge, was only three years old when brought to Henry county and through a long period was closely identified with its agri- cultural interests, but since 1901 has lived retired in the village. He represents one of the old pioneer families of the state. The Black Hawk war occurred only two years before his birth, which was on the 14th of June, 1834, the place of his nativity being in White county, Illinois.

His paternal grandfather was Robert McHenry, a farmer by occupation who, removing to this state settled in White county among its earliest residents. He married Elizabeth Jones and died in White county, while his wife passed away in Henry county. Their son, William McHenry, was born in Barren county, Kentucky, and devoted his life to general farming and to the work of the ministry as a preacher of the Methodist denomination. He cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of White county, Illinois, and was also one of the first residents of Henry county, arriving in 1836, at which time he entered land in Osco township. In 1837 he removed his family to this county, arriving on the 10th of May, and for more than three decades thereafter he was closely associated with the development and the progress of this portion of the state,

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY

leaving the impress of his individuality upon the agricultural life of the com- munity and also upon its moral progress. He died March 15, 1868, when about sixty-eight years of age, while his wife passed away in 1890 at the age of seventy years. Mrs. McHenry bore the maiden name of Susie Land and was born in White county, Illinois, her parents being Robert and Lucy (Fike) Land. Her father was a native of South Carolina and became a pioneer settler of White county, Illinois, where he entered claims from the government that have since been in possession of the family. Both he and his wife lived to a ripe old age and had a family of four children, two sons and two daughters, who reached years of maturity. This number included Mrs. McHenry who by her marriage became the mother of ten children, who reached adult age, as follows : Francis; Thomas C .; Joseph B .; Charles H .; Elizabeth, the widow of Isaac Stafford; Mary, the wife of Brown Mapes, of Moline, Illinois; Gelina, the wife of Perry Aldrich; Melinda, the wife of Albert King; Emma, the wife of Silas Aldrich; Laura, the wife of Frank Cox; and two who died in infancy.

Charles H. McHenry was not quite three years of age when his parents removed to this county and from the age of four years he was reared upon the home farm in Phenix township, attending the old-fashioned subscription schools at a day when the teacher "boarded round." Later the district schools were established and he continued his studies through that method of instruc- tion. He has lived to see remarkable changes in the county and the ways of life here. He can remember when the wheat was threshed by being tramped out by horses upon the barn floor and when grain was hauled to Chicago by ox team. The great pork market at that time was at Galena, eighty miles away. Many of the homes were log cabins, cooking was done over the fireplace and the house was lighted by candles. The farmers depended upon what they raised for almost everything they needed, resorting to stores only for a few dry goods and such groceries as sugar, coffee and a few others that could not be raised in this climate. Through the period of his youth when not attending school Mr. McHenry was busy in the fields and after attaining his ma- jority he started out in life for himself, renting land for two years. He decided, however, to own property and purchased eighty acres from his father to which he has added from time to time until he now owns three hundred and twenty acres in Osco township. This he improved from the virgin soil, transforming the raw prairie into rich and productive fields. He continued to engage actively in farming until 1901, when he removed to Cambrdige, where he has since lived retired.

Mr. McHenry has long been pleasantly situated in his home life. On the 3d of January, 1863, he wedded Miss Lucy G. Kilmer, who was born in New York, of which state her parents, William and Lucinda (Larkin) Kilmer, were also natives. They became early settlers of Osco township, where they continued to reside until called to the home beyond. Upon their farm there they reared their family of four sons and four daughters. The · paternal grand- father of Mrs. McHenry was a native of New York and a soldier of the war of 1812. His ancestors came from Germany. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. McHenry was Henry Larkin, who was likewise born in the Empire state and also aided in protecting American interests in the second war with England.

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY

Mr. and Mrs. McHenry have become parents of six children: Alice, living in Chicago; Emma, the wife of Curtis Sheesly, a resident of Rock Island, Illi- nois; Lucy, who became the wife of Edward Lindberg and died in 1895, a few months after her marriage; Alvin, who conducts the home farm in Osco town- ship and married Ida Guthrie, of Nebraska, by whom he has three children: Robert, John and Jessie; Edgar, of Geneseo, who married Cora Blair of that place, and has one daughter, Ruth; and Arthur, who is employed in the tube works of Kewanee. He married Jennie Church and they have one daughter, Dorothy.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. McHenry are members of the Methodist church, with which they have long been identified. His political allegiance is given to the democracy but during the period of his active life he was too busy to seek or desire public office. He now has a nice home in Cambridge where he and his wife are living. They have traveled life's journey together for forty-seven years, sharing each other's joys and sorrows, adversity and prosperity. Few residents of the county have so long resided in the village borders or have more intimate knowledge of its history that Mr. McHenry, who for seventy-two years has made his home here.

DYER FORD.

Dyer Ford is the president of the Galva State bank, at Galva, where he has spent the greater part of his life. He is prominent among the enterprising, pro- gressive and prosperous business men whose efforts have contributed to the best interests of the community as well as to his individual success. He was born in Penn Yan, New York, March 5, 1855, and is a son of Milton Morris and Laura (Spencer) Ford, who were also natives of the Empire state. The paternal grandfather, Dyer Ford, was a native of Hampton, Connecticut, born in 1798 and at an early day in the development of central Illinois he became a resident of Canton, whence he afterward removed to Galesburg, while later he established his home at Oneida, Illinois. He engaged in general merchandis- ing in all three places and died in Oneida when more than eighty years of age. He married Lovisa Morris, who was born in Greenfield, New York, in 1802. The maternal grandfather of Dyer Ford was Martin Spencer, who was born at Hillsdale, New York, in 1769, and spent his entire life in the east. In 1799 he wedded Sybil Richmond, who was born in 1783.

Milton Morris Ford became a resident of Galva in 1860 and spent the re- mainder of his days here. He established a dry-goods store, which he con- ducted with success until about 1882. He was also an attorney and was ad- mitted to the Illinois bar but did not practice to any extent in the courts, pre- ferring to give his attention to general mercantile pursuits. He was, however, prominent in the public life of the community and exercised a wide-felt and beneficial influence in public affairs. He was one of the leading representatives of the republican party and became identified in this way with some of the most prominent men of the state. He was a personal friend and warm admirer

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY

of General John A. Logan, also of E. C. Ingersoll and John B. Hawley, member of congress. He served for one term in the house of representatives and was afterward elected from his district to the state senate, serving in the thirty- second general assembly. He left the impress of his individuality upon public thought and action and while in the legislature took active part in framing the laws enacted during that period. For a number of years he was engaged in the general loan business and success followed his wise investments and unfalter- ing energy as a logical sequence. He died November 5, 1894, at the age of seventy-one years, and his wife passed away in 1893, also at the age of seventy- one. They were members of the Congregational church and their upright lives won for them the unqualified esteem and confidence of all who knew them. In their family were five sons and two daughters, of whom three lived to years of maturity : Florence F., now the wife of Dr. B. S. Peck, of Galva; Jennie S., who died in early womanhood; and Dyer, of this review.

The last named was only five years of age when brought to Galva, where he was reared and made his home until 1883. He attended the public and high schools of the city, also became a student in Griswold College, in Davenport, Iowa, and for three years attended Oberlin College, of Ohio. Thus liberal edu- cation qualified him for the practical and responsible duties of a business career. After putting aside his text-books he engaged in merchandising in Galva with his father until 1883, when he went to Stromsburg, Nebraska, where he fol- lowed general merchandising in partnership with his brother-in-law, Dr. Peck, with whom he continued for ten years. He then removed to Lansing, Michigan, where he continued until his father's death and in 1894 returned to Galva, since which time he has been continually identified with the business interests of the city. In 1895 he became one of the incorporators of the Galva State Bank and was its vice president until January 1, 1909, when he was elected to the presidency. From the organization of the bank he has been active in its control, bending his energies to administrative direction, and his executive force and keen insight have been salient features in making this one of the sound financial institutions of the county.

On the 2d of September, 1874, Mr. Ford was married to Miss May E. Mitchell, of Davenport, Iowa, who was born in Exeter, New Hampshire. Her parents, Colonel and Mrs. A. L. Mitchell, were natives of Maine and became early residents of Chicago, after which they removed to Davenport, Iowa. Her father was a carpenter and joiner and won his title as commander of a regiment in the Civil war. He was afterward in the commission business in St. Louis and subsequently returned to Davenport but is now living in Minneapolis, Minn- esota. His wife is deceased and Eddie Mitchell, the second of their four chil- dren, has also passed away. The others are Julia, Phil and May E. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Ford was Abner Mitchell, who lived in Alfred, Maine, and was a prominent citizen there and justice of the peace.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Ford has been blessed with three children : Laura B., the wife of F. H. Wilson, of Galva, by whom she has one son, Ford H .; Morris M., who is assistant cashier of the Galva State bank and married Blanche L. Lowrey, by whom he has one son, Dyer; and Everett P., who has just com- pleted school. The parents are members of the Congregational church, in which

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY

Mr. Ford is serving as a trustee. He is prominent in Masonic circles, belonging to Galva Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Galesburg Commandery, K. T .; and the Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Peoria. He also holds membership in Galva Lodge, No. 408, I. O. O. F. and the Encampment and with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His political endorsement is given to the republican party, and while in Nebraska he served as chairman of the republican county central committee, while at the present time he is a member of the township central committee of Galva. As the greater part of his life has here been passed he is widely known and that the record is an honorable one is indicated in the regard which is given him. That his life has been well spent is proven in the success which has at- tended his efforts, making him one of the prosperous citizens of Galva. His geniality, his unfaltering courtesy, and his deference for the opinions of others, constitute the source of his popularity and he stands today as one of the foremost men in this section of the county.

MATTHEW BONAR BLISH.

The student of history cannot carry his investigations far into the annals of Henry county without learning of the long and active connection with the Blish family therewith, and Matthew Bonar Blish is numbered among those who are today prominent in the life of the community. He has for a number of years been a leading business man of Kewanee and like the others of the name merits and receives the high respect and good will of those with whom he has been asso- ciated. He is a son of Charles Cheney Blish and a brother of James K. Blish, both mentioned elsewhere in this volume. His birth occurred at Wethersfield, Illinois, December 5, 1848, and he attended the local schools of that place and Kewanee, while subsequently he spent one year in the University of Michigan. Following his marriage he began farming, which continued to be his business until a year or two after the death of his father in 1890. He had previously in connection with his father under the firm name of C. C. Blish & Son, developed one of the finest herds of shorthorn cattle in the west and they became widely known as prominent stock breeders and dealers. After the death of the senior member of the firm M. B. Blish, never of strong physique, felt that the constant care necessary to maintain the herd was telling upon him and disposed of it at a public sale, the high prices realized being an unmistakable index of the quality of the animals.

It was on the 23d of December, 1868, in Wethersfield, Illinois, that Matthew B. Blish was united in marriage to Miss Martha Florence Morrill, a daughter of Daniel Webster and Elizabeth Almira (Wedge) Morrill. Mrs. Blish was born November 18, 1849, at Ripley, Virginia, and this marriage has been blessed with three children : Kate Elizabeth, who was born in Wethersfield, October 13, 1869; Charles Bonar, born February 25, 1871 ; and Dwight Morrill, May 23, 1881. For a number of years Mr. Blish, to avoid the rigors of the northern climate, spent the winter months in Mobile and Citronelle, Alabama. He is officially connected with the Kewanee Fair Association and is a prominent member of the Masonic

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY

fraternity. The family has always stood for a high type of American manhood. for loyalty and progressiveness in citizenship, for trustworthiness and enterprise in business life, and the history of those who bear the name constitutes a most important and interesting chapter in the records of Henry county.

JAMES KNOX BLISH.

James Knox Blish, for thirty-six years a member of the Kewanee bar, whose record is in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is never without honor save in his own country, for he is a native son of the county in which he resides, having here passed his active life and so directed his ability and efforts as to gain recognition as one of its representative and valued members of the bar. His birth occurred near Kewanee, May 2, 1843, his parents being Charles C. and Elizabeth P. (Bonar) Blish. There has been compiled an extended genea- logical record of the family which says that all of the name of Blish are de- scended from Abraham Blish, who was in Duxbury, a part of the Plymouth col- ony, in 1637, and is mentioned in Winsor's History of Duxbury. He removed to Barnstable as early as 1640 and his homestead there was owned by him and his descendants for nearly two hundred years. On July, 1658, he purchased of Dolar Davis for seventy-five pounds, a farm in the easterly part of the town near the present site of the town of Barnstable, a portion of which land was in the old common-field. He was "propounded for freeman," June 5, 1661, and seemed to be a man of considerable local influence in that he served in various offices. His son Joseph Blish was born April 1, 1648, at Barnstable, was there married September 15, 1674, to Hannah, a daughter of Tristram and Agnes Hull. She was born in 1657. He was admitted as a freeman in 1689 and died June 14, 1730. His son, Tristram Blish, son of Joseph and Hannah (Hull) Blish, was born in April, 1694, at West Barnstable, Massachusetts, and was mar- ried October 17, 1717, to Anne Fuller, who was born at Barnstable in November, 1693, a daughter of Matthew and Prudence (Young) Fuller. Tristram Blish was a weaver by trade. He was executor of the will of his father in Barnstable and members of his family removed to Colchester, Connecticut, about 1726, his name occurring several times in the land records of that place. David Blish, son of Tristram and Hannah (Fuller) Blish, was born at Colchester, Connec- ticut, October 26, 1732, and was married about 1752, to Zeruiah, daughter of Deacon Nathaniel and Mary (Gillett) Skinner. She was born June 25, 1730, at Colchester, Connecticut. David and Zeruiah Blish were communicants in the church at Marlboro in 1754 and all of their children were baptized there. It seems that the name has been variously spelled Blish and Blush through suc- ceeding generations, perhaps not so much by members of the family but by others who had occasion to write the name. On the records of Captain David Miller's Company that marched in September, 1776, to East Chester to join General Washington's army, appears the name of David Blish "David Blish, sergeant." He was also sergeant in Captain Rudd's company in Colonel Chapman's regiment in the Revolutionary war, which took part in the movement of the army to dis-

Jass. Plish,

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY

lodge the British at Newport in 1778, and was also present at the battle of Rhode Island. The only town office he is recorded as holding is that of highway sur- veyor in 1794. According to the inscription on his tombstone in the Marlboro cemetery, he died October 26, 1817, and his wife's tombstone records her death as January 27, 1813. Deacon Thomas Blish, son of David and Zeruiah (Skin- ner) Blish, was born September 13, 1762, at Glastonbury, Connecticut, and was married September 21, 1785, to Prudence, daughter of Elizur and Abigail (Hol- lister) Hubbard. She was born in Glastonbury, April 23, 1767. Thomas Blish was a farmer, owning several hundred acres of land in East Glastonbury. He filled a number of town offices and was prominent in the work of the church. He died April 15, 1831, and his widow afterward lived for a time with her son Syl- vester, who in 1837, removed to Wethersfield, Illinois. Later she went to Rock- ton, Illinois, to live with her daughter, Dorothy Talcott, and there remained until her death, which occurred in 1848.

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History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II, Part 6

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