USA > Illinois > Henry County > History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 63
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JOHN H. YOUNG.
John H. Young, a successful farmer, stock raiser, feeder and shipper, whose home is on section 8, Osco township, where he has two hundred and twelve acres, was born in Munson township, this county, March 5, 1855. His parents were James and Ann Young, both natives of Scotland, where they grew to maturity and were married and where their eldest child was born. Some time in the '40S they crossed the Atlantic ocean and came to Illinois, locating first in Bureau county. About 1850 they removed to Henry county, where James Young spent the remainder of his days, becoming one of the large landholders of his locality. Eight children were born to him and his wife, one of whom died in childhood and five of whom are still living. Those who grew to maturity were Jennie, who mar- ried Sydney Summas and died in Sedgwick county, Kansas, leaving a large family ; James, who is now a resident of Munson township, and a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere in this work; Mary Ann, who is the wife of Robert Ruxton and lives in Des Moines county, Iowa, where she is rearing a family of five chil- dren; John H., who is the subject of this sketch; William, who married Miss Daisy Tomlinson and passed away, leaving two children; Maggie, who married Theo Souers and lives at Grundy Center, Iowa, where she is rearing four chil- dren; and Anna, who married James Ensey and lives in Geneseo, where they are rearing six children. The father became a republican when he was first admitted to citizenship in this republic, but later in his life espoused the cause of the demo- cratic party. Religiously he was identified with the Presbyterian church in Mun- son township.
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John H. Young obtained his education in the common schools of this county, while he received sound training for the responsibilities of life at home under the guidance of his parents. Until after he had reached his majority he remained un- der the parental roof and then engaged in agricultural pursuits for himself, rent- ing land for the first three years. In the spring of 1881 he went to Hardin county, Iowa, to operate a farm his father had bought there, remaining in that state for about nine years, although he had married in the meantime. He went next to Nuckolls county, Nebraska, where he secured one hundred and sixty acres, for which he paid twenty dollars an acre. During the fifteen years he lived in that state he acquired six hundred and eighty acres, five hundred and twenty of which are still in his possession. In 1906, after the death of his wife's parents, he re- turned to Illinois, purchasing the family homestead, on which he has since resided. Here he devotes himself to general farming and also raises and feeds large quan- tities of stock, which he ships to the large markets. Both branches of his business have yielded him a gratifying income, so that he holds a high place among the men of Osco township who are engaged in like pursuits.
On the 12th of August, 1885, Mr. Young married Miss Leonora McClain, a native of Edford township and a daughter of Robert and Leonora (McCoy) Mc- Clain. Her father was born in Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland, in March, 1824, and in early life came to the new world. Her mother was also a native of County Antrim, her birth occurring in Ballycastle, August 8, 1829. In August, 1849, she came to the United States and located at Port Kennedy, Pennsylvania. It was in that state that she was married March 1, 1851, to Robert McClain, and they made their home in Port Kennedy until after the birth of three of their children. On coming to Henry county, Illinois, they first located in Edford township, where Mr. McClain purchased a farm, but in 1865 removed to Osco township, which was their home until settling in Morristown in 1879. Throughout his active busi- ness life he followed farming and died in Osco, March 4, 1885. In his family were nine children, seven sons and two daughters : William K., born in Port Ken- nedy, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, December 9, 1852, died in Keokuk, Iowa, September 26, 1903, leaving two children; Robert, born in Port Kennedy, September 22, 1854, died in Osco township, this county, March 17, 1872; Daniel, born in Port Kennedy, November 3, 1856, is living in Nemaha county, Kansas, and is the father of two children; Alexander, born in Edford township, this county, October 22, 1859; also lives in Nemaha county, Kansas, and has one child ; Leonora, born in Edford township, October 4, 1861, is now Mrs. Young; Isabelle, born in Edford township, June 3, 1863, is unmarried and lives in Henry county, Missouri; James, born in Osco township, June 20, 1865, is also unmarried and lives in Henry county, Missouri; John, born in Osco township, August 8, 1867, lives in Laredo, Missouri, and is the father of five children; and Archie Robert, born in Osco township, December 20, 1871, lives in Pennsylvania.
Mr. and Mrs. Young have had three children. James, the eldest, was born in Hardin county, Iowa, June 24, 1886, and was graduated from the Geneseo Collegiate Institute with the class of 1909. Robert McClain was also born in that county, February 26, 1888. He died at the age of seventeen and was buried in the cemetery of Grace Episcopal church in Osco. John Harvey was born in Nuckolls county, Nebraska, March 19, 1892. Mr. Young has always been a stanch
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adherent of the democratic party but has never sought any office within the gift of the people. He does not affiliate with any church but his wife is a consistent member of Grace Episcopal church and takes an active part in its work.
J. B. BALDWIN.
J. B. Baldwin, an old soldier, who is now retired from active business in Annawan, was born in Essex county, New Jersey, December 22, 1839, and is a son of Lemuel and Rachel (Perry) Baldwin, both natives of that state, the father's birth having occurred January 1, 1807, the mother's December 8, 18II. Being left an orphan, Lemuel Baldwin at the age of fourteen, was bound out for seven years to a shoemaker, with whom he learned his trade but with whom he did not serve. full time as at the age of nineteen he paid a sum of money as com- pensation for the remaining two years He then entered a cigar factory, where he remained until 1844, when he went to Columbus, Ohio, and established a cigar factory. In 1852 the family removed to Peoria, Illinois, though they remained only one year and then returned to Columbus, Ohio, where the father died in 1856. The mother then lived with her children until 1863, when she came to make her home with a sister in Cambridge, Illinois, since three of her sons had gone to the war. Nine years later she removed to Annawan to live with her son, J. B. Baldwin, and in 1874 passed away, being buried in the cemetery at Anna- wan.
To Mr. and Mrs. Lemuel Baldwin were born nine children, only two of whom are now living. Marietta, the eldest, became the wife of J. L. Lee, and lived in Ohio, where he passed away, but she died in Moline, Illinois. They are sur- vived by a son, J. L., a resident of Moline. Alpheus died at Fort Dodge, Iowa. William A., who died in Washington, D. C., was a member of the Forty-third Ohio Regiment and is buried in Arlington military cemetery of Washington. Mer- ritt died in New Haven, Connecticut, about 1900. The fifth child, J. B., is the subject of this sketch. Kennard died in Columbus, Ohio, at the age of six or seven years. Harry H. was a member of the One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Regiment and is now living at Fort Dodge, Iowa. He has three children : Omer, a photographer of Fort Dodge, Iowa; Richard, a mail carrier of that city; and Dawm, the wife of William H. Gaughlin, a resident of Phoenix, Arizona. Fannie died at the age of five or six years. Sarah, the youngest of this family, became the wife of Oscar Van Brunt, of Cambridge, Illinois. Both have passed away, she in Kansas, he in Oklahoma.
J. B. Baldwin received his first education in the district schools, from which he passed to the high school of Columbus. At the close of his schooldays he ob- tained employment in a hotel in that city, where he remained until the nation sent a call through the country for her sons to come and fight in her defense. In March, 1862, he enlisted in the Eighty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry for a term of three years. The regiment was attached to the Army of the Potomac and in the fall of 1863 under the command of General Hooker went to Chattanooga, with the Eleventh and Twelfth Army Corps, which were later consolidated and
J. B. BALDWIN
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known as the Twenty-eighth Army Corps. The regiment took part in the more important battles of the campaign of the latter years of the strug- gle. They participated in the battles of Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, Second Bull Run, Cedar Mountain, and Cross Keys, while connected with the Army of the Potomac. They were with Sherman in the Atlanta campaign and on the famous march to the sea, and in one of the battles of this period, that known at Pumpkin Vine Creek, Mr. Baldwin received a wound but was able to remain with his regiment. After moving to Chattanooga, they took part in the night battle of Wauhatchie, Tennessee, near Lookout Mountain, and in the battles that oc- curred at this last-named place and at Missionary Ridge. Continuing on to At- lanta, in the battles or skirmishes of Resaca, Pumpkin Vine Creek, Lost Moun- tain, Kenesaw Mountain, Kleb's Farm, and Peach Tree Creek, Mr. Baldwin and his company acquitted themselves with honor as soldiers and as men. They as- sisted in the battle and siege of Atlanta and then started on the march to the sea and were in the Carolina campaign, engaging in the battles of Bentonville and Averysboro, on the 19th and 20th of March, 1865. Four months later, July 29, 1865, Mr. Baldwin was honorably discharged from the service, having been at his post during thirty-seven engagements. On returning from the field of car- nage, when his services were no longer required, he took up farming, going first to Cambridge, Illinois, in 1865, and the next year coming to Annawan, which has been his home ever since. Some years ago he opened a restaurant here, but with advancing age he has given this up and has retired to a life of comparative rest.
In 1868 Mr. Baldwin married Miss Sarah A. Slater, who was born Decem- ber 27, 1842, in Coeymans, New York, and was a daughter of F. H. and Mary (Myers) Slater. The father was a farmer in New York state but died in Anna- wan in 1898 at the age of eighty-nine years. He had a family of nine children, only one now survives, John, who lives near Chicago, where he is engaged in the real- estate business and speculation. Mrs. Baldwin died on the 26th of September, 1881, and was buried in the cemetery at Annawan. She was a consistent mem- ber of the Congregational church and passed away attended by the consolations of that faith. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin, all deceased. Mary E., born in Annawan in 1872, was graduated from the Annawan high school and for several years before her marriage taught in the schools of Henry county. She died August 8, 1901, leaving a husband, John Keener, and one child, Myrtle E. Anna, also born in Annawan in 1874, died December 21, 1899, and was buried beside her mother in the cemetery at Annawan. She was likewise a graduate of the high school here and was a good musician and artist, having received her instruction from her aunt. The third child died in infancy. Of both his daugh- ters Mr. Baldwin possesses good photographs which in slight measure serve to recall them to memory.
In politics Mr. Baldwin is a republican, and although he has held several offices in the village he can scarcely be called a politician or an office-seeker. His religious affiliation is with the Congregational church, of which, like his wife, he has ever been a consistent member. He belongs to the T. T. Dow Grand Army Post, No. 290, has taken an active interest in its meetings and has attended more than twelve of the national encampments. His way of life has not been one of ease but by industry and thrift he has obtained a comfortable income that will
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permit him to pass his remaining years in ease. Since the death of all his wife's people he has lived alone, but he is a man of easy approach, affable in his recep- tion of strangers, kind and considerate of his friends, who are always willing to welcome him as a genial spirit to their gatherings.
HARRY E. BROWN.
There is no profession in which advancement depends more surely upon in- dividual effort than in the law. It is a calling in which wealth or influence avail little or naught toward the attainment of success but where close application, ear- nest purpose and intellectual strength constitute the foundation on which pros- perity is built. Mr. Brown now practicing at the Geneseo bar, has made a creditable record in connection with the work of the courts. He was born at Wyanet, Bureau county, Illinois, April 22, 1872, and is a son of Constant and Annie M. (Wilcox) Brown, both of whom were natives of the Empire state, and are mentioned elsewhere in this volume. It was also in New York that Charles H. Brown, the grandfather, was born and reared. He was of English lineage and a descendant of Peter Brown, who crossed the Atlantic in the Mayflower during the formative period of our nation's history. Charles H. Brown belonged to the state militia of New York and while residing there engaged in business as a merchant tailor. He married Susan H. Hees and after living for many years in the east they removed to Geneseo, where Mr. Brown died when well advanced in years. His widow afterward went to Cleveland, Ohio, where her last days were passed. In their family were two sons and two daughters: Mary, who became the wife of J. E. H. Kelley ; Helen, who died when a young lady; Constant, the father of our subject ; and Jacob H., of Cleveland, Ohio.
In the maternal line Harry E. Brown can trace his ancestral history back to Joshua and Mollie Wilcox, the great-grandparents. The former served as a val- iant soldier of the American army in the Revolutionary war. His son, Oliver G. Wilcox, was born in New York, October 27, 1795, and having arrived at years of maturity was married April 25, 1819, to Elizabeth Hees. He made farming his life work and died August 9, 1887, having for more than twenty-eight years sur- vived his wife who died June 12, 1859. They were the parents of ten children: Josiah, Henrietta, Jerome, Clinton, Eveline, John J., William Henry, Oliver J., George W. and Annie M. The last named became the wife of Constant Brown and they are now residents of Geneseo.
Harry E. Brown resided in Bureau county, Illinois, until twelve years of age and during the period attended the Wyanet public schools. His early educational advantages were afterward supplemented by study in Geneseo where in 1889 he completed the high-school course. After determining upon the practice of law as a life work he became a student in the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, was graduated in 1895 and the same year was admitted to the bar. He then formed a partnership with Emery C. Graves, who is now a judge of the circuit court and for six years they practiced together. Since that time Mr. Brown has been alone and occupies beautiful offices over the Central
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Trust and Savings Bank. His clientage is extensive and of a distinctively repre- sentative character. He is regarded as a wise counselor and able advocate and in the presentation of his cause before the court seldom fails to win the verdict de- sired.
On the 28th of April, 1904, occurred the marriage of Mr. Brown and Miss Mabel Welton, a native of Cambridge, Illinois, and a daughter of Frank G. and Ella M. (Clark) Welton. Her mother was born at Rockford, Illinois, while her father was a native of Connecticut. They were early settlers of Henry county, this state, the father coming here in his boyhood days in 1851. He died August 8, 1907, at the age of sixty-four years. He was a soldier of the Civil war, serving in Company B, Forty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was equally loyal to his country in days of peace and for thirty-two years was county clerk, filling that position at the time of his death. His wife, who was born December 13, 1849, is still living in Cambridge, Illinois. They were the parents of six children: Al- bert D .; Clarence W .; Kate C., the wife of Judge B. M. Smith, of Chicago; Mabel E., now Mrs. Brown; Susan B., the wife of Loring R. Sheppard; and Thomas, of Cambridge. There is also definite information to be had concerning the pa- ternal grandfather of Mrs. Brown-Albert Welton. He was a native of Connec- ticut and in the east married Susan E. Bidwell. In 1851 they came to Henry county, Illinois, and were farming people here. His death occurred in Green- wood, Nebraska, in 1902, while his wife passed away in 1906. They were the parents of four children : Frank G., Mary E., George W. and Clarence W.
In his political views Mr. Brown has been an earnest republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise but the honors and emoluments of office have little attraction for him. He is a member of the Methodist church while his wife belonged to the Episcopal church and they occupy a pleasant and attractive home on Main street, which is the abode of warm-hearted and generous hospi- tality. Mr. Brown is appreciative of the social amenities of life and his genial qualities have won him many friends but his attention is preeminently given to his professional duties, his devotion to his clients' interests being proverbial.
HENRY WASHBURN.
He whose name introduces this review represents a family which has long been prominently known in agricultural circles in Henry county, his native county. He was born on the Ist of September, 1840, in Colona township, in which locality he still makes his home. His parents, Abisha and Isabella (Clapp) Washburn, originally came from Springfield, Massachusetts, arriving in Illinois in May, 1837, being numbered among the early pioneer residents of this county. A full record of the family is given on another page of this volume in the sketch of George Washburn, a nephew of our subject. Abisha Washburn was a farmer by occupa- tion and engaged in that line of activity up until his death. He was progressive and prosperous in his affairs and became a large landowner in Colona township. His death occurred in 1872, his wife having passed away in 1850.
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Henry Washburn was the first child born after the arrival of the family in Illinois, and under the parental roof he was reared to manhood. He lost his mother when but ten years of age, and the period of his boyhood and youth were passed under his father's direction. He attended the district schools near his home in the acquirement of an education while his practical training was received between the plow handles. When not engaged with his text-books he assisted his father in the arduous task of opening up a new farm and converting the raw land into rich and abundant fields. None of the modern conveniences and appliances for facilitating farm labor were known at that time, and the work of developing a farm was attended by many obstacles and difficulties. He remained at home, giv- ing his father the benefit of his aid in the management of the family and the opera- tion of the farm until the latter's death, continuing to operate a part of the home farm even after his marriage. After the father's demise one hundred and sixty acres of the estate came into his possession, and he has since made his home upon that farm. He has been eminently successful in his agricultural pursuits and with the passing of the years has been able to add to his original holdings until today he is the owner of three hundred and twenty-seven acres, all under a high state of cultivation and all well improved. In its midst stands a fine modern dwelling while in the rear are found substantial and commodious barns and outbuildings, the place being equipped with all modern accessories that go to make up a model farm of the twentieth century. He has made a close study of agriculture and thoroughly understands the best methods of enriching the soil, while he is up- to-date and systematic in the conduct of his agricultural pursuits, so that he has become recognized as one of the substantial, progressive and prosperous farmers of the locality.
Mr. Washburn has been twice married, his first union being with Miss Zebuline Bailey, the ceremony occurring in September, 1863. She was a daughter of Charles and Charlotte (Callahan) Bailey, a prominent family of Coal Valley, Rock Island county, Illinois, who came to this state from Ohio in the early pioneer days. This union was blessed with five children, three of whom passed away in infancy. Those who survive are: Charles, a successful farmer of the state of Washington; and Clarissa, the wife of Charles Shaffer, of Ne- braska. The wife and mother died in November, 1867, and in May, 1869, Mr. Washburn wedded Miss Maria J. Britton, a daughter of Samuel and Jane Brit- ton, English people, who came to Henry county at an early date. This marriage was blessed with four children : Grace, the eldest, died in youth ; Walter, at home; Jennie, the wife of William Hannah, who is associated with Mr. Washburn in the operation of the home farm; and Lottie, a student in school.
Mr. Washburn is stalwart in his allegiance to the democracy but has never taken a very active part in local politics, preferring to concentrate his time and attention upon the conduct of his private affairs. He is preeminently public- spirited, however, deeming it the duty of every loyal citizen to support his party at the polls and take an interest in all matters that have for their object the sub- stantial growth and upbuilding of the community. Although he has never desired nor sought public office as the reward for party fealty, nevertheless he was elected by his fellow citizens to the office of road commissioner and he also served as a member of the local school board for a number of years. A man of
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progressive and modern ideas, he stands high in the estimation of his fellowmen who are acquainted with his life record from his boyhood days, and his sterling integrity and honorable manhood have won for him a circle of friends which is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances. He is a devoted hus- band and loving and indulgent father, and he is much given to charity, being well known throughout the community for his many kindly services.
GEORGE G. WIRT.
Oxford township is rich in men whose sterling worth would prove them an acquisition to any locality and among them must be enrolled George G. Wirt. He is a native son of Illinois, having been born September 5, 1856, in Mercer county. His parents were Martin and Esther (Groves) Wirt, the father a native of Lake county, Ohio, the mother born in England and coming to this country when a young girl. The father came to Mercer county, Illinois, when a young man, married there and there spent the rest of his life. He was a farmer and fruit grower, and a nurseryman in a small way. His death occurred some years ago, but his widow still survives.
George G. Wirt grew up on his father's farm and as usual with the sons of a man engaged in agricultural pursuits, found no lack of employment. He was educated in the public schools, supplementing the knowledge there acquired by a course in the Bushnell Business College. For several years he engaged in the nursery business in Mercer county, and in 1889 he went to Salem, Oregon, where he devoted his energies to the same industry in partnership with his brother Wil- liam, who remained in the west for a year after his return. Upon coming back to Mercer county he married and brought his bride with him to Alpha, Henry county, where he has since lived and encountered success. He still clings to the fruit and nursery business, which his father before him found congenial and profitable. He grows all kinds of hardy fruits and berries, and shade and orna- mental trees. One of his specialties is strawberries and strawberry plants. He handles the finest varieties of nursery stock obtainable and consequently com- mands the best prices. He shows his progressiveness by each year issuing a catalogue, and his trade covers central Illinois and part of Iowa and Wisconsin, even extending into the Pacific states and Canada. With a fine record for good stock and honest dealing, his business has increased each year until it has assumed large proportions.
Mr. Wirt was married in December, 1891, to Miss Rachel Ann Sloan, a daughter of John and Rachel Sloan, who resided near New Boston in Mercer county, of which they both were natives. Both parents have for some years been dead. Mr. and Mrs. Wirt have two children, a son and a daughter, Harold and Mabel. The son is a graduate of the Alpha high school, in which the daughter is still a student.
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