History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II, Part 66

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

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Mr. Hay was reared a democrat, but was converted to republicanism even be- fore he was able to vote and when he cast his first ballot it was for John C. Fre- mont, who was that party's candidate in 1856. Now, however, he holds himself independent of party ties, for he takes a keen interest in political questions and after investigation gives his support to the cause he believes to be right. It was in conformance with his ideas of citizenship that he accepted the positions of road commissioner and school director, which he filled so acceptably, for while he does not seek office, he believes it the duty of capable men to give some of their time for the benefit of their fellow citizens. He has passed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score and ten, and his life record is honorable and may well cause one to pause and consider and then emulate, for the success which the years have chron- icled has been won through noble endeavor, not through taking advantage of the misfortunes of others. Indeed Mr. Hay says, and he may well be proud of the fact, that he has never been a party to any fight, nor has he ever witnessed one. Quietly and unobtrusively he has done his duty and the day's work, and the worldly prosperity which has been vouchsafed to him and the sincere esteem of his fel- lows, is merited in a high degree.

CHARLES M. WILLIAMS.

Charles M. Williams, a retired agriculturist residing in Galva, was born at Bentonville, Fayette county, Indiana, on the 6th of March, 1843, his parents being Lyman and Susan (Dickey) Williams, likewise natives of Fayette county, Indi- ana. The paternal grandfather, Charles Williams, whose birth occurred in New York, was of Welsh descent. He participated in the war of 1812 and followed both farming and carpentering during his active business career. The maternal grandfather of our subject was William Dickey, a native of Kentucky and a far- mer by occupation. In early manhood he wedded Miss Jane Houston, by whom he had eight children, four sons and four daughters. Both he and his wife lived to attain a ripe old age.

Lyman Williams, the father of Charles M. Williams, followed the carpenter's trade in early manhood but after his marriage turned his attention to general agri- cultural pursuits. In 1856 he removed to Stark county, Illinois, taking up his abode two miles northeast of La Fayette. The last few years of his life were spent in La Fayette, where he passed away in 1905, when eighty-six years of age.

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He had survived his wife for almost three decades, her demise having occurred in 1876 when she was fifty-one years of age. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Williams were devoted and consistent members of the Christian church. Their family num- bered ten children, four sons and six daughters, seven of whom are still living, namely : Charles M., of this review; Lydia A., the wife of Michael N. Emery; John A .; Sarah E., the wife of Herbert Baker ; William J .; Ella E .; and Annie B., the wife of Stephen White.

Charles M. Williams was a lad of about fourteen years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to this state. He was reared on his father's farm and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority, pursuing his education in the district schools and later in the public schools of Galva. In May, 1864, he enlisted for service in the Civil war as a member of the One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry but was prevented from going to the front on account of sickness. In October, 1864, he joined Company G of the One Hundred and Thirty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry and loyally fought for the interests of the Union until its supremacy had been established. After the close of hostilities he returned to Stark county and for a number of years was engaged in the operation of a rented farm. In 1871 he made his way to Kansas, purchas- ing two hundred and twenty acres of land in Miami county, that state, where he remained until February, 1876. He then returned to Illinois and took up his abode on a farm two and a half miles east of Galva, the property belonging to his father. Subsequently he bought forty acres adjoining and in 1901 purchased one of his father's farms of eighty acres, residing thereon until January, 1908. He then dis- posed of the property and came to Galva, where he purchased a beautiful and com- modious residence and after living there a short time, he again moved just north of the city limits. Through his carefully directed and untiring labors as an agri- culturist he accumulated the competence that now enables him to live retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.

On the 15th of September, 1867, Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Lucy L. Cundiff, whose birth occurred in Galena, Illinois, in 1846, her parents being Richard and Mary (Jackson) Cundiff, natives of Virginia and Kentucky respectively. They were numbered among the early settlers of Jo Daviess county, Illinois. Richard Cundiff, who was a soldier in the Black Hawk war, passed away in the year 1853. His wife lived to be eighty-eight years of age. They had a family of eleven children, six of whom still survive, namely: Thomas; Sarah; Mary, the wife of Miles Bennett, of Savanna, Illinois; Mrs. Williams; Marcia, the wife of C. L. Canning; and Richard Archibald. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Williams have been born seven children, the record of whom is as follows. Frank W., who has been a bookkeeper in Peoria for about eighteen years, wedded Miss Clara Belle Walkley, who died in June, 1907, leaving a daughter, Pearl Blanche Wil- liams. Frank W. Williams is first lieutenant of Company G, Illinois National Guards, of which he has been a member for eleven years. Clarence B., likewise a resident of Peoria, married Miss Nellie Watson. Elmer L. passed away when three years of age. Susie B. is at home. Perry E., living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, married Miss Lorena Wilson, by whom he has a daughter, Ruth Lorena. George Herbert died at the age of nine months. Daisy M. passed away when eight years of age.

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Mr. Williams gives his political allegiance to the men and measures of the republican party and has served as school director for many years, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart champion. He belongs to Galva Post, G. A. R., and both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful interest. They are well known and highly esteemed throughout the community as people of genuine personal worth and the hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them.

GEORGE WILLIAM FERGUSON.

The broad expanse of fields on section II, Western township, which com- prise the home place of George William Ferguson, constitute but a small part of the large landholdings which are a patent indication of the manner in which he has followed his vocation as a tiller of the soil. Industrious and hardworking to a high degree, frugal and a good manager, he has let slip few, if any opportun- ities that would contribute to his advancement along his chosen line of work.

He was born in Adams county, Illinois, June 18, 1847, a son of Robert C. and Nancy (Wilson) Ferguson. The father was born on a farm near Steubenville, Ohio, in 1816, his parents being Isaac and Elizabeth (Herron) Ferguson, who crossed the Atlantic and settled in Ohio. When Robert C. Ferguson reached young manhood he and a brother John came to Illinois, settling in Adams county, where he procured a tract of land and married. In 1850, becoming infected with the gold fever, he, with his older brothers, Henry and John, started overland to California. Another brother, Vincent, had gone there the year before, and his accounts of the opportunities had helped to fire the ambitions of the others, who, however, returned to their Illinois home in 1851, richer by little more than exper- ience as a result of their western trip. On the homeward journey they went by water to Panama, which they crossed, and from there proceeded to Illinois. Vin- cent Ferguson, however, who had been the first to go to the gold country, re- mained several years after the departure of his brothers, but he too eventually came back to Illinois, where the last years of his life were spent. In 1863 Rob- ert C. Ferguson, the father of our subject, located in Western township, where he purchased two hundred and forty acres of land, all in one farm, for which he paid at the rate of twelve dollars and a half an acre. He put up a frame house, eighteen by twenty-four feet, now incorporated in the home in which his son lives. The latter has also fallen heir to the farm which the older man secured here.

Four children were born to Robert C. Ferguson and his wife. James Theo- dore, who was born in 1844, received a fair common school education and at the outbreak of the Civil war enlisted in Company E, Eighteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He had served about nine months when he was taken ill and died in the hospital at Pine Bluff, Arkansas. George W., the subject of this sketch, is the second of the family. Augusta died at the age of three. Harriet became the wife of Luman Hitchcock of Oconee, Nebraska, and they have five children. In his political views, the father was a republican, and during the years of his

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY

activity held several of the township offices. He was a member of the Freewill Baptist church, to which he gave generous support.

As a boy George W. Ferguson attended the common schools, later becoming a pupil in a select school in his vicinity, but as his father was in poor health he early in life assumed some of the responsibilities of the management of the farm. After the latter's death he bought his personal property and divided the farm, which has remained his home continuously since. He has, however, in the course of years, as success accompanied his efforts, added extensively to it and pur- cased other tracts until he is now the owner of eight hundred and eighty-seven acres, divided into three farms. About 1894 he purchased a number of shares in the Farmers Bank of Orion, and became its first president, and later, when it was renamed and reorganized under the surveilance of the state, he was made one of its board of directors. About the same time he became connected with the Orion State Bank, of which he has been vice president and a director ever since its organization, for the sound financial position he occupies in the community and the business acumen, integrity and uprightness which have marked his life, make him a man in whom the people would naturally place confidence.

In Osco township, January 21, 1872, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Ferguson and Miss Inez E. Hitchcock, a daughter of Walker Lyon and Eliza J. (Harris) Hitchcock. She was born in Peoria county, Illinois, February 14, 1852, and came to Henry county with her parents in 1865. Six children have been born of this union: Grace F. became the wife of Mahlon Lloyd Love and they have three children-Mahlon Lloyd, Jr., who is now eleven years of age, Richard Raeburn and William Seward. Mr. Love died August 13, 1902, and his widow lives upon the Lloyd homestead in this township. Roy, the second child, receives extended mention in another part of this work. Helen F. married Bert E. Mclaughlin, an attorney at Galesburg. Harry E. is also ac- corded space in another part of this volume. Harriet C. was graduated from the high school in Galesburg with the class of 1904. Alice completed the high school course in 1906 and is now a sophomore in Knox College.

Mr. Ferguson cast his first presidential ballot for Grant in 1868, and has since given his unqualified support to the candidates of the republican party. He has, however, taken but small part in the local government, although he served as highway commissioner for six years. Yet despite the fact that he has steadily refused public office, the record of his life is one which is of the highest type of efficient citizenship.

IRA SHERMAN SELLON.

Ira Sherman Sellon, owning and operating a well improved and highly pro- ductive farm of one hundred and twenty-two acres on section 21, Galva township, was born in Round Grove, Henry county, Illinois, on the 9th of August, 1867, his parents being Henry and Mary (Stoddard) Sellon. The father's birth oc- curred in the vicinity of London, England, while the mother was a native of Con-

MR. AND MRS. IRA S. SELLON

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY

necticut. Nothing is known of the paternal grandfather save that he was a prom- inent minister in London. Israel Stoddard, the maternal grandfather of our sub- ject, was born in Connecticut and followed farming as a life work. He came west when quite well advanced in years and peddled clocks, making his home in Fraker's Grove, Stark county, Illinois, where he passed away when more than eighty years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Irene Frisby, had attained the age of ninety-six years at the time of her demise. They reared a family of five children, namely : Marcus, Phoebe, Mary, James and Esther.

Henry Sellon, the father of Ira S. Sellon, was a sailor for a number of years. After taking up his abode in the United States he first followed farming at Fra- ker's Grove near La Fayette, Stark county, Illinois, and in 1844 came to Round Grove in Burns township, Henry county. There he was actively and successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits for a quarter of a century, owning a fine farm of three hundred and forty acres. In 1869 he disposed of the property and spent the remainder of his life in Galva, his demise there occurring in 1874 when he was about fifty-five years of age. He was well known and highly es- teemed throughout the county as one of its worthy and respected pioneer settlers and had an extensive circle of friends within its borders. He was twice married, his first wife being Phoebe Stoddard, by whom he had one child, Lucy M., now the widow of John Johnston, of Kewanee. After the death of his first wife he married her sister, Mary I. Stoddard, who became the mother of our subject. She was called to her final rest on the Ist of June, 1902, being at that time seventy- two years of age. Unto them were born eight children, four sons and four daughters, as follows: Lottie, the wife of J. H. Decker, of Callaway, Nebraska ; Alice, the wife of J. D. Nelson, of Orr, North Dakota ; Edward and Charles, both of whom are deceased; Benjamin, who died when but a small child; Lydia, de- ceased, who was the first wife of J. D. Nelson; Phoebe, the deceased wife of Thomas Johnson ; and Ira Sherman, of this review.

The last named was reared in this county and was two years of age when brought by his parents to Galva, where he subsequently pursued his education in the public schools. After putting aside his text-books he went to work on a farm, receiving his board and clothes in remuneration for his services. He was but seven years of age when he lost his father, and after he had worked as a farm hand for a time his mother sold their home in Galva and rented a tract of eighty acres in Galva township, about two and a half miles north of the town. He op- erated this farm for a year and then he and his mother and grandmother all took up their abode on a farm of eighty-five acres one mile north of Galva, which had been purchased by a niece of our subject. When the niece died she left a will bequeathing the proceeds of this farm to Mr. Sellon's mother and when the latter passed away the property came into possession of our subject. He has since extended the boundaries of the place by the purchase of thirty-seven acres and has built thereon a commodious and attractive residence, as well as all nec- essary outbuildings. The property is lacking in none of the equipments and im- provements of a model farm of the twentieth century and, with the exception of a period of two years spent in Galva, Mr. Sellon has lived on the place con- tinuously since 1885. He follows progressive and modern methods in the con-

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duct of his agricultural interests and is widely recognized as one of the substan- tial, enterprising and representative citizens of the community.

On the 12th of September, 1892, Mr. Sellon was united in marriage to Miss Mattie E. Frazier, a native of Cornwall township, Henry county, Illinois, and a daughter of Robinson and Nancy (Woods) Frazier, both of whom were born in Ohio. They were numbered among the early settlers of this county and reared a family of six children, namely: Rose; John; Winifred, the wife of M. R. Uhl; Frank; Mrs. Sellon; and Bert. Mrs. Sellon's paternal grandparents were John and Mary (Cassidy) Frazier, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively, while her maternal grandparents were Hugh and Katherine (De Bell) Woods. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sellon have been born four children: Raymond F., Ira B., Rolland H. and Lois M.

Politically Mr. Sellon is a stanch republican, while his religious faith is in- dicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, with which his wife is also identified. Having spent their entire lives in this county, they are widely and favorably known here and the circle of their friends is almost co- extensive with the circle of their acquaintances.

HERMAN SEEFELD.

A well developed and highly improved farm on sections 22 and 23, Burns town- ship, and comprising one hundred and sixty acres, is the property of Herman See- feld, who has spent the greater part of his life in Henry county. He was, how- ever, born in Potsdam, Germany, September 17, 1858. His parents, Louis and Wilhelmina (Graaf) Seefeld, were likewise natives of that country and the year 1867 witnessed the arrival of the family in the new world. The father made his way to Henry county and purchasing land on section II, Burns township, there made a home for himself and family. His farm contained one hundred and sixty acres, which he cultivated from that time until his death in 1905, when he was seventy-six years of age. The mother, however, still survives, and is now living in Kewanee, at the advanced age of seventy-eight years.

Herman Seefeld was a little lad of nine years when he was brought to America, and his education, which was begun in the schools of his native country, was con- tinued in the district schools of Burns township. During the periods of vacation he assisted his father in the work of the home farm and after putting aside his text-books gave his entire time to the work of the fields. He remained on the home farm until the time of his marriage, when he was given forty acres of land by his father. He then purchased forty acres adjoining, located on section 16, Burns township, and this land he operated for nine years. He erected good buildings on the place and made other improvements, which increased its value. Having the op- portunity of disposing of that farm to good advantage, he then sold it and invested his money in his present home farm of one hundred and sixty acres, situated on sections 22 and 23, Burns township. He erected a new residence, built a barn and other outbuildings, and fences, put up a windmill, tiled the land and altogether has made it a valuable property. The land is all under cultivation and owing to

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the richness of the soil and the proper drainage which is afforded by tiling, Mr. Seefeld each year gathers good crops. He raises Poland China hogs to consider- able extent and raises horses and cattle for his own use, keeping only the thor- oughbred shorthorn and Hereford cattle. Mr. Seefeld also raises considerable fruit, having an orchard that contains every variety of fruit with the exception of apricots. He likewise owns a house in Kewanee and owns stock in the Henry County Telephone Company.

Mr. Seefeld has been married twice. He was first married February 5, 1882, near Kewanee, to Miss Louisa Wetzig, of German descent and a native of Ke- wanee township. This union was blessed with two daughters: Emma, the wife of William Statz, a resident of Kewanee township; and Lorine, the wife of Ed Kuster, of Burns township. For his second wife Mr. Seefeld chose Louisa Schulz, their marriage being celebrated on the 17th of May, 1891. She is a daughter of Carl and Wilhelmina (Frank) Schulz, natives of Germany, whence they located in Henry county in 1890, having come here several years after the arrival of their daughter in the new world. They established their home in Wethersfield town- ship and there both passed away, the mother being called to her final rest in 1892, when she was sixty-seven years of age, while the father died two years later, in 1894, at the age of seventy-two. Of the second marriage of Mr. Seefeld there are two children, a daughter and son : Helene W., a young lady of eighteen years and still at home; and Edward H., thirteen years old, attending school.

Mr. Seefeld is a republican where national issues are involved but at local elec- tions he casts an independent ballot. Although he takes a deep interest in public affairs he is not an office seeker, preferring to devote his time to his individual in- terests. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the German Lutheran church of Kewanee. Mr. Seefeld is a successful man. Starting out in life in possession of forty acres of land, the gift of his father, he has added to this and has sold and bought to advantage, thus improving each opportunity for making a profit, until today he is the owner of as fine a farm of one hundred and sixty acres as can be found in Henry county and this gives him place among the substantial citizens of this section of the state.

PROFESSOR FRED U. WHITE.

Fred U. White, who has acted as superintendent of the Galva public schools for the past two decades, was born in Geneseo, Henry county, Illinois, on the 10th of June, 1858, his parents being Benjamin and Margaret (Bacon) White, natives of Connecticut and New York, respectively. His paternal grand- parents were Samuel and Cynthia (Trowbridge) White, both of whom were of Puritan descent, the former representing one of the earliest families of Massa- chusetts and the latter tracing her ancestry back to Devonshire, England, in the time of Edward the First. The New England Trowbridges, of whom there have been over thirty-six hundred, descended from Thomas Trowbridge, who settled at Dorchester, Massachusetts, probably in 1634. Samuel White, whose birth occurred in Connecticut, carried on general agricultural pursuits throughout his

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY

business career and passed away at Pomfret, Connecticut, when well advanced in years. His wife there died in middle life. Their children were seven in num- ber, as follows: William T .; Susan E., the deceased wife of Remuel Pearson; George, Lewis, Elizabeth J., Benjamin and Sarah F., all of whom have passed away. Subsequent to the death of his first wife Samuel White was again mar- ried, his second union being with Miss Phoebe Baker, by whom he had two chil- dren, Jared B. and Charles H.

Benjamin White, the father of Mr. White, was born at Pomfret, Connecti- cut, December 14, 1825. Puritan discipline prevailed in Samuel White's house- hold, giving its tinge of rigid self-accountability to all the children. Benjamin White's schooling was very limited but he was fond of reading and quick in observation with inquiring and thoughtful mind. At the age of twenty-one he left home and apprenticed himself to a mason and builder of Danielson, Con- necticut. After serving his apprenticeship, he followed his trade for several years at Waterbury, Connecticut, where he married Margaret Bacon, September 17, 1854. To them were born four sons: Charles, who died in infancy; Frank- Oscar, who became a resident of New Orleans and died October 3, 1909; Fred U., whose name initiates this review and who is a twin brother of Frank O .; and William T., a resident of New Orleans. In April, 1856, the family removed to Geneseo, Illinois, where Benjamin White continued the business of a mason and contractor until the fall of 1889, when he superintended for the board of educa- tion, of which he was then a member, the construction of the present high school building. On the 3d of January, 1863, his wife died after a protracted illness, leaving him with three little boys. On the Ist of January, 1868, he married Miss Mary Jane Messenger and unto them were born two daughters, Fannie M. and Flora, both of Geneseo. In the spring of 1890 Benjamin White suffered a severe attack of the grippe which put an end to his active work. From that time on his health steadily failed until his death, which occurred on the 24th of May, 1909, when he had attained the venerable age of eighty-four years. Born of New Eng- land stock, he was always positive and forceful. The new town to which he came at the age of thirty gave the opportunity for work which he desired. The following partial list of buildings put up by Mr. White speaks for itself:' The Collegiate Institute, built originally for commercial purposes; the old Geneseo House-(1864) ; the Anderson Building, Main street; the four buildings north of the Farmers National Bank; the Schuck and Hippler buildings; the Black- iston block; the Wright block, except the Wright and Cann buildings ; the George Singleman building; the addition to O'Bryan's and Rastede's stores; Freeman's Hall; the Clause and Stamm building; the Berner building; the Hosford build- ing ; the Geneseo House-(1877) ; the Engdahl building; the Taylor building; the Methodist church; Zion church; the Hammond hospital; the Swedish Lutheran church; and the first brick schoolhouse at Cambridge. In addition to his build- ing operations in Geneseo Mr. White did much work in the surrounding country and towns and in Chicago after the fire. He was much interested in educational matters and was an attendant and supporter of the Unitarian church of Geneseo from its establishment.

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History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II, Part 66

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