USA > Illinois > Henry County > History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 70
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Spending his boyhood days under the parental roof, Frank H. Brown re- ceived the advantages of a common school education and later continued his studies for two terms at the Geneseo Collegiate Institute. In the meantime, un- der his father's capable direction, he became an apt pupil in the school of ex- perience, devoting his vacations to the study of the soil, selection of the different cereals to be planted each year, learning how to properly care for the stock, and all through the busy summer season assisting his father until his death, when he continued to carry on the work under the able management of his mother. When he attained his majority he assumed entire control and, though he is yet
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a young man, has prospered in his undertakings and achieved success that an older, more experienced man might well envy.
Frank H. Brown was united in marriage on the 6th of February, 1907, in Rock Island, Illinois, to Miss Jessie W. Hornecker, a resident of Cambridge. She was born in Edford township and is a daughter of Martin and Martha (Shoemaker) Hornecker. They now reside on the old homestead on section 15, Osco township, which includes one hundred and sixty acres of well improved land, and his mother also owns eighty acres on section 9, in Osco township. In addition to his cultivation of these two farms he has extensive stock-raising in- terests, feeding and shipping stock and thereby obtaining substantial returns for his labors in this branch of his business. In the spring of 1909 he and his brother became interested in automobiles, especially those of the Reo make that are manufactured in Lansing, Michigan, and since engaging in this business sold six machines in four months time, from April to August, 1909. Mr. Brown, believing most firmly in the platform of the republican party, is using his vote and influence to elect the candidates of that faith where national issues are in- volved, and in 1904 cast his first presidential ballot for Theodore Roosevelt.
ANDREW APPELL.
Andrew Appell makes his home on an excellent farm in Galva township. His birth occurred in Sweden in October, 1844, his parents being Peter M. and Anna Brita Appell, who were likewise natives of that country. The father was a drummer in the regular army of Sweden and followed farming as a means of livelihood. He with wife and children crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1852 and made his way direct to Chicago, Illinois, where he died of cholera a few days after his arrival. Traveling at that time was very troublesome. The entire journey lasted about six months-from the time they left their home in Sweden till they reached their destination in Victoria. Nine weeks were spent on a sailing vessel going across the ocean. Between New York and Chicago they traveled partly by flatboat on the canal and on Lake Erie. From Chicago they crossed the prairie in a lumber wagon, as there were no railroads in that part of the state. His death came very suddenly and unexpectedly, for only the previous day he had gone on a hunting trip. He was forty-two years of age at the time of his demise. His widow took up her abode in Knox county in the same year, settling near Victoria township. She lived in a log house the first two years and endured many hardships and privations. Her demise occurred in 1889, when she had attained the age of seventy-seven years. She was the mother of nine children, two of whom still survive-Charles and Andrew. Two others lived to maturity, namely: Alfred, who passed away during the period of the Civil war; and Louisa, who gave her hand in marriage to Oscar Dowell and died about the year 1897.
Andrew Appell was a little lad of eight years when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world. He was reared in Knox county, living on a farm there with his mother and brother Charles until he had attained
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his majority. His mother purchased a farm of eighty acres and the two boys bought one hundred and sixty 'acres together, our subject's share being fifty- three acres. Subsequently they purchased two quarter sections of land. Mr. Appell of this review now owns altogether five hundred and forty acres of rich and productive farming land. He made his home in Knox county until 1891 and still owns a tract of two hundred and twenty acres there. His landed hold- ings in Henry county embrace three hundred and twenty acres, two hundred and forty acres of which lie in Wethersfield township, while the remaining eighty- acre tract is on section 34, Galva township, and constitutes his home place. It is located just south of the corporate limits of Galva and is a highly improved and valuable property, on which are seen all of the equipments and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century. The residence is a commodious and attractive structure and all of the other buildings are kept in a good state of re- pair. Mr. Appell is a man of untiring energy and excellent business ability and in the conduct of his agricultural interests has won a measure of success that entitles him to recognition among the most prosperous, enterprising and pro- gressive citizens of the community.
In 1876 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Appell and Miss Matilda Peter- son, a native of Sweden and a daughter of Peter M. and Anna Brita Peterson, who spent their entire lives in that country. Mrs. Appell's father was a promi- nent man in his community. He was entrusted with many public duties and served as justice of the peace for over thirty years. In 1869 Mrs. Appell made the voyage to the United States in company with some friends and after her arrival in this country lived in Chicago for a number of years. She came to Knox county, this state, in 1876. She was one of a family of ten children, four of whom are now living in this country, namely: Mrs. Sarah Anderson; Peter Halsted, a resident of Wadena, Minnesota; Mrs. Appell; and Mrs. Clara Lage- quist. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Appell have been born four children: Gottfred and Lillie, at home; and two who died in infancy.
When national questions and issues are involved Mr. Appell casts his ballot in support of the men and measures of the republican party but at local elections votes independently, supporting the candidate whom he believes best qualified for office. Both he and his wife are faithful and consistent members of the Swedish Lutheran church, the teachings of which they exemplify in their daily lives. They are well known in social circles and enjoy in large measure the friendship and kindly regard of those with whom they have been brought in contact.
GILBERT C. SAMUELSON.
Gilbert C. Samuelson, a farmer and stock raiser, feeder and shipper of Osco township, who owns forty acres on section 17, while he also operates his father's place of two hundred and forty acres, in the same township, was born in West- ern township, February 5, 1869, his parents being James and Clara ( Manguson) Samuelson. When he was about six years old his father sold his farm in West-
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ern township and purchased the land on which he lives today for sixty-five dol- lars an acre. Here Gilbert C. Samuelson grew to manhood, being about four- teen when in 1882 his mother died. In 1897 his father moved to Cambridge, leaving his son in charge of the farm which he had assisted in tilling from his boyhood days. His daughter, Mabel, the only other child born to him and his wife, accompanied him to Cambridge and gives him the comforts of a home which can be obtained only through a woman's presence. From his own farm and the tract belonging to his father which he operates, Gilbert C. Samuelson has won a large return for his many hours of hard labor. Familiar as he has been with the nature of the soil from his earliest years, he has had but to cul- tivate it by the most approved methods to obtain the large harvests which are his pride. In addition to the raising of cereals, however, he has devoted a great deal of time to the stock business, making shipments annually to the im- portant markets. His industry has been the measure of his success and he finds that each year makes a gratifying increase to the income that he derives from his labors.
Mr. Samuelson has been married twice. On the 12th of December, 1894, he wedded Miss Dora L. Johnson, who was born and reared in Lynn township, Henry county, her parents being George H. and Anna (Bergstrom) Johnson. Of this union were two children born: Grace, whose birth occurred in Clover township, and Herbert, born on the home farm in Osco township. Mrs. Sam- uelson passed away June 28, 1902. On the 6th of September, 1905, Mr. Sam- uelson married again, his second wife being Miss Carrie Baird. She was born in Portland, Indiana, March 5, 1884, and is a daughter of Charles and Emma (Dull) Baird. Mr. Baird, who passed away January 5, 1907, in Munson town- ship, after a two weeks' illness that resulted in inflammation of the brain and paralysis, was born in that township, January 9, 1857. He graduated from the classical department of the schools of Valparaiso, Indiana, with the class of 1883. After the completion of his education he devoted several years to teach- ing school. First he had charge of the department of mathematics in the schools of Portland, Indiana, being assisted by his wife, and then upon resign- ing this position he went to the business college in Helena, Montana, where he taught mathematics, penmanship and commercial law. This he also resigned after a considerable length of time, to accept a responsible and more lucrative position in the office of the Rocky Mountain division of the Northern Pacific Railroad. In 1891 he returned to Henry county to become instructor in the business department of the Geneseo Collegiate Institute, fulfilling his duties in that capacity for about eleven years. Five years before his death he retired to a farm in Munson township on which he lived with his family the remaining years of his life.
Immediately after his graduation he wedded Miss Emma Reese Dull, of Hamlet, Indiana, and of their union were born three children: Carrie Reese, who is now Mrs. Samuelson; Charles Glen, the only son; and Nellie Merle who was the youngest. These with his widow still survive. Mr. Baird possessed many noble qualities of head and heart. As a husband and father he was loving and loved; as a friend he was loyal, sincere and unchangeable; and believing in the promises of God he lived and died a Christian. Men and women were the
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better for his life and when his race was over he was deeply mourned by all who had occasion to know him.
Mr. Samuelson has always allied himself with the republican party, but although he has served as school trustee and director for a number of years he is not an aspirant for public office. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a trustee, while of the Sun- day-school since its organization, Mrs. Samuelson has been superintendent. Fraternally he enjoys most pleasant relations with the camp of the Modern Woodmen of America at Osco, and both Mr. and Mrs. Samuelson belong to the Royal Neighbors, Mrs. Samuelson having been chosen receiver of the local camp.
JOHN W. JOHNSON.
John W. Johnson, a farmer of Oxford township, was born in Delaware county, Indiana, January 23, 1857, and is a son of John M. and Sarah A. (Cree) Johnson. The father was a farmer in that state and was accounted a successful man, although he had a very hard life for his parents died of the cholera when he was but two years of age and he was early compelled to make his own way in the world. He did not even have the advantage of a good edu- cation, in fact he received scarcely any, and yet he pushed ahead, making the best use of the gifts nature bestowed upon him and the opportunities that came his way. In 1859 he moved his family to Illinois, locating in Oxford township, Henry county. Here he continued to follow agricultural pursuits with success and profit, and also engaged in threshing, owning a machine which he took to various farms in his vicinity. Although he had almost no education he was very quick at figures, could calculate interest in his head and at the end of a season could tell the amount of grain he had threshed for each farmer. He kept no books for his accounts, for his memory served him better than paper and ink. Mr. Johnson was married twice. By his first wife he had a family of four children : Richard, Elizabeth, Mary C. and John W. The last is the only one now living, the two eldest having died in their youth, and Mary C. when she had reached years of maturity. The mother died in 1860 and shortly after- ward Mr. Johnson married Miss Sarah A. Davis, who bore him five children, all of whom are living: Emma, Frank, Augusta, Martha and Lida. Mrs. John- son died in the spring of 1907, and her husband had passed away many years before, his death having occurred October 10, 1883. He was a democrat in his political views and was always interested in public matters, especially in good schools, whose efficiency he tried to promote in the years he was a member of the school board for he was conscious of the advantages he had missed through his inability to attend school.
John W. Johnson grew to young manhood upon his father's farm and after completing the course of study prescribed by the schools of Oxford township attended Hedding College at Abingdon for a few years, after which he returned to his home. At the age of twenty-four he married and brought his bride to the old Johnson homestead which is his home at present. It is a fine tract of land.
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highly cultivated and well improved, on which Mr. Johnson farms on a large scale, giving his attention principally to the raising of corn and oats. In the fall of 1901, about the 8th of September, Mr. Johnson embarked in the furni- ture and undertaking business in Alpha. Two years later he sold his interests there and removed to Cambridge, where he continued in the same business. He remained there only three years, however, and then returned to his farm, which he had ever regarded as his home. He had always been interested in commer- cial affairs and in 1899 had organized the Alpha Check Rower Company, of which he was president until it went out of business. Early in his life, when a tiller of the soil, he bought a corn sheller and enjoys the distinction of having shelled more corn than any other man in Henry county, for since 1871 the total of bushels to his credit amounts to one million, seven hundred thousand and more.
On the 3d of February, 1881, Mr. Johnson married Miss Anna G. Engle, a daughter of Hudson B. and Sarah (Elwell) Engle. The parents were natives of New Jersey and Vermont respectively and came to Illinois in early days, settling in Western township, Henry county, before the town of Orion was laid out. The father identified himself closely with the farming interests of that township and attained to high respect among the citizens there. Both he and his wife are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been born two sons and one daughter. Ralph H., the eldest, was graduated from the Chicago Vet- erinary College in 1909 and is now practicing his profession in Farmington, Minnesota. Mary M. is the wife of George Bland, a farmer of Oxford town- ship. Telford E. is at home and is a student in the Alpha schools.
Mr. Johnson affiliates with the republican party and has always been active in political affairs having served the township in various capacities. He has efficiently fulfilled the duties of the town clerk, has served as commissioner of the highways for a period of twelve years, and for five years was on the school board and then resigned that position. In the Baptist church, to which his family belong, he is also active, having been church clerk for twenty-five years and for a period of nearly that length superintendent of the Sunday school. At the present he is a teacher in this department of church work. In the ranks of the Mystic Workers he is well known for the qualities that have made him so strong a citizen have come to the fore in his relations with his fraternal brothers. A man of public spirit, he does all in his power for the improvement of the schools and of the roads, in fact supports everything that makes for the progress of his community.
GEORGE FUNK.
George Funk, who is one of the more prosperous of the older generation of farmers of Henry county, owns a well improved tract of one hundred and sixty acres on section 31, Cornwall township, where he makes his home, and also owns the southeast quarter of section 36, Munson township, and eighty acres of the north half of the northwest quarter of section 5, Burns township. He was born
GEORGE FUNK
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in Rockingham county, Virginia, January 10, 1847, his parents being Abraham and Matilda (Armentrout) Funk. The ancestors on the paternal side came originally from Switzerland, but the family has been identified with American history for a number of generations. The grandfather, Christian Funk, was a native of Pennsylvania, and there married Susannah Gile. For a time the couple resided in Lancaster county, that state, and then, when their son Abraham was about seven years of age, removed to Rockingham county, Virginia.
Abraham Funk, the father of George Funk, grew to maturity in the Old Dominion and in Rockingham county was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Armentrout, a native of that section and a daughter of parents who were opposed to slavery. Mr. Funk also held the same opinion and was a strong Union man after the inauguration of the Civil war and as he was very frank in expressing his views he was cast into prison. Later, in 1862, when he was liberated he traded his Virginia home for four hundred acres in Henry county, Illinois, and; having obtained a pass from Jefferson Davis, he brought his family here. Seven children had been born to him and his wife, but only three daughters and his son George accompanied him upon this tedious journey. The eldest, David, had married in Virginia and settled in Ford county, Illinois, in 1859. He is now liv- ing in Missouri. Melinda became the wife of Thomas Walsh and died leaving seven children. Susannah is also deceased. She married John Weaver. Mary, who has also passed away, was the wife of Henry Weaver. Christian wedded Miss Lucy Jenkins and died in Oregon, leaving ten children. Katharine became the wife of George S. Will, of Virginia, who died in 1906, and she now resides in Hamilton, Missouri, and is the mother of seven children. George, the subject of this sketch, is the youngest of the family. His mother died when he was four years of age, and his father married again, but by the second union there were no children. When Mr. Funk came to Henry county there were a few small buildings upon his land, but three years later he was able to erect a fine brick house, in which he spent the rest of his life, his death occurring April 29, 1875. He was a man of great force of character, one who held to his convictions as re- gards right and wrong, and one whose life commanded respect.
George Funk was about seventeen years of age when he accompanied his father on his removal to Henry county. He had attended the subscription school near his Virginia home, wherein he had received a fair education, and after coming here obtained about twenty-two days' schooling. He worked for his father on the farm until he became twenty-one, and thereafter, as he con- tinued to live at home, was given a share of the crops as compensation for his labor. He was thrifty as well as industrious, and after the death of his father he was able to buy, in December, 1875, as the result of his savings, one hundred and sixty acres of land at fifty dollars an acre. Later, as his financial resources in- creased he made wise and judicious investments in other farm property, in 1881 buying eighty acres at fifty dollars an acre; in 1892, purchasing another tract of eighty acres, for which he paid fifty-eight dollars an acre; and in 1901 securing eighty acres more for fifty-five dollars an acre. The place on which he lives, on section 31, Cornwall township, is well improved with fine buildings, has recently been tiled, and is maintained under an excellent state of cultivation that derives the best results possible from the soil. In addition to raising cereals Mr. Funk
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has engaged in feeding and shipping stock, and as he has devoted to this enter- prise the same care and discrimination distinguishable in his purely agricultural undertakings he has found it a profitable adjunct to his business.
In Cambridge, Illinois, February 12, 1874, Mr. Funk wedded Miss Rebecca E. Funk, who was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, April 12, 1842, and is a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Shue) Funk. Three children have been born to them. Abram A., born November 23, 1874, received a good education, for he was graduated from the Geneseo Collegiate Institute with the class of 1894 and has since pursued many studies independently, receiving a diploma from the Correspondence School of Scranton, Pennsylvania, while he is now studying civil engineering in a correspondence school of Chicago. He is a farmer by occu- pation and owns eighty acres on section 31, Cornwall township, where he is liv- ing. He married Miss Carrie Hunter. Amy Aurelia married Frank S. Sears, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this work. Atta Viola, the third child, was born January 28, 1880, and died in October, 1881.
Mr. Funk gives unfaltering allegiance in political matters to the republican party, having supported its candidates invariably since he cast his first ballot for Ulysses S. Grant. While he is not an office seeker, he is an advocate of public improvements and especially of good schools, as was manifest in the acceptable service he rendered as a member of the board of education. He belongs to the Congregational church, and in endeavoring to live up to its teachings he mani- fests those sterling 'traits of manhood which ever command confidence and awaken regard and is therefore well worthy of the esteem uniformly accorded him.
WILLIAM CHARLET.
William Charlet, whose three hundred and twenty acres of rich farming land in Kewanee township attest his prosperity and substantial position in life, was born July 1, 1865, in that township, a son of William and Amelia (Ballieu) Charlet. The father was born in Brandenburg, Prussia, Germany, December 13, 1834, and there learned the trade of a weaver and worked at it. In 1856 he borrowed the money for his passage to America, having heard of the oppor- tunities offered in Illinois and having for his destination Kewanee. After his arrival here he discovered that his hopes had been raised too high but he secured employment with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad and, saving his money, was soon able to buy twenty acres of land at less than twenty dollars per acre, and this initial purchase is a part of his present homestead of one hundred and forty acres. As soon as he secured his land he began farming and has continued the work ever since. He has prospered financially, and has filled the offices of school director and road commissioner. On April 21, 1859, he mar- ried Amelia Ballieu, who was born in July, 1836, in Germany, and came to the United States with her parents in 1854. She is a daughter of Frederick and Fredericka Ballieu. Her father was a stone-mason by trade. Mr. and Mrs. Charlet had three children, two of whom survive: William, Jr., of this review ; and Emeline, at home.
MF.S. GEORGE FUNK
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William Charlet, Jr., has devoted his life to farming and in 1894 bought his present farm of three hundred and twenty acres. All of his efforts have been on his own property with the exception of one year spent on his father's farm. His land is very fertile and in good condition and he is reaping a good return on his investment.
On April 4, 1893, Mr. Charlet married Ottilie Furst, who was born in Ke- wanee, and they have four living children: Walter, Ruth, Harry and Clarence. Mr. Charlet has been school director for twelve years and is much interested in educational matters. He is a member of the Evangelical church, with which his father is also connected, and in which he was a Sunday-school teacher for many years. William Charlet, Jr., is an excellent example of the second genera- tion of German emigrants. With the sturdy German characteristics he com- bines the pluck and progressive spirit of his own country and as a result he is classed among the successful farmers of his locality, and a man to be considered when public affairs are under discussion.
WILLIAM HARBAUGH.
Various interests in recent years have claimed the time and energies of Wil- liam Harbaugh, who is now a notary public of Geneseo. Numbered among Ohio's native sons, he was born in Wayne county, November 17, 1844. The family is of German lineage, although representatives of the name went from the fatherland to England before coming to America. From colonial days, how- ever, the family has been founded in the United States. The great-grandfather, Fred Harbaugh, was born in Pennsylvania and died in Ohio. His wife was Betsey Spinks, a native of England. John Harbaugh, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Maryland in 1773 and died in Ohio in 1854 at the venerable age of eighty-one years. He married Elizabeth Rickel, a daughter of John and Catharine (Blucher) Rickel, the latter a sister of General Blucher. Mr. and Mrs. John Harbaugh were the parents of five sons and two daughters: Michael; John R .; Joseph; George; Adam; Mrs. Sarah Miller; and Catharine, who be- came the wife of Michael Rickel. Of this number John R. Harbaugh was the father of William Harbaugh. His birth occurred in Pennsylvania and in early manhood he wedded Eliza Byers, also a native of that state. Her father, Daniel Byers, was likewise born in Pennsylvania and he, too, was of German lineage. He was born in 1790, followed farming as his life work and died at an old age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Stambaugh, was born in Pennsylvania in 1799 and also traveled far on life's journey. Their children were John; Elias; Jacob; David; Daniel; Mary, the wife of George Bubach; Sarah, the wife of Jacob Clouse; Eliza, who became the wife of John R. Harbaugh; and Anna, deceased. The latter married William Painter, who had one daughter, Anna, the wife of Wellington Mertz, of Vandalia, Illinois.
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