USA > Illinois > Henry County > History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 73
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JOHN WIESE.
John Wiese, now living retired in Geneseo after a long and active life as a farmer in Osco township, was born in Germany, November 7, 1842, and is a son of Marcus and Lucy (Roward) Wiese, both natives of Holstein. The father was born in 1801 and the mother in 1803, and in 1853 they came to Illinois, set- tling in Rock Island county, where Mr. Wiese took up farming, which he had pursued in the old country. He died in September, 1885, at the age of eighty-four, and was buried in Rock Island in the cemetery in which his wife had been laid to rest on the 14th of February, 1879. They had four children : Fred, now de- ceased; Henry, of Davenport; John, of this sketch; and Annie, the wife of Henry Oppendyke, of Port Byron, Rock Island county.
John Wiese received his education in the public schools of Germany and after his parents came to this country he assisted his father in the conduct of his farm in Rock Island county. In 1867 he removed to Osco township, Henry county, where he purchased a large tract of improved land, which remained his home for more than thirty years. He devoted himself assiduously to the cultivation of his fields, and in 1899 believed he was justified in relinquishing the duties of the farm and in retiring to Geneseo. Here he has since lived in a very comfortable house on North Geneseo street.
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On the 26th of December, 1865, Mr. Wiese wedded Miss Elizabeth Wiegand, who was born in Germany, January 12, 1843, and is a daughter of Christoph and Charlotte Wiegand. The parents were also natives of Germany, the father hav- ing been born February 18, 1804, the mother, November 26, 1808, and they came to America in 1847. They settled in Rock Island county, Illinois, where Mr. Wiegand followed farming until his death, September 16, 1867. His wife sur- vived until February 11, 1872, when she too passed away. They had five children, three of whom are living: Margaret, the widow of Solomon Yost, who lives in Rock Island county, Illinois; Charles, who lives in Kansas; and Elizabeth, now Mrs. Wiese. Mrs. Mary Weaver and Mrs. Catharine Goble are deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Wiese have three children, all of whom were born in Osco township. Henry, the eldest, was born May II, 1868, and married Miss Amelia Firch. They live in Edford township and have two children-Rosa and Roy. Lewis, born June 14, 1875, married Miss Clara Maeltzer and lives in Edford township. They also have two children-Florence and Clarence. Clara was born March 29, 1881, and is now the wife of Lander Maeltzer. They live in Osco township and have a son, Elmer.
Mr. and Mrs. Wiese are members of the Lutheran church, and in political affairs Mr. Wiese gives his support to the republican party. He has never sought office, however, although he is faithful in the exercise of his rights as a citizen of this nation. He and his wife have together passed through many trials and hard- ships, but by industry and economy they have reached a comfortable position for the remaining years of their lives, and have had the pleasure of being able to give to each of their children a good start in life, while they still retain enough to satisfy their own needs. They enjoy a respected place in the community and are surrounded by many friends.
HENRY J. WIESE.
One of the farmers of Henry county whose well tilled fields bespeak pros- perity, industry and up-to-date methods is Henry J. Wiese, who besides cultivat- ing his farm raises considerable stock of high grade, for which he finds a ready market. He lives on section 24, Edford township, although his farm of two hundred and eighty-five acres is also on section 23. He was born on section I, Osco township, May II, 1868, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Wiegand) Wiese. The parents, who are now living in Geneseo, were of German birth and came to America with their respective parents, the father in 1852, when he was ten years of age, the mother in 1847, when she was about four years old. The two families located on farms near Port Byron, Rock Island county, where the young people became acquainted and subsequently were married. The offspring of poor people, the couple had to start life with very little of this world's goods ; in fact the father had saved only enough to enable him to buy a team and rent a farm in Rock Island county. He worked hard, however, nature was propitious, his crops were good, and in a few years he was able to buy one hundred and sixty acres in Osco township, Henry county, for six thousand dollars. From 1867
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until he retired from active life and went to live in Geneseo, this farm was his home, although in the four decades that the land was in his possession he doubled its acreage and made many valuable improvements. Of the three children that were born to him and his wife Henry J. Wiese is the oldest; the second son, Lewis W., married Miss Clara Maeltzer and lives in Edford township; and the daughter, Clara, married Leander Maeltzer and lives in Osco township.
As a boy Henry J. Wiese received a good education in both German and Eng- lish, although he worked on the farm throughout his school period and during his vacations. He served his father for several years after he had attained his majority, until, having married, he had the natural desire to establish a home of his own. For a time he rented land of his father and subsequently bought from him the farm on which he lived and which when he disposed of it to his brother had been his home for a period of ten years. In 1901 he bought a part of the farm on which he now resides, and recently purchased what was known as the Elvin Dilenbeck farm, just across the road, also on section 23, Edford township, so that he now has two hundred and eighty-five acres. The improvements that are now to be seen on it are wholly the result of his efforts. He has erected many buildings of approved modern construction and has increased the fertility of his fields through the use of the best machinery.
On the 15th of December, 1891, was performed the ceremony that made Mr. Wiese and Miss Amelia O. Firch man and wife. Mrs. Wiese was born in Edford township May 15, 1870, and is a daughter of David and Ottilie (Oelke) Firch. The parents are of German birth and farmed for a number of years in Edford township but are now living in Geneseo. Mr. and Mrs. Wiese have had four children : John D., who was born October 8, 1892, and died April 23, 1893; Frederic A., who was born January 18, 1894, and died August 22, 1895; Rosina C. H., born January 29, 1896; and Roy H., born January 16, 1898. Rosina has finished the eighth grade in the public schools and has passed the Central exam- inations for the seventh grade, and is now taking up German and music.
Politically Mr. Wiese affiliates with the republican party and cast his first presidential ballot for Harrison in 1892. Although not a politician nor an office- seeker, in 1900 he was appointed census taker for Edford and Hanna townships. He and his family are members of the German Evangelical Lutheran church, whose congregation he has served as collector, treasurer and vorsteher. A hard- working and industrious man, he is also up-to-date in his methods, making a scientific study of the soil and utilizing the most modern machinery.
THE KEWANEE COAL & MINING COMPANY.
In a record of the business enterprises which are factors in the substantial growth of Henry county, mention should be made of the Kewanee Coal & Mining Company, which was organized in 1900. At that time the following officers were elected : Fred Henry, president; Louis Lindberg, vice president; John Fischer, secretary and treasurer. The mine is located two and a half miles east of Ke- wanee. The shaft has been sunk to a depth of one hundred and ten feet and the
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capacity is about four hundred tons per day. The coal is used for both steam and domestic purposes and employment is now furnished to about one hundred and fifty men. The present officers are: Ira Blake, president; John Streicher, vice president ; John Fischer, secretary, treasurer and general manager. The com- pany has been incorporated, has a paid up capital of fifty thousand dollars and has a lease on five hundred acres of flat land. Since the organization the com- pany has mined approximately five hundred thousand tons of coal. They find a market for the output in Kewanee, the major portion of it being sold to the Ke- wanee branch of the National Tube Company.
THE SAVINGS BANK OF KEWANEE.
The Savings Bank of Kewanee, of whose solidity there is no question, was organized in April, 1902, and established upon a safe, conservative business policy that commends it to the general patronage of the public. It is a copartnership concern, consisting of four members: John Fischer, president; Harrison E. Miner, vice president ; William E. Gould, cashier ; and S. D. Burge, assistant cash- ier. They conduct a large savings and commercial business and the liability to depositors is five hundred thousand dollars. The bank is located at the corner of Second and Tremont streets and is enjoying a constantly increasing business. This bank does the largest farm mortgage business in Illinois.
FRANK LINDERT JOHNSON.
The Swedish element plays a happy as well as an important part in the citizen- ship of Lynn township, of which Frank Lindert Johnson is a representative, al- though he was born March 4, 1863, in the southern part of Andover township, this county. His parents, Swan P. and Christine Johnson, came from Sweden in their youth, their marriage being celebrated in this country. The father, alert to every opportunity, in the course of time acquired a valuable farm of six hun- dred and forty acres of land. Seven children were added to the home, two of whom died in infancy. George W. resides in Moline; John A. in Alexis; Ida, now Mrs. Frank A. Bengston, in Andover township; Frank L., the subject of the sketch, in Lynn township; and Herbert Julius, in Moline. Swan P. Johnson was a man alive to all that spelled progress but one who declined any public of- fice. He was an active church member and for many years a trustee of the Evan- gelical Lutheran church. He died in November, 1891, and was buried at An- dover, while his widow still lives in Cambridge.
Frank Lindert Johnson grew to manhood on his father's farm and received his education in the district schools. After his marriage in 1887 he took under his own management a portion of his father's large holdings, one hundred and sixty acres in extent. This has had the benefit of all the methods known to sci- entific agriculture and is in consequence in a high state of cultivation. He de-
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votes a great deal of his attention to the raising of hogs and cattle and is an ex- tensive feeder. In truth everything about his farm and home indicates intelligent attention.
On May I, 1887, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Ida Bengston, a daughter of Gustus and Anna Bengston, both of whom were natives of Sweden and came here early in life. They became prosperous and were active in the affairs of the Lutheran church. Both of them are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are the parents of six children, namely : Lillian, Bert, Franklin, Walter, Irene and Marjorie, all of whom are at home. The eldest daughter teaches in the Lynn township schools, and Franklin is a student in Augustana College at Rock Island.
Mr. Johnson gives his allegiance to the republican party. He is alert to the signs of the times and an active member of society. He has the confidence of his compatriots and for a number of years has been a member of the republican cen- tral committee and a delegate to all conventions. Alive to the importance of good schools, he has quite appropriately been a member of the school board for eighteen years and for four years he has held the position of road commissioner. He is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America, and he and his family belong to the Lutheran church of Andover, in which Mr. Johnson has filled the office of deacon. The other members of the family give generously of their time and strength to the furtherance of the cause of Christianity, Mrs. Johnson being a teacher in the Sunday school. The subject of the sketch is a man of high repute among his neighbors, progressive in all his ideas, and enjoys that degree of pros- perity which comes to men of his industry and character.
ROBERT LEE ANDREWS.
One of the successful farmers and stockmen of Edford township is Robert Lee Andrews, whose farm on section 12 would consist of one hundred and sixty acres were it not for the canal that passes through it. He was born on the old Andrews homestead in Geneseo township, August 25, 1872, and is the son of James and Mary (Campbell) Andrews, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere in this volume. Reared upon the paternal farm he attended the district schools, and upon the completion of the prescribed course of study went to the Collegiate Institute in Geneseo. After three years spent there he returned to his home and until he became of age gave his father the benefit of his labor. On attaining his majority he began for himself as tiller of the soil, first as a renter upon his father's land. He later came to Edford township where he purchased his present farm. Here he has engaged largely in the breeding, feeding and shipping of cattle. He has devoted himself persistently to his calling, and finds his efforts rewarded with a gratifying income.
In Geneseo, September 13, 1894, Mr. Andrews was united in marriage to Miss Dora Englebrecht of that city. She was born in Shelbyville, Minnesota, and is a daughter of Alvin and Lucinda (Shank) Englebrecht. Her mother died when she was nine years of age, but she was reared in her native place until
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she was fourteen, when she came to Geneseo to make her home with an aunt, Mrs. Laura Warnsoldt, under whose care she grew to womanhood. Until the age of twelve she attended the schools of Mankato, whence she went to the state normal school, at which she prosecuted her studies for two years. Upon coming to Geneseo she entered the public school and then completed her edu- cation in the Collegiate Institute, from which she was graduated with the class of 1893. The next year was spent in teaching a county school. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Andrews: Virginia, James Cass, Susan Irene, Gracia Lovell, Robert Campbell and Catherine N. The eldest has graduated from the district schools and in the fall of 1909 entered upon a course of study in the Geneseo Collegiate Institute.
Mr. Andrews is in sympathy with the principles enunciated in the platform of the democratic party and cast ·his first presidential ballot for its candidate in the election of 1896. Although he has not sought for public preferment, he has willingly devoted a great deal of his time to the interests of the schools and has capably filled the post of school director. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church and their two oldest children, who were reared in that faith, have been admitted into the congregation. Fraternally he enjoys pleasant relations with Camp No. 201, of the Mystic Workers, and is one of the active members of the local organization.
JAMES M. ALLAN.
The life record of James M. Allan constitutes an important chapter in the annals of Henry county inasmuch as he was one of its earliest settlers and one who through the succeeding half a century took active and helpful part in the work of public progress and improvement, ever looking beyond the exegencies of the moment to the possibilities of the future. His identification with public office and his active work in support of public projects made him a citizen of value and caused his death, which occurred at Geneseo, December 20, 1885, when he was seventy-one years of age, to be uniformly regretted throughout the county.
A native of Tennessee, Mr. Allan was born in Sumner county, November 23, 1814. His father, John Allan, a native of England, came to America about 1800. The family removed from Sumner county, Tennessee, to Huntsville, Alabama, and it was in the latter district that James M. Allan was reared to manhood. In the fall of 1835 when a young man of twenty-one years, he came to Illinois, spending the succeeding year in Carrollton, Greene county. In April, 1836, he arrived in Henry county, making his headquarters temporarily at Dayton. Only four years before had the Black Hawk war occurred and there were still many evidences of Indian occupancy in this state. While there were settlements here and there, and some flourishing towns had been established, the greater part of the land comprised within the border of Illinois was still unclaimed and unculti- vated, and it remained to the early settlers to plant the seeds of civilization which in due time were to bring forth good fruit. Mr. Allan entered considerable land
MAJOR JAMES M. ALLAN
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in Henry county and made permanent location here. Until 1837 the district in which he established his home constituted a part of Knox county, but as the district became more thickly settled there began to grow a desire for ,separation from that county and Mr. Allan was chosen to go to Vandalia, then the seat of state government, to press the claims of the early settlers for that purpose. He made the trip of about two hundred and fifty miles on horseback alone, and suc- ceeded in securing the passage of the enabling act in March, 1837. In June of that year he was one of the clerks of the election court at the first election of the county, and the commissioner elected appointed him as the first county clerk. In August of the same year he was elected circuit clerk and five days later was chosen major of the Henry county battalion and subsequently commissioned by Governor Duncan. Later he held the office of county deputy, the nearest circuit court at that time being held in Springfield. Thus he was again and again called to public office, the duties of which he discharged with promptness and fidelity, ever placing the general good before personal aggrandizement and the welfare of the community before partisanship.
In 1850 when the project for building the Chicago & Rock Island railroad was broached Mr. Allan was sent to the state legislature and was one of the most persistent workers in securing its charter. He served for several terms as super- visor and was also mayor of Geneseo. During the war he was active in raising men and money and for two years was provost marshal for the district. Later he became known as the father of the Hennepin canal scheme because of his championship of the movement to secure the establishment of that waterway, spending several winters in Washington in urging legislation in its behalf. He was a strong reasoner and a man of broad ideas who recognized the possibilities of the present and the needs of the future, and sought to utilize the former and meet the latter. He made his residence most of the time in Geneseo, although the last few years of his life were spent on his farm.
In 1839 Mr. Allan married Susanna D. Stewart, a daughter of Roderick R. Stewart, a member of the original Geneseo colony. In their family were four children, Mrs. George West, Mrs. Frances Pearsall, Mrs. Frank Williams and Sarah A., all of whom survive. Mrs. Allan passed away June 8, 1889.
In his political views Mr. Allan was a stalwart supporter of the whig party until the dissolution of that organization, when he joined the ranks of the new republican party. He was one of the most prominent and influential men of Henry county, taking an active part in all the public movements and measures that contributed to the welfare and progress of this section of the state during his day and generation.
CHARLES G. FALK.
Charles G. Falk, a well known agriculturist of Bishop Hill, was born in Jön- köping, Sweden, December 15, 1855, his parents being John and Margaret Falk. In 1869 the former came to Bishop Hill, where he engaged in farming for the remainder of his life, which was brought to a close in 1905, when he was seventy-
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nine years of age. His wife survived him until 1907, when she too was called to her eternal rest, at the age of eighty-seven years.
Charles G. Falk received almost all his education in the land of his birth, for he was fourteen years old when his parents came to the United States, and after his arrival here it was almost immediately necessary for him to make his own way in life. For a number of years he was employed as a farm hand, and then. in 1883, rented one hundred acres of land in Weller township, belonging to the society for the poor. This has since been his home, and on it he has made all the improvements which indicate his thrift and the progressive ideas which have guided him in the pursuit of his calling. In addition to operating this tract he tills forty acres on section 16 and 17, the same township, which he owns. His industry has been a means of his success for he is a skillful worker and a good manager. In regard for his integrity, which has ever distinguished the acts of his life, his fel- low citizens have bestowed upon him several marks of their approval and they are unfailing in according to him their good will.
At his home, February 4, 1886, Mr. Falk wedded Miss Olive Ericson, a daugh- ter of Olaf Ericson. Eleven children have been born to the couple; all are living and range in age from twenty-two to four years. They are Frances Esther, Her- bert Charles, August Elsworth, Margot, Minnie Olive, Wallace John, Blanch Lillian, Dewey Wilmokt, Alice Irene, Robert Vivian, and Elizabeth. The eldest is the wife of Leonard Spets ; the others are all at home.
Since he has been admitted to citizenship in this republic and has been able to exercise his right of franchise, Mr. Falk has given his support in political mat- ters invariably to the democratic party and has played no inconsiderable part in local affairs. For the past two terms, of two years each, he has been supervisor of the township, while for the last twenty years and more he has been school director. Also he is president of the board of directors of the Voluntary Dona- tive Soctiety, an organization for the benefit of the poor, which owns the farm on which he resides. Fraternally he enjoys pleasant relations with the Modern Woodmen of America and with the Royal Neighbors.
JOHN M. PETTITT.
John M. Pettitt, one of Kewanee's well known merchants, was born in Anna- wan township, Henry county, January 6, 1860, of British stock. His father, Samuel Pettitt, was born in Cambridgeshire, England, January 7, 1821. When a young man he decided to make America his future home and soon after landing on our shores came to Henry county, Illinois, where he remained for many years. Upon his retirement from farming in 1899, he removed to Kewanee, where he spent the rest of his life. The mother of our subject, Sophronia (Troyer) Pet- titt, was a native of Canada, born July 15, 1820.
The education of John M. Pettitt was secured in the district schools of Henry county, and after making his adieus to text-books he for some time devoted his energies to the cultivation of his father's farm. In 1881 he removed to Adams county, Nebraska, where he lived for ten years, engaged in agricultural pursuits.
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He then returned to Henry county and again undertook the management of a part of the family homestead. In June, 1900, he came to Kewanee and accepted a position in Nobilings' grocery, which he held until December, 1908. Desiring to become a more independent factor in the business world and eminently well fitted for this, in 1909 he embarked in the general merchandise business in con- nection with Thomas J. Dunn, their establishment being at the corner of Fifth and Tremont streets. They have been greatly recommended both by their honorable business methods and by the excellence of the stock of goods carried by them. They deal in staple and fancy groceries, dry goods, shoes and some house furnish- ing goods. Though young among Kewanee's firms they already possess a large trade.
Mr. Pettitt is a man who believes in "deeds, not words," and one willing to devote time and effort to the furtherance of any good cause. He is a stanch prohibitionist and his championship of temperance has been both effective and beneficial. He is a consistent member of the Kewanee Baptist church. He re- sides at 816 North Main street.
WILLIAM G. WHITE.
Some men are natural leaders both in political and private life and when such power is in the hands of those who are good and reliable the community prospers. Such a man is William G. White, of Clover township, who was born August 21, 1859, in Lynn township, Henry county, a son of Robert S. and Eliz- abeth (Neal) White, residents of Woodhull, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. He was reared on the home farm, assisting in the general work and attending the country district schools, thus growing to vigorous young man- hood. Upon attaining his majority he commenced working for himself on a farm in Osco not far from Cambridge, continuing there for four years prior to his marriage.
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