History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II, Part 77

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

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When national questions and issues are involved Mr. Reiff supports the republican party but at local elections casts an independent ballot, voting for the candidate whom he believes best qualified. He holds membership relations with the Eagles, the German Singing Club and the Liquor Dealers Association. He attends the services of the German Evangelical church, in the work of which the members of his family are deeply and helpfully interested. The hope that led him to leave his native land and seek a home in America has been more than realized, for through the utilization of the opportunities here offered he has won a measure of success that entitles him to recognition among the substantial and representative citizens of his adopted county.

WILLIAM C. PALMER.

William C. Palmer, who since 1907 has been engaged with James M. Cava- nagh in the undertaking business in Kewanee, is one of the older commercial men of the city. He was born October 28, 1863, a son of Aaron and Prudence (Tun- nicliff) Palmer. The father was born in Lake county, Ohio, November 20, 1833, a member of a family which is still prominent in Concord and Mentor, that state. He received his education in the place of his birth and about 1849 came with his stepfather to Henry county, Illinois, locating upon a farm in Wethers- field township. Later he and his brother Grove Norris Palmer conducted a general store in the village of Wethersfield and then engaged in running a thresh- ing machine and separator for eight seasons, during which time they threshed much of the wheat raised in their section of the county. On discontinuing that business Mr. Palmer engaged in raising and selling hedges and fruit trees and also carried on general teaming and draying, keeping four teams constantly busy. He passed away January 9, 1904. His wife was a native of Derbyshire, England, and came to America with her parents, locating first in Zanesville, Ohio. Later she came to Kewanee, where she is still residing. Through her marriage to Mr. Palmer she became the mother of ten children: Lucy E., died at the age of fifteen months. Sarah died at the age of two months and a half ;

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Addie M., was the wife of Bert Roulston and died in Lenox, Iowa, 1905; Will- iam C., is the subject of this sketch; Erness E., lives with his mother in Ke- wanee; Nora J., died at the age of fifteen months ; Walter A., is one of the prom- inent physicians of Castle Rock, Colorado, and also a prominent citizen in other ways for he has been mayor, is a bank director and superintendent of the Sun- day school of the Methodist church, upon whose official board he also holds a position. As a ranchman he owns two thousand acres of land. He married Alice Bonney of Chicago, and has two sons, Walter L. and Donald. Bessie M., became the wife of G. C. Stratton, who is a merchant at Wyoming, Illi- nois. They have three children: Frank P. and Prudence, who are twins; and Genevieve. Grove G., has remained with his mother and is connected with the National Tube Company. Frank N., died at the age of five years.

William C. Palmer received his education in the public schools of Kewanee and after completing the course at the high school, entered the Gem City Busi- ness College of Quincy, Illinois. He then embarked upon a mercantile career. For the first five years he was a clerk in a grocery store and then for ten years was similarly employed by the firm of Lay & Lyman, of Kewanee. Having ob- tained a thorough knowledge of business methods and proved to his own satis- faction that he was capable of conducting a concern of his own, he bought an interest with C. J. Roadstrand, in the furniture store. For two years the busi- ness was conducted under the name of Roadstrand & Palmer and then the former partner sold his share to E. S. Good and the business was conducted under the name of Palmer & Good the next five years. They did a general business as furniture dealers and undertakers and when they dissolved partner- ship Mr. Palmer assumed charge of the latter. From the 15th of February, 1900, until June, 1907, he conducted the undertaking parlors alone with pro- nounced success and profit, and then offered an interest in the business to James M. Cavanagh. Since that date as Palmer & Cavanagh the firm has become the most prominent in its line in the city, conducting a vigorous business in their specialty and also in the sale of pianos, of which they handle the best makes.

James M. Cavanagh, the junior member of this enterprising firm, was born in Wethersfield, Illinois, November 10, 1880, a son of James and Bridget (Joyce) Cavanagh. The former, who was for many years one of the prominent farmers of Wethersfield township, was of Irish parentage, his father, Patrick Cavanagh, having been a native of County West Meath, Ireland. He came to Illinois in 1840, locating first in Stark county and then removing to Henry county, where he secured a piece of unbroken prairie land which remained his home and is today the home of his son James. The latter grew to manhood in Wethersfield township and became one of its well respected and prosperous citizens. Through his marriage with Miss Bridget Joyce, also the child of an early settler, he had five children, namely: John P., who married Elizabeth Maxwell and lives in Kewanee; Albert M., a lawyer in Chicago; James M., who is mentioned below; and Leroy L., and Charlotte, both of whom live in Kewanee. James M. Cavanagh attended the public schools of the county and of Kewanee, re- maining with his father until he reached man's estate. Then he came to Ke- wanee and shortly after he joined his business interests with those of William C. Palmer. Though so young a man he has proved an able partner, who has done

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his share toward advancing the interests of the firm. He is a member of the Catholic church and belongs to the social and fraternal orders connected with it, namely, with the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Order of Foresters.

On the 25th of June, 1890, William C. Palmer wedded Miss Lorena Mur- chison, a daughter of Captain Alexander and Margaret N. (Weed) Murchison. Her father, who died in 1903, was one of the important farmers in Henry county during the years of his active life and was also a distinguished officer in the Union army during the Civil war. Indeed, he was one of the few men who unwittingly prepared others for the struggle for on the 4th of March, 1860, he helped to organize a military company which he drilled. At the inauguration of the war, at the first call for troops, he entered the service in Company B, Nine- teenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was rapidly promoted until upon being mustered from the service in July, 1865, he held the rank of captain. The en- gagements in which he participated were among the most important of that great struggle which have been given historical prominence, and during his service he received a number of severe injuries. After his return from the army, he married and in the course of years became the father of three children A. Clarence married and engaged in the practice of dentistry in Iowa. Lorena is the wife of Mr. Palmer. Frances C. J. received a good education and is now a licensed embalmer in Illinois. The mother is still living and makes her home in Colorado Springs.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. William C. Palmer have been born three sons: Willie M. and Russell, both deceased; and Merwyn, who is a student in the high school at Kewanee. Politically, Mr. Palmer gives his support to the republican party. Socially he is connected with several organizations. Those of a fraternal na- ture include the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Elks and the Red Men. He also belongs to the Kewanee Club and the Commer- cial Club. Religiously he holds membership in the Methodist church that being the congregation in which his father was prominent. Through the years in which he has been prominent in the business circles of Kewanee, he has gained the esteem and the assured respect of those who have come in contact with him.

HARVEY W. LINCOLN.

Harvey W. Lincoln, deceased, belonged to a good old pioneer family by the name of Lincoln and was a son of George Lincoln and a brother of Edward P. Lincoln, of Kewanee township. He was born in Connecticut before the family migrated to New York state and was fully grown on their removal to Henry county, Illinois, in 1850. He, with the rest of the family, experienced the hardships and difficulties of pioneer life. He bought a farm which he im- proved and upon which he made his home until his death, which occurred in 1864, when he was only thirty-one years old.

Mr. Lincoln married Nancy Goodrich, of Kewanee, a daughter of Chauncy Goodrich, an extended mention of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. One son was born of this marriage, who was given his father's name, and a

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daughter, Nettie, who died in infancy. After the death of Mr. Lincoln, his widow married a Mr. Day and her son grew up as Harvey Lincoln Day, by which name he is still known.

Many of the representatives of the Lincoln name have passed away, but there are others arising to take their place. While Harvey W. Lincoln did not live long enough to make any distinctive place for himself in his community he won friends by his open, frank manner and sterling honesty of character and he is mourned to this day by his brother Edward P. Lincoln, and two sisters, Ella E., and Ruth O., now Mrs. J. H. Pinney. He had managed by hard work and many sacrifices to secure a farm. His span of life was short, he passing away in the full vigor of manhood, but with the realization that he had accomplished what had been given him to do.

JOSEPH H. ANDERSON.

Joseph H. Anderson, who owns and cultivates an excellent farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres in Annawan township, makes his home on section 29, where half of his land is situated, while the remaining eighty acres lie on sec- tion 30, though the farm is all in one body. His birth occurred in Sweden on the 2d of July, 1863, his parents being Andrew and Bengtal (Johnson) An- derson. The father passed away in that country, about 1901, but the mother still survives at the age of eighty years and yet makes her home in Sweden.

Joseph H. Anderson, who obtained a fair education in the common schools of his native land, was a youth of eighteen when he determined to establish his home in the new world and embarked on the ocean voyage in company with a younger sister, landing on American shores at the end of eleven days. From New York he came direct to Henry county, Illinois, having a brother and a sister here. Arriving in this country empty handed and having even been obliged to borrow the passage money from his brother, he found immediate employ- ment a necessity and at once began working by the month as a farm hand. In that way he was actively identified with general agricultural pursuits until the time of his marriage at the age of twenty-two years. Soon after that important event in his life he took up his abode on his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres on sections 29 and 30, Annawan township, which was a part of the property belonging to his father-in-law. Here he has since carried on his agri- cultural interests with excellent success, annually garnering rich crops, which find a ready sale on the market. In 1909 he erected a modern nine-room dwell- ing, thirty-two by thirty-four feet, with basement. It is furnished with all up- to-date comforts and equipments, being supplied with hot and cold water, while a modern system of heating and acetylene lighting has also been installed.

On the 9th of December, 1885, in Annawan township, Mr. Anderson was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Agnes Machesney, who was born in Annawan township on the 5th of November, 1862, her parents being James and Selinda (Burgett) Machesney. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have been born nine children, the record of whom is as follows. Anna, the eldest, whose birth oc-

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curred October 30, 1886, has received a good common-school education and is at home. James, whose natal day was November 12, 1887, and who is likewise still at home, supplemented his preliminary education by a course of study at Brown's Business College of Moline, which he attended for a year and a half. Florence, who was born January 12, 1890, has also completed her education in the common schools. Velma, born November 12, 1891, attended the high school at Granville, Putnam county, for a year and a half and likewise pursued her studies at Kewanee. Her demise occurred on the 29th of January, 1909, and her remains were interred in the Fairview cemetery. Ruth, who was born August 2, 1894, is now a sophomore in the Kewanee high school. John, who first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 9th of April, 1896, is now pursuing his studies in the district schools. Leila Anderson was born on the 9th of April, 1898. Carl, whose birth occurred November 27, 1899, died at the age of three months. Rosa, the youngest child of our subject, was born July 23, 1901.

Mr. Anderson is a stalwart advocate of republican principles, but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him, and he does not desire public preferment as a reward for his party fealty. His religious faith is in- dicated by his membership in the United Brethren church at Fairview, to which his wife and five oldest children also belong. He and his wife are likewise members of Yeomen Lodge, No. 276, at Annawan, and have an extensive circle of warm friends throughout the community in which they reside. He started out in life on his own account in a strange country and without financial re- sources, but possessed strong purpose and unfaltering determination, and upon these qualities as a foundation he has builded the superstructure of his success.

HENRY B. POPPY.

Henry B. Poppy, who has now retired from the active pursuit of farming and lives in the enjoyment of an adequate income after many years of hard toil, was born in Hanover, Germany, February 5, 1831, and came to the United States in 1847, with his father, John Henry Poppy, who set forth to make a place for himself in the new world. They left their native land September 1, 1847, and the trip to New Orleans, required exactly nine weeks, while they were fifteen days ascending the Mississippi river to St. Louis. They spent one month in Quincy, Illinois, and then procured a team of horses and drove to Red Oak, Henry county, being six days upon the road. On the west half of section 7, Weller township, the father procured eighty acres of land, paying five hundred dollars in gold for a tract which today would sell upon the real- estate market for almost two hundred dollars an acre. It has been vastly im- proved, however, with the lapse of years, and even in 1875, when Mr. Poppy's life was ended, the home farm had advanced far along the road of improve- ment to which it later attained. The mother had died more than thirty years before, for she passed away in Germany when her son was but eleven years of age.

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Henry B. Poppy attended the public schools of his native land until he reached the age of fourteen years and was about sixteen when he and his father started upon their long journey to the new world. With a will, aided by the tales of money making which had fired his ambition in his youth whenever men- tion was made of America, he set to work to assist his father in the work of the farm, which during the course of years was enlarged to five times its original size. After his marriage he removed to Galena, where he engaged in garden- ing, following that line of work for some six years, when he returned, in the fall of 1876, to Red Oak, where he purchased fifty additional acres. He next operated the one hundred and sixty acres on which he still resides and which is still included in the estate. Since he assumed the responsibility of its opera- tion all the buildings that now adorn it have been erected with the exception of an old corn shed upon the home place. Besides being well improved, the fields are tilled with the greatest skill known to farming, evincing the thoroughness of the methods practiced by the owner. Although nominally he has retired from farming, he is still active about the place and claims with justifiable pride that should occasion demand he would be able to accomplish during a day as much as a younger man, despite his seventy-nine years.

On the 13th of June, 1858, in Weller township, Mr. Poppy wedded Miss Lisette Newman, a daughter of William Newman, who came here from Ger- many with his family in 1857. He settled in Red Oak but did not live long to enjoy the advantages of this country, for he passed away, it is said from grief for his wife, who died in Germany about three years after his arrival here. Five sons and one daughter have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Poppy. They are Henry. who died in infancy; Volly J., who is a retired farmer, now living in Cam- bridge, Illinois; Lucy L., who died at the age of sixteen years; Herman G., who is farming in Cambridge township; Julius C., who operates the homestead ; and Clarence, who died in infancy.

Mr. Poppy was first an adherent of the democratic party but as the years have passed, he has changed his views until now he is non-partisan, investigating every question and candidate before he gives his support to it or him. Such he believes to be the duty of each man who is really worthy of the name of citizen, for only in that way can he be assured that his influence is being exerted where it will have the most desirable results. Naturally he has taken a deep interest in local affairs, although he has not filled any offices save those of school director and highway commissioner. He was reared in the Lutheran faith, and while he believes in its tenets, he has attended various churches.

JULIUS C. POPPY.

Julius C. Poppy, a worthy son of his father, Henry G. Poppy, was born in Galena, Illinois, June 11, 1873, but has spent the greater part of his life in Wel- ler township, which is still his home. He attended the district schools of this township, and after the completion of his studies he found employment as a clerk in a general store in Hubbard, Iowa. After one year's experience, how-

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ever, he returned to Illinois, locating in Cambridge, where again he found work in a mercantile establishment, so that it was not until 1893 that he took up the calling to which he was reared and which has since been his vocation. In that year he returned to the home farm, taking full charge of its operation, in which he has continued to the present. Besides having tilled it with profit he has added seventy-five acres to its area, and he has carried forward, in keeping with the advance of the time, the improvements instituted by the older man. The success which he has won from his cultivation of the soil places him among the representative agriculturists of Henry county. He has not confined his inter- ests, however, to farm life but has been concerned in other enterprises, includ- ing the Farmers' Grain Elevator of Nekoma.

In Cambridge, Illinois, February 12, 1896, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Poppy and Miss Hilda Hulin, a daughter of B. I. Hulin, who is well known in that town, where for many years he has followed his trade as a wagonmaker. Two children have been born of this union-Clarice, who is eleven years of age; and A. Lucile, who is six. Both are attending school.

Like his father Mr. Poppy leans toward the democratic party, but is strongly non-partisan in his support of candidates and measures, casting his vote and in- fluence only after a thorough investigation and the weighing of the relative claims of different aspirants for office. While residing in Cambridge he joined the ranks of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and still retains his membership in those organizations. The suc- cess which has been his has not been won without hard labor, but with all his responsibilities he has found time to devote to public interests and for eighty years has rendered efficient service as one of the school directors of the town- ship.

CLAUDE M. HAMILTON.

Claude M. Hamilton is at the head of the firm of Hamilton & Plummer, con- ducting an extensive and successful business as florists of Kewanee. His birth occurred in Seward county, Nebraska, on the IIth of July, 1880. His father, Watson L. Hamilton, who was a native of Boston, Massachusetts, was brought to Geneseo, Henry county, Illinois, by his parents when a boy and shortly after- ward the family home was established in Kewanee, where both his father and mother died and where he spent the greater part of his life. William Hamilton, the paternal grandfather of our subject, established a brickyard at Kewanee which was later conducted by his son, Watson L. Hamilton, and for some years he likewise acted as justice of the peace at Kewanee. Frank Hamilton, an uncle of Mr. Hamilton of this review, was made postmaster of Kewanee after being discharged as a soldier of the Civil war on account of wounds received in that conflict. During the latter part of his life Watson L. Hamilton turned his at- tention to floriculture and about 1890, in association with Frank W. Plummer and his oldest son, Leroy F. Hamilton, he established the enterprise which is now being conducted by the subject of this review. He was thus actively engaged in business until the time of his demise, January 24, 1906, when he had attained the

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age of fifty-eight years. For a great many years he was identified with the old Kewanee Band as snare drummer. His widow, who still survives and makes her home in Kewanee, bore the maiden name of Emma Frehse and was born in this county. She came of German parentage. Unto Watson L. and Emma Hamilton were born nine children, eight of whom are yet living.

Claude M. Hamilton obtained his education in the public schools of Kewa- nee and since entering the greenhouses of his father and brother at the age of fifteen years he has devoted his entire attention to floriculture. On the Ist of January, 1900, he was admitted to a partnership in the business and when his brother severed his connection therewith in 1906 he purchased the latter's inter- est, so that he is now at the head of the firm of Hamilton & Plummer, his asso- ciate being Frank W. Plummer. Mr. Hamilton has charge of the business end of the concern, while Mr. Plummer manages the greenhouses. Their green- houses are situated at Terminal Park, where they have about forty thousand feet under glass and where they grow all of their cut flowers and potted plants. Their office and down-town store is at No. 204 East Third street. The business has steadily grown until it is now one of large proportions, extending through- out the surrounding country for a considerable radius.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Hamilton has given his political allegiance to the republican party. He has membership relations with the Kewanee Business Men's Association, the Kewanee Club and the Red Men and attends the services of the Methodist Episcopal church. On December 29, 1909, Mr. Hamilton was married to Miss Maude Pearce, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin F. Pearce, natives of Hennepin, Illinois, who came to Ke- wanee in July, 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton reside at No. 306 North Burr street. Although still a young man, he has already won a creditable position in business circles and is socially popular as well, his unfailing courtesy and un- feigned cordiality having gained him many friends.

MICHAEL DIRCK.

The late Michael Dirck was one of the pioneers of Henry county and was very prominent during the early days of its history. When he died on Febru- ary 4, 1908, in Phenix township, at the home of his son Henry, he was in his eighty-second year and had spent fifty-eight years in this locality. At the time he came from his birthplace-Wayne county, Ohio-the land in Henry county was in a wild state and there were very few settlements. There were no roads and he was forced to put up with all kinds of inconveniences, going to Rock Island for necessities and fording Rock river en route. Milan was a favorite milling point, and often he hauled his grain there and the flour and meal back. His wages when he worked for others were as low as twenty-five cents per day and never higher than fifty cents.

When Mr. Dirck first came west it was with the intention of going to Dixon, Illinois, but he and his brother had the misfortune to have their only horse sicken on the way and they had to finish their trip on foot. Finally reaching

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Dixon, he decided to enter Henry county land. As the years passed he had the pleasure of seeing many changes take place and before he died of realizing the advance on farm property in whose future he had been so sure over half a cen- tury before.

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History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II, Part 77

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