History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II, Part 79

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

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Rev. John Clarke, a pioneer Methodist preacher of Illinois, who was licensed to preach in 1829 writes thus of this brother James :

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"My oldest brother, James, was endowed with a strong intellect, and being of studious habits he became early a good scholar. He both read and wrote a great deal. He was very outspoken on the subject of the abolition of slavery. At the age of eighteen he united with the Methodist church and at once began to hold meetings in the vicinity of Allegheny City. In this line he was very popular and attracted large congregations. He was strongly urged by the church to enter the ministry, but he constantly declined, although until his death he remained a devoted and liberal member of the church, nearly always sustaining an official re- lation to it. In the latter part of his life the abolition of slavery so engaged his sympathies and efforts that it seemed the controlling purpose of his life to labor for its success. It is thought that labor and exposure on a visit to Kansas in order to bear a part in its struggle for freedom occasioned his death, which oc- curred on board the steamboat at a landing almost at his home, September 15, 1855.

At Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, April 20, 1826, James Clarke and Miss Sarah Cooper were united in marriage, and to them, March 19, 1827, was born a daugh- ter, Eleanor, the subject of this sketch.

Only a few years ago it was my privilege to accompany my mother on a visit to Allegheny City, where we sought out the old home, and there I visited the very room where was wrought that blessed miracle that gave the world the beau- tiful character,-the noble woman whose memory I now revere above all else in this world. Memory now throws a golden halo over the hills and vales where, through laughing childhood and more serious school days, grew to womanhood the best "sweetheart" I can ever know.

Early in September, 1854, there came to Rushville, in our Prairie state, whither Eleanor had removed in the early '50s with her parents, a bronzed and bearded young man fresh from the wilds of the mining camps of the new Golden state. This young man was young John Jackson Darin, the lad she had known as a bashful sweetheart in the Pennsylvania school days. He had returned from Cal- ifornia to Pittsburg,-and thence he hurried on to Illinois to claim his own. There, September 21, 1854, these two lives were united, and then they set bravely out for a little vale in Henry county, which some nature lover had designated Pink Prairie, where for the next half century they were to grow old with the prairies, loving and laboring for their children. Seven times the Angel of Life visited this prairie home-seven times was the miracle of birth wrought, and this sainted soul tarried to bless the four daughters and three sons until they, too, had passed from youth to Grown-up Land. And of these seven the writer is the least worthy to tell of the three-quarters of a century this good woman trod life's pathway. Her strongest religion was the creed of kindness and helpful- ness, though she was ever faithful in the faith of her forefathers. Ever ambi- tious for the advancement and education of her children in morality and mental- ity, she never failed in helping to support both school and church. She was a lovable woman, this mother who gave her full measure of love and help to her family and community through full fifty years in Henry county, and few now remain who knew her in the days when Life and Love and Pink Prairie were young.

In the early evening shadows of March II, 1902, I said a last good night to this dear one, and she fell asleep to this earth. But in going she builded a bridge

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for me, and some night I'll tread this bridge with willing feet from this grey old earth to the Green Hills Far Away, and there bid her good morning,-for She was my mother.

GEORGE LITTLE DARIN.

Sacramento, California, November, 1909.

PETER G. GESTRIN.

Peter G. Gestrin, conducting a well appointed bakery establishment under the name of the Vienna Bakery, which is the oldest enterprise of the kind in Kewanee, was born in Omot, Sweden, June 16, 1866. His father, Hans Ges- trin, a native of the same place, was born February 29, 1843, and when a young man joined the army there in accordance with the laws of that country, which compels each citizen to do so as soon as he attains his majority. After meeting the requirements of the country as to military service he took up the tailor's trade, which he followed until the fall of 1867. He then determined to seek a home in the new world, believing that he might have better business opportuni- ties here, and with his wife and two children sailed for America. He settled first in Galesburg, Illinois, where he opened a tailor shop, there remaining for. two years. He afterward removed to Kewanee, where he worked in the mine of the Lathrop Coal Company until 1894, when he retired from active business and spent his remaining days in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. The first house which he occupied in Kewanee is now the oldest standing in the city. It has been closed but is maintained as a relic of pioneer times and is in charge of the Daughters of the Revolution. Mr. Gestrin long maintained a place among the respected and valued citizens of the community and passed away in Decem- ber, 1907, esteemed by all who knew him. He married Christine Omark, who was born November 26, 1840, in Sweden and is now living in Kewanee at the age of sixty-nine years. She has long been a devoted member of the Swedish Lutheran church and has taken an active part in its work since her arrival in Henry county.

Peter G. Gestrin acquired his early education in the district schools of Ke- wanee township and afterward attended the Kewanee high school. Upon put- ting aside his text-books he went to work for the Haxtun Heater Company and continued with that enterprise when it became the property of the Western Tube Company and later of the National Tube Company, under which name it now operates. His first position with the Haxtun Company was that of errand boy, but he applied himself diligently to the mastery of every task assigned him and learned the molder's trade, in which capacity he was employed until 1890, when he was promoted to the superintendency of the core department and brass foundry. He thus served in a most capable and efficient manner until January, 1909, when he resigned in order to engage in business on his own account. He is now in partnership with Charles E. Moore of the Vienna Bakery, which is the oldest bakery in Kewanee and has a well established trade, receiving a very extensive patronage from neighboring towns. They have eleven people contin-

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ually in their employ, and in addition to the manufacture and sale of bakery goods they conduct a first-class candy and ice cream factory, having the most improved machinery and modern methods for the conduct of the business.

On the 29th of October, 1890, Mr. Gestrin was married in Kewanee to Miss Clara Matilda Sandberg, a daughter of Jonas Sandberg, a native of Sweden, who located in Oneida, Illinois, at an early day and is now living in Kewanee. Mrs. Gestrin is a lady of considerable musical ability and was for fifteen years a member of the church choir. There are two children, who also take deep in- terest in music. Florence Viola, born November 20, 1893, is now a junior in the high school. Carl Leland, born July 24, 1898, is attending the public schools.

In politics Mr. Gestrin is a stanch republican, always taking an active inter- est in local affairs but avoiding public office. He is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men of Kewanee and is now serving as captain of George Wash- ington Encampment of the uniform rank, this being the highest local office. He is also connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and with the Swedish Sick Fund Society. He is likewise identified with the Pocahontas Society, the auxiliary to the Red Men. Both he and his wife are prominent and active workers in the Swedish Lutheran church, with which he has been identified for the past thirty years. He is a member of the choir and always takes an active part in the business and social affairs of the church as well and, in fact, does everything in his power to promote the interest and upbuilding of the society. His life has been a busy, industrious and useful one, and his relative worth is widely recognized by his fellow townsmen.

ANDREW G. HULTING.

Hard, indefatigable work has accomplished many things seemingly impossi- ble. It is a man's best asset when he leaves his native land to make a home in the American country that is so inviting to those of European birth. Not only has Andrew G. Hulting made a place for himself here but he has made it possi- ble for other members of his family-brothers, sister and parents-to come and gain a new start in life. On his farm on section 32, Geneseo township, Mr. Hulting now follows general farming and breeds fine stock, making a specialty of shorthorn Durham cattle. He was born about half of a Swedish mile or three English miles south of the village of Folavik, in the western part of Sweden, on the 7th of May, 1848, and is a son of Per and Kisa (Lawson) Hulting. The mother died a few hours after her son's birth, and the father married Miss Han- nah Anderson, the wife of the second union being the only mother Mr. Hulting ever knew. As he grew to manhood he worked on a farm and also in a grist- mill, in which he learned the miller's trade, and when he had attained his major- ity a neighbor offered to loan him the money with which to come to America. It seemed a golden opportunity that should be seized and within eight days after the aid was proffered he had started on his journey to the new world.

Mr. Hulting set out by steamer from Gottenburg May I, landed in England, where he remained a short time, and then took ship for the United States, reach-

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ing Geneseo, Illinois, June 2, 1869. Here he was employed on a farm for twelve dollars a month through the summer and during the winter did chores for his board and for the privilege of attending school. In the nine years that he worked for one man he saved enough to enable him to buy a team and rent a farm in Munson township, where he made a home for himself. He continued to rent for a number of years subsequent to his marriage and about 1898 bought his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Geneseo township. All the buildings, except the house, that are now standing upon the land are the result of his efforts, as are also the numerous improvements that bespeak his skill as an industrious and thrifty tiller of the soil. He had done more, however, than make his own way in America; he sent the money which made it possible for one of his brothers and a sister to come here and start life under favorable con- ditions. The father and mother have since passed away, but the rest of the family are living. John Peter makes his home in Munson township. Matilda married John Lawson and lives in Cambridge. Alfred also resides in Cam- bridge.

Mr. Hulting has been married twice. The bride of his first union, whom he wedded March 14, 1879, was Miss Anna Louise Johnson. She was of Swedish nativity and came to this country when of adult age, having been influenced to make the long journey by the stories of better chances of making a living here which her uncle had sent to his relatives in the old country. In 1887 Mrs. Hult- ing died leaving four children: John Albert, a farmer of Geneseo township; Carl Oscar, who lives at home; Gustav Edwin, also at home; and Hilda Almeda, who married Charles W. Jager. On the 23d of April, 1889, Mr. Hulting mar- ried Miss Hannah Miller, who was born in Sweden and came to the United States in her young womanhood. Of the second marriage there has been one child born, Esther Elizabeth. Mrs. Hannah Hulting has also passed away, her death having occurred April 27, 1907.

In 1908 Mr. Hulting was able to make a long contemplated trip to his native land. At his birthplace he found utter strangers and only an aunt and an uncle in the neighborhood, for his immediate family had come to America. Since be- coming a citizen of this republic Mr. Hulting has given his support to the re- publican party but has not been an office seeker. He belongs to the Swedish Lutheran church, in which he has for many years been a deacon, and he contrib- uted toward the erection of a new church edifice. A hard working man, others have profited by his industry, and the example he sets to his neighbors-that of earnest toil and frugality-is one that might be of general profit.

DWIGHT A. LINCOLN.

The name of Dwight A. Lincoln is enshrined in the memory of his family as well as enrolled upon the register of the country he died in defending, for he was one of the boys in blue who did not return from the conflict during the great Civil war. He was born in 1841 in New York state, a son of George Lincoln and brother of Edward P. Lincoln, and was a graduate of the Kewanee

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high school. He enlisted as a private in Company A, One Hundred and Forty- second Illinois Volunteer Infantry in 1861 and was with his regiment continu- ously until the battle of Stone River, where he was wounded and was in the hands of the enemy for three days. Although then transferred to the Union ranks it was too late, and he died in the Church Hospital of Nashville, Ten- nessee, in January, 1863.

A very interesting letter was received by Edward P. Lincoln, dated April 3, 1862, in camp in Missouri about five miles from Island No. 10. It gives a very graphic account of the situation at that time, and its brave words touch the heart of the reader when it is remembered that the writer was soon there- after called upon to render up his life for the cause he loved so dearly. Dear Brother :-

I believe you owe me a letter yet in return for one I wrote you at Fort Holt, but as I have plenty of time I thought I would inform you of the proceedings of the last week. There has been nothing of importance happened though except the spiking of a Rebel battery of six large guns. Co. A has been on picket once since I wrote you, but nothing of importance took place. In the morning when we were on picket we could hear the Rebels on the Island beating reveille and hear them mounting guard quite plain.

If you read the Tribune you will hear most of what is going on here, but there is one thing you probably have not seen. That is the daring deed executed by Colonel Roberts and Company A, Tuesday while we were on shore for dress parade we were ordered on board the Rob Roy and were taken right down to the Benton the flag gunboat on which Commodore Foote stays.

There we found out that our destination was to spike a Rebel battery on the Tennessee shore, where there were some big guns which stopped the gunboats from coming down to play on the Island.

Then Commodore Foote told the colonel that he would give him five yawls and fifty men to row them, and the colonel accepted them. Our arms and am- munition were inspected, and the colonel told us that our object was to spike the Rebel battery, and that we must succeed or die in the attempt. We were ordered to put five loads in before we left the boat. Then we were divided off into five squads and commanders appointed to each squad. Colonel Roberts and Sergeant Atwater were commanders of the quad and I was in (Squad No. I). We were put in yawl Benton which went ahead.

All ready we ran into the edge of the timber and waited for the moon to go down. A little after eleven when the moon had sunk to rest and the sky had clouded over and had the appearance of rain, the colonel gave orders to start. Our boat with a crew of twenty, colonel and all, took the lead. We had spike hammers and hand grenades and muffled oars. We kept close to the fort for we knew that if they saw us soon enough they could open fire upon us from their battery and blow us sky high. My position was right in the bow of the Benton. We sailed along down silently and fearlessly till we were right upon the battery before we know it. When we were within about a rod of the shore the first notice we had of our nearness to the battery was two shots from the Rebels sentries guarding the guns. I think they were about the length of our house from me. The boatman shoved the boat right in where the shots came from and we jumped

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ashore expecting to find some Rebels there, but they had fled. The next thing we did was to spike their guns which were seven in number. Then we jumped into our boats and put back.

When we got aboard of the Rob Roy again there was a heavy thunder storm came on, which came as near wrecking us as I want to be. It frightened all of us considerable. We would no doubt have been wrecked if we had not went up alongside of a boat to report to Colonel Buford and tied up. As it was the boat dipped water. One of the deck hands went overboard and was drowned.

Sergeant Atwater spiked three of the guns; the colonel one, but as the mail is going right away I will close. Love to all.

D. A. LINCOLN.

In recognition of this act, Congress tendered a note of thanks to the brave men that composed the company and their commander, this being one of two incidents in which congress passed a vote of thanks during the Civil war.

JULIUS VAN COUTREN.

Julius Van Coutren, a liquor dealer of Kewanee, was born in Belgium, May 1, 1869. His father, also a native of that land, came to America with his family of nine children in 1884 and took up his abode upon a farm at Atkinson, Illinois. For seven years he carried on general agricultural pursuits but in 1891 retired from active life and removed to Kewanee, where he is now living at the age of sixty-eight years. He married Stephanie Van Hicke, a daughter of Joseph Van Hicke, also of Belgium, and she is now living at the age of sixty-six years.

Pursuing his education in his native country, Julius Van Coutren was at length graduated from the public schools of Belgium, but the educational system of that country is different from our own, as the students have to pay a tuition. He also attended school in America for about three years, and after putting aside his text-books he worked on the home farm until twenty-two years of age, when he came to Kewanee and secured employment in the shops of the Haxtun Steam Heater Company, there remaining for three years. He afterward ac- cepted the position of bar tender for Garrett Neagle, now retired, but still liv- ing in this city. Mr. Van Coutren thus served for five years and when Mr. Neagle sold his business to Charles Knight remained with the latter for two years. In 1897 he entered into partnership with Mr. Neagle in the conduct of a liquor business on Third street, the business relation being maintained for three years, when Mr. Van Coutren bought out his partner and removed to his present location at No. 225 West Third street at the corner of North Chestnut. He remodeled the entire place, putting in new fixtures and equipments, making his place of business attractive in every particular. In 1904, he admitted his brother Frank to a partnership, and they now have the neatest, best arranged and most orderly bar in Kewanee. The equipments are of a very handsome character, and the saloon is conducted according to the strictest business prin- ciples. Mr. Van Coutren has won success in the undertaking and is now the owner of considerable property, including a farm of three hundred and twenty

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acres in Annawan township, which is rented. He also has a farm of seven hun- dred and twenty acres in Missouri and owns stock in the Armory Hall in Ke- wanee and has mining interests in the gold fields among the Black Hills. He is also the owner of his own home in Kewanee.

On the 4th of June, 1896, Mr. Van Coutren was married in this city to Miss Emily Bohart, a daughter of Frank Bohart, of Atkinson, Illinois. Their children are: Grace and Alma, aged twelve and five years.

In politics Mr. Van Coutren is a democrat, where national issues are in- volved, but at local elections casts an independent ballot. He served for two terms as a member of the board of alderman from the first ward. He belongs to the Fraternal Order of Eagles and was one of the founders of the first Bel- gian church in Kewanee, with Father Conrad as their first priest. He takes an active interest in the work of the church, as does also his wife. He has ever manifested a sincere interest in those of his own nationality who have sought homes in this part of the state, giving freely of his advice and frequently of his means to assist those who have come here. In fact he has been instrumental in securing most of the Belgian people in Kewanee.

WARREN D. LESTER.

Warren D. Lester, life-long farmer and public auctioneer and a man widely known for his many kindly traits of character and unflinching honesty of pur- pose, is a native of Henry county, having been born in Wethersfield township, September 1, 1864, a son of Champlain and Ann (McCreath) Lester. The former was a native of Henry county, but his wife was born in Scotland. The father enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, during the Civil war, and served from 1862 to 1865. His death oc- curred when he was only thirty-nine years old. His widow survives and makes her home at Angiola, California, although for some years after her husband's death in Carroll county, Iowa, she lived in Wethersfield, Illinois, to which she returned in her affliction.

Warren D. Lester was reared to farm life while attending public school at Wethersfield, and he understands every detail of agriculture, operating his fine farm of one hundred and forty acres with a skill that gives him a good annual income. For fourteen years, he has given some of his attention to auctioneering, making a specialty of farm property and live stock. He has auctioned off some of the best blooded hogs and cattle ever sold in Henry county. His fame as an auctioneer has not only spread throughout Henry county, but into the ad- joining territory and his services are in great demand.

On February 10, 1886, Mr. Lester married Iva Weston, a daughter of George and Helen Weston, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. They have no children but have brought up as their own many little unfortunates and given them excellent educational advantages. In this, they have but followed the noble example set by the parents of Mrs. Lester who also reared many out- side their own family. One of the girls reared by Mr. and Mrs. Lester became

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a teacher in the public schools and later a missionary and they are very proud of their adopted daughter. They now have a young lady whom they have reared and educated and who is an excellent musician, and another daughter five years old at this writing.

Mr. Lester's work as a public official has been marked by good common sense and a thorough appreciation of the best methods of procedure. For many years he gave the school board the benefit of his experience as a director, and has served three terms as highway commissioner. He was the first commissioner to use the "King split log" drags on the road, which are now recognized as so universally beneficial, and he has inaugurated many other changes that have worked to the good of the community. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Commercial Club of Kewanee and is ex- tremely popular in both organizations. Big-hearted, loyal to his friends, ener- getic and persistent, Mr. Lester is one of the best citizens of Henry county and has friends everywhere.

JESSE L. LAMONT.

Jesse L. Lamont, a farmer of Geneseo township, who has given a great deal of his attention to the breeding of pure blooded Hereford cattle, was born in Lloydtown, York county, Canada, November 22, 1848, and is a son of Daniel and Mary (Lloyd) Lamont. The former was born at Mull, Scotland, in March, 1818, and was a son of Duncan and Mary (Campbell) Lamont. He was about two years of age when his parents left their home in the old country to come to this world. Duncan Lamont, however, died on the ocean journey, and as his widow would not permit his body to be buried at sea the ship was compelled to stop at an island en route. Mrs. Lamont, left a widow with seven children, the youngest an infant in arms, located in Caledon, Canada, where she bought land, and although it was covered with timber she made a home for her children and gave them a good education. Daniel grew up at home and learned the trade of a miller, which he followed through his active life. His wife, the mother of the subject of this sketch, was a daughter of Jesse and Phebe (Crossley) Lloyd. The former was born in Pennsylvania, a son of James Lloyd, was of Welsh de- scent and of Quaker faith, and was reared in the state of his birth. Shortly after his marriage, which in all probability occurred in Pennsylvania, he went to Canada, locating in the heart of the wilderness, at what is now known as Lloyd- town, named in his memory. He chose the spot on account of the water power and there erected grist and saw mills. As he owned a large tract of land he soon became a man of wealth and prominent in the affairs of his locality. In an advisory way, was connected with the reformers of the great revolution and his influence was considered important enough by the British government to war- rant a price being put upon his life and those of his two companions, Jacob Blount and Tom Brown, so that the three fled to the United States. Seeing here also notices of a reward for their apprehension, they went to Indiana, where Jesse Lloyd sickened and died. His family, however, remained in Canada,

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History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II, Part 79

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