History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II, Part 89

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

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY

pursued his educaion in the district school. Having arrived at years of matur-, ity he sought a helpmate for life's journey, being married on the 28th of Decem- ber, 1893, in Annawan township, to Miss Dencie Barton, who was born in Burns township and is a daughter of George and Jane Barton. Two children graced this union : James, who was born in Annawan township, July 3, 1896, and Lois, born February II, 1899.

Mr. Machesney carried on farming in connection with his father until the latter's death. He afterward inherited one hundred and seventy-six acres of the estate and now has one hundred and eighty-six acres of very valuable and produc- tive land, which returns to him a gratifying and substantial annual income. In 1908 he erected upon his farm a beautiful modern residence, thirty-two by thirty- two feet, two stories in height with basement. It is supplied with steam heat, a car- bide system of lighting, hot and cold water, with automatic pressure. In fact, none of the equipment of a model home is lacking, and it is one of the most convenient, comfortable and attractive residences in Annawan township-a fitting abode for one whose well spent life entitles him to the high regard of his fellow citizens in this community. He votes with the republican party but never seeks office as a reward for party fealty. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge at Annawan and the Modern Woodmen camp, while his wife is a member of the United Brethren church at Fairview. They occupy a prominent position in social circles, and their home is the abode of a warm-hearted and generous hospitality which is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.

GEORGE E. NOONAN.

One of the progressive representatives of the agricultural interests of Osco township, is George E. Noonan, who was born in this township, February 13, 1857, and is a son of James and Jane (Leibee) Noonan. The former was born in Woodford, County Galway, Ireland, March 22, 1836, and as his parents died when he was very young he had early to make his own way in the world. At the age of fourteen he started for America and after crossing the Atlantic he made his way to Ohio, where he lived for a number of years. In 1856, in Middle- town, that state, he was married and straightway set out for Osco township, Henry county, Illinois, where his wife's father, George Leibee, had located pre- viously. Here the latter bought a large tract of land and erected buildings pre- paratory to moving his family to that township, so that Mr. Noonan joined the party which was ready to go to the new home when he married. After their arrival here, Mr. Leibee gave his daughter a tract of eighty acres. It was unim- proved at the time, but the young couple immediately made it their place of residence, which it remained as long as Mr. Noonan was engaged in active farm- ing. He was successful in his agricultural pursuits, however, and with the pas- sage of years was able to add eighty acres to the original grant of land, although forty acres has been sold, so that the heritage bequeathed to his children was one hundred and twenty acres. In 1893 Mr. Noonan removed to Geneseo, where he live! in retirement for about fifteen years, his death occurring there May II,

MRS. JAMES MACHESNEY

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1908. Of his two children George E. is the elder. The daughter, Eva, lives with her mother in Geneseo. During his life Mr. Noonan was a stanch adherent of the democratic party and supported the Methodist Episcopal church at Osco. His widow was born in Middletown, Ohio, where she grew to womanhood and was married.

George E. Noonan spent his boyhood upon the home farm, attending the public schools of his locality, from which he derived substantial training for the responsibilities of life. He worked for his father until he was about twenty- four years of age, when he married and assumed the care of part of his father's property. This he has tilled continuously since. The farm is a tract of one hundred and twenty acres, lying on section 10, Osco township.

In Rock Island, Illinois, May 30, 1881, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Noonan and Miss Fanny Campbell, of Geneseo. She was born in Waukegan Illinois, February 3, 1860, her parents being Leonard C. and Sarah L. (Wright) Campbell. Her father was a native of Malone, Franklin county, New York, where he was born October 6, 1816. He grew to manhood in the state of his birth and there married, living for a time in Ogdensburg, where he was in partnership with William J. Averell, the father-in-law of E. H. Harriman, the late railroad king. In 1856 he came to Illinois, locating in Waukegan though he was in bus- iness in Chicago, being engaged in the transportation and commission business until 1859, when he accepted a position with the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad as station agent at Geneseo, to which city he moved his family the following year. After six years' work there he was sent by his employers to Joliet to adjust the financial affairs of the company, which had gotten into a bad tangle. He became next the cashier and distributing agent for the Chicago Stockyards Company, while the yards were in process of construction, and it is said that more than a million dollars passed through his hands. During the years he spent in Joilet and Chicago his family remained in Geneseo, to which he returned when he completed his work in those cities. He was straightway chosen police magistrate of the town and when after nine years' incumbency of the office, he resigned he was elected justice of the peace, a position he held con- tinuously until his death, which occurred March 4, 1891. He also served as clerk of the city. It is said that during his lifetime he had no equal as a bookkeeper, besides being frequently called upon to give instruction in the keeping of books, his services were in constant requisition in straightening out the work of others less competent than he. His wife was born in Ogdensburg, New York, Decem- ber 29, 1818. She received a good education and taught school for a few years before her marriage. Three children were born to her and her husband, the two oldest in the east and the youngest, Mrs. Noonan, after the couple came to Illinois. Leonard W., the older son, is married and lives in Chicago He has devoted the greater part of his life to the railroad business. James Covington, the other son, died unmarried. During the progress of the Civil war, although he was but a mere boy, he was determined to enlist as a drummer. His father tried to dissuade him but seeing that his heart was set upon a soldier's life, he secured a place for him as an aide-de-camp to a friend and the boy was en- rolled, February 29, 1864, as a member of Company H, Fifty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until July 25, 1865. His later life

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was spent in the west as a railroad man and then as a prospector, but he died at the Soldiers' Home, in Quincy, Illinois.

Mr. and Mrs. Noonan have one child, Edwin Campbell, who was born on the home farm in Osco township, September 7,. 1883. He received a common school education and after attaining manhood wedded Miss Bertha Swanson. They are now the parents of a daughter Mildred. Mrs. George Noonan attended the high school in Geneseo, and for a few years before her marriage, when she was but eighteen, engaged in teaching. Politically, Mr. Noonan gives his in- fluence to the democratic party.

Successful and influential, he is one of the representative citizens of his town- ship, where he enjoys the distinction of having been the first to purchase an automobile. He secured his first one July 12, 1906, and now derives great pleasure in running his second machine.

WILLIS E. GOOD.

Many lines of business activity are represented in Kewanee, Illinois, for the the city is located in the midst of a rich farming community that looks to it as a source of supply. Therefore the active business men here find employment for their money and abilities in ministering to the needs of their customers, and long acquaintance with the several lines makes them able to meet the require- ments with good stocks and reasonable prices. Willis E. Good is one of the men thus representative of the progressive spirit of the age.

He was born on the township line between Kewanee and Wethersfield, April II, 1866. His parents, Samuel W. and Mary A. (Northrop) Good, were farm- ing people, who came to Henry county, Illinois, in 1851, from Ohio. For a num- ber of years they had lived in Zanesville and had been engaged in farming. The death of the father occurred September 1, 1885, after a useful life, spent in striv- ing to provide for his family and to better his community. During his residence in Henry county he served faithfully as school director and road commissioner. His widow survived him until February 27, 1897, when she joined him in the other world.

Willis E. Good was reared on a farm and remained there until 1900, when he turned toward another line of business. Coming to Kewanee, he purchased a hardware store under the title of Good & Dana, L. L. Dana being his partner. This association continued until 1905, when Mr. Good bought Mr. Dana's in- terest, and two years later removed to his present location in the Red Men building on Main street, where he has ample room for his large stock. He con- ducts a first-class hardware store and carries a full stock of his class of goods. Owing to his excellent connections he is able to offer especially desirable in- ducements to his customers, both as to quality and price.

On March 15, 1893, occurred the marriage of Mr. Good and Lottie Dana, of Kewanee, who was born in Bureau county. They are the parents of six chil- dren, as follows: Alice, Helen, Mollie, Dana, Lawrence and Eleanor, all at home. Mr. Good served acceptably as school director in his township before

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY

removing to Kewanee, and has always been interested in educational matters. He belongs to the Royal Arcanum, the Mystic Workers and the Improved Order of Red Men, and in his fraternal relations as well as his business and home connections, he has proven himself a man worthy of all trust and one who will succeed in anything he undertakes.

JOHN PRITCHARD.

John Pritchard, a farmer and stockman of Geneseo township, was born in Alba township, this county, November 30, 1874. His parents, Henry and Eliza (Irvine) Pritchard, were both natives of Scotland. The father came to Amer- ica when of mature age and settled in Cornwall township, this county, later moving to Alba township. There he bought a tract of land, a part of which he had to break, and engaged in farming. His wife came to the United States when a young woman, with her parents, who settled in Alba township, where they engaged in agriculture and where she met her husband. Through her mar- riage she became the mother of five children, all of whom grew to maturity. Sarah, the eldest, married Robert Gilbreath and died at What Cheer, Iowa. They had no children. Henry ,married Miss Alice Bailey and passed away, leaving a son. John, the third of the family, is the subject of this review. Mary lives in Alba township, on the home place. William married Miss Mattie Baker. They live at Prophetstown, Illinois, and have two sons. The mother died when her fifth child was about three years old, and the father subsequently married Miss Catherine Moore, by whom he had three sons born: Hugh, who died un- married; Samuel, and Walter, who live in Alba. Although a poor man when he came to this country Henry Pritchard has accumulated a comfortable fortune through hard work and good management.

John Pritchard was reared at home and received a fairly good education in the common schools of his native township. He early began work on the farm, giving his father the benefit of his labor in his youth, but when he became of age receiving from him compensation for his days' labor. When he was twenty- four years old he began life for himself, renting eighty acres from his father and boarding with his uncle. For four years he worked diligently and in 1901 was able to purchase two hundred acres in Ainsworth, Iowa, to which he re- moved. He was not satisfied with his investment, however, and after two years spent there returned to Geneseo. He lived in the town for one year and then bought the farm on which he now resides. It consists of eighty acres, for which he paid one hundred and thirty dollars an acre, but he has added many improve- ments in the five years it has been his home, so that its value is much increased.

On the 29th of March, 1899, Mr. Pritchard was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth A. Gilbreath, a daughter of James and Sarah Jane (Morrison) Gil- breath. She was a native of Alba township, where she received a good common school education and where she grew to womanhood. Four children bless this union : Bernice Lucile, born in Geneseo township; Gilbert James, born in Ains-

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worth, Iowa; Henry, born in the city of Geneseo; and Helen Elizabeth, born on the home farm.

Mr. and Mrs. Pritchard are devout members of the Congregational church. Politically he affiliates with the republican party, but he is not an office seeker and has taken little part in public affairs. He is interested, however, in the wel- fare of his fellow members of the local lodge of the Modern Woodmen of America.

M. MAURY NASH.

M. Maury Nash, one of the important stockmen of Osco township, was born September 21, 1847, in what was then known as Coalsmouth, West Virginia. His parents, Francis Burdette and Elizabeth (Maury) Nash, removed to Ken- tucky during his boyhood and toward the close of the Civil war came to Illinois, where the father, who was an Episcopalian clergyman, obtained as charges the church at Geneseo and the little churches in Osco township and Cambridge. He had previously served as one of the early ministers to the little congregation at Tiskilwa.

In his boyhood days Mr. Nash was right in the heart of the fighting carried on in Kentucky in connection with the war of the Rebellion. He remembers particularly the havoc wrought by Morgan's men, one of his favorite stories being how after the raid at Augusta, he ran around a corner of one of the streets of the town and there found a surgeon, who asked him if he had grit enough to wash his knives for him. To be sure he did have the courage, and wliat is more he continued through that day to render the older man excellent aid.

When his family came to Illinois M. Maury Nash found employment on a farm in Stark county, where he worked for about seven years, having in that time attained to the position of foreman. He then went to Atchison county, Missouri, where he rented land and where in three years he lost all that he had saved. Thereupon he went to Nebraska, finding work by the month, and later returned to Missouri. By industry and economy in a few years he had saved enough to enable him to buy eighty acres near Greenfield, Iowa. On that farm he made many improvements and lived until the railroads were built to that re- gion and obliged him to sell. Next he and a brother bought two sections of land near Nashua, Minnesota, in Red river valley, on which they located. The rail- road was built through that farm also, and a station, which was named after the Nash brothers, was put up on their land.

In 1879, while on a visit to his father in Cambridge, Illinois, he met and wedded his wife and took her to his Minnesota home. By a strange coincidence the couple had been there but a day when the worst blizzard that had ever been known in that locality came upon them. For three days the snow fell and blew, piling high about the dwellings so that exit was impossible, thus providing the bride of a warmer clime with a memory of the Red river valley that will not be soon forgotten. On account of an affliction of the eyes, Mr. Nash was com- pelled to leave Minnesota and return to Illinois, where he spent one year in a

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hospital and eventually lost one organ of vision. He then located for the second time in Greenfield, Iowa, where he had purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, and then in 1889 came to Illinois, locating in Osco township, Henry county. Here he bought his present place, paying fifty-five dollars an acre, and here he has since lived, making many improvements upon the land and greatly increasing its value. It is situated on section 35 and is one hundred and sixty acres in extent, but in addition to it Mr. Nash owns eighty acres in Clover township, this county. Though following general farming, Mr. Nash has largely engaged in the stock business, shipping each year a number of carloads of cat- tle to the important markets.

On the 3d of October, 1880, in Osco township, Mr. Nash and Miss Amelia' Smith were made man and wife. Quite a romance was culminated in their wed- ding, for theirs was a case of love at first sight. In 1879, when Mr. Nash had returned to Illinois to visit his father, he met Miss Smith, was immediately aware of her charms and within a week had determined that he would marry her. She, however, professed inability to make up her mind, and it was only after a year's persistent urging that she consented to become Mrs. Nash. She is a native of Osco township and was graduated from the Cambridge high school with the class of 1877. Her own education completed, she engaged in the in- struction of others and was a teacher in the county schools when Mr. Nash be- came acquainted with her. Her parents were Jared H. and Jane Amelia (Wel- ton) Smith, who were connected with the pioneer history of this county. Jared H. Smith was born in Harwinton, Connecticut, 1827, and was a son of Anson and Abigail (Holt) Smith. In 1853 he came to Illinois, stopping first at Tis- kilwa, which was the end of the railroad at that time. He then went to Peoria county, where he visited with the Weltons, and in the fall of that year they came with him to Osco township to see Willis Hinman, who had previously located here. Here Mr. Smith bought one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 22 and then returned to his Connecticut home to wed a former schoolmate, Amelia Welton, a sister of the friends he had visited in Peoria county. On the Ist of October, 1854, in Connecticut, Mr. Smith and Miss Welton were married and they set out straightway for their new home. Here he prospered in his un- dertakings, soon became the owner of about two sections of land and a man prominent in township affairs. His religious affiliations were with the Episco- pal church and he was one of the founders of Grace church in which he was many years junior warden and then senior warden until his death. Mrs. Nash was the eldest of the three children born to him by his first wife, the others be- ing Anson Welton who died at the age of four years, and Myra J., who mar- ried Willard West, of Ainsley, Nebraska. Mrs. Smith died in Osco, February, 1863, and Mr. Smith subsequently married Miss Mary Knowles, of Lynn town- ship. Of the second marriage there were six children: Henry Anson, who married Miss Delia Atwood; Anna, who became the wife of William Patterson; Jared Heber and George Rodney, twins, who live in Osco township; Charles, who lives on the home farm in Osco township; and Mary Ethel, who makes her home with Charles.

Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Nash: Myra Louise, the eldest, was born in Red river valley, Minnesota; Jared Burdette, born near

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Greenfield, Iowa, married Miss Estella Gibson and now lives in Dighton, Mich- igan; Anson Maury, born in Iowa, married Miss Margaret Hendricks and lives with his father; Lawrence, born in Iowa, died at the age of four and a half years; Mary Elizabeth was born on the home farm, as was also Jane Amelia, the sixth child; Francis Burdette, the youngest, was also born in Illinois.

Although of Kentucky birth, Mr. Nash is a strong republican and dates his political choice from an incident in his early years, when his father, a man of northern nativity, took him to see a sale of slaves. The horror of the scene re- mained a constant memory, and despite the fact that his mother was descended from a long line of slaveholders, he became a strong abolitionist and a republi- can when the slave question assumed national importance. Reared in the Epis- copalian faith, he and his wife are members of Grace church, in which he has been senior warden for a number of years. Industrious and not afraid of hard work, Mr. Nash has attained to a substantial position in the community. He had discouragements in his early years but they only brought out the stronger character of the man and pointed the way to his ultimate success.

HUGH HILL.

Hugh Hill, senior member of the drug firm of Hill & King, is one of the most prominent and progressive men of Kewanee, and his intimate connection with his house has made him thoroughly conversant with the needs of his patrons and enables him to conserve their best interests. Not only is he active in business circles, but he has also been prominent in social life and to him and his efforts Kewanee owes many of its modern ideas. Mr. Hill was born in Willoughby, Ohio, November 4, 1862, a son of William and Maria Hill. The father came to Kewanee in 1864 and continued farming for some years in that locality, but later bought a farm near Tiskilwa, moved to it and made it his home until his death when only forty-two years of age. About 1870 his widow re- turned to Kewanee to give her son the advantage of an education here.

Hugh Hill was always ambitious and as soon as old enough began clerking in the drug store of George A. Anthony and continued there for seventeen years. In November, 1899, he and Allen King formed the firm of Hill & King, and this profitable and pleasant association still continues. The two are excellent drug- gists and control a large trade, which has been built up by close attention to business and reliable methods.

Mr. Hill has been very promient in political matters in Kewanee and has served as village clerk for seven years, as township clerk for the same length of time, and in 1909 he was elected supervisor for a term of two years. His affiliations have always been with the republican party. Mr. Hill was one of the originators of the Kewanee Baseball Association, was its first president and manager and held the latter office for four years, and is still a director in the association. His interest in baseball has never wavered and he takes great pride in the local nine and its triumphs. Fraternally he is an Elk, a Mason, Knight

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of Pythias, an Eagle and Red Man, and belongs to the Kewanee Club. Wher- ever he goes he makes friends and is deservedly popular.

In 1882, Mr. Hill was married to Ida Halline, of Kewanee, and they have become the parents of five children, as follows: Blanch, who is a stenographer ; Bertha, a bookkeeper; Fred L., who is connected with his father in the drug business; and Belden and Bernard, who are students.

Mr. Hill is a thorough business man and a reliable druggist. In his dealings with his fellow citizens he is frank and open and succeeds in his efforts to please both in his store and socially. He is a man of strict integrity, is broad-minded and believes in encouraging a love of sports and outdoor life generally.

CHARLES MAGEE.

As the years pass by and many who were numbered among the Civil war veterans have responded to the last roll call, it is fitting that those who survive should be honored for the valiant service which they rendered to the country in the darkest hour in her history. To this number belongs Charles Magee, whose home is in Henry county, Illinois, where he is the owner of one hundred acres in Geneseo township and one hundred and sixty-six acres in Osco township, where he is conducting a stock farm, being engaged in the breeding of pure. blooded polled Angus cattle, which he also feeds for the market. A native of the Prairie state, he was born in Hollis township, Peoria county, January 18, 1844, a son of John and Maria (Miskimmins) Magee, whose family numbered eight children. A brother of our subject, Thomas Magee, was a surgeon of the Civil war, having been a practicing physician previous to that time. The father died in 1870 on the home farm in Osco township, and the mother later made her home in Geneseo, where she passed away in 1902, having reached her eighty- ninth year.

Charles Magee was ten years of age when his parents removed to Illinois from Hollis township, Peoria county, to Trivola township, that county, where he grew to manhood, having but a limited opportunity for acquiring an educa- tion. However, he studied diligently, mastering the branches of English learn- ing, and, when not busy with his text-books, gave his time and attention to the work of the fields.

At the outbreak of the Civil war, having watched with interest the threaten- ing attitude of the south, his patriotic longing to defend the Union overcame all other considerations and, though but a boy of eighteen years, he enlisted in Com- pany D, Eighty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, August 27, 1862. At Perry- ville, Kentucky, October 7, he was under fire and during the winter of 1862-3 he was assigned on guard duty at Nashville. Later he participated in the battles of Chickamauga, the siege of Chattanooga and Missouri Ridge. Then followed the Atlanta campaign and later the memorable march to the sea under General Sherman, whom he afterward followed to Washington, taking part in the grand review at the close of the war. He was mustered out June 23, 1865, having missed but two roll calls during the entire service.

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History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II, Part 89

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