USA > Illinois > Henry County > History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 92
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On July 10, 1872, Dr. Lowry married Grace C. Fairman, a daughter of An- drew P. and Naomi (Wood) Fairman, of Ithaca, New York, formerly of Rhode Island. Her parents became residents of Woodhull, where both died and their remains were interred in Woodhull cemetery. Dr. and Mrs. Lowry became the parents of five sons and one daughter, namely: Fayette C., who is married and resides at Houston, Texas, where he is employed in a bank; Harry C .; Anna and Daniel K., at home; Nelson H., a medical student; and Merrill L., who is attending the University of Illinois.
Dr. Lowry has a fine farm adjoining the town of Woodhull, where he breeds high grade horses for speed and roadsters, making a specialty of the "Wilkes"
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and "Electioneers" and has been very successful in this business. From his farm have come some of the best speed horses of the day and all of his stock is fine bred and high class. He has an excellent half-mile track on his farm for train- ing purposes and here the Woodhull horse fair is held each year. Dr. Lowry uses his farm as a recreation from his professional cares. He loves a good horse and finds much pleasure in driving. In politics he is a republican and takes an interest in public affairs and has always favored the advancement of his com- munity. As long as Holden Post, G. A. R., of Woodhull, was in existence he be- longed to it, being a charter member. He is also a charter member of camp No. 1315, M. W. A., and is its examining physician, as he is also of the Mystic Workers of the World, to which he belongs. Dr. Lowry is the examining phy- sician for the Cosmopolitan Life Insurance Company as well as for several other old line life insurance companies.
His family are members of the Presbyterian church and active in its work and in the Sunday school, and while Dr. Lowry does not hold membership in the church he is liberal in its support and interested in its success. Woodlawn farm, the family home, is famous for its fine horses, liberal hospitality and many of the leading social functions of Woodhull occur beneath its roof. The Doctor has always been interested in scientific research and earlier in life devoted much time to study and investigation. Not many years ago he made a collection of Mississippi river fish for Cornell University and Oxford University, England. Finely educated, thoroughly abreast of his profession, Dr. Lowry is one of the best representatives of the medical profession now practicing in Henry county.
MELVIN O. SPROUSE.
Melvin O. Sprouse, a farmer of Oxford township, was born in Weller town- ship, Henry county, August 16, 1878, and is a son of Isaac and Mary (Ander- son) Sprouse. The mother was born in Sweden, though reared in America, while the father was a native of Virginia. As a very young man, however, he left his southern home and came to Henry county, Illinois, where he took up farming. Shortly after the inauguration of the Civil war he enlisted as a mem- ber of Company G, Eighty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and during the three and a half years of his service participated in many of the hard fought battles of that conflict. When his country no longer required his services he re- turned to Henry county and to the life he had left. He became successful in his own affairs and widely known as a man whose activity in public matters was always directed to progressive measures, from which his fellowmen would derive great benefit. On the 15th of August, 1904, his useful life was brought to a close, but his widow still survives.
Melvin O. Sprouse grew to manhood on his father's farm, participating in the work which was carried on there as soon as he was old enough. The prac- tical training he received was supplemented by the course of instruction provided by the district schools, which he attended as regularly as he could during the months they were in session. At the age of twenty-five he married and began
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farming for himself. The first year he rented a farm in Weller township, then removed to Osco township and a year later to Munson, where he remained two years. In 1907 he came to Oxford township, where he now lives, but on the Ist of March, 1910, intends to move to Weller again. Progressive in his ideas and employing modern methods in the cultivation of his fields he has attained a marked success and finds his efforts rewarded by a handsome income.
On the 17th of February, 1904, Mr. Sprouse was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Eiker, who is a daughter of William and Emma (James) Eiker, of Woodhull, and was one of the county's popular and progressive teachers. They have two interesting little daughters, Helen and Ada. While Mr. and Mrs. Sprouse are not members of any church, they affiliate with and contribute to the support of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Politically Mr. Sprouse is a democrat, but he is not an active nor aggressive partisan; on the contrary he is interested and well informed upon all matters of public concern and is able to support his position by sound arguments. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, and his wife belongs to the Royal Neighbors. A young man of high character he enjoys a high standing in the community to which he and Mrs. Sprouse belong. Both being very fond of reading, their home is well supplied with the best standard and current literature, and their influence is always given to such undertakings which are calculated to better the general social conditions around them. To educational matters especially they give their attention, advocating a progress that will keep abreast of the times.
HENRY ATWELL.
Henry Atwell, a well known and progressive farmer and stock raiser of Cornwall township, is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of rich and arable land on section 15, and in its cultivation has won a gratifying measure of success. His birth occurred in Somersetshire, England, on the 24th of March, 1847, his parents being James and Mary Atwell. He was reared on the home farm and obtained a fair education in the common schools. When but nine years old he secured employment in the lead mines, where he remained until he had attained the age of about sixteen and then went to work on his uncle's farm. In 1869, having determined to establish his home in the United States, he set sail for the new world and after landing on American shores made his way at once to Illinois. On reaching Chicago he found that his financial resources were ex- hausted and had to borrow five dollars in order to come to Henry county.
Finding immediate employment a necessity, he here began working as a farm hand at a wage of eighteen dollars per month and the next season received twenty-two dollars per month. At the end of about seven years, by dint of close economy, he had saved sufficient capital to enable him to rent a tract of land in Cornwall township and thus he was identified with agricultural pursuits for about fourteen years. On the expiration of that period, in 1893, he found him- self able to purchase a farm of his own and came into possession of one hundred
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and sixty acres of land on section 15, Cornwall township, one-half of which is located on the northwest quarter and the other half on the southeast quarter of the section. He paid fifty dollars an acre for the property and has since devoted his attention to its further cultivation and improvement with excellent results, the well tilled fields annually yielding golden harvests as a reward for the care and labor which he bestowed upon them. He is likewise engaged in stock rais- ing and this branch of his business has contributed materially to his income.
On the 11th of February, 1879, in Atkinson, Illinois, Mr. Atwell was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Dupree, who was born at Norwich, New York, on the 22d of April, 1856, her parents being Henry and Caroline (Barker) Dupree, natives of Hamburg and Berlin, Germany, respectively. They were married in that country and subsequently crossed the Atlantic to the United States, Henry Dupree following the cabinetmaker's trade in New York for about twenty-two years. At the end of that time he came with his family to Geneseo, Henry county, Illinois, and in addition to working at his trade also gave his attention to the operation of forty acres of land which he purchased west of the city. He passed away in 1906 at the age of ninety-six years, having for almost a quarter of a century survived his wife, whose demise occurred in 1882.
Mr. and Mrs. Atwell are the parents of seven children, namely: Edward J., who was born June 26, 1881; Bernice E., whose birth occurred October 5, 1883, and who is now the wife of Bernard Charlet, of Cambridge township; Frank, born October 17, 1885, who is an electrician of Ladd, Illinois ; Clarence C., whose natal day was June 23, 1889; Howard L., who was born December 4, 1891; Maude E., born July 8, 1893, who is now a sophomore in the Atkinson high school; and Harold James, who first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 28th of December, 1896.
Mr. Atwell exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and meas- ures of the republican party but has no desire for the honors and emoluments of public office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his private affairs. His wife is a devoted and consistent member of the Baptist church in Cambridge. Arriving in the United States with no capital save a stout heart and willing hands, he realized the fact that while in this country labor is unhampered by caste or class it is only by unfaltering diligence, guided by sound judgment, that success can be secured. By the exercise of these qualities he has made steady progress and is now one of the substantial and representative residents of his community.
MICHAEL COLLINS QUINN.
Michael Collins Quinn, who was one of the best known citizens of Kewanee, left a record which is in many respects worthy of emulation. Starting out in life for himself at the age of fifteen years and working in an humble way in his boyhood days, he became imbued with the laudable ambition to attain something better and steadily advanced in those walks of life demanding intellectuality, business ability and fidelity. He thus came to command the respect and esteem not only of his own community but wherever he was known.
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He was born October 4, 1847, and was reared by an uncle on a farm near New Haven, Connecticut, spending his life amid rural surroundings to the age of about fifteen years, when he went to New York city, where he secured em- ployment and thus started out for himself. Subsequently he removed to Utica, New York, where he secured a situation in the meat market of Whiffen Broth- ers, but thinking that the middle west offered better business opportunities he made his way to Illinois about 1866, settling in Kewanee. Here he secured a situation in the grocery store of Mr. Hopkins and later was in the employ of the firm of Shelton & Fessler. He was ambitious, however, to engage in business on his own account and, therefore, eagerly embraced the opportunity of forming a partnership with John Whiffen for the conduct of a meat market. This was carried on until 1873, when he sold out and went to Little Rock, Arkansas, and Fort Scott, Kansas, there entering into business relations as a traveling sales- man. In 1874, however, he returned to Kewanee and purchased the Bazaar from Thomas Bennison. The new enterprise proved a profitable venture, his sales increasing as the result of his carefully selected stock, reasonable prices and honorable dealing. Later he removed to the corner of Tremont and Third streets, on the present site of the store now occupied by S. L. Arter, and while there formed a partnership with E. D. Mayhew and F. E. Terry under the firm name of Quinn, Mayhew & Terry. This firm existed until 1880, when Mr. Quinn erected what is known as the Quinn block on Main street and began bus- iness there with Mr. Terry under the firm style of Quinn & Terry. They did not confine their attention alone to merchandising, however, but branched out into other fields, whereby their income was annually augmented. In 1891 they purchased the Kewanee elevator and at the same time conducted the grocery store, Mr. Quinn, however, devoting his attention particularly to the grain trade. In 1896 he sold his interest in the grocery store to F. E. Terry and L. E. Nobil- ing and became sole proprietor of the grain business, which he continued to con- duct until his retirement from active life in 1903. Thereafter he devoted his attention to the improvement and sale of his real estate and to the activities which devolved upon him in his connection with the First National Bank and the Union Building & Loan Association. He was one of the organizers of that association, in the development of which he was deeply interested and in which he held all of the offices. At one time he was a director of the Union National Bank, and at the time of his demise was the vice president of the First National Bank. His judgment was sound concerning the management of financial affairs and his opinions constituted a forceful factor in the successful management of the banks.
On the IIth of March, 1876, Mr. Quinn was united in marriage to Miss Mary C. White, and they became the parents of four children: Maytie and Myrtie, the eldest, were twins. The former is now the wife of C. A. Wylie, a' grain merchant of Kewanee. Myrtie is the wife of M. Hurd, engaged in the real estate business in Kewanee. Leonard D., the elder son, is an attorney at law, who was born in Kewanee and pursued his education in the public schools of this city. After completing his literary course he devoted two years to study in the law department of the University of Wisconsin and completed his course in the Law School of the Northwestern University at Chicago. He was then
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admitted to the bar in 1903 and entered upon general practice in Kewanee, where he has made an excellent record as an able and learned lawyer, whose ability has brought to him a large clientage and connected him with much of the important litigation tried in the courts of the district. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and also belongs to the First Presbyterian church. In community affairs he is also active, has served as a trustee of the village of Wethersfield and by appointment of the village board has filled the office of vil- lage attorney. James M. Quinn, the younger son of the family, is now a student of the University of Pennsylvania.
The father suffered from a stroke of paralysis on the Ist of May, 1907, and passed away on the 14th of the same month. He thoroughly enjoyed home life and took great pleasure in the society of his family and friends. He was also courteous, kindly and affable and those who knew him personally had for him warm regard. A man of great natural ability, his success in business from the beginning of his residence in Henry county was uniform and rapid. He perse- vered in the pursuit of a persistent purpose and gained a most satisfactory re- ward, while his own high moral worth was deserving of the highest commenda- tion.
OSCAR H. LARSON.
Oscar H. Larson, supervisor and an enterprising and progressive farmer of Western township, was born on a farm in Lynn township, Henry county, on the Ioth of August, 1865, a son of Andrew G. and Helen Sophia (Larson) Larson. The father, who was born in Sweden, his birth occurring on the 28th of March, 1835, came to America as a young man of nineteen years, and here on September 15, 1859, married Miss Larson, who although of the same name was no relation. She was also a native of Sweden, born August 4, 1834, and came to America with her parents when a young girl, the family home being established in Lynn township. The father became the owner of two hundred acres of land in Lynn township, for which he paid eight dollars per acre, and later sold this tract and purchased two hundred and sixty-six acres in Western township, paying fifty- two and a half dollars per acre. He still survives at the age of seventy-five years, living retired in Orion, Illinois, while his wife passed away about 1878. In their family were nine children, of which the subject was the fourth in order of birth. The others are: Ida, the wife of Albert Peterson, residing in Chicago; Emma, who married Alfred Henry and died in Wakefield, Nebraska, leaving four children; Anna, living with her father in Orion; Clara, also with her father; Francis, who was married on October 26, 1899, to Miss Othelia Eng- quist, and publishes the Swedish-American in Chicago; Victor, a resident of Watsa, Nebraska, who also owns a farm in Clark county, South Dakota; and Augusta and Gustaf Henry, who died in infancy.
Spending the years of his boyhood and youth upon his father's farm in Lynn township, Oscar H. Larson received a good common school education and when twenty-one years of age pursued a course of study in a business college at Daven- port, Iowa, thus becoming well equipped for the responsible and practical duties
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of life. He remained at home until about twenty-three years of age and then, in 1889, opened up a grocery store in partnership with F. L. Anderson, this con- nection continuing for about one year. They were very successful in their un- dertaking, but in 1891 Mr. Larson sold out his interest and went to Rockford, Illinois, where he became a partner or stockholder in a furniture factory, re- maining in that city until 1897. In the meantime, in 1895, he was employed by a real estate firm as traveling agent, and during that year covered a large extent of territory, including Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Indian Territory and Texas. On the 20th of May, 1897, Mr. Larson was united in marriage in Orion to Miss Amelia Swanson, who was born in Western township, May 12, 1871, a daughter of John V. and Anna Marie (Peterson) Swanson, both natives of Sweden. The father, who was born September 6, 1835, came to America with his parents in 1852, when about seventeen years of age, while the mother, who was born January 8, 1846, was a little maiden of four summers when she accom- panied her parents to this country in 1849, the family being numbered among the pioneers of Western township, Henry county. Of their family of nine children Mrs. Larson was the fourth in order of birth, the others being: Hannah Marie, the wife of John A. Anderson, of Holdridge, Nebraska, by whom she has six children, Alice, Victor, Anna, Julia, Alfred and Edna ; Joseph Albert, a resident of Windom, Kansas, who married Ellen Peterson and has one child, Albert N .; John N., a resident of Galveston, Texas, who married Mabel T. Gallupe, by whom he has three children, Gracia, Barbara, and Charles V., who is a graduate of Bethany College at Lindsborg, Kansas, and at one time was teacher of pen- manship in Northwestern Normal College at Geneseo; Luther E., making his home in Western township, who married Mary Johnson and has three children, Martin, Mildred and Clarence; Carl A., who married Julia Peterson and lives in Western township; William, who also resides in this township; Otto, who married Emily M. Isaacson and makes his home in Western township; and Vic- tor C., also of this township. Mrs. Larson has lost both parents, the mother passing away on the 29th of August, 1908, and the father on the 29th of July, 1909.
After his marriage Mr. Larson removed to his father's farm, which he con- tinued to operate until 1903, when he purchased eighty acres of his present farm, paying one hundred and six and a half dollars per acre. Later in 1909 he invested in another tract of eighty acres, at one hundred and fifty dollars per acre, and he now owns one hundred and sixty acres located on section 28, West- ern township, all of which he has brought under an excellent state of cultiva- tion. He has erected in its midst a fine modern residence and has introduced many good improvements, so that the place is now one of the valuable and desir- able properties in the township. Progressive and up-to-date in his methods, his business has been so carefully and wisely conducted that he now ranks high among the industrious, enterprising and substantial agriculturists of the locality.
With the passing of the years one child came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Larson, Elsie Marie Evaline, whose birth occurred on the 9th of Decem- ber, 1900, and who is the light and life of the household. The parents are mem- bers of the Swedish Lutheran church in Orion, the teachings of which form the guiding influence in their lives. Mr. Larson is a republican in politics, and
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although he has never been an aspirant for public office, in 1908 he was offered the nomination for supervisor and was elected to that office, being appointed on the building committee. The following year he was placed upon the purchasing committee and also on a special committee to build a bridge over Rock river at Colona. This project fell through, however, when Rock Island failed to do her part. He was a member of the board who helped to elect John F. Smith chair- man of the board. He has ever been public spirited in his citizenship, at all times casting his influence on the side of those matters which have for their ob- ject the general improvement and advancement, and his loyalty to the public in- terest is unquestioned, arising from a deep interest in the welfare of the com- munity. His has been a life of continuous activity in which has been accorded due recognition of honest labor, and by the consensus of public opinion he ranks high among the substantial, representative and influential citizens of Western township.
WILLIAM MILLER.
William Miller, whose demise occurred on the 22d of March, 1902, was closely identified with the interests and upbuilding of Henry county for two- thirds of a century, having taken up his abode at Andover in 1836. He was born in Peekskill, New York, on the 31st of March, 1816, his parents being George and Mary Miller. The father followed farming near Peekskill through- out his active business career and passed away there when sixty-seven years of age. The mother was about seventy years old when called to her final rest. In their family were six sons and four daughters, namely: Bernard, William, Charles, John, Andrew, Lewis, Mary, Amanda, Eveline and Lucy.
William Miller was reared to young manhood on his father's farm near Peekskill and then went to that city to learn the carpenter's trade, with which he was actively identified for a number of years. Subsequently, however, turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits. In 1836 he came to the state of Illinois with a colony that settled at Andover, Henry county, and in 1838 took up his abode in Geneseo, where he worked at the carpenter's trade for several years. He afterward purchased a quarter section of raw prairie land in Edford township, which he gradually transformed into a fertile and productive farm and on which he erected a substantial frame dwelling and other buildings. At the end of seven years he located in Geneseo and, disposing of his farm, was successfully engaged in the lumber business for a number of years.
On the 22d of December, 1842, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Harriet T. Cone, whose birth occurred in Victor, New York, December 26, 1826, her parents being Elisha and Eliza (Hill) Cone. The father was born at Wall- ingford, Connecticut, January 1, 1803, and the mother first opened her eyes to the light of day at Bloomfield, New York, on the 18th of April, 1810. When twenty-one years of age Elisha Cone removed to New York, where he was mar- ried two years later. On the 13th of September, 1836, he left Bergen, Genesee county, New York, with a westward bound colony and after a long and tedious journey by wagon arrived at Geneseo, Illinois. His demise occurred on the 6th
MRS. ELIZA CONE AND DAUGHTERS
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of September, 1846, while his wife, surviving him for more than six decades, was called to her final rest on the 7th of June, 1908, when ninety-eight years of age. Unto them were born five children, two sons and three daughters, as fol- lows : Mrs. Miller ; Clarissa F., the deceased wife of Elisha M. Stewart; Francis S., who served as a soldier in the Civil war and is now a resident of Crescent City, Florida ; Ellen A., living in Orange City, Florida, who first wedded Rod- erick Manville and subsequent to his demise married Dr. P. W. Hill, who has also passed away ; and Charles E., who died in a hospital at Nashville, Tennessee, as the result of his service in the Civil war. The paternal grandfather grand- parents of Mrs. Miller were Solomon and Sallie Cone, and the grandfather par- ticipated in the war of 1812. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Miller, Josiah Hill, who was a farmer by occupation, passed away in Bloomfield, New York. He married Mrs. Cynthia (Cogswell) Robbins, and they had a family of thir- teen children.
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