USA > Illinois > Henry County > History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 97
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The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Bohman has been blessed with four sons and two daughters, namely: Reuben, Edward and Florence, who were born in Ox- ford township; and Alice, Arthur and Harry, who were born in Western town- ship. All are still with their parents.
Mr. Bohman is a republican in his political belief and although he keeps well informed on the current and political issues of the day, he does not take an active part in public affairs as an office seeker. He belongs to the Swedish Luth- eran church. He possesses a character that makes him strong, forceful, deter- mined and aggressive and his valuable farming property is the visible evidence of what he has accomplished in the business world.
EDWARD W. LEWIS.
The fine farm of one hundred and fifty-seven acres on section 6, Cornwall township, on which Edward W. Lewis lives, constitutes but a part of the two hundred and seventy-five acres of well improved land he owns in Henry county. While he raises the crops adapted to soil and climate, he has made a specialty of breeding and feeding stock, the high quality of his Hereford cattle making him well known'in this section of the state. A native of Henry county, he was born
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MR. AND MRS. E. W. LEWIS
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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
February 7, 1870, a son of William J. and Eliza (Claypool) Lewis, and a descendant of an old family, mention being made of his great-grandfather and grandfather in the sketch of A. J. Lewis, which appears on another page of this work.
William J. Lewis, the father of Edward W. Lewis, was born in Ohio, June 18, 1849, and came to Cornwall township, Henry county, Illinois, with his father in 1852. He became a farmer and later a stockman, achieving especial distinction as the latter, for he was the second in the county and the first in this township to breed Hereford cattle. When he removed to Geneseo he established a breed- ing farm on Bluff road, where his son David Harry is now carrying on the bus- iness he started. He was successful beyond the average and became one of the large landowners of the county, his possessions being the visible evidence of what he had accomplished through thrift, industry and good management. In politics he was a democrat and while not an office seeker he served efficiently as tax collector and highway commissioner. While a resident of Cornwall town- ship he was a member of the Liberty church, but when he removed to Geneseo he joined the Congregationalists. His life always measured up to a high stand- ard of manhood and citizenship, and in his death, which occurred September 6, 1896, Henry county lost one of its valued men. In his young manhood he wed- ded Miss Eliza Claypool, a daughter of Elijah Claypool, and they became the parents of four sons: Edward W., of this review; James Fred, who resides in Geneseo; Perry T., who also lives in Geneseo; and D. Harry, who is engaged in the stock business on Bluff road. Mrs. Lewis died when her eldest son was eight years of age.
The days of his boyhood passed busily for Edward W. Lewis for he partic- ipated in the work that was carried on on the home farm at the same time that he pursued his lessons in the district school. He also spent one term at the Geneseo Collegiate Institute, where his education was completed. At the age of twenty-one years he operated a portion of his father's farm, receiving a share of the crops, and later became a partner in the stock business also, continuing therein until his father's death. Then he inherited eighty acres and after the death of his stepmother came into possession of more land, and now, in addi- tion to the two hundred and seventy-five acres he owns in Henry county, has four hundred and eighty acres in Sherman county, Kansas. In the fall of 1900 he purchased the J. K. Reherd farm in Geneseo township, where Theodore F. Erdman now lives, for ninety dollars an acre, moving thereto in the spring of 1901. In 1903, while he was living there a cyclone passed over the country, demolishing the buildings upon his place. It happened that his wife and son had taken the train for Rock Island that day and thus avoided the storm, but he was in the barn at the time and after the roof was carried away succeeded in making his escape without injury. In 1906 he sold the farm to F. A. Snodgrass, who paid one hundred and forty dollars an acre for it, that price for that size farm being the largest which had ever been received for arable land in the township up to that time. Mr. Lewis makes a specialty of breeding and feeding blooded Hereford cattle, but he also carries on general farming, and that he is successful, enterprising and progressive is indicated by the attractive appearance of his place and the number and character of his buildings.
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At South Heights, Rock Island county, Illinois, March 6, 1895, Mr. Lewis wedded Miss Mary E. Wood, of that village, where she was born February 6, 1870. Her father, George Wood, was a native of New York city and was early left an orphan, for his father, who was a sea captain, was lost on the ocean, and his mother died while he was a boy. He grew to manhood in the state of his birth, learning the ship carpenter's trade, and he started to New Orleans, Louis- iana, with the intention of locating there but on reaching Rock Island county, Illinois, he became acquainted with Miss Elizabeth J. Bollman, whom he mar- ried. He then established his home in that section of the state and engaged in carpentering and fruit growing. He died November 1, 1907, but his wife is still living and resides in the old home in Rock Island county. She was born near Bloody Run, Pennsylvania, and her mother was also a native of the Keystone state. The latter was a descendant of a French royalist family and came to Illinois about 1845, before the railroads had been built to Rock Island. She wit- nessed the great change the years wrought in the state, for she lived to the ven- erable age of ninety-five, dying in March, 1907. Mrs. Lewis was graduated from the Rock Island high school and thereafter engaged in teaching. She was em- ployed in one of the schools of Henry county when she became acquainted with Mr. Lewis and later taught in Rock Island. She has become the mother of a son, Kenneth Woodbury, who was born in Geneseo township.
Mr. Lewis is a republican in his political affiliations, but although an inter- ested spectator of public affairs he has never had any desire to hold office. With his wife he belongs to the Mystic Workers of Geneseo, and Mrs. Lewis is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of the city, although she generally attends religious services in Cornwall township. He is a man who makes good use of his opportunities, has prospered from year to year and has conducted all business matters carefully and successfully. He has not permitted the accumu- lation of a competence, however, to affect his actions toward those less success- ful than he, but has a cheerful word and pleasant smile for all with whom he comes in contact.
HARRY EARL FERGUSON.
Harry Earl Ferguson, an enterprising and progressive farmer and stock dealer of Western township, was born on the old homestead upon which his parents still reside, on the 29th of October, 1882, and is a son of George William and Inez E. (Hitchcock) Ferguson. There he was reader to manhood, receiving his early educational training in the schools near his father's home, while at the age of seventeen he entered the high school at Galesburg, from which he was graduated in 1902 with a class of one hundred and twenty-four members. After leaving school he returned home and for a time lived with a sister, Mrs. Mahlon Love. His entire life has been characterized by agricultural pursuits, having a half interest in a farm with his father. In the fall of 1908 in connection with his father he purchased a farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 2. West- ern township, where he now makes his home and to the cultivation of which he
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is directing his entire energies. He has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation, the soil yielding rich harvests that are proving sources of gratifying annual reevnue. In 1909 he erected an up-to-date and modern residence equipped with hot and cold water, heated by hot air and lighted with acetylene gas, having installed a gas plant upon the place. He has introduced many other improve- ments and the place is lacking in nothing that goes to make up a model farm of the twentieth century. He carries on general farming and also engages exten- sively in feeding and shipping stock, both branches of his business proving very successful. Energetic and industrious, his well directed efforts and close appli- cation have been salient elements in the prosperity which he today enjoys and he is ranked among the enterprising and progressive farmers of the township.
It was on the 17th of June, 1908, that Mr. Ferguson was united in marriage in Orion to Miss Laura Amelia Rutledge, of that city, whose birth occurred upon a farm in Oxford township. She is a daughter of Rockwell and Ella (Jor- dan) Rutledge, the father having been born in Westmoreland county, Pennsyl- vania, on the 28th of December, 1859. In early life he came to Henry county with his parents, the family home being established near Alpha. He was a farmer by occupation and was thus engaged until his demise, which occurred March 21, 1887, when the daughter was but two years of age. The mother, who was born in Seneca county, Ohio, accompanied her parents to Henry county when she was but five years of age. Mrs. Ferguson attended the public schools of Orion, graduating with the class of 1902, and taught in the country schools of Henry county for several years and in the graded schools of Orion for two years. She was the only child born unto her parents, and her mother, who still survives, makes her home with her. She and her husband are both members of the Bap- tist church at Orion, and politically Mr. Ferguson is identified with the republi- can party. He is not an aspirant for public office, however, preferring to devote his entire time and energy to the conduct of his private business affairs, which, capably managed, are returning to him gratifying remuneration. Having spent his entire life in Western township he has gained an extensive circle of warm friends who entertain for him the utmost regard and esteem because of his ex- cellent traits of character.
ALVIN M. LYON.
Alvin M. Lyon, deceased, who was equally successful as a farmer and teacher, and whose home on section II, Edford township, is the place of resi- dence of his children today, was born in Union county, Connecticut, July 4, 1843. His parents, Lyman and Olive (Buck) Lyon, came to Illinois in 1850 and three years later purchased a farm in Geneseo township, Henry county, on which they passed the remainder of their days.
Alvin M. Lyon was but seven years of age when his parents came to this state. He began his education in the public schools of Geneseo and then entered the old seminary which has since become only a memory. At the age of twenty he began his career as a teacher, instructing the pupils who attended the schools of Hanna
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township. In 1870, shortly before his marriage, he purchased the farm on which his children now live and engaged in agricultural pursuits. Reared as he had been on a farm, he had already had some experience in the tilling of the soil, so that it was with a knowing hand that he again took up farming. He was able to win an appreciable return from his fields and found pleasure in this vocation.
On the 27th of November, 1870, Mr. Alvin married Miss Achsah Adams, who was born in Sterling, Illinois, and was a daughter of Charles and Sarah (Darling) Adams. Like her husband, she too had received her higher educa- tion from the old seminary and had engaged in teaching for a few years prior to her marriage. Seven children were born of this union. Robert B., the eldest, finished his education in the Geneseo Collegiate Institute. He married Miss Alice Muzzy and follows farming in Geneseo township. Amy L. attended the North- western Normal in her youth, but has since married Bert J. Parriott and lives in Lidgerwood, North Dakota. They have a daughter, Marvel. Fanny became a teacher and later was graduated from Brown's Business College, in Galesburg. She is now a stenographer in that city. Jessie C. began to teach school at the age of seventeen and after an experience of a couple of years attended the Gene- seo Collegiate Institute. She spent the winters of 1906 and 1907 at the Knox Conservatory of Music. Edna Achsah attended the Geneseo Collegiate Institute, from which she was graduated with first honors in the class of 1902. She en- gaged in teaching for a few years but is now a resident of Pasadena, California. Chester Adams, the youngest of the family, was graduated from the Geneseo Collegiate Institute and has taken up the profession of teaching, looking forward to attaining his father's success.
Alvin M. Lyon generally affiliated with the democratic party, feeling more in sympathy with its platform than with that of any other political party, but he was independent in his views and on many occasions voted for the man or measure that seemed to him best, irrespective of party allegiance. He was deeply con- cerned for the advancement of the interests of his fellow agriculturists and was a leader in that organization known as the Knights of Labor, which has as its prime aim the improvement of the conditions of the farmers. Fraternally he was also connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was a man who possessed the capacity of making stanch friends, and when, on the 20th of April, 1909, he passed away, he was widely mourned as a good citizen, a loyal friend and a devoted father. His wife had preceded him to the grave by more than ten years, her death having occurred December 15, 1898.
FREDERICK A. HINES.
Frederick A. Hines, whose birth occurred December 8, 1862, on the old home- stead in Phenix township, Henry county, Illinois, is a son of Henry and Susan (Henney) Hines, the former born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1817, and the latter in Ohio in 1825. When he was but two years of age, Henry Hines was brought to the United States by his parents, who settled in Pennsylvania, whence they removed to Ohio. Later, in 1852, accompanied by his young wife, the father of
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our subject drove all the way from Ohio to Henry county, Illinois, in a one-horse wagon, the railroad in those days coming only to La Salle. Thus he witnessed during his remaining days, much of the growth and development of this section of Illinois for when he came the country was a wild prairie presenting all the evidences of frontier life-forests in their native state and streams unbridged, while deer and other wild animals roamed over the country. Henry Hines located on section 26, Phenix township, there establishing the homestead that has since been in possession of the family. He had eight children: John H., who is now living in Kansas; Lucy, the widow of Washington Rowe, her home being in Geneseo, Illinois ; Christina, who became the wife of Aaron Rapp, also of Geneseo; Mary, who wedded Abner Offerle, of Kansas; Sarah, the wife of Leonard Sieben, living in Geneseo; Hattie, now the wife of John Goemble, their home being in Kirksville, Missouri; Peter H., a minister of the United Evangel- ical church, whose home is also in Missouri; and Frederick A., the subject of this review.
Frederick A. Hines was reared under the parental roof, early becoming familiar with the duties that fall to the lot of a lad reared on a farm. Under these conditions he acquired as best he could the rudimentary elements of Eng- lish learning in the district schools, learning far more practical lessons through experience and hard work in the cultivation of the fields and many other duties that go to make up the daily routine of the agriculturist. Left fatherless at the age of seven years, he remained at home, assisting his mother who continued to operate the farm after the death of her husband, until he was twenty-one years old. Inheriting his father's persistency of purpose, perseverance in overcoming all difficulties that confronted him and undaunted courage, he worked unceas- ingly through the days and years intervening until in 1889 he was enabled to buy the old homestead place which contains one hundred and twenty acres in Phe- nix township, where he was born, and which is dear to him through the associa- tions of his boyhood.
Three years before he had purchased his home occurred the marriage of Mr. Hines and Miss Sarah Bollen, who was born December 2, 1864, in Loraine town- ship, this county, and is a daughter of John and Caroline (Heller) Bollen, the former born in July, 1834, in Ohio and the latter in 1839. Her mother passed away in 1872 and is buried in Loraine township. Her father, who now resides in Geneseo, was a farmer by occupation and came to Illinois in the early pioneer days, driving across the country with an ox-team. He broke prairie in both Henry and Whiteside counties. He was a republican and highly esteemed by his fellow citizens who elected him to all of the township offices. Unto him and his wife were born four children, as follows: William, who lives in Geneseo town- ship, this county ; Mrs. Frederick A. Hines; John W., who makes his home in Osco township, this county; and Wesley, who died in infancy. The parents were members of the Methodist church, as is also the wife of our subject, who is teaching in the Sunday school and at present serving as president of the Ladies Aid Society. The home of Frederick A. Hines and his wife has been blessed with three children: Floyd, who was born March 17, 1887, attended college at Geneseo and is now assisting his father. Ethel Gertrude, born May 21, 1889, teaches music. Lois Irene, born June 12, 1902, is now in school.
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Aside from the homestead farm the landed holdings of Mr. Hines include a good farm in South Dakota and in addition to general farming on the home place he also engages in stock raising, which has proved a valuable branch of his bus- iness. Having worked through many years, Mr. Hines and his wife, who has been of great assistance to him through her able management of the household affairs, are now enjoying well merited prosperity and their home, which Mr. Hines erected in 1900, is one of the most comfortable and attractive modern homes of the township; but above all temporary comforts and blessings, Mr. and Mrs. Hines command the respect and receive the good wishes of all with whom they have come in contact. In his political views he is a republican and has served as town clerk and assessor of Phenix township, has been a school director and at present is serving in the office of justice of the peace. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is both a trustee and a steward. A broadminded man, his influence has been far-reaching and his efforts effective in all those things which uplift and benefit the community intellectually, morally and spiritually.
ADOLPH F. ANDERSON.
Among the influential citizens of Lynn township is Adolph F. Anderson, who is a native of Sweden, born January 1, 1851, and a son of Andrew J. and Britta (Munson) Anderson. When but fourteen years of age he was deprived of his father by death and unusual responsibilities settled upon his young shoulders. He was educated in the schools of his native country and as a youth learned the trade of machinist and blacksmith.
After gaining a livelihood through his trade for a number of years he decided to come to America, and in 1879 put this decision into effect. Upon his arrival he located at Afton, Iowa, where for six months he found employment as a sec- tion hand upon a railroad. In the fall of the same year he removed to Rock Island, Illinois, where in the plow works of that city he found employment at his trade. He remained there for a number of years but on March 18, 1886, he came to Lynn Center, Henry county, which he soon became satisfied should be his permanent home. He established a small shop, equipped with lathes, drills and other machinery for doing such repair and other work as was needed in the locality, with a blacksmith shop in connection. His thrift, diligence and honor- able methods gradually built up a good business which has expanded until it has assumed extensive proportions. In addition to the machinist and blacksmith work done by Mr. Anderson he handles a full line of goods, embracing every machine and implement used on the farm, together with fencing, salt, roofing, paints, pumps and windmills. He also manufactures wagons, hay-racks, water tanks and wagon shoveling boards. In a progressive farming district like Lynn Center such an establishment is almost indispensable and Mr. Anderson enjoys the good will and liberal patronage of the entire community.
Before leaving his native country Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Olson, a daughter of Olaf and Anna Olson, of Sweden. The cere-
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mony was performed December 28, 1878, and the officiating clergyman was the Rev. Mr. Bull. Although some of the relatives of Mrs. Anderson came to Amer- ica, her parents never left their native country. To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have been born nine children, all of whom are living. Amanda is now the wife of Charles Ellstrom, an Oxford township farmer; Charles is the agent of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad at Lynn Center; Richard is telegraph operator for the same road at Lynn Center ; Esther is the wife of Fred Peterson, of New Windsor; Olga is a popular and successful school teacher; Martin is a student at Rock Island College, while Melvin, Eleanor and Herman are at home.
Mr. Anderson gives his allegiance to the republican party. Although very influential as a private citizen, few men being better informed than he upon cur- rent issues, he has never been one to crave the honors and emoluments of office. However, he does not shirk his public duty but for twenty years has served as a member of the Lynn board of education. He is identified prominently with three Orion organizations : Sherman Lodge, No. 535, F. A. & A. M .; the Mod- ern Woodmen of America; and the Mystic Workers. Mr. Anderson and his family are members of the Lutheran church at Andover and are active in both church and Sunday school. As a family they are a credit to the community, morally, intellectually and socially. Their home is one of the most attractive in the pleasant little village of Lynn Center and is the scene of much of the social life of the neighborhood. In 1885 Mr. Anderson's mother came to America to make her home and had a place in the family circle until her death May 16, 1903. She is interred in the cemetery at Andover. In summing up let it be said that Mr. Anderson is a representative citizen whose influence is always found on the side of progress and improved conditions.
GEORGE REHER.
George Reher, the sexton of Oakwood cemetery, was born in Holstein, Ger- many, September 4, 1848, and is a son of Karl and Fredericka Reher. The father was a laborer and not able to do much for his son, but George received a good common-school education and then apprenticed himself to a shoemaker to learn the trade. He worked for three years without pay and then obtained piece work, later pursuing his occupation as a journeyman. In the spring of 1870 he started for America with his parents and was three weeks crossing the ocean, being delayed by broken machinery and severe storms. In one of these the ship was driven about two hundred miles from its course and the waves dashed higher than the craft that was trying to brave them. The life-boats were constantly kept in readiness, but there was never need for them and the ship and its passen- gers reached harbor in safety.
Landing at New York, Mr. Reher and his parents made their way directly to Henry county, Illinois, where a brother-in-law, Henry Schmidt, was living. He had but few possessions when he arrived in this state and did not know a word of English, but he was not discouraged, determining to master his deficiencies and get ahead in this new land. The parents took up their abode with Henry
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Schmidt, with whom they remained until their deaths. With the intention of learning to speak the language as quickly as possible, George Reher secured em- ployment with an American family. His difficulties were many, however, for his ignorance of English was so great that he had a hard time understanding the wants of the men and could obtain but little assistance from the Swede who also worked there and had acquired a slight knowledge of the meaning of our words. Besides, he had never worked with horses and did not know how either to care for one, harness him or even ride or drive. He persevered, however, received twenty-four dollars a month wages and continued to work as a farm hand for many years. In the early '8os he came to Geneseo, where he obtained work on the railroad and from the city. As the result of his saving, he was at length able to buy some property in the third ward of the city. He sold this, however, when on February 1, 1887, he was appointed to his present position. Oakwood ceme- tery was opened in 1868 and several other sextons had had the care of it but for more than two decades Mr. Reher has had the responsibility of keeping it in good order and making it one of the attractive cemeteries of the county.
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