USA > Illinois > Henry County > History of Henry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 98
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On the 26th of February, 1872, Mr. Reher married the woman he had loved and courted in his native home, Miss Henrietta Tehen. Her father was killed in the war of 1849 and his daughter never knew his given name, but her mother was Miss Carolina Pegler in her maidenhood. Mrs. Reher received a good edu- cation in the German schools and when Mr. Reher had made sufficient progress in this country he sent for her to join him. To them seven children have been born: Nellie, the eldest, married William Becker. They have four children and live in Geneseo. Charles married Miss Alice Crisbie and lives in Geneseo. Wil- liam married Miss Bertha Schmekel and also lives in Geneseo. They have one child. Louis married Miss Mabel Wieneke and resides in Geneseo. Etta be- came the wife of Fred Fricke and lives in Nebraska. . Fred was graduated from the Geneseo high school and then attended the normal school in Valley City, North Dakota. He is now engaged in teaching. George is still at home.
The family are members of the German Lutheran church, while Mr. Reher is a republican in his political affiliations. He finds social diversion and relaxa- tion in Tribune Lodge, No. 14. Handicapped though he was by his ignorance of our language as well as of our customs, he has succeeded in making a place for himself and in attaining the respect of his fellow citizens.
JOHN HALE MANNON, A. M., M. D.
Dr. John Hale Mannon, who has now been engaged in the practice of medi- cine at Kewanee for almost three decades, is numbered among the leading and successful members of the profession in this county. His birth occurred in Brown county, Ohio, on the 2d of February, 1851, his parents being John and Matilda (McPherson) Mannon, the former a farmer by occupation. In 1855 the family home was established at Monmouth, Illinois, and there Dr. Mannon ob- tained his more specifically literary education, being graduated from Monmouth College in 1876. He then followed the profession of teaching for a year and
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afterward began the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. J. H. Walch. Subsequently he entered Rush Medical College of Chicago, from which institu- tion he was graduated in 1880, winning the degree of M. D. He at once located for practice in Kewanee and this city has since remained the scene of his pro- fessional labors, his patronage having continually grown in volume and import- ance as he has demonstrated his skill and ability in the line of his chosen calling. The Physicians Club numbers him among its valued members and he also be- longs to the Henry County Medical Society, thus keeping in touch with the pro- gress that is being continually made by the profession. He is on the medical staff of St. Francis Hospital, of which he was one of the original members, and is likewise lecturer on contagious diseases. He also acts as medical examiner for a number of old line insurance companies.
On the 24th of December, 1878, Dr. Mannon was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Esther Hill, of Monmouth, Illinois. They lost a son, John, who passed away when but three years of age. Their surviving child, Mary, was married on the 10th of August, 1907, to Nathan John Higginbotham, who is now the rep- resentative of the National Tube Works at San Francisco, California. Mr. Hig- ginbotham came to Kewanee from Decatur, Illinois, and entered the employ of the National Tube Works in a humble capacity but was promoted to positions of greater responsibility from time to time as he demonstrated his capability and faithfulness in the discharge of the duties entrusted to his care. He was even- tually sent to New York as special salesman in the fittings department and later was transferred to San Francisco. Unto him and his wife have been born two children, namely : Mary Jane, whose birth occurred on the Ist of May, 1908; and John Mannon, who was born in Kewanee on the 8th of May, 1909.
Fraternally Dr. Mannon is identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His personal characteristics have gained for him the warm re- gard and friendship of many, and in professional lines he has attained that emi- nence which only comes in recognition of merit and ability.
WILLIAM F. NOTT.
William F. Nott, who for the past twenty-nine years has been engaged in the livery business at Galva, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on the 30th of July, 1858. His parents, Abraham and Elizabeth (Slatt) Nott, were natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. The father, who was identified with general agricultura! pursuits throughout the greater part of his business career, journeyed westward in 1865 and took up his abode in Marion county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming. About 1869 he came to Henry county, Illinois, settling in Galva, where he embarked in the butchering business and was thus busily engaged throughout practically the remainder of his life. He passed away in Galva, when sixty-nine years of age, and his loss was deeply mourned by all who knew him. His wife was called to her final rest when she had attained the age of sixty-seven years. They were both devoted and faithful members of the Congregational church. Their family numbered eight children, four sons and four daughters, as follows:
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Emma L .; Arthur; Bertha, the deceased wife of T. G. Bell; Lizzie; William F., of this review ; Herbert D .; Julia, the wife of Edward I. Johnson, of Kewanee; and Norman, who died when about sixteen years of age.
William F. Nott, who was a lad of about eleven years when he came with his parents to this county, grew to manhood in Galva and attended the public schools in the acquirement of an education. He followed various pursuits in early manhood and remained at home until thirty-three years of age, his earn- ings going to the support of the family. In 1880 he embarked in the livery bus- iness at Galva and has since successfully conducted an enterprise of that char- acter, enjoying a constantly growing and profitable patronage. In 1905 he in- curred a loss of ten thousand dollars through the destruction of his stable by fire, and he afterward erected the fine brick stable in which his business has since been carried on.
Mr. Nott has been twice married. His first wife, who bore the maiden name of Ella Price and was a daughter of Archibald Price, died eighteen months after her marriage. On the 16th of November, 1893, Mr. Nott was joined in wedlock to Miss Alice Emery, a daughter of David Emery. They have one daughter, Marie.
In his political views Mr. Nott is a stanch republican, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Congregational church, with which his wife is also identified. Much of his life has been spent in Henry county, where he has a wide acquaintance and is favorably known.
DAVID HADLEY.
David Hadley, deceased, whose farm was located partly on section 26 and partly on section 27, Osco township, was born in England, September 29, 1837. His father, William Hadley, was also of English birth and never left his native land. The son was seventeen years of age when he came. After landing upon our shores, Mr. Hadley remained for a time in New York and then came west to Illinois, locating in Henry county, where he engaged in farming and where he met the woman who became his first wife. She was Miss Susan Kilmer and to them were born two children. J. J. Hadley, the older, is in business in Osco township, but a more extended mention is made of him in another part of this volume. Emeline, the other child, became the wife of Leander Rowe and lives in Schaller, Sac county, Iowa. After the death of the mother Mr. Hadley mar- ried Miss Julia Gillett, who was born in Trivoli, Peoria county, Illinois, a daughter of Cyrus and Elizabeth (Jewell) Gillett. Their union, which was solemnized March 8, 1876, was blessed with five children. Minnie May married J. Heber Smith and lives in Osco township. Fred G. died at the age of twenty-three years. Bert Elmer married Darlane Peterson, who bore him two children, and he died in Osco township, his family now living in Dunderan, Canada. Estella Pearl and Ruby Luella, the two youngest, are both at home.
Mr. Hadley was a firm believer in the platform of the republican party, but although he always exercised his right of franchise, which he believed was the
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duty of every citizen, he never sought for any office within the gift of the people. He was reared in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church and was not only a devout attendant at religious services but also ordered his life in accordance with its teachings and actively identified himself with the work of the church. For seventeen years he was superintendent of the Sunday school and for an- other long period was a class leader. Successful in his business affairs, and con- scientious in his dealings with his fellowmen, he was respected as a citizen and when death called him was deeply mourned by those who knew him best. He died October 3, 1890, leaving to his family a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres.
HORACE F. SIMMONS.
Horace F. Simmons is one of the men who is profiting by the confidence he evinced in the future of Henry county land. He was born January 25, 1857, in Kewanee, Illinois, a son of William H. and Mary Ann (Briggs) Simmons, natives of Massachusetts, who were married in the east. The father went first to Tazewell county, Illinois, in 1837 before he was married, spending a year there working on the first buildings erected in Delavan, he being a contractor and builder. These buildings were a sawmill and a hotel and when he had completed them he returned to Massachusetts and married Mary Ann Briggs. In 1842 they removed to Pennsylvania, where he followed contracting and building. Seeking wider fields, he then went to Columbiana county, Ohio, remaining there until 1854, when the family came to Illinois, locating at Kewanee. Here the father found employment at his trade until 1860, in which year he removed to Clover township, where he had purchased a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1894. In that year he took up his abode in Woodhull, living there retired until his death in July, 1902. His wife died before him in September, 1901, and both are interred in the cemetery at Woodhull. Mr. Simmons pros- pered in his undertakings, becoming the owner of twelve hundred acres of ex- cellent land. His original purchase of one hundred and sixty acres in Clover township cost him seven hundred dollars. That same land is still in the posses- sion of the family and is now worth at least thirty-two thousand dollars or two hundred dollars an acre. He was a man who took an active interest in public matters and while a member of the county board of supervisors from Clover township did much to advance his locality. During his incumbency of the office the county infirmary buildings were erected, he being a member of the commit- tee having that in charge. In every way he was a very capable man and his judgment was often sought in public and private affairs. All his life he com- manded the highest respect of his associates, being a man of strong character and strictest integrity. Seven children were born to him and his wife, namely : William Henry and Mary E., who are deceased; M. Eugenia, who married Alfred A. Stickney; L. Alice, who married George Wood; Eveline A .; George W., deceased; and Horace F.
Horace F. Simmons spent his youth with his father upon the farm and was educated in the Clover township schools and the Barrington Commercial College.
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He early showed a capacity for business and has devoted himself to his father's large realty interests. On June 28, 1899, he married Elizabeth Durston, a daughter of Charles F. and Sarah H. (Gould) Durston, both natives of Mercer county, Illinois. Both the Durston and Gould families came from England some years ago. Mr. Durston was a farmer early in life but for many years served as county clerk of Mercer county, later as deputy circuit clerk and was a man who was prominent in public affairs. He died in April, 1909, but his widow survives and still resides in Mercer county, where their entire lives were spent. Mrs. Simmons was educated in the public schools of Aledo and at Lombard College, Galesburg, from which she was graduated in 1890. Following this she taught in Mercer and Henry counties for several years prior to her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Simmons are the parents of three daughters namely: Alice G., Ethel L. and Ruth Elizabeth. Since his marriage Mr. Simmons has lived in Woodhull, where he looks after his extensive holdings, owning about six hundred acres of magnificent farming land, all well improved and under a high state of cultiva- tion.
A democrat in his political views, he keeps well informed on both sides of every question, believing it the duty of every good citizen to do so. He and his family affiliate with the Presbyterian church, he being a member of the board of trustees of that body as well as one of its most liberal supporters. Mr Simmons has always heartily supported all measures calculated to secure good schools, bet- ter roads and improved conditions of things generally.
ALEXANDER L. LOVE.
Among the agriculturists of Henry county who have attained a pronounced success and have evinced a keen interest in all that pertains to the public welfare is Alexander L. Love, who owns the greater part of section 8, Western township. He was born in County Antrim, Ireland, August 18, 1849, his parents being John and Mary A. (Duncan) Love. He was but an infant in arms when they left their home and started upon their journey to the new world. After crossing the Atlantic, they settled in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, where the father soon afterward died, leaving a widow with ten children, of whom Alexander was the youngest. Hard as was the task bequeathed to the courageous woman. she managed to rear them and keep them together upon the Pennsylvania farm until 1871, when they removed to Henry county, Illinois. About ten years before one son, William Love, had come here, and after his return from the army, in which he had enlisted shortly after his arrival here, he bought land in Western town- ship. When Alexander Love and his mother came here, she purchased the place on which he lives today for she had sold the two farms she owned in Pennsylvania, and it remained her home until 1892, when she passed away in her eighty-third year. Her ten children grew to maturity and most of them are still living. Ann, the eldest, has remained unmarried and makes her home with her brother Alex- ander. Elizabeth became the wife of John Blair but died in Millville, New Jer- sey, before the family came to Illinois. The two children she left are now in
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this state. Jane lives in Chicago. Nancy is the widow of Joseph Watson and lives in Orion. She has two children living. Matilda married William Finley, who died in 1892, and she lives in Orion with her daughter, Mrs. Charles Hanna. Mary resides in Chicago, her husband, Hugh Gerrity, having died several years ago. Their son, John, also lives in Chicago. William, who came to Henry county, in 1861, enlisted in 1862 in Company B, Sixty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and at the expiration of his three years' term reenlisted serving until the close of the war. He was rapidly promoted for meritorious service. At Harpers Ferry he was taken prisoner, but was afterwards released on parole. He left the army with the rank of second lieutenant. After his return from service he engaged in farming in Western township and wedded Miss Isabel Lloyd. Their union was blessed with five children, two of whom died in infancy. Three sons lived to maturity : Mahlon, who married Miss Grace Ferguson and died in 1902, leav- ing three children; William Arthur, who is an attorney in Chicago; and Edgar, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. William Love died in 1895. Maria L., the next of family, is unmarried and lives with her brother Alexander. James A. wedded Miss Anna Beatty who passed away about twenty-two years ago. Five children were born unto them. Alexander L., the youngest, is the subject of this sketch.
- Alexander L. Love received a fair education. He was a pupil first in the country schools near his Pennsylvania home, later entered the academy at Tren- ton, New Jersey, after which he attended Bryant & Stratton Business College in that city from which he was graduated. Upon coming to Illinois he remained with his mother, for whom he operated the farm. In 1877 he married and in a short time purchased the Crampton property, embracing one hundred and sixty acres, which had previously been his wife's home. On that Mr. Love lived until 1902, when he removed to the farm where he lives today. It was the place to which his mother brought her family when she came to this county, although it has been enlarged until now Mrs. Love owns five hundred and twenty acres in Western township. Although he has met with success in his farming operations, he has not given to it his attention to the exclusion of other matters which have held equally large opportunities for him. For two years he was interested in grain buying in Crampton, and later, in 1890, with his brother William organized the Farmers Bank of Orion, filling the position of cashier. In 1908, when this came under the banking laws of Illinois, its name was changed to the Farmers State Bank, and Mr. Love was made the first president of the new concern, a position he has held to the present.
On the 27th of March, 1877, in Western township, Mr. Love and Miss Mary S. Crampton were joined in marriage. She is a daughter of Francis A. and Eleanor (Huston) Crampton and was born in 1858 in Preble county, Ohio. Mr. Crampton moved his family to Henry county in 1859, taking up his residence in Western township. For a short period he was engaged in commercial pursuits in Davenport but returned once more to Western township, opening a store in Orion, which he conducted until 1889. In that year he removed to Ventura, Cali- fornia, to pass the remainder of his life in retirement.
Mr. and Mrs. Love have had four children. Francis, the eldest, died in in- fancy. Henry Jay was graduated from the Geneseo Collegiate Institute in 1898,
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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
and after teaching a year entered Knox College, from which he received his de- gree in 1903. Thereupon he entered the medical department of the University of Michigan, receiving his license to practice medicine and surgery in 1907. The next two years he spent in the railway hospital of the Santa Fe at Topeka, Kansas, and now has established himself in East Moline, Illinois. He has not married. Eleanor Jane was graduated from the Galesburg high school with the class of 1905 and later spent one year at Waterman Hall in Sycamore, Illinois. Mary A. attended the high school at Ventura, California, for two years, and is now a junior in the Moline high school.
Politically Mr. Love is in sympathy with the principles of the republican party but he has never aspired to public office. He is a member of Sherman Lodge, No. 535, A. F. & A. M., and with his wife and daughter Eleanor belongs to the Eastern Star, in which the latter has been elector. Successful, popular and en- joying the friendship of many, he is one of the highly respected men of his community.
CHARLES W. MOUNT.
Among the successful agriculturists of the younger generation in Weller town- ship, must be numbered Charles W. Mount, who with care and great industry tills a farm of eighty acres about three quarters of a mile east of the village of Nekoma. A native of this township, he was born April 10, 1873, a son of Jacob Mount. The latter was born in Brown county, Ohio, September 11, 1830, and remained in the place of his birth until he reached the age of twenty-five years, when he drove across the country to Nekoma, Illinois. For almost a score of years he lived on numerous farms in the vicinity of the village, coming in the spring of 1875 to the place which his son Charles W. Mount operates today. It remained his home, too, and the scene of his active life until the 5th of October, 1902, when he thought he was justified in relinquishing the heavier of life's duties and retired to the city of Galva. He has not, however, given up his interest in affairs generally nor in the welfare of his fellow citizens, although he has reached the age of seventy-nine years. He is still in possession of his faculties and moves with a briskness that belies his age.
As soon as old enough to attend Charles W. Mount was enrolled as a pupil of the common schools of the district near Nekoma, and from his childhood he worked with his father upon the home farm. Later when the older man felt that advancing years and a large competence justified his retiring from active life, Charles W. Mount assumed the full responsibilities of the operation of the homestead, which he carries on to the present time. He has pursued general farming, but has also become interested in the Galva Grain Elevator Company of Galva and Nekoma, which returns him a most acceptable addition to his in- come. He keeps upon his place a thoroughbred Shire stallion, which is the only one of its kind in the neighborhood. The best years of his life, one may well judge, are before him, and they should be as rich in the good fortune they have in store as have been those of the past, when he has done little more than make
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a trial of what was within his power and what he might accomplish through continued devotion to his vocation.
On the 3d of December, 1903, Mr. Mount wedded Miss Aurora P. Lindbeck, a daughter of Dan Lindbeck, a carpenter of Bishop Hill. Two sons have been born to the couple : Claude C., who is now four years of age; and Harold A., who has but recently completed his first year. While Mr. Mount claims he gives his support to the democratic party, he is in reality non-partisan in his views, seldom failing to cast his ballot in favor of the men who represents the best interests of the community he would serve. In the ranks of the Modern Woodmen of America he has played a conspicuous part, for he has for a number of years be- longed to the camp located at Nekoma, in which he has held the office of escort for a considerable period.
LESLIE H. McDONALD.
Leslie H. McDonald is an enterprising young farmer, who operates the old homestead farm, located on section 20, Western township, and comprises two hundred and forty acres. He was born on the farm which is now his home, November 18, 1880. His paternal grandfather, James McDonald, was born in Ohio and after reaching years of maturity went to Indiana, where he met and married Miss Jane Spivey, after which they located in Rock Island county, Illi- nois. This was in the early '40s and James McDonald, availing himself of the opportunity to get land at a low price, purchased farm property from the govern- ment to which he later added until he became the owner of a section in that county. He there reared his family which included Lawrence McDonald, the father of our subject. The latter was born on the home farm, June 7, 1854, and was there reared to maturity. When he started out in the business world he was given substantial aid by his father in the purchase of one hundred and six acres, which constitutes a portion of the present home place, and thus it was that the McDonald family was established in Henry county. Prior to his location in Henry county, however, Lawrence McDonald was married in his native county to Miss Theresa Haskell, who was there born in June, 1855. The farm which Mr. McDonald purchased was but partially improved but he eventually added better and more substantial buildings and as the years passed he increased his acreage until he now owns five hundred and sixty-three acres, a part of which is located in Rock Island county and the balance in Western township. Mr. Mc- Donald was actively identified with agricultural interests until the spring of 1909, since which time he has lived retired, while the son manages the home farm. Mr. and Mrs. McDonald have four sons. Willis Sherman, who was born on Christmas day of 1877, wedded Miss Anna Stewart, and is a barber of Draper, South Dakota. Leslie H., of this review, is the next in order of birth. Ray and Ralph are twins, born January 7, 1885. The former wedded Miss Lina McMeekin and makes his home in Western township, while the latter is still single and is engaged as a stenographer with the Air Motor Windmill & Gaso-
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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY
line Engine Company at Chicago. At one time there were five generations of the family living.
Leslie H. McDonald spent the period of his boyhood and youth in much the usual manner of farm lads, assisting his father in the work of the fields from the time of planting until the harvesting was finished, and in the winter months he pursued his studies in the common schools. He remained with his father to the age of twenty-four years, when in 1904 he went to Fort Pierre, South Da- kota, and entered a claim from the government, the patent being signed by Pres- ident Roosevelt. He improved the tract and remained on it until he proved up and then returned to Henry county, where on the 27th of September, 1906, he was married to Miss Cora Tennant, the wedding ceremony being performed in Western township. Mrs. McDonald was born in Chicago, December 17, 1886, a daughter of William and Mary (Boyd) Tennant, who own a farm in this township and also a home in the metropolis. The daughter was given the advan- tages of a good education, completing the high school course in Hyde Park. She later pursued a business course in the Bryant & Stratton Business College of Chicago, in the stenographic and bookkeeping departments. She is now proving herself an able assistant to her husband in managing his business affairs.
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