USA > Illinois > Lee County > History of Lee County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 12
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It was in the year 1861 that Abram K. Trusdell arrived in Am- boy, Illinois, and for four years he engaged in studying law under
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the direction of his brother B. H. Trusdell. On the 7th of Feb- ruary, 1867, he arrived in Dixon and, having qualified for practice, opened a law office. Along with those qualities indispensable to the lawyer-a keen, rapid, logical mind, plus the business sense and a ready capacity for hard work-he brought to the starting point of his career certain rare gifts eloquence of language and a strong personality. The zeal with which he has devoted his energies to the profession, the careful regard evinced for the interests of his clients and an assiduous and unrelaxing attention to all the details of his cases have brought him a large business and made him very successful in its conduct. Moreover, Mr. Trusdell has become identified with various corporations, having been one of the or- ganizers of the Dixon Water Company, of which he is now the president, and he is also president of the Nachusa House Com- pany. He is likewise a director of the Dixon National Bank and in all business matters his judgment is sound, his sagacity keen and his enterprise unfaltering.
Mr. Trusdell was married, on the 5th of December, 1871, to Miss Emma Ruth Orvis, of Dixon, a daughter of Abraham Orvis, formerly a practicing physician of Rochester, New York. Mr. Trusdell is a member of the Episcopal church and his fraternal relations are with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Throughout the county he is spoken of in terms of admiration and respect. His life has been so varied in its activity, so honorable in its purposes, so far-reaching and beneficial in its effects that it has become an integral part of the history of the city.
WILLIAM C. McWETHY, D. D. S.
Dr. William C. McWethy, who since March, 1909, has engaged in the practice of dentistry in Dixon, his native city, was born in 1871, his parents being J. H. and Hattie E. (Sheldon) McWethy, who had been residents of this state for a decade at the time of the birth of their son William. The father was a farmer by occu- pation and dependent upon that pursuit in order to provide for his family. In his later life he retired, for in tilling the soil he had won a substantial competence that enabled him to spend the evening of his life in rest from labor and yet enjoy all of the com- forts and some of the luxuries which go to make life worth the living. His political support was given to the republican party
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DR. WILLIAM C. MOWETHY
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and both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church of Dixon from its organization until they were called to their final rest. They were ever loyal to its teachings and contributed generously to its support. Both have now passed away.
Dr. McWethy supplemented his common-school education by a course in the Steinmann Institute and then in preparation for a professional career entered the Northwestern University as a dental student and was graduated in 1899 He practiced in Chi- cago for a short time and afterward removed to Ashton, Illinois, where he remained until March, 1909, when he came to Dixon and opened an office. He has a pleasant suite of rooms well ap- pointed in all of the equipments necessary for the practice of dentistry according to the most modern and progressive methods. He keeps in touch with the advancement that is being continually made in the profession and he possesses the mechanical skill and ingenuity as well as the scientific knowledge which must go hand in hand with business ability in order that a dentist may win success.
In 1900 Dr. McWethy was married to Miss Bertha L. Hub- bard, a native of Dixon and a daughter of M. D. Hubbard, who was one of the early settlers of the county, having been brought by his parents to this section of the state in his infancy. Mr. Hubbard is now deceased. Unto Dr. and Mrs. McWethy has been born a son, Donald Sheldon. Politically Dr. McWethy is a pro- gressive republican and fraternally he is connected with the Masons, the Elks and the Woodmen. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Presbyterian church and are interested and active in its work and liberal in its support. Their many ster- ling traits of heart and mind have gained them popularity and high regard and they have an extensive circle of friends in this city, in which they have spent practically their entire lives.
CONRAD HEIBENTHAL. .
Conrad Heibenthal owns a farm of one hundred and eighty- seven acres on section 24, Ashton township, and is a worthy rep- resentative of agricultural interests of this locality, for he follows always the most progressive and practical methods and in the cul- tivation of his property has surrounded himself with a gratifying measure of success. He was born in Bradford township November
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6, 1860, and is a son of Charles and Martha Heibenthal, natives of Germany. They came to America in the early '40s, and located in Lee county, Illinois, where both passed away. Seven children were born to their union of whom six are yet living.
Conrad Heibenthal was reared at home and acquired his edu- cation in the public schools of Bradford township. He remained upon his father's farm until he was twenty-three years of age and then rented land for some years, after which he bought a farm in Bradford township. This property he developed and improved for nineteen years thereafter, making it one of the finest farms in the vicinity. When he disposed of it he bought the farm in Ashton township, upon which he now resides. This comprises one hundred and eighty-seven acres on section 24 and under Mr. Heib- enthal's direction has become an attractive and valuable property. It is equipped with substantial buildings and the fields are in a high state of cultivation, yielding bountiful harvests annually.
In 1884 Mr. Heibenthal was united in marriage to Miss Eliza- beth Nauman, a native of Bradford township and a daughter of John and Martha (Wagner) Nauman, natives of Germany. The parents came to America at an early date and both died in this country. In their family were eleven children. Mr. and Mrs. Heibenthal have two children: Charles F., a resident of Lee county ; and Cora A., at home. The parents are members of the Evangelical church and Mr. Heibenthal gives his political alle- giance to the republican party. He has served in the office of school director and he is at all times progressive and public-spirited in matters of citizenship, taking an intelligent interest in community affairs.
He has spent his entire life in Lee county and his character and accomplishments have commended him to the respect and esteem of all who know him.
W. F. STRONG.
W. F. Strong is the capable and popular head of Strong's College of Music at Dixon, an institution which, though established at a comparatively recent date, has made substantial growth and won a well merited reputation as one of the art colleges of the state. Mr. Strong has devoted his entire life to music, developing the talent with which nature endowed him, and is as widely known
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perhaps as a composer and publisher as an instructor. He was born in Akron, Indiana, November 11, 1857, and is a son of Andrew and Sarah (Osgood) Strong, both of whom were natives of New York and were pioneers of Indiana. The father was a carriage maker, which trade he followed in the middle west.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, W. F. Strong pursued his education in the public schools of Indiana and in the Northern Indiana Normal College at Valparaiso before con- centrating his energies upon the development of his musical talent as a student in the Cincinnati College of Music. He afterward became a student in the Chicago Musical College and each year has marked his progress in the art. He specializes in piano, violin and harmony. His life has been devoted to teaching and composition and he has published much music, writing and compiling books for both the piano and violin that are now largely used by music teachers.
Mr. Strong organized a college of music in Shenandoah, Iowa, in connection with the Western Normal College, which he con- ducted for seven years, after which he went to Chicago for further study. In fact, throughout his entire life he has been a student and is thus continually advancing his own efficiency as well as assisting others in cultivating their musical gifts. In 1890 he came to Dixon, where he was associated with the Dixon College until 1903. In that year he removed to Rochester, Indiana, where he was half owner of a normal college, but in 1907 returned to Dixon and was again with the Dixon College until 1911. In that year he organized W. F. Strong's College of Music, giving instruction in all branches of music and granting diplomas in three graduating courses. The success of his pupils has demonstrated the accuracy and practica- bility of the college methods. The three courses for graduation include the academic, the normal and the classic course and all pupils have the benefit of a musical atmosphere, attending morn- ing classes in harmony, musical history and biography, weekly evening meetings in the studio for private rehearsals and monthly meetings in the large auditorium for public recitals. The degree of Bachelor of Music is conferred upon those completing the clas- sic course. Moreover, Mr. Strong has arranged that those so desiring may combine with music, courses in stenography, book- keeping, typewriting, English branches, oratory or art.
In 1887 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Strong and Miss Mary Bell, of Valparaiso, Indiana. Mrs. Strong is also an accom- plished musician, displaying notable ability as a pianist and pipe
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organist, and she has successfully taught with her husband. She has studied music under Amy Fay and August Hillistead of Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Strong have two daughters: Kathryn, who is a graduate of Strong's College of Music and is now pursuing advanced work in Chicago, at the same time teaching in her father's school; and Delia, a violin student. Mr. Strong is a mem- ber of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In politics he is somewhat independent but inclined toward the progressive party. Genial and courteous in manner, thoroughly earnest in his chosen profession, he has the ability to inspire his pupils with a deep interest in the work and in his teaching he makes a study of individual needs so that instruction is given to meet the specific requirements of each pupil. His compositions, too, have won recognition among music lovers and those thoroughly interested in the art, and Dixon has reason to be proud of the Strong College of Music.
CLAYTON H. BOKHOF, M. D.
Dr. Clayton H. Bokhof, a Northwestern man, who since his graduation in 1899 has continuously practiced his profession, being located in Dixon since 1901, was born in Rock City, Illinois, on the 18th of March, 1873, his parents being Herman and Amelia (Eggert) Bokhof, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Illinois. The father is numbered among the leading, influential and progressive citizens of Rock City, where he is engaged in the grain business and also figures prominently in financial circles as the president of the Rock City State Bank.
Dr. Bokhof was reared amid pleasant home surroundings, where he received encouragement to develop the best that was in him in preparation for life's practical and responsible duties. When in the attainment of his education he had graduated from the high school at Rock City it was arranged that he should con- tinue his studies in Beloit College at Beloit, Wisconsin, where his more specifically literary course was completed. A mental review of the many avenues of business opened to young men led him to the conclusion that he wished to engage in the practice of medicine, and to that purpose he entered the medical department of the Northwestern University at Chicago, where he took a full course and was graduated with the class of 1899. He then entered upon
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an eighteen months' service as interne and his experience in hospital work has been most valuable to him, giving him a broader knowledge than could be obtained in many years of general prac- tice. Thus well equipped, he came to Dixon at the end of his interneship, opened an office and entered upon general practice, in which he has been very successful. He keeps in touch with the advanced thought of his profession through wide reading and investigation and through the discussion of important professional problems as heard in the meetings of the Lee County Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Association and the American Medical Association. He is now secretary of the first named.
In October, 1903, Dr. Bokhof was united in marriage to Miss Ann Steel, a daughter of W. B. Steel and a representative of one of the prominent families of Chicago. Dr. and Mrs. Bokhof have two children, Henry and Jean. Mrs. Bokhof is a member of the Presbyterian church. The Doctor's fraternal connection is with the Elks. He holds himself free from party ties in politics, voting independently. He is interested in matters of progressive citizen- ship and lends his aid and support to all movements for civic betterment.
WILLIAM H. COPPINS.
Dixon is an educational center. Few cities of its size in the entire country can boast of so many schools of recognized merit. An intellectual atmosphere prevails and the standards of educa- tion are high along classical, scientific and art lines and in the field where students are especially prepared for business life. It is to the latter field that William H. Coppins has always directed his efforts and as founder and principal of the Coppins' Dixon Busi- ness College and Normal School of Dixon he is well known. A na- tive of Bureau county, Illinois, he was born in Tiskilwa in 1871 and is a son of James and Theodosia Coppins, who were pioneer resi- dents of that county, settling there when the work of development and improvement was in its infancy. The father was a farmer by occupation, devoting his entire life to that pursuit. He recognized the value of educational training as a preparation for life's work and desired that his children should have good opportunities in that direction. William H. Coppins after attending the public schools was sent to the Gem City Business College at Quincy, Illi-
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nois, where he was graduated with the class of 1892. He has since engaged in teaching and for twenty-one years has been identified with the profession in Dixon. He is one of the most widely known educators of this city and his ability has given him high rank among Dixon's most successful instructors. He was continuously connected with the Steinman School until 1905, when he organized the Coppins' Dixon Business College and Normal School, now occupying the second floor at No. 215 First street. From the beginning the school has enjoyed continuous and substantial growth and no higher testimonial of its efficiency and the capabil- ity of its graduates can be given than the fact that there are more demands for employes than the school can supply. The aim of the school is high. It fosters ambition and stimulates a desire to achieve success on the part of the pupils. Its slogan is: "Character and a little ability spell success; ability and a little character spell failure." The course of instruction includes stenography, book- keeping, business forms, letter writing, theory and practice in accounts, arithmetic, English, spelling, school law, etc. The touch system of typewriting is taught and the most advanced methods are followed in imparting instruction. The aim of the school is to give an education that will last through life and will continue to grow in its usefulness as the individual develops his powers.
In 1896 Mr. Coppins was united in marriage to Miss Clara Biddulph, also a native of Bureau county, Illinois, and they have become the parents of three children. Mr. Coppins exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. High principles guide him in all relations of life and high standards constitute the salient features of his professional career.
MRS. LEONORA ABELL.
Mrs. Leonora Abell is a representative of a well known pioneer family of Lee county and from her infancy has resided in this locality, having come here with her parents in 1852. She was born in Orangeville, Columbia county, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of Silas and Mary (Pierce) Lazarus. The father set- tled on a farm in Lee county in 1852 and was numbered among the pioneers in this locality. He took up a tract of land which was yet a wilderness and for many years thereafter cultivated and im-
JOHN M. ABELL
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proved this property, making it one of the model farms in Lee county. He enlisted in Battery G, Second Illinois Light Artillery on December 25, 1863, and served until the close of the war. He" died in November, 1899, at the age of seventy-four, having sur- vived his wife since 1887. Both are buried in East Paw Paw. The paternal branch of this family is of German origin but its repre- sentatives have been in America for many generations.
Mrs. Leonora Abell was still a child when her parents came to Lee county and she acquired her education in the public schools of East Paw Paw, attending until she was fifteen years of age and afterward remaining at home until after her marriage. On the 11th of March, 1869, she wedded John M. Abell, a native of St. Charles, Kane county, Illinois, and a son of Jabez and Susan (Miller) Abell. John M. Abell came to Lee county when he was still a child and acquired his education in the public schools. After laying aside his books he turned his attention to farming and car- pentering, following both occupations until his death. He erected many of the fine residences in Lee county and also the United Brethren church and many public and private buildings in Comp- ton. He also gave a great deal of attention to the development of his farm in Viola township, erecting excellent buildings upon it and making it one of the finest and most productive properties in this section of the state. His interests extended also to the field of public affairs and he was honored by his fellow citizens by elec- tion to various positions of trust and responsibility, serving with credit and ability as supervisor, justice of the peace, tax collector and assessor of Viola township. He was a member of the United Brethren church and of the Masonic fraternity conforming his life to the principles of those organizations. His public and priv- ate records were alike exemplary and his death, which occurred February 13, 1912, when he was sixty-seven years of age, deprived Lee county of one of its most valued and representative citizens.
Mr. and Mrs. Abell became the parents of ten children: Charles J., engaged in the restaurant business in Compton ; Philip S., a resident of Shabbona; Harry H., a mail carrier in Compton; Laura L., the wife of Judson Beemer, a farmer in Brooklyn town- ship; Mary Cecil, who married Zene Johnston, a farmer in Viola township; Mildred I., the wife of W. C. Potter, foreman of the steel mills in Gary; Stella M, who married Lawrence Lutz, who resides upon the home farm ; R. Leslie, a graduate of the Paw Paw high school and now a mail carrier in Sublette; Ruth, the wife of Herbert Carnahan, a meat cutter residing in Compton; and Vol. II-9
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M. Hope, a graduate of the Compton high school. Mrs. Abell now makes her home in Compton, where her many excellent traits of mind and character have won her the esteem and confidence of an extensive circle of warm friends.
FRANK EDWARDS.
The firm of Edwards & Case, general merchants at Paw Paw, enjoys a reputation second to none in the county for strict honesty, progressive business methods and for carrying a stock of goods which is not only reliable but complete. This happy result is largely due to the efforts and ability of Frank Edwards, who untiringly has given his energies toward building up this business. He is one of the younger merchants of the city and worthily fol- lows in his father's footsteps, who also was engaged as a dry-goods merchant in these parts. Frank Edwards is a native of Lee county, his birth having occurred at Paw Paw, December 18, 1883. His father is William H. Edwards, also born in Paw Paw, and the latter's father came here in the early days of 1848. The mother of our subject in her maidenhood was Eva A. La Porte. William H. Edwards, the father of our subject, was one of the first to establish a dry-goods store in this part of the county. After a long and suc- cessful career he now resides retired in Dixon, Illinois. The maternal grandfather of our subject was one of the oldest settlers in this part of Illinois and in 1847 crossed the plains to California in search of gold. He was a friend of the Indian chief Shabona and when he and his family made their home here an unbroken wilder- ness existed where flourishing farms now thrive. Both parents of the mother of our subject are deceased and buried in Stevens cemetery, near Rollo. William H. Edwards owns one of the finest collections of Indian relics in that state of Illinois-a collection which is so comprehensive that it has found a place of honor in the Dixon library. The Edwards family is of English origin, the grandfather coming to the United States about 1840 and making his way to this section of the middle west in 1848, as above mentioned.
Frank Edwards received his education in the Dixon public schools, leaving the high school at the age of eighteen. To com- plement his education along commercial lines he then took a course in the Dixon Business College and subsequently accepted a posi-
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tion as clerk for the Dixon Grocery Company. He then bought an interest in the firm of which he is now a partner and which has become by his able thought and effort the largest of its kind in the town. Progressive and energetic, Mr. Edwards is a business man of the modern type and, although well informed upon the smallest detail of the business, he never loses sight of the general trend of affairs, always preserving his energies for the most important matter at hand. In this way he has succeeded in build- ing up an organization which is well suited to take care of the extensive patronage which is accorded his store.
At Dixon, on May 22, 1907, Mr. Edwards was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary Woodbridge, a daughter of John K. and Nellie Woodbridge. Both parents are dead. The father passed away in Evanston, Illinois, where he is buried, his wife preceding him in death in 1884, finding her last resting place in a Chicago cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards have one son, William, who is four years of age. Mr. Edwards adheres to the Presbyterian church and fraternally is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, belonging to the Dixon lodge. He owns his residence, where both he and his wife often entertain their many friends. He is not only highly regarded as a business man but has won the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens because of his high qualities of mind and character. He is interested in all matters of public welfare and ever considerate of the interests of others. His suc- cess is largely due to his own efforts and inherent ability and a bright future may be prophesied for the firm of Edwards & Case as long as the business is directed by the guiding hand of the senior partner.
EDWIN A. POMEROY.
The name of Pomeroy has been well known in Bradford town- ship since pioneer times and its present representative, Edwin A. Pomeroy, is one of the most progressive and substantial agricul- turists of his locality, where during the entire period of his active life he has been engaged in farming. He was born in this township February 14, 1868, and is a son of Edwin W. and Laura Jane (Adams) Pomeroy, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of New York state. The father came to Illinois in 1844, among the early settlers in Lee county, and bought land from the
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government, engaging in agricultural pursuits for many years thereafter. He later moved to Florida, where his wife passed away in 1905. Following this he returned to Lee county and here died in 1908. In his family were three children: Mary E., the wife of Henry Wright, of Amboy, Illinois; Elizabeth W., who married E. . J. Gray, of this county; and Edwin A., of this review.
The last named was reared upon the farm and was familiar at an early age with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the grain and stock. When he was twenty-one he rented the homestead and after operating it for several years bought the adjoining property. He now owns one hundred and twenty acres on section 31, Bradford township, and section 36, China township. By his intelligent management and progressive methods he has surrounded himself with a comfortable degree of prosperity. In addition to this he owns a one hundred and sixty acre farm in Potter county, South Dakota.
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