USA > Illinois > Lee County > History of Lee County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 16
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George A. Lyman acquired his primary education in the pub- lic schools of Winchester and completed his studies in Northfield Institute at Northfield, Massachusetts, from which he was gradu- ated in the fall of 1855. He accompanied his parents to Lee county, Illinois, in the following year and afterward assisted with the work of the farm upon which his father settled after his ar- rival. He remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age and then purchased land from his father, continuing active in agricultural pursuits until 1889, when he moved to Amboy, be- coming proprietor and editor of the Journal. Since that time he has made this one of the leading newspapers in the state, ad- vocating in its columns many measures of advancement and re- form and making its influence a vital factor in community growth.
In Bradford, Lee county, February 13, 1865, Mr. Lyman was united in marriage to Miss Mary Eliza Jones, a daughter of James and Margaret Jones, pioneer farmers of this locality. Both have passed away and are buried in the Woodside cemetery; Lee Center. Mr. and Mrs. Lyman have two children. James Alex- ander is professor of chemistry in Pomona College, Claremont, California. He holds the degrees of A. B., M. A. and Ph. D., con-
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ferred by Beloit College, Beloit, Wisconsin, and Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland. His birth occurred October 17, 1866, and on June 7, 1897, he married Miss Ethel Anna Skin- ner, of Portland, Oregon. They have become the parents of three children: Mary Ethel, born July 8, 1899; Ida Grace, whose birth occurred on the 14th of April, 1902; and George Porter, born in 1906. George Richard, the younger son of Mr. and Mrs. George A. Lyman, was born December 1, 1871. He took the de- grees of A. B., M. A. and Ph. D. from Harvard University, Cam- bridge, Massachusetts, and is now assistant professor of botany in Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire. On June 23, 1903, he married Miss Frances Ella Badger and they have be- come the parents of one child, Mavis K. Lyman, born October 16, 1907.
Mr. Lyman is a member of the Congregational church, is a blue lodge Mason, and gives his political allegiance to the re- publican party. He is a member of the Baronial Order of Runny- mede, the Society of Colonial Wars, and the Sons of the American Revolution. He has been town clerk, assessor, justice of the peace and township trustee; and since March 1, 1898, has served as postmaster of Amboy, discharging his duties in'a capable and practical manner. His fourth term as postmaster will expire April 25, 1914. During the half-century he has lived in the com- munity he has done all in his power to promote its interests and his record is a credit to an honored and worthy name.
HERBERT W. HARMS.
Herbert W. Harms, identified with commercial interests in Dixon as manager for the Wilbur Lumber Company, was born in Lee county, Illinois, April 20, 1884, and is therefore still a young man. His parents were Antone W. and Mary (Ahrens) Harms, the former of whom was a son of Antone W. Harms, one of the pioneer settlers in Lee county. Removing from the east to Illi- nois, he settled in Palmyra township at a period when the work of progress and improvement seemed scarcely begun in this sec- tion of the state. Since that time the name of Harms has figured in connection with the upbuilding of the county and has always been synonymous with progressive action and substantial im- provement.
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Herbert W. Harms acquired a public school education and when not busy with his text-books worked in the fields for his father, who was a farmer. When his education was completed he too took up farm work, to which he devoted his energies until 1906, when at the age of twenty-two years he entered the employ of the Wilbur Lumber Company in the capacity of bookkeeper. He worked his way upward, mastering the details and factors of the business until his capability led to his promotion to the posi- tion of manager on the 1st of September, 1907. He has since been active in control of the business, which is one of the important commercial concerns of Dixon, and thus he has gained a place among the representative young business men of the city.
On the 18th of August, 1908, Mr. Harms was united in mar- riage to Miss Belle Floto, a native of Dixon, and they have a daughter, Helen, born in October, 1910. Mr. Harms exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is now exalted ruler of Dixon Lodge, No. 779, B. P. O. E. He has a wide acquaintance and his social qualities as well as his business ability have won him popularity and high regard.
CHARLES W. ROSS.
Charles W. Ross, owning and operating a farm of one hundred and ninety-two acres in Bradford and Amboy townships, was born on this property February 22, 1870. He is a son of William and Elizabeth (Aschenbrenner) Ross, natives of Germany, who came to America in the '50s. The father at first worked as a farm laborer and later purchased land in Lee county, where he resided until his death. He and his wife became the parents of six children, of whom five are yet living.
Charles W. Ross was reared upon his father's farm in Brad- ford township and acquired his education in the public schools. When he was twenty-one years of age he rented the homestead and later bought the property, whereon he still resides. The farm com- prises one hundred and ninety-two acres and is well equipped in every particular, provided with substantial buildings and modern machinery. Mr. Ross is a progressive and able agriculturist and has made some substantial contributions to farming interests of
CHARLES W. ROSS
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this locality. In addition to his home farm he owns three hun- dred and twenty acres of excellent land in Pocahontas county, Iowa.
In 1905 Mr. Ross was united in marriage to Miss Anna Brewer, a native of Lee county, Illinois, and a daughter of G. W. and Mary (Ford) Brewer, residents of Lee Center. Mr. and Mrs. Ross are members of the Congregational church and Mr. Ross is connected fraternally with Lee Center Lodge, No. 146, A. F. & A. M., and with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He served for ten years as township assessor, but at present his at- tention is centered upon the management of his business inter- ests, in which he is meeting with gratifying and well deserved success.
R. G. JACOBS.
R. G. Jacobs, prominently connected with business interests of Franklin Grove as the proprietor of a first-class livery, was born in Pennsylvania, August 22, 1868. He is a son of A. S. and Louise N. (Newcumber) Jacobs, also natives of the Keystone state. The parents moved to Lee county, Illinois, in 1869, and settled in Franklin Grove, where the father engaged in the blacksmith busi- ness until his death. He was also well known in public affairs and served as postmaster of the town for several years.
One of a family of five sons, R. G. Jacobs remained at home until 1891 and then went east to Massachusetts, where he main- tained his residence until 1909. In that year he returned to Frank- lin Grove in order to care for his mother in her old age and he established himself in the livery business, with which he has since been connected. He has a number of excellent vehicles, including a fine line of automobiles, and in connection with this operates also a feed and sale barn. His business methods have been at all times straightforward and honorable and in consequence his patronage has increased rapidly, being of extensive proportions at the present time. Mr. Jacobs owns his business building and also a comfortable and attractive home in Franklin Grove. He gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and is in- terested and active in public affairs, cooperating heartily in all progressive public movements. His integrity in business and his
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public-spirited citizenship have made him widely known in this locality and have gained him the esteem and confidence of all who are in any way associated with him.
O. H. MARTIN.
O. H. Martin is individual proprietor of a dry-goods store in Dixon and is treasurer of a syndicate owning twenty-six stores in the middle west. The story of his life is that of orderly pro- gression under the steady hand of one who is a consistent master of himself and whose qualities and characteristics are well bal- anced. His strong character inspires confidence in others and his mature judgment makes correct estimate of his own capacities and powers and of the people and circumstances that make up his life's contacts and experiences. He has thus become a leading merchant of Dixon while his ramifying trade interests, reaching out over the country now cover a wide territory.
Mr. Martin was born in Lee county, February 23, 1866, and is a son of Oliver H. and Catherine (Whipple) Martin, the former a native of New Hampshire and the latter of Massachusetts. The paternal grandfather was one of the pioneer settlers of Lee coun- ty, taking up his abode here in 1833-a year after the Black Hawk war had settled the question of Indian supremacy in Illinois. The few homes in Lee county were then largely log cabins. Much of the prairie was still unclaimed and uncultivated and it seemed that the work of development and progress had scarcely been begun. Oliver H. Martin, who was a lad at the time of the arrival in Ili- nois was reared upon the frontier with the usual experiences in- cident to pioneer life. He became a school teacher and afterward went to Manitowoc, Wisconsin, where in 1867 he took up the study of medicine. Having qualified for the profession he en- gaged in practice successfully for many years but is now living retired at Kewaunee, Wisconsin. He has long survived his wife, who died in 1886.
O. H. Martin, whose name introduces this review, acquired his early education in the public schools and with experience as his teacher learned many valuable lessons. In early manhood he became connected with mercantile interests at Merrill, Wis- consin, and afterward engaged in the same line of business at Hurley, that state, working for various firms.
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Subsequently he was at Rockford, Illinois, and in 1893 he opened a dry goods store at Sycamore, Illinois. From that point his career has been a successful one and branching out he is now identified with a syndicate that controls twenty-six stores. Of this syndicate W. M. McAllister is the president with Mr. Martin as treasurer. These stores all buy together, enabling them to make advantageous purchases and profitable sales and yet keep to rea- sonable prices. Mr: Martin is interested in five of the stores and thus his business affairs have become extensive and important. In 1905 he established a dry-goods store in Dixon, of which he is sole proprietor, handling dry goods and ready-to-wear garments. His life has been one of intense activity in which has been ac- corded due recognition of labor and today he is numbered among the substantial citizens of the county. His interests are thorough- ly identified with those of Dixon and at all times he is ready to lend his aid and cooperation to any movement calculated to bene- fit this section of the country or advance its wonderful develop- ment.
In 1890 Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Harriet E. Jones, of Warsaw, Wisconsin, and they have one daughter, Grace Agnes, at home. Mrs. Martin is a member of the Presby- terian church and Mr. Martin belongs to several fraternal or- ganizations, including the Masons, Elks and Knights of Pythias. In the first named he has attained the Knight Templar degree in the York Rite and has also become a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. In politics he is an independent republican, usually indorsing the principles of the party, yet not feeling himself bound by party ties. He is a man of well balanced mind, even temper and his enterprising spirit is well balanced by conservative habits. These qualities are such as lead to great accomplishments. He has never feared to venture where favoring opportunity is presented and his judgment and even paced energy generally carry him forward to the goal of success.
C. M. ATKINSON.
Agricultural pursuits claim the time and energies of C. M. Atkinson, a representative young resident of Amboy township, who rents a productive farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 10. His birth occurred in China township, Lee county,
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on the 2d of January, 1888, his parents being William and Au- gusta (Skinner) Atkinson, who are among the well known and respected residents of Amboy. He had but limited educational opportunities in early life, attending school only until eight years of age, but has become a well informed man through reading, ex- perience and observation. On leaving the Amboy school he be- gan assisting his father in the operation of the home place, thus early becoming familiar with the work of the fields. It was in 1908 that he rented the farm which he now operates and which comprises one hundred and sixty acres on section 10, Amboy town- ship. The land is rich and productive and the well tilled fields annually yield golden harvests as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon them. In addition to the cultivation of cereals he also devotes considerable attention to live-stock inter- ests, keeping about sixteen horses, twenty-eight cattle and thirty- five hogs.
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In Amboy, on the 23d of October, 1912, Mr. Atkinson was united in marriage to Miss Lena Herzfeldt, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Herzfeldt. The father makes his home in Chi- cago, but the mother has passed away. Our subject purchased his home, which is a pleasing and substantial residence. In politics Mr. Atkinson is a stanch republican, while his religious faith is that of the United Brethren church. He has always resided within the borders of Lee county and enjoys an enviable reputation as one of its representative young agriculturists and progressive citizens.
LEE B. SWINGLEY, M. D. C.
Dr. Lee B. Swingley, controlling a large practice as a veterin- ary surgeon in Dixon, was born in Ogle county, Illinois, April 30, 1886. He is a son of Oscar and Alice (Lewis) Swingley. The father was a pioneer farmer and a native of Ogle county, Illinois, The mother was born in Herkimer county, New York, and came to Illinois when she was a child. The father died in Ogle county, Illinois, August 26, 1903 while the mother passed away in Seattle, August 9, 1913. To their union were born four children: George A;, now residing in Seattle, Washington; Lee B., of this review; Mary Ada, the wife of Joseph Hearn, a resident of the state of Washington; and Florence M., deceased.
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DR. LEE B. SWINGLEY
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Lee B. Swingley was reared in Ogle county and remained at home until he was twenty years of age. He then went to Chicago, where he entered a veterinary college, graduating in the spring of 1909. He began the practice of his profession in Polo, and Oregon and after a short time he moved to Dixon, where he is now located. He controls a large and growing patronage, for he is thoroughly versed in the underlying principles of his profession and his ability is widely recognized and respected. Dr. Swingley owns a third interest in three hundred and twenty acres of land in Ogle county and has shown himself competent and able in the management of his interests.
In April, 1909, Dr. Swingley was united in marriage to Miss Adessa L. Goodrich, a native of Oregon, Illinois, and a daughter of George W. and Mary F. (Steele) Goodrich. Dr. and Mrs. Swingley have become the parents of a daughter, Evelyn L. They are attendants of the Methodist Episcopal church and Dr. Swingley gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He is ambitious, energetic and progressive and al- though he is still a young man, occupies a prominent place in the ranks of his chosen profession.
A. H. HANNEKEN.
A. H. Hanneken, one of the younger representatives of the county bar, is a native of Calhoun county, Illinois. He was born December 29, 1884, and is a son of Herman and Elizabeth Hanne- ken, who are still residing in Calhoun county, where the father is filling the office of county commissioner. He located there in 1859 and in the intervening period has maintained a position as one of the leading and influential residents of that part of the state. His fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and ability have elected him to the office of coroner and he has also served as county sheriff. A. H. Hanneken was a public-school student in his native county and supplemented his course there by study in Dixon Col- lege, completing a course in law by graduation with the class of 1905. The following year he was admitted to the bar and re- turned to Dixon, and was associated with J. W. Watts as stenog- rapher until May, 1909. In that year he entered into the practice of law in Dixon. His practice is extensive and of an im- portant character for one of his years. The court records show
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that he has won many verdicts favorable to the interests of his clients.
. Mr. Hanneken is a democrat in his political views, while his fraternal connections are with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Many of the friendships which he formed in his college days here still continue and the circle of his friends broadens year by year as he becomes better known, his sterling traits of character insuring him the warm regard and good-will of all with whom he is brought in contact.
CLIFFORD G. LUCKEY.
A fine property of three hundred and two acres on sections 23 and 26, Ashton township, known as the Ashton Stock Farm, is owned and operated by Clifford G. Luckey and his capable and intelligent management of the property has gained him a place among the leading agriculturists of this vicinity. He was born upon this farm November 8, 1879, and is a son of George H. and Eldora (Teal) Luckey, the former a native of Ohio and the lat- ter of Illinois. Both passed away in Lee county. To their union were born two children: Clifford G., of this review; and Elton, a resident of Minnesota.
Clifford G. Luckey was reared at home and at an early age became familiar with the details of farm operation, having aided from childhood with the conduct of his father's homestead. When he was twenty-one years of age he purchased the property, which comprises three hundred and two acres on sections 23 and 26, Ashton township. It is known as the Ashton Stock Farm and is a valuable property in every particular, reflecting the intelligent care and constant supervision which the owner has expended upon it. In addition to his homestead Mr. Luckey owns also fifteen acres of valuable timber land in Ogle county, Illinois.
In 1900 Mr. Luckey was united in marriage to Miss Mary Krug, who was born in Lee county, a daughter of Casper and Julia Krug, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Lee county. They now make their home in Dixon, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Luckey have become the parents of three children: El- mer H., who was born September 12, 1903; Alice E., born April 16, 1907, and Roland G., whose birth occurred June 30, 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Luckey belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. Both
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are members of the Order of the Eastern Star and Mr. Luckey is affiliated also with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masonic lodge. He gives his political allegiance to the republi- can party. His attention is, however, confined largely to his farming interests, in the management of which he has met with gratifying and well deserved success.
EDWARD VAILE.
Edward Vaile, a well known merchant of Dixon, now senior partner in the firm of Vaile & O'Malley, owes his success not to any fortunate combination of circumstances, but to his perse- verance and industry, intelligently directed. Dixon is his birth- place, his natal year being 1874. He is a son of John and Mary (Vaughan) Vaile, who in 1864 came to Lee county, settling on a farm south of Dixon.
In his boyhood days Edward Vaile was a pupil in the public schools of his native city and later had the advantage of a course in Dixon college. He entered upon his present business in March, 1901, organizing the firm of Vaile & O'Malley, his partner in the enterprise being George F. O'Malley. This connection has since continued. They deal in clothing, shoes and men's furnishing goods. Their store was originally located at 204 West First street, but since then their growing trade has necessitated two removals and in 1909 they came to their present place of business where they occupy a large building with a frontage of fifty feet and a depth of ninety feet. They carry a large and attractive line of goods and employ five people to take care of their trade. Mr. Vaile is also owner of two other stores, one at Sterling, Illinois, which was established in 1907 and another at De Kalb, established in 1913. Thus he is gradually extending his business connections and al- ready ranks with the leading merchants of this part of the state. His judgment is sound, his discrimination keen and his close con- formity to high business standards has also been one of the strong elements of his success.
Mr. Vaile was married to Miss Anna Hennessey, a native of Dixon and they occupy an attractive home which is the abode of warm-hearted hospitality. They hold membership in the Catholic church and Mr. Vaile belongs to the Knights of Columbus. He is also a member of the Elks and he gives his political support to
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the democratic party. The terms progress and patriotism might be considered the keynote of his character, for throughout his career he has labored for the improvement of every line of busi- ness or public interest with which he has been identified and at all times has been actuated by fidelity to his city and her wel- fare.
JOSEPH W. STAPLES.
Joseph W. Staples, engaged in the undertaking business in Dixon, is a representative of two of the pioneer families of this section of the state. He was born at Grand Detour, March 28, 1871, his parents being Elbridge G. and Lizzie (Ling) Staples, the latter a daughter of Joseph Ling, who was the first engineer of the Grand Detour Plow Works. He was one of the pioneer residents of this district, coming to the middle west from Maine. The pa- ternal grandfather, William Staples, was also a native of Maine and came to Illinois during an early period in its development. He, too, was connected with the plow works and both the Ling and Staples families were thus actively associated with the early industrial development of Grand Detour. Elbridge G. Staples likewise became an employe of the plow company, remaining in that service for many years as one of its most trusted, efficient and capable representatives. At length, however, he retired from ac- tive business and went to California, where his last days were passed. Both he and his father were soldiers in the Civil war, enlisting as members of Company F, Thirty-fourth Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, soon after the opening of hostilities. The grandfather was the first man in the Thirty-fourth Illinois Regi- ment shot in the battle of Shiloh. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Elbridge G. Staples were born three children, one of whom died at the age of eight years, while a daughter, Daisy, became the wife of Samuel Stakemiller, of Sterling, Illinois, and is now deceased.
Joseph W. Staples, the youngest and the only living repre- sentative of the family, acquired a public-school education and started in business life as an employe of the firm of Camp & Son, furniture dealers of Dixon, on the 1st of March, 1886. That he was diligent, trustworthy and industrious is indicated in the fact that he remained with that house for seventeen years. At length he determined to engage in business for himself and in 1903
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opened an undertaking establishment in Dixon which he has since conducted. The decade that has followed has been marked by growing success in his business and he is today one of the lead- ing undertakers of the city.
On the 20th of September, 1892, Mr. Staples was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth E. Powell, of Dixon, a daughter of John Powell, who was a veteran of the Civil war, serving in Cheney's Battery. Mr. Staples is a charter member of the Elks' lodge of Dixon and also holds membership with the Modern Wood- men of America. His political views accord with the principles of the republican party but he has never felt inclined to hold of- fice, his business cares fully occupying his time and attention. Not by leaps and bounds but by steady progression has he gained the measure of success which is now his. He is well known as a citizen of Dixon and his many good qualities have gained him the warm friendship of those with whom he has been associated.
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