USA > Illinois > Lee County > History of Lee County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 17
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GUST KRIES.
Since 1893 Gust Kries has owned and operated a farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 23, Ashton township, and through his enterprise and ability in the management of this property has gained a place among the substantial and prosper- ous agriculturists of the community. He was born in Germany, January 27, 1865, and is a son of Adam and Elizabeth Kries, also natives of that country. The family came to America in 1873, locating in Lee county, Illinois. The parents now make their home upon a farm in Reynolds township. To their union were born three children, all of whom are yet living.
Gust Kries was reared upon his father's farm and acquired his education in the district schools. He remained at home until he was twenty-three years of age and then rented a farm, upon which he remained for five years, after which he purchased the property which he now owns. He has two hundred and forty acres on section 23, Ashton township, and he gives his attention to general farming, meeting with that success which always fol- lows earnest and persistent labor.
On the 20th of March, 1887, Mr. Kries was united in mar- riage to Miss Margaret Bowers, a native of Lee county, Illinois, and a daughter of Wolf and Christina Bowers, both of whom
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were born in Germany. They came to America at an early date and both died in this country. To their union were born nine children, of whom seven survive. Mr. and Mrs. Kries have five children: Martha E. M., the wife of Fred Reinhart, of South Dakota; Lena E., at home; William F .; Ella C .; and George W. Mr. Kries is a regular attendant at the Evangelical church and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is a member of the board of school directors and has held this position for fifteen years, the cause of education finding in him an able and earnest supporter. He is one of Lee county's progressive and suc- cessful native sons and is held in high regard and esteem wherever he is known.
HARRY EDWARDS.
Occupying an enviable position in the front rank of the mem- bers of the Dixon bar is Harry Edwards, who since 1902 has en- gaged in the practice of law in Lee county. He was born in Friend, Nebraska, June 27, 1880, his parents being William H. and Eva A. (LaPorte) Edwards. The father was a merchant at Paw Paw, Illinois, for some time. He is now living retired, enjoy- ing a well earned rest, the fruit of his former toil. He has always been interested in the political situation and has held some local offices, serving as supervisor of Dixon for four years.
It was during his early youth that Harry Edwards was brought to Lee county and in the high school of Dixon he pursued his edu- cation until graduated with the class of 1898. He afterward at- tended Dixon College, where his more specifically literary course was completed and later he entered the University of Wisconsin, where he studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1902 and located for practice in Dixon, where he has since remained. The same year he was made assistant state's attorney and acceptably served in that capacity until 1908, when he was elected state's at- torney and was reelected in 1912. He carefully safeguards the legal interests of the county, and his long connection with the office is proof of both his capability and fidelity.
Mr. Edwards has been a republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and his opinions carry weight in party councils. For two years he served as secretary of the republican county central committee. He is connected with the Benevolent
HARRY EDWARDS
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Protective Order of Elks and with the Modern Woodmen of the World, and has in those organizations many friends, but his popu- larity is by no means confined thereto. Wherever he is known his good qualities have gained him high regard and he is an alert, energetic young man, his activities being typical of the times and of the progress which characterizes the age.
WILLIAM H. BEND.
William H. Bend, engaging in mixed farming upon three hun- dred and fifty acres of land on section 2, Wyoming township, was born in Shabona township, DeKalb county, Illinois, January 11, 1877. He is a son of Richard and Aurelia (Kittle) Bend, the former a native of England, who came to America about the year 1868, settling in DeKalb county. After renting land for a num- ber of years he became the owner of a fine farm and is now in pos- session of three hundred and forty acres. He and his wife still reside in DeKalb county, where they are well known and highly respected.
William H. Bend acquired his education in his native county and also in the public schools of Paw Paw, Illinois. He laid aside his books at the age of eighteen and afterward assisted his father with the work of the farm until 1896. In that year he became salesman for L. W. Wheeler & Company, implement merchants, and after holding this position for one year rented a farm in Lee county. He afterward rented land in DeKalb county and after developing this for four years returned to Lee county, buying his present property. He owns three hundred and fifty acres of ex- cellent land in Wyoming township and here raises grain and stock, both branches of his activities proving important and profitable under his able management.
On the 7th of October, 1898, Mr. Bend married Miss Lura Roberts, a daughter of Henry and Eva (Cornell) Roberts, the former for a number of years a prominent farmer of Lee county. He died May 30, 1910, having survived his wife three years, and both are buried in Wyoming cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Bend have four children, Evelyn, Harold, Bertha and William, all of whom are attending school.
Mr. Bend is a republican in his political views and takes an intelligent interest in the welfare and growth of the community. Vol. IT-19
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His success is directly attributable to his industry, enterprise and capable management and he holds the esteem and respect of an extensive circle of friends.
GEORGE F. PRESCOTT.
George F. Prescott, who since 1909 has been secretary and treasurer of the Leake Brothers Company, Inc., of Dixon, his native city, was born in 1875, his parents being Hollis and Nancy Adams (Williams) Prescott, the latter a daughter of George Williams, who brought his family to Lee county during the pioneer epoch in the history of this part of the state. Hollis Prescott arrived in Lee county when a young man of about nine- teen years, following his brothers, who had previously come here from Salem, Massachusetts. He was a representative of one of the old New England families and, attracted by the opportunities of the growing west, he made his way to Dixon, where for a long period he was engaged in business as a mason and contractor. In this connection he was prominently identified with building opera- tions for a number of years and substantial structures of the city still stand as monuments to his enterprise and skill. In 1877 he went to Cherokee, Iowa, where he remained for eleven years and then returned to Dixon in 1888. Here he still makes his home but is living retired, spending the evening of his life in the enjoyment of a well earned rest.
George F. Prescott supplemented a public-school course by a year's study in the Northwestern University, where he prepared for work along pharmaceutical lines. He then came to Dixon and was connected with the drug house of J. W. Watts for several years, during which time he thoroughly acquainted himself with all the practical phases of the business. In 1909 he was made secretary and treasurer of the Leake Brothers Company, Inc. This business was established in 1898 by Frank E. and Charles R. Leake, the former now deceased. He was identified with the business until 1910, when he sold out to his brother Charles and . went to California, where his death occurred in 1912. His widow is still a resident of that state. Charles R. Leake has since sold a part of his interest in the business to George F. Prescott and B. S. Schildberg and the former is now secretary and treasurer of the company. His experience in the drug business has well fitted
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him for the responsibilities which now devolve upon him, making him one of the enterprising and successful merchants of the city.
In 1904 Mr. Prescott was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle J. Bryan, of Dixon, a daughter of Milton Bryan, of Bureau county, Illinois, and unto them have been born three children. The parents are members of the Christian church and shape their lives according to its teachings. Mr. Prescott's political views are in harmony with the principles that constitute the platform of the republican party and he has filled some local offices, serv- ing as township assessor four years, or from 1905 until 1909, and also as township supervisor from 1911 to 1913. He possesses a genial nature, his sociability finding expression in many warm friendships.
"The friends thou hast and their adoption tried, Grapple them to thy heart with hoops of steel,"
has been a precept which he has ever followed in spirit and he is today thus widely and favorably known in Dixon.
LOUIS PITCHER.
Louis Pitcher is manager of the Dixon Home Telephone Com- pany, whose business figures largely in the commercial affairs of Dixon. In this age of intense business activity the annihilation of time and distance is an important factor and telephone service has brought about a condition that largely furthers business in- terests through the direct communication of interested parties. The importance of efficient service is therefore apparent and as manager of the Dixon Home Telephone Company, Mr. Pitcher is doing an important work, carefully looking after all details and supervising the major features of the business so that the best results are accomplished.
One of Dixon's native sons, he was born in 1881, his parents being L. D. and Abbie (Cramer) Pitcher, who were early resi- dents here, settling in Lee county when this city had little industrial or commercial importance. For a time the father en- gaged in the manufacture of wooden barley forks and secured a patent upon the fork which was of his invention. Later he en-
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gaged in other lines of business and at different times was ac- tive in the public service, filling the office of alderman and also acting on the school board. Public affairs of moment received his indorsement and cooperation and his efforts in behalf of the general welfare were far-reaching and important. In 1896 he organized the Lee County Telephone Company. This was the first independent company and he carefully systematized the business, established its lines and connections and placed the business upon a profitable basis. For nine years he remained at the head of the company and then sold out in 1905 to the Dixon Home Telephone Company. His death occurred in 1910 and was deeply regretted by many friends who appreciated his worth as a business man, as a citizen and as a social acquaintance. His wife still survives and yet makes her home in Dixon. She is a consistent member of the Methodist church.
Reared in this city Louis Pitcher acquired a public school edu- cation and afterward pursued a business course in Steinman's Institute. He has spent the past eighteen years in connection with the telephone business, with which he became identified upon the organization of the Lee County Telephone Company by his father.
He is now manager of the Dixon Home Telephone Company, which in 1905, upon purchasing the business and plant of the Lee County Telephone Company, rebuilt the plant and equipped it according to the most modern methods. The company now aver- ages a telephone to every four and six-tenths of the population, a higher average than in any other point of equal area in the world. This alone indicates the efficiency of the service and those who read between the lines recognize the capable management and enterprise of Mr. Pitcher, who thoroughly understands the business in every phase and leaves no effort undone that will promote good service for his patrons.
On the 21st of October, 1911, Mr. Pitcher was married to Mrs. Edna Joseph of Dixon. He is a man of social nature and has an extensive circle of warm friends in this city and through- out the surrounding country. In Masonry he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and is a past commander of Dixon Commandery, No. 21, K. T. He is likewise connected with the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs to the Elks lodge and is secretary of its board of trustees. He was active and influential in securing the erection of the Elks building. In politics he is somewhat independent, perhaps might best be termed a progressive, for he does not be-
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lieve in the blind following of party leaders, but rather in the intelligent expression by ballot of one's belief in principles that they deem essential to good government. He is the secretary of the young men's branch of the Dixon's Citizens' Association and is very active in support of many measures which have to do with the welfare and upbuilding of the community. His coopera- tion can always be counted upon to further any project for the public good and his worth as a citizen is widely known.
GILBERT M. FINCH.
Gilbert M. Finch, the owner of a well improved farm of two hundred and forty acres on sections 10 and 15, Amboy township, devotes his attention to general agricultural pursuits with excel- lent success. His birth occurred in Lee county on the 11th of March, 1867, his parents being Gilbert P. and Helen J. (Mead) Finch. The father, one of the early pioneers and highly esteemed citizens of this county, still survives and makes his home at Am- boy. The mother, however, is deceased, having passed away on the 9th of September, 1904.
Gilbert M. Finch attended school in Amboy until sixteen years of age and subsequently assisted his father in the operation of the home farm for about six years. After having attained his ma- jority he started out as an agriculturist on his own account, com- ing into possession of a farm of two hundred and forty acres on sections 10 and 15, Amboy township, which he has operated to the present time with gratifying success. He has followed modern and progressive methods of agriculture and has long enjoyed an enviable reputation as one of the substantial, representative and respected citizens of his native county.
On the 16th of November, 1887, in Amboy, Mr. Finch was united in marriage to Miss May Belle Maine, a daughter of Wil- liam L. and Harriet (Santee) Maine. The father passed away in 1907 and his remains were interred in the Prairie Repose ceme- tery of Amboy. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Finch have been born four children, as follows: Gilbert P. and William M., who are engaged in farming in Amboy township; Helen A., at home; and Harold M., who died in infancy.
Mr. Finch is a stanch republican in politics and at present ably fills the position of highway commissioner. Fraternally he
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is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of, America. He has a wide circle of acquaintances in the community where his entire life has been spent and is best liked where he is best known -a fact indicative of qualities of character that are commendable, ever commanding respect and regard.
ERVEN JOHN YENERICH.
Erven John Yenerich, well known in financial circles of Lee county as cashier of the Farmers State Bank of Ashton and active also in the public life of the community, was born in Reynolds township, this county, March 26, 1881, a son of Wallace C. and Catherina (Kersten) Yenerich. He acquired his preliminary edu- cation in the Ashton public schools and later entered Dixon Col- lege, from which he was graduated June 24, 1901. His entire active life has been devoted to the banking business. In 1905 he entered the Whitten Bank at Whitten, Iowa, as cashier, serving in that capacity until April 11, 1907. In that year the Farmers State Bank of Ashton was organized and Mr. Yenerich was ap- pointed cashier, a responsible position which he has since credit- ably and ably filled. He owns a great deal of valuable property, including tracts of land in Lyman county, South Dakota, city property in Somonauk, Illinois, and valuable holdings in Ashton. In addition to his position of cashier he also holds stock in the Farmers State Bank.
Although Mr. Yenerich is a resourceful, farsighted and careful financier, understanding banking in principle and detail, his in- terests have not by any means been confined to his business, but have extended to many other fields, notably that of public service. A republican in his political beliefs, he has been very active in the work of his party and has held various positions of trust and responsibility. From 1905 until 1907 he was mayor of Whitten, Iowa, his administration being constructive, progressive and busi- nesslike and he is at present a member of the board of aldermen of Ashton, Illinois, an office to which he was elected in the spring of 1913. He is a member of the United Evangelical church, of Ashton, serving as assistant Sunday school superintendent since 1910 and he has extensive and important fraternal affiliations, being a member of Ashton Lodge, No. 531, A. F. & A. M .; Nathan
ERVEN J. YENERICH
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Whitney Chapter, No. 129, R. A. M .; Dixon Commandery, K. T .; and Tebala Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., Rockford, Illinois. He is affiliated also with Ashton Lodge, No. 977, I. O. O. F., and has been its secretary since its organization January 21, 1910.
In all relations of life in which he has been found, Mr. Yen- erich has proven capable and progressive and although he is still a young man, is numbered among the substantial and representa- tive citizens of his community.
W. E. TREIN.
The true measure of success is determined by what one has ac- complished and judged by this standard W. E. Trein is a success- ful man, for he started out in life without any special advantages and is today the leading jeweler of Dixon. His success from the beginning of his connection with his present business has been uni- form and rapid and yet an analysis of his life work shows that he has utilized only such qualities as others may cultivate deter- mination, energy and perseverance. He was born in Dixon in 1873 and is a son of Jacob and Mary Trein, who came to this city and cast in their lot with its early residents. The father, who was a blacksmith by trade, had one of the early shops of the town and was later with the Van & Means carriage shop as foreman for a long period. He was thus a well known representative of indus- trial life in the community and his efforts gave an impetus to business activity. He has now passed away but his widow still survives and yet makes her home in Dixon.
When W. E. Trein started out on his own account he had received such education as the public schools of the city afforded. He felt it incumbent upon him, however, to earn his own living and he sought and obtained employment in the jewelry store of Dodge & Kling. Later he entered the employ of G. O. Windell and while thus connected gained a comprehensive knowledge of the business in principle and detail. The careful husbanding of his resources brought him at length sufficient capital to enable him to carry on the business alone and in 1901 he opened a jewelry store in Ashton, Illinois, which he conducted for five years, selling out there in 1906. He then returned to Dixon and purchased a half interest in the store of his former employer, G. O. Windell. Sub- sequently he bought out E. L. Kling and is today proprietor of
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the leading jewelry store of the city, carrying a stock which would be a credit to a city of much larger size. His store is well appointed in every particular and he has a large line of goods of of both foreign and domestic manufacture. His business affairs are conducted along the strictest lines of commercial integrity and, moreover, his life is exemplary in other respects.
In 1907 Mr. Trein was united in marriage to Miss Janet Grif- fith, of Ashton, Illinois, and they have a pleasant home in Dixon and delight to extend to their many friends its hospitality. They hold membership in the English Lutheran church and in politics Mr. Trein is a progressive republican. He is always courteous, kindly and affable and those who know him personally have for him a warm regard. As has been truly remarked, after all that may be done for a man in the way of giving him early opportuni- ties for obtaining the requirements which are sought in school and in books, he must essentially formulate, determine and give shape to his own character and this is what Mr. Trein has done. He has persevered in the pursuit of a persistent purpose and has gained a most satisfactory reward.
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PETER A. KELLEY, JR.
Peter A. Kelley, Jr., a prominent and successful farmer and stock-raiser of Bradford township, was born in this part of Lee county, December 28, 1872. He is a son of Peter and Katherine Kelley, the latter of whom was born in Germany and came to. America at an early date. The father was a native of Ireland. The parents are now residents of Franklin Grove. To their union were born ten children, seven of whom are still living.
Peter A. Kelley, Jr., was reared upon his father's farm in Bradford township and early became familiar with the best and most practical agricultural methods. For the past eight years he has been operating the old homestead and he has met with ex- cellent success in the conduct of his affairs, having extensive and important general farming and stock-raising interests. The farm comprises one hundred and sixty acres of valuable and productive land and is kept in excellent condition, Mr. Kelley being a prac- tical and progressive agriculturist.
Mr. Kelley married Miss Mollie Utz, who was born in Mary- land, a daughter of Archie and Jennie Utz, now residents of
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Ashton. Mr. Kelley is a member of the Masonic lodge and the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows and he gives his political alle- giance to the democratic party. He is one of the successful and progressive native sons of this township and he has been carried forward by the force of his ability and energy to a place among substantial farmers and useful citizens.
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F. J. GEHANT.
F. J. Gehant, a representative of a well known pioneer family of Lee county, who now lives retired in West Brooklyn, is a native of Lee Center township, born there in 1858. He is a son of Laurent and Julia (Toullian) Gehant, the former of whom came from France in 1854 and settled at Lee Center, where he worked in a stone quarry. He afterward purchased a farm in Shelby county, whereon he remained for ten years, returning to Lee county in 1866, at which time he purchased a tract of land in Brooklyn township, making his home thereon until his death, which occurred in 1897, when he had reached the age of seventy-eight. His wife survived him until 1899, passing away at the age of seventy-two. They were laid to rest in the West Brooklyn cemetery.
F. J. Gehant acquired his education in the district schools, attending until he was seventeen years of age. He then assisted his father until he was twenty-four, after which he purchased eighty acres of land in Viola township and began farming indepen- dently. This formed the nucleus of his present large holdings, for he added to it from time to time, finally acquiring five hundred and forty acres. This is divided into several farms, upon which Mr. Gehant erected substantial buildings, and it is operated by his sons, to whom he rented the property when he retired from active life. He has built a modern cement block residence in West Brooklyn and in this now makes his home.
In Scioto county, Ohio, in 1882, Mr. Gehant married Miss Vic- toria Henry, a daughter of Alexander and Margaret (Jungunet) Henry, residents of West Brooklyn. Mr. and Mrs. Gehant have become the parents of ten children : Henry L .; Alexander, a farmer in Viola township; Annie, the wife of Julius Bernardin, a hard- ware merchant of West Brooklyn; August, a farmer in Viola townshin: Tsabella : Frank : William : Walter: Mabel : and Alice.
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Mr. Gehant is a member of the Roman Catholic church and is a democrat in his political beliefs. He served as school director for fifteen years and as road supervisor for four and in both capacities proved a capable and reliable public servant. His life has always conformed to the highest and most upright standards and his record is a credit to a name that has long been an honored one in this community.
JAMES B. H. THORNTON.
James B. H. Thornton has been a resident of Lee county since 1867 and has contributed substantially to its growth and develop- ment, having been since that time closely and influentially con- nected with agricultural interests here. He is today the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 31, Bradford township, and by his intelligent and capable manage- ment of this property has surrounded himself with a gratifying degree of prosperity. He is, moreover, entitled to a place in this volume as a veteran of the Civil war. He was born in Oldham county, Kentucky, September 15, 1840, and is a son of Phillip C. and Adeline (Hall) Thornton, also natives of that state. They moved to Missouri in 1844 and both died there. Of their eight children five still survive.
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