USA > Illinois > Lee County > History of Lee County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 20
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Mr. Wagner married Miss Mary Krug, a daughter of John Krug and a native of Bradford township. They have become the parents of a daughter, Alta L., who was born November 22, 1899, and who is now a student in the Ashton high school. Mr. Wagner is a republican in his political beliefs and has held various posi- tions of public trust and responsibility, serving for two years as collector. He is now in the twelfth year of his able service as county supervisor and is at the present time chairman of the board. A resident of Bradford township during his entire life, he has become widely and favorably known here and his influence has been a tangible force for good in the community.
MARK CLANCY KELLER.
Mark Clancy Keller, city attorney of Dixon since 1909 and recognized as one of the ablest members of the bar of Lee county, was born in May township, in February, 1873, and spent his boy- hood and youth upon the home farm, his time being divided be- tween the work of the fields, the duties of the schoolroom and the pleasures of the playground. Like many other young men, how- ever, he did not care to follow agricultural pursuits as a life work and with a view to entering upon a professional career, con- tinued his education in college. He was graduated with high hon- ors from the Chicago Business College and afterward took up the profession of teaching, which he followed in the common schools and colleges of Lee and Bureau counties for six years. He had convinced himself within that period that he preferred the prac- tice of law and in the fall of 1897 he began preparation for the bar. completing his studies in the Northern Illinois College of Law in 1900, at which time the LL. M. degree was conferred upon him. Immediately afterward he was admitted to the bar and has since practiced in Dixon with marked success. On the 20th of April, 1909, he was elected city attorney and has since most intelligently
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MARK C. KELLER
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and capably performed the duties of the office, earning for him- self a place in the ranks of the ablest and best lawyers of the city. Since entering the office he has reorganized the city of Dixon to conform to the commission form of government, drawing up all ordinances for the same, the city finding it unnecessary to spend a single cent for outside counsel. Moreover, along such remark- able lines have the ordinances been formed that they have been copied by other cities. Mr. Keller is an earnest and discriminat- ing student of the principles of law and his ability has brought ยท him to a foremost position among the leading representatives of the Dixon bar.
In 1904 Mr. Keller was united in marriage to Miss Mae Rich- ardson, of Lee Center, and they now have two children, Mildred Amy and Mark C. Mr. Keller is a prominent member of the Masonic lodge of Dixon, of which he is a past master. He has also taken the degrees of the Royal Arch chapter and he belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Woodmen of the World and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is still a young man, earnest of purpose, thoughtful and determined, yet possessing the affable, kindly nature and unfeigned cordiality which win friends.
JOHN A. CHURCH.
John A. Church, a representative and successful agriculturist of Amboy township, owns and operates a farm of one hundred and nine acres on section 15. His birth occurred in Lee county on the 5th of September, 1865, his parents being John and Cyrene (Far- well) Church. The father, a native of Oxford, New York, came to this county in 1838 and here spent the remainder of his life, pass- ing away in August, 1890. The period of his residence in this county covered more than a half century and he was widely recog- nized as one of its substantial farmers and esteemed citizens. Both he and his wife were laid to rest in Prairie Repose ceme- tery of Amboy, the latter's demise having occurred in January, 1890.
John A. Church attended school in Amboy until fourteen years of age and after putting aside his text-books assisted his father in the operation of the home farm until the latter's death. At that time he came into possession of the property, embracing one hundred and nine acres of land on section 15, Amboy township,
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where he has since carried on mixed farming. The residence and other buildings were erected by our subject's father and the neat and thrifty appearance of the place indicates the supervision of a practical and progressive owner.
On the 31st of December, 1889, in Chicago, Mr. Church was united in marriage to Miss Alice L. MacCarron, her parents being W. F. and Mary L. (Corbin) MacCarron, residents of the western metropolis. Mr. and Mrs. Church have three children, namely : John C., who assists his father in the operation of the home farm; Albert L., who is a stenographer in the service of the Illi- nois Central Railroad, being employed in the office of the master mechanic at Freeport, Illinois; and Charles A., who also assists in the work of the home farm.
In his political views Mr. Church is a progressive, advocating the principles set forth by Theodore Roosevelt at the time of the birth of the new party. Fraternally he is identified with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Rebekahs, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Congrega- tional church. Well known in the county where he has resided from birth, he has won the uniform trust and good-will of all by reason of his pleasant and attractive personality, and all his life he has been straightforward and honorable.
P. W. MASON.
P. W. Mason, well known as an auctioneer of Amboy, has here maintained his offices in the First National Bank building for the past quarter of a century. He came to Lee county in 1883 and has resided within its borders throughout the interven- ing three decades. His birth occurred in Henry county, Illinois, on the 17th of November, 1861, his parents being N. S. and Henri- etta (Green) Mason. The father, a pioneer settler of Whiteside county, this state volunteered for service in defense of the Union at the time of the Civil war. His demise occurred in 1901, when he had attained the age of sixty-seven years, and his remains were interred at Morrison, Illinois. He left a widow and five children to mourn his death, which was also deeply deplored by many friends and acquaintances. The Mason family is of British origin and was established in the United States at a very early period in the history of this country.
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P. W. Mason attended the public schools of Whiteside county until a youth of nineteen and subsequently assisted his father in the operation of the home farm until he entered the law office of P. M. James, an attorney of Amboy, with whom he studied for two years. On the expiration of that period he began practicing in the justice and county courts. Since 1888 he has maintained his offices in the First National Bank building at Amboy, enjoying a gratifying clientage as an attorney and also for eighteen years devoting considerable attention to auctioneering.
In Amboy, Illinois, on the 1st of January, 1888, Mr. Mason was united in marriage to Miss Martha Mclaughlin, a daughter of George and Jane (Edwards) Mclaughlin, of Mendota, Illinois. The mother is deceased and lies buried at Mendota, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Mason are the parents of three children, namely : Wayne G., who is employed as clerk in the general offices of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway; and Alta and Elva, twins, who are students of the Amboy high school. Mr. Mason gives his political allegiance to the democracy, while fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Rebekahs and the Star of Equity. He is most conscientious in the performance of his professional duties and in every relation of life is actuated by high and honorable principles. His genuine worth and his devotion to all that is right, just and elevating, make him a man whom to know is to respect and honor.
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EDWARD M. HERWIG.
Edward M. Herwig, a progressive and successful young farmer of Bradford township, manifesting unusual enterprise and. ability in the conduct of his agricultural interests, was born in China township, this county, November 21, 1885. He is a son of William and Minnie (Burham) Herwig, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Lee county, Illinois. The father was brought to America when he was four years of age and has resided for many years in China township, where he still makes his home.
Edward M. Herwig was reared at home and remained with his parents until his marriage, which occurred when he was twenty- four years of age. For two years thereafter he rented land and at the end of that time he bought one hundred and seven acres
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. on sections 16 and 21, Bradford township. Upon this property he engages in general farming and stock-raising and he has ex- tensive interests along both lines. He owns also a half interest in one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 21, Ashton town- ship, and he is regarded as a progressive, enterprising and repre- sentative farmer.
Mr. Herwig married Miss Rosa Kersten, a native of Bradford township and a daughter of H. M. and Mary (Gross) Kersten, also natives of Lee county. They are now residents of Ashton. Mrs. Herwig is a graduate of high school and taught for three years previous to her marriage. She and her husband are mem- bers of the United Evangelical church and Mr. Herwig gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He is an energetic and progressive business man and a native son of whom Lee county has every reason to be proud.
. ANTON ALBRECHT.
Anton Albrecht is a native of Bradford township, Lee county, born September 15, 1866, and a son of Burket and Martha (Ker- sten) Albrecht, natives of Germany, who in 1859 crossed the At- lantic to America and located in this county. Both are living and make their home in Ashton.
Anton Albrecht was reared under the parental roof and re- mained at home until he reached his majority. He received his education in the schools of the neighborhood and under the able guidance of his father soon became an efficient agriculturist. After leaving home he rented land for some years and then bought the farm upon which he now lives and which comprises one hundred and twenty acres, the property being located on section 29, Brad- ford township. He not only follows general farming but makes a specialty of raising and feeding cattle and hogs. He has made substantial improvements upon his property and his years of ardu- ous labor have resulted in a gratifying financial success.
On December 31, 1890, Mr. Albrecht married Miss Katherine Heckmann, who was born in Germany, August 21, 1868, and is a daughter of Adam and Anna (Gonnermann) Heckmann, both na- tives of the fatherland. Mr. Heckmann died there, but the mother is living, still making her home in Germany. Mrs. Albrecht was one of five children born to her parents. She and her husband
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have seven children: Gertrude Anna, born February 13, 1892; Carrie K., January 4, 1894; Amanda M., September 4, 1896; Mary Alice, April 9, 1899; Clara K.,January 26, 1902; George Anton, April 22, 1904; and Lucile D., April 6, 1909.
Mr. and Mrs. Albrecht are members of the German Lutheran church, the services of which they regularly attend and in which organization they take a deep and resultant interest. In his polit- ical affiliations Mr. Albrecht is a democrat and, being interested in the cause of education, serves at the present time as one of the school directors of his township. A man of progressive ideas, he has contributed in no small way to the general advancement and prosperity and is highly esteemed for what he has accomplished and those qualities that have made possible his success.
JUSTUS H. HENERT.
A farm of two hundred and forty acres situated on section 16, Reynolds township, pays tribute to the care and labor bestowed upon it by Justus H. Henert, who has there lived since his mar- riage. He has a wide acquaintance in this county, for he is one of its native sons as well as one of its progressive young farmers. His birth occurred July 2, 1883, in the township in which he still makes his home, his father being George Henert, of whom men- tion is made on another page of this work. His boyhood days were passed in the usual manner of farm lads, his time being divided between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields. He continued to assist in the cultivation of the old home place until he reached the age of twenty-three years, when he was married and started out in life on his own account. It was in 1907 that he wedded Miss Emma Kersten, who was born in Ashton township, this county, January 27, 1887, and is a daughter of Hartman F. and Sophia (Newman) Kersten, who were also natives of Lee county and representatives of old pioneer families here. The father is now living in Ashton, but the mother passed away in 1899. They had a family of four children, all of whom survive.
Following his marriage Justus H. Henert began farming on the place where he now lives, having two hundred and forty acres, which is pleasantly and conveniently situated not far from Rochelle and Ashton. The land is arable, and the productiveness
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of the soil makes good return for the care and labor which he bestows upon it. In connection with the raising of crops he owns and operates a threshing machine, a corn sheller and a wood saw. His farm is splendidly equipped with all modern farm imple- ments and machinery as well as with good buildings. He makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock and his annual sales of cattle and hogs bring him a gratifying return. Today he has one of the best improved farms in his township, lacking in none of the accessories and conveniences of a model property of the twentieth century. It forms one of the attractive features of the landscape, and it indicates in its well kept appearance the care and attention of a progressive owner.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Henert have been born two children: Roland H., born January 30, 1909; and Luella C., born December 5, 1912. The parents are well known and have a large circle of warm friends in Reynolds and adjoining townships. Mr. Henert votes with the republican party, but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Modern Woodmen of America at Ashton. All of his other interests, however, are made subservient to those of his home and his farm. He gives close application to his business, and his energy, intelligently directed, has brought to him gratify- ing success.
NATHAN BURHENN.
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Prominent among the energetic, successful and progressive farmers of Bradford township is numbered Nathan Burhenn, who, during his entire active life has been engaged in farming here and now owns a valuable property of one hundred and sixty acres on section 2. He was born in this township September 30, 1871, and is a son of Philip and Christine (Achenbremer) Burhenn, natives of Germany. In 1865 the parents crossed the Atlantic to America and made their home in Lee county, Illinois. They now make their home in Franklin Grove, this county. They became the parents of ten children, all of whom survive.
Nathan Burhenn grew up on his father's farm and aided in its operation from an early age. He remained at home until his marriage and. then bought a farm on section 21, Bradford town- ship. At the end of seven years he sold this property and pur -.
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BURHENN FAMILY
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chased his present farm, which comprises one hundred and sixty acres on section 2. Upon this he has erected a comfortable mod- ern residence and a number of substantial farm buildings, and he has brought the land to a high state of cultivation. He has a pro- ductive and valuable property, the attractive appearance of which is a visible evidence of his life of industry and thrift.
When he was twenty-one years of age Mr. Burhenn married Miss Mary Eisenberg, a native of Bradford township and a daughter of Peter and Kathrine Eisenberg. The parents were born in Germany and came to America in the early '50s, locating immediately in Lee county, Illinois, where both passed away. Of the eleven children born to their union nine still survive. Mr. and Mrs. Burhenn became the parents of three children: Nelta, who was born May 10, 1895, and who died May 1, 1904; Florence M., born December 13, 1899, and Wilbur N., born July 8, 1906. The parents are members of the United Evangelical church, and Mr. Burhenn gives his political allegiance to the republican party, serving at the present time as school director. He is one of the sub- stantial agriculturists of his locality and is held in high regard wherever he is known.
JUSTIN L. HARTWELL.
Justin L. Hartwell, proprietor of the Five Oaks Nursery and Fruit Farm, has developed a business of extensive and gratifying proportions and one which is interesting to all who study nature and are in sympathy with the improvement processes that are being developed in connection with the cultivation of flowers and fruits. Born in Greene county, Illinois, in 1848, Mr. Hartwell is a son of James C. and Mary (Corey) Hartwell, both of whom were natives of Boston, but came to this state in 1843. In early life the father had learned and followed the carpenter's trade and to some extent he continued building operations after his removal to the west, but in Illinois he also took up the occupation of farming.
Upon the home farm in his native county Justin L. Hartwell was reared and in practical experience received the early lessons which constituted the foundation upon which his later success has been built. He supplemented his public-school course by study in the State Normal school, from which he was graduated with the
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class of 1875. He afterward took up the profession of teaching, which he followed in Dixon for three years and later at various points in Illinois, being for five years superintendent of the schools at Washington, this state. In the meantime he started a fruit farm near Dixon and in 1889 took up his permanent abode thereon. The place is now called the Five Oaks Nursery and Fruit Farm and is one of the most valuable properties of the kind in this sec- tion of Illinois. In his yard stands a fine old elm that his mother brought as a seedling from Boston in the early '80s. There are forty varieties of shade trees upon his place and many beautiful, ornamental and fine fruit trees. In addition to handling trees he also sells decorative plants of all kinds and makes a specialty of peonies, of which he has many wonderful and beautiful vari- eties. His nursery goods are shipped widely over a number of states and he employs a number of men throughout the year and one hundred people during the fruit season. He has forty acres of land and every inch is made available for purposes for which he wishes to use it. His is indeed one of the fine nurseries of Illi- nois and his nursery stock is received in most excellent condition, owing to the careful manner in which it is raised and handled in shipment.
In 1872 Mr. Hartwell was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Walker, a daughter of Wilson and Margaret Walker, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Ohio. They came to Illinois in the '50s settling in Pike county and Mrs. Hartwell attended the State Normal school at the same time her husband was a student there. She too has made a special study of flowers and landscape gardening and has many advanced ideas upon the subject. Indeed she is a lady of broad general culture, a leader in progress along those lines in which woman has made her most rapid advancement in recent years. She was the first president of the Dixon's Wo- man's Club and also president of the Phidian Art Club. She is a lady of notably strong character, of marked individuality and high ideals and her influence is a beneficent and uplifting one in the community. Mr. and Mrs. Hartwell have no children of their own, but have adopted and reared three: Mary, who is ex-super- intendent of domestic work in the Chicago schools and now teacher of cooking and kindred branches; Leila, at home; and Robin, who is an expert landscape gardener and now has charge of the Five Oaks Nursery and Fruit Farm. Mr. Hartwell votes independently according to the dictates of his judgment and the needs of the situ- ation. He is a well known Mason, belonging to both the lodge and
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chapter, and in his life exemplifies the beneficient spirit of the craft, which is based upon mutual helpfulness and brotherly kind- ness.
F. W. MEYER.
F. W. Meyer, sole proprietor of a general store at West Brook- lyn, displays in his business career, a close conformity to high commercial standards, and his unfaltering diligence and perse- verance have been the chief factors in winning for him the cred- itable place which he occupies in business circles today. For eleven years he has been a resident of this county, arriving in 1902. His birth occurred in Arlington, Bureau county, Illinois, March 4, 1869, his parents being Baltazaar and Catherine (Kur- tenbach) Meyer, who were natives of Germany. The father came to the United States about 1845 and took up his abode upon a farm near Arlington. He was fifty-two years of age, when in 1879, his labors were ended in death. His widow survives and now makes her home with her son, F. W. Meyer.
At the usual age F. W. Meyer began his education, passing through consecutive grades until he became a high-school stu- dent. He left school, however, at the age of sixteen, but later pur- sued a course in a business college and thus prepared in large measure for the responsible duties which have since devolved upon him. His early practical business training came to him as clerk of the Western Supply Company at Ladd, Illinois, where he remained for seven years, his long connection with the busi- ness being incontrovertible proof of his capability and fidelity in that connection. He was promoted to the position of manager of a store and thus served for six and a half years. On the ex- piration of that period he came to West Brooklyn and bought out the business of F. D. Gehant & Company, at that time occu- pving a small frame building. Today Mr. Meyer has the largest
. store of the kind in the town and occupies a large and substantial brick building. The store is splendidly equipped with an exten- sive and pleasing line of general merchandise and earnestly desir- ing to please his patrons, Mr. Meyer has won a substantial measure of success. He has never been known to take advantage of the ne- cessities of another in a business transaction, and the reliability of his methods has been one of the potent forces in the growth of his trade.
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The community recognizes him as a public-spirited citizen and one whose efforts in behalf of the general welfare have been far- reaching and beneficial. He votes with the democratic party and upon its ticket was elected township clerk of Hall township, Bu- reau county, while at the present time he is president of the town board of West Brooklyn. His fraternal relations are with the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Order of Foresters, serving as chief ranger in the latter.
At Ladd, Illinois, on the 16th of April, 1891, Mr. Meyer mar- ried Miss Isabella Rennie, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Rennie, the former a stationary engineer of Iowa, where he met death by accident in 1879. His widow survives and is now living in Canton, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer have five children: Sylvia and Zita, who are graduates of the West Brooklyn high school; Frances and Otto, who are attending school; and Thais, two years of age. The family are well known and have a large circle of warm friends. Mr. Meyer is affable and genial in dis- position, courteous in manner, and his fair treatment to all in business has made him the leading merchant of his adopted town.
REV. MICHAEL B. KRUG.
Rev. Michael B. Krug, pastor of St. Mary's Catholic church at West Brooklyn, entered upon his present charge on the 15th of September, 1912. He came to Lee county at that date and has since labored earnestly and effectively for the upbuilding of his church. A native of Germany, he was born at Rosenheim and acquired his education in Munich. He came to America in 1881, at the age of thirteen and a half years, making the trip all alone. Here he became a student in the college at Conception, Missouri, from which he was graduated when fifteen years of age. He was afterward employed in clerical capacity in connection with rail- road interests and later engaged in farming until from his earn- ings he had saved enough money to enable him to follow out his plan of preparing for the priesthood, to which he had determined to devote his life. He was ordained by Archbishop Feehan of Chicago in 1899 and since that time has had charge of various parishes. When he was assigned to St. Mary's church there was felt to be the need of a strong, courageous and determined man to
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