USA > Illinois > Lee County > History of Lee County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 21
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Reo. M. B. King. O.B. a. M.
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promote its upbuilding and growth, and through his efforts splen- did progress has been made and the church is now in an excellent condition both spiritually and financially. He is a very progres- sive man, a wide reader and deep thinker and his consecration to the work is manifest in the earnest, zealous manner with which he has promoted the interests of St. Mary's church and parish.
GEORGE HILLS SQUIRES.
Dixon lost a representative citizen and a progressive business man when George Hills Squires was called from this life in Sep- tember, 1907. In all respects he measured up to high standards of manhood and citizenship and thus at his passing he left to his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name. He was born in 1843, in the old historic town of Bennington, Vermont, his parents being John N. and Emma L. (Bigelow) Squires, the former a manufacturer. He was descended from two of the most prominent of the old colonial families, the Brewsters and the Bigelows. Following the acquirement of a public school educa- tion in his native city, George Hills Squires came to the middle west thinking to have broader business opportunities and advan- tages in the comparatively new, but growing section of the coun- try. He was nineteen years of age when he arrived in Burlington, Iowa, where he engaged in the wholesale drug business, remain- ing in that city until 1873. He next went to Troy, New York, where he continued in business until 1886. Two years later he arrived in Champaign, Illinois, where he continued for three years on the expiration of which period he came to Dixon, where he established a paper and wooden box business in which he remained to the time of his death in September, 1907. Throughout his entire life he was accounted an energetic, progressive business man, applying himself closely to all the duties which devolved upon him, meeting every obligation and keeping every engage- ment. His commercial honesty too was above question and the success which he achieved was the merited reward of persistent effort.
On the 10th of September, 1872, Mr. Squires was united in marriage to Miss Eleanor Dement, a daughter of Colonel John Dement, who came to Dixon about 1840 and engaged in the real- estate business. He was also in the government employ in charge
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of the land office at an early date. Later he turned his attention to manufacturing interests and was thus closely identified with the material growth and progress of this section of the state to the time of his death, which occurred in January, 1882. He was a veteran of the Black Hawk war and a pioneer settler, who aided not only in the suppression of the red men, but also in the more active constructive work which has brought about the present day prosperity and progress of the county. His wife was a daugh- ter of Henry Dodge, who was the first governor of Wisconsin, while he and his son Augustus C. Dodge of Iowa and also a half brother, Louis Linn, all served in the United States senate at the same time. The family is one of distinguished prominence in the history of the middle west. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Squires were born a son and two daughters: Mrs. Marie Loraine Hoffer, now residing in Washington, D. C .; Miss Christine, who is at home with her mother and George R., who is engaged in manufacturing in Troy, New York.
The family are all members of the Episcopal church to which Mr. Squires likewise belonged. He took an active and helpful part in its work and was serving as treasurer and vestryman at the time of his death. His life exemplified his Christian faith and belief which found expression in many good works. His sterling traits of character made his name an honored one wherever he was known and although he did not seek to figure prominently in pub- lic affairs, the community in which he lived profited by his worth and his activities.
H. L. WINDER, D. V. M.
Dr. H. L. Winder, a well known veterinary surgeon of Ashton, is a native of Iowa, born May 3, 1887. His parents, T. G. and Ena A. (Stolp) Winder, were born in Illinois and both survive. Five children were born to their union, of whom three are yet living.
Dr. H. L. Winder was reared at home and acquired a grammar and high-school education. He is also a graduate of the West- ern Military Academy. In 1906 he went to Chicago, where he studied medicine for one year, following which he turned his at- tention to veterinary surgery. In 1913, after receiving his degree, he located in Ashton, where he has since engaged in the practice of his profession. He has already secured a large patronage,
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which is constantly increasing as his skill and ability become more widely known.
On the 19th of June, 1913, Dr. Winder was united in mar- riage to Miss June N. Moser, a daughter of Rev. Henry and Car- rie Moser, of Sheridan, La Salle county, Illinois. Mrs. Winder is one of a family of six children and is a graduate of the Hoop- eston Seminary. Dr. Winder is connected fraternally with the Masonic lodge at Ashton and is also a member of the Mystic Workers. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party, and, while he is not active as an office seeker, takes an in- telligent interest in public affairs. Young, ambitious and ener- getic, he is already in a fair way to make a lasting reputation in his chosen field.
F. L. KESSELRING.
F. L. Kesselring is one of the most extensive landowners in Lee county and is well known in agricultural and stock-raising circles of Bradford township by reason of his success in the con- duct of his interests. He was born in Frederick, Maryland, August 23, 1871, and is a son of Daniel and Alice (Hooper) Kes- selring, natives of that state. The father died in Maryland and is survived by his wife. To their union were born nine children, of whom six survive.
F. L. Kesselring was reared at home and acquired his educa- tion in the public schools. At the age of twenty-one he moved to Illinois, settling in Lee county, where he has since been influ- entially associated with farming interests. He owns four hun- dred acres in Bradford and Lee Center townships, and he has provided his land with substantial buildings and modern equip- ment. He makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock and has extensive interests along this line, his animals commanding a ready sale in the market.
In October, 1896, Mr. Kesselring was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte C. Reinhart, a daughter of Andrew and Catherine Reinhart, who came to Illinois in 1836, passing away in this state. Mr. and Mrs. Kesselring have two children, Ethel M. and Cather- ine C. Mr. Kesselring is connected fraternally with Lee Center Lodge, No. 146, A. F. & A. M .; the chapter at Franklin Grove; and the Order of the Eastern Star. He gives his political allegiance
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to the democratic party. He is a man of many sterling traits of character, able in business, progressive in citizenship and at all times trustworthy and reliable.
HENRY W. HILLISON.
Henry W. Hillison, actively engaged with agricultural inter- ests in Lee county, his home being on section 25, China township, was born on the old family homestead in Bradford township, this county, September 12, 1850. His parents were Ommon and Catherine Elizabeth (Reinhart) Hillison. The former, born in Norway, December 14, 1814, left his native land in 1835 and for two years was a sailor upon coastwise vessels. In 1837 he settled on a claim in Bradford township, Lee county, about two and a half miles north of Lee Center and there remained until his death, which occurred in 1853. He was the first one to leave the Har- danger country of Norway and the first Norwegian to settle in Lee county. Although he established his home here when the Indians still lived in the neighborhood, he never owned a gun, pistol nor revolver nor found it necessary to protect himself from the red men. "He came not to make war, but peace," and he lived quietly among his red neighbors finding that they were appreciative of friendship as well as the members of the white race. It was many years after he located here before there were any other Norwegians in the county. He married Catherine Elizabeth Reinhart who was born in Hesse Cassel, Germany, in 1832, a daughter of Christian and Christine (Reinhart) Rein- hart. In 1845 they crossed the Atlantic to New York and thence made their way direct to Lee county. It was on the 14th of Novem- ber, 1849, that their daughter gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Hillison. She long survived her husband, passing away July 20, 1900. They had two children, Henry and Betsey Josephine, the latter the wife of Conrad Brandau, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Henry W. Hillison has spent his entire life in Lee county, residing always in Bradford or in China townships. He has ever been extensively engaged in farming and his holdings of farm land are now large. In developing his fields he has employed the most progressive methods and his diligence and determination have constituted the foundation of his success.
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On the 8th of May, 1873, Mr. Hillison was married to Miss Elizabeth Roth, who was born in Germany, February 18, 1853, and was brought to this country by her parents in 1858. She is a daughter of John and Barbara Roth, who were also natives of Germany and who spent their last days in Lee county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hillison have been born five children: John H., Chris- tian E. and William C., all living in China township; Reinhart A., of Amboy township; and Celia Josephine, at home. The sons are all actively engaged in farming in this county. There are also eight grandsons and one granddaughter.
During the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893, Mr. Hillison visited the crew of Norsemen that came all the way from Norway to Chicago in a row boat to demonstrate that such a feat was possible and thus give additional proof to the claim that the Norse- men visited America before Columbus. Mr. Hillison was upon their boat a number of times an open row boat with a canvass over the provisions. It was thirty feet long and sixteen feet wide in the center and no sails were used in propelling it, the motive force being supplied by the sturdy arms of the sons of Norway -a fact of which Mr. Hillison is proud. Owing to the fact that his father was the first man to leave the Hardanger country in Norway and settle in Lee county, Mr. Hillison was invited to attend the reunion of the people of that country at Ellsworth, Iowa, in 1912 and at Lee county in 1913. Mr. Hillison is a Mason and is past master of Lee Center Lodge, No. 146. He has also initiated four of his sons in the blue lodge. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church and in politics he is a progressive. He has held many township offices and is deeply and helpfully interested in all that pertains to the progress and welfare of county and state.
ADAM H. GONNERMANN.
Farming interests of Lee county are well represented by Adam H. Gonnermann, who since 1904 has been engaged in agricultural pursuits in Bradford township, where he now owns one hundred and twenty acres of excellent land. He was born here May 10, 1878, and is a son of Henry and Katherine Gonnermann, natives of Germany, who came to the United States in 1866, locating in
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Lee county, Illinois. The mother died here in 1902 and is survived by her husband, who makes his home in Franklin Grove.
Adam H. Gonnermann was reared upon his father's farm in Bradford township and assisted in its operation until he was twenty-six years of age. He then engaged in agricultural pur- suits upon rented land for five years and following this bought one hundred and twenty acres on section 3, Bradford township. He has labored industriously in the development of this property and has made it valuable and productive in a high degree. Its buildings are substantial and in good repair and its equipment modern, and it lacks none of the accessories necessary to the con- duct of a modern farming property.
On December 14, 1904, Mr. Gonnermann was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Kurth, who was born in Ogle county, Illinois, a daughter of Christ and Amelia (Witzel) Kurth, natives of Ger- many. The parents came to America in the '70s and located in Lee county, this state, whence they later moved to Ogle county, where they now reside. In their family were five children, all of whom survive. Mr. and Mrs. Gonnermann have two children : Glenn W., born March 24, 1908, and Henry C., born March 1, 1912. The parents are members of the Lutheran church and Mr. Gon- nermann gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He holds the office of school director and he takes an intelligent inter- est in public affairs although he is not an active politician. He is held in high esteem in the community as a progressive citizen and a prosperous farmer.
HARRIET E. GARRISON, M. D.
Little more than a generation ago woman had no place in the business world. She was supposed to be concerned only with the duties of the household, save that she was given the instruction of the young as a teacher in the schools-a work but little removed from the household and family cares. Today there is practically no avenue of activity closed to her and she has proven herself equal to the representatives of the sterner sex in all that calls for intelli- gent comprehension and skill, save, perhaps, only in the point of physical strength. None today deny her prominent place in the medical profession and among the more successful physicians of Dixon is Dr. Harriet E. Garrison, who was born in Lee county,
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DR. HARRIET E. GARRISON
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October 28, 1848. Her parents, William and Amelia (Omen) Garrison, were both natives of Pennsylanvia, but left the east in 1845 and made their way to Illinois, with Lee county as their destination. They traveled overland by team, bringing with them their seven children, the eldest at the time being ten years of age. They were also accompanied by Mathias Garrison, brother of William Garrison. Their route lay at times through dense for- ests or over open uncultivated prairies and they saw much wild game while upon the way and after their arrival in this county. On reaching Illinois, Mr. Garrison obtained a tract of govern- ment land upon which not a furrow had been turned or an im- provement made. With characteristic energy he began its de- velopment and converted it into productive fields from which he annually gathered good crops that enabled him to provide a com- fortable living for his family. He continued upon his farm until death called him. At one time he removed to Ogle county, Illi- nois, where he operated a sawmill for a brief period and then re- turned to Lee county, where his remaining days were passed. After the arrival of the parents in Illinois four more children were added to the family, making eleven in all. Dr. Garrison was trained to the usual household duties but the parents were am- bitious to give their children good educational opportunities and she was anxious to take advantage of such. Accordingly she sup- plemented her public-school course by study at Mount Morris, Illinois, and also in the Rock River Seminary. By this time she had determined to engage in the practice of medicine and pursued her studies at the Women's Medical College of Chicago, from which she was graduated with the class of 1876. She also took a six months' hospital course and thus gained the broad knowledge and experience which only hospital service can bring.
On the 5th of October, 1876, Dr. Garrison came to Dixon and opened an office and has since engaged in practice here, although she went to New York city in 1890 and again in 1891 for post- graduate work. In this and other ways she has continually broad- ened her knowledge and increased her skill. She traveled in Europe with a party of physicians in 1897. She was the only general practitioner among them and when Dr. Senn, a noted sur- geon of Chicago, became ill she was called upon to attend him. Her trip was made for the purpose of attending the International Medical Association at Moscow, Russia, and in 1900 Dr. Garrison again went abroad attending the International Medical Associa- tion at Paris. She has attended five different meetings of the TL B-18
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American Medical Association and she is also a member of the Lee County and the Illinois State Medical Societies. She has largely specialized in the treatment of diseases of children and is a recog- nized authority on many points relative thereto. Articles which she has written have appeared in various leading medical jour- nals of the country and many prominent men of the profession have borne testimony as to their merits. She has ever held to the highest professional standards and step by step has advanced to a conspicuous, prominent and honorable position in the ranks of the medical profession in Illinois.
HARRY J. NASS.
Harry J. Nass is the owner of a well improved farm in Brad- ford township, situated on sections 11 and 12. It comprises two hundred and forty acres and the greater part of the land is now in a high state of cultivation, its neat and attractive appearance indicating the careful supervision of the owner. Harry J. Nass was born in the township in which he still makes his home on the 11th of February, 1871, and is a son of John and Augusta Nass. both of whom were natives of Germany, but came to America in early life. They located upon a farm in Bradford township, and the father has since been a resident of Illinois, now living retired in Ashton, where the mother passed away.
Upon the old homestead farm in Bradford township Harry J. Nass was reared and was early trained to the best methods of till- ing the soil and caring for the crops. He pursued his education in the district schools near his father's home and remained with his parents until twenty-five years of age, when, ambitious to start out in life on his own account, he rented a farm for three years. During that period he carefully saved his earnings and his industry and close economy at length enabled him to pur- chase a farm. He invested in two hundred and forty acres on sections 11 and 12, Bradford township, where he now resides, and he has since given his time and attention to the further improve- ment of the place. He rebuilt and remodeled the buildings and also erected some new ones, and the farm today is a splendidlv improved property, everything about the place indicating his careful supervision and progressive methods.
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Mr. Nass was united in marriage to Miss Anna Krug, a mem- ber of a family mentioned elsewhere in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Nass have been born three children: Floyd, Arl and Clar- ence. The parents are members of the Evangelical church, and Mr. Nass gives his political allegiance to the republican party, believing firmly in its principles as factors in good government. Having been a lifelong resident of this county, he has witnessed much of its growth and development and has seen the changes wrought by time and man, whereby Lee county has been brought to a prominent position among the prosperous and progressive counties of the state. He has led a busy life, and his industry and energy have brought him substantial return.
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MRS. MARY S. JOHNSON.
Mrs. Mary S. Johnson is a representative of a family whose members have been well known in Lee county since pioneer times, and she likewise has made substantial contributions to the agri- cultural development of this locality through her able manage- ment of her farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 9, Brooklyn township. She is a native of Lee county, born in 1851, a daughter of Edwin and Harriet (Mayo) Morey, the former of whom died in 1888 and is buried at Inlet, Lee Center township. His wife survives him and makes her home with her daughter, having reached the age of eighty-four. Representatives of the Morey family came to Lee county in the early '40s, and the name. has been an honored one in this community since that time.
Mrs. Mary S. Johnson acquired her education in the public schools of Lee Center and laid aside her books at the age of seventeen, afterward remaining at home until her marriage. In 1871 she wedded Oliver P. Johnson, Jr., a son of Oliver P. and Elizabeth (Ross) Johnson, both of whom have passed away. The father died in 1891 and the mother in 1895 and both are buried in West Brooklyn. Oliver P. Johnson, Jr., was connected for many years with agricultural interests of this locality, owning and oper- ating two hundred and forty acres on section 9, Brooklyn town- ship. He brought this place to a high state of cultivation and became well known as a progressive and substantial agriculturist. He passed away in June, 1905, and his death was deeply and
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widely regretted, depriving Lee county of one of its most valued and representative citizens.
Mr. and Mrs. Oliver P. Johnson, Jr., became the parents of eight children: Carrie, the wife of Dr. E. C. White; Hattie, who married Harry Haskell, of Pasadena, California; Charles, a mail clerk at Omaha, Nebraska; Oliver P., who resides at Pasadena, California; Edwin M., a painter and decorator; Ruby, at home; Daisy, who died in 1880 and is buried in West Brooklyn, and Minnie, who passed away in 1906 and was laid to rest in the same locality. Mrs. Johnson makes her home in West Brooklyn and since her husband's death has supervised the operation of the farm. She is well and favorably known in this part of Lee county, where she has spent her entire life and where her many excel- lent characteristics have gained her an extensive circle of friends.
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HERMAN HERWIG.
Herman Herwig has engaged in agricultural pursuits in Lee county for a number of years, and he is now the owner of one hun- dred and sixty acres on section 33, Ashton township. He was born in China township, this county, October 12, 1874, and is a son of Mathias and Elizabeth (Schinzer) Herwig, natives of Germany. The parents came to America in 1864 and located in Lee county, where the father died in 1904 and where the mother still resides. Of the seven children born to their union, six are yet living.
Herman Herwig was reared in China township, dividing his time in his childhood between his school books and work upon his father's farm. When he was twenty-one he bought a farm in the vicinity of the homestead and resided upon this for six years, after which he sold the property and moved to Dixon where he lived nine years. He then moved to Ashton township, where he now resides. He owns one hundred and sixty acres on section 33 and he has made this one of the finest farms in this locality by his intelligent and capable management. He has provided the place with substantial buildings and modern machinery and he neglects no opportunity to make his farm more attractive or valuable.
In 1895 Mr. Herwig was united in marriage to Miss Anna Ventler, who was born in Bradford township, December 27, 1873.
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She is a daughter of Andrew and Catherine (Gonnerman) Vent- ler, natives of Germany. In this family were nine children, six of whom are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Herwig have two sons: Roy A., who was born January 10, 1897, and who is now in col- lege at Dixon, Illinois; and Lee C., born August 10, 1898, a student in the Ashton high school. Mr. and Mrs. Herwig are mem- bers of the Lutheran church and Mr. Herwig gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. Being a man of sterling char- acter, he has always merited and received the confidence and respect of all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact. .
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MRS. ELIZABETH HARPER.
Mrs. Elizabeth Harper, who owns and operates a fine farm of eighty acres on section 29, Viola township, was born in North Carolina, March 12, 1832. She is a daughter of David and Phoebe (Jones) Cox, both of whom died in 1893 and are buried in Earl- ville, La Salle county, Illinois.
Mrs. Elizabeth Harper acquired her education in the public schools of Ottawa, Illinois, and laid aside her books at the age of fifteen. She afterward remained at home until her marriage, which occurred about six years thereafter. She wedded Alex- ander Harper, who was born in Greene county, Illinois, in 1828, a son of Ephraim and Christine (Kessler) Harper, both of whom have passed away and are buried in Whitehall.
Alexander Harper acquired his education in the public schools of Greene county, Illinois, and laid aside his books at the age of twenty. He afterward assisted his parents until 1854 and fol- lowing his marriage began farming independently. He came to Lee county in 1871 and purchased eighty acres of land on section 29, Viola township, carrying forward the work of cultivating this property along practical lines and making it in the course of time one of the most valuable farms in the township. He continued active in his agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1900. He was a man of exemplary character and high standards and his passing was widely and deeply regretted.
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