USA > Illinois > Lee County > History of Lee County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 23
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In 1853 Mr. Edwards was united in marriage to Miss Eliza- beth Saul, a daughter of Thomas Saul of Forreston, Illinois, and they became the parents of eight children, of whom four died in childhood. Those surviving are: William J. and James A., the former engaged in the livery business and the latter in the ice business in Amboy; John H., who is a traveling salesman; and Isaac F., living in Dixon. Mr. Edwards' death caused deep regret to all who knew him, for he was one of the well known citi- zens of Lee county, held in high esteem by all.
HARTMAN M. KERSTEN.
Hartman M. Kersten is now living retired in Ashton, but for many years he was a most active, energetic business man, carry- ing on general farming and the raising of blooded stock. He is still the owner of a valuable farm property upon which is a large grain elevator. Lee county numbers him among her native sons,
MR. AND MRS. HARTMAN M. KERSTEN
ELEVATOR OF HARTMAN M. KERSTEN
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his birth having occurred in Bradford township, January 13, 1860, his parents being John and Christine (Hildebrandt) Ker- sten, mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume. The country schools afforded him his early educational privileges and he afterward spent two winter terms in Northwestern College at Naperville, Illinois, attending there in 1881 and 1882. He then returned home and assisted his father through two succeeding years. He afterward purchased seventy acres from his father- in-law, located on section 16, Bradford township, while his wife inherited eighty acres adjoining. Upon this tract, then compris- ing one hundred and fifty acres, he began farming and converted the land into an arable section, readily producing good crops as the result of his progressive methods of tilling the soil. He erected modern buildings and made a specialty of raising blooded stock, handling largely Galloway cattle. As prosperity crowned his labors he purchased more land from time to time, becoming the owner of the Gleim farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Bradford township and also another tract of one hundred and nine acres in the same township. He likewise has other land in Lee county situated near Dixon. He continued upon the home farm until December, 1903, when he sold his blooded stock and removed with his family to Ashton, where he now makes his home, living retired in the enjoyment of well earned rest. In 1913 he erected upon his farm in Bradford township a grain ele- vator, having a capacity of ten thousand bushels, and he also built a private siding from the Northern Illinois Electric Railroad to the elevator, thus securing excellent shipping facilities.
On the 15th of January, 1885, Hartman M. Kersten was mar- ried to Miss Mary Gross, a daughter of Reinhart and Martha (Reinhart) Gross, who were natives of Kerr-Hessen, Germany.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kersten were born three children. Arthur K., who owns and operates a farm in Ashton township, wedded Miss Minnie Henert and has one son, Clarence Hartman Kersten. Rosa C. is the wife of Edward M. Herwig, who owns and culti- vates a tract of land in Bradford township. Alice E. Kersten is deceased.
Mr. Kersten is a member of the United Evangelical church and has taken an active and helpful part in the various lines of church work, serving for many years as Sunday-school superin- tendent. When a youth of thirteen he had been converted through the efforts and teaching of Christian Schuster and Joetchel. He is a progressive in politics and has been a delegate to republican Vol. II-16
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county conventions. He filled the office of road commissioner and for eleven years was school director. Mr. Kersten believes firmly in promoting the public-school interests and in giving to the youth of the land the best educational opportunities possible. He is one of the prominent and prosperous citizens of Lee county, and while promoting his individual success, has always found time to aid in the general development and the advancement of the public welfare.
WILLIAM C. HOLDREN.
William C. Holdren is the owner of a farm of eighty acres on section 10, Brooklyn township, near the city limits of Compton. He came to this county in 1851, brought by his parents, John and Phoebe (Derr) Holdren. He was then but a year old, his birth having occurred in Pennsylvania, June 15, 1850. The father had purchased the property upon which the family settled in 1848. Three years later he brought his family to the middle west, and they took up their abode upon the tract of government land which he had secured, and which was still in its wild condition, not a furrow having been turned or an improvement made. With char- acteristic energy he began its development and converted the place into rich fields. He was a very popular man, and one who left the impress of his individuality for good upon the community in which he lived. He was at the head of the Union League and was therefore in thorough sympathy with the Union cause and the administration at Washington. One of his brothers was an enlisted soldier in the Union army. John Holdren died in 1898. having for two years survived his wife, who passed away in 1896. their remains being interred in Malugin Grove cemetery.
William C. Holdren was the eldest in his father's family. He had comparatively limited opportunities of attending school, hav- ing to put aside his text-books at the age of fifteen years in order to assist his father in the further cultivation and development of the home place. He was thus employed until he attained his majority, after which he learned the carpenter's trade with his uncle, Mathias, with whom he worked until 1881. In that year he secured a position as fireman on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad and spent three years in that way. He next began building residences in this vicinity and erected many of the
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substantial homes of the district until 1907. In that year he accepted the position of salesman for the Acme Harvester Com- pany and has found the business not only congenial but profitable. He seems almost intuitively to know how to approach a man and by square dealing and progressive methods has found no diffi- culty in disposing of the goods which he handles. He owns two farms which are now managed by his son, and Mr. Holdren is largely concentrating his attention upon commercial pursuits.
On the 28th of February, 1882, in Dixon, Mr. Holdren was united in marriage to Miss Marilla E. Adrian, a daughter of Evans and Mary Ann Adrian. Her father was a large stock- raiser and was the owner of the Glenwood farm. The mother died in March, 1912, and was laid to rest in the Malugin Grove ceme- tery. Mr. and Mrs. Holdren have become the parents of three children: Fannie, the wife of William Bird, a retired farmer; John, a representative farmer of Viola township; and Emma, who resides at home.
In politics Mr. Holdren is a progressive, while fraternally he is connected with the Masons, holding membership in the lodge at Compton and in the chapter and commandery at Mendota. He belongs to the United Brethren church, in which he is serving as a trustee. He attributes his success and justly so to his hard work, and his close application and energy constitute an example that others might profitably follow.
J. F. SANDERS.
J. F. Sanders, who died in Texas in 1905, was for many years connected with agricultural interests of Lee county. His birth occurred here March 9, 1855, his parents being Henry and Rachel (Morgan) Sanders, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. The parents came to Lee county, Illinois, in their early years and both passed away here.
J. F. Sanders was reared in Lee county and following the com- pletion of his studies engaged in farming. In the spring of 1889 after the death of his first wife, who passed away in 1888, he, with his two sons, moved in with his brother, John W., and they farmed together for a year or two. In 1891 he was again mar- ried. In 1905 he moved to Texas where he had bought two hun- dred and thirty-six acres of land, upon which his death occurred
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in the same year. His widow still owns the property but after her husband's death returned to Lee county, where she now resides.
In January, 1881, Mr. Sanders married Miss Martha George, a native of Lee county, daughter of David and Susan (Reed) George, and moved on his father-in-law's farm in Bradford township, where he farmed until 1889. To this union were born three children: Nathan H., who now lives in Ashton; Clarence D., who lives on his farm in Bradford township; and Grace M., who was born in May, 1888, and died the same year. Mr. Sanders also lost his wife in that year. In 1891 he married again, his second union being with Miss Annie L. Sanders, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Daniel and Sarah (McCleaf) Sanders, both born in Adams county, that state. Mr. and Mrs. Sanders became the parents of two sons: Robert F., a resident of Iowa, and Roger A., at home. Mrs. Sanders is a member of the Lutheran church and is widely known in Lee county, where she is recognized as a woman of exemplary character and high principles.
AUGUST F. GEHANT.
August F. Gehant is the owner of two hundred acres of fine land on section 31, Viola township, and upon this property is liv- ing a retired life after many years of close connection with agri- cultural interests of the locality. He is a native son of Lee county, born in 1866, his parents being Modest and Olympia (Chaon) Gehant, the former of whom passed away in 1904 and is buried in West Brooklyn. His wife survives him and makes her home in Brooklyn township, having reached the age of sixty-nine.
August F. Gehant acquired his education in the public schools of Brooklyn township and laid aside his books at the age of fifteen, afterward assisting his father with the work of the farm until he was twenty-three. When he began his independent career he rented land, upon which he resided for three years, after which he bought the farm which he now owns, remaining active in its culti- vation for many years. He has erected an excellent residence upon it and a number of farm buildings and, although he has now given up the active work of the fields on account of ill health, he yet gives careful supervision to the operation of the prop- erty.
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In West Brooklyn, on the 29th of August, 1899, Mr. Gehant was united in marriage to Miss Mary Bresson, a daughter of Delphin and Clarice (Antoine) Bresson, the former of whom passed away in 1900 and is buried in West Brooklyn. His wife survives him and makes her home with the subject of this review. Mr. and Mrs. Gehant have become the parents of a daughter, Stella.
Mr. Gehant is a republican in his political beliefs and for the past six years has served as road commissioner, discharging his duties in a capable and able way. He is well and favorably known in his native community, for his life has been honorable, upright and straightforward in all its relations.
J. G. HALL, JR.
J. G. Hall, Jr., a well known agriculturist and public official of May township, devotes his attention to the operation of an excellent farm of three hundred and sixty acres on sections 3 and 4 and also ably discharges the duties devolving upon him in the capacity of township clerk. He is numbered among the worthy native sons of Lee county, Illinois, and was born on the farm on which he now resides, on the 1st of July, 1877, his parents being J. G. and Mary Hall. The father, one of the pioneer settlers of this county, was busily engaged in general agricultural pur- suits throughout his active business career and is now living in honorable retirement at Amboy, Illinois. He held the position of highway commissioner for sixteen years and has long enjoyed an enviable reputation as one of the prosperous, popular and representative citizens of the community. During the period of the Civil war he loyally fought as a soldier of the Union army. The Hall family is of English origin.
J. G. Hall, Jr., attended the district school in the acquirement of an education and also pursued a course of study in Dilley's Commercial College at Dixon. After returning home he assisted his father in the work of the farm until twenty-three years of age and then rented the property, comprising three hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land on sections 3 and 4, May township, which he has operated continuously and successfully since. He cultivates the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and also devotes considerable attention to stock-raising, making a
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specialty of shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs. Mr. Hall assisted in making the improvements on the place, which is now lacking in none of the accessories and conveniences of a model farm of the twentieth century.
On the 3d of October, 1901, at Amboy, Illinois, Mr. Hall was united in marriage to Miss Lela Rex, her parents being Charles and Amelia (Clink) Rex, residents of Sublette township, this county. The father, an agriculturist by occupation, took up his abode among the pioneer settlers of that township. Our subject and his wife have two sons, Frank and George, both of whom are attending school.
Mr. Hall gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has held several positions of public trust and responsibility. He is the present incumbent in the position of township clerk, which office he has held for two years, has also acted as treasurer for three years and for the past fifteen years has been a director of the board of education, serving in the last named capacity at the present time. His religious faith is indicated by his member- ship in the Congregational church, and in the community where his entire life has been spent he has a circle of friends which is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
M. L. WHITE, M. D.
In no profession has woman demonstrated her fitness more fully than in the practice of medicine. She possesses a character- istic sympathy and an almost intuitive understanding that are of much avail to her in professional work. Dr. White, now prac- ticing successfully in Dixon, was born in Plattsburg, New York, a daughter of of Cary J. and Eunice (Cobb) White. The father was a farmer by occupation, following that pursuit in the Empire state and again after removing to Illinois in 1871, at which time he settled in Paw Paw, Lee county.
: . Dr. White pursued her more specifically literary education in the public schools. She devoted five years to teaching and then determining to enter upon the practice of medicine matriculated in the Women's Medical College of Chicago, from which she was graduated with the class of 1894. She has since done post-gradu- ate work in that city and is continuously promoting her knowl- edge through wide reading, research and investigation. She has
DR. M. L. WHITE
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gained a liberal practice, not only among many of Dixon's best people, but also throughout the surrounding country, using an automobile in making her visits. Her fellow members of the profession recognize her skill and superior qualifications and the public trust in her is evidenced in the liberal support given her. She has been insurance examiner for several companies and she is a member of the Lee County and Illinois State Medical So- cieties and of the American Medical Association. Dr. White is very popular in Dixon, possessing attractive personal qualities, which have won her a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of her acquaintances.
JOHN GONNERMAN.
John Gonnerman is engaged in general farming on section 18, Reynolds township, occupying the old family homestead of one hundred and sixty acres. The occupation to which he was reared he has made his life work, and it has been by reason of his industry and perseverance that he has attained a creditable measure of suc- cess, becoming one of the substantial farmers of the community. He was born in Reynolds township, March 31, 1872, and is a son of Marcus Gonnerman. He remained at home until he attained his majority and during that period attended the public schools, spending the winter months in study, while the summer seasons were devoted to the work of the farm. He began to till the fields almost as soon as he was able to reach the plow handles, and as the years have progressed he has had long and practical experience in farm work. When he reached man's estate he rented a farm and continued to cultivate leased land for a number of years, during which period he carefully saved his earnings until his economy and industry had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase two hundred acres of land in Ogle county. He lived upon that farm for a year and then sold it and removed to the old homestead in Reynolds township on section 18, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of land which is naturally rich and arable. He carries on general farming, raising crops best adapted to soil and climate, and the rich prairie land of Illinois responds in good crops. ! ! !
Tn 1902 Mr. Gonnerman was united in marriage to Miss Anna H. Cordes, who was born in Woodford county, Illinois, a daugh-
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ter of John and Grace Cordes, both of whom were natives of Ger- many. They came to America at an early day and to them were born ten children. Mr. and Mrs. Gonnerman have become the par- ents of two children: Florence M., born April 24, 1903, and Cor- nelius, born July 28, 1905. The parents hold membership in the Lutheran church and are loyal to its teachings, exemplifying their faith in their lives. Mr. Gonnerman has served for seven years as school director and believes that good schools should furnish chil- dren the training which will fit them for life's practical and responsible duties. He votes with the republican party but does not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs.
PETER STREIT.
Probably no man is better known throughout northern Illi- nois as a live-stock breeder and dealer than Peter Streit, who has made a special study of everything relating to this line of work and is now a recognized authority on breeding methods and stock values. He is interested in the scientific aspects of farming and has applied his theories to the utmost advantage in the manage- ment of his one hundred and sixty acre farm on section 24, May township. He is a native son of Lee county, born March 31, 1872, his parents being Michael and Margaret (Heser) Streit, natives of Germany. The father came from that country to Illinois in 1864 and settled in Chicago, where he worked in the shops until 1866. He then moved to Lee county and settled on a farm in Sublette township, whereon he continued for two years. At the end of that time he bought the property upon which his son is now residing and thereafter carried forward the work of its cultiva- tion until his death. He brought the place to a high state of culti- vation, laying many miles of tiling, fencing and cross fencing his fields and remodeling and repairing the buildings. He passed away February 27, 1913, at the age of seventy-two, having sur- vived his wife since 1900. Both are buried in Sublette cemetery. They were the parents of nine children: George and John, who died in infancy and are buried in the Perkins Grove cemetery: Catherine, the wife of Nicholas Jacoby, a farmer in South Da- kota; Mary, who married Peter Koldy, a farmer in Sublette town- ship; Peter, of this review; Mathias, engaged in farming near
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New Hampton, Iowa; John, second of the name, a farmer in New Hampton; Nicholas, a resident of the same locality; and Charles, also a farmer in New Hampton.
Peter Streit acquired his education in the old Dolan school- house in May township, attending during the winter months and spending his summers aiding in the operation of his father's farm. He began his independent career in 1899 by renting land and now operates the old homestead. He specializes in raising pure-bred Duroc Jersey hogs and Morgan horses and has an envi- able reputation as a breeder and fancier, his opinions being recog- nized as standard authority. He owns some of the largest and heaviest pure-bred swine in northern Illinois and has bred these animals himself, his success being the result of long experience and continued effort. He occupies an equally enviable place among the breeders of Morgan horses and his animals have been used by the United States government for military purposes.
At St. Mary's church, in May township, July 29, 1903, Mr. Streit was united in marriage to Miss Mary Becker, a daughter of John and Louise Becker. the former one of the oldest settlers in this part of Lee county. Mrs. Becker passed away in 1884 and is buried in St. Mary's cemetery. Her husband survives her and makes his home in May township. Mr. and Mrs. Streit became the parents of three children: Alma, who died in 1909 and is buried in St. Mary's cemetery ; Floyd, and Edna.
Mr. Streit is a member of the Roman Catholic church and a democrat in his political views. He is a director of the Lee County Fair Association and active in his support of this and other pub- lic enterprises. While promoting his personal interests he has contributed in substantial measure to general progress and devel- opment and is numbered today among the most representative and valued citizens of Lee county.
TONY M. W. REITZ.
Tony M. W. Reitz, a native son of Lee county and one of the progressive and successful farmers and stock-raisers of Ashton township, was born August 23, 1868. His parents, Adam and Bar- bara (Henkkeroth) Reitz, were natives of Germany and they came to America in 1866, locating in Lee county, Illinois, where both passed away, the father in 1899 and the mother in 1910. Both
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were laid to rest in the Ashton cemetery. Of the seven children born to their union six survive.
Tony M. W. Reitz spent his childhood and youth upon his father's farm, aiding in its operation when not engaged with his books. When he was twenty-three years of age he married and rented a farm upon which he resided for seven years. At the end of that time he bought a farm on section 33, Ashton town- ship and upon this property has since resided. It is provided with a fine residence, barns and outbuildings and all the con- veniences necessary to the conduct of a profitable agricultural property. Aside from general farming Mr. Reitz is also exten- sively interested in stock-raising, paying particular attention to breeding sheep.
Mr. Reitz married Miss Mary A. Gonnerman, a native of Brad- ford township, this county, and they have become the parents of five children: Clara K. L., Molly L., Katie L., Emma M., and Clarence H. The parents are members of the Lutheran church, and Mr. Reitz gives his political allegiance to the republican party. In business his course has been characterized by the strict- est fidelity to principle, and in social relations he displays an un- failing courtesy that has won for him many friends.
DAVID GEORGE.
Illinois outside of the city of Chicago owes its prosperity and advancement to the industry, enterprise and progressiveness of the representatives of agricultural life and prominent in this con- nection. was David George of Lee county, who was the owner of extensive farms not only in this state but in Iowa. Pennsylvania numbered him among her native sons, his birth having occurred at East Berlin, Adams county, August 21, 1828. His parents, Jacob and Mary (Knop) George, spent their entire lives in Penn- sylvania, where the father followed the occupation of farming. The family numbered four sons: Cornelius, David, Samuel and Henry and several daughters: including Mrs. Lizzie Weaver, Mrs. Anna Cline, Mrs. Molly Mcclellan and Mrs. Rachel Pentz.
Reared in the Keystone state David George worked at the car- penter's trade in early life and when a young man of twenty-three years came to Illinois, arriving in 1851. For two years thereafter he continued to follow his trade. After his marriage, which oc-
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DAVID GEORGE
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
curred in Pennsylvania in 1855, he returned to Lee county and settled in Franklin Grove, where he lived for a year. He then removed to a farm near Ashton and the remainder of his life was devoted to general agricultural pursuits. He became much at- tached to the farm and would not return to the town. His last four years were spent upon a farm near Franklin Grove, his industry and energy-his dominant qualities finding expression in the careful and systematic manner with which he developed and im- proved his land. He owned six quarter sections near Ashton and a half section near Franklin Grove, making altogether twelve hun- dred and eighty acres in this county, in addition to which he had extensive property holdings in Iowa. He secured his land entirely through his persistent and intelligently directed efforts and always gave personal supervision to the management and development of his farms.
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