USA > Illinois > Lee County > History of Lee County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 25
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In December, 1871, in Lee county, Mr. Little was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Christiance, her parents being Abram and Caroline (Barhydt) Christiance. Her family was the third to settle in Brooklyn township, Abram Christiance coming to this county from New York in 1835. He passed away in 1894, while his wife was called to her final rest in November, 1871. Their remains are interred in Lee county. Mr. and Mrs. Little have one child, Edith I., who is the wife of Burton Hartley, a farmer, of Viola township.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Little has supported the men and measures of the republican party, believing firmly in its principles. He is a Master Mason and a worthy exemplar of the fraternity. Both he and his wife have spent their entire lives in Lee county and are well known and highly esteemed within its borders.
WILLIAM HEINZEROTH.
William Heinzeroth is well known as a representative and highly respected farmer of Lee county, his home being in Reynolds township, but business is only one phase of his activity, for he takes a most helpful interest in church and Sunday-school work and has contributed largely to the agricultural development of the community. He was born in this county October 2, 1859, and is a son of Michael and Anna S. (Schuchhard) Heinzeroth, both of whom were natives of Germany but came to America in 1856 and settled in Lee county. Here they remained until called to their final rest. They were numbered among the pioneer citizens and lived to witness remarkable changes as the years passed on and the work of improvement and development was carried forward. In their family were eight children: Anna G., now deceased; Wil- liam, of this review; John M., who is living in La Salle county, Illinois; Henry, whose home is in Bradford township; Justus, a
WILLIAM HEINZEROTH
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resident of Lee county; George, whose home is in North Dakota; Mary, who has passed away; and Anna, the wife of R. Moore, of Dixon.
. . William Heinzeroth remained at home with his parents until twenty-three years of age and then married Miss Catherine Wag- ner, whose family is mentioned in connection with the sketch of William A. Ewald on another page of this volume. Following his marriage Mr. Heinzeroth began renting land in Reynolds town- ship, cultivating a farm in this fashion for some years, but he was ambitious to own land and carefully saved his earnings until in 1901 he was able to purchase one hundred and sixty acres situated on section 30, Reynolds township. This he has partially improved, his methods adding much to its attractive appearance. The soil. is naturally rich and productive and responds readily to the care and labor bestowed upon it. The place is divided into fields of con- venient size by well kept fences and the latest improved machinery facilitates the work of cultivating and caring for the crops. Neat- ness and thrift characterize the development of the farm, and cap- able management has been the foundation of his growing success.
To Mr. Heinzeroth by his first marriage there were born five children: Emma E., now the wife of Henry Wagner; George M., living in Ogle county, Illinois; Benjamin H., of Lee county ; Jus- tus F., at home; and Jacob M., who is also with his father. The wife and mother passed away February 22, 1904, and was laid to rest in the Reynolds cemetery. Five years passed and in 1909 Mr. Heinzeroth was again married, his second union being with Miss Louise E. Muller, who was born in Woodford county, Illinois, in 1867, and is a daughter of John B. and Barbara (Koerner) Muller, both of whom were natives of Germany. Making arrangements to cross the Atlantic, they came to America on the 12th of April, 1857, and then traveled into the interior of the country, settling first in Peoria county, Illinois. Subsequently they established their home in Woodford county, Illinois. At the time of the Civil war the father responded to the country's call for troops and for three years was at the front, giving valiant aid to the Union cause, during which time he participated in a number of hotly contested engagements. Both he and his wife are now deceased. One of their six children passed away in infancy.
Politically Mr. Heinzeroth is a republican. He served as path- master for five years and as school director for six years and has done much in various ways to further the interests of the com- 'munity in which he lives. Fraternally he is connected with Ashton
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Camp, No. 48, M. W. A., and aside from business is most active in church work. Both he and his wife are members of the Evan- gelical Association of North America, Mr. Heinzeroth having united therewith when but fourteen years of age. He is now active as secretary of the church, as assistant superintendent of the Sun- day school and also as a member of the board of trustees. No good work done in the name of charity or religion seeks his aid in vain and his efforts have been productive of splendid results, making him one of the valued citizens of the community, his influence being far-reaching and beneficial.
SHERMAN L. SHAW.
Sherman L. Shaw, residing at Lee Center, is the owner of a farming property of six hundred and sixty acres in Lee, his native county. His birth occurred in Bradford township, October 5, 1864, his parents being James M. and M. Rebecca (Linn) Shaw. He comes of Scotch ancestry on the paternal side, while the Linns are of Irish lineage, and a representative of the name served in the patriot army during the Revolutionary war. His grandfather, Sherman Shaw, arrived in this county in 1836 and was one of the three first settlers in this part of the county. Only four years before had the Black Hawk war occurred and there were yet many evidences of Indian occupancy in all this section of the country. The forest stood in its primeval strength and the land was unclaimed and uncultivated, but Sherman Shaw resolutely undertook the task of preparing the fields for cultivation and in time was reaping bounteous harvests as a reward of his persistent and practical effort. He died in the year 1891 and his wife passed away in 1892, at the ages of eighty and seventy-five years respec- tively. They were laid to rest in the Woodside cemetery. The maternal grandparents were George Russell and Abigail (Stin- son) Linn, natives of Maine, who came to Lee county in 1840. During the period of the Civil war James M. Shaw volunteered for active service, enlisting as a member of Company A, Thirteenth Illinois Infantry, being in the first regiment mustered in for three years. He died in 1876, at the age of thirty-eight years.
Sherman L. Shaw acquired his education in Lee Center and Dixon College, completing his studies when twenty years of age. He afterward remained at home upon the farm for a time and
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later rented land. On his grandfather's death he purchased the interests of the other heirs in the property and has since managed his farm, which is devoted to the raising of crops best adapted to soil and climate. He likewise engages to a considerable extent in stock-raising, making a specialty of hogs. The farm is improved with all modern equipments and accessories, and in all of his busi- ness career Mr. Shaw has been actuated by a spirit of enterprise, progress and improvement.
Mr. Shaw has been married twice. On December 22, 1892, at Amboy, he wedded Miss Anna K. Mynard, a daughter of Adam S. and Alvira Mynard. Mrs. Shaw died, leaving two children, Gertrude K. and Russell M., the former now a student in the Francis Shimer School at Mount Carroll, Illinois. On the 21st of June, 1905, Mr. Shaw was again married in Amboy, his second union being with Miss Grace E. Bender, a daughter of Rev. C. and Clarissa Bender. They have two children, Eleanor and Sher- · man L.
Politically Mr. Shaw is a republican, and his fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and ability, have frequently called him to public office. He has served as town clerk and as member and chairman of the board of supervisors and is now president of the board of education. He is much interested in all that pertains to the general welfare and has cooperated in many movements which have worked for the upbuilding and development of the commu- nity. From early life he has been identified with agricultural interests and the unfaltering industry and sound judgment which he has displayed in the management of his farm have gained him place among the most substantial agriculturists of the county.
JOHN H. GRIESE, JR.
A well improved farm of one hundred acres on section 1, Bradford township, is the property of John H. Griese, Jr., and by industry and enterprise in the management of this property he has surrounded himself with a gratifying degree of prosperity. He was born in Bradford township, January 20, 1877, and is a son of Civiacus and Anna K. (Becker) Griese, natives of Germany. The parents came to America in the early '60s and settled in Lee county, where the father passed away in 1888. His wife survives him and makes her home in Franklin Grove, this county, having
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reached the age of seventy-three years. Previous to her mar- riage with the father of the subject of this review she was Mrs. Webber. By her second marriage she had two sons, August and John H., of this review.
John H. Griese was reared at home and remained upon the farm until he was twenty-one years of age. He then married and acquired one hundred acres of land on section 1, Bradford township. Upon this property he has since resided and he has improved it until it is one of the finest farms in the township. It is provided with a comfortable residence, substantial barns and modern machinery and the fields are under a high state of cultiva- tion. Mr. Griese engages in general farming and stock-raising and is accounted one of the most industrious and substantial farm- ers in the community.
On the 26th of October, 1904, Mr. Griese married Miss Anna Zwack, who was born in Chicago, May 16, 1880, a daughter of Joseph and Anna Zwack, both of whom have passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Griese have become the parents of a daughter, Helen K., who was born April 10, 1908. Mr. Griese gives his political alle- giance to the republican party and takes an intelligent interest in community affairs, although he is not active as an office seeker. He is not only industrious and enterprising, but also a man of high moral character and he is esteemed throughout the township as a farmer and as a business man.
WILLIAM A. EWALD.
William A. Ewald is the owner of the Willow Corner farm of one hundred and fifty-nine acres on section 29, Reynolds town- ship. In addition he has other property in this county and has come to be ranked among the substantial farmers of his part of the state. Germany is his native land, and the date of his birth was November 23, 1866. He is a son of Henry and Anna Martha (Beck) Ewald. Both were natives of Germany, the former born August 5, 1837. They remained residents of the fatherland until 1873, when they bade adieu to friends and native country and sailed for the United States, their destination being Whiterock, Ogle county, Illinois. Subsequently they came to Lee county, taking up their abode in Reynolds township, where Henry Ewald
WILLIAM A. EWALD AND FAMILY
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bought a farm on section 27. With characteristic energy he began its development and continued its cultivation until his life's labors were ended in death on the 10th of March, 1913, when he was in his seventy-sixth year. His widow survives and resides on the old homestead with her son John. By her marriage she became the mother of the following children: Charles; William A .; Mrs. William Christian; C. M .; John, and Henry. The daughter is a resident of Dysart, Iowa, but the sons all live in Reynolds township, this county. There are thirteen grand- children.
William A. Ewald was a little lad of seven years when his parents crossed the Atlantic with their family and came to Illi- nois. He has since lived in this state and the public-school system of Illinois afforded him his educational privileges. His training at farm labor was received under his father's direction, for he remained at home until twenty-seven years of age. He then started out in life on his own account, by renting eighty acres of his father's land. This he cultivated for two years and in the success which attended his efforts proved his capability and resourcefulness. At the end of that time he was united in mar- riage to Miss Martha A. Wagner, who was born in Reynolds township, January 3, 1874, and is a daughter of Martin and Martha (Henert) Wagner, both of whom were natives of Ger- many, whence they came to the new world, establishing their home in Bradford township, Lee county, Illinois.
Following his marriage Mr. Ewald rented land belonging to his wife's uncle, Henry Henert, in Reynolds township and lived upon that place for six years. In 1902 he purchased the farm on section 29, Reynolds township, now known as the Willow Corner farm and comprising one hundred and fifty-nine acres of rich and productive land, from which he annually gathers good harvests. He has since added to his possessions and is now the owner of another excellent farm of two hundred acres on sections 9 and 10, Viola township. Here he makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock and annually sells a large number, this branch of his business proving a profitable one. Beginning at the early age of sixteen and continuing until five years ago our subject, with his brother, Charles, operated a threshing, corn-shelling and clover-hulling outfit. At first they used the old horse-power machinery, but later they owned two steam outfits. He neglects no branch of his farm work, and his care and supervision have made his valuable properties.
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Mr. and Mrs. Ewald have become parents of two children: Adrian J., who was born June 29, 1902, and died in 1903, and Ilia M., born June 24, 1905. The parents attend the Evangelical church. Mr. Ewald votes with the republican party, but has no aspiration for public office. He finds that his business affairs make ample claim upon his time and energies, and he has two excellent farms in the county, the neat and thrifty appearance of which indicate his careful supervision and practical, progressive methods.
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HENRY A. BERNARDIN.
Henry A. Bernardin, a dealer in lumber, lime, cement, stone, etc., at West Brooklyn, was born at Portsmouth, Ohio, September 1, 1868, and comes of French ancestry. His grandparents, Peter and Mary (Boffy) Bernardin, were natives of France and with a family of seven children crossed the Atlantic, settling in Scioto county, Ohio. A subsequent removal made them residents of Lee county and their remains now lie interred in the family lot in the West Brooklyn cemetery. Joseph C. Bernardin, father of Henry A. Bernardin, was born in France, came to America in 1855 and remained a resident of the state of Ohio until 1870, when he re- moved to Lee county, Illinois, taking up his abode upon a farm in Viola township, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits for a number of years. At length he retired from farm life and removed to Amboy in 1898, there passing away October 13, 1911, when he was seventy-two years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Palmére Ranger, was also a native of France and died in the year 1874, at the age of thirty years. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph C. Bernardin were the parents of two sons and a daugh- ter, the brother of our subject being Charles J. Bernardin, who occupies a farm in Viola township, and the sister is Mrs. John Arnold, of the same township.
Henry A. Bernardin was only two years of age when his par- ents left Ohio and brought their family to Lee county. He became a pupil in the country schools near the old home but after reach- ing the age of fifteen years was able to attend only through the winter months, the summer seasons being devoted to farm work. He continued to assist in the development of the home farm until twenty-four years of age, when he purchased a tract of land in
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Viola township and began its further development. After two years he sold that property and bought another farm of one hun- dred and twenty acres two and one-half miles from West Brook- lyn. This was in the year 1894. He continued upon that place until 1900, when he removed to West Brooklyn and established a lumber and coal business which he now conducts. In the year 1907 he extended the scope of his activities by adding a stock of furniture. In 1908 he purchased the Fox & Hamilton building at Compton and opened a furniture and house-furnishing business which is in charge of Mrs. Bernardin. In his yards at West Brooklyn he carries an extensive stock of lumber, doors, sash, blinds, cedar posts and poles, coal, lime, cement and stone. He is an active factor in commercial circles here and, moreover, he has done much for the upbuilding of the town. In addition to the con- duct of his lumber and coal yard and his furniture store he has erected three different residences.
It was on starting out in life independently that Mr. Ber- nardin was married in Bradford township, February 7, 1893, to Miss Mary A. Mehlhausen, a native of Germany, daughter of August and Margaret Mehlhausen, who emigrated to America and became farming people of this county and are now residents of West Brooklyn. Mrs. Bernardin has been of great assistance to her husband and shows excellent business ability in the manage- ment of the store at Compton. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bernardin have been born three children: Palmere S., Kathryn T. and Joseph A., all residing at home.
Mr. Bernardin is a democrat in his political views. He has served as justice of the peace and has been judge of election for six years. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus, his member- ship being in the Amboy Lodge. He has made a most creditable record since he turned from agricultural to commercial pursuits, proving himself to be a wide-awake business man of indefatigable energy and of most creditable persistency of purpose.
JACOB J. WAGNER, JR.
Jacob J. Wagner, Jr., is the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 35, Ashton township, and in the cultivation of this property has gained a success which places him among the representative and able agriculturists of the local-
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ity. He was born in Bradford township, this county, November 11, 1872, and was reared at home, acquiring a public-school edu- cation. He has devoted his entire active life to farming, and his success in this field is the natural result of his ability and experi- ence. When he was twenty-one he rented a farm in Bradford township and developed this property for fifteen years thereafter with constantly increasing success. At the end of that time he bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 35, Ashton town- ship, and upon this property he has since resided. He has made excellent improvements upon it, providing the place with a mod- ern house, a barn and other outbuildings. It now presents an attractive appearance and gives every evidence of the care and labor which the owner has bestowed upon it.
In 1894 Mr. Wagner was united in marriage to Miss Eliza- beth C. Harck, a native of Bradford township, born September 11, 1871. She is a daughter of William and Catherine (Dill) Harck, natives of Germany. The parents came to America at an early date and located in Bradford township, where the mother died July 4, 1910. Her husband survives her and makes his home in Ashton. To their union were born four children: Elizabeth C., wife of the subject of this review; Anna, who married William Petre, of Ashton; Mary, the wife of John Nass, Jr., of Bradford township; and Fred. Mr. and Mrs. Wagner have become the parents of a son, Ervin W., born October 5, 1895. He is now attending a business college at Dixon, Illinois. The parents are members of the United Evangelical church, and Mr. Wagner gives his political allegiance to the republican party. For several years he has served as school director and is a progressive and public- spirited citizen, taking an active interest in community affairs. Ashton township numbers him among her most progressive and successful agriculturists, and he is widely and favorably known in this locality.
FRANK EVERETT STEVENS.
Frank Everett Stevens, who has spent nearly his entire life in Dixon, was for a number of years actively engaged in the prac- tice of law, and has gained success and recognition in journalistic circles as editor of the Weekly Citizen, which he established in 1910. His birth occurred in Dixon, Illinois, on the 5th of Janu-
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HISTORY OF. LEE COUNTY
ary, 1856, his parents being John and Marie Sophie (La Porte). Stevens: It was in 1846 that the father came from Huntingdon: county; Pennsylvania, to Dixon, taking up his abode among the early residents of this place. He was an attorney by profession and served as county superintendent of schools during the years 1853 and 1854. At the time of the civil war he raised Company H of the Forty-sixth Illinois. Volunteer Infantry, was made judge advocate of the army and also held the rank of major. On Sun- day morning, April 6, 1862, he was killed at the battle of Shiloh.
Frank E. Stevens obtained his education in the high school of Dixon and after preparing for the practice of law was admitted. to the bar in 1877. For a number of years he ably discharged the duties devolving upon him in the capacity of deputy circuit clerk. It was in 1910 that he became identified with journalistic inter- ests as editor of the Weekly Citizen, which he has since published, and which enjoys an excellent subscription and advertising patronage, being an up-to-date news sheet in every respect. He. is a member of the State and Chicago Historical Societies and also belongs to the Caxton Club of Chicago. In the community where his life has been spent he is well known as a representative, esteemed and influential citizen.
U. GRANT DYSART.
U. Grant Dysart, a representative and successful agriculturist of Viola township, owns a well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 32 and is also filling the office of town- ship supervisor at the present time. His birth occurred in Lee county, Illinois, on the 14th of September, 1865, his parents being Samuel and Jennie (Henderson) Dysart, both of whom are de- ceased and lie buried at Franklin Grove, Illinois. The father passed away on the 8th of April 1911, and the mother August 8, 1909.
U. Grant Dysart acquired his education at Fulton, Whiteside county, Illinois, attending school until twenty-two years of age. Subsequently he took up his abode on the farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 32, Viola township, which he has operated continuously and successfully since. He engages in mixed farm- ing and keeps about twelve horses, twenty cattle and twenty-eight hogs. The residence and other buildings which adorn the prop-
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erty were erected by him and greatly enhance its value. His well tilled fields yield bounteous crops in return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them and bring him a gratifying annual income.
In Viola township, on section 32, Mr. Dysart was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Nelles, the ceremony taking place on the 3d of December, 1890. Mrs. Dysart was born February 21, 1869, her parents being John and Caroline (Sparling) Nelles, both of whom are deceased and lie buried in Malugian Grove, Illinois. Her mother passed away January 24, 1913, her father Septem- ber 8, 1909. Our subject and his wife have two children, namely : Maude H., born March 9, 1892, who gave her hand in marriage to Harry Christiance, a mail carrier of West Brooklyn; and Jen- nie C., born November 22, 1896, who is at home.
Mr. Dysart is a progressive in his political views and now acts as township supervisor, having held the office for about four years. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to the lodge at Compton, in which he serves as master. His life has been upright and honorable in all respects, and he has long been numbered among the substantial and esteemed citizens of his native county.
WALTER FREDERICK AYDELOTTE, N. D.
Walter Frederick Aydelotte, N. D., neurologist and health in- structor at Dixon, was born in Jersey county, Illinois, November 26, 1878, a son of Isaac K. and Mary (Norris) Aydelotte, the former a native of Jersey county and the latter of Greene county, Illinois. The paternal grandfather was a native of Ohio, but came to Illinois in pioneer times, arriving about 1840. Isaac K. Aydelotte was a farmer and business man active in connection with both agricultural and mercantile pursuits.
Dr. Aydelotte, whose name introduces this record, acquired a public-school education in Kansas, Nebraska, and Montgomery county, Illinois, attending school in the three states. He was also a student in Dixon college where he studied law and subse- quently took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for three years in Lee and Sangamon counties. This, however, was merely an initial step toward professional labor. He became a student in the McCormick Neurological college, now the McCor-
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