USA > Illinois > Lee County > History of Lee County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 28
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DAVID SMITH.
One cannot carry investigations far into the pioneer history of Lee county without learning of the honorable and worthy part which David Smith has taken in the work of promoting develop- ment and advancement. He is one of the oldest residents of this locality, having made his home on the farm on which he lives since 1837 although he now rents most of the farm to three of his grandnephews. Since the beginning of his active career his influ- ence has been a force in progress, being given always to measures of public advancement and reform. At the age of eighty-two Mr. Smith is still interested in agricultural pursuits, owning a fine
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farm of four hundred and fifteen acres on section 35, Willow Creek township, but for a few years he has rented most of the farm, except the timber, to relatives. He was born near Camp- belltown, Argyleshire, Scotland, July 16, 1831, and is a son of John and Jane Smith, who crossed the Atlantic to America in 1837, arriving in New York after a journey of six weeks. They pushed westward to Illinois and settled in Lee county among the pioneers in this locality. They took up land which was not yet surveyed and the father and his eldest son, Robert, fenced and broke, or plowed, for the first time, most of the farm, which was three-fourths prairie, and carried forward the work of improve- ment for many years. Robert Smith died in 1905, after many years of close connection with agricultural interests in this local- ity. He is buried in Wyoming cemetery. John Smith passed away in 1860, having survived his wife twenty years, and both are interred in the Ellsworth cemetery. They became the parents of ten children, four of whom died in Scotland. Martha married William Hopps, who passed away in Wheeling, Cook county, Illi- nois. Robert died in 1905. John passed away in August, 1837, at the age of nine and is buried in the Ellsworth cemetery. David is the subject of this review. Jane became the wife of Nathaniel Nettleton who passed away during the Civil war and is buried in the Ellsworth cemetery. His wife died June 5, 1894, and was laid to rest in the Ellsworth cemetery beside her husband. Alex- ander C., born in Illinois in July, 1837, fought in the Union cav- alry during the Civil war and died of sickness at Pittsburg Land- ing, Tennessee in April, 1862. He is also buried in Ellsworth cemetery.
David Smith was six years of age when he came to Lee county with his parents. He attended school in Paw Paw and in Wheel- ing, Cook county, until he was twenty-one years of age, pursuing his studies during the winter months and assisting with the work of the farm during the summers. When the father died and his land was divided David Smith received one hundred and eighty acres and he afterward added greatly to this property, owning at one time nine hundred acres. He has since sold portions of this but retains four hundred and fifteen acres on section 35, Willow Creek township. Upon this fine property he raises grain and stock, keeping cattle, horses and hogs. He has been very suc- cessful in breeding swine and has owned as many as three hun- dred high-grade animals. Throughout the years he has steadily carried forward the work of improving his farm, and the result of
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his labors is seen in its attractive appearance. Mr. Smith was at one time vice president and a director in the State Bank of Paw Paw and is now a large stockholder, and he is interested in many other enterprises which are factors in general growth.
Upon its organization Mr. Smith joined the republican party and voted for its candidates continuously until 1912, when he entered the ranks of the progressives. He was for three years township supervisor, has been township treasurer, trustee and assessor and also school trustee and school director. In fact he has held practically every important position within the gift of his fellow citizens, for he has been at all times interested in the advancement of the community and takes every means in his power to promote its progress. During the many years of his residence here he has won a high place in the esteem and regard of all who know him, and he has an extensive circle of warm friends.
HENRY EWALD, JR.
The name of Ewald is well known to all who are familiar with the history of agricultural development and progress in Reynolds township and Lee county, for through more than a third of a century the family has been represented here and its members have taken an active and helpful part in promoting farming inter- ests in this section of the state. Henry Ewald, Jr., now living on section 22, Reynolds township, was born in Ogle county, Illinois, February 6, 1877, and is a son of Henry and Anna Martha Ewald, of whom further mention is made on another page of this volume in connection with the sketch of Charles Ewald. The family removed from Ogle to Lee county in 1879, and Henry Ewald, Jr., spent his boyhood and youth in the usual manner of farm lads, working in the fields through the summer months, attending the district schools during the winter seasons and finding time and opportunity for play when more serious tasks did not engage him. He continued to assist his father in the cultivation of the home farm until twenty-eight years of age, when he was united in marriage on the 20th of June, 1905, to Miss Marie Kaecker, who was born in Bradford township, January 7, 1880, a daughter of William and Minnie (Aschenbrenner) Kaecker. The father was born in Germany and came to America when twenty-one years of
HENRY EWALD, JR., AND FAMILY
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age. The mother is a native of Lee county, Illinois, where she still makes her home, being now a resident of Bradford township. In their family were twelve children, ten of whom survive. .
Following his marriage Mr. Ewald began his domestic life upon a rented farm, which he continued to till for seven years. He then purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 22, Reynolds township, a tract which was then partially improved. He has continued its further development along progressive lines of farming and annually the fields bring forth rich crops owing to the care and labor which he bestows upon them. His methods are at once practical and progressive and in addition to raising grain he makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock, which constitutes an important source of his income.
As the years have gone by Mr. and Mrs. Ewald have become the parents of three children: Fern Anna M., born April 4, 1906, Mark William, August 17, 1910, and Lloyd Andrew William, January 28, 1912. The parents hold membership in the Evangeli- cal church, and Mr. Ewald gives his political support to the repub- lican party but has never sought nor desired office as a reward for party fealty, preferring to give his undivided attention to his farming interests, which, capably managed, are bringing to him a good return.
HENRY L. GEHANT.
Henry L. Gehant, the tenant of a valuable tract of land com- prising two hundred and twenty acres on section 31, Viola town- ship, devotes his attention to mixed farming with excellent success and is well known as one of the enterprising young citizens of his native county. He was here born in the year 1883 and is a son of Frank J. and Victoria (Henry) Gehant, who make their home in West Brooklyn and are highly esteemed residents of the community.
Henry L. Gehant attended school in Lee county until eighteen years of age and subsequently assisted his father in the work of the home farm for three years. On the expiration of that period he embarked in the hardware business as the junior member of the firm of Bernardin & Gehant, being thus engaged for six years. He then disposed of his interest in the concern and again turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, having since de-
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voted his time and energies to the operation of a farm of two hun- dred and twenty acres on section 31, Viola township. In addition to the cultivation of cereals he gives considerable attention to stock, keeping about fourteen horses, thirty-five cattle and fifteen hogs. He operates two threshing outfits and also acts as agent for the Studebaker automobile in Viola, Sublette, Lee Center and Brook- lyn townships.
On the 7th of January, 1908, in Amboy, Mr. Gehant was united in marriage to Miss Theresa Stiel, her parents being Valentine and Anna (Lauer) Stiel, the former a farmer of Amboy town- ship. Mr. Gehant gives his political allegiance to the democracy and has fraternal relations with the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica. He has spent his entire life in Lee county and is widely recog- nized as one of its prosperous, progressive and representative citizens.
MORRIS COOK.
Morris Cook makes his home on section 23, Alto township, and his property in addition to the home farm makes his landed possessions aggregate five hundred and sixty-five acres, consti- tuting a valuable property. He is not only one of the progres- sive agriculturists, but one of the wide-awake and patriotic citizens of his community, where he is now filling the position of township supervisor. He was born in Kendall county, Illinois, September 10, 1864, a son of Morris and Elizabeth (Cooper) Cook, both of whom were natives of New Jersey, whence they came to this state about 1850, settling in Kendall county. In 1866 they became residents of Alto township, Lee county, and the father purchased a farm, which is now the property of his son Morris. With characteristic energy he began its develop- ment and improvement and concentrated his energies upon its cultivation until his death, which occurred in 1885. His widow survived him for many years, passing away in 1911. They were the parents of eleven children, five of whom are now living.
Morris Cook, reared under the parental roof, assisted his father until nineteen years of age, and then assumed the management of the old home place. He proved his ability to successfully conduct the farm and in 1909 he purchased the property, his home place. comprising one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 23, Alto
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township. In 1911 he purchased the old homestead, comprising two hundred and forty-five acres on section 14, Alto township, and prior to this he had invested in one hundred and sixty acres on section 15, of the same township, so that he now owns altogether five hundred and sixty-five acres of rich and valuable land, that responds readily to the care and cultivation he bestows upon it. While his fields produce good crops, in his pastures are to be found registered Hereford cattle and draft horses, of which he makes a specialty, raising a large number each year.
In 1888 Mr. Cook was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude C. Hemenway, who was born in Kendall county, Illinois, a daugh- ter of William and Cynthia (Dewey) Hemenway, the former a native of Will county, Illinois, and the latter of the state of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Cook have become the parents of six chil- dren: Effie G., now the wife of M. M. Fell; Harold H .; Lyal E .; M. Gardner; Marjorie L .; and Florence A. The parents hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Cook be- longs to the Masonic fraternity at Steward. His political allegi- ance is given to the republican party, and he is now serving as supervisor of Alto township, while for five years he filled the office of assessor. He has also been school director and is interested in the cause of education as a preparation for the young for life's practical and responsible duties. Mr. Cook is a self-made man and deserves much credit for what he has accomplished. Gradu- ually he has worked his way upward, and his persistent energy has made him one of the substantial citizens of his part of the county.
WILLIAM M. SHAW.
William M. Shaw, a prominent agriculturist and extensive landowner of Lee county, devotes his attention to the cultivation of a farm of four hundred and seventy-five acres in Amboy town- ship. His birth occurred in this county on the 24th of September, 1847, his parents being Henry G. and Jane (Waldron) Shaw, both of whom are deceased and lie buried in Prairie Repose cemetery. The father's demise occurred in 1874, while the mother passed away in April, 1902, both being sincerely mourned by an extensive circle of friends and acquaintances.
William M. Shaw attended the schools of his native county until sixteen years of age and subsequently spent about five years
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assisting his father in the operation of the home place. During the following twelve years he worked at almost any employment that offered and which would yield him an honest dollar, and on the expiration of that period started out as an agriculturist on his own account, coming into possession of the farm of four hundred and seventy-five acres which he has since operated. He raises the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and keeps about thirty horses, sixty head of cattle and fifty hogs, meeting with a gratifying and well merited measure of success in both branches of his business. The residence and other buildings on the prop- erty were erected by him and stand as monuments to his enterpris- ing spirit and wisely directed industry.
Mr. Shaw gives his political allegiance to the democracy and has fraternal relations with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. He is widely known throughout the county in which he has resided during his entire life, or for about two-thirds of a century, and his substantial characteristics have gained him the warm regard and unqualified trust of his fellow townsmen.
JOHN W. BANKS.
John W. Banks, supervisor of Brooklyn township and a part- ner in the operation of grain, seed and coal concerns at Compton and Paw Paw, was born in Paris, Ontario, January 26, 1861. He is a son of Joseph and Hannah L. (McDonald) Banks, the former of whom came from England to Canada about the year 1840 and followed farming in Ontario for a number of years. In 1862 he moved to Lee county, Illinois, and after engaging in agricultural pursuits for eight years he moved to Malugins Grove and became connected with the mail service as a carrier in 1869. At the end of four years he moved to Compton, where he was appointed post- master. In 1887 he went to California and he died in Los Angeles in 1908, at the age of eighty-five. He was survived by his wife one year, her death occurring when she was seventy-eight years of age. Both are buried in Rosedale cemetery, Los Angeles.
John W. Banks was still an infant when he came to Lee county with his parents. He acquired his education in the public schools of Compton and at the age of thirteen laid aside his books, work- ing for a few years thereafter as a farm laborer. In 1887 he be- came clerk for the firm of Warner & Guffin, dealers in grain, seed
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and coal, and in 1889 became manager of the concern operated by this firm. In 1907 he was admitted into partnership, the old name being, however, retained. His work has been a helpful factor in the success of the firm, which now operates establishments in Compton and Paw Paw. He is known as a resourceful, farsighted and able business man and has been carried forward into impor- tant relations with the general business life of the locality.
In Dixon, on the 23d of January, 1895, Mr. Banks married Miss Elizabeth McBride, a daughter of J. S. and Abbey (Carnahan) McBride, the latter the daughter of one of the oldest settlers in Lee county. Her father now resides with his family in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Banks have two sons: Stanley M., who was graduated from Paw Paw high school in 1912; and Smith M., attending school.
Mr. Banks is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is connected fraternally with the Masonic lodge; Anchor Lodge, No. 510, I. O. O. F .; the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Order of the Eastern Star. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is very active in community affairs. He was for six years chairman of the republican county central committee and was president of the village board for a similar period of time. In 1911 he was appointed supervisor of Brooklyn township and elected in 1913 to the same position, which he still holds and the duties of which he discharges with credit and ability. In what- ever relation of life he is found he is honorable and straightfor- ward, being recognized as a capable man of business and a public-spirited and progressive citizen.
FRANK J. CAHILL.
An enterprise like that of the Borden Condensed Milk Com- pany must needs have as the heads of its several departments men of marked ability, of indefatigable enterprise and of sound judg- ment. Such a one is found in Frank J. Cahill, now office manager at Dixon for the corporation. He is a young man, ambitious, energetic and determined, and brings to the discharge of the im- portant and onerous duties that devolve upon him keen insight and a ready appreciation of business situations and possibilities. He was born in Dixon, September 30, 1880, and is a son of Ed- ward F. and Mary (Donelly) Cahill. The parents came to Lee
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county from Boston, Massachusetts, in 1874, and the father, who was a merchant tailor, made that business his life work, passing away in 1896. The mother still survives and yet makes her home in Dixon.
Frank J. Cahill, the sixth in order of birth in a family of thir- teen children, pursued a public-school education, passing through the consecutive grades until graduated from the Dixon high school. He then joined his father and was connected with the tailoring business for a short time. He also spent a brief period in connection with the shoe trade but in 1898 entered the employ of the Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company, with which he con- tinued to the time that the business was sold to the Borden inter- ests in 1902. Gradually he has worked his way upward in this connection, thoroughly mastering all of the duties that have de- volved upon him until he is now office manager and is recognized as a most efficient, capable and trustworthy man for the position.
On the 19th of June, 1912, Mr. Cahill was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Clark, of Dixon. They are members of the Catholic church and he belongs also to the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In politics he takes an advanced stand in opposition to monopoly rule and to party management by machine bosses. He is allied with the progressive party and he is ever fearless in espousing his honest convictions. While a busy man he yet finds time for cooperation in plans and projects for the public good.
ANDREW GEHANT.
Andrew Gehant owns a farm of one hundred and twenty-two acres on section 5, Brooklyn township, and is numbered among the substantial and progressive agriculturists of the community, hav- ing by his sound business judgment and practical methods sur- rounded himself with a gratifying degree of prosperity. He was born in Lee county on the farm which he now owns in 1869 and is a son of Laurent and Julia (Toullian) Gehant, the former of whom came from France in 1854, settling at Lee Center, where he worked in a stone quarry. He afterward moved to Shelby county, where he purchased land, engaging in agricultural pur- suits there for ten years. In 1866 he returned to Lee county and bought a farm in West Brooklyn, whereon he made his home until
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his death in 1897. His wife survived him two years and passed away at the age of seventy-two.
Andrew Gehant acquired his education in the public schools of West Brooklyn, laying aside his books at the age of sixteen. He then assisted his father with the work of the farm until the latter's death, after which he came into possession of the home- stead which he still owns. Upon it he has erected an excellent residence and substantial farm buildings and has carried forward the work of cultivation along modern lines, making the property one of the finest in his locality. He keeps twenty-two head of cattle, fifty swine and seven horses, and his stock-raising interests form one of the important sources of his income.
In West Brooklyn, July 10, 1899, Mr. Gehant married Miss Pauline Jeanguenat, a daughter of Peter and Rose Jeanguenat, the latter of whom passed away in 1896 and is buried in Ports- mouth, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Gehant have four children: Agnes, Anthony, Lucille and Carl A.
Mr. Gehant is a member of the Roman Catholic church and is connected fraternally with the Catholic Order of Foresters. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party. A repre- sentative of one of the best known families of his locality, he has by his honorable principles and straightforward dealing added greatly to the high esteem in which his name is held.
LOUIS GEHANT.
The agricultural interests of Lee county find a worthy repre- sentative in Louis Gehant, who owns and operates an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 30, Viola town- ship. His birth occurred in this county on the 26th of September, 1883, his parents being Laurent E. and Mary (Henry) Gehant. A sketch of the father, who is a prominent agriculturist of Viola township; appears on another page of this work.
Louis Gehant attended school in this county until fifteen years of age and subsequently assisted his father in the work of the home farm for about nine years. On the expiration of that period he came into possession of a tract of one hundred and sixty acres on section 30, Viola township, the operation of which has claimed his time and energies continuously since. He raises the cereals best adapted tc soil and climate and also devotes considerable
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attention to live stock, keeping about twelve horses, five cattle and twenty hogs. He erected the residence and other buildings which stand on his property and is widely recognized as an enterprising, up-to-date and progressive agriculturist.
In 1908, in Janesville, Wisconsin, Mr. Gehant was united in marriage to Miss Eva Henry, a daughter of Joseph and Sarah Henry. The father, who passed away in 1900, lies buried in Kan- sas, but the mother survives and makes her home at Steward, Illi- nois. Our subject and his wife have two children, Paul and Julius.
In his political views Mr. Gehant is a democrat, loyally sup- porting the men and measures of that party at the polls. He is a devout communicant of the Catholic church and also belongs to the Catholic Order of Foresters. In the county where his entire life has been spent he is well known and highly esteemed as a substantial agriculturist and representative young citizen.
ERNEST H. WIENER.
Ernest H. Wiener is engaged in general farming on a tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres on section 29, Reynolds town- ship, and is an industrious, energetic man, whose success in life is attributable entirely to his own labors. He was born October 7, 1866, in the township in which he still makes his home, his parents being E. and Elizabeth (Hunstock) Wiener, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father came to America in 1858, and the mother arrived a year later. They became residents of Lee county, Illinois, where the father still makes his home. He was a painter by trade and followed that occupation about two years after com- ing to America, but afterward purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land in Reynolds township and began farming. For a con- siderable period he devoted his energies to general agricultural pursuits but is now living retired in Ashton. His wife passed away in 1899. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom seven are living.
Ernest H. Wiener remained upon the old homestead farm un- til he attained his majority and during that period was a pupil in the public schools. He was married in 1889 to Miss Catherine Bolei, a daughter of George and Catherine (Bower) Bolei, both of whom were natives of Germany, but in the early '50s came to
ERNEST H. WIENER AND FAMILY
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the United States and were married in Lee county in 1859. Sub- sequently they removed to Marshall county, Iowa, where both spent their remaining days, passing away in the year 1909. In their family were six children, all of whom survive. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wiener have been born three children: Oscar William, born December 14, 1889; Mabel M., who was born May 10, 1891, and is the wife of G. W. Henert; and Myrtle Helen, born April 20, 1896.
After his marriage Mr. Wiener rented land of his father, but, carefully saving his earnings, was at length enabled to purchase the farm upon which he now resides, comprising a quarter section of the rich land of Reynolds township. He is persistent and en- ergetic in the cultivation of his place, and good crops annually reward his labors. While an active business man, he is at the same time interested in the welfare and progress of the community and has aided in many movements for the general good. His political allegiance has been given to the republican party, and he is now in sympathy with the progressive element. He has served as con- stable for ten years and has also filled the office of school director. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen Camp, No. 48. He and his wife are much interested in the moral devel- opment of the community, holding membership in the Evangelical Association of which he is one of the trustees and also chief of the stewards. He is likewise the teacher of the young men's Bible class and he does all in his power to advance the growth of the church and extend its influence, his efforts constituting a factor in the moral development and progress of the community. Here he is well known, and the high regard in which he is uniformly held indicates that his has been an honorable and upright life.
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