USA > Illinois > Lee County > History of Lee County, together with biographical matter, statistics, etc. > Part 36
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term was in 1860. Col. Wyman was fond of military life, and when a very young man trained in a rifle company in Shrewsbury. He was a member of the City Guards of Worcester, and later still in life captain of the Chicago Light Guards. On the breaking out of the war he was appointed assistant adjutant-general of Illinois, and ren- dered valuable aid in mustering into the service the first six regiments. He recruited at Amboy, Co. C, 13th reg. Ill. Vols., and on the organiza- tion of the regiment was elected colonel. He served in the southwest and was mortally wounded at Chichasaw Bayou, December 28, 1862, while directing the movements of his command. When Lieut-Col. Gorgas and others rushed to his assistance he said : " For God's sake, colonel, leave me and attend to those men."
His remains were brought to his home in Amboy, and a vast con- course witnessed the imposing funeral ceremonies. He was buried in Prairie Repose Cemetery, Amboy, but was afterward reinterred in Rosehill Cemetery, Chicago, where the privates and non-commissioned officers of his regiment, by whom he was much loved, erected a hand- some monument to his memory, at a cost of $1,300.
Col. Wyman was of medium statue, faultless physique, and dashing, captivating manners. He was a gallant, chivalrous gentleman in civil as well as military life. His looks and bearing elicited admiration, his noble qualities insured love and respect. He responded instantly to his country's eall, and hoped to leave a deathless name inscribed high on the roll of its most glorious defenders. He met death in the morn- ing of his career, too soon for his own and his country's good, but he met it face to face while leading his brave soldiers in a desperate assault.
He planted the seeds of glory, but died ere the full harvest ; but while he was not permitted to give his name to the world, yet it will ever be cherished by all who knew his worth. It has been said of him that "he was as unselfish patriot and gallant soldier as ever drew blade or mounted horse." It may also be said that in all the rela- tions of civil life, as citizen, husband, father, friend, he leaves without spot or blemish.
"Green be the turf above thee, Thou good, and true, and brave, None knew thee but to love thee, Nor named thee but to praise."
BIOGRAPHICAL.
JOSEPH B. APPLETON (deceased). Among the many well-known and influential families of New England the Appletons occupy a high place. Their genealogical record extends back to John Appleton, of Waldingfield, England, who was living in the year 1396; and from
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the same source we learn that "Samuel Appleton, the common ancestor, so far as known, of all the name. in New England, emigrated from Waldingfield, in the county of Suffolk, England, in the year 1635." From him have sprung many distinguished names in the business, professional and literary walks of life. The subject of this notice was born in Dublin, New Hampshire, March 10, 1819, and was put to the mercantile business, in which his father was engaged. His health gave way under confinement, and he was advised to turn his attention to farming. The Great West then offered inviting fields, and about 1842 he came to Illinois, stopping on his way at Batavia, New York, and teaching school awhile. His cousin, Cyrus Davis, was living at Dixon then, as he is at the present time. Mr. Appleton bought the E. ¿ of N.W. ¿ of Sec. 22, Amboy township, from the Sawyers, who had squatted on it, and this is now a part of Gilson's addition to the city of Amboy. He tarried here thir- teen months, and then returned east; in his absence the land in this township came into market, and to save it for Mr. Appleton, Cyrus Davis bought it from the government and conveyed it to him on his
arrival 'in 1844. He afterward became the owner of five other " forties." When Amboy was started he entered into an arrangement with Gilson & Ransom, of La Salle, by which they were to lay out the tract above described into lots, and sell them, reserving only block eleven, where Mr. Sleeper lives, and which is known as "the Appleton place." Mr. Appleton was married on September 17, 1844, to Miss Abbie H. Hunt, of New Ipswich, New Hampshire. She was born in Dublin, in that state, December 11, 1820. Her father was clothier and did business in Dublin, and afterward in Jeffrey, where he died in 1866. Four children were the fruits of this union: Samuel E., Abbie R., Maria N., Isaac J. and Julia A. The latter died August 17, 1855, and Mr. Appleton on September 28 following. Mr. Appleton was one of the foremost citizens of the township, and held office at different times. His widow was married to Dr. True P. Sleeper, February 5, 1856, and by this marriage twins have been born : Anna A. and Emma A. Dr. Sleeper is a native of St. Albans, Maine, where he was born March 31, 1821. He prepared for the practice of medicine in Harvard University, and followed his profession six years in Maine. He was . married in 1852, to Miss Emma Mitchell, who died of cholera in Bureau county, Illinois, only ten days after his arrival in the state. He has practiced medicine and dentistry most of the time since he has lived here.
SAMUEL E. APPLETON, dry-goods salesman, Amboy, was born on the site of Amboy September 7, 1845, and was the son of Joseph B. and Abbie H. Appleton. In May, 1864, he volunteered for one year in
CHESTER S. BADGER
THE NEW YORK RUTHC LIBRARY
ASTOR LEVON AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R L
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Co. I, 134th Ill. Vols., and served nine months, doing garrison duty in Missouri and Kentucky. On July 1, 1865, he began as clerk in the store of L. Bourne, and has held that position continuously until the present time. He has been twice married : first on June 27, 1867, to Miss Mary E. Mikesell, who died December 31, 1870 ; and again April 12, 1874, to Miss Henrietta M. Christopher. By the first union he has one child, Elmer E .; and by the second two, Isaac E. and Guy W. Mrs. Appleton is a member of the Congregational church. He is an Odd-Fellow and a republican.
ELISHA MANNING, homœopathic physician and surgeon, Amboy, was born in Rush county, Indiana, September 7, 1845. His paternal grandfather's family removed in an early time from Pennsylvania to Ohio; and when his father was a young lad they came to Indiana. In 1850 his parents, Hiram and Elizabeth (Moore) Manning, settled in Jasper county, Illinois, where they have since lived. From there the doctor enlisted in Co. F, 46th Ill. Vols., in the autumn of 1861. He fought at Shiloh, was in the siege of Corinth, the battle of the Hatchie, and the siege of Vicksburg; and after the capitulation of the latter place campaigned in Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas and Louisiana, and as was usual saw a good deal of hard service and small fighting. Afterward he was at the taking of Fort Blakely and the city of Mobile. He "veteraned " January 4, 1864. His regiment held its organization four and one-half years, and 1,700 altogether were enrolled in it. He was mustered out at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, January 20, 1866, and paid off and disbanded at Camp Butler, Springfield, Illinois, February 1. From this time till the spring of 1873 he devoted himself to study. He attended the Freeport high school, and graduated there in June 1870. During part of his army service he was general assistant in hospital, and this drew his attention to the medical profession and excited a desire to become a physician. He now began reading medi- cine with Dr. N. F. Prentice, of Freeport; and in the years 1871-2-3 attended lectures at Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, and graduated from that institution March 21, 1873. He located in Free- port in the office of his old preceptor who had just died, but in June, 1874, removed to Amboy, where he has secured a good practice. He is a member of the Illinois State Homeopathic Association and of the Rock River Valley Medical Association, and belongs to the United Workmen and the Legion of Honor. In politics he is a republican. In 1881 he received the appointment of examining surgeon for pensions for Lee county. The doctor is a Presbyterian and Mrs. Manning is a Congregationalist. He was married October 3, 1878, to Miss Clara E. Prentice, of Rockford. They have one son.
CHARLES A. WILcox, homeopathic physician and surgeon, Amboy,
22
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was born in Kendall county, Illinois, September 27, 1846. His parents were H. G. and Jemima (Nickerson) Wilcox. The Wilcoxes are a numerous family, and their ancestors came to America in the first set- tlement of the country. Dr. Wilcox was reared a farmer, and educated at Beloit College, Wisconsin. In 1867 and 1868 he was deputy post- master at Ottawa, and in the latter year began the study of medicine with Dr. Chester Hard, of that city. He attended lectures at Rush Med- ical College, Chicago, and was graduated in February 1870, and imme- diately located at Utica, La Salle county, Illinois. At the end of six years he removed to Wilmington, Delaware, and resided there three years; and in 1879 returned west and settled in Amboy, where he has established a successful practice. His first marriage was with Mrs. Carrie M. (Sewell), widow of H. M. Higby. She died in 1878, leaving two children, Blanche E. and Bessie K. In 1879 he married Miss Isabella J. Gardner. The doctor is a Mason, and a member of the American Legion of Honor.
ALFRED H. EGAN, lumber, grain and coal dealer, Amboy, son of Michael and Ellen (Morris) Egan, was born in Amboy, January 27, 1855. He served five years at the machinist's trade and worked one year at the same after completing his apprenticeship. Then in 1879 he began selling lumber in company with his father; the latter with- drew from the partnership October 8, 1880, and Mr. Egan is now car- rying on the business by himself. He is a democrat, a member of the Catholic church, and served as alderman from 1879 to 1881. His mar- riage with Miss Mary E. Madden, daughter of John Madden, founder and machinist, of the firm of Donohue & Madden, Mendota, took place October 1, 1879. Their child, John M., was born September 1, 1881.
JOHN B. FELKER, physician and surgeon, Amboy, son of Abraham and Catherine (Wingert) Felker, was born in Washington county, Mary- land, November 19, 1839. He is of German ancestry. His great grand- father Felker was a cavalry soldier in the German army, and emigrated to America before the independence of the colonies. His grandfather John Felker was a soldier of the revolution, and his grandfather Jacob Wingert was a United Brethren preacher. In 1855 Dr. Felker's father emigrated to Ogle county, Illinois, and settled at Mount Morris. Our subject was educated at Rock River Seminary at that place ; and while young began the study of medicine under Dr. G. W. Hewitt, of Frank- lin Grove. He attended lectures at Rush Medical College, Chicago ; graduated in 1860, and located in practice at Ogle Station, now Ashton. In the summer of 1862 he received the appointment of assist- ant surgeon of the 34th Ill. Vols., but a few days after was thrown from his buggy, and his right leg was broken at the ankle joint, which was the second injury this limb had received. From this cause he did
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not enter the service. In the spring of 1863 he settled in Amboy, where he has since resided and practiced his profession with success. He belongs to the North Central Medical Association, which meets annually at Wenona, and to the Illinois State Medical Association, and the American Medical Association. Dr. and Mrs. Felker are mem- bers of the [Congregational church, but the latter formerly belonged to the German Reformed. He has held the office of trustee a number of years, and is now president of the board. He has been a Mason twenty years. In 1880 the democrats of Lee and Ogle counties hon- ored him with the nomination for state senator. He has served as alderman several years, and is filling his fourth consecutive term as mayor of the city of Amboy. Dr. Felker celebrated his marriage with Miss E. Jennie Miller on November 19, 1867. They have had four children : Hartley Trusdell (dead), May Gertrude, John Boggs, and Abraham Henry.
LYMAN C. WHEAT, merchant, Amboy, was born in Putney, Vermont, in 1821. In 1828 his parents, Josiah and Mary (Black) Wheat, moved to New York and settled in Steuben county, where our subject was reared and received an academic education. Until he came west in 1843, his time was principally spent in teaching select and public schools. In midsummer he arrived with his little family in Lee county, and for a short time lived on the Dixon and Chicago road, but in the autumn removed to the former place and took up his residence for two years in the land office. He continued to teach when his health would permit, and in 1845 went to Lee Center to live, and for a number of years was a trustee of the academy and active in promoting the interests of the institution. About 1854 he bought out Charles Hitchcock and went to merchandising; in 1865 he transferred his business to Amboy ; and about 1872 bronght his family here. Both he and his wife are members of the Congregational church, and he is a republican. His first marriage was on August 20, 1840, to Miss Mary Warnick, who bore him six children, as follows: Jose- phine, born December 13, 1841; George W., November 8, 1843; Addie N., June 12, 1849, married E. C. Gridley, and died October 3, 1874 ; Alice May, December 2, 1854; Fred Augustus, July 18, 1857 ; and Lizzie Jane, December 9, 1858, died March 12, 1861. His wife died July 31, 1862; and on August 23, 1863, he married Harriet Lucretia (Eaton), widow of Henry C. Nash. By this second marriage he has four children : Willie Henry, born October 16, 1864, died Sep- tember 12, 1865 ; Charles Lyman, December 8, 1865 ; Nellie L., June 4, 1868 ; and Edwin Densmore, March 18, 1871. George enlisted in Co. E, 75th Ill. Vols., in 1862; he fought at the battle of Perryville and was wounded in the hip, and he was last seen sitting against a
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tree. No further knowledge of him rewarded the efforts made to learn more of his fate. He sleeps for the flag.
CALVIN D. VAUGHAN, furniture dealer and undertaker, Amboy, eldest son of Nathan A. and Sally S. (Baker) Vaughan, was born in Plattsburg, New York, July 28, 1828. His uncle, Colonel Vaughan, and his grand- father Baker, a captain of militia, both fought at the battle of Platts- burg in 1814, each having command according to his rank. Mr. Vaughan received an academic education in his native town, and in 1851 he became an assistant in the office of the county clerk, David H. Parsons, at Plattsburg. He remained in that employment three years, and in October, 1854, emigrated to this state and located at Amboy. He began early in the furniture and undertaking business, and has followed it since without interruption, except from the disastrous fires which have visited the city, and by which he has sustained heavy losses. He was married on February 22, 1855, to Miss Louise M. Balch. They have had six children, all of whom are living : Lottie L., Hattie D., Frank C., Fred N., Wallie B., and Louie S. Mr. Vaughan is an Odd-Fellow of twelve years' standing, and has borne Masonic honors somewhat longer ; in politics he has been a democrat from his youth up. He was a trustee of Amboy when it was under villiage organization, has been alderman of the city, mayor twice, township elerk, and is at present school treasurer. He was also clerk of the court of common pleas of Amboy from its organization till it was dis- continued. For thirty-five years he has been in communion in the Baptist church, and has held official relation as clerk, trustee and treasurer. Mrs. Vaughan was formerly a Presbyterian, but during many years has been a member of the same denomination.
HENRY E. BADGER, miller, farmer and tradesman, Amboy, was born in Broome county, New York, in 1816. He was raised a millwright, educated at the academy at Elmira, and followed school teaching as a vocation five years. In 1841 he removed to Corning, Steuben county, and engaged in the manufacture of furniture until 1849, when he came west and settled at Binghamton. In 1851 he entered into the manu- facture of plows in partnership with Frederick Bainter, but atter two years bought his partner's interest, and continued the business alone until 1858, when he discontinued it altogether. In company with his brother Chester he purchased the mill at Binghamton from his brothers Warren and Simon, and they immediately rebuilt it into a steam mill. In 1872 it was burnt, and Mr. Badger bought his brother's interest and built another the same year on the old site. In 1878 he united his son Warren with himself under the style of H. E. Badger & Son, and this firm owned and operated the mill until it was struck by lightning and consumed, the present year, inflicting a loss of $10,000. They also
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merchandise in Amboy, and carry on farming. Mr. Badger has been twice married ; first in May, 1841, to Miss Catherine Gay, who died a little more than a year afterward, leaving a daughter. In 1845 he married Miss Catherine Clark, by whom he has had four children. As will be seen, the subject of this sketch has been a live business man ; he has also been no less energetic and stirring in religious and political matters. He has belonged to the Methodist church over forty-five years, and his great usefulness in his church relations is gratefully recognized. His official connection in the offices of steward, trustee, class leader and Sabbath-school superintendent has been constant and faithful, and in the temperance cause also he has done much good ser- vice. Mrs. Badger has been an exemplary member of the same church thirty-five years. Mr. Badger was at first a democrat, but renounced his party when it attempted to make Kansas a slave state, and at once gave his influential assistance in organizing the republican party, of which he has since been a prominent member in the county, having always rendered efficient aid in maintaining its supremacy. He has held the township offices of school trustee, road commissioner, and supervisor, the latter eight years.
CHESTER BADGER, farmer, Amboy, son of Chester S. and Lois (Bird) Badger, was born in Colesville, Broome county, New York, in 1823. His father was a native of Massachusetts, and his mother of Pennsylvania. . Mr. Badger was reared a hotel boy, and as such worked for his uncle between the ages of twelve and eighteen. He went to school more or less during that time. In 1840 he emigrated to Lee county, and engaged in farming with his parents until 1848, when he enlisted as a private in the 11th Ill. Vols., and served eighteen months in New Mexico under Gen. Sterling Price. He had four com- rades, the only soldiers in the Mexican war from his part of the coun- ty : David Whitney and Jeffrey Cook, from Sublette, and James and Beeler, from Amboy. He came home in 1849, and the next year went overland to California, where he remained one year. After his return he engaged for two years in the manufacture of plows at Binghamton, and then went to milling in company with H. E. Badger and W. H. Badger. This firm rebuilt the old water-power mill into a steam-mill. Mr. Badger retired from the business when the property was burned in 1872, and since that has been farming. In politics he is a democrat. He has been elected to the office of supervisor five times, and has been a leading man in Amboy township many years. On March 16, 1853, he celebrated his marriage with Miss Mary A. Cushman, who was born March 11, 1834. Their three children are Cornelia E., Duer Chester, and Robert. Miss Cornelia is a member of the Methodist church.
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.
FREDERICK R. DUTCHER, farmer, Amboy, was born in Canaan, Litchfield county, Connecticut, in 1804. His paternal ancestors emi- grated from Amsterdam in 1720 and settled in New York. At our first call we found Mr. Dutcher sitting in a well-preserved rocking- chair which his grandfather, Ruluff Dutcher, brought from Holland. At thirteen our subject began tending a store, and from that time till very recent years he has been closely identified with mercantile pur- suits. He was married at Lockport, New York, in 1830, to Miss Harriet Phillips, daughter of John Phillips, the first anti-masonic sheriff elected when the Morgan excitement raged. She died in 1839, leaving two children. In 1845 he was married to the widow of George W. Hawley, formerly Emily Pratt. In 1838 Mr. Dutcher came west and located in Dixon, where he sold goods several years. In 1839 he was elected justice of the peace and held that office until he removed to Rocky Ford in 1848. He took an interesting part in the division of Ogle county and circulated a petition to advance that end. Smith Gilbraith and himself, both Dixon men, were deputed by the citizens to attend the legislature and lobby the division. They spent the most of the winter of 1838-9 at Vandalia, and secured the appoint- ment of a committee favorable to their interests, which embraced also the location of the county seat at Dixon. Mr. Dutcher has been a life- long democrat, and has always taken a leading part in local politics. He has had a considerable acquaintance with prominent men in his party, and enjoyed their confidence. When he came west he brought letters of introduction from William L. Marey and Washington Hunt. He issued the call for the first democratic meeting ever held in Lee county. In the Douglas-Stewart race for congress in 1838, when Mr. Douglas contemplated contesting Stewart's election, he entrusted Mr. Dutcher with the investigations in this part of the district, and the latter rode to Galena on horseback on that business. He has two rel- ics in the form of letters from the "Little Giant," written at this time. Mr. Dutcher laid out the village of Shelburn at Rocky Ford, but has lived to see it dissipated by time and circumstances. He was president of the Shelburn Manufacturing Company which built and controlled the large mill and distillery at that place.
JOHN C. CHURCH, farmer, Amboy, second child of Sylvester and Lucinda (Miles) Church, was born March 15, 1817, in Chenango county, New York. He learned the blacksmith's trade with his father, and worked at it till the summer of 1838, when he came to Palestine Grove (now Amboy township), where he has since had his home. Mr. Church was married December 7, 1842, to Cyrene, daughter of Joseph Farwell. Their children have been George Henry (dead), Charles Angustus, Lucy Maria (dead), Lucy Anna (dead), Ella, Joseph Fre-
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mont, Eva (dead), Cyrus and Cyrene, twins (dead), and John Albert. Mr. and Mrs. Church have been members of the Congregational church forty-one years; and they assisted to organize the Palestine Grove church, the first of that denomination in Lee county. His official connection as deacon and trustee extends over a period of many years of useful christian labor. He has been elected to the offices of assessor, collector, supervisor, coroner, and road commissioner; the office of supervisor he filled three successive terms, and he is now coroner for the second time. In 1840 he cast his first presidential bal- lot for General Harrison, voting at Nauvoo. During his stay in that city he boarded a short time with the prophet Joe Smith. In the autumn of 1840 he traveled in the south, working in different places. His farm of 109 acres, adjacent to the city of Amboy, is valued at $5,500. He is a firm republican.
The LITTLE family traces its history down a long line of distinguished ancestors. George Little, the founder of the Newbury family of that name, came from England to Newbury, Massachusetts, in 1640. His descendants in New England have been eminent in business and the professions, and noted in public life, both civil and military. Mr. Josiah Little of Amboy, a lineal descendant, was born in Auburn, Maine, September 10, 1832. He obtained his education at the Edward Little Institute, at Auburn, and at the age of sixteen went to work in a store in his native town. Three years after he went to southwest Missouri, and remaining there two years, in February, 1854, came to Illinois, and in April arrived in Amboy, when preparations were just beginning for a town. As soon as it was possible for him to do so he made himself the owner of lot 8, block 3, original plat, and erected the first permanent store in the place, and from that time sold drugs, medi- cines and hardware until he was burnt out in 1868. He then changed his business, and in January, 1869, opened a banking house, which he 'has conducted to this date. In the meantime he has besides had a considerable interest in farming, and is now the owner of 445 acres of well improved land, valued at $13,000. Mr. Little has been town clerk and supervisor, and has held various minor offices. In 1861 he was elected treasurer of Lee county, and in 1863 reelected. Again in 1879 he was recalled to the same position. In November, 1859, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Hussey, of Franklin Grove. They are the parents of five children, all living, as follows : Josiah, Nancy J., Mary Elizabeth, Edward Hussey, and Maria Warren. Mr. and Mrs. Little are members of the Congregational church, and he has been a Mason over twenty years.
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