USA > Illinois > McHenry County > History of McHenry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 23
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Louis M. Lillibridge attended the common schools, and was reared upon his father's farm. After reaching his majority, he began farming, and was so engaged until 1895, when he retired, but he still owns a fine farm of 235 aeres of land in Durham Township.
On February 5, 1868, Mr. Lillibridge was married to Miss Ella Billings, a daughter of Capt. William G. Billings, and a member of a well known McHenry County family. When the First State Bank of Harvard was organized, Mr. Lillibridge was made one of its directors, and has maintained that connection with it ever since. For the past eighteen years he has been school treasurer and for twelve years he was assessor of Durham Township. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Lillibridge have had five children, three of whom survive, namely: William P., of St. Charles, Ill .; Fannie, J .; and Jessie B., wife of Alfred H. Shepherd. Thomas and Gertrude are deceased. Strictly honorable in all his dealings, Mr. Lillibridge has always commanded
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the respect and confidence of his associates, and few men stand any higher than he in public opinion.
SAMUEL L. LINCOLN.
Samuel L. Lincoln, now deceased, was formerly one of the most influential men of Hartland Township, owning and operating a fine farm two and one-half miles east of Harvard. He was born in Alexander Township, Genesee County, N. Y., June 7, 1840, a son of Apollos and Melissa (Waite) Lincoln, a grandson of Daniel Lincoln; great-grandson of Purvis Lineoln, and a descendant of General Lincoln of Revolutionary fame, from whom Abraham Lincoln was also descended.
Apollos Lincoln was born at Brattleboro, Vt., June 2, 1802, and he died February 22, 1880, aged seventy-eight years. In June, 1845, he came to MeHenry County, and after renting land for four years, located on 120 aeres of timber land in Nunda Township, but later sold this farm and bought another one in Marengo Township, where he lived the remainder of his life. His children were as follows: Gooding W., Henry M., Elizabeth A., Euniee A., Mary S., Samuel L., and Omar H.
Samuel L. Lineoln was only an infant when his parents moved to Cattaraugus County, N. Y., and not quite five years old when they came to MeHenry County. His educational training in Illinois was supplemented by attendance on a school in New York, alternating being a student at the academy at Wauconda, N. Y., with working on the farm for two years. After completing his schooling, he began teaching school, and followed the practice for thirty-four years of teach- ing during the winter months, and farming in the summer, all of his schools being located either in Boone, Lake or MeHenry counties.
On April 15, 1868, Mr. Lincoln was married in Ridgefield to Julia E. Francisco, born in MeHenry County, February 26, 1847, a daughter of Peter and Sarah (Ingalls) Francisco. The Francisco family is of French descent, but long ago was established in New York state. Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln had the following children: Earl G., who was born June 22, 1869, married Mary Strandt, and lives on the home farm; Charity, M., known as Dollie, who was born April 12, 1871, is Mrs. E. C. Hammond of Alden Township; Herbert W., who was born June 30, 1875, died of diphtheria February 22, 1897, when twenty-one years old; Clara B., who was born June 14, 1878, lives with her mother; Albert W., who was born February 22, 1881, also died of diphtheria
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February 22, 1897; George M., who was born May 29, 1884, died August 15, 190S, when twenty-four years old; and Leon S., who was born September 20, 1889, is a rural free delivery carrier, and lives with his mother.
After his marriage Mr. Lincoln lived at Marengo for about twelve years and then came to Hartland Township where he bought a farm of 163 acres of land, and moved upon it in 1881. He became very much interested in milk production and kept about twenty cows him- self. At one time he was a director of the Milk Producers Association, there being only one other in MeHenry County. For some years he was interested in selling brick silos, averaging about twenty a year, and saw that they were properly put up. In every way he encouraged the farmers in this and adjoining counties to improve their farms and fit them for the production of milk, he realizing that this county is an ideal locality for that branch of agricultural activity. Being an edu- cated man he had a broader outlook than many, and could weigh matters and pass judgment intelligently, so that many affairs were submitted to him for his advice. Early in life he was a Republican, casting his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, but later changed his politics and voted for William Jennings Bryan, and continued thereafter with the Demo- cratie party. He held the offices of justice of the peace and school director for many years. Always very active in school matters as an educator and citizen, he was one of the organizers of the McHenry County Teachers Institute about 1860-1, and was appointed a member of the committee to draft its constitution and by-laws, his associates being A. W. Cummings of Chemung, and Edward Haywood of Nunda Township. All of his mature years the Methodist Episcopal church had in Mr. Lincoln a devout and effective member and worker, and he died firm in its faith, November 11, 1917, his remains being interred in Oakland Cemetery near Harvard. In his passing McHenry County lost one of its venerable figures, and a man whose equal it would be difficult to find. Upright and honorable, he gave freely of his means and experience toward the betterment of his community and calling, and left his neighborhood the better for his having spent practically all of his life in it.
WILLIAM C. LINDERMAN.
William C. Linderman, general superintendent of the extensive lumber business of J. H. Patterson & Company of Union, is rightly
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numbered among the representative men of his community. He was born in Boone County, Ill., in December, 1865, one of the seven chil- dren of Alonzo and Mary Ann (Paul) Linderman. Alonzo Linderman was a prosperous farmer of McHenry County, where he died in 1903, his widow surviving him until 1906.
William C. Linderman was reared in MeHenry County, and attended its schools. His first self-supporting employment was on a farm, but he left it in 1905 to engage with the J. H. Patterson Lumber Company, and in 1907 was made its secretary.
In 1894 Mr. Linderman was united in marriage with Miss Fannie B. Fry, a daughter of Robert Fry, and they have one daughter, Vivian W., who is the wife of James Rowland, a civil engineer of Chicago, Ill. Mr. Linderman is a Republican. Fraternally he is a Mason, and also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. He and his family are members of the Presbyterian church. Although his business interests are centered at Union, Mr. Linderman resides at Marengo, where he owns his home. A sound and reliable business man, he has risen to a position of trust and responsibility, and he is also held in high esteem because of his constructive interest in local affairs.
THOMAS LINDSAY.
Thomas Lindsay, for many years connected with the agricultural activities of Dorr Township, but now deceased, was one of the substan- tial men of MeHenry County, and one whose memory is held in high esteem. He was born in Scotland, July 23, 1836, a son of Thomas and Marion (Marshall) Lindsay, who came to the United States in 1840, and located permanently in McHenry County in 1842, purchasing the farm in Dorr Township which later became the property of their son Thomas. The father only lived for twelve years after his arrival in McHenry County, dying in 1852, but the mother survived him until 1880. Their children were as follows: Jenette, who married William Scott; Thomas, whose name heads this review; Christine, who married Oren Allbee; Archibald; Mary A., who married D. Redpath; and Mar- garet J., who married Thomas Wier.
The educational training of Thomas Lindsay, the younger, was acquired in the district schools of Dorr Township, and he grew up on the homestead. From the time of his father's death until that of his mother,
Barbara & Smith
John J. Smith
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he had charge of the homestead of 200 acres of land, and then acquired ownership of it, and operated it very successfully for many years.
In 1864 when his adopted country was divided in a civil war, Mr. Lindsay enlisted in defense of the Union, and served in Company F., Ninety-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry for one year, when he was honorably discharged, and returned to his agricultural labors.
In 1880, Mr. Lindsay was married to Maggie Pope, a daughter of Frederick Pope of Cook County, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Lindsay became valued members of the Presbyterian church. A Mason, Mr. Lindsay maintained membership with St. Mark's Lodge No. 63, A. F. & A. M. of Woodstock. Although some years have passed since Mr. Lindsay's demise he is still remembered by the older generation of Woodstock and Dorr Township as one of the men who helped to raise the high standards for which this region has always been justly celebrated.
CLARK E. LOCKWOOD.
Clark E. Lockwood, one of the prosperous farmers of Dorr Township, owns and operates a fine farm in the vicinity of Ridgefield. He was born in Geneseo, Livingston County, N. Y., January 24, 1859, a son of Minor and Belva (Sutton) Lockwood, natives of Connecticut and New York, respectively. In 1861 these parents came to MeHenry County to join Mrs. Lockwood's brother, James Clark Sutton, who had lived for some years in Dorr Township on what is still known as the J. C. Sutton farm, lying between Ridgefield and Woodstock. Minor Lockwood first bought a farm adjoining the present one of his son, Clark E. Lockwood, but sold it and in 1872 bought the homestead, one mile west of Ridgefield, and five miles south of Woodstock. It comprised over seventy acres of land, the greater part of which was improved. He left the farm in 1899, and moved to Woodstock, where he died April I, 1916, aged eighty-seven years, having spent all of his active years in agricultural work. He was very prominent in the Presbyterian church of Ridgefield, later transferring to the one at Woodstock. His first wife died in 1893, and three years later he was united in marriage with Mrs. Frances M. Duffield, who survives him and lives at Woodstock. She was a widow, whose maiden name had been Sawyer. By his first marriage Minor Lockwood had the following children: Cora, who died in childhood;
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Clark E., whose name heads this review; Elmer, who lives at Elgin, Ill .; and Mary E., who is Mrs. J. F. Wilson of Marengo.
Clark E. Lockwood has always lived in MeHenry County since being brought here in 1861. After he attained to his maturity he rented land for seven years, and then, in 1896, returned to the homestead and worked it for his father until in 1900 when he bought it. He is a Republican, and for about fourteen years served as a justice of the peace, and was on the school board for twelve years.
On February 28, 1894, Mr. Lockwood was united in marriage with Georgia E. Murphy, a daughter of Elijah Heddings and Josephine (Hakes) Murphy, now deceased, but formerly of Greenwood Township. Mrs. Murphy was born in New York, but brought to MeHenry County when a child, but Mr. Murphy was a native son of the county, and he died February 17, 1915, having spent his entire life on the farm where he was born, and which is still a part of his estate. Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood have one daughter, Cora M., who is a teacher. After being graduated from the Dundee High School, she taught for two years in the MeHenry High School, and then was graduated from the State Normal School at Charleston, Il. Miss Lockwood is an able educator, and accomplished young lady. Mr. Lockwood has belonged to the Modern Woodmen of America for thirty years, and his wife belongs to the Royal Neighbors.
CHARLES JOSEPH LOCKWOOD.
Charles Josepli Lockwood, who has always lived on the farm he now owns, is one of the successful dairymen and farmers of Coral Township. . He was born in a portion of his present residence, May 2, 1863, a son of Charles and Sarah (Kennedy) Lockwood, both natives of New York, and grandson of Joseph and Dolly Lockwood. The family came to McHenry County at the same time as Rush Bartholomew, the Cobbs and Thomases, all of whom were neighbors in New York. They entered land in such a way as to continue.to be neighbors, and Joseph Lockwood secured the farm now owned by his grandson, Charles Joseph, whom he never saw, he dying before the latter's birth. At the time he entered it, the farm was covered with timber and contained sloughs and ridges, only the latter being cultivated.
Charles Lockwood was born May 12, 1812, and died December 30, 1901. He was the only child of his parents, whom he accompanied to
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MeHenry County in 1844, and spent the remainder of his life on the Coral Township farm. He was married (first) to Jerusha Miller, who died leaving two children, namely: Mary, who is Mrs. Leham Warner, of Mendota, Ill .; and J. Henry, who married Hattie Woodworth, of Chicago. The second wife of Charles Lockwood was Sarah Kennedy, and she was born February 20, 1830, and died February 5, 1911. She came to MeHenry County with her parents when she was a child, and here met Mr. Lockwood, to whom she was united in 1880. The children of Mr. Lockwood's second marriage were as follows: Jennie, who is unmarried, is a nurse and dressmaker and lives at the old home; and Charles Joseph, whose name heads this review. Charles Lockwood was one of the organizers of the Harmony Methodist church, and continued a member of it until his death. When he was a lad he was frail of con- stitution, and so his parents had him well educated, and the studious habits he then formed continued with him the remainder of his life. He was a great reader, kept himself well posted on current events, and was a recognized authority in his neighborhood.
Charles Joseph Lockwood not only owns his father's homestead of 165 acres of land, but also a second farm of 169 acres adjoining. He carries on dairying with from twenty-five to thirty cows. In addition to farming, Mr. Lockwood is engaged in buying, selling and shipping stock, and has handled considerable real estate, at one time owning several farms in O'Brien County, Iowa. The reclamation of the old farm has been carried on by Mr. Lockwood, and about half of it has been thus developed through the use of tile. His father and grandfather were Democrats, but he is a Republican.
On February 5, 1896, Charles J. Lockwood was married to Carrie Shellington, a daughter of James and Ellen (Kelley) Shellington, at Marengo. She was born on her father's farm three miles west of Mar- engo, on the State Road, and prior to her marriage, was a bookkeeper in an insurance office at Marengo. James Shellington died Apri' 20, 1903, aged eighty-eight years, having been born in May, 1815. He was married in 1856 to Elizabeth Hagen, and they had three children, namely: Maria, who is Mrs. Fuller, of Chicago; Maggie, who is Mrs. Tiedeman, of Chicago; and Lizzie, who is Mrs. Charles Shearer, of Rock- ford, Ill. His second wife was Ellen Kelley, and they had children as follows: Ella, who is Mrs. Warren Jordan, of Marengo; Sadie, who is Mrs. Chauncey Wheeler, of Marengo; Carrie, who married Charles J. Lockwood; and James Shellington, of Marengo. Mr. Shellington
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retired to Marengo twenty-five years before his death. Ile belonged to the Episcopal church.
Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood became the parents of the following children: Clarenec, who was graduated from the Marengo High School in 1919; George, who is attending the Marengo High School; and one child who died in infancy. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church of Riley Township and are active in its good work. Mr. Lockwood is recognized as one of the leading men of his township and deserves the prosperity which has fallen to his lot. He and Mrs. Lockwood enjoy entertaining their many friends at their delightful rural home, and are the center of a pleasant neighborhood social circle.
GEORGE LOWE.
George Lowe, one of the men whose work in behalf of agriculture places him in the front ranks of the great army of farmers of Mellenry County, owns a fine farm in Algonquin Township, two miles north of Algonquin, and one and one-half miles south of Carey Station. He was born at London, Ontario, Canada, February 28, 1859, a son of George Lowe, who was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, February 29, 1824, and eame to Ontario, Canada, in 1852, and there was married in 1857 to Jessie Watson. She was born in Bammffshire, Scotland, and came to Ontario, Canada, in 1852.
Although a farmer in Scotland, George Lowe turned his attention to other work after coming to the New World, his first employment after reaching it was the laying of ties for the old suspension bridge over Niagara Falls. Later he became a railroad contractor on what is now the Grand Trunk Railroad in Ontario, securing the contraet for laying 100 miles of cattle guards along the railroad. In 1863 he moved to MeHenry County, Ill., and bought land one and one-half miles north of Algonquin Township, and there he died August 4, 1906. His wife died January 28, 189S. Their children were as follows: Mary A., who is ummarried, lives at Elgin, Ill .; George, whose name heads this review ; John W., who died at Osseo, Wis., in 1917, at the age of fifty-seven years; Jessie, who married Frank Svoboda, who is living retired at Algonquin; Elsie, who married Ralph McCarthy, lives at Elgin, Ill .; Cora, who is Mrs. James Stewart of Carey, Ill., and James A., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
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George Lowe, the younger, remained on his father's homestead, and attended the old Miller school of Algonquin Township. When he was twenty-one years old he rented the Siebert farm of 285 acres, and handled a large amount of stock in connection with it until he bought his present farm of 255 acres, then known as the Hamilton property. It lies along the Fox River for one-half a mile, and about one-half of it is under cultivation. Later he sold some of the land, so that the farm now comprises 200 acres. The land he disposed of was not suitable for tilling, but is admirably adapted for summer homes and is used for this purpose. He carries on dairying with about forty head of high- grade Holstein cattle, and his improvements are good. The farm is beautifully located overlooking the valley of the Fox River with its timbered scenery. While he is a strong Republican, he cannot be induced to permit the use of his name on the party ticket, for he has no inelina- tion for public life, preferring to exert his influence for civie betterment in a private capacity.
When Mr. Lowe was thirty-five years old, he was married to Elizabeth Surfleet, of Carey, a daughter of Edmond Surfleet, now deceased, born in England, who became a farmer near Carey. Mrs. Lowe's mother bore the name of Anna, and she, too, is deceased. The birth of Mrs. Lowe took place at Crystal Lake. Mr. and Mrs. Lowe have the fol- lowing children: Marshall, Alice, Watson, Marian, Ruth, Robert, John, Dorothy and Esther. Mr. Lowe has been a great reader and observer, and relates many interesting stories illustrative of conditions during the pioneer period, and owns some very valuable relics of those days. One of these stories relates the efficiency and bravery of Mrs. Margaret Gilligan. The Gilligan family were the first settlers on the west side of the Fox River, coming there in 1834. The pride of Mrs. Gilligan's heart was her cook stove, for the majority of the pioneers had to depend upon open fireplaces and "Dutch" ovens, and so when a band of Indians entered her little cabin and taking a liking to this luxurious article, made way with it, the intrepid lady followed them up the Fox River to MeHenry, a distance of twenty miles, and recovered her property, bearing it back with pride on horseback. She lived to be over ninety years of age, residing in McHenry County until within a . year of her death, which occurred in Missouri at the home of a daughter, she having lost her own home by fire. Another incident of the Gilligan family related by Mr. Lowe is relative to a man hired by John Gilligan from Chicago to haul out a few sacks of barley. This man, named Thomas, set out for Algonquin Township, ahead of Mr. Gilligan, who
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overtook him, finding him stuck with his wagon in one of the many mudholes. Mr. Thomas was seeking to lighten the load by removing the sacks of barley, and called upon Mr. Gilligan to help him. After a heated argument, in which he failed to convince Mr. Gilligan to help him, Mr. Thomas threw the barley in the mud and drove away. Mr. Gilligan's contention was that as he had hired Mr. Thomas to deliver the grain, it was not his place to render any assistance. This incident goes to prove that human nature has not changed much since pioneer days. Another pioneer of the Fox River valley was Jesse Miller, who died at Algonquin when nearly ninety years old. He was the first settler on the east side of the Fox River, coming there in 1834, and locating at Millers Grove, in Kane County. Later he came to Algonquin Township, and the Miller School is named for him. The pioneers have passed away, but the work they accomplished remains and it is but fitting that proper recognition be paid to them, in a record of this digni- fied character, so that the coming generations may understand sonic of the hardships and privations of the brave men and women who made McHenry County one of the most famous dairy regions in the state, and laid the foundation for its other claims to prestige.
JAMES A. LOWE.
James A. Lowe, one of the successful farmers and extensive land- owners of Algonquin Township, is a man widely known and respected. He was born one and one-half miles north of Algonquin, December 21, 1870, a son of George Lowe. Until he was twenty-two years old, James A. Lowe remained on the homestead, and alternated attendance in the country schools with farm work, learning from his father the funda- mentals of farming. When he left home, he rented the W. P. Thompson farm, and conducted it for two years, keeping sixty cows. He theu moved to the Ed Benson farm which joined his father's homestead. Here he also had sixty cows and remained two years, and upon leaving it he began handling stock, buying, selling and shipping cattle and horses to Algonquin, remaining in this business fifteen years. A portion of the time he continued to farm, making milk production his feature until within recent years he has been handling horses to meet the local demand, buying from four to five carloads annually and selling them to the farmers. Mr. Lowe has dealt quite heavily in farm property, and now owns four
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farms, amounting to 700 acres. All these farms are used for milk pro- duetion. He keeps tenants on these farms. In all, he owns 135 head of Holstein cattle, and keeps on making improvements on his properties, for he is a progressive man and recognizes the wisdom of keeping his plants up to standard in every respect. His farm equipments conform to state regulations and are admirably fitted to increase the product and add to the value of the property. For twenty-two years he has resided in Algonquin, where he has a pleasant home.
When he was twenty-seven years old, Mr. Lowe was united in marriage with Isabel Fyfe, of Shelby, Neb., and they have five children, namely: Edna Mae, who graduated from the Elgin High School in 1919 and is now attending the Wisconsin University; Winnifred Mary, who graduated from the Elgin High School in 1921, and is now attending Beloit College, Beloit, Wisconsin; George W., who is attending Elgin High School; Jessie Isabel and Margaret Fyfe, both of whom are attend- ing school in Algonquin.
Mr. Lowe is a man who understands agricultural matters thoroughly, and having been engaged in all of the branches of farm life is an authority upon them. His operations have been carried on intelligently and systematically, and the results prove that he has adopted the best course. It is such men as he who have given MeHenry County its prestige as the greatest dairy county in the state. His success encourages others to devote themselves to milk production, for which the farms of this region are so admirably adapted. He is a man who, while not desiring public life, takes an intelligent interest in progress, and is a friend to the public schools, good roads and other improvements, and can be relied upon to give his support to measures looking forward to their advancement.
VESPER J. LOWE.
Vesper J. Lowe, manager of the Caselu Manufacturing Company of Union, and member of the school board, is one of the men who makes his influence felt in his community. He was born at Elgin, Ill., March 22, 1859, one of the seven children of Venrenssaler J. and Jerusha Lowe. Venrenssaler J. Lowe was born October 25, 1816, and died February 12, 1881.
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