USA > Illinois > McHenry County > History of McHenry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 36
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In 1913 Mr. Schuldt was united in marriage with Miss Clara Fanter, a daughter of William Fanter, one of the prominent men of Crystal Lake. Mr. and Mrs. Schuldt have two children, namely: Gladys and Mildred. Politically, Mr. Schuldt is a Republican. An aggressive worker, Mr. Schuldt not only is able to accomplish much himself, but can get the best results from his associates, and during the time he has been in charge of his present plant has demonstrated his fitness for his position, and inspired confidence in his community.
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ROBERT H. SCHUETT.
Robert H. Schuett, senior member of the well-known and reliable grocery and hardware firm of Schuett & Ferris of Woodstock, is one of the substantial men of MeHenry County. He was born February 7, 1890, in MeHenry County, one of the eight children of John C. and Matilda (Eherke) Schuett. John C. Schuett was born in Germany, but came to the United States in 1870, and the following year, to McHenry County, where he has since resided, becoming one of the prosperous farmers of Dorr Township.
Robert HI. Schuett attended the common and high schools of Me- Henry County, and grew up amid rural surroundings learning farm work under his father. Later he entered the employ of A. K. Bunker, and after remaining with him for five years, in April, 1918, he and his present associate formed their partnership under the style of Schuett & Ferris. The young men have a wide acquaintance throughout the county, and their business shows a steady and healthy expansion.
On June 6, 1917, Mr. Schuett was married to Miss Mabel Grover. Mr. Schuett belongs to the Odd Fellows. A young man of steady habits and great industry, he has risen through his own efforts and de- serves his present prosperity.
JAMES SCOTT.
James Scott, one of the men who has attained to considerable prestige as a successful farmer of Seneca Township, was born at Woodstock, April 28, 1857, a son of William and Jeanette (Lindsay) Scott, both born near Glasgow at Strathwell, Scotland. When he was twenty years old he came to the United States, and she was brought here when about five years old by her parents, Thomas and Mary Lindsay, who settled two miles south of Woodstock, in Dorr Township, where they spent their lives, he being killed by a blast of powder.
James Scott grew up on the farm owned by his father, and lived there until his marriage on February 15, 1882, when he was twenty-five years old, to Emma Andrews, a daughter of Dwight and Emma M. (Sears) Andrews, who came to Seneca Township many years ago, locat- ing on a farm there about 1854. During the Civil War Mr. Andrews enlisted for service in Company E, Ninety-fifth Illinois Volunteer In-
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fantry at Franklinville, and served until the close of the war, during which period he was for one year one of the sharp-shooters. He died two years after his discharge as a result of injuries received in the service, and is buried in the pioneer cemetery of the township. His widow survived him until about 1903, living in Seneca. The Andrews family numbered the following children: Chester L., who lives at Elgin, Ill .; Ella, who is Mrs. William Wheeler of Los Angeles, Cal .; and Mrs. Scott, who was born in Seneca Township, May 19, 1859, where she was reared.
In 1893 Mr. and Mrs. Scott moved on their present farm of 163 aeres, onee known as the Albee farm, from which the pioneer cemetery and site for the school were taken some years ago. Mr. Scott has made all of the present improvements, and has a comfortable residence and suitable barn and outbuildings. He is carrying on dairy farming, and milks about twenty-five cows of the Holstein strain. He is a strong Republican and has served as road commissioner for six years. Mr. and Mrs. Scott became the parents of the following children: William R., who lives at Fond du Lac, Wis., is foreman of a factory; Harold C., who is at home; and James Earl, who is now at home, was in the service during the World War, from June 3, 1918, until his honorable discharge, March 21, 1919, during that period being in the Great Lakes Training School. The Scott family attend the Presbyterian church at Wood- stock. Mr. Scott and his wife are connected with some of the old and best-known families of McHenry County, and having been born in the county, and spent their lives here, their interests are naturally centered in it and they take an intelligent pride in its development.
GEORGE W. SEAMAN.
George W. Seaman, one of the most interesting men of Mellenry County, who has been spared to live to an age far exceeding the ordinary span of life, is living retired on a farm two miles northeast of Hebron, in Hebron Township. He is remarkable, and although ninety-five years old, is better preserved than most men fifteen years younger. His mind is keen, his recollection is clear, eyesight fairly good, and his hearing perfect. Upright as a pine, he gives no indication of approaching the century milestone. On his ninety-fifth birthday a party was given him, a half a dozen of his old friends being invited to the house, and as
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though pre-arranged, an airplane passed over as though in honor of the event. His span of life covers the greatest period in the world's history, and his mentality has been such that he has been able to appreciate the wonderful development of this age. He was born in Madison County, N. Y.
His early efforts at farming were with the primitive implements that showed but little improvement over those of the stone age. He used the first machine that took the place of the flail in threshing grain, and consisted of a cylinder made of a log, with spikes driven into it for teeth in a frame that also carried a converse similarly made. The power was a one-horse tread mill. The grain, straw and chaff all fell in a head, from which the straw was raked off by hand and the final separation of the grain from the chaff was made with a hand windmill. Mr. Seaman operated this machine in this region during 1845. The owner was Vunar Potter, a brother-in-law of Jackson Case, of Racine, Wis., brother of J. J. Case, renowned maker of threshing machines. Jackson Case had brought eight of these tread power machines from Oswego, N. Y., in 1844. In 1846 Mr. Seaman operated the first separator ever brought to Illinois, and it was also a tread power contrivance. The first experi- ment with it was made at Solon Mills, with 150 bushels of wheat as the result of the first operation. Later, in company with his brother Leonard and brother-in-law A. C. Cleary, Mr. Seaman operated a short sweep power machine for six years, and during that period it came into universal use, only to be superseded by the steam power machine. About this time a company at Geneva, IH., commenced manufacturing various kinds of machinery and he became a salesman for it in northern Illinois, continuing with the concern for sixteen years, and later selling grain binders in Nebraska.
In 1844 his father, Leonard Seaman, came to McHenry and entered land to the extent of forty acres, one mile east of Hebron, and the next year brought his family to this new home, including George, Leonard B., and Thomas J. A daughter, Betsy, and her husband, A. C. Cleary, also accompanied the party. Later removal was made to Vernon County, Wis., the original farm being sold. Still later, Leonard Seaman and his sons bought 240 acres of land further north and on it he made his permanent home. This farm was fenced with rails made in the Geneva woods, eight miles distant. On this farm Leonard Seaman died in 1855, but his widow survived him until she was over seventy. Leonard B. Seaman continued to live on his father's farm and died there.
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Thomas J. Seaman sold his share to his brothers and went to Vernon County, Wis., and is now deceased.
The coming of the Seaman family to MeHenry County resulted in the settling here of several other families from Oswego, N. Y. George Brown, a cousin of George Seaman, came here in 1844, but soon returned to New York. His four brothers, Edmond, Jacob, Isaac and Thomas, and a sister, Lueretia, who later married F. A. Stewart, also came here. Mrs. Stewart survives and lives in Howard County, Nebr., where Jacob Brown died. Thomas died in Colorado, and Isaac died near Seattle, Wash. Edmond died soon after coming to Hebron. John A. Rotnaur, another neighbor of New York, who followed the Seamans to McHenry County, bought the original farin of forty acres from Leonard Seaman, and he died in Richmond Township. Alphonso Tyler and his wife settled in the neighborhood of the Seamans and died here. F. A. Stewart and Lorenzo Stewart came to Lake County, Ill., about 1855, and died there. A son of Lorenzo Stewart, R. P. Stewart, left McHenry County in 1880 and now lives in Hull County, Nebr. During the Civil War he served in the Sixty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and as a result of that service later lost his right arm. He is now over eighty years old and makes frequent visits to Hebron.
George W. Seaman has lived on his present farm since 1863, as he lost his former farm through mortgaging it to invest in a "Blue Sky" project with relation to a proposed railroad, out of which he only managed to save $1,000, which he immediately put on his present farm of 160 acres as a first payment. Since he took possession of it the farm has been handsomely improved and is well adapted for dairy purposes. There are two silos and all the necessary conveniences. Mr. Seaman is by several years the oldest resident of Hebron Township, and is the only one now living who was here when the township was organized in 1847. When his brother Thomas J. Seaman was elected tax collector, he refused to serve, and George W. Seaman took his place and made the first actual tax collection for the township, amounting to about $500, and he was reelected for a second term. In those days the collector was required to call personally on every taxpaper, a job few men cared for. Mr. Seaman served for many years as road commissioner, and there are few roads in this township that he has not assisted in improving. The township was named by Mrs. Belia H. Tryon, who selected it on account of its biblical associations. The John Sawyer district west of Hebron village, and the Alvin H. Parker district, were both organized about the
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same time as the township, and Mr. Seaman recalls that Miss Archibald and Elizabeth Ellsworth were among the earliest teachers.
George W. Seaman was married September 30, 1849, to Jane Currier, a daughter of Abner Currier, who came to MeHenry County from Pennsylvania in 1847, and became a neighbor of the Seamans. Later the Curriers moved to Vernon County, Wis .; Mrs. Seaman died Septem- ber 20, 1914, within ten days of the sixty-fifth anniversary of her wedding, an event the children were preparing to celebrate as they had the one of the golden anniversary. Mr. and Mrs. Seaman had five children, namely: Helen, who died young; Susie, who was the widow of Neverson Gookin, died at the age of seventy-three; Charles H., who is agent for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad at Salem, Wis .; George Ex, who with his brother, William G., operates the homestead, although they live in separate houses. George E. married Jennie Reynolds, and their children are as follows: Jay, Cora, Clifford, Clarence and Dene. William G. married Mabel Critchett and they have two sons, Kenneth and Lyle. Myra Stamper, five years old, is also a member of the family, and no one is fonder of the children than Mr. Seaman, who in their companionship forgets the loss of his former acquaintances now deceased. He keeps in touch with the world's events, and is especially interested in the progress made in mechanies. During the St. Louis Exposition he spent some time there, and enjoyed the exhibits in Machinery Hall more than any of the others.
CALVIN SEARLE.
Page 136.
GUSTAVE F. SEEFELDT.
Gustave F. Seefeldt, member of the well known dry goods establish- ment of Mutehow Bros. & Co., of Harvard, and president of the Com- munity Club, is one of the representative business men of MeHenry County. He was born in Alsace-Lorraine, February 22, 1879, one of the eleven children of Charles C. and Elvina (Vouwangerin) Seefeldt. Charles C. Seefeldt was born in France, but came to the United States and located at Milwaukee, Wis., with his family. He died in IS85, his widow surviving him until 1900.
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Gustave F. Seefelt attended the parochial schools of Milwaukee, Wis., and was reared on his brother's farm on the outskirts of that city. For a time Gustave F. Seefeldt was engaged in farming, but then became associated with the Milwaukee Electric plant, and remained with it until 1903, when he went to Chicago, III., and was there connected with the mercantile trade. In October, 1910, Mr. Seefeldt came to Harvard and was associated with the sales force of Mutchow Bros, until 1916, when he was admitted to partnership. This concern is the leading dry goods house at Harvard, and a full and varied line of timely goods is carried to the amount of $20,000. Employment is given to seven salespersons, and the service is excellent.
In 1904 Mr. Seefeldt was married to Miss Freda Demien, a daughter of John Demien, well known people of Chicago, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Scefeldt have two children, namely: Clarence W. and Earl F. In politics Mr. Seefeldt is a Republican. In January, 1919, he was elected president of the Community Club, and has extended the scope of its usefulness. In every capacity Mr. Seefeldt measures up to the highest standards of efficiency and good citizenship, and is rightly numbered among the representative men of his locality.
ELLSWORTH E. SEWARD.
Ellsworth E. Seward, president of the Dairyman's State Bank of Marengo, and treasurer of the Coon Creek Drainage District, is one of the leading men of MeHenry County, and one who has long been ac- tively engaged in promoting its best interests. He was born in Mc- IIenry County, Ill., May 27, 1861, a son of Ephraim H. and Mary L. (Rogers) Seward, who had eleven children, four of whom survive. Ephraim H. Seward was born in Vermont, but later came to MeHenry County, where he was engaged in farming until his death. His wife is also deceased.
Ellsworth E. Seward attended the common and high schools of his native county, and after studying law, was admitted to the bar of South Dakota, to which state he had gone in 1885. He was successively engaged in the newspaper business, a real-estate business, and then with the Shurtleff Lumber Company. This concern later became the Seward & Redpath Lumber Company, with which Mr. Seward remained until 1908. In that year he was made a director and also vice president
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WILLIAM N. WILLIS AND FAMILY Frankie Meger. Eliza A. MeDiamond, Mary A. Miller, Alice E. Ellsworth, Charles N. Willis Elmer JJ. Willis William N. Willis Mary (. Willis
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of the Dairyman's State Bank of Marengo. In 1910 was made its presi- dent, J. E. Williams being now vice president and A. S. Norton, cashier. Mr. Seward owns 400 acres of valuable farm land in Riley Township.
On May 19, 1898, Mr. Seward was married to Miss Caroline Metcalf, a daughter of Martin Metealf. Mr. and Mrs. Seward have two children, namely: Eunice L., who was born in 1905; and Martin, who was born in 1910. The family all belong to the Presbyterian church. He is a Republican. His fraternal relations are with the Masons and Knights of Pythias. Mr. Seward is a Shriner and Thirty-Second degree Mason. For some time he has been vice president of the MeHenry County Bankers Association, and is recognized as one of the leading men of his calling in the county. Under his sound administration, his bank has tided over the stringency of the war and reconstruction period, and its affairs are in excellent condition.
ADDISON M. SHELTON.
The day of the little red schoolhouse has passed, and with it the type of schoolmaster who used to preside over the destinies of the pupils gathered in it. While this little red schoolhouse has been replaced by modern sanitary buildings, amply provided with every convenience and appliance known to present-day methods, the schoolmaster also, has gone through a period of transition. He has developed into a member of one of the honored and learned professions; a man who comes to his work only after years of special preparation, and who, no matter what his qualifications may be, never ceases to be a close student, not alone of books, but of human nature as well. Because of the great progress made in educational matters many men of exceptional talents have been attracted to the profession, and they in turn are exerting them- selves to achieve still better results, and succeeding in a manner to call forth commendation and appreciation. One of these alert, scholarly and carefully trained men of brilliant minds whose capabilities are eentered in educational work is Addison M. Shelton, of Crystal Lake, county superintendent of schools of McHenry County.
The birth of Addison M. Shelton occurred at Chatham, III., Novem- ber 11, 1875, and he is a son of Martin Shelton, who was born at Chatham, Ill., February 25, 1844, and Sarah (Dill) Shelton, who was born at Chatham, III., January 25, 1849, the former of whom was a
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farmer. The ancestors of the Sheltons came to the American Colonies at a very early date. Records of the family history show that members of it participated in the French and Indian War, the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and Martin Shelton volunteered for service in the Civil War and served until its elose.
After his graduation from the local high school, Addison M. Shelton spent one year at the State Normal School at Carbondale, Ill., and then later became a student of the University of Illinois, from which he was graduated in 1903 from the Political Science group with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Immediately following his graduation Mr. Shelton eame to Crystal Lake as city superintendent of its schools, and held that office with dignified capability until he was elected county super- intendent of schools of MeHenry County, which office he has held since 1910.
For a number of years Mr. Shelton has been identified with the State Teachers Association, and other educational organizations; for a long period he has been interested in school legislation, representing various teachers' organizations before the legislature. Because of this work, and in recognition of work accomplished while he was at Spring- field, the presidency of the Illinois Educational Commission was given him by Governor Small, in September, 1921. The purpose of this commission is to revamp the school laws of Illinois, and to report to the next General Assembly of the state, recommendations fo . consider- ation. Other members of the commission are: Mrs. M. H. L'eber, chairman, App ied Education State Federation Woman's Clubs, of Winnetka; William Scott Gray, member of the Senate, of Coatsburg; Len Small, governor of Illinois; C. M. Thompson, dean, College of Com- merce and Business Administration, of Urbana; and Harry Wilson, member House of Representatives, of Pinekneyville.
Prominent as has been the part Mr. Shelton has always taken in educational matters, he has not confined himself to them, but has accomplished much in behalf of other worthy measures He was intimately connected with the early organization of the McHenry County Soil Improvement Association, was its first secretary, and con- tinued to hold that office for several years. While this country was at war he was one of the effective workers, serving as one of the county Four Minute Men, and as chairman for McHenry County in the Thrift Organization during the life of that body, and he was very active in all of the Liberty Loan drives. Ever since he cast his first vote he has been a republican. He maintains membership with the Modern Woodmen
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of America, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. During 1903 he represented the University of Illinois in the debating team in the Illinois-M ssouri debate; was class poet, and was otherwise connected in an important degree with his class while at the university. In later years he has contributed some very valuable articles to educational magazines on timely topics.
Mr. Shelton was married at St. Louis, Mo., in June, 1899, to Miss Wanda Schember, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William R. Schember, No. 2815 Russell avenue, St. Louis, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Shelton have the following children: Robert Schember, who was born November 2, 1906; Wanda Schember, who was born August 9, 1908; and Richard Martin, who was born in 1914.
In an able address delivered before the annual conference of the Illinois School Board and City Superintendents Association held at Springfield, October 27, 1921, Mr. Shelton outlines his stand with reference to the work to be done by the newly-created commission of which he is the chairman, under the following heads: separation from state polities of the school tax, the advocation of taxing tangible prop- erty to help support the schools and the increasing of the local unit of the taxable area of each school district. Not only the people of McHenry County but the entire State are anxiously awaiting the re- sults of Mr. Shelton's efforts on the commission. This appointment is the just reward to an able man for services faithfully performed and is also a great opportunity for him to give to the people the benefit of his years of thought and study upon the subjects so dear to their heart, and awaken in all an appreciation of the necessity for greatly increased educational facilities.
VERNON D. SHERBURNE.
Vernon D. Sherburne, owner of the well-equipped garage at Wood- stock operated under his name, is one of the substantial men of MeHenry County, and one who is held in high esteem. He was born in Michigan, January 28, 1871, one of three children of Albert and Jane (Pixley) Sherburne. Albert Sherburne was born in Canada, but came to the United States, first being in Michigan, and later in Wisconsin, from whence he came to Ifebron, where he died in 1916, having spent his life in farming.
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Vernon D. Sherburne attended the common and high schools, and was graduated from the latter in 1SSS. For the subsequent three years lie was engaged in school teaching. He then began assisting his father with the farm work until 1901, when he bought a farm of 180 acres, which he still owns. He farmed until 1904, and then rented his farm and embarked in a livestock business. This business he sold in 1911 and opened a garage at Hebron, moving to Woodstock in December of that year. In February, 1916, he bought his present property for $20,000, and added improvements until now his investment is worth $32,000. He carries a stock of $30,000, and gives employment to ten people. His is the largest and best-equipped garage at Woodstock, and he is sole agent for Ford cars, accessories and supplies.
In 1895 Mr. Sherburne was married to Miss Anna J. Jones, a daughter of Jay W. Jones, of Clinton, Wis., and they have the following children: Clarence L., who is in business with his father; and Elwood G. and Carroll W., who are both at home. Mr. Sherburne belongs to the Odd Fellows and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. The family are identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church. The amount of business transacted by Mr. Sherburne reflects credit upon his ability as a business man, and upon his standing in his community. He richly deserves his prosperity, for it has come to him through his own unaided efforts.
CLIFFORD E. SHERMAN.
Clifford E. Sherman, proprietor of the Sherman Hill Farm, is located two miles west of McHenry, and he was born on this farm, February S, 1870, a son of Samuel S. and Abigail (Fellows) Sherman. Samuel S. Sherman was born in New York, a son of Benson and Wealthy (Gates) Sherman. In 1840 the Sherman family, together with that of Andrew Hanna, drove to McHenry County, and Benson Sherman secured quite a large acreage, Sherman Hill, a well-known landmark, being part of his property. His homestead contained over 300 aeres, and his original log house stood about the same place as the present house. Benson Sherman died when but a little over fifty years of age, his widow living on the homestead survived him until she was eighty-six years old. His two sons, Jeremiah and Samuel S. received the homestead, the former having 150 acres, and the latter 180 acres, on which was the house.
Samuel S. Sherman was eight years old when his father came to
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Sherman Hill, and he was reared on this farm. After the death of his wife, he gradually turned matters over to his son, Clifford E. Sherman. Samuel S. Sherman built a part of the present barn, to which his son has since made additions, it now being 30 x 84 feet, with an el 32 x 28 feet.
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