USA > Illinois > McHenry County > History of McHenry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 38
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On March 18, 1858, Seth P. Smith was married to Caroline Landon, born in Oneida County, N. Y., April 17, 1833, a daughter of Richard and Sarah (Myers) Landon. In 1857 Mrs. Smith, who was then un- married, came to MeHenry County to visit her aunt, Mrs. Daniel Hutchinson, and it was during this trip that she met and was married to Mr. Smith. Her aunt and her husband had located here in 1844 from Oneida County, N. Y., and continued to live upon their farm until death claimed them, Mr. Hutchinson being at the time of his demise over eighty years old.
Mr. and Mrs. Seth P. Smith began housekeeping in an old log house, in which they lived until the present residence was built during the summer of 1866, and he also erected a part of the barn now standing, his father having built a horse stable of hewed oak timber, which is still in use. Seth P. Smith died September 1, 1871. Ile was a Republican, but not an office seeker, although he had served on the school board. Although a believer in the efficacy of church work he did not belong to any religious organization, nor did he affiliate with fraternities. He and his wife had the following children: Sarah, who is Mrs. Edson Cash of Chemung Township; Edgar Landon, who is now a resident of Woodstock. is a retired farmer and still owns the farm adjoining the homestead; and Fred Newton, who is the youngest.
He was born not long after the present house was completed, and the old homestead belongs to him. Until 1894 he and his brother were in partnership in their farming operations, but since then have con- ducted their own farms. Fred N. Smith rebuilt the barn in 1915, making it 42 x SS feet, and also erected a cement silo. He carries on general farming and dairying, and breeds pure-bred Percheron horses, having a registered stallion, and his horses command high prices. He and his brother also own 160 acres in Seneca Township.
On October 24, 1906, Fred N. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Henriette Person, of Buffalo, N. Y., born February 20, 1876, who had come on a visit with her mother to the family of Jacob Barth in MeHenry County. When she returned to Buffalo Mr. Smith followed her home, and they were married at the home of her parents. Mr. and
Thehoodand
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Mrs. Smith have no children, but two years ago they adopted a boy of eleven years, and are rearing him in a good home. In addition to all his other holdings, Mr. Smith owns 120 acres of land near Janesville, Wis., on which he has a tenant, and he is also keeping up the improve- ment on it as he does on his other properties, for he believes there is no better investment than farm land, provided it is kept in good shape.
FRED S. SMITHI.
Fred S. Smith, proprietor of the leading general mercantile store of Alden, is one of the substantial men of the county, and one who stands high in public esteem. He was born at Harvard, Ill., August 15, 1871, one of the four children of Ezra and Adeline (Story) Smith. Ezra Smith was born in New York state, but came to Harvard, and there carried on blacksmithing the remainder of his active life, dying in 1914, his wife having died in 1910.
Fred S. Smith attended the common and high schools of Harvard, and his first business venture was as a clerk in a mercantile establish- ment, owned by his brother, Edgar S., located on its present site at Alden. Edgar S. Smith is a prominent merchant and banker of Harvard, and also owns valuable farm land in MeHenry County. In 1893, Fred S. Smith went into business for himself at Alden, and carries a full and varied line of general merchandise, the stock being valued at $50,000. Employment is afforded two salespersons in the store, and a very exten- sive trade is enjoyed.
On November 9, 1893, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Eleanor Gates, a daughter of Frank P. and Perlina (Pierce) Gates. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have one son, Earl G., who was born April 8, 1903. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. A Republican, Mr. Smith was appointed postmaster of Alden June S, 1907. Frater- nally he belongs to the Mystic Workers of the World and also to the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a very energetic man, experienced and alert, and deserves the prosperity which has attended his efforts.
GEORGE C. SMITHI.
George C. Smith, D. D. S., one of the successful dental surgeons of McHenry County, is carrying on a general practice at Richmond, and is
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recognized as an expert in his profession. He was born in Endeavor, Wis., September 5, 18SS, one of the three living children born to Clifford C. and Ida Elizabeth (Bain) Smith. Clifford C. Smith was born at Oxford, Wis., and was a prosperous farmer. He died March 23, 1913.
Doctor Smith attended the public schools of his native place, the academy at Endeavor, Wis., and the dental department of the North- western University, from which he was graduated in 1911. Immediately thereafter he located at Richmond, where he has carried on a practice ever since, and his skill and ability have received gratifying recognition.
On September 23, 1911, Doctor Smith was married to Miss Gertrude Vlassalear, formerly of Seymour, Wis., a daughter of Dr. J. F. Vlassalear, a noted Divine Science teacher. Doctor and Mrs. Smith have two children, namely: Clifford V., and Gerald F. They attend the Con- gregational church. Doctor Smith is a Mason, and he and his wife belong to the Eastern Star ..
JOHN J. SMITH.
John J. Smith, one of the substantial men of McHenry County, is now living retired at Cary Station, after many years of fruitful efforts. He was born at Pommersi, Germany, December 27, 1848, a son of John and Frederika (Buhrmann) Smith, both born in the same village as their son. John J. Smith learned the wagon-making trade, and then went into the German army, and was a member of the Empire Guards, participating in the Franco-Prussian War. After peace was signed, he returned to Berlin, and in the spring of 1872 he came to the United States to join an unele, D. F. Smith, who had located at Crystal Lake, Ill. Mr. Smith worked for C. Pettibone in Nunda Township, and also for Lon Walkup until he and Robert Radke, who had married his sister, formed a partnership and for three years operated the G. S. Frary farm. On June 19, 187S, John J. Smith was married to Barbara Smith, a daughter of John George and Barbara (Lang) Smith, also of German birth, who had come to this country in 1852, locating soon thereafter at Cary Station where Mrs. Smith was born December 16, 1857. Follow- ing his marriage Mr. Smith bought his farm of 155 acres, two miles north of Cary, for which he paid $60 per acre. The land has been developed, but the buildings were poor. Mr. Smith erected new build- ings to some extent and remodeled the house. His dairy barn is one of
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the best in the township. Where necessary, he put in tiling. Dairying was his principal feature, and he kept from forty to fifty cows of good dairy stock. In 1903 he retired from the farm to Cary Station, and about five years ago, he sold his farm for about double what he paid for it. In order to buy his farm, Mr. Smith went into debt $5,000, and for years worked untiringly. When he had completed milking thirty- five cows, he used to stack grain until midnight. In the early days the prices for produce were low and he sold hogs for as little as $2.50 per hundred weight, and other things in proportion. His present residence at Cary Station is a pleasantly located one, and he here enjoys the comforts his long toil entitles him to. A strong Republican, he contents himself with voting the ticket of his party, for he does not desire office. Mr. Smith belongs to Nunda Lodge A. F. & A. M .; Woodstock Chapter, R. A. M. and to Crystal Lodge, I. O. O. F., in which he has passed all the chairs. He has served as representative to the Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows many times. Mrs. Smith belongs to the Eastern Star, the Rebekahs and the Woman's Relief Corps. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have three children: Alvina, Arthur and Laura. Alvina Smith married Herman Menlahn and they have the following children : Vera, Freddie, Elsie, Etta, Margaret, Doris and Robert. Arthur Smith is a fireman on the Illinois Central Railroad and lives at Free- port. He married Edith Smith who died in 1919, leaving three children, Viola, Laverne and Leroy. These children now live with their grand- parents. Laura Smith married Louis Johnson, a machinist of Chicago.
JOHN WILDER SMITH.
John Wilder Smith, whose lumber interests are extensive, and his business acumen unsurpassed, is manager of the Hebron Lumber Com- pany. He was born in Hebron Township, February 11, 1879, one of the three children of Charles F. and Sophronia (Alexander) Smith, natives of Hebron Township, and prominent farming people.
John Wilder Smith was reared on his father's farm, and attended the local schools, and the Dixon Business College. Returning to his old home, Mr. Smith entered the lumber house of Mead & Chandler, with which he continued for one year, when, in 1903, the business was bought by N. A. Chandler. Later Mr. Chandler sold to the Hebron Lumber Company, and Mr. Smith was made manager of the Hebron branch, the
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headquarters of the company being at Milwaukee, Wis., where the firm operates under the name of the Tibbitts-Cameron Lumber Company. The annual business of the Hebron branch aggregates $60,000. In connection with the lumber plant, this company operates a large feed warehouse at Hebron, and Mr. Smith was placed in charge of it. A stanch Republican, Mr. Smith has always been active in politics and has served as a member of the school board and township clerk. His long experience in the lumber business has given him a knowledge of it that is thorough and intimate, and he is recognized as an authority on all matters pertaining to it. On December 1, 1919, Mr. Smith became cashier of the Bank of Hebron.
WARREN D. SMITH.
Warren D. Smith, now living retired at Marengo, was formerly one of the enterprising farmers of McHenry County. He was born at Warrenville, DuPage County, III., October 10, 1849, a son of Joel and Amy (Bartholomew) Smith, both born in Vermont, where they were married, coming thence immediately thereafter, in 1836, to Illinois, by way of the Erie Canal and overland in wagons to Naperville, where they joined friends. Joel Smith became well-to-do, and was a farmer at Warrenville until the fall of 1865, when he came to MeHenry County to secure more land, although he had already acquired an excellent farm in DuPage County. He bought 20512 acres, three and one-half miles northwest of Marengo, on the River Road, for $31 per acre. Here he lived until 1877, and retired to Marengo, leaving it for Elgin, where he lived retired until his death, in 1891, when he was seventy-five years old. His first wife died soon after the birth of his son, Warren D., and he later married (second) Emeline Brown, a teacher of Naperville, who died some five or six years ago. By his first marriage Joel Smith had in addition to his son, Warren D., a daughter, Clara, who married Edwin Bird, a harnessmaker of Woodstock, but both are now deceased. By his second marriage, Joel Smith had the following children: Ernest H., who died at the age of twenty-eight years, was a graduate of Cornell College, and editor of a Republican newspaper in Iowa; and Edith, who was a teacher of MeHenry County, is now the widow of Dr. Howard L. Pratt of Elgin, Ill.
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Warren D. Smith was fifteen or sixteen years old when he came with his parents to this county, and he attended its district schools and the Marengo High School. He assisted his father as long as he remained on the farm, and then rented the property when the former retired. Subsequently he bought the farm from his father, acquiring possession in 1893. Here he lived until 1903, when he retired and moved to Marengo, but maintains a partnership with his tenant, and keeps up the improvements. He has a barn 32 x 100 feet, fitted for dairying, a silo and other modern buildings. The house, which is the oldest frame one in Marengo Township, was built about 1840, and the sills were hewed from oak, and are 8 x S in thickness. It was built to withstand any action of wind or weather, and it has done so with the exception of the roof, which has been replaced. This old landmark was erected by former owner Mr. MeLamara. No such work is done today as is to be found in this residence, and Mr. Smith has always been proud of owning it. His farm contains the same acreage as in his father's day. From twelve to thirty cows are kept in the herd for dairy purposes, and at one time Mr. Smith owned stock in two creameries. He prefers Shorthorn cattle for dairy purposes. As a school trustee for District No. 7, he safeguarded the educational interests of his com- munity, and like his honored father, he has always voted the Republican ticket.
On September 5, 1877, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Ellen M. Adams, a daughter of John and Lucy (Hardy) Adams. She had been reared in MelIenry County, but at the time of her marriage she was a resident of Evanston, Ill., whence her parents had moved, after fifteen years' residence at Marengo, where he had carried on a successful business as a contractor and builder. Mr. Adams was assistant post- master and druggist for Dr. O. S. Janks, and later for W. C. Stewart, spending seven years in these positions. Mr. and Mrs. Smith became the parents of the following children: Lee A., who is connected with the wholesale paper trade of Omaha, Neb .; Gertrude L., who was bookkeeper for the J. II. Patterson Lumber Company, died four years ago when thirty-three years old; and Ralph L., who is connected with the Carpenter Paper Co. of Omaha, Neb. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Smith has long been a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. They are fine people in every sense of the word, and their standing in their community has been honorably earned and is well merited.
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CHARLES HAPGOOD SNYDER.
Charles Hapgood Snyder, one of the retired farmers of Woodstock and a highly esteemed resident of MeHenry County, was born, June 3, 1859, on the farm he still owns in Bull Valley, four miles east of Wood- stock. He is a son of Jacob and Sarah Sophia (Parks) Snyder, the former of whom was born in Northumberland County, Pa., November 4, 1825, and died December 7, 1908. The latter was brought to McHenry County by her parents, Jonathan Hapgood and Sophronia Parks, both of whom died in MeHenry County, he at the age of fifty-five years, and she at the age of eighty-eight years. The last survivor of their family, Charles Parks, died at McHenry, in 19IS, aged seventy-seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Snyder were married at McHenry January 1, 1847, and for forty years they lived on the farm now owned by their son, Charles H., which Jacob Snyder acquired when as a young man he came to MeHenry County with his widowed mother. He was a Repub- liean and served as road commissioner, and held other offices. A man of high character, he was universally esteemed, and he and his excellent wife brought up their only son, Charles H. Snyder, to be a credit to them and his community.
Growing up on the homestead in Bull Valley, Charles II. Snyder acquired a first-hand knowledge of farming fron his father, and when he was twenty-five years old, was married to Rosetta Sherman, a daughter of Jeremiah and Mary (Roane) Sherman. The well known "Sherman Hill," two miles west of MeHenry, was named for them, and the home- stead of the Shermans is now owned by a cousin of Mrs. Snyder, Clifford Sherman. A sister of Mrs. Snyder, Hattie, widow of Nathan Stephens, lives at Ringwood. Mr. and Mrs. Sherman died on the same day in March, 1913, and are buried in one grave after spending over fifty years together in happy marriage. Until 1915, Charles H. Snyder lived on the homestead of his family, but at that time retired, and moved to Woodstock, but retains the farm of 240 acres of land. On it he has new buildings erected by him, and the property has long been used especially for milk production, the equipment being of the best of its kind for this purpose. Mr. Snyder now has a tenant on his farm. He is a Repub- lican, but has never cared for office, preferring to do his duty to his community as a private citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have two living children, the second one, Alta, born May 28, 1889, having died at the age of eleven years; Nina, born January 6, 1886, is Mrs. Pearl Haviland, married June 30, 1907, has one daughter, Mildred Marion, Mr. Haviland
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being connected with the Woodstock Typewriter Company; and Leona, born December 26, 1902, is at home. During the many years he was connected with agricultural matters, Mr. Snyder displayed his know- ledge of his work, and his advice is oftentimes now sought by those who appreciate the value of his practical knowledge.
JOHN M. SOUTHWORTH. Page 140.
WALTER J. SPARAWK.
Walter J. Sparawk, one of the prominent business men of Crystal Lake, is extensively engaged in handling automobiles and a general line of implements. He was born in McHenry County, in December, 1870, a son of Beamon K. and Elizabeth Z. (Hamilton) Sparawk, the former of whom was born in Massachusetts, but came to Illinois at an early day and became one of the leading farmers of MeHenry County, where he died in April, 1916. He and his wife had three children.
Walter J. Sparawk was reared on a farm, and attended the local schools. In September, 1896, he entered the business world, establishing his present business, with J. C. Small as a junior member. In January, 1917, he bought out his partner, and has since continued alone. He carries a stock valued at $12,000, and gives constant employment to two men.
In politics he is a Republican, and has served for four years as a member of the city council of Crystal Lake. His fraternal connections are with the Masonic order. A fine business man, he understands the requirements of his trade, and as agent for the Empire car, renders an appreciated service to his community and the manufacturers of this standard make.
TENNYSON H. SPEAKER.
Tennyson H. Speaker, proprietor of the Richmond Mills, and senior member of the firm of T. H. Speaker & Son, is one of the worthwhile
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men of MeHenry County, and a man who stands very high in public esteem. He was born in Wisconsin, December 16, 1858, one in a family of twelve children born to Wion M. and Margaret J. (David) Speaker. Wion M. Speaker was born in New York, but came west to Wisconsin in young manhood. He served during the Civil War for four years, enlisting in the Twenty-eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. His death occurred in 1908.
Tennyson H. Speaker attended the local schools of Wisconsin, and learned the milling trade, and has been engaged in this line of endeavor all his life. In 1895, he came to MeHenry County, and bought his present plant which was built in 1844, but later enlarged until it now has a daily capacity of 500 bushels. His son, David S., is associated with him in business.
On May 6, 1885, Mr. Speaker was married to Miss Susan Ledger, a daughter of Thomas Ledger of Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Speaker have seven children, namely: Wion L., Helen L., Edna L., Myra A., David S., Frances M., and Susan I. The family belong to the Con- gregational church. Mr. Speaker understands every detail of his business and so is able to operate it intelligently and profitably, and to render a valuable service to his patrons.
CALVIN SPENCER.
Calvin Spencer, now deceased, belonged to one of the oldest and most important families of MeHenry County, and was for many years a forceful factor in the life of Chemung Township. He was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., October 6, 1807, and he died April 17, 1898, when in his ninety-first year. He was a son of Moses and Esther (Albee) Spencer, who came with him to Illinois, and settled at what is now Marengo, November 27, 1835. Mrs. Spencer was ill at that time, and she died November 27, 1835. Pioneer conditions prevailed at that time, and it was necessary to go beyond Belvidere to Big Thunder Mill, some fifteen miles in order to get grain ground into flour. The first summer the Spencers cut hay from their claim, which had been entered in 1834 by Moses Spencer who had made a trip to MeHenry County for the purpose of entering his land from the government, going back for his family after doing so.
Mary C. Wright.
Am Iright
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Calvin Spencer was a foresighted man, and early realized that the land entered by his father was more valuable for building lots than farming, so divided his share of the estate into them, but continued to be a farmer. Until long after he was eighty years old he was active in business, and was well preserved until his death. His wife, born in 1810, died in 1875. Both were very active in the Baptist church and Sunday school, and the first services of that denomination were held for some time at their home. Mr. Spencer served as president of the village board of Marengo for several terms and was on the board for many years. First a Whig and later a Republican, he was one of the strongest adherents of both parties. He cast his first presidential vote in 1828, and never missed an election thereafter. In 1858 he had the privilege of hearing the debate between Lincoln and Douglas, at Chicago, and used to refer to that experience as long as he lived.
Calvin Spencer was married and he and his wife became the parents of the following children: Phoebe, who married George Walkup, died at the age of seventy-seven years; Sally, who married Henry Paynter, died at the age of seventy-five years; LeRoy, who died at the age of seventy-three years, lived at the old home with his sister, Edna S., never married, was a physician, a strong Republican, and held local offices; Edwin, who was a farmer, died at the age of sixty-three, had lived in Iowa, Dakota and Texas, and died in the latter state; Mary, who is the widow of John Lambden, was born February 25, 1841, and lives in the old home; Orson, who lives in Washington County, Ill .; and Edna Sophronia, who was born in the present house, May 27, 1849, and has remained in the home of her parents all her life. Miss Spencer has with her in addition to Mrs. Lambden, a niece, Helen Spencer, whom she has reared. The Spencer family has always been patriotic, from the days of the War of 1812, when Moses Spencer took the place of another man and served during that conflict. The Spencer ladies fur- nished the clothing for the Marengo company of the Fifteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War, and during the World War, they were generous in their contributions to that cause.
ANSON SPERRY.
Page 137.
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HISTORY OF MCHENRY COUNTY
CHARLES STANFORD.
Charles Stanford, now deceased, formerly owned the Fair Light Farm, located one mile south of Marengo, and was one of the prosperous farmers of his township. Mr. Stanford was born at Marengo, November 15, 1872, and was there reared, and attended the local schools. On October 18, 1889, he was married to Edna M. Boies, born at Byron, Ogle County, Ill., February 15, 1878. When she was nine years old, she lost her mother and came to live with her uncle, William A. Boies, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. After they were mar- ried, Mr. and Mrs. Stanford lived for eight years on the old Stanford farm, and he also conducted an ice business, supplying a number of patrons. He secured his iee from a fine pond, fed by a spring, which was on his farm, but after he had operated this business for some years, he sold it. In his farming Mr. Stanford made dairying his main feature, and had one of the best herds of Jersey and Guernsey cows in the county. At first he shipped his milk to Chicago, but later delivered it to Borden's milk plant. The name of Fair Light was given to the farm because of the surrounding country. Mr. Stanford died on this farm, January 19, 1907, having been one of the hardest workers in his neighbor- hood. Probably this devotion to his work shortened his life, for he died when only thirty-five years of age. He was regular in his attendanee upon the services of the Presbyterian church, of which he was a member, and very active in its good work. Mr. and Mrs. Stanford had the follow- ing family: Elizabeth, who is teaching sehool at Elmhurst, Ill., having been graduated from the Marengo High School in 1918; Charles Edward, who was graduated from the Marengo High School; and Mary and Ruth Boies, both of whom are at home. Mrs. Stanford is a very capable woman, superintending the operation of the farm, with the assistance of her son. She belongs to the Presbyterian church, and social clubs of the neighborhood, and whatever she undertakes, she carries through in characteristic manner. Mr. Stanford was a charter member in the Mystic Workers of the World, and she is also a member of this fraternity.
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