USA > Illinois > McHenry County > History of McHenry County, Illinois, Volume II > Part 42
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WILLIAM I. TORBOSS.
William I. Torboss, dealer in shelf and heavy hardware, automobiles, automobile supplies, gasoline engines, pumps, buggies, wagons, farm machinery, stoves and furnaces, carries a stock of about $5,000, and has the leading hardware store at Hebron. He was born at Milwaukee, Wis., March 28, 1859, a son of Isaac W. and Jane (Slocum) Torboss. Isaac W. Torboss was born in New York, but later came to Freeport, Ill., where he died in 1864, having been a manufacturer all his life. His widow survived him many years, dying in 1912. She bore him two children, but by a former marriage he had three children.
William I. Torboss was reared at Milwaukee, Wis., where he learned the trade of a tinner, and worked at it from the age of seventeen years until 1900, when he founded his present business. In addition to con- ducting his hardware business, Mr. Torboss acts as superintendent of the South Wisconsin electric plant.
On August 20, 1881, Mr. Torboss was married to Miss Elma V. Gould, a daughter of Dudley R. Gould and they have two children, namely: Jennie M., who is the wife of Edgar B. Troudy of Kenosha, Wis .; and William E., who also lives at Kenosha, Wis. In addition to owning his store, Mr. Torboss has a beautiful home at Lake Geneva. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Torboss is a Mason. Politically he is a Republican. Aggressive, hard-working and thrifty, Mr. Torboss has steadily advanced, and deserves the suc- cess which has attended his efforts.
FRANK N. TORRANCE.
Frank N. Torrance, secretary and treasurer of The Farmers' New Era Telephone Company of Hebron, is one of the aggressive business men of MeHenry County. He was born at Avon, Lake County, Ill., June 18, 1865, a son of A. J. and Agnes (Thomson) Torrance. She was born in Ohio but in 1838 when but three years old, was brought west by her parents, George and Naney Thomson, who settled in Lake
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County, where he died at the age of seventy-seven years, and she at the age of sixty-five years. A. J. Torrance was born at Watkins, N. Y., and came to Illinois about 1852, after spending a year in California where he was engaged in mining. He brought with him $5,000, and bought a farm at Volo, Lake County, but about 1866 came to MeHenry County, and continued a resident of this region.
Frank N. Torrance was reared in MeHenry County, and attended its schools, and when sixteen years of age began learning the tinner's trade, at which he worked for sixteen years, eight in McHenry County, and eight years at Genoa Jet., Wis., in connection with a hardware store. In 1897, he, G. W. Conn and G. W. Conn, Jr., organized the Bank of Ilebron as a private institution, of which Frank N. Torrance was vice president. For the subsequent eleven years he devoted himself to this bank, having charge of it for five years, or until its re-organization. In 1908 he sold his interest, and became secretary and treasurer of The Farmers' New Era Telephone Company, organized in 1904, which now has 1,100 subscribers and four exchanges. Mr. Torrance has been on the board of directors since its organization, and he has been instru- mental in securing its present prosperity. In conjunction with others, Mr. Torrance is interested in a syndicate farm at Rocktown, III., and owns a farm near Crookston, Minn., which is a grain and dairy property. He owns a comfortable residenec at Hebron.
On September 20, 1885, Mr. Torrance was married to Frances Conn, a daughter of G. W. Conn, and they have two children, namely: Hugh C., who is connected with the Moorc Auto Company at Grand Forks, N. Dak .; and Bernice E., who married Alfred Gill of Lake Geneva, Wis. The service rendered by Mr. Torrance and his associates in giving the people of his region adequate telephone service can scarcely be over-estimated, and he holds the respect and confidence of all who know him.
GEORGE L. TORRANCE.
George L. Torrance, one of the prosperous farmers located five miles southwest of Woodstock in Seneca Township, was born at Volo, Lake County, Ill., July 19, 1849, a son of Gabriel D. and Samantha M. (Huson) Torrance, natives of New York state. George L. Torrance was reared on his father's farm, remaining at home until he was about
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twenty years of age, at which time he came to the vicinity of Crystal Lake with his parents, and purchase was then made of a large tract of land on which he lived for fourteen years. Later removal was made to Ogle County, Ill. In the meanwhile George L. Torrance clerked for a year in a general store at Crystal Lake, and when his father bought 200 acres of land in Seneca Township, he went with him and spent a year on the farm. The father then retired and lived at Woodstock for five years, when he went into a drug business at Rochelle, Ill., with his son-in-law, and remained for three years. In the spring of 1891, he returned to Woodstock, and his health failing, lived with his son, George L., until his death, in August, 1899, when he was seventy-six years old. His widow survived him until February, 1918, when she died at the age of eighty-eight years. He had been assessor of Seneca Township, and held other township offices. His children were as follows: Frances S., who married J. H. Payne, M. D., of Volo, Lake County, III., they went to Kansas in 1871 and she died there in 1913, and he retired from active practice; George L., whose name heads this review; Floyd D., who is deceased; and Genevive L., who is Mrs. Edwin Allaben of Rochelle, Ill.
George L. Torrance changed about considerably during his younger days, and was in Kansas, at Woodstock, Crystal Lake, and on the farm. On January 20, 1891, he was married to Hettie D. Cox of Lawrence, Kan., who was born in Indiana in 1877, but losing her parents in child- hood she was reared in an American family, and later went to Kansas where for several years she was a teacher in an Indian school at the Osage Ageney in Indian Territory, now Pohesha, Okla. Since his mar- riage, Mr. Torrance has principally occupied himself with farming, a portion of the time living on other farms which he owned, but returning each time to his present one of 199 acres. His present residence has been rebuilt and is very comfortable, and in 1902 he built an addition to it. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Torrance are as follows: Frank C. and Lizzie S., both of whom are at home, the son being a partner with his father in the farming operations. The family is one of the most highly respected ones in Seneca Township, and Mr. Tor- rance deserves the success which has attended him.
HERMAN H. TREBES.
Herman HI. Trebes, one of the leading farmers and stockmen of Union, is a man well and favorably known throughout MeHenry County.
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He was born in Germany, June 5, 1875, one of the five children of God- frey Trebes. He was only a baby, when his parents came to the United States, and settled in Coral Township, where they became farmers upon an extensive seale. The father survives, but the mother died August 28, 1915.
Herman H. Trebes was reared in Coral Township, and attended its schools, and became a farmer from choice. His fine farm contains 120 acres of valuable land and is located in Seneca Township, and he also owns forty acres in Coral Township. In 1903 he branched out and began dealing in stock, and now does a business aggregating $100,000 annually.
On June 26, 1907, Mr. Trebes was married to Miss Minnie Karsten, born December 11, 1885, a daughter of Frederick and Mary (Laatzi) Karsten of Seneca Township. Mr. and Mrs. Trebes have the following children: Harry E., who was born August 20, 1908; Esther A., who was born August 2, 1912; Wayne H., who was born August 18, 1916; and Bernice H., who was born August 6, 1918. Mr. Trebes is a Repub- lican, he has been on the village board of Union since 1916, and a mem- ber of the school board since May, 1918, and since 1916 he has been town- ship assessor. He and his wife are consistent members of the Lutheran church. Both as a private citizen and public official, Mr. Trebes has proven his worth as a man and he is held in the highest esteem by all who know him.
CAPT. CHARLES H. TRYON.
Capt. Charles H. Tryon, now deceased, was formerly one of the best known men in McHenry County, and for twenty years was county surveyor. His family is a pioneer one of this region. His death occurred in May, 1916, at Woodstock, where he had lived for several years. He was survived by his widow, Mrs. Elizabeth Tryon, and his two children, Jessie and Bela, the latter being now deceased, having passed away at the age of twenty-six years. Mrs. Tryon is a daughter of Daniel and Clarissa Downs of Lake Geneva, Wis., both of whom are now deceased.
Jessie Tryon was born on the old farm at Tryon Grove, March 13, 1849, and lived at home until her marriage, at the age of eighteen years, to George Trow, who was born at Bloomfield, near Lake Geneva, Wis., September 2, 1842, a son of Benjamin and Amelia Trow of Massachusetts, both of whom were graduated from Dartmouth College, and went on a
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farm after their marriage. George Trow was employed on railroad work until his marriage, after which he devoted himself to farming. He was a very capable man and might have taken an active part in affairs had he so desired, but he preferred to use his strength and energy for his farm. He died on the old Downs farm about 1905, and his widow now lives at Hebron.
Mr. and Mrs. Trow had the following family: Mand, who is Mrs. Arthur Marrell, of Solon Mills; Nellie, who is the widow of Albert Evans, of Hebron; Wilnah, who is Mrs. Lewis Schroeder, of Ringwood; Clyde C., who operates a bakery at Hebron, owns the 160-acre farm inherited from his grandfather, Captain Tryon; Pearl, who is engaged in farming near Ringwood; Paul, who lives at Ringwood; Kirk Alfred, who died at the age of sixteen years; Edith Mabel, who married Louis Burger, died at the age of twenty-two and her husband when twenty-five; and six who died in infancy. Mrs. Trow has been a resident of Hebron since 1915, and is enjoying her ease, being entitled to it after many years of hard work. Having been so active for many years it is difficult for her to relinquish a hold on affairs, and she is taking part in the aggressive policy of the Congregational church, of which she is an efficient member.
The Tryon family is one of the best known ones in MeHenry County, and its representatives are to be found in many walks of life, not only here but elsewhere in the state and country. The sound principles of life advocated and upheld by Captain Tryon are perpetuated by his descend- ants and connections, and his name is held in veneration by those who recognize that to him and those associated with him and influenced by him is due so much of the present prestige of McHenry County. He was influential also in raising a high standard of morality, and was a friend of the public schools and other improvements looking toward the advancement of the locality in which he had centered his interests. He was a county surveyor for twenty years.
CHARLES L. TRYON.
Charles L. Tryon, county superintendent of highways for MeHenry County, affords in his person a striking example that public honors are not confined to one member of a family, for not only is he the efficient incumbent of one of the county offices, but his brother, George L. Tryon, is equally valuable to the county as county surveyor, and the paternal
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greatunele of these brothers, Captain Tryon, held the latter office for many years, doing some of the most important work in this line for McHenry County and its cities and villages. Charles L. Tryon was born in Elba, Neb., November 30, 1885, one of the five children born to Ira B. and Electra L. (Begun) Tryon, the former of whom for some years was a valued employe of the Western Union Telegraph Company, but is now associated with the Oliver Typewriter Company.
After attending the grammar and high schools of his native county, Charles L. Tryon also studied civil engineering at the University of Illinois, as did his brother, George L., and he followed his profession until he was appointed to his present office in September, 1913.
In 1913 Mr. Tryon was married to Miss Charlotte M. Blank, and they have one daughter, Charlotte T. Mr. and Mrs. Tryon belong to the Presbyterian Church. They reside at No. 511 Benton Street. In polities Mr. Tryon is a Republican. A conscientious and efficient man, he is giving universal satisfaction in his office, and his work stands as a monument to his skill and public spirit.
GEORGE L. TRYON.
George L. Tryon, county surveyor of McHenry County, is one of the rising young men of Woodstock, and belongs to an old and honored family of this locality. He was born in MeHenry County, March 1, 1891, one of five children born to his parents, Ira B. and Electra L. (Begun) Tryon. When he was a young man Ira B. Tryon learned the trade of a telegrapher and followed it for some years, but he is now in the employ of the Oliver Typewriter Company.
George L. Tryon attended the grammar and high schools of MeHenry County and studied civil engineering and surveying, and after com- pleting his course and secured his degree, has followed his profession ever since. In December, 1916, he was elected county surveyor of MeHenry County, following in the footsteps of his paternal greatunele, Captain Tryon, who for many years served MeHenry County in the same office, surveying and laying out many of the cities and villages of this locality.
In 1916 Mr. Tryon was married to Miss Vivian D. Howell, a daughter of Hiram Howell, and they have one daughter, Vivian M. Mr. and Mrs. Tryon belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. They reside at No. 201 Fremont Street, Woodstock. In politics he is a Republican.
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EDWARD G. TURNER.
Edward G. Turner, proprietor of the Hazel Ridge Farm of Richmond Township, is located one mile north of Spring Grove on a very valuable property. He was born on his farm in a house that stood on the site of his present residence, April 1, 1862, a son of George E. and Janette (Adams) Turner, and grandson of William Turner, who died at Detroit, Mich. The children of William Turner were as follows: George E., Robert, John, William and Leighton who all came to Illinois, and for some time condueted a livery stable. Later William, Robert and George E. Turner came to MeHenry County, and all located in Richmond Township, where they died. Another brother, Charles, remained at Detroit, Mich., while the only sister, Mary, who is Mrs. Collins, lives at Chicago, where Leighton Turner also continued to reside.
After 1840, George E. Turner continued to reside on his farm which is now occupied by his son, Edward G. He built a portion of the present house, that part of briek, about 1857 or 1858. George E. Turner was married to Sarah A. Reed of Richmond Township, who died leaving five children, namely: Sarah, who is the widow of James A. Robbins, lives at Elgin, Ill .; John, who died in middle life in Kansas where he had gone after attaining his majority; Mary, who married Thomas Wright, died in Kansas; Libbie, who is a Mrs. Smith, a widow, lives at Elgin, Ill .; and Isadora, who is Mrs. D. W. Lichty of Woodstock. About 1860, Mr. Turner was married (second) to Janette Adams, a daughter of Andrew Adams of Chicago, and she died February 12, 1904, in Burton Township, having spent her last years with her children, who are: James H., who is a retired farmer of Hebron; Clara E., who is the widow of R. Johomott of Antioch, Ill .; Edward G., whose name heads this review; Cora B. who married J. B. Richardson of Richmond, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; and Ida J., who married Robert Wallace, died when about thirty.
Edward G. Turner remained at home until his marriage, having had charge of the farm from the time he was seventeen. On January 6, 1887, he was united in marriage with Edith Moore, a daughter of William and Eliza (Gawne) Moore, who died, March 1, 1910 and July 24, 1910, respectively. Mrs. Turner was born at Solon Mills and was twenty-four years old at the time of her marriage. Four years after his marriage Edward G. Turner bought the homestead, later adding eighty aeres, so that he now has 240 acres. Since owning it he has rebuilt the house, erected a barn in 1911, which is a model one, 38x11 feet,
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the finest in the county, and two silos. He has made dairying a specialty and keeps twenty-five cows of thoroughbred Holstein strain, which he has handled for the past fourteen years, breeding them himself. During his mother's lifetime he bred full-blooded Merino sheep which were exhibited at the county fairs, but of late years has confined himself to cattle. Politically he is a Republican, and does not seek any office. He and his wife have one daughter, Hazel May, who after being grad- uated from the Richmond High School, is now taking a course at the University of Illinois. Mr. Turner is a Woodman. The family belong to the Methodist church, and Mrs. Turner is active in the clubs con- nected with her church and community. There are few people in this region who are held in higher respect than Mr. and Mrs. Turner and they deserve this appreciation from their community, for they have earned it.
HENRY M. TURNER.
Henry M. Turner, supervisor of Hebron Township, and one of the leading farmers of MeHenry County, owns and operates a very valuable farm in this township. He was born in Hebron Township, September S, 1857, one of the three children of George and Helen (Ehle) Turner. George Turner was born at Buffalo, N. Y., in 1823, and came to Geneva, Wis., in 1842, and in 1851, to Hebron Township, becoming, in time, a farmer. He died here in March, 1910. The mother was born in New York, and came to MeHenry County in 1829. She died April 13, 1896.
Henry M. Turner followed his father's footsteps and became a farmer, and has found this calling so profitable that he has always followed it. He now owns 143 acres of choice farm land in Hebron Township, and forty acres of land in Wisconsin. In 1882 Mr. Turner was united in marriage with Miss Marie Ledger of Wisconsin, who died in 1886. Mr. Turner was married (second) to Miss Molly Rodawig, a daughter of William Rodawig of Saybrook, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Turner have two children: Jessie R. and Ruth Marie. Politically a strong Republican, Mr. Turner has been very active in local matters, and for nine years served as road commissioner. In 1898 he was elected super- visor of Hebron Township, and is now chairman of the county board. During the many years he has served on this board, he has seen some of the best improvements put in, and the county owes much to his untiring industry and public spirit in inaugurating and carrying them
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to a successful completion. Mr. Turner and his family belong to the Presbyterian church. A Mason, Mr. Turner belongs to Hebron Lodge, A. F. & A. M., No. 604. Mr. and Mrs. Turner are both members of the Eastern Star. Measured by the standards of good citizenship, Mr. Turner has proved to be a valuable man to his eommunity.
JAMES HENRY TURNER.
James Henry Turner, proprietor of the Florentine Farm, is now living retired at Hebron, after years of usefulness as an agriculturalist. He was born on a farm in Richmond Township, March 16, 1857, eldest son of his father's family by his second marriage. His father, George E. Turner, was married (second) to Jeanette Adams, who indueed him to add a middle name in order to distinguish him from another George Turner. A sketch of the Turner family is found elsewhere in this work.
James Henry Turner remained on the farm, and attended the local schools. On April 26, 18SI, he was married to Eva Ann Peacock, of Burton Township, a neighbor and schoolmate, a daughter of William and Mary Ann (Richardson) Peacock, both of whom are now deceased. They were pioneers of Burton Township, and he served his country as a soldier during the Civil War.
At the time of his marriage James Henry Turner rented land near his father's farm for five years, and then, in 1886, bought 260 aeres four miles southeast of Hebron, in Hebron Township, which was a part of the Robert Stewart farm of 900 acres, on which were buildings that he enlarged. In 1903 he sold that farm and bought 120 aeres one and one- half miles west of Hebron, which he still owns and which is operated by his son-in-law, as the Florentine Farm. Mr. Turner retired to Hebron in 1917. This is a dairy farm and has a modern barn 44 x 110 feet, with 22 foot posts, all the stabling being done in the basement.
Mr. Turner belongs to the Odd Fellows and has represented the local lodge at the Grand Lodge, and he is also a member of Hebron Camp, M. W. A. His daughters belong to the Daughters of Rebecca. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Turner are as follows: Ethel May Turner, is the wife of Arthur D. Cornue, an extensive breeder of Holstein cattle. Their son, James H. Cornue, although only eleven years old, is also interested in cattle and has begun to invest in this line of business. Clara Louise Turner, the second child in the Turner family, married G.
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A. Larson, who is with the Oliver Typewriter Company at Woodstock. Evelyn Isabel Turner married Frank Rehorst of Hebron Township, and lives on her father's farm. George Alvin Turner is with the Woodstock Typewriter Company. Florence Frene Turner is at home. Mr. Turner is well acquainted over Illinois and Wisconsin, and has traveled exten- sively in these two states in behalf of the State and McHenry County Farmers Associations. He took the short course in animal husbandry in the University of Wisconsin, and he keeps himself well posted on such matters. He has served on the executive committee of the county fair and as superintendent of the horse and cattle departments and also of the horticultural display, having missed scarcely any of the exhibi- tions, to which he was an exhibitor along horticultural lines, and his wife of her culinary skill. Mr. Turner has been very active in promoting the Farm Bureau or Soil Improvement Association in the county, and has been on its executive committee. In the absence of the farm advisor he has been called upon to handle the affairs of the organization at the county seat, and would be in the office for weeks at a time. Mr. Turner and George Hunt have gathered together a collection of 102 samples of the woods of MeHenry County, together with hundreds of other samples of the county's products, which they have exhibited at various fairs. This movement now has the support of the board of supervisors, as it should have, as it is a wonderful collection and demonstrates the remark- able resources of McHenry County. Mr. Turner, with H. B. Begun, established the Hebron Tribune in 1890 and was so associated for two years, when he sold his interest to Mr. Begun. Mr. Turner is unques- tionably one of the representative men of the county.
GEORGE L. TUTTLE.
George L. Tuttle, manager of the Borden Dairy Company at Wood- stock, has long been recognized as one of the leading business men of this part of MeHenry County. He was born in Wisconsin, January S, 1877, one of the three children of his parents, Chester L. and Susan L. (Reser) Tuttle. Chester L. Tuttle was born in Wisconsin, where he still resides, both he and his wife surviving. They were farming people, but are now retired and live at Clinton Junction, Wis.
George L. Tuttle attended the local common and high schools, and was engaged in school teaching in both Wisconsin and Illinois until 1899,
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when he went into business for himself at Clinton, Wis., selling his interests in 1905 to enter upon the duties of his present position. The Woodstock plant has a capacity of 60,000 pounds of milk daily, and its affairs are in a prosperous condition.
In 1900 Mr. Tuttle was married to Miss Eunice N. Ellsworth, daughter of Jerome Ellsworth, of Boone County, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Tuttle have three children, namely: Kenneth B., Winifield J. and Catherine B. The family are Christian Scientists. Fraternally Mr. Tuttle belongs to Hebron Lodge No. 604, A. F. & A. M., and he also belongs to the Mystic Workers of the World. A man of unusual ability, he has devoted himself to the expansion of his business and has fairly earned his present prosperity.
ROBERT C. UECKE.
Robert C. Uecke, proprietor of the Harvard Evergreen Nursery, and one of the highly esteemed men of McHenry County, has won his place in his community through his own efforts. He is a man of unusual capabilities, and deserves the credit for building up so excellent a reputa- tion for service and reliability. He was born at Lake Mills, Wis., February 19, 1860, his parents having come to the United States from Germany, and settled in Wisconsin about 1846.
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