USA > Illinois > McHenry County > History of McHenry County, Illinois : together with sketches of its cities, villages and towns : educational, religious, civil, military, and political history : portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, also a condensed History of Illinois > Part 75
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William Nickle was born in Venango County, Pa., Dec. 24, 1826, a son of James and Mary (Davis) Nickle, natives of Penn- sylvania, the father of Irish and the mother of Welsh descent. He was obliged to leave school when fourteen years of age, to assist in the support of the family. He worked in the furnaces till twenty- two years of age, when he went to Meadville and attended school six months. He then began teaching. In the winter of 1850-'51 he taught for $15 a month, and the following winter in McHenry
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County for $13 a month. He was studious and ambitious, and obtained his education by his persistence in overcoming all obsta- cles. He has always taken first-grade certificates when they have been granted. In 1872 he was elected County Superintendent, a position he held four years. He was licensed to preach in the Methodist Episcopal church in 1882, and has charge of the church at Greenwood. Oct. 22, 1854, Mr. Nickle was married to Belinda, daughter of Andrew and Mary Harsh, of Pennsylvania. They have had three children-Rose, wife of Willis J. Kittle; Freddie, died when three years of age; and La Verne. Politically Mr. Nickle is a Republican. June 3, 1843, his mother and five of her children were swept away and drowned by the waters of Mill Creek, Trumbull County, Ohio, leaving his father, brother Lemuel and himself. His brother afterward died of small-pox in Pittsburg, Pa. His father went to Tennessee, where he died. Mrs. Nickles's father died in 1854. Her mother is living in McHenry County.
Rev. P. M. O' Neill is a native of Tipperary County, Ireland, born June 9, 1839, a son of Thomas and Catherine (Marshall) O'Neill. His father died May 8, 1877, aged ninety years, and his mother April 10, 1854, aged fifty-two years. He came to America in 1858, and entered St. Michael's College, Toronto, Canada. He afterward attended St. Mary's Seminary, Barrens, Perry Co., Mo., and in 1864 graduated from St. Mary's Seminary, Balti- more, Md. Aug. 6, 1864, he was ordained to the priesthood of the Roman Catholic church, and has faithfully performed the duties of his office.
E. M. Owen, one of the most prominent and influential men of the county, was born in Sangerfield, Oneida Co., N. Y., May 27, 1821, a son of Daniel and Laura (Norton) Owen. In 1838 he came with his parents to McHenry County, and engaged in farming and running a saw-mill till 1851, when he and his brothers, H. N. and O. W., built the grist-mill in McHenry, at that time the best mill in the county. They ran this mill, and at the same time carried on a general store under the firm name of Owen Brothers, till 1858, when E. M. bought O. W.'s interest. In 1872 H. N. died, and the mill was sold to Mr. Bishop. Since then Mr. Owen has been in the agricultural implement business, in company with his son, George W., and has also given his attention to his farms. He was married in 1852 to Amy Warner, daughter of Samuel Warner, of Richmond. She died in 1872, at the age of forty-five, leaving seven children-George W., in business with his father; 51
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Oliver N., of the firm Owen & Perry; Mary L., wife of F. Schnorr, of Athol, Dak .; Charles S., of Chicago, Ill .; Edwin W., a clerk for Owen & Perry; Louis H. and Amy W. In 1876 Mr. Owen married Lydia E. Patterson, daughter of the late Charles Patter- son. Politically Mr. Owen is a Republican.
W. Parker was born in Erie County, N. Y., July 3, 1824, a son of David and Esther (Hoage) Parker, and a grandson of Levi Parker, who was a soldier in the war of 1812. David Parker was a farmer, near Buffalo, N. Y., many years, but in 1844 came to Illinois, and settled in Richmond. In 1849 he moved to Lake County, where he died April 9, 1863, aged sixty-three years. His wife died Aug. 12, 1877, aged sixty-nine years. They had a family of eight chil- dren ; all are living, save Levi, who died March 26, 1883. W. Parker attended school in the winter till thirteen years of age. When fourteen years of age he went to live with his uncle, Aaron Parker, and remained with him till the fall of 1844, when he came to Illinois, and was employed on the lake a year. He was then employed a year as baggage-master in the Skinner House, Chicago, and in 1846 went to Lake County, and worked on a farm by the month five years. He then bought a farm, but four years later sold his farm, and moved to lowa, and remained six years. He then came to McHenry County, and engaged in the livery and hotel business till 1875. He is now carrying on his farm of 160 acres, a mile and a half south of Brodhead, Wis. He was mar- ried Aug. 14, 1848, to Eliza L., daughter of William E. and Eva- line Sherman, of Vermont. They have four children-F. A., proprietor of the Parker House, McHenry, married Sophia Ken- neda, and has one son-Otis, born Feb. 4, 1876; Theresa R., wife of C. N. Culver, proprietor of the Richmond House, Richmond, Ill .; Sarah E., wife of John Dermont, and Rowena V., at home. Po- litically Mr. Parker is a Republican.
James R. Sayler was born in Schuyler County, N. Y., Dec. 17, 1822, a son of Henry and Hannah (Reynolds) Sayler. Henry Sayler learned the house-carpenter's and cabinet-maker's trades when a boy, and after reaching manhood bought a farm, and built his own house and made his own furniture. He died in 1866, aged sev- enty years. His brother John was for many years Judge of the Circuit Court, and represented the district in Congress. His bro- thers, Daniel and Jacob, were soldiers in the war of 1812. Our subject's mother died in 1834. His maternal grandfather, James Reynolds, was a Baptist minister. He died in 1854. James R.
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Sayler remained with his father till 1847, and then came to Illinois, and worked for A. H. Hanly about eighteen months. In 1849 he went to California, and worked in the gold mines four years, when he returned to Illinois and bought a farm. He has been suc- cessful, and has increased his farm to 440 acres. It is well stocked with the best grades of cattle, sheep and hogs. His horses have taken the first premiums at the county fairs. Mr. Sayler was married Nov. 6, 1853, to Melissa Sherman. They had four chil- dren-James H., deceased; Alma A., wife of George Thomas; Ella, wife of Edward E. Smith, and D. E., a noted stock-raiser, who has some of the finest stock in the county. Mrs. Sayler died in 1861. March 12, 1862, Mr. Sayler married Jane, daughter of William Potts. They have one child-William A. Politically Mr. Sayler is a Republican.
Henry Simpson was born in Yorkshire, England, May, 1833, a son of Thomas and Grace Simpson. His father died in England in 1846 and his mother in 1851. He attended school till thirteen years of age and was then apprenticed to learn the shoemaker's trade, at which he served six years. He then came to America and located in Sullivan County, N. Y., remaining there two years. In 1854 he cam : to Illinois, and lived in McHenry County two years, then went back to New York, but two years later retu ned to McHenry County, where he has since remained. He owns eighty acres of good land which is well improved. Mr. Simpson was married Nov. 4, 1868, to Elizabeth, daugliter of Robert and Mary Thompson, natives of England, who came to America and located in McHenry County, in 1844. Mr. and Mrs. Simpson have one daughter-Mary G., born Oct. 18, 1871. Politically Mr. Simpson is a Republican.
Bradford Smith is a native of Johnson, Lamoille Co., Vt., born Nov. 12, 1855, a son of Lemuel and Love L. Smith, and grandson of Aaron and Mehitable Smith. His grandfather was born May 6, 1765, and died March 8, 1830. His father was born in Vermont, May 5, 1799, and came to Illinois in 1856. He was one of the most prominent men of McHenry Township, and died at his home in Ringwood, Aug. 27, 1868. Bradford Smith received a good education in the public schools, and since leaving school has given his attention to farming. He now has forty-five acres of good land and is one of the most energetic and industrious young men of the township. He was married March 27, 1878, to Ellen Disbrow, a native of McHenry County, born May 14, 1856, a
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daughter of Lucas and Cornelia Disbrow, natives of New York. They have two children-Ethel M., born Aug. 25, 1879, and Jennie M., born Sept. 30, 1882. Politically Mr. Smith is a Republican.
H. C. Smith is a native of Vermont, born in April, 1837, a son of Obijah and Thankful Smith, natives of Vermont. His grand- parents Aaron and Mehitable Smith, were also natives of Vermont, the former born May 6, 1765, died March 8, 1830. In 1840 his parents came to McHenry County and settled about a mile east of McHenry, where his father died in 1866. His mother died in 1876. He was reared on a farm, receiving but a limited education in the early public schools. He continued to work on the farm till 1871 when he moved to McHenry County, and has since been engaged in the lumber trade. He was married in 1858 to Alcena, daughter of George Gage. They have had six children-George, Marion, Henry, Hattie, Mattie and Alice. Politically Mr. Smith is a Democrat in his views, yet is liberal enough to vote for the man he considers the most fitted for office. He is a member of McHenry Lodge, No. 158, A. F. & A. M., and Chapter No .- , R. A. M.
W. L. Smith is a native of Johnson, Lamoille Co., Vt., born Oct. 13, 1821, a son of Lemuel H. and Abby L. Smith, and a grandson of Aaron Smith. His grandfather was born in Vermont, May 6, 1765, and died March 8, 1830. His father was born May 5, 1799, and died Aug. 27, 1868. He was reared and educated in Vermont, and remained there till 1855 when he came to Illinois and located in McHenry County. He has always followed agricultural pursuits and now owns 300 acres of choice land. His stock, to which he has given especial attention, is of the best grades. Mr. Smith was married Oct. 13, 1846, to Maria Wilson, daughter of Thomas and Huldah (Mckinstry) Wilson. They have five children-Huldah, wife of Simeon Covill; Aaron, Samuel W., David N. and Amos W. Politically Mr. Smith is a Republican. Mrs. Smith is of Irish descent. Her father was a son of Robert, grand-son of James, and great-grandson of Robert Wilson, who came from Ireland and settled in New Hamp- shire in a very early day. Her mother was a daughter of Amos and Sarah Mckinstry, granddaughter of John, and great-grand- daughter of William Mckinstry who came from Ireland in 1661 and settled in Sturbridge, Mass.
Williams Stevens was born in Wayne County, Pa., Sept. 11, 1819, a son of Silas and Esther (Merrill) Stevens. His father was born in Vermont in 1773, and when a young man went to Wayne
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County, Pa. His grandfather was a soldier in the war of the Rev- olution and was killed at the battle of Bunker Hill. He received a common-school education, and when not in school assisted his father in the hotel. After his father's death, in 1843, he took charge of the hotel four years, and then rented it and came West on a visit, but after his arrival concluded to remain and bought 279 acres of land. He cultivated his land and raised three crops of wheat, then returned to Lebanon, Pa., and carried on the hotel three years, when he sold it and returned to Illinois, and with the exception of three years spent in Valparaiso, Ind., in the lumber business, during the war, has since lived in McHenry County. He was married July 3, 1845, to Zillah, daughter of Nathan and Sarah Skinner. She was born April 6, 1819. Her grandfather, Daniel Skinner, was the first man ho sent a raft down the Dela. ware to Philadelphia. Her great-grandfather made the first entry of land in Wayne County, Pa., and when on his way returning to Connecticut was shot and killed for the purpose of robbing him, it being inferred that he had the deeds and money with him. Her maternal great-grandfather, Moses Thomas, was a soldier in several Indian wars. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens have had six children; four are living-Sarah, wife of Benjamin A. Park, of Ohio; Alice, Nathan and George. Politically Mr. Stevens is a Republican. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
Jacob Story, one of the most prominent and influential men of McHenry County, was born in Fairfax County, Vt., Dec. 25, 1814, a son of John and Rebecca Story, natives of Vermont, his father of English descent. His mother died June 24, 1824. In 1844 his father moved to New York, where he died March 23, 1878, aged ninety-one years. He remained with his father till twenty-two years of age working on the farm in the summer and attending school in the winter. He received a good education for those days. Dec. 10, 1837, lie came to McHenry County, and has since made this his home. The first year he worked on a farm for $150. After land came into market, in 1840, he bought 120 acres, and be- gan working for himself. He kept adding to his original purchase till he owned a large tract. In 1853 he started a dry-goods store in McHenry, but in 1856 sold the store and engaged in the loaning and real estate business. He was married Sept. 15, 1844, to Mary A., daughter of Ira and Mary Colby. They have two children- Julia A., and John I., a hardware merchant of McHenry. Politi- cally Mr. Story is a Greenbacker, being a Whig in his earlier days.
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
He is a member of the McHenry Lodge, I. O. O. F., and has taken all the degrees of the order.
Andrew Thomas was born in Windsor, Mass., Oct. 14, 1806, a son of Zadoc and Chloe Thomas, natives of Massachusetts. His father was born in Plymouth, Sept. 20, 1772, and died April, 1848, in Volney, Oswego Co., N. Y., where he had moved in 1825. His mother was born in Middleburg, May 30, 1780, and died in Vol- ney, Oswego Co., N. Y., Sept. 20, 1828. Andrew spent his boy- hood days on the farm, and when seventeen began working at the carpenter and joiner's trade, serving an apprenticeship under his eldest brother, James. In 1827 he went West to Volney, Oswego Co., N. Y., and remained till 1840, when he came to Illinois, and entered eighty acres of land in McHenry County, where he has since resided. He has added to it from time to time till he now owns 220 acres of fine land. He is one of the most successful stock-raisers in the township. He has a fine grade of Poland- China hogs and 350 Spanish merino sheep. Mr. Thomas was married Sept. 25, 1833, to Elvira A. Brown, a native of Massa- chusetts, born Oct. 4, 1813. They have had a family of ten chil- dren-A. W., born Jan. 9, 1835; James M., born Dec. 23, 1836 died July 18, 1855; Julius A., born Oct. 6, 1839; Mary A., born Feb. 23, 1842, died Aug. 5, 1850; Eliza J., born May 16, 1844; George C., born Dec. 16, 1846; William H., born July 31, 1849; Laura M., born Dec. 26, 1851; Warren, born July 26, 1855, and Emma D., born Jan. 25, 1858. Politically Mr. Thomas is a Democrat.
Levi A. Waterman is a native of Johnson, Lamoille Co., Vt., born Oct. 26, 1818, a son of Asa and Anna (Dodge) Waterman, his father a native of Connecticut and his mother of New Hamp- shire. He is of Welsh descent, liis ancestors coming to America from Wales in 1620. The Waterman ancestry is traced to one Thomas, who held a commission as Ensign, under Queen Elizabeth. He married the daughter of Captain -, the manufacturer of the pine-tree shillings, the first money used in America. Thomas Waterman was the uncle of Arunah Waterman, grandfather of Levi A. Arunah was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and after the war moved to Vermont, where he lived till his death in 1837, aged eighty-nine years. Asa Waterman was born Dec. 2, 1772, and died Nov. 22, 1860. His wife died in 1863, aged seventy- nine years. The Waterman family have been eminent for their legal and executive ability. Levi A. Waterman spent his early
Eliza Dumm Atheeler.
Vor Jord helen
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
life on the farm, attending the common schools when practicable till sixteen or seventeen years of age. After attaining his ma- jority he worked for neighboring farmers for wages a year, and then returned home and took charge of the farm till the death of his parents. He left Vermont, Dec. 1, 1865, and arrived in Mc- Henry County, Ill., Dec. 4, and bought the farm where he now lives. He owns 180 acres of clioice land. His farm is well stocked, his buildings are commodious and comfortable, his residence is pleasantly located, and he can look forward to an old age of peace, free from perplexing cares. Mr. Waterman was married Nov. 25, 1851, to Hannah D., daughter of Zachariah and Lucinda Whiting, natives of New Hampshire. They have had five children; four are now living-Walter W. and Anna A. at home; Lucinda, wife of Albert Francisco, and Howard, Superintendent of the McHenry Pickle Factory. Politically Mr. Waterman was originally a Whig, but has affiliated with the Republican party since its organization. In religious faith the family are Congregationalists.
Isaac Wentworth was born in Greene County, N. Y., March 3, 1832, a son of Jolin and Catherine Wentworth, natives of New York, of English descent. He received a good education, attend- ing the public schools in the winter, and working in a brick- yard in summer, till he was eighteen ycars of age. He then de- voted his time to the manufacture of brick, and in 1857 came to Illinois and engaged in the business in Chicago. In 1871 he came to McHenry, where he now is doing an extensive business. He was married Nov. 17, 1854, to Lucy J., daughter of William C. Stewart, of New York. They have five children-John, Jacob, William, Mary and Hettie. Politically Mr. Wentworth is a Re- publican. He is a Royal Arch Mason.
Rev. Joel Wheeler .- The first minister of the gospel to locate in McHenry County, was the personage whose name pears at the head of this sketch. He was born in Dunbarton, N. H., a village midway between Concord and Manchester. He was the eldest son of Deacon Joel and Esther (Hammond) Wheeler. His parents were of Welsh extraction; Jonathan Wheeler, the great-grandfather, together with two brothers, emigrated from Wales to America about the middle of the sixteenth century. Jonathan settled in Salem, Mass., one of the others in Concord, the other in Rowley, Mass.
They were in deep sympathy with the wrongs of their country- men, and succeeded in their arrival that highly esteemed divine,
0
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Roger Williams, who landed in Boston, Feb. 5, 1630. He was renowned as the founder of civil and religious liberty, who with others of his countrymen fled from their homes to the new country where they expected to have liberty of speech and the oppor- tunity of worshiping God in their own way and manner. In 1636 he founded a society in which perfect freedom in matters of faith was allowed, and in which the majority ruled in all civil offices. In this society was founded the fundamental principles of political and ecclesiastical liberty.
The grandfather, son of Jonathan and father of Deacon Joel Wheeler, removed his family, consisting of four sons and three daughters, to Dunbarton, N. H., in 1761. When the French and Indian war broke out, he enlisted under Colonel George Washing- ton, and served during the entire campaign. At one time he was captured, and only by strategy escaped with his life. When the war of the Revolution was declared, William and two of his sons, Plummer and William, Jr., enlisted, and history says they were brave and valiant soldiers. They served under General Gates, and were present at the surrender of Burgoyne in 1777.
Deacon Joel Wheeler was united in marriage with Achsah Colby. She was born in 1776 and died in 1807, leaving two daughters and one son. Joel afterward married Esther Hammond, who was also born in 1776. She was the mother of three sons. Her death occurred in 1844, and his in 1852. Their demise was deeply regretted by the community in which they lived, as they were devoted, self-sacrificing Christians and their acts of charity were without limit. He for thirteen years was the only Baptist mem- ber in Dunbarton; during this time he served as church Clerk in Bow, a neighboring village, and was by the church designated a man of talent, decision, piety and public spirit. From the date of his majority he paid pulpit tax to the " standing order" (Con- gregationalists) and also voluntarily paid for the support of the Baptist church, in which faith he was a firm believer. This tax was authorized and collected by the State, and his objections regarding its payment caused his arrest, and he with three others was confined in prison. They were afterward released but the matter was hardly fought by the people against the unjust taxation by the State to perpetuate only the Congregational church, and twelve years later the law was abolished. This was in 1819, and is directly traceable to the resistance made by his progenitor.
The father of our subject was a wealthy and enterprising farmer,
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and his real estate, embodying three large farms, was second to none of equal size in the State. The educational advantages ac- corded his son were excellent, as the schools and academies in the neighboring towns were well managed and liberally patronized.
At the age of thirteen, he purchased a hand printing press, the first one ever known in that country, and distinguished him- self by printing all the Democratic tickets used in the primary elections for town and county offices. As the tickets had hereto- fore been written, much surprise was manifested when the boy printer distributed among the populace the labor of his hands. Compensation was neither sought nor obtained, but from this time the public press furnished printed ballots.
His first term of school was taught when but sixteen years of age. The system of writing as practiced seemed to him an ar- bitrary one, and he determined to effect a radical change in pen- manship. The " coarse-hand system" was by him changed to the round " business hand" form of to-day. He was the first to digress from the time-honored custom of stereotyped copies, and with his pen, made from the quill of a goose, he wrote the copies for his scholars who rapidly acquired proficiency in this branch of education. The superintending committee made their accustomed visit at the beginning of the term, and the class were put through the usual routine of exercises. When the writing was commenced the committee, among whom was the Hon. Gould, rather signified disapproval of what might be termed an innovation; at a later visit their opinion was universally in its favor, and before three years had elapsed the new system inaugurated by the young teacher was generally practiced throughout New England. His education was completed at the Young Men's Seminary at Meriden, and the New Hampshire branch of Fairfax College, Vermont. After graduation he taught for some time in the High-School before he was given license to preach. We give this document verbatim: "This certifies that the bearer, Bro. Joel Wheeler, Jr., of Dunbar- ton, agreeably to the decision of the Baptist church of this town, is licensed to improve his gifts in Zion by preaching the gospel.
"We therefore cheerfully recommend him to the Christian public to labor wherever his lot may be cast.
" AMOS WHEELER (Church Clerk).
" By order and in behalf of the church.
"DUNBARTON, Nov. 8, 1832."
Two years later he was regularly ordained, the ecclesiastical
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council being composed of Revs. James A. Boswell, of Bow; Walter Bryant, of Jaffrey; Calvin Greenleaf, of Milford; Mark Carpenter and Deacon Nathan Putnam, of New Ipswich, and Asaph Merriman and Bela Wilcox, of Deerfield. Of this council, Rev. Calvin Greenleaf was Moderator and Bela Wilcox, Clerk. The ceremonies of ordination were duly observed in their order. Rev. Greenleaf made the introductory prayer, Rev. Boswell de- livered the sermon, Rev. Merriman the consecrating prayer, Rev. Greenleaf the charge, Rev. Carpenter the right hand of fellow- ship, Rev. Wilcox addressed the society, and Rev. Strong made the closing prayer. Soon after his ordination he was elected School Superintendent of the district, and his written report of the term was, so far as known, the first of the kind ever returned to a board of selectmen. It was something both new and novel, and was largely commented upon by the press and people. The New England States adopted the plan which has been followed to the present time in all the States. Rev. Wheeler, therefore, may justly claim to be the originator of the system, as his was the first annual school report recorded in the United States, and bears date second Tuesday in March, 1835.
Colonel John Gale (afterward promoted General) and his staff, in token of their regard, procured for Rev. Wheeler a Chaplain's commission in the regiment of New Hampshire Militia, of which he (Gale) was Colonel. This commission as Chaplain was signed by His Excellency Governor David L. Merrill. This position we believe was not accepted, as he came West soon afterward.
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