USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. I > Part 53
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Edward S. Hoover is a direct descendant of Hans Hoover. In his boy- hood days he attended the public schools and lived upon a farm, where his time and attention were given to the work of field and meadow. He, how- 'ever, early developed a taste for books and newspaper work, and thinking to find other pursuits more congenial than farming he became a newspaper reporter, being connected at different times with papers in Roekford, Belvi- dere and Sterling. In 1904 he becaine editor of the Sterling Gazette, a repub- lican paper published daily. It is the oldest journal in the eity of Sterling, having been established in 1855 and it has the largest cireulation of any news- paper in the thirty-fifth congressional distriet. It likewise has an extensive advertising patronage and the business is a profitable one. Its newspaper editorials are attractive by reason of their clear and concise statement of facts and diseussion of issues. The paper in its mechanical construction is neat and pleasing, and its extensive patronage is well merited.
On the 3d of September, 1903, Mr. Hoover was married to Miss Jane Ruth Parker, a daughter of Charles and Catherine (Spies) Par- ker. They have one daughter, Christiana. Mrs. Hoover is a mem- ber of the Congregational church. Politically Mr. Hoover is a stalwart cham- pion of republican principles. With his family he now lives on the old home- stead of his father and grandfather, a property which has long been in pos- session of the family. The name of Hoover has for several decades figured conspicuously in connection with the history of Whiteside county and Edward S. Hoover is carrying forward the work of his father and grandfather in upholding all interests which work for the county's development and growth.
JOHN FRANKLIN SEAVEY.
John Franklin Seavey, who was formerly actively connected with the agricultural life of Whiteside county, is now practically living retired on his ยท valuable property comprising one hundred and sixty-five acres, situated on section 8, Mount Pleasant township. He is a native son of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Lee county, October 23, 1842. His parents, Jesse and Sarah J. (Norris) Seavey, were both natives of New Hampshire, the former born August 11, 1810, and the latter March 11, 1812. On his removal to the west, Jesse Seavey located first in Whiteside county and worked on the old Jacobstown mill for Jonathan Haynes. In 1840 he settled in Lee county,
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where he was engaged in farming, owning nearly four hundred acres of land. The father, who was familiarly called "Squire" Seavey, passed away Novem- ber 25, 1862, while the wife and mother survived for many years, her death occurring in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, April 18, 1905, when she had reached the very advanced age of ninety-three years, being at the time of her death the oldest member of the Woman's Relief Corps of the state of Illinois. Her remains were interred in Palmyra cemetery in Lee county.
The family of this worthy couple numbered nine children, namely : Charles H., a resident of Hoopeston, Illinois, who was a member of the Sixty- ninth Illinois Regiment in the Civil war; Harriet A., the deceased wife of John Stager, of Dixon, her death occurring in California; George E., who passed away in Whiteside county in the year 1905; John F., of this review; Jefferson, who also served in the Civil war as a member of the Seventy-fifth Illinois Regiment, and who is now deceased; Josephine, who became the wife of Lewis Whipple and passed away more than twenty-five years ago; Abbie M., the wife of Joseph Renchin, a resident of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Sarah J., the wife of John Fornof, former editor of the Streator Free Press and now postmaster of that city, by whom she has six children; and Luella, who died at the age of seven years.
John F. Seaver was rcared in Lee county and acquired his education in the common schools. During the period of his boyhood and youth he as- sisted his father in the work of the home farm and remained under the parental roof until he had reached the age of twenty-five years, when he started out upon an independent business venture, choosing, however, the work to which he had been reared. For one year he followed farming in Carroll county, after which he went to Madison county, Iowa, where he purchased a farm, which he operated for a like period. He believed, however, that his native state offered better advantages and accordingly returned to Whiteside county and purchased land in Mount Pleasant township, this constituting a portion of his present home place, which now embraces one hundred and sixty-five acres. He has made many improvements on his place, including good barns and outbuildings, so that he now has a valuable property. Locating on this farm in February, 1870, he was for many years thereafter actively cn- gaged in general agricultural pursuits and in later years raised considerable stock. He is now practically living retired, the actual work of the farm being conducted by a son-in-law, Albert Bills.
Mr. Seavey served as a member of the Civil war, enlisting in Lee county as a member of Company I, Fifteenth Illinois Infantry. He had twice previ- ously attempted to join the army, but was restrained from doing so on account of his youth. Another important event in his life occurred when in 1867 hc was married to Miss Phoebe Dodd, who was born in Ohio, April 1, 1847. Mrs. Seavey was a little maiden of nine ycars when she acocmpanied her parents, Josephus and Sarah (Rines) Dodd, to this state, and five years later, in 1861, the family home was established in Whiteside county, where the daughter gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Scavey. Their marriage has been blessed with two daughters, but both are now deceased. The elder, Sarah Ann, died in 1870, in infancy. Lillie L., the younger daughter. born in 1874, was
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married in 1894 to Albert Bills, by whom she had one son, John H., now eleven years of age. Mrs. Bills passed away January 1, 1906, at the early age of thirty-one years. Mr. Bills and his son reside with Mr. and Mrs. Seavey and he is managing the farm for Mr. Seavey.
Mr. Seavey has always given stanch support to the men and measures of the republican party, but has always declined to accept public office, pre- ferring to give his entire time and attention to his private business affairs. Mrs. Seavey is a member of the Woman's Relief Corps at Morrison, to which her daughter also belonged. Mr. Seavey and his estimable wife are highly respected in the community where they have so long made their home and their friends are numbered by the score.
A. E. PARMENTER.
A. E. Parmenter is one of the successful merchants of Lyndon, where he is conducting business under the firm style of Parmenter Brothers. He was born in Rock Island county, Illinois, near Reynolds, on the 20th of December, 1853, his parents being John G. and Harriett R. (Waite) Par- menter. They were natives of the east, but in childhood became residents of Rock Island county, being among the pioneer people of that locality. There- they were reared and married and made their home for a considerable period, but at length removed to Lyndon, where their remaining days were passed. The father died at the age of sixty-two years, while the mother reached the. age of sixty-nine. In their family were four children: George H., now deceased ; Charles; Mrs. Sophia Brewer, who has also passed away ; and A. E., of this review.
The last named remained a resident of his native county until January,. 1880. He was reared on the home farm, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He is indebted to. the public-school system for the educational privileges which he enjoyed and to his parents for good home influences which made him early recognize the- value of integrity and industry in the active affairs of life. In January, 1880, removing to Lyndon, he established a general mercantile store in con- nection with his brother-in-law, A. M. Bruner. This association was con -- tinued for two years, at the end of which time George H. Parmenter pur- chased Mr. Bruner's interest and the firm of Parmenter Brothers was then organized. They continued together in business until three years ago, when George H. Parmenter died, since which time A. E. Parmenter has been alone. in business, although he continues under the old firm style. While upon the- farm he not only tilled the soil but also became connected with live-stock interests and is now engaged in buying and selling live stock with Echel- barger Brothers. He has been connected with this line of business during almost the entire period of his residence in Lyndon and has derived a good income from it, as well as from his mercantile interests. The store is well stocked with a large line of goods, for which he finds a ready sale, owing to. his reasonable prices and honorable methods.
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In 1883 Mr. Parmenter was married to Miss Mattie A. Smith, a daughter of Jabez and Adaline Smith. The father is now deeeased, while the mother resides with Mr. and Mrs. Parmenter. Three children have been added to this family: Sophia, Harriet and Elbert, all of whom were born in Lyndon and are yet under the parental roof.
In his political views Mr. Parmenter has ever been a stalwart republiean since he first went to the polls and deposited the ballot to which his age gave him right. He became supervisor of Lyndon township in 1897 and has served continuously since, being six times chosen to the office. His eapability is indieated in his frequent election and in the discharge of his duties he displays a publie spirit which is most commendable. He has been a member of the Modern Woodman camp for the past twenty years and for ten years has been affiliated with the Mystic Workers of Lyndon. His religious faith is indieated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church in the work of which he is actively interested and for the past twelve years he has served as one of the church trustees. The village finds in him a stalwart supporter of all her progressive interests and while devoted to the publie wel- fare he is also deriving substantial benefit from his private business interests.
EDMUND JACKSON.
Edmund Jackson, widely known in fraternal eircles, is numbered among those whose executive ability and powers of organization have had direet bearing upon the growth and upbuilding of fraternal interests, not only in the place of his residenee but throughout the country. Hc is today supreme secretary of the Mystie Workers of the World and in this connection his acquaintance is a very wide one. He is also associated with other organiza- tions based upon mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness and his thor- ough sympathy with their object makes him an affective working foree for their growth.
Mr. Jackson is a native of the state of New York, his birth having occurred in Greenbush, now Rensselaer, May 3, 1853. His parents were Edmund and Ann (Adams) Jackson, the former born in Staffordshire, August 26, 1820, and the latter in Herefordshire, England, August 28, 1823. Through the period of their youth they remained residents of their native land and were there married August 22, 1841. Five children had been added to the family eirele ere they left England for the new world, the father hoping to find better opportunities for providing for his family in the lines of both finaneial and intellectual development. Accordingly, he erossed the Atlantic in Mareh, 1851, and after establishing a temporary home at Greenbush, New York, sent for his family and in August of that year was joined by his wife and children. Two years were passed in the Empire state and then again the family started westward, this time with Illinois as their destination. Favorable reports had reached thiem concerning conditions in this state, where land sold at a low figure and homes might therefore be secured easily. Mr.
Odmund Jackson
LIBRARY OF THE MAVERCITY OF ILLINOIS
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Jackson located in Kankakee county and pureliased a farm near Manteno, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. As the years passed he brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and con- ducted his farm in accordance with the most progressive ideas of modern agriculture. He won success as the years passed and with a comfortable competence he retired from aetive life, establishing his home in the village of Manteno, where he and his wife spent their remaining days. They liad traveled life's journey happily together for fifty-six years ere they were separated by the hand of death, Mrs. Jackson dying in 1902. Mr. Jackson survived for three years and passed away in 1905. His study of the political situation of this country and the issues before the people led him to give loyal support to the republican party, for he believed its platform most con- dueive to good government. His religious faith was that of the Episcopalian church. Unto him and his wife were born nine children: Joseph, who fol- lows farming near Wolcott, Indiana; Thomas, who is engaged in the grain and stoek business in Woleott; Stephen, deceased; David, a traveling sales- man located at Oakland, California; Luey M., of Manteno, Illinois; Edmund; William W., who oeeupies the family homestead in Kankakee county; An- drew, who has departed this life; and George W., who owns and conducts a store in Manteno.
In his infaney Edmund Jackson was brought by his parents to Illinois and the usual experiences of the farm boy were his during his youthful days. He pursued his education in the publie schools of Manteno township to the age of eighteen years, when he began teaching, devoting the succeeding five years to that profession in Illinois, Indiana and Kansas. Turning his atten- tion to commercial pursuits, he condueted a store for two and a half years in Searsboro, Iowa. He then removed his stock to What Cheer, Iowa, where he carried on business sueeessfully until the fall of 1881. On withdrawing from commercial lines he established a real-estate and insurance office at What Cheer, where he continued in that business for nine years. He next entered the field of banking, as president of the First National Bank of What Cheer, remaining at the head of the institution for three and a half years. Disposing of his stoek in the bank, in March, 1894, he removed to Fulton and again opened a real-estate and insurance office. In the meantime, how- ever, he was giving considerable attention to mutual benevolent and fraternal organizations, realizing the possibilities for general benefit in these lines. In the spring of 1895, therefore, he became interested with Dr. Clendennen in the organization of the Mystie Workers of the World and from that time forward has given his undivided attention to the interests of the organization, which has made substantial growth until it now has a large membership. He is supreme secretary and his executive foree, keen diserimination and capable management have been strong elements in the successful control and development of this society. Since 1900 he has also become a member of the Modern Brotherhood of America, the Brotherhood of American Yeomen, the American Stars of Equity, the Fraternal Tribunes, the Home Guard of America, the Woodmen's Modern Protective Association, and the National Protective Legion, all of which have strongly pronounced benevolent and
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fraternal features. He is likewise affiliated with the Masonie order and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish rite in Freeport Consistory. Of Fulton City Lodge, No. 189, A. F. & A. M., he is a past master, and of Fulton Chapter, No. 108, R. A. M., is a past high priest. He is likewise past patron of Merton Chapter, No. 356, O. E. S., and in 1902 was elected grand patron of the grand chapter of the Eastern Star of the state of Illinois. He belongs to Holy Cross Commandery, No. 10, K. T., of Iowa and Kaaba Temple of the Nobles of the Mystie Shrine. His membership relations also extend to other orders, ineluding Abou Ben Adhem Lodge, No. 148, I. O. O. F., of which he is a past grand, and Sylvia Lodge, No. 112, K. P., of Iowa. In all of these orders he has taken a more or less aetive part and is in thorough sympathy with their principles, for they are based upon mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness. Sinee 1900 he has continued in the position of supreme secretary of the Mystic Workers of the World and in 1904 was elected a member of the state board of equalization for the thir- teenth congressional district. In March, 1901, he was elected secretary and treasurer of the Associated Fraternities of America, serving until 1903, when he was elected president and filled the position 'for one term, there being a rule in the organization against re-election to that offiee.
Mr. Jaekson was married on the 21st of March, 1877, to Miss Emma G. Bennett, of Eureka, Kansas, who was born near Xenia, Ohio, the daughter of Ralph and Rebecca (Hamilton) Bennett. They have one daughter, Una G., who is now the wife of E. Leroy Meade, of Oklahoma.
Mr. Jackson in his political views is a republican, having been associated with the party sinee age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has filled the office of justice of the peace in different places where he has resided and his decisions have ever been strictly fair and impartial. While residing in What Cheer he served as a member of the sehool board and was mayor of the eity for one term, his serviee indieating elearly his fidelity to duty and his loyalty to the interests of the municipality. In 1906 he was elected police magistrate of Fulton. No trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree and he is widely recognized as a man of broad humanitarian principles and views, who recognizes individual obligation and responsibility and who works for that spirit among his fellowmen that prompts mutual helpfulness and kindliness. He is himself a worthy exemplar of the orders which have such qualities as their basie element. and in his official relations with different soeieties he has beeome very widely and favorably known.
LEOPOLD STOECKLE.
Leopold Stoeekle, now deecased, was born in Baden, Germany, Novem- ber 11, 1832, and of that country his parents, Ludwig and Eliza Stocckle, were also natives. Their family numbered eight ehildren, six sons and two daughters, but all are probably now deceased. The father was a stone-eutter by trade and came to America in 1845, settling first at Cleveland, Ohio. He
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afterward removed to Chicago, where he lived for several years and there the death of his wife oeeurred. He next returned to Cleveland, where he spent his remaining days with several of his children, being more than seventy years of age at the time of his demise.
Leopold Stoeekle was only thirteen years of age when he made the long voyage aeross the Atlantie with his parents. He had begun his education in the sehools of Germany. His later youth was passed in Chicago and he learned and followed the barber's trade there. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he ehose Miss Katherine Bergman; whom he inarried on the 5th of January, 1852. She is a daughter of Johan August and Katherine (Stefjan) Bergman. Her father was a earpenter and builder, who followed his trade in Chieago after his emigration with his family to the new world. There he continued to reside until his death. His wife survived him for about ten years and died in 1877, at the age of fifty-five years. They were the parents of thirteen ehildren, seven sons and six daughters, which number in- cluded Mrs. Stoeekle, who eame to Ameriea with her parents in 1845. She was then a young lady of about fourteen years, having been born in Prussia, Germany, February 15, 1831. She grew to womanhood in Chieago and was there married to Leopold Stoeekle.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stoeekle were born thirteen ehildren, ten sons and three daughters, as follows: John Lee, who was born November 26, 1852, wedded Maria Sheppard, and his death oceurred October 8, 1903. Rosa and Katie, twins, born December 15, 1853, are deeeased. Emil Albert, who was born April 5, 1855, wedded Aliee O'Dair and makes his home in Sterling. James, who was born November 27, 1856, died in infaney. Mary Ann, who was born February 11, 1858, is the wife of William Perkins, their home being in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She has one son, Walter. Eugene, the next member of the family, was born Deeember 14, 1859, and died in infancy. Edward Eugene, who was born December 17, 1860, is a barber in Stafford, Kansas. He wedded Miss Bess Gilbert, by whom he has two daughters, Pearl and Jeannette. Walter Julian, who was born October 2, 1862, is a 'mail carrier in Sterling. He wedded Mary Baer, by whom he has three ehildren, Leopold Walter, Fern J. and F. Louis. Julius, who was born January 5, 1865, died in infaney. William was born October 24, 1866, and died in 1868 at the age of nineteen months. William August, who was born Oetober 6, 1868, is employed in the Dillon-Griswold wire mill at Sterling. He wedded Hattie Schmoeger, by whom he has three ehildren, Arthur Adam, George William and Katharine. George Ludolph, who was born October 10, 1871, was drowned when he had almost reached the age of sixteen years.
Leopold Stoeekle arrived in Sterling in 1859, when a young man of twenty-seven years. Here he followed the barber's trade until his death, which oeeurred June 1, 1881. He was an exeellent workman and his genial, cordial disposition and unfailing courtesy made him popular with the gen- eral publie and gained him many patrons. He was a prominent Mason and Odd Fellow. At the time of the Civil war he was most loyal to the interests of the Union and helped to reeruit soldiers for the northern army. No native- born son of America was more devoted to the interests of his community than
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was Leopold Stoeckle to the welfare of his adopted county, and his many friends and acquaintances esteemcd him as a gentleman of genuine worth.
Mrs. Stoeckle still survives her husband and has a beautiful home which she built in 1892. She also owns a brick business block at No. 1 East Third street, now occupied by Martin Brothers, and also the business block now occupied by the E. & W. clothing house, together with several good residence properties in the city. She has lived in Sterling for forty-eight years and since her husband's death 'has shown excellent business traits in the care of her financial and invested interests. Moreover, she is a lady of intelligence and refinement and a model wife and mother.
HON. CALEB C. JOHNSON.
Hon. Caleb C. Johnson, closely associated with the legal and political history of Sterling and Whiteside county, his course reflecting credit upon the district which knows him as a progressive, public-spirited and honored citizen, was born May 23, 1844, in one of the pioneer log houses of the town- ship of Ustick, about four miles northeast of Fulton.
His paternal grandfather, John Johnson, was born in England and came 1 to this country with his two brothers, Elias and - . The two brothers both went south and all trace of them has been lost. Jolin Johnson married first, Sarah Conke, a native of Holland, and had six children: Sarah, Per- melia, Abigail, Betsy, Jesse and Elias. He married, second, Rebecka Os- trander, by whom he had one boy, John. He practiced law in Troy, New York, and won a reputation as a noted criminal lawyer, being a man of marked eloquence and oratorical power. He served his country as a soldier in the Revolutionary war and lived to a ripe old age.
His son, Jesse Johnson, father of our subject, was born in Troy, New York, April 2, 1798, and when a small child lost his mother. His father having married again, he left home at the early age of twelve, and never again saw any of his people. He sailed on the lakes for some time and then returned to Lewis county, New York, settling ncar Lowville, where he met and married Miss Mary Webb, of West Hadley, New York, she being a daughter of Charles and Mary (Gilbert) Webb, both natives of the Empire state. Her mother lived tot be ninety-seven years of age.
Following his marriage, which took place in the year 1822, Jesse John- son engaged in farming and in clearing land. About 1835 he removed with his family to Indiana, settling at Mishawaka, near South Bend, where a con- tract to dig a mill race was let to him. He was engaged as a contractor there for about two years. In 1838 he came to Whiteside county, Illinois, his objective point being Plainville. But he learned that a man by the name of Wing, who owed him a thousand dollars, was at Fulton. He therefore made his way to Fulton, and in the course of time effected a settlement, accepting pay principally in town lots. He was there just before the land came into market and made a claim of three hundred and twenty acres, which he
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