USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. I > Part 58
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Mr. Reedy was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, April 27, 1846, a son of George and Sallie (Troutman) Reedy, representatives of old German families of the Keystone state. The father was a tailor by trade and followed that occupation throughout the greater part of his life. He also owned a farm in Pennsylvania and on that place spent the later years of his life. This property is still in possession of the Reedy family. Both the parents are now deceased, the father having passed away in 1883, while the mother's death occurred in 1888. Their family numbered six children, of whom Henry, of this review, is the eldest, the others being: Mary, the wife of Adam Klee, who resides near the old homestead in Pennsylvania; Amelia;
Henry Reedy
L'AGARY UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA
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Philip; Emma, the wife of Ezra Leis, by whom she has one child, their home being on the old Reedy farm in the east; and Frank, who is married and has seven children, his home also being in that state.
Henry Reedy was reared under the parental roof, his education being acquired in the common schools of Berks county, Pennsylvania. At the age of fourteen ycars he secured employment at farm labor by the month, receiv- ing for his services three dollars per month. He was thus employed for several years during the summer months, but during the winter seasons · returned to his home and continued his education in the common schools. Being a young man of ambitious and energetic spirit and having heard favorable reports concerning the opportunities to be enjoyed in the west, he decided to try his fortune in other fields, and accordingly in 1864 made his way to Wayne county, Ohio, being employed by a farmer named Peter Emrick, near Wooster, from whom he received a salary of twenty dollars per month for his labor. The following ycar, however, he made his way to Saginaw, Michigan, but not being pleased with that country he remained but three weeks, thence making his way to Whiteside county, the time of his arrival here being March 1, 1867. He first secured employment with Stephen Slocumb, one of the oldest settlers of this county, with whom he remained for a time, and later was employed by John Lutz by the day during the harvest season. At the end of the season he hired to Mr. Lutz for a year, at three hundred dollars. In the meantime he contracted with Mr. Lutz for corn at thirty cents per bushel and on the expiration of his term of service with that gentleman, Mr. Reedy invested his capital in cattle and in this way he made his start in the business world, his net profits being between six and seven hundred dollars.
In 1870 he was married, after which he took up his abode upon a rented · farm, but the following year he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in Newton township. He made many improvements on that property and there made his home for eight years. He then disposed of that farm and rented the Leander Smith place, now known as the Harry Smith farm, making his home thereon for twenty-three years. As time passed he pros- pered in his undertakings and he has made purchases of land until he is now one of the largest landowners in Whiteside county. His home farm comprises seven hundred and eighty acres of good land in Albany township, three hundred and fifty acres of this being covered with timber, while the remainder is under a high state of cultivation. He has improved the place with good buildings and everything about the farm is kept in a good state of repair. He is here engaged in raising the various cereals adapted to soil and climate and each year harvests good crops as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields. In addition to his home property he also owns a farm of three hundred and twenty-seven acres, situated in Newton township, on which stands one of the finest country residences in this section of the state. It contains eight rooms and is modern in its equipments and appointments. Mr. Recdy also owns two tracts of land on Cedar creek, one containing thirty-seven acres and the other twenty-five acres, this being known as Prospect park. This has been subdivided into lots, and owing
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to the fact that it borders the creek is one of the attractive building sites of this section of the country.
Agricultural interests have not alone claimed the time and attention of Mr. Reedy, for he is actively and financially interested in various other enter- prises. Associated with Frank Dailey, he is conducting a canning factory, handling mostly tomatoes. This is proving a successful venture and adds not a little to the industrial progress of the community. He is also the owner of a sorghum factory and a sawmill in Albany. He also has a cherry orchard and raises other fruit, three acres being devoted to horticultural interests. He is very methodical in the conduct of his various business inter- ests and his sound judgment and executive ability arc proving the basis of his success.
As above stated, Mr. Reedy was married in 1870, the lady of his choice being Miss Lena Lutz, the wedding ceremony being performed on the 28th of May of that year. Her parents, John and Mattie (Meyers) Lutz, were both natives of Fulton county, Pennsylvania, and settled in Whiteside county in 1863. He was here engaged in general agricultural pursuits for more than a quarter of a century and finally removed to Kansas, where he spent some time and now makes his home in Baring, Missouri. Their family numbered nine children, as follows: John, who. resides in Dallas Center, Iowa; Lena, now Mrs. Reedy; Martin, a resident of Whiteside county; Henry, who was married but is now deccased, his family making their home in Canada; Mary, the wife of A. Clayton, of Amity, Pennsylvania; David, who makes his home in Fowler, Colorado; Fannie, the wife of Samuel Camp- bell, a resident of Kansas; and Samuel and Jacob, both residing in Missouri. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lutz are still living and at the advanced age of eighty- three years are hale and hearty.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Reedy has been blessed with seven children, as follows: Ida, the wife of George Renecker, a resident of Albany; Wil- liam, who is engaged in farming; Minnie, the wife of Louis Slocumb, who is engaged in farming and merchandising; Burt A., who wedded Lillie Gra- ham, by whom he has one son, Teddy H. W., who was the first grandchild in the Reedy family; Edward, who wedded Helen Naftzger, of Albany, by whom he has a daughter, Fern Amelia, born in February, 1908; Bessie, who is still with her parents; and George, deceased.
Mr. Recdy is now living in the village of Albany, where he has thirty- seven acres divided into two different places. Besides his own home he has a house with ten lots, another with two, and the third with fourteen lots, be- sides six lots in one place and another lot. He also owns a house and lot in Clinton, Iowa. Politically he is a republican with independent tendencies, voting for men and measures rather than party. Religiously lie is identified with the German Reformed church.
Starting out in carly youth in the humble capacity of a farm hand, Mr. Recdy has, through his own industry and laudable ambition, gradually worked his way upward until today he is justly classed among the well-to-do and honorable citizens of Whiteside county. For more than four decades he has been identified with the agricultural and industrial interests of the
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county and throughout his career of continued and far-reaching usefulness his business interests have been so managed as to win him the confidence of the publie and the prosperity which should always attend honorable effort, for in all his relations with his fellowmen, whether of a business or social nature, he has never lost sight of the principle of the Golden Rule.
SAMUEL E. McCUNE.
Samuel E. McCune has for thirty years resided on the farm which is now his home and his life of intense and well directed activity has transformed this tract of two hundred and twenty acres on section 35, Clyde township, into a well kept and well improved place, lacking none of the accessories and conven- ienees of a model farin of the twentieth century. He was born in the state of New York, of the marriage of Robert and Maria (Deets) MeCune, both of whom died in the east. The mother was a native of Connecticut and her death oceurred in that state. The father was a native of Scotland and be- eame the owner of quite extensive landed interests in New York, the McCune family being established in Sullivan county, New York, at an early day. Of a family of four children, Samuel E. McCune had a brother and two sisters: Katura, who is residing at Rapid City, South Dakota; Rosalie, who died in childhood; and John, who still makes his home in Sullivan county, New York.
The carly education of Samuel E. McCune, begun in the publie schools of New York, was continued in Illinois. Hc enlisted in 1861 in the Twentieth New York Volunteer Militia and served for three years with that command. After that war the regiment was merged into what is known as the Eightieth New York Volunteer Infantry. He was discharged with the rank of corporal after having participated in many important engagements, including those of the Army of the Potomac under Generals Mcclellan, Hooker, Burnside and Grant. He was with the command of the intrepid Illinois general at the. time he was discharged. He took part in the hotly contested battle of the Wilderness, the second battle of Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain, An- tietam, Gettysburg and Fredericksburg-sanguinary conflicts in which the shot and shell were exchanged for hours as the two contesting armies fought for possession of the field. Mr. McCune was mustered out on the expiration of his three years' term in September, 1864, at City Point, Virginia, and with a most creditable military record returned to New York.
Removing westward to Illinois in 1866, Mr. McCune settled at Sycamore, where he lived for a year and then came to Whiteside county. He returned, however, to Sycamore, where he continued for a year or two and in 1872 again came to Whiteside county, where he carried on general farming for three years prior to his marriage.
That important event in his life was celebrated on the 21st of September, 1875, the lady of his choicc being Miss Mary A. Reynolds, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chauncey Reynolds, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. Ten children have been born unto them. Walter, who was born
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September 3, 1876, and is now residing near Missouri City, Missouri, where he follows farming, married Miss Minnie Cassens, of Whiteside eounty, Illi- nois, and they have two children, Leon Chauneey and Hazel Althea. Aden R. W., born January 24, 1879, in Clyde township, was married July 2, 1902, to Miss Cora Thomas, of this eounty, and they have one ehild, Robert Edward. Clyde L., born November 15, 1880, died Deeember 15, 1881. Ada Rosalie, born February 15, 1882, died the same year. Raymond A., born April 9, 1885, died February 11, 1896. Oliver Ivan, born April 4, 1888, Lorain Bell, born May 12, 1893, Althea M., August 13, 1895, Minnie Mae, Mareh 13, 1897, and Kenneth P., January 9, 1902, are all at home.
Politieally Mr. MeCune has always voted the straight republiean tieket on national issues but has never been active in polities. He has, however, filled a few minor offiees and has served as school director. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen eamp of Morrison and he and his are also eonneeted with the Mystie Workers of Malvern, the Fraternal Tribunes and the Royal Neighbors, all of Morrison. Mrs. MeCune also be- longs to the Pythian Sisters and is a member of the Evangelieal ehureh of Malvern and the Emersonian Reading Circle, a beneficial, social and literary elub of Clyde and Mount Pleasant townships. They are people of genuine worth, oeeupying an enviable position in social eireles, where eulture and refinement are received as the passports into good society.
JESSE W. JOHNSON.
Jesse W. Johnson, who is aeeeptably filling the office of poliee magistrate in Sterling, his native eity, was born Mareh 29, 1877, and is a son of C. C. and Josephine (Worthington) Johnson, of whom further mention is made on another page of this volume. The son was reared in Sterling and at the usual age entered the publie sehools, where he passed through sueeessive grades. He afterward did preparatory work for college in the Pennsylvania Military College at Chester, Pennsylvania, and then entered the United States Mili- tary Academy at West Point, where he remained as a eadet for two years. On the expiration of that period he matriculated in the University of Wis- consin for a four years' course and received his degree of Bachelor of Letters in the College of Letters and Seienee upon his graduation in 1901. During his eollege days he beeamè a member of the Phi Gamma Delta, a national fra- ternity. Following his graduation he returned in the fall of 1901 for post- graduate work under Dr. Richard T. Ely and thus continued his studies for a year. He later entered the graduate law school of the University of Chicago and sinee that time has been further prosecuting his law studies in the office of his father in Sterling. He has filled the position of poliee magistrate and is thoroughly qualifying himself for the arduous and difficult profession of the law, expecting to become an active member of the profession, while his well known abilities promise a sueeessful future.
On the 27th of February, 1904, Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Jessie L. Sharpe, a daughter of F. L. and Nettie (MeKay) Sharpe, who were natives of
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Illinois, the former of Pike county and the latter of Carroll county. Their family numbered four children, a daughter and three sons, including Mrs. Johnson, who by her marriage has become the mother of one son, William S. Mrs. Johnson is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Johnson gives his political support to the democracy. They are prominent socially in Sterling, the hospitality of the best homes being cordially extended them and the circle of their friends is almost eo-extensive with the circle of their acquaintance.
EPHRAIM M. EBERSOLE.
Ephraim M. Ebersole, who for some years prior to his death conducted an insurance and rental ageney in Sterling, where he became well known as an enterprising citizen and trustworthy business man, was born in Lancaster coun- ty, Pennsylvania, April 29, 1864. His parents were David D. and Anna (Mar- tin) Ebersole, also natives of the Keystone state. The father devoted his time and energies to farming in the east and after coming to Whiteside coun- ty at an early period in its development he settled in Sterling township, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits until his removal to Coloma town- ship a few years later. He remained there for a year and then returned to Sterling township, where he purchased land and carried on general farming until a few years ago, when he took up his abode in Sterling, where he has since lived retired. In his family were two sons and six daughters, namely : Adaline, who resides in Newkirk, Oklahoma; Fannie, the wife of Aaron Book, who resides. near ... Prairieville, Lee county, Illinois; Melinda, who is inatron of the Mennonite Mission in Chicago; Ephraim M., whose name intro- duces this review; Anna, of Lee county ; David, who resides in Newkirk, Okla- homa; Magdalena, who became the wife of Amos Wise, but is now deceased; and Amanda, who is still at home.
Ephraim M. Ebersole was reared in Whiteside county from his boyhood days and attended East Science Ridge district school, while later he became a student in Sterling Business College. Subsequently he took up the study of telegraphy and was appointed to a position as operator at Iron Mountain, Michigan. Two years later he was invited to go into the insurance depart- ment of the Iron Mountain Bank, where he learned the insurance business, there spending some time. In 1894, however, he returned to Sterling and pur- chased the insurance and renting department of Frank Walzer. He then con- dueted business here on his own account up to the time of his death, and the business circles of the city sustained a distinct loss in his demise.
On the 23d of December, 1890, Mr. Ebersole was married to Miss Hattie Mack, a daughter of Theodore and Harriet (Emmons) Maek. Her paternal grandfather was Horace R. Mack, a native of Connecticut and of Scotch descent, who wedded Mary Miles. He was born in 1809 and died in 1851, while his wife passed away at the advanced age of eighty years. They had four children: Theodore, father of Mrs. Ebersole; Charles Miles, who was born January 29, 1839, and died in November, 1907; Arthur Le Roy, who
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died when ten years of age; and Mary E., who married Owen Bryant, who died in 1907, while she now makes her home at Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Hav- ing lost her first husband, Mrs. Mary Miles Mack became the wife of Hezekiah Windom, who died four years later, while her death occurred when she was eighty years of age. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Ebersole was Asa Emmons, who married Elizabeth Bartlett. Both were natives of the state of New York and the former was a carpenter by trade. With his wife and daugh- ter he came west to Illinois in 1839, settling in Sterling, where he followed carpentering. Here was born a son, William H., who died at the age of three months. Asa Emmons married a second time, his second wife being Nancy A. Booth, and they had five children: Ida, who was born in 1845 and is the wife of Charles M. Hewitt, of Rock Falls; Samuel and Lucinda, who died in . infancy; William L., who was born in 1855 and died in 1900; and Cora, the wife of S. M. Mingle, of Rock Falls.
· Theodore Mack, father of Mrs. Ebersole, was born October 5, 1836, in Brooklyn, Pennsylvania, and was married in Newton township, Whiteside county, Illinois, December 8, 1859, to Harriet M. Emmons. He returned to Brooklyn, Pennsylvania, in 1851, spending a year and a half in attending school and two years in learning the cabinet-maker's trade in Montrose, Penn- sylvania. In 1855 he again came to Sterling, where he followed his trade un- til 1862, when he enlisted in Company D, Seventy-fifth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, joining the army at Louisville, Kentucky, and participating in the war until its close. He was engaged in the battle of Perryville, and the skirm- ish at Lancaster, Kentucky, but escaped unharmed. At Nashville, however, he became ill and after six months of suffering was honorably discharged June 29, 1863. Returning home, his health slowly came back to him and he then followed his trade until the spring of 1868, when he and his brother, Charles M. Mack, founded the Whiteside Chronicle. Later lie purchased the interest of his brother and changed the name of the paper to the Sterling Standard. It was devoted largely to temperance reform and was a strong ele- inent in freeing the city from whiskey rule and from the practice of licens- ing saloons. He thus did a noble work for mankind. Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Mack had a family of four children: Myra, who was born July 17, 1861, in Sterling and won the class honors upon her graduation froin the high school, died in 1881, when but twenty years of age. Charles Theodore, a printer of New York city, was born January 24, 1863, and married Luella Hill. Harriet, born April 26, 1866, in Sterling, is now Mrs. Ebersole. Elizabeth, born Janu- ary 27, 1868, died February 23, 1869.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ebersole were born two children, Charles D., born January 16, 1892, and Florence Marie, born September 8, 1898. The death of the husband and father occurred November 6, 1906, and was the occasion of deep and wide spread regret. He was a prominent, influential member and active worker of the Congregational church, who served as church clerk for a number of years and also as trustec, while of the Sunday School he was secretary and treasurer. His wife belonged to the same church and shared with him in the good work. Mr. Ebersole affiliated with Sterling Lodge, No. 174, I. O. O. F., was presiding officer of that lodge and also of the encampment
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at the time of his demise. He likewise belonged to Rock River Lodge, No. 612, A. F. & A. M., to Corinthian Lodge of the Knights of Pythias, and to the Mystic Workers. He was devoted to the welfare of his wife and children and found his greatest happiness in ministering to their comfort. He mani- fested all the traits of an enterprising, progressive and loyal citizen and re- liable business man, his life ever being guided by high principles. Mrs. Eber- sole still survives her husband and in 1907 built a fine residence at No. 403-5 East Fifth street, where she is now living with her children.
W. D. REYNOLDS.
W. D. Reynolds, who for the past fifteen years has operated the White Pine stock farm, comprising four hundred and sixty acres situated on sec- tions 2 and 3, Mount Pleasant township, is well known as a stock raiser and breeder of thoroughbred shorthorn cattle. He was born on this farm, January 20, 1861, a son of Chauncey W. and Althea (Dean) Reynolds. The father was born near Rutland, Vermont, November 12, 1821, and there lived until 1851, when he made his way westward, locating first in Davenport, Iowa, where for seven years he was employed in a sawmill, although by trade he was a blacksmith. He was married in December, 1856, to Miss Althea Dean, and in the spring of 1858 made his way to Whiteside county and purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Mount Pleasant township. As he pros- pered in his undertakings he added to his original holdings until he became the owner of four hundred and sixty acres of land situated in Mount Pleasant and Clyde townships. He made many modern improvements upon the farm and was actively identified with general farming and stockraising throughout a long period but for the past fifteen years he has lived retired in Morrison. The mother was born in Westchester, New York, and in early youth accom- panied her parents to Kane county, Illinois. She is now deceased, her death occurring in Morrison, June 14, 1898, when she was sixty-five years of age. She was the mother of five children, namely: Mary A., the wife of Samuel E. McCunc, a resident of Clyde township; Walter Dean, of this review; Ray- mond A., who is engaged in the undertaking business in Morrison; Lydia L., who became the wife of Rev. R. A. Moreley, a Methodist minister, and passed away February 1, 1899; and C. W., who is engaged in the jewelry business at Colorado City, Colorado.
Walter D. Reynolds, was reared on his father's farm until he had reached mature years, after which he spent two years in a furniture store in Sterling and then went to Chicago, working in the Fair for a similar period. In 1892 he returned to the farm and has since been engaged in farming and stock- raising, now operating his father's property, known as the White Pine stock farm. He makes a specialty of stock feeding and raising and also breeds thoroughbred Shorthorn cattle. He handles from one hundred to one hun- dred and twenty-five head of cattle annually and also raises from one hnudred to one hundred and fifty head of hogs each year, finding this branch of his business a profitable one.
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Mr. Reynolds was married in Whiteside county to Miss Cora Belle Ells- worth, who was born in Mansville, Jefferson county, New York, in 1864, a daugliter of Knecland and Lurissa Avaline (Goodenough) Ellsworth. Her father was rearcd in Rochester and was a tanner by trade. He was married in Mansville, New York, and thereafter made his home in that city, passing away in November, 1870, at the comparatively early age of forty years. After the death of the father, the mother was again married, her second union being with Lemuel Bent. Her death occurred on Christmas day of 1900. The mar- riage of Mr. and Mrs. Ellsworth was blessed with three children, the sisters of Mrs. Reynolds being: Josephine, the widow of C. H. Van Sehaick, of Syracuse, New York; and Eva G., the wife of J. J. Daly, now a resident of Los Angeles, California, but who formerly resided in Sterling.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds has been blessed with a daugh- ter and son ; Viviene Lurissa, who in 1907 became the wife of Robert S. Mets- ker, and now resides in Belle Plaine, Iowa; and Ellsworth, who is attending school. Mr. Reynolds gives his political support to the republican party and in religious faith is a Baptist, now serving as a deacon in the church. Socially he is connected with the Fraternal Tribunes and the Mystic Workers. He is a inan of sound business judgment, enterprising and progressive in his methods and has thereby won a gratifying suecess which now classes him among the prominent citizens of this section of the state, while his social qualities have gained him many warm friends.
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