USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 14
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James W. Ross attended the common schools of his native state, and though he received but a limited education in early life, he has since be- come a well informed man through reading, experience and observation. He was reared on the home farm and remained under the parental roof until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he joined Company K, First Vermont Volunteer Infantry, participating in the battle of Big Bethel with the Army of Virginia. After the expiration of his three months' term of enlistment he was honorably discharged and returned to his home, but in 1863 was at- tached to the quartermaster's staff. During the greater part of the time he
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was located at Pilot Knob and Belleview, Missouri, and, being captured on September 27, 1864, was held as a prisoner for a short time. After being paroled he returned to his department and served in the army until June, 1865, when he was mustered out at Pilot Knob, returning home with a most creditable military record.
On again taking up the pursuits of civil life, he followed farming until 1871, when he camne to Illinois, locating within four miles of Fulton, where he purchased seventy-six acres of land at thirty dollars per acre. He met with a gratifying measure of success in his agricultural interests, and when op- portunity offered added one hundred and eighteen acres to his original tract. By reason of his well directed labor and sound business judgment in the conduct of his farming interests, he acquired the competence that enabled him to retire from active life in 1895, and he has since resided in Fulton, en- joying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil.
In 1867 Mr. Ross was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Barney, of Shrewsbury, Vermont, a daughter of J. A. and Harriet (Ewing) Barney, likewise of Vermont. Representatives of both the Ewing and Barney fami- lies came to America in an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Ross have two chil- dren: Frances, the wife of John S. Moyer, of Fulton; and Gertrude, at home, who is a teacher by profession.
Politically, Mr. Ross is a republican, having cast his first vote for Abra- ham Lincoln in 1861. For five years he served as supervisor from Ustick township, his term beginning in 1890, and for six years, beginning in 1896, he served as supervisor from Fulton township. His long retention in the office is incontrovertible proof of his capability and fidelity in the discharge of his duties and of the trust reposed in him by his fellowmen. He has long been recognized as one of the county's influential and enterprising citi- zens, and it is with pleasure that we present his life record to our readers.
JOHN D. AREY.
John D. Arey, highly esteemed as a citizen and a man of sterling integ- rity of character, has for many years been a resident of Whiteside county, and few, if any, have more intimate knowledge of the events which have shaped its history and formulated its policy. He is numbered among the old set- tiers of Rock Falls and. Sterling, and now makes his home in the latter city, residing at No. 207 Ninth avenue. His birth occurred at South Wellfleet, Cape Cod, September 7, 1834. There were two brothers of the Arey family who came from England to America in colonial days and settled in Maine. Reuben Arey, the paternal grandfather, was a native of Massachusetts and a tanner by trade, following that business through much of his life. He was almost a centenarian at his death, and his wife likewise reached an advanced age.
Richard Arey, father of John D. Arey, was born in Massachusetts, and in early manhood carried on merchandising at South Wellfleet. In May, 1844,
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however, he came to the middle west, settling in what was then Rapid City,. now Rock Falls, where he followed farming. He became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land, nearly all of which is now included within the city limits. He died in 1897, lacking but a month of being eighty-eight years of age. He married Martha Davis, a daughter of Rev. Timothy Davis, who was born in Massachusetts and became a minister of the Congregational church, preaching in the New England states. He was twice married and had almost attained the age of one hundred years when ealled from this life. The Davis family was of Welsh lineage. His daughter, Mrs. Arey, died in 1852, at the comparatively early age of thirty-nine years. She was a member of the Congregational ehureh, to which Richard Arey also belonged. After the death of his first wife he was married again. Somewhat active in com- munity affairs, he held several town offices and. was the first supervisor of Coloma. By his first marriage he liad eight children, five sons and three daughters: John D .; James C., a resident of Rock Falls; Catharine and Timothy, both deceased; Richard, also living in Rock Falls; Ezra W., living in Sedalia, Missouri; Mary, the widow of J. W. Nims and a resident of De Smet, South Dakota; and Martha, the wife of Merritt Green, of Marshall- town, Iowa.
John D. Arcy spent the first ten years of his life in the town of his na- tivity and then came with his parents to Whiteside county, being reared to manhood at Roek Falls. His education was acquired in Sterling, and for two terms he engaged in teaching sehool, after which he took up surveying, which has been his occupation continuously since 1860. In this connection he has become widely known and has done a good business, being at all times a man of enterprise, industry and perseverance.
On the 5th of July, 1856, Mr. Arey was married to Miss Mary E. Jenkins, a daughter of William and Abigail (Brown) Jenkins, who were natives of Cayuga county, New York. The former was a son of Joshua Jenkins, who was born in the Empire state in 1771. He enlisted for service in the war of 1812 and died while at the front. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Remember Bowen, was born in 1772 and lived to an advanced age. Their family numbered six children. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Arey was Benjamin Brown, a native of New York and a farmer by oceupation, who died at an advanced age in Cayuga county. His wife, Mrs. Abigail Brown, survived him for some time, and was also quite aged when ealled to her final rest. They were the parents of five sons and three daughters. At the time of the Revolutionary war Benjamin Brown cspoused the cause of the colonists and fought for the independence of the nation, as did his father.
William Jenkins, father of Mrs. Arey, was a contractor and builder, who in the spring of 1856 came to the west. His wife, however, died that fall, and he returned to the state of New York. Prior to this time they had lived for sixteen years in Lee, Massachusetts. Upon his return to the Empire state Mr. Jenkins settled in Gencsee county, where he married again, his second union being with Rachel Weeks, who still survives him and now lives in Sidney, his death having occurred in 1874, when he was sixty years of age. By his first marriage Mr. Jenkins had two sons and three daughters, of whom
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three are now living: Mrs. Arey; Edgar, of Warwiek, New York; and Mrs. Ann Allen, of Auburn, New York. By the second marriage there were two daughters: Cornelia, the wife of Dr. La Mott Day, of Sidney, New York; and Alta, the wife of Charles Randall, of Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Arey was blessed with five children: Harriet, the eldest daughter, became the wife of Miles Standish Griswold, who is now deceased, and she lives at home with her parents. George is also at home. Mabel is an artist, eonneeted with Marshall Field's store in Chieago. Edwin died at the age of twelve years. Fred, living at Auburn, New York, is as- sistant superintendent there for the International Harvester Company. He married Miss Ethel Gordon, and they have two children, Miriam G. and Gordon.
Mrs. Arey is a member of the Congregational church. Politically Mr. Arey is a republican and has been prominent in the councils of his party. He was also surveyor of Whiteside county for six years, was town clerk about fifteen years and justice of the peace for several terms. In these various positions he was found loyal to the trust reposed in him, discharging his duties with both capability and promptness. He spent about fifteen years of his life in Chicago, as engineer and superintendent of the construction of the West Side boulevards, returning to Sterling in 1902, where he has since made his home. He commands the respect af all who know him, for in citizenship and in business he has been found equally reliable and has, moreover, displayed those traits of consideration, kindliness and deference for the opinions of others that have gained for him the warm friendship of many with whom he has been brought in contact. More than six decades have passed sinee he arrived in this eounty, and great have been the changes which have occurred since that time. He has witnessed the development that has been carried forward along many lines, and in his capacity of surveyor has been closely associated with the settlement and improvement of the county.
JOHN H. WARD.
Illinois is pre-eminently an agricultural state, and the men who have been its founders and upbuilders have largely been identified with farming. The growth and progress of any state depends not upon a few, but upon the loyal eitizenship of the great majority. John H. Ward was one who, in the faithful performance of each day's duties, contributed to the general pros- perity and to the upbuilding of his community. He was well known for about twenty years as a successful agrieulturist and horse breeder of White- side eounty, where he earried on the business up to the time of his death, on the 3d of September, 1881.
He was born in the state of New York, April 23, 1820, his parents being Nalıam M. and Diadena (Diver) Ward. The Wards are of English lineage, but are an old New England family. John H. Ward was the eldest of three.
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children. His brother, Charles Ward, died at Morrison in August, 1896, after a long residence in this eounty. He loeated in Mount Pleasant town- ship in 1864, and was the owner of a fine farm on section 1. The other brother. George Ward, spent some time in this county, where he located about 1860, and later left Illinois and spent his last days in the state of New York, where he died about twenty-seven years ago.
John H. Ward was reared in the Empire state, and in early manhood followed farming in Niagara county. On selling his interests there he eame . to this eounty, in 1862, and purehased eighty aeres, to which he afterward added two tracts of forty aeres each at later periods, thus becoming the owner of one hundred and sixty aeres of Illinois' rich farming land. He was a successful business man and agrieulturist, and in connection with the tilling of the soil for the producton of crops he condueted a prosperous business as a stoekman, breeding and dealing in horses. He was widely known for his unassailable integrity in business transactions, as well as for the unfaltering industry which won him prosperity.
Mr. Ward was married in DeRuyter, New York, to Miss Mary E. Bump, a native of that loeality who, long surviving her husband, died in this county January 23, 1898, when more than sixty-six years of age. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ward were highly esteemed by many friends. His political allegianee was given to the republican party, and he was always loyal to its interests, though never an office seeker. Since the family was established in this county, in 1862, the name has ever been a synonym for reliability and agricultural activity here ..
Mr. and Mrs. Ward rcared a family of two sons and a daughter. John F., the eldest, born October 26, 1858, in Niagara eounty, New York, was but four years of age when brought by his parents to Whiteside county, where he acquired a common school education. He has resided mainly on the home farm, where he is now living. On the 14th of March, 1889, he was united in marriage to Miss Cornelia E. Michacl, a native of Columbia county, New York, who was reared, however, in Wisconsin. Her parents were Jacob and Jane (Hornfager). Michael, the former now- deceased, while the mother is a resident of Iowa county, Wiseonsin. Mr. and Mrs. John F. Ward have two sons: Clark L. and Jay H. . Mr. Ward owns and cultivates one hundred and sixty aeres of finely improved land, and also engaged in the raising and feeding of stoek.
Mary A. Ward, born June 6, 1860, is the wife of John Gridley, a resident farmer of Ustiek township, and they have four children: Ward, Mabel, Guy and John W. Further mention of this family is made on another page of this volume.
Charles H. Ward, who was born September 10, 1863, upon the home farm in Mount Pleasant township, has always resided in this eounty.' He mastered the elementary branches of learning in the public schools, and afterward spent one winter' in Fulton 'College. Determining to follow the oceupation of farming as his life work, he seeured his present place, eom- prising eighty aeres of well improved land on seetion 3, Mount Pleasant town- ship. He also owns some timberland nortlı of Morrison, and has met with
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well merited and gratifying success owing to his well defined labor and un- faltering activity. On the 12th of April, 1904, he wedded Miss Irma Now- len, a native of this county and a daughter of Robert and Libbie (Preston) Nowlen, who were early residents of Mount Pleasant township, coming to Illinois from New York. Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Ward have two sons, John M. and George W.
Politically, the brothers are republicans, and both are enterprising men who stand as worthy representatives of the farming interests of Whiteside county and as respected members of one of the early families of this part of the state.
FRANK MILLHOUSE.
Numbered among the energetie and progressive farmers of Whiteside county is Frank Millhouse, who was born in Jordan township, in Novem- ber, 1872, and is a representative of one of the early families here, his parents, Jacob and Mary (Eshleman) Millhouse, arriving in the year 1857. The pa- ternal grandparents were Arthur and Elizabeth (Hevil) Millhouse, who were of English descent, and at an early day beeame residents of Pennsylvania. Their family numbered fifteen children, Mary, Jacob, Elizabeth, Susan, Lydia, Asher, Nancy, John, Reuben, Henry, Euphemia, Caroline, Ann, Sophia and George. Five of this number are now living, Asher, George, Reuben, Henry and Jacob.
Rcared in the east, Jacob Millhouse, after arriving at years of maturity, was married in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, on the 20th of September, 1852, to Miss Mary Eshleman, a daughter of Jaeob and Madeline (Koffman) Eshleman, natives of Pennsylvania. Their family numbered eight children, Elias K., Isaac H., Mary, Elizabeth, Hirain, Isaac, Nathaniel and Jacob, all of whom have passed away with the exception of Mary and Elizabeth. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Millhouse began their domestic life in the east, where they resided until 1857, when they removed westward to Illinois, settling in White- side eounty upon a farm which is now the old family homestead. The father purchased eighty acres of land at twenty-five dollars per aere. As the years have passed its value has constantly increased, until it is now a fine prop- erty, owing to the cultivation that has been bestowed upon it, and the many improvements that have been there placed. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Millhouse were born two daughters, while Frank Millhouse, of this review, is the only son. His sister, Lydia, became the wife of Jeremiah Hess, and died in 1881, leaving three children, Ida, Maggie and Lizzie. Amanda is the wife of Aaron Hackman, a resident of Sterling, and they have two ehildren, Franklin and Delilah.
Frank Millhouse, whose name introduces this record, is living on the old homestead, conducting the farm and caring for his parents in the evening of life. His father and inother have traveled life's journey together as man and wife for fifty-six years, sharing with each other in the joys and sorrows,
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the adversity and prosperity which eheeker the careers of all. Looking baek across the busy years they'realize that there is mueh to be grateful for and many blessings have come to them. They have witnessed the many marvel- ous changes which have oeeurred in Whiteside county sinee their arrival here more than a half century ago. That was the day of the ox teams, the seythe and the cradle, and there was little connection with the outside world. There were no large sehool houses, magnifieent eliurehes or costly residenees, and there was an equal absence of telegraphs, telephones and railroads. In faet, many evidences of pioneer life were still to be seen here, but the work of civilization was being carried forward by the early settlers, and the Millhouse family bore their part in the labors that have brought about the modern eivilization and improvement. The parents have lived to see the development of towns and hamlets into thriving eities and villages, while the prairie has been converted into riehly eultivated farms which yield abundantly of the produets of the soil. The rural free delivery now brings the mail to their door daily, and the telephone affords direet communication with neighbors and friends.
Frank Millhouse was reared to the labors of the farm and has followed agriculture as a life occupation. As the years have gone by he has more and more largely relieved his father of the work of the fields until he is now in charge of the home farm, which under his eare and supervision is kept in a high state of eultivation and presents a most attractive and thrifty appearanee.
Mr. Millhouse was married December 19, 1894, to Miss Ida K. Hoover, a daughter of Amos and Barbara (Groff) Hoover, natives of Laneaster county, Pennsylvania. They eame to Whiteside eounty at an early day and cast in their lot with the pioneer settlers. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Millhouse have been born four children: Glenn, Gladys, Eva and Harry.
Mr. Millhouse votes with the republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, as every true Ameriean eitizen should do, but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraetion for him, as he prefers to eoneentrate his energies upon his business affairs, which, eare- fully direeted, are bringing to him well merited sueeess.
HENRY GREEN.
Henry Green, lawyer and banker, was born in Raeine eounty, Wiseon- sin, May 17, 1846. In 1850 he removed with his parents to Jo Daviess eounty, Illinois, where he continued to reside until about twenty years of age. He prepared for college at Clark Seminary, Aurora, and at the academy of North- western University, and was graduated at Northwestern University, Evans- ton, in 1873, having taken the full elassieal eourse. Immediately after gradu- ating, he began the study of law in Chicago. In February, 1875, he removed to Sterling, Illinois, continuing the study of law in the law office of William H. Bennett, and was admitted to the bar in September, 1876.
Upon admission to the bar, Mr. Green formed a partnership with Mr. Bennett, under the firm name of Bennett & Green, and continued the prae-
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tice of law in Sterling until July, 1901. In October, 1901, he was elected cashier of the First National Bank of Sterling, to succeed William A. San- born, who died October 24, 1901. About a year later he resigned on account of impaired health, and was succeeded as cashier by Thomas S. Mckinney. For several years he passed the winters in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, and in the mountains of Colorado and old Mexico. On the death of Thomas S. Mckinney, which occurred July 1, 1905, he was again elected cashier of said bank, which office he still holds. During the four years which he has been cashier, the bank has had a most successful career, and has undergone extensive improvements. An electric burglar alarm has been installed and the bank has been rebuilt and remodeled throughout. It is an attractive structure architecturally, with fine interior finishings and thoroughly modern equipments.
Mr. Green was married to Harriet T. Brookfield, June 30, 1881. They have two sons, Charles H. and Howard S. The former was graduated at the Illinois State University in 1903, as mechanical engineer, and Howard is now a junior in the same university.
Mr. Green served as mayor of Sterling for one term, and has been a member of Wallace school board for about twenty-eight years. He also has been a member of the library board for a number of years, and rendercd valu- able services in the building of the Carnegie library in Sterling. In poli- tics Mr. Green has always been a republican, casting his first vote for Ulysses S. Grant for president in 1868.
DANIEL LARISH.
Varied business interests have claimed the time and attention of Daniel Larish, who is connected with the agricultural life of the county and is also a real-estate dealer. Illinois claims him as a native son, for his birth occurred in Carroll county, February 24, 1859. He is the cldest of the six children of Rufus and Jane (Weller) Larish, natives of Pennsylvania and Martinsburg, West Virginia, respectively. The Larish family comes of French origin and the grandfather of our subject served as a soldier in the war of 1812.
Rufus Larish was a farmer by occupation and with his parents came to Illinois in his boyhood days, the family home being established at Dixon. Not long afterward Rufus Larish entered land in Fairhaven township, Lee county, and following the Civil war that property, was sold and a removal made to Mount Carroll. He subsequently bought land in Montgomery county, Iowa, where he lived for seven years, but in 1874 he lost his prop- erty there and came to Morrison. He is now an inmate of the Soldiers' Home at Quincy, Illinois, having enlisted in April, 1861, in response to the call for troops to preserve the Union. Hardly had the smoke from Fort Sumter's guns cleared away when he joined the army and for three years did valiant duty as one of the boys in blue. He became a member of the
D. Karish
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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Seventy-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry and made an excellent record upon the battlefields of the south. He holds membership in the United Brethren church, is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and votes with the republican party. The mother also survives and is now living in Ful- ton, at the age of seventy-four years. Their children are as follows: Daniel, of this review; William, who is serving on the night police force at Fulton; Mary, the wife of Samuel Machel, a mechanic of Morrison; Albert, who is in the state of Washington; Minnie, of Fulton, Illinois; and Edward, who is in the employ of the Northwestern Railroad Company and makes his home in Clinton, Iowa.
As a farmer boy Daniel Larish attended the district schools and later enjoyed the additional privilege of three years' study in Mount Carroll Sem- inary. His life has been a busy and active one and various interests have claimed his time and attention. Hc has followed farming and real-estate dealing and in all of his undertakings has been successful. He is a man of sound judgment and keen discrimination and rarely if ever makes a mis- take in matters of business discernment or sagacity.
In December, 1880, was celebrated the marriage of Daniel Larish and Miss Artie J. Hulett, who was born in Mount Pleasant township, Whiteside county, in 1861, her parents being Lyman A. and Lorinda (Willis) Hulett, both natives of Indiana, whence they came to Whiteside county, settling in Mount Pleasant township, where the father purchased land. He carried on farming until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted for active duty in the field and went to the front. Becoming ill with smallpox, he dicd within two months after his return home. His political views were indicated by the stalwart endorsement which he gave to the republican party at the polls. His wife long survived him and died in 1904, at the age of sixty-eight years. Their family numbered four children: George W. and Eliza Ann, deceased; Mrs. Larish; and Eva May, the wife of Edward Curtis, of Morrison. Mrs. Larish is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and has many friends herc. Mr. Larish owns a fine residence property in Morrison and other dwellings in the city and has an interest in farm lands which yield him a good annual income and make him one of the men of affluence of this locality.
HARVEY PACKER.
Among the residents of Rock Falls who have retired from active business life is numbered Harvey Packer, at one time numbered among the energetic business men of the city. He has now passed the eightieth milestone on life's journey, his birth having occurred in Bennington, Vermont, June 22, 1827. His paternal grandfather was the Rev. Benjamin Packer, a Baptist minister, who devoted his life to his holy calling and died in Vermont when well ad- vanced in years. The father. Benjamin Packer, a native of the Green Moun- tain state, was a millwright and an expert mechanic. In 1829 he removed
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