History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II, Part 16

Author: Davis, William W
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 882

USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 16

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Mr. Culver was united in marriage on the 5th of September, 1865, at Morrison, Illinois, to Miss Clarinda Allen, a daughter of Philip and Har- riet (Wilson) Allen and a native of Saratoga county, New York. Her paternal grandfather, William Allen, lived in that county and passed away there when well advanced in years. His wife was Hannah Allen. The ma- ternal grandfather, Ezra Wilson, for several years a member of the New York legislature, was a tanner and a manufacturer. The parents of Mrs. Culver werc also natives of Saratoga county, New York, and she was but twelve years of age when she accompanied them on their removal to Mor- rison, Illinois, where she grew to womanhood. Philip Allen was a car- penter and contractor by trade and lived at Morrison for many years,

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passing away there at the age of sixty. His wife survived himn and was sixty-five years of age at the time of her demise. Mrs. Culver was an only child and by her marriage also had but one child, Glen, who died at the age of five years.

In his political views Mr. Culver was a stalwart republican and took a prominent part in the local work of the party. He served as the first post- master of Rock Falls, remaining in office from 1868 to 1872, and was also a member of the school board. He was a delegate to the state convention held at Chicago in September, 1891, and was ever to be found working on the side of reform and improvement. He was a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and of the American Protective Association, while he kept in touch with his old army comrades through his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic. He also belonged to the Masonic lodge at Sterling and at his death, which occurred January 31, 1907, he was laid to rest in the Morrison cemetery with Masonic honors. The county mourned the loss of one of its most prominent and honored citizens, one who in every relation of life had proved himself worthy of the entire con- fidence and trust of his fellowmen. Mrs. Culver, who survives her husband, has gained an extensive circle of friends during the long period of her resi- dence here, her good traits of heart and mind having won for her the admiration and kindly regard of all with whom she has come in contact.

CHARLES A. ROSENGREN.

Charles A. Rosengren, who follows general agricultural pursuits in Colo- ma township, was born in Sweden, December 30, 1860, a son of Gustave B. and Marie (Johnson) Rosengren. In 1870 the parents with their family crossed the Atlantic and settled at Rock Falls, Illinois. The father was a painter by trade, and known as a skillful artisan, manifesting particular ability in his line as .carriage decorator and stripper. He was employed by the Keystone Manufacturing Company but while thus engaged became interested in farm- ing and in 1880 resigned his position with the manufacturing company and devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his remain- ing days, his death occurring April 25, 1906, when he had reached the age of seventy-one years. His life was an active, useful and honorable one, and he left to his family of eight children the priceless heritage of an honorable name. He had reared his children to habits of industry and integrity and all have become industrious and respected citizens. The paternal grand- father of our subject was Barnhard Rosengren, an extensive paper manufac- turer of Sweden, who lived in the county of Halland. He married a Miss Ahlgren, whose father was a custom house inspector for many years.

Charles A. Rosengren was provided the educational privileges afforded by the public schools. He was less than ten years of age at the time of the emigration to America and as his years and strength increased he assisted his father more and more largely in the work of the home farm until twenty-two

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years of age, when he began life for himself. The first year he farmed for his brother on what was known as the old Holland place in Lee county. He then rented land in Nelson township, where he continued for three years, after which he took up his abode on the Long farm, spending the succeeding year there.

On the 7th of March, 1889, Mr. Rosengren made preparations for having a hoine of his own by his marriage to Miss Jennie A. Christopher, a daugh- ter of John and Marie (Dorf) Christopher, natives of Sweden and still resi- dents of that country. The father is a farmer and is also interested to some extent with his sons in a large mercantile enterprise.

The year following his marriage Mr. Rosengren left the Long farm and for twelve years lived on the old Samuel Stone homestead. In 1902 he pur- chased the place upon which he now resides, constituting one hundred and seventy-three aeres of rich and productive land, which he has brought under a high state of cultivation. He now has a beautiful country home and there are other substantial buildings upon the place, while the well tilled fields and good grades of stoek indieate the progressive spirit of the owner.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Rosengren has been blessed with four children: Ethel Marie, who is now a senior in the township high school at Sterling; Ruth Hildur, Helen Irene 'and Charles Gustave Lawrence, all of whom are in school. All Mr. Rosengren's brothers and sisters are living and their homes are within a radius of a few miles and all are prosperous eiti- zens of Whiteside county. Charles A. Rosengren is a liberal minded, progres- sive, enterprising man, highly esteemed by all who know him. He belongs to the Odd Fellows Lodge at Roek Falls, to the Knights of the Globe, gives his political support to the republican party and is a Lutheran in religious faith.

BENJAMIN T. GREENE.

Benjamin T. Greene was born November 15, 1865, in Lyndon township and has always resided within its borders, his home being now on seetion 11. He is a son of Giles and Laura (Mann) Greene, and a grandson of Benjamin T. and Hettie (Wilson) Greene. His grandparents were William and Mary A. Greene and Tibbets and Phoebe Wilson. Giles Greene was born at Willett, Cortland county, New York, March 13, 1822. His father was a native of Rhode Island and after his removal to the Empire state became a member of the New York State Militia, with whiel he served in the war of 1812. He was a farmer by oceupation and followed that pursuit throughout his entire life. It was in 1809 that he removed with his parents to Cortland county, there living until his demise. His son, Giles Greene, was reared on the home farm there and was educated in Cortland and Oxford Academy. At the age of eighteen years he began teaching, which profession he followed during the winter seasons, while in the summer months he engaged in farming until after the death of his parents in 1853. Coming to the west, he arrived in

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Whiteside county in 1854 and located in Lyndon township, where lie made his home until his death. As the years passed he prospered and rose to prominence in agricultural circles. His first purchase of land was on sections 1 and 12 and included about fifteen aercs which had been plowed. The im- provements were a little house and a straw stable but he possessed a laudable ambition and as his financial resources increased he added to his property from time to time until he became the owner of over nine hundred acres, thus gain- ing a place among the extensive landowners of the county. All of this re- mains in the estate except a tract of one hundred and thirty-two acres, which has been sold.

Giles Greene was married February 6. 1855, at Cincinnatus, Cortland county, New York, to Miss Laura Mann, who was born in Delaware county, New York, December 27, 1827, and, still surviving, resides with a daughter in Sterling. Her parents were Aristarchus and Sophia (Kneeland) Mann, the former à son of Oliver and Content (Hill) Mann, the latter a daughter of Daniel and Grace Kneeland. Mr. Greenc had been a resident of White- side county for two years when he returned to New York for his bride. Un- to them were born five children : Harriett J., deceased; Ray, who resides on the old homestead; Mary Sophia, the wife of E. H. Wooster, of Sterling; Benjamin T., of this review; and Stark, a traveling salesman residing in Sterling. The death of the father occurred January 6, 1898, when he was almost seventy-six years of age. He had led a very busy and useful life, attended by the success which ever follows persistent effort, intelligently directed. For many years he made stock-raising the principal feature of his farm, raising cattle, hogs and horses on an extensive scale. His political allegiance was always given to the democracy.

Benjamin T. Greene, spending his entire life in Lyndon township, was reared on the old homestead farm and the work of the farm in its various de- partments early became familiar to him and qualified him for the labors of later life. He is now the owner of eighty-seven acres of land on seetion 11, and for nine years has resided upon this place, during which time he has added many substantial improvements that make it one of the pleasing features of the landscape. He erected his present residence and also has good barns and outbuildings upon the place, while in his farm work he uses the latest im- proved machinery.

On the 22d of December, 1891, was celebrated the marriage of Miss Lelia Isabelle Cady and Benjamin T. Greene. The birth of Mrs. Greene oceurred in Lyndon township, December 22, 1870, hier parents being George R. and Nettie V. (Parshall) Cady, the former a native of Lyndon township and the latter of New York. George R. Cady was born August 25, 1840, his father, Amos Cady, having come to Whiteside county in 1837. He purchased a claim on section 29, Lyndon township, and entered a second claim on section 20. On the latter he built a frame house, which was one of the first of that con- struction in the county and it remained his place of residence until his death, which occurred November 5, 1857. His first wife died in 1836 and on the 21st of March, 1837, he married Charity Crippen, who was born January 10, 1812, in Rome, Oneida county, New York, a daughter of Peter and Char-

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lotte (Smith) Crippen. Amos Cady brought his wife as a bride to Whiteside county, making the journey westward by way of the lakes to Detroit and thence by team to their destination. They took possession of the little pioneer cabin here and while Mrs. Cady managed the household affairs Mr. Cady carefully conducted the work of the fields. He died November 5, 1857, and his wife ever remained true to his memory, never marrying again. Her last days were spent in Lyndon, where she died at the very advanced age of nine- ty-three years, being one of the oldest residents of the county. In all her life in this community slic was a potent factor for all that was good and en- nobling. She left five children: William, who is living in Kansas City, Missouri; George R .; Orlando, of Lyndon; Mrs. Charles Lewis, of Westgate, Iowa; and Eliza, of Philadelphia, Missouri.

Of this number George R. Cady, father of Mrs. Greene, was reared on the old homestead farm in Lyndon township. On the 14th of February, 1862, he wedded Nettie V. Parshall, and they became the parents of six children: Walter D., of Rock Falls ; Mrs. Elva Hazard, of Erie, Illinois; Mrs. Zella Allen, of Lyndon; Mrs. Greene; Dewitt R., of Erie, Illinois; and George Merle. For two years the father was in ill health and on the 2d of June, 1905, passed away. He was devoted to the welfare of his family, was a kind neighbor and worthy citizen and enjoyed to the fullest degree the respect and good will of all who knew him. For nearly a quarter of a century he served as constable of Lyndon.

Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Greene began their domestic life upon a farm in Lyndon township and nine years ago came to their present home. His political allegiance is given to the democracy but he has never sought nor desired office, preferring always to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, which, capably directed, are bringing to him merited success.

EDWIN LIMOND.

Edwin Limond, a cigar manufacturer and news dealer conducting busi- ness in Rock Falls, was born in New Brunswick, Canada, July 30, 1847, a son of William and Jane (Baxter) Limond, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of New Brunswick but of Scotch parentage. The maternal grand- father of our subject was Elijah Baxter, a native of Scotland and a man of considerable means, who owned a large tract of land. He passed away in New Brunswick at the age of ninety-eight years. William Limond, who was a shipbuilder and a sea captain, died in New Brunswick at the remarkably old age of one hundred and four years, having long survived his wife, who passed away in 1851 when about forty-eight years of age. They were Presbyterians in . religious faith, and their family numbered ten children, nine sons and one daughter, of whom five still survive: John, of Chicago; David, who resides in Boston, Massachusetts; Andrew S., who makes his home in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Edwin, of this review; and Adam B., of Boston. Elijah Limond,

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a member of this family, served as a soldier in the Civil war for three years and nine months as a member of the Fifty-second Illinois Volunteer Infan- try. He was slightly wounded at the battle of Shiloh, went with Sherman on his celebrated march to the sca and participated in many important battles of the war, being promoted several times for bravery.

Edwin Limond remained in the place of his nativity until eighteen years of age, his father sailing out of Portland. He received a good literary education, being graduated from the high school, and taught for several terms in New Brunswick. Subsequently he crossed the border into the United States, removing westward to Saginaw, Michigan, where he remained for one year. On the expiration of that period he eame to Fulton, Whiteside county, Illinois, where he was employed by C. L. Warc and ran a boat on the Miss- issippi river for one season. He then took up his abode in Sterling, where he learned the cigarmaker's trade and lived for four years, when he removed to Clinton, Iowa, thence to Ottawa, Illinois, following his trade for two years. Subsequently he returned to New Brunswick and a year later went to Boston, New York and various other cities. In 1898 he once more came to Whiteside county and opened a cigar factory of his own in Rock Falls, where he has since conducted a successful business. He manufactures a number of popular brands, including The Bell, Queen Bee, Saskatoon, The Gee Whiz, Friendly Tip and others. In addition to his cigar manufacturing enterprise he con- ducts a news stand, handling newspapers and the various popular magazines. His factory is located on Second street and he has met with a gratifying meas- ure of prosperity in the conduct of both branches of his business.

Mr. Limond was united in marriage to Miss Ida Ralston, and is now the father of five children, namely: William, Blanche, Wallace, Irene and Ed- win, Jr. Miss Blanche Limond is now a school teacher at North Hume.

In his political views Mr. Limond has always been a stanch republican. He resides at No. 405 Fourth avenue and is well and favorably known through- out the community as a progressive and enterprising citizen and business man.

WILLIAM A. SANBORN.

The name of William A. Sanborn was an honored one in business circles in Sterling. Through the force of his character, his strong purpose and laud- able ambition he gradually worked his way upward until for some years prior to his death he was cashier of the First National Bank. His birth occurred in Cattaraugus county, New York, January 13, 1832, his parents being Joseph and Anna (Blaisdell) Sanborn, also natives of the Empire state. Following the death of the father, the mother came to the west at an early day and lived with her brother, who had preceded her to Polo, Illinois. There she passed away when well advanced in age.

William A. Sanborn was rcared in Cattaraugus county and acquired a common-school education but carly started out in life on his own account. He was but twelve years of age when he began to earn his own living and in his

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youth and early manhood he followed various pursuits, scorning no employ- inent that would yield him an honest living. The rapidly growing west with its broader opportunities attracted him and in 1854 he came to Illinois, where he had charge of a construction gang on the Northwestern Railroad, which was then being built. He was also in charge of a force of workmen on the hydraulic power on the dam across Rock river at Sterling. Subsequently he became agent for the American Express Company at Sterling and occupied the position for a number of ycars, also acting as agent for the McCormick agricultural implements. He likewise conducted a coal business and through these various undertakings he accumulated capital sufficient to enable him to establish a private banking business on Depot street. There, in August, 1864, his safe was broken open and robbed. He afterward removed his business to the present site of the First National Bank, where then stood a one-story brick building. The express office was conducted in the rear end of the building. When the First National Bank was organized Mr. Sanborn became one of its stockholders and in fact was largely instrumental in forming the company that resulted in the establishment of the business. From the beginning he served as cashier and so continued up to the time of his death, which occurred October 24, 1901, when he had reached the age of sixty-nine years and nine months. In all his business relations he was found reliable and trustworthy as well as energetic and determined, and his example may well serve as a stimu- lus and an encouragement to others.

Mr. Sanborn was married to Miss Helen McCune, a daughter of William McCune. They became the parents of a son and two daughters: John San- born; Anne, now deceased; and Helen, who died at the age of three years. The son, John Sanborn, was born and reared in Sterling, attended the pub- lic schools and was graduated from the noted Philips Exeter Academy at Exeter, New Hampshire. He then turned his attention to the stock business and engaged in the breeding and raising of horses, in which he continued with his father until the latter's death. He has since lived retired, giving his supervision to his invested interests. He is now a director in the First National Bank and has other income property. Mrs. Sanborn was reared in the faith of the Episcopal church. She was a lady of many excellent traits of character, devoted to the welfare of her husband and children, while in friendship she was ever loyal. She died in 1871 at the age of thirty-three years.

Mr. Sanborn survived for three decades. In his death Sterling lost one of its representative and honored citizens. He served as mayor of the city for one term. was supervisor for a number of years and a member of the school board for about forty years. In all his relations to the public he was found a faithful official, placing the general good before personal aggrandizement. and the public welfare before partisanship. His business interests were of a nature that contributed largely to the upbuilding and commercial progress of the city. Aside from his banking interests he was for a number of years presi- dent of the Sterling Hydraulic Company, acting in that capacity up to the time of his death. He was likewise president of the Sterling Gas and Electric Light Works and in business was notably prompt, energetic and reliable. Hc formed his plans readily and was determined in their execution, yet in man-

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ner he was quiet and reserved rather than aggressive. He commanded respcet because liis strong qualities stood the test of time and of friendship. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and in his life exemplified the sterling principles of the craft. While his somewhat reticent manner in a degree limited the number of his friends, those who came within the closer circle of a more intimate acquaintance entertained for him the warmest esteem while all who knew him respected him for what he accomplished and for the prin- ciples which guided him in every relation of life./

DANIEL HOLLINSHEAD.

No resident of Whiteside county has more intimate or accurate knowl- edge of the events which have shaped its history, the course of its progress and the nature of its development than Daniel Hollinshead, who since 1839 has lived in Whiteside county, while for sixty-seven years he has made his home upon the farm which is yet his place of residence. He well deserves prominent mention in this volume, as his life record has been in many respects exemplary, proving a practical illustration of progressive citizenship and honorable business methods.

Mr. Hollinshead was born in Kingston, Canada, February 7, 1834, his parents being John and Elizabeth (Rush) Hollinshead. The mother was a native of Pennsylvania and a grandniece of Benjamin Rush, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Her mother, Mrs. Julia Ann 'Rush, belonged to a very patriotic family and she heartily espoused the cause of the colonists. Frequently donning male attire she did picket duty for the patriot army in the Revolutionary war. Subsequently she accompanied her son-in-law, John Hollinshead, to Canada, and afterward came with the family to Whiteside county, Illinois, where she died in 1842, her grave being made in the family cemetery on the home farm.

John Hollinshead was a native of Jersey City, New Jersey, born January 6, 1798, and was quite young when he went to Canada with his father, Jacob Hollinshead, who died in that country. The latter was a native of one of the eastern states, was a hatter by trade and in religious faith was a Friend, or Quaker. Reared in the Dominion, John Hollinshead having arrived at years of maturity, was there married to Elizabeth Rush and continued a resident of Canada until 1839, when with his wife and five children he again crossed the border, once more becoming a resident of the United States. He located in Whiteside county when it was an almost unbroken wilderness. The jour- ney had been made by way of the Great Lakes to Chicago, which city had been incorporated only two years before. Thence they proceeded by wagon to this county and established a home in what is now Clyde township. Be- lieving that the geographical situation of Chicago would one day make it a great city, John Hollinshead returned there and bargained for a farm in what is now the heart of the metropolis, but as he could not colleet money which was due him did not succeed in making the purchase. For two years he

Daniel Hollinshead -

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

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resided in Clyde township and twice during that period hauled grain to the Chicago market, where he sold his wheat at sixty cents per bushel. He was closely associated with the early development of the county and at the time of his death had succeeded in improving a new farm of one hundred and forty acres in Ustick township. He died in 1845, while his wife passed away in the spring of 1863.

Daniel Hollinshead spent the first five years of his life in the county of his birth and since that time has been a resident of Whiteside county. In his early boyhood he pursued his studies in a little log schoolhouse under "the bluff" and in the school of experience has learned many valuable lessons which a retentive memory has fixcd upon his mind. Reading and observa- tion have also broadened his knowledge and made his opinions of worth in the settlement of community affairs. His training at farm labor was not mcager, for from an early day he followed the plow and on attaining his majority he and his brother Jacob rented the farm from their mother and thus cultivated it for four years. He still lives upon the old homestead, which has now been his place of residence for sixty-seven years and today his landed possessions comprise two hundred and eighty acres in Ustick and in Fulton townships. He was at one time engaged quite extensively in the breeding of fine horses and was the owner of a fine stallion and also had an interest in a Belgium draft horse. He has also fed cattle and hogs quite ' extensively for the market and in addition to general farming and stock- raising he buys and sells farm properties.

Mr. Hollinshead has been married twice. On the 2d of July, 1859, he wedded Mary Knight, who was born in Hancock county, Illinois, a daughter of Wesley and Louisa (Cowles) Knight, who were of Mormon faith and when the people of that denomination were driven from Nauvoo came to Fulton, where her father died while on his way to California. His wife was a daugh- ter of Elder Cowles, one of the elders who was opposed to Brigham Young on the question of polygamy. Mr. Hollinshcad died April 8, 1864, leaving four children, of whom three passed away in infancy. The only one now surviving is Dora, the wife of Quincy L. Slocum, who is superintendent of sand com- panics at St. Louis, Missouri, and they have two living children, Leith H. and Lloyd Q., and one deceased, Liebling Mary, who died March 15, 1907.

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History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II, Part 16

Author: Davis, William W Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 882

Author: Davis, William W
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 882