History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II, Part 17

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 17

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Having lost his first wife, Mr. Hollinshead was married September 16, 1868, to Miss Rebecca M. Hubbell, who was born in Summit county, Ohio, July 31, 1837, a daughter of Matthew and Betsy (Foote) Hubbell, the latter a native of eastern New York and the former of Bridgeport, Connecticut. He was a son of Andrew Hubbell, a farmer, and on leaving the home farm Matthew Hubbell learned the tailor's trade in New Berlin, New York, follow- ing that vocation until forty-five years of age. After spending some time in Ohio, he removed to St. Clair county, Michigan, where he began farming and there his death occurred in November, 1886. His early political allegi- ance was given to the democracy, but in antebellum days he became a stanch abolitionist and took an active part in the operation of the underground railroad. His first wife died January 19, 1840, and in 1842 he wedded her sister, Scraphina Footc, by whom he had one son, Matthew. There were

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five children of his first marriage, of whom one died in infancy, while Lucy died at the age of twenty-two years. The others are: Lois, the wife of Harvey Coburn, of Sanilac county, Michigan; Angelina, the wife of John Allen, of St. Clair county, Michigan; and Mrs. Hollinshead.

By her marriage Mrs. Rebecca Hollinshead became the mother of six children : Delia A., the wife of Frank Hollinshead, a resident of Plainville, Kansas, by whom she has one son, Thayer D., and a daughter, Jeannette, deceased; L. Hubbell, who married Phernia Wilson and died March 8, 1901; D. Earl, who married Mrs. Phernia Hollinshead, the widow of his brother, and lives with his father, operating the farm; Archie F., who died December 5, 1881, at the age of five years; C. Burton, who is also assisting in carrying on the home farm and has recently patented an animal tamer; and Clare R., at home.

Aside from his farming interests, Mr. Hollinshead has been identified with the Garden Plain Mutual Insurance Company. His position on political questions is never an cquivocal one. He gives stalwart support to the democ- racy and has filled several local offices. He served for six years as road com- missioner, was also school director for a number of years and was likewise justice of the peace. Whether in office or out of it he is always loyal to the interests of the community and his aid and cooperation have ever been · counted upon for the furtherance of works of public moment. His memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past, with all of its pioneer hardships, trials and privations, and the progressive present, with its many evidences of modern civilization. For almost seven decades he has lived in the county, spending his boyhood days here when it was a frontier district, aiding in his manhood in its development and upbuilding, while in the cven- ing of life he enjoys the advantages that have come with the passing of time as the county has been settled and improved. He enjoys the regard of young and old, rich and poor, and has the confidence and trust of all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.

CLARENCE E. JOHNSON.

Clarence E. Johnson, publisher of The Record of Morrison, was born at Weston, McLean county, Illinois, August 18, 1868, a son of Dr. Hiram E. and Anna E. (Wheeler) Johnson. His paternal grandfather, who also bore the name of Hiram Johnson, carried powder and ammunition to the boats at the battle of Lake Champlain and he had a half brother who belonged to the famous Vermont Rangers and was at the capture of Fort Ticonderoga. Hiram Johnson, Sr., wedded Esther Tyler, who was born near Brattleboro, Ver- mont, and whose father was a soldier of the Revolutionary war.

Dr. Hiram E. Johnson is a native of Windham, Vermont, born Decem- ber 17, 1834, and is now living in Fairbury, Illinois, at the age of seventy- three years. He was reared to farm life, pursued his early education in the

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common schools and was graduated from the Castleton Medical College at Cas- tleton, Vermont, on the 17th of June, 1857. He afterward pursued post- graduate work at Belleview College, in New York city in 1863-4. He arrived in Illinois on the 14th of April, 1865, and settled at Stillman Valley near Rockford, where he practiced his profession for about three years. He next settled at Weston and built the first house in that place, also establishing a drug store there. He likewise served as postmaster and remained at that loca- tion for ten years. In 1876 he removed to Fairbury, where he still resides and where he is now practically living retired, spending his winters in Florida. He has been very successful as a medical practitioner and business man and lias made judicious investments in property, including realty in Illinois, South Dakota and Florida, his property interests now bringing him a good income. His life has been actuated by high and honorable purposes. in harmony with his profession as a member of the Baptist church. He has served as an offi- cer in the church and does all in his power to promote its growth and extend its influence. He was prominent in the Odd. Fellows Society in former years and for a long period was a stalwart republican but for several years past has been actively identified with the prohibition party, which indicates his views upon the temperance question. He is now serving as secretary of the prohibi- tion central committee and does all in his power to inculcate the spirit of tem- perance among those with whom he comes in contact. He married Anna E. Wheeler, who was born in New York city and is of English ancestry. Her father, Lucius Wheeler, was a manufacturer of hammers, skates and other iron goods in the eastern metropolis. His wife was Mrs. Sarah R. Wheeler, and his father was Joseph Wheeler, who was captain of a company in one of the Vermont regiments during the war of the Revolution, and was accorded prominent mention in some of the old United States histories. Mrs. Johnson is still living at the age of seventy-two years and is also a member of the Baptist church. Unto Dr. and Mrs. Hiram E. Jolinson were born five chil- dren: William H., a postal clerk on the Chicago & Alton railroad, making his home at Normal, Iilinois; Florence E., who is manager of the Chicago Art Education Company, located in the McClurg building at Chicago; Clar- ence E., of this review; and Lucius and Charles, both of whom died in infancy.

Clarence E. Johnson was a pupil in the country schools and also in the public schools of Fairbury. He was afterwards employed for about five years in the Elgin Watch factory and then entered the newspaper field at Sibley, Illinois, having purchased the Sibley Gazette. After three months he sold that paper and went to Clifton, Illinois, where he established the Clifton Ad- vocate in February, 1893, continuing the publication of that paper until the fall of 1902, when he sold the plant and removed to Winchester, where he purchased a defunct plant and established the Scott County Herald. After publishing it for two years he again sold out in 1904 and purchased the in- terest of W. B. Barnes in The Record at Morrison, since which time he has conducted the paper with growing success. It is a weekly republican paper, devoted to local interests and has a good circulation and also a gratifying advertising patronage. He conducts in connection therewith a good job de- partment, making a specialty of high grade printing.

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In 1891 Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Harriet L. Cox, who was born in Beloit, Wisconsin, in 1870, a daughter of Franklin F. and Lucy (Parmalee) Cox, the father a traveling salesman. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson had three children but lost their first born, Harold E. The others are Howard A. and Esther L. The parents are members of the Presbyterian church and active in its work, Mr. Johnson serving now as a member of the session. He has membership relations with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Wood- men of America and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. Matters of general interest awaken his attention and receive his cooperation. He is now secretary of the Whiteside Farmers Mutual Telephone Company and treasurer of the board of trustees of the Odell public library of Morrison. He is also a member of the Jackson hose company, the volunteer fire department of the city. His interest in community affairs is always that of an active worker and his labors have been an element in the substantial development of Morrison since he allied his interests with hers.

DAVID McCARTNEY.

David McCartney, whose position of prominence in connection with the business interests and public life of Sterling well entitled him to representation in this volume, as one of the honored residents of Whiteside county, was born in Dansville, New York, September 16, 1807. His parents, William and Mary (McCurdy) McCartney; were natives of Scotland, born near Castle Douglas, in Kirkcudbrightshire. Their family numbered thirteen children, ten of whom reached adult age, but all -arc now deceased. The father, emigrating to the new world, became a farmer of the Genesee valley of New York and had a large estate in Livingston county, where he died when about sixty years of age. His wife survived him for about twenty years or more and had passed the cightieth milestone on life's journey at the time of her demise. She possessed remarkable business and executive ability as well as keen, strong in- tellect that was manifest in literary taste. They came to America in the eigh- teenth century and William McCartney was the founder of the family in this country. His father and also his grandfather likewise bore the name of William. The maternal grandfather of our subject lived and died in County Down, Ireland, passing away at an advanced age. He was a farmer who owned and cultivated land on the Emerald isle. His wife, Mrs. Mar- garet (Ferrier) McCoy, also attained an advanced age.

David McCartney, whose name introduces this record, spent the days of his boyhood and youth in Dansville, New York, and as a young man engaged in business there as a dry-goods merchant, but thinking that the opportunities were better in the west he came to the Mississippi valley in 1843 and spent two years in St. Louis in the dry-goods business. He afterward removed to Ful- ton, Illinois, where he studied law and was admitted to the bar. He then en- gaged in the practice of the profession for a number of years, or until 1865, when he came to Sterling. Here he was soon recognized as a prominent, able

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lawyer and continued to act as prosecuting attorney for the four districts of northern Illinois. His legal skill and knowledge were widely recognized and gained him distinction at a bar numbering many prominent members.

Mr. McCartney was twice married. He first wedded Miss Anne McNair and unto them were born two daughters: Elizabeth, the widow of Augustus N. Parker and a resident of Dansville, New York; and Mary Anne, of Sterling, who is the widow of the late James A. Galt. Following the death of his first wife, Mr. McCartney was married to Miss Augusta Agge and unto them were born five children, thrce sons and two daughters, but the sons died in infancy. Their daughter, Fannie, became the wife of Charles Merritt Worthington and is mentioned elsewhere in this volume, while Anne is the wife of C. L. Shel- don, one of the prominent attorneys of Sterling.

The death of Mr. McCartney occurred in Sterling on the 19th of March, 1895, when he had reached the age of seventy-nine years, and his wife sur- vived him for about eleven years, passing away at the age of seventy-seven. He was a very talented man and is said to have been the finest orator that has ever practiced before the Whiteside county bar. He was noted for his witti- cisms, for his comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence and his skillful tact in winning decisions. He never lost but one case. He was particularly celebrated as a criminal lawyer and presented his cases with a clearness and cogency that left no doubt as to the correctness of his posi- tion. He practiced quite largely before the supreme court of the state and was widely recognized throughout Illinois as one of its able attorneys. His atten- tion was given strictly to his profession and his undivided allegiance no doubt in large measure accounts for his eminent success as a lawyer. He inscribed his name high on the keystone of the legal arch of Illinois and his professional record reflected credit and honor upon the bar of the state.

MYRON C. BUMP.

Myron C. Bump, a representative of the farming interests of Clyde town- ship, belongs to one of the old families of Whiteside county. His father, Joseph W. Bump, located in this county in 1855. He was born in De Ruyter township, Madison county, New York, June 16, 1831, his parents being Mar- cus and Mary A. (Winegar) Bump, the foriner'a native of New England and the latter of New York. They were both representatives, however, of old New England familics and following their marriage they were numbered among the farming people of Madison county, New York, until called to their final rest. They held membership with the Society of Friends and the father died in 1871 at the age of seventy years, while his wife died in 1858 aged nearly sixty years.

Joseph Bump remained upon the home farm until about eighteen years of age and in 1849 became a blacksmith's apprentice under his uncle, Edward Mitchell, of Cayuga county, New York. He was thus employed for three years and in the meantime removed to Onondaga county, New York, where he

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worked at his trade until twenty-three years of age. Attracted by the oppor- tunities of the middle west, he then came alone to Whiteside county, Illinois, March 26, 1855, settling in Clyde township, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land. For a few years, however, he did not cultivate his farm to any extent but continued to engage in blacksmithing and also worked as a farm laborer in the community, after which he began the improvement of his own property.

Joseph W. Bunip was married in Fairview, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, December 27, 1865, to Miss Alvira L. Converse, who was born in Medina county, Ohio, August 4, 1836, a daughter of Winthrop and Laura (Went- worth) Converse, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of Canada. Both were of English lineage and of more direct New England ancestry. Her father died in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, in August, 1868, after which the mother made her home with a son in Iowa until her death in September, 1882, at the age of eighty-two years. Mrs. Bump was but five years old when her parents removed from Ohio to Mercer county, Pennsyl- vania, where she was educated. She was brought as a bride to the farm in Clyde township which her husband had secured and with characteristic energy they began the further improvement and developnient of the place, Mrs. Bump carefully managing the interests of the household, while her husband performed the work of the fields. He built here a fine residence after the war and substantial outbuildings and in addition to grain production also engaged in raising Durham cattle. His farming interests, however, were in- terrupted by his active military service in the Civil war, for on the 3d day of August, 1862, he joined the Seventy-fifth Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, enlisting in Company C under Captain Altman, of Morrison, and he was mus- tered in at Dixon, September 2. He was with his regiment in the battle of Perryville, Kentucky, September 8, 1862, and also met the enemy between Lancaster, Crab Orchard and Danville. Soon after he became ill and was sent to the hospital at Danville, October 25, 1862, where he was honorably discharged in the spring of 1863. On the organization of the republican party he became one of its stalwart supporters and he continued a believer in the faith of the Society of Friends, while Mrs. Bump became a member of the Baptist church. Their family numbered three sons: Myron C., born Sep- tember 2, 1866; Winthrop M., March 26, 1869; and Marcus S., November 16, 1873. The last named, however, died January 8, 1894, at the age of twenty years, one month and twenty-three days. The father died May 28, 1887. The mother still survives. and is one of the esteemed pioneer women of the county .. She has changed her church relationship from Morrison to the Mal- vern German Baptist church.

Myron C. Bump was reared upon the old homestead farm, no event of special importance occurring to vary the routine of life for him in his boy- hood days. He attended the public schools and received ample training in the work of the fields, assisting in the cultivation and development of the home place from the time he was old enough to handle the plow. The old homestead is now being operated by him and his brother, W. M. Bump, and comprises one hundred and ten acres of arable and productive land on section

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27, Clyde township. The improvements have been kept up and others have been added until the farm is one of the best of the neighborhood.

Mr. Bump celebrated Christmas day of 1901 by his marriage to Miss Pinkie L. Birdsell, whose mother is still living upon the old homestead in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Bump are both well known in this locality, where their entire lives liave been passed and many of their friends of the present day were also friends of their childhood. He has been a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge of Morrison for about twelve years.

PHILIP S. KIRK.

Philip S. Kirk, who for a long period was engaged in the practice of dentistry in Morrison but is now living retired in Fulton, was born in Warren county, Virginia, August 8, 1857, his parents being Philip and Mary E. (Wines) Kirk. The father was born in Pennsylvania and the mother in Virginia and both were representatives of families established in this country at an early day. Philip Kirk, Sr., devoted his life to merchandising, dealing largely in shoes in the town of Front Royal, Virginia. Following the Civil war, le removed in 1869 to Darlington, Lafayette county, Wisconsin, where he continued in business as a shoe merchant for three years. In 1872 he came to Illinois, settling at Mount Carroll, where he conducted a shoe store up to the time of his death in 1876. Hc had for two years survived his wife and left a family of four children: William H., now residing in Den- ver, Colorado ; Philip S., of this review; Lucy, who died in Washington, D. C., in 1879; and Walter B., who died in Janesville, Wisconsin, in 1903. The father served as a private in the Confederate army, being at the front during almost the entire period of the Civil war. He participated in many hotly contested battles, including the engagements of the Wilderness, Antietam, Gettysburg, and many others.

Philip S. Kirk, whose name introduees this record, pursued his education in the country schools of Wisconsin and Illinois and having arrived at years of maturity he determined upon a professional course as a life work and at the age of twenty-two years took up the study of dentistry under the preceptor- ship of Dr. F. B. Johnson, of Morrison, Illinois, to which eity Mr. Kirk had removed in that year. He was in Dr. Johnson's office for three years and then engaged in practice on his own account. Throughout his entire business earecr he was connected with the profession and gained a high degree of skill and proficiency in this line.

On the 31st of January, 1883, Dr. Kirk was married to Miss Clara E. Bush, of Carroll county, Illinois, a daughter of Jabez S. and Alma (Esty) Bush, who were early settlers of Carroll county. There Mr. Bush died in November, 1885, leaving a widow and four children, namely: Mrs. Kirk; Ira E., who resides in Ontonagon county, Michigan; Albert D., of Mount Car- roll, Illinois; and Nellie A., the wife of J. V. Stapleton, of Morrison.

Following his marriage in 1883, Dr. Kirk removed to Shullsburg, Wis- consin, where he opened an office for the practice of dentistry. He remained

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there for seven years, when in order to still further perfect himself in his chosen calling he matriculated in the dental department of what was thell the American College but is now the dental department of the Northwestern University of Chicago. He was graduated therefrom in 1890, after which he returned to Shullsburg and resumed practice there. He continued at that point until 1892, when he removed to Morrison, where he practiced until 1905. In 1897 he had pursued a post-graduate course in the Northwestern Dental School. While in active practice he always kept in touch with the . advancement of the profession, acquainting himself with all the latest im- provements, not only in methods of practice but also in the materials and in- struments used. The work which he did was universally satisfactory and a liberal patronage was accorded him, so that as the years passed lie acquired a. handsome competence. In 1905 he retired to private life and in 1907 removed from Morrison to Fulton, where he had purchased a home that is one of the most beautiful residences in the city, a comfortable and attractive dwelling, being surrounded by a well kept lawn, adorned with many fine trees and shrubs. Here he expects to spend his remaining days, enjoying the com- forts of life that his former labor and skill have provided.

Dr. Kirk is a member of Dunlap Lodge, No. 321, A. F. & A. M., of Mor- rison ; of Grove Lodge, No. 257, I. O. O. F., of Morrison; and of Primrose Chapter, No. 363, O. E. S. He has filled all of the chairs in both the Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges and is in thorough sympathy with the principles up- on which these orders are based. He takes no very active interest in politics, although he has served as a member of the board of aldermen of Morrison for one term and always keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. His advancement in his chosen field of labor was attributable entirely to his close application, his native skill and his acquired ability. He always held high ideals in his professional work and as the years passed gained well merited success.

SAMUEL ALBERTSON.

Samuel Albertson, who is now living retired in Sterling, was for many years closely associated with the agricultural interests of Whiteside county and in the capable control of his business affairs, his unfaltering diligence and his unflagging enterprise, lies the secret of the success to which he at- tained. He was born in the town of Clinton, Dutchess county, New York, January 18, 1818, his parents being Joseph and Elizabeth (Ham) Albertson, likewise natives of the Empire state. Of their family of thirteen children the subject of this review is the only one who survives. The father was a farmer and in 1832 removed from Dutchess county to Monroe county, New York, settling in the vicinity of Rochester, where he lived for about ten years. There he passed away in 1842 at the age of sixty-eight years. His wife survived him for a considerable period and died at the age of cighty- four. They were consistent and faithful members of the Society of Friends,

MRS . SAMUEL ALBERTSON

MR. SAMUEL ALBERTSON

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

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their lives being in harmony with the teachings of that sect, and Mr. Albert- son was a minister of the faith and built up the society in his home com- munity.

In tracing back the ancestral history of Mr. Albertson it is found that his grandfather, Isaac Albertson, also a native of New York, was a farmer and mechanic there. Hc wedded Mary Cheesman and died in 1817 in middle life, while his wife survived until about 1826. They were parents of five sons. The family comes originally from Holland Dutch ancestry. The maternal grandfather of Samucl Albertson was Frederick Ham, a native of the state of New York and of German descent. He was a farmer, providing for a large family, consisting of his wife, Mrs. Mary Ham, a number of daughters and one son, through his work as a tiller of the soil.

When a youth of fourteen years Samuel Albertson accompanied his parents on their removal to western New York, the journey to Monroe county, that state, being made before the era of railroad building, He was reared to manhood in Monroe county and acquired a common-school education in the early schools of the neighborhood. He was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, and throughout his business career he made the cultivation of the fields his principal occupation. The opportunities of the growing west attracted him and in 1841 he came to Sterling. He had two brothers, Isaac and John Albertson, twins, who had preceded him, arriving in 1835. Each took up a claim to a half section of land and improved part of it, but the work of Isaac Albertson was cut short by death in 1845. His brother John, however, survived until 1872.

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History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II, Part 17

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