USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 18
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On reaching Illinois, Samuel Albertson purchased eighty acres from his brother John and also eight acres of timber land. With characteristic energy he began to improve his farm and made his home thereon for ten years. He then sold the property and bought two hundred acres which had formerly belonged to his brother Isaac. He still lives upon this place, but has sold all but fifty acres. For a long period he carried on the work of cultivating the fields and harvesting the crops, but at length turned his atten- tion to utilizing what is known as the Woodlawn Spring for commercial purposes. It was found that the waters of this spring were good for stomach trouble and rheumatism and proved beneficial when used for baths. For about twenty years Mr. Albertson then conducted a sanitarium, which was patronized by people from many states. At the age of eighty years, however, he sold the springs and has since lived retired upon the farm in the enjoy- ment of a rest which he has truly earned and richly merits.
It was on the 5th of November, 1839, that Samucl Albertson was mar- ried to Miss Hannah DeGarmo, a daughter of Elias and Clemmie (Powell) DeGarmo. They became the parents of two daughters and a son. Harriet, the oldest, is the wife of Owen N. Hurst, residing near Salina, Kansas. Arthur died at the age of twenty-four years as the result of being thrown from a horse. Ella is the deceased wife of John E. Woodyatt and they had three children : Arthur, who married Edna Kelscy, and they have two children, Dorothy and Albert; Grace, the wife of Harry Hoover, of Sterling
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township, by whom she has one son, Russell; and Lulu May, the wife of Roy R. Baer, a resident of Sterling, by whom she has two children, Donald and Luella. Mr. and Mrs. Owen N. Hurst had twins, Anna and a son. The former married Charles Kerr and they have nine or ten children.
In 1902 Mr. Albertson was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 10th of June of that year when nearly eighty-three years of age. She belonged to the Society of Friends, while Mr. Albertson is a Spirit- ualist. Politically he has always been independent. In community affairs he has taken a deep and helpful interest, aiding in organizing the schools and serving for many years as school director. He has also been highway commissioner and was treasurer of the board, helping to put up the first steel bridge that was built in the county, across the Elkhorn near the Pen- nington farm. He has been a resident of Whiteside county for sixty-six years and has witnessed its development from a wilderness to its present state of progress. His life in many of its phases has commanded for him the unqualified confidence and respect of his fellowmen, and he is justly ac- counted one of Whiteside county's worthy citizens, his history proving an important chapter in its annals.
LEWIS REITZEL.
Lewis Reitzel, a substantial business man of Sterling, conducting a flour and feed store and also operating a mill for grinding, was born near Cham- bersburg, Pennsylvania, at Rock Spring Mill, January 1, 1865. His paternal grandfather, Henry Reitzel, also a native of Pennsylvania, lived in Lancaster county and was a miller by trade. He died there at an advanced age, having for some years survived his wife. The family numbered eight children. The original American ancestors came from Switzerland, settling in Pennsylvania at an early period in the colonization of the new world.
Jacob Reitzel, father of Lewis Reitzel, was born in the Keystone state and was rcared upon the farm but became a miller. The year 1865 witnessed his arrival in Whiteside county, Illinois, after which he followed farming in Hopkins township, and later bought a farm in Sterling township, north of the city of Sterling, owning and cultivating eighty acres there. After his chil- dren had reached adult age he sold that property and bought a small farm in the same township, upon which he made his home until his death. Hc died in February, 1899, while his wife passed away in December of the same year. They were Mennonites in religious faith. Mrs. Reitzel bore the maiden name of Susan Rutt, and was also a native of Pennsylvania, as were her par- ents. Her father, a farmer by occupation, died in that state at an advanced age and his wife had reached a ripe old age when called to her final rest. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Reitzel were born nine children, four sons and five daughters: Martha, deceased; Mary Ann, the wife of Noalı S. Loux, of Sterling; Sabina, the wife of Abram L. Brubaker, of this city; Susan, the wife of Christian E. Goshert ; Henry R :; Abram R .; Sarah, the wife of Philip Nice; Jacob R .; and Lewis.
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The last named was but eight weeks old when the parents brought their family to Whiteside county and here he was reared to manhood upon the home farm. He attended the district schools and the Sterling Business Col- lege, and in the interval between the two courses of study he learned the miller's trade. After completing his commercial course he bought the flour and feed store which he has conducted continuously and successfully since December, 1888. At that time his location was a small frame building but he has since erected a large brick business block and put in a mill where he does grinding in connection with selling. For twenty years a business man of Sterling, he has made an exeellent record in trade circles for reliability as well as enterprise and has proven that success and an honorable name may be won simultaneously.
On the 27th of May, 1891, Mr. Reitzel was married to Miss May Sigler, a daughter of Samuel and Catharine (Wink) Sigler, who were natives of Pennsylvania. The mother eame west with her parents when a maiden of eight years and settled in Linn county, Iowa, where she was reared to woman- hood and married. Mr. Sigler had arrived in the middle west when twenty- one years of age, taking up his abode in Bureau county, Illinois, and at the outbreak of the Civil war he put aside business and personal considerations, enlisted in defense of the Union, at Galva, on the 28th of May, 1861, as a member of Company D, Seventeenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving for three years with that company and was honorably discharged on the 4th of June, 1864. He then re-enlisted on the 17th of September, 1864, as a member of Company H, One Hundred and Forty-sixth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, and was honorably discharged July 8, 1865, with the rank of second lieutenant. After the war he went to Lisbon, Iowa, where he lived until 1871, when he came to Sterling and for two years' worked at the harnessmaker's trade. He afterward beeame an employe in the MeCune pump factory, where he remained for twelve years, after which he capably and faithfully served for sixteen years as janitor of the Sterling school. In the month which witnessed his return from the war Mr. Sigler was married to Miss Catharine Wink, who died in 1884, at the age of thirty-seven years. He long survived her, passing away in May, 1906, at the age of sixty-seven years. He had served as captain of the fire department of Sterling for twelve and a half years and was one of the best known and most highly estcemed citizens here. His nature was kindly and genial, and the children as well as the older people were his friends. He was one of a family. of thirteen ehildren, seven of whom are living, and his parents died in Pennsylvania when well advanced in years. His wife was a daughter of Samuel and Theresa (Goodman) Wink, of Reading, Pennsylva- nia, who died in Iowa at an advanced agc. They had two children: Catha- rine, who became Mrs. Sigler; and Emma, who is still living.
Throughout the period of their married life Mr. and Mrs. Reitzel have lived in Sterling. They are active and faitliful members of St. John's Luth- eran church and for eight years Mr. Reitzel served as one of its deacons, while for twenty years Mrs. Reitzel has been a teacher in the primary department in the Sunday school. His political allegiance is given to the republican party but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him, as
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he has always preferred to give his undivided attention to his business interests. There has been no esoteric phase in his career; on the contrary his entire rec- ord is as an open book which all may read. Through two decades he has been associated with the industrial and commercial interests of Sterling and his name has become a synonym for reliable dealing in this city.
JAMES POLK HOPKINS.
Among the younger and more enterprising farmers of Hopkins town- ship, is numbered James Polk Hopkins, a representative of one of the hon- ored pioneer families of Illinois. He was born October 11, 1881, his parents being James Polk and Asenath (Lamont) Hopkins, the former a native of Whiteside county, and the latter of Toronto, Canada. Jason Hopkins, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Nashville, Tennessee, born June 27, 1899. He resided in his native city until he had reached mid- dle age, when he came to Illinois because of the anti-slavery principles which he entertained, settling at Belleville, this state. He afterward removed to. Peoria and at a later date became a resident of Whiteside county. He served as a soldier of the Black Hawk war, becoming a volunteer in a cavalry regi- nient, in which he was appointed quartermaster, holding that position through- out the continuance of hostilities that led to the subjugation of the red race and caused their removal from this section of the country to districts farther west. At the close of the war, in the autumn of 1832, as the troops were returning to their homes, Mr. Hopkins, with others, came to the Rock river, and in coast- ing along its banks reached the present site of the village of Como. Being impressed with the beauty of the place he made a claim, covering the entire tract known in pioneer parlance as a jack knife claim, by cutting his name in the bark of the trees, showing the boundary of his line. Mr. Hopkins always regarded this location as beautiful as the garden of Eden. It has, indeed, much natural attraction of a scenic character, while the resources of the farm were many because of the richness and productiveness of the soil. He was married in Peoria, Illinois, to Miss Elenora Johnson, who was born December 29, 1801, near Bowling Green, Kentucky. With his bride he re- turned to Whiteside county in 1835 and surveyed the claim, establishing the boundaries by marking trees in the timber and running furrows across the prairie with the plow and ox team. When the land came into market he purchased his claim, comprising sections 25, 26, 35 and 36, Hopkins town- ship, and also some land adjoining, making in all about thirty-two hundred acres. He built the first log cabin in the township which bcars his name, and thus planted tlie seeds of civilization in a region hitherto the domain of the savage. He possessed many sterling traits of character, was a man of firm purpose, unswerving integrity and loyalty and of unfaltering patriot- ism. He was an intimate acquaintance and a great admirer of General Jack- soll. In the community where he lived he became an influential factor. He was well fitted to cope with the conditions of pioneer life and in laboring for his community looked beyond the exigencies of the moment to the possibili-
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ties of the future and builded for later days as well as for his own time. He died August 19, 1853, and thus passed away one who had been instrumental in laying the foundation for the present prosperity and progress of the county. The work that he did in reclaiming this wild region will always be remem- bered, inasmuch as the township in which he first settled bears his name -- an honor that he well merited. His wife passed away May 13, 1858, having survived him for about five years. Their children were William T., Helen, Francis and James P. The first named was the first white male child born in Whiteside county, and his death occurred about 1862.
James P. Hopkins, father of our subject, was the youngest son of Jason Hopkins and was born upon the old homestead claim in Hopkins township, October 4, 1843. He was but ten years of age when his father died. He has lived all his life at Como, with the exception of the time which he spent in military service of his country. His patriotic spirit aroused, he · responded to the call of the Uniou and enlisted on the 2d of September, 1862, in the Seventy-fifth regiment of Illinois Volunteers. He continued in the service throughout the war, and was honorably discharged in July, 1865. He par- ticipated in the battles of Atlanta, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and various others, which contributed to the result that finally crowned the Union arms. Although frequently in the thickest of the fight he escaped without serious injury. On his return to his home he resumed his former occupation of farming, and in the community was recognized as a citizen of value and public spirit. He was devoted to the principles of the republican party, which stood as the defense of the federal government in the dark days of the Civil war, and which has always been the party of re- form, progress and improvement. He was always active in support of the schools and of other local interests calculated to prove of public benefit. On the 30th of November, 1869, at Atkinson, Henry county, Illinois, he was married to Miss Asenath H. Lamont, a daughter of Donald and Mary (Lloyd) Lamont. Her father was born in Scotland and her mother in Canada. They were married in the Dominion, where they resided for a short time before coming to Illinois in 1865, at which time they took up their abode in Hop- kins township, Whiteside county. Their children were Asenath H., Flora A., John, Jesse L., Susanna, Elizabeth J., Charity, Washington M., Emily I. and Martha I. Mrs. Hopkins was born November 2, 1842, and by her mar- riage became the mother of five children, Elnora M., Jessic L., Anna F., Eunice B. and James P., Jr.
The last named resides upon the old homestead and is one of the cner- getic, aggressive young farmers of the county. In addition to tilling the soil in the production of the crops best adapted to climatic conditions here, he also makes a specialty of the raising of Poland China hogs, and likewise handles a good many horses. The house which stands here was erected many years ago, and is one of the old' landmarks of the county. It is finished in black walnut, and also some butternut wood-woods which are today almost priceless. The farm is well cultivated, is ncat and thrifty in its appearance in every department, and indicates the careful supervision and practical methods of the owner.
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James P. Hopkins of this review is a member of the Fraternal Life, as- sociated with Galt Lodge, No. 135. He votes the republican ticket, and though keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day, has never sought office as a reward for party fealty. His mother resides with him and is an interesting and beautiful character. Their home, although one of the old residences of the county, has been well preserved during all these years and is a comfortable dwelling. The name of Hopkins has, from pioneer times, been an honored onc in this section of the state. The work begun by the grandfather and carried on by the father is now being con- tinued by the son, who is justly classed with the representative agriculturists and reliable business men of his community.
HON. JOHN G. PRICE.
The life of John G. Price has been largely devoted to the public service, and he has made an excellent record as a valiant soldier, as an able lawyer and as one who, in connection with the military posts of the country, has ever enjoyed the good will and confidence of the boys in blue. Morcover, in the Arkansas legislature he stood for wise laws, looking beyond the exigen- cies of the moment to the possibilities, needs and opportunities of the future.
He was born in Fairfield, Franklin county, Indiana, December 8, 1831, his parents being Andrew B. and Abigail B. (Mann) Price, natives of Ohio and Kentucky, respectively. The Price family comes of Welsh lineage. The paternal grandfather, John Price, was a native of Kentucky and made his home for some years in Hart county. He died in 1868, having for some years survived his wife. Their only child was Andrew B. Price, who was born in Ohio and became a physician and surgeon, completing a course in the Cincinnati Medical College by graduation about 1821. He entered upon the active practice of his profession in Ohio, living in Dayton and other cities of that state. He was also located at different times in Indiana and Kentucky and was recognized as an able representative of his profession, his life proving of valued service to his fellowmen in this regard. He was also prominent in political circles, was a member of the Indiana legislature for several terms and also represented his district in the senate. He gave care- ful consideration to the questions which came up for settlement and left the impress of his individuality and keen political foresight upon the legislative history of the state. In early manhood he wedded Abigail B. Mann, whose father lived in Kentucky and in Indiana. She was one of a family of three daughters and one son, and her death occurred in 1846. Mr. Price long sur- vived his wife, passing away at Hebron, Porter county, Indiana, in 1873, at the age of seventy-three years. He was a consistent member of the Baptist church and a man of high ideals whose life was faultless in honor, fearless in conduct and stainless in reputation.
John G. Price, the eldest in a family of four sons and two daughters, and now the only surviving member of the family, spent his early boyhood
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in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, and after the removal of the family to Center- ville, Ohio, began his education there. Subsequently he was a student in tlie academy at Laporte, Indiana, and in 1848 le martriculated in Wabash Col- lege, from which he was graduated in 1852. He then removed to Valparaiso, Indiana, but before leaving Crawfordsville studied law for four months under the direction of General Lew Wallace.
From Valparaiso Mr. Priee came to Sterling on the 4th of October, 1853, and continued his law studies with Miles S. Henry, who was an unele by marriage. In 1858 he was admitted to the bar, the liecnsc being signed by Judge Breese, who was a very celebrated jurist of Illinois, and he then formed a partnership with his former preceptor, Mr. Henry. During the following ycar Fred Sacket was admitted to a partnership, and the firm remained Henry, Price & Sacket until our subject entered the army.
In 1861 Mr. Price went to the front as sutler for the Thirty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under command of General Kirk, and in the summer of 1862 he raised Company H of the Seventy-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infan- try, and was chosen its captain. With liis command he went south, and the first battle in which he participated was at Perryville, Kentucky, but in 1863 was obliged to resign on account of ill health. His clothing was piereed by bullets and his hat suffered the same fate, yet he never sustained a wound. He took part in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, La Verne and in a number of skirmishes, and when mustered out returned to Sterling, where he remained until June, 1865.
At that date Mr. Priee removed to Little Roek, Arkansas, where he was engaged in the practice of law until 1868, or until the passage of the reeon- struction aet. He was secretary of that constitutional convention of which General Thomas M. Bowen was president. About this time he became editor of a daily paper called the Little Rock Dispatch, which afterward became the Little Rock Daily Republican. While thus engaged in journalistic labor Mr. Price was nominated, without his knowledge, as a candidate for reprc- sentative in the Arkansas legislature, and such was his personal popularity and the confidenee reposcd in him that he was elected by a majority of five thousand and was made speaker of the house in the sessions of 1868 and 1869. During this period Mr. Price continued as editor and owner of the paper, and was thus identified with journalism in Arkansas until 1874. During that year he was made pension agent of Arkansas and Indian Territory, serving about one year.
After that time the Thirteenth United States Infantry was stationed at Little Rock, and in the summer of 1880 was transferred to Fort Lewis, Colo- rado, to protect the settlers against the Indians. Mr. Price was then appointed post trader there by the secretary of war, and filled that position until 1890, or until the disbandnient of the post. In 1888 he was elected to the Colo- rado legislature and served for one term of two years. While acting as post trader he had purchased a four hundred acre ranch, and in addition to the cultivation of the land he engaged in breeding and raising fine eattlc-the Cruikshank strain of Durhams. In 1890 he removed to Durango, Colorado, where he lived until 1892, and there began the practice of law, continuing
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at that town until 1907, when he returned to Sterling to spend the winter, having closed out all of his interests in Colorado.
On the 14th of September, 1869, Mr. Price was married, in Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania, to Miss Mary B. Smith, a daughter of S. Lehman Smith and Hester Syng (Barnes) Smith. They liad one daughter, Annie Knight Price. The mother, who was a faithful and consistent member of the Epis- copal church, died March 14, 1893. The daughter is the wife of Percy Lec Richtmyer and they reside in Chicago.
Mr. Price was made a Mason in Sterling in 1856, and the following year took the Royal Arch degrees, since which time he has twice served as high priest of the chapter, and has held offices in the lodge. He also belongs to McPherson Post, G. A. R., at Little Rock, Arkansas. While living in Ster- ling many years ago he filled the office of city attorney for two terms and was also mayor for one term. His political allegiance was given to the republican party for many years, and in fact he continued with that party until 1896, when he withdrew and became a Bryan democrat. He is now living retired, making his home in Sterling, to which city he came in an early day more than a half century ago.
JACOB GARWICK.
The history of Clyde township would be incomplete without the record of Jacob Garwick, a man whom to know was to respect, because his life was active, useful and honorable. He started out for himself empty-handed and for many years struggled earnestly to gain a substantial position in the busi- ness world. The methods which he followed were ever honorable and upright and thus in his death, which occurred October 21, 1895, Whiteside county lost a valued citizen. He is well remembered as a progressive farmer living on section 2, Clyde township, and also as a minister. That his business inter- ests were capably managed is indicated by the fact that he left a valuable estate of three hundred acres lying partly in Carroll county and still carried on by his widow.
The birth of Jacob Garwick occurred December 13, 1834, in Alsace, which was then a province of France, but has since reverted to Germany, the original owner. His father, Jacob Garwick, Sr., was also a native of that province and was of German parentage. In that country he learned and followed the miller's trade. In early manhood he wedded Magdalene Wolff, who was of French and Swiss lineage. Both of her grandsires came to Amer- ica during the progress of the Revolutionary war under the command of General LaFayette and served on his corps of officers. Several other male relatives were among the French soldiery who came to assist the colonies in their struggle for independence. Jacob Garwick, Sr., came to the United States with his wife and children in 1853 and located upon a farm in Butler county, Pennsylvania. His son Jacob was the eldest of his children and left his native province in November, 1852, arriving in Pennsylvania a year prior
Jacob Garnich
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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to his parents. In his native country he had been liberally educated in the German and French languages and for some time acted as an assistant teacher in the schools where he had been a student. He spent three months on shipboard on his way to America, not knowing a single soul on the vessel. The entire period was one of storm and peril, the food supply became ex- hausted and distress signals were flown from the masthead three successive days before their condition was discovered. They then anchored near an island in the South sea belonging to Portugal and secured sufficient supplies to enable them to proceed on their voyage. At length, however, the long trip was ended and Mr. Garwiek landed safely in the new world. Here he made preparation for a home for his parents and when he saw them comfortably settled he started for Illinois. When he reached Chicago he had not enough money to pay for his breakfast, but he succeeded in making his way to friends in Dupage county, where he obtained aid and employment. In 1854 he located in Clyde township, Whiteside county, and three years later his father's family followed him to Illinois and took up their abode upon a farm at Fair Haven, Carroll county. There the father died in June, 1878, while the mother survived until May, 1884.
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