USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 20
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Ho.& Paddock.
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LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
land, devoted his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits, pros- perity attending his labors as the years passed by. He was for forty-three years numbered among the worthy and valued citizens of his community and on the 16th of November, 1894, was called from this life, his remains being interred in the Prophetstown cemetery. His widow, still surviving him, lives in Prophetstown, at the age of eighty-eight years.
George E. Paddock was but two years old when brought by his parents to Whiteside county. His boyhood and youth were spent on the home farm with his parents and he mastered the elementary branches of learning as a public-school student in Prophetstown. Later he attended the Northern Illinois College at Fulton and in 1870 went to California with the family, spending one season on the Pacific slope. Following his return to Whiteside county, Mr. Paddock engaged in farming until 1880, since which time he has figured prominently in banking circles in Prophetstown. In that year he was appointed cashier of the Mattson Bank and so continued until the death of Mr. Mattson, when he succeeded to the business. It has been con- ducted as a private bank since 1886, under the name of the Bank of Prophets- town, and under the guidance of Mr. Paddock its patronage has increased and the business has been extended in its scope. In 1892 he erected a good two-story brick building on a corner of the main business street and the bank of Prophetstown was there installed in January, 1893. Mr. Paddock, how- ever, further extended his activities through the establishment of the Farm- ers' National Bank, of Prophetstown, in 1902. In this enterprise he was associated with Nathan Thompson, who is president, while Mr. Paddock has from the beginning been cashier. He has the active management of both . banks. In 1902 he erected a business block, to which he removed the Bank of Prophetstown in 1902, while the Farmers' National Bank continued busi- ness at the old stand.
Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Paddock was married May 6, 1873, in Prophetstown, to Miss Ella M. Quigley, a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, who in early life came with her family to this county and completed her education in the schools of Prophetstown. Her father, George B. Quigley, became one of the substantial farmers of this county and later removed to the vicinity of Evansville, Indiana. He died, however, in Sep- tember, 1907, in his eighty-fifth year. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Paddock have been born four children: Hugh, who is cashier in the Bank of Prophets- town; Jessie L., the wife of Oliver P. Petty, now assistant cashier of the Farmers' National Bank; Louis M., who died of typhoid fever at Hot Springs, Arkansas, in September, 1902, at the age of twenty years; and Gladys, who is now a senior in the Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois.
Mr. Paddock has not only figured prominently in business circles, but has also been an active factor in the various concerns which have affected the welfare and promoted the interests of his village. He is now school treasurer of Prophetstown, which position he has filled for thirty years, and the cause of public education finds in him a stalwart champion whose labors are effective and far-reaching. He is now president of the village and at other times has filled the same office while again he has been a member of
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the village board. His public service is characterized by unfaltering devo- tion to the general good and by practical methods which are productive of gratifying results. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the Royal Arch degree, and also has membership relations with the Illinois Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, and his wife is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church. They are prominent socially, having a circle of friends that is co-extensive with their acquaint- ance. The life record of Mr. Paddock has been marked by orderly progres- sion and in it there is not one esoteric phase. He is a man of strong indi- viduality, of indomitable perseverance and indefatigable enterprise and has carved his name deeply on the record of the political and financial history of Whiteside county, while the village of his residence owes much of its ad- vancement to his efforts.
RICHARD B. BURROUGHS.
Richard B. Burroughs dates his residence in Whiteside county from 1864, and in the years which have since come and gone he has witnessed many changes and at the same time has borne his part in the work of progress and improvement, especially in agricultural lines. He now lives on section 33, Prophetstown township, where he owns a farm of eighty-five acres. He was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, January 10, 1838, his parents being Selalı and Louisa Burroughs. The former was a native of the state of New York, where he resided until after the death of his wife, when he removed to Erie county, Pennsylvania, where he remained for three years. In 1864 he arrived in Whiteside county, Illinois, and purchased land in Prophetstown township, but was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, for his death occurred the following year. He was twice married, and by the first union there were four children, but Richard B. is the only one now liv- ing. By his second marriage he had four children: Carlos, a resident of Morrison, Illinois; Leonard H., living in Prophetstown; and two who have passed away.
Richard B. Burroughs remained in the east during the period of his mi- nority and acquired a public school education. He came to the middle west, however, with his father, in 1864, and has since been a resident of White- side county. He purchased the farm of eighty-five acres upon which he now resides, and his time and energies, year after year, have been devoted to its further development and cultivation, his fields bringing forth good crops, while in all his business interests he has been actuated by laudable ambition, while his labors have been guided by sound judgment.
Mr. Burroughs perfected his arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage in 1872 to Miss Martha Griswold, who was born in the state of New York and was one of nine children. After a happy married life of twenty years she passed away in 1892, leaving a husband and two children to mourn hier loss. The daughter, Lucy 'May, however, is now de- ceased, while the son, Merton, is at home.
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Mr. Burroughs exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party, for he feels that its platform contains the best elements of good government. He has held several township offices, to which he has been called by the vote of his fellow townsmen, who recognize ·him as a citizen of genuine worth. For a half century he has been a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his life is at all times hon- orable and upright.
DANA B. SEGER, M. D.
Dr. Dana B. Scger, who has attained a gratifying measure of success in the practice of medicine in Morrison, was born in Ruinford, Maine, Janu- ary 4, 1842. His father, Allen Seger, a native of Maine, was a son of Na- thaniel Seger, who served in a Massachusetts regiment in the Revolutionary war. The great-grandfather of Dr. Seger lived in Boston, but nothing is definitely known concerning the establishment of the family in the new world. Allen Seger was a farmer by occupation, and in 1852 came to the middle west, settling in Weathersfield township, Henry county, where he continued farming until the fall of 1852, when he removed to Erie, White- side county. Here he owned a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and carried on general agricultural pursuits. He spent his remaining days here, dying, in 1872, at the age of seventy-eight years. He was a member of the Christian church, and his life was ever upright and honorable. His political allegiance was given to the republican party. His wife, Achsa Howard, was born in Vermont, and was of English ancestry. Her father was Samuel Howard, a son of a Revolutionary hero, who enlisted from Massachusetts for service in the Continental army, serving as captain of his company. The Howards-three brothers -- came to this country in 1636 and settled at Bos- ton. Samuel Howard was a farmer and a carpenter and joiner. His daugh- ter, Mrs. Seger, was also a member of the Christian church and a lady of many excellent traits of character. In the family were three children: Mary E. and Milton HI., both deceased; and Dana B.
Dr. Seger was reared to farm life and attended the district and private schools in the acquirement of his literary education. He afterward studied medicine in the office of Dr. Samuel Taylor, in Erie and in Morrison, at which time Dr. Taylor was in partnership with Dr. Z. C. Ferson. Mr. Seger next entered the Rush Medical College, in 1865, and was graduated in 1868. He began practice at Erie, where he remained for fourteen years, removing to Morrison in 1882, since which time he has successfully prosecuted his profession here, becoming the family physician in many a household, a liberal patronage being accorded him. As he has prospered in his undertak- ings he has made judicious investment in property, and is now the owner of lands in Iowa and Missouri.
Dr. Seger was married in 1873 to. Miss Catherine Reynolds, now de- ceased, who was born in Fenton township, a daughter of William and Ann
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HISTORY OF' WHITESIDE COUNTY
Reynolds, the father a pioneer carpenter of this county. Dr. and Mrs. Seger had three children : Inez K., at home; Ivy L., the wife of Luther E. Ram- say, an attorney-at-law of Morrison; and Ralph R., a student in the Illinois University.
Dr. Seger has a creditable military record, for in his early manhood, when he was but nineteen years of age, he enlisted for service in the Civil war, joining the army at Chicago in November, 1861, as a member of Company I, Forty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. In May, 1862, he was discharged on account of disability, but re-enlisted at Dixon, Illinois, in 1864, in Com- pany K of the Seventy-fourth Illinois Infantry, with which he served until October 8, 1865. He was then mustered out at New Orleans. On the date of his second cnlistment he was detailed as hospital steward and served in that capacity in the field until discharged. During his first enlistment he par- ticipated in the battle of Fort Donelson.
He is now a member of Alpheus Clark Post, G. A. R., and he also be- longs to the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of the Maccabees and the Mod- ern Woodmen of America. His political allegiance is given the republican party, and while not a politician in the sense of office seeking, he has held some local offices. In the line of his profession he is connected with the County, the State and American Medical Associations, and through the interchange of thought and experience in those organizations, as well as by private study and research, he keeps in touch with the advance made by the profession, and thus continually promotes his efficiency. He discharges his duties with a sense of conscientious obligation that makes him one of the able members of the medical fraternity of Whiteside county.
CARL S. COE.
The various business interests which contribute to the sum total of Ster- ling's commercial activity and enterprise find a worthy representative in Carl S. Coe, a dealer in cigars, newspapers, magazines and periodicals, his place of business being at No. 3 East Third street. He is one of the county's na- tive sons, his birth having occurred on a farm north of Sterling, July 14, 1878. His parents were Marcus Lafayette and Julia A. (Galt) Coe, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. Upon the home farm in Hopkins town- ship he was reared, no event of special importance occurring to vary the routine of farm life for him in his boyhood and youth. He mastered the preliminary branches of English learning as a pupil in the district schools, and afterward attended the public schools of Sterling. When not occupied with his text-books his time and attention were given to the work of the farm, and he was thus connected with agricultural interests until twenty years of age when, thinking to find other pursuits more congenial, he began clerk- ing in the grocery store of W. H. Over & Company, with whom he remained for several years. He then joined his father in a partnership in the grocery business under the firm style of M. L. Coe & Son, which relation was main-
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
tained up to the time of the father's death. Later Carl S. Coe was employed as a salesman in the Bec Hive for three years, upon the expiration of which period he bought his present cigar and news depot, and has since conducted a large, constantly growing and profitable business.
On the 20th of May, 1904, Mr. Coc was married to Miss Harriet V. How- land, a daughter of James H. and Elizabeth H. Howland, who became early settlers of Whiteside county, taking up their abode in Coloma township, where Mr. Howland followed farming. He and his wife are now residents of Ster- ling, and unto theni were born two daughters and two sons, namely: Harry; Bert; Alice, the wife of W. J. Sowles; and Mrs. Harriet Coe. Unto our sub- ject and his wife has been born a son, James Marcus Coe. The parents are members of the Presbyterian church and the family residence is at No. 412 Avenue C.
In his political allegiance Mr. Coe is a republican, but while giving hearty and loyal support to the party, he never seeks or desires public office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. In trade circles he has been watchful of his opportunities, has utilized the advantages which have come to him and is now enjoying creditable success derived from the conduct of a constantly increasing business.
JOHN BOYD.
John Boyd has retired from active business life, although still residing on his finely improved farm just south of Morrison. In a history of those long and prominently connected with the county, he well deserves mention, for he has been a resident here since July, 1850, being one of the few remain- ing old settlers. He came directly from Scotland after a brief interval of a week spent in Chicago, where he awaited his opportunity to secure a ride in a lumber wagon to Dixon. The stage at that time made regular trips be- tween Dixon and Fulton, and he reached the former city just too late to make the stage trip and so hired a man to bring him to Whiteside county. He has since made six trips back to Scotland, but while having the warmest attach- ment for the land of his birth, he is equally sincere and loyal in his devo- tion to the land of his adoption, and has the utmost love for the stars and stripes.
Mr. Boyd was born in Ayrshire, in the parish of Dalry, twenty miles south of Glasgow, September 1, 1826, and was there reared to manhood, a son of William and Mary (Robinson) Boyd. The reports which he heard concerning America and the advantage which she offered to her people, in- duced him to try his fortune in the new world. He arrived with a capital of about ninety dollars, which has since been increased many hundredfold, for in his undertakings he has been very successful, and as the years have passed has acquired a handsome competence. He began farming on his own account on what is now the old homestead, in Mount Pleasant township, just east of his present home. For six years after his arrival he worked for others
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
at threshing and in different departments of farm labor. He early formed the resolve that he would ever be straightforward and honest in his business dealings, and this course he has resolutely pursued, with the result that his is an unsullied name, and in business circles his word is recognized as being as good as his bond. His first farm comprised one hundred and thirty acres of land, but as opportunity offered, he added to his possessions from time to time, until he owned over six hundred acres of land. Although he has since disposed of a portion of this, he yet retains over three hundred acres of valu- able farın property. As the years have passed he has prospered, conducting large business dealings, yet has never had a lawsuit. He would prefer to suffer a small loss rather than appear in the courts, but his own justice and fair dealing have almost invariably secured him such treatment in return.
In February, 1857, in the land of hills and heather, Mr. Boyd was mar- ried to Miss Isabella Archibald, who was also a native of the parish of Dalry, and was there reared, a daughter of Daniel and Mary (Easdale) Archibald. For a half century they traveled life's journey happily together as man and wife, and they were then separated by the hand of death, Mrs. Boyd passing away on the 8th of March, 1907, at the age of eighty-two years. They had met together many hardships and difficulties, had worked side by side for the attainment of success and for the interests of their family, and as the years passed their mutual love and confidence increased. Mrs. Boyd is most lovingly remembered for her many deeds of kindness in the community, the poor and needy finding in her a friend, while those in sorrow or distress re- ceived her sure and warm sympathy.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Boyd were born three children, but the daughter, Mary, died at the age of seventeen years. The elder son, James Boyd, is now cashier of a bank in Kearney, Nebraska, where he has made his home for the past twenty years. He is married and has a son eleven years of age, and also lost one son in infancy. William, now residing in Morrison, married a daughter of M. S. Heaton. He spent several years in Kearney, Nebraska, but returned to Morrison, and is now connected with the condensed milk factory there, driving over the country in the interests of the company.
For many years Jolın Boyd, of this review, led a most active life and was widely known as an enterprising farmer, who kept abreast with the times in all lines of agricultural improvement. In addition to the tilling of the soil lie followed the dairy business for several years, and also bought and shipped cattle, making a specialty of milk cows. He devoted the last twenty years of his business life to the cattle business. He is now living retired, having a fine farm, upon which he has made all of the improvements. About eighteen or twenty years ago he erected his present commodious and beautiful residence, and here he is now spending the evening of his life in the enjoy- ment of well earned rest. He has reached the venerable age of eighty-two years, but keeps in touch with the interests of the day and in spirit seems much younger. Politically he has always been a democrat, but never an aspirant for office./ His timc and energies have been concentrated upon his business interests with gratifying success, and his life may well serve as an example to others, showing what may be accomplished by persistent, hon-
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orable effort. No word has ever been uttered against his good name, and on the contrary he enjoys to the fullest degree the respect and confidence of those with whom he has been associated. He has always stood for all that is just and right in inan's relations with his fellowmen, and has ever endorsed movements for the benefit of the county along material, intellectual, social . and moral lines.
H. C. CONRADY.
It is always a source of encouragement to others to learn of the. history of a self-made man who in the pursuit of an honorable purpose and untiring activity in business affairs wins a goodly measure of success. Such has been the record of H. C. Conrady, who follows farming and stock-raising on sec- tion 23, Union Grove township. Six years ago he purchased this farm of two hundred acres, which is now finely improved, being equipped with many mod- ern accessories and conveniences, while the well kept appearance of the place indicates his careful and systematic management. He is one of the county's native sons, having been born in April, 1865, in Clyde township, where he resided until fourteen years ago.
His parents, Henry and Christina (Zugschwerdt) Conrady, are both now deceased, the former having died in 1895, when more than eighty-six years of age, while the latter passed away in 1881, at the age of fifty-four years. Henry Conrady came from Germany to the United States in 1840, casting in his lot with the pioneer settlers of Whiteside county when almost the entire countryside presented the appearance of a wild and undeveloped tract of land, unacquainted with the labors of the white race. He purchased part of his land at a dollar and a quarter per acre and also bought other tracts, sccuring about one hundred and fifteen acres, which he devoted to general farming. His political views endorsed the democratic party and his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Catholic church.
Unto him and his wife were born nine children: James, a retired farmer living in Kingsley, Iowa; William, of Carroll county, Illinois, who for many years followed agricultural pursuits but is now retired; Henry C., of this review; Frank, a resident of Kingsley, Iowa; Julia, who is also living in the same place; Mrs. Lizzie Senniff, whose husband is a farmer of Carroll county, Illinois; Clara, who died at the age of twenty years; Mrs. Dora Taylor, who died at Chadwick, Carroll county, Illinois, in the fall of 1905; and Mrs. Katie Aldritt, whose husband operates a farm in Aberdeen, South Dakota.
H. C. Conrady spent the days of his boyhood and youth in Clyde town- ship and when twenty-one years of age started out in life on his own account. As he had no capital it was necessary that he earn the money to enable him to become a landowner. For sixteen years he cultivated rented land but all this time was possessed of a laudable ambition to one day own a farm and by carefully saving his earnings he was at lengthi enabled to purchase his present farm in the fall of 1901. It was formerly known as the Thomas Harrison
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place and comprises two hundred acres of productive soil that responds readily to tlie care and labor which he bestows upon it. The plowing and planting of early spring are followed by bounteous harvests in the late autumn and thus year by year he is adding to his competency.
In 1892, in Iowa, Mr. Conrady was married to Miss Ella Jane Huffman, who was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, in 1866, a daughter of Joseph and Susan J. (Light) Huffman, who became residents of Iowa in 1868, set- tling in Jackson county, where they remained a number of years. Both are now deceased, the father having died in 1880, at the age of forty-two years, while the mother passed away November 1, 1906, at the age of sixty-eight years. They were the parents of ten children: Edwin, who is living in Kings- ley, Iowa; Harvey, who resides on the old home farm in Clinton county ; Joseph, living at Monmouth, Jackson county, Iowa; John, who died at the age of twenty-one years; Mrs. Lucina Kauffman, of Jackson county, Iowa; Mrs. Anne Hicks, whose husband is a farmer of Ames, Iowa; Mrs. Conrady ; Mrs. Virta Wade, who died at her home in Nebraska about 1894; Mrs. Emroy Leatherberry, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Mrs. Nellie Durkee, of Carroll county, Illinois.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Conrady was blessed with a son and daugh- ter: Lester H., who was born in Clyde township March 14, 1895; and Nellie G., born September 25, 1900, in Carroll county, Illinois. The parents are well known in this part of the state, where they have many friends. Political- ly a democrat, Mr. Conrady has been called to serve as tax collector and in other local offices of Clyde township and has also been officially connected with the schools as a director. Both he and his wife hold membership with the Mystic Workers of Morrison.
HARLOW SMITH.
In a history of those who have been factors in Whiteside county's agri- cultural development mention should be made of Harlow Smith, who for a long period was connected with farming interests here. He came from Can- ada to Whiteside county in 1848 and died in Hume township on the 27th of February, 1905. His birth occurred in Preston, Canada, May 19, 1830. His parents, William and Ana (Southerland) Smith, were both natives of Vermont, and in carly life crossed the border into Canada and were there identified with farming interests throughout the remainder of their days. They had a family of thirteen children, but only one is now living-Mrs. Electa Dolph, who resides in Preston, Canada.
Harlow Smith spent the first eighteen years of his life in the place of his nativity and acquired a public-school education. He then came to Illi- nois, believing that better business opportunities were to be enjoyed in the United States than in the Dominion and that while competition was livelier success was more quickly secured. He located in Prophetstown, where he began working for Warner Brothers in driving a team, hauling wood and
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