USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 23
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The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Coe was blessed with six children, five sons and one daughter. Frank is superintendent of the grain department of the Corn Products Company of New York and Chicago. Carl S. is condueting a cigar store and news stand in Sterling. He wedded Harriet V. Howland, by whom he has one son, James Marcus. . Evelyn B., the eldest daughter, is the wife of George D. Greenough, a real-estate dealer of Sterling. James Alex- ander died in January, 1905, at the age of twenty-one years. Dee O. is em- ployed by his brother Carl, while Burton W., the youngest member of the family, is at home.
Mr. Coe gave his political support to the republican party, while his re- ligious faith was indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church, to which his widow also belongs. He was well and favorably known in both Sterling and Whiteside county as an industrious and useful man, whose prob- ity was an unquestioned fact in his career and therefore his death, which occurred on the 6th of March, 1902, was the occasion of deep regret not only to his immediate family but also to his numerous friends and acquaintances.
JOHN F. SHULER.
Among the representatives of farming interests in Montmorency town- ship is numbered John F. Shuler. He was born in this township on the place where he now resides and is a son of John and Eliza (Scheler) Shuler, who were natives of Germany and Pennsylvania, respectively. The father came to America at an early age and, removing to the west, settled in White- side county, Illinois, where he purchased eighty acres of land, while later he added a tract of similar size to the first purchase. He became a prosperous farmer and afterward bought the old Woodford farm of one hundred and sixty acres, where he lived for about a year and a half or until his death. His good qualities won him the respect and confidence of his fellowmen, while his well-directed activity was the measure of a gratifying suecess.
John F. Shuler acquired his education in the common schools and Rock Falls high school, where he pursucd the course to within a few months of graduation, when the duties and responsibilities of the home farm made it absolutely necessary that he put aside his text-books and assist his mother in carrying on the home place. His father had died when the son was but
MR. AND MRS. JOHN F. SHULER
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seven years of age and from that time forward he assisted more and more largely as his ycars and strength increased in the work of his mother's farm. His entire life has been one of unremitting energy and carefully directed diligence.
On the 23d of November, 1904, Mr. Shuler was married to Miss Han- nah R. Ramsdell, a daughter of Reuben H. and Barbara (Smith) Ramsdell, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. At the time of their marriage Mr. Shuler located upon the old homestead where he has since lived. The place is known as the Pine Row farm and is pleasantly and con- veniently located about three miles south of Sterling, in the midst of the richest farming country of the world. The soil responds readily to the care and cultivation bestowed upon it and the intelligently directed labors of Mr. Shuler have resulted in bringing forth large crops and in placing the farm under high cultivation.
Mrs. Shuler was educated in the Sterling township high school and is a graduate of the class of 1902. She also attended a business college and was employed for a time as bookkeeper. Both Mr. and Mrs. Shuler have many warm friends in this locality, where they have long resided, their good qualities of heart and mind winning for them the favorable regard of those with whom they have been associated. They are members of the Lutheran church and Mr. Shuler gives his political allegiance to the republican party. That his life has been a straightforward and honorable one is indicated by the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time.
VICTOR SCHIFFMACHER.
Victor Schiffmacher, who is now living retired at No. 806 First avenue in Sterling, has long made his home in this section of the state. In fact more than half a century has passed since he arrived in Whiteside county, begin- ning life here as a farm hand. On the day that Abraham Lincoln was elected to the presidency he took up his abode in Sterling, where he has since made his home. The years have been witness of the honorable record that he has made in the conduct of his business and in all his relations with his fellow- inen, and he is now held in such high regard as to render it imperative that mention be made of him in this volume.
Mr. Schiffmacher was born in Scheibenhardt, Kanton Langen, Kaudel, Rheinpfalz, Germany, April 10, 1831, his parents being Francis Joseph and Catharina (Roth) Schiffmacher. The father was a civil engineer in his native country and a prominent man of the locality in which he resided. He died about 1867 or 1868 at the age of sixty-five years, while his wife survived him for a considerable period and was more than eighty-eight years of age at the time of her death. They were the parents of four children who rcached adult age: Victor; Appalonia, deceased; Joseph A., living in Sterling, Illinois; and Thersia, deceased. One other child died in infancy.
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Victor Schiffmacher, who was reared in the fatherland, acquired a good common-school education and when fourteen years of age started out in life on his own account by learning the cooper's trade, which he followed in Germany and also after his emigration to the new world. Favorable reports reached him concerning the opportunities of America and after a voyage of forty-two days he landed in New York city, June 18, 1854, determined to try his fortune on this side of the Atlantic. He made his way at once into the interior of the country and reached Chicago on the 2d of July. Continuing his journey westward to Whiteside county, he secured employment as a farm hand in Jordan township about six miles from Sterling, and was thus em- ployed during the summer months, while through the winter he worked at his trade. As previously stated he became a resident of Sterling in November, 1860, on the day on which Abraham Lincoln was elected president. Here he worked as a journeyman at the cooper's trade, being so employed until the following spring, when he began business on his own account, so continuing until 1884. He built up an excellent trade as a cooper, sometimes employing as many as forty men. On his retirement from that business he began con- tracting and put in one of the first sewers in Sterling. it extending from the river to the north side of the railroad tracks. He also put in the water wheels and power for the electric light plant and took other contracts but for a long period has lived retired in the enjoyment of well earned rest.
On the 31st of October, 1861, Mr. Schiffmacher was married to Miss Mar- garetta Boehm, a daughter of Frederick and Salome Boehm. She died January 13, 1900, at the age of sixty-four years, in the faith of the Catholic church, her membership having been with the Sacred Heart church. On the 24th of Sep- teniber; 1900, Mr. Schiffmacher was married again, his second union being with Mary Ann Burkhard, who was born in Dahn, Kanton Dahn, Rheinpfalz, Germany, November 29, 1848, a daughter of Philip and Margaretha (Schrein- er) Burkhard, who died between eight or nine years after she came to America. Mrs. Schiffmacher landed in Rock Island on New Year's day, 1868, and has since lived in northern Illinois.
Mr. Schiffmacher and his present wife are members of the Sacred Heart Catholic church. He cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, also voted for General Grant and has many times supported the candi- dates of the republican party but inay be said to be independent in politics, holding himself free to cast his ballot without regard to party affiliation or to party rule. He resides at No. 806 First avenue, Sterling, where in 1906 he erected a fine residence, and in the same year built an attractive home at No. 802 First avenue for his nephew, John Lauber.
Mr. Schiffmacher has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to America for here he has found the business opportunities he sought and as the years went by worked his way steadily upward from a humble finan- cial position to one of affluence. His labors were carefully directed and his kcen insight and executive force were strong elements in his success. He now has good invested interests from which he annually derives a desirable income. He is a director of the First National Bank of Sterling, being so con- nected with the institution for twenty-seven years and with the exception of
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the president is the oldest director of this bank in years of continuous con- nection with its board of managers. During this time he has only missed one directors' meeting, this being in January, 1908.
JOHN D. ODLIN.
John D. Odlin, who carries on general farming and stock-raising in Union Grove township, is a native of New Hampshire. He was born in Concord, January 7, 1855. His father, George Odlin, was born August 26, 1823, in Exeter, Rockingham county, New Hampshire, and was a son of James and Martha (Osborn) Odlin, who were likewise natives of that place. George Odlin was a youth of seventeen years when he left home and went to Concord to learn the printer's trade, following the business there for twelve years. In 1844 he purchased an interest in the New Hampshire Statesman, which is still being published at Concord, and edited that journal for seven years, after . which he sold out in 1851. However, he continued a resident of Concord and of Manchester until 1856, when he left the Old Granite state and made his way westward to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, for the purpose of engaging in the milling business. He believed that he might have better business opportuni- ties and secure success more quickly in the Mississippi valley, which was be- ing rapidly settled. He continued in milling until 1858, when he removed from Wisconsin to Union Grove township, Whiteside county, Illinois. Here he turned his attention to farming, purchasing an improved tract of land on section 5. His time and energies were given to its further development and management until 1881, when he placed the property in the care of his son. and removed to Morrison, where he lived retired in the enjoyment of well earned rest until his death, which occurred October 26, 1888. While he did not seek to figure prominently in any public light, he lived as an upright, useful citizen, an active and honorable business man, and thus left to his family an untarnished name.
On the 9th of September, 1846, George Odlin was united in marriage to Miss Emma P. Dustin, who was born in Francistown, Hillsboro county, New Hampshire, and is a lineal descendant of Hannah Dustin, whose capture by the Indians forms one of the romantic incidents of American history. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Odlin were born three sons and a daughter: James W. and Joseph A., both now deceased; Mrs. Martha Barrell, living in Maine; and John D., of this review. .
The last named was only about a year old at the time of his parents' re- moval to Wisconsin and was but three years of age when brought to White- side county. Here he was reared amid conditions and environments sugges- tive of the frontier and early formed habits of industry and integrity because of the lessons impressed upon his mind by his father. Through his boyhood and youth, when not engaged in the acquirement of an education in the pub- lic schools, he worked in the fields and on the 12th of April, 1883, he made arrangements for having a home of his own. It was on that day that he
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married Miss Maggie Entwhistle, a daughter of J. W. Entwhistle, who was born December 9, 1855. The young couple began their domestic life on the farm which has since been their home and their union has been blessed with one daughter, Nellie, who was born July 19, 1888. She still remains under the parental roof and has been a successful teacher in the Lincoln school.
Mr. Odlin owns and operates one hundred and twenty acres of rich farming land lying in Union Grove and Ustick townships. The fields are fer- tile, responding readily to the carc and labor which he bestows upon them, so that he annually gathers golden harvests. In addition to tilling the soil he also raises stock and both branches of his business are proving profitable. His political allegiance is given to the republican party but the honors and emolu- ments of office have no attraction for him, as he prefers to give his undivided attention to his business interests. For half a century he has lived in this county. It seems hardly possible that it is within the memory of living man when Whiteside county was largely an unsettled and unimproved district, but Mr. Odlin can remember when many of the good public highways of the present had not been laid out; when its cities were villages and only com- paratively few of its farms were cultivated. He enjoyed the hospitality of the early days and the pleasures which fronticr life afforded, and as the years have gone by he has lived to see the many improvements wrought by time and man and has borne his full share in the work of public progress.
ALFRED C. STANLEY.
Among those who constitute the personnel of business interests in Rock Falls is numbercd Alfred C. Stanley, well known as a merchant and as super- intendent of the wood department for the International Harvester Company. A gentleman of resourceful ability, he has always recognized that the present and not the future holds the opportunity and that advancement depends upon the wise use to which the passing moment is put. Gradually he has worked his way upward until he has become a forceful factor in mercantile and in- dustrial circles in this city.
He was born in Naperville township, Dupage county, Illinois, September 10, 1844, his parents being Urbin D. and Octavia (Crampton) Stanley, both of whom were natives of New England, the former born in Vermont and the latter in Connecticut. The Stanley family is an old one of that section of the country. The ancestry is English, but at an early day representatives of the name came to America. Joel Stanley, the paternal grandfather, was born in Vermont, where he lived until after his marriage and then removed westward to Ohio, settling near Cleveland, where he followed the occupation of farming. He was twicc married and died at the age of cighty-five years. The maternal grandfather of our subject was David Crampton, who was a native of Con- necticut and of English lincage. He came west with his son at an early day and settled in Dupage county, Illinois, where he died when more than eighty- four years of age. His wife was Mrs. Julia Crampton.
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Urbin D. Stanley accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio, where he remained until coming to Illinois in 1832. He was a farmer by occupa- tion and following his arrival in this state settled in Dupage county, which at that time was a largely unimproved and undeveloped district. Only six years before had the Black Hawk war occurred and there were still many evidences of Indian occupancy in this part of the state-traces of the red men who for long years had wandered over this section of the country. Mr. Stanley pur- chased a tract of raw land of one hundred and thirty acres and began the im- provement and development of the farm which he continued to operate until his death, at the age of forty-four years, his demise resulting from the kick of a horse. His wife survived him for some time and passed away at the age of sixty-five years. Both were members of the Congregational church. Their family numbered six children, two sons and four daughters, of whom three are now living: Lucy, the wife of David Jenkins, of Hubbell, Nebraska; Al- fred C .; and Emma M., the wife of Morris Carnes, of Aurora, Illinois. The three who have passed away werc Fidelia, the wife of Albert Brown; Howard, who died in Dupage county; and Julia, who was the wife of Dr. Thomas Eckles.
Alfred C. Stanley was reared in Dupage county, Illinois, upon his father's farm, early becoming acquainted with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. Hc attended the district schools and the Naperville Seminary in the acquirement of his education, and following the early death of his father, the management and development of the home farm devolved upon him between the ages of thirteen and twenty-three years. At length, how- ever, he resolved to follow some other pursuit than that of agriculture and leaving the farm he entered the shops of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad at Aurora, continuing with that company for four years. For a time he was in the car department and during the last year and a half was in the passenger coaclı department. In 1873 he came to Rock Falls, where lie followed the carpenter's trade for a year, on the expiration of which period he secured employment in a coffin factory. His capability was so noteworthy that at the end of ten months he was given charge of the shop and made a new set of patterns for the shop. For five years he was connected with the business as a salaried representative, after which he continued in the manu- facture of coffins under contract for four years. On the expiration of that period, with the capital acquired through his industry and careful expenditure, he established a grocery store, whichi he conducted for twenty-one consecutive years, his long continuance with the trade indicating his success and grow- ing patronage. Later his sons, Walter and Earl, took charge of the business, which they conducted until the fall of 1907, when Walter Stanley retired and A. C. Stanley again became active in its management in association with his son Earl. For the past year he has also been foreman of the wood depart- ment for the International Harvester Company, which employs in all of its departments at this place about two hundred and fifty men.
On the 27th of September, 1866, Mr. Stanley was married to Miss Hattie Terry, a daughter of Samuel Terry, and unto them was born a son, Harry, who was an engineer on the Illinois Central Railroad, being advanced to that
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position when but twenty-two years of age. At the age of twenty-four he was killed in a railroad wreck, leaving a wife, who bore the maiden name of Kate Brennan, and one son, Alfred. Mrs. Hattie Stanley died in 1871 and Mr. Stanley afterward wedded Miss Florence Lilly, a daughter of Edward and Lois (Townsend) Lilly. They have four children: Walter, Earl, Lois and Howard. The first named, who married Laura Wooley, is now engaged in merchandising in Seattle, Washington. Earl wedded Myrtle Wall and is his father's partner in business. Lois and Howard are still at home.
Mrs. Stanley is connected with the Christian Seicnee church. Mr. Stan- ley belongs to Roek River Lodge, No. 612, A. F. & A. M .; Sterling Chapter, No. 57, R. A. M .; Sterling Commandery, No. 57, K. T .; and Medinah Temple of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Chicago. He is also connected with the Odd Fellows as a member of Advance Lodge, No. 590, I. O. O. F., and politi- eally he is a republican. In 1888 he built a beautiful home at No. 301 East Third street, where he and his family reside. He has also ereeted his store building and the Whitney Hotel and has put up other buildings in Roek Falls which have contributed in substantial measure to its material develop- ment. In addition to his other interests, he is a stockholder and director in the First National Bank of this city and in community affairs he has done ef- fective work as the champion of all interests and measures calculated to promote publie progress, municipal virtue and the interests of the community at large. He was village trustee for one term, was president of the school board for two terms, and that he proved a most capable supervisor is indieated by the faet that he filled that office for ten years. In a review of his life record it will be found that his methods have ever been such as will bear the closest scrutiny, that he has won advancement through following out well defined plans, and that in the execution of his purpose he has shown strong determination, yield- ing at no point where honorable, persistent effort could win suceess.
JAMES BRODERICK.
Nature seems to have intended that the cvcning of life shall be a period of rest, and he who carefully and intelligently direets his labors through the years of early manhood and mature life and avoids reckless expenditure can sequire a competence that will provide for the wants of old age without re- course to further labor. Mr. Broderiek was for a long period eonneeted with the farming interests of Whiteside county but he is now enjoying a well merited rest at his home in Sterling, where he has lived since 1901.
He was born in the parish of Turanena, in County Waterford, Ireland, in 1831, his parents being Thomas and Mary (Whalen) Broderick, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The father conducted an extensive black- smithing business and also owned a farnı in Ireland but wishing to do still better by his family came to America in 1850, attraeted by the larger oppor- tunities for business activity and suecess. With his wife and children he sailed for the new world and spent one summer in the state of New York, but
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in the fall of that year made his way westward to the Mississippi valley, set- tling near Maysville, Kentucky. where he lived retired, while his sons were in the railroad service therc. In the spring of 1855 he came with his family to Illinois, locating in Ogle county, where for three years he made his home near Polo. He next came to Whiteside county, settling in Clyde township, where he purchased two hundred and forty acres of land. Here his attention was given to the supervision of his farming interests, which were carefully managed and brought him a very gratifying financial return. He died when almost ninety years of age. His wife, who was much younger, survived him for about fifteen years and was eighty years of age at the time of her demise. Their family numbered eight children, three sons and five daughters: Jo- hanna, the wife of Morris Herbert, of Polo, Illinois; Mary, the wife of Thomas Sheehan, of Chicago; Ellen, the widow of William Mooney, of Sterling; John, a retired farmer living in Morrison, this state; James Broderick, of this review; and Margaret, Bridget and Patrick, who are now deceased.
Little is known concerning the ancestral history of the family. The pater- nal grandfather died in Ireland but beyond that there is no record concern- ing the Brodericks. The maternal grandfather was James Whalen, a wealthy farmer of Ireland, who died there at an old age. He was twice married and the only child of the first union was Mrs. Mary (Whalen) Broderick.
James Broderick was reared as a farmer boy and throughout his busi- ness eareer followed agricultural pursuits. He began his education in the schools of Ireland and later in the sehool of experience learned many valua- ble and practical lessons. He was a young man when he went to Ogle county and with his father he remained until the latter's death, after which the es- tate was divided, the three sons each inheriting eighty acres of land in Clyde township. James Broderick located upon the farm which thus came into his possession and as liis financial resources increased he added to it eighty aeres of prairie land and twenty aeres of timber, so that he had an excellent farm of one hundred and eighty acres. To its further development and im- provement he devoted his energies and brought the fields under a high state of cultivation, annually gathering rich harvests as a reward for the care and labor he bestowed upon them. He continued to successfully carry on farm- ing until the spring of 1901, when he sold the old homestead and removed to Sterling, where he has since lived retired, his home being at No. 107 Fifth avenue.
In 1861 Mr. Broderick was united in marriage to Miss Ann Meehan, who . was born in Oncida county, New York, a daughter of John Mechan. They became the parents of five children: Thomas, who died at the age of four years; Mary, the wife of Edward Junker, a resident of Chicago, by whom she has four children, George, Ruth, and Myrtle and Ivy, twins; James, who is in the real-estate business in Sterling and wedded Margaret Flynn, by whom he has five living children, Leo, Frank, Herbert, Leonard and Pearl; Thomas, who is also engaged in the real-estate business in Sterling; and John, who resides at Fessenden, North Dakota, where he conducts a hotel and also owns land. He married Theresa Junker. In August, 1872, Mr. Broderick was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who was a member of the Catholic church, and
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