USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 25
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eventually winning that measure of success which is always the reward of unremitting industry and indcfatigable energy, supplemented by sound judg- ment and keen discrimination in business affairs.
Mr. Aggen has been married twice. He was first wedded in Chicago, in 1886, to Miss Grace Dyhuis, of that city, a daughter of Peter Dyhuis. She passed away in 1891, leaving one son, John, and in 1892 our subject was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Mary Wilkins, nee Muldimaker, a native of Holland. Her parents, also natives of that country, emigrated to America in 1882, locating in Fulton, where the father's death occurred in 1891; while his wife survived him until May, 1903. Mrs. Aggen has three living children by her first husband: Claus; Josie, the wife of Jacob Wierse- ma; and Cornelius. By her present marriage she has two children, Tessie and Render.
Mr. Aggen is independent in politics, and, though he generally votes the republican ticket, does not consider himself bound by party ties, always cast- ing his ballot for the candidate whom he believes best qualified for office. Both he and his wife are members of the Dutch Reformed Church of America and are highly esteemed throughout the community as people of genuine per- sonal worth and sterling traits of heart and mind. The hope that led him to leave his native land and seek a home in America has been more than realized. He found the opportunities lie sought,-which, by the way, are always open to the ambitious, energetic man,-and making the best of these he has stead- ily worked his way upward, his name being now enrolled among the pros- perous and enterprising residents of Whiteside county.
WILLIAM F. GOULD.
Through the years of an active business career William F. Gould fol- lowed farming and carpentering, but is now living retired in Sterling, his prosperity in former years supplying him with the necessities and comforts and some of the luxuries of life. He has long since passed the Psalmist's span of three score years and ten, his birth having occurred in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, July 20, 1829. In both the paternal and maternal lines he represents old families of the Empire state. His two grandfathers, William Gould and Gideon De Groff, were natives of New York, were farm- ers by occupation and lived to old age. Tobias Gould, father of our subject, was born in Saratoga county, New York, was reared to agricultural pursuits and made farming his life work. Removing to Pennsylvania, he settled in Bradford county, where he conducted a farm and also filled the office of county sheriff for a time. In early manhood he married Diana De Groff, likewise a native of Saratoga county, New York. His death occurred in 1831 and his widow afterward married Samuel Scott. By her first marriage she had three sons and a daughter, of whom only William F. Gould is now living. By her second husband she had two daughters, one of whom has passed away, while Mary Jane Scott is now the widow of Charles Ayers and resides in Sheldon, Iowa.
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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WILLIAM F. GOULD
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MRS. WILLIAM F. GOULD
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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William F. Gould was only about eighteen months old when his father died. He lived with his mother to the age of fourteen years and acquired a common-school education. He then traveled westward by steamer to Wis- consin, settling in what was then Racine county, but is now Kenosha county. This was in 1844. A few years later he returned to the Empire state, taking up his abode in the town of Cato, Cayuga county, where he learned and fol- lowed the trade of a carpenter and joiner, being identified with building operations in the east for a number of years. In 1858 he came to Illinois, settling in Whiteside county, and for a time worked at his trade, after which he purchased a farm of forty-eight acres in Jordan township, on which a small frame house had been erected by the first settler, he being the second to locate there. Subsequently he bought forty acres more from the Illinois Central Railroad and still later another forty-acre tract from Joseph Sowles. He improved all this, bringing the land under a high state of cultivation, his fields producing rich crops of cereals best adapted to soil and climate. Upon that place he made his home until 1882, when he rented his farm and took up his abode in Sterling, where he has since made his home. He followed his trade until about 1904, since which time he has lived retired. He was thus for twenty-two years identified with building operations in Sterling, and many substantial structures of the city are an indication of his handi- work and skill. He now owns a good home at No. 208 East Seventh street, two other residences and still other town property.
The lady who now bears his name and whom he wedded on the 14th of April, 1853, was in her maidenhood Miss Mary A. Davis, a daughter of Esek and Charlotte (Ward) Davis. The former was a son of Ichabod Davis, who removed from Argyle to New Haven, New York, and there died at an ad- vanced age, while his wife, Peace Davis, passed away in middle life. They were the parents of ten children. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Gould were Adam and Sarah Ward. The former was one of the patriots of the American army in the Revolutionary war and lived in Saratoga, New York. Esek Davis was a native of Argyle and his wife of Saratoga county, New York. They removed to New Haven, Oswego county, that state, where Mrs. Gould was born April 2, 1830. There the parents remained for some time and then went to Cayuga county, where her father died at the venerable age of ninety-seven years, while his wife reached the age of eighty-one years. They were the parents of nine children, four daughters and five sons, but only three are now living: Mrs. Mary A, Gould; Martin L., of Cayuga county, New York; and Elizabeth E, the widow of John Laird and now a resident of Cayuga county, New York.
Mr. and Mrs. Gould have but two children. The elder, Charles W. Gould, who is conducting a typewriter exchange in Seattle, Washington, married Etta Depell, now deceased, and to them were born three children, Mabel, Edna and William J. After losing his first wife Charles W. Gould wedded Nettie Dudley. Frank E. Gould is a traveling salesman living in Chicago and married Margaret Tighe, by whom he has one child, Frank E.
Mr. and Mrs. Gould are members of the Baptist church and are much esteemed as people of genuine worth. He is a veteran of the Civil war, hav-
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ing enlisted on the 14th of March, 1865, as a member of Company E, Thirty- fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the close of hostilities. He was on detailed duty most of the time and after the war re- turned to his farm. He is now a member of William Robinson Post, G. A. R., of Sterling. He has been one of the world's workers and his diligence and persistency of purpose constitute the basis upon which he has builded the success that now enables him to live retired.
JOHN G. LOOS.
John G. Loos, who since 1892 has been engaged in the plumbing and steam-fitting business in Sterling, his place of business being at No. 122 West Third street, is one of the worthy citizens that Germany has furnished to this . state. He was born in Wurtemberg, on the 30th of June, 1849, a son of Mar- tin and Christina (Glasser) Loos, both of whom were natives of the father- land. The father was a cooper by trade and followed that business at Unter- Riexingen, which was the place of his birth, and there he spent his entire life, passing away in 1888, at the age of seventy-seven years. The wife and mother was born in 1814 and died in 1900, when she was more than eighty- six years of age. Both the parents were members of the Lutheran church.
John G. Loos of this review is one of a family of six children and was reared in the fatherland to the age of nineteen years. He there acquired a good common-school education, after which he learned the cooper's trade, which he followed until 1880. In 1868, having heard favorable reports concerning the opportunities and advantages to be enjoyed in the new world, he crossed the Atlantic, and upon reaching American shores at once made his way to Belvidere, Illinois, where he remained for fifteen months. He then went to Chicago, spending his time there until the spring of 1872, subsequent to which time he removed to Sterling, arriving here in June of that year. He first engaged in the cooperage business in this city, following that occupation until 1880, after which he followed the carpenter's trade for ten years. In 1892 he embarked in the plumbing and steam-fitting business, in which he has built up a good trade, so that he is today numbered among the prominent and progressive business men of Sterling. He has a well equipped establish- ment at No. 122 West Third street. His success is well merited, for he ever follows the most honorable methods in liis business relations, being prompt and faithful to the terms of a contract, so that he has won the confidence and good will of all with whom he has had business dealings.
Mr. Loos was married on the 4th of September, 1870, to Miss Minnie Kruse, a daughter of Charles and Fred Kruse, who were natives of Prussia and einigrated to America in 1865, at which time they settled in Chicago, Illinois. Of their family of six children, three of the number still survive. Mr. Kruse passed away in Chicago, at the age of sixty-eight years, having been preceded by his wife, who died several years prior to his demise.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Loos has been blessed with ten children, seven sons and three daughters: John A., Carl C., Emma C., Fred O., Albert,
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Henry, Minnie, William, Anna, and Walter. John A., like his father, is en- gaged in the plumbing business. Hc wedded Dora Deusch, of Sterling, by whom he has three sons, Harry, Arthur and Lester. Carl C., also engaged in the plumbing business, wedded Christina Brandlin, by whom he has a son, Paul. Emma C. is the wife of Samuel Landis and has one daughter, Ruth. Fred O., a plumber, married Christina Esslinger. Minnie is the wife of L. C. Good, of Dixon, Illinois, by whom she has a daughter, Bernice. The other members of the family, Albert, Henry, William, Anna and Walter, are still under the parental roof.
The parents are members of St. John's Lutheran church, while Mr. Loos is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Lodge No. 174, at Sterling. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he served for one term as a member of the city council. In 1873 he erected a nice home at No. 805 West Seventh street, which he has occupied to the present time. His enterprising and progressive spirit have made him a typical American in every sense of the word. By close application and good business judgment he has raised himself to the position which he now holds in the business world and he commands the high regard of all with whom he is brought in contact, whether in a business or social relation.
OLIVER S. OAKLEY.
Oliver S. Oakley, whose span of life covered three score years and ten, was born near Stockholm, Sweden, February 7, 1836, and died October 13, 1906. His parents were Swan and Christiana (Jensen) Oakley, who lived and died in Sweden. There the son Oliver was reared to the age of eighteen years, when he crossed the Atlantic to the new world and came to Whiteside county with a sister, Mrs. Mary B. Oakleaf. The tracks of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad were then being laid and he was employed as water boy upon the road between Round Grove and Morrison. Desiring to secure a more advanced education than had been afforded in his native country and wishing to familiarize himself with the English language, he attended school at Garden Plain and also spent some time as a student in the college at Ful- ton. During the greater part of his life he followed farming and entered in- to active connection with agricultural interests as a farm hand, being thus employed until 1862. He then began to cultivate a rented farm and in 1869 went to Iowa, where he remained for six years, making his home in Cedar county. There he purchased and cultivated a good farm of three hundred and twenty acres near Tipton until the spring of 1875, when he sold his property there and returned to Whiteside county, here purchasing an exten- sive tract of rich land.
On the 3d of January, 1865, Mr. Oakley was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Maxwell, who was born in Scotland in 1844 and came to Whiteside county with an uncle, James Cassel, in 1856, locating in Morrison. He owned a farm where the Center schoolhouse now stands and his nicce, Mrs. Oakley,
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attended the Center school and also pursued her studies in Morrison. Mr. Judd was her first teacher and the schools of that period were somewhat prim- itive, but the pupils were thoroughly grounded in the elementary branches of English learning. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Oakley were born five children: Alice M., the wife of W. G. Garter, of Cohasset, California, by whom she has two sons and three daughters; Cora A., who has engaged in teaching for several years and makes her home with her mother; Ida, who conducts a large dress- making establishment in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Lottie, who is bookkeeper for the Morrison Produce Company ; and Fred S., who is operating the home farm.
On his return to Whiteside county in 1875 Mr. Oakley purchased the James Snyder farm, which has since been the family residence. With charac- teristic energy he began its further development and improvement and in 1901-2 erected a beautiful residence, which stands in the midst of well kept fields that annually bring forth rich harvests. The other equipments of the farm are also modern and the latest improved machinery is used in the fields. Mr. Oakley was always progressive as well as practical in his work and his labors brought to him a gratifying measure of success, making him one of the representative farmers of the county., He continued actively in his work un- til his life's labors werc ended in death, October 13, 1906. His loss was deeply regretted by many friends, for he was widely and favorably known here. He voted with the republican party but never accepted office. He served for a number of years as a member of the school board and was thus officially con- nected with the schools at the time of his demise. When a young man he became a member of the Odd Fellows Society but in his later years did not sustain active relation with the order. His Christian faith was manifest in his membership in the Lutheran church and his life was in harmony with his professions. Mrs. Oakley still resides upon the old homestead with her son, who operates the farm, and the family is well known in the community.
DAVID ANDERSON.
There is no citizen of Sterling who is held in higher regard and esteem than David Anderson, who since 1887 has lived retired in this city, occupying a comfortable home at No. 1609 East Fourth street. He is a native of Both- well, Scotland, his birth having there occurred on the 17th of March, 1829. Both the paternal and maternal grandparents were natives of Scotland. The paternal grandfather, James Anderson, wedded a Miss Whitelaw and reared a large family. He was a farmer by occupation and died when well advanced in years. The maternal grandfather, James Dick, was also a farmer. He, too, reared a large family and lived to a ripe old age, but his wife died when in middle life.
The parents of our subject, James and Aellison (Dick) Anderson, were likewise natives of Bothwell, Scotland. Of their family of eight children, six sons and two daughters, David of this review, is the only one now living. The father was a farmer in his native country, and in 1854, believing that he might better provide for his wife and family in America, he set sail for the
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United States, and upon his arrival on American shores at onee made his way to Ogle county, Illinois, settling on a farm in Buffalo township, where lived two of his children, who had preceded him to this country. The father there spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 1861, when he had reached the advaneed age of eighty years. His wife survived him for twelve years, when she passed away, having reached the extreme old age of ninety-two years. They were eonsistent members of the Presbyterian church.
David Anderson, whose name introduees this review, was reared in his native country and there acquired his education. When he attained his majority, in 1850, he and a younger brother, Alexander Anderson, emi- grated to the new world, hoping that in this land they might find better op- portunities than could be enjoyed in Seotland. Mr. Anderson at onee made his way to Ogle county, this state, and purchased one hundred and sixty aeres of land, which he shared with his brother. Later he added a traet of eighty aeres to his original purchase, until he became the possessor of one hundred and sixty aeres of good farming property, He continued to eulti- vate his tract of land until 1887, when he retired from agricultural pursuits and removed to Sterling, where he has since made his home, oceupying a fine briek residence. In addition to this he also retains possession of his farming property and owns a good residence property in Sterling, located at the corner of Sixth street and Thirteenth avenue, from which he derives a good rental,
Mr. Anderson ehose as a companion and helpmate on life's journey, Miss Ellen Wilber, to whom he was married on the 29th of March, 1855. Mrs. Anderson is a daughter of Tillinghest and Elmira (Underwood) Wilber, na- tives of Rhode Island and Massachusetts, respectively. They emigrated from the east to Illinois in 1848, establishing their home in Buffalo Grove, Ogle county, where the father engaged in farming. Both the parents are now deccased, having passed away at Polo, this state, the father when he had reached the very advanecd age of eighty-four years, while the mother was one year his junior at the time of her demise. Their family numbered two daughters and one son: Emily, the widow of John Wood, of Lanark, Illi- nois; William R.,. of Ashland, Nebraska; and Ellen, now Mrs. Anderson. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Anderson was John Wilber, a native of Rhode Island and a cooper by trade. He became separated from his parents during the Revolutionary war, in which his father, who also bore the name of John Wilber, served as a soldier. John Wilber, Jr., wedded Polly Braham, and they settled at Buffalo Grove in 1845, where they spent their remaining days, the former passing away at the advaneed age of ninety-two years, while the latter died at the age of seventy-seven. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Anderson were Jonas and Mary Ann (Pine) Underwood, the former a native of Massachusetts and a soldier of the Revolutionary war. Following the close of hostilities he engaged in farming in Broome county, New York, where both passed away at a ripe old age. They reared a family of ten children.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Anderson has been blessed with one son, Raynold B. Anderson, who wedded. Miss Agnes Maxwell, and follows farm-
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ing in Newsong township, Ogle county, Illinois. Mr. Anderson gives his politieal support to the republican party, and his wife is a member of the United Brethren church. He finds his greatest soeial enjoyment at his own fireside, where his wife and intimate friends know him to be a delightful com- panion. He has now passed the seventy-ninth milestone on life's journey, and the rest which he is enjoying is well merited. His residence in Sterling covers more than two decades, and therefore few men have more intimate knowledge of its history or of events which have left their impress upon its annals.
JOHN PAPE.
John Pape, who for almost a quarter of a eentury was numbered among the sueeessful and representative farmers of Ustiek township, was born in England on the 30th of September, 1828, and died in 1874. Having spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the land of his nativity, he determined to eome to Ameriea in the hope of enjoying better business opportunities than were afforded in the old world. Accordingly he erossed the Atlantic and took up his abode in Carroll county, Illinois, where he lived for five years. In 1850 he removed to Whiteside eounty and secured a farm of eighty acres in Ustick township. It was largely wild and unimproved, but he at once began its further development and eultivation, and as the years passed he con- verted the place into an excellent farm. There he made his home until his death. He had one brother, George Pape, who, eoming to America, lived for a considerable period in Carroll county, but is now deeeased.
On the 6th of Dceember, 1860, John Pape was united in marriage to Miss Melvina Green, the wedding being eelebrated in Ustick township. She still survives her husband and oeeupies the home which he built for her. Her parents were Jonathan and Susan Green, natives of Pennsylvania who, emi- grating westward, located in Carroll county, Illinois, where they lived until their death. They were the parents of four children : Mrs. Lueretia Hoover, now a resident of Mount Vernon, Ohio; Mrs. Emily Hate, of Winfield, Iowa; Jonathan, who was formerly engaged in the paint business, but is now living retired in Pasadena, California; and Mrs. Pape.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pape six children were born. Mary, who was born March 12, 1862, is now the wife of Samuel J. Hawk, of Fulton, and they have five children, Laura, Edna, George, Clarence and Roy. Jane is the wife of William S. Mitehell, a farmer, and they have five ehildren, Bert, Maude, Aliee, Minnie and Ceeil. Noah, born December 26, 1866, married Miss Date Dyson and they have six ehildren, Floyd; Cloy, who lives with his grandmother, Mrs. Pape; Blanch; Lee; Leapha; and Zelma. George, born April 2, 1868, married Lizzie Peterkin and they have four ehildren, Lloyd, Lyle, Forrest and Franees. Minnie, born Deeember 27, 1871, is the wife of Frank Milne, of Clyde township, and they have six ehildren, Winnie, Ruby, Maud, Sidney, Verna and Harold. John, born January 26, 1875, married Rose MeKee, and resides upon the liome farm.
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The death of the husband and father occurred in 1874, when he had been a resident of the county for twenty-four years. He was a member of the Masonic lodge and chapter and was an exemplary representative of the craft. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he filled the offices of township assessor and collector. Although many years have passed since he was called from this life he is yet remembered by many of the old settlers as a man who was worthy their confidence and regard and who gained their lasting friendship.
Mrs. Pape still owns eighty acres of land which her son Noah now cultivates. Since the time of her marriage she has resided continuously in Ustick township and has a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of her acquaintance. She belongs to the Eastern Star.and is in entire sym- pathy with the work of the order, which is to promote mutual helpfulness and kindliness.
CHARLES EARL WETHERBEE.
In the history of the county's business development and activity mention should be made of Charles Earl Wetherbee, one of the native sons, who by force of his character, his enterprise and his training in the line of his chosen calling has gained success and a position of distinction as an architect. He was born on his father's farin in Sterling township, east of the city, May 1, 1875. His paternal grandfather, Luther B. Wetherbee, was a native of Massachusetts and was a pattern-maker in the east. After removing west- ward to Whiteside county he secured land and followed farming, taking up two hundred acres from the government, which he brought under a high state of cultivation. Upon that place he reared his family and made it his home until his deatlı, which occurred in 1874, when he had attained an ad- vanced age. His wife passed away in 1878. They were the parents of four children, of whom thrce are yet living: Charles Adams; Edwin C., of Marshalltown, Iowa; and Ada, the wife of Henry O. Gaston, of Cerro Gordo, Illinois. One daughter died in early childhood.
The eldest of this family and the father of our subject was a native of Massachusetts, and throughout his entire life has been a farmer. During the early epoch in the settlement of this county he came west with his par- ents, and the farni upon which he now resides was that which his father entered as a claim from the government. Upon that place he was reared to manhood, and has always made the farm his home with the exception of one or two years. He married Miss Margaret Lavinia Penrose, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Marcus Penrose, who was likewise born in the Buckeye state, and was a farmer by occupation. Hc also came to Whiteside county at an early day and settled on a farm north of Sterling, where he lived until he had attained an advanced age, when he took up his abode in the city, there spending his remaining days. His wife died when in middle life. They were the parents of six children, and after losing his first wife Mr. Penrose mar-
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