USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 27
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On the 11th of July, 1906, Mr. Kohl was married to Miss Tessie M. Wetzell, a daughter of John Henry and Kate (Horlieker) Wetzell. They now have one son, Vineent Henry. Mr. Kohl is a member of the Saered Heart Catholic church and belongs to the Knights of Columbus. He has
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spent his entire life in Sterling, has always been industrious and ambitious to succeed and has gained a gratifying patronage here. In character devel- opment, too, he has made commendable progress and enjoys the confidence and high esteem of those who know him. His acquaintance here is a wide one, as Sterling has been the place of his residence throughout his entire life.
SAMUEL A. SHARER.
Samuel A. Sharer, a successful agriculturist and stock-raiser, residing in Garden Plain township, was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, May 15, 1863, a son of Samuel and Magdalena (Hoy) Sharer, likewise natives of the Keystone state. The grandparents of our subject emigrated from Germany to America at a very early day, settling in Pennsylvania. The paternal grandfather, Henry Sharer, reared a family of eight children, of whom Samuel Sharer, the father of our subject, was the only one who ever came west. It was in the year 1865 that he came to Whiteside county, Illinois, purchasing one hundred acres of land, at forty dollars per acre, from his father, Henry Sharer, who had bought the tract originally. It was on this farm that Samuel Sharer, Sr., principally reared his family and carried on agricultural pursuits throughout his active business life, his death occurring April 25, 1892, when he had attained the age of sixty-three years, two months and eleven days. By his first wife, who passed away January 30, 1889, at the age of fifty-nine years, five months and four days, he had ten ehildren, namely: Annie M., the wife of Philander Ryersee, of Ness county, Kansas; Mary, the wife of Benjamin Schisler; John H., of Garden Plain township; David, who resides in Kansas; Joseph O., who makes his home in Davenport, Iowa; Minerva J., the wife of Richard Schisler, of Harrisburg, Oregon; Elmer M., who lives in Kansas; Samuel A., of this review; Jeremiah J., of Abing- don, Illinois; and Louella A., the wife of Frank Huggins. In 1891 the father of this family was again married, his second union being with Miss Elizabeth Young, of Center county, Pennsylvania.
Brought to Whiteside county when but two and a half years of age, Samuel A. Sharer still resides on the farm which his father purchased at that early day. He acquired his education in the Cedar Creek schoolhouse, and when he had attained his majority began working for his father on a salary. In 1891 his father removed to Albany, but he remained on the old homestead farm and has lived here continuously to the present time, being actively and successfully engaged in its eultivation and development. He has one hundred and forty-five acres of land, has ever displayed unrcmitting industry and sound business judgment in the conduct of his farming and stock-raising interests and is therefore meeting with a well-merited measurc of prosperity.
On the 21st of October, 1903, Mr. Sharer was united in marriage to Miss Bertha P. Starbuck, a native of Sutton, West Virginia, and a daughter
MR. AND MRS. S. A. SHARER
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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of B. B. and Mary E. (Skidmore) Starbuck, also natives of West Virginia. The Starbucks came from England and located in Massachusetts, thence removed to Indiana and subsequently settled in West Virginia, in which state Mrs. Sharer was reared and edueated. Unto Mr. and Mrs. B. B. Star- buck were born four children: Alpheus C., of Sterling, Illinois; Mrs. Sharer; Grover C., of Summersville, West Virginia; and Earl B. The mother of this family passed away July 14, 1890, while her husband survived until March 7, 1901, when he, too, was called to his final rest. Since 1902 A. C. Starbuck has resided in Sterling, and in 1906 Earl B. Starbuck came to Whiteside county, now making his home .with Mr. and Mrs. Sharer. The latter are the parents of one daughter, Veda Louise.
Mr. Sharer usually votes with the democracy and fraternally is con- neeted with Albany Lodge, No. 566, A. F. & A. M., and Social Chapter, No. 87, O. E. S., with which his wife is also identified. Having resided in this county throughout almost his entire life, he is largely familiar with the annals of this part of the state from pioneer times down to the present and in the work of development and progress has ever borne his full share.
HENRY B. WILKINSON.
Henry B. Wilkinson, engaged in the abstraet business in Morrison sinee 1883 and a member of the firm of Wilkinson & Company since 1901, was born in Como, Whiteside county, in 1849. His father, Winfield Seott Wilkinson, was a native of Skaneateles, New York, and of English lineage. His grandfather, John Wilkinson, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. enlisting with the New York troops.
· W. S. Wilkinson was a eivil engineer who pursued his education at Georgetown, Kentucky, and was graduated on completing a elassieal eourse. He came to Illinois about 1838, settling first in Jacksonville, where he engaged in his profession. While a resident of that city he was'ehosen to represent his distriet in the Illinois legislature. About 1840 he arrived in Whiteside county, taking up his abode at Como, where he continued to en- gage in surveying and eivil engineering. There he remained until 1856, when he was elected county clerk and then removed to Sterling, the county scat .. He was an ineumbent in this office for twelve years, being first elected on the democratie tieket and reeleeted on the non-partisan ticket. He proved a mnost acceptable officer, retiring from the position as he had entered it- with the confidence and respect of all concerned. Further politieal honors awaited him, for his fellow eitizens, recognizing his worth and ability, eleeted him to represent the senatorial distriet in the upper house of the state legis- lature. There he gave careful consideration to every question which eanie up for settlement and his loyalty to the publie welfare was above question. At length he retired from active business pursuits, coming to Morrison in 1858, when the county seat was changed to this place, spending the evening of his life in well earned rest here. He was a good business man, manifest-
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ing unwearicd industry and capable management, so that his undertakings were crowned with success. His labors, too, were of a character that proved a benefit to the community at large while promoting his individual pros- perity. He was one of the organizers, stockholders and directors of the First National Bank of Morrison and during his service as county clerk he was instrumental in forwarding the drainage of swamp lands in this county and thus reclaiming them for the purpose of cultivation. He was the engineer who laid out the drain in the county in the Green river district and many other specific evidences of his usefulness could be given. Although not identified with any denomination, he had strong religious views and contributed generously to the support of the churches, desiring the moral development of the community. He voted the democratic ticket but was not unalterably bound by party ties. Aside from the other offices which he filled lie acted as a member of the city council of Morrison and in com- munity affairs took a deep and helpful interest.
W. S. Wilkinson married Frances E. Sampson, who was born in Dux- bury, Massachusetts, in 1814, and was also of English lineage, tracing her ancestry back to the Mayflower. Two brothers of the name of Sampson- Henry and William-were passengers on that historic vessel on one of its voyages to the new world. Mrs. Wilkinson traces her ancestry back to the former. Her parents were Henry Briggs and Nancy (Turner) Sampson. The father followed a sea-faring life and became captain of a merchantman sailing between Massachusetts and the chief ports of Europe and the East Indies. About 1840 the family moved westward to Tremont, on the Illinois river, where they lived for a short time and then took up their abode at Como, where Captain Sampson conducted a hotel for many years, becoming one of the historic characters of that locality. His. daughter, Mrs. Wilkin- son, was a most estimable lady, her life being ever in harmony with her professions as a member of the Swedenborgian church. Her death occurred in 1890, while Winfield S. Wilkinson passed away in 1893, at the age of cighty-one years. In their family were the following children: Mary Chapin, who became the wife of C. H. Cogswell, a physician of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and who died in 1903; Alfred Ernest, reporter for the supreme court at Austin, Texas ; Henry B .; one who died in infancy ; and Frank, also deceased.
Henry B. Wilkinson attended the public schools of Sterling and of Mor- rison and after entering business life spent nine years in connection with the iron and steel industries and also two or three years in the Dakotas. In 1883 he succeeded his uncle, H. R. Sampson, in the abstract business, in which he has since engaged, covering a period of a quarter of a century. In 1901 a company was formed and the business has since been conducted under the firm style of Wilkinson & Company, abstractors. In connection with his other interests, Mr. Wilkinson is a stockholder and director in the First National Bank of Morrison.
In 1903 was celebrated the marriage of Henry B. Wilkinson and Abbictta Porter, who was born in Newark, New Jersey. They are well known and prominent socially, and the hospitality of their home is enjoyed by their many friends. Mr. Wilkinson is a democrat but without aspiration for
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political office. He.is, however, interested in the welfare and development of his community and withholds his cooperation from no movement which he deems will prove of benefit. He is now president of the Odell Public Library board and is a member of the township high school board. The greater part of his life has been passed in Whiteside county and the fact that many of his warmest friends are those who have known him from his childhood to the present time indicates that his has been an honorable and upright career.
JAMES S. NANCE.
It is no easy thing to advance from a position of limited financial resources to one of affluence but this Mr. Nance has done, living a life of intense and well directed business activity. He was born January 6, 1865, in Genesce township on a farm which he now owns and operates.
His father, James R. Nance, was a native of Indiana, born December 29, 1831, and his last days were spent in Sterling, where he passed away November 25, 1893. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Eleanor Smith, was born July 8, 1829, and died October 7, 1900. She, too, was a resident of Sterling at the time of her demise. It was in the year 1852 that James R. Nance arrived in this county,. and during the first year be worked by the month! At the end of the year he was paid one-half of his wages in gold and given seven and a half acres of land at Genesee Grove. He walked to Fulton and took a steamboat to Rock Island and on the trip was robbed of his money and the paper giving him title to the land. All that he had left was seventy-five cents, which he had in his inside pocket. As they nearcd Rock Island he was approached by one of the hands on the boat, who told him if he would treat the crowd they would return him his papers for the land. He said that it was impossible for him to do so but that he had an overcoat that he would pawn for the treats, and the drink cost him seventy-five cents, so that he was left penniless. His papers, how- ever, were returned to him, together with a deed of eighty acres which he had bought. He left the boat at Rock Island and walked forty-two miles to the home of an uncle, where he worked until he obtained sufficient money to enable him to start in life upon an independent business career. He then went to Indiana, where he was married in 1854 to Miss Eleanor Smith. With his bride he returned to this county and upon his claim erected a little log cabin, occupying the present site of the home of James S. Nance. With characteristic energy he began the development of his farm, and as the years passed brought the land under a high state of cultivation. At length he retired in 1891 and spent his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest in Sterling, where he passed away November 25, 1893. His widow survived him for about seven years and died on the 7th of October, 1900, in Sterling. In the family of this worthy couple were nine children : Esabinda, now Mrs. Becker, of Sterling; Mrs. Rebecca Leinbech,
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also a resident of Sterling; Mrs. Anna Johnson, who is living in Arkansas; James S., of this review; Hattie; and Mary, William, Edith and Emma, all now deccased.
James S. Nance was reared upon the old homestead farm and early became familiar with the work of tilling the fields, planting the crops and in the late autumn gathering the harvests. The public schools afforded him his educational privileges and when twenty-one years of age he began farming on his own account by renting his father's placc. He continued to lease it year after year until the death of his father, when he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of the home place in Genesce township. He has since extended its boundaries somewhat, for his farm now comprises one hundred and eighty-six acres of rich and productive land. He makes a specialty of stock-raising and at the same time produces good crops through the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields.
On the 31st of July, 1886, Mr. Nance was married to Miss Sarah Bush- man, who was born in Genesee township, February 15, 1865, a daughter of Henry and Levina (Burghduff) Bushman. Her father, a native of Cayuga county, New York, was born September 22, 1822, and died Novem- ber 23, 1903. The mother's birth occurred January 3, 1838, in Wayne county, New York, and she passed away February 3, 1873. There were nine children in that family, but only four are now living: Charles H., a resi- dent of Carroll county, Illinois; Colonel, who is living in this county; Har- lan, whose home is in Genesee township; and Mrs. Nancc.
Mr. and Mrs. Nance have no children of their own but have three adopted children : Bertha, Clyde and Elsie M., to whom they give all parental care and attention. They are members of the United Brethren church and are interested in the moral, intellectual and social progress of the community as well as in its material development. Mr. Nance gives his political allegiance to the republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. For fifteen years he served as school director and fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. The fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present indicates that his life has been well spent.
ALLEN R. HENDRICKS.
The growth and prosperity of any community depends upon its com- mercial and industrial interests, and in this connection Mr. Hendricks is one of the upbuilders and promoters of Sterling, where he is successfully engaged in trade as a druggist and pharmacist. He was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, August 29, 1849, his parents being Ephraim D. and Mary D. (Rosenberry) Hendricks, who were natives of the Keystone statc. The pa- ternal grandfather was also born in that state, where he followed the occupa- tion of farming until his death, which occurred when he was in the prime
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of life. His son, Ephraim D. Hendricks, was one of a large family, and as a young man he learned and followed the tailor's trade. In 1851 he made his way to the middle west, settling in Sterling, Illinois, where he engaged in tailoring for a year, and then bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Jordan township, Whiteside county. Of this he afterward sold forty acres, and cultivated the remainder until 1863. In that year he removed to Clay county, Illinois, where he again purchased a tract of farming land, but in 1865 returned to Whiteside county and bought a farm near Tampico, upon which he resided for several years. On the expiration of that period he made his home in Sterling, and a few years later removed to Cawker City, Kansas, where he died September 6, 1903, at the venerable age of seventy-nine years. His wife survived him until March 24, 1904, passing away at the age of seventy-eight years. Both werc members of the Reformed Mennonite church. Mrs. Hendricks' father was also a native of Pennsylvania, where he owned a small farm. She was one of six or seven children, and by her marriage be- came the mother of four children: Allen R .; Benjamin F., a resident of Morrison, Illinois; John R., living at Walnut Ridge, Arkansas; and Charles R., whose home is in Glen Elder, Kansas.
Allen R. Hendricks was not quite two years of age when his parents took up their abode near Sterling. Here he was reared to manhood and acquired his education. His boyhood and youth were passed upon the home farm, but thinking to find other pursuits more congenial than the work of the fields, he became a newsboy on the railroad, being thus engaged for one season. He next began clerking in a drug store, and served for eight years in that capacity. He studied pharmacy under Dr. W. J. Galt, and upon the death of his preceptor formed a partnership with Henry Keefer for the pur- chase of Dr. Galt's store. They conducted the business together for five years, after which Mr. Hendricks sold his interest and started upon an in- dependent business venture. He remained alone in the successful conduct of a drug store until 1905, when a stock company was formed and the business was continued under the name of the Hendricks Drug Company, of which A. R. Hendricks is president, treasurer and manager. He has a fine store, well appointed in all of its equipments, and carries on an extensive and profitable business.
On the 25th of September, 1873, Mr. Hendricks was married to Miss , Susan Moyer, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Moyer) Moyer. They have become the parents of four children: Olive Grace, now the wife of Edward Haberley, by whom she has one daughter, Marian; Leon Sumner, who died when a little more than four years of age; Lester Blaine, who is at- tending the Illinois State University at Champaign, where he is studying electrical engineering; and LeRoy Russell, who, as a high school student, is preparing for college. Mrs. Hendricks is a member of the Christian church.
Mr. Hendricks belongs to Sterling Lodge, No. 174, I. O. O. F., in which he is serving as a trustee. He is likewise a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and has filled nearly all of the chairs, having for two years been grand master of the state, while at the present writing he is one of the three delegates to represent the state in the supreme body. He affiliates
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with the Knights of the Globe and the Mystic Workers, and enjoys in large measure the confidence and good will of his brethren of these fraternities. Nor is Mr. Hendricks unknown in political circles. He stands stanchly as a supporter of republican principles, has been chairman of the town central committee, and is serving his second term as alderman of the First ward. He was for six years assistant supervisor, and during one year of that time was chairman of the county board. Thus active in fraternal, political and busi- ness circles, he is well known as a leading and representative citizen of Ster- ling, and one whose genuine worth commands for him the good will and high regard of those with whom he is brought in contact. Moreover, he has been a resident of the county for much more than a half century, and has, there- fore, been a witness of the greater part of its development and growth.
· FRED L. BAKER.
Fred L. Baker, who carrics on general farming and stock-raising upon a tract of land of one hundred and twenty acres on section 15, Mount Pleas- ant township, which has come into his possession as the result of the energy and capable management he has displayed in earlier years, was born in Tipton, Cedar county, Iowa, October 9, 1861, his parents being Jason L. and Martha (Van Meter) Baker, natives of New York and Ohio respectively. The father came to Whiteside county over sixty years ago. After living here for a time, he removed to Iowa but later returned to this county, where he made his home until his death in December, 1877, when he was forty years of age. His widow still resides at Sterling, at the age of sixty-six years. They were married in Tipton, Iowa, where the father carried on work at the carpenter's trade. In fact throughout his entire life he was thus identified with building operations. His widow, a most remarkable lady, holds membership with the Fourth Street Methodist Episcopal church. Their family numbered five children: Etta J., who became the wife of Andrew Knox and died in November, 1884; Fred L., of this review; Will H., who is married and resides in San Diego, California, where he carries on business as a contractor and builder; Bert F., who at one time taught school and was superintendent of schools at Chadwick and afterward at Warren, Illi- nois, for five years but now resides near Minot, North Dakota, where he follows farming, although in the meantime he engaged in the insurance business; and Cora Belle, who died in 1881, at the age of eleven years.
Fred L. Baker was reared in Whiteside county and attended the public schools at Unionville, where he received instruction in the branches of learn- ing that usually constitute the public-school curriculum. He has followed farming throughout his entire life. In 1894 he purchased his present place, known as the Henry Knox farm. Much of the improvement here has bech done by Mr. Baker, who keeps in touch with modern ideas of progressive agriculture. He uses the latest farm machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and annually produces large crops, which indicate that the methods employed in carrying on his farm are of a most practical character.
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In March, 1886, Mr. Baker was united in marriage to Miss Etta Stone, a native of Prophetstown township, and a daughter of Reed and Esther (Garrison) Stone, who came very carly to Whiteside county. Here the father engaged in farming and later removed to Michigan but subsequently came again to this county, where he died in June, 1894, at the age of seventy-nine years. His wife passed away in 1897, at the age of seventy- three years. Mr. Stone had served as school director and was interested in all that pertained to upbuilding and progress here. He and his wife had come to the west from the state of New York and their personal worth was indicated by the high regard in which they were uniformly held. They had a family of nine children, seven sons and two daughters. Nelson, now a farmer of South Dakota, married Miss Potter and has a family. Sarah married Orrin Moran and lives in Michigan. Charles, who wedded Rosetta Moran, is a resident farmer of Michigan. Arthur makes his home at Spring Hill in this county. Philip, who married Miss Digby, is employed in the wire mills at Rock Falls. Mrs. Baker is the next of the family. Erastus, who married Miss Wilson, of Morrison, is employed in the Keystone Mills at Rock Falls. Carson, who wedded Miss White, is a barber of Battle Creek, Iowa. Harry, who married Miss Rosetta Crump, of Mount Pleasant town- ship, this county, is now located in Nebraska.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Baker has been blessed with two sons and a daughter: Clarence L., who at the age of twenty-one years, aids in the operation of the home farm; Vernon L., who at the age of sixteen years is attending the Mount Pleasant high school; and Edna B., twelve years of age, also a student in the schools.
Politically Mr. Baker is independent, supporting men and measures rather than party. He has been school director for many years and is now serving as highway commissioner, which office he has filled for two years. In this position he is giving excellent service and has done much to im- prove the public highways. Socially he is connected with the Modern Woodmen camp of Morrison and his wife is a member of the Mystic Work- ers and also of the Woman's Relief Corps, and she attends the Methodist Episcopal church. While a native of Iowa, Mr. Baker has spent the greater part of his life in this county and the fact that many of his warmest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time is an indication that his has been an active, upright career.
RICHARD W. COVEL.
Richard W. Covel, a representative of the farming interests of Coloma township, was born in East Roxbury, Delaware county, New York, Decem- ber 28, 1848, his parents being Edwin and Irene (Wilson) Covel, who were also natives of the Empire state, as were likewise the paternal and maternal grandparents. They were prosperous farming people of the locality; and en- joyed the respect of friends and neighbors.
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