USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 30
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
stock. In 1895 he bought the farm just across the road, for which he paid sixty dollars per acre, and he has since made many improvements upon that place. In 1892 he built his present comfortable and commodious residence, also has good substantial barns and outbuildings and uses the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields. He has added to his place . many modern accessories and conveniences and his farm is now an attractive feature of the landscape.
In 1869 Mr. Hinrichs was inarried to Miss Eliese Loss, who was born February 23, 1849, in the same section of Germany in which the birth of her husband occurred. Her parents were Henry and A. M. (Johnson) Loss, and the former was a tailor by trade. They came to Whiteside county, Illi- nois, in 1869, settling in Hopkins township, where they lived until called to their final rest. The father died in 1901, at the age of eighty-four years, while the mother passed away in 1883, at the age of sixty-five years. Mrs. Hinrichs has one sister, Minnie, who became the wife of Henry Hayen, a farmer residing in Genesee township, this county.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hinrichs were born eight children, of whom five are yet living. Martin, born in 1871, resides near his father in Hopkins town- ship, and married Miss Lydia Gelken. Hugo, who was born in October, 1872, and resides near his father's place in Mount Pleasant township, married Hannah Minos, whose people reside in Sterling. They have three children- Lawrence, Elmer and Louisa. Nettie, born July 18, 1877, is at home. Adolplı died when nearly seven years of age. Willie died at the age of eleven years. Ernest, born March 17, 1885, assists his father in carrying on the home place. Alma, born April 30, 1890, is a student in the high school. One child died in infancy. Mr. Hinrichs votes with the republican party and believes thoroughly in its principles and policy, but is not an office seeker. He belongs to the German Lutheran church, of which his wife is also a mem- ber, and in the community they are held in high esteem. Mr. Hinrichs de- serves inuch credit for his success in the business world. Coming to the United States with very limited means, he knew that if he would win pros- perity it must be gained through much earnest and self-denying cffort. He has put forth every effort to achieve prosperity, and as the years have gone by has made judicious investments and is now in possession of two valuable farms which annually return to him a gratifying incomne.
RUBIN HENRY RAMSDELL.
Rubin Henry Ramsdell is a contractor and mason of Sterling, whose labors have been an element in the substantial improvement of the city. Moreover, his life record proves that success is not a matter of genius as held by some, but is the outcome of clear judgment, experience and unfaltering diligence for upon these qualities Mr. Ramsdell has builded his present pros- perity.
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MR. AND MRS. R. H. RAMSDELL
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
He was born in Rockford, Winnebago county, Illinois, October 23, 1855, being one of the four children of Winslow and Hannah (Knight) Ramsdell. His paternal grandfather, Job Ramsdell, was a native of Maine and died in that state when well advanced in years. There were two brothers who came from England at an early day and settled in the Pine Tree state, thus founding the family in the new world. The maternal grandfather of R. H. Ramsdell was Peter Knight, also a native of Maine and a farmer by occupation. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812, was given a land warrant for his services and came west at an early day and with his warrant secured a claim in Winnebago county, Illinois, near Rockford, where he spent his remaining days, passing away at a very advanced age. He was twice married and his first wife, the grandmother of Mr. Ramsdell, died in early womanhood. Their children were Sylvia, Hannah, Daniel, and Wil- liam. After losing his first wife Peter Knight wedded Miss King, and to them were born five children: Almeda, Charles, Sarah, Ann, and Elzura.
The Ramsdell and Knight families became connected through the mar- riage of Winslow Ramsdell and Hannah Knight, both of whom were natives of Maine and lived at Portland. The father was a ship carpenter in the cast. In 1841 he removed westward to Rockford, Illinois, and built the second house in South Rockford, when it was known as Forest City. He enlisted in 1861 for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of Company E, Fifty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Boyd, but died October 12, 1862, aged forty-eight years. His wife survived him until April, 1892, and passed away at the age of seventy-six years. Of their family of three sons and a daughter, Nathaniel and Lucy are both deceased, the latter , having been the wife of Albert Beecher. Nathaniel married Laila Kemp. The two surviving sons, Danicl and Rubin, are both residents of Sterling. Daniel married Louisa Norton.
Spending his boyhood days in Rockford, Rubin H. Ramsdell was a student in the public schools and after acquiring a good English education secured employment in a brickyard, where he learned the brick-maker's tradc. This was the initial step which led to his present connection with the building interests of the city. Removing to Sterling in 1871, he engaged in the manufacture of brick here for about nineteen years and in the meantime began contracting. He has supplied brick for most of the large buildings of the city. He now has a liberal patronage, and as a contractor and mason his labors have been an important element in the adornment as well as the substantial improvement of Sterling.
On the 27th of October, 1880, Mr. Ramsdell was married to Miss Barbara Smith, a daughter of Christian and Barbara (Reichenbach) Smith, who were natives of Wittenburg, Germany, and on coming to America set- tled in Pennsylvania, where they were married. They arrived in Illinois in 1851, taking up their abode in Sterling, and Mr. Smith followed farming, although he was a tailor by trade. He rode from Sterling to Morrison on horseback to get his naturalization papers to enable him to vote for Abra- ham Lincoln. He was twice married, his first union being with Annie Pfeiffer, who died leaving three children, while they were still residents of
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
Germany. The father afterward started for America with his little family, but one child died on the voyage and was buried at sea. The others are 'Christ and Charles Smith. By his second marriage, to Barbara Reichenbach, Mr. Smith had one son and five daughters, namely: Mary, the wife of Arnold Mulford; Frederick; Barbara, now Mrs. Ramsdell; Sophia, the wife of Wil- liam Mulford; Louisa, wife of G. W. Rubright; Lilly, the wife of John Cole- man, of Chicago. The father died in December, 1900, when eighty-seven years of age, his birth having occurred September 19, 1813. His wife, the mother of Mrs. Ramsdell, dicd in 1870, at the age of forty-four years.
Mrs. Ramsdell was born in Rock Falls, Whiteside county, Illinois, June 3, 1861, and was educated in the Central school in Sterling. By her mar- riage she has become the mother of eight children, five sons and three daugh- ters, of whom Hannah, Lucy, Thomas and Lester are still living, while four died in early childhood. Hannah is now the wife of John F. Shuler, on the Pine Row farm in Montmorency township, while Lucy is an art student.
The parents are members of St. John's Lutheran church and Mr. Rams- dell belongs to Sterling Lodge, No. 174, I. O. O. F., and to the Knights of the Globe. Politically he is a republican and has served as school director, but otherwise has held no public offices. He owns a beautiful brick residence at the corner of Broadway and Fourth streets, together with several other residence properties in Sterling and Rock Falls, from which he derives a gratifying income, having placed his money in the safest of all investments -real estate. His time and energies, however, have largely been given to industrial interests. His business has met competition in a rivalry of merit rather than in a war of prices. He has put a premium on high-grade work by employing high-grade workmen and paying them their legitimate share of the profits which their talents have brought to the business. He has aimed at high standards in his service to the public and in all of his business rela- tions is above reproach.
JOHN PERSON.
John Person, who now enjoys well earned rest from the cares of an ac- tive business life by reason of his well directed energy and enterprise in former years, is living retired in a commodious and attractive residence at No. 207 East Seventh street, in Rock Falls. He was born in Skone, Sweden, Septem- ber 27, 1835, his parents being Per and Ida (Hogan) Person, also natives of that country. The father followed farming as a life work and passed away in the land of his birth at a very advanced age, his wife surviving him for some years. Their family numbered two sons: John, of this review; and Per, who lives on the old homestead in Sweden.
John Person acquired his education in the schools of his native land and remained on the home farm until he had attained the age of twenty-eight years, when, in the year 1863, he. crossed the briny decp to America, having heard many favorable reports concerning the advantages and opportunities
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
offered in the new world. He first took up his abode in De Kalb county, Illinois, where he was employed at farm labor by the nionth. Toward the close of the Civil war he located in Nashville, Tennessee, and worked for the government as a carpenter, being engaged in building houses for the soldiers.
In 1869 he came to Whiteside county, Illinois, and bought a farm of eighty acres in Hume and Tampico townships, the residence being situated in Hume, and the outbuildings in Tampico township. At the time he pur- chased the property it was a tract of wild prairie land, but as the years have gone by he has brouglit it under a high state of cultivation and has added many improvements in the shape of buildings, fences, etc. He also bouglit more land from time to time, and now lias two hundred acres of productive and arable farming property, which returns to him a good income. In October, 1905, he retired from active agricultural pursuits, and removed to Rock Falls, where he has since lived in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil, having rented the farm to his youngest son, who is now success- fully engaged in its operation. Mr. Person is one of the pioneer settlers who bore an active part in the work of early development and improvement here, and he is one of the public-spirited and enterprising citizens of the county, giving his support to many measures calculated to prove of general good.
On the 2d of November, 1869, Mr. Person was united in marriage to Miss Lena Olsen, a daughter of John and Bertha (Danielson) Olsen, and a granddaughter of Ole and Eliza Nelson. Her grandparents on the maternal side were Daniel and Eliza Person, the latter living to be more than ninety years of age. The parents of Mrs. Person were natives of Sweden, and lived in that country until eight years after their marriage, when the father sol:" their home there for two years. On the expiration of that period they re- moved to Tampico township, Whiteside county, purchasing eighty acres of the farm which he had been operating and crossed the Atlantic to America. Mr. and Mrs. John Olsen first located near Dixon, Illinois, in 1853, and made land. The father first built a sod house which contained one door and one window, the roof being made by putting slough grass on poles. It was cov- ered with sod and never leakcd, but eventually the mice got into it and be- came quite troublesome, as there were no cats to be had. This sod house was considered quite a curiosity and neighbors came for several miles to see it. Mr. and Mrs. Olsen and their family lived in that primitive structure for three years, and then the father built a log house, which he covered with grass and sod. It was later unroofed by a tornado, and he subsequently put a shingle roof on the log cabin. Later he erected a fine modern residence, and as time went on kept adding to his landed possessions until at the time of his death lic had seven eighty-acre tracts of rich and productive land. His demise occurred February 11, 1888, at the age of sixty-nine years and eleven months, while his wife passed away September 2, 1901, when seventy- nine years of age. They were widely recognized as worthy pioneer settlers of Whiteside county, and gained a large number of friends by reason of their genuine personal worth and upright lives. They had a family of eight children, six of whom grew to maturity: Mrs. Lena Person; Oliver D. and Andrew Olsen, of Tampico township; Joseph, who resides in Rock Falls;
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
Augustus, a Lutheran preacher of Winnepeg, Canada; John W., who lives on the old homestead; and two who died in infancy.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. John Person have been born four sons. William Henry, who makes his home in Montmorency township, married Ida Elmen- dorf, and has three children: Henry W., Pansy and Melvin. Carl Oscar, of Rock Falls, wedded Ella Elmendorf. Victor Emanuel, who also resides in Montmorency township, inarried Martha Murray, and they have three chil- dren: Lena Lucile, Kenneth and Bernice. Joshua Augustus operates the home farm, and was united in marriage to Miss Flora Murphy. All the sons of John Person were raised to agricultural' pursuits, and are respected and enterprising residents of their respective communities.
In his political views the subject of this review is a republican, giving unfaltering support to the party. Both he and his wife are members of the Swedish Lutheran church and are widely and favorably known, for they have lived in Whiteside county for almost forty years, and throughout that entire period their lives have ever been guided by honorable and lofty principles. Coming to America in young manhood, Mr. Person here found the opportuni- ties which he sought, and through their careful utilization he gained the measure of success that now classes hiin with the representative and prosper- ous residents of the county and enables him to spend the evening of life amid all of the comforts and many of the luxuries which a modern civiliza- tion affords.
SEBASTIAN AUGUST SCHMOEGER.
Sebastian August Schmoeger is now living retired in Sterling, and his rest is well merited, for through thirty-nine years he was actively connected with commercial interests here. Coming to America from Germany, his na- tive land, at the age of sixteen years, he afterward attended high school to acquaint himself with the English language and promote his general knowl- edge. While thus engaged he provided for his own support by labor during the day, and in that way displayed the elemental strength of his character, whereon he has builded his success.
.He was born in Saxony, near Meiningen, November 14, 1850. His pa- ternal grandfather, John Schmoeger, was a butcher by trade, and followed that pursuit in Germany. Both he and his wife, Mrs. Helen Schmoeger, lived to an advanced agc. They reared a small family, including Sebastian Schinoeger, Sr., who was a native of Germany, and became a butcher of Meiningen, where for many years he carried on business, and there passed away in 1894, at the age of seventy-five years. He married Anna Catherine Sieinon, also a native of that country and a daughter of Johan Adam Siemon. Her father was a farmer by occupation and both he and his wife also reached advanced years. Their daughter, Mrs. Schmoeger, passed away in 1892, at the age of seventy-two years. Both the parents of our subject are members of the Lutheran church. Their family numbered four children, three sons
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
and a daughter: Helen Magdalena, the wife of Frederick Weh, who is liv- ing near Meiningen, Germany; Frederick Adam, who has remained in the fatherland; Sebastian A., of this review; and Frederick August, deceased.
Sebastian A. Schmoeger remained in Germany until about sixteen years of age, and during that time acquired a common school education. In 1865 he came to the United States, settling in Peru, Illinois, where he attended night school, and in the daytime followed the butcher's trade. He there re- mained for two years, and through his diligence and careful expenditure he was enabled to embark in business on his own account, when he removed to Sterling in 1868. Here he opened a market, which he conducted with grow- ing success until the 1st of October, 1907, a period of thirty-nine years. As a business man he was thoroughly reliable, as well as energetic, and the con- fidence which he merited gained for him a very desirable patronage and made his success most gratifying. While he has retired from commercial pur- suits, he is still a director and stockholder in the First National Bank.
On the 24th of January, 1874, Mr. Schmoeger was married to Miss Anna K. Salzmann, a daughter of Andreas and Anna Martha (Schuetrumpf) Salz- mann. Her parents were natives of Hesse-Cassel, Germany, and in their family were four sons and a daughter, but the sons are all now deceased, leaving Mrs. Schmoeger as the only surviving member of the family. Mr. Salzmann died in Germany at the age of fifty-six years. His widow after- ward came to America on a visit and passed away in 1893, at the age of seventy-four years, her death resulting from la grippe. Her father was George Schuetrumpf, who died at the age of seventy-five years, while her mother was Mrs. Anna Katherine (Selig) Schmoeger. Mrs. Schmoeger's brothers, all .of whom are now deccased, held responsible positions in Ger- many. George Salzmann was an officer in the German army, and the hard- ships endured during the German and French war of 1871 were too severe for him, and he died the following year. John Salzmann was also an officer in that war, and died at the age of fifty-four years. Peter Salzmann like- wise served as an officer in the German army during that period of hostili- ties, and died about four years later. Henry Salzmann was foreman in a large soap, oil and perfume factory in Germany. He served as a soldier in the regular army and lived and died in Alsace-Lorraine.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Schmoeger have been born five children. Anna Helen, the eldest, is the wife of Clarc Fitch, formerly of Sterling, but now of Peoria, Illinois, and they have four children, Marie Magdalene, Katherine Helen, Lee and George. Frederick A. Schmocger is manufacturing Sterling stove polish at Sterling, Illinois. He married Florence Utley, but she is now deceased. Martha E. is the wife of Lawrence E. Gould, and they reside in Chicago. Harry J. is a traveling salesman, making his home in Sterling. William G. is attending college at Mercersburg, Pennsylvania.
Mr. and Mrs. Schmoeger and three of their children are members of St. John's Lutheran church, and Mr. Schmoeger belongs to Sterling Lodge, No. 174, I. O. O. F., and to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His po- litical allegiance is given to the republican party, but the honors and emolu- ments of office have no attraction for him. He has a beautiful home, which
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he erected in 1880, and has been a prosperous merchant, being one of the oldest business men of the town, highly respected for his integrity of char- acter and his honorable dealings. His life record should serve to encourage and inspire others, for he came to the new world empty-handed and has since been dependent entirely upon his own resources for his success. He has proved that obstacles and difficultics can be overcome by determined purpose, and that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously.
JOHN ROSENGREN.
John Rosengren, a representative of the farming interests of Coloma township, living on section 36, not far from Rock Falls, was born in Sweden, April 12, 1858, his parents being Gustave B. and Marie (Johnson) Rosen- gren. It was in the year 1870 that the parents, bidding adieu to friends and native land, sailed with their family for America and, making their way into the interior of the country, settled at Rock Falls. The father was a skilled painter, and for many years was employed by the Keystone Manu- facturing Company at Rock Falls.
John Rosengren was about twelve years of age when his parents left their native country and came to the United States, so that he was largely reared in Whiteside county, pursuing his education in the public sehools. After putting aside his text-books he began providing for his own support and re- mained in the employ of others until he was about twenty-three years of age, when he was married, and began farming on his own account. He has since carried on general agricultural pursuits, and his diligence and energy constitute strong factors in the success which has attended him.
It was on the 13th of February, 1883, that Mr. Rosengren wedded Miss Anna Peterson, a daughter of Andrew and Louise Peterson. She was born in Sweden and her parents died in that country when she was but three years of age. The year 1872 witnessed her arrival in America. By this marriage there have been born four children: Herbert, Lloyd, Mabel and Hazel.
On beginning farming on his own account Mr. Rosengren first rented the Kits Miller farm of three hundred and twenty acres, and remained thereon for a year, after which he took up his abode upon the farm which he now occupies on section 36, Coloma township. Here in connection with general farming he has made a specialty of raising shorthorn cattle and road and draft horses, and his livestock interests have been an important branch of revenue to him. The farm comprises four hundred and cighty-seven acres of rich and productive land, and Mr. Rosengren is widely known as a very successful and prosperous farmer, whose labors are carefully directed, while the results that follow are, thereforc, most desirable.
Mr. Rosengren takes an active interest in politics, and is a stalwart sup- porter of the republican party. He believes firmly in its principles, and docs all in his power to promote its success. He is now serving for the third term as commissioner of highways, and it was through his endeavors and
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
influence that the new bridge was built over the canal. He has been the leader in several political contests, and has always been victorious. His de- votion to the publie good is unquestioned, and his loyalty to the general welfare has been manifest in many tangible ways. He has served as school director for several terms, and is a member of the Mystic Workers, belonging to Lodge No. 32, at Rock Falls. He may truly be called a self-made man, working his way upward through determination and energy, realizing that there is no execllenec without labor, and that in business, as well as in every other connection of life, honesty is the best policy.
CHARLES A. CLARK.
While there has been nothing spectacular in the life history of Charles A. Clark, it is none the less important. As a merchant he has conducted a constantly growing business, winning that advancement which comes through indefatigable energy and stalwart purpose. Hc now deals in hats and men's furnishing goods, having a well selected stock at No. 6 East Third street, in Sterling.
Mr. Clark was born in Morrison, Illinois, August 10, 1862, his parents being John and Jane (Boyd) Clark, who were natives of Fredonia, New York, and of Scotland, respectively. The paternal grandfather was also a na- tive of New York, and the family is of English descent. John Clark was a young man when he came to the west, settling in Morrison, Illinois, where he followed various pursuits. He ran the first dray line and later engaged in the meat and ice business, while subsequently he became an auctioneer. In community affairs he was quite prominent and influential and his ability as a business man and his publie-spirited citizenship were widely recognized. He was a stanch supporter of the demoeraey, filled the office of alderman, and on the day of his death, which occurred November 21, 1895, when he was fifty-five years of age, he was appointed to the position of postmaster of Morrison. His widow still survives him. She is of Scotch lineage, and is a member of the Presbyterian church. In their family were four children: Charles A .; George, deceased; Nettie, who married H. U. Smouse, of Morri- son, and died February 6, 1908; and Walter, deceased.
Charles A. Clark was reared in Morrison and attended the public schools. He assisted his father in various ways until he had attained his majority. He then began elerking in Morrison, where he remained for three or four years, and in 1884 he arrived in Sterling, where he accepted a clerkship in the store of R. B. Witmer, in the room which he now occupies. He con- tinued elerking for three or four years, after which he embarked in business on his own account, carrying a full line of hats and men's furnishing goods. A liberal patronage has been accorded him, and the business has proved a profitable investment from the beginning.
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