USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 31
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On the Sth of July, 1891, Mr. Clark was married to Miss Lena B. Edwards, a daughter of E. P. and Grace Edwards. They had two children, John and
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Harold Edward, but the former died when only five and a half years of age. Mrs. Clark's parents were New York people, and on removing to the west settled first in Iowa. They lived in various places in that state, the father being a railroad man, and their home is now in Jewell, Iowa. Mrs. Clark attends the Episcopal church.
Mr. Clark is a member of Rock River Lodge, No. 612, A. F. & A. M .; Sterling Chapter, No. 57, R. A. M .; Sterling Commandery, No. 57, K. T .; and Tabala Temple of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. In his political alle- giance he is a democrat. With his wife and son he resides at No. 302 West Tenth street, where he built a good residence in 1902. During the years of his connection with Sterling he has ever occupied an enviable position in business circles, as one worthy the trust and regard of his fellowmen, while at the same time he has manifested enterprise and industry which have proven the foundation of his present success.
GEORGE F. SHULER.
The German nation has contributed probably more largely to the col- onization and civilization of America than any other people. The stability, enterprise and indomitable perseverance characteristic of the Teutonic race constituted the very qualities necessary to promote the growth and develop- ment of the new World. As the name indicates, George F. Shuler in the ancestral line, as well as by birth, is a representative of that racc. He first opened his eyes to the light of day in far-away Baden, in the village of Schil- tach, and was a son of John and Christina Shuler, who passed their entire lives in Germany. The father was twice married and to the first union there were born four children, three of whom are now living, namely: Maria, the wife of James Frank, a resident of Rock Falls; Maciah, who is living in Morrison, Illinois; and George F. Shuler, who is the eldest of the family. To the father's second marriage there was born one son, who remained in Germany.
When James A. Garfield was a youth he was asked what he wanted to make of himself. His reply was, "First I must make of myself a man." He was right-for failure in manhood means failure in life. Perhaps Mr. Shuler in his boyhood had never heard of this answer, but the same spirit characterized him and led him when a young man to seek the opportunities of the new world and to try his fortune in the great west, where advantages do not depend upon the accident of birth, but where men are equal before the law and must rise by their own merits. In the public schools of his native land he acquired his education, after which he worked upon a farm for his father until his emigration to the new world with the exception of two summers, when he was employed as a harvest hand. Before starting for America he visited other parts of Germany and France. The favorable reports that he heard concerning the United States, however, convinced him that it was the land of opportunity and he therefore resolved to make it his
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GEORGE F. SHULER
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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home. On the 15th of October, 1853, he left London, England, as passenger on the North Cumberland, a sailing vessel plying between that port and New York. After an uneventful voyage of thirty-four days he arrived in the eastern metropolis and proceeded at once to Butler county, Ohio, where he sought and found his first employment in this country, being engaged to husk corn at thirty-five cents per day. He was accompanied by German friends, none of whom could speak English and they were too timid to ask for more wages. Later in the season, however, Mr. Shuler obtained work at cutting wood and doing chores, for which he received the sum of six dollars per month and his board. This lasted through the winter and in the spring his wages were increased. to nine and a half dollars per month. He eagerly availed himself of every opportunity to master the English language and to acquaint himself with business and other conditions that here existed, and in the meantime he was forming mental plans to come further west. Although his earnings were very small, by careful expenditure and close economy he acquired a sufficient sum to enable him to make the journey and on the last of August, 1854, he started for Illinois, traveling by rail to Mendota and thence by stage to Dixon, after which he was taken down the south side of Rock river by John Erie.
On the way Mr. Shuler stopped at the place that he now owns to make inquiries concerning a man whom he had known in the old world and who had settled in Sterling township. Soon after his arrival in the new country a scourge of cholera broke out, from which eight people died. Such a con- dition was not an encouraging outlook, but Mr. Shuler possessed firm pur- pose and undaunted energy. He eagerly availed himself of the opportuni- ties that offered for work and during the first two years after his arrival in Whiteside county he was employed at farm labor and thus made his start.
In the year 1856 was celebrated the marriage of George F. Shuler and Miss Elizabeth Rorenburg, a native of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. The young couple began their domestic life on a tract of land of forty acres on section 9, Sterling township, only one-half of which was under cultiva- tion, while the only improvements upon the place were an old log cabin, sixteen by eighteen feet, and a straw barn. Upon that farm they remained until 1859, when Mr. Shuler purchased another tract of land of forty acres from L. S. Pennington, thus becoming owner of eighty acres in one body. He made a payment of two hundred and thirty dollars upon the second tract, but owing to the hard times and the failure of the bank in which he had his money deposited to pay for the land, he lost forty acres of his property. A year later, however, owing to his untiring energy and good management, he was enabled to repurchase it. In 1863 from his tract of forty acres he sold corn to the amount of nine hundred dollars, receiving a dollar and two cents per bushel. In 1864 he bought of Hiram Platt another tract of forty acrcs and his possessions now aggregated one hundred and twenty acres. In 1870 he made a purchase of eighty acres situated across the road from his first place and upon this tract he cstablished his home. There he occupied at first a frame house, which at the time of his arrival in the county was considered the best home in the locality. The building is still standing and is now
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used for coal and wood. Again in July, 1874, Mr. Shuler was able to add to his land by purchase of one hundred and forty-five acres from John B. Crawford and five years later he bought one hundred and twenty-two acres, but subsequently sold twenty acres of this, which left his landed holdings four hundred and fifty-seven acres. In 1881 he invested in an eighty-acre tract, formerly the property of Emanuel Landis, later bought four acres from David Wolf and one hundred and twenty acres from Abraham N. Landis, so that he had seven hundred and thirty acres in all, which he has owned since 1893. He now has another eighty-acre tract purchased of Ben- jamin Landis. This property is divided into five farms, on one of which he resides, while the other four are leased and bring to him a good rental. These farms are almost in one body and all are under a state of high culti- vation and improvement. Mr. Shuler has given much attention to stock- raising and in feeding stock for the market and has made a specialty of Poland China and Chester White hogs. He has also raised the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and both branches of his business have proven profitable. He is now practically living a retired life, enjoying the benefits of his years of toil and activity since he first landed, a poor boy, upon the shores of America. In 1886 he became a stockholder in the First National Bank of Sterling and in January, 1887, was elected a director and has since served in that capacity, covering a period of twenty-two years.
Among the other events which have shaped his busy career, Mr. Shuler has been called upon to administer a number of estates. At one time he was in charge of seven different estates, which were placed in his care for settle- ment and at another time he had four. All of this shows the unqualified confidence placed in him by his fellow citizens, who recognize his excellent business ability and his thorough trustworthiness and reliability. He pro- moted the building of the first iron bridge in Whiteside county and it was through his efforts that the first graveling of roads was commenced. He was commissioner of highways for over twenty-three years and served as school director for twenty-six years. He cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln after becoming a naturalized American citizen and has always been a stanch republican. With his family he attends the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Shuler lost his first wife April 12, 1904, and on the 6th of February, 1907, he married Mrs. Kate Delp, of Whiteside county. By the first union there were four children, namely: Eliza, wife of Ferris. Landis; John, de- ceased; Emma R., wife of Chris Miller, of Whiteside county; and Mary R., at home.
Viewed by what he has accomplished, Mr. Shuler's life seems remark- able, and yet when we examine into the secret of his success it will be found that his prosperity has resulted entirely from his energy, unfaltering labor and perseverance under the direction of a well-balanced mind and charac- terized by the most honorable dealings and thorough business principles. His life work well entitles him to be ranked with those who have been factors in the growth and development of the county and his name will be held in high esteem throughout the coming years, while the present generation enter- tains for him the warmest regard. The great majority of his fellow towns-
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men have given to him lasting friendship. He has indeed exemplified the Garfield wish and made of himself a man-a man whom to know is to respect and honor.
ALEXANDER McCLOY.
Although Alexander McCloy is now in his cighty-second ycar he is still to some extent connected with the business interests of Sterling as a rcal- estate dealer. Well preserved for one of his years, in spirit and interests he seems yet in his prime. He was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, October 16, 1826, and is a grandson of Neal McCloy, who was born in Ire- land, and on coming to America settled in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, while his last days were passed in Washington county, that state. Hc died at the age of seventy-five years, and his wife, Mrs. Jane (Dickson) McCloy, died in 1833, when well advanced in age. They were the parents of two daughters, while their only son, Alexander McCloy, became the father of our subject .. He, too, was born on the Emerald isle and by his parents was brought to America in early life. He became a physician and in 1831 re- moved to Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, settling near Pittsburg, while later he went to Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he retired from the practice of medicine and began farming. His death occurred in that county in 1871, when he was eighty years of age. In early manhood he wedded Mary Henderson, a native of the Keystonc state and a daughter of John Henderson, who was a native of Ireland, but both he and his wife died in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. They had one son and five daugh- ters, including Mrs. McCloy, who departed this life in 1871, at the age of seventy years. Both the father and mother of our subject were faithful Christian people, holding membership in the Presbyterian church. Dr. McCloy served as assistant surgeon in the war of 1812 under Dr. Hume, of · Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
In the family were seven children, five sons and two daughters, but Alexander McCloy of this review is the only one now living. He was but five years of age when his parents removed to Washington county, Penn- sylvania, where he was rcared and acquired his preliminary education. Later he attended Jefferson College for one term. He learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a short time, and subsequently began clerking in a store in Lancaster county. In 1852 he went into 'business on his own ac- count at Strasburg, Pennsylvania, where he resided for about nine years, when in 1861 he arrived in Sterling and joined his brother-in-law, Zaddock T. Galt, in the dry-goods business. This relation was maintained until 1871 with good success, after which Mr. McCloy became one of the originators of tlie Eureka Manufacturing Company and was with that concern until 1887. Since that time he has engaged in the real-estate business and although he has passed the eighty-first milestone of life's journey he still conducts a good business as a real-estate dealer and keeps well informed concerning the prop- erty that is upon the market.
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On the 4th of May, 1858, Mr. McCloy was married to Miss Isabella Galt, a daughter of William and Mary Ann (Thomas) Galt. They became the parents of two children. William Spencer, the son, is now secretary of the Charter Gas Engine Company. He married Miss Genevieve Keefer, and they have one daughter, Isabel. Mary Belle is the wife of George M. Robinson, of Sterling, president of the Charter Gas Engine Company, and they have two children, William Alexander and Isabella. The mother, Mrs. Alexander McCloy, died February 24, 1888, when about fifty-seven years of age. She was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church, to which Mr. McCloy also belongs, and his political views are in harmony with the principles of democracy. For about forty-seven years he has been a resident of Sterling and throughout this period has figured in connection with its business in- terests, while the course that he has pursued has gained for liim the confi- dence and trust of his fellowmen and gained for him a gratifying measure of prosperity in the business world.
KARL J. MARTINDALE, D. D. S.
Karl J. Martindale, successfully engaged in the practice of dentistry in Morrison, was born in Ustick township, this county, in 1880. His father, John C. Martindale, was a native of St. Lawrence county, New York, and coming to Illinois, settled on a farm in Ustick township, Whiteside county, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits, bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation and gaining a good financial reward from the sale of his crops. He retired from the farm in 1873 and took up his abode in Fulton, where he engaged in the grain business. For four or five years he rall a vessel on the Mississippi river and during the administration of Presi- dent Harrison he served as postmaster of Fulton. At the time of the Civil war he responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting on the 1st of August, 1862, as a member of Company F, Nincty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry. However, on the 23d of February, 1863, he was honorably discharged on account of disability at Memphis, Tennessee. He attained the rank of sergeant and was a brave and loyal soldier. Following the war he became a valued member of the Grand Army of the Republic. His political alle- giance was given the republican party and he served as assessor of his town- ship. In his fraternal relations he was a Mason and his life was in harmony witlı the beneficent spirit of the craft. He married Agnes A. Lowrie, who was born in Pennsylvania and is now living at the age of sixty-nine years. She is a member of the Presbyterian church and to her husband was a faith- ful companion and helpmate on life's journey. She was called upon to mourn his loss in August, 1901, his death occurring when he had reached the age of sixty-four years. Their family numbered three children: Edward L., the eldest, is now a practicing physician of Clinton, Iowa. Walter P., the second son, is a member of the bar at Quincy, Illinois.
Karl J. Martindale, the youngest son, was rearcd to farm life and pur- sued his education in the schools of Fulton, Illinois, and in the high school
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at Clinton, Iowa. Determining upon the dental profession in his choice of a life work, he began study in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1898 and was graduated on the completion of a course in dental surgery in 1901. He then located for practice at St. Ignace, Michigan, where he re- mained for one year, after which he came to Morrison, where he has since remained. A liberal patronage has been accorded him and he ranks among the able members of the profession, possesses excellent mechanical ability as well as theoretical knowledge and at all times keeps in touch with the latest discoveries of the dental profession and the inventions which have brought dental instruments so elose to perfection.
In April, 1907, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Martindale and Miss Minne Belle Robinson, who was born in Morrison, a daughter of Frank and Carrie (Clarke) Robinson, the former a hardware merchant of Morri- son. Dr. and Mrs. Martindale are well known socially and have a very warm eirele of friends. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias and his political views are in accord with the principles of the republican party, but while he thoroughly endorses its platform, he has neither time nor inclination for office, preferring to give his attention to his professional duties. He is win- ning sueeess in his chosen ealling and is now accorded a gratifying patronage.
HENRY WHITE.
Henry White, whose landed possessions aggregate two hundred and sev- enty aeres, his home being situated in Lyndon township, is one of the worthy residents that Germany has furnished to Illinois. He was born in the father- land, September 22, 1869, and was but three years of age when brought to the United States by his parents, Henry and Dora Kraken. The mother died of smallpox soon after their arrival in the new world, and the subject of this review then went to live with Mathew and Sarah M. White, who resided upon a farm which our subjcet now owns. He reecived from them the care and attention of loving parents, being legally adopted by them and ultimately coming into possession of the old homestead. It was upon this farm that his foster father died, in 1882. Mrs. White still survives, and is now living in Nebraska, at the age of eighty-nine years, with her daughter, Mrs. Zella Slater, who is her only living child.
Mr. White is indebted to the public-school system for the educational priv- ileges he enjoyed and he received thorough training in farm work, so that he · was well qualified to take charge of a farm of his own when he was enabled to purchase one. In 1893 he bought one hundred and sixty acres and later he purchased the old homestead property upon which he now resides, this comprising one hundred and ten aercs. At the present time his landed pos- sessions aggregate two hundred and seventy acres on scetions 3 and 4, Lyndon township, upon which he has two sets of buildings. His farm is largely devoted to stock and in this connection he makes good profit from his invest-
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ment and his labor. In the fall of 1907 he suffered a. loss, having a barn destroyed by fire but altogether as the years have passed by he has prospered, owing to his unfaltering diligence and persistency of purpose.
In 1891 Mr. White was married to Miss Cora Pope, who was born in Man- chester, Iowa, September 27, 1871, a daughter of Thomas and Mary Pope. They now have three children, Ernest, Ruby and Roy. The parents are well known in the community and have many warm friends who esteem them high- ly for their good traits of heart and mind. Mr. White gives his political sup- port to the republican party and in matters of citizenship is progressive and enterprising, realizing the fact that earnest labor is the basis of all desirable success, while in his business dealings he indicates his thorough understanding and belief in the old adage that honesty is the best policy.
ELAM R. GRUBB.
Elam R. Grubb is the owner of an excellent farm of two hundred acres in Genesee township and his time and attention are devoted to its further development and improvement. He was born April 1, 1842, in Pennsyl- vania, the elder of two sons, his brother being Nehemiah Grubb, also living in Genesee township. The parents were Samuel and Mary (Rowe) Grubb, both natives of the Keystone state. The father was born February 19, 1816, while the mother's birth occurred December 22, 1805. Mr. Grubb was a cooper by trade and remained in the east until 1854, when he started westward with his family, proceeding to Chicago and thence to Geneseo by rail. From that point he made his way by stage to Sterling, where he worked at the carpenter's trade for one year and built the first house in the city, but the structure has since been destroyed by fire. In 1855 he removed to Genesee township and purchased eighty acres of land on section 33. This he improved, bringing the fields under a high state of cultivation and making his home thereon until 1903, when he sold his land. Hc now lives with his son Elam at the very advanced age of ninety-two years. He is in many respects a remarkable man, having never used glasses and yet still reading his paper. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and his life has been upright and honorable, winning for him the respect and confidence of all with whom he is associated. His wife passed away October 12, 1896, at the age of ninety years.
Elam R. Grubb spent the first twelve years of his life in the state of his nativity and began his education in the public schools there. He then accompanied his parents on their removal to the west, where he continued. his studies and more and more largely aided in the work of the home farm. He was married in 1870 and in that year purchased forty acres of land, where he now lives and which he has improved. It constituted the nucleus of his present farm and to this he has added from time to time until he now owns two hundred acres of well. improved land. He possesses much natural mechanical skill and ability and this enables him to keep every-
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thing about his place in a state of excellent repair. When farm machinery, fences or anything about the house get out of order he has the skill neces- sary to set things right again and everything about his place is kept in excellent condition. The farm is now a valuable and well improved prop- erty, from which he derives a good annual income.
On the 27th of February, 1870, Mr. Grubb was married to Miss Eliza A. Peugh, a daughter of Charles B. and Jane (Louden) Peugh. Mrs. Grubb · was born October 11, 1848, in Indiana, and was four years of age when brought by her parents to this county. She has become the mother of two children : Charles L., who is upon the home farm; and Fannie A., the wife of Earl J. Gilbert, of this township.
Mr. Grubb gives his political allegiance to the republican party but has never been an aspirant for office. He has served as school director for several years and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend. He believes in maintaining a high standard in the schools and in employing competent teachers. His time and energies, however, are chiefly given to his business interests and he now has a valuable farm property, which con- stitutes one of the attractive features of the landscape.
MICHAEL P. GRAHAM.
Michael P. Graham, proprietor and manager of the Bedal Gold Cure at Sterling, is one of the native sons of Illinois, having been born in Ogle county, near Polo, February 15, 1863. He comes of Irish lineage in the paternal line and his grandfather spent his entire life in that country. His so11, Owen Graham, who was born on the Emerald isle, being a native of County Roscommon, devoted his entire life to farming and in the early '40s crossed the Atlantic to America, settling in Ogle county, Illinois, before the era of railroad building in this part of the state. His first wife was a Miss Kenney, and unto them were born three children, of whom two are now living: Mary, the wife of Lawrence Kavanaugh, of Sterling; and Catherine, the wife of John Wentz, of Chicago. Having lost his first wife, Owen Gra- ham wedded Mary Blouck, who was born in County Mayo, Ireland. They became the parents of two children, the elder being Nellie Grahamn, now the wife of Theodore Coffey, of Greenfield, Iowa. The death of the father occurred February 3, 1903, when he had reached the advanced age of eighty- two years.
In taking up the personal history of Michael P. Graham we present to our readers the life record of one well known in Sterling. He was reared in Ogle county, Illinois, upon his father's farm to the age of seventeen years and attended the district and public schools during that period. He then began handling horses, making judicious purchases and sales and for three years carried on the business. On the expiration of that period he took up the work of general farming and stock-raising upon the old home- stead and biennially held a sale of stock. In 1891 he established a Bedal
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