USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 36
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On the 22d of December, 1875, Mr. Kaufman was married to Miss Martha E. Fraser, a daughter of George S. and Luey (Olmsted) Fraser. Her parents were natives of the state of New York and resided in Wayne county near Wolcott. Her father was a marble-eutter and followed that business for a number of years, but beeame one of the pioneer settlers of Whiteside county, where he took up his abode about 1849, locating on a farm in Genesee township. Following the death of his first wife he re- moved to Canton, Illinois, where he married a second time, and there his death occurred when he was more than eighty-two years of age. Ilis first wife passed away in February, 1898, at the age of sixty-seven years, and he is still survived by his second wife, who was formerly Mrs. Lois Fair, and who resides at Canton, Illinois. In the family of George and Luey Fraser there were seven children, of whom four are now living: Martha, now Mrs. Kaufman; Nellie C., the wife of Alfred Thorpe, of Sterling; Gertrude, the wife of John F. Buckley, of Beloit, Wisconsin; and L. Verdell, the wife of Charles B. Young, of Aurora, Illinois. It will be interesting in this eon- nection to note, something more of the history of Mrs. Kaufman's people. Her paternal grandfather, Henry Fraser, was a native of the Empire state and was of Scoteh descent. A blacksmith by trade, he had a shop on his farm in Genesee township following his removal to this eounty, and thus continued blacksmithing until he took up his abode in Sterling, where he died at the venerable age of eighty-three years. His wife, Mrs. Lueinda (Stewart) Fraser, was more than seventy years of age at the time of her
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death. They were the parents of four sons and two daughters. The ma- ternal grandfather of Mrs. Kaufman was Elijah Olmsted, a native of New York and a farmer by occupation. He married Jerusha Grover and died in Wayne county, New York, after which his widow married again and came to the west. Her second husband was a Mr. Stage and they made their way to Whiteside county, where their children were living. Both died here when well advanced in years.
In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Kaufman were three sons and four daughters: Bessie, who died at the age of five years; Harry, who is a con- ductor on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad; Frank, who died at the age of fifteen months; Nancy, twin sister of Frank, and the wife of Frank S. Waters, of Aurora, Illinois; Jessie, who is a stenographer of Chicago and also well known as an elocutionist; and Lawrence and Lucile, twins, who are students in the high school of Sterling.
The parents are consistent members of the First Methodist Episcopal church. For ten years they have occupied what is known as the old Worth- ington property and their home is noted for its gencrous and warm-hearted hospitality. Politically Mr. Kaufman is a prohibitionist, thus voicing his opinion on the temperance question. He stands not only for temperance but for morality in every form, and his influence is ever given on the side of truth, justice and right. In his business life he has made a creditable record, as is indicated by the fact that he has continued so long in the employ of the Singer Sewing Machine Company. He is a. representative of one of the oldest families of the county and for almost fifty-six years has counted Whiteside county as his home, although his business interests have called him at different times to other localities. He has been an interested witness of its growth and development and has seen the greater part of the changes which have been wrought. in transforming this into one of the leading counties of this great commonwealth.
MICHAEL N. CROHAN.
Among the residents of the village of Fenton who have retired from active business life, but were formerly enterprising factors in agricultural circles in Whiteside county, is numbered Michael N. Crohan. His birth occurred in County Roscommon, Ireland, October 10, 1837, his parents be- ing John and Nora (Hanley) Crohan, who were also natives of County Roscommon. The father died when his son Michael was but six years of age and the latter came with his mother and two sisters, Ann and Mary, to the United States, the family home being established in Freehold, Monmouth county, New Jersey, in 1850. Michael Crohan was then a youth of about thirteen years. He remained in New Jersey during the period of his minority and, fond of reading, he closely followed the writings of Horace Greeley and eventually heeded the advice of the great reformer in his injunction, "Go west, young man, go west." Making his way to this section of the country,
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MR. AND MRS. MICHAEL N. CROHAN
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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he first located at Connersville, Fayette county, Indiana, leaving his mother and sisters in the east. This was in 1854, during the administration of Franklin Pierce. As he had no capital and his financial condition rendered immediate employment a necessity, he hired out to work as a farm hand and when he had tested the opportunities of the west and believed that he could make a good 'living in this section of the country he sent for his mother, sister and other relatives to join him and all settled in Indiana.
In 1857 Mr. Crohan came to Whiteside county, Illinois, being induced to take this step by the fact that he had acquaintances living in Sterling. He remained for a short time in the city and then removed to Lyndon town- ship, working as a farm hand for Draper Richmond until after the outbreak of the Civil war. On the 2d of September, 1861, he donned the blue uniform, enlisting at Morrison as a member of Company C, Eighth Illinois Cavalry, under Colonel John A. Farnsworth. The regiment was located at Washing- ton for three months, being encamped at Alexandria, the former home of Robert E. Lee. The troops then proceeded to Maryland and Mr., Crohan with others of his command was detailed to guard government trains on the march to the Wilderness, being in the rear of Mcclellan's army. They engaged the enemy at Culp's Farm and Mr. Crohan was also a participant in the battle of South Mountain. Becoming ill, he was honorably discharged and returned home in 1863. He was in poor health for a year, but as soon as able became an active factor in business life and for one season worked for others in Illinois.
In 1865 Mr. Crohan returned to Indiana, was married and then again came to Whiteside county, settling in Fenton township, where he has since made his home, covering a period of forty-three years. Here he purchased cighty acres of land on sections 16 and 20 and later he bought more land, , having at one time one hundred and seventy-seven acres. He resided on his farm on section 16, Fenton township, until he retired from active labor and took up his abode in the village of Fenton. Here he has lived for the past fourteen years and has gradually disposed of his property, so that he has few business interests to care for and yet has a substantial bank account which supplies him with all of the necessities and some of the comforts of life.
In 1865 Mr. Crohan was married to Miss Celia Coyne, who was born in Balcarra, County Mayo, Ireland, January 15, 1840. They traveled life's journey together for forty-three years and were then separated by the death of the wife on the 20th of January, 1908. She came to America in 1860 and was a resident of Rushville, Indiana, up to the time of her marriage on the 8th of February, 1865. She passed away at their home in Fenton and her death was deeply regretted by many friends, who esteemed her highly for her good qualities of heart and mind. They had no children of their own, but adopted a son, William E. Crohan, now of Chicago. A sister, Catherine Coyne, also made her home with them.
Mr. Crohan is a member of Captain Alpheus Clarke Post, No. 118, G. A. R., of Morrison. His political allegiance has always been given the democ- racy and he has served as road and drainage commissioner for six years. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church and he is a communicant of the
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congregation at Morrison. A well-spent life has gained for him the lasting friendship and warm regard of many with whom he has come in contact, while his honorable business career has won for him a comfortable compe- tence that now enables him to live retired.
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JOSEPH BROWN.
Joseph Brown was one of the honored pioneer settlers of Whiteside coun- ty and, morcover, deserves representation in this volume from the fact that he gave his life as a sacrifice on the altar of his country during the period of the Civil war. He was widely known and respected and he is yet represented in this county by his two daughters, Jennie and Jessie Brown, who occupy the old homestead farm. He was born in Manchester, England, in 1823 and was the fifth child in a family of six children. The family history records the marriages of Elizabeth Brown and Jane Brown to members of the Dick- ens family, to which the famous author, Charles Dickens, belongs. William Brown, grandfather of our subject, was born in 1752 and died in 1825. He married Margaret Weir, of Warringstown, County Down, Ireland, whose peo- ple removed to England prior to 1798. Unto them were born nine chil- dren, including William Brown, who was the second in order of birth and inarried Agnes Graham. They were the parents of Joseph Brown of this re- view.
Joseph Brown spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the land of liis nativity, leaving England in the early '40s and crossing the Atlantic to Worcester, Massachusetts. He married Miss Eliza Corscaden, a daughter of Richard and Jane (Crawford) Corscaden, on the 24th of October, 1847. In ' 1850, before they left Massachusetts, Mr. Brown purchased a tract of land on section 1, Sterling township, Whiteside county, Illinois, which he afterward sold, and later purchased another tract in Jordan township. Again disposing of his property, he at length purchased a quarter section in Palmyra township, Lee county, which he retained for a place of residence.
It was in the year 1851 that Mr. and Mrs. Brown settled in Whiteside county. first making their home with Jacob Powell. With the other carly pioneers of the locality Mr. Brown assisted in the development of the new country through the culivation of its soil, his carefully directed agricultural interests proving an element in the general development of the community. As the years passed he brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and gathered large crops cach fall. His farming interests were carefully conducted and his work brought to hiin a good financial return. Three children were added to the family: Arthur, who died in infancy; and Jennie and Jessie, who now own and occupy the old homestead.
In religious faith Mr. Brown was an early day Unitarian, while Mrs. Brown's parents were Episcopalians. They were ever interested in 'all that pertained to progress and advancement and were in hearty sympathy with the anti-slavery movement, stanchly advocating the abolition causc. Mr. Brown
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was among the first to take up arms to preserve the Union and suppress the slave traffic in the south. He enlisted on the 7th of January, 1862, as a. member of Company F, First Regiment of Illinois Light Artillery, known as Cheney's Battery. He joined this command in Dixon, Lee county, and was appointed corporal on the field of Shiloh, April 21, 1862. While on duty at Pittsburg Landing he contracted typhoid fever and was removed to the hospital at Memphis, Tennessee. On the 7th of July he obtained siek leave, his fur- lough extending until the 12th of the same month. Upon the expiration of his leave of absenee it was renewed, but he died before the expiration of the second furlough on the 24th of July, 1862. He was a true patriot and a brave soldier who gave his life as a sacrifice that liberty and freedom might not perish from American soil.
Following the death of her first husband, Mrs. Brown beeame the wife of Jacob Powell, one of the early settlers and honored pioneers of Whiteside county. He was born January 19, 1814, in Dutchess county, New York, was of Quaker parentage and of Welsh descent. He was the oldest in a family of eight children, his parents being Joseph and Hannah (Bowerman) Powell. He was largely self-educated, his opportunities for attending school being very meager, but by working at farin labor he earned a sum of money suffi- cient to enable him to attend the Lima Seminary of New York. Later he determined to become a member of the medieal profession and provided for the expense of a course in a medical college in Philadelphia. Upon removing westward he took up his abode in the state of Michigan and in the fall of 1844 came to Whiteside county, Illinois. He spent the following winter in New York but in the spring returned to this state and on the 1st of April, 1845, purchased the northeast quarter of section 13, Sterling township, it being a part of what was known as the state script lands. Mr. Powell chose this location because of the fine view here afforded of the surrounding eoun- try and the beautiful Rock river. On this beautiful site he built his home, the material for construction being hauled with ox teams and horses from Chicago, Albany and Fulton. In those early days Chicago and Peru were the grain and stock markets and to those places the farmers took all that they had for sale. Mr. Powell gave his attention to agricultural pursuits and stock- raising, which he carried on extensively and profitably. In his business affairs he displayed keen judgment and marked executive foree and during the years 1868 and 1869 he built the beautiful residence now oeeupied by his daugh- ters. Mr. Powell's sympathies were with the republican party and he believed firmly in its principles but never sought nor desired offiee for himself. Dur- ing the years preceding the Civil war he was connected with the anti-slavery movement, his home being the headquarters for all anti-slavery lectures and a station on the famous underground railroad, whereby he assisted many a negro on his way from bondage in the south to freedom and liberty in Canada.
It was on the 15th of April, 1863, that Mr. Powell was married to Mrs. Eliza Corscaden Brown, the widow of Joseph Brown and a daughter of Rich- ard and Jane (Crawford) Corscaden. She was the third in a family of seven children and was born in Kilmacrenan in the north of Ireland but comes of
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Scotch ancestry. At a very carly day, however, her ancestors made their way to the north of Ireland to escape persecution in Scotland. Her father's uncles were famous as manufacturers of the noted Paisley shawls at Paisley, Scotland. In 1844 Mrs. Powell went to Canada with her parents and four years later they became residents of Clinton county, New York. On the 8th of May, 1851, she came to Whiteside county, journeying by stage from Chicago. She was a resident of Whiteside county for forty-seven years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Powell there were born no children, yet they educated and reared five, including Jennie and Jessie Brown, her daughters by the first marriage; two sisters, Margaret and Anna Holland; and Nelson Powell, a nephew of Mr. Powell. Margaret Holland is now a successful physician of Houston, Texas, where she has practiced since 1874. She is a graduate of the Woman's Hos- pital Medical College, of Chicago. Anna Holland has successfully engaged in teaching school for fifteen years in Whiteside county. Nelson Powell was mar- ried January 25, 1872, to Celia Corscaden, a niece of Mrs. Powell, and to them were born three children: LeRoy, Nellie Josephine and Clarence.
On the 20th of September, 1889, at the close of a long and useful career, . Mr. Powell died. He had lived for three-quarters of a century, during which time he witnessed many of the wonderful changes and transformations in the new west. His character was beyond reproach. Mrs. Powell survived her husband nine years and died April 28, 1898. She is spoken of today as a woman of sweet and loving disposition, possessing a tender sympathy and charity for all, her willing hand being ever ready to assist the weak and unfor- tunatc. The county thus lost two of its representative pioneers but their memory is still cherished by those who knew them. The family home and farm is now owned by the daughters, Jennie and Jessie Brown, and under their management has been successfully and profitably operated since the death of their mother.
MARTIN J. RYERSON.
No matter in how much fantastic theorizing one may indulge as to the causation of success, upon careful analysis it will always be found that it is based upon persistent, well directed effort-a statement which finds verifi- cation in the life record of Martin J. Ryerson, a well known merchant of Emerson, who is conducting a general store as junior partner of the firm of Reed & Ryerson. He was born in Hopkins township, Whiteside county, Illinois, October 25, 1855, and is a son of Martin and Margaret (Johnson) Ryerson. His paternal grandparents were David and Esther (Burr) Ryer- son, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of New York. They were married and lived in New York, where the grandfather carried on general farming until his life's labors were ended in death.
Martin Ryerson, the father, was born in New Jersey, September 28, 1824, and was a farmer and carpenter. At an early age he was apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade, serving for four years, during which time he
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was paid the meager sum of ten cents per day. For many years he was identified with carpentering, following that pursuit in the cast until 1850. when he removed westward to Whiteside county, where he again resumed work at his trade. He afterward purchased eighty acres of land on section 14, Hopkins township, and upon the place made many fine improvements. As the years passed he became 'owner of two hundred and forty-five acres of rich and productive land, extending the boundaries of his original farm by additional purchases and bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation, while the many modern improvements added made his place one of the valu- able farms of the county. He was married in Sterling to Miss Margaret John- son, a daughter of Robert and Rebecca (Truax) Johnson, who were natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania respectively. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ryerson were born two daughters and two sons: Sarah, Esther, Martin J. and John, but the last named is now deceased. The father served as overseer of high- ways for many years and did much to improve the public roads. He was a stalwart republican in politics and did all in his power to insure the success of the party. He belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife was also a member, and in the work of the church they were deeply and helpfully interested.
Martin J. Ryerson, who was a representative of the family in the third gencration to bear this name, attended the common schools near the old home farm. In October, 1903, he was married to Miss Anna Reed, a daughter of Franklin and Elizabetlı Reed. Mr. Ryerson followed farming until 1907, when he entered into partnership with B. F. Reed in the mercantile business in Emerson. They have one of the best country stores in the county, carry- ing a large and well selected line of goods, the proprietors being wide-awake, enterprising and energetic business men, courteous and obliging in their treatment of their patrons and thus securing a large and growing trade. Their business methods are such as will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny, for they have closely conformed to a high standard of commercial ethics. Their store is favorably located and is convenient to a large arca of farming country from which they draw a good trade. Good qualities of heart and mind have gained for Mr. Ryerson warm and lasting friendships and he has a wide and favorable acquaintance in this part of the county.
BENJAMIN REED.
Sterling offers attractive residence to many who have retired from active life to spend the evening of their days in the enjoyment of rest which they have truly earned and richly deserve. To this class belongs Benjamin Reed, who has now passed the eighty-fifth milestone on life's journey, his birth hav- ing occurred in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, on the 11th of September, 1822. His parents were Michael and Catharine (Kaiser) Reed, natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a farmer of Franklin county, that state, where he died in 1852, at the age of seventy-two years. His wife passed away just
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a week before of cholera. They were both members of the Lutheran church. Their family numbered seven sons and four daughters, of whom Benjamin Reed is the only one now living.
Upon the old homestead farm in the county of his nativity Benjamin Reed spent the days of his boyhood and youth, and the work of tilling the soil and caring for the crops early became" familiar to him. While still a young man he attended the subscription and distriet sehools, and when his education was completed he learned the cabinet-maker's trade, whichi he followed for a number of years. In 1854 he arrived in the middle west, settling in Hopkins township, Whiteside county, where he purchased land and improved a farm of one hundred and thirty-four acres. Upon that place he reared his family and continued to reside for a long period, bring- ing the fields under a high state of cultivation and converting the tract into valuable and productive property. Upon leaving the farm he took up his abode at Empire, where he remained for two and a half years, and in 1884 became a resident of Sterling, where he has since resided.
On the 22d of February, 1844, when a young man of about twenty- two years, Mr. Reed was married to Miss Harriet Clark, a daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Grubb) Clark. She was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and her parents were also natives of that state. The Clarks were a prominent family there and her grandfather was the first judge of Franklin county. Her maternal grandfather. was Christian Grubb, who was of Swiss descent, although the family was founded in America in colonial days. Christian Grubb served as a soldier throughout the entire period of the Revolutionary war and in days of peace followed the occupation of farming. His wife was Margaret (Kramer) Grubb, and their family num- bered seven daughters and one son.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Reed were born ten children, five sons and five daughters, of whom eight are yet living: Eleanor, the wife of J. B. Mc- Dowell, of Sterling; Emily, the wife of J. F. Bednar, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Kate, the wife of J. C. Lockhart, of Eskridge, Kansas; John N., a resident of Jordan township; Reuben M., who is living in Las Vegas, New Mexico; Clara I., the wife of F. R. Taylor, of Sterling; Frank A., also of this city, and Edna G., who completes the family, and is living at home with her father. Those deceased are Frank and George.
The wife and mother died July 11, 1907, at the age of eighty-three years, seven months and five days. Her death was the occasion of deep regret to many friends, as well as her immediate family. Mr. and Mrs. Reed had lived together in happy married life for sixty-three years. They became residents of Whiteside county in 1854 and passed through all the hardships and privations that are endured by the pioneers in settling new country and opening it up to the influences of civilization. They were both eharter members of St. John's Lutheran church of Sterling and enjoyed in the highest degree the respect and good will of those with whom they came in contact.
Mr. Reed sold his farm in 1904, and for a short time after coming to Sterling conducted a feed store on Second avenue, but is now -living retired.
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He served for some time as school director, and in politics has always been a democrat. He is now more than eighty-five years of age, but still retains vivid recollections of the early days when Whiteside county bore little re- semblance to the improved district which is now included within its borders. His life is one of activity and perseverance, crowned with a measure of suc- cess that enables him to live retired. All who know him entertain for him the highest respect because of his genuine worth and the honorable prin- ciples which have governed his life.
GEORGE P. ROBERTSON.
The home of George P. Robertson occupies the very center of White- side county and stands in the midst of a well improved farm of attractive appearance on section 33, Mount Pleasant township. The place `compriscs one hundred and eighty acres of land which, naturally rich and productive, has been made to yield excellent crops year after year as a reward for the care and labor of the owner, who for , eighteen years has lived upon this place.
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