USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 37
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Mr. Robertson was born in Mount Pleasant township on the 6th of October, 1865, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Robertson, who are mentioned elsewhere in this volume. His boyhood was passed near Morrison and he attended the common schools. When not occupied with his text-books his time was largely devoted to the work of the farm and he remained at home until twenty-one years of age. The occupation to which he was reared he has made his life work and the success which he has achieved is attributable entirely to his own labors. Year after year he worked persistently and diligently and at length his labors brought to him the capital that enabled him to make the purchase of his present property, which came into his possession about 1890.
It was in February, 1890, that Mr. Robertson was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Shear, who was born in Wisconsin but at six months of age came with her parents to Morrison, where her mother had been reared. She was a daughter of William H. and Jean (Murray) Shear, who were early residents of Whiteside county. The mother was born in Scotland and when two years of age eame with her parents to this county, arriving here in 1842. The Shear family came from the state of New York prior to the Civil war and William H. Shear enlisted from this county in Company G, Thirteenth Illinois Infantry, being mustered into the United States serv- iee. May 24, 1861, and mustered out June 16, 1864. On the 9th of March, 1865, he re-enlisted, becoming first lieutenant of Company G, One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was finally mustered out August 28, 1865. 3 He was afterward night marshal at Morrison for twenty-seven years and previous to that time had served for two years as night man at the depot. His public work brought him a wide acquaintance and his sterling qualities gained him favorable regard. For
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the past four years he has been living at the' Illinois Soldiers' Home in Quincy and is now seventy years of age, his birth having occurred in New York in 1838, his childhood days being passed in Cherry Valley, that state. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. His wife, Jean Murray, was born in Dairy, Ayrshire, Scotland, July 4, 1840, near the town of Ayr, which was the birthplace of Robert Burns. In 1842 her parents, Robert and Jean (Robertson) Murray, crossed the Atlantic with their family and settled in Whiteside county. The father died at Clear Lake, Wisconsin, but the mother passed away in this county. The daughter gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Shear in DeWitt, Iowa, August 11, 1864, and became the mother of twelve children. She died in Morrison May 18. 1900. Three children of the family died in infancy but nine are yet living, namely: Mrs. H. A. Bradley, a resident of Morrison; Mrs. Robertson, of this review; John M., living in Fulton; Mrs. T. J. Bailey, of Morrison; Mrs. Fred Hills, whose home is in Fulton, Illinois; Thomas, of Morrison ; Frank, who resides in Dixon; Pansy, who is a professional nurse in Rock Island, Illinois ; and Robert, also of Morrison.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Robertson has been blessed with five chil- dren, all of whom were born on the old home farm in the house which was built in 1853 and which is still standing. The children are: Jessie M., born in 1891; Fred M., born in April, 1892; Paul W., in 1896; and Myrtle and Mabel, twins, born in 1898.
The present residence of the family was erceted by Mr. Robertson in 1905 and is one of the beautiful farm homes of the county. His place is neat and attractive in appearance throughout and the well kept farm in- dicates the enterprise and diligence of the owner, who may well be termed a · self-made man. Politically he has always been a republican. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen eamp at Morrison and attends the Presbyterian church. He has never desired to change his place of residence, for he realizes that Whiteside county offers excellent opportunities and in the im- provement of these he has won the success which places him with the sub- stantial agriculturists of the community.
CHARLES A. GRISWOLD, A. M., M. D.
Dr. Charles A. Griswold is the oldest physician in years of continuous practice in Whiteside county and his ability is widely recognized in Fulton in a large and liberal patronage. Few men so long in practice keep so closely in touch with the progress that is continually being made by the profession, but Dr. Griswold has ever been a student of the science of medi- cine and has been quiek to adopt any new idea or method which he believed would prove of real benefit in his ministrations to the sick. Connecticut numbered him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Say- brook, that state, on the 24th of November, 1830. His parents were Selah and Rosanna (Bull) Griswold. His father was a descendant of the old
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DR. C. A. GRISWOLD
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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Griswold family, prominent in the early history of Connecticut, in whose honor Fort Griswold was named. The family personnel included one gov- ernor of the state and others prominent in public and business life. The grandfather of Dr. Griswold was one of the heroes of the American army in the Revolutionary war, while his father served in the war of 1812 and both were granted pensions in recognition of the valiant aid which they had ren- dered.
Dr. Griswold acquired his primary education in the schools of Cheshire, Connecticut, while his university course was pursued at Yale, within the classic walls of which institution he was graduated in 1852. He completed the regular literary course and also attended two courses of medical lectures at Yale. Subsequently he spent three years in study and practical experi- ence in the State Lunatic Asylum at Utica, New York, thus having excellent opportunity to acquaint himself with the manifestations of nervous disorders. Completing a course in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at New York city, he was there graduated with the degree of M. D. in March, 1856.
Thinking that the west furnished better opportunity for the young physi- cian, Dr. Griswold came to Fulton in September following his graduation and, unlike the experience of most young physicians, no dreary novitiate awaited him. Almost immediately he secured a good paying practice and continued his professional labors at Fulton until October, 1862, when he entered the service of the government in the Civil war as assistant surgeon of the Ninety-third Regiment of Illinois Infantry. He was in the Yazoo Pass expedition and in the siege of Vicksburg, entering the city soon after its surrender. There he remained until the following. September. He par- ticipated in the battle of Missionary Ridge and followed Sherman on his celebrated march to the sea. He was detailed for special duty on many occasions and in December, 1864, was promoted to regimental surgeon of the Ninety-third Illinois. He served with the Fifteenth and Seventeenth Army Corps until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged and mustered out June 23, 1865, having remained at the front for three years without meeting a casualty or failing for a single day to be on hand for active duty. While he endured many hardships incident to army life, his experience gained in the field, especially in the line of surgery, has amply repaid him. His experiences were those of most military surgeons, and there remain upon his memory many vivid recollections of the scenes through which he passed-sometimes terrible, sometimes heart-rending and again humorous. Never did he falter in the performance of any duty and many of his comrades have reason to bless his memory for the timely professional assistance which he rendered. His was indeed a creditable military record and one of which he has every reason to be proud.
Following his return from the war Dr. Griswold resumed the practice of his profession in Fulton and steadily advanced to a prominent and honor- able position in his profession. He was a leading figure in the Union Medical Society of Whiteside county, Illinois, and Clinton county, Iowa, and also of the Whiteside County Medical Society. He was appointed a delegate to the American Medical Association which convened at Minneapolis, Minnc- -
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sota, in June, 1882, and and he was connected with the Northern Illinois College for three years, during which time he lectured on physiology, anat- omy and hygiene. Following his return from the war he was appointed examiner of pensions and held that position until May, 1901. He has also filled various other local civic offices and in 1868 was elected to the mayoralty of Fulton, while for two terms he served as supervisor of Fulton township and for three terms as school director. Still higher honors awaited him, however, for in 1889 he was chosen to represent his district in the state senate. His public service has been characterized by the utmost fidelity to duty, by a lofty patriotism and by high ideals of citizenship.
Dr. Griswold was married at Cleveland, Ohio, July 5, 1866, to Miss Alice E. Smith and unto them were born four children: Marietta Alice, born June 23, 1868, the wife of E. D. Redfield, a prominent business man of Hartford, Connecticut; Joie Adelaide, who was born March 8, 1870, and died on the 30th of September of the same year; Henrietta Beaumont, the wife of Henry H. Morgan, of New London, Connecticut; and Charles Rich- ard, who was born December 1, 1874, and died July 19, 1875. The wife and mother passed away December 10, 1874.
Dr. Griswold is a man of marked literary taste and of considerable talent in that direction. He has been a frequent contributor to the local press and at different times has written upon varied subjects for other pub- lications. At one time he was associate editor of the Fulton Advertiser, which at that time was a republican paper, but has since become the Journal and is democratic in its political complexion. His writings are characterized by a terse and expressive style. His articles are always of interest on what- ever subject he trcats and show wide research and investigation along the lines which he discusses. In politics he is a stalwart republican who has ever been deeply interested in the dominant issues and questions of the day and has done good service for his party. He has been a delegate to various local conventions and his influence and labors have ever been given for its support. Fraternally he is connected with Fulton Lodge, No. 189, A. F. & A. M., of which he has served as master for a number of ycars. He is a most worthy exemplar of the craft and in his practice has found ample oppor- tunity to demonstrate its basic principles of mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness. There is one incident in his life which he will never forget-the fact that he was in the Ashtabula bridge horror on the 29th of December, 1876. He was returning from Connecticut, where he had been to attend the funeral of his father, who died in his ninety-seventh year, and was a pas- senger on the ill-fated train which made the fearful plunge through the Ashtabula bridge to the river below, a distance of one hundred and forty feet. He was taken from the wreck in an insensible condition, although he had no bones broken. The horrors of the situation, however, made an indel- ible impress upon his mind and constituted an experience such as he hopes to never have again.
Such in brief is the life record of Dr. Charles A. Griswold, who for many years has figured as one of the most honored and leading citizens of Whiteside county, not only because of the success which he has attained in
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his profession but also beeause of his devotion to the publie welfare and the effective serviee he has done in behalf of general progress and improvement. He has exerted an immeasurable influence on the eity of his residenee; in business life as a physician and surgeon; in social eireles by reason of a charming personality and unfeigned cordiality; in polities by reason of his publie spirit and devotion to the general good as well as his comprehensive understanding of the questions affeeting state and national welfare; and in those departments of activity which ameliorate hard conditions of life for the unfortunate by his benevolenee and his liberality.
JOHN H. KREIDER.
John H. Kreider, whose name in Whiteside eounty has long stood as a synonym of progressive and successful agriculture, now resides at No. 501 Fourth avenue in Sterling and is enjoying a well earned rest. He was born in Laneaster county, Pennsylvania, December 20, 1850, his parents being John H. and Sarah (Heidelbach) Kreider. The family is an old one of Laneaster county, it having been the home of the great-grandparents of our subjeet, and there the grandfather, John H. Kreider, was born, reared and spent his entire life, following the oeeupation of farming. He married a Miss Hoehstetter and they became the parents of three sons and three daughters. After the death of his first wife he married a Miss Martin and survived her, reaching an advanced age.
His son. John H. Kreider, the father of our subjeet, was also a native of Laneaster county. He learned the earpenter's trade in early manhood, fol- lowing that pursuit in the summer seasons, while in the winter months he worked at the buteher's trade. Attraeted by the broader opportunities of the middle west, in the, spring of 1854 he arrived in Whiteside eounty and set- tłed on a farm two and a half miles east of Sterling, where he became the owner of one hundred and fifty-one aeres of land, upon which he resided until his death. He was an industrious, energetie and sueeessful agrieulturist and sueeeeded in bringing his farm under a high state of eultivation. His life was one of signal usefulness and gained for him the warm regard of his fellow townsmen. He died on the 8th of November, 1892, when more than seventy- eight years of age. Mrs. Sarah Kreider still survives her husband and is a remarkably well preserved woman of eighty-nine years. She, too, was born in Pennsylvania, her parents being farming people of that state. Her father died when comparatively young but the mother lived to be more than seventy years of age and was twice married, her second husband being a Mr. Gall. Mrs. Kreider holds membership with the Mennonite ehureh, to which her husband also belonged. Their family numbered four sons and two daughters, of whom two are now living, Sarah, the widow of Christian Rutt, her home being on Sixth avenue in Sterling; and John H., of this review.
The latter was in his fourth year when brought by his parents to White- side eounty and upon his father's farm he was reared to manhood, aiding
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more and more largely in the work of the fields as his age and strength in- creased. The district schools afforded him his educational privileges and after he had attained his majority he took charge of the home farm, which he operated for his father for some time and which he now owns. His property interests also include a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Jordan town- ship and he likewise has three hundred and twenty acres of land in Aurora county, South Dakota, in addition to his beautiful home and other residence property in Sterling. For the past nine years he has lived in the city and from this point supervises his farming interests. His labors were always care- fully executed and his close application and unfaltering industry were strong elements in the success that now makes him one of the substantial residents of the county.
On the 24th of December, 1872, Mr. Kreider was married to Miss Mag- dalena Ebersole, a daughter of Abram and Anna (Rutt) Ebersole, who were natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. In the year 1866 the father came west with his family, settling upon a farm in Sterling township, White- side county, Illinois, where both he and his wife died. They were parents of nine children, of whom eight are yet living: Elias; Hettie, the wife of Abram Burkhart; Annie, the wife of John Resner; Sabina, the wife of Amos Landis; Michael; Abram; Solomon; and Amos. The other member of the family was Magdalena, who became the first wife of John H. Kreider. They had six children. Matilda, the eldest, is the wife of Abram Frye, living near Newkirk, Oklahoma, and they have five children, Maggie, Grace, Ruth, Walter and Florence. Harry, the second of the family, is at home. Abram is operating . the home farm in Sterling township. He married Cora Landis and they have two children, Mabel and Margaret. Frank, wlio wedded Maude Fuller, is living at Kildare, Oklahoma. John, who wedded Jennie Kaiser, resides upon the farm in Jordan township, and they have one child, John Clayton. Amos completes the family. Mrs. Magdalena Kreider died January 28, 1892, at tlie age of forty years.
On the 7th of December, 1894, Mr. Kreider married Miss Anna Stauffer, a daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Smith) Stauffer. There is one child of this marriage, Benjamin Franklin Kreider. Mrs. Kreider is a granddaughter of Martin and Fannie (Whitmer) Stauffer, natives of Pennsylvania, who lived to an advanced age and reared a family of two sons and two daughters. The maternal grandfather was Nathaniel Smith, a native of Pennsylvania, who married Margaret Hasselbach. She died in her fortieth year and Mr. Smith when more than sixty years of age. They had eight children, of whom two are now living: Anna, the widow of Henry Cramer and a resident of Sterling; and Elizabeth, the wife of Abram Kauffman, of Millersville, Penn- sylvania. The parents of Mrs. Anna Kreider were natives of Lancaster coun- ty, Pennsylvania, and had a family of six children, of whom three, Hiram, Mrs. Kreider and Harry Stauffer, are still living. The father died in 1882 at the age of sixty-nine years, and the mother passed away February 16, 1890, at the age of seventy years.
Mr. and Mrs. Kreider are members of the Mennonite church in which he is serving as a trustee. His political allegiance is given to the republican
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party but thic honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him, as he lias always preferred to give his undivided attention to his business affairs and as a farmer he made consecutive progress and won a goodly meas- ure of success. Both he and his wife are well known in Sterling, where their eircie of friends is almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintances. For more than a half century he has lived in this county and his memory therefore forms a connecting link between the past with its hardships and pri- vations and the present with its progress and prosperity. He has watched pioneer conditions giving way before those of an advanced civilization and is therefore largely familiar with the history of this part of the state. That his life has been one of activity, energy and business honesty is indicated by the fact that he is today the owner of valuable property and, moreover, has the confidence and trust of his fellowmen.
DAVID D. EBERSOLE.
David D. Ebersole, who is now living retired in Sterling, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, April 9, 1832, and has therefore passed the seventy-sixth milestone on life's journey. His parents were David and Esther (Burkholder) Ebersole, natives of the Keystone state. The father was a son of Jacob Ebersole, who was born in Laneaster county and followed the occupation of farming. He married a Miss Mellinger and unto them were born two sons and three daughters. The maternal grandfather was a native of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and also devoted his life to general agricultural pursuits. He married a Miss Lehmann and both reached an advanced age. Their family numbered several sons but only one daughter. The ancestry of the Ebersole family can be traced back to Jacob Ebersole, who came from Switzerland to the new world, and David D. Ebersole of this review is a representative of his descendants in the fifth gencration.
David Ebersole, the father, made farming his life work and died in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, February 14, 1861, at the age of seventy- four years, eleven months and seventeen days. He was twice married, his first union being with Gertrude Nissley, by whom he had two sons and one daughter. Following her death he married Miss Esther Burkholder, who survived him and died July 17, 1879, at the age of eighty years, ten months and twenty days. Both were consistent members of the Mennonite church. Their family numbered seven children, but only two arc now living: David D., of this review ; and Barbara, the wife of Jacob Witmer, of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for David D. Ebersole in his boyhood days. He attended the distriet schools . and through the summer months worked in the fields. After he attained his majority he started out in business on his own account and for two years was in the employ of his oldest brother, Abraliam. He then married and began farming on his own account. The year 1869 witnessed his arrival
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in Illinois, at which time he took up his abode in Whiteside county, pur- chasing one hundred and twenty aeres of land in Sterling township, which he afterward sold. He then bought a farm of one hundred and thirty-two acres in the same township and there lived for a number of years. He afterward disposed of that property and at a later day he rented eighty aeres of land, which he eultivated for several years when, in 1902. he re- inoved to Sterling, where he has sinee resided, owning here a good home.
On the 2d of November, 1854, Mr. Ebersole was married to Miss Anna Martin, a daughter of David and Fanny (Rutt) Martin, who were natives of Pennsylvania, born in Laneaster eounty. They had five daughters and four sons. The father died November 5, 1835, at the age of fifty-one years, while the mother passed away Mareh 15, 1834, at the age of forty-three years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ebersole have been born two sons and six daughters: Adaline, who is now living in Sterling; Fanny, the wife of Aaron Book, a resident of Prairieville, Illinois, by whom she has seven children, Mabel, Elmer, Guy, Graee, Ruth, Lawrenee and Clarenee; Melinda, who is a worker in the Mennonite Home Mission in Chieago; Ephriam, now deceased, who married Hattie Maek and had two children-Charles and Florenee; Anna, living with her sister, Mrs. Book; David, a resident fariner of Newkirk, Oklahoma, who married Hettie Frey and they have six children, Roy, Lloyd, Bertha, Frank, Anna and Milton; Martha, who became the wife of Amos Wise and died leaving four children, Claude, Howard, Lelia and Lauren; and Amanda, who completes the family.
The parents are members of the Mennonite ehureh and in politics Mr. Ebersole is a republican. He has served as sehool director of Sterling town- ship and also as highway commissioner. He has led an active life and now well merits the rest which has come to him in the evening of his days. He has been a resident of this county for thirty-nine years and has therefore witnessed much of its development and progress.
CHARLES JOHN MELLBERG.
Charles John Mellberg, who, having passed the seventy-seventh mile- stone on life's journey, is now living retired in Rock Falls, being pleas- antly located at No. 311 Fourth avenue, was in his earlier years closely iden- tified with agricultural pursuits, and lived a life of unremitting activity and energy. He was born at Landskrona, Sweden, April 3, 1831, his parents being Sven and Maria (Croke) Mellberg, who were likewise natives of Sweden, where the father carried on farming and also condueted a hotel. He died in that country in 1855 at the age of fifty-five years, while his wife survived until 1872, passing away at the age of eighty-six years. They were the parents of two sons and three daughters: Maria, who died in early woman- hood; Olof, of Landskrona; Christina, who was the wife of Peter Larsen; Elizabeth, who married a Mr. Tullberg; and Charles J., who is living at Roek Falls.
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The last named was reared in Sweden and acquired a common-school education in his native town. Starting out in business life, he worked for a gentleman farmer for two and a half years, and afterward served an ap- prenticeship at the tanner's trade in Denmark, following that pursuit for many years. In 1857 he came to America and worked for a time on a farm in Champaign county, Illinois, in the employ of James Curtis. He next went to Paducah, Kentucky, and later to Two Rivers, Wisconsin. On again com- ing to Illinois he settled in Mendota, and in August, 1861, he offered his services to his adopted country as a soldier of the Union army, enlisting in Battery G of the Second Illinois Regiment. He was mustered out in August, 1865, at Montgomery, Alabama, after four years spent at the front in valor- ous defense of the old flag and the cause it represented. He participated in many important engagements, including the battle of Tupelo, Mississippi, where the firing continued for three days and caused the loss of his hearing. He was also in the battle of Vicksburg, and afterward went to Columbus, Kentucky, to Trenton and on to St. Louis, after which the Union troops drove General Priee out of Missouri. Mr. Mellberg was also in the battle of Nashville and of Mobile, and was in many skirmishes. He joined the army as a private, and afterward became a corporal. No native born son of Amer- iea was more loyal to the interests of the Union or more courageous in defense of the cause which he espoused. He met unflinchingly all of the hardships meted out to the soldier and became familiar with all the varied experiences of military life.
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