USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 38
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When the war was over Mr. Mellberg began work at his trade in Men- dota and was married there. Subsequently he was for a time at Nashville, Tennessee, and later located in Chicago in the spring of 1871, being there at the time of the great fire, which broke out on the 9th of October of that year. In 1875 he removed to Roek Falls, where he has sinee lived, working at his trade most of the time. He also followed farming for ten years in Genesee township, where he owns a farm of eighty aeres of finely improved land. During the past seven years, however, he has lived retired in Roek Falls, his well directed labors in former years gaining for him the compe- tenee that now makes it possible for him to enjoy rest without further re- course to labor.
On the 31st of August, 1866, Mr. Mellberg was married to Miss Maria Price, who was born in Wales and is a daughter of James K. and Mary (Ashton) Price, both of whom were natives of the little rock-ribbed country where the birth of Mrs. Mellberg occurred. They lived, however, for many years in England. In 1857 the father came to America and four years later was joined by the mother. They settled in Mendota, Illinois, where Mr. Price followed the shoemaker's trade. His death there occurred in 1892, when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-three years and three months, and his wife passed away in 1894 at the age of eighty-two years. They were the parents of ten children, five of whom are now living: James K. Price, Jr., of Chi- eago; Annie, the widow of George Elkins, of Chicago; Mrs. Mellberg; Sophia, the widow of William Merritt, of Mendota; and George T. Price, who also resides in Chicago.
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Mr. and Mrs. Mellberg have become the parents of a daughter and son. Anna Christina is now the wife of Robert McIlmoyl, a resident of Rock Falls, and they have. two sons, Harry and Charley. Fred Mellberg is operat- ing the home farm in Genesee township. He wedded Emma Barnes and they have two children, Fred and Ruth Emma.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Mellberg are members of the Methodist church, loyal to its teachings and generous in its support. Mr. Mellberg also belongs to' Will Enderton Post, G. A. R., and gives his political allegiance to the republican party; which was the defense of the Union in the dark days of the Civil war and has always been the party of reform and progress. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to America, but on the contrary. has always regarded it as a most fortunate step in his life history. Here he found the opportunities he sought and by the improvement of the chances which came to him he has gradually progressed in the busi- ness world until he has gained a place with the men of affluence in the com- inunity where he now resides.
JOHN H. SHARER.
John H. Sharer, a retired farmer and stockman living in Garden Plain township, was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, April 5, 1854, a son of Samuel and Magdalena (Hoy) Sharer. The former was a native of Lan- caster county, Pennsylvania, born February 14, 1829, and came to White- side county, Illinois, with his father, Jacob Sharer, in 1866, purchasing the land upon which his son Albert now resides. Subsequently he rented the farm to his son Samuel, but made his home thereon until the time of his death, which occurred April 25, 1892, when he had reached the age of sixty- three years, two months and eleven days.
John H. Sharer was about twelve years of age when he accompanied his father's family on the removal to this county and supplemented the education which he had received in the schools of his native county by attending for a short time the country schools of this locality. As he was the oldest son in a large family of children, it was necessary that he assist in the work of the home farm when still very young, being able to do almost a man's work when but fourteen years of age. He had handled teams since his seventh year, and often, while working on the farm, when his harrow struck a stump his father would have to come to his assistance, either remov- ing the obstruction or lifting the harrow over the stump. Thus he early became familiar with the various duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, and was well qualified to carry on his farming interests suc- cessfully when he started out in life on his own account.
On attaining his majority he worked by the month as a farm hand until his twenty-fourth year and was then engaged in the cultivation of rented land for fourteen years, on the expiration of which period, in the year 1892, he purchased a tract of one hundred and fifty-three acres, the
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MR. AND MRS. JOHN H. SHARER
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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greater part of which was improved. The buildings on the farm, however, were rather old and somewhat dilapidated and in 1901 he erected one of the handsomest residences in the county, subsequently also building some of the finest barns to be found in this county. He has since erected another dwell- ing on the farm, in which he resides, for his sons, who now largely relieve him of the active work of the fields, occupy the old homestead. The success which has come to him is but the merited reward of his well-directed labor and unremitting industry, for he started out in life empty-handed and has worked his way steadily upward to a place among the prosperous and repre- sentative citizens of Whiteside county.
On the 18th of September, 1878, Mr. Sharer was united in marriage to Miss Mary Starbuck, of West Virginia, a daughter of Benjamin and Anna Starbuck, both of whom were twice married. The children of the father's first marriage were: Amanda, who married a Mr. Anderson and lived in Indiana; Oliver, deceased; and John, who has also passed away. Mrs. Star- buck had one child by her first marriage, Martin H. Hubbard, who is now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Starbuck were born six children, who lived to maturity : Martha, deceased; Adeline, the deceased wife of Addison Shaver, of West Virginia; Benjamin B., who has also passed away; George, of West Virginia; David, likewise of that state; and Mrs. Sharer. The last named was but seven months old when her mother died and she was reared by Mr. and Mrs. William Huffman, who settled in Newton township, Whiteside county, in 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Sharer are the parents of seven children, namely: Edgar, who on the 8th of January, 1900, wedded Mary A. Curry; Charles W., who married Lorena Hawk; Lester, who married Miss Ida S. Blubaker; George H .; Benjamin S .; Ada May; and Willard L.
In his political views Mr. Sharer is a republican, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church of Albany, with which his wife is also identified. His life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recognition of labor and today he is numbered among the substantial citizens of his county. Having resided . within its borders for forty-two years, he is widely and favorably known, the circle of his friends being almost co-extensive with the circle of his ac- quaintances.
GEORGE W. THOME.
George W. Thome lives on section 12, Montmorency township, where he took up his abode about three years ago. He purchased this property, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of land, which is pleasantly situated near Rock Falls. Its excellent appearance, too, is the visible proof of his life of industry and unwearied labor, for the place was largely undeveloped when it came into his possession.
Mr. Thome is a native of Nelson, Illinois, born January 22, 1876. His parents were Anthony and Marian (Van Buskirk) Thome, the former a
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native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Oneida county, New York. They came to Whiteside county about 1860, and the mother died in August, 1906, when seventy years of age. The father, wlio during his active life was a railroad inan and farmer, is now residing in La Salle county. Their family. numbered five children: Kate, the wife of J. P. Johnson, of Nebraska; John, who is living in Dixon; A. A., who makes his home in Rock Falls; Henry, who is located at Harmon, Illinois; and George W., of this review.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for George W. Thome in the period of his minority. He attended school, mastering the branches of learning therein taught, enjoying the sports in which. most boys indulge and received his business training upon the home- stead farm under the direction of his father. About 1905 he purchased his present property, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 12, Montmorency township. At the time the purchase was made the place had a fence around it, but otherwise was entirely unimproved. Now in its inidst stands a fine commodious residence with large and substantial out- buildings, furnishing ample shelter for grain and stock. All were erected by Mr. Thome and therefore stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise. He has placed the fields under the plow and annually gathers good harvests as the reward of his diligence and practical methods.
On the 1st of January, 1902, Mr. Thome was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Hollenbeck, who was born in Nelson, Illinois, May 26, 1876, a daughter of E. J. and Sarah C. (Dietrich) Hollenbeck, natives of Pennsyl- vania. They now reside in Nelson and came to Whiteside county in 1866. The father is seventy-three years of age at this writing, in 1908, while the mother has attained the age of sixty-eight years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Thome have been born twin daughters, Edna and Elsie, on the 8th of April, 1904. Mr. Thome has lived a quiet, uneventful life, and yet his activity in business and his loyalty to the ties of citizenship have made hini a respected and worthy resident of his community, well deserving of mention in this volume.
WILLIAM ELSWORTH WEAVER.
William Elsworth Weaver, professor of sciences in the township high school at Morrison, his native city, was born on the 5th of January, 1866. His father, Henry Weaver, was a native of Pennsylvania, and is now living in Morrison at the age of seventy-three years. He comes of English ancestry, the first representatives of the name in America arriving here with the colony of William Penn. The grandfather was Jacob Weaver, a farmer by occupa- tion, and the great-grandfather was Henry Weaver, who served as a soldier in the Continental army in the Revolutionary war. Daniel Flenner, the father of Mrs. Jacob Weaver, was also a Revolutionary soldier and had his great toe shot off in battle.
Henry Weaver, father of our subject, also followed agricultural pursuits, and in 1855 came to Illinois, settling on a farm west of Morrison in Union
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Grove township. There he spent his active life, carrying on general agricul- tural pursuits until his retirement in 1896, when he removed to Morrison, where he has since made his home. In his farming operations he prospered and now derives a good income from two hundred acres of improved farm land in Union Grove township. While upon the farm he engaged quite ex- tensively in raising hogs for the market, and found this a profitable source of income. His political allegiance is given to the republican party. In early manhood Henry Weaver was married to Mary J. Nightser, a native of Pennsylvania and of German lineage now living at the age of seventy-three years. Her parents were Jeptha and Rebecca Nightser, who removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1836, and there remained until 1855, when they came to Illinois, settling in Union Grove township, Whiteside county, where they spent their remaining days. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Weaver was celebrated in 1864, and unto them were born three sons: Wil- liam Elsworth; John C., who was born January 29, 1868, and is now living on a farm in Union Grove township; and Clarence E., who was born May 1, 1870, and resides upon the old homestead.
At the usual age William E. Weaver began his education by attending the district schools, and later he became a student in the high school of Morrison, from which he was graduated with the class of 1883. He after- ward gave his assistance to his father in the further development of the home farm for a year, when he entered the field of educational activity, and for one year taught school in Ustick township. Not content with the educational advantages he had himself received, in 1887 he entered Knox College at Galesburg, and was graduated in 1891 on the completion of the classical course with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. A year later he became a teacher in the Conio school, and afterward went to Columbus, Nebraska, as prin- cipal of the Third ward school, continuing there for six years. He next be- came teacher of science in the high school there, and so continued for three years, also acting as high school principal during the last year. In 1902 he returned to Morrison and accepted the superintendency of schools in his native city, filling the position until 1906, when the township high school was organized and he became professor of sciences, in which capacity he has since served. He is an able educator, recognized as one of the leading mem- bers of the profession in this part of the state, and his work has been emi- nently satisfactory. He is constantly studying out new methods to increase the efficiency of his department, and has the ability to inspire his pupils with inuchi of his own zcal and interest in the work.
On the 8th of July, 1903, Mr. Weaver was married to Miss Minnie Fredericka Becker, who was born in Columbus, Nebraska, October 7, 1877, a daugliter of John Peter and Philipina Becker. The father was born in Warsaw, Hessc-Darmstadt, Germany, May 29, 1833, and died January 14, 1892. The mother was born in Massillon, Ohio, March 12, 1851, and is now living in Columbus. Mr. Becker was a contractor, grain buyer and banker, and was quite successful in his business operations. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Weaver arc three children: Jane P., who was born in Co- lumbus, Nebraska, July 15, 1904; John Peter and William Henry, born
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October 13, 1906. Mrs. Weaver is a member of the Presbyterian chureh. They have a beautiful home in Morrison and its hospitality is greatly en- joyed by their many friends. It constitutes the center of a cultured society circle. In his political views Mr. Weaver is a republican, but has never been active in the party ranks. He is well known in Morrison, his native eity, and his fellow townsmen feel a pride in what he has accomplished, having gained a position of more than local distinction as an educator.
HARVEY FRENCH.
Harvey Freneh is a self-made man whose unwearied industry and close application has gained for him a measure of prosperity that now enables him to live retired. He has passed the seventy-fifth milestone on life's journey and is spending the evening of life in a pleasant home in Sterling. For almost fifty-three years he has made his home upon the lot on which his present residence now stands, and through a long period he was closely asso- ciated with the building interests of this district, thus contributing in sub- stantial measure to its improvement.
His life record began in Orange, New Hampshire, on the 6th of Oeto- ber, 1831. He is a representative of one of the old families of that state and of English deseent. His paternal grandfather, Oliver French, was there born, as was the father, John French, wliose birth oeeurred in Sutton, New Hampshire. He became a farmer of Orange and there died when about sixty-six years of age. In religious faith he was a Universalist. In com- munity affairs he took an active and helpful interest and left the impress of his individuality upon the public life. He held all of the various town offices and was chosen to represent his district in the state legislature of New Hampshire. He was also ealled out for three months' serviee in the war of 1812, and thus had some military experienee. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Polly Brown, was born in Wilmott, New Hampshire, and died in 1841. She was a daughter of Joseph Brown, a farmer of that loeality. By her marriage she beeanie the mother of six sons and a daughter, but only two of the family are now living, the elder being John H. French, who still resides at Orange, New Hampshire. After losing his first wife the father married again, his second union being with Maria J. Flanders. They had two daughters: Sarah M., the wife of Elisha Bullock, of Tilton, New Hamp- shire; and Clara Adell, the wife of William Hughes, of Orange, New Hamp- sliire.
Harvey French was reared in the place of his nativity and mastercd the branchies of learning taught in the public schools there. When starting out upon an independent business eareer he went to Worcester, Massachusetts, where he learned the earpenter's and builder's trade. In 1855 he came west to Illinois, and for a brief period resided at Rockford. In the fall of 1856 lie eame to Sterling and purchased the lot upon which he yet resides, re- placing liis first dwelling by a new, modern residence in 1889. He was iden-
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tified with the building interests of Sterling many years, and a goodly pro- portion of the substantial residences and business houses of the city were erected by him. The success which he achieved is undoubtedly attributable in large degrec to the fact that he continued in the line of business activity in which he embarked as a young tradesman, and his experience constantly pronoted his efficiency and thus secured him a gratifying patronage.
On the 24th of March, 1858, occurred the marriage of Mr. French and Miss Mary A. Kennedy, and together they are now enjoying the fruits of their industry and their well spent lives, having put by a competency for old age. In politics Mr. French has been a republican from the organization of the party, and is loyal to its best interests. A number of years ago he served on the board of health, has also been street commissioner and has filled the office of alderman. As he has prospered in his undertakings he has made judicious investment in property, and now owns a nuniber of houses, from which he obtains a good rental. His labors have been of a character that have contributed to the improvement of Sterling as well as his individual success, and many of the fine buildings of the city stand as monuments to his memory, but none that equal the record of his sturdy character. He is numbered among the substantial residents of the city, where for more than a half century he has made his home, while his strongly marked traits of character are such as place him in the ranks of the foremost residents of Whiteside county.
ELWIN B. FACEY.
Elwin B. Faccy has for about fifteen years lived retired, previous to which time his life was one of activity and industry, characterized by fidelity to the duties that devolved upon him in the various business connections. He is one of the native sons of the Empire state, his birth having occurred in Utica, New York, December 10, 1849. He is of English descent. his paternal grandfather, Richard Facey, being a native of Devonshire, England, and a seafaring man, who died in his native country at an old age.
The father, Thomas K. Facey, was also born in Devonshire and became an engineer and machinist. At the time of his death he was one of the oldest engineers of the country, having served in that capacity on the Hud- son & Berkshire Railroad and also on the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad in the early days of railroad transportation. During his residence in the east he belonged to the Utica Citizens Corps of the State Militia. Removing to the middle west, he located at Marshall, Michigan, and was an enginecr on the Michigan Central Railroad for several years, after which he made his way to Eric, Illinois, in 1853, driving across the country from. Frceport. After a brief period there passed, however, he went to Marshall, Michigan, and in 1855 arrived in Sterling, where he opened a blacksmith and machinist shop. He was an engineer, boilermaker, ma- chinist and blacksmith, and a skilled workman in all those branches, cus-
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tomers coming to him for forty miles around. He carried on business here for a number of years in the carly days, having a shop at No. 22 West Third street, which has since been torn down and replaced by a two-story brick block. He was prominent in Masonry, having taken the chapter degrees, and was one of the oldest representatives of the craft in the county, cxem- plifying in his life its beneficent spirit. He died in February, 1897, when nearly seventy-five of age, and his wife, surviving him for more than a decade, passed away November 9, 1907, at the age of seventy-seven years. Both were consistent members of the Methodist church. Mrs. Facey borc the maiden name of Asenath Van Buskirk, and was born in the state of New York. Her parents resided in Oneida county and both died in middle life. Mrs. Faecy became the mother of three children: Elwin B., of this review; Josephine E., the deceased wife of Morgan Evans; and Walter A., who has also passed away.
This leaves Elwin B. Facey as the only surviving member of the family. The first six years of his life were spent in the state of his nativity, after which his parents removed to Sterling, where he has since made his home. His education was acquired in the public schools here and when sixteen years of age he began learning the machinist's trade, which lie followed for several years in Clinton, Iowa, in the shops of the Chicago & North- western Railroad Company. Later he engaged in railroading for ten years as a brakesman, fireman and engineer. He afterward conducted a plumbing business in Sterling for a number of years and followed various other pur- suits. In his different undertakings he met with success and thereby accumu- lated a comfortable competence that has enabled him during the past fifteen years to live retired in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. He has in his possession an old time table of the Michigan Central Railroad, dated 1854, given him by his father.
On the 29th of July, 1879, was celebrated the marriage of Elwin B. Facey and Miss Kate Miller, a daughter of John and Susan (Pierce) Miller, who were natives of Germany, and on coming to America settled in Chicago about 1855. Ten years afterward they came to Sterling, where the father worked at the cooper's trade and spent his remaining days, departing this life in 1902, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. He had for some tinie survived his wife, who passed away when twenty-six years of age. Mrs. Facey was the eldest of their four children, the others being: Joseph Miller, of Wichita, Kansas; Margaret, the wife of Nicholas Gaulrapp, of Sterling; and Anna, the wife of Jaeob Gaulrapp.
Mr. and Mrs. Facey have four children: Fred, who married Edith Brayton and i's a machinist of Madison, Wisconsin; Mabel, a trained nurse in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Frankie, cashier in Heckman's dry-goods store in Sterling; and Clara, the wife of Forest Ramsdell of Sterling. The family home is at No. 424 avenue D, Mr. Faccy owning this property.
He is a member of the Methodist church and in politics was formerly a democrat but now gives his political allegiance to the republican party. During a long residence in this city he has become widely known and is a man of many friends. His life history proves what may be accomplished
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
by determined and honorable purpose. He has based his business prin- ciples and actions upon the rules which govern striet and unswerving integ- rity and industry and thius he has gained his present creditable position in the ranks of the leading citizens of Whiteside county.
WILLIAM FLETCHER.
William Fletcher, who is now living retired although still residing upor a farm in Union Grove township, having made his home in this township for fifty-five years, was born in Cambridgeshire, England, November 10, 1835, a son of William and Sarah (Wells) Fletcher. The mother died in England in 1841 and eleven years later, in 1852, the father made the trip across the Atlantic to the new world and was identified with farming inter- ests in this county for a long period. He continued to reside upon the old home farm until his death, which occurred in 1893, when he was more than ninety-two years of age. He was one of the most venerable citizens of the county and had long enjoyed the full respect and good will of all with whom he was associated. His remains were interred in Morrison cemetery. A son of the family, Fred Fletcher, died in early childhood and there were seven daughters, namely: Susan, who became the wife of John Norman and both died in England; Mary, who died in infancy; Mary (2d), who came to America and died in Whiteside county in 1885, at the age of fifty-seven years ; Ann, the widow of John Frost, who died February 21, 1900, at the age of seventy-two years; Esther, who became the wife of Elijah Stinton, now a resident of Morrison, while her death occurred three years ago; Sarah, the deceased wife of Benjamin Wythers, now living in England; Rebecca, the widow of Human Wythers, who died December 2, 1907, in Geneva, Nebraska, where she still resides; William, of this review; and Sophia, the wife of Andrew Seaman, who resides in Union Grove township.
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