USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 39
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William Fletcher was reared in England to the age of sixteen years and since coming to America has twice returned upon a visit to his native country. He crossed the Atlantic first with his father and assisted in the carly development and improvement of the home farm and in its later eulti- vation as well, continuing with his father until the latter's death. He began farming on his own account, however, when twenty-one or twenty- two years of age, securing a traet of land of one hundred and sixty acres on section 17, Union Grove township. A part of this he purchased more than forty years ago for two dollars and a half per acre and with characteristic energy he began to plow and plant the fields, for hitherto the land was wild and unimproved. For many years he continued to operate that farm with good success, but about six years ago sold the property to Elisha Hartman, of Morrison.
Since age conferred upon William Fletcher the right of franchise he has given unfaltering allegiance to the republican party but has constantly refused to become a candidate for office, although his fellow townsmen liave
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solicited him to do so. Socially he is connected with Globe Lodge, No. 57, I. O. O. F., of Morrison, and he was baptized in the Episcopal church. He is one of the oldest subscribers of the Sentinel in Whiteside county and has always kept in touch through his paper and other reading with the trend of modern thought and events. As he looks back over the past he notes many changes which have occurred, bringing about a different method of life in the home, in the fields and in commercial sections as well. He has seen the building of railroads through this county, the extension of tele- graph lines, the introduction of the telephone and many other modern business improvements, all of which indicate the onward march of progress.
JESSE MISHLER.
There are many interesting chapters in the life record of Jesse Mishler, who, dependant upon his own resources from an early age, has attained a position among the men of affluence in Whiteside county. He traveled across the plains to California before the era of railroad transportation and had military exerience as a soldier of the Civil war. His birth occurred in Somer- set county, Pennsylvania, December 12, 1838, and in both the paternal and maternal lines he comes of Swiss ancestry. His father, Jacob Mishler, also a native of the Keystone state, was a laborer in the east and in 1840 removed westward to Elkhart county, Indiana, where he cleared a tract of land and engaged in farming. While in Pennsylvania he married Miss Martha Blough, also a native of that state, and their last days were spent in Indiana, the mother dying at the age of fifty-two years, while the father passed away in St. Joseph county at the age of seventy-five years. Their family numbered five sons and five daughters.
Jesse Mishler, who is the only survivor, was in his second year at the time of his parents' removal to Elkhart county, Indiana, where he was reared upon a farm to the age of eighteen years and thus early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. After his mother's death he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a number of years. In 1856 he and his older brother went to Fort Des Moines, Iowa, and the next year returned to Indiana. In 1859, however, they again went to Fort Des Moines and in the spring of that year started across the plains to California, arriving at Hangtown, now Placerville, in September. The trip was made with five yoke of oxen. They had no trouble until they reached the head of Snake river about eighty miles north of Salt Lake, where they were attacked by Indians. Mr. Mishler's outfit and two other wagons were about three miles in advance of the remainder of the train when they were attacked by the red men. The Indians took seven head of Mr. Mishler's oxen and in all carried off twenty-one head. Seven men of the outfit followed the Indians on foot for thirty miles in the mountains and succeeded in recovering seven head of oxen by reason of the fact that those animals had strayed away from the others and the Indians left them behind.
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LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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JESSE MISHLER
MRS. JESSE MISHLER
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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The day before their cattle were stolen the party passed a man who was taking a drove of cattle through to California. He was James Gimble, from Peoria, Illinois. The next day he caught up with Mr. Mishler's train and the party bought oxen of him. The two outfits traveled together from that tinie on aeross the desert, there being now about sixty men in the train. After reach- ing Carson river Mr. Mishler's brother remained with Mr. Gimble, while Jesse Mishler and four companions made their packs and started on foot across the mountains to Hangtown. He later went to Folsom and worked on the western end of the Union Pacific railroad from September until Deeem- ber. He then proceeded to Sacramento, where he hired out to work on a ranch for six months. He was next employed in a dairy in the service of one man for three years, receiving thirty dollars per month and board. Dur- ing all this time that he spent on the Pacific coast he heard not a word from any of his people. In 1862 he started for Alaska, but on reaching Cariboo, British Columbia, was so disgusted that he took a steamer on the return trip to New York city by way of the Panama route, proceeding first to Goshen, Indiana, and then to Whiteside county, Illinois, where he arrived in July, 1863. In 1864 he enlisted for one hundred days' service in the Union army, but remained at the front for nearly six months, being engaged in guarding railroads in Tennessee. He was then discharged in Chicago in October of that year.
Mr. Mishler was married in Sterling on the 25th of September, 1866, Miss Lizzie Snavely becoming his wife. She was a daughter of Elias and Mary (Mohler) Snavely. The young couple began their domestie life upon a farm and Mr. Mishler continued to engage in agricultural pursuits in Sterling township, east of the city, for twenty-three years. He lived upon his mother-in-law's farm and at her death he and his wife inherited one- lıalf of the eighty aeres. He then purchased the other half and now owns one hundred and twenty aeres in that farm, also another farm of one hun- dred and fourteen aeres known as the Andrews farm, his property interest; thus returning him a gratifying income and permitting his retirement from active business. Since 1889 he has lived in Sterling in the enjoyment of a well-earned rest.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mishler were born three sons and a daughter: Syl- vester, who is engaged in the agricultural implement business at Bellwood, Nebraska, and who married a Miss Berkey, by whom he has five children; Melvin, who is engaged in fruit-raising at Miami, Date county, Florida, and who married Sarah Landis, by whom he has two children, Samuel and Lot- tie; Calvin, who is married and is a photographer of Gallup, New Mexico; and Rachel, the wife of Emanuel Keller, of South Dakota, and the mother of one son. Mr. Mishler's first wife died in. November, 1888, at the age of forty-two years, and in 1889 he wedded Mrs. August Sherrer, who passed away in August, 1905, at the age of seventy-three years. In 1906 he mar- ried Miss Clara Beffel, of Racine, Wisconsin.
In politics Mr. Mishler is a republican, but has never been an office- seeker. His wife is a member of the Catholic church. Since 1889 he has lived retired and owns and oceupics a fine residence at No. 112 Fifth avenue.
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He also has a number of other residence properties in Sterling, eleven in all, and his property interests yield him a very gratifying income. He has al- way been a hard.working, thrifty man, and to his own labors, diligence and perseverance his success is attributable. His life should serve to encourage and inspire others who have to start out as he did-empty-handed. His record proves that success can be gained by persistent effort and that an honored name may be won simultaneously.
JOHN S. BROWN.
John S. Brown, who follows the occupation of farming in Coloma town- ship, where in connection with the tilling of the soil he is a dealer in fine draft and coach horses, is known in the community as a wide-awake, alert and enterprising business man. He was born June 13, 1841, in North Stonington, Connecticut, his parents being Thatcher and Eunice (Spalding) Brown, both of whom were natives of the Charter Oak state. The Browns arc descendants of three brothers, Thomas, John and Eleazer Brown, who were sons of Thomas and Mary (Newhall) Brown, of Lyme, Massachu- setts.
John S. Brown pursued his early education in the common schools and also a partial college course near Rochester, New York. His early boyhood was passed in Stonington, Connecticut, but at the age of seventeen years he removed to the Empire state, residing in the vicinity of Rochester in Monroe county. The year 1862 witnessed his arrival at Grand De Tour, Ogle county, Illinois. He was then a young man of twenty-one years and he resided in that locality until 1871, when he removed to Coloma township, Whiteside county. Here he has carried on gencral agricultural pursuits and is today the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and seventy acres, all of which he has brought under cultivation. He raises the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and also deals in high class draft and coach horses and both branches of his business are proving profitable.
On the 11th of February, 1864, Mr. Brown was married to Miss Cor- nelia Turner, a daughter of Z. B. and Emily (Day) Turner, who were natives of New Hampshire and Vermont respectively. They came to Illinois in 1836; settling first in Ogle county. The father died there at the ad- vanced age of eighty-seven years and the mother passed away when seventy years of age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been born four children: Dan E., who resides in Rock Island; Frank T., who is associated with his father in farming and the breeding of horses; Walter B., who is superintendent of the Victor Chemical Works, of Chicago, and is an expert chemist; and Frederick Arthur, at home.
Mr. Brown exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party, and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. The honors and emoluments of office, however, have no attraction for him, as he prefers to give his undivided attention to his
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business affairs. In religious faith he is a Metliodist and he cooperates in many movements for the public good, earnestly desiring the upbuilding and progress of the community along lines which are of lasting benefit. In his business affairs lic is found thoroughly reliable and trustworthy, never taking advantages of the necessities of another in a business transaction, while his laudable ambition and unfaltering energy are dominant factors in his success.
CHARLES STURTZ.
Among those who in former years were connected with the development of the rich, natural resources of Whiteside county in agricultural lines and are now living retired is numbered Charles Sturtz, who makes his home at No. 713 Second avenue, in Sterling. The place of his nativity is Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and the date July 6, 1837. The family comes of German lineage, but was established in the Keystone state at an early day. The grandfather, Christian Sturtz, was there born and reared, and devoted his life to gencral farming. Both he and his wife reached advanced years and reared a large family, which included John Sturtz, father of our subject, who was born in Pennsylvania, and for many years followed farming in Somerset county, near Wellersburg. There he died in 1869 when about sixty-seven years of age. He married Rebecca Beal, likewise a native of Penn- sylvania, as were her parents. She survived her husband for a number of years, and was about eighty at the time of her death. Both were members of the Lutheran church. Their family numbered fourteen children. Six are yet living: Herman, a resident of Sterling; Christina, the wife of James Close, of Wellersburg, Pennsylvania; Charles, of Sterling; Noah, of Iowa; Louise, the wife of Enoch Long, of Rock Falls, Illinois; and Edward, of Coshocton, Ohio.
Charles Sturtz was reared upon the home farm in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, assisting in the work of plowing, planting and harvesting. His early education, acquired in the district schools, was supplemented by study in the Normal school, and he remained at home until he had attained his majority, after which he continued to operate the home farm on shares for several years. When the country needed the . aid of her loyal sons he offered his services to the Union, enlisting in 1862 in Company H of the One Hundred and Seventy-first Pennsylvania regiment, with which he served for about ten months. In February, 1865, he again joined the boys in blue, with whom he continued until mustered out in Baltimore in June of that year. He participated in a number of skirmishes, but in no pitched battles. After the war he returned home to Somerset county, and in 1869 came west with his wife and five children, settling in Montmorency town- ship, Whiteside county, Illinois, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, upon which he lived until 1903. In the interim he brought his farm under a high state of cultivation, transforming it into a richly
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improved tract, from which he annually gathered good harvests. As the years passed, the sale of his crops brought to him a good financial return, and in 1903 he purchased a beautiful home at No. 713 Second avenue, where he and his wife still reside.
The lady who bears. his name was in her maidenhood Miss Catharine Kennel, a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (River) Kennel, natives of Somerset county, Pennsylvania. Her paternal grandfather, Christian Kennel, was likewise born in that state, and there married Hannah Leidig. They had twelve children and were well advaneed in years when called to their final rest. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Sturtz were Peter and Cath- arine (Long) River, natives of Pennsylvania. The grandfather was a farmer and their family numbered thirteen or fourteen children, six of whom reached maturity. Samuel Kennel, the father of Mrs. Sturtz, was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and there died at the age of sixty-nine years, while his wife lived to the age of seventy-seven years. They were the parents of two sons and four daughters: Mrs. Sturtz; Hannah, the deceased wife of Jesse Sturtz, of Ellerslie, Maryland; Jesse, also of Ellerslie; Josiah, a resident of Scottdale, Pennsylvania; Samuel, who makes his home in Ellerslie, Mary- land; and Jonathan, of Wellersburg; Pennsylvania.
Mr. and Mrs. Sturtz had a family of thirteen children, ten sons and three daughters. Osear, the eldest, who died in July, 1904, had married Daisy Willis and left two daughters, Hazel and Lucille. Charles Elmer, who is state's attorney in Henry county, Illinois, married Alice Priee and has two daughters, Zola and Catharine. Alice is the wife of Herman Bachman, of Dixon, and they have three children, Clyde, Lulu and Esther. Wilson is a barber at Los Angeles, California. Martha is the wife of Arthur Emmett. of Sterling, and they have three children, Ethel and Edith, twins, and Lloyd. Grant is a practicing dentist of Marinette, Wisconsin, who married Olga . Johnson, and has one son, Lloyd. Louis, a photographer of Green Bay, Wisconsin, married Nettie Cole and has one son, Travers C. Herman, a den- tist of Iron Mountain, Michigan, married Bessie Battle, and has a daughter, Muriel. Lawrence, who operates the home farm, married Annie Sanger and they have a daughter, Elsie. Cora is the wife of Clarence Ward, of Van Patten, Illinois, and they have two sons, Harold and Louis, Edward, a stenographer and bookkeeper of Chicago, married Marie Johnson, by whom he has a daughter, Loraine. LeRoy and Harry are at home and the latter is now a senior in the high school of Sterling.
The parents are members of the Lutheran church and are much es- teemed in the community, where the hospitality of the best homes is cor- dially extended them. In politics Mr. Sturtz is an earnest republiean, having stanchly supported the party since age conferred upon him the right of fran- chise. He was township assessor and eolleeter while living on the farm, and in Pennsylvania served as justice of the peace, but his aspirations have not been in the line of office holding, although in matters of citizenship he is never remiss. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen Camp, and also to the Grant Army Post of Sterling, and thus maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades. He has always manifested the same spirit of patriot-
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ism that he displayed when in the south he espoused the Union cause. Dur- ing his residence in Whiteside county he has made an excellent record for upright manhood and honorable citizenship, and may well be classed with the representative men of the community.
URIAH NELSON JACOBS.
Uriah Nelson Jacobs, a prominent and successful agriculturist residing on section 11, Jordan township, is one of the native sons of Whiteside county, his natal day being August 4, 1858. His parents, John Adam and Catherine (Stary), Jacobs, were both natives of Germany. The father left his native land when but a youth, embarking on a vessel that brought him to the shores of the new world in seventy days-enough time by modern means of travel to encircle the globe. On arriving at Baltimore, Maryland, a young German lad, unable to speak a word of English, he had but seven cents in his pocket. Believing that a farming community offered more opportunities for employ- ment to one in his position than the city, he started to make his way on foot to the country. While trudging along the highway he was overtaken by a man named Werhime, who was driving a team. Mr. Werhime asked the boy to ride with him and, being able to speak German, he soon discovered that his companion was a new arrival in this country and in quest of work. On further learning that Mr. Jacobs was a skilled edge-tool maker, he invited the lad to remain at his home over night, saying that the next day they would go to town and see if they could not obtain employment for him. In accordance with his promise, Mr. Werhime took him to a firm that was en- deavoring to manufacture feed-cutting machines, but on account of not being able to get an edge on their knives had not met with any degree of success. Mr. Jacobs felt very proud when he was told that he was the very man they needed if he could give the tools the right temper, for he felt sure that he could prove his worth. The members of the firm knew that any one who had learned a trade in Germany was thoroughly instructed and this gave them some confidence in the applicant's ability, but when Mr. Jacobs told them that their shop, especially the forges, would have to be reconstructed in order to do the work, they began to realize that he knew his business. By following out Mr. Jacobs' instructions the firm soon gained a large degree of prosperity, and so well were their knives tempered that some of them are in use to this day.
Mr. Jacobs carefully saved his earnings, and in the year 1853, having accumulated about two thousand dollars, he decided to try his fortune in the middle west. He journeyed by rail to Mendota, Illinois, thence by stage coach to Dixon, the Illinois Central Railroad being in course of construction at that time. He first purchased forty aeres of land on section 11, Jordan township, Whiteside county, improved that traet and by dint of hard work and earcful management was able to add to liis possessions from time to time until he owned nine hundred and forty acres, his prosperity being entirely
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the result of his own labor and indefatigable enterprise. During the earlier part of his career in Whiteside county, when borrowing money with which to purchase land, he paid as high as twenty-five per cent interest. He had only one brother, who remained in Germany, and from whom he did not hear for over forty years, but finally located him through some correspond- ence and sent for him to come to America. It is also interesting to note that Mr. Werhime, who assisted Mr. Jacobs when he was in sure dire need, later became a resident of this county through the influence of his former protege.
Mr. Jacobs belonged to that class of enterprising and public-spirited citi- zens who, while attaining individual success, also contribute to the general welfare and upbuilding of the community by their interest and active partici- pation in the work of public improvement. He served as road commissioner for some time and was widely and favorably known as one of the county's honored pioneers. He passed away as the result of an accident on the 22d of September, 1882, at the age of sixty-four years, while his wife survived until August, 1892, having also attained the age of sixty-four years. In their family were nine children, six of whom are yet living: John, who died in childhood; Lydia Ann, also deceased; Samuel, who is a farmer of Poweshiek county, Iowa; Moses, wlio passed away in Iowa; John Adam; Emanuel, who resides in Sterling; Uriah Nelson, of this review; Jeremiah Francis; and Lydia Ann, the wife of John J. Buckley.
Uriah Nelson Jacobs acquired his education in the common schools, and when twenty-two years of age started out in life for himself as a farmer. and has successfully followed agricultural pursuits ever since. After his marriage he settled with his wife on the old home farm, which they still occupy, the place comprising two hundred and sixty acres, most of which is rented. It is among the most highly cultivated land in Whiteside county, and the farm is one of the attractive features of the landscape, while the home of the family is a beautiful structure nestled among a deep grove of tall pines.
On the 14th of December, 1881, Mr. Jacobs was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Maxwell, a daughter of Archibald and Elizabeth (Allison) Max- well, natives of Scotland. The father was born in Lancashire, Scotland, a son of John and Jeannette (Cunningham) Maxwell, natives of the same part of Scotland. Archibald Maxwell came to America in 1854 and settled in Jordan township, Whiteside county, journeying by rail from New York to Chicago, and tlience to St. Charles, which was the terminus of the railroad. His first purchase of land consisted of forty acres from the Illinois Central Railroad at eighteen dollars per acre, which he improved, and on which he resided for some time, gradually adding to his landed holdings as the years passed by. His first presidential vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln, and. he remained a stanch advocate of republican principles until about ten years ago, when he identified himself with the prohibition party. He has been school director for many years, and has been an active factor in the upbuilding and development of the county from pioncer times down to the present, his influence being ever on the side of reform and progress in political, intel- · lectual and material lines. In the conduct of his farming interests he has
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met with a well merited degree of success, and is widely recognized as a pros- perous and enterprising citizen of the community. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Uriah N. Jacobs has been born a son, Archie Shirly, who is attending school at Polo.
In his political views Mr. Jacobs was formerly a democrat, but. in recent years has voted the prohibition ticket, for he believes that the temperance question is of paramount importance in the United States today. He has served as a school director for seventeen years, the cause of education ever finding in him a stalwart friend. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the United Brethren church, while fraternally he is con- nected with the Mystic Workers Lodge, No. 125, at Jordan Center. One of the native sons of Whiteside county, his acquaintance is a wide one, and that his life has ever been an upright and honorable one is indicated by the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from boyhood.
HENRY SAUER.
Henry Sauer, who for a third of a century has been identified with the business interests of Morrison, where he now owns and controls a hardware and steam heating business, dealing in both shelf and heavy hardware and in tinware, is one of Illinois' native sons, his birth having occurred in Kan- kakee county in 1852. He is the eldest of the five children of Michael and Katherine (Steinhilber) Saucr, both of whom were natives of Germany. They are now living in Kankakee, the former at the age of seventy-eight years and the latter at the age of eighty-five. They came to the United States in 1850 and took up their abode at Kankakee, which was then a small village. the Chicago branch of the Illinois Central Railroad having but recently been completed at that time. In his native country Mr. Sauer was a weaver and on coming to Illinois he conducted a stone quarry for a number of years. Both he and his wife are members of the German Evangelical church and in his political views he was long a democrat but is now a stalwart republican. Well advanced in ycars, this worthy couple enjoy the high regard of all who know them and have a very wide acquaintance in the city of their residence. In addition to Henry Sauer the other mem- bers of the family are: John, who was long connected with the regular army and now makes his home in California; Albert, of Rock Island, Illinois, who is serving in the regular army but is soon to be retired; Katic, of Mor- ris, Illinois; and Jacob, a tinsmith and merchant of Kankakce.
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