History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II, Part 4

Author: Davis, William W
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 882

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JOSEPH C. SNYDER.

Joseph C. Snyder, one of the prominent, energetic and successful business men of Fulton, whose labors contribute to general prosperity as well as to in- dividual interests, is today engaged in dealing in grain, fuel and building materials. The recognition of his personal worth on the part of his fellow- men has been manifest in his election to various positions of public honor and trust." He has been Fulton's chief executive and postmaster and is now filling the office of county supervisor. His birth occurred in Fulton, November 14, 1857, his parents being William C. and Isyphene C. (Pearce) Snyder, natives of New Jersey and Rhode Island respectively. They came to Illinois in 1849, immediately after their marriage, which was celebrated in Clinton county, Jowa. Establishing their home in Fulton, Mr. Snyder engaged in the grain business, which he made his principal occupation, although he also extended his efforts to other fields of activity. He was prominent in public affairs of the community and in 1861 was appointed postmaster of Fulton by President Lincoln, filling the position for twenty years. During the fall of 1882 he was elected to represent his district in the state senatc, where he served for one term. He occupied other official positions in the county, including that of drainage commissioner, discharging his duties with credit to himself and satis- faction to his constituents. His life was characterized by a lofty patriotism and an unfaltering devotion to what he believed to be right, whether in political circles, in business or in any other relation of life. He died in May, 1902, and is still survived by his widow, who yet resides in Fulton. They were

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the parents of eight children of whom the eldest died in infancy. The others are : Kate C., now the wife of Thomas J. Pickett, a resident of Wahoe, Nebraska ; Martha C., who is the widow of Jerome C. Neff and is living in New Jersey; Annic E., the wife of Albert Stetson, of Los Angeles, California; Joseph C., of this review; James J., who married Minnie Mickelsen, of Mor- rison, Illinois, but is now deceased; C. Henry, a resident of Berkeley, Califor- nia; and Lena V., now of Fulton.

Joseph C. Snyder pursued his education in the public schools of Fulton and at the age of fifteen years started out upon his business career as a printer's "devil." He served for nine years in the printing office and in 1881 became liis father's associate as dealer in grain, feed, fuel and building materials, in which line his father had been eminently successful. The business relation between them continued until the father's death and Mr. Snyder has since carried on operations alonc. He controls a large annual trade in these lines and is numbered among the energetic business men whose labors are an element in promoting commercial prosperity here.

Mr. Snyder was married on the 29th of March, 1885, to Miss Hattie L. Noble, a daughter of Hiram and Sophie E. (Summers) Noble, who came to Fulton prior to their marriage. Mr. Noble arrived August 18, 1856, while his wife removed to this place from Sterling at an carlier date. They were thus pioneer residents of the county and were interested witnesses of its early development as well as its later day progress. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Noble were born five children, of whom three reached years of maturity: Mrs. Snyder; Harry B., of Fulton; and Elizabeth, the wife of Charles S. Ruaile, of Mason City, Iowa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have been born five children: Ada, Belle, Paul N., Earl C. and Byron J.

Mr. Snyder has served his town for one term as postmaster and lias also been mayor of the city. He has likewise been a member of the board of aldermen and of the school board and takes an active interest in politics as a life-long republican, who does everything in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party. In 1906 he was elected to the office of county supervisor and has been one of the active members of the board, doing much effective service for the interests of the county. His loyalty and patriotism are salient characteristies in his life rceord and he stands today as one of the prominent factors in the business circles of Fulton-a man whose worth and ability have gained him success, honor and public confidence.

FREDERICK W. ULRICH.

The growth and development of a city depends not so much upon its machinery of government or even upon the men who fill its publie offiees as it does upon those who represent its commercial and industrial activity. To the latter class belongs Mr. Ulrich, a manufacturer of improved garden tools and implements at Roek Falls. He was born in Schilessen, Germany, July 22, 1854, a son of Gottfried and Susanna Ulrich, who were likewise natives of

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the fatherland. There also occurred the birth of the grandparents of our subject, who spent their entire lives in Germany. The maternal grandfather engaged in the lumber business there. Gottfried Ulrich became a farmer of. Germany and was identified with agrieultural interests until 1865, when he sailed for the new world, settling in Milwaukee, Wiseonsin, where he worked as a laborer. In 1893 he eame to Roek Falls to live with his son Frederiek, with whom he remained for three or four years, and then went to Gutten- berg, lowa, where he resided until his death on the 31st of January, 1898. He had reached the venerable age of ninety-two years, and his wife, still sur- viving, lives in Guttenberg, Iowa, at the age of eighty-five. They were eon- sistent in their religious faith as members of the Lutheran ehureh and always attempted to follow closely the teachings of that denomination.

Frederiek W. Ulrich was a lad of eleven years when he aecompanied liis parents on their emigration to the United States. The father landed a poor man, having spent all the money he had accumulated to bring his family to this country. He believed, however, that he would have better opportunity here for achieving finaneial independenee nor was he disappointed in this hope, for as the years passed by he became prosperous and died leaving a com- petency. His son Frederiek was reared in Milwaukee, Wiseonsin, and in Michigan and had the advantage of instruction in a parochial sehool eon- dueted under the teachings of the German Lutheran ehureh. He was eon- firmed in that ehureh when about fourteen years of age.

At the age of sixteen he started to learn the machinist's trade, working for a dollar and a half per week and boarding at home for a year. His employer then went to Manistee, Michigan, where he eondueted a machine shop and . foundry, and Mr. Ulrich aecompanied him and remained in his employ for another year, receiving as a compensation three dollars per week and his board. That he was faithful and able in his service is indicated by the faet that he remained with that employer for four years and during the latter part of the third year he was given two dollars and a quarter per day, while still later he received higher wages. He had continually advaneed in efficieney, becoming an expert workman. Returning to Milwaukee Mr. Ulrich entered the employ of the Queen City Iron Works, with which he was eonneeted for four years, and later was employed by the E. B. Allis Company for a short time. With five others he then formed a partnership and engaged in the manufacture of bits, augers and various wood eutting tools at Roekford, Illi- nois. A year later he sold his interest in that enterprise and eame to Roek Falls, joining E. F. Brock & Company, manufacturing garden tools and novel- tics. He remained with that firm for about three years and then embarked in business on his own aceount in 1885 in the Industrial building, now the Lawrenee building in -Roek Falls. He manufactured butter tub machinery and condueted a machine shop, this being the foundation of his present busi- ness-the manufacture of improved garden tools and implements. His an- nual output is now extensive and his produet is sold to jobbers, dealers, agents and also to consumers. From the establishment of the business it has con- stantly developed in growth and importanee, and in 1899 the extent of his trade justified the ereetion of his present faetory, which is located on the

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east side of Third street near the tracks of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. The plant is well equipped with the latest improved machinery and the house sustains an unassailable reputation for the character of its goods and the reliability of its products.

On the 15th of September, 1879, Mr. Ulrich was married to Miss Harriet Amelia Lovelace, and they had three children, William Julius, Edward and Frederick Simon, but the first named was drowned at the age of ten years. The second son is now living in New York city, while the youngest son is in his father's employ. He possesses a studious nature and a religious trend of mind and does some preaching in the Christian church, with which he holds membership. He was a soldier of the Spanish-American war, serving in the Philippines until his discharge as civilian scout with the Seventeenth Ilakana Scouts on the island of Mindora. '

Mr. and Mrs. Ulrich are members of the Christian church and are greatly esteemed in the community as people of genuine worth. Mr. Ulrich belongs to the Modern Woodmen Camp and to the Mystic Workers, and his attitude on the temperance question is indicated by the fact that he gives his support to the prohibition party. He resides at No. 502 Dixon avenue, where he erected a pleasant home in 1902. His influence is always found on the side of justice, truth, right and progress, and this is manifest in his social relations and in his attitude toward public interests as well as in his business career.

D. G. ACKERMAN.

The year 1858 witnessed the arrival of D. G. Ackerman in Whiteside county but he remained only a short time and returned to his old home in New Jersey. In 1876, however, he came again and has since resided within the borders of the county. The place of his nativity was Paterson, New Jersey, and his natal day February 13, 1832. His parents, Garret and Elizabeth (Watson) Ackerman, were representatives of old families of New Jersey and were well known farming people there. They never left the cast and passed away in New Jersey many years ago.

D. G. Ackerman is the only survivor of the family of five children. He was reared in the east and has always followed the trade of a mason and builder. although in early life he was also connected with agricultural interests and of later years has again taken to farming. He was married first in New Jersey to Miss Elizabeth Perrine, who died in that state leaving one son, Ira, who passed away at the age of twenty-two years. For his second wife Mr. Acker- man chose Miss Elizabeth Ackerman, who passed away in New Jersey, leaving two children. William and Elizabeth, the former now deceased and the latter the wife of W. C. Wink, a resident of Missouri.

As previously stated, D. G. Ackerman eame to Whiteside county in 1858 and here spent the summer but was not then ready to make Illinois his place of residence and returning to New Jersey there remained until the spring of 1876. He then again came to Illinois and has sinee made his home here. On the 4th of November, 1879, he married Mrs. Robert MeKay, nee Catherine

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Blue, who was born in Toronto, Canada, August 17, 1839, a daughter of Donald and Catherine (McFarland) Blue, both of whom were natives of the highlands of Scotland and on crossing the Atlantic settled in the United States. Two years later they removed to Toronto, Canada, and in the fall of 1839 came to Illinois, establishing their home in Clyde township, Whiteside county. Here the father carried on general agricultural pursuits until he retired. Putting aside business cares, he removed to Morrison, where he lived for eightcen years. His wife died there at the age of eighty-four years and he afterward lived for two years again upon the farm prior to his demise, which occurred in 1890, when he had reached the very remarkable old age of nine- ty-two years.

Mrs. Ackerman was one of eleven children, of whom four died in in- fancy, while a brother died at the age of seventeen years and a sister at the age of eleven. The other six reached years of maturity. Of these Alexander went to California in 1852, after which he returned to the middle west. In 1858 he started with his brothers, Donald and Charles, for Pike's Peak and they were lost in one of the severe storms of the plains. Two of them starved to death but the youngest was found by the Indians and cared for by them. He afterward came home and is still living. The sisters were: Isabella, who is the widow of John Brett, a resident of Washington; and Jane, who be- came the wife of John Wilson, a resident of Clyde township. Both are now deceased. They had two daughters and three sons, who reside in this county, while another daughter lives at Freeport, Illinois, and a daughter and son are residents of Evanston, Illinois.

Mrs. Ackerman is one of the few remaining pioneer settlers of Whiteside county. Her people were among the first to locate here when every evidence of the frontier was to be found. Wild game was to be had in abundance and one could travel for miles across the prairie without coming to any sign of habita- tion. Mrs. Ackerman attended the private schools of that early day and was trained in the duties of the household, thus becoming well qualified to take charge of a home of her own at the time of her marriage. On the 24th of No- vember, 1868, she became the wife of Robert McKay, who was born near To- ronto, Canada, in 1837, and was there rcared. He became a resident of Morri- son in 1859 and entered the blacksmith's shop of Mr. Stocking. He was thus employed at his trade until 1867, when he purchased the farm just north of Malvern which was the home of Mrs. Ackerman until destroyed by fire January 31, 1908. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McKay were born two children: Charles Neil, who dicd at the age of ten years; and Donald G., who has taught school and engaged in the life insurance business but is now following farming. He married Olive Wink, a native of Whiteside county, and they have four daugh- ters and a son: Iva May, Mildred L., Gertrude Althea, Catherine Elizabetlı and Donald. The death of Robert Mckay occurred in Morrison in the fall of 1874. Mrs. McKay afterward became the wife of D. G. Ackerman, and to them was born one son, Garret, who died in 1905, at the age of twenty-six years.

Mr. Ackerman is a democrat in his political preference, but has never held political or other office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his

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business affairs and private interests. He was a member of the American Mechanics and of the Odd Fellows Society. Mrs. Ackerman is a member of the Dunkard church. He has for more than thirty years resided in the county, while Mrs. Ackerman is one of the best known pioneer women, and a representative of one of the oldest families. Their good qualities have gained then lasting friendships, and the fact that those who have known them long- est are numbered among their warmest friends is an indication that their life principles are such as awaken confidence, trust and high regard. They are now living in Malvern.

ALBERT JUDSON JACKSON.

Among the earnest men whose depth of character and strict adherence to principle excite the admiration of his contemporaries, Albert J. Jackson is prominent. Banking institutions are the heart of the commercial body, indi- cating the healthfulness of trade, and the bank that follows a safe, conserva- tive business policy does more to establish public confidence in times of wide- spread financial depression than anything else. Such a course has the First National Bank of Morrison followed under the able management of its cashier and other officers. From its organization Mr. Jackson has served as cashier and thus occupies a prominent position in financial circles, while in many other ways, but always quietly and unostentatiously, he has contrib- uted to the development of the city.

He was born in Knox county, Ohio, May 12, 1837. His father, Na- thaniel M. Jackson, was a native of New Jersey, born May 20, 1803, and when a lad accompanied his parents on their removal to Knox county, Ohio. He was of English ancestry and his grandfather, Benjamin Jackson, served as a sergeant in a Morris county (N. J.) organization in the Revolutionary war. He was at Valley Forge during the memorable winter there spent by the colonial troops and proved his loyalty through the sufferings which he endured. His son, Ziba Jackson, father of Nathaniel, served as a soldier in the war of 1812. Nathaniel Jackson was reared to the occupation of farming and at an early period in the development of Knox county, Ohio, there pur- chased land, which he transformed into a good farm, bringing it under a high state of cultivation. He held membership in the Presbyterian church, took a great interest in the church work and for many years served as one of its elders. In politics he was originally an old-line whig and afterward be- came a supporter of the free-soil party, while subsequently he joined the ranks of the new republican party, formed to prevent the further extension of slavery. He held a number of township offices and was a man of influ- ence in the community in which he lived.

On leaving Ohio, Nathaniel Jackson removed to Illinois in 1854, set- tling on section 18, Mount Pleasant township, Whiteside county, where he purchased and improved a tract of land. He was associated with others in laying out the town of Morrison, a part of which was situated on forty acres

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

Jennie Jackson

A& Jackson

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

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of land owned by Mr. Jackson. In his later years he retired from farming and established his home in Morrison, where he purchased a residence. In the meantime, however, he had bought a farm at Prairie Center, where he had lived for about twelve years. At one time he served on the city council of Morrison and in 1874-5 was mayor of the city, to which he gave a public- spirited and business-like administration. He died in April, 1890, while his wife passed away in 1881. She bore the maiden name of Harriet Nightser and was born in Morris county, New Jersey, July 25, 1811. She came of Holland Dutch ancestry and was a daughter of John and Abigail Nightser, who on leaving the east removed to Ohio. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Jackson was celebrated in Knox county of the latter state. Mrs. Jackson held membership in the Presbyterian church and was a devoted wife and mother. By her marriage she had four children: Albert J., Aaron Byram, Jeptha N. and Mitchell L. The second son was the first man who enlisted for service in the Civil war from Morrison and the first from that place to lay down his life upon the altar of his country. He enlisted within a half hour after the news was received that Fort Sumter had been fired upon, becoming a member of Company G, Thirteenth Illinois Infantry, and died in the hospital at Rolla, Missouri, in October, 1861, at the age of twenty-two years, while serv- ing as a non-commissioned officer. Jeptha N. Jackson, who was born in Ohio, October 16, 1843, served as a member of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, enlisting first in the one hundred days' service. . He is now a farmer, living in Union Grove town- ship. Mitchell L., born October 14, 1851, died in Kansas.

Albert J. Jackson was reared upon his father's farm in Ohio to the age of twenty years. He acquired his education in the country schools and after- ward engaged in teaching school for about five months. On attaining his majority he went into the law office of Joseph Ware at Morrison, Illinois," under whose direction he continued his reading for three years. He was then admitted to the bar in the spring of 1861 and began the practice of law in Morrison. In 1863 he formed a partnership with Orr F. Woodruff, which connection was continued for two years. In 1863 he also engaged in the banking business, establishing a private bank under the firm name of Stiles & Company. With that institution he was associated until December, 1864, when Mr. Stiles retired and Mr. Jackson formed a partnership with Leander Smith, of Fulton, Illinois, under the firm name of L. Smith & Company, private bankers. This association was maintained until January 28, 1865, when the First National Bank of Morrison was organized by Leander Smith, who was its first president, while Mr. Jackson became its first cashier, and associated with them as directors were Lester H. Robinson, A. Nelson Young, Willis F. Johnson, Aaron C. Jackson, Charles Spears, William Spcars, Win- field S. Wilkinson, Charles Shirk and James Snyder. The bank was capital- ized for fifty thousand dollars and in 1871 this was increased to one hundred thousand dollars. The deposits of the bank for 1865 were thirty-nine thou- sand two hundred and ninety-four dollars and fifty-one cents and for the year 1906 were two hundred and sixty-six thousand dollars, a fact which stands in incontrovertible evidence of the growth and success of the institu-

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

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of land owned by Mr. Jackson. In his later years he retired from farming and established his home in Morrison, where he purchased a residence. In the meantime, however, he had bought a farm at Prairie Center, where he had lived for about twelve years. At one time he served on the city council of Morrison and in 1874-5 was mayor of the city, to which he gave a public- spirited and business-like administration. He died in April, 1890, while his wife passed away in 1881. She bore the maiden name of Harriet Nightser and was born in Morris county, New Jersey, July 25, 1811. She came of Holland Dutch ancestry and was a daughter of John and Abigail Nightser, who on leaving the east removed to Ohio. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Jackson was celebrated in Knox county of the latter state. Mrs. Jackson held membership in the Presbyterian church and was a devoted wife and mother. By her marriage she had four children: Albert J., Aaron Byram, Jeptha N. and Mitchell L. The second son was the first man who enlisted for service in the Civil war from Morrison and the first from that place to lay down his life upon the altar of his country. Hc enlisted within a half hour after the news was received that Fort Sumter had been fired upon, becoming a member of Company G, Thirteenth Illinois Infantry, and died in the hospital at Rolla, Missouri, in October, 1861, at the age of twenty-two years, while serv- ing as a non-commissioned officer. Jeptha N. Jackson, who was born in Ohio, October 16, 1843, served as a member of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, enlisting first in the one hundred days' service. . He is now a farmer, living in Union Grove town- ship. Mitchell L., born October 14, 1851, died in Kansas.

Albert J. Jackson was reared upon his father's farm in Ohio to the age of twenty years. He acquired his education in the country schools and after-, ward engaged in teaching school for about five months. On attaining his majority he went into the law office of Joseph Ware at Morrison, Illinois," under whose direction he continued his reading for three years. He was then admitted to the bar in the spring of 1861 and began the practice of law in Morrison. In 1863 he formed a partnership with Orr F. Woodruff, which connection was continued for two years. In 1863 he also engaged in the banking business, establishing a private bank under the firm name of Stiles & Company. With that institution he was associated until December, 1864, when Mr. Stiles retired and Mr. Jackson formed a partnership with Leander Smith, of Fulton, Illinois, under the firm name of L. Smith & Company, private bankers. This association was maintained until January 28, 1865, when the First National Bank of Morrison was organized by Leander Smith, who was its first president, while Mr. Jackson became its first cashier, and associated with them as directors were Lester H. Robinson, A. Nelson Young, Willis F. Johnson, Aaron C. Jackson, Charles Spears, William Spcars, Win- field S. Wilkinson, Charles Shirk and James Snyder. The bank was capital- ized for fifty thousand dollars and in 1871 this was increased to one hundred thousand dollars. The deposits of the bank for 1865 were thirty-nine thou- sand two hundred and ninety-four dollars and fifty-one cents and for the year 1906 were two hundred and sixty-six thousand dollars, a fact which stands in incontrovertible evidence of the growth and success of the institu-

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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY

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History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II, Part 4

Author: Davis, William W Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 882

Author: Davis, William W
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 882