USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 40
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80
In the public schools of Kankakee, Henry Sauer began his cducation and later he attended public and private schools in Morris, Illinois. When he put aside his text-books he began learning the tinner's trade, which he followed in Morris for six years and also spent some time in that way at Galesburg, Illinois. In September, 1874, he arrived in Morrison, where he worked at his trade for Robert Wallace for three years. He then bought
1040
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
a half interest in the hardware firm of A. A. Bruce and the business was conducted under the firm style of A. A. Bruce & Company. In 1878 Mr. Bruce retired and Mr. Sauer assumed sole control of the business. He car- ries a good linc of hardware, stoves, tinware and steam heating apparatus, and has built up an excellent trade, which is constantly increasing in volume and importance. His annual sales have long since reached a profitable figure and have brought to him a very desirable competence.
In 1880 Mr. Sauer was married to Miss Mattie Bruce, who was born in Sterling, Illinois, in 1856, a daughter of A. A. and Julia Bruce, carly settlers of Morrison, and the former at one time a partner of Mr. Sauer. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sauer have been born four children: Alfred H., born in 1881, who is an attorney at law of Pigeon, Michigan; Archer E., who is in business with his father; Roland B., who graduated from the Morrison high school in the class of 1908 and is now learning the jeweler's trade; and Flora E., who is attending school. The family home is an attractive, modern residence and the members of the household have many warm friends. In his fraternal relations Mr. Sauer is a Mason and since age has conferred upon him the right of franchise he has been a stalwart republican. Deeply interested in community affairs, he has exercised his official pre- rogatives in support of many movements for the public good. He served as alderman of the third ward for two terms and was on the board when a franchise was granted to the electric light company. He acted on the committee and investigated other electric light plants preparatory to the establishment of one in Morrison. Mr. Sauer is a self-made man, whosc success in life is attributable entirely to his own efforts. Faithfulness to duty will do more to advance a man's interests than any other one thing and it has been this which has won for Mr. Sauer the creditable position which he now occupies in business circles and in public regard.
PETER E. BURKE.
The history of Peter E. Burke, now one of the substantial and prosper- ous agriculturists of Tampico township, is that of a self-made man, who at the age of seventeen years started out in life for himself and has since been dependent upon his own efforts. Obstacles and difficulties have blocked his path and in the face of disasters which would utterly have disheartened many a man of less resolute spirit he has shown the strongest determination and the most commendable courage. Retrieving the losses. caused by tornado and fire and gradually making orderly progress he stands today as one of the men of affluence in Whiteside county, respected and honored by all who know him for what he has accomplished.
He was born in Buckingham, Canada, June 29, 1850, his parents being Michael and Mary (Carden) Burke, both of whom were natives of Ireland. In early life the father crossed the Atlantic to Canada to secure a location and then returned to Ireland, where he organized a colony which he brought
MR. AND MRS. P. E. BURKE
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
1043
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
with him to the new world in the early '30s. He located at Buckingham in the midst of a very heavily timbered region and there he married and estab- lished his home, building a log cabin. He split staves from the timber to cover the roof and had no floor in the little dwelling. A fireplace in one end of the room served to heat the house, while over the wire hung kettles in which were prepared the meals. Mr. Burke began the arduous and difficult task of clearing a tract of the land and preparing it for the crops. Much of the timber was burned in order to quickly get rid of it, but the ashes of the hard timber were saved and sold to make potash. This was all the means they had for bringing in a little ready money the first ycar. For three years Mr. and Mrs. Burke lived in their tiny log cabin, which was destitute of many of the comforts of life, but during that time he prospered and was then able to build a two-story house, partly of framc and partly of logs. He also purchased a. stove in which could be burned a four-foot stick of wood. It seemed then that this was a great luxury, being in sharp contrast to the methods which they had previously been following for cooking and also for heating the house. Year by year the conditions of pioneer life were replaced by those of a modern civilization and the father continuously carried on the farm work until his death in 1853. The following year the mother came to Illi- nois with her son Peter and one daughter and remained a resident of this state until her demise in 1877. In the family were six children, but four of the number died in infancy,'the sister of our subject being Katherine, now the widow of Owen McCabe, and a resident of Tampico, Illinois.
Peter E. Burke was only three years old at the time of his father's death and was a little lad of four years when, brought by his mother to Illinois. Here he was reared and at the age of seventeen he started out in life on his own account, renting a farm which he cultivated for four years. On the expiration of that period he turned his attention to merchandising, opening a grocery and queensware business in Tampico, in which he was very success- ful, soon building up a large trade. During the second year, however, a tornado struck the little town of Tampico and demolished his store, upon which he carried no insurance. He made a second start, however, and rebuilt the store. In 1874, however, disaster again overtook him, this time a fire breaking out and destroying his store, which, however, rose, Phoenixlike, from the ashes. With undaunted courage and determination he again cm- barked in business, which he successfully carried on until 1886, in the mean- time securing a large and profitable trade. In the year mentioned he dis- posed of his store and turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, purchasing eighty acres of land on section 25, Tampico township, where he now resides. As the years have passed he has added to his realty holdings until he now owns three hundred and thirty-three acres in this county. He is now engaged in general farming and also makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock. Both branches of his business are carefully conducted and from his property he derives a good annual income.
Mr. Burke was married April 4, 1872, to Miss Elizabeth C. Graham, who was born in the state of New York, March 31, 1853, a daughter of James and Mary Ann (Sterling) Graham, who were natives of Ireland and came
1044
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
to America in the early '50s. Their family numbered three children: Alford J., now living in Bureau county, Illinois; Mrs. Burke; and Caroline, the wife of Frank Adams, of Bureau county. The parents are both now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Burke were born five children: James S., who received his education in the public schools of the county; William, who is a graduate of the Tampico high school; Mary V .; Caroline M .; and Kath- erine, who attended the Lyons Seminary, at Lyons, Iowa. Katherine com- pleted the entire course, graduating not only from the literary department but also from the department of music of that institution. The death of the wife and mother occurred November 29, 1904, and was the occasion of deep regret to many friends as well as to her immediate family.
Mr. Burke and his children are members of the Catholic church. In politics he has always been a democrat, but never an office-seeker, although he served as drainage commissioner for several years. He has a wide ac- quaintance in the village of Tampico and throughout this section of the county and is justly respected for what he has accomplished and the honor- able, straightforward business methods he has followed.
LOUIS N. SOX.
Louis N. Sox, a retired farmer and manager at Sterling for the Palmyra Mutual Insurance Company, was born in Sterling township, this county, February 4, 1854. His parents were IIerman and Margaret (Owens) Sox, natives of Germany and Pennsylvania respectively. The former was a son of Selig and Rosa Sox, who spent their entire lives in Germany, where they reared their family of nine children: Hirtz, Myers, Herman, Abram, Louis, Hirsch, Hannah, Rosa and Emma. Of these, Herman Sox came to America when eighteen years of age and settled near Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, where he married Miss Margaret Owens, a native of that state and a daughter ยท of Redman and Christiana (Arnold) Owens, who spent their entire lives in Pennsylvania, where they reared their family of children, namely: Chris- tiana, Edward, John, Mary, Hattic and Elizabeth.
Herman Sox, the father, was born November 14, 1814, and remained in Germany until 1835, when he crossed the Atlantic to the United States. He had acquired a common-school education in the fatherland and also obtained a knowledge of soap and candle manufacture. After coming to the new world he spent three years in Philadelphia and on attaining his majority he removed to St. Louis, Missouri. The year 1837 witnessed his arrival in Whiteside county, so that he was one of its first settlers. When he canie here almost the entire county was just as it appeared when it came from the hand of nature but the district was rich in its possibilities, and he lived to witness many changes which transformed it into one of the finest agricultural counties of the state. For five years he worked by the month as a farm hand and afterward rented land until he had acquired sufficient capital to enable him to purchase two hundred and forty acres in Sterling township. He afterward sold eighty acres of that tract and brought
1045
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
the remaining one hundred and sixty acres under a high state of cultivation. He placed. thereon fine buildings and made it one of the best homes of the county.
In Pennsylvania, on the 27th of December, 1838, Herman Sox was married to Miss Margaret Owens, who was born in that state, November 14, 1814, the same day on which her husband's birth occurred. Their chil- dren were Emily, Jane, Ella, Edward F., Hattie, Mary, Louis N., Harmon E. and Amanda, all living but Mary. In the death of the parents the county lost two of its best known and most worthy pioneer settlers, for from an early period in the development of the county the family has figurcd prominently in its growth and substantial improvement.
Louis N. Sox was reared upon the home farm in Sterling township and at the usual age became a pupil in the district schools, while later he at- tended the public schools of Sterling. During the periods of vacation he assisted in the work of the home farm and after he had attained his ma- jority he began providing for his own support by work as a farm hand and was thus employed until his father's death on the 24th of March, 1888. Hernian Sox reached the age of seventy-four years and was survived by his wife until the 7th of June, 1902, when she was nearly eighty-eight years of age. In religious faith she was a Lutheran and possessed many excellent traits of heart and mind. Mr. Sox, whose ability and worth were widely recognized by his fellow townsmen, was several times called to serve in positions of public honor and trust. His business affairs were carefully and ably managed, and in connection with the cultivation of his fields he en- gaged successfully and extensively in dealing in live-stock.
As stated, Louis N. Sox worked at farm labor until after his father's death, when he purchased the old homestead farm and was thereafter con- tinuously engaged in its further development and management until the spring of 1898, when he rented the place and removed to Sterling, where he purchased and improved a beautiful residence at No. 809 Second avenue. He still owns the home farm of sixteen acres and it brings him a good rental. While living in Sterling he has been manager of the Palmyra Mutual In- surance Company and in this connection has a lucrative position. His political views accord with the principles of the republican party and he is a firm advocate of the party policy although he has never sought or de- sired office for himself.
On the 30tli of June, 1902, Mr. Sox was married to Miss Addie Gift, , a daughter of John A. and Mary Ann (Arnold) Gift, and a granddaughter of David Gift. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania and lived near Chambersburg. The father died in 1883, at the age of forty-five years, and the mother, still surviving, lives at the old home place. They were the parents of the following children who reached adult age: Robert, David, Jennie, William, John, Addie, Ella, James, Elliott and Clara. The father was a farmer by occupation and served his country as a soldier in the Civil war.
Mr. and Mrs. Sox are members of the Lutheran church and are well known in Sterling and this part of the county, for the hospitality of their
-
1046
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends' Mr. Sox belongs to one of the oldest families of the county. The name has figured in connection with the agricultural development of this part of the state for seven decades and the members of the family have ever stood for upright citizenship, relia- bility in business and progress in every relation of life.
JOHN COURTRIGHT.
John Courtright, who is now living retired, receiving a good income from valuable property interests, has made his home in Whiteside county since 1852 and has therefore been a witness of much of its growth and upbuilding. He has taken a deep interest in its progress and has contributed in substantial measure to its agricultural development, and now in his re- tirement from business he watches its continued progress with pride.
He has attained the age of eighty-four years, his birth having occurred in Sussex county, New Jersey, October 10, 1823. He is a son of Reuben Courtright and a grandson of Samuel Courtright. The latter, a native of New Jersey, was a farmer by occupation, reared a large family and died in old age. Reuben Courtright, also born in New Jersey, followed agri- cultural pursuits as a life work and cast in his lot with the early settlers of Genesee township, Whiteside county. There he continued to make his home up to the tinie of his death, which oceurred when he was eighty-six years of age. In early manhood he wedded Deborah Bedell, also a native of New Jersey, her parents being farming people of Sussex county. She died in middle life and Mr. Courtright afterward married Elizabeth Van Nettan, who is also now deceased. There were ten children, four sons and six daughters, of the first marriage, of whom three still survive: Catharine, the widow of William Woolley, now living in Omaha, Nebraska, at the age of ninety-two years; Margaret, the widow of Franklin Woolley and a resi- dent of Sterling at the age of eighty-six years; and John, who is eighty-four years of age. There were also ten children of the father's second marriage and the four who survive are: Lydia Ann, the wife of William Howard, of Sterling; George Courtright, of this city; Josephine, the wife of Henry Shively, of Peoria, Illinois; and Aaron Courtright, of Denver, Colorado.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for John Courtright in his boyhood and youth. He was reared in Sussex county, where he acquired his education, and when not busy with his text- books he assisted in the work of tilling the soil. After he had reached man- hood he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a number of years. While still living in the east he was inarried, in 1848, to Miss Sarah A. Trauger and in 1852 they removed westward to Illinois with their daugh- ter, settling in Genesee township, Whiteside county. During the first sum- mer Mr. Courtright worked at his trade and afterward bought a farm, to which he has since added. . The property is therefore extensive and valuable and its fine appearance indicates his careful supervision and practical meth-
1047
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
ods. He broke the sod, planted the first erops, built a house and otherwise improved the place, converting it into a productive tract. He paid three dollars and a half per aere for the first farm, which is today worth one hun- dred and fifty dollars per acre. He also owns another farm of seventy-five aeres near the old homestead, together with one hundred and sixty aeres in North Dakota, an interest in cighty aeres in Ustiek township and a half seetion in Greeley county, Kansas. Great changes have occurred since he came to the county fifty-five years ago, for the once wild land has been con- verted into rich and productive farms, in the midst of which thriving towns and villages havo sprung up, affording all the advantages of a modern civilization.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Courtright were born a daughter and son. The former, Amanda Jane, became the wife of Franeis Adelbert Gould, of Ster- ling, and they have a son, John L., who married Nellie Cokersberger and has three children-Francis Adelbert, George Raymond and Leon Lester. The brother of Mrs. Gould was Lester Courtright, who died at the age of six years. The mother died December 31, 1906, when more than eighty years of age, in the faith of the Methodist church, of which she had long been a consistent and devoted member. Her loss was deeply deplored by the church and her friends, as well as her husband and daughter. She was devoted to the welfare of her home and family and displayed many of the sterling qualities of the ideal wife and .mother.
Mr. Courtright owns and occupies a fine briek residence at No. 712 First avenue. He is a stockholder of the State Bank of Sterling and his industry in former years, resulting in judicious investment in property and stocks, has made him financially independent, permitting him now to enjoy a well earned rest. In 1891 he left the farm and removed to the city, where he has since made his home. He has held various township offices and as school director has done effective service in behalf of the cause of edu- eation. Politically he is a republican with unfaltering faith in the prin- eiples of the party. A review of his life shows that in business he has been diligent as well as reliable, that in citizenship he has been loyal to the best interests of the community and that his social acquaintances know him as a tried and trusted friend.
HERMAN STURTZ.
Among the residents of Sterling who have passed the seriptural span of three score years and ten is Herman Sturtz, who has reached the seventy-ninth inilestone on life's journey, his natal day being January 7, 1829, and the place of his birth Somerset county, Pennsylvania. The family comes of German ancestry and was founded in America in colonial days. The grandfather, Christian Sturtz, was a native of Pennsylvania, where he followed farming in support of his family, and until the time of his death, which occurred when he was sixty years of age. His wife, Mrs. Margaret Sturtz, lived to be
1048
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
about seventy-five years of age. They had seven sons and seven daughters, all of whom reached adult age and were married, while nearly all of them became residents of Ohio.
John Sturtz, the father of our subject, was born in the Keystone state and was reared to the work of plowing, planting and harvesting. He married Rebecca Korns, a daughter of John and Mary (Korns) Beal, who were likewise natives of Pennsylvania, the father being of German descent. He was a farmer and died when about forty-five years of age, while his wife reached the age of seventy-five years. They, too, became parents of seven sons and seven daughters, and the following children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. John Sturtz: Herman and Charles, who are residents of Sterling; Noah, of Iowa; Edward, of Coshocton, Ohio; Catharine, the deceased wife of William Beal; Margaret, the deceased wife of Jacob Beal; Christina, the wife of James Close, of Wellersburg, Pennsyl- vania; Susan, the deceased wife of Jacob. M. Kennell, of Kennell's Mill, Pennsylvania; Louisa, the wife of Enoch Long, of Rock Falls, Illinois; and three who died in childhood. The father died at the age of sixty-seven years, while his wife reached the age of seventy-six years. He devoted his life to farming and held various township offices, to which he was called by the vote of his fellow citizens.
Herman Sturtz was reared to farm life upon the old homestead in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and when the work of the fields was over for the year he entered the public schools, thus acquiring a fair English edu- cation. He continued to assist his father until after he had attained his majority and in 1855 he sought a home in the west, believing that he could secure business advancement more rapidly in a district Icss thickly settled. Arriving in Whiteside county, he purchased eighty acres of land in Mont- morency township from Henry T. Noble, paying four dollars per acre, and at once began the development of a farm, first erecting a frame house of two rooms. . Upon this farm he made his home for forty-six years. His untiring industry and diligence during that period transformed it from a wild tract of land into one of rich fertility and as his financial resources increased he cxtended its boundaries from time to time until he became the owner of four hundred acres. As the years passed he prospered in his undertakings, for in his farm work he was eminently practical, and his labors were guided by sound judgment. In June, 1902, he left the farm and removed to Sterling, purchasing a beautiful home at No. 501 First avenue, where he and his wife now reside. He has sold his land in this county but still owns sixteen hundred and thirty-two acres in Trego and Graham counties, Kansas, and derives therefrom a good income.
The marriage of Mr. Sturtz was celebrated on the 9th of October, 1851, when Miss Catharine Long became his wife. She was a granddaughter of Jonathan Long, who was born, lived and dicd in Pennsylvania. His wife was Sarah (Troutman) Long, who passed away in her fiftieth year. Jona- than Long, the father of Mrs. Sturtz, was born in Somerset county, Pennsyl- vania, was a farmer by occupation and also conducted a sawmill for many years. He married Sarah Troutman, also a native of the Keystone state
1049
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
and a daughter of William and Mary (Korns) Troutman, who were born in Pennsylvania. The father was a farmer and became connected with tlie middle west in pioneer times. He served as a soldier in the Black Hawk war. His death occurred in Pennsylvania when he had reached the age of eighty-six years and his wife died when past middle life. They were . the parents of three sons and four daughters, including Mrs. Long. At an early period in the development and settlement of Northampton township, Whiteside county, Jonathan Long and his wife took up their abode there and were closely associated with its early progress and improvement. He was an active worker and elder in the Lutheran church. He died when more than eighty-three years of age, while his wife passed away at the age of fifty-five years and three months. They had ten children, six of whom reached adult age, while three are now living: Susan, who became the wife of Louis Hullinger and after his death married a Mr. Patton, who is also now deceased; Catharine, who is now Mrs. Sturtz; and Enoch Long, of Rock Falls, Illinois.
Mr. and Mrs. Sturtz have had no children of their own but have given a good home to four children. They are consistent and faithful members of the Presbyterian church and their Christianity is an element in their daily lives. Mr. Sturtz belongs to Sterling Lodge, No. 174, I. O. O. F., and' in politics has always been a republican since the formation of the party. For four years he was supervisor of Montmorency township and was school director for twenty-one years, while for a ,time he served as road commis- sioner and for a long period was school trustee. He has always stood for progressive citizenship and has contributed to the substantial growth and progress of the community by the cooperation which he has given to many movements for the general good. In his business life he has won that pros- perity which ever crowns earnest, persistent, well directed and honorable effort and is therefore now enabled to enjoy the comforts and some of the luxuries of life while living retired in Sterling.
CHARLES T. RUSSELL.
Charles T. Russell is one of the best known native sons of Sterling, and his salient characteristics are such as entitle him to mention among its repre- sentative men. He was for a number of years well known in banking circles here, but is now living retired, his home being at No. 602 Second street. One of the native sons of Whiteside county, his birth occurred in Como, on the 25th of March, 1860, his parents being Charles N. and Julia Turner (Sampson) Russell, of whom mention is niadc elsewhere in this volume. The family remained at Como until October, 1863, when the parents came with their children to Sterling, and here Charles T. Russell was reared. At the usual age he entered the public schools and passed through successive grades until he had acquired a good English education. He entered business life as a clerk and was employed in that capacity for several years, after which
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.