USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 44
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
1082
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
On the 16th of November, 1904, occurred the marriage of Paul Fraser Boyd and Miss Gertrude Louise Bull, a daughter of Wilson and Eva Bull. She was born in Union Grove township in 1884, her father there following the occupation of farming. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bull are still living in that township. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd are members of the Presbyterian church and are highly esteemed socially, the hospitality of their home being greatly . enjoyed by their many friends. Mr. Boyd is a Mason and is also connected with the Odd Fellows, while his political preference is given to the republi- can party. In 1904 he went on a trip to Europe in company with his uncle, John Boyd, and spent several months abroad, during which time he traveled in Germany, Italy, Holland, France, England, Scotland and Ireland. He thereby gained a culture and experience which only travel can bring and added much to his fund of useful knowledge. Althoughi one of the younger members, he is also one of the more enterprising business men of his native city and has gained a creditable position in mercantile circles, his life record winning the favorable commendation of those who know aught of his career.
WILLIAM A. PETTIT.
The gradual acquirement of success manifest in the life of William A. Pettit shows him to be a man of persistency of purpose and well-directed energy. He is today the owner of a valuable farming property of two hun- dred and twenty acres on section 4, Prophetstown township, and in addition to the cultivation of the fields he is successfully engaged in dairying. The house which he now occupies was the first frame dwelling built on the Dixon and Rock Island stage road and was used at an early date as a tavern. It is one of the old historic landmarks of the county and if voice were given it could unfold many a tale of interest concerning the pioneer times.
Mr. Pettit was born in Saratoga county, New York, in February, 1863, his parents being Seth and Parmelia (Taylor) Pettit, who were natives of the Empire state and in 1865 came to Whiteside county, Illinois, where the father rented a farm for three years. He then purchased a tract of land in Hume township and continued its further development and improvement until 1888, when he retired from agricultural pursuits and removed to Lyons, Iowa, where he made his home until the death of his wife, which occurred in 1896. He still survives and is now residing in Rock Island county. In his family were four children: George, deceased; William A., of this re- view; Martha J., the wife of Andrew Olson, of Tampico, Illinois; and C. S. William A. Pettit was only two years of age when brought by his parents to Illinois and not until he was ten years of age did he begin his cducation as a district-school student. When he was fourteen he started out in life on his own account and has since been dependent upon his own resources. Hc was variously employed at any work that would yield him an honest living until ninetcen years of age, when he went to the home of his grandfather, with whom he remained until the latter's death, living on the same farm
WILLIAM A. PETTIT.
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
1085
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
where he now resides. At the death of his grandfather he purchased the farm of eighty acres and has since cultivated it with growing success. As a result his crops have brought him a good return and he has added to his property from time to time until within its boundaries are now comprised two hundred and twenty acres of rich land on section 4, Prophetstown town- ship. In connection with general farming he is successfully carrying on a dairy business, keeping a number of cows for this purpose. He is also engaged in manufacturing sorghum and cider during the proper seasons of the ycar.
In politics Mr. Pettit is independent, nor has he ever taken an active part in political work. His aunt, Mrs. Hannah Ann (Taylor) Miller, who is now a widow, is acting as his housekecper. She is a native of the Empire state, and, coming to Illinois in 1881, has since lived with Mr. Pettit. In his business life he has manifested determination and diligence which have enabled him to carry forward to successful completion what he has undertaken. There have been difficulties and obstacles in his path, but he has resolutely overcome these and is now a substantial agriculturist of Prophetstown township.
JOSEPH FRANCIS UTLEY.
There are men who, by reason of public service, figure prominently in public regard. There are others whose extensive business interests claim at- tention and admiration; but the man who is long remembered is he whose good qualities of heart and mind endear him to his fellowmen, winning warm friendships and unqualified trust. Such was Mr. Utley, of Sterling, whose well rounded character brought him into close connection with the business, the political and the social interests of his city, and who at all times com- manded the trust and warm personal regard of his fellowmen.
He was born in Turin, Lewis county, New York, on the 18th of April, 1851, his parents being Dr. Henry and Caroline (Butler) Utley, who for many years made their home in Whiteside county, and were of that type of American citizens who ever uphold the legal and political status and pro- mote tlie intellectual and moral progress. It was in the year 1859 that Dr. Utley, making his way westward from the Empire state, took up his abode in Como, where he engaged in the practice of his profession until 1866, and then came, with his family, to Sterling. Here he lived until his death, which occurred July 9, 1906, and was a prominent representative of the professional life of the city. .
Joseph Francis Utley spent the first eight years of his life in the Empire state, and then came with his parents to Whiteside county. He was a youth of fifteen at the time of the removal to Sterling, and here he made his home throughout his remaining days. His education, which he had been pursuing in Conio, was continued in the public schools herc, and he entered business life in connection with the drug trade, joining his brother, H. B. Utley, in the ownership and conduct of a drug store under the firm style of J. F. &
1086
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
HI. B. Utley. He was also the oldest employe in point of service of the In- ternational Harvester Company. For thirty-five years he represented the Mc- Cormick Harvester Company and the International Harvester Company as general agent, although he entered that employ in the capacity of salesman and collector. His ability and fidelity soon gained recognition in merited promotion, and from that time on he was connected with the original company and its successor, and was regarded as one of its best agents. As he prospered in his undertakings he made judieious investments in real estate and became the owner of a number of valuable pieces of property in Ster- ling. His business integrity was ever above question, and in the development of trade he employed only such methods as would bear the elosest investi- gation.
On the 18th of October, 1876, Mr. Utley was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Barrett Richards, a daughter of Hon. Daniel and Frances G. (Bar- rett) Richards, who were natives of the state of New York and early settlers of Whiteside county. The paternal grandfather, Paul Richards, died in the Empire state. The maternal grandfather, Theodore Sedgwick Barrett, a native of New York and a farmer by occupation, came to Whiteside county, Illinois, in 1853, and remained for a short time in Sterling, after which he removed to a farm at Galt, there dying when about eighty-six years of age. Daniel Richards, becoming one of the early settlers of Whiteside county, en- gaged in business as a hardware merchant in Sterling, and afterward prac- tiecd law for a number of years. He was prominent in official life, and in fact was one of the distinguished citizens of Whiteside county, whose record reflected credit and honor upon the people who honored him. He died at the age of fifty-three years, and is still survived by his widow, who is now seventy- six years of age. Extended mention of them is made on another page of this volume. Their family numbered three daughters: Miss Ella G. Richards ; Mrs. Caroline Utley; and Grace F., now the wife of C. E. Windom, of Ster- ling. L
Five children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Utley : Florenee Richards, now the deceased wife of Frederick Alphcus Schmoeger; Edward, who died in in- faney; Pauline Caroline, who is attending a business college; Mildred Jose- phine, a student in the Sterling high school; and Theodore Henry, who at the age of nine years is attending the public schools.
Mr. Utley attended the Congregational church, of which his wife is a mem- ber, and he was prominent in Masonry, holding membership in Rock River Lodge, No. 612, A. F. & A. M .: Sterling Chapter, No. 57, R. A. M .; Sterling Commandery, No. 57, K. T .; and the Mystie Shrine. His political allegianee was given the republican party and in its work, growth and success he was deeply and actively interested He was several times called to represent the second ward in the eity council and exercised his official prerogatives in sup- port of many practical and progressive measures. He was also the republican state central committeeman from his distriet for several terms and had a wide acquaintance among the distinguished political leaders of the state. Gov- ernor Deneen offered him a trusteeship of the Watertown hospital for the insane, but private business duties prevented his acceptance.
.
1087
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
Perhaps no better estimate of the life, the character and the work of Mr. Utley can be given than in the words of the Sterling Gazette, which at the time of his death wrote: "Frank Utley, as he was known to nearly every man in Whiteside county, was a man of absolute and unswerving honesty, fearless in every act of his life and thoroughly conscien- tious in every duty. He was outspoken to the verge of harsh- ness at times, but this was due to his innate honesty of purpose which caused him ever to speak his mind fully and clearly and straight to the point. He was a charming conversationalist and those who knew him best felt for him a friendship which is the privilege of only such gentlemanly natures as was his."
JOSHUA SEIDEL.
Sterling's citizenship has a worthy representative in Joshua Seidel, who belongs to that class of retired men formerly active in business affairs but now enjoying well earned rest and the fruits of their former toil. He was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, October 22, 1845, and of that country his parents, John and Barbara (Zeiser) Seidel, were also natives. The father was a hostler in the king's stables in Germany and later did teaming and staging. America, the land of opportunity, attracted him in the winter of 1853-4, and he crossed the Atlantic to the new world on a sailing vessel, being fifty-six days upon the water. He made his way to Columbus, Ohio, and in the district of that city engaged in farming for seven years. In the fall of 1860 he came to Sterling, Illinois, with his wife and several of his children, taking up his abode upon a farm in Hopkins township, Whiteside county. After renting that land for three years and carefully saving his earnings he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty aeres in the same township and resided thereon for a long period. He afterward took up his abode in the city of Sterling, where his remaining days were passed in hon- orable retirement, his death occurring when he was more than eighty years of age. His wife had passed away a few years before at the age of seventy years. Both belonged to the German Evangelical church and their many friends constituted the proof of their upright lives and many good traits of character. Unto this worthy couple were born fourteen children, twelve of whom reached adult age: Caroline, the wife of J. J. Miller, of Sterling; Frederick, also a resident of this city; Charles, who lives in Maywood, a suburb of Chicago, Illinois; Mena, the wife of Isaac Schultz, of Galt, Illinois; W. C., a minister of Sterling; Joshua, of this review; Dolly, the deceased wife of Christian Schroeder, of Dickinson county, Kansas; Sophia, the wife of Lafayette Reitz and a resident of Pasadena, California; Caleb, also of Pasa- dena; Mary, the wife of Harvey Ableson, of Fredonia, Kansas; George, who is practicing medicine in Warren, Wisconsin; and Emma, the wife of A. E. Thummel, of Sterling.
Joshua Seidel was a lad of eight years when he came to America with his parents and was a youth of fifteen at the time of his arrival in White-
1088
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
side county. He lived at home until he had attained his majority, attending the district schools and working on the home farm through the periods of vacation. Thus he gained practical knowledge of agricultural pursuits and was well qualified to take charge of a farm of his own at the time of his marriage, which important event in his life occurred when he was twenty- four years of age. He afterward engaged in farming in Hopkins township for five years and then removed to Dickinson county, Kansas, where he bought two hundred and eighty acres of land, which he cultivated for nine- teen years, converting wild prairie into richly improved fields and annually gathering abundant harvests. He then sold out, and returning to Illinois, purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres near Prairieville in Lee county. It continued his place of residence until 1905, when he rented his land and came to Sterling, purchasing a fine home at No. 311 Broadway, where he now lives retired. Throughout his active business career he carried on general agricultural pursuits and his labors brought him merited success.
On the 2d of February, 1870, Mr. Seidel was married to Miss Louisa Lederer, a daughter of Gottlieb and Katharina (Beder) Lederer. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Seidel were born seven children: Katie, who died at the age of six years; Anna, who married Ernest Klosterman, who resides on the farm of Mr. Seidel in Lee county ; Lydia, who resides with her sister Anna; Bertha, the wife of John Royer, of Sterling; Jennie, the wife of Lloyd Thummel, a resident farmer of Prairieville, by whom she has two children, Le Roy and Allen; Frank W., who is engaged in farming in partnership with his brother-in-law, Mr. Klosterman; and Pearl, who is with her parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Seidel are Lutherans in religious faith and his political support was long given to the republican party, but he is now a prohibition- ist, supporting the political organization which embodies his views upon the temperance question. He endorses every movement that is calculated to uplift humanity and promulgate principles of truth, righteousness and hon- orable living. In his business career he made an unassailable reputation for business integrity as well as enterprise and has ever been known as a man of stalwart determination and unflinching loyalty in support of what he believes to be right.
WILLIAM H. HICKS, JR.
William H. Hicks, Jr., a farmer and stock-raiser of Mount Pleasant town- ship, living on section 32, has a farm of one hundred and eighty-five acres well kept and well improved. He was born in Lyndon township, this county, March 9, 1864, and is a son of William H. Hicks, who, still active, is residing at Morrison, at the age of seventy-three years. His wife, Mrs. Anna (Rich- mond) Hicks, died when her son William H. was but two and a half years of age and the father afterward married again, his second union being with Mrs. Amy Seaman, who is still living. William H. Hicks, Jr., was one of three children, of whom one died in infancy. His sister Harriet first married R.
1089
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
Anson, by whom she had four children, Fred, Ernest, Maud and Harry. She is now the wife of William Marshall, a resident of Oklahoma and to them have been born two children, Earl and Birt. By the father's second mar- riage was born a son, who died in infancy. Mrs. Amy Seaman by her previ- ous marriage had a daughter, who is now Mrs. W. J. Hardy and resides in Mount Pleasant township.
William H. Hicks, Jr., was reared in the usual manner of farm lads and has spent the greater part of his life upon the farm which is yet his place of residence. He mastered. the usual branches taught in the public schools and was trained to the work of the fields under the direction of his father, who believed in giving his children a practical foundation for the duties and re- sponsibilities of later life.
As a companion and helpmate for life's journey William Hicks, Jr., ehose Miss Hannah J. Franks, whom he wedded in Dixon, Illinois, on the 10th of February, 1888. She was born in Pennsylvania but was only about a year old when brought to Illinois by her parents, John and Mary (Malone) Franks, who became residents of Bureau county, Illinois, in 1863. After re- siding there for many years and carrying on general agricultural pursuits, they removed to a farm in Whiteside county about 1883 and the father died in this county in 1898, at the age of sixty-eight years. His wife still survives and is now living in Prophetstown township. Mr. Franks was twiee married and had by the two unions eighteen children. Mrs. Hicks spent her girl- hood days in Bureau and Whiteside counties and by her marriage has become the mother of four children, who are yet living, and also lost one child in infaney. Those who still survive are: Leonard William, now a resident farmer of Prophetstown township; Adeline Mary, at home; Harry John; and Ruth Irene, who is in school. Mrs. Hicks attends the Methodist Episcopal ehurch.
Mr. Hicks politically is a republican but is not active in the work of the party, as he finds that thé suceessful management of his farm demands all of his time and attention. Within the boundaries of his place are comprised well tilled fields, devoted to the raising of wheat, eorn and other cereals. As he plants his crops at scasonable times and displays care in their cultivation, he annually produces a marketable harvest and reeeives a good financial re- turn for liis labor. Year after year he has worked on energetically and is now one of the more successful among the younger farmers of Mount Pleasant township.
REV. EDWIN WEARY.
Rev. Edwin Weary, rector of Grace Episcopal church at Sterling, was born on the island of Jersey, October 13, 1859. His paternal grandparents were William and Mary Weary, the former a native of Bristol, England, who followed merchandising for many years and died on the island of Jersey at an advanced age. Philip Wcary, father of our subject, was born on that island, was a sea captain who commanded tea clippers between England and
1090
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
China. He wedded Ann Clement, also a native of the island of Jersey and a daughter of John Clement, a native of England, who spent most of his life on the island of Jersey. He, too, was a sea captain and died when more than sixty years of age. The death of Philip Weary occurred about 1867, when he was forty years of age and his wife survived him until January, 1899, and died at Greens Pond, Newfoundland, at the age of fifty-three years. Both were Episcopalians in religious faith. Their family of five children numbered three sons and two daughters, of whom three are now living: Herbert, who is a traveling salesman and makes his home in Mon- treal, Canada; Rev. Edwin, of this review; and Clara, the wife of Rev. David Horner, who has charge of the parish of St. John's at Gaspe, Canada.
The Rev. Edwin Weary was reared on his native island to the age of sixteen years and then went to the home of his uncle, Philip Clement, at Little Bay, Newfoundland, and remained in his employ as bookkeeper for four years, acquiring a thorough business training during that period, his uncle being a large fish merchant there. Subsequently he continued his edu- cation in Queen's College and in St. John's Theological College, at St. Johns, Newfoundland, where he prepared for the ministry, being graduated on the 18th of October, 1882. He was ordained at that time and his first charge was at Battle Harbor, Labrador, where he worked among the. Eskimos for four years. He next had charge of St. Stephen's church at Greens Pond, Newfoundland, for five years, when he went to Riviere du Loup, in the prov- ince of Quebec, Canada, where he continued for seven years.
Crossing the border into the United States he located at Huron, Ohio, where he was located for two and a half years and was then called to St. Stephen's church at East Liverpool, Ohio, where he continued for seven years and four months. On the 27th of April, 1905, he accepted a call from Grace church at Sterling, where he has since remained. This church was organized about 1860 and the present building was erected that year by John S. Miller. the present president of the First National Bank. It was enlarged, however, in 1906. On the completion of the church it was turned over to Bishop Mc- Laren. The parish numbers fifty-one families, and the fine parish house was crected in 1902. The church is located at the corner of First avenue and Fourth streets and has a fine set of chimes presented by Mrs. J. Frank Wahl and Mrs. William F. Lipp, daughter of Mrs. James S. Greenough. The first Episcopal minister to visit this community officiated at a funeral at Como. Services for the congregation were first held in Wallace Hall and the rector was Rev. Mr. Thayer. Under the ministration of the Rev. Mr. Weary the church is doing good work, holding regular services and is well organized in all of its departments.
On the 5th of August, 1889, Rev. Weary was married to Miss Alice J. Hutchins, a daughter of Philip and Jane Hutchins. He had previously been inarried to Miss Elizabeth Reed. who was a daughter of Francis and Edith (Dix) Reed, and died fifteen months after her marriage, leaving a daughter, Clara. Unto the second marriage eight children have been born, four sons and four daughters, Clement, Stella, Ericka, Doris, Gerald, Teddy, Marguerite and Philip.
1091
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
The family residenee is at No. 907 Second street and its attractive hospi- tality is greatly enjoyed by many friends. Rev. Weary affiliates with Roek River Lodge, No. 612, A. F. & A. M .; Sterling Chapter, No. 57, R. A. M .; and is prelate of Sterling Commandery, No. 57, K. T. He is also chaplain of the Actors' Church Alliance and is a member of the Maccabees. Since the completion of his college course in 1882 he has continuously devoted his life to the ministry and his labors have not been denied the rich harvest nor the afterinath.
RAYMOND A. REYNOLDS.
Raymond A. Reynolds is senior partner of the firm of Reynolds & Smith, leading merchants of Morrison, where they deal in furniture, sewing machines, rugs and pictures. They also conduet a picture framing and undertaking business and their store is supplied with a large and carefully selected line of goods open for display in the Masonie block. The senior partner is one of Whiteside county's 'native sons, his birth having occurred in Mount Pleasant township in 1863. His parents were Chauncey W. and Alethea (Dean) Rey- nolds. upon whose farin his boyhood days were spent, his time being divided between the acquirement of an education and the work of the fields. After pursuing his preliminary course in the district schools he pursued a course in Fulton College to acquaint him with the methods of commercial and banking business. He afterward worked on the farm until 1888, when he located in Sterling and was there engaged in the furniture business for a year. In 1889 he came to Morrison and established a furniture store, which he conducted alone for three years. In January, 1893, he formed a partnership with Wel- lington L. Smith under the firm style of Reynolds & Smith and they have sinee been together, covering a period of fifteen years. They have a large and care- fully selected line of furniture, rugs, pictures, picture frames and sewing machines, and in 1895 they further extended the scope of their activities by establishing an undertaking department. Mr. Reynolds attended the Barnes School of Embalming in Chicago in the spring of 1899 and then took an ex- amination before the state board of health, being given a license as an em- balmer in 1899. The business methods of the house are such as insure to it a continued patronage and win for the proprietors the favorable regard and trust of their fellowmen.
On the 2d of March, 1886, Mr. Reynolds was united in marriage to Miss Emeline C. Knox; who was born in Mount Pleasant township in 1866, a daughter of Archibald and Minerva Knox, early settlers of the county and well known. citizens. There are three children in the Reynolds family: Ray- mond A., born April 24, 1887; Lola M., who was born May 29, 1888, was graduated from the Morrison high school with the class of 1908; Freda Ethel, born July 23, 1890, is now a student in the Morrison high school. Mr. Reynolds is popular in various fraternal organizations. He belongs to the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias and is also a member
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.