USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 47
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On the 27th of December, 1870, Mr. Newcomer was married to Miss Leora Stover, a daughter of Zachariah and Margaret (Willard) Stover, who were natives of Ohio and lived in Stark county. The former was a'son of Samuel Stover, who was born in Pennsylvania and made his home in Lancaster county, that state, until his removal to Summit county, Ohio, where he died in middle life. His wife, Mrs. Elizabeth (Keppler) Stover, died at the age of eighty years. They were the parents of ten children. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Newcomer was Henri Willard, a native of Italy, who came to America when a young man and located in Ohio. He married Sarah Siegel and followed milling and farming in order to provide
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for his family.' On leaving Ohio Mr. and Mrs. Zacharialı Stover took up their abode at Lena, Illinois, in 1856 and there he engaged in the live- stock business for a number of years, while later he conducted a hardware store there for many years. In 1883 he removed to Republic, Kansas, where he established the Republic County Bank, which he successfully. conducted until 1900. He died in Pomona, California, in May, 1907, at the age of eighty years, while his wife passed away in 1884, at the age of fifty-four years. Both were Lutherans in religious faith. In community affairs Mr. Stover was active and influential and for many years served as supervisor and also held the office of collector. His family numbered three children: Mrs. Newcomer; Lodisca, the wife of C. M. Williams, of Chicago; and Mrs. Wil- lard Stover, of Pomona, California.
Mr. and Mrs. Newcomer have but one child, Mary L., now the wife of Paul T. Galt, a real-estate and insurance agent of Sterling. They have two sons, Willard Mason and Paul T. Galt, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Newcomer arc devoted members of the Congregational church and for some years Mrs. Newcomer served as organist of the Lutheran church at Lena and Sterling. Mr. Newcomer belongs to Rock River Lodge, No. 612, A. F. & A. M .; to Will Robinson Post, No. 274, G. A. R., and in politics is a republican, being a member of the Freeport Wide-Awakes during the Lincoln campaign of 1860. He has ever stood for advancement in citizenship and for substantial progress in his community and especially while in the field of journalism exerted a widely felt influence in support of beneficial public measures.
WILLIAM D. DETWEILER.
William D. Detweiler, an enterprising and successful merchant of White- side, his native county, was born in Jordan township, October 7, 1862, his parents being Henry M. and Magdalena Detweiler, natives of Pennsylvania. His early education, acquired in the common schools, was supplemented by a thorough course in a business college at Dixon, Illinois. In 1886 he pur- chased the stock of H. L. John and engaged in the mercantile business at Penrosc, meeting with a well merited measure of success in his undertaking. The growth of the trade soon necessitated larger quarters and he there erected a large and commodious store building-one of the finest of its kind in the
county. He carries an extensive and well arranged stock of goods and the straightforward and reliable business methods he has ever followed have in- sured him a continued and steadily growing patronage. He also holds an interest in the State Bank of Sterling, Illinois, and is a stockholder in the Co-operative Mercantile Company of Chicago. In this latter concern the shareholders each have an equal interest and have found it to be a most satisfactory and profitable investment.
On the 24th of November, 1887, Mr. Detweiler was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth A. Kratz, a daughter of John and Mary (Loux) Kratz, natives of Pennsylvania, who settled in Jordan township, Whiteside county, in 1864.
LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANÁ
W. D. DETWEILER
.
MRS. W. D. DETWEILER
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA
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The founder of the Kratz family in America was John Valentine Kratz, the youngest son of John Philip Kratz, who was born in Germany, October 8, 1665, and died there in 1746 at the age of eighty years. His wife passed away in 1710 and their children were as follows: Anna Eliza, John, John Philip, Anna Marie, Anna, John Valentine and Anna Elizabeth. Of this family John Valentine Kratz was born in 1707 in the Palatinate province of Ger- many, bordering the Rhine on the east. On the 20th of June, 1727, when twenty years of age, he embarked on the vessel "Friendship," which brought him to the shores of the new world on the 16th of October following. It is believed that one of his sisters accompanied him on the voyage, though noth- ing further has been learned of her history. It was on account of religious persecution that John V. Kratz, like many others at that time, left his native land to make his home in a new and practically undeveloped country in order that he might worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience. He settled in what was then Salford township, Philadelphia county, now Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, a district in which many wild beasts and savage red men yet abounded. He purchased two tracts of land, one from Gerhart Clemens and one from the commissioners of property. By warrant granted under the lesser seal, bearing date August 3, 1734, there was sur- veyed to him, on the 12th day of March following, a tract of land in Salford township containing one hundred and sixty-three acres and seventy-one perches, with allowance of six per cent for roads and highways, and for which lie paid twenty-five pounds, six shillings, eight pence, receiving a patent thereof on February 14, 1736. It was located on Upper Salford and extended on both sides of the Skeppack road to the crossroad below Salfordville.' The other tract, which he purchased from Gerhard Clemens and wife on the 30th of January, 1736, contained fifty-three acres and cost fifty-three pounds. This tract was located in Lower Salford and adjoined the first purchase. Herc he built the first house, a structure that is now occupied by Milton H. Alder- fer. Hc resolutely set himself to the task of developing the wild land and as the years passed he prospered, owing to his untiring labor and indefatigable energy. He lived the life of a quiet, unassuming American citizen and in his later years was enabled to live retired, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil. During the time of British oppression, which rc- sulted in the Revolution, he remained loyal to the American cause and dc- parted this life when the struggle was still at its height, in the year 1780, having attained the age of seventy-three years. He had wedded Miss Ann Clemens, presumably the daughter of Gerhart Clemens, and she passed away in 1793. They were among the original members of the Mennonite church of Salford. The first meeting house at that place, in which they worshiped, was erected in 1738 and when this became too small, by reason of increased membership, a larger structure was built about 1770, while the present edifice was erected in 1850, and in the graveyard which adjoins the church were laid to rest the remains of John Valentine Kratz and his wife.
Mr. and Mrs. Detweiler have two children: Roy K., born May 9, 1896; and Earl K., born August 24, 1899. In his political views Mr. Detweiler is a stanch republican and a public-spirited and enterprising citizen of his
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community, having filled the offices of township clerk and town treasurer. Both he and his wife hold membership in the United Brethren church and have the warm csteem and friendship of many with whom they have come in contact. In Whiteside county, where he has spent his entire life, our sub- ject is widely recognized as a leading citizen and prosperous business man, and it is therefore with pleasure that we present his record to our readers.
ELWOOD BEEMAN.
Elwood Beeman was born in Ohio, April 3, 1856. Today he is numbered among the representative agriculturists of Prophetstown township and is also a prominent and influential factor in its community interests, serving at the present writing as supervisor, which position he has filled for seven years. His parents, J. K. and Rachel (Graham) Beeman, were both natives of Ohio, whence they came to Illinois in 1857, locating first in Sterling, where the father found employment as a common laborer. He died there in 1869 and the mother still survives him and yet resides in Sterling. Their family numbered three children: Mina, the wife of Eugene Barnes, of Sterling; Elwood, of this review; and William J., deceased.
Elwood Beeman is preeminently a self-made man. He started out in life working by the month when only fourteen years of age and was thus employed for six years. However, in the meantime he had become imbued with a laudable desire to own a farm of his own and as a step toward this end began the cultivation of a rented farm, later taking possession of the farm upon which he now resides. The fields return to him substantial re- sults in abundant harvests.
Mr. Beman has not only progressed in business lines but has also kept in touch with the advancement of the community and is recognized as one of the leading members of the republican party in the township. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have continued him in the office of supervisor for seven years. He has also served as school director for twenty-six years and is a stalwart champion of the cause of public education, believing in the employment of competent teachers and the adoption of prac- tical methods for educational development. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Odd Fellows Lodge, both at Prophetstown, and likewise affiliates with the Mystic Workers.
In 1879 Mr. Beeman was married to Miss Euretta Gage, who was born in Whiteside county in 1854, a daughter of O. W. and Mercy (Farrington) Gage, the former a native of New York and the latter of Vermont. They came to Illinois with their respective parents in 1836, driving across the country from New York with horse teams. Mercy Farrington was at that time eleven years of age and in 1851 she gave her hand in marriage to O. W. Gage, who, starting out in life, purchased a claim, cut logs and built a house, making the roof of bark, which he peeled from the timber. He constructed a puncheon floor in the little cabin, which was sixteen feet
....
ROY K. AND EARL K. DETWEILER
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA
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square and had but two little windows. Mercy Farrington lived in this prim- itive home for several years. 'Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gage two daughters were born, but Mrs. Beeman is the only one now living. Her father died in 1889.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Beeman have been born five children: Stella, who is a graduate of the Prophetstown high school and is now engaged in teaeh- ing; Pansy, who was also graduated in Prophetstown and is a teacher; Har- old, Thetta and Rupert, who are yet at home, The parents attend the Con- gregational church and are well known in this locality, where they have so long resided. More than a half century has come and gone sinee Elwood Beeman was brought to Illinois and the history of Whiteside county is therefore largely familiar to him. He has been the architect of his own fortune and has builded wisely and well. The success that he has achieved and the honorable methods which he has followed prove him to be a man of strong character, of laudable ambition and persistency of purpose-qualities well worthy of emulation.
JOHN H. McNEILL.
John H. McNeill, a sueeessful coal and grain dealer of Erie, was born in Henry county, Illinois, December 17, 1860, a son of James and Eliza (Ding- man) MeNeill, the latter a native of Canada, and the former of Ireland. The parents removed to Illinois in an early day, first locating in Whiteside county, Illinois, while subsequently they took up their abode in Henry county, where James MeNeill, surviving his wife, passed away in 1881. In the family of this worthy couple were three children: William O .; John H., of this review; and one who is deceased.
John H. McNeill pursued his education in the common schools, and re- mained with his father until the latter's death, when he started out in life for himself by renting a farm, continuing its cultivation for two years. On the expiration of that period he purchased and operated a hay-baler for four- teen years, being at the same time also engaged in the real-estate business. . Subsequently he bought an clevator in Erie, and for the past thirteen years has been buying and shipping grain, also handling eoal to some extent. In the conduet of his business interests he has met with a gratifying and well merited measure of prosperity, and is widely recognized as one of the sueeess- ful business men and enterprising citizens of his community. He owns a half interest in two hundred aeres of land on section 3, Erie township, and his property holdings also include two fine residences in Erie.
On the 3d of October, 1889, Mr. McNeill was united in marriage to Miss Dora Stiver, who was born in Bureau county, Illinois, in 1871, her parents still residing in Walnut, Bureau county, Illinois. She was one of a family of eight children and by her marriage has become the mother of five children : Mabel W., a publie school graduate of the elass of 1908; Roy A., who is at- tending college at Davenport, Iowa; Alston D .; Leland S .; and Gwinavere Ellaine.
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In his political views Mr. McNeill is a stanch adherent of the repub- lican party, but without desire for office as a reward for party fealty. His fraternal relations connect him with the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 890, and with the Knights of Pythias Lodge, No. 317, at Erie. His life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recognition of labor and today he is nunibered among the substantial citizens of his county.
CHARLES E. SIBLEY.
Charles E. Sibley, who owns and operates one hundred and sixty acres of fine farming land on section 25, Portland township, was born in Middle- bury, Vermont, February 14, 1849, liis parents being John and Polly Ann (Brydie) Sibley, also natives of the Green Mountain state. In September, 1849, they came to Whiteside county, Illinois, locating on section 24, Port- land township, where the father purchased sixty acres of land. At the time of his death, which occurred in Portland township, in November, 1882, at the age of sixty-four years, he was in possession of eighty-four acres. His wife survived him for a long period, passing away in Tampico, Illinois, in April, 1901, when she had attained the age of seventy-six years. They were devoted members of the United Brethren church, and were widely known as worthy pioneer residents and people of genuine personal worth. Their fam- ily numbered seven children, namely: Charles E., of this review; Eunice, the wife of William Krouse, of Indiana; Henry, of Portland township; Mary, the wife of Bela Garrison, of Lyndon township; Trueman, who resides in Portland township; Ella, the wife of David Kelly, of Mitchell, South Dakota; and Einmet, deceased.
'Charles E. Sibley pursued his education in the common schools during the winter months, while in the summer seasons he assisted his father in the work of the home farm. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-six years of age, and gave his father the wages which he earned by working for others as a farm hand. In 1875 he started out in life on his own account by renting a tract of land, being successfully engaged in its cultivation until 1906, when he removed to the place where he now resides on section 25, Portland township, having purchased this property in 1901. The farin comprises one hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land, in. the midst of which stands a fine residence, while many modern improve- ments also give evidence of the enterprising and progressive spirit of the owner. In his general farming interests he has met with a gratifying meas- ure of prosperity and is well known as one of the successful agriculturists of his community.
On the 21st of March, 1875, Mr. Sibley was united in marriage to Miss Emma J. Fuller, who was born in Portland township, August 2, 1852, a daughter of John P. and Elmina N. (Lanphere) Fuller. The father is a native of Randolph, Cattaraugus county, New York, born July 4, 1822, while the mother's birth occurred in Oneida county, New York, August 23,
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1821. In 1835 John P. Fuller accompanied his parents on their removal fron Erie county, Pennsylvania, to Chicago, which was but a village at that time. They remained there until February 2, 1836, when they drove to Portland township, Whiteside county, where the grandfather of Mrs. Sibley took up one hundred and sixty acres on section 10. John P. Fuller re- mained at home until he liad attained his majority, when he secured em- ployment as a farm hand. In 1842, while working for a Mr. Burk, he was in the house with thirteen others when it was struck and demolished by a tornado. When it was over he found himself six rods away, and so badly injured that for two years he was incapable of doing any work, and has not fully recovered to this day. His wife, whom he married in Warren county, Illinois, June 26, 1846, passed away in October, 1906. .
Mrs. Sibley died in February, 1906, leaving a family of seven children to mourn her loss. The record of the family is as follows: Grace, at home; Robert, who married Phoebe Heller and resides in Portland township; Frank, recently married; and Ralph, at home; Jay, who married Miss Agnes Ar- nett, and lives in Portland township; and Freeman and George, who are yet under the parental roof.
In his political views Mr. Sibley is a republican and, being much in- terested in the cause of education, has served as school director. He and his children are all members of the Evangelical church, with which his wife was also identified. Brought to Whiteside county in his infancy, he has wit- nessed a most wonderful transformation in this part of the state as pioneer conditions and environments have been replaced by the comforts and con- veniences of an advanced civilization. The success which has crowned his labors is all the more commendable because of the fact that it is entirely the result of his own well directed activity and energy, guided by sound judgment and unfaltering integrity.
J. M. JACOBS.
J. M. Jacobs, a successful agriculturist of Tampico township, who also conducts a dairy in the village of Tampico, was born in Tampico township, Whiteside county, Illinois, on the 9th of December, 1860. His parents, Joseph and Mary E. (Smith) Jacobs, were natives of Cayuga county, New York, the former born in 1829, and the latter in 1831. They came west in the year 1857, first locating in De Kalb county, Illinois, where they lived for three years, and then settled in Whiteside county, the father having pur- chased land here. At the time of his death, in 1881, Joseph Jacobs owned two hundred and forty acres of rich farming land, which he had converted from a wild state into one of fertility and productiveness. His wife still survives him, having attained the age of seventy-six years. In their family were four children: A. E., of De Kalb county, Illinois; J. M., of this re- view; Eva, the wife of Dr. A. H. Morris, of Wisconsin; and Albert H., who resides in Chicago, Illinois.
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J. M. Jacobs acquired a common school education and remained at home until he had reached mature years, when he rented eighty acres on section 10, Tampico township, Whiteside county. He is now the owner of this tract, and in addition has one hundred and sixty acres in South Dakota and five hundred acres in Wisconsin. His land holdings are thus quite extensive and entitle him to classification with the enterprising and prosperous resi- dents of the county. In connection with his agricultural interests he con- ducts a dairy in the village of Tampico, and in both branches of his business has gained a well merited degree of success, being widely recognized as all energetic and progressive business man.
On the 20th of May, 1891, Mr. Jacobs was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Craddock, who was born in Bureau county, Illinois, February 12, 1866. Her father, W. W. Craddock, was born in Cayuga county, New York, in 1837, while her mother's birth occurred in Greene county, Pennsylvania, in 1841. The latter accompanied her parents to Bureau county, Illinois, in 1851. Mr. Craddock was a school teacher by profession. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Craddock were six children, four of whom still survive. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs have been born two children: Roy Burdett and Lester Rex.
In his political views Mr. Jacobs is a republican, and takes an active in- terest in local politics, serving at the present time as assessor of Tampico township, and also as a member of the village board. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Knights of the Globe at Tampico, and with Blue Lodge, No. 96, A. F. & A. M., of Yorktown, while his wife is identified with the Royal Neighbors. They are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are well known and highly respected residents of the community. Mr. Jacobs has resided in this county throughout his entire life, and is therefore familiar with its annals from pioneer times down to the present from per- sonal experience and observation, and that his life has ever been an upright and honorable one is indicated by the fact that his stanchest friends are num- bered among those who liave known him from his boyhood days.
EUGENE H. CHAMBERLAIN.
Eugene H. Chamberlain, who owns and operates two hundred and eighty acres of rich and productive land in Newton township, Whiteside county, also making a specialty of stock-raising, was born on this farm on the 21st of March, 1855. His parents, H. G. and Susan (Walker) Cham- berlain, were natives of New York and Ohio, respectively. The former, ac- companying his parents on their removal to the Buckeye state, remained there until twenty-five years of age, and in 1848 went to Rock Island county, Illinois, where he lived for three years. On the expiration of that period he came to Newton township, Whiteside county, bought a squatter's claim, built a small house thereon, and made his home here for one year. He then returned to Ohio, where he was married, and subsequently brought his bride
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to his farm in Newton township, which was their place of residence until they were called to their final rest, the father passing away June 11, 1902, while the mother died on the 20th of April, 1907. Unto this worthy couple there were born seven children, namely: Eugene H., of this review; Arthur B., of Erie, Illinois; Alice M., the wife of M. E. Bull, of Currie, Minnesota; Linnie M., who is a school teacher of Erie, Illinois; Lillian M., the wife of Jacob Odenwald, of Newton township, this county; and two who died in in- fancy.
Eugenc H. Chamberlain acquired a common-school education, and when not busy with his text-books aided in the work of the home farm, early be- coming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agri- culturist. Thus by the time he was sixteen years of age he was well qualified to take entire charge of the place, and he successfully continued its opera- tion until he had attained the age of thirty-one years. He now owns two hundred and cighty acres of fine farming land on sections 24, 26 and 27, Newton township, which annually responds in golden harvests to the care and labor he bestows upon it. In connection with the cultivation of the fields he makes a specialty of raising full blooded shorthorn cattle, Perchcron horses and Duroc Jersey hogs, his interest in this line of activity being indi- cated by his membership in the Percheron Horse Society of America and the National Society of Duroc Jersey Hogs. He is widely recognized as one of the prominent and prosperous agriculturists and stock-raisers of the county, whose success is the well merited reward of his untiring industry and sound business judgment.
On the 1st of January, 1885, Mr. Chamberlain was united in marriage to Miss Mary Wheelock, a daughter of A. J. and Bridget (Evans) Wheelock. The father, a native of the state of New York, was born in Genesee county on the 1st of June, 1827, and was a son of the Rev. Wheelock, a native of Massachusetts, who was born in 1794. A. J. Wheelock was the seventh in order of birth in the father's family, and was reared upon the home farm. When he was but five years of age his parents removed to Ann Arbor, Michi- gan, where the Rev. Wheelock purchased a tract of land, cultivating it for a number of years. He then removed to Bridgewater township, Washtenaw county, Michigan, where he also carried on general agricultural pursuits. His son, A. J. Wheelock, left home when a boy of twelve years and went to Ypsilanti, Michigan, where he secured employment in a livery stable. He followed that occupation for about two years, and when twenty years of age, with the money saved from his earnings, he opened a livery stable of his own in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and conducted the business successfully for six years. In 1853 he removed to Rockford, Winnebago county, Illinois, where he engaged with a stage company, and was thus employed for some time. Later he removed to Kane county, Illinois, and afterward worked on a railroad at Rochelle and La Salle. About 1855 he arrived in Sterling, Whiteside county, where he turned his attention to commercial pursuits, es- tablishing a grocery store. He was married in Sterling, on the 14th of Au- gust of that year, to Miss Bridget Evans, a native of Ireland, born December 27, 1826. They were the parents of five children, but only two are now liv-
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