USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 49
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
John R. Matthews was reared on the homestead farm in Bureau county, and tlicre acquired liis education in the common schools. He assisted his father in the work of the fields until he had reached manhood when, at the age of twenty-one years, he started out in life on his own account by work- ing by the month as a farni hand. He carefully saved his earnings, and in 1892, in connection with his brother, Albert, purchased eighty acres of land, to which they later added an additional tract of eighty acres. They improved the land and added many modern conveniences and accessories, and thus made it a valuable property. Upon the death of his brother, John R. Matthews
.
1136
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
purchased his interest from the cstate and is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres, which is devoted to general farming, feeding all the grain he raises to his stock, of which he has high grades. He is an energetic farmer and stock-raiser, and is thus meeting with prosperity in his chosen field of labor.
Mr. Matthews further established a home of his own by his marriage on the 20th of September, 1893, to Miss Mary Reynolds, the adopted daughter of Edwin and Harriett Reynolds, and by her marriage she has become the motlicr of one son, Henry E. Matthews.
Mr. Matthews formerly gave his political support to the republican party, but in later years has supported the prohibition party. He has never cared for political preferment, and aside from serving as school director has filled no public offices. He and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which Mr. Matthews is serving as a trustec, while so- cially they are connected with the Fraternal Reserves. Mr. Matthews be- longs to that class of representative men who rapidly discern opportunities of improvement and who are rapidly forging their way to the front. Brook- ing no obstacles that can be overcome by honorable and determined effort, he is working his way upward and is already favorably known because of his capability and laudable ambition.
JOHN JAY KNOX.
John Jay Knox, who carries on general farming on section 21, Mount Pleasant township, was born in Aurora, Dutchess county, New York, Jan- uary 23, 1833, his parents being James and Amy (Martin) Knox, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. The son was but two years of age when his parents came to Whiteside county, the family home being estab- lished at Prophetstown in 1835. There the father built the ferry, which he operated for two years, after which he removed to Morrison and bought a claim from John Stakes, in what is now Mount Pleasant township, there residing for some time. Eventually he sold that property and removed to a farm of eighty acres of section 16, Mount Pleasant township-the school section-where he resided until his demise. He was reared in the faith of the Society of Friends or Quakers and in that chureli his mother was a min- ister. Later in life James Knox joined the Methodist Episcopal church and its teachings constituted the guiding rule of his life throughout his remain- ing days. His political views were in accord with the principles of the repub- lican party and he was a man whom to know was to respect and honor, for he was always faithful to his convictions and fearless in defense of what he believed to be right.
John Jay Knox was one of twelve children and under the parental roof was reared, remaining in Morrison until fifteen years of age. His educa- tional advantages were somewhat limited, for the schools of that early day were of a primitive character, but as he has journeyed on in life he has
.
MR. AND MRS. JOHN J. KNOX
LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA
1139
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
learned many valuable lessons from reading and experience. In his business career he has devoted his time and energies to farming and has been · quite successful. Since the spring of 1837 he has resided continuously in Mount Pleasant township and prior to his marriage had improved his present farm. He bought eighty acres of state land on section 21, Mount Pleasant township, in 1856 or 1857, it being then a tract of raw prairie on which not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made. Soon, however, the track of the shining plow was seen across the fields and with the planting of the seeds and cultivation of the crop there came in course of time abundant harvests to reward his labors. He also owned another forty-acre tract of land at one time, but eventually disposed of that property. He continued to engage in general farming until fifteen years ago, when he rented his land and has since lived retired.
Mr. Knox was married in this county in 1863 to Miss Lucy Humphrey, who was born in the state of New York in 1834 and is a daughter of Porter Humphrey. She came to this state as a young lady of about eighteen or twenty years and arrived in Whiteside county about the time of the outbreak of the Civil war. But two children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Knox and both died in infancy.
Mr. Knox has always supported the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, but has never desired office. For more than the scriptural age of man-three score years and ten-he has lived in this county and there are few who have more intimate knowledge of its his- tory. Many pictures of pioneer life have been indelibly impressed upon his memory and he relates various interesting incidents of the time when the number of inhabitants in the entire county would hardly equal the popu- lation of a single township today. The methods of living, too, were very different from those of the present time, but with the onward march of progress Mr. Knox has always kept apace and like others of the family has ever maintained a foremost position in the ranks of the leading agricultur- ists in this part of the state.
CHARLES F. OSBORNE.
Among Erie's native sons whose life records reflect credit upon the place of their nativity is numbered Charles F. Osborne, a prominent and success- ful lumberman, conducting extensive business interests along that line in Minneapolis, and also the owner of a yard in Erie. The keen discernment and well directed energy which he has displayed have been the salicnt fea- tures of a success which is as honorable as it is gratifying.
He was born in Eric township, December 24, 1853, a son of Andrew Jackson Osborne. The father was born in Massachusetts, December 17, 1830, and was a son of James and Rebecca (Glass) Osborne, whose family num- bered two sons and two daughters, his brother being James Osborne. He was only six or seven years of age at the time of his father's death, after which
1140
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
he went to live with an uncle. He acquired his education in the east, and at the age of eighteen years made his way to Illinois, teaching school in early manhood in Rock Island and Henry counties. He was married in March, 1853, near Erie, and located upon a farm in Erie township, three miles south of the village. The place comprised one hundred and sixty acres, which he had formerly purchased, and which he cultivated for three years, after which he sold the property. He then bought a sawmill in Erie, which he conducted for a time, and on selling out removed to Pottawattamie county, Iowa, where he carried on general farming for five years, also following the profession of surveying in that state. Upon his return to Illinois lie settled at Geneseo, where he engaged in teaching school through the winter months, while the summer seasons were devoted to the work of the fields. After three years there passed he returned to Erie, where he continued to make his home until his death, on the 13th of August, 1902. He had about two hundred and fifty acres of good land, the operation of which he largely left to his sons, while he gave his time to bridge construction in this locality. The last work in which he was engaged was the preparation of a work entitled "The Mone- tary Revolution," an advance in the philosophy and science of money, dedi- cated to liberty and labor. It was published in 1898. In his later years he gave much of his attention to literary pursuits and was a writer of force and ability, a clear, logical thinker, intelligent in his reasoning and fluent in his expression. While the honors and emoluments never attracted him and he cast an independent ballot, he was always deeply interested in the political questions before the public. He held some local offices, serving as assessor · for many years and in different official positions in connection with the schools. He was also once his party's candidate for the legislature, but was defeated by a small majority.
Andrew J. Osborne was married to Miss Elizabeth Smith, who was born in Aurora, Kane county, Illinois, April 12, 1835. She was there reared and came to Whiteside county in 1853 with her parents, Benjamin H. and Mary (Jackson) Smith, who were born, reared and married in New York. Her mother died in Aurora, Illinois, at the age of twenty-two years, after which her father married again and died in Geneseo at the age of sixty years. In his family were five children: Mrs. Elizabeth Osborne, now of Erie; Charles, deceased; John, who is living in Los Angeles, California; and Henry and Mary, who have passed away. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Osborne have been born the following named: Charles F .; Ella, the wife of Herman Schriver, of Erie; Henry, of Lincoln county, Oklahoma; Barnett, at homc. Jesse, also of Oklahoma; Grant, of Minneapolis; Elizabeth, the wife of Elias Blagg, of Erie; Rebecca, the wife of Harry Guthrie, of Omaha, Nebraska; Lucy, the wife of John Vance, of Wilson, North Dakota; Andrew, who is living at Barron, Wisconsin; and Rachel, who died at the age of two and a half years.
Charles F. Osborne was reared in Erie township to the age of twenty- three years, when, hoping to secure better business opportunities than seemed to be offered in this locality, he made his way to western Iowa and after- ward to the Black Hills. He returned to this county, however, for his bride
1141
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
and was married in 1882 to Miss Hettie M. Nevitt, who was born in Newton township in 1853, a daughter of Grant S. and Lena (Martin) Nevitt, who were natives of Kentucky, and removed from southern Illinois to White- side county, where the father preempted land, spending his remaining days in Newton township. His family numbered two sons and six daughters.
Following his marriage Charles F. Osborne removed to northern Wis- consin, where he became bookkeeper for a lumber company, acting in that capacity for two years. He then embarked in business on his own account at Minneapolis in 1885 and as the years passed developed an extensive lum- ber trade. His lieadquarters are now at No. 300 Lumber Exchange and he is conducting an important enterprise in his line as senior partner of the firm of Osborne & Clark. He has also owned and conducted a lumberyard at Erie for the past five years and for four years in Wisconsin. He is also connected with the wholesale lumber trade as one of the owners of the Hard- wood Lumberyard of Minneapolis and is in control of a business today rep- resenting a total investment of two hundred and seventy-five thousand dol- lars. His labors in the business world have been characterized by energy and good system, by definite purpose and consideration. His plans have been carefully performed and promptly executed, and each step in his business career has been one in advance.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Osborne have been born four children, of whom two died in infancy, while Earl M. and Edna M. are both at home. Mr. Osborne is a Mason and has attained the Knight Templar degree of the commandery and also is a member of the Mystic Shrine. In polities he is an independent democrat. · Since starting out in business on his own account he has been watchful of every indication pointing to sucecss and his record has been so honorable that he has gained the confidence and good will of all with whom he has been brought in contact. He has excellent ability as an organizer combined with superior executive power which enables him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.
MICHAEL CUNNIFF.
Among the farmers of Hume township of foreign birth was numbered Michael Cunniff, who died on the home farm October 27, 1889. He was born in County Galway, Ireland, June 23, 1837, and was a son of Michael and Mary (Doyle) Cunniff, who spent their entire lives in their native country. They had three sons, of whom Michael and James are now de- ceased, while John is a resident of Hume township, Whiteside county, Illi- nois. The father was a civil engineer and a man of advanced views who believed in giving his children good educational privileges.
Michacl Cunniff was therefore well equipped for the responsible and practical duties of life. He came to America in 1845 and settled in Pennsyl- vania, where he worked at farm labor. In 1866 he removed westward to Sterling, Illinois, where he was married. It was on the 27th of November, of
1142
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
that year, that he wedded Miss Bridget Hurley, who was born in County Galway, Ireland, August 20, 1843, her parents being Bernard and Bridget (Ncary) Hurley, who lived and died in Ireland. They had seven children but only two are living: Mrs. Ellen Doyle, a widow, residing in Hume township; and Mrs. Cunniff.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Cunniff returned to Pennsyl- vania, where they remained for eight months, and then again came to Ster- ling. Here they entered the employ of W. T. Patterson, who had a con- tract on the Northern Pacific railroad. In his service they went to the Black Hills, Mr. Cunniff being engaged in railroad construction while Mrs. Cun- niff conducted a boarding house, cooking for one hundred and twenty men most of the time. Her work was most arduous at that time. She has fricd beefsteak from three o'clock in the morning until seven o'clock and other domestic duties kept her equally busy throughout the remainder of the day. Mr. and Mrs. Cunniff were thus employed until the railroad was extended to Utah, after which they returned to this county in November and with the money they had saved they purchased one hundred and cighty acres of land on section 21, Hume township. It was only a partially improved farm and with characteristic energy Mr. Cunniff began its further development and cultivation, carrying on general agricultural pursuits there until his death. . He led a very busy, active and useful life and whatever success he achieved was attributable entirely to his own labors and the able assistance of his wife. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cunniff were born the following children: James, who married Lizzie Drew and has two children, Laura E. and Catherine E., their home being in Hume township; Ellen, the wife of Nicholas Horn, of Chicago, by whom she has three children, John T., Gertrude and Cecelia; Anna, who is living in Denver, Colorado; Thomas, a resident of Hume township; and Michael and John, both at home.
Mr. Cunniff was a democrat in his political views and was a communi- cant of the Catholic church. He died in that faith October 27, 1889, and is yet survived by his widow, who since 1864 has made her home in America, in which year she came with her sister to the new world, settling in Sterling.
J. L. MYERS.
No citizen of Whiteside county is more widely or more favorably known than he whose name introduces this record. He came here, one of the pioneers of this section of the state, and with the other early settlers bore his full share in the arduous labor carried on in the development and improve- ment of this district, and now, after long years of earnest and persistent toil -years which have been crowned with splendid success, he is living a con- tented and happy life on his well improved farm of two hundred and two acres, situated in Genesee township, where he expects to spend the evening of his life in honorable retirement.
Mr. Myers was born in Carroll county, Maryland, November 29, 1829, a son of Joseph and Mary (Lehman) Myers, both of whom were natives of
1143
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
Pennsylvania. The mother died in the Keystone state, but the father passed away in MeDonough county, Illinois. Their family numbered nine children, but only three are now living, the two brothers of our subjeet being Andrew L. and Isaae L., the former a resident of Pennsylvania, while the latter makes his home in Washington.
J. L. Myers was reared and edueated in his native state, his studies being pursued in one of the old-time log school houses of that day, wherein the methods of instruction were equally as primitive as was the building. He remained under the parental roof until he had reached the age of twenty years, when he began learning the miller's trade, at which he worked for nine years. Believing, however, that the west offered better business opportunities for the ambitious young man, he resolved to come to Illinois, the year of his arrival being 1852, at which time he located in Franklin Grove, Whiteside county. Later, however, he took up his abode in Pine Creek, Ogle county, this state, where for a short time he worked at his trade, but once more re- turned to Whiteside county, and has sinee made this his home. In 1855 he went to Iowa and entered eighty aeres of land from the government, but soon afterward traded that property for eighty aeres of wild land in Whiteside' county. He developed and improved this property and was engaged in its cultivation for seven years, at the end of which time he disposed of that farm and bought one hundred and forty-nine aeres in Genesee township, this constituting a part of his present home. He here energetieally took up the work of improving and developing the land, raising the cereals best adapted to soil and elimate, and each year gathered rieh erops as a reward for the care and labor which he bestowed upon the fields. As time passed and he prospered in his undertakings, he extended the boundaries of his farm by additional purchases, until at one time he possessed eight hundred aeres, but he has sinee divided with his children, giving to each an eighty-aere traet, and has retained but two hundred and two aeres in his home property, whereon he is now living, practically retired. In addition to tilling the fields he also engaged in raising and feeding stoek, and this branch of his business added not a little to his finaneial ineome, which made possible his extensive purchase of land. He was always very methodical in his farm labor, while in his business transactions he was honorable and straightforward, so that his prosperity is well deserved.
It was in 1857 that Mr. Myers was united in marriage to Miss Nancy J. Coehenour, who was also born in the Keystone state, and was one of a family of nine children. She died on the 3d of November, 1904. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Myers were born four children : Mary Ellen is the widow of D. W. Shank and resides with her father. She had three children, two of whom survive, namely: Emma, the wife of Charles Mock, of Whiteside county ; and Joseph, who lives with her mother and grandfather. John A. Myers makes his home in Washington. Joseph E. resides in Genesee township, this county. Anna is the wife of Jacob Hauger, and also resides in Genesee town- ship.
A republican in principle and praetiee, Mr. Myers gives stalwart sup- port to the party and has served as school director and road commissioner.
1144
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Baptist church. As a pioneer resident of the county it is but fitting that the record of Mr. Myers' life should find place in this volume. He stands today as a high type of American manhood, one who has won unbounded success in life through his own energy, and careful management, and now, in the evening of life, he is . enjoying in honorable retirement, the accumulations of profitable and success- ful careers.
GEORGE W. TIMMERMAN.
George W. Timmerman, who is successfully engaged in the real-estate and insurance business in Prophetstown, was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, February 22, 1850, his parents being John and Rachel M. (Fuller) Timmerman, likewise natives of the Empire state. In the year 1861 the father removed to Whiteside county, Illinois, and was engaged in the operation of rented land until his demisc in 1898 at the age of eighty- nine years. His wife passed away on the 12th of September, 1890. By her marriage she had become the mother of the following children: Cordelia, the wife of Hiram 'Gilmore, who resides in California; Mary Ann, the wife of William McCollister and a resident of Arkansas; John Deloss, who died while serving his country as a soldier in the Union army; Wesley V., of Whiteside county; Levi E., who makes his home in Harvey, Illinois; Alice E., who is the wife of Arthur Welding and lives in Eric, Whiteside county ; Anna, who became the wife of C. I. Merrill and also resides in this county; and George W.,. of this review.
George W. Timmerman remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority and then started out in business life as a clerk in a store at Erie, Illinois, in which position he continued for three years. On the expiration of that period he journeyed to California in 1876, being there employed as a clerk in a hardware store for nine years, his long retention being incontrovertible proof of his fidelity and capability in the discharge of his duties. Subsequently he returned to Illinois and took charge of his father's farm, successfully conducting the same for a period of nineteen years, at the end of which time he purchased the property. After his parents' death he removed to Prophetstown, where he has since been engaged in the insurance and real-estate business and is also a dealer in monuments. He owns three residence properties besides his office building and is widely recognized as one of the prominent and representative business men of the town, whose success is entirely the result of his own well directed labor and enterprise. He is likewise well known as a notary public and in the various branches of his business has gained a well merited and gratifying measure of prosperity.
There is also a military chapter in the life history of Mr. Timmer- man, for he was a member of Company B, Sixth Regiment of Illinois Militia, serving under Colonel J. D. Foster for four years. He was one of the com- pany that guarded the Chicago stockyards in 1894.
1145
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
In 1881 Mr. Timmerman was united in marriage to Mrs. Josic Williams, a native of Maine, who passed away in 1885. On the 13th of February, 1908, he married Mrs. Carrie Drain Matthews, daughter of Thomas A. Drain, of Leon, Illinois, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume.
In his politieal views Mr. Timmerman is a stanch republican and has hield several township offices, being a public-spirited eitizen who has the welfare of his fellowmen at heart. He was assistant postmaster at Spring Hill for two years, from 1900 to 1902, and eensus enumerator of Portland township in 1900. Fraternally lie is connected with Prophetstown Lodge, No. 293, A. F. & A. M .; Prophetstown Chapter, No. 174, R. A. M .; the Knights of Pythias; and Prophetstown Camp, No. 16, Modern Woodmen of America. In Whiteside eounty, where he has long resided, Mr. Timmer- man is well and favorably known as a straightforward and reliable business man, a progressive citizen and faithful friend.
AUREN S. BREWER.
Auren S. Brewer, who until recently conducted a hardware store in the village of Tampico, while formerly he was identified with farming interests in Whiteside county, was born in Monterey, Massachusetts, in 1838, a son of Hiram and Clarissa (Hollister) Brewer, who were also natives of the old Bay state but spent their last days in Washington, D. C. In his younger life the father was a blacksmith and later he held minor political positions in the capital city, being timekeeper at the capitol during the eighteen years in which additions were being made to that magnificent structure.
1
Auren S. Brewer spent the first fourteen years of his life in the state of his nativity and then removed with his parents to Prince Georges county, Maryland, where he resided for four or five years. They next went to Wash- ington, D. C. Mr. Brewer acquired a common-sehool education and from Washington went to Lynchburg, Virginia, where he remained until the outbreak of the war, when he returned home. He was employed by an express eompany in both Washington and in Lynehburg and on leaving that service in the capital city he entered a banking house. He was also em- ployed as clerk in the patent office and spent some time in the treasury department prior to his removal westward to Whiteside eounty, Illinois, in 1877. Here lie has been located continuously since. He first took up his abode on a farm a half mile east of the town, where he lived until about a year ago, having two hundred and forty acres of land which he cultivated and improved, transforming it into a productive farm, from which lie annu- ally gathered good harvests. On locating in the town he cstablished a hard- ware store, which he recently disposed of on account of ill health. Whatever sueeess he has achieved is attributable entirely to his own labors, for he started out in life cmpty-handed.
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.