USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 5
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tion. Mr. Jackson still remains as cashier of the bank and has served contin- uously as a national bank cashier for a longer period than any other man in the United States. The First National Bank of Morrison was the first institution organized under the national banking laws in Whiteside county. It is one of the conservative and substantial moneyed institutions of this part of the state and its success is attributable in large measure to the efforts, the executive ability and the enterprise of Mr. Jackson.
On the 15th of December, 1863, Mr. Jackson was married to Miss Jennie Quackenbush, who was born in Paterson, New Jersey, January 21, 1843, and was of Holland Dutch descent. She speaks the language of her ancestors as well as the English tongue. Her parents were David J. and Ann Quacken- bush, the former a bricklayer, who came to Illinois in August, 1856, and located at Morrison, where he spent his remaining days. He was a veteran of the Civil war, serving as a member of Company B Thirty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have been born two sons and a daughter: Carl, in business in South Dakota; Kittie, at home; and Pierre, who is a member of the firm of Wilkinson & Company, conducting an abstract business in Morrison. The wife and mother died October 8, 1906, and her death was deeply deplored by many friends as well as her immediate family.
Mr. Jackson is a member of the Presbyterian church, in which he is serving as trustee, while in the work of the church he is helpfully interested. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and is also a member of the Bankers' Association of the state and the National Bankers' Association. His political allegiance is given the democracy and he served as mayor of Mor- rison in 1876-7. He also filled the office of deputy county treasurer from 1858 to 1861, inclusive, and after his retirement from that office he enlisted in July, 1861, for service with the boys in blue in the Civil war, joining Com- pany A of the Second Illinois Cavalry, with which he continued for a year. He was elected by his company to the rank of second lieutenant and resigned in 1862, having been injured by his horse, the result of which unfitted him for service. He is now a member of Alpheus Clark Post, No. 118, G. A. R., and served as its commander in 1900. He is also a member of the Loyal Legion of the United States and takes an active interest in military affairs and in his associations with his old army comrades.
CHARLES M. LYTLE.
Charles M. Lytle, manager of the Rock Falls Manufacturing Company on East Third street in Sterling, belongs to that class of respected and repre- sentative American men who owe their business advancement and prosperity entirely to their own efforts. Early coming to a realization of the value of industry and guiding his efforts by sound judgment, he has become a force- ful factor in business circles and since July, 1905, has occupied his present position in Sterling.
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A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Lytle was born in Eric county ncar the city of Erie, in July, 1852, his parents being Andrew and Nancy Ann (Mc- Kay) Lytlc, also natives of Eric county. The former was a grandson of John Lytle, Sr., who came of French Huguenot ancestry, the family being founded in America at an carly day. He served as a captain in the Revolutionary war and was in charge of Fort Freeland. His son, John Lytle, was born in the Keystone state and followed farming as a life work. He was the first repre- sentative in the legislature from the northwestern part of his district, com- prising at that time what is now Eric, Crawford and Warren counties. Death came to him suddenly in a runaway accident. His wife, Mrs. Jane (Ander- son) Lytle, was more than ninety years of age at the time of her demise. They reared a large family.
The maternal grandfather of Charles M. Lytle was John McKay, who was born on the borderland of Scotland and on coming to America settled in Crawford county, Pennsylvania. Later he removed to Erie county, that state, where he died in middle life. He had followed weaving to provide for his family. His wife, who in her maidenhood was Miss Long, died at an ad- vanced age.
Andrew Lytle, father of our subject, was a tanner by trade, conducting a tannery on his farm ncar Erie for many years. In his later life he lived retired, enjoying a well carned rest. In his community he was prominent and influential, served as collector and assessor, and that he was worthy of the utmost trust and confidence was indicated by the fact that he was made ad- ministrator of many estates. He died in 1876 at the age of seventy-two years, while his wife passed away in 1893 at the age of eighty-five years. They were both members of the old Scotch Presbyterian church and afterward became identified with the United Presbyterian church. Their family numbercd seven sons: John, living at Oak Park, near Chicago; James, of Erie county, Penn- sylvania; Robert, who is assistant postmaster of Decatur, Illinois; George, who is engaged in the drug business at New Boston, Mereer county, Illinois; Henry, proprietor of a grocery at Waterford, Pennsylvania; Charles M., of this review ; and Frank, who died when about eight years of age.
Charles M. Lytle was reared in Erie county and attended the old North- western Academy there but when fifteen years of age started out in life on his owi aceount and has since been dependent upon his own resources. He began clerking in a dry-goods and clothing store and followed that pursuit until 1880, when he came to Illinois and accepted a position as traveling salesman for the Decatur Furniture Company. Later he entered the office of the Decatur Cof- fin Company and had charge of the office for twenty years. His ability in that direction led to his selection for his present position. He came to Sterling in July, 1905, to accept the position of manager of the Rock Falls Manufacturing Company, makers of coffins, hearses and all undertakers' supplics. This is a very important and responsible position, employment being furnished to eigh- ty-five people, and their goods are sold all over the country. The company won a silver medal on its exhibit at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition at St. Louis in 1904.
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On the 25th of May, 1876, Mr. Lytle was united in marriage to Miss Mary Franees Thomas, a daughter of W. W. and Mary (Small) Thomas. They have one daughter, Hortense, now the wife of C. G. Heiby, a resident of Decatur, and the mother of one child, Frances Jane Heiby. Mrs. Lytle is a member of the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Lytle gives his political allegiance to the republican party, being in- flexible in his support of its principles. He belongs to Macon Lodge, No. 8, A. F. & A. M., and is prominent in the Odd Fellows society, holding member- ship in Celestial Lodge, No. 186, I. O. O. F. He served as the grand patriarch in the Grand Encampment of the state of Illinois in 1900 and 1901, and was a delegate to the sovereign grand sessions of 1901 and 1902. He was also the first secretary of the Odd Fellows Old Folks' Home at Mattoon, Illinois, and at present oceupies the position of brigade commander of the Second Brigade of the Patriarchs Militant. He is most highly esteemed by his brethren of that fraternity, while in business circles he has made for himself a ereditable name by his unfaltering devotion to every duty entrusted to him, combined with marked ability as a successful manager.
ARTHUR H. HARMS, M. D.
Dr. Arthur. H. Harms, engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery with offiee in the Academy of Musie at Sterling, is one of the native sons of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Dixon on the 22nd of December, 1880. His parents were Anton W. and Mary S. (Ahrens) Harins, natives of Dixon, Illinois, and of Oldenburg, Germany, respectively. The paternal grandfather, Anton W. Harms, was born on the island of Heligoland, north of Germany, and made farming his life work: Emigrating to America in 1837, he located at Buffalo, New York, and afterward removed westward to Galena, Illinois. At a later date he took up his abode at Dixon and there purchased the interests of Harris and Mason, who had come from the south to establish a plantation. Upon that place he spent his remaining days and the stone house which he there built is still standing, one of the landmarks of the community. He was eighty-nine years of age at the time of his demisc, and his wife, Mrs. Anna (Heetor) Harms, was about eighty-six years of age at the time of her death. They were the parents of five children and by a former marriage the father also had five children.
Aaron Ahrens, the maternal grandfather of Mr. Harms, was born at Oldenburg, Germany, and about 1855 came to the United States. He after- ward returned to his native country, where he lived for several years and in 1868 again made his way to the new world, settling on the present site of Clinton, Iowa. His next removal brought him to Sterling, where he still resides at the venerable age of eighty-four years. His wife, Mrs. Gertrude (Soecker) Ahrens, dicd a number of years ago at the age of about sixty-seven. In their family were three sons and one daughter, including Mary S. Ahrens, who became the wife of Anton W. Harms. Mr. Harms throughout his aetive
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business life followed the occupation of farming and for many years lived in Palmyra township, but in 1905 took up his abode in Dixon, where he is now retired, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former labor. He has a good income property in his home farm of one hundred and sixty acres. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church. In their family are three children: Arthur H., of this review; Herbert W. and Jessie B., both of Dixon.
Dr. Harms, whose name introduces this record, was reared upon the old homestead farm in Palmyra township, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agrieulturist. He attended the district schools and the North Dixon high school, from which he was gradu- ated in 1894. He afterward spent about two years in Steinman Institute at Dixon prior to entering the University of Chicago, where he pursued a combi- nation course, devoting a part of his time to scientific branches and the re- mainder to the study of medicine. He further continued his professional edu- cation in Rush Medical College and in 1904 located for practice in Sterling, where he has since remained. He is thoroughly conversant with the most modern methods of the profession and is continually promoting his efficiency by study and research. He is now health officer of the city and he belongs to the Sterling and Rock Falls Physicians' Club, the County and State Medical Societies and the American Medical Association.
Pleasantly situated in his home life, Dr. Harms was married on the 29th of May, 1906, to Miss Alice Ward, a daughter of Judge Henry C. and Mary (Anthony) Ward. They now have a little son, H. Ward Harms. Dr. Harms and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church and he belongs to Rock River Lodge, No. 612, A. F. & A. M. Politically he is a republican. In his chosen life work he is making continued advancement, his patronage steadily growing as he gives proof of his ability to eope with the complex prob- lems that continually confront the physician.
WILLIAM J. BURLEIGH.
William J. Burleigh, manager of the Novelty Iron Works, to which re- sponsible position he has worked his way upward by his elose application, unfaltering fidelity and business capacity, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, October 15, 1867. His parents, Jedathan and Elizabeth (Stockwell) Bur- leigh, were both natives of. New England, the former born in New Hampshire and the latter in Massachusetts. The paternal grandfather, also a native of the old Granite state, was of English descent. The maternal grandfather, born in Massachusetts, likewise came of English ancestry. Jedathan Bur- leigh was a pattern-maker and followed that business in Boston and other eastern cities. He died December 3, 1870, at the age of thirty-three years, and since 1883 his widow has been a resident of Sterling. They had but two children, the daughter being Lizzic, the wife of John Cline of this city.
The son, William J. Burleigh, spent the first seven years of his life in his native city, and then went with his parents to Northampton, Massachu-
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setts, where he attended the public schools, acquiring a good English educa- tion. When his school life was ended he accepted a clerkship in a book store, remaining in the east until 1883, when he came with his mother to Sterling. Here he accepted a clerkship in a grocery store, where he continued for a short time, when he began learning his pattern-making trade, which he followed for several years. On the expiration of that period he accepted the position of shipping clerk in the Novelty Iron Works, and in May, 1903, was promoted to manager of the company. The product of the factory in- cludes furnace registers and cold air faces, iron hitching posts, automatic stock fountains, porcelain lined cylinders for wood and iron pumps, iron trimmings for wood pumps, plumbers' supplies and gray iron castings of all kinds. Employment is furnished to about fifty people, and the goods are sold in all parts of the country. Mr. Burleigh's previous experience and training in the business world well qualify him for his present position, which he is now creditably filling. The Novelty Iron Works is one of the oldest manu- facturing concerns in the city, and has been successful from the beginning, enjoying a constantly increasing business.
On the 26th of February, 1889, Mr. Burleigh was married to Miss Jessie Alexander, a daughter of Edward and Ada (Hale) Alexander. There are two children of this marriage, Russell A. and Edith. Mr. and Mrs. Burleigh are faithful members of the Congregational church, and are well known so- cially in the city. Mr. Burleigh has attained high rank in Masonry, belong- ing to Rock River Lodge, No. 612, A. F. & A. M .; Sterling Chapter, No. 57, R. A. M .; Sterling Commandery, No. 57, K. T .; and is also a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Noble of Tebala Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise holds membership relations with the Modern Woodmen of America, and he gives his political support to the republican party. With- out special advantages at the outset of his career, he has made good use of his opportunities and through the sterling worth of his character, combined with his skill in business, he has worked his way upward until he is now one of the leading representatives of industrial interests in Sterling.
CHARLES A. DAVIS.
Charles A. Davis, conducting a successful commercial enterprise as a dealer in hardware, stoves and furnaces, at No. 32 West Third street, in Sterling, claims Pennsylvania as the state of his nativity, his birth having occurred in New Holland, Lancaster county, May 13, 1854. His parents were Gabriel and Susanna R. (Diller) Davis, likewise natives of the Key- stone state, and that the family was established there at an early day is indi- cated by the fact that Archibald Douglas Davis, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was also there born. He was of Welsh lineage, devoted his life during his business career to merchandising and died in early manhood, being sur- vived by his wife, Julianna Barton (Anderson) Davis. The maternal grand- father was Jonathan Diller, also a native of Pennsylvania, and of German
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iincage. He wedded Ann Weaver and died when past middle life, while his widow lived to be nearly eighty years of age. They were the parents of six children, five of whom reached years of maturity.
Gabriel Davis became a merchant in the east, residing in Pennsylvania until 1856, when he removed westward to Sterling. Here he lived retired, enjoying a well earned rest until his death, which occurred January 26, 1880, at the age of seventy-six years. His wife survived him until October 23, 1907, and had reached the very advanced age of ninety-three years when she passed away. They were both members of the Protestant Episcopal church, but in her later life Mrs. Davis became a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Davis served as senior warden in his church and was deeply interested in all that pertained to the welfare and upbuilding of the com- munity and to the promotion of its material, social, intellectual and moral interests. He served as one of the directors of the public schools of Ster- ling and was one of the founders of the Wallace school. Unto him and his wife were born seven children, six sons and one daughter, of whom six are now living: William W .; Julianna B .; Gabriel H .; Isaac Newton, deceased; E. Diller; Henry I ..; and Charles A.
The last named was reared in Sterling, having been brought to the middle west by his parents when but two years of age. He attended the public schools here, and when he entered business life he took his initial step as a clerk in a hardware store. He thus continued for eight years, during which time he became thoroughly acquainted with the business, and since 1882 he has conducted a hardware store on his own account, carrying a full line of shelf and heavy hardware, stoves and furnaces. He has put forth earnest effort to please his patrons, and his straightforward business methods and unwearied industry constitute the basis of his success. In 1894 he built his present business block at the corner of West Third street and Avenue A. It is a brick structure, two stories and basement, and is one of the substantial business houses of the city.
In September, 1894, occurred the marriage of Charles A. Davis and Mrs. Rebecca J. Mack, the widow of George Mack, and a daughter of William Wilkinson. Mr. and Mrs. Davis belong to the Presbyterian church and the hospitality of the best homes of the city is freely accorded them, while the warm greetings extended in their own home makes it a favorite resort with their many friends.
The name of Charles A. Davis is on the membership rolls of Rock River Lodge, No. 612, A. F. & A. M .; Sterling Lodge, No. 174, I. O. O. F .; and the Knights of the Globe. He is a stalwart republican, and is chairman of the Whiteside county central committee, of which he has been a member for several years. He served for several terms as supervisor and has been urged by his fellow townsmen to become a candidate for the legislature. From its organization he has been a member of the Sterling Club, and he is interested in everything that pertains to the welfare and progress of the city. He was one of the executive committee of six men who planned the fine demonstra- tion in celebration of the opening of the feeder to the Hennepin canal, on the 24th of October, 1907. He has been a resident of this city for more than
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half a century, and is one of its best known and most honored men, aetive ill all that pertains to its public life and its commercial interests. His life has been actuated by high principles and honorable purposes, and the sterling qualities of his manhood have made the eircle of his friends almost co-exten- sive with the circle of his aequaintanees.
MARTIN BROTHERS.
The firm of Martin Brothers-David L. and John W .- is well known in Sterling as dealers in real estate and as representative business men of marked energy and enterprise. They stand today as a splendid type of the American citizen who recognizes that there is no royal road to wealth, but that industry, intelligently applied, will bring suecess. Starting out in life empty-handed, they have achieved a measure of prosperity that is indeed creditable, and at no time has their business career ever presented a narrow phase. On the con- trary, their methods are such as will bear elose investigation and scrutiny, and their labors have been of the utmost benefit to the city in its substantial upbuilding and adornment.
Noting something of the family history of the Martin Brothers, it is found that their paternal grandfather, David Martin, was a native of Penn- sylvania and of German deseent. He followed the oceupation of farming, living in Martinsburg, Blair county, Pennsylvania, where he died when more than eighty years of age. His wife in her maidenhood was Miss Long, and she, too, was about eighty years of age when called to her final rest. They had a large family of four sons and ten daughters, ineluding John Martin, our subjects' father, who was a native of Pennsylvania. He, too, carried on general agricultural pursuits, and in 1857 eame to Illinois, settling at Ster- ling, where he lived retired, save for the supervision which he gave to his invested interests. He owned a number of farms and displayed remarkable sagacity and enterprise in the purchase and sale of farm property. In early manhood he wedded Catharine Hoover, also a native of the Keystone state and a daughter of Samuel Hoover, likewise born in Pennsylvania but of German deseent. Samuel Hoover was a farmer by oceupation and in 1855 removed westward to Illinois, establishing his home in Sterling. Soon after- ward he began making investments in land in this part of the state and became the owner of several good tracts, together with some city property. He died here in 1859 at the age of sixty-six years. His wife was Mrs. Eliza- beth (Sprecher) Hoover. In her family were five sons and five daughters, including Catharine Hoover, who gave her hand in marriage to John Martin. She died in July, 1863, at the age of forty-three years and six months, pass- ing away in the faith of the Methodist church. John Martin, who was a Lutheran in religious belief, survived his wife until May 16, 1896, dying at the age of eighty-two years, one month and twenty-nine days. Unto Mr. and Mrs. John Martin were born seven children, five sons and two daughters, four of whom are now living, the other three having died in infancy: Joseph S.,
John Martin
LIBRARY OF THE "NIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
Jennie, David L. and Jolin W. The daughter Jennie is the wife of W. M. Dillon.
David L. Martin, the senior partner of the firm of Martin Brothers, was born near Martinsburg, Pennsylvania, in Blair county, September 12, 1849, and was about eight years of age when he came to Illinois with his parents. Here he was reared to manhood and has sinee lived in Sterling. He attended the public schools and afterward pursued a commercial course in Eastman's Business College. Returning to Sterling, he began work for John H. Snavely in the furniture business and was in his employ at different intervals for a number of years. Later he engaged in the sewing machine business on his own account, and about 1897 formed a partnership with his brother Jolin for the conduet of a real-estate business, since which time they have engaged in buying and selling property.
John W. Martin was born in Sterling, April 26, 1859, and has spent his entire life here. He attended the public schools until his fifteenth year, and at the age of seventeen he began buying cattle, following that business for some time. Later he was in partnership with S. F. Gleason and they con- tinued together for several years, after which Mr. Martin joined his brother in the real estate business. They have been very successful and now own about two thousand acres of land in the vicinity of Sterling and about one hundred and twenty acres in the city, which has been platted into town lots, besides other lots in all parts of Sterling. They also have about three thou- sand acres in western states. They buy and sell outright and are conducting an extensive and profitable real-estate business. They have purchased consid- erable old property, have remodeled business blocks and transformed them into attractive modern buildings. They have laid out several additions to the city, which they have improved in keeping with twentieth century ideas of city development, laying sidewalks, planting trees and doing other work which contributes to the substantial upbuilding and beautifying of the place. In connection with what they have done in Sterling they have laid out an addition in Rock Falls. They have the confidence and high esteem of the citizens of Sterling, and are well known over the country. Their word is good wherever they are known, for in all business dealings they have been thoroughly reliable and straightforward. Moreover, they are energetic men, carrying forward well-defined plans to successful execution.
The Martin brothers take a great interest in the welfare of the city of Sterling, and have spent much money in assisting to beautify, improve and upbuild it. Their publie-spirited devotion finds tangible evidence in many public improvements and in stock which they own in various business enter- prises. Movements which are projected for the welfare of the city receive their endorsement and cooperation, and their work has been of much value. Their contributions have been most generous toward different publie enter- prises, and their opinions prove an influential factor in matters of moment to Sterling. They have gained for themselves a most ereditable name and place in the business world, and upon realty values their views are largely received as conclusive. But while developing prosperous business, they have never eoneentrated their energies upon individual concerns to the exclusion
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