USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 50
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In 1872 Mr. Brewer was united in marriage to Miss Amclia B. Proetor, who was born in Milford, Otsego county, New York, in April, 1837, a
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daughter of Moses B. and Adelia Proctor. The marriage was celebrated in Milford, New York, and two children have been born unto them: Frederick A., who is the present supervisor of Tampico township and resides on his father's farm; and Clara Adelia, who is engaged in teaching and resides at home.
In politics Mr. Brewer is a stalwart republican, inflexible in his support of the principles of the party. He was supervisor of Tampico township for two terms but has never cared much for public office. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Tampico Lodge. He is also one of the directors of the Whiteside County Fair, which has been held at Morrison for cightcen years, and has acted as superintendent of the horse department. He lias raised many fine Clydesdale horses, also Shorthorn cattle and high grades of hogs, and is a splendid judge of stock, being thus well qualified to act as superintendent of live-stock interests at the fair. There have been no excit- ing chapters in his life record but he has always been a diligent man, doing faithfully day by day the duties that have come to him and has thus com- manded the respect and confidence of all who know him.
FRANCIS MARION THOMAS.
Francis Marion Thomas is well deserving of mention among the repre- sentative citizens of Whiteside county. He is one of her native sons and his entire life entitles him to recognition because of the honorable principles he has followed and the straightforward methods he has pursued in his busi- ness career. He has never been known to take advantage of the necessities of his fellowmen, but on the contrary has displayed even-handed justice that has gained him unqualified trust. -
Mr. Thomas was born in Mount Pleasant township, Whiteside county, December 27, 1843. His father, George W. Thomas, was a native of St. Clair county, Illinois, born in 1820, and his death occurred August 30, 1893. His parents were Anthony and Jane (Jordan) Thomas, natives of South Carolina, in whose family were the following named: Polly, the wife of Felix French; Margaret A., the wife of G. O. James; Julia, the wife of Samuel Currie; Grizzy, the wife of Henry Paschal; James, who married Sarah Platt; Elizabeth, the wife of William French; George W., the father of our subject; John, who died unmarried in California; and William, who mar- ried Mary Hodges.
In Cass county, Illinois, George W. Thomas was married in 1842 to Miss Mary Paschal, whose birth occurred in Wilson county, Tennessee, March 4, 1823, her parents being Isaiah and Agnes (Freeman) Paschal, natives of North Carolina. Their children were William Henry, who married Grizzy Thomas, as previously stated; John D., who wedded Nancy Short; David, who married Miss Mary Snyder; Emily, the wife of Joel Horn; Coleman, who married Sally Street; Amy, the wife of Allison McCord; Samuel, who mar- ried Hannah Strect; Lucy, the wife of James Thomas; Amanda, who mar-
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F. M. THOMAS
LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA
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ried Samuel Stevenson; Jarett, who married Margaret Shaffer; Green, who wedded Sarah Deweber; Mary, the mother of our subject; and Joan, tlie wife of Richard Wright.
In 1842, immediately after their marriage, George W. Thomas and his wife came to Hickory Grove, Whiteside county, and entered land on section 9, Mt. Pleasant township, the tract comprising two hundred and twenty-eight acres of rich and productive land. Here he opened up a farm and made for himself and family a homc. As the years passed he brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and was quite successful, remaining on his farm until within three years of his death. His last days were spent at Morrison, where he passed away August 30, 1893. His wife survived him for almost ten years, her death occurring February 24, 1903.' In politics George W. Thomas was a republican, believing firmly in the principles of the party. He was also an earnest and consistent Christian, holding membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and was a leader in both church and Sunday school work. To Mr. and Mrs. George W. Thomas were born the following children, of whom two died in infancy and two in childhood. The others are as follows: Francis M .; Addison P., a successful farmer of Lyndon township and a veteran of the Civil war; Samuel T., who married Margaret Harrow and is living in Mt. Pleasant township; Nathan J., a. retired farmer of Morrison, who wedded Emma Heaton; Elizabeth, the widow of David Finch, of Sterling; Robert Milton, who married Annie Cope and is living in Ustick township; George E., who wedded Grace Quackenbush, who died at the age of twenty-five years; and Minnie, the wife of Jacob Feldman, of Mt. Pleasant township.
On the old homestead farm in his native township Francis Marion Thomas spent his boyhood and acquired his education in the district schools and in the Morrison public schools. In August, 1862, when but eighteen years of age, he responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting in defense of the Union as a member of Company F, Ninety-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry. With that command he went from Chicago to Memphis, Tennes- sce, in November, 1862, the regiment there spending the winter. In the spring of 1863 the Ninety-third Illinois was sent down the river to participate in the Vicksburg campaign. They proceeded first to Yazoo Pass and after- ward returned from there on the west side of the river to a point below Vicksburg. Crossing the river, the Ninety-third Illinois had an engagement with the enemy at Jackson, Tennessee, losing a few men. On the 16th of May, 1863, Mr. Thomas was taken prisoner at Champion Hill, but after three days was paroled and returned to the Union lines. He was then sent home, where he remained for about three months until he was duly ex- changed, when he returned to his regiment; with which he remained until the close of the war. He reached the command in time to participate in the Chattanooga campaign and was in the battle of Missionary Ridge, November 25, 1863, and later in the battle of Chickamauga. He was also at Allatoona, Georgia, in a hand-to-hand contest, which was later made famous by the song based on the message of General Sherman, "Hold the fort, for I am coming." The Ninety-third was with Sherman on his march to the sea and
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spent the winter at Savannah, Georgia. Later they were at Columbia, South Carolina, when that place was burned, and Mr. Thomas also participated in the grand review at Washington, the celebration which attended the close of the war, when the president reviewed the returning troops, who, as they marched through the streets of the capital city, were cheered by countless thousands. In the three years at the front, the Ninety-third Illinois traveled twenty-six hundred miles on foot and covered about thirty-six hundred miles by boat and train, a total distance of some six thousand miles. The record of the regiment was most commendable and after the close of the war its inem- bers were mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, June 23, 1865. Mr. Thomas then returned home to the farm and resumed the pursuits of civil life.
On the 22d of March, 1866, Mr. Thomas was married to Miss Maggie Hawk, a native of Pennsylvania, born July 23, 1846, a daughter of Danicl F. and Harriet (Martin) Hawk, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, the former born November 24, 1798, and the latter October 14, 1817. They were married in Pennsylvania and became the parents of eleven children. Henry,' born December 23, 1839, was a member of the same company of the Ninety-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, to which Mr. Thomas belonged, and was wounded in the battle of Missionary Ridge, dying ten days later, on the 5th of December, 1863. Mr. Thomas remained with him all night on the battlefield and went with him to the hospital, remaining with him until life departed. He then reported the death to the bercaved parents and thus he became acquainted with the sister, whom he afterward made his wife. Robert Hawk, the second of the family, born March 11, 1842, served in the Civil war with the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry and died at Memphis, Tennessee, July 7, 1865, from fever contracted while in the service. Mary, born January 9, 1844, is the wife of James Y. McCall, who for about sixteen years has been supervisor of Newton township and is one of the leading and valued citizens of that locality. They have two children, George and Hattie. Mrs. Maggie Thomas is the next of the family. Hiram S., born April 29, 1850, married Clara McCall and they had six children, Hugh, Lorena, Maud, John and Annie, all living; and Ross, de- ceased. Their home is in Morrison. Arthur D. Hawk, born September 11, 1852, and now living at Pomona, California, married Belle Booth and they have four children, Edward, Belle and Beulah, twins, and Arthur. John S. Hawk, born October 26, 1857, and now following farming in Newton town- ship, wedded Lizzie Blean and they have four children, Arthur, William, Pearl and Hattie. Joseph C. Hawk, born April 26, 1860, and now a farmer of Fenton township, married Cora Turney and they have five children, Mag- gie, Edna and Eva, twins, John Howard and Della J., twins. The father, Daniel F. Hawk, went with his family to Rock Island county in 1857 and for one year operated a rented farm therc. He then bought a farm of two hundred acres in Newton township, Whiteside county, where he remained until his death, which occurred February 2, 1877, while his wife passed away July 3, 1892.
Soon after his marriage, Francis M. Thomas purchased a farm of eighty acres in Mt. Pleasant township, on which he lived for twelve years. On this
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farm his only child was born, Henry J. Thomas, whose natal day was October 14, 1867. After reaching manhood he wedded Ola McNutt, who was born near Holton, Kansas, October 11, 1871, and died June 24, 1906, leaving four children, E. Wayne, George Lec, Marguerite and Clara L, Since. his marriage Henry J. Thomas has lived upon the old homestead of his grandfather Hawk, which was purchased by his father, F. M. Thomas, in 1877. It was upon that place that the subject of this review resided until his retirement from active life and his removal to Morrison in December, 1889. He was a successful farmer, who carefully developed his property and culti- vated his fields. Hc removed to the city in order to give his son the educa- tional advantages there offered and for two years the son was also a student in a college at Mt. Vernon, Iowa.
Mr. Thomas has always enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his neigh- bors and friends. His honesty, faithfulness and good judgment have been recognized by them and they have selected him to scttle two large estates and several minor ones. While residing in Newton township he served as school treasurer for seven years. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party and of its principles he is a stalwart and un- swerving advocate. For many years he was an active member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, to which his wife and his son also belong, the latter having served for several years as superintendent of the Sunday school in Newton township. Mr. Thomas has been extremely active in church and Sunday school work and his labors have been effective and far-reaching. For many years he has served as trustee and steward of the church and he furnished the means to educate a young Japanese for evangelistic work, meeting his expenses during the eight years required to properly fit him for work in his native land. Mr. Thomas belongs to Alpheus Clark Post, G. A. R. His entire life, honorable and upright in every phase, commends him to the confidence and esteem of those who know him and proves that prosperity and an honored name may be won simultaneously.
LEWIS MARINE.
Lewis Marine deserves much credit for the orderly progression which has characterized his business life. Starting out on his own account at the age of sixteen years without a dollar, as a result of his own efforts he has become the owner of a valuable farming property of one hundred and sixty acres. Ho is yet a young man, his birthi having occurred in Bureau county, Illinois, May 11, 1879. His parents were Joseph and Minnie (Yonk) Ma- rine, who were natives of Germany and came to America in the carly '60s, first settling in the state of New York, where they resided for a year. They afterward spent two years in Ohio, where the father followed farming prior to his removal to Bureau county, Illinois, where he purchased land and carried on general agricultural pursuits. Hc died in 1895 and is still sur- vived by the mother of our subject, who is living in Bureau county, Illinois.
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Mr. Marine was twice married and by his first. union had two children: John, a resident of Henry county, Illinois; and Joseph, deceased. The children of the second marriage were eleven in number but four have now passed away. The others are: Charles, of Henry county, Illinois; Freda, the wife of Henry Young, also of Henry county; Elsie, the wife of W. M. Franks, a resident of Whiteside county; Lewis, whose name introduces this review; Amel, who makes his home in Bureau county, this state; and Frank and W. M., also residing in Bureau county.
Lewis Marine was reared under the parental roof, pursued a public- school education and early became familiar with the duties and labors of the farmncr. When sixteen years of age he began providing for his own support as a farm hand and that he was faithful and capable is indicated by the fact that he remained in the employ of one inan for four years. He then married Miss Anna Anderson, also a native of Bureau county, and a daughter of Charles and Mina Anderson, who were natives of Sweden, whence they came to America in 1870, settling first in Whiteside county, Illinois, after which they removed to Bureau county. The father there purchased land and carried on farming until the death of his wife, which occurred in 1895. He still survives and now makes his home with Mr. and Mrs. Marine. The mother is one of four children and by her marriage lias bc- come the mother of two sons and a daughter, Irving, Raymond and Lowrey.
Mr. Marine now owns one hundred and thirty acres of land on section 32, Prophetstown township, and makes a study of the raising and feeding of stock, which branch of his business is returning to him a good income. His farın is well improved and he is bringing it under a good state of cultivation. While his business interests claim the greater part of his time and energies he is yet never remiss in the duties of citizenship and on the contrary stands for advancement and improvement in many lines. Politically he is a democrat and both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church.
WILLIAM H. SPRINKLE.
William H. Sprinkle, successfully engaged in general agricultural pur- suits, and making his home upon his present farm on section 15, Fenton township, for more than a quarter of a century, was born on Dutch Bottoms, Phoenix township, Henry county, Illinois, October 7, 1865. His parents were Jonathan and Katharine (Miller) Sprinkle, both of whom were natives of Ohio. Following their marriage they lived for some time in Henry county, and in 1882 the mother came to Whiteside county, settling upon the farm which is now the home of her son, William. She made the journey here with her family. Mrs. Sprinkle died May 22, 1905, in the sixty-fourth year of her agc. Her family numbered four children: William H .; Charles Sherman, who died November 15, 1870, at the age of two years; Louise Jane, the wife of P. H. Likes, of Tampico; and Leonard C., of Walnut.
William H. Sprinkle was a youth of about seventeen years when he ar- rived in Whiteside county. His youth up to that time had been spent in
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Henry county, where he was reared to the occupation of farming, while the public schools afforded him his educational privileges. He has now made his home in Fenton township for twenty-six years, and is engaged in farming seventy-three acres of the home place on section 15, Fenton township, ad- joining the village of Fenton. He also cultivates one hundred and sixty acres on section 27 of the same township, and is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres in Deaf Smith county, Texas. His life is characterized by untiring diligence and persistency of purpose, and the ycars are bringing him a meas- ure of success that is well merited. He is diligent and persistent, honorable and straightforward, and his record has therefore won for him the respect and regard of all who know him.
Mr. Sprinkle was married in 1889 to Miss Bertha A. Crocker, who was born in Fenton township, October 7, 1870, a daughter of John W. and Amarette (Hill) Crocker, who are now residents of Morrison. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sprinkle have been born two children: John Addison and Carrie D. Mr. Sprinkle exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and meas- ures of the republican party, and is connected with the Mystic Workers of Fenton. Although there have been no exciting chapters in his life record, his history is that of a man who has been loyal to his duty in his various relations, and who in the business world has found ample opportunity for the exercise of his talents and industry-his dominant qualities.
GEORGE E. THOMPSON.
George E. Thompson makes his home in Erie, but is still the owner of a valuable farm of five hundred acres in the township of Fenton, and is asso- ciated with his son in its management and improvement, and also in the ·business of extensively breeding and raising fine stock. He was born in Ver- mont April 5, 1856, his parents being S. A. and Elizabeth (Harrington) Thompson, natives of Ohio and of Vermont, respectively. Removing west- ward to Whiteside county during the early period of its development, the father purchased land and began the cultivation of a new farm, thus con- tributing in substantial measure to the early upbuilding and improvement of the county. Unto him and his wife were born two sons and a daughter: George E., of this review; Jennie, now deceased; and Reuben A., who is liv- ing in Hillsdale, Illinois. The father is yet a resident of Erie, but the mother passed away in 1890.
George E. Thompson remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority, and in the public school acquired his education. He was trained in all departments of farm work, and after he had reached adult age he rented the old homestead of nine hundred acres, which he continued to cultivate for twelve years. On the expiration of that period he invested in two hundred acres of land in Erie township, and improved this property, re- siding thereon for nine years, then sold it, and with the added capital which he had gained during the intervening period, he bought five hundred acres
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of the old homestead and took up his abode thereon, turning his attention in a large measure to the live-stock business. He made a specialty of raising Shorthorn cattle and full blooded Clydesdale horses, and handled some of the finest stock produced in this county. He left the farm in 1907 and removed to Erie, where he now owns a fine residence, but he and his son still carry on the farm and are raising full blooded cattle and horses. Just before leaving the farm he disposed at publie sale a large number of thoroughbred Clydes- dale horses, including some of the finest stock produced in this part of the state. The cattle which he handles are also of high grades, and he always has on hand for sale full blooded male cattle and full blooded Clydesdale horses.
Mr. Thompson was married on the 29th of November, 1877, to Miss Nellie Eddy, who was born in Erie township, this county, in 1859, a daughter of York Eddy, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this, volume. Mrs. Thompson was one of a family of ten children, and by her marriage has be- come the mother of four children: Willie E., who is now upon the home farm, and is his father's partner in its operation and development; Edith J., the wife of Fred C. Neary, of Fenton township; Hattie E., the wife of Cor- nelius MeCarthy, of Chicago, Illinois; and Rena E., at home.
The parents attend and support the Baptist church, and are interested in all measures and movements for the upbuilding and welfare of the com- munity. Mr. Thompson has served as school director for ten years, and believes in maintaining excellent schools as a preparation for the young for life's practical and responsible duties. He has been justice of the peace for four years and constable for four years, and his official service is always characterized by the utmost devotion to the publie welfare. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, being connected with Lodge No. 667, and has filled all of the chairs excepting that of the East. He belongs to the Modern Wood- men Camp and is in thorough sympathy with the principles and purposes of these orders, which recognize the common brotherhood of mankind and individual obligation. He has long been regarded as one of the prominent, enterprising and progressive business men of the county, and although he is now partially retired from active life, he is still interested with his son in the management of the valuable farm of five hundred acres which he owns, and from which he derives an excellent annual income.
MALLORY S. HILL.
Mallory S. Hill, now living retired, was one of the extensive and pros- perous farmers of Prophetstown township, and was also equally well known as a successful dairyman. He is still the owner of valuable farming prop- erty of three hundred and eighty acres, from which he derives an excellent annual income. On the same farm, and in the same room which is now his sleeping apartment, Mallory S. Hill was born, September 30, 1857, and comes of New England ancestry.
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His parents, William and Ann (Smith) Hill, were both natives of Ver- mont, and in 1835 traveled across the country to Whiteside county, Illinois. This was before the era of railroad transportation, and the journey was made with team and wagon, as was common at that time. It was a long and tedious journey, over roads which were often in poor condition, while at times the streams had to be forded, as in sparsely settled districts no bridges had been built. Few, indeed, were the homes to be found in Whiteside county at that early period. The native timber was still uneut, nor was the sod broken on the prairies, but the land, rich in its possibilities, awaited the awakening touch of the agriculturist to convert it from its wild state into productive farms, which are now a great source of wealth to the state. Wil- . liam Hill secured land, and for many years, while meeting the hardships and trials of pioneer life, was busily engaged in converting his place into a pro- duetive farm. He continued a resident of this county until his death, which occurred in 1904, at the age of eighty-four years, while his wife passed away in 1905. They were prominent pioneer people, well meriting the esteem in which they were uniformly held. Their family numbered eight children : Hester, deccased; J. Q., a resident of Peoria, Illinois; W. S., who makes his home in Canton, Kansas; Truman, who has passed away; Mallory S., of this review; Stella, the wife of F. H. Johns, and a resident of Sterling; and two who died in infancy. The father was a stanch republican from the time of the organization of the party, and took an active and helpful interest in its local work. He was numbered among the progressive men who came from New England to enjoy the opportunities of the new west, and as the years passed assisted largely in the material work of the county.
Mallory S. Hill was reared on the old homestead where his birth oc- curred, and which is yet his place of residence. He acquired a common school education, and as his years and strength increased aided more and more largely in the work of the farm. When nineteen years of age he rented a part of the old homestead and continued its cultivation for about nine years. In that time he saved sufficient capital to enable him to purchase land, and bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 8, and forty acres on section 5, Prophetstown township. Still prosperity attended him, and at a later date he added one hundred and cighty aeres, so that he is now the owner of an extensive farın of three hundred and eighty aeres, all of which is finely im- proved. For years he was active in the work of the fields, personally at- tending to the plowing, planting and harvesting, and his sound judgment and practical methods were manifest in the excellent success which he gained. In addition to tilling the soil, he also conducted a dairy business, and his herd of cattle were of the highest breed of Holstein stock. Now he is retired from the active work of the farm, which he leaves to others, but he still maintains his residence upon the old homestead, which is endeared to him through the associations of his boyhood and youth, as well as his later manhood.
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