USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 52
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FRANK QUADE.
Frank Quade, . who operates two hundred and forty acres of valuable land in Erie township, making a specialty of raising and feeding stock, was born in Bromberg, Germany, on the 28th of November, 1847, a son of Stanford and Anionica Quade, both of whom passed away in the father- land. They had a family of five children, Frank Quade of this review being the only one now living.
In the common schools of his native land Mr. Quade acquired an edu- cation and after he had attained his majority he served for three years as' a soldier in the army, in accordance with the laws of Germany. Having heard many favorable reports of the broader business opportunities in the new world, he crossed the Atlantic to Ameriea in 1872, locating in Whiteside
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county, Illinois, where he was employed as a farm hand for two years. He then engaged in the operation of a rented farm for four years and on the expiration of that period, having acquired capital sufficient to invest in land of his own, he purchased two hundred and forty acres on sections 14, 23 and 26, Erie township, where he has since resided. As the years have gone by he has brought his land under a high state of cultivation, the fields annually returning golden harvests as a reward for the care and labor hc bestows upon them. In addition to the work of general farming he makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock and in both branches of his business has met with a gratifying and well merited measure of prosperity, having long been recognized as one of the enterprising and successful agriculturists of the community.
In 1879 Mr. Quade was united in marriage to Miss Ida Johnson, who was born in Sweden in 1863, a daughter of Albert and Louisa (Carlstead) Johnson, who emigrated to America in 1868. On arriving in the new world they first located at Moline, Illinois, where the father worked as a common laborer and later purchased land in Whiteside county. His death occurred on the 12th of November, 1901, but the mother is still living on the old homestead farm in Erie township. Their family numbered six children, and by her marriage Mrs. Quade has become the mother of five children, namely: John O., deceased; George F., an agriculturist of Erie township: Louisa A., the wife of Charles Moody, of Erie township; and Charles and Ida, both at home.
In his political views Mr. Quade is a stalwart democrat and has served as school director for three years, the cause of education ever finding in him a helpful friend. He is a member of the Home Fraternal League at Erie and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Catholic church, while his wife is identified with the Lutheran denomination. The hope that led him to leave his native land and seek a home in America has been more than realized. He found the opportunities he sought, which, by the way, arc always open to the ambitious, energetic man, and making the best of these he has steadily worked his way upward. Both he and his wife are well and favorably known here by reason of the long period of their residence in this county and also because of the honorable and upright principles whichi have actuated them in all life's relations.
HENRY LEE RECTOR.
Henry Lee Rector is one of the few remaining veterans of the Civil war who fought for the preservation of the Union during the darkest hour in our country's history. He has always been loyal in his citizenship and whether upon the field of battle or in the pursuit of peace he has faithfully supported what he has believed to be for the best interests of the country at large. Throughout his business carcer he has devoted his time and energies to general farming.
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MR. AND MRS. H. L. RECTOR
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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA
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He was born in Savannah, Wayne county, New York, April 5, 1830, a son of William and Mary (Van Auken) Rector, who were natives of New York, but spent their last days in Michigan. Their family numbered four sons: Henry L .; John, deceased; Robert D., who served for four years with the Eleventh Michigan Cavalry in the Civil war and is now living in Port- land, Oregon; and Anson, whosc home is in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Aaron Van Auken, one of the heroes of the American army in the Revolutionary war. Mr. Rector is descended from old Holland Dutch ancestry of New York, the family having been represented in America, however, for many generations.
Henry L. Rector was about ten years of age when his parents removed from Wayne county, New York, to Onondaga county, that state, settling near Skaneateles, where they lived for six years. They then returned to Wolcott, Wayne county, where Mr. Rector, of this review, continued until he reached the age of twenty-two years. He afterward went to Alamo, Kalamazoo county, Michigan, with his parents and lived there for fifteen years, subse- quent to which time he spent three years in Missouri. In 1872 he arrived in Whiteside county, Illinois, and has resided since 1875 upon his present farm of eighty acres, situated on section 2, Fenton township. His entire life has been devoted to general agricultural pursuits and whatever success he has achieved or enjoyed is attributable entirely to his own labors.
During the period of the Civil war, Mr. Rector responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting from Kalamazoo, Michigan, as a member of Company A, Thirteenth Michigan Infantry, under Captain Towne and Colonel Culver. The regiment was assigned to duty with the Army of the Cumberland and con- tinued with that great military division until the close of the war. Mr. Rec- tor marched with Sherman from Atlanta to the sea, participated in a number of important engagements, and afterward took part in the grand review in Washington, the most celebrated military pageant ever seen on the western hemisphere.
When the war was over, Mr. Rector, with a creditable military record, returned to his home and family. He was married on the 4th of July, 1855, to Miss Lodema Albright, of Savannah, New York, who was born in 1832. She was a daughter of Peter and Hannah (Karncross) Albright, both of whom were natives of the Empire state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rector have been born two sons and a daughter. Lily, the second in order of birth, died at the age of nine years. William P., the oldest son, is living in Wayne county, New York. Fred resides upon the old homestead and operates the farm. He was born February 1, 1867, in Michigan and was married in South Dakota to Miss Sarah Cornell, whose birth occurred in Henry county, Ohio, December 14, 1866. Her parents were Joseph and Mary Ann (Macklin) Cornell. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fred Rector have been born four children: Josephinc, Arthur Lewis, Daisy Mary and Fred Cornell.
Mr. Rector gives his political allegiance to the republican party, whichi he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. For a third of a century he has lived upon the farm which is yet his home, while his residence in Whiteside county covers thirty-six years. Throughout this
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entire period he has carried on general agricultural pursuits and though the work of the farm is now largely left to his son, he is yet interested in what is being aeeomplished in its improvement and development and he also keeps in touch with the general interests and current events of the day.
S. T. MILLER.
The well improved farm of one hundred and eighty-one acres, situated on section 21, Newton township, which is now owned and operated by S. T. Miller, was also the place of his birth, his natal day being August 11, 1848. His parents, Joseph and Elizabeth (Thompson) Miller, were both natives of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. The father was there reared and mar- ried, his first union being with Sarah Greer, by whom he had two children: Rachel Ann, the wife of Josiah Salehammer, a resident of Newton township; and Louise, deceased. He was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife on the 18th of September, 1836. He was again married, his second union being with Miss Elizabeth Thompson, and following their marriage they made their way westward, arriving in Whiteside county in 1840. The father here entered land from the government, making a claim in Newton town- ship and thereon he built a log house, in which the family made their home for several years. He was an energetic, enterprising farmer and through his well directed labors met with gratifying prosperity, so that as time passed he added to his original possessions until he became the owner of six hun- dred and sixty-one acres of good farming land, all located in Newton town- ship. The second marriage of Joseph Miller was blessed with seven children: Joseph E., deceased; Sarah, who resides in Whiteside county; John N., who has passed away; Mary J., of Whiteside county; S. T., whose name intro- duces this review; William M. and Moses F., who are also deceased. The wife and mother was called from this life on the 14th of October, 1867, and in 1869 Mr. Miller was married a third time, this union being with Mrs. Kate Ege, the widow of Joseph Ege. She bore the maiden name of Reisch and by her marriage to Mr. Ege became the mother of four children as follows: William L., deceased; Charles F., who resides in Newton township; Mary E., deceased; and Hettie B., a resident of California. By her marriage to Mr. Miller she has one son, Joseph A., who makes his home in Davenport, Iowa. The death of the father occurred September 2, 1884, and thus White- side county lost one of its well-to-do and highly respected citizens. He was well known here as a pioneer settler, for throughout more than four decades he was closely identified with the agricultural interests of this section of Whiteside county and at an early day bore his full share in the agricultural development and progress of this section of the state.
S. T. Miller, who is the third son and fifth child born of his father's seeond marriage, has always made his home on his present farm. He was early trained to the duties of farm -labor, assisting his father during the periods of plowing, planting and harvesting, while in the winter months he
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pursued his studies in the common sehools, wherein he mastered the eonimon branches of English learning. He is now the owner of one hundred and eighty-one acres of good farming land, constituting a portion of his father's possessions, this property having been entered by the latter from the govern- inent. It is improved with good barns and outbuildings and on the plaee there is also a good residence, which is oeeupied by our subjeet and his stepmother. Mr. Miller is engaged in earrying on general farming and also raises and feeds hogs, making a specialty of the latter field of activity. He is alert and energetie and is elassed among the prosperous eitizens of New- ton township.
Mr. Miller's views on the temperanee question are indieated by the stalwart support which he gives to the prohibition party. He has served as sehool director but aside from this has had no political aspirations, pre- ferring to give his undivided time and attention to his private affairs. He possesses a genial, kindly nature and no native born son of Whiteside eounty has a wider eirele of friends or is more highly esteemed than is Mr. Miller.
ALFRED NAPIER SEABER.
Among the soldier boys of the Union army is numbered Alfred Napier Seaber. He had been for almost four years on the tented fields of the south ere he attained his majority and in later years he has done effective serviee in publie offiee, being now commissioner of permanent seat of government at Jefferson City, Missouri. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, November 22, . 1845. His aneestors were gentlemen farmers of England, who lived not far from London and the family ean be traced baek to Sir John Seaber. His parents, John and Ellen (Judd) Seaber, natives of England, eame to the United States immediately after their marriage and the fatlier engaged in merchandising in Cleveland. Reared in that eity, A. N. Seaber continued his edueation until he eompleted the high-school eourse by graduation. About 1870 he went to the mountains of Kentucky for the benefit of his health and was there identified with lumber interests and farming until 1881, when he received an appointment as clerk in the pension offiee at Washington, D. C. Two years were there passed in official serviee, after which he was sent to Missouri as special pension examiner, which position he aceeptably filled for ten years. Ill health then foreed him to resign, but he was again in publie offiee when ealled by his fellow townsmen to represent them in the state senate. -
Mr. Seaber served for nearly four years in the Union Army in the Civil war as a member of Company F, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Ohio Volunteers and had not yet attained his majority when hostilities had eeased. He has always been deeply interested in polities from his boy- hood days and is an inflexible adherent of republican principles. Aside from the offiees which he filled through appointment he was elected to the state senate of Missouri in 1896 and his fidelity to the interests of his eon-
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stituents and the commonwealth at large led to his reclection, so that his incumbency in the upper house covered two terms. He afterward became editor of the Kirksville (Missouri) Journal and has been commissioner of permanent seat of government at Jefferson City since 1904.
On the 19th of January, 1871, Mr. Seaber was married to Miss Hannah Boling, of Leslie county, Kentucky, and their children are: Clara Belle, who was married June 8, 1899, to Dr. C. O. Deeming; Harry Garfield, who was married December 5, 1905, to Margaret Mitchell; Alice Daisy and Ivy Camille, at home.
Mr. Seaber belongs to the Masonie lodge, to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, the Grand Army of the Republie and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and at one time was captain of the Uniformed Rank of the Knights of Pythias. Sinee early manhood he has been a member of the Christian church. His interests have always extended to those questions which are of vital importance to the community and the country at large and his efforts, whether as a private citizen, a soldier or as an official, have always been directed in those channels through which flow the greatest good to the greatest number.
OWEN D. PITNEY.
Owen D. Pitney, a well known hotel proprietor of Tampico, was born in · Conneaut, Ohio, July 5, 1838, a son of Eben B. and Mary (Snow) Pitney, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of Erie county, Pennsylvania. The father came to Whiteside county in 1865, and passed away here. His family numbered five children, namely: Owen D., of this review; Macia, the deceased wife of William Watts; Helen, who became the wife of William Bryant, and resides in Chicago, Illinois; Julia, who first married Henry C. Dowe, and after his death wedded Joseph B. Greeman, of Tampico, Illinois; and one who has departed this life.
At the age of eighteen years Owen D. Pitney became a sailor, being thus engaged for six years, and eame west in 1865, locating in Whiteside county, Illinois, where he operated rented land for several years. Subsequently he purchased eighty acres on seetion 28, Tampico township, which he improved . and operated for four years, when he disposed of the property and rented a farm near Tampico for another period of four years. At the end of that time he bought a hotel in the village of Tampico, and conducted it for a few ycars, afterward removing to Brown county, South Dakota, where he home- steaded a farm. He built a sod house and remained in that state for two years, when he sold out and returned to. Tampico, where he rented a tract of three hundred and twenty acres and engaged in its cultivation for three years. For the next four years he conducted a rented farm near Yorktown, after which he purchased the hotel in the village of Tampico, built an addition of several rooms and successfully condueted the hostelry for eight years, being at the same time engaged in the livery business. Subsequently he and his
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wife leased their hotel and lived retired for seven years, but in 1906 again moved into the hotel, and have been successfully conducting the same ever since. Mr. Pitney is well known as a genial host, and does everything possi- ble for the comfort and convenience of his guests. His sound judgment and capable business management have brought to him the gratifying measure of prosperity he now enjoys, and he is widely recognized as an enterprising and representative resident of the county.
On the 7th of July, 1856, Mr. Pitney was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Patterson, who was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, March 18, 1838, her parents being Freeman and Eldula (Root) Patterson, the former a native of Vermont, and the latter of New York. They had a family of eleven children, and both passed away in Erie county, Pennsylvania. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pitney were born five children: James F., of Denver, Colo- rado ; Fred D)., who was killed in a wreck while serving as a postal clerk for the government ; Ida May, the wife of Jerd Mckenzie, of Hume township; Henry, who is engaged in merchandising in Tampico, Illinois; and Frank, who is assistant cashier in the First National Bank at Sterling, Illinois. Mr. Pitney also has ten grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
In his fraternal relations our subject is a member of the Masonic Lodge, No. 655, and of the Modern Woodmen of America, at Tampico. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church at Tampico, and are well and favorably known throughout the community because of the long period of their residence here. Although he has reached the Psalmist's al- lotted span of three score years and ten, Mr. Pitney is still actively connected with business affairs, and in spirit and interests seems a much younger man.
JAMES R. ANDERSON.
In a history of the farming community of Whiteside county, mention should be made of James R. Anderson, who, living on section 12, Jordan township, is successfully engaged in farming, being one of the representa- tive agriculturists of the community. He was born in Lanarkshire, Scot- land, twelve miles from Glasgow, January 5, 1842, a son of Robert and Marion (Walker) Anderson, who were also natives of Scotland and came to America in 1851. They were members of a company of eighteen people who crossed the Atlantic at that time, including the grandparents of our subject, his aunt and uncle, William and Elleson . Anderson, James Barry, James Murray, Rob- ert Pollock, James, Robert, Andrew and William Marshall, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Miller and Ellen Coates. All of the members of the party' located in Whiteside or Ogle county, and of this number only two are now living: Mr. Anderson, of this review, and Ellen Coates, who resides west of the Elkhorn, in Whiteside county. The voyage across the Atlantic and the trip into the interior of the country was a very long one, for the methods of travel in those days were extremely slow as compared to the transportation facilities of the present. They left Scotland about the middle of May, and were six
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weeks and three days on the ocean, arriving in New York in the early part of July. From the castern metropolis tlicy made their way up the Hudson river, then to Buffalo, on to Chicago by way of the Great Lakes, and by rail from Chicago to St. Charles, which was then the western terminus of the line. At that point the party hired teams and proceeded to Buffalo Grove. The grandparents' family numbered eight children: James, John, William, Robert, Elleson, Janette, David and Alexander. The second mentioned died in infancy. Of the others, David is the only one living. Janette died in Scotland, while the remaining members of the family who have passed away were buried on this side of the Atlantic, in the East Jordan cemetery, in this county. The grave of the paternal grandfather of our subject was the first one made in that cemetery. .
Robert Anderson, with his family, settled near Polo, at Buffalo Grove, but about a year later located on what became the old family homestead, which is now the place of residence of James R. Anderson. Robert Anderson first purchased a quarter section of land front John H. Page at twenty dollars per acre. At that time it was all wild prairie, but with characteristic energy he placed it under a high state of cultivation, erected substantial buildings, and made other valuable improvements. As time went on he gradually added more land, buying forty acres from R. N. Roberts, eighty acres from Hiram Jenkins, forty acres from the Illinois Central Railroad Company, and, thus from time to time adding to his property, he eventually became the owner of four hundred and forty acres in Whiteside and Ogle counties. He was not only a prosperous, but also a most respected citizen of Whiteside county, and one of its worthy pioneers, who assisted materially in the early advancement and growth of this part of the state. He died at the age of sixty-seven years, and his wife passed away when about eighty years of age
James R. Anderson was about ten years of age when he came with his parents to the United States. In his native country he had the advantages of a common-school education, and after coming to America he remained at home, assisting in the operation of the farm until his father's death, when he assumed the entire management of the place, and has here resided con- tinuously since. He has gradually added improvements, until today he pos- sesses a fine farm, a beautiful home standing in the midst of attractive sur- roundings, the place being equipped with all modern accessories and con- veniences. In his farm work Mr. Anderson has been very energetic and dili- gent, working on, day after day, in the improvement of a property that now returns to him an excellent financial income as a reward for the care and labor he bestows upon the fields.
Mr. Anderson was married March 21, 1867, to Miss Isabella Cross, a daughter of George and Janc (Renwick) Cross, who were natives of Lanark- shire, Scotland. The father came first to America, in 1855, and the mother followed a year or so later, completing the trip on the first passenger train over the Illinois Central Railroad to Polo. They settled on a farm a short distance north of Polo, where their remaining days were passed, the father dying at the age of forty-four years, and the mother in 1893, at the age of sixty-eight years. The father was one of six children: Hugh, Robert, John.
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George, Jantes and Elizabeth, but George was the only one who ever eame to America, the others all dying in Scotland. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Anderson were John and Anna (Baird) Cross, and the maternal grand- parents were Gavin and Isabella (Seott) Renwick, both natives of Seotland, where they spent their entire lives. Mrs. Anderson had two brothers and four sisters: John, who died in Ogle eounty; Mrs. Isabella Anderson; Anna, living in Ogle; Gavin and George, who are living near Polo; Janette and Elizabeth, both deeeased.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have been born eight ehildren: . Marion Jane, the wife of A. P. Shoemaker, a farmer residing in Ogle county; George Robert, who is living in Jordan township; Janette, the wife of Charles Seholl, a farmer living north of Eagle Point, in Carroll county, Illinois; John, who resides south of Penrose, in Jordan township; Elizabeth, Mabel, Rena and Clarenee, all at home. The family are well known in the county, for the Andersons have been represented here for more than a half century, and the members of the household who now oeeupy the old homestead are held in high esteem throughout the community.
Mr. Anderson votes with the republican party, and has served as sehool director for eighteen years, the cause of education finding in him a warm and stalwart friend. He is a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal church, which has a Union house of worship on a corner of his farm. He has long been a trustee of the ehureh and seeretary of its board, and takes a deep and helpful interest in its work. His life has ever been upright and honorable, his aetions manly and sineere, and as the years have gone by he has proven his right to be elassed with the leading, trustworthy and respected agriculturists of Jordan township.
W. H. HARRISON.
W. H. Harrison, who is proprietor of a general mercantile store at Tampieo, was born at Pratt Station, Fenton township, Whiteside county, December 20, 1856, and there resided for about fifteen years. His parents were Samuel and Betsy (Pope) Harrison, natives of Lincolnshire, England, where they were reared and married, eoming thenee to the United States about 1845. The father died in Fenton township when his son, W. H. Har- rison, was but twelve years of age. The family continued to reside upon the home farm until our subjeet was about fifteen years of age, when he accompanied his mother to Vancouver Island, where he continued for about six years. His mother, however, remained at Vancouver and died about eighteen years ago. In the family were two sons but the younger, Herbert, died when about twenty-four years of age.
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