USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 55
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In April, 1870, Mr. Bauder was married to Miss Ottie Barnes, of Beloit, Wisconsin, a daughter of John Barnes. They have four children: Nina B., who is her father's bookkeeper; Clyde E. and Clair J., who are working in their father's shop; and Ethel, at home. The second son is married and has one. child. Clair.
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Mr. Bauder belongs to Sterling Lodge, No. 174, I. O. O. F., and also to the Modern Woodmen Camp. He has long been known in the business circles of this city, where he has now made his home for thirty-seven years. He ar- rived here practically empty-handed and as the years have gone by has im- proved his business opportunities and is now in the control of a successful business, which through many years has yielded him an income beyond the needs of the day and year, making him one of the substantial residents of Sterling.
GEORGE NEER.
George Neer, who is now living retired in Erie, was born in Logan county, Ohio, on the 8th of May, 1841, his parents being Adam and Sarah (Pollic) Neer, both natives of Ohio. The father passed away September 22, 1867, while his wife departed this life on the 8th of August, 1847. The latter is survived by a sister, Mary Longfellow, who has attained the age of ninety-five years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Neer were born six children but only two are yet living, namely: Rachel, the widow of Henry Brotherson, of Whiteside county; and George, of this review.
George Neer received his education in the common schools and remained at home until twenty-one years of age, when he enlisted for service in the Civil War, becoming a member of Company G, First Ohio Infantry, but only served six months on account of illness. After being honorably discharged from the army he returned to Ohio, but only remained in that state for one month, after which he came to Whiteside county, Illinois. The first winter he was employed at cutting cordwood and the following spring rented a farm in Port- land township, being successfully engaged in its operations for five years. On the expiration of that period he purchased one hundred and seventy acres of land on section 6, Erie township, which he brought under a high state of cul- tivation, carrying on the work of the fields for twenty-nine years. In addition to general farming he was also extensively engaged in raising sheep and hogs and through the careful management of his business interests gained the com- petence that enabled him, in 1897, to put aside active work and live retired. He is now the owner of three hundred acres of valuable land in Whiteside county and also has two hundred acres in Vernon county, Missouri, besides two fine residence properties in Erie, Illinois. His success is all the more credit- able because it has been gained entirely through his own well directed labor and enterprise, for he started out in life empty-handed and has steadily worked his way upward to the goal of prosperity.
On the 16th of September, 1863, Mr. Neer was united in marriage to Miss Harriet E. Witt, who was born in Illinois, October 16, 1844, a daughter of Harvey and Hannah (Sanburn) Witt, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of New Hampshire. The father died on the 6th of May, 1849, his wife surviving him until August 1, 1889, when she, too, passed away, having attained the age of eighty-five years. Mrs. Neer is one of a family of four chil-
GEORGE NEER
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dren and now the only surviving member. She taught sehool for three terms prior to her marriage. She has beeome the mother of seven children, namely: Sarah J., who is now the wife of Adam Young, of Erie township, and was formerly a school teacher; Frank, of Vernon eounty, Missouri; Horaee A., who resides on the old homestead; John D., who makes his home in Clinton, Iowa; Hannah L., a graduate of the Erie high school, who is now the wife of Ira Taleott, of Erie; William, also of Clinton, Iowa; and Hattie C., who took a course in musie and gave her hand in marriage to Frank Besse, of Erie. Mr. and Mrs. Neer also have ten grandehildren.
In his politieal views Mr. Neer is a staneh republiean and has taken a prominent part in the local affairs of the party. He is the present assessor of Erie township and is also a member of the sehool board, having served in the former position for twenty years and in the latter for twenty-four years. He has also served as drainage commissioner for nine years and has ever been prompt and eapable in the diseharge of his official duties, gaining thereby the entire confidenee and trust of his fellow men. Fraternally he is eonneeted with Camp No. 14, M. W. A., and with Masonie Lodge, No. 667, while his religious faith is indieated by his membership in the Christian ehureh, with which is wife is also identified. In Whiteside eounty, where they have long resided, they have gained the respeet and esteem of all with whom they have eome in eontaet, for their lives have ever been guided by honorable prineiples.
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JOHN T. FORTH.
John T. Forth, who earries on general farming on seetion 4, Fenton township, was born in Crowland, Lincolnshire, England, October 14, 1848, his parents being William and Mary Ann (Seotehbrook) Forth, who were also natives of England. The maternal aneestors of our subjeet were John and Charlotte (Taylor) Scotehbrook, natives of Lincolnshire, where they eon- tinued to make their home until 1853. The former was born April 4, 1793, and the latter December 9, 1795. Sailing for the new world in 1853, they beeame pioneer residents of Fenton township, Whiteside county, Illinois, where John Scotchbrook purchased a small farm, on which they made their home. He died in July, 1872, while his wife survived until May, 1882, pass- ing away in her eighty-sixth ycar. They were the parents of three ehildren, the eldest being Mary Ann, who beeame the wife of William Forth. She was born October 3, 1824, in Lineolnshire, England, and the marriage was eele- brated Dceember 14, 1847. In the year 1851 William Forth brought his family to the United States and making his way into the interior of the country settled in Lyndon township,. Whiteside county, Illinois, in 1852. Hc afterward removed to Burr Oak, Wiseonsin, but later returned to Lyndon in 1861. In his native country William Forth had worked on the eanal but after coming to the new world gave his time and energies to general agricul- tural pursuits. He died May 11, 1886, at the age of fifty-eight years, while
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his wife survived until the 14th of October, 1894, continuing her residenee in Whiteside county up to the time of her demise.
John T. Forth, their only ehild, was brought to Ameriea by his parents . at the age of three years. For about a year the family resided in Tompkins county, New York, and then continued on their westward journey to White- side eounty. In 1858 they went to LaCrosse, Wiseonsin, and after three years spent in that state again eame to Illinois in 1861, settling in Lyndon town- ship, Whiteside county. In 1868 the family removed to Fenton township and John T. Forth resided upon his farm in that township for forty years, being elosely associated with the agricultural development of the community. but in the spring of 1908 he purehased a home in Morrison, to which he moved, his sons earrying on the home farm, eomprising two hundred and thirty-one and a half aeres of land on seetion 4, Fenton township. All of the buildings upon the farm have been ereeted there since the Forth family took possession. Two sets of buildings are to be seen, both in exeellent eon- dition. John T. Forth erected his second set since his father's death. As the years have passed he has devoted his time and energies to general farm- ing and stoek raising, has brought his fields into a state of rich fertility, and has raised good grades of cattle, horses and hogs. In all of his work his labors have been aetuated by strong determination and a resolute spirit, and his capable management and energy have brought to him a gratifying meas- ure of sueeess.
On the 21st of September, 1875, Mr. Fortli was united in marriage to . Miss Mary A. Hollowell, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 2, 1856, and was brought to Whiteside eounty at the age of six months by her parents, John and Sarah (Clough) Hollowell, both of whom were natives of England, the mother having been born in Yorkshire. After a residence of three years in Whiteside county they returned to Pennsylvania, where the succeeding three years were passed, and then again came to Illinois, once more taking up their abode in Whiteside county, where they lived until called to their final home. The father was a carpenter by trade and fol- lowed that pursuit in the east, but after taking up his abode in Whiteside county he carried on both earpentering and farming. His death oeeurred January 7, 1895, when he was in his seventieth year, his wife having passed away about ten years before, dying on the 14th of May, 1885, at the age of fifty-eight years. They were the parents of four children who reached adult age: Mrs. Martha Wilson, now living in Clinton, Iowa; Mrs. Forth; Daniel, also a resident of Clinton, Iowa; and Mrs. Sarah Mesch, who has likewise passed away. €
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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Forth lave been born seven ehildren: William J., who was born June 18, 1877, married Effie Crocker, is now engaged in the hardware business in Fenton under the firm style of W. J. Forth & Com- pany, and is also postmaster of the town. His father is the silent partner of the firm. George Edward, who was born May 27, 1879, resides upon and eultivates a part of the old homestead. He wedded Hannalı Swanson and they have three children: Mary, Arthur and Easter. Daniel, born October 1, 1884, is employed by his brother in the hardware store in Fen-
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ton. Frank, born April 3, 1887; Fred James, born December 5, 1889; Edna Frances, December 30, 1892; and Sidney Joseph, May 26, 1897, are all at home.
Because of his unremitting activity and unwearicd diligence in former years, Mr. Forth now well merits the success which he enjoys and which enables him to live retired without further recourse to labor. His fellow townsmen-those among whom he has long lived-know him as a thor- oughly reliable business man and progressive citizen and a faithful friend, and these qualities entitle him to classification with the representative resi- dents of Whiteside county.
HENRY C. LANCASTER.
Henry C. Lancaster has throughout his entire life been identified with agricultural pursuits, but has lived on his present farm for only about a year, having in 1907 purchased one hundred and twenty-nine acres in Prophetstown township. He was born in Lyndon township on the 6th of February, 1865, his parents being Charles and Sarah (Hippy) Lancaster. The father was a native of England, born in 1827, and, thinking to enjoy better business opportunities in the new world, he resolved to take advan- tage of the chances here offered and in 1851 crossed the Atlantic to New York. Later he located in Whiteside county, arriving in the year 1855. Not having the capital with which to purchase a farm, he rented land for about ten years and during that period his diligence and careful cxpendi- ture brought him sufficient funds to justify his investment in a farm on section 22, Lyndon township. To this he added as opportunity offered until at the time of his death he owned a valuable property of two hundred and eighty-six acres. Long since the time has passed when he was able to se- cure only the necessities of life, for as year after year went by his careful conduct of his business interests brought him a good return, enabling him to secure the comforts and some of the luxuries which go to make life worth living. He passed away December 18, 1906, and is still survived by his widow, who now resides in' Prophetstown township. This worthy couple werc the parents of four sons and two daughters, namely: Mary, the wife of M. S. Hill, of Prophetstown township; Charles, who makes his home in Prophetstown ; Sarah, the wife of Millard Hill, also of Prophetstown; W. M., also of this city; Henry C., of this review; and Frank, who follows farming in Prophetstown township.
Henry C. Lancaster lived with his father on the old homestead until his death and was early trained to habits of industry, economy and perse- verance-habits which in later years have borne rich fruit. At the usual age he was sent to the common schools and the acquirement of an education largely occupied his time and energies for a number of years. In the sum- mer months he was trained in the work of the farm, learning the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. Wishing that his labors
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might directly benefit himself, he rented the old homestead farm for twenty years and after his father's death he made purchase of a farm of one hun- dred and twenty-nine acres in Prophetstown township. To his new home he removed in 1907 and is now busily engaged in its further development and improvement. He uses the latest machinery to facilitate the work of the fields, manifests sound judgment as to the time of planting his crops and as to the condition of the soil. He is an excellent type of the enterprising agriculturist and keeps in touch with the advancement that is being eontin- nally made by the representative farmers of Illinois.
In 1892 Mr. Lancaster was married to Miss Keene Hurstweight, a native of Prophetstown township, where her parents located at an early day, but both are now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lancaster have been born five children : Charles W., Cecil B., George I., Mary E. and Clara A. The parents are members of the Congregational church, faithful to its interests, generous in support and active in its work. They stand for progress in all lines, being interested in educational, material, social and moral develop- ment here. Mr. Laneaster has served for twenty years as school director and is now one of the school trustees. The cause of education finds in him a friend whose efforts in its behalf are practical and far-reaching. He votes with the republican party, but his ambitions and desires do not center in the line of political preferment, but rather in the acquirement of success through the means of agricultural activity.
AUGUST FRANK.
August Frank, a retired merehant tailor living in Sterling, was born near the city of Hamburg in north Germany, October 25, 1845, 'and is one of the five children of Christian and Sophie (Schmidt) Frank. The pater- nal grandfather was Johann Frank, a miller by occupation, who died at the very venerable age of eighty-seven years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sophie Zimmer, died when about seventy-seven years of age. They had a number of children, including Christian Frank, who was born near Strasburg, Germany. After arriving at years of maturity he married Sophie Schmidt, also a native of the fatherland, her birth having occurred near Hamburg. She was a daughter of August Schmidt, also a miller, who was seventy-nine years of age at the time of his demisc. His wife, Mrs. Au- gusta (Genson)' Schmidt, attained to an old age. They were the parents of five children.
Christian Frank was a miller by trade and condueted a mill for many years in the village of Zimmer, Germany, where he died in 1867 at the age of sixty-five years. His wife survived him for some time and passed away in 1874 at the age of seventy-one years. They were the parents of three sons and two daughters: Sophie, who died at the age of seventeen years; Fred, who is living in Chicago; Charles, who makes his home near Belvidere, Illinois; August, residing in Sterling; and Fredericka, the wife of Fred Mau, of Chicago.
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August Frank was reared in Germany until he had almost attained the age of twenty years, and in the schools of that country he aequired his edu- eation. In 1865 he came to America, settling in Batavia, New York, where he followed the tailor's trade. In 1866 he made his way westward to Chi- cago and in 1869 was sent to Sterling by John V. Farwell to do eutting for the firm of E. W. Edson & Company. In 1877 he engaged in the merchant tailoring business for himself and continued in that line until the 1st of January, 1904, when he turned the business over to his son, Albert J., who still continues at No. 28 West Third street. Sinee that time Mr. Frank has lived retired in the enjoyment of well earned rest.
On the 16th of October, 1870, oeeurred the marriage of Mr. Frank and Miss Margaret O'Neill, a daughter of John and Hannah (Carton) O'Neill. Her father died when she was two years of age. Her mother lived in Ster- ling and died here August 29, 1888, when about seventy-two years of age. She was a daughter of James Carton, who died in Ireland in middle life. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Frank were born six children, five daughters and a son ; Anna M., the wife of C. M. Forney, a resident of Spencer, Iowa; Catharine C., the wife of W. M. Rourk, of Sterling, by whom she has one daughter, M. Aliee; Albert J., who wedded Adele Meyer, of Sterling, and they have ' a daughter, Mary Elizabeth; Margaret, the wife of Harry B. Hurd, an at- torney of Chicago, by whom she has two children, Margaret Harriet and Anna Catharine; Mary A., the wife of L. E. Birdsall, of Hopkins township, by whom she has one child, Ruth; and Sophie E., the wife of Osear B. Newell, of Sterling, by whom she has one child, Edward Frank Newell.
Mrs. Frank is a member of St. Mary's Catholic church, while Mr. Frank belongs to Sterling Lodge, No. 174, I. O. O. F., and for many years lias been identified with that organization. Politieally he is a republican. He resides at No. 405 Avenue C, where he has recently ereeted a new house, and he also owns several other good properties in Sterling, from whieli he derives a fair income.
GEORGE JAMES.
George James, a successful agrieulturist, owning one hundred and seventy-two aeres of well improved land in Fenton township, was born in England in November, 1829, his parents being William and Sarah (Tueker) James, who died in that country when he was still very young. The only other member of the family was his sister, Eliza, who is also deceased.
George James acquired a common-school education and when fifteen years of age became a sailor, following the sea for ten years. In 1855, ae- companied by his wife, he erossed the briny deep to the new world, having heard many favorable reports of the business conditions and ehanees for ad- vaneement on this side of the Atlantic. After the brief period of three weeks spent in New Jersey, he came to Whiteside eounty, Illinois, where he has made his home ever since. Here he and his wife first worked for his
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uncle for two years, receiving two hundred dollars per year, while subse- quently he worked on Dr. Smith's farm of three hundred and eighty acres, later renting this property for a short time. After this he purchased seventy- two acres on section 32, Fenton township, Whiteside county, and as his financial resources increased added to his holdings until he now owns one hundred and seventy-two acres of rich and productive farming land, which returns to him a gratifying annual income. The well tilled fields and mod- ern improvements on the place give evidence of the enterprising and pro- gressive spirit of the owner, who is widely recognized throughout the com- munity as one of the county's worthy pioneers and well known agriculturists. The success which has come to him is attributable entirely to his own well- directed labor and unremitting industry, for he started out in life empty- handed and by determined and persistent effort gradually - worked his way upward.
On the 19th of May, 1849, in England, Mr. James was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary Ann Milton, who was born August 30, 1829, a daughter of James and Ann Milton, both of whom are deceased. Unto our subject and his wife have been born eleven children, namely: George, deceased; Eliza A., at home; William H., of Erie township, Whiteside county; Eliza- beth, the wife of J. C. Pratt, of Rock Island, Illinois; Louisa, who became the wife of H. D. Fadden and resides in Portland township, this county; Jettie J., the wife of Henry Pfundstein, of Fenton township, Whiteside county ; Fred, of Erie township, this county; Emma, who has also passed away; Thomas, of Fenton township; Harriett, the wife of W. H. Pratt, of Erie township; and John, who resides in Erie, Illinois, a member of the firm of Baxter & James, furnishing goods.
In his political views Mr. James is a stanch republican and his interest in the cause of education is indicated by his service as school director for three years. He has also been pathmaster and is actively interested in all measures or movements instituted to promote the general welfare, his influ- ence being ever given on the side of reform, progress and improvement. He is a member of the Franklin Insurance Company of Springfield, Illinois. Having resided in this county for more than a half century, both he and his wife are well and favorably known here, receiving the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded those who have traveled thus far on life's journey and who in all relations have been guided by upright and honorable principles.
ARTHUR E. CURTIS.
Arthur E. Curtis, a well-known druggist and pharmacist of Rock Falls, was born in Montmorency township, Whiteside county, Illinois, December 30, 1882, his parents being William E. and Edna D. (Barber) Curtis, both natives of Illinois. His paternal grandparents were George William and Lois R. (Hart) Curtis, natives of New Hampshire. The former, who fol-
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lowed agricultural pursuits throughout his entire life, came west to Illinois at an early day, being one of the pioneers of Montmorency township. He purchased and improved a farm, which he operated until within a few years of his demise, which occurred in Rock Falls in 1902, when he had attained the age of eighty-four years. His wife accompanied her parents to North Dakota at a very early day, coming to Whiteside county a few years later. She still makes her home in this county, residing at No. 305 Second avenue, Rock Falls, and is highly respected as one of the venerable pioneer women of the community, being now eighty-six years of age. In the family of this worthy couple were the following children: Jesse; Henry; William; Libby, the wife of B. H. Gray, of Kansas; Belle, the wife of Irving Green, a Meth. odist minister of Everly, Iowa; and Emily, deceased.
The maternal grandfather of our subject was Sidney Barber, a native { f Vermont and also a farmer by occupation. He was an early settler of loma township, where he owned the farm that is now known as the Charley ay farm. Eventually he removed to Rock Falls and there passed away when more than eighty years of age. His wife, whose demise occurred in the spring of 1906, was eighty-six years old when called to her final rest. Their family numbered three daughters: Frances E., the wife of Theodore Jenkins, of Beaumont, California; Edna D., the mother of our subject; and Ada, who became the wife of Joseph Wright and makes her home in Rock Falls.
William E. Curtis, whose birth occurred in Montmorency township, Whiteside county, Illinois, was reared to agricultural pursuits and eventually became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of fine farming land in this county, which he improved. In 1890 he sold the property and removed to Rock Falls, where he engaged in the livery business and also began buying, selling, raising and shipping horses. He met with a gratifying measure of success in these undertakings and passed away in Rock Falls on the 19th of May, 1903, at the age of forty-nine years. He was a member of the Method- ist church, with which his wife, who still survives him, is also identified. Fraternally he was a member of Advance Lodge, No. 590, I. O. O. F., and gave his political support to the republican party. He served as constable and city marshal and gained respect and esteem for the efficient manner in which he discharged his official duties, as well as for the straightforward and reliable methods he followed in his business career. His family numbered four sons, namely: Elmer, of Portland, Oregon; Arthur E., of this review; Sidney Barber Curtis, who resides in Rock Falls; and George William, also of Rock Falls.
When six years of age Arthur E. Curtis accompanied his parents on their removal to Rock Falls, where he was reared. He supplemented his public- school education by a high-school course and was graduated in 1901. Subse- quently he secured a clerkship in the drug store of J. M. Kline & Son and in the meantime also studied pharmacy. In the fall of 1903 he entered the University of Illinois at Champaign and was graduated in the spring of 1905 on the completion of the regular pharmaceutical course. He then went to Dixon, Illinois, where he remained for two years as a stockholder in the Walgreen-Davis Drug Company. Returning to Rock Falls on the expiration
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