USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 56
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of that period, on the 1st of February, 1907, he purchased the drug store of J. M. Kline & Son, which he has since conducted, having gained a liberal patronage by reason of his well selected and tastefully arranged stock of goods and his reliable and enterprising business methods.
On the 24th of September, 1907, Mr. Curtis was united in marriage to Miss Deborah E. McMahon, a daughter of Patrick J. and Bridget (Rourke) McMahon, both natives of Ireland, whose children are: John, of Sterling; Timothy, who resides in San Francisco, California; Simon, also of Sterling; Deborah E .; George, who likewise lives in Sterling; and Catharine, who makes her home in Chicago.
In his political views Mr. Curtis is a stanch republican. His wife is a communicant of St. Mary's Catholic church. He lives at the corner of Ave- nue C and East Second street in Rock Falls, in the home originally owned by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Barber. His grandparents in both the pater- nal and maternal line were pioneers of Whiteside county and took an active part in the early development and upbuilding of this part of the state, the names of Curtis and Barber figuring prominently in the annals of pioneer times. Arthur E. Curtis, although a young man, has already made a com- mendable place for himself in the business circles of the county and his friends do not hesitate in prophcsying for him a successful future.
ERNST TOPPERT.
Ernst Toppert, the owner of an excellent farming property of two hun- dred acres on section 34, Prophetstown township, has resided on this place since 1906. He was born in Germany, April 20, 1859, a son of Thomas and Bea- trice Toppert, who were also natives of the fatherland and passed away in that country. Their family numbered eight children, namely: Carl, deceased; Ernst, of this review; Beatrice, who has also passed away; August, living in Iowa; Paul, deceased; and Bertha, William and Ida, who still reside in Ger- many.
Ernst Toppert acquired a common-school education and remained in the country of his nativity until twenty-five years of age, when in 1884 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, having heard many favorable reports of the opportunities and advantages to be enjoyed in the new world. He first located in Bureau county, Illinois, where he was employed as a farm hand for four years. On the expiration of that period he was married and subsequently operated a rented farm for thirteen years, meeting with gratifying success in the conduct of his agricultural interests. Subsequently he purchased one hundred and sixty acres ncar Tampico, Whiteside county, making his home thereon for four years, when he sold the property and bought two hundred acres on section 34, Prophetstown township, where he has resided since 1906. He is recognized as one of the enterprising and progressive agriculturists of the county and the success which has come to him is entirely the result of his indefatigable industry and capable business management.
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In 1887 Mr. Toppert was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Houch, who was born in Henry county, Illinois, in 1867, a daughter of Michael and Catherine Houch, both natives of Germany, who came to the United States at an early date, the father passing away in 1894, while the mother's demise occurred in 1901. Their family numbered eight children, as fol- lows : Katie, deceased; Caroline, the wife of Henry Reeder, of Bureau county, Illinois; Nicholas, who lives in Prophetstown township; Phillip, of Henry county, Illinois; Minnie, who became the wife of Fred Brewer and lives in Bureau county ; John and Charles, of Prophetstown; and Mrs. Toppert. Mr. and Mrs. Toppert have also become the parents of eight children: William H., Fred E., Carrie A., Emina A., Earl H., Ernst H., and Floyd A. and Lloyd A., twins.
In his political views Mr. Toppert is a stalwart republican and has served as school director for several years, the cause of education ever finding in him a stalwart friend. Fraternally he is connected with Tampieo Camp, No. 9, Modern Woodmen of America, at Tampico, and with the Knights of Pythias at Prophetstown. Both he and his wife support the Methodist Episcopal church and are well and favorably known throughout the community as peo- ple of genuine personal worth and sterling traits of character. 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,' are always open to the ambitious, energetic man, and making the best of these he has steadily worked his way upward.
S. A. ADAMS.
S. A. Adams, a successful agriculturist of Erie township, making a spe- sialty of stock raising, was born in Rock Island county, Illinois, on the 30th of June, 1870, a son of D. S. and Sarah (Clark) Adams, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. The parents removed westward to Illinois in 1858, and the mother passed away in this state in 1882. D. S. Adams, who still survives, had a family of five children, namely: J. C., of Rock Island county, Illinois; Laura, the wife of Ben Osbern, also of Rock Island county, Illinois; S. A., of this review; William, deceased; and Mary, the wife of Frank Taulbee.
S. A. Adams pursued his education in the common schools, remaining with his father until twenty-six years of age, when in 1896 he was united in marriage to Miss Cora E. Cocking, further mention of whom is made on an- other page of this work. Two children, Floyd L. and Myrtle R., have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Adams. Our subject now owns and successfully oper- ates a part of the farm of his mother-in-law, Mrs. Mary E. Cocking, and in connection with the work of the fields also makes a specialty of stock raising. He has met with a gratifying measure of sucecss in both branches of his business and is recognized as one of the enterprising and prosperous young agriculturists of his community.
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In his political views Mr. Adams is a republican and has held the office of school trustee, while fraternally he is a member of Bowling Lodge, No. 637, A. F. & A. M., having filled most of the chairs in this organization.
HARVEY R. HAND.
Harvey R. Hand, whose time and attention are busily occupied with the work of the farm, now owns and occupies a valuable place of one hundred and twenty-four acres on section 10, Hume township. The farm is devoted to the raising of grain and stock and presents a neat and well kept appearance, indicating the careful supervision of the owner. Mr. Hand is, moreover, en- titled to representation in this volume from the fact that he was a soldier of the Civil war and in days of peace has been equally loyal in citizenship. His birth occurred March 31, 1841, in Troy, Orleans county, Vermont, his parents being John B., and Elizabeth (Peak) Hand. The father was born in Peacham, Vermont, in 1806, and died in the Green Mountain state in 1889. The motlier, a native of Jaffery, New Hampshire, was born in 1807 and died in 1892. Removing westward to Whiteside county in 1867, they were resi- dents of Coloma township until 1881, when they returned to Vermont, where their remaining days were passed. Their family numbered eight children but only three are now living: Mrs. Frances M. Varnum, a resident of Peacham, Vermont; Mrs. Orilla H. Hebblethwaite, also of Peacham; and Harvey R. One son, Bement J., entered the United States army when eighteen years of age and died before completing the term of his enlistment.
At the usual age Harvey R. Hand entered the public schools of his na- tive state and supplemented his early educational privileges by study in the academy at Peacham, Caledonia county, Vermont, where he spent five years as a student. The chances of the west attracted him to Illinois in the spring of 1865 and locating in Whiteside county he devoted his efforts here to the management and cultivation of a rented farnı in Coloma township. Becoming convinced that he would like this district as a place of residence, he then in- vested in two hundred acres of land in Coloma township and at one time owned a valuable farming property there of four hundred acres but in 1890 he sold that and purchased his present place of one hundred and twenty-four acres in Hume township. He has always been a stock-raiser and keeps high grade cattle and hogs upon his place, conducting an extensive and profitable business as a stockman. The only interruption to his active business career since he started out for himself came through his service as a soldier of the Civil war. In May, 1861, he offered his services to the government, enlisting in response to the president's call for three months' troops. He joined Com- pany I of the Third Regiment of Vermont Volunteer Infantry but was soon afterward discharged on account of disability. He could not content him- self to remain at home, however, while the Union was endangered and in August, 1862, he again joined the army, this time becoming a member of Company F, Fifteenth Vermont Infantry, with which he participated in the
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hotly contested and sanguinary battle of Gettysburg. Later in the same year (1863) he once more returned to his home in Vermont, the regiment being mustered out. It was soon after this that he came to Illinois and has since been a valued resident of Whiteside county.
On the 12th of March, 1884, Mr. Hand was united in marriage in Mont- morency township to Miss Celia D. Carroll, who was born in Morgan county, Ohio, January 2, 1867, and is a daughter of Monroe and Mary (Taylor) Car- roll. Her father died in Ohio in 1868, after which the mother came with her family to Whiteside county, settling in Montmorency township in 1870. She had two children but Mrs. Hand is the only one now living. After com- ing to Illinois Mrs. Carroll married James Barrett and they are still living in Montmorency township. They also had two children: Otis, now deceased; and Josephine, the wife of James Sensensbaugh, of Hume township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hand have been born five children: Elizabeth R., Mary C., John M., Nathan H. and Taylor J., all under the parental roof.
The parents are members of the Congregational church and are people of many sterling traits of character as is evidenced by the fact that their circle of friends is an extensive one. Mr. Hand maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic. . His political allegiance is given to the republican party, which he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and he has been called to some local offices. He served as road commissioner in Coloma township for seven years and was school director for some years and his influence and aid can always be counted upon to further movements to pro- mote the public welfare. He has always stood for progressive citizenship and has ever been most loyal to the interests of his locality and of his country at large. As a business man his labors have been carefully conducted and his intelligent discernment in business affairs has been a strong element in his prosperity.
F. L. HUBBART.
F. L. Hubbart, owning and successfully operating one hundred and sev- enty acres of land on section 7, Eric township, was born in Union Grove town- ship, Whiteside county, on the 4th of November, 1862. His parents, S. S. and Adaline (Remer) Hubbart, natives of Sanford, Broome county, New York, were born in 1825 and 1833 respectively. The father emigrated west- ward to Illinois in 1838, locating in Lyndon, Whiteside county, where he re- mained for a short time, when he entered a claim of land in Union Grove township. He was one of the early pioneers who aided in reclaiming a wild region for the purpose of civilization and his death, which occurred on the 5th of March, 1898, was regretted by many who had come to estcem and honor him. He had survived his wife for but four days, her demise having occurred on the 1st of March, 1898. Their family numbered nine children, as fol- lows: F. L. of this review; Stella, the wife of H. P. Coster, of Shabbona, De Kalb county, Illinois; Franz S., of Erie township; and six who are deceased.
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F. L. Hubbart acquired his education in the common schools and remained under the parental roof until he had attained the age of thirty-five years, when he purchased a farm of one hundred and seventy acres on section 7, Erie township. He has brought the land under a high state of cultivation and in the conduct of his agricultural interests is meeting with a gratifying and well merited measure of prosperity, the fields responding annually in bountiful harvests to the care and labor he bestows upon them.
On the 11th of October, 1903, Mr. Hubbart was united in marriage to Mrs. Ann Molten, the widow of Charles Molten. She was born in Whiteside county, where her parents (Mr. and Mrs. Andrews), who were natives of Ireland, had located in an early day. To them were born a family of eight children : William, of Clinton, Iowa; Mary, the wife of Richard Vickery, of South Dakota; Mrs. Hubbart; Ellen, who became the wife of Paul Sawyer and resides in Beardstown, Illinois; James, of Erie, Illinois; Martha, the wife of George Franks, also of Erie, Illinois; and two who have departed this life. The father of this family has also passed away but the mother still survives and makes her home in Eric. By her first marriage Mrs. Hubbart had one son, David Lester, who is at home, and by her second union has a daughter, Stella Ann.
In his political views Mr. Hubbart is a stalwart democrat and is at pres- cut serving as road commissioner. Fraternally he is connected with Erie Lodge, No. 317, K. P., at Erie, Illinois, being highly esteemed by his breth- ren in the organization. Both he and his wife support the Christian church and, being natives of the county in which they still make their home, they are widely and favorably known here, having gained the warm friendship and regard of many with whom they have come in contact by reason of their well spent and honorable lives.
GEORGE FORWARD.
George Forward, who formerly conducted a meat market in Tampico but is now interested only in farming, giving supervision to his land not far from the village, is numbered among the venerable residents of Whiteside county, having reached the eightieth milestone on life's journey. He is, however, a remarkably well preserved man, who does not appear to be more than sixty-five years of age, while in spirit and interests he seems yet in his prime.
He was born in Sussex, England, September 9, 1828, and in 1832 was brought to the new world by his parents, George and Sarah (Cager) Forward. They were natives of Sussex and after living in the east for some time they joined their son George in Illinois about 1860. The father, however, died in Michigan at the home of his son there, while the mother survives and is living with a daughter in Kansas. She was born October 30, 1809, and is therefore almost a centenarian. Their children were: George; Mrs. Charlotte Pooler, deccased; William, a resident of Prophetstown township; Frank, who is living
MR. AND MRS. GEORGE FORWARD
LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA
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in Wacousta, Michigan; Fannie, the wife of John Bunker, whose home is near Wichita, Kansas; Edwin, living in Bancsville, Kansas; Charles, who is located at Goddard, Kansas; Mary Ann, the widow of Simeon Baird, of Penrose, Illinois; Lewis, whose home is ncar Maize, Kansas; Sarah, who died at the age of two years; and Adelbert, whose home is at Eaton Rapids, Mich- igan.
George Forward was less than four years of age when the parents, cross- ing the Atlantic, landed at New York in May, 1832. The famliy home was established in Cayuga county, New York, near Ira Corners, where the father carried on farming, to which pursuit George Forward was reared. He began farming on his own account after attaining his majority and was identified with agricultural interests in the east until 1858, when he came with his wife and one child, then two years of age, to Illinois. They first located near Yorktown on a tract of land of eighty acres, upon which Mr. Forward resided until 1878. He then came to Tampico and established a meat market, con- ducting the business with good success for fifteen years. Since that time he has given his attention to farming, having forty acres of land on section 15, Tampico township, just west of the town and also twenty acres within the corporation limits. He also owns a comfortable residence, which he purchased about a year ago.
Before leaving the east Mr. Forward was married, in 1852, to Miss Marian Daratt, a native of Cayuga county, New York, who died in Whiteside county in 1867 at the age of thirty years. They were the parents of two chil- dren: Albert, who is living near Tampico; and Minnie, the wife of Delos Craddock, of Tampico. In 1871 Mr. Forward was again married, his second union being with Miss Sarah Burnham, who was born in Manlius, Onondaga county, New York, August 26, 1838.
In his political views Mr. Forward has been a stalwart republican since the organization of the party and has served for twelve years on the village board. Although he has reached the age of four score years he possesses remarkable vitality and energy and has the appearance of a man much younger. Nature is kind to those who do not abusc her laws and Mr. For- ward has lived in conformity therewith. His record should put to shame many a man of younger ycars who would relegate to others the burdens that he should bear, for Mr. Forward is still an active factor in the activities of life and commands the respect and confidence of all who know him.
R. H. MCKENZIE.
R. H. Mckenzie, a resident of Tampico vet deriving his income from valuable farming interests in Illinois, was born in Bureau county, this state, November 31, 1854, his parents being O. W. and Emily (Dow) Mckenzie. The father was a native of Essex county, New York, born March 8, 1825. His great-great-grandfather came from Scotland and settled in eastern New York, where he reared a family of seven children, namely: Alexander,
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Robert, Crosby, Sallie M., Ethel, Thomas and John. All of the sons were soldiers in the war of 1812 and the military record of the family was there- fore a most creditable one.
John Mckenzie took part in the battle of Plattsburg. He was born August 6, 1794, and died in Bureau county, Illinois, July 3, 1857. He was married on the 23d of February, 1815, to Miss Betsey Havens, who was born February 9, 1796, and passed away March 5, 1854. They became the parents of nine children: Hiram, Eliza, John M., Oliver W., DeLafayette, Lyman W., Lomira C., Robert and Chancy D. The parents with their chil- dren removed westward to Bureau county, Illinois, in the spring of 1846 and during the first summer lived upon a rented farm. In the fall of that year they built a log house with a board roof on section 7, Fairfield township, where the father had secured a claim. During the first years of their resi- dence in this pioneer home they hauled all the water used in the house in barrels from Woodford Bluff in Whiteside county, a distance of six miles. Such were some of the privations of pioneer life necessary to pave the way to the prosperity of later years. Two years after building his log cabin John Mckenzie hauled luniber from Chicago and built a frame house, in which he and his wife spent their remaining days. At that time Chicago was but a small town of little industrial or commercial importance and the most far- sighted could not have dreamed of the wonderful growth to which it would attain in less than a century. The crops were hauled to market there, for there were no railroads to supply easier transportation.
O. W. Mckenzie came to Illinois with his parents and took advantage of the opportunity offered by the government to secure a claim, obtaining one hundred and sixty acres on section 7, Fairfield township, of which he after- ward entered eighty acres, while his brother John entered the remaining cighty. They broke the first prairie where Yorktown now stands, hiring two yokes of oxen front Joseph Arnett at fifteen cents per day. Oliver W. McKen- zie afterward bought these oxen for ten dollars per head. With characteristic energy he continued the improvement and development of his eighty acres and to the farm moved a pole house which he had purchased for five dol- lars. Having thus made preliminary arrangements for a home of his own, he further completed these by his marriage, on the 20th of March, 1850, in Princeton, Illinois, to Miss Emily Dow, the eldest daughter of Witcher and Eunice (Bump) Dow, former residents of Cayuga county, New York, who in 1847 arrived in Bureau county, Illinois. Mrs. Dow was widely known as an excellent nurse and a woman of many splendid traits of character, who was loved by all. She was born December 7, 1806, at Mount Holly, Rutland coun- ty, Vermont, and died November 30, 1877. It was on the 27th of January, 1828, that she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Dow, with whom she trav- eled life's journey happily for nearly a half century. Mr. Dow was born in Danville, Vermont, October 13, 1804, and died in Illinois, Mày 30, 1882. They were the parents of eight children: Mrs. Emily Mckenzie, Mrs. Emaline Mckenzie, Benjamin F., Thomas, Edward W., Henry H., Mrs. Albina A. Greenman, and Clay Q. Of this family the first named, Emily Mckenzie, was born March 5, 1829, in Cattaraugus county, New York, and by her mar-
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riage became the mother of six children: Eliza E., Julia A., Raymond H., William E., Oliver W., and one who died in infancy.
Oliver W. Mckenzie was always a successful farmer and stock-raiser, whose carefully conducted interests brought him a creditable measure of success, so that at the time of his death he owned seven hundred and sixty acres of land, rich and productive. He was the first blacksmith and store- keeper of Yorktown, and was not only associated with its commercial and in- dustrial interests but also took an active part in political affairs in his locality. He was the first constable and assessor of Fairfield township, filling the former position for thirteen years, and in the discharge of his duties he manifested the utmost fidelity as well as capability. Active in business, he achieved a gratifying measure of prosperity and the methods which he followed won for him the respect and confidence of all.
R. H. Mckenzie, whose name introduces this record, remained with his father until he attained his majority, pursuing his education in the public schools and gaining intimate knowledge of the best methods of tilling the soil through the assistance which he rendered in carrying on the home farm. When he had reached adult age, he rented a part of his father's land for four years and then bought eighty acres in Bureau county. Removing to this farm, he made it his place of residence until 1890, when he located upon the old homestead belonging to his father and operated it for two years, thus relieving his father of all the care and labor connected with the cultivation of the place. There the father died July 22, 1891, having for about three years survived his wife, who passed away November 5, 1888. Following the death of the former, Mr. Mckenzie removed to Tampico, where he has since made his home. He is now the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of valuable and productive land in Bureau county, eighty acres in Whiteside county and ten acres of timberland in Henry county. He always handled stock while living upon the farm, keeping on hand high grades of horses, cattle and hogs and realizing a good profit from his annual sales. He has been associated with the business interests of Tampico as a progressive merchant, dealing in groceries and men's furnishing goods for six years and also conducting a meat market.
On the 12th of February, 1879, Mr. Mckenzie was married to Miss Lovina West, who was born in Whiteside county in 1859, a daughter of Isaac West, a native of the state of New York, and one of a family of three chil- dren. By her marriage she has become the mother of three children, two sons and one daughter: Roy E., who is a graduate of a business college at Galesburg, Illinois; Hazel F., who is in Aurora, this state; and Clyde, at home. The parents are consistent and faithful members of the Christian church and Mr. Mckenzie indicates his views upon the temperance question by the stal- wart support he gives to the prohibition party. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp at Tampico, to the Knights of the Globe, and to the Bankers Life, of Des Moines. He has always lived in this section of the state and is a representative of one of the oldest and most prominent pioneer families. His own record has been in harmony with that of the family and he stands for progressive citizenship, for integrity in business and for uprightness in every
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