USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 58
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On the 8th of January, 1898, Mr. Wheelock was married to Mrs. Eliza- betli Swarthout, the widow of E. 1. Swarthout and a daughter of Tra and
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Mary E. (Grimes) Sherwood. Mrs. Wheelock was born in Lyndon, Illinois, in 1872 and for three years conducted a millinery store at Rock Falls, this , county. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania and died June 3, 1895. He served his country as a soldier in the Civil war. His widow, a native of Ohio, still survives and is now living with her children. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wheel- oek have been born two sons: George Harold, born July 20, 1899; and How- ard Andrew, born February 21, 1905. Mrs. Wheelock is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and both are highly esteemed in the community where they reside. Politically Mr. Wheelock is a democrat and is now serv- ing as school director. The honors and emoluments of office, however, have had little attraction for him, as he has always preferred to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs which, under his capable direction, have brought to hiin a goodly measure of success. He has worked earnestly and persistently and his unwearied industry constitutes a strong factor in bring- ing to him the return which now numbers him among the substantial resi- dents of Erie township.
JOHN L. THOMPSON.
John L. Thompson, now one of the prosperous and prominent agricul- turists of Whiteside county, living on section 15, Fenton township, was born on the banks of the Rock river in a little log cabin, March 26, 1852. He is descended from old New England ancestry, his great-grandfather in the paternal line being a native of Vermont and one of the heroes of the Revo- lutionary war, serving with the American army. When victory crowned the American arms and peace was declared he removed to what was then the "far west," settling upon the frontier in the state of New York. He became one of the pioneer settlers of Steuben county and purchased timber land from the Holland company, included in the celebrated `Holland purchase. As the years passed he developed a farm, which remained his home for many years. In the evening of life he went to Ohio and made his home with his son Reu- ben, with whom he continued for two years, after which he returned to the Empire state, residing there until called to his final rest.
Reuben Thompson, the grandfather of John L. Thompson, was born in Steuben county, New York, and about 1815 went to Ohio, taking up his abode in Meigs county. There he was married to Miss Philinda Kent on the 20th of October, 1816, and they were identified with the carly development of the Buckeye state until 1839, when they again journeyed toward the "far west." 'After a brief period spent in Whiteside county, Illinois, they con- tinued on their way to Iowa, where Reuben Thompson made a claim on Mill ereek in Adair county. Following the erection of a log house he began the cultivation and improvement of the farm. He returned to Illinois, where he expected to meet his brother Harvey, who had to take supplies to Iowa but on reaching his destination he learned that his brother had gone to Chi- eago with his teams to engage in hauling flour from that city to Prairie du
MR .. AND MRS. R. M. THOMPSON
LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA
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Chien, Wisconsin. This necessitated Reuben Thompson abandoning his trip to Ohio for his family. He had been accompanied to the west by his sons Elias K. and Reuben M. On returning to Illinois he had left one of his sons in Iowa in charge of a drove of hogs, which they had taken with them on their first trip to that state. In the spring of 1841 Reuben Thompson made his way to the Buckeye state, then brought his family to Whiteside county, Illinois, entering a claim on section 35, Fenton township. As the years passed he continued the work of developing and improving his prop- erty and was always a leader in the work of progressive agriculture. He set out about two hundred and fifty fruit trees on his land and made many other substantial improvements superior to those found on most of the farms of the early days. His first wife had died in 1827. There had been five chil- dren of that marriage. The father was afterward married to Mrs. Esther McMillan Robinson, a widow, and they, too, had several children. His sec- ond wife has passed away and the death of Reuben Thompson, the grand- father of our subject, occurred in 1850.
Reuben Mather Thompson, the father of John L. Thompson, was born in Salem township, Meigs county, Ohio, December 27, 1825, and was four- teen years of age when his father took him to Iowa. He there aided in im- proving the property which his father procured, and in the winter of 1839-40 he was left alone in Iowa to care for the stock during the absence of his father, who had expected to arrange to bring his family to the middle west. He was three miles from any other habitation and had nothing to eat but corn, which he hulled. The winter seemed a very hard and long one, and in fact the situation was a difficult one for a boy of his years. But like most of the boys of the frontier he possessed excellent determination and adapta- bility which enabled him to make the best of his circumstances. In 1841 he came to Whiteside county and associated with Charles Clarke, put in a crop on section 31, Fenton township to raise feed for the stock the succeed- ing winter. In December of 1841 the other members of the family also came to Whiteside county. Reuben M. Thompson assisted in the develop- ment of. the home farm until he attained his majority, when he entered into a contract with an early pioneer settler, J. M. Pratt, whereby he was to re- ceive forty acres of land in exchange for his labor in splitting rails. He also earned money by working in the neighborhood and with the increased cap- ital he purchased additional land. In the spring of 1842 he spent a short time in Black Hawk county, Iowa.
On Christmas day of that year Reuben M. Thompson was married to Miss Matilda S. Dodge, a daughter of John B. Dodge, a prominent pioneer settler, who arrived in Whiteside county in 1837, establishing his home in Mount Pleasant township. He was a man of strongly marked character who left the impress of his individuality upon the pioneer history of the county. He was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, for he passed away in 1843, at the age of thirty-five years. He had in the meantime done effective work toward planting the seeds of civilization upon the frontier, and had served his country as a soldier in the Black Hawk war. His wife bore the maiden name of Lydia B. Smith.
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Following his marriage, Reuben Mather Thompson and his bride located on a farm which was long his home, beginning their domestic life in a log cabin, which was first occupied by his father's family. Later they removed to a new frame dwelling erected on the northeast corner of section 35, Fen- ton township. As the years passed Mr. Thompson prospered in his under- takings and became one of the largest landowners of this section of the state, having more than two thousand acres at the time of his death, which occurred November 20, 1900. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, he was also largely interested in raising fine stock and con- ducted both a dairy and creamery, the excellence of his product insuring a ready sale on the St. Louis market. In community affairs he was promi- nent and influential and was called to a number of local offices, being first constable of Fenton township, where he also served as collector. He was su- pervisor for several terms, filling that position at the time of the Civil war. Unto him and his wife were born ten children, eight of whom reached adult age: Philinda, the wife of Lewis Ewing; John L., whose name introduces this review; Albert L., who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume; Clara, the wife of Marvin Fadden; Vora; Leona M .; Ray; and Henry Clay. Two chil- dren, James A. and Frank E., are both deceased. The mother passed away April 20, 1878, and Mr. Thompson afferward married Amanda McMillan, a. daughter of William and Nancy (Butler) McMillan, and the widow of H. P. White, of New Hampshire. He continued an honored and leading resident of Whiteside county for almost six decades and passed away in 1900, re- spected by all who knew him. His life record may well serve as a source of inspiration to others, for, although the conditions of his life in early youth were those of the frontier, hardships and privations being incident to his early experience here, in the course of years he made such progress that he was numbered among the wealthy agriculturists of this portion of the state, having extensive landed interests.
John L. Thompson, son of Reuben Mather Thompson, has spent his entire life in Fenton township, and his attention has continuously been given to general farming and stock-raising. The farm upon which he now resides was purchased by his father in 1870, and is known as the old Harmon farm. On attaining his majority John L. Thompson took up his abode upon this place. For three years he rented land of his father in connection with his brother-in-law, H. L. Ewing, and his sister. On the expiration of that period he returned home, where he spent one summer and then again rented land. In this way he gained a start in life and with his earnings, which he had saved, purchased two hundred acres of land from his father on the bottoms, north of the old family home. After two years he traded that tract for a part of the farm upon which he now lives. He has made his home thereon continuously since, or for a period of twenty-nine years, and has extended the boundaries of his place by additional purchase until he now has a valu- able farm of four hundred acres. This is all in one body, and while the home is situated on section 15, portions of the farm extend to sections 22 and 23, Fenton township. When he took possession a hewed log house sixteen by thirty-two feet stood on the farm, and is still seen here today, being one of
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the oldest dwellings in this section of the state and one of the landmarks which indicate the progress that has been made sinee the pioneers elaimed the land and began the work of civilization here. In the summer of 1890 Mr. Thompson ereeted his present fine home, a fourteen room residenee, built in modern style of architecture and equipped with all modern convenienees and accessories. - It is one of the finest homes in Fenton township, if not the finest; being among the best country residenees in the county. It stands on an elevation, commanding a splendid view of the surrounding country. The broad lawn is adorned with many fine arbor vitae trees, tastefully trimmed, and flowers and shrubs also add to the beauty and attractiveness of the place. All of the barns, sheds and eribs have been built by Mr. Thompson, and there is no feature of the model farm of the twentieth century laeking. In addi- tion to tilling the soil, Mr. Thompson is widely known as a raiser of short- horn eattle, having about thirty-five head in his herd. He also raises about. one hundred and fifty head of hogs per year. Roek ereek erosses his farm in the front of his home and offers a pleasing feature in the landscape.
On the 23d of December, 1880, was celebrated the marriage of John L. Thompson and Miss Carrie E. Hamlin, who was born in Erie, Whiteside county, February 16, 1861. Her parents were Sylvester Benjamin and Naney (McGarr) Hamlin. Her father was born in Elmira, New York, June 30, 1818, while the mother's birth oeeurred at Sandy Creek, Pennsylvania, September 5, 1826. They were married at the latter place, March 12, 1844, and after residing for a time in Ohio beeame residents of Erie, Illinois. Mrs. Thompson is the sixth in order of birth in a family of seven ehildren, the others being: Oliver C., now a resident of Peoria, and county engineer of Peoria county, Illinois, who married Susan Aldapher, by whom he had four children, of whom two died in infancy; Ammi Rogers, a street railway eon- ductor of Milwaukee, Wiseonsin, who wedded Luey V. Roe, by whom he has two sons, Fred N. and Roy; Alfred Albert, who died in youth; Addie E. the wife of John B. Wood, a resident of Fenton, this county, by whom she. has five children: Harry, Carrie N. and Callie E., twins, Fred and Willis; Ida Ellen, who departed this life at the age of twelve years; and Frank B. who wedded Mary Anna Mutsehler, and follows farming near Erie.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson has been blessed with two sons : Roy J., born January 13, 1885; and Matt C., born May 20, 1888. Both are at home with their parents and assist the father in earrying on the farm. The family is one of prominence in the community. The student of history eannot carry his investigations into the annals of Whiteside county without learning that the Thompsons have figured prominently in connection with the events which have shaped its poliey and molded its upbuilding and the work which was instituted by the grandfather and continued by the father is now being carried on by the son, who today stands as one of the most prominent agrieulturists of this region. He is a Bryan demoerat, unfaltering in his allegianee to the party. He belongs to the Christian ehureh at Erie, of which he has been trustee for a number of years, and he likewise holds membership relations with Ewing Lodge, No. 175, M. W. A., with the Royal Neighbors and the Mystie Workers.
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Mr. Thompson owns a ten-acre tract of timber land on section 19, Fen- ton township and a farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 17, Lyndon township, so that his total possessions aggregate five hundred and thirty acres. His memory constitutes a connecting link between the primi- tive past and the progressive present. His entire life, covering fifty-six years, has here been spent. He can well remember when the Indians were still to be found in this part of the state and "Big John" and his squaw took dinner with his father's family. The red men often called at the Thompson home and were given food. Mr. Thompson saw about seven hundred encamped at Indian Island in the northeast corner of Fenton township. He also re- lates the story of how an old Indian came to his father and borrowed a big iron kettle in which to boil soup and carried it to his camp on his head, a distance of a mile and a half. When a small boy he went to an Indian hab- itation and had breakfast with some of the red men that were encamped near his home. Seeing the squaw baking the cakes, like most boys, his appetite became an insistent factor in his life just then, and he gladly shared in the offer to partake of food. Events which to the majority of Whiteside county's settlers are matters of history are to him, matters of personal experience either as a witness or as a participant in the events. As the years have gone by he has aided in reclaiming this district and bringing it to its present state of improvement and by the development of the natural resources of the state he has derived substantial benefits to reward his earnest and persistent labor.
ALBERT L. THOMPSON.
No history of Whiteside county would be complete without extensive and prominent reference to the Thompson family, of which Albert L. Thompson is a representative. The name has been associated with the progress and development of this part of the state from a very early period in its settle- ment by the white race. Indians were still numerous here when his parents took up their abode within its borders and there were still many evidences of pioneer life and experiences when Albert L. Thompson came into this world on the 13th of July, 1857, his birth occurring on the old family homestead in Fenton township. He still lives in this township, being now located a half mile south of the village of Fenton on section 15. His place is known as the Rock View stock farm and is one of the valuable and desirable prop- erties of this portion of the state. He was reared to farm life while spending his boyhood days in the home of his parents, Reuben M. and Matilda S. (Dodge) Thompson.
The father, a native of Meigs county, Ohio, was born December 27, 1825, and in the year 1839 made his way westward to Whiteside county, Illinois, in company with a brother and their father, who also bore the name of Reuben Thompson. He stopped first at Union Grove Mill and during the fall of that year made his way to Iowa, where the winter was passed. In the
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spring he returned to Whiteside county and settled in what is now Fenton township, where he continued to make his home for many years. The county lost one of its most honored and valued pioneer settlers, when on the 20th of November, 1900, he was called to his final rest. In early days he experienced all the difficulties incident to the reclamation of wild land and to the establishment of a home upon the frontier, but his indefatigable labor brought him success as time passed by and he became the owner of two thou- sand acres of land in Fenton and Lyndon townships. While he led a busy, active and useful life in the control of his business, he also found time to participate in measures and movements relative to the public welfare. He took an active interest in Farmers' Institutes and in all that pertained to the agricultural development of the community. He helped to organize insti- tutes at Pratt, Delhi and Fenton.
Pleasantly situated in his home life, Reuben M. Thompson wedded Miss Matilda S. Dodge, a native of Stark county, Illinois, and unto them were born the following named: Esther Philinda, John L., James Amasa, Albert Levi, Clara Lydia, Francis Eli, Rhoda M., Eva Leona, Martin Ray and Henry Clay. A more extended mention of the Thompson family and ancestry is given on another page of this volume in connection with the sketch of John L. Thompson.
In December, 1878, Albert L. Thompson was married to Miss Myra Plummer, a daughter of William and Rachel (Teneyck) Plummer. Her father was born in Bowling Green, Kentucky, September 1, 1812, and de- parted this life September 2, 1852. The mother's birth occurred in Frank- fort, Kentucky, January 31, 1822. Mr. Plummer operated a woolen factory in Ohio and Illinois. His family numbered four children: Jane, the wife of William Davis, of Erie; Theodore, also a resident of Erie; Mrs. Albert L. Thompson, of Fenton; and Josiah, who lives in Superior, Dixon county, Iowa. The birth of Mrs. Thompson occurred in Chillicothe, Ohio, April 1, 1849. In the spring of 1850 her parents removed to Burlington, Iowa, but after a short time went to Warren county, Illinois, and at the age of four years Mrs. Thompson came to Whiteside county, her father's death having occurred in Warren county. She was reared near Erie and by her marriage has become the mother of three children: Emmett C., born August 1, 1880, married Agnes Roren and resides in Chicago. Bertha, born June 28, 1882, is the wife of Frank Cocking, a resident of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Emery E., born May 11, 1884, is also located in Chicago. The children were pro- vided with good educational advantages, all three having attended the Port Byron Academy, while Emmett and Bertha graduated from that institution. Subsequently all attended the Oberlin College at Oberlin, Ohio, Emmett graduating therefrom.
Albert L. Thompson is independent in his political views, although he was reared in the faith of the republican party. He keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and casts an independent ballot. He has held the offices of school trustee and school director and the cause of educa- tion finds in him a stalwart champion. Fraternally he is connected with Ewing Camp, No. 75, M. W. A., while he and his wife belong to Fenton
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Lodge, No. 45, of the Mystie Workers, having joined at the time of its organ- ization. They are also members of the Christian church at Eric and their lives are actuated by high and honorable principles and worthy motives. Their influence is always given on the side of right and progress, of justice and truth. The name of Thompson has ever been an honored one in the county and the record of our subject is one, which reflects credit upon an un- tarnished family record.
JAMES A. QUADE.
A valuable farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 10, Erie town- ship. pays tribute to the care and labor which James A. Quade, its owner, bestows upon it. He was born in this township September 30, 1868, his parents being John and Enima (Hamilton) Quadc. The father, a native of Germany, was born in 1832 and came to America in 1848 when a youth of sixteen years. He made his way westward to Chicago and in the vicinity of that city worked as a farm hand for several years, thus providing for his liv- ing at an early day. In 1861, in company with a companion, he drove some cattle and hogs from Chicago to this county and after reaching his destina- tion was employed as a farm hand in this county for two years. Ambitious to own a farnı of his own, he saved his earnings and in 1863 invested in one hundred and twenty aeres of land on section 22, Erie township. With Charac- teristic energy he began to eultivate the fields and improve his property and as the years passed transformed it into a good farm; this farm he disposed of save 54 aeres, to which he afterward added a tract of eighty-seven acres. He was one of the men who ran down the Philips and Brown gang, a band of horse thieves, capturing the men and sending them to Joliet. They stole a steer, a wateh and one hundred dollars in cash from Mr. Quade. Philips re- formed and after being released from the penitentiary was for some time in the employ of Mr. Quade. In early manhood the latter wedded Miss Emma Hamilton, who was born in Erie township, Whiteside county, and throughout the period of their married life they resided in this locality, their many good qualities winning for them the respect of all who knew them. The father died June 16, 1907, leaving to his family not only an excellent farm but also the priccless heritage of an untarnished namc. His widow still survives and is yet a resident of the village of Erie. Their family numbered six children: James A .; Julia and John, both at home; Nora, the wife of Charles Conrad, a resident farmer of Erie township; and two who are now deceased.
James A. Quade remained with his father upon the old homestead farm until twenty-five years of age and when a youth of about six years began liis education as a publie-school student. He afterward attended school in Gene- seo, Illinois, and when not occupied with his text-books he assisted his father in the operation of the home farm, so that his early training in agricultural lines well qualified him to carry on farming on his own account in later years. Leaving home at the age of twenty-five, he rented a farm which he cultivated
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for eight years and then purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 10, Erie township. It has since been his place of abode and he has extended its boundaries by the purchase of an adjoining tract of eighty acres, so that he now has in his home farm two hundred and forty acres of as fine land as can be found in Whiteside county. He has transformed it into a valuable property and everything about the place is indicative of his care and supervision.
Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Quade was married March 21, 1894, to Miss Amelia Glatthaar who was born in Henry county, Illinois, January 15, 1873. Iler father is now deceased, while her mother resides in Geneseo, this state. Their family numbered six children, while unto Mr. and Mrs. Quade have been born two children: Flossie V. and Millard.
Mr. Quade votes with the democracy and is recognized in this community as a stalwart champion of the party. He has served as school trustee for fif- teen years and matters of public moment elicit his deep interest and secure his active cooperation. He is a member of the Domestic Workers Lodge, No. 5, at Erie, and of the Modern Woodmen Camp, No. 43, at Hillsdale, Illinois. Starting out in life on his own account, the success that Mr. Quade has achieved is attributable entirely to his own efforts, and the assistance of liis estimable wife, who lias indeed been a companion and helpmate to him on life's journey. They are now the owners of a valuable farming property whichi returns to them a good income.
EDWARD O. PETERSON.
Edward O. Peterson, who is residing upon the old homestead farm, which he is now successfully cultivating on section 26, Tampico township, was born in Whiteside county, November 13, 1878. His parents, Ola and Karna Pet- erson, were natives of Sweden and came to the United States in 1868, set- tling first in Bureau county, Illinois, where the father cultivated a rented farm for twenty years. During that time his careful expenditure and well directed energy brought him success and he invested the money that he had saved in one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 26, Tampico town- ship, and at once began its development and improvement. Upon that prop- erty he built a fine residence and outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock and brought his land under a high state of cultivation. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Peterson were born eight children : Peter, who is now living in Bureau county ; Albert, who is engaged in the real-estate business in Chicago; Car- rie, who is living with her widowed mother in the village of Tampico; Nelson, whose home is in De Kalb county; Frank, who is located in Minnesota; Ed- ward O .; Swan, deceased; and Karl, at home. The father died July 16, 1895, while the mother now resides in the village of Tampico.
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