USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 6
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of outside interests, but on the contrary have worked toward the upbuilding of a greater Sterling, generously supporting all that tends to public benefit. Without invidious distinction they may be classed with the foremost citizens of Whiteside county.
HENRY M. DETWEILER.
Henry M. Detweiler, who carries on general farming on section 14, Jordan township, is one of the native sons of Ohio, his birth having oc- eurred in that state on the 26th of October, 1835. He has, therefore, passed the seventy-second milestone on life's journey, and his has been an active and honorable career, in which unfaltering diligence has been followed by suc- cess.
His parents, Joseph and Mary (Myers) Detweiler, werc natives of Bueks county, Pennsylvania. Little is known concerning the ancestral history of the family save that the grandparents of Mr. Detweiler, in both the paternal and maternal lines, werc natives of the Keystone state, and the maternal· grand- father bore the name of William Myers. It was in 1821 that Joseph Det- weiler removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio, the journey being made with one four-horse team and one two-horse team, and on reaching his destination he unloaded his goods under a big oak tree in the deep woods. Shortly after- ward he purchased three hundred acres of timber land, which he at once began to clear and cultivate. Both he and his wife died in Ohio, where they had long resided as worthy and respected farming people. The only survivors of their family of nine children are Henry M., of this review; and Abraham, who is now residing in Maryland. Those deceased arc: William, who died in California; Sarah, who married Louis Yoder and died in Ohio; Samuel and Mary, who both died in that state; Joseph, who died near Freeport, Illi- nois; Hannah, who married Abraham Blosser and died in Ohio; and Eli, who also dicd in the Buckeye state.
Under the parental roof Henry M. Detweiler spent his boyhood, and lessons of industry and integrity were early impressed upon his mind. He acquainted himself with the best methods of carrying on the farm work, and thus brought practical experience to his duties when he began farming in this county, coming here from Ohio in 1860.
As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Detweiler chose Miss Magdalena G. Detweiler, whose parents spent their entire lives in Bucks county, Pennsylvania. She was also born in the Keystone state, and on the 21st of December, 1861, gave her hand in marriage to the subject of this re- view. Six children have been born to them, all of whom are vet living, namely: William D., who is the owner of a general store in Penrose, Illi- nois; Eliza J., wife of Martin Book, a farmer of Lee county; Amelia, the wife of Esson Waite, a farmer residing in Jordan township, Whiteside county ; Frank, a farmer living across the road from his father; Maggie, the wife of T. H. LeFevre, a farmer living in South Dakota; and Uriah, a telegraph operator at Conrad, Indiana.
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When Mr. Detweiler first settled in Jordan township, in 1860, he be- came the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of rich land, which was, however, but slightly improved at that time. Possessing energy and ambi- tion, he resolved to increase his holdings, and after some years added to the original purehase. He is now the owner of three hundred and forty-nine acres, all in one body and constituting one of the finest farms of the county. In its midst stands a comfortable and commodious residenee, together with large. barns and outbuildings, and everything is kept in a state of good re- pair. Fences divide the farm into fields of eonvenient size and the latest improved machinery is used in carrying on the work of the fields. He also has good buildings for his tenants and his farm is one of the model proper- ties of the twentieth century in Whiteside eounty.
Mr. Detweiler has long been a stanch republican, inflexible in his sup- port of the principles of the party. Mr. Detweiler is numbered among the most respected citizens of Jordan township, for there have been no chapters in his life history that are not worthy of respeet and good will. He has en- deavored to live peaeeably with his fellowmen, to recognize the rights and privileges of others, and as the years have passed he has achieved a measure . of success that indicates his unfaltering diligence in business affairs.
H. A. REYNOLDS.
H. A. Reynolds is numbered among the substantial citizens of White- side county, owning a valuable property comprising two hundred and thirty- five acres, situated on sections 1 and 2, Mount Pleasant township, which is now being operated by his two sons, M. W. and C. F. Reynolds. Mr. Rey- nolds was born in Rutland eounty, Vermont, January 14, 1836, a son of Raymond A. and Nancy B. (Wentworth) Reynolds, who, in 1855, removed from the east to this state, making a settlement in Kane county, where they lived for two years, subsequent to which time they settled in Whiteside eounty on the farm which is now the home of our subjeet. In his later years the father retired from agricultural life and removed to Unionville, where his death occurred in 1885, when he had reached the age of seventy- five years, while his wife survived for about two years, passing away in 1887 at about the same age. The father gave his political support to the demo- cratic party, and both he and his wife were consistent members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. The two daughters of the family are also deceased. Mrs. Clark Fisk, who made her home in Whiteside county throughout a long period had a son, Hon. Charles J. Fisk, who is now a supreme judge of North Dakota, making his home in Grand Forks. The other daughter was Mrs. Almon W. Champlin, whose husband was formerly identified with the agricultural life of Mount Pleasant township, but now resides in Clinton. Their two sons are prominent horse dealers of Clinton.
H. A. Reynolds, the only survivor of his father's family, was reared in Vermont and there acquired his education in the village schools. He also
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assisted his father in his blacksmith shop during the period of his youth, but sinee coming to Whiteside county has always been connected with farming interests. He was very sueeessful in his undertakings, and although his place at first comprised but seventy-five aeres, he has inereased its boundaries until he now owns two hundred and thirty-five aeres, all of which is under a good state of cultivation and is improved with modern and substantial residence and outbuildings. He is now practically living retired, the farm being eon- dueted by his two sons.
Mr. Reynolds was married at his present home to Miss Mary E. Rey- nolds, the wedding ceremony being performed on the 1st of January, 1862. Mrs. Reynolds was born in Pennsylvania, a daughter of Philip and Naney (Fisk) Reynolds, who settled in Whiteside county about the same time that the parents of our subjeet located here. Unto our subjeet and his wife have been born three children, but one died in infaney, the surviving members being: Martin W., who wedded Emily C. Hammer, by whom he has a daugh- ter, Edna Mae, and who makes his home with our subjeet; and Charles F., who was married to Miss Lillie A. James, who died about four years ago, leaving four daughters, Mabel, Pauline, Myrtle and Gladys. For his second wife Charles F. Reynolds chose Mrs. Margaret (Norrish) Houghtaling.
Mr. Reynolds gives his political support to the demoeratie party where na- tional issues are involved, but at local elections easts an independent ballot. In former years he worked industriously and energetieally and his efforts were riehly rewarded, so that now, at the age of seventy-two years, he is enabled to live retired in his pleasant country home, surrounded by many warm friends, who esteem him highly for his genuine personal worth.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HENDRICKS.
Benjamin Franklin Hendricks, of Morrison, serving for the third term as county superintendent of schools of Whiteside county, and recognized as one of the able educators of this section of the state, is a native of Pennsyl- vania, his birth having oeeurred in Lancaster county in 1851. His father, Ephraim D. Hendricks, was born in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, and was of Holland Dutch lineage. In early life he learned and followed the tailor's trade, and after his removal to Illinois, in 1851, he located on a farm in Sterling township, Whiteside county, where he carried on general agri- cultural pursuits until 1864. In that year he went to southern Illinois, where he spent a few years as an agriculturist, and afterward again located in Ster- ling township, where he followed farming until his removal to Kansas. His last days were spent in that state, his death occurring in 1904. He was an energetic farmer and in all of his business dealings was straightforward and reliable, so that he commanded the confidence and trust of his fellow- men to an unusual degree. He held membership in the Reformed Men- nonite ehureh. Ephraim Hendrieks was united in marriage to Miss Mary Rosenberger, who was of German lineage. She, too, belonged to the Re-
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formed Mennonite church, and died in that faith. In their family were five children: Allen R., a druggist of Sterling; Benjamin Franklin, of this re- view; Jacob R., who passed away carly in life; John R., who is a musician residing in Smithville, Arkansas; and Charles R., an agriculturist living ncar Cawker City, Kansas.
Benjamin F. Hendricks was reared in the usual manner of farm lads and supplemented his carly education, acquired in the common schools, by study in the Sterling high school. He began teaching in 1870, when a young man of nineteen years, and has since followed that profession with the ex- ception of one year, which was devoted to rest and recreation. He proved most capable in his work in the schoolroom, imparting clearly, concisely and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired, and in 1877 he re- ceived a state certificate. . He has been connected with the schools of Sterling, Erie, Rock Falls and Savanna. He is now serving for the fourth term as county superintendent of schools, having first been elected to the office in 1882 for a four years' term and re-elected in 1886. He continued in the office until 1889, when he resigned to accept the superintendency of the schools of Savanna, Illinois, where he remained for eight years, the educa- tional system there receiving marked impetus by reason of his practical and progressive idcas and labors. Hc then returned to Whiteside county and was re-elected county superintendent in 1902, since which time he has filled the office. He is alert and enterprising, constantly studying out new methods for the benefit of the schools and introducing ideas, the practical utility of which have been proven in the excellent results that have followed.
Professor Hendricks was married in 1876 to Miss Lillian E. Peck, who was born in Portage county, Ohio, in 1854. They had four children: Earl I., a physician of Lanark, Illinois, who is married and has one child; Clyde P., a dentist of Kalkaska, Michigan, also married; Hazel D., who is attend- ing Normal school at DeKalb; and Paul M., twin brother of Hazel, who died when but two years of age. The parents are members of the Presbyterian church, in the work of which they are deeply interested. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, while his political allegiance is given to the republican party. In the field of his chosen profession he has made constant progress and has gained a place of distinctive prominence as an educator of this part of the state.
WILLIAM H. SHAW.
William H. Shaw. a farm hand in his early youth, is now conducting a successful business in grain and coal in Lyndon, where he owns and oper- ates a large elevator. He was born in Tioga county, New York, August 21, 1850, but the following year was brought to Lyndon township, Whiteside county, with his parents, Henry B. and Rosina W. (Newton) Shaw. His paternal grandparents were William and Betsy (Talmage) Shaw, natives of Saratoga county, New York, where their entire lives were passed. The
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mother was an own cousin of Dr. De Witt Talmage, the noted divine, and was a daughter of Enos Talinage, who served for seven years in the patriot army in the Revolutionary war. William Shaw had a brother who was judge of the circuit court of Saratoga county, and he was the third in a family of four sons. The eldest brother, Thomas Shaw, had a family of twelve sons and onc daughter. The second brother, Robert Shaw, became a resident of New Jersey, and the youngest was William Shaw, grandfather of .our subject. All, however, are now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. William Shaw were born five children: Lucy, deccased; Elizabeth; William T., who has also passed away ; Henry B .; and Mary, deceased.
Henry B. Shaw was born in Tioga county, New York, November 12, 1826, and resided in his native county until 1850, when he came to the middle west and has since resided in Whiteside county. He was reared on a farm and after coming to Illinois purchased and secured land. His father had been a carpenter by trade, and Henry Shaw learned that business under his direction, but following his removal to the west, he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land at the bend in Lyndon township. This he improved, but after a time sold eighty acres, and later disposed of the remaining eighty acres. He then again en- gaged in carpentering. He brought some money with him on his removal from New York, but lost most of his property through the illness of his wife, which brought on heavy expenses. He then took up his trade and was identified with building operations in the county until he enlisted for service in the Civil war, on the 14th of August, 1862, becoming a member of Com- pany B, Seventy-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He then took part in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge and Look- out Mountain. Later he was transferred to the First United States Engineer Corps and saw no more fighting, but did equally valiant service for his coun- try during the succeeding eighteen months. After being with the engineers for about two weeks he was commissioned artificer and continued in that posi- tion until the close of the war, being honorably discharged July 3, 1865.
When the country no longer needed his aid at the front Henry B. Shaw returned home and worked at his trade as long as he was able, 'being a well known representative of building operations in Lyndon and the surrounding districts. His early political support was given to the democracy, but on the organization of the republican party he joined its ranks, and has since sup- ported the candidates at the head of its ticket with two exceptions, when he voted the greenback ticket. He is a valued member of Orson K. Hubbard Post, No. 749, G. A. R. of Lyndon, and is a member of the Methodist Epis- copał church. His life has been characterized by industry and activity, and in all things he has been guided by honorable principles. He was married on the 7th of February, 1846, to Miss Rosina W. Newton, who was born in Chenango county, New York, February 29, 1828, a daughter of Moses and Mehitable (Burlingame) Newton, whosc family numbered twelve children, all of whom were professional people with the exception of Mrs. Shaw. Mr. Shaw came to this county in 1850, and his wife joined him in 1851. Thus far more than a half century they have resided in the county and have witnessed the greater
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part of its development. They have lived together longer than any married couple in Whiteside county, having traveled life's journey as man and wife for sixty-three years. Their family numbered five children: Sophia, now the wife of J. F. Brumbley, of Lyndon; William H., of this review; Ida A., the wife of Jesse Troop, of Sterling; Clair V., who is living in Hume town- ship; and Lily, deceased.
William H. Shaw, whose name introduees this record, spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his parents' home, and from an early age has been dependent entirely upon his own resources. When but a boy he began earn- ing his own living by working as a farm hand, his father being away from home as a soldier in the Civil war. William H. Shaw continued his labors in the fields in the employ of others for six years, but was ambitious to en- gage in farming on his own account and, carefully saving his carnings, at length purchased one hundred and seventy acres of land on sections 17, 19 and 20, Lyndon township. With characteristie energy he began to cultivate and improve the fields, which he brought to a high state of fertility, so that he annually marketed good harvests. In 1890, however, he retired from the farın and took up his abode in Lyndon, where he established his present busi- ness as a dealer in grain and eoal. The new enterprise proved profitable, and in 1902 he built a large elevator with a capacity of twelve thousand bushels. In addition to his elevator property, he owns several houses and lots and a business building in Lyndon, which stand as monuments to his ability and enterprise and are tangible proof of his unwearied diligence.
In his political views Mr. Shaw is a stalwart republican, and his fellow townsmen have called him to a number of positions of public honor and trust. He has been school treasurer for the past fifteen years, and was as- sessor of his township for one term. Interested in the moral development of his community, he is an active and faithful member of the Congregational church, in which he is serving as deacon. His fraternal relations are with the Masonie lodge, No. 750, of which he is a past master, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Mystics. Almost his entire life has been passed in this county, and the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present is an indication that his has been an honorable eareer, well meriting the confidence and es- tecm of those with whom he has been brought in contact.
M. H. GLEASON.
M. H. Gleason, who is well known as a raiser of full blooded Hereford cattle and as a successful general agriculturist, who now owns and eultivates two hundred and forty acres of land on sections 25 and 36, Montmoreney township, is one of the worthy citizens that the Emerald isle has furnished to Whiteside county. His birth occurred in Ireland on the 24th of March, 1867, and after spending the first thirteen years of his life in his native country he came to America with his mother in 1880. They had heard fa-
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vorable reports concerning the opportunities here offered and, attracted thereby, sailed for the United States, becoming residents of Whiteside county. The father and one sister dicd in Ireland. The mother's death oceurred in 1907. In the family are seven living children: T. P., who is now in South Africa; John, a resident of Sterling; J. P., who is living in Seattle, Wash- ington; M. H., of this review; Mary, the wife of James Rourk, of Sterling; W. H., also living in Sterling; and Catherine, the wife of John Daley, whose home is in Freeport, Illinois. One daughter, Nora, is deceased.
M. H. Gleason remained at home with his mother until age proclaimed him a man grown, with all the responsibilities and duties of citizenship. He then started out in life for himself, and the occupation to which he was reared he determined to make his work. He rented a farm for five years, and during that time carefully saved his earnings until he felt justified in making purchase of two hundred and forty acres of land on sections 25 and 36, Montmorency township. He at once began its further development and improvement, and now has a fine farm, well equipped with good buildings and all modern machinery for facilitating the work of the fields. He like- wise makes a specialty of raising full blooded Hereford cattle, owning some of the best blooded eattle to be found in the county.
Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Gleason was married, in 1896, to Miss Anna M. Miller, and unto them were born seven children: Mary Irene, Clarence J., Edward, F. Lester, Walter L., John C. and Howard H. The parents are members of the Catholic church. Mr. Gleason has served as school director for ten years, and believes in providing good educational privileges to equip the young for life's practical and responsible duties. He also filled the office of justice of the peace, and his decisions were strictly fair and impartial. He is not allied with any political party, supporting men and measures rather than a political organization, and standing stanchily in de- fense of whatever he believes to be for the public welfare.
GEORGE W. CHAMBERLAIN.
George W. Chamberlain was the eldest of four children, the others being farmer and stock-raiser of Lyndon township, passed away on the 3d of May, 1900. He was born in Monterey, Steuben county, New York, January 30, 1835, a son of Jason and Mary (Goodrich) Chamberlain, who were natives of Worcester county, Massachusetts, their early life being spent in Petersham. Reared and married in that state, they afterward went to New York and in 1857 the father arrived in Whiteside county, Illinois, the mother having died in the Empire state. Mr. Chamberlain was married a second time and carried on general agricultural pursuits until his death in 1880.
George W. Chamberlain was the eldest of four children, the others being Mrs. Mary Cole, a resident of Osage, Iowa; Sylvester, who is living at Amboy, Illinois; and Lucy Loring, deceased. Until twenty-one years of age George W. Chamberlain remained in the Empire state and then came alone to the middle west in 1856, being joined the following year by his parents. He
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GEORGE W . CHAMBERLAIN
LIBRARY OF THE
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settled first in Hopkins township, where he resided until 1884, identified with the agricultural interests of this part of the state. In that year he went to South Dakota with his family and settled in McPherson county, where he owned and controlled extensive farming interests, spending twelve years in the northwest. In 1896 he returned to this county and took up his abode in Lyndon township, where he continued to reside until his life's labors were ended in death, on the 4th of May, 1900. He left an estate there of three hundred acres, the farm lying on sections 13 and 14, Lyndon township. While carrying on his farm he made a study of the feeding and raising of cattle and horses and his business interests were carefully and successfully managed.
At the time of the Civil war Mr. Chamberlain, his sympathies thor- oughly aroused in behalf of the Union, enlisted in August, 1861, as a mem- ber of Company A, Thirty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He took part in fourteen important battles and also the siege of Vicksburg. He was never wounded nor in the hospital, but was always found at his post of duty, taking part in long, hard marches as well as in battles, or serving his turn on the lonely picket linc. He continued at the front for several months after the cessation of hostilities, being mustered out in December, 1865. Hc after- ward became a member of the Grand Army Post in South Dakota and thus maintained pleasant relations with his old army comrades. While living . in that section of the country he was also an active factor in political circles. From the time when age conferred upon him the right of franchise he gave unfaltering allegiance to the republican party, and while in the northwest served as president of the board of supervisors of McPherson county, filled other positions and was frequently chosen as a delegate to the party conven- tions. No trust reposed in him was ever betrayed in the slightest degree. On the contrary he was as loyal in citizenship as when he followed the old flag on southern battlefields and was equally faithful to the obligations which devolved upon him.
It was not long after his return from the war that Mr. Chamberlain was married in 1867 to Miss Olive Roe, who was born in Sharon township, Rich- land county, Ohio, June 22, 1841, and in 1864 came with her parents to Whiteside county, the family home being established in Lyndon township. Mrs. Chamberlain is a daughter of Thomas and Curcurence (Orton) Cham- berlain, the former a native of Richland county, Ohio, and the latter of Monroe county, New York. They were married in the Buckeye state and from 1864 continued residents of Whiteside county until called to their final rest, the father at the age of seventy-three years, the mother at the age of sixty-seven. She was of Connecticut parentage, while Mr. Roe's people came from Orange county, New York. His grandfather, Thomas Roe, was a soldier of the American army in the Revolutionary war and, being cap- tured, was sent as a prisoner to England, where he remained for a year. His son Thomas served in the war of 1812 under General William Henry Harri-' son. Unto Thomas and Curcurence Roc were born four children: Mrs. Chamberlain; Margaret Jane, the wife of Henry Wilser, of Lyndon town-
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