USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 60
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The Rev. Christian Summy, of the Reformed church, is a son of Chris- tian Summy, Jr., and their descendants live in Iowa. Henry lived and died in Lancaster county, and he had two sons, Allen and Levi. The former died without male issue and the latter had daughters and one son, James Buchanan Summy, a printer, of Philadelphia.
The eldest son of Jacob and Barbara Summy was born in Earl township, Lancaster county, and married Mary Scherek in 1765. Their children were Peter, Elizabetlı and John. Disposing of their part of the original planta-
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tion in Earl, they bought a farm in East Hemfield, Lancaster county, where the wife died. By a subsequent marriage to Anna Newcomer the father had six children: Christian, Margaret, Jacob, David, Nancy and Henry.
Peter Summy, the first born of John and Mary Summy, was born at Earl, October 17, 1766, married Barbara Long, of Raplio, and lived at Hem- field. Their children were Maria, Elizabeth, Barbara and John, of whom Elizabeth married a Mr. Long, of Manheim township, and had two sons. John married a Miss Swan, and their children were: John, Peter, Chris- tian, Elizabeth, Jacob, David, Daniel and Henry.
Grant S. Landis was educated in the schools of Rock Falls and was reared in the usual manner of farm lads of the period, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors of the fields. He was married on the 23d of December, 1886, to Miss Anna Dickson, a daughter of John and Annie (Campbell) 'Dickson. Her father was of Scotch descent, but spent his early life in England and thenee came to America. He was employed for many years by the Keystone Company, of Rock Falls. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Landis have been born four children, of whom three are living, namely: Helen D., Chester LeRoy and Grant Alva.
Mr. Landis is one of the enterprising men of Whiteside county, care- fully conducting his business interests and at all times manifesting an integ- rity and reliability that have won for him the highest regard. He votes the republican ticket and is now serving as school director, but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. He and his family are connected with the Methodist church, and Mr. Landis is a member of Rock Falls Lodge, No. 590, I. O. O. F. His mother still lives with him and is a re- markably well preserved woman for one of her years. She is also a most interesting character, descended from a long-lived race, and tracing her lineage back across the centuries. Mr. Landis, having spent his entire life in this county, is one of its well known citizens and has witnessed much of its growth and development, while in the work of agricultural progress he has borne his part and in other ways has contributed to the substantial up- building and improvement of the county.
JOHN HENRY SNYDER.
John Henry Snyder, who is classed with the alert, wideawake and en- terprising merchants of Morrison, is engaged in the drug business and also derives a considerable income from investments in real estate. Of determined spirit and strong purpose, he carries forward to successful completion what- cver he undertakes, allowing no obstaeles to bar his path if they can be overcome by determined and honorable effort.
Mr. Snyder is a native of Argusville, Sehoharie county, New York, born August 16, 1840, and is one of the four children of Janics and Nancy (Runkle) Snyder, both of whom were natives of the Empire state. Tlie fatlier, who was born in Scholarie county in 1808, followed merchandising
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for many years and died in 1900. His wife has also passed away. Their children were: Mary, the wife of L. H. Robertson; Harriet N .; John H .; and James A.
John Henry Snyder was reared to farm life in Mount Pleasant township, Whiteside eounty, Illinois, and in the country seliools mastered those branehes of learning which usually constitute the eurrieulum of the publie sehool. During periods of vacation he worked in the fields, and after putting aside his text-books he remained upon the farm until twenty years of age, when he beeame eonneeted with commcreial pursuits as a elerk in a dry-goods store. After four years spent in that way he beeame an equal partner in the firm with William M. and Charles Spears, the business being then conduetcd under the firm style of Spears Brother & Company. Mr. Snyder remained with this eoneern for four years longer, when he went to Clarenee, Iowa, where he was engaged in the dry-goods business for eight years in eonnee- tion with his brother, James A., under the firm style of Snyder Brothers. The business was carried on at that place for twenty years after John H. Snyder returned to Morrison, being in charge of James A. Snyder. Re- turning to Morrison, Mr. Snyder of this review in 1876 again engaged in the dry-goods business with his brother James as a member of the firm, under the style of Snyder Brothers, and the store was suecessfully eondueted until 1886, when the store in Iowa and the one in Morrison were elosed out and the partnership was discontinued.
Later John H. Snyder formed a partnership with A. R. Lewis for the eonduet of a drug store under tho style of J. H. Snyder & Company, a rela- tion that was maintained until 1900, when Mr. Snyder bought out his partner's interest and condueted the business alone until January, 1907, when Paul F. Boyd aequired a half interest in the business, that is now earried on under the firm style of J. H. Snyder & Company. At one time Mr. Snyder had large landholdings, but now leases these. He has an at- traetive modern residenee in Morrison and also owns the business bloek which he oecupies, and which he built in 1894. It is a two-story structure with pressed briek front, twenty-seven by one hundred and forty-five feet. It has plate glass windows throughout and hardwood finish. It is thoroughly modern in its equipment and appointment, and would be a eredit to a eity of muen larger size.
On the 10th of July, 1867, Mr. Snyder was married to Miss Mary Fur- long, who was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, in 1847, and died November 30, 1907. Her parents were John and Sarah Furlong, who eame to Illinois in 1855, settling at Morrison, the father being eonneeted with the construction company of the Chieago & Northwestern Railroad Company. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have been born two daughters: Jessie H., who was born in Clarenee, Iowa, and is now the wife of James A. Anguish, a merehant of Morrison; and Aline, also a native of Clarenee, Iowa, and now the wife of Herbert N. Boyd, a commission merehant of Cheyenne, Wyoming. They have two children, Kathryne H. and Isabel.
Mrs. Snyder was a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Snyder belongs to the Masonie fraternity in its various branehes and is a republican
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in politics. He manifests a citizen's interest in the political questions and issues of the day, and in community affairs he gives active cooperation to many movements which have for their object the benefit and welfare of the community. Throughout his entire life he has been watchful of oppor- tunities pointing to success and at all times has displayed an aptitude for successful management.
ORRIN M. BENT.
Orrin M. Bent, now a resident of Morrison, but formerly identified with its farming and stock-raising interests, in which connection he conducted a successful business, claims New York as the state of his nativity, his birth having there occurred in Lewis county, August 26, 1842. His father, Lemuel M. Bent, also born. in Lewis county, died in February, 1905, at the very venerable age of eighty-eight years. His father and the father of Charles Bent were cousins. Lemuel M. Bent followed farming as a life work and in the year 1858 came to Illinois, settling in Union Grove township, White- side county. He had previously visited the state in 1839 and had taken up his abode in La Salle, where he lived for a year. He afterward returned to the east and did not make a permanent location in the state until almost twenty years later, although he spent the winter of 1849 in Whiteside county. On locating here he bought land in Union Grove township, and with char- acteristic energy began its development and improvement, bringing the fields ander a high state of cultivation. All of his business affairs were carefully managed and he continued in the active work of the farm until 1882, when he retired and spent his remaining days in Morrison in the enjoyment of well earned ease. His political views were given to the republican party, while in his social relations he was a Mason and was in hearty sympathy with the purposes and spirit of the craft. He married Betsy Parks, who was born in Jefferson county, New York, in 1818, and died in February, 1892. She was a member of the Universalist church and a lady of many good traits of heart and mind. The family numbered but two children, the younger be- ing Adelaide, the wife of Samuel R. Hall, a retired farmer of Morrison.
Orrin M. Bent spent the days of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof, and when not receiving intellectual training in the public schools he was largely engaged in farm work. He afterward continued his studies in Mount Carroll and when his education was completed he con- centrated his energics upon farming interests in Union Grove township, where he remained until 1891, when he removed to Morrison. He was quite successful as an agriculturist and still owns two hundred and twenty acres in Union Grove township, upon which he raises cattle and graded stock. His business judgment is sound and reliable and his enterprise and industry have constituted the salient characteristics in his business advancement.
In 1866 Mr. Bent was united in marriage to Miss Frances Twining, who was born in Jefferson county, New York, in 1849, a daughter of William F.
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ORRIN M. AND LEMUEL M. BENT
LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA
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and Malinda Twining, who came to this state in the fall of 1863 and settled in Union Grove township, where the father became a prosperous agricul- turist. Both he and his wife, however, are now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bent has been born a daughter, Lottie F., whose natal day was in De- cember, 1866. She is a native of Union Grove township and became the wife of Richard Z. Tilton, by whom she had four children, two now living. Mrs. Tilton now resides with her father.
Mr. Bent votes the republican ticket, but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him. He has always preferred to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, and in this regard has met with signal sue- cess. He early came to realize that there is no royal road to wealth and did not hesitate to perform his duties day after day to the best of his ability with the result that he is a prosperous and well known eitizen of Whiteside county.
FRANCIS M. CRANDALL.
Francis M. Crandall owns and cultivates a farm of one hundred and eighty-seven aeres in Erie township, and with his grain raising also engages in the raising of stock with good success. He was born in Whiteside county, April 27, 1849, his parents being Lafayette and Lovina (Rowe) Crandall. They were both natives of the state of New York, and with their respective parents came to Whiteside county, Illinois, in 1835. Lafayette Crandall secured a tract of government land, which he entered as a elaim, and erected thereon a log cabin, in which he lived in true pioneer style during the formative epoch in the history of the county. The family were living here at the time of the great eyelone of 1841, which destroyed the house and buildings upon the farm, killing two of the brothers of Mrs. Crandall and injuring several other children. For many years Lafayette Crandall con- tinued in active identification with the agricultural development of this part of the state and was then ealled to his final rest, passing away February 13, 1898. His widow still survives and is yet living on the old homestead farm, at the age of eighty-one years.
Franeis M. Crandall is the elder of two sons, his brother, George W., being also a resident of Erie township. He remained with his father upon the homestead farm until twenty-one years of age and in the meantime at- tended the public schools for the acquirement of a knowledge of those branches of the English language which qualify one for the transaction of business and for meeting life's responsible duties. When he had reached man's estate Mr. Crandall started out in life on his own account and for ten years cultivated rented land. During that period he carefully saved his carnings and as the years passed added to his capital. He now owns one hundred and eighty-seven aeres of land in Erie township, where he resides. This he improved, making it an excellent farm property of the locality, and he also owns fifty-five acres in Rock Island county, Illinois. While cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, he also raises con-
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siderable stoek of good grades, and this branch of his business is proving profitable.
On Christmas day of 1872 Mr. Crandall was married to Miss Helen Stevenson, who was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1851, a daughter of Joseph and Sapphire (Berkershaw) Stevenson, who came to America in 1857, first establishing their home in Iowa, where they lived for nine years, when they erossed the Mississippi river into Rock Island county, Illinois, where Mr. Stevenson purchased land and improved a farm. He carried on general agricultural pursuits until his life's labors were ended in death on the 5th of September, 1876, his wife surviving until February 28, 1901, when she, too, passed away. They were the parents of five children: Jo- seph M., a resident of Erie; Ernest C., living in Moline, Illinois; Mrs. Cran- dall; Josiah, also a resident of Rock Island, Illinois; and Charles.
Mr. and Mrs. Crandall have beeome the parents of two children: Alma Sapphire, the wife of William J. Fenton, now of Oklahoma; and Walter L., who is eondueting the home farm.
Mr. Crandall votes with the demoeraey, but lias never been an office seeker, preferring to eoneentrate his time and energies upon his business af- fairs. His entire life has been spent in this county, where he has now lived for fifty-nine years. He is a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family and has himself seen much of the development and progress that has wrought the transformation here whereby Whiteside county eeased to be a wild, unsettled and unimproved distriet and became one of the rich agricul- tural seetions of this great state, also possessing a large proportion of the im- portant industrial and commercial interests of northern Illinois. The name of Crandall for almost three-fourths of a century has figured eonspicuously and honorably in connection with the agricultual progress of the county, and F'raneis M. Crandall has borne his full share in bringing about the present development of the county in farming lines.
ROY G. WOODS.
The commercial and industrial interests which make Sterling a thrifty, enterprising eity find a worthy representative .in Roy G. Woods, a dealer in furniture, stoves, carpets and rugs. He also conducts an undertaking establishment and in his business life displays the marked enterprise and determination which enabled him to overcome difficulties and obstacles and steadily advanee toward the goal of prosperity. He was born in Montmo- reney township, Whiteside county, November 10, 1880, and is one of the seven eliildren of Edgar and Anna (MeWhorter) Woods, both of whom were natives of Indiana. The father was a son of Peter Woods, who was born in Kentucky and became an early settler of Franklin county, Indiana, settling at Metamora. He was a farmer by oeeupation and about 1865 re- moved to Illinois, his last days being spent in Montmoreney township, where he died in July, 1880. The family numbered three sons. The maternal
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grandfather of Roy G. Woods was Tyler McWhorter, who married Rhoda Ward. They removed from Indiana to Illinois, settling in Montmorency township, where the death of Mr. MeWhorter occurred. His widow still survives. They were the parents of seven children-four sons and three daughters.
Edgar Woods was a small boy when he aecompanicd his parents on their removal to Whiteside county. This was soon after the close of the Civil war. They settled in Montmoreney township, where he was reared to manhood and became the owner of a farm of three hundred and sixty aercs, which he brought under a high state of cultivation and transformed into a rich and productive tract of land. He died May 12, 1907, at the age of fifty-one years, and his wife is still living. He held membership in the Methodist church and was prominent in community affairs, serving as super- visor, school director and road commissioner. Mrs. Woods is also a member of the Methodist church and is an earnest Christian woman. By her mar- riage she became the motlier of four sons and three daughters, namely: Roy G., Mabel A., Chester C., O. Gordon, W. Wayne, Charlotte and Grace.
Roy G. Woods spent the days of his boyhood and youth upon the home farm and at the usual age began his cducation in the public schools, wherein he mastered the common branches of English learning. Later he attended the Sterling Business College and subsequently spent four years in different parts of the west and south. Upon his return to Sterling he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business at No. 108 West Third street. In November, 1907, he sold out his stock there and bought an entirely new stock and removed to his present quarters, at 101-103 West Third street, on the 9th of November. Here he has a fine, modern store and a large and fine linc of goods, occupying three floors in the display of an attractive line of furniture, stoves, earpets, rugs and undertaking goods. He has made a study of the public taste, and his carnest desire to please his patrons, com- bined with honorable business methods, have gained for him the success which now makes him one of the prosperous merchants of the city.
On the 17th of August, 1904, Mr. Woods was married to Miss Pearl Hoofstitter, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Kauffman) Hoofstitter. They now have one child, Kreider Woods. Mrs. Woods' parents were natives of Pennsylvania and became early settlers of Whiteside county, Illinois. In their family were six sons and four daughters and six of the number are yet living. The father is a noted temperance lecturer, having devoted many years to that work. His wife died in April, 1890. The paternal grand- father of Mrs. Woods was John Hoofstitter, a native of Pennsylvania, who in his business life followed merchandising. He married a Miss Hostetter. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Woods was Jacob Kauffinan, a native of Penn- sylvania and a farmer by occupation. His wife was Elizabeth (Meyers) Kauff- man and they were early settlers of this county. Mr. Kauffinan died in Ster- ling at an advanced age and is still survived by his wife. Their family num- bered two sons and two daughters.
Mr. and Mrs. Woods are members of the Congregational church and arc greatly estecmed in the community where they reside. They are now living
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at No. 1106 Sixth avenue, where Mr. Woods owns a good home. He belongs to the Odd Fellows society, the Modern Woodmen camp and the Knights of the Globe, while his political allegiance is given to the republican party. Al- though one of the younger merchants of Sterling his years seem no bar to his success. On the contrary, he displays the energy and determination which are strong concomitants in his prosperity and have enabled him to make steady progress in the business world.
WENDEL GAULRAPP.
Wendel Gaulrapp, who follows general farming on section 23, Hume township, was born in the province of Hessen, Germany, August 18, 1838, his parents being Peter and Margaret (Smith) Gaulrapp, both of whom were born in Germany in 1806. They were reared and married in their native country and in 1846 crossed the Atlantic with their family, settling first in New York city, where the father followed the stone-mason's trade for fifteen years. He then came to the middle west, settling in Whiteside county near Sterling, where he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, carrying on general farming until his demise. He died in 1888 and was survived for about two years by his wife, who passed away in 1890. Of their family of five children only two are now living, the brother of our subject being John Gaul- rapp, a resident of Denver, Colorado.
Wendel Gaulrapp was only about eight years of age when his parents crossed the briny deep to the new world and at that time he began work in a match factory, being employed in that and other factories until he was ap- prenticed to learn the upholsterer's trade. His educational privileges were necessarily limited but to some extent he attended night school and he has since learned many valuable lessons in the school of experience. In 1858 when about twenty years of age, he came with his parents to this county and engaged in farming with his father until 1865. He then purchased eighty aeres of land in Deer Grove township which he broke and cultivated, making his home tliereon until he traded the improved tract for a farm of two hun- dred and forty acres, which he sold about 1868. He then bought eighty acres where his home now stands on section 23, Hume township. About 1873 he renoved to Sterling and for two years thereafter conducted a dray line. He later established a furniture store, which he carried on for three years, when he sold out, and, withdrawing from the field of merchandising, returned to his farm. From time to time he has added to his property, each time buying eighty acres of valuable land, until he has four hundred acres, all in one body. His home place is finely improved and in the midst of the farm stands a beautiful residence, while near by are good and substantial buildings. He also has another set of buildings upon his land, his son occupying the second dwelling. As the years have passed he has not only carried on the work of plowing, planting and harvesting in the production of cereals but has also raised a large amount of stock and has found this a profitable source of in- come.
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On the 16th of October, 1886, Mr. Gaulrapp was married to Miss Sarah Fisher, who was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, November 13, 1847, her par- ents being natives of Germany. They came to America about 1835, settling in Ohio, and the father died before the birth of his daughter, Mrs. Gaulrapp. In their family were nine ehildren, six of whom are living, as follows: John, Manuel, Mrs. Luey Malby, Mrs. Kate Smith and Mrs. Mary Folsom, all of whom are residents of Ohio; and Sarah, now Mrs. Gaulrapp. The mother afterward beeame the wife of Philip Baker and died in the year 1867, at the age of sixty years. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Gaulrapp has been blessed with seven children: Ella, the wife of Robert Lane, a resident of Hume township; William, who wedded Mary Schwank and resides in Coloma town- ship; Anna, the wife of Evert Dennison, who lives in Canada; Frank, who wedded Susie Martin and makes his home in Hume township; Henry, who wedded Emma Delp and also resides in Hume township; Clarenee, who wedded Maude Vandermark and lives in Hume township; and Aaron, who is at home.
Mrs. Ganlrapp is a member of the German Lutheran ehureh. The · family is well known in this community and the members of the household oecupy an enviable position in the regard of many friends and neighbors. Mr. Gaulrapp served as school director for several years and gave his politieal allegianee to the demoeraey for a long period but his politieal preference is now for the republican party. He belongs to Sterling Camp, No. 12, M. W. A. A resident of the county for more than four decades, he has thus been a witness of mueh of its development and growth and has contributed his full share toward its material progress. His life record is another proof of the faet that suceess comes from enterprise and diligenee as well as from favor- able eireumstanees and the most honorable sueeess is that which is gained through individual effort.
B. W. BURRIDGE.
B. W. Burridge is largely engaged in feeding and shipping stoek, mak- ing his home upon a farm in Erie township, where he has one of the finest farms of the entire county, improved with many modern equipments and accessories. Mr. Burridge was born in Portland township, this eounty, Sep- tember 13, 1861, his parents being Dr. J. S. and Emma (Young) Burridge, who were natives of England and eame to the United States in early life, first loeating in New York and afterward removing to Michigan. Later they came to Whiteside county, settling in Portland township. They had a fam- ily of seven children: Dr. E. H. Burridge, now residing at Palestine, Illi- nois ; F. E., living in Erie : Mary, the wife of John Dix, of Tennessee; B. W., of this review; Rose, the wife of E. W. Gladhill, of Tennessee; and two who 1 died in infaney. The mother passed away in 1874, while the father survived until 1905.
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