History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II, Part 66

Author: Davis, William W
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 882

USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 66

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On the 14th of February, 1864, Mr. Payne was married to Miss Cornelia M. Hudson, who was born in the state of New York, and died in April, 1882, at the age of forty-four years. Subsequently he wedded Letitia Hap- per, who was born in Albany, Whiteside county, Illinois, a daughter of Samuel and Sarah C. Happer, the latter now living with Mrs. Payne, in her ninety-second year. The father was a pioneer farmer of this county, who came in 1845, and later followed merchandising in Albany, where he re- mained until his death. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Payne was born one child, Edwin Happer, whose birth occurred September 21, 1887, and who is now a student in Wabash College. The parents are members of the Presbyterian church, in which Mr. Payne is serving as a trustee, and in the church work

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they are much interested. Mr. Payne is also identified with the various Ma- sonic bodies and belongs to Alpheus Clark Post, No. 118, G. A. R., of which he is a past commander. He wrote the history of his regiment in 1902, and published it under the title of the "Thirty-fourth Illinois Infantry in the Civil War." .His political allegiance has ever been given the republican party sinee age conferred upon him the right of franchise, and he has served as alderman of Morrison and as justice of the peace. Such, in brief, is the life history of Edwin W: Payne. In whatever relation of life we find him, in official service, in political circles, in business or in social relations, he is al- ways the same honorable and honored gentleman, whose worth well merits the high regard that is uniformly given him.

CHARLES EDWIN WINDOM.

Charles Edwin Windom, engaged in the furniture and undertaking business in Sterling, his native city, was born August 14, 1856, his parents being Jonas and Ruth H. (Lumm) Windom, natives of Ohio and Virginia respectively. The father was a son of Hezkiah Windom, who was born in the Buckeye state, and in the year 1849 eame to Sterling, where he estab- lished a furniture business, so that the name has long been associated with the furniture trade of the city. He was connected with the Society of Friends or Quakers and died here when nearly sixty-four years of age. His wife was in her maidenhood a Miss Spencer. His father was born in Vir- ginia but removed to Ohio at a very early day, settling in Belmont eounty.

Jonas Windom, the father of Charles E. Windom, followed agricultural pursuits through much of his life. He came to Sterling with his father and here engaged in the hotel business, conducting the old Central hotel in the days when travel was done by stage coach. He afterward condueted a grocery store for a short time and figured in the business life of the eity for many years. He died August 14, 1886, at the age of sixty-eight years, while his wife, long surviving him, passed away in 1899, at the age of eighty- two years. Both were members of the Prscbyterian church, loyal to its teachings, and in their lives exemplified the leading principles of Christian- ity. Their family numbered eight children, five of whom reached adult years, namely: Frank F., now a resident of Chicago; Sarah Virginia, deceased; Charles E., of this review; William L. and Edward H., both living in Duluth, Minnesota; and three who died in childhood.

Charles E. Windom has spent his entire life in Sterling and in his youth was a pupil in the old second ward school, where he passed through successive grades, eventually becoming a high-school student. After put- ting aside his text-books he learned the machinist's trade, which he followed for eight years, and on the expiration of that period he became connected with mereantile interests as a furniture dealer and undertaker. In this business he has continued for twenty-six years as the worthy successor of his grandfather. He has one of the largest stores in the northern part of the

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state outside of Chicago, carrying a very extensive line of furniture of all grades and thus being able at all times to meet the demands of a varied pub- lic taste. His store is attractive in its arrangement and his business has reached very profitable proportions. Mr. Windom was the inventor of a device for lowering bodies into graves and is the inventor of a cooling board which is destined to attraet the attention of undertakers all over the country. In addition to his mercantile interests he is the vice president of the Sterling Stato Bank.

On the 6th of August, 1890, occurred the marriage of Mr. Windom and Miss Grace Frances Richards, a daughter of Senator Daniel and Frances G. (Barrett) Richards. They now have one daughter, Ruth Helen, who with her parents holds membership in the Congregational church. Mr. Windom belongs to Roek River Lodge, No. 612, A. F. & A. M .; Sterling Chapter, No. 57, R. A. M .; Sterling Commandery, No. 57, K. T .; Freeport Consistory, S. P. R. S .; and to Tebala Temple of the Nobles of the Mystie Shrine. He is also connected with Sterling Lodge, No. 174, I. O. O. F., and in politics is a republican. Honorable and upright in all life's relations, the many sterling traits of his character have endeared him to his fellow townsmen, gaining him respect and admiration in business cireles and the confidence and good will of those whom he has met socially. His influence is always given on the side of improvement and progress and he endorses all those movements and measures which have for their object the betterment of the community at large or the promotion of municipal interests.

H. K. WELLS, M. D.

. Dr. H. K. Wells, a prominent and well known practitioner of medicine in Erie, was born in Lebanon, New Hampshire, October 19, 1824, his par- ents being Reuben and Polly (Swetland) Wells, who were of English descent. The father, whose birth occurred in Massachusetts in 1779, passed away in 1827, when our subject was but two years of age. The mother, born in 1781, died on the 19th of August, 1847.

While attending school at Vergennes, Illinois, Dr. Wells was a class- mate of General Logan and also of Judge R. S. Tuttle, now of Chicago. In 1836, when twelve years of age, he went with his brother from New Hamp- shire to Jackson county, Illinois, where he attended the district sehools, and later was a student in MeKendree College. Having determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he subsequently entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, and after his graduation located in Fairmount, Vermilion county, Illinois, where he was engaged in praetiee for two years. On the expiration of that period he eame to Erie, Whiteside county, in 1865, and has since been successfully engaged in the prosecution of his profession at this place. His success in the application of remedial ageneies and in the res- toration of health has been so marked that his patronage has continually increased, while his genial and helpful disposition has made him the loved

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family physician in many a houschold. Though now almost eighty-four years of age he is still engaged in practice and his record would put to shame many a man of much younger years who, having grown weary of the cares of an active life, would relegate to others the burdens that he should bear. At one time Dr. Wells also conducted a drug store in Erie but after several years ' disposed of the same. In connection with James C. Hubbart he likewise carried on general merchandising at Erie but soon found that his medical practice demanded his entire attention and sold his interest in the business.

On the 28th of November, 1848, Dr. Wells was united in marriage to Miss Laura L. Burbank, at old Duquoin, Illinois, who was born in New Hampshire, May 25, 1828, and was one of a family of seven children. Unto our subject and his wife were born three children, namely: Emma W., deceased; Corna B. and Arthur M., at home. On the 4th of January, 1896, Dr. Wells was called upon to mourn the death of her who had long been to him a faithful companion and helpmate on the journey of life.

He gives inflexible support to the republican party and takes an active and helpful interest in local politics, having served as justice of the peace and town clerk, while he has also acted as village clerk for several ternis, his official duties being discharged with the same fidelity and progressive- ness that characterizes him in his professional labors. He is a member of Rock River Camp, No. 14, M. W. A., at Erie, Illinois, while both he and his daughter are identified with the Methodist Episcopal church. Having re- sided in this county for forty-three years, he has gained an extensive acquaint- ance and many friends, who esteem him alike for his professional ability and .

for his upright and honorable manhood.

RENALDO S. LASHER.

Renaldo S. Lasher is now living retired in Morrison, but for many years was identified with agricultural interests, having made his home upon a farm in Union Grove township from 1876 until 1907. His residence in Whiteside county dates from 1870, and in Illinois from 1866. His birth occurred in Harrisburg, Lewis county, New York, August 12, 1839, and of a family of nine children, he is the youngest. His father, William I. Lasher, was born in Palatine, Montgomery county, New York, May 1, 1796, and was descended from German ancestry. When a young man he learned and followed the tailor's trade, and later engaged in farming on a small scale. His political views were in harmony with the principles of the republican party and as a business man and citizen he stood high in the esteem of his neighbors and many friends. His life was in harmony with his professions as a member of the Presbyterian church, and his political allegiance was given to the re- publican party. He married Lydia Stoddard, who was born at Groton, Mas- sachusetts, May 6, 1798, and died November 25, 1847. She represented one of the old New England families and had two brothers that were soldiers in the war of 1812. She too, was a member of the Presbyterian church. One

R. S. LASHER

LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URSANA

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son of the family, William A. Lasher, served in the Civil war as a member of Company M, Fifth New York Heavy Artillery, continuing with that com- mand for almost three years and attaining the rank of sergeant, but is now deceased.

Renaldo S. Lasher was reared to farm life and the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist early became a matter of daily routine with him. He attended the country schools as a boy, and thinking to find better business opportunities in the west he came to Illinois in 1866, settling in Carroll county, where he worked at farm labor by the month for about four years. In 1870 he came to Whiteside county, and took up his abode upon a farm in Union Grove township, having previously purchased this land. Upon that place he remained for a little over three years, when he sold out and removed to a farm in Lyndon township, which he rented for two years. In the spring of 1876 he returned to Union Grove township, and with the capital he had acquired through his own labors bought a traet of seventy-seven aeres upon which he lived until the spring of 1907. During the thirty years which passed he transformed his land into one of the best improved farms of the distriet, and as the result of his careful management- and diligence as an agriculturist he won the competence that now enables him to live retired.

In 1868 Mr. Lasher was married to Miss Adaline D. Brown, who was born in Jefferson county, New York, in 1846, a daughter of Cyrus and Tamar (Bent) Brown, who on coming to Illinois first settled in Carroll county in 1856, and in 1868 arrived in Whiteside county, establishing their home in Union Grove township, where their remaining days were passed. Mrs. Lasher was one of a family of six children, and by her marriage became the mother of five children, of whom one died in infancy. The others are: Henry P., a farmer of Ida county, Iowa, who is married and has four children; Luva, the wife of John Martin, of Union Grove, by whom she has one child; Al- bert C., who graduated from the Iowa State College, at Ames, in the class of 1903, and is now an electrical engineer at Atlanta, Georgia; and John W., who is connected with the Morrison Eleetrie Light Company.

Mr. Lasher is a Mason, interested in the order because of its benefieent spirit and fraternal teachings. He belongs to Alpheus Clark Post, No. 118, G. A. R., being entitled to membership in this organization by reason of his active and valorous service in the Civil war. He enlisted on the 11th of Au- gust, 1862, at Copenhagen, New York, in the Fifth New York Heavy Ar- tillery, becoming a member of Company M, with which he remained until honorably discharged at the elose of the war, June 26, 1865. He took part in several engagements and for some time was in defense of Washington. He is a republican in polities and for one term served as supervisor from Union Grove township, but has never been a politician in thé sense of office seeking, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs which, capably directed, have brought him a gratifying measure of success, enabling him now to enjoy the fruits of his former toil without further re- course to labor. The example of such a man is a source of inspiration and encouragement, showing what may be accomplished by determined will and

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enterprise. His long residence in the county and his upright life have made him widely known and gained for him classification among the representa- tive eitizens.

THOMAS MATHEW.

Thomas Mathew, who carries on general farming on section 30, Hopkins township, was born October 9, 1863, in this township, and has always been a resident of Whiteside county. He represents one of its oldest and most prominent pioneer families. His father, Thomas Mathew, has made his home in Hopkins township sinee 1836. He located here only four years after the Black Hawk war, when there were still many traces of Indian occupancy. The land was largely wild and unimproved and the county gave little evi- dence of the progress which it was soon to make as the result of the care and enterprise of its worthy pioneer settlers. Establishing his home in Hop- kins township, the father shared in all of the hardships and privations of pioneer life and aided in reclaiming the wild region for the purposes of civil- ization. He prospered as the years passed by and became a large landowner, having five hundred acres, all of which he placed under a high state of cultivation, adding many modern equipments, which included cominodious barns, sheds and outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock.

Thomas Mathew, Sr., possessed many of the sterling characteristics of the Scottish race to which he belonged. He was born July 15, 1808, in Scotland, and came to America in 1835, living for one year in Vermont, ere his removal to Whiteside. county. He was the third in order of birth in a family of seven children, the others being Andrew, Robert, Margaret, Euphemia, Elizabeth, Agnes and Jane. Thomas Mathew, Sr., was married in Hopkins township; November 28, 1862, to Mrs. Margaret Dumire, a daughter of William and Jeannette Mathew. There were two children of that marriage, Thomas, of this review ; and Robert Mathew, who died in infancy. The wife and mother died September 25, 1865, and Mr. Mathew was again married in Hopkins township on the 9th of July, 1868, his second union being with Miss Anna B. Thompson, a native of Scotland. Unto them were born four children, Jennie B., William A., Robert A. and Elizabeth G. Again Mr. Mathew was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife in 1876, her death oeeurring on the 7th of July. He survived until 1892 and passed away at the venerable age of eighty-four years. He was always a stanch republican and held various official positions, to which he was ealled by the vote of his fellow townsmen, who recognized his worth and ability. He was known as a prominent and representative citizen of the county, esteemed for his many good qualities, and no history of this section of the state would be complete without men- tion of him because of the fact that he was one of the earliest settlers and as the years passed by contributed in substantial measure to the growth and progress of Whiteside county.

Thomas Mathew, Jr., whose name introduces this record, acquired a common-school education and remained at home, assisting in the operation

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of the farm until his father's death in 1892. The property was then divided among his children and he continued upon the home place. Here he car- ried on general agricultural pursuits and has a property of two hundred acres, whereon he carries on general farming and stock-raising. In the midst of his farm stands a beautiful home, with attractive surroundings and every- thing about the place is indicative of the care and supervision of the owner.

On the 17th of February, 1885, Mr. Mathew was married to Miss Euphe- mia Dalrymple, a daughter of William and Jane (Anderson) Dalrymple, who were natives of Scotland and died in that country. Mr. and Mrs. Mathew have but one child, Harold Thomas.

In religious faith the parents are Presbyterians and are most highly esteemed people, enjoying in large measure the confidence and friendship of those with whom they have been associated. Mr. Mathew votes with the republican party, and while he has never sought nor desired political office, he has served for fourteen years as school director and the eause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. The name of Mathew has ever figured as an honored one in Whiteside county since Thomas Mathew, Sr., located here, and he whose name heads this review is a worthy successor of his father,. making an equally creditable record as a successful farmer and honorable man.

ROYCE ANNAN KIDDER.

The subject of this review is actively connected with a profession which has important bearing upon the progress and stable prosperity of any section or community and one which has long been considered as conserving the public welfare by furthering the ends of justice and maintaining individual rights. In his law practice he is meeting with gratifying success, having seeured a creditable clientage during his connection with the Sterling bar.

His life record began in Jordan township, this county, on the 8th of July, 1878. He is descended from New England ancestry, his grandfather being Benjamin Kidder, a native of New Hampshire, who followed the oc- cupation of farming as a life work and came to the west at an early period in the development of Whiteside county. He located in Jordan township and was connected with its early improvement. His last years were spent in Ogle county, where he passed away when more than eighty years of age. His wife, Mary (Doton) Kidder, was also more than eighty years of age at the time of her demise. They had four children, including Marcellus Kidder, who was born in the old Granite state, and was reared to the oceupa- tion of farming, which he chose as a life work. He, too, came to Illinois at an early period in its development, and first settled in Lee county, but after a few months took up his abode in Jordan township, Whiteside county, where he owned and cultivated a farm of three hundred acres, bringing the land under a high state of improvement. He still resides in that township, but is now living retired, enjoying a well earned rest. Politically he . is a prominent democrat. In community affairs he has always taken a deep and

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helpful interest and has served as supervisor and in other township offiees. He married Ella J. Annan, also a native of New Hampshire, and a daughter of John G. Annan, who was born in the same state and was of Seoteh deseent, his ancestors having come from Annandale, Scotland. He, too, was a farmer and lie recruited soldiers for the Civil war. In pioneer times he became a citizen of Ogle eounty, Illinois, and died there in middle life. His wife, Mrs. Hannah B. (Torsey) Annan, was about eiglity years of age at the time of her death. Their family numbered three children, ineluding Mrs. Kidder. Unto Mareellus and Ella J. Kidder were born a daughter and son, the former being Ida L., the wife of Alexander Anderson, of Ogle eounty, Illinois. The parents are consistent and faithful members of the United Brethren ehureh, and are held in high esteem by all who know them.

. No event of special importanee oeeurred to vary the routine of farm life for R. A. Kidder in his boyhood and youth. He worked in the fields and meadows and attended the distriet sehool. Later he had the advantage of mental diseipline in the Northern Illinois Normal Sehool at Dixon, and in the Northwestern University at Evanston, being graduated from the academie department in 1899. He afterward attended the Northwestern University Law Sehool, in Chieago, having determined to follow a professional career, completing his eourse by graduation in June, 1903. In Deeember of the same year he was admitted to the bar, after which he spent some time in the office of James A. Peterson, attorney-at-law, in the Chamber of Commerce building, in Chieago, adding to his theoretical knowledge the praetieal ex- perience of office work in eonneetion with his profession. In Mareh, 1904, he eame to Sterling, where he entered upon the aetive praetiee of his pro- fession, and in the four years which have sinee eome and gone he has won for himself favorable eritieism as one who prepares his eases earefully and presents liis cause in elear, foreeful and logieal manner. He is usually eor- reet in the application of legal principles, and he is now acknowledged one of the most sueeessful among the younger members of the Sterling bar.

Mr. Kidder belongs to the Congregational ehureh and to Sterling Lodge, No. 174, I. O. O. F., and Rock River Lodge, No. 612. A. F. & A. M., of Ster- ling His political allegianee is given to the demoeraey, and he gives his aid and cooperation to progressive publie measures, being interested in all that pertains to the welfare of the community. He is not a politieian, however, in the sense of office seeking, preferring rather to give his time to his law praetiee.

SAMUEL TAYLOR, M. D.

Dr. Samuel Taylor, who in the middle of the nineteenth century became a member of the medical profession of Whiteside county and continued in aetive praetiee here until his death on the 30th of January, 1890, was widely known as an able physician and one ever conscientious in the performanec of the duties that devolved upon him. He was born Mareli 13, 1829, in

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Richland county, Ohio, his parents being Henry and Evelina (Ayers) Tay- lor, both of whom were natives of Connecticut, whenee they removed to Ohio. The father died in Riehland eounty of the latter state in April, 1874, having - for several years survived his wife, who passed away September 4, 1866. In their family were seven children: Walter, who engaged in gold mining in California and died there unmarried; Esther, the deceased wife of Dr. William Brieker, of Shelby, Ohio; Burton A., deeeased; Samuel, of this review; Alva B., who has also passed away ; Mary A., who became the wife of E. D. Ander- son and died in Kansas City in 1881; and Angelina, the wife of David Cum- mins, of Shelby, Ohio.

Dr. 'Taylor was reared upon his father's farm and attended the common schools, therein mastering the elementary branehes of learning. He after- ward pursued his studies in Oberlin College, at Oberlin, Ohio, for several years, and with the intention of beeoming a member of the medieal frater- nity, began reading under the direction of his brother-in-law, Dr. Brieker. At a later date he matriculated in the Michigan University at Ann Arbor, pursuing a six months' course in the medical department. The next year found him a student in the Western Reserve Medical College at Cleveland, from which he was graduated in 1854. He then loeated for praetiee at Salem, Ohio, where he continued for two years, when, thinking that he might find better business opportunities further west, he eame to Whiteside eounty in the fall of 1855, opening his office in Erie, where he remained for seven years. In 1862 he arrived in Morrison, where he continued actively and sueeessfully in the praetiee of medicine up to the time of his death, which oeeurred Jan- uary 30, 1890. Throughout the intervening years he kept in elose touch with the profession through his reading and investigation and thus continually promoted his knowledge and efficiency. In 1870 he formed a partnership with S. S. Hall, which eonneetion continued until May, 1882, when Dr. Hall was sueeeeded by Dr. Dana B. Seger. Subsequently Dr. Seger retired and Dr. Frank Fitzgerald, a son-in-law of Dr. Taylor, became his partner. Dr. Taylor was widely known as a practitioner of repute and built up an extensive and profitable patronage, being the loved family physician in many a household in Morrison and the surrounding country. He served as eounty coroner for a number of years and held membership in different medieal associations.

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History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II, Part 66

Author: Davis, William W Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 882

Author: Davis, William W
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 882