History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II, Part 7

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 7

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ship; Oliver O., a resident of Dayton, Washington; and Joseph, who is living in Topeka, Kansas.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain was blessed with a daughter and two sons. The elder son, George Howard, born in Lyndon township, in 1872, is living on the old homestead and Orton Jason is also in the same township. The daughter, Lilly Mary, died at the age of two years. The death of the husband and father occurred May 3, 1900, and the county thereby lost a valued citizen, one who in a substantial measure contributed to the agricultural development of his part of the county. He belonged to that class of men who owe their advancement and success to their own efforts and as the architect of his own fortunes he builded wisely and well.

WILLIAM P. BENSON.

Among the enterprises which have gained for Sterling industrial and commercial prominence is that conducted under the name of the National Manufacturing Company, and as president of this company William P. Ben- son is widely and favorably known. He was born in Chicago, March 27, 1869, and is of Swedish descent, his ancestors having lived in Sweden for many generations. His paternal grandfather spent his entire life there, reaching the age of about seventy years. His son, John Benson, was born in Sweden, and followed the occupation of farming in that country. At- tracted by the excellent business opportunities of the new world, he bade adieu to friends and native country and sailed for the United States in 1866, his destination being Chicago. In that city he followed the cabinet-making trade for a time, but is now a purchasing agent. In 1870 he removed to Sterling, where he resided for twenty-one years, or until 1891, when he re- turned to the metropolis by the lake, and is still living there. Both he and his wife are members of the Congregational church. Their family numbered four children, a son and three daughters, but Anna, the second daughter, is now deceased. The others are: William P., of this review; and Ida C. and Alma, both of Chicago.

In taking up the personal history of William P. Benson we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known here, for he was only about a year old when brought by his parents to Sterling. When he had attained the usual age he entered the public schools, therein pursuing his studies for seven years. At the early age of thirteen, however, he started out in life on his own account, and whatever success he has since achieved or enjoyed is attributable entirely to his own labors. He began work in the factory of the Novelty Manufacturing Company, and his trust- worthiness and capability led to his retention in that service until he was nineteen years of age. He completed his education in the night school.

At the age of nineteen Mr. Benson entered the employ of Lawrence Brothers as bookkeeper, continuing with them in the office and also as trav- eling salesman, from 1889 until 1901. He then resigned his position and organized the National Manufacturing Company for the purpose of manu- facturing builders' hardware. That the enterprise has proved prosperous and

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has become one of the foremost industrial interests of Sterling is indicated by the fact that they now employ ninety workmen. They have recently erected a new factory building, their first building having been a two-story structure, fifty by seventy feet. Later they put up additions thereto, and in 1907 they erected a fine brick factory, one hundred by one hundred and seven feet and tlirce stories in height, witli a boiler and engine room, forty- six by twenty-six feet. This is in a separate one-story building. Their office building adjoins the factory on the corner of Wallace strect and First avenue. They sell their goods in all parts of the United States and Canada, and that the output finds favor with the public is indicated by the large trade they now receive. The officers of the company are: W. P. Benson, president; L. A. Bittorf, secretary; and H. V. Bittorf, vice-president and treasurer. All are men of good business ability and commercial enterprise, and their well directed labors have resulted in most gratifying success.

In 1900 Mr. Benson erected an attractive residence at No. 1007 Penning- ton avenue, where he and his family now reside. He was married on the 12th of October, 1893, to Miss Alice W. Manning, a daughter of Adam V. and Elizabeth (Hutchison) Manning. They have two sons, Merrill M. and Keith W.

The parents are members of the Congregational church, active and help- ful in its work, and Mr. Benson is a member of its prudential committee. Interested in all that tends to elevate mankind and promote the moral pro- gress of the race, he is connected with the Young Men's Christian Association, of which he is now serving as a director. He is likewise a director of the Galt-Brookfield Hospital, and a spirit of benevolence is indicated in his rela- tions with Rock River Lodge, No. 612, A. F. & A. M .; Sterling Chapter, No. 57, R. A. M .; and Sterling Commandery, No. 57, K. T. His political en- dorsement is given the republican party. In business life Mr. Benson has won the somewhat hackneyed but altogether expressive title of a self-made inan, for from early youth he has depended upon his own resources, his energy and perseverance overcoming obstacles and competition until he is now at the head of an important and profitable industrial enterprise of Sterling.

NATHAN COLE WARNER.

Nathan Cole Warner, a well known and valued resident of Prophetstown, was born in this village January 22, 1856, and has always resided here. He was named after Nathan Cole, a millionaire ex-mayor of St. Louis, and a warm personal friend of his father. A. J. Warner, the grandfather, was a native of Springfield, Massachusetts, born in 1787, and in 1806 he removed to Missouri, which only three years before had been purchased from the French and was still largely inhabited by French settlers. Jabez Warner took up his abode near St. Louis, and during his residence there was promi- nent in public affairs, serving as probate judge and a sheriff of St. Louis

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county. Having in early life learned the cooper's trade he established and successfully conducted an extensive cooperage business in St. Louis, making flour barrels for the mills of that city. When the news of the victory of the Americans over the British at New Orleans, on the 8th of January, 1815, reached St. Louis, Mr. Warner lost his right arm while assisting in firing a salute in celebration of the triumph. He was lieutenant during the second war with England, and with his company made a trip up the Mississippi river to keep the Indians in subjection. During this expedition the captain of the company was wounded and soon afterward died, leaving the troops in command of Lieutenant Warner. In his home county, where he was widely known, Jabez Warner was regarded as a man of clear judgment, of un- swerving integrity and great kindness of heart, qualities which won him high and uniform esteem. In 1811 he married Elizabeth Conner, who was born in Clarkston, South Carolina, in 1794. He died in 1847 and was long sur- vived by his wife. Their children were: John H .; Mary E., the wife of Job Dodge; Elias Burchard; Andrew J .; Sarah C., the wife of Silas Sears ; Edward B .; Eliza A., the wife of Andrew J. Tuller; Morton P .; and Ellen M., the wife of B. H. Bacon.

Andrew Jackson Warner, the father of our subject, came to this county at the age of fourteen years, in 1837, making the journey with his father, Jabez Warner, on a flat boat. He always remained in this district and be- came prominent in community affairs. He was engaged in merchandising with Andrew J. Ford from 1849 until 1851, and for several years was part owner of a plow factory and sawmill in Prophetstown. In 1862 he was appointed assistant United States revenue assessor, and in 1865 was promoted to the office of revenue assessor for the third congressional district, retaining the position until 1873. He also filled various township offices, and for sev- eral terms was president of the board of trustees of Prophetstown. His po- litical allegiance was given to the republican party, and he was one of the stalwart workers in its ranks. Aside from his commercial interests, he was one of the original promoters of the First National Bank of Prophetstown, and became one of its directors. Hc likewise engaged in loaning money, and was an extensive property owner here up to the time of his death, which oc- curred when he was seventy-two years of age. In early manhood he married Elvira Rowe, who died at the age of thirty-five years, and the father after- ward married Mrs. Eliza M. Woodard, the widow of Oscar Woodard. Of the five children of his first marriage, two died in infancy, the others being: Florence, the deceased wife of Dr. Mosher; Nathan Cole; and George E., a prosperous farmer living west of Prophetstown. By the second marriage there were two children: Charles J., who is conducting the Citizens' Bank in · Prophetstown ; and Agnes E., the wife of A. S. Greenc, a hardware merchant of Prophetstown.

Nathan Cole Warner entered the public schools at the usual age, and pursued his studies to the age of twenty, when he entered upon his business career, accepting a position as clerk in the First National Bank. Hc thus served for about two years, after which he removed to his farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres on section 1, Prophetstown township. There he made

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his home for cighteen ycars, carefully conducting the place and bringing the fields under a high state of cultivation. He still retains the ownership of this farm, but in the fall of 1899 again took up his residence in the town, where he began dealing in poultry and ice. He has built up an extensive trade in this connection and the business is increasing, year by year, having from the first proved a profitable enterprise.

In 1879 Mr. Warner was married to Miss H. Euphemia Dias, a native of Indiana, who came to Illinois with her parents about forty years ago. Her father, Edward Dias, died of typhoid fever about two weeks after his arrival here, leaving the children to the care of his widow. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Warner have been born a son and daughter: Harry Jackson, who is a graduate of the Illinois State university, and is now assistant chemist in the employ of the government at Washington, D. C .; and Florence, who is also a graduate of the State University, and is now assistant librarian at the State Agricultural College library in Manhattan, Kansas.

Mr. Warner is now a commissioner of the union special drainage dis- trict, comprising the townships of Prophetstown, Tampico and Hume, and also extending into Lee county, embracing over fifty thousand acres in the district. He was re-elected in the fall of 1907 for a second term of three years. In this position he is doing much to drain the bad lands .of the county and render the soil fertile and productive. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party, and he has never faltered in his support thereof, for he believes its platform contains the best elements of good government. He represents one of the oldest families of the county, and this alone would entitle him to mention in this volume, but his per- sonal characteristics also make him worthy of a place in the history of his community. He is known as a dependable man in every relation and in emergency. He is eminently a man of business sense, who easily avoids the mistakes and disasters that come to others, and while a man of well-balanced mind, even temper and conservative habit, he is never lacking in that enter- prise which leads to the accomplishment of its purpose.

WALTER V. PARKER.

Walter V. Parker, who is one of the successful stockmen in. Whiteside county, was born in Garden Plain township, April 19, 1856, his parents being Truman and Emma (James) Parker, who came to this county in 1836, settling in Parker's Grove, in the southeast portion of the county, on section 25. The death of the father occurred April 11, 1887, when he had attained the age of seventy-one years, while his wife died January 30, 1889, at the age of sixty-one years. Their family numbercd three children: Ella L., the wife of Perry A. Willis, of Port Byron, Illinois; Walter V., of this review; and Arthur T., of East St. Louis, Illinois.

Walter V. Parker received his education in the schools of his home locality, and when he had attained his majority engaged in farming on-his

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father's land, at the same time carrying on the business of buying and ship- ping stock, which he has followed with gratifying success to the present timc. He owns two well improved farms in Garden Plain township, aggregating some three hundred acres, and his prosperity has come to him entirely through his well directed labor and enterprise since starting out in life on his own account. He is widely recognized as one of the most successful stockmen of the county, and as a citizen whose business methods have ever been thoroughly honorable, straightforward and reliable.

On the 15th of January, 1884, Mr. Parker was united in marriage to Miss Emma L. Knapp, a daughter of C. S. and Henrietta (Armstrong) Knapp. The father came here in 1848, and the mother in 1849, being one of the oldest families in the county. The father, whose birth occurred at Mooers, Clinton county, New York, January 4, 1824, passed away in Garden Plain, Whiteside county, Illinois, December 7, 1905, at the age of eighty years and twenty-three days. His wife still survives and, her birth having occurred on the 17th of March, 1828, is now more than eighty years of age. This worthy couple were the parents of five children, namely: Mrs. Parker; Robert, of Sheridan, Illinois; Dr. R. G. Knapp, of Chicago; Charles A., de- ceased ; and Nettie L., at home. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Parker have been born. two children: Leslie V., who is engaged with his father in the stock busi- ness; and E. Clair, who is attending school.

Mr. Parker gives his allegiance to the republican party, but has not cared to take more than a citizen's interest in the work of the organization, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. However, he held the office of township clerk for a number of years, discharging his duties with promptness and capability. Fraternally he has been identified with the Ancient Order of United Workinen since 1882. For fifty-two years, or throughout his entire life, he has lived in Whiteside county, and that many of his stanchest friends are numbered among those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time is indicative of the fact that his has been an honorable and upright career.

He has always lived on the home farm-in three houses, all now stand- ing within three hundred feet of each other. He has never been away from home more than two weeks at a time, giving his attention uninterrupt- edly to business.

CLARE GATES HARRISON.

The welfare, progress and upbuilding of cvery community depend upon its industrial and commercial enterprises and the men who control these in- tercsts. In this connection Mr. Harrison is well known as the founder and promoter of the Harrison Manufacturing Company, and though yet a young man he has made a creditable and enviable record in business circles.

He was born in Sterling, August 24, 1872, and is a son of William N. and Jennie (Gates) Harrison. The father was born ncar Corning, New

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York, and his father, a resident of the Empire state, lived for many years on his farm near Corning, or until he passed away in middle life. He mar- ricd a Miss Sands, who was about eighty-two years of age at the time of her demisc. They were the parents of three sons and two daughters. The ma- ternal grandfather was William Henry Gates, a native of Vermont, who in early life followed the wagon-maker's trade, and after his removal to the middle west carried on farming near Independence, Iowa, his death there occurring when he was about eighty years of age. His widow, Mrs. Maria (Hyde) Gates, is still living, her home being upon the old farm in Iowa. They had five sons and seven daughters, and the family. is of English lineage.

William N. Harrison was reared to agricultural pursuits and carried on farming until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when, in response to the country's necd, he enlisted as a member of Company H, Tenth New York Cavalry, with which he served for more than three years. He enlisted as a private, but was mustered out as quartermaster sergeant. He took part in the battles of Gettysburg, Shiloh and a number of other important engage- inents, and on one occasion was captured by Confederate troops, after which he was incarcerated in Libby prison for several months. He went through all the hardships and horrors of war and proved himself a valiant and loyal soldier. When hostilities had ceased and victory perched upon the Union banners, he went to Elmira, New York, where he began learning the car- penter's trade, following that pursuit until his death. In 1868 he removed westward to Illinois, settling first at Sterling, but soon afterward going to Rock Island Junction. He was there employed as car repairer for the old Galena Air Line, but made his home in Sterling. Two years later he began contracting and building on his own account in this city, and was closely identified with its building operations, erecting many of the substan- tial structures of the city. He died March 10, 1903, at the age of sixty-six years, and is still survived by his wife, who is a native of Bradford, Vermont. For many years she has been a consistent member of the Congregational church. Their family numbered but two children, the younger being Dale Stuart Harrison.

Clare G. Harrison was reared in his native city and attended the public schools and business college. He was afterward eniployed for a year and a half in a jewelry store, and then took up his present business, contracting and operating a planing mill under the name of the Harrison Manufactur- ing Company. In this way he employs from fifteen to thirty people in the conduct of what is one of the old established business enterprises of Sterling, with which Mr. Harrison has been connected since 1897.

Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Harrison was married on the 10th of December, 1899, to Miss Carrie Kannaka, a daughter of Emanuel and Fredericka (Whalen) Kannaka. Her parents were natives of Germany: her father being a young man of about twenty-one years when he came to the United States, while her mother was a maiden of fourteen years. Mr. Kannaka settled near Buffalo, New York, and throughout his business life has been a shoemaker. Since the spring of 1907, however, he and his wife

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have resided in Sterling. They have two children, the son being Edward Kannaka, who is now in the employ of the National Manufacturing Com- pany. The father was twice married, and by his first union had three daugh- ters and one son : Marie, Anna, Ella and Louis.

Mr. Harrison is well known as an exemplary representative of the Ma- sonic fraternity. He belongs to Rock River Lodge, No. 612, A. F. & A. M .; Sterling Chapter, No. 57, R. A. M .; Sterling Commandery, No. 57, K. T .; and Oriental Consistory of Chicago. He is likewise connected with Medinah Temple of the Mystic Shrine in the latter ,city. His wife holds membership in the Episcopal church. Politically he is a republican, and is alderman of the Fourth ward. In political circles he is locally prominent, and his devo- tion to the public good is manifest in the many tangible ways in which he gives support to progressive movements for the benefit of the city.

WASHINGTON M. DILLON.

It is only under the stimulus of opposition and the pressure of ad- versity that the best and strongest in men is brought out and developed. The world is fast coming to a realization of the fact that it is not the poor boy but the son of wealthy parents who is deserving of pity. Seldom does the latter make his mark in the world, but the former, when buffetted by fortune, calls forth his latent energies and in many cases comes off victor in the strife for name and fortune. Such has been the carcer of Washington Moorehead Dillon, who as president and treasurer of the Northwestern Barb Wire Company, is accounted one of the most prominent of Sterling's suc- cessful business men.

Born in Zanesville, Ohio, on the 2d of July, 1842, he was the fourth in order of birth in a family of five children, whose parents were Loyd and Margaret Annauche (Culbertson) Dillon. The great-grandfather, Moses Dil- lon, spent his entire life in England. The paternal grandfather, John Dil- lon, was a native of England and of French Huguenot stock. Emigrating to America, he became interested in the shipping business between Balti- more and the West Indies and owned a number of vessels which were de- stroyed by the French privateers. In this enterprise he was in partnership with his son Loyd. He became a Friend or Quaker in religious faith and died in Zanesville, Ohio, at an advanced age. He married Miss Edith Hus- sey, who died in middle life. Her ancestry could be traced back in the maternal line to the Griffiths, the last king of Wales. Unto John and Edith (Hussey) Dillon were born a large family, Loyd being their eldest child.

Loyd Dillon was born in Maryland and for many years was interested in the shipping business in partnership with his father. After their vessels were destroyed by the French privateers they removed to Zanesville, Ohio, and engaged in the iron business at Dillon's Falls on the Licking river, three miles above Zanesville. The business was there conducted successfully for many years, but the father died in 1845 at the comparatively early age of

Narlingtons . b. Nellon

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

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forty-two years. In early manhood he wedded Margaret Annauche Cul- bertson, a daughter of William Culbertson, a native of Chambersburg, Penn- sylvania, who followed the occupation of farming, and died at an advanced age. His wife, Mary Sharpe, passed away in early womanhood. They had two children, Mary Jane and Margaret Annauche. The latter was born in Ohio and by her first marriage to Loyd Dillon became the mother of two daughters and three sons: Ellen, deceased; Mary Price, the deceased wife . of Dr. D. H. Law; Loyd Haynes, who lived in Sterling, but has now passed away; Washington M., of this review; and Moses Dillon, now of Boston, Massachusetts. The last named came to Sterling many years ago and was prominently connected with its business interests as a dealer in groceries, lumber and coal and as owner of an elevator. Here he resided until 1905, since which time he has made his home in Boston, but still has business interests here, being proprietor of lumber and coal yards and of an elevator, his commercial interests at this point being managed by Frank Grimes. After losing her first husband Mrs. Loyd Dillon became the wife of R. P. Robinson, and to them was born a son, George Mathiott Robinson, who is now president of the Charters Gas Engine Company of Sterling. Mrs. Rob- inson, who was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church and a lady of many estimable qualities, died June 2, 1881, at the age of sixty-eight years, while Mr. Robinson passed away when about sixty years of age. He was a hardware merchant of Zanesville, Ohio, and afterward of Dixon, Illi- nois, and subsequently engaged in the agricultural implement business.

Washington M. Dillon lived in Ohio until 1856, covering the first four- teen years of his life, and during that time attended the public schools. He afterward worked on a farm for his uncle at Zaleski, Ohio, and completed his education in the Ohio University at Athens. He was a young man of twenty-two years, when, in 1864, he responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting as a member of Company C, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry in the one hundred days' service. He continued at the front until the expiration of his term and after the war began clerking in the banking house of Culver, Penn & Company, at Nos. 19 and 21 Nassau street, New York, where he remained for several years. Removing to St. Louis, Missouri, he was there engaged in the newspaper business and sub- sequently took up his abode at Dixon, Illinois, where he clerked in a dry- goods store for a few months, after which he opened a grocery and queens- ware business.

Four years later he came to Sterling, where he has lived since 1869. Here he entered into partnership with W. C. Robinson in the ownership and conduct of a hardware and agricultural implement business, which they carried on for nine or ten years. He then organized the Northwestern Barb Wire Company, which he has since conducted and of which he was vice president and is now president and treasurer, while A. H. Dillon is secretary and vice president, and Paul Washington Dillon superintendent. The com- pany manufactures barb wire, fencing, gates, nails, stretchers, etc. Their goods are sold extensively throughout the west and employment is furnished to from forty to fifty people. Their factory is located at Rock Falls, is built

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History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II, Part 7

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