History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II, Part 70

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 70

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was largely a wild, unbroken region, showing many evidences of Indian occu- pancy but few proofs of the settlement by the white race. E. B. Hill located in Prophetstown and resided in a log cabin for several years, sharing in all the hardships and privations of pioneer life and aiding in reclaiming the wild land for the uses of civilization. Unto him and his wife were born C. E., who is now a resident of Hastings, Nebraska; Willard F., of this review; W. S., whose home is in Whiteside county; Ella, the wife of D. L. Barlows, of Nebraska; C. G. and P. H., who are living in this county; Ena, the wife of William Lancaster; and Lillian Irene, the wife of Alford Allen, of Lyndon.

As boy and youth Millard F. Hill remained upon his father's farm, working in the fields as his age and strength increased and thus gaining inti- Inate and valuable knowledge concerning farm work in all of its departments. Later he bought a farm and is now the owner of one hundred and eighty acres of rich and productive land on section 18, Prophetstown township. He has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and annually gathers rich harvests.

On the 3d of December, 1879, Mr. Hill was married to Miss Sarah Lan- caster, who was born in 1860 in this county. Her father is now deceased but her mother is still living. Their family numbered six children and unto Mr. and Mrs. Hill have been born three children: Lavinna V., the wife of William Lamont, of this county ; Winifred, at home; and Charles E., deceased. The parents are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, con- tribute generously to its support and are interested in its work. Mr. Hill is a republican in political views and has continuously supported the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He is the present assessor of liis township and whether in office or out of it is loyal to the best interests of the community. In addition to his farming interests he is connected with the Farmers Telephone Company as its president, and in installing the tele- phone system has done a work of much local value. No longer is the farmer isolated by distance from his fellows, for telephone lines bring him into in- stant communication with friends and neighbors, and the rural mail delivery brings him into close contact with others more remote. In this and other particulars the Hill farm is well supplied with modern conveniences and accessories and Mr. Hill stands as one of the most progressive agriculturists of the community.

WESLEY J. FARRELL.

Wesley J. Farrell, successfully and extensively engaged in farming and stock-raising in Portland township, was born in Canada on the 1st of April, 1868, his parents being William and Sarah (Guthrie) Farrell, both natives of Ireland, the former born in 1833 and the latter in 1834. They were married on the Emerald Isle and on the 4th of June, 1854, emigrated to the new world, locating in Canada. There Mr. Farrell bought timber land, cleared it and then sold it, and as soon as one tract had been cleared of the timber he bought

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another, moving further into the interior each time. He thus aided in re- claiming a wild region for the purposes of civilization and was an important factor in the development of a sparsely populated and unsettled distriet. In 1866 he came to Whiteside county, Illinois, locating on section 36, Portland township, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land that was slightly improved. As time passed, by reason of his careful management and sound business judgment, he was enabled to gradually add to his landed pos- sessions until at one time he owned about eight hundred acres. In 1890 he removed to Prophetstown, where he remained for three years, returning to his farm on the expiration of that period. In 1895, however, he once more took up his abode in Prophetstown, where he has since resided, spending the evening of his days in well earned rest. His wife passed away there on the 4th of June, 1906. Their family numbered five children, as follows: Mrs. Margaret Langdon, of Prophetstown; Mrs. Elizabeth Coon, who resides in Golden City, Missouri; James J., of Portland township; Wesley J., of this review; and Lizzie, who died in infancy.

Wesley J. Farrell acquired his early education in the common schools and had to get up at three o'clock in the morning in order to complete, before the opening school-hour, the various tasks that were assigned him in connec- tion with the operation of the home farm. He is now sending his children to the same school which he himself attended. When he had attained his major- ity he began farming on his own account on his father's land and in 1894 pur- chased one hundred and fifty-seven acres near the old homestead, having added many modern improvements and brought the place under a high state of eultivation. In 1905 he bought one hundred and thirty-one acres more, so that he now owns two hundred and eighty-eight acres of rich and productive land, making him one of the representative and prosperous agri- culturists of his community. In addition to the work of general farming he is also extensively engaged in stock-raising, having now seventy head of cattle and two hundred hogs, this branch of his business also bringing to him a gratifying financial return.

On the 1st of January, 1895, Mr. Farrell was united in marriage to Miss Ella M. Crosier, who was born in Portland township and after completing her education taught school there for a period of six years, from 1888 until 1894. Unto them have been born six children: Clarence, Raymond, Ethel, Ralph, Glen and Mildred, all of whom are at home.

Anderson S. Crosier, the father of Mrs. Farrell, was born in Washington county, New York, and in 1839 became a resident of Whiteside county, Illi- nois, settling on a farm of one hundred and ninety-two acres in Portland town- ship, the patent for which was signed by President James K. Polk. On the 23d of April, 1855, he married Miss Elizabeth A. Steele, a native of Nova Scotia. She was only a year old when brought to Whiteside county by her parents, George W. and Mary A. Steele, who located in Erie. Mr. Crosier died in 1872, while in Nebraska on a prospecting trip, and was long survived by his wife, who remained on the farm in Portland township until her death, which occurred September 21, 1905, when she was sixty-eight years of age. The old homestead is still in possession of the heirs and is now occupied by

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George W. Crosier. In the family were the following children: Eugene A., of Watertown, Illinois; Hattie A. and Fred A., both of Geneseo; Ella M., now Mrs. Farrell; George W., who was married February 14, 1900, to Miss Maude A. Young; Delbert A., who died in 1878; and Anderson S., who dicd May 17, 1871.

In his political views Mr. Farrell is a stanch advocate of the republican party, while his religious faith is indicated by his affiliation with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife is also a member. Having resided in this county throughout almost his entire life, he is well known here and has gained the respect and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact, for he has ever been actuated by high and honorable principles in cvery relation.

CLIFFORD C. REYNOLDS.

Clifford C. Reynolds, who owns and operates two hundred and forty acres of fine farming land on section 26, Prophictstown township, was born in White- side county, Illinois, March 5, 1872, a son of Gardner and Elizabeth (Stakes) Reynolds. The father was born in Sheldon, Erie county, New York, in 1837, and served his country as a soldier in the Civil war, being a member of Com- pany A, Sixty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry from 1861 to 1864. At the time of his death, which occurred in 1906, he owned seven hundred and twenty-seven acres of land. in Whiteside county, being widely recognized as one of the extensive and representative agriculturists of this part of the state. The mother of our subject, among the first white children born in this county, was one of a family of eight children, and her demise occurred in 1902. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gardner Reynolds were born three children: Emogene, who re- sides in Prophetstown; Clifford C., of this review; and Leon S., of Prophets- town township.

In the schools of his native county Clifford C. Reynolds acquired his edu- cation and when he had attained the age of twenty-one ycars left the parental roof and began farming on a part of his father's land. He now owns two hundred and forty acres on section 26, Prophetstown township, and has met with a gratifying and well merited measure of success in the conduct of his farming interests. For several years he has been brecding and raising Here- ford cattle and is well known as a prominent and prosperous agriculturist and stoek-raiser of the county.

On the 25th of December, 1895, Mr. Reynolds was united in marriage to Miss Aggie G. Allen, who was born in Michigan, August 25, 1872, a daugh- ter of William and Jane (Ballard) Allen, the former a native of Canada, and the latter of Whiteside county. Mrs. Reynolds was one of two children, and by her marriage has also become the mother of two children: Clyde, whose birth occurred October 25, 1900; and one who died in infancy.

Mr. Reynolds gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is at present serving as a school director. Fraternally he is connected with Prophetstown Lodge, No. 16, M. W. A., at Prophetstown, while both he and

MR. AND MRS. C. C. REYNOLDS

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

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his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Althoughi still a young man, he has met with a large degree of prosperity in his business inter- ests, and in the county where his entire life has been passed is widely known as a representative and enterprising business man and upright eitizen, as well as a man of many friends.

GEORGE E. SAWYER.

George E. Sawyer, a retired agrieulturist residing in Erie, was born in Rutland county, Vermont, January 7, 1849, a son of Sherwood and Jane Ann (Cahee) Sawyer, also natives of Vermont, the former born in 1825 and the latter in 1829. They were married in the year 1845 and passed away in the Green Mountain state, the death of Sherwood Sawyer occurring in 1880, while his wife survived until 1905. Their family numbered seven children, namely: John W., of Vermont; George E., of this review; Roscoe O., of Massachusetts; Leman, deceased: Alverdo, also of Massachusetts; Charles R., who resides in Nebraska; and Franklin E.

George E. Sawyer acquired a common-school education and remained in the state of his nativity until he came to Whiteside county, Illinois, in 1867, being at that time seventeen years of age. He was first employed as a farm hand for three years and then engaged in the operation of a rented farm for one year, after which he returned to Vermont. After a year spent in that state he again came to Whiteside county, working at farm labor by the month for one year, at the end of which time he once more rented a farm and en- gaged in its cultivation for six years. On the expiration of that period he had, through the exercise of industry and economy, gained a sum sufficient to enable him to purchase a farm of his own, which he sold, however, after resid- ing on it for a year. His next purchase of land made him the owner of two hundred and forty aercs, to which he afterward added one hundred and eighty-one acres more, so that his total holdings aggregated four hundred and twenty-one aeres of productive and valuable land. He made his home on the farm for fifteen years and in addition to the work of the fields was also quite extensively engaged in the breeding and raising of stoek. In the year 1896 he retired from active business life, sold his land and removed to Erie, where he still makes his home, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil. He had no pecuniary assistance at the outset of his career, so that the sneeess which he has gained is attributable entirely to his own well directed diligenee and perseveranee. He is now the owner of seven finc residence properties in the village of Erie and is widely recognized as one of the prom- inent and enterprising residents of the community.

On the 2d of September, 1872, Mr. Sawyer was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Weed, who was born in Illinois in 1854 and was a daughter of Daniel and Lydia A. (Sands) Weed. The father is now deceased but the mother makes her home with Mr. Sawyer. She had a family of three children, and unto our subject and his wife have been born eight children, as follows:

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Paul E., of Beardstown, Illinois; Ella J., deceased; Claude D., at hone; Lois L., a graduate of the Erie high school and now the wife of Wal- lace Chapman, of Sterling, Illinois; Mary A., the wife of Edward Wilson, of Beardstown; Glenn S. and Earl H., twins, both of whom reside in Erie; and Hazel B., at home. There are also ten grandchildren, one of whom is nanied George E. Sawyer in honor of his grandfather.

Mr. Sawyer gives his political allegiance to the democracy and has served as justice of the peace and as school director for several years, his official duties being discharged in a prompt and capable manner. Fraternally he is con- nected with Erie Camp, No. 14, M. W. A., while both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are well and favorably known by reason of the long period of their residence in this county, as well as for their excellent traits of heart and mind and devotion to the general welfarc.

W. P. UTLEY.

W. P. Utley, residing on West Third street in Sterling, is one of Whiteside county's native sons, his birth having occurred at Como on the 25th of Decem- ber, 1857. His parents were Dr. Henry and Caroline S. (Butler) Utley, natives of Oneida county, New York. The paternal grandfather, Henry Utley, was born in Rhode Island but for many years lived at Westernville, Oneida county, New York. In early life he was a tanner and saddler and later engaged in the harness-making business. He married Sarah Morse (a niece of S. B. F. Morse, of telegraph famc), who lived to be ninety-three years of age, and he was also a nonagenarian at his death. The Utley family is of English lineage. The maternal grandfather of our subject was a native of the Empire state and he and his wife, Mrs. Eunice Butler, were among the early pioneer set- tlers of Whiteside county. Both lived to an advanced age, Mrs. Butler's death occurring when she had reached the age of ninety-two. Their family num- bered three daughters and five sons.

Dr. Henry Utley, who devoted his life to the practice of medicine and surgery, served his country as a surgeon in the Seventy-fifth Illinois Volun- teers in the Civil war. He was born at Westernville, New York, June 22, 1822, and was reared to manhood in Oneida county, New York, where his wife spent her girihood days also. Following their marriage they lived at Turin, New York, and in 1856 came to the middle west, settling in Como, Illinois. There Dr. Utley practiced his profession until 1868, when he became a member of the medical fraternity of Sterling, where he continued throughout his re- maining days, passing away in April, 1905, at the age of seventy-four. His wife died at the home of her son, H. B. Utley, in Chicago. Both were mem- bers of the Baptist church and Mrs. Utley took a very active and helpful part 'in the church work. In their family were four sons, of whom Edward died in early childhood. Joseph F., also deceased, was born in New York in 1850 and came west with his parents in 1856. He married Caroline B. Richards and their children were Mrs. Florence Schmoeger and Edward, both deceased;

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Pauline; Mildred; and Theodore. Henry B. Utley, the next of the family, was also born in New York in 1854 and was therefore but two years of age when the family located in Como, Illinois. He now resides in Chicago, being man- ager of the purchasing department for the International Harvester Company. He was married at Sterling to Martha Harden and to them were born five ehil- dren: Edith, who died in infaney; Mrs. Bessie Oliver; John; Paul and Margaret. William P. Utley, of this review, completes the family.

William P. Utley was reared to manhood in Sterling and attended the publie seliools, being graduated from the second ward high school under Professor Albert Bayliss, afterward state superintendent of instruction in Illi- nois. He next entered the Northwestern University at Evanston and when his education was completed Mr. Utley spent one year as local editor with the Sterling Gazette, after which he engaged with the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company as general agent, with headquarters at Mason City, Iowa, where he remained for over two years. On returning to Sterling he spent five years in this eity and then went to Chicago, where he engaged in the whole- sale eoal business for about seventeen years, making his home during that period in Oak Park. In 1903 he returned to Sterling, where he now resides.

The lady who now bears his name was in her maidenhood Miss Lida T. Howland and they were married on the 20th of October, 1880. Her parents were James and Eliza (Canfield) Howland. Her father was born at Lisle, New York, May 6, 1809, was the son of Consider Howland and was a repre- sentative in the sixth generation of the descendants of Henry Howland, who eame to America on the Mayflower. James Howland lived at Lisle, Broome county, New York, until 1850, when he eame west and purchased a farm in Coloma township. He also purchased land in Minnesota and spent the sum- mer months in the western states, while the winter seasons were passed in New York until 1868. In that year he settled permanently in Sterling. He was an extensive landowner and a man of large affairs. Following his removal to the middle west he lived upon his home farm until his death, which oeeurred in 1879 when he was seventy years of age. IIe was killed by a runaway team that crashed into his buggy from the rear, throwing him out and eausing injuries from which he died. His wife was born October 9, 1815, in the state of New York, and they were married December 29, 1836. She died Deeember 4, 1861, at the age of forty-six years. Mr. and Mrs. Utley became the parents of four children, of whom James Howland died at the age of two and a half years. Frederick Daniel is a graduate of Har- vard University of the class of 1908 and is now in the employ of the Inter- national Harvester Company of Chicago, in their accounting department. Helen Caroline is attending Ferry Hall at Lake Forest, Illinois; and Ruth Howland is a pupil in the high school of Sterling.

Mr. and Mrs. Utley arc members of the Congregational church, to which all of their children also belong. Politically he is a republican and for four years served as a trustec of the town of Cicero in Cook county while re- siding at Oak Park. He owns a beautiful home at No. 805 West Third street, known as the old Edson home, built by Simeon Farwell, a brother of John V. Farwell of Chicago. In business affairs his judgment is sound and

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reliable and his purchases of land have been so capably made that he is today the owner of some of the finest farming property in this section of Illinois.

JOSEPH ELLSWORTH WILGER.

Joseph Ellsworth Wilger devotes his tine and energies to general farm- ing on section 22, Jordan township. It was in this township that his birth occurred October 24, 1864. He is of German lincage, his parents being Joseph and Mary (Grubb) Wilger, both natives of Germany. The mother was born near the Rhine, June 18, 1831, and was a daughter of Francis and Anna Marie (Bart) Grubb, who died in Germany. It was in 1853 that Mary Grubb came to America, locating at Danville, Montour county, Penn- sylvania, and on the 4th of July, 1853, she gave her hand in marriage to Joseph Wilger, three other couples being married at the same time. In 1859 Mr. and, Mrs. Wilger came to Whiteside county, Illinois, and located at Jordan Center in Jordan township, where the father resided until his death, which occurred December 10, 1878, when he was sixty-one years of age. He was a very industrious man and left to his children the priceless heritage of an untarnished name and an example that may well be followed.

In the family were the following children: Mary is the wife of Robert Wentsel, of Woodlawn, Illinois, and has five children: Joseph, who married Clara Eisle and has two children, Robert and Louise; Susie, who is the wife of Austin Weaver and has two children, Lena and Glenn; Mollie; Maggie; and Robert. Nicholas Wilger married Jennie Shannon and has one son, Donald. They reside in Sterling. Mrs. Maggie Mensch lives in Jordan and has two children, Romer and Marie. Mathias, also a resident of Sterling, married Cora Over and has two children, Charles and Dorothy. Joseph E. is the next of the family. Lena is the wife of Charles Higley, living near Polo, Illinois, and they have one child, Leslie. Carrie is the wife of Thomas Pfundstein, of Jordan township, and has one child, Leta Belle. Agnes and Lizzie both died in infancy.

Joseph E. Wilger was educated in the common schools, acquainting him- self with the branches of learning usually taught in such institutions. He remained at home with his mother and assisted her in carrying on the home · farm until he had attained his majority, when he started out in life on his own account, renting a farm from Jolin Kirges. IIe remained upon that property for nine years, after which he leased the James Thompson place, whereon he resided for two years. On the expiration of that period he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, Thomas Pfundstein, and they rented the James Anderson farm of two hundred acres, which remained their place of residence for five years, during which time they gathered rich harvests as the result of the care and labor which they bestowed upon the fields.

On the expiration of that period Joseph E. Wilger purchased the farm upon which he now resides. This place embraces a quarter section of land,

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all of which has been brought under a high state of cultivation through the enterprising efforts, directed by sound judgment, of Mr. Wilger. In the midst of his farm stands a substantial residence with good barns and out- buildings and everything about the place is indicative of his supervision and practical methods. His life illustrates clearly what can be accomplished by industry, integrity and determination in a country where effort is not ham- pered by caste or class. He started out in life for himself with very limited means and invested most of his money in a team of horses. By careful economy and good management and by unremitting diligence he gradually increased his possessions until lis capital was sufficient to permit his pur- chase of the farm which is now his home. It is a beautiful place, in the midst of the richest agricultural district of Illinois, and he annually harvests rich crops.

Mr. Wilger was married December 4, 1895, to Miss Jessie Jcannette Maxwell, a daughter of William and Catherine (McElear) Maxwell, who were natives of Scotland and Ireland respectively. They became residents of Jordan township at an early period in the development of this part of the county. Mrs. Wilger died on the 5th of December, 1904, at the age of forty years, leaving a family of six children: Leora Marie, born April 17, 1897; Ina Catharine, June 2, 1898; Lyman Ellsworth, July 30, 1899; Ethel, July 3, 1901; Jessie Jeannette, December 5, 1902; and Russell Maxwell, November 10, 1904.

Mr. Wilger votes the republican ticket and is a stanch advocate of tlie principles of that party. His ancestors were of Catholic and Lutheran faitlı but he is not identified witli any church. . His life, however, is actuated by high and honorable principles and he has adhered closely to rules of straight- forward business dealing in all of his relations with his fellowmen. He is well known in the county, where his entire life has been passed and where lie has so directed his efforts that he has overcome difficulties and obstacles and worked his way steadily upward to a position of affluence.

FRANK R. TIMMERMAN, D. D. S.

Dr. Frank R. Timmerman, one of the leading practitioners. of dentistry in Whiteside county, was born at Keokuk, Iowa, April 2, 1872, a son of W. V. and Mary (Oberton) Timmerman, natives of Cayuga county, New York. The father removed westward in 1865, locating at Spring Hill, Whiteside county, Illinois, where he was first employed as a farm hand, and subse- quently entered the service of the railroad company as foreman on a bridge gang. Both he and his wife are still living and he is now successfully en- gaged in business in Erie, Illinois. His family numbered five children, name- ly: Alice and 'Dillon, who are deceased; one who passed away in infancy ; Frank R., of this review; and Fred W., of Chicago, Illinois.

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History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II, Part 70

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