USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 72
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On the 11th of February, 1885, Mr. Woodburn was married to Miss Mary J. Clatworthy, a daughter of the Rev. William H. and Elizabeth (Croker) Clatworthy. Her father is a native of England and was a son of William and Jane Clatworthy. He became a boss miner in his native coun- try and also engaged in preaching the gospel there. About 1870 he crossed the Atlantic to America and after his arrival in this country joined the Wesleyan Methodists, preaching as a minister of that denomination until about 1878. He then purchased a farm in Lee county, Illinois, upon which he took up his abode, making it his place of residence until about 1887, wlien he accepted the pastorate of the Methodist Episcopal church at Lyndon, Illinois. After two years thus passed he returned to his farm, upon which he lived until the death of his wife, which occurred June 28, 1902, when she was sixty-three years of age. In 1904 he married Miss Rachel McKegan, of Yates City, Illinois, where they are now residing. By his first marriage he had seven children who reached adult age and are still living, namely: William H. Clatworthy, Jr., of Sterling; Mrs. Woodburn; Emma, the wife of David T. Hill, of Jerseyville, Illinois; Alfred, who makes his home in Van Petten, Illinois; Carrie, the wife of R. A. Landon, of Jerseyville, Illinois; Rose, who beeame the wife of Dr. R. M. Smith and resides in Camden, New Jersey ; and Ernest G., also of Van Petten, Illinois. The maternal grandfather of
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Mrs. Woodburn was John Croker, a farmer of England, who died there in middle lifc. His wife, Mrs. Mary Croker, afterward came to America with her daughter, Mrs. Clatworthy, and died in Sycamore, Illinois, at the age of seventy-seven years. She had three sons and a daughter: William, Richard, John and Mrs. Elizabeth Clatworthy.
Mr. and Mrs. Woodburn have but one child, a daughter, Kathryn. They are consistent and faithful members of the Methodist church and Mr. Woodburn is secretary of its board of stewards. At the present writing lie is serving as chairman of the building committee of the new church, which is now being erected. Fraternally he is connected with Rock River Lodge, No. 612, A. F. & A. M., and also belongs to the Knights of the Globe. He is a worthy representative of a prominent pioneer family of the county and is making a creditable record as a member of the Sterling bar.
MRS. MARY C. HELLIER.
Mrs. Mary C. Hellier, a resident of Tampico township, is the widow of Robert N. Hellier, who died recently in Clinton, Iowa, as the result of a surgi- cal operation. He was born near Exeter, in Devonshire, England, April 27, 1849, and when eighteen years of age came to America, attracted by the broader business opportunities of the new world. He made his way direct to Chicago, but soon afterwards removed to Fairfield, Bureau county, Illinois, where he was united in marriage to Miss Alwilda E. Newell on the 11th of September, 1873. As the years passed eight children were added to the fam- ily: William J., Robert N., John H., Anna, Alwilda, Emily, Ida and Maude. Anna and the last two are now deceased. The wife and mother died March 7, 1890. Mr. Hellicr was married to his present widow on the 25th of July, 1891. In lier maidenhood she was Miss Mary C. Rolla. Unto them were born four children, of whom three survive: Maude, Ethel and Amelia.
Seven years prior to his death, Mr. Hellier removed to a farm near Tam- pico. He was a very energetic man, working earnestly and indefatigably, and in his business dealings won success. For several years he was engaged in auc- tioncering and his services were in constant demand by farmers who held public sales. He was ever alert to take advantage of the opportunity that pre- sented and no crier of sales had a stronger personal following than Mr. Hel- lier. As he traveled over the country as auctioneer, he found many opportu- nities for judicious investment in real estate, and at his demisc was the owner of five hundred and eighty acres of valuable land, of which he left threc hun- dred and eighty acres to the children of his first marriage and two hundred acres to his widow, who also owns two fine residences in Tampico. One hun- dred and twenty acres of her land is situated on section 9, and eighty acres on section 15, Tampico township. Mrs. Hellier is thus in very comfortable circum- stances, having an attractive home and valuable property which returns to her a good income. Her parents are natives of Scotland, where her father is still living. She was one of four children and in her girlhood was trained in the
MRS. MARY C. HELLIER
LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA
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work of the household so that slie was well qualified to take charge of a home of her own in later years. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a lady of inany excellent traits of eharaeter who has an extensive eirele of friends in this county.
MATHIAS WOLBER.
Mathias Wolber, a successful farmer and stock-raiser of Genesee town- ship, was born in Whiteside county, Illinois, April 17, 1857, a son of Chris and Salome (Deiterle) Wolber, who were natives of Germany. . The parents emigrated to the United States in 1854 and on reaching Chicago Mr. Wolber pawned his trunk in order to obtain money enough to make the journey to this county. On arriving here he worked as a laborer for two years and then purchased ten acres of land in Jordan township, bringing it under a high state of cultivation. . Six years afterward he sold the property and bought forty acres of government land, which he likewise improved, and as his finan- cial resources increased he added to his landed holdings from time to time until at the time of his death he owned two hundred and sixty acres in Jor- dan and Genesee townships. His success came to him as the merited reward of his unfaltering determination and untiring industry, and he was widely recog- nized as a worthy pioneer and progressive eitizen of his community. His demise occurred in 1893 when he had reached the age of seventy-four years, while his wife, who still survives him, yet resides in Jordan township on the old homestead farm. Unto this worthy couple were born seven children, namely : Mathias, of this review; Mary, the wife of Alexander Grehling, of Sterling; John, deceased; Henry, who lives in Carroll county, Illinois; Rose, the wife of Charles G. Bort, of this county; Frank, who makes his home in Jordan township; and one who died in infancy.
Mathias Wolber acquired a common-school education, and after attain- ing liis majority worked for his father by the month for four years. On the expiration of that period he rented a farm, which he operated successfully for ten years, and subsequently purchased one hundred and twenty acres on section 14, Genesee township, where he has since resided. In addition to the work of the fields he makes a specialty of stock-raising and in the conduct of his farming interests has met with a gratifying measure of prosperity by rea- son of his well directed energy and capable business management.
Mr. Wolber was united in marriage to Miss Christine F. Steltzer, who was born in Jordan township, August 30, 1860, a daughter of Charles and Edith (Starry) Steltzer, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Mary- land. They came to this state in the early '50s. Their family numbered eight children: Nettie, the wife of James Capp, of Sterling; C. W., who lives in Iowa; Mrs. Wolber; Henry M., of Sterling; Edith, who became the wife of W. H. Guinther and resides in Jordan township; George, also of Sterling; and two who are deecased. Charles Steltzer, the father, was called to his final rest in 1885 but the mother still survives at the age of eighty-two years. Mr. and
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Mrs. Wolber have two children, Edith A. and Warren M., both at home. The former attended business college for two years at Sterling, Illinois.
In his political views Mr. Wolber is a demoerat, quite aetive in the local ranks of the party. He has served as collector for two years and as supervi- sor for the past eight years, being at present chairman of the board, while for cighteen years he has. been sehool director. Fraternally he is connected with Coleta. Camp, No. 76, M. W. A., of which he is serving as treasurer. His religious faitli is indicated by his membership in the German Lutheran church, with which his wife is also identified, both Mr. and Mrs. Wolber being widely and favorably known throughout the community as people of genuine personal worth and sterling traits of character. Throughout his entire life or for more than half a century he has resided in this eounty and has therefore been a witness of the many changes that have oeeurred, trans- forming the region from a barren distriet into one of the richest agricultural seetions of the state.
JOHN B. LOOMIS.
John B. Loomis, engaged in the livery business in Prophetstown, was born in New York, March 18, 1841, his parents being Joel and Parmelia (Bow- man) Loomis, natives of Connecticut and Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, re- speetively. The father died in the Empire state in 1843 and the mother afterward married John Bollen in 1846. By her first marriage she had three children, Alfred E., John B. and Joel E., all residents of Prophetstown. By her second marriage there were born five children: George, who is living in Nebraska; H. S., a resident of Prophetstown; Lueretia, the wife of David Parker, of Iowa; Lewis, deceased; and T. J., a resident of Nebraska. The father, Mr. Bollen, died in 1889.
John B. Loomis remained with his mother until nineteen years of age, when he started out in life on his own aeeount. For a long period he was identified with agricultural pursuits, cultivating rented land for sixteen years. He fed and shipped hogs for four years but not finding that profitable he with- drew from that business and established a livery barn in Prophetstown in 1881. The new venture was more sueeessful and he has continued in that line to the present, having a well equipped livery stable, keeping a good line of ear- riages and other vehicles and a number of fine roadsters. His patronage has steadily inereased with the growth of the community and the business has long sinee reached profitable proportions. In addition to his livery barn he owns a store building in Manlius, Illinois, and a fine residence in Prophetstown.
On the 16th of December, 1868, occurred the marriage of John B. Loomis and Miss Alvira Barber, a daughter of David and Eliza (Williams) Barber. Her father was born in Vermont and her mother in the state of New York, and at an early day they removed westward to Illinois. They were the parents of three eliildren, Mrs. Loomis, Effa and George. Mr. Barber died in 1892 and his wife, surviving for about eleven years, passed away in 1903. The
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grandmother of Mrs. Loomis was the first person buried in Prophetstown cemetery, interment being made in 1844. The family was one of the first to locate in this part of the county and was closely associated with the early pioneer development. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Loomis has been blessed with three children: Carrie, who is yet under the parental roof; Mina, the wife of S. E. Wheelock, of Manlius; and J. B., who is with Armour & Com- pany in Chicago.
Mr. Loomis and his family are members of the Congregational church and are prominent socially in the community, while the hospitality of their own home seems most attractive to their many friends. Mr. Loomis belongs to the Masonie Lodge, No. 293, and is a charter member of the Modern Wood- men Camp No. 16. His political views are in accord with the principles of democracy and his fellow townsmen have elected him to the offiees of asses- sor and road commissioner. His purposes have always been in harmony with publie spirited citizenship and his cooperation can always be counted upon when there is a movement afoot to further the welfare of the community. In his business life he has made that steady progress which follows elose appli- cation and unfaltering energy, and whatever success he has achieved has come to him only through his own efforts, so that he may well be called a , self-made man.
LORENZO MICKLE.
Lorenzo Mickle, now deceased, was numbered among the representative and successful agriculturists of Whiteside county, where he lived for about a third of a century. His life exemplified sterling traits of citizenship, of business aetivity and honor, and of devotion to the ties of friendship and family. He was born in Sehoharie county, New York, December 18, 1837, his parents being George and Elizabeth (Cole) Mickle, who were likewise natives of the same county. The father was of German descent and the mother of Holland lineage, and Mr. Mickle spent his last days in Iowa, while his wife passed away in Carroll county, this state. They were the parents of three sons and three daughters: Jeremialı, now deceased; one who died in the state of New York; Mrs. Mary E. Ferguson, deceased; Lorenzo; Mrs. Minerva Slater, of Battle Creek, Iowa; and Albert, who has also passed away.
Lorenzo Miekle was about seventeen years of age when he came with his parents to Whiteside county. Up to that time he had been a resident of Sehoharie county, New York, and the public schools afforded him his educational privileges. Following the removal westward, the family home was established in Sterling, where he resided up to the time of his marriage. He then removed to York township, Carroll county, Illinois, and settled upon a rented farm. After cultivating this for a brief period his wife re- ceived from her father a tract of land and Mr. Mickle purchased forty aeres, inaking their farm about one hundred aeres. This was situated in Ustick
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township, Whiteside county, and with characteristie energy Mr. Miekle be- gan the cultivation and improvement of the farm. As the years passed he brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and annually gathered rich erops. He carried on the farm work there until 1872, when he sold that property and eamc to Fenton township, purchasing a farm, which in 1875 he traded for what is now the Miekle homestead, comprising two hun- dred and ten aeres of valuable and productive land on seetions 28 and 29, Fenton township. There are two sets of buildings upon this place and every- thing about the farm is kept in a state of good repair and.indieates the earcful supervision of Mrs. Miekle.
It was on the 7th of December, 1857, that Mr. Mickle was married to Miss Charity St. Ores, who was born in Jefferson county, New York, April 10, 1840. Later in that year, her parents, James and Anna (Osmer) St. Ores, came to Illinois, settling in Carroll county. Her father was born and reared in New York, near Lake Champlain, while her mother's birth oe- curred near Rutland, Vermont, and there her girlhood days were passed. 'They left the east when their daughter Charity was but four months old, traveling westward across the country until they reached Carroll county, Illinois. They settled in York township, near the Whiteside county line, and there the parents resided until their death. The father owned and operated a sawmill on Johnson creek for some time after he arrived in this state, but later concentrated his energies upon his agricultural pursuits and was the owner of three adjoining farms, one of which was situated in York township, Carroll county, while the other two crossed the boundary line into Ustiek township, Whiteside county. He made considerable money through speculation and manifested kecn discrimination in placing a valuation upon property, so that his investments were judieiously made and brought him a good profit upon their sale. In his later years he lived retired, putting aside .business cares in 1872 and establishing his home in Thompson, where he lived until his death. He was born in 1802 and died at the age of seventy years. His wife passed away in the eighty-fourth year of her age. As the family name indieates, the St. Ores are of French deseent, and the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Miekle was Jacob St. Ores, a native of Canada, who on removing to the United States settled on Lake Champlain, in New York. He served for several years in the Revolutionary war and again as a valiant defender of American interests in the war of 1812. He was ordered out by the governmnt to move supplies with his teams at the time of the naval fight on Lake Champlain in the second war with England. His son James, although then a boy of but twelve years, aided him, and Mrs. Miekle tells how her father often related to her the story of that incident and how fright- ened he was upon the occasion, for the battle was waging on the water near where he and his father were hauling supplies.
Mrs. Miekle was one of a family of eight children, of whom four daugh- ters and two sons reached adult age, married and had families. Unto our subjeet and his wife were born three children: Anna E., the wife of Clark Hamilton, of Fenton township; Charles, who resides upon a part of his moth- er's farm ; and Plunia, now the wife of T. H. Crocker, of Fenton township.
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The death of the husband and father occurred April 7, 1887, when he was in his fiftieth year. His political allegiance was given to the democracy and he was a member of the River Brethren church. His life was at all times actuated on high and honorable principles and was in harmony with his re- ligious professions. He worked persistently and diligently to make a com- fortable home for his family and was most devoted to the welfare and happi- ness of his wife and children. Though more than two decades have come and gone since he passed away, he is yet remembered by many who knew him as a worthy citizen and faithful friend and a devoted husband and father.
ROBERT A. MATHEW, M. D.
Dr. Robert A. Mathew, who since 1901 has been a member of the med- ical fraternity of Morrison, was born in Hopkins township, this county, in 1872, and was the third in order of birth in a family of five children, whose parents were Thomas and Anna (Thomson) Mathew, both of whom were. natives of Scotland. In the year 1835 the father crossed the Atlantic and became a resident of Hopkins township, making his home on a farm which he had previously purchased. There he spent his remaining days, and as the years passed he prospered in his undertakings and added to his original holdings until he was the owner of five hundred and twenty-five acres of rich, productive and valuable land in Hopkins township. He was always a stal- wart republican in his political views, was a good neighbor and citizen and was held in the highest esteem. He died in 1893 in his eighty-sixth ycar, while his wife passed away in 1876 when about thirty-six years of age. She came to the United States with her parents, William and Anna (Burn) Thomson, the family home being established in Virginia. After a few years they removed to Illinois, settling in Ustick township, Whiteside county, where Mr. Thomson followed the occupation of farming. His daughter, Mrs. Mathew, was a faithful member of the Presbyterian church and, like her husband, had many friends who esteemed her highly by reason of her sterling traits of character.
Dr. Mathew was rcared to farm work, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He attended the country schools and also continucd his studies in Morrison, being grad- uated from the high school with the class of 1894. He determined upon a professional career and to this end entered the Rush Medical College in the fall of 1894, completing the three years' course by graduation in 1897. He located for practice in La Veta, Colorado, where he remained until 1901, when he came to Morrison, where he has since met with gratifying success, having now gained the patronage of many of the best families of the city and locality.
In 1897 Dr. Mathew was married to Miss Gertrude E. Lewis, who was born in Morrison in 1876, a daughter of John and Ida (Hamilton) Lewis, the former a carpenter now living in Texas. Dr. and Mrs. Mathew have
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two sons, Roy and Lewis. They are well known socially, and the hospitality of the majority of the best hoines of Morrison and the surrounding district is freely accorded them.
Dr. Mathew is identified with various fraternal organizations, including the Knights of Pythias, the Odd Fellows, the Woodmen of the World, the Fraternal Tribunes and the Mystic Workers of the World. He is also con- nected with the county and state medical associations. He has had some military experience, being assistant surgeon of the Sixth Infantry of the Illi- nois National Guard with the rank of captain. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is now serving as alderman of the first ward. He is interested in everything pertaining to the community and its progress, and his influence can always be counted upon to further any move- ment for the public good.
BENJAMIN F. BROOKS.
Benjamin F. Brooks, a well known and successful agriculturist residing on section 29, Portland township, was born on the 17th of August, 1837, on the old homestead about two miles from his present home, in the log cabin erected by his father, Alphonso Brooks. He is the oldest white child born in this county that is still a resident, and the home in which he first opened his eyes to the light of day was a primitive dwelling constructed of unhewn logs and having but a dirt floor.
Alphonso Brooks, a native of New York, remained in that state until 1833, when he determined to seek a home in the west and turned his face toward the setting sun. After reaching Illinois he took up a claim in Du Page county and spent one season there, but in 1834 he returned to the Empire state, where he married Miss Eliza Teats, who was born and reared in New York. In 1835, accompanied by his young wife, he once more inade the journey westward to Illinois, taking up his abode in Whiteside county. From one of the early settlers he purchased a claim of one hundred and twenty acres in Portland township, crecting here the log house previous- ly mentioned. After placing a portion of his land in a good state of culti- vation, he disposed of that property and took a claim at Spring Hill, where he erected the first building used as a house of public entertainment in this locality, and there for many years kept a hotel, also engaging in farming.
In early life Benjamin F. Brooks attended the district school and when not busy with his text-books assisted his father in the work of the home farm, thus becoming thoroughly familiar with the line of activity which he chose as a life occupation. On starting out in life on his own account he purchased the old homestead farm, but subsequently traded the property for his present place, which he has brought under a high state of cultivation and on which he has made many modern improvements. He is widely recognized as a man of unremitting industry and good business ability, and the success which has come to him is entirely the result of his well directed labor and untiring energy.
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On the 19th of April, 1859, Mr. Brooks was united in marriage to Miss Mary Lanphere, who was born in New York, but who grew to womanhood in Illinois. Six children were born unto this marriage, namely: Fred F., a farmer, who is married and resides in Whiteside county; Emmett, also an agriculturist, who is married and lives in Henry county ; Cora, at home; Bert, who is married and engages in farming in Portland township; Alice L., who died at the age of twenty-eight years; and Roy, an undertaker and furniture dealer, of Atkinson, Henry county. On the 6thi of April, 1886, Mr. Brooks was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife, and three years later, on August 28, 1889, he wedded Miss Electra L. Brown, who was born and reared in Rock Island county, Illinois. There is one son by this union, Marion.
Mr. Brooks cast his first ballot in 1860, voting for Abraham Lincoln for president, and has ever since been conspicuously identified with the repub- liean party. He is prominent and active in local affairs of his party, and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his capability and fidelity, have called him to many positions of public trust. He served as deputy during the war time under Sheriffs R. E. Logan and J. Depell; has been township collector, chair- man of the township committee; has acted as assessor for twenty-four years; and has attended eounty conventions as a delegate almost continuously since 1860. He has likewise served one term as supervisor and road commissioner, while for several years he was constable. With the exception of one year he has continuously held the office of school director since attaining his ma- jority, and has therefore always been exempt from the poll tax. For twenty- five years he has been a director of the county fair held at Morrison, and, in fact, his cooperation is ever to be counted upon in any movement or meas- ure calculated to prove of general good. His fraternal relations connect hini with the Masonic Lodge, No. 412, at Spring Hill, and with Brooks Camp, No. 225, M. W. A., which was named in his honor and of which he is a charter member.
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