USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 73
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80
Mr. and Mrs. Brooks are both members of the Sharon Methodist Episco- pal church, he being one of the charter members of the organization and for inany years a church trustee. The Sharon church, which adjoins his farm and which was built in 1841, was replaced by a new and larger building in 1907. The frame of the old structure was made of hewed timbers, while the siding was of black walnut, and when a new church edifice was decided upon Louis Heller purchased the old one and began removing it to his place. While being moved, however, the building became stuck in the mud near Mr. Brooks' farm, so the latter bought it and now uses it as a carriage shed, it being still in an excellent state of preservation. Having lived in White- side county throughout his entire life, he has not only witnessed the wonder- ful transformation that has taken place as pioneer conditions and environ- ments have given way before the onward march of civilization, but has also borne his full share in the arduous toil that was necessary in reclaiming the wild land for the uses of the white race. During his early boyhood the schoolhouses, ehurehes and homes were very crude as compared with those of the present day, while the conveniences of railway travel, telephonic com-
.
1392
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
munication, etc., were practically unknown. However, all these evidences of a modern civilization have long since been established and the country is inhabited by an industrious, prosperous, enlightened and progressive people.
BERT BESSE.
Bert Besse, a representative general farmer of Portland township, is prominent in the local ranks of the republican party, serving at the present time as a member of the county central committee and also as chairman of the county board of supervisors, in which connection he is rendering efficient service in support of measures of value to the community at large. He was born December 28, 1862, in the township which is still his home.
His father, Peter B. Besse, was a native of Oneida county, New York, born in 1812. He removed to Erie county in 1819 and in July, 1835, came to Portland township, Whiteside county, entering a claim on section 12. 'There he made his home until his death, which occurred September 17, 1890. He was always one of the leading men of the town and served as county com- missioner for several years. He was also supervisor and township trustee, and for a considerable period filled the office of justice of the peace. He aided in establishing the policy and molding the history of the county during its: formative period and aided in laying broad and deep the foundation upon which to build the present progress and prosperity of the county. Every evi- dence of pioneer life was here seen at the time of his arrival. Only three years before had the Black Hawk war occurred, whereby the white race gained supremacy over the country and proved their right to continue the work of civilization here. Indians were still seen, however, in the state and wild game of all kinds was abundant. Deer were frequently killed, while wild turkeys, prairie chickens, ducks and other game were seen in large numbers. The homes of the early settlers were usually small and frequently built of logs. The fire-place was a feature of the household and the furnishings were primi- tive, but the occupants of the homes were usually people of stalwart purpose and determination who had come here to gain a start in business life and aid in reclaiming the western frontier for the uses of civilization. Mr. Besse bore his full share in the work of progress and development and in fact was one of the valued citizens not only of the early days but through the middle por- tion of the century as well.
On the 5th of February, 1843, Peter B. Besse married Miss Sarah D. Crook, who was born in Eric county, New York, December 27, 1825, and died in Portland township, July 21 1907. She was a daughter of Asa Crook who settled in Prophetstown in May, 1834, and entered a claim adjoining the pres- ent site of the village of Prophetstown. He was probably the first justice of the peace of the county, being elected to that office in 1835. He was also post- master early in 1836, and numbered among the honored pioneer settlers he well deserves mention in this connection, for he, too, bore his part in shaping the history of the county at an early day. His birth occurred in Rutland
BERT BESSE
LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA
1395
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
county, Vermont, in 1790, and his death occurred in Sharon, Henry county, Illinois, in 1854. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Dustin, was born in 1793, and they were married in 1811. They had a large family, all of whom lived to an advanced age.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Peter B. Besse were born thirteen children, of whom eleven survive: Mrs. Josephine Mulford, of Long Beach, California; Mrs. Louisa Fuller, of Geneseo, Illinois; George B., a resident of Portland town- ship; Mrs. Sarah Fones, of St. John, Oregon; H. Clay, who resides in Chicago; Robert J., of Lyndon township; Mrs. Katie F. Gleason, who makes her home in Lincoln, Nebraska; Bert, of this review; Marion B., of Portland township; Frank, a resident of Springfield, Missouri; and Mrs. Lucy Timmerman, a resident of Portland township. Eugene L. was a soldier of the Civil war, was wounded and died in a hospital at Nashville, Tennessee, while Charles L. died at the age of six years.
Bert Besse, whose name introduces this record, obtained his education in the common schools, worked upon the home farm through the period of his boyhood and youth and when twenty-one years of age started out in life on his own account. He continued with his mother for some time after his father's death and in 1902 he purchased his present farm property of one hun- dred and seventy-four and a half acres on section 1, Portland township. This is a rich and productive tract of land situated in the midst of the finest farm- ing district of the state and responding readily to the care and labor which Mr. Besse bestows upon it. He keeps the place under a high state of cultivation and its neat and thrifty appearance indicates at once his careful supervision and his practical methods.
Mr. Besse is not only recognized as a representative agriculturist but is also a leader in republican circles and one whose work in behalf of the county has been effective and far-reaching. He is now a member of the central county committee and upon the party ticket has been elected to the office of supervisor for several terms, his incumbency covering a period of eight years. He is now chairman of the county board and is also serving as school director. He is a worthy representative of one of the leading pioneer families of the county and the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time is an indication of the straightforward rules that have governed him in his life contacts and expe- ricnccs.
IIENRY S. WARNER.
No history of Whiteside county would be complete without mention of Henry S. Warner, who is now in the ninetieth ycar of his age. Moreover, he is one of the pioneers of this part of the state, having settled in I.ce county at a very carly day, while at the present writing he is spending the evening of life in Sterling. IIe was born in Hardwick, Massachusetts, July 27, 1819, his parents being Moses M. and Orril (Smith) Warner, who were
1396
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
natives of Massachusetts. The paternal grandfather was also born in that state and the family comes of German aneestry, while the Smiths were of English deseent. The maternal grandfather was likewise a native of the old Bay state, was a farmer by occupation and loyally served the colonies as a soldier of the Revolutionary war. Both he and his wife reached all advanced age and Mr. Smith was blind before his death. Their family num- bered three sons and three daughters, including Orril Smith, who became the wife of Moses M. Warner.
. The latter was reared to the occupation of farming and followed that pursuit in the east until 1838, when, attraeted by the broader opportunities of this pioneer distriet, he came to Illinois, settling in Lee county on land which extended across the border into Whiteside county. He secured two hundred and twenty acres from the government upon which not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made. He afterward sold that place to his son Moses and removed to Lyndon, where he died at the venerable age of eighty-four years, while his wife lived to the remarkable old age of ninety-seven years. They were consistent Christian people, holding member- ship in the Congregational church, and their graves were made in the Prairie- ville cemetery. Of their nine ehildren six are now living: Henry S. and Moses M., both of Sterling; George, who is living near Harmony, Illinois; Maria, who married Jared Conine and after his death became the wife of Michael Fellows, of Sterling; Mary, the widow of John Lord, her home be- ing near Dixon, Illinois; and Delphia, whose first husband was Calvin Manı and who afterward married George Warner, of Woreester, Massachusetts. They lost three children: Sarah, their first born, who was the wife of A. L. Porter; Clarissa, the wife of Eli Palmer; and Louisa, who died in ehild- hood.
Henry S. Warner was reared upon a farm in Hardwiek, Massachusetts, and attended the old-time subseription schools. He was nineteen years of age when in 1838 he eame to Illinois with his father, the family home be- ing established in Lee county, where he continued to reside until 1868. Sinec that time he has lived in Sterling with the exception of a few years spent in Dakota and in Rock Falls, Illinois. For seventeen years he eon- dueted the old Central Hotel, the first hotel built in Sterling, situated at the corner of Fourth avenue and Third street. He was a popular host and made many friends among the traveling publie. Subsequently he went to Dakota, where he remained for four years, after which he returned to Sterling and eondueted a boarding house at Rock Falls for six years. He then again came to this eity, where he kept boarders for a time, but since the death of his wife he has lived retired.
In 1845 Mr. Warner was married to Miss Phoebe Ann Morehouse, a daughter of Nathan and Sarah (Ayres) Morehouse, who were natives of Connectieut and were among the first to establish homes upon the frontier of Lee county, Illinois. Her father was one of the charter members of the Masonie Lodge of Dixon. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Warner were born three daugh- ters: Sarah, Adelia and Ophelia. The second daughter died when twenty- four years of age and the youngest when twenty-one years of age. Sarah,
1397
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
the eldest, is the widow of Reuben Oaks Rich, who was born in Avon, Liv- ingston county, New York, January 3, 1836, a son of John and Maria (Oaks) Rich. IIis father was born October 1, 1811, and his mother March 20, 1818. Ile was the second in order of birth in their family of seven children, the others being: George Franklin, who was born December 18, 1833; William Henry, boru December 24, 1841; and a twin brother of the latter, who died when seven weeks old. In early life Reuben Oaks Rich became a sailor. At the outbreak of the Civil war he recruited a company at Port Clinton, 1, 1907. He was a Mason, having joined that fraternity at Capetown, South Africa. On the 5th of April, 1871, he was married in Sterling to Miss Sarah E. Warner and to them were born six children: John, Henry, Reuben, Ella, Albert and Laura. Of these, John married Blanche Schenck, of Chicago, and they have one sou, William. IIenry, who engages in the practice of dentistry in Jerseyville, Illinois, married Maude Ferguson, of Waukegan, Illinois, and has two children, Thelma and John. Reuben mar- ried Rose Perley, of Polo, and they live in Sterling with their two sons, Ohio, and with it marched to Buffalo. Later, on the 24th of April, 1862, he enlisted in the United States navy and remained in the service for six years, being honorably discharged May 5, 1868, with the rank of ensign. He served on the Wachusett, which belonged to the Asiatie fleet that captured the rebel gunboat Florida about the close of the war. During this important. engagement Ensign Rich had charge of the deek of the Wachusett and was complimented for his bravery. On being discharged from the service he came to Sterling, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying of dropsy August Kenneth and Donald. Ella is the wife of Winfield Andrews, of Sterling, and they have three children, Florence, Edgar and Laura. Albert is study- ing dentistry in Chicago. Laura lives at home and is employed as a clerk in the Wynne-Deavers dry-goods store. Mrs. Warner died in 1854 at the age of thirty-five years and Mr. Warner afterward married Miss Olive Jen- ness, a daughter of Levi Jenness. They are members of the Congregational church, in which Mr. Warner has served as deacon. They reside at No. 907 Third avenue, where he owns a good home. His political support is given the republican party and he is yet interested in the questions of the day and events of general interest, although he has attained so venerable an age. His has been a well spent life, and an honorable, upright character has won for him in the evening of his days the respeet, veneration and honor which should ever be accorded those of his years.
CHARLES E. PECK.
The growth and progress of community, state or nation does not depend upon the machinery of government or upon the efforts of a few but upon the combined labors of those who are loyal in eitizenship, amenable to law, active in business and trustworthy in every relation of life. These things conserve the best interest of town or county and the real promoters and upbuilders of
1398
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
a community are therefore those men who are foremost in its business life and who stand most loyally for its general advancement. To this class be- longs Charles E. Peck, cashier of the First National Bank of Albany, Illinois.
He was born in Cordova, Illinois, October 30, 1855, and there remained until the removal of the family to Whiteside eounty in 1865, his parents being James C. and Margaret (Smith) Peek, natives of Ohio and Indiana respee- tively. From that time forward he was reared upon the old homestead in Newton township. In his business eareer as a banker he has made a eredit- able reeord as a man of enterprise, ability and determination. His unfailing courtesy has made him popular with the patrons of the bank, while at all times he is perfectly loyal to the interests of the institution which he repre- sents.
The Peek family was established in America in 1637 by Henry Peck who came from England to this country in company with John Davenport, Theophilus Eaton, Edward Hopkins and others. The colony arrived at Bos- ton, Massachusetts, July 26, 1637. The following spring the eolony re-em- barked and sailing around the cape landed at "new haven" about the middle of April-the exact date is not known. Henry Peek, who settled in New Haven, Connecticut, was one of the signers of the fundamental agreement, or compaet, of the settlers made June 4, 1639, and took an active interest in the management of the affairs of the settlement.
The great-grandfather of Charles E. Peek, the branch of the family repre- sented in Albany, Illinois, was Captain Ebenezer Peck, of New Haven, Con- neetieut, who was one of the largest ship owners of that collective distriet and did a great trade with China and the East Indies. He owned a considerable portion of what is now the center of New Haven. Captain Ebenezer Peek's first wife was Mary Miles-no children-his second wife was Rebecca Dick- erman. To this union was born a large family, namely: William Augustus, Elizabeth Huntington, Ebenezer, James Cornelius (father of Charles E. Peek), Henry Huggins, Edward Hotehkiss Root, Anna Haskell and Edwin Porter.
James Cornelius Peek married Margaret Rosebrough Smith of Mount Carmel, Indiana, in 1848. They moved to Jeffersonville, Indiana, and in 1852 came to Illinois, settling near Cordova, where he engaged in farming. There they remained until 1865, when they removed to Whiteside eounty, estab- lishing their home in Newton township. Their family is John Rosebrough, Emma Smith, Anna. Atwater, Charles Eben, Willis Cornelius, Margaret Eliz- abeth and Mary Louise. In 1901 they moved to Albany, Illinois, where oe- eurred the death of the father, March 8, 1903. His widow and four children survive at this date-1908-namely: Emma S., Charles E., Margaret E., and Mary L. The father took a deep and abiding interest in all that pertained to the welfare of the community and gave his active eooperation and support to many movements for publie good, keeping well informed on the questions of the day, and throughout his life was an inflexible adherent to the republican party. Fraternally he was eonneeted with Albany Lodge, No. 566, A. F. & A. M., as is also his son, Charles E. Peck.
In the maternal line, Charles E. Peek is deseended from James and Rebecca (Love) Rosebrough, who were married near Flemingsburg, Ken-
1399 -
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
tucky, in 1797. Rebecca Love was born at Hannastown near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The town was burned by the Indians when Rebecca was ten years of age. The family took refuge in the fort with many others and all were saved. Her father died soon after. When she was sixteen years old she moved with her mother to Kentucky. James and Rebecca (Love) Rosebrough's children were: Elizabeth, William, Joseph Howe, Orpha, Doreas, John, Richard Love, Margaret, Mary, James Hall and Elmore Smith. Margaret Rosebrough married Israel Smith of Williamsburg, Ohio, and to this union was born one child-Margaret Rosebrough Smith (mother of Charles, E. Peck).
The Rosebroughs are descendants of the Huguenots, who at the time of \the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, October 22, 1685, fled with others to Seot- land and from there went to Ireland. Charles E. Peck's great-great-grand- father, James Rosebrough, whose mother was Samuel Halls, D. D., son's daughter, resided in North Carolina.
On the paternal side, Charles E. Peck is a direct descendant from Eph- raim Williams, founder of Williams College at Williamstown, Massachu- setts, whose ancestor came from Norwich, England, to Roxbury, Massachu- setts, in 1630; and he is also a descendant of Steven Williams, D. D., who was first pastor of the Congregational church of Long Meadow, Hampden coun- ty, near Springfield, Massachusetts, for sixty-six years, or until his death on June 10, 1782, in the ninetieth year of his age. He is buried in the old cemetery at Long Meadow.
MRS. EMMA QUADE.
Mrs. Emma Quade is well known in Eric, where she makes her home. She is the widow of John Quade and was born in Whiteside county, Illinois, August 26. 1846, her parents being James and Lucinda Hamilton, the for- mer a native of Ireland and the latter of the state of New York. Their fam- ily numbered six children and the parents are both now deceased.
It was at an early period in the development and improvement of this county that the Hamilton family was here established and under the parental roof the daughter Emma spent the days of her girlhood, while in the public schools she acquired her education. In 1867 she gave her hand in marriage to John Quade, a native of Germany, who came to America in the early '50s and for a time resided in the vicinity of Chicago, securing employment as a farm hand in that locality. He there remained until 1861, when with a companion he drove a herd of cattle and hogs from Chicago to this county, where he continued to make his home until called to his final rest. As he was at that time in limited financial circumstances it was necessary that he seek immediate employment and for two years he worked as a farm hand, during which time, by his industry and careful expenditure, he acquired capital suffi- cient to enable him to purchase one hundred and twenty acres of land. He located his farm in Erie township, where he carried on general agricultural
1400
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
pursuits throughout his remaining days. As the years passed he brought his land under a high state of cultivation and added many modern equipments and accessories to the farmn, making it a model farm property of the twentieth century. Everything about his place indicated his careful supervision and progressive methods. In his business dealings, too, he was thoroughly reliable as well as enterprising and gained a reputation for integrity that was above question.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Quade were born six children: James, of Erie town- ship; Julia, at home; Frank, deceased; John, also at home; Nora, the wife of Charles Conrad, of Erie township; and Perry, who has also passed away. Since her husband's death Mrs. Quade has made her home in the village of Erie, where she has a fine residence and seven lots. In addition to this property she yet owns the farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 21, Eric township, and derives therefrom a good income. She has been a resident of the county for sixty-two years and has therefore witnessed the greater part of its growth as it has emerged from pioneer conditions and taken on all of the evidences of a modern civilization. She has many friends in the county and as the years have gone by the number has increased as the circle of her ac- quaintance has widened.
GEORGE W. CASTLE.
George W. Castle, a representative of farming interests in Whiteside county, his home being in Erie township, was born in Connecticut, April 27, 1842. His parents, Randolph and Eunice M. (Wheelcr) Castle, were also natives of the same state, the former born in 1812, and the latter in 1817. Removing westward with Illinois in view as their destination, they settled in Whiteside county in 1873, and here spent their remaining days, the father passing away in 1889, while the mother died in 1897. Their family num- bered five children, of whom George W. is the eldest. The others arc: John T., now deceased; Sarah L., the wife of William Smith, of Erie, Illinois; Wallace and Mary, both deceased.
As a farm boy and youth George W. Castle continued upon the old homestead, and as his years and strengthi increased aided more and more largely in cultivating the fields and caring for the crops. His mental disci- pline was received in the public schools, which equipped him for life's prac- tical and responsible duties. He remained with his father until twenty years of age, and was then married to Miss Sarah J. Felker, who was born in Michigan and was one of a family of six children. Mr. Castle, following his marriage, rented a farm in Michigan for two years, and afterward went to Minnesota, where he purchased a tract of land, upon which he made his home for seven years. In 1871 he located at Glenwood, Iowa, where he en- gaged in the manufacture of brooms for six months. He next removed to Indiana and continued in the manufacture and sale of brooms for a year. The succeeding five years were spent in a similar enterprise in Michigan, at
1401
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
the end of which time Mr. Castle took up his abode in Erie, Illinois, where he continued broom-making for four years. He then again went to Michi- gan, where he remained for five years, when he onee more returned to this county and purchased a farm, of which ninety-three and one-half aeres are situated on section 5, Erie township, and he also owns forty acres in Fenton, which he has brought under a high state of cultivation, adding to the place all modern equipments and accessories.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Castle were born ten children: William F., now a resident of Illinois; Charles W., deceased; Randolph, who is living in Beards- town, this state; George L., of California; John F., whose home is in Mis- souri; Berney, deecased; Ray, living in Beardstown, Illinois; Justin L., also deceased; Thomas F., of Kansas City; and Winnie, the wife of Harry Scherrer, of Rock Falls, Illinois. The wife and mother, Mrs. Sarah Castle, died in 1895, and in 1899 Mr. Castle was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Ada V. (Dennison) Mangan, of Prophetstown township. She was the widow of George K. Mangan, and was born February 17, 1863. By her first marriage she had one son, George, who is now deceased. Her father still lives in Erie, Illinois, but her mother has passed away. By the second marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Castle there are two children: Earl W. and Roy Dennison. The mother was a graduate of the district sehools and taught school for twelve years in Whiteside county, and for one year in South Dakota.
The cause of education has always found in Mr. Castle a stalwart sup- porter and stanch advocate and for several years he did effective work as a school direetor. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen Camp, No. 14, at Eric, Illinois, while both he and his wife are faithful members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church. His views on the temperance question are plainly indicated by the loyal support which he gives to the prohibition party. He is interested in the cause of temperance, of justice and of morality, and does all in his power to advance the interests of his fellowmen in these lines. His own life, honorable and upright, has gained for him the respect and confidence of his townsmen, and he now has many friends in this part of the state.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.