USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 74
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
JOHN KRATZ.
John Kratz, a retired farmer living in Sterling, was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in September, 1838. The days of his boyhood and youth were spent upon a farm there, while the publie schools afforded him his educational privileges. Thinking to have better business opportunities in the middle west, he came to Illinois immediately after the Civil war and settled in Jordan township,.Whiteside county, where he worked by the month for a time. He then returned to the east, where he was married, after which he brought his bride to this county. A part of his farm was given him, but to his original holdings he added from time to time until he was the owner of two hundred
1402
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
and eight acres of productive land in Jordan township. He constantly pro- moted its value through the care and labor which he bestowed upon it, and as the years passed he met with gratifying success. About 1890, however, he retired from the farm, sold the property and removed to Sterling, where he has since made his home.
In 1900 Mr. Kratz was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife. She bore the maiden name of Mary Loux, and they traveled life's journey together for many years. They became the parents of six children. Elizabeth, the eldest, is now the wife of W. D. Detweiler, and has two children, Roy and Earl. Catharine is the widow of John Wolber, and has one son, Oscar. Joseph L., a resident of Des Moines, Iowa, married Adelia John, and they have four children: Ella, George, Pearl and Lowell. Mathias L., residing in Sterling, wedded Amelia Krohn, and their children, five in number, are Atha, Rcave, Krohnen, Gladys and Lois. Noah L., living in Chicago, mar- ried Hattie Eldred, and they have one son, Eldred Kratz. Mary, the young- est of the family, is the wife of Rev. C. F. Oehler, of Sacramento, California, and they have six children: Earl, Ruth, Anna, Freddic, Paul and Law- rence.
Mr. Kratz now lives with his son, Mathias L., at No. 1110 Second avenue, where lic is enjoying the comforts of life and some of its luxuries. Mathias L. Kratz is a well known grocer and leading business man of Ster- ling, conducting a store at No. 114 East Third street. He married Amelia Krohn on the 19thi of May, 1897, a daughter of Henry and Hannah (Bouce) Krohn. Thic Kratz family has long been known in Whiteside county, having for more than forty years been represented here, the father figuring promi- nently in agricultural circles for a long period. He has lived to witness many changes in the county, as its wild prairie land has been converted into fine farms, while towns and cities have sprung up and are now cquipped with many important industrial and commercial interests, which contribute to the general prosperity and business upbuilding of this section of the state.
BENJAMIN M. GLASS.
Benjamin M. Glass, who owns and operates two hundred and forty acres of land on section 11, Prophetstown township, is also extensively engaged in buying, selling and feeding stock. He was born in Woodford county, Illi- nois, November 22, 1861, a son of Samuel and Mary (Yowles) Glass, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of Pennsylvania. The father came to the United States in the early '40s, and passed away in the year 1892, hav- ing for a long period survived his wife, whose demise occurred in 1866. Their family numbered twelve children: Margerette, the widow of William Winkle- pleck, who lives in Chicago; Robert, of Michigan; Benjamin M., of this re- view ; and ninc who are deceased.
Benjamin M. Glass pursued his education in the common schools and remained with his parents until he had attained his majority, when he began
P
BENJAMIN M. GLASS AND FAMILY
LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URSANA
1405
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
working by the month at farm labor, being thus employed for four years. On the expiration of that period lie operated, rented land for two years and then purchased forty aeres of land in Woodford county, Illinois, where he made his home for five years. Subsequently he sold that property and bought another traet of one hundred and twenty acres in Woodford county, whereon he lived until 1897, when he again sold out and purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Iowa. He only owned the latter traet of land for two days, however, when he disposed of it and bought another farm in Iowa, but sold it in a week and eame to Whiteside county, where he purchased one hundred and seventy-five aeres in Lyndon township. After residing on this property for five years he sold the land and bought two hundred and forty aeres on section 11, Prophets- town township, where he has sinee made his home. He makes a specialty of buying, selling and feeding stoek, and that his interests in this direetion are extensive is indieated by the faet that he bought and sold over eleven hun- dred head in 1907 He is recognized as one of the enterprising and pros- the result of his own well direeted labor and capable business management. perous agrieulturists and stoekmen of the county and his success is entirely
In 1881 Mr. Glass was united in marriage to Miss Emma Hendee, a na- tive of Ohio and a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Matthews) Hendee, the former born in France and the latter in Ohio. Mr. Hendee departed this life in Ohio, while the demise of his wife occurred in Ottawa, Illinois. Mrs. Glass was one of a family of ten children and by her marriage has beeome the mother of the following named: Arthur E., of Prophetstown; Benjamin F., a graduate of the Kansas City Medieal College; Robert; Harry E .; Perry, de- eeased; Graee; Edna; and Cora P. The oldest son, Arthur E. Glass, was mar- ried three years ago to Miss Mareia C. Martin, of Portland township and they have one little daughter, Myrna Irene. He is employed as a rural mail carrier from Prophetstown.
Politieally Mr. Glass is a republican and is serving as a school director at the present time. His fraternal relations arc with Camp No. 16, Modern Woodmen of America, at Prophetstown, and in the community where they reside both he and his wife are well and favorably known, having gained many warm friends during the period of their residence here.
F. M. LA DUE.
F. M. La Due was born February 11, 1865, upon a farm which is now liis home. His parents were Edward A. and Cecelia (Lane) La Due, both of whom were natives of Cayuga county, New York, the former born in 1841 and the latter in 1844. They had a family of four children : Burdett E., who in the practice of medieine is making a specialty of the disease of the nose, ear, eye and throat at Ottawa, Illinois; F. M .; Emma, the wife of J. C. Pinkley, of Spring Valley; and Mary, the wife of Nelson Smith, who is living at Spring Valley, Illinois. While yet a young man the father eame to the middle west and located at Yorktown, Bureau county, Illinois, where he engaged in iner-
1406
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
chandising for a few years. While there he was united in marriage to Cecelia Lane, who lived with her parents on a farm near Yorktown. Shortly after- ward Mr. La Due turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, purchasing one hundred and twenty aeres of land upon which his son F. M. La Due now resides. After farming for a few years he removed to Tampico, where he embarked in the drug business, but for the past twenty-one years lias eon- ducted a drug store in Spring Valley, where he now makes him home. He has been closely associated with agricultural and commercial interests in this part of the state and is, moreover, numbered among the early settlers who have aided in the substantial development and improvement of northern and central Illinois.
F. M. La Due was but eight years of age when his parents went to Tam- pico, where he acquired his education as a public-school student. He re- muained under the parental roof until 1883, when at the age of eighteen years, he took charge of the home farm. The following year he married and con- tinued to rent and cultivate the old homestead until 1892, when he purchased the property. He resided thereon until 1899, when he rented his land and removed to Tampico, where for three years he was engaged in general mer- chandising. He then sold his store and entered the live-stoek business, in which he continued for two years, buying, selling and shipping live stock. On the expiration of that period, however, he returned to the farm, where he is now living. He has here a beautiful residence and all modern improve- inents which have been placed there by the present owner and which stand as monuments to his enterprise and thrift.
On the 14th of February, 1884, occurred the marriage of Mr. La Due and Miss Hattie Griffin, who was born in Bristol, Kendall county, Illinois, March 22, 1866, a daughter of Lewis L. and Emily (Bradley) Griffin. Her father was born in the state of New York in 1834, and is now living in Tampico. The mothier was born in Schaghtieoke, Rensselaer county, New York, May 26, 1843, and was killed by a railroad train at Dunhams Basin, New York, while visiting in the Empire state, September 30, 1893. When she was three years of age she removed with her parents to Bennington, Ver- mont, and at the age of nine years beeame a resident of Warren county, New York. On the 29th of January, 1860, she gave her liand in marriage to Lewis L. Griffin. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Griffin removed to Bolton, and afterward lived in Chester, New York, whence they came to the west in 1865, settling at Sugar Grove, Kane county, Illinois, where they remained for a year. On the expiration of that period they took up their abode in Bristol township, Kendall county, but later removed to Plano, where they remained until coming to Tampico township, Whiteside county. There the father earried on farming until the death of his wife, after which he sold his property and has since lived retired. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Griffin were born three children: Marwan, now living in Tampico; Mrs. Dora Shorette, of Dixon, Illinois; and Mrs. La Due. Unto Mr. and Mrs. La Due were born a daughter and two sons: Georgia B., now the wife of Ralph Glassburn, of Tampico, by whom slie has one child, Veda; Lewis E., who married Nellie Hunter and resides in Henry county, Illinois; and Stanley B., at home.
1407
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
Mr. and Mrs. La Due hold membership in the Christian church, which he aided in organizing, also serving as a member of the building committee for the erection of the house of worship. His politieal allegiance is given to the republican party, and he has served as school director and as pathmaster. In his social relations he is connected with the Fraternal Reserves. His entire life has been spent within the borders of this county, and during the greater part of the time he has earried on agricultural pursuits, placing his dependence upon the safe, substantial qualities of energy and determination for the aequirement of success. He is now the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which is endeared to him through the asso- viations of his boyhood and those of his later manhood as well.
HENRY A. MEYER.
Henry A. Meyer, who owns and operates two hundred and sixty-eight acres of rich farming land in Portland township, where he is also extensively engaged in stock-raising, was born June 18, 1851, in Bureau county, Illinois. His father, John F. Meyer, a native of Hille, Westphalia, Germany, was born October 25, 1819, and in 1844 came to Ameriea, landing at Charleston, South Carolina, where he was employed until July, 1847, when he removed to Lamoille. Bureau county, Illinois. At the latter place he worked by the month at farm labor for three years and then located on the farm which he had purchased in September, 1849. On the 18th of August, 1850, he was united in marriage to Miss Eva Barbara Gentlier, whose demise occurred January 24, 1866, at the age of forty-two years. She was a faithful adherent of the Lutheran faith, and Mr. Meyer was one of the organizers of the Evan- gelical Lutheran Zion church in Lamoille, Illinois, in 1855. When his death occurred in 1903, Bureau county mourned the loss of one of its worthy. pioneers and progressive eitizens-one who had done his full share in the upbuilding of a pioneer community. Unto him and his wife were born seven ehildren: John C., of Spring Hill, Illinois; Henry A., of this review ; Frederick and William, twins, the former deceased and the latter of Bureau county, Illinois; Herman, who also resides in Bureau county; Bertha, de- ceased; and Justina, the wife of Henry Grothen.
Henry A. Meyer was reared in the county of his nativity and acquired a common-school education. When eightcen years of age he left home and went to Chicago, where he was employed as a clerk in a grocery store for nine years and subsequently worked for one year for the Chicago Packing & Provision Company. He then returned to Lamoille, Bureau county, and engaged in the cultivation of rented land. In 1885 he purchased ninety acres of his present farm in Portland township, Whiteside eounty, and as the years passed added to his holdings until he now owns two hundred and sixty- eight acres of rieh and productive land, while he has also added many mod- ern improvements to his farm that facilitate the work of the fields and enhance its attractive appearance. In addition to his property in this eounty
.
1408
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
he also owns three hundred and twenty acres in Lincoln county, Nebraska. In connection with the work of general farming he likewise carries on stock- raising on an extensive scale and both branches of his business are bringing to him a gratifying financial return, making him one of the prosperous and representative agriculturists of the county.
On the 18th of October, 1881, Mr. Meyer was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Smith, who was born in Lee county, Illinois, in 1864 and was a daughter of Peter and Lizzie (Aurigan) Smith, natives of Germany. . The parents of Mrs. Meyer emigrated to America in 1857 and located in Lee county, Illionis. The mother passed away in Sublette, that county, at the. age of forty-two years. The father now lives with Mr. and Mrs. Meyer on the farm at the age of seventy-six years. This worthy couple were the parents of three children: Michael P., of Chicago; Mary Williams, who also resides in Chicago; and Mrs. Meyer. The latter became the mother of nine children: John S., William E., Albert J., Wilhelmina L., Henry F., Harley G. and Hattie M., all of whom are at home; and Emma J. and Eva B., who are de- ceased.
In his political views Mr. Meyer is a democrat and has served as school director, while for fourteen years he has been pathmaster, doing all in his power for the establishment of more and better roads. In fact his influence is always given on the side of reform, progress and improvement and he is widely recognized as one of the county's alert and enterprising citizens and business men. Both he and his wife are devoted members of the German Lutheran church, being highly esteemcd throughout the community as people of genuine personal worth, whose lives have ever been actuated by upright and honorable principles.
JOHN GRIDLEY.
In a history of the farming interests of Ustick township, mention should be made of John Gridley, who is one of the old settlers of the county. The name of Gridley has figured in connection with the agricultural develop- ment of this county since 1855, when James G. Gridley, father of our sub- ject, took up his abode within its borders. He was born October 1, 1811, at Middleburgh, Schoharie county, New York, a son of John and Margaret (Stopplebeen) Gridley, who were natives of the state of New York and had nine children. James G. Gridley was the third in order of birth, and was reared in the place of his nativity. He afterward lived for some years in Columbia and in Otsego counties, of New York, and in 1855 came to White- side county, settling in Morrison, which was then in the first year of its ex- istence. His genius as a mechanic was in immediate requisition to meet the demands of the throng of newcomers in the little town. He was aetive in the work of incorporating Morrison, was elected one of its first trustces, and was a member of the board for several successive years. He was also the builder of the main part of the school building at Morrison, and also of the First Presbyterian church. He built the second warehouse in Morrison, and
-
-
1409
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
in partnership, first with L. H. Robinson, and later with J. V. Giles, engaged in shipping grain and stock, and also in the sale of lumber. On relinquish- ing his business interests at Morrison in 1861, he purchased a farm in Us- tiek township, and afterward removed to Union Grove township, becoming the owner of five hundred 'acres of land in this county, nearly all of which lie brought under excellent cultivation.
James G. Gridley was married three times. He wedded Jane E. Miller, in Columbia county, New York, June 11, 1837, and had three children; Margaret, who became the wife of Joseph G. Sholes, of Moline, Illinois, died in August, 1906; Stephen, of Kingman county, Kansas; and Rachel, who died in Moline, Illinois, October 15, 1877. The death of Mrs. Gridley oc- curred January 4, 1849, and Mr. Gridley was married October 15, 1850, to Sarah J. Duffin, of Otsego county, New York, where she died November 8, 1854. On the 2d of June, 1857, in Columbia county, New York, James G. Gridley wedded Sarah J. Hornfager, who was born October 3, 1822, in Columbia county, and died in July, 1905. They had three children: John; Charles E., who lives on a farm in Union Grove township; and Mary, who died February 24, 1883, in Union Grove township when seventeen years of agc.
The birth of Jolin Gridley occurred in Morrison in 1859, and he was rcared in that city and upon the home farm, early becoming familiar with . all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. The public schools afforded him his educational privileges, and by reading, experience and observation he has become a well informed man. His life has been a busy and useful one and he is recognized as a substantial citizen of Ustick township.
On the 28th of September, 1881, John Gridley was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Ward, a daughter of John H. Ward, who was born April 23, 1820, in Niagara county, New York, and became a resident of Whiteside county in 1862, settling in Mount Pleasant township, where he lived until luis death on the 4th of September, 1881. . His wife bore the maiden name of Mary E. Bump. She was born in Madison, New York, November 29, 1832, was married June 10, 1857, and died January 23, 1896. The old homestead farm of the Ward family in Mount Pleasant township is now occupied by J. F. Ward, who married Miss Cornelia Michael, a cousin of Mr. Gridley. They have two children. Charles H. Ward, another member of the family, lives in Mount Pleasant township, near the old homestead. He wedded Miss Irma Nowlen and has two children.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. John Gridley has been blessed with four children : Ward J., born August 4, 1884; Mabel A., who was born February 11, 1887, and is a junior at Illinois University; James Guy, who was born October 15, 1894; and John W., born December 7, 1899. The family home is one of the fine farms of Ustick township. Mr. Gridley owns and operates three hundred and twenty acres of land, and in his work displays marked energy and capability. He carries on general farming and stock-raising, and the fields are highly cultivated, while in the pastures are found good
.
1410
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
grades of cattle and horses. In his business interests he displays keen dis- cernment and unwearied industry, and as the years have gone by he has gained a measure of success whieli is well merited. Fraternally he is eon- neeted with the Modern Woodmen, and also with the Odd Fellows, and his brethren of those orders entertain for him warm regard. His political views are in accord with the principles of the republican party, and in matters of citizenship he is progressive and public spirited.
HENRY KROHN.
Henry Krohn, whose business activity is an element in the commercial progress of Sterling, is now engaged in dealing in marble and granite monu- ments. He was born in Holstein, Germany, May 30, 1844, a son of John Henry and Anna M. (Sturdts), Krohn. The former was a son of Casper Henry Krohn, who died in Germany when almost ninety years of age, while his wife, Margaret Krohn, was about eighty years of age at the time of her demise. They had three children. John Sturdts, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was a forester of Germany, where he died at the age of eighty- four years. His wife was Katharine Sturdts and they had two sons and two daughters, John, Peter, Catherine and Anna M.
John Henry Krohn, the father, was a stone-cutter of Arberdorf, Ger- many, and died from an accident occasioned by a runaway team on the 24tli of March, 1867, when forty-nine years of age. His wife survived him to the age of seventy-two years. Both were members of the Lutheran church and Mr. Krohn was a soldier in the Revolution of 1848. Their family num- bered six sons: Henry, of this review; John, deceased; Peter, of Lincoln, Nebraska; Jacob; August, of Merdorf, Germany; and William, a resident of Lincoln, Nebraska.
Henry Krohn, reared in Germany, acquired the greater part of his edu- cation there and learned the stone-cutter's trade in his father's shop, begin- ning work when thirteen years of age. He has since followed the business, covering a period of fifty-one years and undoubtedly one reason for his suc- cess is the fact that he has continued in that line in which he embarked as a young tradesman and in which the years have brought him broad experience and thorough knowledge. He was drafted for service in the German army in 1864, during a rebellion in that country and served for fifteen months. In 1867 he came to America, settling first in Clinton, Iowa, where he lived for one year, after which he lived successively in Rock Island, Chicago, and other places until coming to Sterling in 1869. Here for five years he was in the employ of R. B. Colcord, an old settler, and then began business on his own account, since which time he has enjoyed creditable success as proprietor of marble works here. A liberal patronage has been accorded him and in all of his dealings he is found trustworthy and reliable, while his consideration and justice as an employer is indicated by the fact that one man, Charles Buck, has been in his service for over thirty years.
1411
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
On the 21st of February, 1873, Mr. Krohn was married to Miss T. Han- nah Buns, a daughter of Anton Buns. Seven children have been born of this marriage, a son and six daughters: Anna Maria, the wife of Henry Miller, who resides near Craig, Nebraska, and by whom she has three children, Vera, Dorothy and Etta; Margaret, the wife of John Mitchell, a brother of Judge Mitchell, their home being in Chicago and their family numbering one son, Russell; Amelia, the wife of M. L. Kratz, of Sterling, by whom she has five children, Atha, Reaves, Krohnen, Gladys and Lois; Minnie, the wife of William Kennedy and a resident of Oregon, Illinois; Louise, the wife of George Thorpe, a resident of Sterling and the mother of two children, Helen and Alfred Henry; William F., who is a clerk in the store of M. L. Kratz, his brother-in-law; and one who died in infaney.
The parents are members of St. John's Lutheran church and are inter- ested in its work and in all measures and movements for the moral progress of the community. Mr. Krohn belongs to the Knights of the Globe and to the Krueger Verein, which is a German army society. For thirty-eight years he has made his home in Sterling and resides at No. 1106 Eighth avenue, where he built a good home in 1873 just prior to his marriage. He also owns eight good city lots and his property interests and his business are the visible evidence of a life of energy and business activity, which has made him a suc- cessful representative of the industrial interests of Sterling.
W. H. JAMES.
While the life of W. H. James has passed without exciting incident or startling event, his record is that of a man who has made orderly progression in the business world and who by reason of his loyalty in citizenship and his allegiance to honorable principles deserves mention among the representative and valued residents of his native county. He was here born December 27. 1860, a son of George and Mary (Milton) James, who were natives of Eng- land and who are mentioned on another page of this volume. The son spent his boyhood days under the parental roof and at the usual age became a pupil in the public schools, where he mastered the common branches of English learning. He worked with his father until he attained his majority and after- ward worked out as a farm hand for two years. He then rented a part of his father-in-law's farm for cight years and thus started out upon an independent business venture. During that time he carefully saved his earnings, which acerued as the result of his diligence and perseveranee, and in 1893 he was enabled to make his first purchase of land, becoming owner of one hundred and sixty acres in Fenton township.
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.