USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 76
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John Winkler received his education in the common schools and when he had attained the age of fourteen years left the parental roof to make his own way in the world. When he had worked as a farm hand for fourteen years he was married and after this important event in his life lie rented a farm, which he successfully condueted for five years. On the expiration of that period he purchased one hundred and fifteen aeres on section 35, Pro- phetstown township, where he has sinee made his home. In addition to the
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work of general farming he makes a specialty of raising and fecding hogs and in both branches of his business he is mecting with a well merited meas- ure of prosperity, being recognized as one of the alert and enterprising rep- resentatives of agricultural interests in this locality.
Mr. Winkler was joined in wedlock to Miss Anna Noon, who was born in England in 1874, a daughter of Charles and Martha (Hughes) Noon. Her parents emigrated to Canada in 1874 and after living in that country for a short time crossed the border into the United States, locating in Whiteside county, Illinois, where the father purchased a farm. Charles Noon passed away in 1907, but the mother is still living on the old homestead farm. Mrs. Winkler was the youngest child in a family of fourteen children and by her marriage has become the mother of five: Myrtle V., Martha H., Harold, Ralph and Ray D.
John Winkler gives his political. allegiance to the republican party and is at present serving as a school director. He belongs to Odd Fellows Lodge No. 508, at Prophetstown, while both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. His life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been aceorded due recognition of labor, and today he is num- bercd among the substantial citizens of his eommunity.
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GEORGE BACKUS BESSE.
George Backus Besse, whose popularity and trustworthiness as an offieer are indieated by the fact that he is now serving for the third term as town colleetor of Portland, was born upon the old family homestead here on the 25th of March, 1850, and the days of his boyhood and youth were here passed. He attended the common schools, spending `his first year in the Sandy Town school and as time went by mastering the branches of learning which usually constitute the publie-school eurriculum. When not busy with his text-books his labors were largely devoted to assisting his father. He left home in 1873, at the age of twenty-three years, and went to Kansas, where he remained for seventeen years. He then returned to his native eounty and, as stated, is serving for the third term as town collector. He is systematic and accurate in discharging the duties of the office and that his official record receives public endorsement is indicated by his re-elections.
On the 25th of September, 1869, Mr. Besse was married to Miss Emma J. Allen, who was born and reared in Raleigh, North Carolina, her natal day being April 15, 1850. She was educated in Raleigh and has an interesting family of seven daughters: Lillie J., now the wife of Frank Wilson, of Geneseo, Illinois; Estelle, the wife of Elzie Becrs, also living at Geneseo; Louisa M., the wife of Burtis Derk, of Genesco; Katie M., the wife of Clyde Barge, whose home is in Waterloo, Iowa; Daisy, who is with her parents; . Georgia A., the wife of Ernest Treffer, of Portland; and Myrtle J., at home. All of the family are members of the Methodist church, deeply interested in the work and doing all in their power for the advancement of the cause.
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Mr. Besse has a wide and favorable acquaintance in the community where much of his life has been passed and where he has always been known as a reliable citizen.
GERHARD M. CASSENS.
A faet of which due recognition is not usually accorded in connection with the commercial and industrial history of the middle west is that to no foreign element is its presence due in so large a measure as to those who have had their nativity in or trace their lineage to the great empire of Germany. Among those who left the fatherland to identify themselves with American life and institutions, who have pushed their way to the front and' are a credit alike to the land of their birth and that of their adoption is Gerhard M. Cassens, who was born in Hanover, June 20, 1863, being a native of the vil- lage of Werdum. The family had been represented in Germany for many generations. Martin Cassens, who was a goldsmith by trade, spent his entire life in Germany, where he died at an old age. His wife died in comparatively early womanhood. Their son, Ludwig Cassens, was a sailor in early life and in 1883 crossed the Atlantic to America, establishing his home in Sterling, where he afterward lived retired until his death, which occurred in 1891. His wife still survives him and, like her husband, holds membership in the Lutheran church. He was a soldier of the regular army of Germany. By her marriage Mrs. Cassens became the mother of six sons: Ernest, who is living near Round Grove, Whiteside county; George and Gerhard M., both of Sterling; John and Martin, who are located in Hopkins township, this county ; and Henry.
. Gerhard M. Cassens lived in Germany until about eighteen years of age and obtained a common-school education there. He afterward learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for about four years. In 1881 he came to America, settling in Sterling, and began farming in Hopkins township, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1902. He still owns a farm of two hundred and eighty acres but, determining to put aside active agricultural pursuits, he established himself in business in Sterling in 1902, opening a machine shop for the manufacture of bob sleds, wagon material and implements. After a time he bought the interest of Peter Frantz in the business, which he conducted alone until September, 1907, when it was in- corporated with Edward M. Cobb, of Elgin, Illinois, as president; H. M. Cossey, of Sterling, vice president; Earl Kelley, of Elgin, Illinois, as secretary; and Gerhard M. Cassens as treasurer and manager. They employ between twenty- five and thirty people and sell their goods in all parts of the country.
On the 22d of September, 1887, Mr. Cassens was united in marriage to Miss Mary C. Hendricks, a daughter of Julius and Grecia Hendricks. They have become the parents of six children : Julius, Louisa, Lawrence, Raymond, Marion and Frances. The parents arc members of the Lutheran church and Mr. Cassens belongs to the Knights of the Globe. Politically he is independ-
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ent and has never been an office secker, yet has served for two terms as highway commissioner. The hope that led him to leave his native land and seek a . home in America has been more than realized. He found here the oppor- tunities lie souglit, which, by the way, are always open to ambitious, energetic men, and, making the most of these, he has steadily worked his way upward, He possesses the resolution, perseverance and reliability so characteristic of his nation and his name is now enrolled among the substantial citizens of Whiteside county.
CHARLES BACKER.
Among those who have left the fatherland to identify themselves with American life and institutions and have pushed their way forward to suc- cess is numbered Charles Backer, an enterprising and progressive agricul- turist, owning one hundred and six acres of valuable land, situated on section 22, Prophetstown township. Mr. Backer was born in Germany, January 22, 1855, a son of William and Mary (Bloom) Backer, who were likewise na- tives of that country, where the mother spent her entire life. The father, however, emigrated to the new world in 1886 and located in Bureau county, Illinois, but after a few years there spent he removed to Minnesota, where his death occurred. His family numbered six children, of whom our sub- ject is the eldest. The others are: Lena, the wife of Charles Stolter, a resi- dent of Nebraska; Henrietta, the wife of Osear Wolfe, who lives in Bureau county, this state; and three, deceased.
Charles Backer acquired his education in the common schools of his native land, and there remaincd until he had reached the age of seventeen years, when, having heard favorable reports concerning the advantages to be enjoyed in America, he resolved to try his fortune in the new world. Upon reaching American shores he made his way at once to Princeton, Bureau county, Illinois, where he secured employment as a farm hand. He was thus engaged for six years, during which time he carefully saved his earn- ings in the hope that he might some day engage in business on his own account. On the expiration of that period his hopes were realized, for he found himself in possession of a sumn sufficient to justify his purchase of land, and became owner of two hundred and forty acres in Bureau county. He cultivated his land for eleven years, and then disposed of it, and during the succeeding four years cultivated rented land. He then came to White- side county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 10, Prophets- town township, where he lived for two years. He then sold that property and bought one hundred and six acres on section 22, Prophetstown township; which constitutes his present place of residence. He has placed his land under a good state of cultivation and raises the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, cachi year harvesting good crops as a reward for the care and Jabor lic bestows upon the fields.
Mr. Backer further established a home of his own by his marriage in 1881, the lady of his choice being Miss Sophia Sharff, who was likewise
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born in Germany, the year of her birth being 1857. She was a little maiden of five years when she was brought by her parents . to Illinois, the family home being established in Bureau county, where she met and married Mr. Backer. She is the only member of the family now living, being one of three children, and her parents are also deceased, the father's death occurring in 1873, while the mother, surviving for a long period, passed away in 1905.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Backer has been blessed with the follow- ing children: Emma, the wife of James Funderburg, a resident of Lec county, Illinois; Lena, the wife of George Aylsworth, who lives in Prophets- town township; William, who is married to Pearl Aylsworth, and lives in Prophetstown township; Amelia, the wife of Roy Clark, who resides in Whiteside county; and Jolm, Adolph, George, Myrtie and. Florence, all still under the parental roof.
Mr. Backer has always supported the men and measures of the repub- lican party, and has been called by his fellow townsmen to public office, having for nine years served as commissioner, while for twelve years he filled the office of school director. He and his wife are members of the German Lutheran church, in the work of which they take a deep and help- ful interest. Though born across the water, he is thoroughly American in thought and feeling, ever loyal to the best interests of his adopted country. He deserves much praise for what he has accomplished in a business way, for he has worked his way up from a very humble position until he is today numbered among the substantial agriculturists and highly esteemed citizens of this section of Whiteside county.
FRANK J. VOGT.
: Frank J. Vogt, who for some years has been identified with carpentering in Erie, and also with real-estate operations, and is likewise known in finan- cial circles as a director of the First National Bank, was born June 18, 1859, upon the old home farm in Erie township, about a mile north of the village. His parents were John and Elizabeth (Beck) Vogt, botlı of whom were na- tives of Germany. The father was a representative of an old family of that country, and his parents, who were well-to-do people, lived to be centenarians.
John Vogt was born in Schleswig-Holstein and left his native country because of military service which he had rendered in a rebellion against monarchical rule in the fatherland. He had been a spy in the army and when the troops met defeat, fearing that he would be beheaded for the active part .which he had taken in opposition to the government, he quietly left his native country and sailed for America. He had no funds when he arrived in this country, although he had been reared in comfortable circumstances in his native land, and whatever success he enjoyed in life came to him as the result of his untiring diligence and well directed labor. He followed rail- roading and ditching for some time, and then turned his attention to farm- ing. He did most of his work when he first arrived in Whiteside county with ox-teams. He owned one hundred and sixty acres of the farm which is
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now the property of his son, Frank J. Vogt, first purchasing eighty aeres and afterward adding an adjoining tract of similar size. He was married in this country to Miss Elizabeth Beck, who was born in Prussia, the wedding being celebrated in Sterling. In the early days, before the building of railroads, Mr. Vogt had to haul his wheat with ox-teams to Dixon and to Chicago. His wife would put up food enough to last him until his return, for money was very scarce in those days, and he had no funds with which to buy meals when on the way. In the course of years, however, his industry and enter- prise triumphed over limited finances and brought him a comfortable com- petence, enabling him to enjoy many of the comforts and some of the luxu- ries of life. Unto him and his wife were born five sons and three daughters, of whom three sons and the daughters are yet living. The family record is as follows: Annie, now the wife of Ed Benymann, a resident of Bloom- field, Nebraska; Susan, who is the widow of Jacob Suek, and lives in Falls City, Nebraska; Frank J .; John, who was a twin of Frank and died at the age of twenty-seven years, leaving a wife and one daughter; Charles, who is living in Newton township; Louis T., of California; and Etta, whose home is in Erie.
When Frank J. Vogt was nine years of age his parents removed from the farm upon which he was born to a farm in Newton township, about two miles from Erie. There they continued to reside until the death of the father, in August, 1883, when he was sixty-three years of age. His widow long survived him and passed away in Erie, February 11, 1907, at the age of cighty years. Following the father's death, Frank J. Vogt purchased the property which he still owns, and upon which he made his home until about five years ago, when he took up his residence in the village. The farm comprises two hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land on sec- tion 36, Newton township, and for a long period he there carried on general agricultural pursuits, bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation and adding many modern equipments and accessories, to the farm. After taking up his abode in Erie he turned his attention to carpentering. He has also been a director of the First National Bank of Erie since its organization, and is engaged in the real-estate business to a greater or less extent, having handled not a little valuable property in this county.
On the 7th of October, 1897, Mr. Vogt was married to Miss Adele Schmidt, who was born in Davenport, Iowa, May 21, 1867, and when fifteen months of age was taken to a farm near Davenport by her parents, Hans and Louisa (Hannaman) Schmidt, both of whom were natives of Holstein, Germany, and spent their last days in Iowa. They were married in Daven- port. Iowa. The father died May 3, 1890, at the age of sixty-three years, while his wife passed away January 23, 1898, at the age of seventy-one years. They were the parents of twelve children, five of whom reached adult age, namely: Henry, now a resident of Cedar county, Iowa; Rudolph; Isadore, who is living upon the old homestead, which has been the family residence for thirty-six years; Mrs. Vogt; and Emma, the wife of B. H. Leese, of Daven- port. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Vogt have been born two children, Mildred Louise and Frank Rudolph.
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In his political views Mr. Vogt is a stalwart republican. He has served as a school offieer in Newton township, and he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Erie. Both he and his wife have many warm friends in the village and this part of the county, their good traits of heart and mind gaining for them the esteem and good will of all with whom they have been brought in contact. Mr. Vogt has spent his entire life in this county, and has thus for almost a half century been a witness of the changes that have been wrought and the transformation which has brought about the present conditions of development, improvement and progress. . J
DANIEL SCHRYVER.
Among the veterans of the Civil war connected with the interests of Erie is numbered Daniel Schryver, who formerly defended the Union cause during the period of hostilities between the north and the south. He has made an equally ereditable reeord for loyalty and patriotism in the discharge of his duties as an official in civil life, while as a business man he has sus- tained an unassailable reputation for enterprise and integrity.
Ile was born in Pittsford, Monroe county, New York, April 21, 1832, a son of Abram T. and Charity (Schaffer) Sehryver, who were natives of Delaware county, New York. About 1835 they removed from the Empire state to Michigan, settling near the River Raisin, and in 1837 they estab- lished their home at Grand. Detour, near Dixon, Illinois, living in that neigh- borhood for about ten years. They next removed to Elkhorn Grove, where the father entered land from the government, living there for three or four years. The father died at Elkhorn Grove, while the mother's death occurred at Grand Detour, Illinois. They were the parents of five children: Sallie Ann, who died at the age of seventy years; Mary, who died in childhood at the age of four years; Jane, who passed away after reaching womanhood; Joseph, who died at Marysville, Kansas, in December, 1908; and Daniel, who is the only surviving member of the family.
The last named accompanied his parents on their removal, until leav- ing Elkhorn Grove, when he started out in life for himself. He then went to Galena, Illinois, where for about two years he was employed in the lead mines, at the end of which time he went to Columbus, Kentucky, where he drove stage for one winter. In the spring of 1852 he returned to Dixon and drove stage from that place to Rock Island for two years. In 1854 he was married to Miss Lenora Atwood, and removed to Erie, where he settled upon a rented farm, carrying on general agricultural pursuits there until 1860, when, attracted by the discovery of gold in Colorado, he made his way to Pike's Peak, spending two years in the effort to acquire wealth in the mines.
Not meeting with the sueeess he had anticipated in his search for gold, Mr. Sehryver returned to this county and was engaged in farming until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when, feeling that his first duty was to his esuntry, he enlisted in August, 1862, as a member of Company I, Seventy-
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fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Hale and Colonel Kilgore. He took part in the battles of Perryville, Jonesboro, Nashville, Stone River, Pine Knob and the Atlanta campaign, after which, with his regiment, he re- turned to Nashville and participated in the battle near that city. He was also in many minor engagements, the entire being a total of thirty-five. He was ever a brave and loyal soldier, fearlessly facing the enemy on the battlefield or doing his duty on the lonely picket line. He was disellarged at Nashville June 19, 1865, after having been continuously with his regi- ment from the time of his enlistment save for three months spent in Nash- ville hospital, following the battle of Stone River, on account of illness.
When the war was ended Mr. Schryver returned to Erie and again taking up agricultural pursuits, was identified with general farming in this locality until he retired. He conducted the S. F. Wilder ranch, comprising three thousand acres in Erie and Newton townships, four miles west of the village of Eric. For eight years he conducted that extensive property, and at the same time rented his own farm. In all of his work he has displayed unfaltering perseverance and sound judgment, and these qualities have been substantial elements in his success. He is now in possession of a comfortable competence, which gives him classification with the men of affluence in his community, and his prosperity is well deserved.
Mr. Schryver was married in 1854 to Miss Lenora Atwood, who was born in Brookfield, Orange county, Vermont, December 31, 1835, a daughter of Joseph and Orplia (Whipple) Atwood, who were likewise natives of the Green Mountain state. On removing westward they settled first in Ohio, but after about three months continued their journey to St. Charles, Illinois, and a few months later came to Erie, where they arrived in November, 1851. Here their remaining days were passed, the death of the father occurring when he had reached the age of sixty-three years, while the mother survived to the advanced age of eighty-eight years. Their family numbered three children, Mrs. Schryver, the second in order of birth, being the only one who reached years of maturity. Mr. Atwood was a shoemaker by trade, being the second to engage in that business in Erie, his predecessor being Judge Teats.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Schryver were born nine children: Herman, a resi- dent of Erie township; Lucy, who became the wife of Marshall Batty and died at Lewiston, Montana, August 24, 1907; Libby, the wife of Lemuel Cain, of Cashion, Oklahoma; IIorace, of Salt Lake City, Utah; Lorena, who died in infancy; Luella, who died at the age of seven years; Homer, whose death occurred when he was five years of age; Harry, who died when but nine weeks old; and Lena, the wife of Richard James, of Erie.
Mr. Schryver is one of the best known citizens of his part of the county. He has been active in community affairs and at all times has been loyal to the best interests of the locality. For over thirty years he has efficiently filled the office of constable. His first presidential vote was cast for John C. Fre- mont, and he has since been a stalwart advocate of the republican party, voting for all the leaders whose names have appeared at the head of the presidential ticket. For about twenty-five years he was a member of the
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Masonic fraternity, also joined the Modern Woodmen Camp, and was a member of Erie Post, G. A. R., which is now extinct.
Mr. Schryver is a splendid type of the self-made man, who from carly age lias been dependent upon his own resources. He lost his mother when a little lad of six years, and at the age of thirteen years began providing for his own support by working in the lead mines at Galena. Later he entered cighty acres of land a half mile south of Erie, becoming owner of this prop- erty in 1853 and retaining it in his possession for a long period. As the years have passed he has made good use of liis opportunities, has used liis native talents to the best advantage, and by a life of activity, integrity and uprightness has commanded the full confidence and trust of his fellow- men. As a public official, as a soldier and as a business man he has made a record so honorable that he well deserves mention among the prominent residents of Whiteside county, and fully deserves the words of praise and respect which are spoken of him by all who know him.
R. W. E. MITCHELL.
R. W. E. Mitchell, justice of the peace at Sterling, and an able practi- tioner at the Whiteside county bar, has gained a gratifying clientage in a profession where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit. He was born in Genesee township, this county, on the 4th of March, 1877, his · parents being William P. and Julia (Finn) Mitchell, who were natives of Rhode Island. The maternal grandfather was Michael Finn, who was born in Ireland and on coming to America settled at Newport, Rhode Island, where he died at the very venerable age of ninety-two years, while his wife, Mrs. Mary Finn, lived to the age of ninety-four. They had six daughters and one son, including Julia Finn, who in early womanhood gave her hand in marriage to William P. Mitchell. The latter was a carpenter and contraetor in the east, and on removing to the west, in 1871, settled at Genesee Grove, in Whiteside county, where he followed farming for ten years. On the ex- piration of that decade he established his home in Sterling, where he fol- lowed his trade up to the time of his death, passing away in 1897 at the age of fifty-six years. His widow still survives him. In their family were eleven children, seven sons and four daughters, of whom nine are now living: Mary, the wife of_ Wilford Robbillard, of Chicago; John Mitehell, also a resident of Chicago; Katie E., who is the wife of George H. Holland, and lives in Boston, Massachusetts; Monroe E., who makes his home in Chicago; Rutherford W. E., of this review; Frances E., the wife of Tobias K. Nice, . Sterling; Josephine, who became the wife of Samuel W. Cohenour, of Lang, Saskatchewan county, Canada; George J. and Robert, both of Sterling; and two who died in early childhood.
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