USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 78
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
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Bristle located on the old home place in Ustick township, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of land, upon which Mr. Fish now resides, having rented the property for sixteen years. In 1893 they removed to Morrison, where they resided for nine years and
1
·
1440
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
then purchased the farm which is now their home, becoming owners of this property October 11, 1898. Since that time Mr. Bristle has remodeled all of the buildings and now has a nice, well furnished modern home and also ample shelter for grain and stock. His possessions aggregate four hundred and sixty- seven acres of rich and productive land in Union Grove and Ustick townships and the farm is productive and valuable. He is also extensively engaged in stock-raising, feeding on an average of three carloads of cattle and hogs per year. He grinds his grain with a new gasoline engine, which he has lately installed, and he uses all of the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and the farm. Everything about the place is indicative of his progressive spirit and the wisdom of his judgment concerning business matters is manifest in his success.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bristle have been born two daughters and a son. May, who was born November 27, 1883, is now the wife of Paul Wilson, a farmer of Ustick township. Ruth, born August 14, 1885, died November 12, 1893. George E., born December 5, 1889, attended school in Morrison and is now assisting his father in carrying on the home farm, being a young man of good business ability and enterprise.
Mr. Bristle votes with the republican party and is in thorough sympathy with its principles and purposes, but is not a politician in the sense of office sceking. His ambition has been to acquit himself of life's duties honorably before all men, to improve his capabilities and opportunities and to become of use in the world; and it is to this spirit mainly that he owes his advance- ment.
CHARLES S. FEE.
A well improved farm of one hundred and twenty-two acres, situated on section 17, Prophetstown township, Whiteside county, is the home of Charles S. Fee, who through his own well directed labors and careful business man- agement has attained to the success which he today enjoys, for upon starting out in life on his own account he had no financial assistance, so that he has worked his own way up in the world and may truly be called a self-made man.
Mr. Fee was born in Vinton county, Ohio, April 26, 1865, a son of Austin and Margaret A. (McGee) Fee, both of whom were likewise natives of Vinton county, the former born May 29, 1829. They were married in their native state and in 1865 removed westward to Illinois, settling in Hahn- aman township, Whiteside county, where the father purchased an unim- proved tract of land, which he later improved and cultivated, owning at one time a section. Later he removed to Bureau county, this state, where he pur- chased land and made his home for a time. Disposing of that property, he once more returned to Whiteside county and rented the Nathan Thompson farm in Prophetstown township, whereon he made his home for fourteen years, subsequent to which time he removed to Hume township, where he
-
1441
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
purchased a fine farm and spent his remaining days, passing away April 23, 1904, when he had reached the advanced age of seventy-five years.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Austin Fee were born thirteen children, of whom ten are living, as follows: Thomas M., a resident of Portland township, this county ; Joseph W., who makes his home in Hennessey, Oklahoma; John H. of Prophetstown, Illinois; Mrs. Sarah E. Bryson, who resides in Mason City, Iowa; Frank M., a resident of Montana; Samuel, who lives in Hume town- ship; Charles S., whose name introduces this review; Albert J., also of Hume township; Mrs. May Lane, who lives in Prophetstown township, and Della M., who lives with her brother Samuel in Hume township.
Charles S. Fee was brought to Whiteside county from his native state during his infancy, accompanying the family on their, various removals in this state. He was reared to the occupation of farming and acquired a common-school education. He remained under the parental roof until he had reached the age of twenty-two years, when he started out in life with a cash capital of but two dollars and a half, but with a strong determination to succeed in the business world. Hc first secured work as a farm hand, work- ing in this way for a time, or until he had acquired a sum sufficient to enable
him to take up other pursuits. He then studied telegraphy and afterward learned the butter-maker's trade, after which he was employed in that line in Wisconsin for a year. Again turning his attention to farming, in 1901 he purchased his present farm property, comprising one hundred and twenty-two acres, which was entirely unimproved when it came into his possession. IIe at once undertook to develop the property, added many substantial buildings and now has one of the best improved farms in this section of the county. He is here engaged in general farming and stock-rasing, feeding all the grain which he raiscs. He is meeting with very gratifying success in his undertak- ings and is thus classed among the substantial residents of Whiteside county.
It was on the 27th of February, 1902, that Mr. Fee was united in mar- riage to Miss Jennie Francis, who was born in Prophetstown township, June 7, 1872, a daughter of Isaac and Anna M. (Thomson) Francis. The father was born in England, December 22, 1847, and came as a boy with his par- ents to America, the family home being established in New Jersey, where he grew to manhood. He was married in that state to Miss Anna M. Thom- son, who was born in Moorestown, October 9, 1848. In 1869 they removed westward to Illinois, settling in Whiteside county. The father purchased two hundred and forty acres of land in Prophetstown township, which he continued to cultivate until the time of his death, which occurred March 18, 1899, when he had reached the age of fifty years. He is still survived by his widow, who now makes her home in Prophetstown, at the age of sixty years. Their marriage was blessed with seven children, namely: Mrs. Laura Lan- caster, who resides in Prophetstown township; Jennie, now Mrs. Fee; George, a resident of Davenport, Iowa; William and John, who make their home in Erie, Illinois; Edward, who lives in Prophetstown; and Bertha M., who is with her mother.
Mr. and Mrs. Fee are members of the Congregational church, in which he served one term as a deacon. Although he votes for the men and measures
1442
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
of the republican party, he takes a deep and active interest in the work of the prohibition party, laboring earnestly for the cause of temperance. No citizen of Whiteside county is more highly respected and no one more richly deserves success than does Mr. Fee, for it has been won through the most honorable and straightforward methods, and his life should serve as an encouragement to others who start out in life, as he did, without capital, dependent entirely upon their own labors to achieve success.
MARTIN VAN BUREN SMITH.
Martin Van Buren Smith, telegraph operator for the Chicago & North- western Railroad Company and agent for the American Express Company at Morrison, has been in the service of both of these companies for a half cen- tury. No higher . testimonial of his capability and of his trustworthiness could be given. Large corporations of this character do not keep in their employ men who are incompetent or indolent. On the contrary the utmost faithfulness to duty and fidelity to the interests of the corporation must be manifest, and Mr. Smith's long service is a guarantee of his qualifications in those particulars.
He was born in Dupage county, Illinois, April 3, 1841, his parents being · Job A. and Susan (Fulton) Smith, the former a native of Dighton, Massa- chusetts, and the latter of the state of New York. The father was born in 1799 and was of English descent, although the family was established in America during the colonial epoch in our history and was represented by valiant soldiers, who fought for the republic in the Revolutionary war. Job A. Smith was a printer and newspaper man and from 1825 until 1828 was editor of the Elmira (N. Y.) Gazette. He came to Illinois in 1834, settling first at West Chicago in Dupage county, where he entered two sections of land from the government. Upon the farm which he there developed he spent his remaining days and carned a good living for himself and family, bring- ing his fields under a high state of cultivation and adding many modern equipments to his place. In his later years he was a member of the Congre- gational church. His political allegiance was originally given the demo- cratic party, but on the organization of the new republican party he became one of its stanch supporters. For a number of years he was one of the county commissioners of Dupage county, also filled the office of justice of the peace and held other minor positions. No trust reposed in him was ever betrayed in the slightest degree and his service as a public official and his record as a business man commended him to the confidence and good will of all con- cerned. His wife was a member of the Congregational church and an estim- able lady, who died when about fifty years of age.
Martin Van Buren Smith was the youngest son in a family of six chil- dren and in the public schools of West Chicago pursued his education. He was reared on a farm to the age of sixteen years, when, thinking to find other pursuits a more congenial life work, he began learning telegraphy in the
.
1443
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
office of the Chicago Union Railroad Company at Elburn, Illinois. This company was afterward merged into the Chicago & Northwestern and Mr. Smith remained as agent at Elburn for three years. In the winter of 1863-4 he came to Morrison as agent for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Com- pany and the American Express Company and has since retained these posi- tions, being in the service of both of these companies for a half century. He is always courteous to their patrons and obliging in manner, while at the same time he is never neglectful of his duty toward those whom he represents.
In 1869 Mr. Smith was married to Miss Jessie J. Furlong, who was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, in 1847, a daughter of John and Sarah Furlong, who came to Illinois in 1855. Her father was connected with the construction company that built the Chicago & Northwestern road and moved along the line with that road. He settled in Morrison about 1856 and made this his permanent place of residence, having charge of the construction of the Morrison section of the road.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith were born two sons and a daughter. Will A. M., manager for the Mutual Life Insurance Company for the state of North Dakota and a part of Minnesota, with headquarters at Fargo, is married and has two children. Robert Thomas Fulton is married and lives at Butte, Montana, where he is cashier for the Silver Bow National Bank. Mary H. completes the family. The wife and mother, who was a faithful and con- sistent member of the Presbyterian church, died January 22, 1897.
Mr. Smith is a member of the Masonic order and has attained high rank in several degrees. He is also connected with the Odd Fellows. His politieal support is given the democracy and he has represented the third ward on the board of aldermen and as school director. His life has been quietly passed in the faithful performance of his daily duties and he has made a splendid record by his long continued service with the telegraph and the express com- panies.
GEORGE RIORDON.
George Riordon, engaged in the livery business at Erie, was born in Newton township, Whiteside county, on the 12th of January, 1878, a son of B. M. and Ellen B. Riordon, the former a farmer by occupation.' The son was reared under the parental roof, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, and as the years passed he learned the value of industry, enterprise and perseverance. His mental training was received through the methods of public instruction, and he eom- pleted his course by graduation from the Cottle public school in 1895. He - then took np farming and was identified with the work of tilling the soil until 1902, when he abandoned the plow and came to Erie. Here he pur- chased a livery business, which he has now conducted for six years. He has a well appointed stable, having a good line of carriages and other vehicles and a number of excellent horses. He follows a liberal business policy, makes
1444
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
earnest effort to please his patrons, and has thus secured a profitable and growing business.
On the 5th of December, 1906, Mr. Riordon was married in Fulton to Miss Daisy R. Peckliam, and they are well known in Erie, where they have many friends.
MOSES M. WARNER.
Moses M. Warner, who is now living retired in a pleasant home at 901 Second avenue, Sterling, was born in Hardwick, Massachusetts, March 1, 1824. His parents, Moses M. and Orril (Smith) Warner, were also natives of that state and extended mention is made of them on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of Henry S. Warner, a brother of our subject.
Moses M. Warner was but fourteen years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois, in 1838, the father entering land from the government, in Lee county. There our subject remained until he was twenty-six years of age, giving active assistance to his father in the work of the home farmn, but in 1850 crossed the plains to California, where he fol- lowed gold mining for six years. In 1856, however, he returned to Illinois and began the further cultivation of the old homestead property, which he had purchased from his father. He disposed of this farm in 1864, and the following year removed to Ypsilanti, Michigan, where he remained for a year, on the expiration of which period he came to Sterling, and since that tinie lias considered this city his home, though he spent about fifteen years in the gold and silver mines in Colorado. For a number of years he was engaged in the butter and egg business in Sterling, but since 1893 has prac- tically lived retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his well directed labor and untiring perseverance in former years.
On the 3d of June, 1857, Mr. Warner was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Ann Reynolds, by whom he has three children. Nettie E. became the wife of Frank Johnson, of Morristown, and after his death was married again. She has two children by her first marriage, Earle and Vangie, and now makes her home in Wisconsin. Frankie is a school teacher of Rockford, Illinois, where she has taught for seventeen or eighteen years. Willie lives in Wisconsin, near the home of his sister, Nettie.
In his political views Mr. Warner has always been a republican, with strong prohibition tendencies. He served as highway commissioner in Palmyra township for three or four years, and by the prompt and capable discharge of his duties proved himself worthy of the trust reposed in him by his fellow townsmen. His religious faith is indicated by his member- ship in the Congregational church, and he is well and favorably known throughout Whiteside county, receiving the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded one who has traveled far on life's journey and whose course has ever been upright and honorable. Seventy years have come and
1445
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
gone since he arrived in this part of the state, and he has, therefore wit- nessed its transformation from a wild and windswept prairie into a riell agricultural distriet, affording all the advantages and convenienees of a mod- ern civilization.
JOSEPH BURNS.
Joseph Burns, a life-long farmer, identified from early youth with agri- eultural pursuits in Fenton township, where he still makes his home, being now located on seetion 16, was born in this township, December 28, 1861. No event of special importance oeeurred to vary the routine of farm life for lim in the days of his boyhood and youth. He remained during his mi- nority with his. parents, John F. and Joanna (Shoeh) Burns, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Pennsylvania. The father's birth oe- vurred August 6, 1820, and in early manhood he left his native country and sailed for Pennsylvania, remaining a resident of the east until about 1855, when he eame west to Whiteside county, Illinois, and took up his abode in Fenton township. Here his remaining days were passed and the work of the farm elaimed his time and energies. He was closely associated with the agricultural development of the community and stood for progress and improvement in all lines of farm work. He died upon the old home- stead, Mareh 9, 1893, and is still survived by his widow, who is yet a resi- dent of Fenton. He had three hundred aeres of land at one time, but sold a portion of this, and at the time of his demise was the owner of a valuable farm property of two hundred aeres. His politieal allegianee was given to the republican party, and he kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He was descended from Scoteh-Irish aneestry and the family were Seoteh Presbyterians in religious faith. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Burns were born eight children: Mary, the deceased wife of Edward Ewers; Jo- sepli, of this review; Martha, who is living with her mother in Fenton; Emma, the wife of George Strunk, of Fenton ; Aliee, the wife of W. A. Miller, also of Fenton; David, who is living on the old homestead in this township; Minnie, the wife of Harry Snyder, of Fenton township; and Mabel, the wife of J. C. Adams, of Erie.
Joseph Burns, living upon the home farm, pursued his edueation in the public schools of the neighborhood, and during the summer months aided in the labors of the fields, working diligently and persistently year after year and gaining the valuable experience which well qualified him to carry on business on his own account after he had attained his majority and started out in life for himself. He remained with his parents until his marriage, which was celebrated on the 7th of February, 1883, the lady of his ehoiee being Miss Frances L. Showalter, who was born in Fenton township, this eounty, July 16, 1874, a daughter of John and Martha (Fuches) Showalter, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of Indiana. They came to Whiteside county after their marriage, but all of their children, five in number, were
1446
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
born here. These are: Delia, now deceased;, Mrs. Burns; Julia, the wife of Samuel Given, of this township; Mrs. Ella Michael, of Fenton township; and Mrs. Dora Hogarth.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Burns have been born six children: Leroy Melvin, Edna, Charlotte, John, Emmett and Martha. The eldest daughter is now the wife of Paul Mason, of Union Grove.
The family home stands in the midst of an excellent farm of two hun- dred and twenty-eight acres on section 16, Lyndon township, devoted to the raising of grain and stock. Mr. Burns has been quite an extensive shipper of grain, and in. his business interests displays keen discrimination and sa- gacity, so that his affairs are eapably managed and success results. He has been a life-long republican, and is one whose word carries weight in the local councils of his party. His labors in this behalf have been effective and far-reaching, and he has been honored with a number of local offices. He served as supervisor of his township for twelve consecutive years, was chair- man of the board for one year, and has been county commissioner for Fen- ton township for the past six years, being the incumbent in the position at- the present time. He has also been assessor and collector of his township for several terms, and has been school trustee since he reached the age of twenty-one years, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart cham- pion, and in all matters of citizenship he is progressive and reliable, stand- ing for progress and improvement in material, intellectual, political and moral lines. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, his membership being with the lodge in Morrison. His entire life has been passed in Whiteside county, and his record is therefore as an open book which all may read. There are no esoteric chapters in his life history, and on the contrary there are recorded many characteristics and deeds that are worthy of emulation.
NICHOLAS HOUCH.
Nicholas Houch, who owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of val- uable land on section 36, Prophetstown township, was born in Wisconsin on the 19th of June, 1851, a son of Nicholas and Catherine Houch, natives of Germany, who crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1849. After ar- riving in the new world they lived in Wisconsin for a few years and then re- moved to Henry county, Illinois, where the father passed away in 1896, his wife surviving him until 1900, when she, too, was ealled to her final rest. Their family numbered eiglit children, as follows: Katie, dcecased; Caroline, the wife of Henry Recder, of Bureau county, Illinois; Nieholas, of this review ; Phillip, of Henry county, Illinois; Minnie, who became the wife of Fred Brewer and lives in Bureau county; John and Charles, of Prophetstown; and Elizabeth, the wife of Ernest Toppert, of Prophetstown township.
Nicholas Houch acquired a common-school education and remained with his parents until his twenty-third year, when he began working by the month
1447
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
at farm labor, being thus engaged for two years. For several years afterward he cultivated land which he rented from his father, and in 1892 purehascd onc hundred and sixty acres on section 36, Prophetstown township, which he has since brouglit under a high state of improvement. He is recognized as one of the alert and enterprising agriculturists of his community and the prosperity which he now enjoys is entirely thic result of his own diligence and unfalter- ing activity.
Mr. Houch was married in the year 1877 and has a family of six children, naniely : Ida, the wife of Charles Dixon, of Whiteside county; John, resid- ing in Kewanee, Illinois; Lizzie, who became the wife of William Murphy and is now living in Burcau county, Illinois; Tillie, the wife of Roy Cole, who makes her home with her father; Emma, the wife of Charles Branee, of Henry county ; and Martha, at home.
In his political views Mr. Houch is a stanch republican and has served as school director for nine years, the eause of education finding in him a stalwart friend. Both he and his wife hold membership with the German Lutheran church and have the warm regard and esteem of all with whom they have come in contact.
GEORGE R. PROCTOR, M. D.
Dr. George R. Proetor, successfully engaged in the practice of medicine at Coleta, was born in Whiteside county, Illinois, May 25, 1869, his parents being David G. and Sarah A. (Hurless) Proctor. The father, a native of Shawswick township, Lawrence county, Indiana, was born July 23, 1840, while the mother's birth occurred in Holmes county, Ohio, on the 11th of April, 1849. David G. Proctor accompanied his parents on their removal to this' state in 1855 and is now living a retired life at Coleta, being the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and forty-seven acres. His family numbered seven children, as follows: Cephas E., of this county; George R., of this re- vicw; Ira R., at home; Minnie, the wife of M. Spang, who lives in Iowa; R. G., of Whiteside eounty; Elizabeth, who is a trained nurse of Chicago; and one who died in infancy.
Dr. George R. Proctor remained under the parental roof until he had at- tained his majority and after completing his own education taught sehool for four years. On the expiration of that period he entered the medical depart- incnt of the State University of Iowa, but completed his course at Ruslı Med- ical College, Chicago, being graduated from that institution in 1896. Having thus thoroughly qualified for the practice of his chosen life work, he loeated at Coleta, where he has sinee remained as a most able and skilled physician, whose efforts for the alleviation of human suffering and the restoration of health have been attended with a large and well merited degrec of success. He is likewisc serving as a member of the board of United States Pension Ex- aminers of Whiteside county.
In 1897 Dr. Proctor was united in marriage to Jennie R. Tavenner, a native of Ogle county, whose parents now reside at Polo, Illinois. She was
1448
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
one of a family of six children and by her marriage has become the mother of two, David and Mildred.
A democrat in his political views, Dr. Proctor is now serving as school treasurer at Coleta, while fraternally he is a Mason, being connected with the blue lodge at Milledgeville and the commandery at Sterling, and also with Coleta Camp, No. 76, M. W. A. He is an extremely busy and successful prac- titioner, constantly overburdencd by demands for his services professionally. Genial in disposition, unobtrusive and unassuming, he is patient under ad- verse criticism and in his expressions concerning brother practitioners is- friendly and indulgent.
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.