USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. II > Part 9
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natives of the Empire state, born about ten miles from Buffalo and near the Niagara Falls.
The father, a farmer by occupation, eame to Illinois in 1846, settling at Dixon, where he engaged in business as a contractor. He also followed team- ing until 1859 and at an early date hauled grain from Dixon to Chieago by wagon. The country, then largely uneultivated and undrained, could not boast of excellent highways. On the contrary, Mr. Porter frequently became stuek in the mud and had to carry the load out of the mire upon his back, the grain being loaded in saeks. After taking his wheat to Chicago he would trade it for produce and on the return trip would haul produce for his neighbors and also goods for the merchants of Dixon. The present generation ean never know, except through hearsay and history, of the hardships endured by the early pioneers. It was not only the men of the family but the women as well who met difficulties and obstaeles in the building of the homes on the fron- tier. Theirs was a lot of patient toil as they performed the work of the house -. hold, usually not only preparing the meals and doing other such tasks but also supplying the family with elothing. There was, however, much enjoy- ment in the life and the people were usually happy and contented. The spirit of hospitality reigned supreme and mutual helpfulness was manifest through- out the pioneer neighborhoods. On leaving Dixon in 1859, James Porter re- moved to Harmon, Lee county, Illinois, being the third or fourth settler in his township. There he carried on general agricultural pursuits until a year prior to his death, when lie removed to the village of Harmon, where he died in 1880, when about sixty-six years of age. His wife survived him until January 4, 1900, passing away at the age of eighty-two years, four months and eight days, her birth having occurred August 27, 1818. They were Methodists in religious faith and were loyal Christian people, true to the teachings of the church. Mr. Porter held various township offices, being at different times supervisor, assessor and collector. In polities he was a republican and promi- nent in the ranks of the party. His family numbered four sons and four daughters but only three are now living: Cytheria M., of Sterling; Gula, the wife of G. W. Hill, of Dixon, Illinois; and Alfred P., of Sterling.
The history of the family ean be traced baek to a more remote period. James Porter, the grandfather of our subjeet, lived in New York, near Buffalo, for many years, condueting a tavern on the plank road at an early day and also carrying on a farm there. He died when about fifty-two years of age, while his wife, Mrs. Phoebe (Fairchild) Porter, lived to be eighty-four years of age. They had a large family. The Porters were of Irish deseent. The maternal grandfather was Benjamin Bowman, a native of Pennsylvania, whenee lie removed to New York, settling near Buffalo. He was quite a prominent man and founded the eity of Bowmansville, which was named in his honor. There lie extensively engaged in farming and also condueted a gristmill, a store and a blacksmith shop. Both he and his wife, Mrs. Polly (Snavely) Bowman, lived to be quite aged. Their family numbered two sons and eight daughters.
Alfred P. Porter was only about a year old when his parents removed to Lee county. He was reared on his father's farm, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agrieulturist, and upon the old
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homestead property he remained until 1902. For seven years he owned the homestead, which he purchased and which contained one hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land situated in Harmon township. His eduea- tional privileges were those afforded by the common sehools. In his business life he early manifested kecn discernment and marked enterprise, and those qualities have been the salient elements in his success. In 1902 he took up his abode in Sterling, where he began operating in real estate and still con- tinues in this line, doing business also in making rentals and loans. He buys and sells on his own account and is now one of the extensive landowners of this part of the state .. In addition to handling his own property he also sells on commission and has negotiated many important realty transfers.
On the 4th of February, 1880, Mr. Porter was united in marriage to Miss Jemima D. Keith, a daughter of George and Ann (Eddy) Keith. Six ehil- dren were born of that union: Ferris E., Lula E., Wayne H., Erma Z., Un- dinc and Thelma Ann. The oldest child, Ferris, died August 5, 1899, at the age of sixteen years, and Wayne passed away at the age of six years. The old- est daughter, Lula, is the wife of T. E. Pureell, a resident of Billings county, North Dakota, and they have two children, Wayne H., and Ina. The younger daughters, Erma, Undine and Thelma, are at home. The wife and mother died February 22, 1902, at the age of forty-two years and four months, passing away in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church. She was of Scotch line- age, her parents having been born in Seotland. They became residents of Rockford, Illinois, about 1837 and engaged in farming in that locality. About 1861 they removed to a farm near Marion, Lee county, and upon that plaee the mother died, after which the father removed to Nebraska, where he spent lıis remaining days, In their family were four sons and four daughters,
In his political views Mr. Porter is a republican and in Lee county held some minor township offices, the duties of which he discharged with prompt- ness and fidelity. Since coming to Sterling, however, he has concentrated his energies upon his business affairs and has met with excellent success in his undertakings. He possesses untiring energy, is quiek of pereeption, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution, while liis close applica- tion to business and liis excellent management have brought to hiim the high degree of prosperity which is today his.
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ISAAC S. BRESSLER.
Isaac S. Bressler, whose capably directed labor has gained him a place among the men of affluence in Jordan township, lives on seetion 34, where he is now successfully carrying on general farming. He is one of Whiteside county's native sons, born August 23, 1851, a son of Henry Bressler, well known and honored as one of the pioneer residents of this part of the statc. He attended the common schools until sixteen years of age and afterward had. the benefit of a few terms instruction in Cornell College at Mount Vernon, Iowa. After leaving college he returned to his native county and from his
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grandfather, Isaac Bressler, rented a farm located on seetion -35, Jordan town- ship. With characteristie energy he began its development and his labors were soon manifest in the improved condition of the fields.
While on the old Bressler farm, Isaac S. Bressler was married to Miss Delora E. Brewer, a daughter of George W. Brewer, of Sterling. She was born December 14, 1851, in the city of Sterling and comes from sturdy old New England ancestry, her parents removing, however, from the state of New York to the west. George W. Brewer has made his home in Whiteside coun- ty sinec 1837 and is therefore one of its oldest residents. He was born near Cooperstown, Otsego county, New York, May 6, 1827, and was deseended from Revolutionary ancestry, his paternal grandfather having been a soldier of the American army in the war for independence. His father, Henry Brewer, was a wagonmaker by trade and in 1836 made a prospeeting trip to the middle west. The following year he started with his family for White- side county, Illinois, going down the Allegheny and Ohio rivers on a lumber raft. From Louisville he proceeded by steamboat to St. Louis and from that point came to Whiteside county. He assisted in building a number of the first houses of the county and his family was among the first to establish a home in this part of the state. He afterward built and conducted a wagon shop and was thus one of the earliest representatives of industrial interests in Whiteside county. He died February 27, 1848, while his wife passed away January 6, 1867. Their son, George W. Brewer, father of Mrs. Bressler, is the only survivor of a family of nine children. He has lived continuously in this county for more than seventy years and in early life worked at the wagonmaker's trade. Later he turned his attention to farming, which he fol- lowed for a long period, and later gave his attention to the purchase and sale of land. Acquiring, as the years passed by, a handsome competence, he is now living retired in the enjoyment of well earned rest. He was married Mareh 4, 1851, to Elizabeth S. Green and they became the parents of four sons and six daughters, of whom Mrs. Bressler is the oldest surviving. Extended men- tion is made of George W. Brewer on another page of this work.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bressler have been born three children: Fred Nel- son, born September 12, 1876, married Miss Ray Zella Lamar, of Chicago, a daughter of Raymond Lamar, a photographer of that city. This mar- riage was celebrated in 1900 and unto Mr. and Mrs. Fred N. Bressler have been born three children : Gladys, born June 30, 1901; Burton, deceased ; and Edward, born November 19, 1907. Fred N. Bressler is a graduate of the country sehools and further continued his studies in the high school and bus- iness college, being graduated from the latter with honors. At present he is identified with commercial interests in Sterling. George B. Bressler, the scc- ond son, born December 21, 1880, after attending the common sehools pursued his education in the high school and business college of Sterling. In 1903 he went to Chicago, where he has since resided, and at present occupies a re- sponsible position with Crane & Company, of that city. He was married in 1905 to Miss Dot Lee, of Chicago. Carrie E., born December 1, 1887, began lier education in the distriet schools and afterward took up the study of music in Sterling. In 1907 she gave her hand in marriage to Frank L. Weatherwax,
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
of Milledgeville, Carroll county, Illinois, a son of Thomas Weatherwax, de- ceased, an old settler of Carroll county. Mr. and Mrs. Frank L. Weather- wax are now living on her father's farm on section 35, Jordan township.
Isaac S. Bressler became the owner of his present farm in 1883. He has always lived the life of an enterprising, active and energetic agriculturist and his labors are attended with a measure of success which has gained him place among the men of affluence in his county. His farm is a well developed prop- crty, in the midst of which stand substantial buildings, while everything about the place is indicative of the careful supervision and practical methods of the owner. He is widely known as a reliable business man and trustworthy citizen and has an extensive circle of friends in the county in which his en- tire life has been passed.
CAPTAIN JOHN W. NILES.
Captain John W. Niles is very prominent in Masonic circles, and is well known in Sterling as justice of the peace and notary public, his official service being characterized by the utmost fairness and impartiality in the discharge of his duties. He was born in Lebanon, New York, November 11, 1830, and was one of the eight children of Captain John and Sarah (Moseley) Niles, natives of Madison county, New York. The paternal grandfather, who was also Captain John Miles, won his title by service with the New York militia. He was a farmer by occupation, and also speculated in and raised hops. He died in Madison county, New York, when about seventy years of age, his remains being interred at Lebanon. His wife, Mrs. Lydia (Bryant) Niles, was a relative of the famous poet, William Cullen Bryant, and she had two brothers who were valiant soldiers of the American army in the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Niles was more than seventy years of age at the time of her death. By her marriage she had three sons, Harvey and Luther, who were in the war of 1812, and Captain John. The ancestry of the family can be traced still further back, for Captain John Niles, the grandfather, was the son of Nahum Niles, a native of Massachusetts, of English descent. He was a Pres- byterian minister, and in his old age went to Madison county, New York, to live with his children, passing away there when well advanced in years. In early manhood he married Susanna Cole, whose brother, Samuel Cole, was killed by the Indians long prior to the Revolutionary war, when the red men inhabited that section of the country.
The maternal grandfather of Captain Niles, of Sterling, was Araunah Moseley, a native of western Massachusetts, born near Hoosac. He followed agricultural pursuits as a source of livelihood, and in early manhood wedded Sarah Shapley, by whom he had nine children, their daughter Sarah, who bceame Mrs. Niles, being the eldest. Araunah Moselcy dicd in Lebanon, New York, at the very vencrable age of ninety-three years, while his wife passed away in middle life. He was the son of Peabody Moseley, who took his younger children to the Shaker settlement in New York and there reared
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE . COUNTY
thein. His son, Araunah, although not of the Shaker faith, won his wife from among that sect and eloped with her.
Captain Jolin Niles, father of our subject, followed the oceupation of farming throughout his entire business eareer. In 1855 he made his way westward to Iowa and settled in Jones county.
After the Civil war he re- moved to Sterling, where he died in 1882, at the age of eighty-two years. His wife survived lim two years, and died at the age of eiglity-two. Both were consistent members of the Baptist church and earnest Christian people. As a. member of the New York Militia he commanded a company, thereby gaining the military title by which he was uniformly known. He filled the office of justice of the pcace in the Empire state, and later in Iowa, and took an active interest in polities. Unto him and his wife were born four sons and four daughters, and of the family five are now living, namely: Sarah S., the widow of David D. Jewett, and a resident of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; John W .; Harvey, living at Anamosa, Iowa; Anna H., the wife of Calvert Hartshorn, of Peabody, Kansas; and S. Wheeler, of Hastings, Nebraska. The three who have passed away are A. Moseley, Mrs. Susan N. Priee and Mrs. Mary A. Buell.
Captain John W. Niles was reared on his father's farm and acquired his education in the district schools and in Hamilton Academy. He taught a district school in Illinois and also in Iowa, being thus engaged up to the time of the Civil war. He was also serving as postmaster at Madison, Iowa, at the time of the outbreak of hostilities, having been a resident of that state from 1854. Interested in the progress of events in the south, his patriotic spirit was aroused by the attempt to overthrow the Union, and on the 12th of August, 1861, he offered his services to the government, enlisting in Com- pany B, Ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Vandever, who, re- turning from congress, raised a regiment and went forth to battle for his country in the south. He was afterward a congressman from California. Captain Niles enlisted as a private, but when the company was organized was made orderly sergeant. At the battle of Vicksburg he was promoted to first lieutenant for gallantry in action, and when the captain of the com- pany resigned he was made its commander. He served for four years, doing valiant service for the country, never faltering in the discharge of any duty and meeting all of the experiences of camp life. He participated in the bat- tles of Pea Ridge, Arkansas Post, the assault and the siege of Vieksburg, and the battle of Jackson, Mississippi. He was also with Sherman's army at Lookout mountain and Missionary Ridge, all through the Atlantie campaign, and on the celebrated march to the sea. He served for four years, and after the grand review was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, in July, 1865, returning home with a most creditable military record.
Coming to Sterling in the fall of 1865, Captain Niles purchased some land south of the river and engaged in farming until 1875. He then took up his abode in the city and has since lived there. He belongs to Rock River Lodge, No. 612, A. F. & A. M .; Sterling Chapter, No. 57, R. A. M., and Sterling Commandcry, No. 57, K. T. He was master of the blue lodge at one time and is now secretary of all the Masonic bodies. He is also the
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valued and popular commander of Will Robinson Post, No. 274, which offiee he has filled for a number of years. He was one of the organizers and a charter member of the post. He is also a member of the Loyal Legion, and in community affairs he has taken an active and helpful part and was a member and secretary of the board of education of the Central school for twenty-three years. Upon his retirement W. W. Davis contributed the fol- lowing complimentary notice concerning the Captain's service on the school board to one of the Sterling newspapers: "His office was mostly identified with what was known as the Second ward school, now, sinee consolidation with the Lincoln, as distriet three. The close of so long and honorable a career deserves more than passing notice. The office of director is peculiar. There is no profit, no thanks, plenty of eritieism, and yet with the Captain it was a labor of love. Always ready, always on hand, never missing a meeting, regular in visitation, fertile in suggestion, unerring in judgment, genial in intercourse, popular with the children and with his fellow members, no commission too much trouble to execute, he has left a record that it will be pleasant to cherish. To no one man does the success of our leading school owe so much. In mat- ters of citizenship Captain Niles is today as loyal as when he followed the old flag on southern battlefields and his aid ean always be counted upon to further any movements for the welfare and upbuilding of Sterling.
WILLIAM H. MIDDAGH.
William H. Middaglı, a respected and representative farmer of Coloma township, living on section 32, was born on the 20th of January, 1825, in Ulster county, New York, his parents being Jacob H. and Catherine (Win- chell) Middagh, who were natives of the Empire state. The father was a miller by trade and also followed the occupation of farming. He married Miss Catherine Winchell, who was likewise a native of Ulster county, New York, and was of German descent. They became the parents of five children, all of whom reached adult age, namely: Lemuel, Susan, William H., DeWitt and Mary. De Witt was a soldier of the Union army and died of disease eon- tracted in the service. The parents passed their entire lives in the Empire statc.
William H. Middagh acquired a common-school education and in early life learned the miller's trade, which he followed for a number of years. As a companion and liclpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Susie E. Brooks, to whom he was married in October, 1846. She, too, was a native of New York, and they became the parents of five children: Jolin, who died at an early age; Sylvester; Ella, the wife of William Stewart, of Binghamton, New York, and a prosperous merchant and commercial traveler; Ida, the wife of Warren Murray; and Horatio.
For several years after his marriage William H. Middagh continued to opcrate the mill and farm belonging to his father. On disposing of his in- terests there he removed to Broome county, New York, where he purchased a
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tract of land which was mostly covered by timber. This he cleared and im- proved, building thiercon a comfortable home, good barns and other outbuild- ings. In 1866 he sold that property and removed westward to Whiteside coun- ty, Illinois, purchasing the place upon which he now resides on section 32, Coloma township. He has lived a long and busy life. His record has been checkered by mishaps and disadvantages and yet by his persistency of pur- posc and unfaltering diligence he has achieved a goodly measure of success. At one time he suffered the loss of a great number of hogs valued at over two thousand dollars. He has also lost valuable horses and other stock, but not- withstanding these obstacles in his path to success he has persevered and has become one of the substantial farmers of the county. In all of his business dealings he has been thoroughly reliable and trustworthy. He has never sued a person in all his life, preferring to suffer injustice and loss rather than to force his rights through the processes of the law. No man has ever known lıim to take advantage of the necessities of another in a business transaction but, on the contrary, he is thoroughly reliable and trustworthy.
In 1907 Mr. Middagh was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 10th of May, of that year. Since then he has been living alone most of the time upon the old homestead. His daughter, Mrs. Willian Stew- art, who lives in Binghamton, New York, takes a great interest in looking after her father's comfort and has tried to induce him to leave the responsibili- ties and care of the farm to others and go and live with lier, but Mr. Middagh clings to the old homestead, where so many happy years of his life have bech passed.
His friends and neighbors have nothing for him but the kindest words and the utmost respect. His political allegiance is given to the democracy and he has never sought nor desired office. He has ever displayed a kind, gen- erous disposition, willing to extend a helping hand to those in nced, and throughout his community is held in the highest esteem. He has now passed the eighty-third milestone on life's journey and has therefore witnessed many remarkable events in the history of his country as well as the progress and up- building of his adopted county.
NATHAN THOMPSON.
There are few men whose lives are crowned with the honor and respect which is uniformly accorded to Nathan Thompson, but through many years' connection with the history of Prophetstown and Whiteside county his has been an unblemished character. With him success in life has been reached by his sterling qualities of heart and mind, true to every manly principle. He has never deviated from what his judgment would indicate to be right and honorable between his fellowmen and himself and with this as a founda- tion lie has builded thercon by reason of his energy, determination and utilization of opportunities and lias won a success that is as gratifying and honorable as it is substantial. After a long and eventful carcer he can look
A. Thompson
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
back over the past with pride and enjoy the deelining years of his earthly pilgrimage with a eonsciousness of having gained for himself by his straight- forward career the confidenec and respect of the entire community in which he lives.
Mr. Thompson is a native of Galway, Saratoga county, New York, born March 9, 1822. In early colonial days the family, which is of Scotch-Irish origin, was founded in America, being established in Boston in 1718. Rep- resentatives of the name went to Saratoga county, New York, at the elosc of the French and Indian war in 1763. The family was represented in the Revolutionary war by John Thompson, who attained the rank of captain and when Stillwater township, Saratoga county, New York, was organized in 1788 he became one of its first justices, while in that year and in 1789 he was also a member of the state assembly. In 1791 when Saratoga was organized as a county, John Thompson was appointed the first judge and filled the office for eighteen years, or until 1809, when he reached the age of limit fixed by law and retired. He was a member of the constitutional convention of '1801 and was later a representative to the sixth, tenth and eleventh congresses. He thus left the impress of his individuality upon the judicial and legislative history of his county, state and nation and took a. most active and helpful part in promoting its interests during its formative period. His son, James Thompson, also served as county judge, his judicial career closing in 1833, while his death occurred in 1845. His second son, John Whalen Thompson, born December 19, 1808, seemed to have inherited the mental powers of his father and grandfather and was graduated with honor at Union College in 1827. Studying law, he was admitted to the bar in 1831 and in 1834 was appointed by Governor Marcy surrogate of Sara- toga county to fill the position until 1846, when the new constitution took effect. He assisted in organizing the Ballston Spa (N. Y.) bank in 1838 and . was its president from 1856 until his death, June 28, 1892. His son, George Lee, succeeded him to the presidency and died December 29, 1895. The two younger sons of John Thompson, Samuel and Frank, both reside at the old homestead. Of the sons of Judge John Thompson, the grandfather of our subject, William became a prominent lawyer of Obed, New York, and Charles an active business man of Seneca Falls, New York.
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