USA > Illinois > Bureau County > Past and present of Bureau County, Illinois : together with biographical sketches of many of its prominent and leading citizens and illustrious dead > Part 10
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
he came to Spring Valley as editor of the Spring Valley Sentinel, which he edited for two years, while later he was connected with newspaper work here in different capacities. In 1900 he was elected justice of the peace for Hall township and has since presided over the justice court in Spring Valley, being re-elected in 1905. Ili, decisions are based upon the equity and the law in the ease and are strictly fair and impartial, few of his opinions having ever been reversed. His course therefore has "won golden opinions from all sorts of people." He also acts as special correspondent for metropolitan papers, including leading jour- nals of New York, Chicago and St. Louis, and as above stated, is engaged in the real estate and in- surance business, having a good chentage in these lines.
Mr. Sweeney is recognized as one of the promi- nent representatives of democracy in the eastern part of Bureau county, and has taken a very ac- tive and prominent part in promoting this party's interests. He has served as a member of the Democratic County Central Committee a long time and at this writing is the nominee of his party for the office of county judge of Bureau county.
On the 17th of April, 1892, Mr. Sweeney was married to Miss Kit Cronyn and their children are: Lucille, born March 8, 1894; Gerald, July 29, 1895; Helen, January 2, 1899; Cyril, June 10, 1900; Mildred, January 5, 1905, and James Allan, August 7, 1906. The parents are com- munieants of the Catholic church and occupy a prominent social position in Spring Valley. Mr. Sweeney has a very wide acquaintance and his leading personal qualities are such as make him popular wherever known.
ALBERT W. BOYDEN.
Albert W. Boyden belongs to the little group of distinctively representative business men who have been the pioneers in inaugurating and build- ing up the chief business enterprises of this section of the country. He early had the sagacity to ap- preciate the eminence which the future had in store for this great and growing western country and, acting in accordance with the dictates of his faith and judgment, he has garnered, in the full- ness of time, the generous harvest which is the just recompense of energy, integrity and enter- prise. He is now connected with many extensive and important business interests and he makes his home in Sheffield, where his operations as a banker, general merchant, Inniberman and grain dealer extend to many of the thriving towns of this part of the state.
A son of Dr. Wyatt and Elizabeth (Woodbury) Boyden, he was born in Beverly, Massachusetts, May 24. 1833. His father was a practicing phy- sician of Beverly and, intending that his son
should be a farmer when he wa. old enougho. Al- bert W. Boyden was consequently placed won a farm, where he was employed during the stones seasons. lle also acted as clerk in a bank for some time and reecived there business lessons which have been of value to him in his later ca- reer. In September, 1853, attracted by the broad- er opportunities of the new and rapidly developing west, he came to Illinois, elerking for a time in Chicago and later for the Stevens firm in Tis- kilwa. He then secured a farm north of Shef- field, on which he took up his abode, but he did not find agricultural life congenial to him and determined to concentrate his energies along other lines of business activity. Accordingly he removed to Sheffield in the fall of 1858, and entered into business life, where he was destined to achieve snecess -- the success which comes through close application, unremitting diligence and a keen in- sight into business possibilities and conditions. After elerking for three years for the firm of Scott & Porter, engaged in general merchandising, he purchased the interest of the junior partner and the firm style, Scott & Boyden, was then assumed. In 1800 Mr. Boyden sold out to the firm of Scott & Company and joined II. C. Porter in a general merchandising and banking business. This was continued by the firm until October, 1815, when the death of Mr. Porter occurred and on the 1st of January, 1876. through the formation of a new partnership, the firm name was changed to Boyden & Dewey. These gentlemen remained in active business connection until 1589, when the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Dewey retaining the general mercantile establishment as his share of the business, while Mr. Boyden took charge of the bank with his son, George W. Boyden, as hi- partner and assistant under the style of A. W. Boyden & Son.
Our subject is a man of resourceful business ability and his far-sighted sagacity and wise coun- sel have proven important elements in the suc- cessful control of many business undertakings. Following the death of his former partner, Mr. Porter, he was for many years secretary and treas- uter of the Sheffield Mining Company. He has also become closely connected with mercantile, lumber, grain and banking interests in the town of Mineral under the style of E. J. Elv & Com- pany. He was for many years a partner of the firni of F. D. White & Company, of Sioux Rapids, Iowa, and as a partner in the firm of Lindner &
Boyden he is associated with banking. the grain trade and elevator interests at Buda. He operat .- in Tiskilwa as a lumber merchant under the style of II. E. Curtis & Company, and as a grain dealer at Annawan, Illinois, with J. C. Dewey & Com- pany, and is also interested in the Bank of Anna- wan. He is pre-eminently one of the stress !. capable and enterprising business men of Bateau county.
Mr. Boyden was married on the ed of April.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
1856, to Ellen R. Webb, who was born in Skow- hegan, Maine, April 18, 1837, a daughter of Jo- seph B. and Martha ( Weston) Webb, who came to this county in 1851. Mrs. Boyden died July 25, 1892. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Boyden: George W., born January 3, 1858, is a partner of his father in all his enter- prises and resides at Sheffield; William C. Boy- den, born April 6, 1861, is a graduate of Harvard College and now a member of the law firm of Matz, Fisher & Boyden, of Chicago; Martha F., born July 21, 1866, is the wife of John II. Finley, formerly president of Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois, and now president of the College of the City of New York. Charles W., born July 31, 1872, and educated at llarvard College, is in busi- ness with his father at Sheffield. Albert A. Boy- den, born April 10, 1815, is a graduate of Ilar- vard College and one of the editors of the Ameri- can Magazine, New York city.
In politics a prominent and pronounced repub- lican, Mr. Boyden has labored effectively for the interests of his party in this section of the state. In 1884 he was nominated by the republican con- vention of the twenty-fifth district as candidate for the state legislature and was elected in No- vember of that year. He is an active member of the Congregational church, generous in its sup- port and manifesting a spirit of benevolence in his relations to the poor and needy. To him there has come the attainment of a distinguished posi- tion in connection with the business interests of this portion of Illinois and his efforts have been so discerningly directed that he seems to have realized the full measure of success. A man of
distinct and forceful individuality, of broad men- tality and mature judgment, he has left and is leaving his impress upon the business world. For years he has been an important factor in the up- building of various towns of Burean county and in the promotion of enterprises which add not alone to his individual prosperity but also ad- vance the general welfare and prosperity of the city in which he makes his home and of the vari- ons towns in which he has business connections.
JOHN C. WHITE, M. D.
Dr. John C. White, president of the Bureau County Medical Society and a successful practi- tioner at Seatonville, was born in Coldstream, Scotland, May 18, 1846. a son of John and Fran- ces C. (Waite) White. Dr. White was educated in the schools of Edinburgh and of London, Eng- land. He graduated from the Royal College of Surgeons with the class of 1867 and from the Royal College of Physicians in the class of 1868, and equipped by splendid training for the onerous and important duties of his profession he entered upon the active work as a physician and surgeon. since which time he has filled many important
places of trust in the line of his profession. Ile was at one time house surgeon at We-tunustet Ilospital, also house physician in the same insti- tution and junior house surgeon. He was a -- ist- ant medical officer in the Stockwell Smallpox Hos- pital and was surgeon to her majesty's Emigra- tion Commissioners for India and resident med- ieal officer of the Royal Kent Dispensary. As sur- geon for the emigration commissioners Dr. White traveled extensively in the East and West Indies and to various other parts of the world.
Coming to the United States in 1882, he re- mained in New York city until 1884, after which he spent two years in Chicago. He then removed to Bureau county, settling in Spring Valley, where he remained until Seatonville was incorporated in 1889. Since that time he has practiced continu- ously in the latter place and for twenty years has been a resident of Hall township. Hle is at this writing, in 1906, president of the Bureau County Medieal Society-a position which indicates the place which he holds in the regard of his fellow members of the fraternity. He is likewise a mem- ber of the American Medical Association, the Illi- nois State Medical Association and the Northern Central Medical Society. An earnest and discrim- inating student, he has carried his investigations far and wide into the realme of medical and surg- ical science, continually promoting his skill and efficiency through reading and study, and that he is one of the most able members of the medical fraternity in Bureau county is indicated by his liberal patronage and the honors which have been conferred upon him by his professional brethren. He is medical examiner for the Illinois Life In- surance Company, and in addition has a large pri- vate practice, which is making constant demands upon his time and attention, yet leaves him oppor- tunity for active co-operation in those interests which tend to benefit his fellowmen and promote the welfare of town and county.
In 1822 Dr. White was married to Miss Hannah Merrick, and they have one daughter, Mary Fran- ces, who is married and resides in England. Dr. White takes a very deep and helpful interest in church and religious work and is a member of the First Congregational church of Seatonville, in which he is serving as deacon. Hle is also one of the board of directors of the Illinois Home Mis- sionary Society. A republican in politics he keeps informed on the questions and issues of the day and gives hearty co-operation to those legitimate movements for promoting the growth and insur- ing the success of his party. He is, however, op- posed to anything like misrule in municipal af- fairs and stands at all times for good government. He has serveil as justice of the peace for twelve years and notary public for sixteen years.
A prominent Mason, he became a member of Dalhousie lodge, No. 860. A. F. & A. M., in Lon- don, England, and on the 11th of May. 18:5, in London, he was presented with a testimonial by a
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
committee of the Royal Masonic Institute for Girls in recognition of his services as steward at the eighity-seventh anniversary festival, at which seven thousand two hundred and sixty-nine pounds sterling were raised for the institute. The lord mayor, Rt. Hon. David Henry Stone, occupied the chair on the occasion of the presentation and the Doctor prizes highly the beautiful illuminated address which he then received. He joined the Odd Fellows society in London in 1874. and be- came a member of Sheridan lodge, No. 198, K. P., in Spring Valley. He was the first chancellor commander of the lodge and served for two ternis. He afterward assisted in founding the Knights of Pythias lodge at Ladd and also Harrison lodge. No. 403, K. P., at Seatonville, and is serving for his fourteenth term as keeper of the records and seals. He has been for seventeen years surgeon and assistant surgeon for the Third Regiment of the uniformed rank of the Knights of Pythias of Illinois. It will be seen that Dr. White is a man of well grounded character, not so abnormally de- veloped in any one direction as to become a genius. but with his native talents and energies exercised to their full strength, with the result that his life has been of benefit to his fellowmen, his activities touching many lines of general interest and at the same time proving a source of individual profit. He has done effective work in fraternal and church circles and is the loved family physician in many a household in Hall township.
M. J. GREENER.
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M. J. Greener is the owner of one of the model farms of Bureau county and a prominent repre- sentative of stock-raising interests. He has, more- over, been a leader in those lines of activity af- feeting the general interests of society, and has co-operated in many movements for political, in- tellectual and moral progress. He lives near Seatonville, and is numbered among the native sons of Bureau county, his birth having occurred in Selby township, December 20, 1848. His father, J. G. Greener, was born in Byron, Ger- many, and when twenty-five years of age came to the United States, attracted by the broader busi- ness opportunities of the new world. He ar- rived in this county in 1836 and cast in his lot with the early pioneer settlers. For many years thereafter he engaged in farming, which pursuit he made his life work. In polities he was a re- publican, and was a man most highly respected by all who knew him. His life was so upright and honorable that he was known to all his neighbors as "honest John." He died in the year 1893, leaving a comfortable competence and an untar- nished name as the result of a life of activity and business integrity. His wife bore the maiden name of Marilla Jane Savage, and was born in Putnam county, Illinois.
M. J. Greener pursued hu- education m to schools of Bureau county, and when he pa aside his text-books became connected with in saddlery business in Hollowayville, where he p- mained in active trade for eighteen years. 1893 he purchased a farm ou section 18, Ha !! township, consisting of eighty acres of land, to which he afterward added eighty acres on section. 2. Hle has made it a model farm, on which he has a fine residence and other buildings. It i- supplied with all modern equipments and is iu- deed a valuable property, constituting one of the attractive features of the landscape. In addition to the cultivation of the fields he is likewise lais- ing fine stock, making a specialty of Durham cattle and Poland China hogs. He is a member of a stock company owning a very valuable im- ported French stallion. Ile is also well known as a raiser of fine poultry, and he has much fruit upon his place. In fact, there is no better im- proved farm in the county, and its improvement- are all in keeping with the most progressive spirit of the age.
In 1825 Mr. Greener was united in marriage to Miss Emma Hassler, a daughter of Charles Ilass- ler, an old resident of Bureau county. In the family were nine children, but two of the number are now deceased-Enna, who died at the age of nine years, and a son who died in infancy. The seven still living are Charles, Frederick, Harry. Lena, Clark, M. J., Jr., and Hattie.
Mr. Greener is a member of Bureau County lodge, No. 112, A. F. & A. M., and Princeton chapter. R. A. M., and is thoroughly in sym- pathy with the teachings and tenets of the craft. In polities he has been a life-long republican, an.1 has taken a deep interest in the welfare of the county, to the extent of giving hearty co-opera- tion to every movement which he deems will prove of public benefit. He has been a delegate to mans county conventions and is an earnest champion of republican principles, although not an office- secker. He holds membership in the Congrega- tional church, in the work of which he takes an active and helpful part. He has served as deacon and has always devoted much of his time and en- ergy to church and Sunday-school work. Ile :- thus interested in the material, political, social and moral progress of his community, and hi- influence is ever on the side of right, improv . ment and progress.
SINO E. WINSER.
Sino E. Winser, a representative agriculture. of Hall township, whose farm of four hundre! and sixty acres is a model property, was born ir this township. June 19. 1819. His father, Lit . Winser, was a native of Hawkburst, Kent cortes. England, born August 24. 1816. The patern ??
MR. AND MRS. M. J. GREENER.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
grandfather, Edward Winser, was also a native of the same locality and at one time was a resident of Bureau county, Illinois, but spent his last days in Henry county, this state. James Winser left England on the 18th of September, 1841, and made his way direct to Bureau county. He worked for Robert Scott and others for several years and then removed to Lvingston county, Illinois, where lived his brother-in-law. There Mr. Winser lo- cated a claim but afterward returned to Bureau county and purchased land on section 30, Hall township, on which he took up his abode in 1850. As the years passed he became a successful and prosperous farmer and stock-raiser and the home farm of four hundred and sixty acres was a model one, equipped with modern conveniences and pro- ducing fine crops as a result of the care and labor bestowed upon the fields. In 1872 James Win- ser returned to his native country, making the trip in twelve days, although when he first crossed the Atlantic it required six weeks to complete the voyage. On the 12th of August, 1818, he was married to Miss Serena Munson, who was born on the 19th of September, 1832, in Warren county, Indiana, a daughter of Sino and Sarah (Fenton) Munson, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Ohio. Unto Mr. and Mrs. James Winser were born four children: Sino E., Will- iam B., Mrs. Nancy I. Campbell and Mrs. Isabel S. Miller.
Sino E. Winser, born in Hall township, spent his boyhood and youth in his parents' home and pursued his education in the public schools. He early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist and has al- ways carried on general farming, having now a good tract of land in Hall township, which he has brought under a high state of cultivation. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party, of which his father was also a stalwart ad- vocate.
ANDREW CARPER.
Andrew Carper is the owner of an excellent farm property comprising three hundred and ele- ven acres of well improved land in Macon town- ship, and his success in his business career is at- tributable entirely to his own labors. Moreover he is entitled to representation in this volume as one of the veterans of the Civil war. for he de- fended his country in the darkest hour of her his- tory. His birth occurred in Bedford county. Pennsylvania, October 17, 1812, and his education was afforded by the public schools. His parents were Philip and Elizabeth ( Bassler) Carper, the former a native of Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, born December 4, 1814, while the latter was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania. September 17, 1824. The father was a son of Sanmiel Carper, who was of German parentage and was born in Virginia. He died, however, in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, August 3, 1861, at the age of
eighty-three years, two months and twenty-seven days. His wife, Mrs. Christina Carper, who was born in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, died in 1864 at the age of eighty years, ten months and twenty-three days.
Philip Carper was reared to the occupation of farming and always followed that pursuit as a life work. He was married in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, to Miss Elizabeth Bassler, who died September 25, 1815, leaving three children : Eliza, who was born November 8, 18-10, and became the wife of John Burke, while on the 6th of May, 1901, her death occurred; Andrew, of this review; and Samuel B., who is living in Macon township. After losing his first wife the father married Han- nah Emerson, who was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, February 4, 1808, and died April 2, 1900. For a number of years after attaining his majority Philip Carper continued to reside in the Keystone state and in the spring of 1852 emi- grated westward to Fulton county, Illinois, where he resided until the spring of 1853. He then re- moved to Concord township, Bureau county and in 1854 removed to Macon township, where he followed farming, and in 1855 he purchased one hundred and thirty-seven acres of land on which was a log cabin. Subsequently he erected thereon a frame residence which now stands as the handi- work of one of the pioneer settlers of the county. He first bought military land and he had at one time two hundred and ninety-seven acres. His life was devoted to general agricultural pursuits and through his intense and well directed activity he gained a goodly measure of success. His early political allegiance was given to the whig party and after its dissolution he became a stanch re- publican. He was a member of the Brethren church and also assisted in supporting the Church of God. He passed away in Macon township, February 23, 1891, after a long residence in this county, during which time he won a place among the leading, substantial and honored pioneer resi- dents.
Andrew Carper, whose name introduces this review, was a lad of ten years when he came with his parents to Ilinois and he remained with them until twenty-one years of age, assisting in the ar- duous task of developing a new farm. He then began farming on his own account, first buying eighty acres of land, while later he added a tract of forty aeres. Eventually, however, he sold that property and bought one hundred and sixty acres, which he cultivated and improved for some time. At length he sold his second farm and bought one hundred and ninety-nine acres where he now resides. He has added to his land as opportunity has offered and as his financial resources have per- mitted until he is now the owner of three hun- dred and eleven aeres, constituting a well im- proved and valuable farm. He is engaged in gen- eral farming and stock-raising. Practically the only interruption to his business career was dur- ing the period of the Civil war, when in response
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PAST AND PRESENT OF BUREAU COUNTY.
to the country's call he enlisted on the 8th of September, 1864, as a member of Company 11, One Hundred and Forty-sixth Ilinois Volunteer Infantry, at Bunker Hill, Illinois. He was mus- tered in at Peoria, thence went to Springfield and was afterward ordered to Quincy, where he did provost duty until the time of President Lin- coln's assassination, when he was ordered to Springfield, the regiment being in line at Lincoln's funeral. He was mustered out in the capital city, July 8, 1865.
In 1876 Mr. Carper was married to Miss Sarah Wilds, who was born March 27, 1855, and died March 23, 1896. They were the parents of seven children: William A., born October 22, 1812; Charles A., who was born August 29, 1879. and died-March 22, 1883: Philip Thompson, born No- vember 30, 1881; Mabel A., January 24, 1881; Benjamin F .. July 22, 1886: Edward, December 29, 1888; and Forrest, June 20, 1892. For his second wife Mr. Carper chose Sarah H. Stratton, who first married Archie Mead and following his death she became the wife of Mr. Carper on the 3d of June, 1896. She was born October 20, 1862, a daughter of Edward and Caroline ( Robins) Stratton. Her father was born in Ohio and died in 1904, at the age of seventy-five years, while his wife, a native of New Jersey, is now living in Buda at the age of seventy-three years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Carper were born three children : Frederick P., born July 2, 1896; John L., April 17, 1898; and Muriel E., July 20, 1900.
Politically Mr. Carper is a stalwart republican, thoroughly in sympathy with the principles of the party, yet not an office seeker. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. In his boyhood Mr. Carper was very fond of hunt- ing and had ample opportunity to indulge his love of that sport, for there was much wild game in the county, including deer, prairie chickens and wild turkeys. In the spring his father would send him out with a gun to drive off wild brant and geese which were feeding on the fields of grain. He has for many years witnessed the changes that have occurred here, the transformation that has taken place and the substantial growth and im- provement of the county and as the years have passed he has borne his full share in the work of substantial improvement and development, espe- cially along agricultural lines.
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