Portrait and biographical album of Henry County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 17

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 850

USA > Illinois > Henry County > Portrait and biographical album of Henry County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 17

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).

Commencing in life on his own account, he was a renter of farms for ten years, when, in 1880, he pur- chased 120 acres on the section where he now re- sides and where he is setting a good example as an honest and industrious farmer.

He was married in 1872 to Mrs. E. M. Ramsey, a native of this State. She now has six children, two of whom are by her former husband, namely, Ida and Robert. By her present marriage are Viletia, Mary E., Frank E. and Leroy. Ida is the wife of Franklin Elliott, of Clover Township.

Mr. Hillery is in sympathy with the principles of the Democratic party, and is an influential citizen in his township.

enry E. Houghton, a farmer on section 33, Clover Township, was born in Chester, Windsor Co., Vt., June 16, 1849, and was two years old when he came with his parents to Illinois. His father, Calvin C. Houghton, purchased 360 acres at the present homestead, and was a resident there until his death, May 10, 1874. His widow, nee Lucy E. Johnson, is still liv- ing at that place, with her daughter and son, the subject of this sketch, who have had the manage- ment of the place since the father's death.

Henry E. has a farm of 160 acres on section 26, and another farm of the same size on section 28: the former he leases. In his youth he received a com- mon-school education : is now a township Super- visor, a School Trustee, and is a citizen of high standing in his community. He is engaged in gen- eral farming and also deals in horses and cattle. He has also purchased roo tons of broom-corn for three years, on commission, for a firm in Canada. When he first became a resident here, his nearest neighbor was six miles distant. There was then a great plenty of small game. Mr. H. is yet unmarried.

E. Edgerton, residing in the village of Woodhull, where he is living in retirement from the active labors of life, the major portion of his years having been spent in the arduous toils of the farm, was born in New York, in Essex County, Nov. 6, 1818, his par- ents being Jacob and Mary (Stoddard) Edgerton, natives of Vermont.

The parents of Mr. Edgerton came to Illinois in 1839 and located at Galesburg, Knox County. They purchased a lot in that city and erected thereon a residence, in which they resided until the date of his death in 1843. The mother followed him to the land of the hereafter, Nov. 5, 1858. The issue of their union was six children.

S. E. Edgerton was the fourth child in order of birth of a family of six children. He remained with his parents until within one year of his majority, having received the advantages afforded by the com- mon schools and assisted his father in the labors of the farm until that time. His father was a carpen- ter, and young Edgerton learned that trade prior to his leaving home. He came to this State in the spring of 1838, and located at Galesburg, where he worked at his trade until the spring of 1844. He then rented a farm in Knox County, and was con- tinually engaged in its cultivation until 1855, meet- ing with some degree of success in that manner of farming. At the expiration of that time he removed to Henry County, and purchased a farm of 105 acres, located on section 6, Clover Township. The land was prairie and in its natural condition, and he at once entered upon the task of breaking and

208

HENRY COUNTY.

improving it. He erected a residence thereon, to- gether with barn, fences, etc., set out trees and otherwise improved the place, and continued to re- side there for 25 years, when, in 1879, he removed into Woodhull village and purchased a fine residence and lot, and has continued to reside there up to the present time.

The marriage of Mr. Edgerton to Miss Martha L. Belding occurred April 6, 1842. She was the ac- complished daughter of Stephen and Martha Beld- ing, and was born in Windsor Co., Vt., May 2, 1822. Three children, all daughters, have been born of their union, viz .: Mary L., born April 6, 1843, mar- ried Sidney Durston ; Ethel A., born Aug. 11, 1846, wife of T. I. Hurd; Ida L., born Feb. 11, 1857, mar- ried Manning L. Spooner, with whom she lived until her death, which occurred in Cincinnati, Ohio, Sept. 12, 1880; and Clark E., an adopted son, born Feb. 12, 1856, was united in marriage to Mintie A. Gamble; and Phebe E,, an adopted daughter, born Oct. 22, 1859, married Orion Durston.

Mr. Edgerton is a believer in and a supporter of the principles advocated by the Republican party. He is a gentleman whose accumulations are attrib- utable to his own energy and good judgment, and is a respected and honored citizen of the community in which he resides.

eter B. Peterson, engaged as a general farmer and stock-raiser on section 23, Lynn Township, is a native of Sweden, having been born there Oct. 1, 1830. He emigrated to America in the fall of 1857, first locating in Galesburg, Knox Co., Ill., where he engaged as a common laborer for 11 years, in the employ of G. W. Brown, manufacturer of corn-planters.

Mr. Peterson was united in marriage the 13th day of May, 1865, while at Galesburg, the lady to whom he was united being Miss Matilda Hegg, also a native of Sweden, and who came to the United States in 1852 with her parents, when only ten years old. They located in Lynn Township, where they they both died. Peter B. Peterson's parents are both deceased, having died in Sweden. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have become the parents of three children, namely: Emma Elida, Frank Edward and

Ellen Nell. Mr. P., on coming to Lynn Township, rented land for the first three years, and finally pur- chased the same; owning now, including his wife's property, 90 acres of land, which is mostly improved. and under excellent cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. P., in religious matters, attend the Lutheran Church.

J. Howell, a retired farmer, residing on section 29, Clover Township, was born in Orange County, N. Y., May 7, 1823. His parents were Cadwallader and Catherine (Wood) Howell, natives of New York, who came to Illinois in 1860, and finally died in this State, the former in 1877, and the latter in 1869. Mr. Howell, our subject, made his home with an uncle from the time he was 18 months old until the year 1856, receiving a common-school education. At the age of 30 years he left his uncle for one year, and engaged in the creamery business in . Morris- town, N. J. He then resided with his uncle again for two years, from whom he received for his services his farm and personal effects. He came to Illinois in 1856, settling in Woodhull, and building the first house in the place. He purchased the half of sec- tion 7, in company with his brother, George Howell. He also bought 40 acres in the northern part of the same section, a quarter of section 29, in 1859; also IIO acres since then, and a quarter of section 24, 80 acres on section 12, and 80 acres on section 32. At the present time he occupies section 29 as a resi- dence. In 1880 he became a member of the Farm- ers' Bank firm, in company with Messrs. Woods & Co. As a farmer and as a dealer in fine horses and high-grade stock, Mr. Howell has been eminently successful. He is a solid and representative citizen of Henry County, worthy of any public trust. He is a Republican in his political affiliation; was the first Republican surveyor of the township of Clover. For the past nineteen years he has been a Trustee of the Presbyterian Church, to which body his wife and daughter also belong.

Mr. Howell was married to Miss Matilda C. Post, a native of Orange Co., N. Y., and the daughter of the late Gen. P. S. Post, who was engaged in the War of 1812. He had the entire control of the State Militia of Orange County. He married Miss Mary D. Coe, a native of the State of New York,

HENRY COUNTY.

209

and a daughter of John B. Coe, a Representative of Rockland County, that State. He came West with his family in 1855, settling in Galesburg, where he · died in 1861; the mother still resides in Galesburg, . with her son, Gen. P. S. Post, who was a General in the late war, was Consul to Austria 13 years, and is at present living a retired life in Galesburg.

Mr. and Mrs. Howell have had two children, namely : Carrie P., who married M. C. Brownlee, of Monmouth, Ill., in 1883; and Schuyler P., who died in 1878, at the age of 17 years, at Rock Island, Ill.

R. Hayden. One of the representative and worthy men of Henry County, is A. R. Hayden, a retired farmer, whose place of residence is on section 25, Clover Township, and who was born in Lewis Co., Ky., Oct. 20, 1819. His parents were Jonathan and Re- becca (Taylor) Hayden, who were natives of Penn- sylvania and New Jersey, respectively. In an early day the father was engaged in mercantile business, but later adopted the occupation of a farmer, and came to Indiana in the year 1856, where he re- mained until his death.

A. R., of this sketch, remained at home until he attained the age of 22 years, enjoying such advan- tages as were afforded by the common schools of that early day, and then learned surveying. After leaving home he followed the latter business, that of a surveyor. Later, he commenced to work part of the homestead which his father had given him, and then sold it, coming to Illinois. He re- mained in Fulton County for three years, and next came on to Henry County and located on 160 acres on section 25, Clover Township, which he had pur- chased in 1853. By his industry and energy he now has the same in an advanced state of cultiva- tion, has set out trees, fenced it, erected suitable buildings and a fine residence. He enlisted early in the war in the 8Ist Ill. Inf., served three years, and was honorably discharged at Fort Donelson.

Mr. Hayden was married May 14, 1841, to Miss Minerva Reeve, a native of Montgomery Co., Ind., and their home circle has been blessed with the birth of nine children, namely: Amanda, Cynthia, Louisa, Rebecca, Joab, William H., Eveline, Sylva-

nus and Alfred M., all of them married except the youngest. Mr. H. votes with the Republican party, whose principles he espouses. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church of Ontario, Knox County, this State.

homas Long, a general farmer and stock- raiser, residing on section 15, Lynn Town- ship, is a native of Pennsylvania, where, in Indiana County, he was born, Jan. 10, 1833. For parental history of Mr. Long, see biography of J. S. Long, in another part of the work. Thomas Long resided on the parental home- stead, and attended the district schools of his native county, developing into manhood. He learned the trade of a blacksmith in early life under the instruc- tion of an older brother, Jacob, in Westmoreland Co., Pa. He continued to labor with his brother from the date of his majority until he was about 25 years of age, working at the blacksmith trade. In the spring of 1858, realizing that better opportu- nities were offered in the undeveloped West for the accumulation of a competency, he came to Orion, this county. He first engaged in breaking prairie, at which vocation he labored for a time, and then entered upon the occupation of a farmer for his own individual profit. He and his brother, J. S. Long, purchased 230 acres of land in Lynn Township, which they own at the present time in partnership. Mr. Long subsequently increased his landed in- terests by the purchase of 160 acres additional, on which he at present resides. He is one of the energetic and progressive farmers as well as stock- raisers of his township. He has a pleasant home, a good farin, and in addition to his agricultural labors is engaged to a considerable extent in breed- ing high-graded stock. Politically, he is a Repub- lican, but has always declined the proffered offices of his township.

Mr. Long formed a matrimonial alliance in Swe- dona, Mercer Co., Ill., at the residence of the bride's parents, Feb. 6, 1878, with Euphemia B., daughter of Alex. and Mary (Burns) Cook, natives of North and South Scotland respectively. The father was a son of a Highland Scotch farmer, Archie Cook, who was united in marriage to Mary McKelvie, and who was a farmer by occupation, They came to Canada

210

HENRY COUNTY.

and settled in Inverness, Province of Quebec, about 1834, where they resided until their deaths, in 1852. The mother of Mrs. Long (Mary Burns) was the daughter of William and Mary (Tennock) Burns. The grandfather, William Burns, was a second cousin of Robert Burns, the famous Scottish poet, and belonged to an old and prominent family of Scotland, where he and his wife both died, she soon after their marriage, and he in 1852. The parents of Mrs. Burns had seven children, one of whom, Peter F., is deceased. He was shot at the battle of Resaca, Ga., while fighting in defense of his coun- try's honor. The living are as follows : Archie, who married Fanny Moore, and lives at Pre-emption, Mercer Co., and is a wagon-maker; Mary married James Williamson, who resides at Creston, Iowa; Lizzie married Dr. Williamson, a resident of Golden, Adams Co., this State; Jane resides with her father in Swedona, Mercer Co., and has been a teacher of long standing in the public schools of that county; Belle was united in marriage to J. B. Dalles, who resides in Philadelphia, Pa., and is engaged in iron ore business. Mrs. Long was the fourth child of her parents' family, having been born July 31, 1847, in Govan, near the city of Glasgow, Scotland. When in her 14th year she emigrated to the United States with her parents, who settled in this county, where the mother died, March 6, 1878. Her father still survives, and resides at Swedona, Mercer Co.

Mr. and Mrs. Long are the parents of two chil- dren : Bessie B., born Oct. 18, 1878, and Inez L., Dec. 5, 1881. They also have in their care for bringing up a girl named Kittie, the daughter of William and Catharine Farrell, of Geneseo. She was born in that village, March 20, 1870, and was in her eighth year when she was received into Mr. Long's family.

L. Huffman, engaged as farmer on sec- tion 9, Clover Township, is a native of this State, having been born Jan. 1, 1852, in Peoria County. His parents, Herbert W. and Elizabeth (Creiger) Huffman, were na- tives of New Jersey. The parents came to this State in 1845, and settled in Peoria County, where they purchased 60 acres of land. Their son, C. L. Huffman, of whom we write, remained with

them until he had attained his majority, receiving his education in the common schools and assisting in the labors of the farm. On becoming his own man in life, C. L. left the parental roof-tree, and worked out by the month in Henry County-his parents having moved to this county in 1865-until about 25 years of age. He then rented a farm in Clover Township, located on section 35, which he cultivated for his own individual benefit for two years. He then rented the place on which he at present resides, and cultivated the same for one year, after which he bought it, and has since con- tinued to reside thereon, occupied in its cultivation and improvement.

Mr. Huffman was united in marriage to Clara A., the daughter of Stephen J. Lighthizer, July 4, 1876. She was born April 11, 1857, in Clover Township, Henry County, and has borne to her husband one child,-Edith C., born Nov. 30, 1879. Mr. Huff- man, politically, is a believer in and a supporter of the principles of the Republican party. He is a worthy young man of Clover Township, and re- spected in the community in which he resides for his straightforward and manly dealings with his fel- low men.

R. Spivey, farmer and stock-raiser, resid- ing on section 18, Oxford Township, was born in Indiana, March 31, 1840, his par- ents being John and Lusada (Alread) Spivey, natives of Ohio and South Carolina respect- ively, who came to this State in 1848, and located in Rock Island County, where the father died one year later.

J. R. Spivey, subject of this biographical sketch, remained with his parents until he attained his majority, receiving during that time a moderate edu- cation in the district schools, and spending the major portion of his time in labor on the farm. On be- coming his own man he left home and rented a farm in Mercer County, and in 1864 he purchased 80 acres of land in that county. After cultivating the same for one year he sold it and came to this county, where he purchased 80 acres on section 17, Oxford Township. This he kept and cultivated for three years, when he sold it, and purchased 120 acres, where he at present resides. He moved on

2II

HENRY COUNTY.

his land, and entered upon its cultivation and im- provement, and was likewise engaged in the stock business, which, together with agricultural pursuits, continued to follow until 1883. Since that time he has lived in retirement from the active labors of life.

Mr. Spivey has been twice married. His first wife, to whom he was united in marriage in Septem- ber, 1861, was Miss Edith Duzenberry, a native of Virginia, and four children were born of their union, -James, Alice, John and Jane. Mrs. Spivey died in 1874, and his second marriage was with Miss Isadore Goodhue, a native of this State. Of the latter union two children have been born,-Elias, Cass and Clark. Mr. S. politically, is a Prohibi- tionist. Himself and wife and two children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and three of his children are members of the Congrega- tional Church.

L. Woods, manufacturer, Woodhull, was born in Perry Co., Pa., Feb. 22, 1834, and came to Illinois in 1856, residing in Ot- tawa until 1858, clerking in a hardware store for Jackson & Lockwood. He returned. to Pennsylvania, and after the death of his father, in 1859, he rented the homestead for two years. The farm was then sold, by order of the Court, and Mr. Woods bought the place and occu- pied it for two years longer. He then sold out and moved to Newport, and engaged in buying and sell- ing horses for the army and also to farmers. He next purchased a farm near New Broomfield, Perry Co., Pa., consisting of 103 acres, and occupied the same for three years; selling out again, he came to Woodhull, this county, and purchased 138 acres of land on section 24, Oxford Township, which place he still retains. He has since engaged extensively in the manufacture of brooms, at Woodhull, now employing 17 men. He is also a member of the firm of Howell, Woods & Co., bankers, of Wood- hull. He is also the proprietor of 500 acres of land in Kansas and Nebraska. He holds the office of School Treasurer, has been Road Commissioner, etc., and is one of the leading and solid men of Henry County. He votes the Democratic ticket.

Miss Susan A. Gamble, a native of Perry Co., Pa., and Mr. Woods were married Feb. 22, 1860, and they have four children,-Carrie L., born Jan. 12, 1861; Joseph W., who was born April 28, 1862; Bell M., born June 1, 1865; and Laura M., Sept. 18, 1868; Carrie L. married A. A. Mackey, the Postmaster of Woodhull. Mr. Wood's parents were Joseph and Margaret (Adams) Woods, natives of Pennsylvania. The former died in 1859, and the latter in 1860.

20/03

ugust Anderson, of the firm of E. & A. Anderson, general merchants, at Lynn Center, this county, is a native of Sweden, in which country he was born May 30, 1850. His father, Andrew Anderson, was also born in Sweden, a farnier by occupation, and mar- ried Christina Nilson, a native of that country. While they resided in Sweden seven children were born to them, and August, subject of this notice, was the youngest in order of birth.

August Anderson was brought by his parents when two years of age to this country. They located in Andover Township, Henry County, where the father purchased 50 acres of land, on which he has continually resided. There has been one child born to them since they came to the United States, and they reside on the old homestead on which they settled when they came to this county, being among the early settlers. August Anderson was reared on the homestead spoken of, where he assisted in the labors of the farm, and attended the public schools at Andover until February, 1884. At that date he connected himself with Mr. Edward Anderson in mercantile trade in Lynn Center, since which time he has continued with him in partnership in the business.

Mr. Anderson was united in marriage July 30, 1885, at Andover, with Miss Mary I. Peterson, who was born in Sweden, Dec. 14, 1858. Her father died in his native country before Mrs. Anderson of this notice was a year old. Her mother afterward married P. O. Anderson, and the family came to the United States, Mrs. A. of this notice being at the time of her mother's emigration to this country eight years old. She was the eldest but two in order of

212

HENRY COUNTY.

birth of a family of eight children, two of whom are deceased. Her parents located in Andover Town- ship, where the step-father died, Oct. 6, 1880. Mrs. Anderson received her education in the dis- trict schools of Andover and Clover Townships. Her mother is at present residing in Andover, and is 57 years old.

Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are members of the Swe- dish Methodist Church at Andover, of which de- nomination he is at present Treasurer. Politically, he is a believer in and a supporter of the principles advocated by the Republican party.

29/03 2003

P. Taylor, who resides on section 9, Clover Township, was born in Cumberland Co., Pa., Sept. 10, 1836. His parents were Michael and Sally (Persing) Taylor, native of that State. They moved to Ohio in 1844, where his father was engaged in farming for seven years. In 1851 he came to this State and lo- cated on section 9, Clover Township, this county, where he purchased 160 acres of land. On this land he settled with his family, and has constantly resided thereon until the present time. His wife, mother of the subject of this notice, died on the old homestead in 1865.

O. P. Taylor, whose biographical sketch we write, received a fair education in the district schools and assisted his father in the labors of the farm until he reached his 21st year. On becoming his own man in life, he was given charge of the old homestead and has continued to cultivate the same up to the pres- ent time. By energetic labor and economy, he has added 80 acres of land to the original 160 which the homestead comprised. The 80 acres is located on sections 4 and 9. Mr. T. has also purchased in con- nection with a brother 80 acres on section 9, 80 acres on section 10, and 40 acres on section 4, and also 10 acres of woodland in Andover Township. He has a large stock of cattle and horses, and is en- gaged in general farming, in which vocation he is meeting with success.

He was married to Miss Lorina Downey, a native of Illinois, in 1866, and of their union, two sons have D een born, Charles and Willie. Politically, Mr. Tay-

lor is a Democrat. He has held the office of School Director for II years, and is an energetic and pro- gressive farmer, and respected citizen of the town- ship and county in which he resides.

illiam Boltenstern, engaged as a general farmer and stock-raiser on section 24, Lynn Township, where is located his resi- dence, is a native of Pommern, Prussia, in which country he was born Dec. 31, 1818. His father, Charles Boltenstern, was also a farmer and a native of Prussia. · He was married in that country to Minnie Nitz, she being a native of the same place, and both were of old Ger- man families, who had lived there when that part of Prussia belonged to Sweden, before Napoleon. The parents of our subject had always lived in Germany, the date of the death of the father being about the year 1846, and the mother 1858.

William Boltenstern, whose name heads this sketch, was the third child in order of birth of a family of 12 children, and resided under parental influence until about 19 years of age, in the mean- time attending the public schools and acquiring a good education. At the age mentioned he entered the regular army of Prussia, where he remained for about two years, and then engaged in the occupation of a farmer, which he followed until his emigration to America, in 1852. Upon his arrival in the New World, he located on a farm of 80 acres in Lynn Township, which he begin immediately to improve and put under excellent cultivation. In this he succeeded, and later he added to his original acre- age, until he is now the owner of over 1,000 acres, the most of this large property being in a good state of cultivation. It is distributed over the townships of Lynn, Andover and Osco. His farm ranks among the first of the township, and Mr. B. is one of the most extensive land-owners in the same. His stock-raising is immense, and he is looked upon as a progressive, energetic and respected stockman.

The 27th of June, 1857, Mr. Boltenstern chose for his companion, and with whom he was united, Miss Mary Anderson, who was born in Sweden, in 1839. When 12 years of age she emigrated with her mother to America, her father having died in

AX : HH.T.HH.

213

HENRY COUNTY.

Sweden. They located at Andover, Henry County, and there she lived until her marriage. The mother still survives, making her home with her daughter, Mrs. B. Mr. and Mrs. B. have had their home circle blessed with the birth of five children, one of whom is deceased : Theodore W., Morris A., Henry E., and Victor F. are living, and Charles is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. B. and family are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. B. has served in the minor offices of his township, and politically he affiliates with the Republican party

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.

Portrait and biographical album of Henry County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 17

Author: Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 850

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 850