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 26
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Mr. Johnson was united in marriage Dec. 14, 1856, at Andover, with Miss Christina Peterson. She was born in Jonkoping Lan, Sweden, March 25, 1832, and was the daughter of a Swedish farmer. Her parents both died when she was but a few months old, and she afterward lived with relatives until her marriage to Mr. Johnson, having emi- grated with them to this country in 1854, and re- sided with them in Geneseo and Andover. Mrs. Johnson has become the mother of eight children, three of whom are deceased: George W. has a biographical sketch in this book; John A. was united in marriage to Ida Johnson and resides on a farm in Andover Township; Ida M. married Frank Bank- ston, who resides in Andover; Frank L. is living with his parents, as likewise is Herbert J. The de- ceased all died in infancy.
After marriage, Mr. Johnson settled on a farm of 30 acres in Andover Township, located on section 33, which he had purchased in March, 1855, and a few years later increased his farm to ITO acres, but which he sold in the year 1863. He then made a purchase of 80 acres on section 12, Lynn Township, which was partly improved, and since has put it un- der excellent cultivation, being his permanent home. Mr Johnson is now the possessor and owner of 776 acres of land in this county, all under the plow. He has it separated into six well improved and well planned farms. He is one of the most extensive broom-corn growers in the county and State, besides being one of the most successful and progressive stock-growers.
The family are members of the Lutheran Church,
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of which Mr. J. is Trustee; and he has also held several minor offices in his township. Mr. Johnson is identified with the Republican party, being a first- class and enthusiastic Republican.
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Charles Smith, a farmer on section 4, Mun- son Township, is a pioneer of Henry County of 1851. Mr. Smith is a descendant of families that were connected with the Colo- nial history of this country, and his grandsires on both sides were in the wars in the earliest period of the nation's existence. The father of his father was a native of 'Beverly, Essex Co., Mass., and was a pioneer of New Gloucester, in the same State. He was a soldier in the French and Indian War, and died in Paris, Me. The father of the mother of Mr. Smith was a Captain of a company of militia under the command of General Washington in the War of the Revolution. He was a native of the State of Maine.
Mr. Smith of this personal account was born in Paris, Oxford Co., Me., Aug. 2, 1806, and is the son of Josiah and Deborah (Haskell) Smith. He was reared on the farm of his father and was educated in the public schools. He had for a classmate the dis- tinguished Hannibal Hamlin. He remained in the place of his nativity until the age of 22. He went then to Penobscot County, and there became by pur- chase the owner of a tract of timber land in the township of Lincoln. He lived there to clear the farm in part of the dense growth of timber with which it was covered, and a few years later sold it. He took up his abode in the place known as Lincoln Center, and was there variously occupied until the spring of 1845. He went next to Dexter, Me., where he was the manager of the farm of his father-in-law until 1851. That was the year in which he came to Illinois. He entered a claim of land on section 4 in the township of Munson, and bought a house which he moved to his farm. In the spring of 1852 the family removed to Geneseo, and were there resident until the month of November following, when the house on the farm was ready for their use. Mr. Smith had secured a quarter section ; but, being with- out money to stock the place profitably, he sold 80
acres, and with the proceeds bought a team and stock. He did the first breaking on the place in the spring of 1853. The farm is all under the best class of improvements, and the good frame buildings, the trim hedges and the trees speak volumes for the thrift and enterprise of the owner. There are on the place 50 black-walnut trees. In 1868, Mr. Smith bought a residence in Geneseo Township, on which his family resided four years. At the end of that time they returned to the homestead, where they have since continued to reside.
The first marriage of Mr. Smith occurred in 1837, when Ellice F. Adams became his wife. She was the daughter of Joseph Adams, who was a drummer in the immediate command of General Washington, and afterwards became a Baptist clergyman. She died June 6, 1840, leaving one child-Charles E. June 26, 1848, Mr. Smith was again married to Annah Jordan. She was born Feb. 17, 1811, at Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland Co., Me., and was the daughter of Nathaniel and Catherine Jordan. Both her grandsires were in the War of the Revolution. Her paternal grandfather was a Lieutenant, and the father of her mother was the Captain under whom he served. They were both from Cape Ann, Mass. Of the second marriage one child was the issue, who is named Eveline C. She is still an inmate of the pa- ternal. home. The son was born at Lincoln Center, Me., Aug. 2, 1838. He married Emma Peters, and resides in Ida Co., Iowa, where he is engaged in farming.
Mr. Smith is a liberalist in his religious convic- tions, and is of the independent class in his political views.
arroll A. Shinn. Of the few active busi- ness men one meets in Henry County, who are natives of the county, one is Mr. C. A. Shinn. He is a prominent young farmer residing on section 22, of Oxford . Township. Here he was born, Sept. 23, 1859, and is a son of Moses H. and Paulina H. (Pease) Shinn, the former a native of West Virginia and the latter of Vermont. Moses H. Shinn came West and located in Illinois as early as 1834, and the lady who was destined to be his wife came two
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years later. On Jan. 9, 1848, they were united in marriage, and settled in Knox County. For 14 years the elder Shinn followed the trade of blacksmithing, when he moved into Henry County and purchased 240 acres of land on section 22 of Oxford Township. Here, in the quiet pursuit of a farmer's life, he re- mained until his death, which occurred May 15, 1883. The result of his marriage to Miss Pease was a family of six children, four of whom are still living,-Sylvia A., Jennette E., Carroll A. and Ber- tha P.
Carroll A., after he had arrived at the age of 2 1 years, went further West and began life as a farmer. Prior to that time, however, his parents had given him excellent advantages for an education, closing with sending him to a college located at Abingdon, Ill. The farm referred to as a place of his first la- bors after arriving at man's estate, was located in Kansas, and consisted of 80 acres. His father also presented him with 160 acres. He remained on this place for three and a half years, but on the de- mise of his father he came back to take charge of the old homestead in Oxford Township. Here his mother still resides.
Mr. Shinn is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of Duroc or Jersey Red hogs, and is one of the prominent, representa- tive young men of Henry County, and is a strong advocate of reform in all the departments of social, religious and political life.
Mr. Shinn and Miss Retta Kennedy were married Nov. 2, 1881. Mrs. Shinn was born in Pike Co., Ill. Edith M., Theodore A. and Grace comprise their family of children.
OK 100 enry Pritchard, a farmer on section 19, Alba Township, was born in the County Down, Ireland, March 21, 1843. He is the son of Henry and Mary (Warnock) Pritchard, who removed with their family to the United States in 1865. He passed the period of his minority in the manner common to the sons of farm- ers and obtained a fair education and a full and comprehensive knowledge of the arts of farming. He was married to Eliza Irvin, Dec. 25, 1868, and they had five children-Sarah, Henry, John, Mary and
William. The mother died in February, 1878. Mr. Pritchard was again married, Nov. 23, 1880, to Catherine Moore. Their children are as follows: Hugh, Samuel and Walter.
Mr. Pritchard is a successful farmer and is the owner of a fine estate, including 520 acres of well cultivated land. He is giving much attention to the improvement of his stock, and owns a fine herd of valuable grades, of which he is raising the standard every year. He owns one thoroughbred Hereford, and a full-blooded English Draft horse, for which he paid $2,000.
In his political preference he is a Republican and has filled the several school offices of his district.
A sa Crook, of the township of Atkinson, is a pioneer of the section of the State of Illi- nois in which Henry County is located. He settled in the county of Whiteside in 1854. He was there a resident until the date of his removal to the township where he has since been a citizen.
He was born Jan. 27, 1827, in the town of Hol- land, Erie Co., N. Y. His father, Asa Crook, was born in the State of Vermont, in the year 1799. The latter emigrated from the Green Mountain State when he was 19 and settled in Erie County. He was a resident there 24 years, and became prominent in the local affairs. He served many years as Jus- tice of the Peace, and was elected Supervisor in the same year and held the offices while he continued a resident there. The family removed to Whiteside County in 1834 and settled in Prophetstown Town- ship. The father died Oct. 22, 1853. The mother, whose maiden name was Mary L. Dustin, was born April 23, 1791, and died July 5, 1881. She was 90 years old, and lived to see the fourth generation of her descendants. She bore II children. They were born in the order given : Lydia, Mary, Theron W., Timothy D., Charles, Cynthia, Lucy, Sarah, Asa, James and Caroline. The mother saw before her death 7 1 grandchildren, 64 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren !
The fathers of both Mr. and Mrs. Crook were sol- diers in the War of 1812.
Mr. Crook was married Jan. 1, 1852, at Portland,
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in Whiteside County, tc Lucy Cole. She was born in the town of Wales, in Erie Co., N. Y., and is the daughter of John Cole. Her father was a native of New Hampshire, and was born July 12, 1783, in the town of Alexander. He was married in 1813 to Hannah Fones, and they became the parents of ten children, named Harry, Nelson H., William, Ma- linda, Lucy A., Sarah, Dorcas, May, Cordelia and Almon. The two oldest sons were soldiers in the Union service during the Civil War, and the second died in the stockade prison at Andersonville.
Mr. and Mrs. Crook have had seven children, whose births are recorded as follows : Nathat M., Sept. 23, 1852 ; Julius, Oct. 11, 1855 ; Lilla L., Dec. 18, 1859; Albert B., Oct. 11, 1861 ; Asa S., Sept. 14, 1864; Eva L., March 18, 1867 ; John S., Jan. 24, 1869. Lilla L. died Nov. 9, 1863.
Mr. Crook is a prosperous farmer and owns 215 acres of excellent land in advanced cultivation. He is engaged in the branches of farming common to the locality. In his political relations he is an un- mistakable Republican. Mrs. Crook is a member of the United Brethren Church.
eter Henney, a pioneer settler of Henry County, was born in Center Co., Pa., Sept. de19/ 01 4, 1790, and was the son of Adam Henney. He was married in Pennsylvania, to Christina Strayer, and in 1817 moved to Ashland County, and subsequently to Wayne Co., Ohio. He made a claim on the Muddy Fork Creek, the tract being in the midst of the dense, uncut wilder- ness, and inhabited only by Indians and wild ani- mals. The location was six miles from a settlement and Mr. Henney made a clearing and built a log cabin. He owned 240 acres and he cleared 140 acres and placed that acreage under the best quality of cultivation. In the work of reclamation he had only the assistance of his sons. Being desirous to secure plenty of land for his children he removed, in 1853, to Henry County. He purchased an estate in the township of Phenix. His family then included his wife and three youngest sons. Daniel married Catherine Butzer and is a resident of the city of Geneseo. Joseph married Hannah Fuller, and is a prominent farmer and stockman of Brown Co., Kan.
Jesse married Matilda Clouse. He is a citizen of the portion of Kansas last named. He is engaged in the same occupation as his brother, and is wealthy and influential.
Mr. Henney officiated in various local offices while a resident of Ohio, and was for many years acting Justice of the Peace, and is a member of the School Board. He was a man of upright character, de- voted to his family, and was generally held in high esteem by a large circle of friends. He and his family were all members of the Evangelical Associa- tion. All the male members of the family were Re- publicans of decided type.
Mr. Henney died Feb. 23, 1873, at the advanced age of 83 years. His wife, who was a lady of most estimable character, died Feb. 4, 1868.
obart N. Hanna is a farmer of Hanna Township, and is the son of the pioneer whose name and his own is perpetuated in that of the township of which he has been a resident since his birth. John P. Hanna, his father, was born Nov. 12, 1800, in Kentucky, and he married Nancy Dockrey, who was a native of North Carolina. The senior Hanna came to Henry County in 1835 and entered a claim of land in what is now Hanna Township. He then returned to White Co., Ill., where he was a resident, and whence he brought his family to Knox County. They passed the winter there, and in the spring of 1836 made a final removal to the land which Mr. Hanna had en- tered on his first coming to the county. The father was a participant in all the details of the organiza- tion of the township, which was called after the name he bore, and was a leader in the first religious so- ciety that was instituted within the limits of Henry County. He died Jan. 13, 1858.
To him and his wife 12 children were born; four are now living: Elizabeth is the wife of James Southworth and they are living in Todd Co., Kan .; Rachel D. married J. H. Paddelford, a citizen of Hanna Township ; Hobart N. is the next in order of birth of those who are living; Harriet is the wife of' R. A. Smith and they live in Moline.
Hobart N. Hanna was born Jan. 7, 1841. He is the youngest son of his parents and was reared and
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received his education in the common schools of the town in which he was born. He was married Oct. 24, 1861, to Miss E. J. Hill, who was born in Wil- liams Co., Ohio, and is the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Bender) Hill. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Hanna is Lillian, wife of Lloyd Kirkland, of Chicago.
After his marriage Mr. Hanna settled on the homestead of his father and there began farming. Not long after he engaged, to a considerable extent, in the purchase and shipment of stock to the Chi- cago market, and placed his farm in the hands of parties hired to attend to that business.
April 17, 1883, the farm-house on the estate was destroyed by fire, and in the year following the owner erected one of the most beautiful and valuable resi- dences in the county. His farm contains 160 acres of finely improved land. Mr. Hanna is a Republi- can of most decided type.
obert Garnett, a retired farmer, living at Geneseo, has been a citizen of the State of Illinois since 1838. He came to Henry County in 1866. Mr. G. was born in Castle- moor, Lincolnshire, England, April 1, 1814. He is the son of Joseph and Alice (Fitten) Garnett. The father emigrated to America with his family in 1818. They made a location in Chester Co., Pa., where the son remained until 1838, when he came to Illinois. He located in Quincy, where he formed a business connection with James Blythe in the manufacture of carriages. Their connection was in existence until 1841. On its dissolution Mr. Blythe came to Rock Island, where he is still in business, and the subject of this sketch went to Wis- consin, and passed eight years in the prosecution of his lumber interest in that State.
In 1849 he came to Illinois and became interested in farming in Rock Island County. In 1866 he bought 225 acres of land in the vicinity of Geneseo, and was there occupied in the prosecution of his agricultural relations until 1884, when he removed to the city, and where it is his intention to pass his remaining years in the quiet enjoyment of the re- sults of his years of effort. Mr. Garnett is a Demo- crat in his political connection.
He was joined in marriage to Mrs. Amelia How- ard, at Rock Island, March 27, 1862. She was born in Mercer Co., Pa., and is the daughter of John Mc- Cord. She was the widow of L. P. Howard. Mr. and Mrs. Garnett have three sons : Eugene A. mar- ried Emma Young, and they live in the. State of Kansas; Edwin L. married Stella Harrington, and is the manager of the homestead estate; and Albert is still living with his parents. Mrs. Garnett is con- nected with the Presbyterian Church in membership.
braham Countryman, a farmer on section 19, Yorktown Township, has owned the farm on which he is a resident since 1854. In that year he came to the county to pros- pect, but did not take possession of the prop- erty until 1867. He was born in Little Falls, Herkimer Co., N. Y., Nov. 30, 1830, and he is the eldest son of Henry and Catherine (Doxtater) Coun- tryman. His father was a native of Montgomery Co., in the Empire State, and his mother was a native of the same county in which he was born. When the latter was 14 his parents removed to the State of Illinois. They came via the Erie Canal to Buffalo, and from there by the lake route to Chicago. From that city they went to Wheeling in Cook County. They were among the pioneers of that region, and there the father rented land and engaged in farming. The son operated as the assistant of his father until he was 19, when he entered upon an apprenticeship to learn the business of a carpenter and joiner. He served but three months as an apprentice, and then commenced to operate as a " jour." He passed six months in that capacity, and then began to take con- tracts and carry on the business of a builder. He continued to operate in that manner until 1865, when he rented land in the township of Wheeling, and passed the time until 1867. In that year he took possession of 80 acres of land in the township where he has since lived, and of which he became the owner in 1854. The place had no improvements of any character, and Mr. Countryman built a small frame house and at once began to push the work of placing the farm in a good and comfortable agricul- tural condition. He has bought land on section 20, adjoining his original purchase, and his estate now
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includes 160 acres, all inclosed and in excellent con- dition. He has erected good farm buildings and set out a great number of trees of several varieties.
Mr. Countryman has been a Republican since the formation of the party. He was married May 25, 1855, to Magdalena Miller, who is a native of Ba- varia, Germany, and she is now the mother of five children,-Mary A., Frank W., Edwin, William, Ad- laid and George. The eldest daughter is the wife of William Landwehr, of Yorktown Township.
enjamin I. Stafford, Supervisor of Colona Township, was born in Wallingford, Vt., Dec. 6, 1822. He is the son of Palmer and Betsey (Paddock) Stafford, and the par- ents were natives of the same State. The family are of Puritan origin and date their coming to America to the Mayflower period.
Mr. Stafford was raised on his father's farm in his native State, and was educated in the district schools. The knowledge he acquired of methods of farming under the direction of his father has been of the utmost value to him on the prairies, and Mr. Stafford has the repute of being one of the leading agriculturists in the county. After he attained to a suitable age, he was employed in the winter seasons in Vermont, in teaming to Boston, a distance of 144 miles. There were then no railroads, and the trips consumed about ten days on an average.
He was joined in marriage March 4, 1844, to Cornelia, daughter of Jonas and Olive (Lee) Holden. Her parents were born in Vermont. She was born in Crown Point, Essex Co., N. Y. After his mar- riage, Mr. Stafford settled on his father's farm and was its manager eight years. He then went to Franklin Co., N. Y., and bought a small farm in the town of Dickinson. At that time he gave little attention to farming, but devoted himself to the pur- chase of cattle for the Massachusetts markets, prin- cipally that of the city of Worcester.
In 1859, Mr. Stafford sold his interests in the State of New York and came to Illinois. He came to Henry County and at first rented land in Munson Township. After operating in that method three years he removed to the township in which he now lives, and after a stay there of a year he went to
Geneseo. His stay in that place continued until 1866, when he bought a farm on section 24 in Col- ona Township and has resided on' and managed the property. He has operated with success, and has become by purchase the owner of 560 acres of land, which is all in the finest agricultural condition and is managed on the same principles as the farms in the East. The family resided on section 24 un- til 1882, when they took up their abode on the southeast quarter of section 13. Mr. and Mrs. Staf- ford have had three children : Palmer was born in Vermont, Aug. 22, 1846. He married Marion, daughter of Osmyn and Elizabeth (Bartlett) Gilbert, of the township of Edford. A full sketch of Mr. Gilbert appears elsewhere in this volume. The children of Palmer Stafford and his wife are named Betsey, Clinton and Clarence. They are the owners of a farm on section 24 in Colona Township and one on section 14. Joseph I. is the second son of Mr. Stafford of this sketch. He was born Jan. 30, 1848, and he married Iola, daughter of Stephen and Lo- renza (Whitehorn) Cook. Their children are named Cornelia, Lucy and Lavina. He died Oct. 2, 1882, in Wilson Co., Kan., where his family still reside. Jonas H. was born Oct. 29, 1849,. and he married Ella, daughter of Calvin and Armilda Sharp. The name of their only child is Joseph. He lives on the homestead on section 24, on which his parents first settled.
In 1879, Mr. Stafford was first elected to the office of Supervisor. He was his own successor three years, and in 1885 was again elected to the position. He is the presiding official of the Union Dairy Com- pany at Green River.
homas Nowers, Jr., of the village of Atkin- son, is a prominent business man of Henry County, and is engaged in banking in the place where he is a citizen. He is of English origin, his father and mother having been born in that country. Thomas Nowers, senior, came from his native land to the United States in 1830. He landed at the port of New York, and he was a resident of that'State until 1849, when he came to Illinois. He located in Mercer County, and inter- ested himself in the business of a farmer. He was married in 1833 to Decima Foster.
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Mr. Nowers was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., Feb. 12, 1834. He was reared in his native State and in his young manhood came to Henry County. He lo- cated at Atkinson in 1856, and has since been prom- inent in the development of the business elenient of the place where he has been one of the most useful and interested citizens. He has discharged the duties of his citizenship in the several capacities in which he has been called by the voters of his town- ship to act for them and has served in the disinter- ested and capable manner which was anticipated. He has officiated 14 years as Supervisor, eight of which were consecutive. In 1882 he was elected a Representative to the Legislature of the State and his constituency testified to their approval of the quality of his services by making him his own suc- cessor in 1884. In March, 188r, the banking busi- ness which he has since conducted was established, and its affairs have been managed in a manner which makes the institution a leading benefit to the community. Mr. Nowers is the owner of a fine amount of real estate in the township of Atkinson. In his political views he is a Republican.
He was united in marriage Nov. 18, 1861, with Sarah A. Mussey. She was born in Rutland, Vt., Sept. 15, 1834. A daughter, Kate F., was born to Mr. and Mrs. Nowers, Dec. 7, 1870, and she is the only child.
ugustus E. Anderson. There are in Henry County a large number of highly respected and at present well-to-do farm- ers who came from Sweden, and under the most adverse circumstances began to develop and improve many of the farms of the county. Prominent among these is Mr. Augustus E. Ander- son, who resides on section I, Andover Township. He was born in Hille Parish, district of Gefleborgs Lan, Sweden, May 20, 1834. His father, Andrew, was a native of the same parish, and by occupation a farmer, and in his native place he married Anna Jarnberg, a native of the same place and a descend- ant of an old Swedish family. The parents of our subject brought their family to America in 1849. While passing through Chicago, on their way to Henry County, the father died, being taken with a
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