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 35
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Mr. Ott has discharged the duties of his citizen- ship in the offices of Supervisor, Assessor, Collector and Justice of the Peace for many years in York- town. With his wife, he is a member of the Evan- gelical Association of North America.
ohn E. Stenholm, of Western Township, and engaged as a general farmer on sec- tion 22, was born in Central Sweden, Dec. 20, 1816. At the early age of ten years, our subject began the trade of a paper-maker, under his father's tuition, that being the business of the elder Stenholm. John E. followed this trade until 20 years of age, when he established a mill of his own, which he ran successfully until 1850, the year in which he left his native land. His father led an active life in Sweden, where he spent his en- tire days. His mother, whose name was Lizzie Brown prior to her marriage, was also born, lived and died in Sweden.
As above mentioned, it was in 1850 when our sub- ject came to America, and he immediately made his way to Illinois and found a home in the vicinity of Orion, where he purchased 54 acres of land. This he sold in 1870 and bought the 160 acres where he now lives, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation. Mrs. S. owns 20 acres of excellent land in Andover Township. Both he and his wife are members of the Swedish Methodist Church, and Mr. S. has been Trustee and Treasurer of his congrega- tion for several years.
In 1883, our subject was united in marriage, in Sweden, to Caroline Holstrom, who came to America with him, and on Sept. 29, 1881, died at her home in
Western Township. Upon June 2, of the following year, Mr. Stenholm and Mrs. Christina Renstrom, nee Forsburg, were married at Andover. Mrs. S. was born in the central part of Sweden, April 4, 1836, and was brought to the United States by her parents in emigration when 15 years of age. They located in Andover Township, where, about 1876, both parties died. By her former marriage, she be- came the mother of three children-Albert P., John E. and George.
kon. George E. Waite, a prominent attor- ney of Geneseo and a resident of Henry County since 1856, was born in Stratton, Windham Co., Vt., and is the son of Taylor and Lucia (Taylor) Waite. His family was of En- glish origin and was prominently identified with the history of the mother country. One member of the family was one of the regicide judges who con- demned Charles I. The family made its advent in America in the days of the early Puritans and planted the family tree on the rugged coasts of New England. On the maternal side Mr. Waite's ancestors are of Scotch extraction.
The subject of our sketch completed a full course of study at the Wesleyan University of Middletown, Conn., and was graduated in the class of 1854.
Two years later he came to Geneseo, Ill., where he entered upon the study of law; was admitted to practice in 1859, and immediately opened an office in this place. He has pursued the practice of his profession in Henry and adjoining counties continu- ously since, covering a period of 26 years. During this time he has won his way to the front ranks of the profession, and has been chosen to fill various positions of public honor and trust. He has been elected to the position of County Judge of Henry County ; was re-elected and served six years. When the time came for the thriving village of Geneseo to take upon itself the dignity of city-hood, Judge Waite was instrumental in securing the passage of the act of incorporation, which on the 16th of February, 1865, made Geneseo a city. He had the honor of being elected the first Mayor, a position he held two years. Prior to this, in 1864, he had been commis- sioned Colonel by Gov. Richard Yates.
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As an evidence of the high esteem in which his legal abilities were held by his fellow citizens it may be mentioned that he was chosen a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1869-70, which was convened to, and did, prepare the present Constitu- tion of Illinois.
Judge Waite is a Republican and has taken an active part in support of his party. He has served several years as a member of the Republican State Central Committee and has figured more or less prominently in his party conventions.
He was united in marriage to Miss Hattie M. Wells at Geneseo, May 9, 1859. Mrs. Waite was born in Tolland, Conn., and is the daughter of Ben- jamin Wells. They have three children (daughters) : Laura N., Hattie M. and Ruth M.
3 alcom Odine, farmer and blacksmith, oc- cupying sections 2 and 3, Clover Town- ship, was born March 14, 1840, in Sweden. His parents, Nicholas and Carrie (Johnson) Odine, were also natives of that country. His father was a soldier, as were also his father and grandfather before him; and also a brother of Mal- com's has been a soldier in the Swedish army for the past 20 years. The military prestige of this family therefore stands out quite prominently.
Mr. Odine learned the blacksmith trade in his na- tive land, serving an apprenticeship of three years. He followed this calling for five years longer, and then sold out and came to the land of greater free- dom, in 1865, locating at Andover, this county, com- mencing work at his trade of blacksmith at the old mill a mile and a half south of Andover ; and after carrying on trade there for six years, removed upon section 2, Clover Township, on 80 acres which he purchased and on which he now resides. He has added to his original purchase 80 acres more, ad- joining his home farm. He has a good residence, farm and other outbuildings, fences, etc., and has the ground in good tillable condition.
In his views of American policy Mr. Odine sympa- thizes with the doctrines of the National Greenback party. He is a school Director, Path Master, and both himself and family are members of the Lu- theran Church.
For his wife Mr. Odine chose Miss Johanna John- 1
son, in 1866. She is a native of Sweden. They have had the following children : Amanda C., Amelia, Caroline, Charles G. W., Oscar, Eddie, Henry F. and Minnie E.
lbert V. Hinman, of Geneseo, is the pro- prietor of the city meat market, and estab- lished his business in 1883. He was born in Cambridge, and is the son of the late Hon. Julius Hinman. His birth occurred Feb. 18, 1860. His mother's name before marriage was Miss Mary Westlake. A full biographical notice of Judge Hinman, who was one of the most prominent citizens of the county, appears on other pages in this work.
Mr. Hinman resided in his native township until 1879, when he went to Ottumwa, Iowa, and there for the first time made a venture in the business in which he is now engaged. While he lived at Cam- bridge he was interested in farming. His business at Geneseo is conducted in a first-class manner, and he has a popular and prosperous trade.
He was married in Geneseo, May 8, 1884, to Mary Mattes. She was born in Germany, and is the daughter of Theodore Mattes. Her father removed to the American Continent when she was an infant.
onas A. Youngquist, a general farmer and stock-raiser on section 24, Western Town- ship, was born in South Sweden, June I, 1829. He was a small child when his father, John Youngquist, died ; and his mother, Mary, afterward came to America, and finally died in Lynn Township, this county, several years ago.
Mr. Youngquist was 17 years old when he came to the United States, and when he reached Andover, this county, in June, 1854, he had but 25 cents in his purse. He began to work on the railroad south of Galesburg, Ill., but, owing to ill health, at the end of the first year he was financially still poorer. He afterward began to work on a farm for Daniel Mix, south of Galesburg, and continued in his employ for 14 months, at $12.50 a month and board. He then came to Andover, and labored in the vicinity of that place for about seven years, by which time he had
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by strict economy saved a sum of money sufficient to purchase 80 acres of wild prairie land, in Lynn Township. He leased this for three years, during which time it was pretty well improved. He then sold it and purchased 120 acres, where he now lives, but which was then but very little improved, there being not even a house upon it. Here he began the work of constructing a confortable and permanent home; and as the land is good and in a good loca- tion, Mr. Y. has well succeeded. He has continued to add by further purchases, until he now owns 420 acres in this and Andover Townships. There are three separate farms; all of them well cultivated. His residence is really an elegant one.
Feb. 21, 1862, at Andover, Mr. Youngquist was married to Miss Eliza C. Linberg, daughter of Sween and Catharine (Mangdenson) Linberg, who also is a native of South Sweden. She was born Sept. 29, 1840, and her parents with their family came to the United States in 1852. Mrs. Y. is the third in order of birth of a family of five children ; the two younger are now deceased, having died in Oxford Township, this county, in which township the parents afterward died. They had improved there a farm of 170 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Y. have had five children, namely: Emma, who married Albert Peterson, and now re- sides in Andover Township upon a farm; Mary A., Carrie D., Julia A. and Anna M., all at home. The family belong to the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Andover, and in politics Mr. Youngquist is a reli- able and enthusiastic Republican.
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ev. John T. Pierce, formerly a minister in the' Congregational Church, resident at Geneseo, was born in Brookline, near the city of Boston, Mass., Dec. 15, 1811. His father was the Rev. John Pierce, D. D., and his mother was, previous to her marriage, Lucy Tappan, the sister of Arthur and Lewis Tap- pan, of anti-slavery fame in New York. His father was a native of Dorchester, Mass., and was of Eng- lish extraction. His mother was born in Northamp- ton, Mass.
Mr. Pierce was carefully trained in the primary branches of an English course and entered Harvard University, where he was graduated with the class
of 1831. Wendell Phillips was his room-mate and also his class-mate. Mr. Pierce studied at Prince- ton Theological Seminary, and in 1833 went to Ohio, where he became a student at the celebrated Lane Seminary. He was a participant in the famous anti- slavery agitation that stirred that venerated institu- tion to its base, and in which the faculty took sides with the Southern element, which was largely repre- sented in the seminary. He was an associate of Theodore Weld and of William T. Allen, and was one of a considerable body of students that with- drew from the seminary in order to secure freedom of sentiment. He went to Oberlin and entered the Theological Seminary, where he was graduated in September, 1836, having been ordained a minister at large in the service of the Congregational Church.
The marriage of Mr. Pierce to Martha Haskins took place July 25, 1837, at Elyria, Ohio. Mrs. Pierce was born at Middlesex, Washington Co., Vt., and was the daughter of Luther and Mary (Petty) Haskins. Her birth occurred Sept. 15, 1811. . Her mother was a native of Claremont, N. H. Two chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Pierce are both deceased. Mary E., born June 23, 1845, died at the age of 13. John Franklin, born July 30, 1849, died Jan. 5, 1863.
Mr. Pierce began his ministerial labors in 1838 in Middlesex, Vt. In 1839 he came to Jacksonville, Ill., for the purpose of teaching, and himself and wife entered upon that vocation at that place and were there occupied one year. Subsequently, Mr. Pierce established an academy at Griggsville, Ill., and was its Principal two years. In 1842, he went thence to St. Louis, Mo., and there established a school. He was obliged to abandon the project on account of failing health, but on recovery engaged in the same vocation in the city of Henderson, Ky. They went next to Arcadia, Mo., in the first place to explore for minerals in the State of Missouri, and was engaged in the capacity of teacher and also as a preacher; and while there organized a Congrega- tional Church, this being the first Congregational Church organized in the State. He taught languages, and Mrs. Pierce was occupied in teaching music. The agitation of the slavery question banished them from Missouri, and they came in 1850 to Illinois and located at Geneseo, where they have resided for 35 years. Mr. Pierce was the owner of 85- acres of land in the immediate vicinity of Geneseo. He has
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officiated as President of the Bible Society, "and has on occasions discharged ministerial duty at funerals, but has had no settled charge, on account of poor health. It should be stated that Mr. Pierce was one of the most active and interested members of the Anti-Slavery Society of Lane Theological Seminary, which accomplished a large amount of practical good. He was one of its officials.
Mrs. Pierce was educated at Oberlin, where she was one of the first students. She is a lady of un- common mental acquirements and accomplishments. She was a co-worker with her husband in his varied experiences in the management of the several edu- cational institutions with which they were connected, and in every instance was actively engaged in the work of teaching. She brought the first piano to Geneseo, and taught the first music lesson in the place. She has passed many years in the capacity of music teacher, and she will be preserved in last- ing remembrance as the pioneer in that art at Gen- eseo.
ames McNeill, deceased, formerly a resi- dent on section 21, Alba Township, was one of the substantial citizens of the town- ship in which he lived for a considerable num- ber of years before his death. He was born in County Down, Ireland, Dec. 23, 1829, and came to the United States when he was 17. He was for some years a resident of the county of White- side, Ill., where at first he operated as a farm assist- ant. Later on, he bought 80 acres of land and was its owner until his removal to Henry County. He purchased 160 acres of land on section 21 in Alba Township, on which he pushed his agricultural projects with vigor until his decease, which trans- pired July 2, 1881.
Mrs. Nancy (Ostrander) McNeill, widow of the above, was born in the province of Ontario, Canada, March 8, 1839. Her father, Ebenezer Ostrander, was twice married. His first wife, Susan (Cook) Ostrander, bore him seven children and died in 1850. He married Elizabeth Baldwin and they had eight children. Mr. Ostrander died in 1870.
Mrs. McNeill has three children,-James, Junius
D. and Sanford. The farm on which the family are living contains 463 acres, all in well improved con- dition, with excellent buildings.
enry Monesmith, a grocer and provision merchant at Geneseo, was born in Cumber- land Co., Pa., Jan. 19, 1822. He is the son of Henry and Nancy (Slonaker) Monesmith, and when 15 removed with his parents to Eaton, Ohio. He began the business to which he has hitherto devoted his life in that place, and was also variously engaged in other avenues of em- ployment while a resident there. In December, 1865, he came to Geneseo, and with Wm. Ritlinger established a trade in groceries and provisions. Their relations continued about 18 months, and Mr. Monesmith was associated with M. Bradley in the same line of traffic.
Mr. Monesmith is a Democrat in political faith and connections, and in 1877 was elected City and 'Township Assessor. He continued his own suc- cessor until he had discharged the duties of the position seven consecutive years.
His marriage to Leah Miller took place in Ohio in 1858. She was born in Butler Co., Ohio, and is the daughter of John Miller, of Eaton, Ohio. One child, Luella, was born to them, who died when she was seven years old. Mr. and Mrs. Monesmith are members of the Unitarian Church.
illiam G. Grammar. One of the highly respected old pioneers of Henry County is Mr. William G. Grammar, who is ex- tensively engaged in farming on section 14 of Weller Township. Like many of the well-to-do farmers of this section of the county, Mr. G. is a native of Prussia, and was born in Sep- tember, 1817, near Hanover. Here he was reared and lived until 1844, when with several others he turned his face Westward, sailed the ocean over and made his way to the fertile prairies of Henry County. For a while after his arrival here, he worked out by the month in Andover Township, and about 1846 came to Weller Township, and pre-empted 40 acres
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on section 17. He has been a frugal, hard-working man, and has accumulated property until to-day he has 300 acres of good land. He has also, during this time, taken some interest in the affairs of the community and served it in some of the official posi- tions. Politically, he votes the Democratic ticket. Since he came to Weller Township, his first mar- riage occurred, his wife being Anna Dickson, a na- tive of England. She died about 1870. Some six years later, Dec. 21, 1876, he was again married, to Mrs. Jane (Bacon) Atkinson, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Bacon and widow of Jonathan Atkin- son, who died in Andover Township, Nov. 24, 1868. She had by her marriage to him four children,- William H., Annie, Jonathan and Joseph. Mrs. G. was born in Lincolnshire, Eng., April 19, 1836, and came to America in December, 1863. She is a member of the Methodist Church.
ev. Edgar L. Williams, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Geneseo, was born at Bucyrus, Crawford Co., Ohio, Nov. 7, 1848, and is the son of Owen and Kate (Mof- fett) Williams. His father was born in Vir- ginia and his mother was a native of Mary- land. He was four years of age when he accompanied his parents to Indianapolis, Ind. He was educated at the Northwestern Christian University of Indiana, and he began the study of theology at the Seminary of the Northwest at Chicago, completing his studies at the Union Theological Seminary of the City of New York, and was graduated there with the class of 1876. He was ordained by the Indianapolis Pres- bytery in June, of the same year. He officiated as Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in that city one year; and, after a short supply of the Church at Newton, Iowa, accepted a call from the Church at Albia, Iowa, and fulfilled the duties of that charge three years. He went thence to Hastings, Neb., and a year later came to Geneseo, where he has officiated in the capacity of Pastor of the Presbyterian Church since the Ist of August, 1882.
Mr. Williams was married in Indianapolis, Ind., Sept. 25, 1878, to Miss Matilda J. Wærner, and they have two daughters. Frida K. was born March 24,
1881. Susie B. was born at Geneseo, May 19, 1883. Mrs. Williams is the daughter of Philip Wærner and was born in Indianapolis.
A. Peck, residing on section 10, Clover Township, is a farmer by occupation. He is a native of Lorain Co., Ohio, where he was born Feb. 22, 1842. His parents were William C. and Permelia (Field) Peck, natives of the Green Mountain State. They came to this State in 1868, and settled on section 12, Clover Township, this county, where they purchased 112 acres of land, and on which they resided until their deaths, his demise occurring Sept. 12, 1872, and hers, Sept. 18, of the same year. They were mar- ried in 1820, and lived together for 52 years as man and wife. Their children were ten in number, eight of whom grew to the age of maturity, and are yet liv- ing.
C. A. Peck was the ninth child in order of birth of his parents. He resided with them until their deaths, assisting in the labors of the farm and receiving an education at the district schools. Mr. Peck was a soldier in the war for the Union, having joined Co. E, 55th Ohio Vol. Inf. He was engaged in the ser- vice for about one year, when he was honorably dis- charged on account of disability.
On receiving his discharge, Mr. Peck came to this State in company with his parents, and has always labored at agricultural pursuits. He is at present the owner of 472 acres of land in Clover Township, and is regarded as one of the progressive and ener- getic farmers of the same. His farm presents a fine appearance, and is indicative of good judgment and ability displayed in its care, cultivation and improve- ment.
Mr. Peck was united in marriage with Mrs. Flor- ence Mahon, a native of Illinois, and a daughter of David Whitmore, Sept. 15, 1872. Four children have been born to their union,-Walter D., Otis L., Vera M. and Clyde L.
Mr. Peck is a Republican, and religiously he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Socially, he is a member of the G. A. R. He has held the office of Assessor, Justice of the Peace and School Director and other minor offices
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within the gift of the people of his township. He is a gentleman respected and honored by all who know him, for his straightforward and manly dealings.
delbert F. Sargent, of the manufacturing firm of D. F. Sargent & Son, at Geneseo, was born in Sutton, N. H., and is the son of D. F. and Jane (Foss) Sargent, of whom a detailed personal sketch is to be found else- where in this work.
Mr. Sargent came with the family of his father to Geneseo, and was there brought up, receiving his education in the schools of that place. He obtained a knowledge of the trade of a carriage builder in the shop of his father, and pursued it as a vocation in various places. He passed two years at Moline, Ill., and in 1866 went to Texas, where he passed one and a half years, returning to Geneseo in 1867. In 1872 he formed his business relations with his father, which have been in existence since.
His marriage to Vienna Huson took place Dec. 28, 1871, in the city of Chicago. Mrs. Sargent was born in Oberlin, Ohio, and is the daughter of Na- thaniel Huson. To her and her husband two chil- dren have been born, as follows: Edna V., Aug. 5, 1874, and Ada, April 6, 1880.
Mr. Sargent is a Republican, and both himself and wife are connected with the Baptist Church in membership.
avid Whitmore, dealer in hardware and agricultural implements at Woodhull, was born in Morgan Co., Ohio, Aug. 9, 1821, and came with his parents to Illinois in the spring of 1837, who located in Viola, Mercer Co., Ill. His father, John Whitmore, was a na- tive of Pennsylvania, and came with his parents when ten years old to Ohio. He was engaged in the War of 1812 as a teamster, and received for his services a quarter-section of land from the Govern- ment. In 1815, he married Elizabeth Archibald, and remained in Ohio until 1837, when he came to Illinois. In 1840, he moved into this county, set-
tling upon 80 acres of Government land, and lived there until 1866, since which time, until his death in 1884, he made his home with his son David. His wife died in 1866.
The son, who is the subject of this sketch, can be considered one of the earliest pioneers of this county. He has seen the rough side of frontier life, breaking the original prairie turf, splitting rails, working on the Mississippi River, etc .; and from 1850 to 1876 he has been engaged in rearing live stock ; since the latter date he has purchased property in the village of Woodhull, such as houses and lots, and rents them. He is also building, and selling the property thus improved. He built the brick block on Main Street in 1876, the lower story of which is devoted to mercantile business, and the upper contains a fine, large public hall for theaters and all kinds of public gatherings.
Miss E. J. Booher, a native of Illinois, and Mr. Whitmore of this sketch were married in 1855, and of their six children four are living, namely : Flor- ence M., Ida M., Lizzie L. and Nellie B. The first named married C. A. Peck, and resides on the old homestead in Clover Township; Ida M. is the wife of S. I. Curry, and lives in Woodhull; Lizzie L., now Mrs. John Benneson, is a resident of Iowa : and Nellie B., who married A. C. Warren, resides at Western, Neb., and is in the grain business.
aul A Sweney, liveryman of Geneseo, es- tablished himself in the business which he is now prosecuting at Geneseo in 1866. He dates his residence at that place since July 4, 1853. He was born in Crawford Co., Ohio, April 1, 1832. His father, George Swe- ney, was a native of Pennsylvania, and of Irish ex- traction. His mother, whose maiden name was Rebecca Hetich, was born in the same State, of German parentage. Mr. Sweney came from his na- tive county to Geneseo in the year named, and made his entry into the city, or village, as it was then, in season to see the fire-works which formed the close of a Fourth-of-July celebration. He was a tinner by trade, and he passed some time in the prosecution of his line of business, continuing it from 1855 to 1860, and was quite extensively interested in the
If. G. Griffin
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hardware traffic. In the year last named he hegan to interest himself in trade in horses, and in 1866, as has been stated, he opened his stables. He has since conducted a business which has been in every way creditable and conducive to the benefit of the city of Geneseo.
Mr. Sweney is an adherent of the Democratic element in politics. He has served as a member of the City Council. Oct. 1, 1860, he was joined in marriage to Martha C. Wycoff, of Geneseo. They have had three daughters: Fannie A. died at the age of 20; those still living are named Lillie R. and Carrie E. Mrs. Sweney was born in the State of New York. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
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