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 37
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occupied in that manner-in Clover Township, this county. He then engaged on a farm by the month, and followed that occupation in this county for three years, working for a gentleman named Thomas Houghton.
After leaving the farm of Mr. Houghton, Mr. Maher purchased 100 acres of land located on sec- tion 20, Clover Township. He located on the same and resided thereon for one year, when he sold it, and purchased 160 acres on section 21, same town- ship. On the latter tract he settled with his family, and entered actively into its cultivation and im- provement, setting out trees, improving the barns, residence, etc., and at this place he has continually resided until the present time. He has a beautiful home, with fine surroundings, and is meeting with success in his chosen vocation, agriculture.
Mr. Maher was united in the bonds of matrimony with Miss Lucia Holton, in 1862, who was a native of Vermont, and who has borne him seven children, viz. : Park, Charles, Laura, Jennie, Henry, Maud and Ira. Mr. and Mrs. Maher have also adopted two of his brother's children, Mary and James, his brother and wife having died.
Politically, Mr. Maher is a stanch Republican. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic Order, and is respected in the community in which he resides for his sterling worth and integrity. In addition to his real-estate possessions in this county he is the proprietor of 480 acres of land in Kansas, one- quarter of the same being in a good state of cultiva- tion.
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S wan Swanson, a retired merchant residing at Bishop Hill, was born in Sweden, May 28, 1825. There he passed his early life upon the farm, and lived there until he was 21 years of age, enjoying but limited advan- tages for an education, and is what may justly be termed a self-made man. Landing in New York, he came directly to Henry County, and has since been one of its prominent and public-spirited citi- zens. He located at Bishop Hill, which at the time was known as "Bishop Hill Colony." For about 15 years he was engaged in farming, but in 186I, in company with Jacob Jacobson, he em-
barked in the mercantile business. For the suc- ceeding years, until 1873, the firm were well-known general merchants of Bishop Hill. At that time they sold out, and Mr. Swanson has since been liv- ing in retirement, with the exception of devoting some of his time to his landed interests. He is the owner of 280 acres of land in Weller Township, most of which is well improved.
Shortly after his arrival at Bishop Hill, in June, 1848, Mr. Swanson was united in marriage with Christina Gabrielson. This lady was also a native of Sweden, and they lived happily together until Oct. 2, 1877, when Mrs. S. died. She became the mother of seven children, only three of whom grew to man's estate : Carl W. resides in Galva ; Evol L. lives at Bishop Hill, where John also resides. On the 8th of October, 1881, in Nebraska, Mr. Swanson was again engaged in marriage. The lady who joined him at that time, Kate Erickson, is also a · native of Sweden. Mr. S. is also identified with the Republican party.
F. Payton, a farmer, who is following his vocation on section 28, Oxford Township, was born in Indiana, June 10, 1851. His father, Jacob, and his mother, Mary J. (Wor- ley) Payton, were natives of Ohio and Indiana respectively. The subject of this notice re- mained at home, assisting his parents on the farm and attending the common district schools, until he was 21 years of age. At that period in life he left home and started out for himself. The first enter- prise was to rent a farm and engage in agricultural labor. This place he held for three years. His pa- rents came to Knox Co., Ill., having lived there for a short time in 1854, and the same year came into Henry County, and purchased 80 acres of land in Oxford Township. He subsequently sold this and purchased a quarter of section 21, in the same town- ship.
The subject of this sketch, after renting a farm for three years, bought a piece of land in Taylor Co., Iowa, where he spent another three years in working it. He then returned to Henry County, and for two years more worked a rented farm. By this time an
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opportunity presented itself for him to purchase a place for himself. This he did in Osco Township, remaining there, however, but one year, when he pur- chased 114 acres of the section where he now re- sides. This purchase was made in the year 1882.
In 1875, Mr. Payton was married to Miss Laura Rutledge. The ceremony was solemnized on the 3d of September, that year. Mrs. Payton is a native of Pennsylvania, and has become the mother of two children, whom they have christened Rockwell and Anna.
Politically, Mr. P. is a Republican, and, with his wife, are members of the Baptist Church, located at Alpha. Mr. Payton is one of the rising and promis- ing young men of the township.
ndrew Barlow, engaged in the mercantile business at Bishop Hill, is a native of Sweden, having been born in that country Feb. 19, 1830. He continued to reside in his native country until 1850, when, having at- attained the age of 20 years, he concluded to seek his fortune in another country, and emigrated to the United States, coming direct to this county and locating at Bishop Hill. Previous to emigrating to the United States, and while a resident of his na- tive country, he learned the tailor's trade, and on arriving at Bishop Hill he followed his trade for about three years. He afterward engaged in farm- ing in the Colony. Subsequently he removed to Kewanee, in 1855, and continued to reside there for three years, where he was engaged in the manufac- ture of brooms. At the expiration of this time, in the spring of 1858, he went to Cass Co., Neb., where he lived six years and a half. He then returned to Weller Township, this county, where he purchased small tracts of land, engaged in farming, and fol- lowed that vocation until 1870. In February of that year Mr. Barlow formed a co-partnership with Swan Bjorklund in the mercantile business, which co- partnership existed for about five years, when Mr. Barlow purchased the interest of his partner, and erected the building where he is at present engaged in business. Soon after commencing in his new store he took in a partner, William Christopher, which partnership existed for five years, when it was
dissolved, and since that time Mr. Barlow has con- ducted the business alone. By fair and honest dealing with his fellow man, he has built up a good and satisfactory trade, and, is meeting with success in his business.
Mr. Barlow was married at Bishop Hill, this county, Sept. 30, 1851, to Lizzie Johnson, a native of Sweden. Politically, Mr. Barlow is independent. In his public relations he is a member of the Town Board, and is one of the representative business men of the village.
A lbert Sickler, proprietor of the Central Meat Market at Geneseo, established his business in that city in 1867. He is the senior in the trade in that line of business at that place. He is a native of Prussia, and was born at Obendorf, March 28, 1845. An- ton and Margarita (Glatthaar) Sickler, his parents, are still residing there.
Mr. Sickler came from his native land in 1865, and reached the city of Geneseo on the 25th of Octo- ber. He passed the next two years there and at Moline in acquiring a complete understanding of his business, and at the expiration of that time he started in his own behalf. In 1870 his establishment was destroyed by fire, and he suffered total loss, not only of his store, stock and fixtures, but also of his house- hold goods, as he resided over his shop. But not being of the stuff that gives up easily to ill fortune, he rebuilt his shop and was soon in running order. In 1875 the same disaster was repeated, with the ex- ception that he succeeded in saving much of his portable property. He then erected the building in which he has since operated, and which he owns. He belongs to the Democratic party in political con- nection.
The marriage of Mr. Sickler to Mary Grose took place Jan. 26, 1870, at Rock Island, Ill. Mrs. Sick- ler was born in Alsace, France (now Elsass, Ger- many), and is the daughter of John and Mary Grose. The family came to the United States when the daughter was a child.
The children that have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sickler are recorded as follows: Amelia was born in 1871, Charles in 1873, and Joseph in 1877. The family are Catholics.
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HENRY COUNTY.
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ohn H. Grammar. In 1847, among others who came from across the ocean to Henry County, were two brothers, William and and John Grammar, who are now well-to-do and respected farmers of Weller Township. John was the younger, and was born, June 18, 1826, near Hanover, Prussia. He was 27 years of age when he joined his brother in Weller Township, and lived with him for about five years. He then made a settlement in that township, and has since been one of the growing and enterprising farmers of that section of Henry County. He has provided his farm of 240 acres with good buildings and fine im- provements of all kinds.
In Weller Township, Jan. 13, 1853, Mr. G. was married to Mary Coldy, widow of Henry Coldy, who died May 15, 1852. She was born in England, Jan. 16, 1821, and came to America in 1838. She is the daughter of James Fenn. By her former marriage she became the mother of five children, namely : Emily F., deceased; Eliza M., Theodore H., Mary J., and Edward, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Gram- mar have a family of three children,-John W., Margaret H. and Henry E.
Mr. Grammar is a member of the Lutheran Church, while his wife is connected with the Episco- pal Church. In politics, he affiliates with the Demo- cratic party.
christian Buell, tobacconist at Geneseo, has resided in Henry County since his år- rival here in 1856. He is a native of Ger- many, was born July 31, 1823, and remained in the " fatherland" until 1848. On coming to America in that year, he made his home at first at Roundout, in Ulster Co., N. Y. He learned the business of a cigar-maker and tobacconist in the city of New York, and came thence, as has been stated, in 1856. He settled in Geneseo, and passed some years in various methods until 1863, when he established the business which he has since con- tinued to prosecute. He has been successful in building up a profitable and popular enterprise, and
is now manufacturing an annual average of 170,000 cigars.
Mr. Buell is a Republican in political views and connections, and has served in the capacity of Al- derman of the Third Ward of Geneseo.
He was united in marriage to Christina Maier, in Roundout, N. Y., Aug. 14, 1853. Mrs. Buell was a native of Germany, and came to America in 1853. They had six children, and have lost one by death, Julia, the oldest, dying in infancy. John, Fred and Christian are the names of the three sons. Dora is the wife of Otto Michael, of Munson Township. The mother died Dec. 3, 1883. Mr. Buell is a member of the Evangelical Church.
arrison Trego, a dealer in drugs, sta- tionery, etc., at Orion, was born in Bucks Co., Pa., Jan. 8, 1838. His father, Lewis Trego, was a native of the same State, and by occupation was an agriculturist. In Bucks County, he was married to Sarah Willard, who was likewise a native of the same county. The elder Trego died in Bucks County, in 1859, and in 1876 the mother came West, and resided with her young- est son, the subject of this sketch, until her death, which occurred three years later, at the advanced age of 85 years.
Harrison Trego was educated in the public schools of his native county, and when 20 years of age, de- siring to find a better location to start out for himself in life, came West and located in Mercer Co., Ill. In that county, on the 20th of May, 1861, he was married to Miss Margaret Baker, daughter of Wil- liam and Hannah (Ulim) Baker. She was born at Greenburg, Westmoreland Co., Pa., in 1839. Her family came to Illinois in 1857, and settled at Rock Island city, and in 1858 removed to Mercer County, where her mother died. The father now lives with his children who reside in Iowa and Illinois.
Although subsequent to his marriage, yet when the flag of our nation was fired upon, Mr. Trego de- termined to go to its defense. He accordingly en- listed in Co. C, 102d Ill. Inf., commanded by Col. F. C. Smith, of Galesburg, on the 4th of October, 1864. He at once was sent to the front, and was with Sher- man during his famous campaign through the Caro-
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linas, and fought at the battles of Averysburg, S. C., and Bentonville. Outside of some minor skirmishes he escaped any very hard fighting. He was honor- ably discharged Aug. 17, 1865, at Louisville, Ky.
After his return home, Mr. Trego engaged in a meat-market and grocery store at Orion for two year. In 1869 he established a drug store at the same place, which he has since conducted. In 1870, he was appointed Postmaster at that place, and held the office until the present administration, when, on July 2, 1885, he voluntarily resigned. Mrs. Trego is a member of the Baptist Church, while her hus- band is a member of the A. F. & A. M. and G. A. R. Politically, of course he is a Republican, and has served his township as Collector.
on. Joshua Harper, deceased, was a former citizen of Geneseo. He occupied, perhaps, as conspicuous a position during his life- time as any other of the residents of Henry county who have been placed on permanent record on the pages of this volume. He was a pioneer of what is now the township of Edford, in 1836, in the second year in which the tide of settle- ment poured into Henry County. He came here first as the agent of the New York Colony and trans- acted the business of those whom he represented in the distribution of lands. On the organization of the county he was made the first Recorder, and his elec- tion occurred June 19, 1837. Later, he occupied positions of prominence, for all of which he was eminently fitted by his superior character and abili- ties. He possessed a fine order of mental organism, and his discriminating judgment and methodical habits made him a most valuable member of society in its formative condition, as was the prevalent state of things at the period of his coming to Henry County. The traditional keenness of the percep- tions of pioneers were proven by the early settlers in the county, and they were not slow to recognize the existence in their midst of the quality of fitness which characterized Mr. Harper, and at this day, when the passage of time is adjusting the value of the genera- tions that laid the foundations of the splendid pros- perity of Henry County, the just meed of appreciation which Mr. Harper earned is heartily confirmed by
those to whom his name has become a household word.
He was in his life one of the most conspicuous of the throng that appeared on the public streets of Geneseo, where he was a resident at the time of his death. In person he was as tall and erect as a young sycamore. Dignified and stately, he com- manded the most uniform respect ; and he also won the confidence of all by the innate kindness of his na- ture which made him the type of true manhood. He was pre-eminently a gentleman. He' was, to the generation to which he belonged, the type of the chivalry and honor that, in these later times, is only the aroma of the period which, after even these few years, seems mythical. Punctilious and even exacting, he was nevertheless the soul of honor in all his transactions ; and, although he never permitted another to take the smallest advantage of him, he rendered with the same exactness what was due to others. He employed on all occasions only the choicest language, speaking concisely and without unnecessary words. Fastidious in dress and man- ners, moving always in conformity to his ideas of the obligations of a conscious human being, he was unique in the pioneer period to which he belonged, and he was regarded and is remembered as a char- acter of unusual interest. In the smallest things he preserved his peculiarities, and the county records transcribed by his hand exhibit a penmanship as ex- act and beautiful as copper-plate. He was possessed of the most positive opinions, but never infringed the bounds of courtesy in their expression.
Joshua Harper was born in Fairfax Co., Va., at the country-seat of his father, on the 24th of April, 1796. John Harper, his father, was of German and English extraction. His mother, whose maiden name was Mary Reynolds, was born in Londonderry, Ireland, of Scotch parentage.
Another most remarkable fact concerning Mr. Harper was, that he was the youngest of 29 children. He received the careful education of the son of a gentleman of cultivation and means, and became a classical scholar of more than ordinary claims. In 1826 he established a mercantile enterprise in the city of New York, and he operated there five years. He went thence to Rio Janeiro, S. A., where he was similarly interested three years.
In addition to the positions he filled, as has been
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mentioned, he served twice as a Representative of his District in the State Legislature, and in 1848 he was a member of the Constitutional Convention. He also discharged the duties of his citizenship in minor local offices.
The extent of his real estate included several hun- dred acres, of which Mrs. Harper is the legatee. She is the owner of 640 acres in the township of Geneseo, and 184 acres in Edford Township. Mr. Harper acted for many years as the agent of Eastern capital- ists.
He died at Geneseo Feb. 23, 1882, after a resi- dence in Henry County of 46 years and at Geneseo of 27 years.
Sarah Miller Thomas was married to Joshua Har- per, Oct. 15, 1838, in Tazewell Co., Ill. She was born in Winthrop, Me., and is the daughter of Capt. Hushai and Hannah (Cushman) Thomas. She has borne no children, but has an adopted daughter. Her husband was reared in the Presbyterian Church, and after they came to Geneseo they both connected themselves by membership with the Congregational Church at that place.
In personal character and mental attainments, Mrs. Harper is the counterpart of her late husband, and represents him in the grace and dignity of true, earnest womanhood.
ohn B. Ridenour, dealer in lumber, brick, coal and agricultural implements at Wood- hull, this county, was born in Westmore- land Co., Pa., May 2, 1833. His parents were John Ridenour, born in Bedford, Pa., Jan. 26, 1807, and Susanna (Beightel) Ridenour, born in Susquehanna Co., Pa., April 18, 1811. They were married in 1830; the father died May 21, 1885, at Beaumont, Butler Co., Kan., and the mother in Lynn Township, Henry County, Jan. 10, 1878. The father was a farmer by occupation, and was engaged in that calling in Pennsylvania until 1851, when he came to this State and settled in Fulton County. He re- mained in the latter county until 1853, when he moved to Lynn Township, this county, where he purchased 160 acres of land, located on section 26, the same being the southeast quarter of that section. He remained on the latter tract until 1884, when he
moved to Butler Co., Kan., where he died, as stated, the demise of the mother having occurred previous to his removal to that State.
John B. Ridenour, subject of this notice, remained on the old homestead, relieving his labors thereon by attendance at the common schools until he at- tained the age of 22 years. On reaching this period in his life's history he set forth to fight life's battles alone, and was engaged in breaking prairie, which occupation he followed for four years. He then pur- chased 40 acres in Lynn Township, on which he located and vigorously engaged in its improvement, and on which he resided until Sept. 21, 1861.
He enlisted in Co. A, 55th Ill. Vol. Inf., and went to Camp Douglas, at Chicago, where he remained until Nov 9 of that year. He then went to Camp Benton, St. Louis, where his regiment remained un- til Jan. 12, 1862, when he proceeded to Paducah, Ky., where it remained until March of the same year. He then took a steamer up the Tennessee River, and landed at Pittsburg, March 15, 1862, where he participated in the battle of Shiloh. In that battle he received a severe flesh wound, the date being April 6, 1862, and was sent home on a fur- lough. He returned after an absence of 60 days to his regiment at Moscow, Tenn. It next went to Hol- low Springs, then to Memphis, Tenn., at which point it arrived July 21, 1862, and where it was placed on camp duty until November of the same year. He, with the regiment, then participated in a three-days fight at Chickasaw Bayou, Dec. 29, 30 and Jan. I, and also in the capture of Arkansas Post, Jan. 10 and 11, 1863. It then returned to Young's Point, La., and worked on the famous Grant Canal during the winter, and parlicipated in the battle of Cham- pion Hill, May 17, 1863, and in the 46 days' siege of Vicksburg. From there it went to Jackson, Miss., where it participated in another ten-days siege. It then went to Vicksburg, and from there to Memphis, with Sherman's army, by way of Corinth, and par- ticipated in the skirmish at Tuscumbia, Oct. 1, 1863, and arrived at Chattanooga Nov. 21, and participated in a pontoon expedition in North Chickamaqua Creek, and also in a battle on Missionary Ridge on the 24th and 25th of November, 1863. Mr. Riden- our was with his company in all these marches and engagements, and on the 26th of Nov., 1863, he ac- companied Sherman's army to Knoxville and from there to Albany, where he was mustered out, Jan.
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2, 1864. He then re-enlisted in the same company for three years, and was engaged in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, June 27, the battle east of At- lanta, July 22, 1864, the battle of Ezra Chapel, July 28, 1864, then in the siege of Atlanta during the month of August, the battle of Jonesboro, Aug. 31 and Sept. I, and then marched with Sherman in pur- suit of Hood through Georgia and Alabama some 300 miles, returning to Atlanta. He then marched to Savannah and participated in the capture of Fort McAllister, then accompanied Sherman in his famous march from Savannah, and was engaged in the bat- tle of Columbia, and also a three-days battle at Ben- tonville, N. C., and finally accompanied Sherman to Washington. During the war he was under fire of the enemy 120 days. From the latter place he went with his company to Louisville, Ky., where :he was · honorably discharged, June 15, 1865. He was pro- moted from the relation of private to the rank of Captain, and was elected Lieutenant Colonel, but never received his commission on account of the close of the war.
Mr. Ridenour formed a matrimonial alliance, April 28, 1859, with Miss Lois Payton, a native of Indi- ana. They are the parents of three children, -- William H., Mary E. and Elton A. Mr. Ridenour and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, he is identified with the princi- ples of the Republican party, Teetotalism and Pro- hibition. He is a Justice of the Peace and Notary Public. Socially, he is a member of the G. A. R. He came to Woodhull in 1869, where he has been permanently located ever since. He is one of the energetic and respected citizens of the community in which he resides, and is meeting with success in the business which he is conducting at Woodhull.
elson Gaines, of Geneseo, is a pioneer of Henry County of 1848, and is one of the most worthy and esteemed citizens of the county whose interests he has promoted since he became a resident therein. He is a native of Granville, Mass., where he was born March 23, 1817. His father, Samuel Gaines, was also a native of the Bay State, and his mother, who before her
marriage was named Esther Blakesley, was a native of Connecticut.
The family went, when the son was three years old, to Delaware Co., N. Y., and he there passed the years which intervened between his childhood and manhood. On arriving at a suitable age to com- mence business, he embarked in the mercantile line. In 1842 he came to Victoria, Ill., and there became interested in agriculture, and operated as a farmer until 1848. In that year he removed to Cambridge, in Henry County, and was the first to establish a mercantile enterprise at that place. He conducted what is now known as an old-fashioned country store, and transacted a profitable and popular busi- ness. He remained there until the fall of 1860, when he removed to Geneseo. He engaged in the management of a general store, which includes all lines of merchandise common to the trade ; but in his case hardware was excluded. After 12 years of ac- tive business he retired, and has since lived a life of quiet, without business relations. He has acquired a considerable interest in land in Iowa and Dakota, and has been successful in his operations in that direction.
In his political relations, Mr. Gaines is an inflex- ible Republican, although he has never been con- sidered an aggressive politician. While at Cambridge he officiated as Postmaster eight years, and he has filled several positions of trust in the management of local affairs. He was an Abolitionist, and has kept in the ranks of that element in its various move- ments. He has been a member of the Congrega- tional Church for more than 40 years.
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