Portrait and biographical album of Henry County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 44

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 44

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ornelius Hayes. This gentleman, who resides at Annawan and who has retired from the active labors of farm life, has been for many years one of the extensive and prosperous agriculturists of Henry County. He was born in Tipperary, Ireland, Aug. 1, 1832, and came to America when a young man of 20 years of age. He located in New York, where the following five years were spent at farm labor, working by the month. He then came to Springfield, Ill., and for two years more worked in the same way. In 1859 he came to Henry County, and on the 4th of March the following spring, moved here and purchased 80 acres of land on section 32, of Alba Township. This he improved and brought to a high state of cultivation. In 1869 he purchased 240 acres on sections 20 and 21. Two years later he secured another 240-acre tract, and now owns 490 acres in Alba Township, and 160 acres on section 10 of Annawan Township. He also has a good dwell- ing at Annawan, where he lives, which is large and commodious, and well suited for a hotel. Besides this property he has horses, cattle and hogs, valued at $5,000.

The marriage of Mr. Hayes and Miss Maggie J.

Smith was celebrated Dec. 1, 1872, the Rev. Father Smith, of Geneseo, officiating. Mrs. Hayes was born in County Antrim, Ireland, Feb. 24, 1850, and was brought to America by her parents. Alice, who was born April 22, 1883, is their only child.

Mr. Hayes has held almost all the township offices, and is recognized as an excellent business man. He has been Assessor of the Township 14 years, served as Supervisor for six years, and Treasurer for eight years. He has been Highway Commissioner for nine years, and Director of his school district for four years. He is now engaged in handling agricul- tural implements in Annawan, among which is the McCormick Harvester. Religiously, the family are members of the Catholic Church.

homas Franklin McKane, editor of The Standard, at Galva, was born at French Grove, Peoria Co., Ill., Oct. 15, 1855. The McKane family is traced back to the Isle of Man, where the parents of our subject were born. They were Francis and Mary (Gawne) McKane, and were by occupation farmers. They came to America and located at Rochester, N. Y., where they were united in matrimony. Shortly after their marriage they removed to Peoria Co., Ill., where they conducted a hotel, and finally, in 1856, they came to Galva and settled on a farm near that city. The elder McKane was engaged in the mining and gardening business during the latter years of his life. He died at Galva, Jan. 17, 1873, aged 56 years. His wife, who survives him, is the mother of five children now living, namely: Mrs. Jane Kissick, a resident of Holt Co., Mo .; Mrs. Anna Kermeen, of Nemaha Co., Kan .; Rufus H., of Galva; the subject of this sketch and Mrs. Lillie Reed, of Galva.

Mr. McKane received a good common-school edu- cation at the public schools of Galva, and at the age of 14 years entered the office of the Galva Republi- can. He remained in that office until it was removed to Chicago, when he went to work in the Galva Journal office, where he continued until after the big fire. In 1873 he went with his employer, W. J. Ward, to Wenona, Mich. At the latter place he re- mained, following his trade most of the time, until the spring of 1880, when he returned to his old home

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at Galva. Here he worked in different printing of- fices in the vicinity until in August, 1881, when, in company with F. M. Riggen, he embarked in the newspaper enterprise for himself. At that time they started the Galva Standard, with which paper he has since been connected, getting up a very credit- able paper, to which Mr. McKane devotes all his energies, giving it his undivided attention. He man- ages the office, and also does the editorial work.

Mr. McKane is a public-spirited, enterprising young man, and does much to advance the interests of his town. At present he is filling the office of Town Clerk, and Clerk of the Board of Highway Commissioners.

ohn T. Finch. When the present line of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- road was being projected and built from Galesburg to Chicago many shrewd men from the older settled portions of the country saw the advantages offered by the section it passed through and rapidly came in to improve them. Among those who were thus attracted was John T. Finch, who is now engaged in general agriculture on section 34, of Burns Township. The first 14 years of his life were passed in Hamilton County, Ohio, where he had been born, on the 23d of July, 1828. His parents removed to Clinton County, in the same State, where he passed the following ten years, when he came West, and in the spring of 1852 we find him making preparations to prepare for a home in Burns Township. He possessed but little or nothing in the way of wealth, but by his own exertions has been quite successful, and is to-day the owner of a mag- nificent tract of land consisting of 480 acres, all of which is tillable and provided with fine farm build- ings. He is looked upon as one of the prosperous, well-to-do farmers of Henry County. He has taken considerable interest in school matters, and has served his district as Director.

The parents of Mr. Finch, William and Elizabeth (Farris) Finch, were natives of Connecticut. In an early day they removed to Ohio, and both died in Clinton County. The number of their children were II, of whom John T. was the youngest. Before leav- ing for the West, Finch and Miss Caroline Schoon-

over were united in marriage in Washington Co., Ohio. The wedding occurred on New Year's Day of 1852. Miss Schoonover was a daughter of Henry and Eunice (Hopkins) Schoonover, and was born in Washington Co., Ohio, Dec. 14, 1834. Her parents were natives of New Jersey and Connecticut respect- ively, and her father was killed while living in Wash- ington County, on the 4th of March, 1842, being thrown from a horse. Her mother still survives.

Mr. and Mrs. Finch have had born to them three children,-Hattie, who was born Oct. 1, 1852; Henry, Oct. 16, 1859; and Adolphus, Feb. 2, 1862. Hattie was the wife of Henry F. King, and resided in Fillmore Co., Neb., where she died Feb. 6, 1876. She was the mother of two children --- Walter and Ralph. Henry C. and Adolphus reside in Burns Township.

Mr. Finch has been School Director in his town- ship, nnd politically affiliates with the Republican party.

A braham Huffman, an enterprising and pro- gressive farmer, residing on section 13, Galva Township, Henry County, was born April 13, 1820, in Green Co., Pa., and is the son of George and Julia (Fry) Huffman, na- tives of Pennsylvania and of German ances- try. His parents' family consisted of 14 children, only three of whom survive, namely: George, Mrs. Mahala Wilson and our subject.

Our subject was reared on a farm, alternating his labors thereon by attendance at the public schools in the acquisition of an education. In 1865, after the close of the war, he emigrated West, locating on section II, Galva Township, and afterward removed, purchasing 320 acres, which he is the owner of at present and on which he resides. Mr. Huffman commenced in the world without a dollar, and by his good judgment, economy and perseverance, has ac- cumulated a considerable amount of this world's goods.

Mr. Abraham Huffman was married in Pennsyl- vania, the lady of his choice being Miss Hannah Bowen, daughter of Mason Bowen. Of their union 12 children have been born, ten of whom survived,- George was married twice, his present wife being Casa. Jane (Bowler), and they are the parents of four

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children, viz : Lucy, Ella, Maggie and Walter ; Mason, who took for his better half Miss Nancy Plants, of Pennsylvania, and whose home circle has been bleesed with seven children,-George, Levi, Seely, Abraham, Mary, Ollie and Minnie ; Julia Ann married Rollin Bryan, a native of Iowa, and they have eight children,-Abraham, George, Johnny, Lizzie, Anna, Katie, Jimmy and Ross; Dilla was united in the bonds of matrimony with William Bryan, and their family consists of II children, namely : George A., David M., Celia, Abraham, May, Minnie, Charly, Mason, Della, Harry and Ef- fie; Eliza is the widow of Zenith May, and is the mother of three children,-Peter, Maggie and George Zenith; Mary married Charly White, of Stark Coun- ty, and they have become the parents of a family of five children,-Jane, Harvey, George, Hattie and an infant girl; Haley was united in marriage with Robert Sprague, and the following are the names of their children: Mary, Abraham, Nellie, Johnny, Willie and George; and John, Willie and Frank are unmarried.

Mrs. Huffman is a member of the United Brethren Church, and Mr. H. is a supporter of the principles advocated by the Democratic party.

illiam W. Hinman, a successful farmer, as well as one of the respected citizens of Henry County, is a resident on section 27, Osco Township, where he follows his chosen vocation. The parents of Mr. Hinman, Willis and Olive (Atwater) Hinman, were na- tives of Connecticut. In 1838, they emigrated to Miami Co., Ohio, where they resided until 1850, when they came to this county. On arriving here the father entered 360 acres of land in Osco Town- ship. He located on this land and continued to re- side thereon until 1858, when he removed to Geneseo and retired from the active agricultural la- bors of life. Previous to his removal to Geneseo, he was severely kicked by a horse, which has since pre- vented him from manual labor, and he has made his home since that time in Geneseo and Cambridge. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, three of whom attained the age of maturity, namely : Clara R., R. H. and William W. Clara became the

wife of Nelson Gaines, and died in Geneseo in Octo- ber, 1877.

The gentleman whose name stands at the head of this notice was born in Hartford Co., Conn., April 'II, 1833, and was five years old when his parents removed to Ohio, in which State his education was acquired in the district schools. In 1849, Mr. Hin- man went to Dayton, Ohio, to learn the harness- maker's trade, but did not complete the same, concluding to come to this county, where he arrived in the spring of 185 t. His first purchase of land in this county consisted of 80 acres lying in Geneseo Township, which he afterward exchanged with his father for the farm on which he is at present resid- ing in Osco Township. Mr. Hinman is at present the owner of 200 acres of land in Osco Township, all of which is in an advanced state of cultivation. His farm is indicative of what energy and persever- ance may accomplish in the improvement of land, and his success in his chosen vocation of what econ- omy and energetic effort may bring about.

Mr. Hinman was united in marriage in Andover Township, this county, Oct. 22, 1867, with Clara Olmstead, daughter of Daniel and Almira Olmstead, natives of New York. Her parents came to Henry County about 1853, and settled in Andover Town- ship, where her father died in 1866, and her mother in Cambridge, this county, April 7, 1885. Mrs. Hinman, wife of the subject of this notice, bore her husband two children,-Daniel O. and Heber, the latter of whom died in infancy. The wife and mother departed this life, Dec. 9, 1870, in Osco Township, and Mr. Hinman was again married, Feb. 21, 1872, at Geneseo, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Eusebius and Elizabeth (Pratt) Townsend, natives of Pennsyl- vania, where her father died, April 18, 1863. The mother still survives. Her parents' children were nine in number,-Anna F., George B., Theo. E., Lacy D., Sarah E., Joseph, Elizabeth, William H. and Robert D. Mrs. Hinman, wife of William W., of this sketch, was born in Chester Co., Pa., March 6, 1842. She and her husband are the parents of three children,-Willis T., E. Parker and Ralph B.

Mr. Hinman has held the office of Township As- sessor and others of minor import. Religiously, he and his wife are members of the Episcopal Church. Socially, he is a member of the Order of Masonry, and politically, he is a supporter of the principles ad- vocated by the Democratic party. Aug. 9, 1862,

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Mr. Hinman enlisted in the 112th Ill. Vol. Inf. and served in defense of his country's honor until the close of the war. After the close of the war and the cause for which he fought was victorious, he returned home, doffed his uniform, cast aside his .accoutre- ments of war and once more entered upon the peace- ful duties of a farm life and has since continued to reside on the old home farm on section 27, Osco Township.

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eorge D. Palmer, of the firm of Palmer & Walker, dealers in groceries and provis- ions, Galva, Ill., was born July 6, 1854, in Otsego Co., N. Y., near Schuyler's Lake.

The parents of Mr. Palmer, of this sketch, were Dudley W. and Laura (Bard) Palmer, natives of Otsego Co, N. Y., and of English extrac- tion. A reunion of the Palmer family residing in America was held at Long Island, in August, 1883, and over 5,000 families were represented. Their great-grandfather, Christopher Palmer, resided in Connecticut, where he died at the advanced age of 103 years. He was a soldier in the War of the Revolution. His son, Nathan S. Palmer, was born in 1800; was a farmer by occupation, and died in Galva, this County, Feb. 14, 1883, aged 83 years. He came here from New York State in April, 1858, and married Eliza Smith, daughter of Ezra Smith, who died here in 1877, aged 77 years, having been born in Connecticut in 1800. One thing most re- markable in the history of the Palmer family, from which George D. is directly descended, is that all four of his grandparents were born in the year 1800. His grandmother bore her husband three children,- Dudley W., Louisa E., and Christopher C. Of these, Dudley was born in Otsego Co. N. Y. He was a mechanic in early life, and later a farmer in this county. He canie here in April, 1858, where he fol- lowed the occupation of farming for ten years and until his death, which occurred in February, 1868, while in his 42d year. He was married in New York to Laura Bard, who was born there in 1830. She is yet living, and resides in this county, and is the daughter of Wilson and Lasina Bard, both of whom were born in 1800, in New York. She bore

her husband four children,-Louisa E., wife of A. G. Bruce ; George D., subject of this biographical notice ; William H. and Delia M.

George D., subject of this notice, came to this county with his parents when he was but four years old. His education was partly received in the dis- trict schools of this country, but he finished his edu- cation in the-Galva High School. His years of manual labor prior to majority were spent on the farm. At the age of 26, in 1880, he became the junior partner of the firm of Regnell & Palmer, en- gaged in the grocery business, and has continued in that business until the present time. In January, 1 884, the name of the firm was changed to Palmer & Walker, and the business is conducted under that name at the present time. By honest and straight- forward dealings with their fellow-men, and they are meeting with success in their business.

Mr. Palmer was united in marriage Nov. 4, 1874, with Miss May L. Walker, a daughter of Joseph A. Walker. She was born Nov. 5, 1857, and has borne her husband two children-Rena M., born July 6, 1879; and an infant unnamed, born June 30, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer religiously are members of the Baptist Church. Socially, Mr. Palmer is a member of the I. O. O. F., Galva Lodge, No. 408, and Galva Encampment, No. 174, and is also a member of the Fire Company. Politically, he is identified with the Republican party.

hilip Emmert, dealer in grain at Osco, Osco Township, is a son of Andrew and Margaret (Smith) Emmert, natives of Ger- many. They were married in the old country and there resided until their emigration to the United States, which took place in 1833. On their arrival in this country they located in Bedford Co., Pa., where the mother died March 10, 1855. The father afterward sold his farm in Pennsylvania and came to this county to live with his son, the subject of this notice, and with whom he resided until his death, which occurred Sept. 29, 1875. The issue of their union was seven children,-Elenora C., Philip, Caroline, John Valentine, Margaret, John and Dorothy.

Philip Emmert, subject of this notice, was born in

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Germany, July 17, 1822. He came to the United States with his parents in 1833. He received a fair education in the common schools and continued to reside under the parental roof-tree until he attained his majority. On becoming his own man he en- gaged in the occupation of farming on his own ac- count, which vocation he followed from 1842 to 1851. From 1851 to 1860 he was engaged the major portion of his time in carpenter's work. In the fall of 1851, Mr. Emmert came to this county, accompanied by his wife and eight children, and lo- cated in Osco Township, where he purchased 160 acres of land located on section 8, and on which he resided until 1855, when he sold the same and bought a farm of 200 acres on section 17; there he lived until 1875, when he sold that also. Mr. Em- mert has been a resident of Osco Township since 1851. After selling his farm in 1875, he removed to the village of Osco, where he erected a fine resi- dence and where until the present time he has been engaged in buying grain, meeting with success in that business.

Mr. Emmert was united in marriage, in Bedford Co., Pa., Jan. 20, 1842, with Miss Margaret S. Weid- lein, a native of Germany, in which country she was born Jan. 22, 1819. She was the daughter of John and Sybilla Wiedlein, who had five children, namely : John, John S., Margaret A., Nicholas and Lovina. Mrs. Emmert, wife of the subject of this notice, was about 22 years of age when she accompanied her parents to the United States and located with them in Pennsylvania, where she resided until her mar- riage. She and her husband are the parents of ten children,-Barbara, George S., Rebecca, John Philip, Valentine W., Andrew J., William H., Margaret A. and Charles F. Rebecca died Oct. 28, 1880, in her 38th year. She was the wife of Wm. E. Hill, a res- ident of Iowa, but died at the residence of her par- ents in Osco Township, this county. One child was born of their union, named Philip. Barbara is the wife of J. H. Conrad, and resides in Dodge City, Kan .; Margaret A. married Aaron Hill, a resident of Herkimer, Marshall Co, Kan.

Mr. Emmert of this sketch has held the office of Highway Commissioner, School Director and other minor offices within the gift of the people of his township. He and his wife are active, leading mem- bers of the English Lutheran Church. Politically,

Mr. Emmert is an advocate of the tenets of the Democratic party.

George S. Emmert, son of the subject of this no- tice, enlisted in August, 1861, in the 37th Ill. Vol. Inf. At the battle of Prairie Grove, Ark., in Decem- ber, 1862, he was wounded by a minie ball in the leg, in consequence of which he was obliged to have his leg amputated just above the knee. He resides in Herkimer, Marshall Co., Kan., where he is en- gaged in farming and stock-raising.

John P. Emmert enlisted in August, 1862, in the 37th Ill. Vol. Inf., and served until the close of the war, receiving no serious wounds, although he was in many a hard-fought battle. He was 171/2 years old when he enlisted. His residence at present is Kansas City, Mo., where he is engaged in stock and commission business. Valentine W. Emmert resides in St. Joseph, Mo., and is likewise en- gaged in the stock and commission business; An- drew J. Emmert is a resident of Kearney, Mo., where he is engaged in farming and stock-raising; William H. is a farmer, following his vocation in Marshall Co., Iowa, where Philip also resides, en- gaged in the same occupation; Charles F. is a farmer, residing in Jasper Co., Iowa.

enry Herman, senior member of the busi- ness firm of Herman & Waterman, at Gen- eseo, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany Nov. 26, 1831. His parents were Philip and Carrie (Neuberger) Herman. Mr. Herman came to the United States in the same year in which he attained his majority. He went to the State of Kentucky, and made his home there until 1857, when he came to Geneseo, and formed a part- nership with Mr. Waterman in the sale of clothing and the lines of merchandise common to a gentle- men's furnishing store.

Theirs is the oldest establishment of the kind in the county. Mr. Herman is also one of the found- ers of the Farmers' National Bank. Messrs. Her- man & Waterman are the owners of two-thirds of the Geneseo Brewery, and Mr. Herman is the secretary of the stock company who are its owners. He has occupied the position since its incorporation. In his political relations Mr. Herman is a Democrat.

HENRY COUNTY.

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He was married in Cincinnati, Ohio, Dec. 23, 1863, to Addie Hirschland, and they have had four children. Samuel was 'born Dec. 4, 1864; Carrie was born Feb. 12, 1865 ; Sadie died in infancy ; Felix was born Sept. 4, 1874. Mrs. Herman was born in Nassau, Germany, and is the daughter of Samuel Hirschland. The family are adherents of the Jew- ish faith.

obert Looney, deceased, formerly residing on section 36, Galva Township, where he followed the vocation of farming, was born in Kirk Maughold, Isle of Man, Nov. 10, 1833, and is a son of Robert and Isabella (Lewen) Looney, who both died on the isl- and. Robert Looney was educated on his native island, and at the age of 17 years he emigrated to the land of greater possibilities, and soon after land- ing at an Eastern seaport he came to Brimfield, Peoria County, this State, where some people from his native isle had preceded him and were residing. He worked at his trade in Peoria County, which was that of a carpenter and which he had learned in his native country, for a time, and after four years spent in this country he returned to his native isle. There he married his old sweet-heart, school and play mate, Eleanor Corkill, who was born there Nov. 8, 1835. She is the daughter of William and Isabella (Jochan) Corkill, natives of that country. Her father was a banker there and from one of the older families. Ten children were born to her parents, who all reached the age of maturity, but Mrs. Looney was the only one who emigrated to this country.

Mr. Looney came again to America, with his bride, in the spring of 1855, and went directly to Brimfield, Peoria County. He remained there only two weeks, and then came to Galva Township, this county, and located on section 36, where he had previously purchased 40 acres of land and had par- tially improved the same. Subsequently, by ener. getic effort and economy, he succeeded in acquiring a sufficiency to purchase 140 acres additional, which he did, and at the time of his death was the pro- prietor of 180 acres. He was a great worker and a good manager, and his success is attributable to his'

own indomitable energy. He attended the Method- ist Episcopal Church.

On coming to this country, Mr. Looney was poor in purse but rich in will power and ambition, and his life from the time he first located in Peoria County until the time of his death was one of con- tinual activity and labor. He died here, Jan. 22, 1874. His children were eight in number, namely : Mrs. Alice Nichols, Mrs. Isabella Meikel, Hattie, Robert H., Frederick, Fannie, Lizzie and Florence, and two children who died in infancy.

Mrs. Looney, since the death of her husband, has managed the farm with good judgment and success, and has added to the same 40 acres by a subsequent purchase, until at present the place consists of 220 acres. She is a lady of considerable business tact, combined with good judgment, and is meeting with success in a financial point of view. Religiously, she attends the Methodist Episcopal Church.

illiam Poppy. Among the many sturdy young men who came into Henry County in an early day was William Poppy, who to-day is a well known farmer residing on section 7 of Weller Township. He is a na- tive of Prussia, and was born near Hanover, Jan. 6, 1834. When a young man, in 1847, he ac- companied his parents to America, landing at New Orleans. They made their way northward, and in June of the following year made a location in Henry County. Here William resided until 1871, when he removed to Jo Daviess Co., Ill. He seemingly was not favorably impressed with the advantages offered there, for at the end of six years we find him on his way back to Henry County. He then located on a farm in Weller Township, where he owns a small farm, and in Clover Township he also owns 120 acres of land. Politically, he is united with the Democratic party.

Jan. 28, 1862, there occurred a wedding in An- dover Township, this county, in which William Poppy and Sophia Neumann were the conspicuous parties. The children who have been born of this union number four and bear the following names : Garhard, Franklin, Lena and Rosa. Franklin is deceased.

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Portrait and biographical album of Henry County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 44

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