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 50
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Mr. Dan Bolles spent his early life at home, and later became a trader in shoes, etc., carrying his goods to the South and selling them to slave-owners. For a short time he was a soldier in the War of 1812, being located at New London, Conn. His brother
was for some years a professor in an institution of learning at Charleston, S. C. Dan was married in Thompson, Conn., to Pamelia Comins, who was a native of the same county, of New England parentage and ancestry. She died in her native county when about 37 years old, of consumption, and he died when a little more than 70 years old, at Cleveland, Ohio.
Jesse, whose name heads this biography, is the eldest in a family of three children, the other two being George, who was a sailor and was lost at sea by being blown off the yard arm of the ship " Boy " as it was passing around Cape Horn, S. A., and John L., also a sailor, and probably yet living.
Jesse resided at home, attending the public schools until he was about 16 years of age, when he began to learn the trade of shoemaker under the instruc- tions and guidance of Alpheus Brown, of Thompson. After serving nearly three years he was married, and two years afterward he went to Providence and there followed his trade successfully from 1835 to 1852; he then emigrated to the wide West, reached La Salle, Ill., by railroad and canal-boat, and then started across the country in a " prairie schooner," arriving at Rock Island city, where they made a settlement. Mr. B. followed his trade at that place for some time, when he crosse the river to Davenport, where he worked at shoemaking until 1869, when he re- turned to Rock Island and made his home there until ,1875. At that time he came to Orion, this county, and established à shop for the manufacture of shoes, which he has since continued, and has proven to be an honorable and much respected citi- zen of that place. Much of the time since he came West he served as foreman in the larger shops where he worked.
Mr. Bolles was married at Thompson, Oct. 7, 1833, to Miss Lucinda N. Stanley, who was born in Wind- ham Co., Conn., March 30, 1815. She was the daughter of a Connecticut carpenter, and both her parents died in Massachusetts after her marriage. The family consists of three children, viz. : Elizabeth P., wife of Thomas Duncan, now of Republican City, Neb., and the mother of five children : Leonora B., Will- iam E., Jessie B., James and Fred. Jessie was fatally scalded; Edgar married Mary E. Watson, and resides at Chicago; William A. married, Sept. 30, 1869, at Davenport, Iowa, Miss Mary A. Salisbury, who was born in Preston, Lancashire, Eng., Feb. 9, 1848, and
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came with her parents to the United States when a girl 12 years of age. Her father was a tailor by oc- cupation, and located in Davenport, but now resides at Afton, Union Co., Iowa. Mrs. B., is the mother of one child, Nellie A., who was born April 29, 1871.
William A. Bolles, who is at present the editor of the Orion Times, served an apprenticeship at Daven- port on a paper published in that city. He followed his trade in that city until 1873, being II years since he began as an apprentice. At that date he went to Burlington, where he was engaged on the Hawkeye for five years as assistant foreman. In 1877 he came to Orion for the purpose of establishing a pa- per ; but, one having been previously started by A. H. Chaffee, called the Orion Vidette, he connected himself with it for a short time; then, in company with his nephew, Nelson J. Ludi, he purchased the paper from Mr. Chaffee and changed its name to the Orion Times. For a time after the purchase and while Mr. Bolles was connected with the Hawkeye, it was run by Mr. Ludi, also during the time of his connection with the Peoria Transcript. In 1883 Mr. Bolles became sole proprietor and editor of the journal. He has since placed the Times on a sound financial basis, and has been reasonably successful. It has a good circulation, both at home and in the West, and enjoys a fair advertising patronage. The paper is purely independent in sentiment, although Mr. Bolles is a Democratic of the first water. It is just such a sheet as every person who has an interest in the community should patronize.
korace W. Moses, proprietor of the Maple City Creamery, and also a dealer in prod- uce at that place, has been a citizen of the county since 1869. He was born in Cumber- land Co., Me., Oct. 15, 1839. He is the son of William and Adeline (Harman) Moses. He was reared to the estate of manhood in his native State, and on entering into active life interested him- self in the purchase and sale of produce in the city of Portland in that State. He continued in business there until his removal to Illinois. In the fall of the same year he began buying poultry, and within the first year his sales amounted to tons. Its pres- ent estimate is about 90 tons yearly, in the single
article of dressed poultry. The aggregate of his business, which is transacted principally in Henry County, is estimated at an average of 425 tons. His principal point of shipment is Boston. His sales amount yearly to about $125,000. Mr. Moses is associated in business with William Rideout, of Chemung, Iowa. In addition to the business of his creamery and that connected with the purchase and sale of produce, he was formerly interested in the manufacture and sale of wooden ware, but he sold his business in that line in 1872.
The Maple City Creamery was established at Geneseo in 1879, and was the first institution of the kind in Henry County. Mr. Moses was its founder, and he transacted its relations singly until 1883, when he admitted J. F. Dearborn as a partner. The firm style is Moses & Dearborn. The estab- lishment turns out a yearly product of 125,000 pounds of butter annually.
The marriage of Mr. Moses to Nellie Nelson took place at Portland, Me., Jan. 31, 1870. Mrs. Moses was born in Boston, and is the daughter of Samuel Nelson. Their children, three in number, are named Howard N., Harry S. and Drusilla A. Mr. Moses is a Prohibitionist in his principles of social econ- omy. His wife is connected with the Baptist Church in membership.
ohn Owen, of the firm of Owen & Johnson, general dealers in merchandise at Orion, is a son of Morris and Catharine Owen, the fether being a native of Wales. The father emigrated to America when he was 24 years of age, locating in Indiana Co., Pa., where he was united in marriage to Catharine Ash- croft. They followed the occupation of farming, and were enterprising and well respected citizens in the community in which they resided. Of their union were born II children, of whom our subject was eighth in order of birth.
John, whose name heads this article, remained under the parental roof-tree until he reached his 2 Ist year, in the meantime having received his edu- cation in the public schools of his native county. After he arrived at his majority, he followed the trade of a carpenter, which he learned under no special
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apprenticeship. He came to Illinois in 1854, locat- ing at Orion, and engaged to work at his trade. In 1857 he removed to Missouri, where he resided at the breaking out of the Rebellion. He enlisted in the 18th Mo. Vol. Inf., Oct. 2, 1861 ; was captured Sept. 14, 1863, and taken to Richmond, Va .; served six months in prison; was exchanged March 21, 1864, and joined his regiment at Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., and was finally mustered out at Savannah, Ga., Dec 25, 1864. He then came back to Orion, in 1865.
In 1867 he established his present business as general merchant, operating it for some time on his own account, but in 1882 formed a partnership, tak- ing his present partner in the business. Mr. Owen is the possessor of considerable property, located in the village, besides his store.
Politically, Mr. O. is a believer in, and a strong advocate of, the principles adopted by the Republi- can party.
nine H. Long, practicing physician and surgeon, residing at Orion, is a son of Christopher and Elizabeth (Long) Long, natives of In- diana Co., Pa , and of German and Scotch ex- traction. The grandfather of Dr. Long, Wil- liam Long by name, is yet a resident of Indiana Co., Pa., being 94 years of age. He was born in Bedford County, that State. His wife, grandmother of our subject, was a Stanley, and came from Stan- ley's Green, Scotland. She was the daughter of an old Scotch silk manufacturer, and emigrated to this country when quite young, and died in Indiana County, in the winter of 1863. The parents of the subject of this article always resided in Indiana County, where the mother died March 16, 1884. The father is still a resident of the old homestead in that county, and is about 69 years of age. He has been during his life one of the prominent farmers of that county, and one of her honored and respected citizens.
Dr. Long, subject of this biographical notice, was reared on his father's farm in Indiana Co., Pa., al. ternating his labors thereon by attending the dis- trict schools, and the academy at Pine Flat, that county, and securing a good preparatory education
previous to entering medical college. He remained at the parental home until he attained the age of 23 years, when, having received a good education as stated, he entered the office of Dr. Thomas Mc- Mullen, of Greenville, his native county, to study under his instructions for the practice of medicine. In the winter of 1865-6, he entered the Medical Department of the State University at Ann Arbor, Mich. After six months' study at that place, he, late in the spring of 1866, came to Morristown, this county, and entered upon the .practice of his pro- fession at that place. In the following fall, 1867, he entered the Jefferson Medical College at Philadel- phia, where, March 5, 1868, he graduated with hon- ors. On receiving his diploma, he at once returned to Morristown, where he resumed his practice, which he continued at that place until the fall of 1869. Nov. 15, of that year, he came to Orion and entered upon the active practice of his profession. Since that date he has continued to practice at Orion, and by carefully diagnosing his cases, and prompt and skillful attention to the same, he has established a good and increasing practice. He owns two village lots in the city, together with a good residence and office on Bank Street. The Doctor is also the pro- prietor of a farm of 200 acres of improved land, lo- cated on section 22, Western Township.
Dr. Long entered the state of matrimony May 5, 1868, at Swedona, Mercer County, this State, wed- ding Miss Mary L., the accomplished daughter of Edwin and Lucina (Chapin) Jordan, formerly of Vermont and Maine, and of New England parentage. Her parents settled in Wisconsin, where her father followed the vocation of a farmer in Green, Lake County, and where Mrs. Long was born, March 22, 1849. Her father was a native of Bangor, Me., and both parents are deceased. Mrs. Long came to Rock Island County, and received a good education in the public schools. She is the mother of four children by Dr. Long,-Judson H., born Feb. 15, 1870; Mabel L., Oct. 4, 1872 ; Edwin L. and Edgar H. (twins), born July 31, 1878. Dr. Long is a men- ber of the A. F. & A. M., and also the I. O. O. F. He is Treasurer of the Masonic Lodge, No. 535, lo- lated at Orion, and is also President of the Board of Health of the village of Orion. He and his wife are members of the First Baptist Church. Politically, Dr. Long is a believer in, and a successful advocate of, the principles adopted by the Republican party.
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eander Woodruff, who is engaged in agri- cultural pursuits and the raising of live stock on section 1, Andover Township, is a son of Amos Woodruff, who was a native of New Jersey, of New England parentage, and emigrated to Knox County, Ohio, and was mar- ried in 1837 to Miss Mary E. White, a native of Pennsylvania and of Pennsylvania-German ancestry. He died in 1841, and his widow in 1854 married Ira Parker, and in 1852 emigrated West, settling in Burns Township, this county, where she died March 13, 1855, aged about 37 years, and where Mr. Parker is still living, a prominent farmer.
Mr. Woodruff, whose name heads this biograph- ical sketch, was born June 14, 1839, in Knox County, Ohio, and after the death of his father he continued to live with his mother until her death in this county, as above mentioned. He is the elder of two chil. dren by his mother's first marriage. He then set out in the world to earn his livelihood and take charge of his own interests. He commenced as a general laborer and was thus engaged until he enlisted in the war for the cause of the Union. He became a mem- ber of Co. D, 112th Regt. Ill. Vol. Inf., under Capt. A. A. Dunn, of Cambridge, Aug. 9, 1862. He at once went to the front, and during his term of ser- vice he participated in the battle of Knoxville and in the Tennessee campaign. He escaped being wounded or taken prisoner and was honorably discharged at the close of the war and after the expiration of his term of service, of nearly three years, June 20, 1865, at Greensborough, N. C.
Returning to this county, he at once began farm- ing, in which pursuit he has been successfully en- gaged. He lived in Burns Township until 1877, when he moved upon a farm of 300 acres on section 2, Andover Township, and after five years' residence there he removed to section I, upon the Rockwell farm, where he is now a resident.
Aug. 14, 1862, five days after he enlisted in the war, Mr. Woodruff was united in matrimony, in Burns Township. this county, with Miss Rebecca M. Rishel, who was born in Light Street, Columbia Co., Pa., May 30, 1845, the daughter of a dentist by the name of Jacob Rishel. The latter married Sarah A. Kester, who now resides near Cambridge, this county.
Mrs. R. lived with her parents in her native State until 16 years old, when she came with them to Burns Township, above mentioned, where she resided until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. W. are the parents of two children, namely: Eva L., born Aug. 13, 1868, and Albert Burtis, born Aug. 28, 1872, died June 8, 1874.
Mr. Woodruff is a Republican in his political doc- trines, and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
John C. Woodruff, brother of the above, was killed at Jackson, Miss., by the bursting of a shell, while he was fighting for the cause of his country in the 3d Iowa Inf. He was with his regiment through the whole siege of Vicksburg, and eight days after the surrender of that place, July 12, 1863, his birthday, he was killed, being then just 23 years of age. His rank was that of Orderly Sergeant. He was buried near by, at a place which cannot now be traced, as no monument or other sign has ever been placed upon the grave of this hero.
100 kugh W. Pritchard, a well-to-do farmer of Alba Township, located on section 29, is the son of Henry Pritchard, who was born in the County Down, Ireland, in the year 1816. He was there married June 16, 1836, to Mary Warnock, and their union was blessed with four sons, who were born as follows: William, Sept. 26, 1837; James I., March 5, 1839 ; Samuel, Feb. 18, 1841 ; Henry, March 21, 1843. The mother died April 14, 1845, and Mr. Pritchard was again married in September following to Mary Boyd. Their chil- dren numbered seven: Alexander was born Oct. 15, 1846 ; Alice , June 3, 1848 ; Robert L., Dec. 11, 1849; Hugh W. Oct. 6, 1851 ; Mary J., July 15, 1853; Sa- rah, July 7, 1856. In 1856 the family emigrated to the United States, and came direct to Henry County, where the father purchased 160 acres of land on sections 29 and 32, and where he passed the re- mainder of his life, dying March 4, 1885. The death of his second wife occurred April 14, 1881.
Mr. Pritchard was a lad of 13 when he crossed the ocean to his home in the United States, and he has since been a faithful adherent of the land which has since given him . the privileges of unrestricted
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citizenship. He is a Republican, and has supported the issues of that political element since he secured the right to express his preference according to the forms prescribed by the laws.
He was married Feb. 7, 1883, to Augusta S. G. McCracken, and they have one daughter, Maud I., born Jan. 3, 1884. James and Eliza McCracken, the parents of Mrs. Pritchard are both natives of the County Down, Ireland. Her father was born in 1808; he was married to his wife there in 1831. Their children are five in number,-John, Agnes, Lizzie, Mary and Augusta.
Mr. and Mrs. Pritchard are members of the Con- gregational Church. Mr. Pritchard is the owner of a half interest in an undivided tract of land con- taining 920 acres, all lying in the township of Alba. He is · extensively interested in rearing Durham Short-hoin cattle, and in breeding Clydesdale, Nor- man and English Draft horses. He exhibits fine droves of Poland-China swine.
Four-fifths of the place is fenced with hedges and the remainder with wire, and with three, four and five board fences. It includes 22 fields, which are watered by Green River and the creeks by which they are traversed. There are 995 rods of tile ditch. At convenient locations there are five wells and three windmills. On the farm are two excellent orchards and two gardens.
enry L. Angell, a resident of Geneseo, is considered one of the model farmers of Henry County. He is the owner of 300 acres of land, which lies in this and in Rock Island counties. The entire tract is in a con- dition which reflects the utmost credit on the skill, industry and judgment of the proprietor.
Mr. Angell was born Sept. 27, 1836, in South Cor- inth, Saratoga Co., N. Y., and is the son of James and Sally Hodges (Lincoln) Angell. His father was one of the leading agriculturists of that section, and the son was trained in a complete knowledge of all farming relations, which he brought to bear on the prairies with the most satisfactory results. He came to Illinois while he was still in his early manhood, and was married to Lucy Talcott, at Port Byron, July 2, 18 -. She was born in the township of
Zuma, in that county, Oct. 16, 1847, and is the daughter of Asel H. Talcott. A detailed sketch of the father of Mrs. Angell forms a portion of these records, and are to be found on another page.
Mr. and Mrs. Angell were occupants of the home- stead of her father, in the township of Zuma, until their removal, in July, 1883, to Geneseo Township.
They have ten children,-two sons and eight daughters. Six are still living. A pair of twin chil- dren, who were born third in order of birth, died in infancy. Florence T., Jessie L., Edward S., Ber- nice (drowned at the age of two), Judd S. (died in infancy). Myrtle L., Vivia M. and Eva L. are the names of those living.
Mr. Angell is a Republican in political relations, and is foremost in his practice and advocacy of the principles of temperance and morality.
A ndrew Peterson, residing on section 4, Lynn Township, where he is engaged in the occupation of farming, was born in Linkoping Lan, Sweden, Dec. 20, 1827, of which country his parents were both natives, and where they followed farming until their death, which occurred when Andrew was about 8 years old.
From the time of his parents' death Andrew lived among strangers, working around for a living. At 24 years of age he emigrated to the United States, and after stopping a short time at Andover he went to Knox County, this State, where he remained for a time, following different occupations, and then came to this county. He was united in marriage April I, 1854, in Andover, this State, with Christina M. Anderson, a native of Sweden, where she was born Sept. 16, 1826. Her parents died when she was a young lady, and she afterward emigrated to this country with her brother, in 1849, two years prior to the emigration of Mr. Peterson. She located with friends in Andover, this county, where she con- tinued to reside until her marriage to Mr. Peterson. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson were the parents of eight children, five sons and three daughters: three sons and one daughter are deceased; Mary E. married William Gabrielson, and they now reside in Lynn Township, where he is engaged in farming ; Joseph-
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ine resides with her parents, as likewise do John E. and Henry H.
The first purchase of land which Mr. Peterson made in this county was in 1853, and consisted of 26 acres of unbroken prairie, where he at present resides. By energetic effort, good judgment and economy he succeeded in accumulating sufficient to purchase 290 acres additional, and at present is the proprietor of 316 acres of land, the major portion of which is under an advanced state of cultivation. His residence and outbuildings are good and sub- stantial, being comparatively new and well built, and his farm presents the appearance of thrift and labor. His family are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Swedish Church at Orion, in which denomination Mr. Peterson has held the position of Trustee and Treasurer for several years.
Mr. Peterson has held the minor offices of his township, Commissioner of Highways, etc., and politically, is a believer in and a supporter of the principles advocated by the Republican party.
smyn E. Gilbert, a farmer of Edford Township, has been a resident of Henry County since 1845. He was born in the town of Italy, Ontario Co., N. Y., Dec. 12, 1828. Joseph O. Gilbert, his father, was born in Bristol, in the same county. He was con- verted in early life and joined the Baptist Church. He fitted himself for the duties of a ministerial life, and was licensed to preach in Jamestown, in his na- tive county. His wife, the mother of Mr. Gilbert of this narration, was named Speedy M. Tayler pre- vious to her marriage. She was born in the town of Middlesex, in a part of the county of Ontario, now included in the county of Yates. She was born Aug. 24, 1810. Her father was a native of Connect- icut, and her mother was born in Massachusetts. They were pioneers of Ontario County.
The parents of Mr. Gilbert removed when he was a child of about two years to Mt. Morris in the same county, and a year later they went to Chautauqua County, in the State of New York, and were resident there two years. In 1833 they went to the State of Michigan, and settled near the present site of Man- chester, in Washtenaw County. They were the very
first settlers in that neighborhood, and were 18 miles distant from any white settlers. Indians and wild game were abundant. The first home there was a log cabin of the smallest dimensions possible for their accommodation, and as soon as possible the father built a hewed-log house of a quality to make ample amends for all former inconvenience. After the transfer of his interests to Michigan, the senior Gilbert changed his religious views and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he became a preacher. The family remained in the Peninsular State until the year named as that in which they re- moved to Henry County-1845.
The first winter was passed in Cambridge, and in the following year they located in the town of Colo- na. After a residence there of 12 years, they went to Edford Township, and there bought a farm on sec- tion 18. Soon after fixing his residence in Edford Township, Mr. Gilbert was called to the Pastorship of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Rock Island. Later he filled the charge of Pastor of the Church in Moline. He held the position in both places as long as the rules of the Church permitted, and afterwards preached in various places. At the time of his death, which transpired Feb. 14, 1863, he lived at Kewa- nee. His widow still survives him, and she lives with her son.
The latter lived with his parents until his father became Pastor of the Church in Rock Island, and then took charge of the farm. Later, he bought land ad- joining, on section 17, and he has continued his op- erations as an agriculturist until he takes rank with the leading farmers in Henry County. His estate now contains 320 acres of land, and he has a dairy of considerable dimensions, which business he is prosecuting with reasonable success. In 1878 Mr. Gilbert purchased an interest in the Green River Cheese Factory, and in 1884 he became the sole proprietor. The capacity of the enterprise is ar- ranged for the use of the milk of nearly 300 cows, and the product finds ready market in the cities which are within easy reach.
Mr. Gilbert has been twice married. Elizabeth Bartlett became his wife, in September, 1848. She was a native of Chemung Co., N. Y., and her death occurred May 20, 1863. She had borne six children. Four are now living, viz. : Mariam is the wife of Palmer Stafford, of Colona Township; Mortimer lives in Richardson Co., Neb. ; Addie is the wife of
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D. P. Allen, and they are residents of Carroll Co., Iowa; Joseph E. lives in Richardson Co., Neb. July 20, 1864, Mr. Gilbert contracted a second mar- riage, with Fannie Grant. She is a native of Henry County, and was the daughter of Michael and Jane (Dack) Grant. Her parents were pioneers of this county. Osman A., May, Fannie E., Charles G. and Jessie H. C. are the names of the children of the second marriage.
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