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 53
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in this occupation until he reached the age of 14 years. During the time he acquired a good educa- tion, or what was considered as fair in his country. He then engaged in farming, and received a com- pensation of nine dollars a year. He continued to operate as a farm assistant until he reached the age of 19 years and six months, and he then left his native land to come to the United States. He took passage on a sailing vessel, and after an ocean voy- age of seven weeks, he landed at the port of Balti- more, having only $1.50 in his possession whereon to found his fortune in the New World.
He made his way to Cumberland, Alleghany Co., Md., and he passed the first summer in the employ of a farmer, receiving for his services $8 a month. He was employed on a farm during the winter fol- lowing, and was paid $5 a month. He remained with his first employer at the same rates three years, and at the expiration of that time he obtained a situation as a hostler in a baiting stable. He was there occupied one year. He had practiced the utmost frugality and economy, and had saved nearly the entire amount he had earned ; and, seeing what seemed a good opportunity to start himself in an in- dependent business, he invested his little fortune, and, obtaining a small degree of credit, he found him- self the possessor of a six-horse team, with which he entered into the work of hauling goods from Cumber- land to Wheeling and Clarksburg, and also to other places in the interior where there was no public means of transportation. His venture met with gratifying success, and in the short space of seven- teen months he cleared $575. He then formed an association in business with his brother, and they purchased a team together. They then commenced their joint operations, and they passed their time in alternately driving and loading the wagons, and they carried on their business until the completion of the line of railroad, which put an end to their transport- ation service. The road was finished in 1850.
In that year, accompanied by his brother John, he started for Illinois. They came by the Allegheny, Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, and they landed at Alton. Arriving there, they set out to cross the country on foot to select a suitable location for a home. They traveled until they came to Henry County, and being pleased with the apparent out- look they invested their money in a fine tract of land which included 320 acres of prairie and 80 acres of
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jimber. It was situated in the township of Edford. After making their purchase, they returned to Cum- berland, and sold their teams preparatory to a per- manent removal, and in the spring of 1851 they came to Henry County, bringing with them their families. They located on section 31, and there the brothers prosecuted their farming for two years. At the end of that time they divided their estate, each taking 160 acres of prairie and 40 acres of timber. The residence of Mr. Smith is situated on the north- east quarter of section 31. The farm buildings made a fine display, and afford the best possible evidence of the quality of the judgment, industry and taste of their owner. The farm is chiefly de- voted to the growing of grain and raising of stock. The prosperous condition of Mr. Smith is fully out- lined in the fact that he is the owner of more than 1,200 acres of land, all under a good order of cultiva- tion. There is a good opportunity to contrast his condition now with that of about 30 years ago, and he has the proud satisfaction of knowing that he owes it all to his own efforts.
Mr. Smith was joined in marriage to Caroline Emmeret in 1849. She was born in Bedford Co., Pa. They have five children. Maggie is married to Al- bert Lawbaugh, and they are living in the Upper Peninsula in Northern Michigan. Her husband is there engaged in the practice of medicine. John was born Nov. 10, 1854. He married Mary E. Smith, a native of Cumberland Co., Md. The son is the owner of 200 acres of land on section 30, in Ed- ford Township. Carrie is the wife of George Smith, a resident in Western Township. Ella married James Stephenson, and they live in the township last named. Emma lives with her parents. The family are all members of the Lutheran Church.
illiam McMeeken, farmer, section 6, Western Township, was born in North Ireland, March 21, 1821. His father, Jones McMeeken, was also a farmer, and R= died in his native country, Ireland, in 1843. William learned the trade of a carpenter in his native land, and when 25 years of age he came to America, first settling in Philadelphia; two years later he returned to his native home, but in 1852 he came
again to America, locating this time at Mill Creek, Rock Island Co., Ill. In 1856 he purchased a farm of 65 acres on section 1, Western Township, and lo- cated upon it the following year ; and here he has since made his home, being a prosperous farmer, an industrious laborer and a judicious manager. He found his place an unimproved tract of land, but it is now rendered valuable in every portion. The live stock which he raises are first-class.
July 23, 1853, is the date of Mr. McMeeken's mar- riage to Miss Agnes Reed, who was born in North Ireland, of Scotch-Irish descent. Her parents died in that country, and she came alone to America when about 20 years of age, making her home in Rock Island County. The family record , as fol- lows : James and Mary J. are married ; , "liam is a teacher in the public schools; Frank, john, Robert, Hugh, Sandie and Lydia. Mr. and Mrs. McM. are members of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics he is a reliable Republican.
ohn Milem, foreman of the coal-bank of Taylor Williams, in the vicinity of Cleve- land, in Hanna Township, was born in Norfolk, England, Dec. 4, 1828. His parents Robert and Elizabeth (Baldwin) Milem, were also natives of the same county.
Mr. Milem grew up in his native county, and on arriving at a suitable age he learned the trade of tile- maker. He also acquired a practical knowledge of the manufacture of brick, and he was employed in those lines of business while he remained in Eng- land.
At the age of 21, he came to America. He lo- cated in Waterloo, N. Y., and there established him- self as a tile-maker. He there ran the first tile machine operated in the United States. He remained in that place two years, and went thence to Staten Island, and engaged in the capacity of superintendent of the tile works on that island, which he managed until 1853. In that year he came to Illinois, and became interested in farming in Bu- reau County. After operating there two years, he went to Dane Co., Wis., and bought a farm. He was one of the earliest settlers in Dane County. He improved his place, and was its owner and occupant
A.C. Siebut
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until 1864, when he came to Cleveland, to engage for a brief time in the industries of that place He stayed but a short time, and returned to Dane County. He continued to occupy his farm until the fall of 1865, when he returned to Cleveland. He was variously occupied until 1867, when he entered the employ of Mr. Williams. He assumed the charge of the coal-bank, and has operated in the same capacity since without intermission. He has met with the prosperity due to a life of effort, and is the owner of 40 acres of land, which he bought in 1882, in Colona Township, and is also the proprietor of considerable property in Cleveland and vicinity.
He was married, in 1852, to Mary A. Kidd, and they have nine children. Their names are John E., Mary, Emma J., Caroline, Eliza, James, Ida May, George A. and Frank E. The eldest son is acting as an engineer at the coal-bank. The eldest daughter is the wife of John McCoslin, and they reside at Orion, where her husband is engaged in the sale of Wheeler and Wilson sewing-machines, pianos and organs.
illiam B. McClure. The subject of this personal narrative is a native of Henry County, having been born in Wethersfield Township, June 18, 1850. His parents were Daniel and Laura A. (Little) McClure. The latter was a sister of Abner Little. She died in Wethersfield Township. The elder McClure has for some time been a well known resident of Wethersfield. Two children were born to this couple,-Thomas and William B.
Mr. McClure, whose name heads this sketch, at- tended the district schools of Wethersfield, in which he received a good ordinary education. He made his home with his parents, working on the farm, un- til about 27 years of age. From that time until 1881 he worked out by the month. By economy he had saved a little money, and at that time bought a farm in Burns Township, where he has since lived. He has been eminently successful in this short per- iod, for to- day he owns 220 acres of land.
Mr. McClure was married in Wethersfield Town- ship, April 17, 1885, to Miss Fannie, daughter of William and Sarah (Griffith) Bump. Mrs. McClure
was born in Wisconsin in 1853. She is a member of the Congregational Church, while her husband finds his religion in the principles of the Republican party.
athaniel C. Gilbert, Supervisor of the Township of Munson, is one of the most skillful farmers in the county and is the proprietor of one of the most valuable farms. He was born Feb. 10, 1834, in Richmond, On- tario Co., N. Y., and is the oldest son of Horace and Ann Eliza (Carpenter) Gilbert. His father was born in Connecticut and his mother was a native of Her- kimer Co., N. Y.
He grew to the age of manhood in the county where he was born and was fully trained in the arts of farming under the competent instructions of his father. He obtained a fair education in the pub- lic schools. At the age of 18 he commenced teach- ing and passed some years in the practice of that calling in the winter seasons, and operated as a farmer in the intervening summers. He was an in- mate of the homestead until 1856. In the month of February of that year he set out for Illinois. He came at once to Henry County and located in Gene- eseo Township. He bought a tract of land on sec- tion 31, on which a small house had been built and there had been 30 acres broken by the plow. He and one of his brothers lived there until 1860. He then bought 80 acres of land in the township of Munson, situated on section 5, on which he has since ex- pended his efforts and abilities. The nature of both may be inferred from his present possessions and surroundings. He is the owner of 240 acres of ex- cellent farming land, which is beautified and in- creased in value by a variety of trees common to the situation and also with fine buildings. The abilities of Mr. Gilbert are recognized and made useful to the public interests by his repeatedly being summoned to serve his townsmen in an official capacity. In the spring of 1880 he was elected to the position he now" fills and to which he has been successfully re-elected. He has served in the capacity of Township Treas- urer for the past six years, and he has officiated as President of the Agricultural Board of Henry County since 1878. He is a firm adherent and supporter of the principles and issues of the Republican party.
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His marriage to Francelia Amsden occurred in Au- gust, 1860. She was born in Woodstock, Windsor Co., Vt., and is the oldest daughter of Richard P. and Lora A. (Buck) Amsden. May, H. Mark and Lora are the names of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Gil- bert.
The public will doubtless be pleased to see a likeness of Mr. Gilbert in this volume; and it is ac- cordingly given, in connection with the foregoing sketch.
imeon N. Conover, station agent of the Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, telegraph operator and express agent at Orion, was born in Somerville, Somerset Co., N. J., June I, 1857. His parents were Andrew J. and Rachel (Dunham) Conover, and both natives of the State in which our subject was born, having been united in matrimony in Monmouth County. They were both of New England parentage, and the father was engaged as a blacksmith. Of their union were born seven children, six having been born in the State of New Jersey.
Simeon N., our subject, was the oldest but one of his parents' family, and in 1868 came West with the family, locating first in Wyoming, Stark Co., Ill. Afterward the family went to French Grove, Peoria Co., Ill., at which place they have made their per- manent home. Simeon N. Conover, whose name heads this article, was educated principally in the public schools of Wyoming. While at the latter place he learned the art of telegraphy and has since been a successful operator.
In April, 1874, he became connected with the railroad company as shop clerk, occupying that posi- tion seven years, then one year in Des Moines, Iowa, for the Wabash Company, filling the same position, and in December, 1882, came to Orion, Ill. He has since had the entire management of the station of the Rock Island & Pacific Railroad at this place.
Dec. 24, 1878, Mr. Conover was married at the résidence of the bride's parents, at Wyoming, Ill., the lady chosen for his companion in life being Miss Eva M. Westfall, daughter of Robert E. and Sarah A. (Woods) Westfall, natives respectively of Ohio and Indiana. They were married at Toulon, Ill.,
and there located on a farm, where Mrs. Conover of this notice was born Feb. 13, 1859. She was reared and educated in the county of her nativity, and re- sided with her parents until her marriage. The father was Second Lieutenant in Co. F, 112th Ill. Vol. Inf., and was afterward promoted First Lieu- tenant, and died of a fever, in Kentucky. The mother is yet living, and resides with her daughter, Mrs. Conover.
Mrs. C. is the mother of two children by Simeon N., namely : Leon, born Dec. 18, 1880; and Anna M., born Nov. 1, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Conover are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Orion. Politically, Mr. C. is an adherent to the principles of the Republican party, and locally is a member of the Village Board.
illiam E. Brainard, a prosperous and energetic farmer, residing on section 13, Annawan Township, was born in Medina Co., Ohio, March 28, 1838, and is a son of Deodatus and Sally Jane (Fry) Brainard. His father, Deodatus, was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., in 1808, and when but a lad came with his father to Ohio, where they settled in Medina County, at which place he was married to Miss Fry in the year 1829. She was born in June, 1812, in the Mohawk Valley, N. Y. Of their union were born six children, as follows: Marinnes G., Mary Ann, Vanransler, William E. (our subject), Henry B. and Aura A.
William E. remained at home until he attained the age of 21 years, attending school in the acquisi- tion of an education, receiving the advantages of the common schools of that early day, though they were very limited, and assisted his parents on the farm. At the age of three years he came with his parents to the State of Illinois and located near the place which is now called Buda, in the year 1841. He and Miss Emma J. Prince were united in marriage Oct. 3, 1857, at Sheffield, Bureau Co., Ill. Mrs. B. was born Oct. 17, 1838, in Yorkshire, Eng., and came to America in 1853. Her father, George Prince, was born at Yorkshire, Aug. 11, 1792. He married Miss Rebecca Wilson in 1816. She was born at Leeds, Eng., in 1796. They were the par-
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ents of ten children, bearing the following names : Sarah, Robert, George, Rose, Martha, Mary, Han- nah, Rebecca, Ruth and Emma J., who became Mrs. Brainard, and the mother of six children, born in the following order: Kate D., born June 27, 1858; Lizzie J., Jan. 4, 1860; [Edward A., Feb. 26, 1862; Sherwin W., Sept. 8, 1867 ; George D., Oct. 3, 1873; Roy P., Oct. 25, 1878.
Mr. Brainard is not only one of the extensive land-owners of the township, but is also a large stock dealer and raiser. He has 543 acres of land, 280 of which are located in Hamilton Co., Neb., and the re- mainder in Henry County. For the past ten years he has been engaged in shipping stock to the Chicago market. On his place he has a fine herd of Short- horn cattle. His dwelling is 28 x 61 feet, two stories in height. Politically, he is a Democrat, and is re- garded as one of the representative farmers of the eastern portion of Henry County. Both are Ad- ventists in religious faith and belief.
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ohn Long, a prominent and well-to-do farmer of Burns Township and who owns a farm of 373 acres on section 6, was born in Rockingham Co., Va., Feb. 28, 1833. His parents, Jacob and Nancy (Rhine) Long, were also natives of Virginia. They came to Henry County in 1857 and settled in Cornwall Township, where they are living as respected and esteemed farmers. They reared a family of ten children, of whom John was the second. He accompanied his parents to Henry County, and, as might be expected, a great deal of hard work fell to his lot. He was reared on a farm and has since made agriculture his vocation. He now has one of the large number of fine farms to be found in Burns Township. He has a good dwelling and fine outbuildings, and is re- - garded as one of the solid men of Henry County.
Our subject was first married at Kewanee, Nov. 20, 1863, to Miss Martha Willard, who was also a native of Virginia. She became the mother of four children,-George B., John W., Jacob H. and Addie A. Mrs. Long's demise occurred at her home in Burns Township, May 28, 1873. Mr. Long lived alone until 1876, when on the 8th day of March he
was united in marriage with Mrs. Matilda McNay, relict of Samuel H. McNay, and a daughter of Wil- liam and Margaret (Dugan) Hunter, and was born in Muskingum Co., Ohio, Dec. 18, 1835. Mrs. Long was first married to Joseph P. Lawrence, by whom she had one child,-Maggie E. She is the wife of Charles F. Allen, of Munson Township.
Mr. Long has served as School Director, and polit- ically is a Democrat. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
illiam Austin, a farmer of Edford Town- ship, is a pioneer of Henry County, hav- ing come here in 1838. He was born Oct. 3, 1817, in Alexander, Genesee Co., N. Y. His parents, Richard and Laura (Cady) Austin, were natives of Connecticut and Went to Western New York in the pioneer days of that locality. His father was by trade a tailor, but after he removed to Alexander he leased a hotel and for some years was engaged in the management of a house of public entertainment. He was at the same time the lessee of a farm, which he also conducted jointly with the business of a landlord. The parents died in Alexander. Mr. Austin was an inmate of the parental home until the year in which he came to Illinois. He made the transfer of his in- terests in the month of September, and on coming to the county he located at Geneseo. He had no diffi- culty in obtaining employ as a farm assistant, and soon after his arrival he secured a claim of 80 acres of land on section 27, of township 17 north, range 3 east, now the township of Geneseo. A few years later he built a house on the place, and also im- proved it somewhat. He made an exchange not long after for 119 acres on section 19, in the same township. He retained possession of the latter place but a few months, and in 1852 he entered the south- west quarter of section 23, township 17, range 2, in Edford Township, then designated by the numerals by which its relative position on the charts of the surveyors was known. In 1852 he erected a small house on the place, and in the same year he raised his first crop. He had done some breaking on the place in the year previous. He continued the work of improvement until he had put 135 acres under
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tillage and had built all the structures needed on a farm of that class. He also set out a generous sup- ply of trees of the variety common to the locality both for shade and fruit.
Mr. Austin was married in 1848 to Lucinda C. Bartlett. She was born in Byron Township, Gene- see Co., N. Y. The wife died in 1869, and left one child,-Frederick P. Mr. Austin was a second time married to S. Minerva Simmons. She was born in Galesburg, Knox Co., Ill .. From the second union there was one child,-Fayette E.
Mr. and Mrs. Austin are members of the Congre- gational Church. Mr. Austin is the present Asses- sor of Edford Township, and he has been the incumbent of several other official positions in that division of the county.
August Peterson, a general farmer of sec- tion 26, Western Township, is the owner of a good quarter-section of improved land. He came to this county in 1852 from Warren Co., Pa., where he had lived three years. He is the son of C. J. and Ann L. (Rosenmiller) Peterson, who were natives of Sweden, farmers, and had three children, all born in the old country.
Mr. Peterson, the youngest in the above family, was three years old when the family emigrated to America, settling on a small farm in Warren Co., Pa., in 1849. In 1852, they came to Illinois, settling upon a farm of 80 acres, on section 35, Western Township, where they have since made it their home. Since their location here, two children have been added to the family. August lived at home until 21 years of age, when he struck out into the world for himself, as a common laborer. His first purchase of real estate was 20 acres of land; and, after securing 40 acres from his parents, he pur- chased 20 acres more; and in 1879 he bought 80 acres adjoining, on the same section. His farm is is now well arranged, and in a good tillable condi- tion. The only division is made by a road running throught the premises. By economy and judicious management he has been able to improve his farm and stock, and make them valuable. He is yet unmarried, his sister, Ann M., having been house-
keeping for him since 1869. Mr. Peterson is a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church, for which body he is now a Trustee. In his political doctrines he is a Republican.
ohn C. McNeeley is one of the substantial and enterprising citizens and farmers of the township of Annawan, and takes a well deserved position among the best class of resi- dents in the county. He is the proprietor of 520 acres of land, finely located and under the sort of culture which proves the owner to possess the right quality of judgment and industry to make a success of his operations in the line of agriculture. He came to Henry County in 1852, and has since endeavored to add his contribution to the general well-being of the community to which he belongs.
Mr. McNeeley was born in Jefferson Co., Ind., March 1, 1826. John McNeeley, his father, was a native of the State of Ohio, and was born in 1795. His wife, previous to her marriage with him, Miss Margaret A. Readenbough, was born in 1797. Their marriage took place in 1815. She was a native of the Buckeye State. She bore to her husband 12 children,-James, Sarah Ann, Catherine, Frederick, John, Jeremiah, William H., George, Thomas, Eliza- beth, Samuel and Jacob. The senior McNeeley re- moved in his early life to Indiana, where he died in 1869. The death of his wife transpired in the same State in 1873.
The marriage of Mr. McNeeley to Sarah C. Slaughter was celebrated Oct. 29, 1851. Her birth occurred in Jefferson Co., Ind., Oct. 2, 1827, and she is the daughter of Jeremiah Slaughter. He was a native of the State of New York, where he was born in the year 1788. He was married to Rebecca Logan in 1819. She was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, in 1803. Their children, nine in number, were born in the following order : William Logan, Mary D., Elizabeth J., Martha A., Catherine S., John M., Daniel S., Julia A. and Isabel C. The deaths of the parents of Mrs. McNeeley took place respect- ively in 1872 and 1857. The children who have been added to the household of Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Neeley are named and were born as stated below : Margaret A. was born Aug. 4, 1852; John M., April
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26, 1854; Mary C., Jan. 24, 1856; William H., Jan. 9, 1858; George W., Nov. 6, 1859; Sarah E., July 25, 1861 ; Dora E., March 28, 1863; Emma J., Jan. 18, 1865 ; Charles O., Aug. 25, 1868. George died Sept. 13, 1860.
The estate of Mr. McNeeley is located on section 26. He obtained the title to his land from the Gov- ernment of the United States when the land sales were made. The place is all well cultivated, and the stock with which it is supplied is of excellent quality, and includes a fine herd of thoroughbred Short-horns, of which ten head is registered stock. The horses owned by Mr. McNeeley are three fourths Norman in blood. The farm structures that have been erected by Mr. McNeeley are of a stamp suited to the dimensions of the place and the character of the proprietor.
ohn S. Swensson, Superintendent of the Swedish Orphan Home and Farm School, located on section 18, Andover Township, was born in the village of Andover, Dec. 15, 1858. His father, Jonas Swensson, was a na- tive of Sweden, of old Swedish ancestry, and a farmer by occupation. He was born in 1828, and is now deceased.
After the death of his father, Mr. Jonas Swensson, was educated in the schools of his native country for the ministry, graduating at Upsala, Sweden, in 1850, and being ordained in October, 1851. March 29, 1856, he married Mary Blixt, the daughter of a Swedish soldier. During the same year they came to America, settling in Sugar Grove, Warren Co., Pa., where he followed his calling, also officiating at Jamestown, Chautauqua Co., N. Y. In the fall of 1858 he emigrated to Illinois, locating at Andover, this county, where he took charge of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and retained it until his death, which occurred Dec. 20, 1873. He was interested in the erection of the large new church at Andover, which stands there at the present time, and was the first originator of the Orphan Home at that place. He purchased the land upon which it was located, and devoted his best energies to the interests of the institution until it was fully established. His wife died Aug. 20, 1874, after having become the mother
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