Portrait and biographical album of Henry County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 54

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 850

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of seven children, six sons and one daughter ; three of the former are deceased. The living are: Carl A., who is married and resides in Lindsborg, Mc- Pherson Co., Kan., where he is a minister of the Swedish Lutheran Church ; the second is the subject of this sketch ; Anna M., who married Eben Carlson, a druggist, and resides at Lindsborg, Kan .; Petrus L., who lives also at Lindsborg.

Mr. John S. Swensson resided at his parental home until the death of his father, and two years later he entered the Swedish Institute at Rock Island City, where he studied about three years ; then, in 1879, he went to Lindsborg, where he was engaged as a clerk in a hardware store for a year, and where he began teaching in the Swedish schools. In Janu- ary, 1882, he assumed full control of the Orphan Home, a fuller account of which is given towards the close of this volume. Mr. S. has been a skillful and judicious Superintendent. He has been credited even with raising the home above the general aver- age, if possible, of the previous years of its history. He also owns an equal interest in a half section of land in Garfield Township, Pawnee Co., Kan. In his political sentiments he is, like nearly all the Swedish population of this country, a Republican.

April 26, 1883, Mr. S. was married, in Andover, to Miss Mary E. C. Olsson, who was born at Hultsjo, Sweden, May 27, 1860. Her parents were Andrew and Johanna (Blixt) Olsson. Her mother died in this country in 1867, very shortly after her arrival here. She came to the Orphan Home in 1871, as an inmate and student, where she remained until her marriage.

A ndrew P. Lawson, engaged in agriculture and the rearing of live stock, and residing on section 7, Western Township, was born in the central part of Sweden, May 25, 1824. His parents were Lewis Gustavson and Line Johnson, natives also of that portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, were farmers and lived to be advanced in age, and both died in their native land,-the father when about 74 years old and the mother when nearly 80.

Mr. Andrew P. Larson, the eighth in a family of eleven children, resided with his parents, working upon the farm, until he was 21 years of age, when he was married, in March, 1845, to Miss Anna Soberger.

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She was the daughter of a Swedish brick mason, and died in her native country Dec. 25, 1848, three years after her marriage. By that marriage there was one child, John A., who came to America with his father in 1856; and about 1860, when he was 20 years old, he was accidentally drowned while bathing in Green River, near Colona, this county. Mr. Lawson was married a second time in his native country in Au- gust, 1849, to Betty Johnson, and a year afterward they emigrated to this country, and for the first two years resided in Swedona, Mercer Co., Ill., removing thence to Western Township, this county, where they afterward purchased 80 acres of land on section 7, and still later 80 acres more. His present aggre- gate of 160 acres is all under good methods of culti- vation.

Mr. Lawson's second wife died in the fall of 1874, after having become the mother of four children, one of whom died in infancy. The record now stands : Charles P. married Mary Olsen and resides in Orion ; Gustav was united in marriage with Hannah W. Carlson, who came from Sweden, her native land, in 1875. Gustav is the manager of the home farm, and he and his brother are also extensive grain-threshers. His children are Edward, Mabel, Arthur and a de- ceased infant. Albert, unmarried and residing with his brother, is the third child by Mr. Lawson's sec- ond marriage.

The family are members of the Evangelical Lu- theran Church, in which society Mr. L. has been Trustee.

Mr. Lawson started the town of Crampton, and erected the building where the postoffice is kept, giving it the name it now holds. Charles P. was the first Postmaster and Gustav is now Assistant Post- master at this place. The family are all strong Re- publicans.

olomon Minard. The subject of the fol- lowing personal sketch, who resides in Annawan, is one of the most respected and best known citizens of Henry County. He is a large land-owner, and for many years an ac- tive and extensive farmer, but at present is living the quiet and easy life of a retired farmer in the village of Annawan.

He was born in Upper Canada, Feb. 14, 1814.

Here he was reared, educated and remained a sub- ject of the British Government until 1836. At that time, in order to enjoy the better advantages offered by our Government, that he might feel free to think and act for himself, and to rear his family where they might enjoy the better and free institutions of learning, he came to the United States. He located at LaPorte, Ind., where he remained a year, when he came to the then little village of Chicago and spent another year. At the time he lived there, John Swigley was Sheriff of Cook County, and he offered to sell to Mr. Minard, and make a good title to, the ground upon which the Sherman House now stands for a span of horses. The situation was so unfavor- able, and the outlook for a city of any considerable size ever being built there in the swamp so gloomy, that he declined to accept the offer. Finding noth- ing of interest or profit at Chicago, after remaining there a year he moved to La Salle County and was one of the early pioneers of that section of the State. He took an active part in the construction of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, which at that early day was supposed to be the only means of transportation. He built lock No. 13, and after remaining there six years, during which time he superintended nearly all the public works on that part of the Canal, he left and came to Henry County. He arrived here in 1850 and entered 160 acres of land where the village of Annawan now stands. He sold this to Charles . Atkinson, who laid off the town. Mr. Minard was one of the early settlers in this part of the country, and of course suffered many of the inconveniences and hardships that befall the early settler in a new country. He frequently met Shabbona, the Indian Chief and friend of the white man. This celebrated Indian character was highly esteemed and well known by the pioneers in this portion of Illinois, and they always love to talk of his many kindnesses to the whites and relate incidents connected with him.

Mr. Minard and Miss Mary Burrow were united in marriage in 1845. Mrs. Minard was born Jan. 22, 1822, in Randolph Co., N. C. Of the seven chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Minard, all are deceased. Mr. Minard's parents, George and Elizabeth Minard, were natives of the Eastern States. The father was born near Bellows Falls, Vt., and died at Annawan, in 1864. The mother was born on the Mohawk River, N. Y., and survived her husband five years, also dying in Annawan.

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Mr. Minard, the subject of this sketch, owns 600 acres of good and improved land in Annawan Town- ship. He has served his township in the various local official positions, and politically is a Republican. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which Mr. Minard has been connected for 28 years.

eorge T. Melvin is a farmer of repute in the Township of Munson and came to Henry County in 1862. He was born Dec. 2, 1825, in Readfield, Kennebec Co., Me., and is the son of Benjamin and Eliza (Sargent) Melvin. His parents were of New Hampshire birth and were descendants of the Scotch-Irish who came from Londonderry, Ireland, and settled at Dunbarton, N. H. The posterity of that sturdy, frugal, honorable race, scattered through- out all portions of the United States and worthily represent the spirit of their ancestors who twice abandoned their homes to secure freedom of con- science, and they form one of the most reliable ele- ments of our mixed nationality. The parents of Mr. Melvin were born in Chester, Rockingham Co., N. H.

Until he was 18, Mr. Melvin was a member of the family of his father and was the assistant of the latter in the duties of the homestead farm. In 1843 he went to the city of Boston to learn the details of the business of a builder. He engaged with a firm of good repute and remained under their manage- ment two years, receiving $to a month. He went thence to Cambridgeport and obtained a situation in a car shop. He operated there a year and then went into a repair shop in the service of the Fitch- burg Railroad, situated at Charleston. Six months later he went to Portsmouth, N. H., and after work- ing there six months he went to Laconia in the same State and was employed in the car-shops of the Ramlets until 1857. In that year he came to Illi- nois. He located at Rock Island, where he had charge of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Rail- road repair shops five years.

In 1862 he came to Munson Township and en- gaged in farming. In 1864 he bought a tract of unimproved land on section II in that township and

has devoted his energies to its cultivation. The ap- pearance of the place does the utmost credit to his sense, industry and judgment. He has given his un- divided attention to the business pertaining to mixed husbandry. The entire farm comprises 228 acres and is under improvements of the best character.

Mr. Melvin was married June 1, 1851, to Miss Lucy A. Fox, who was born in Center Harbor, N. H., March 4, 1832, and died at their home in Munson Township, April 26, 1884. She was a lineal de- scendant of the Worcesters and Chases, two New England families who have done much to place our country in its present advanced position. Inheriting those sterling qualities from such an ancestry, she won the love and respect of all. A true wife, a noble mother and a dear friend, her loss was irre- parable to her family and deeply mourned by a large circle of friends. They had two children : Frank S., born May 6, 1854, in Belknap Co., N. H. He was married in Geneseo, Henry Co., Ill., Dec. 17, 1884, to Eva J., daughter of Bradbury H. and Sophia C. Thomas, natives of Maine, but now residing in Illinois. He is an esteemed citizen of Munson and for four years has been elected member of the Town Board. (See sketch.) Fred H., the youngest son, was born April 4, 1861, at Rock Island, Ill. He married Alice, daughter of Major Albert and Louise Mckinney, at Owatonna, Steele Co., Minn., Aug. 21, 1884. The sons are both engaged in farming in Munson Township, this county.

eorge Wolf, engaged as a farmer on section 32, Annawan Township, is a native of Ohio, where he was born, in Knox County, Jan. 13, 1828. His father, George Wolf, was born April 1, 1782, in Pennsylvania, and married Miss Sarah Enlow in 1804. She was born in the Keystone State, in 1787, and died in Henry County, March 31, 1855. George Wolf, Sr., lived to a very advanced age, and died in Henry County, March 7, 1884.

George Wolf, of this sketch, was reared and edu- cated in his State, and in the autumn of 1853 he came to Illinois and located upon the farm where he is now living. Shorly after his arrival here, and be- lieving that it was not good for man to live alone, he was united in marriage with Miss Barbara Ann

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Heaps, daughter of one of the well known pioneers of Henry County. The officiating clergyman was the Rev. Mr. Baker, of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Cambridge. Mrs. Wolf was born in Lan- caster Co., Pa., June 15, 1837, and while a little child was brought to Adams Co., Ill., her parents having located near Quincy. Four years later, Wm. G. Heaps, her father (see sketch), moved to Rock Co., Wis., where he settled near Beloit. After remaining there for 18 months, they came to this county, where they have since made their home.

George and Barbara Wolf are the parents of three children, all of whom are living: William P., the eldest, was born Sept. 13, 1857 ; Sarah, May 3, 1860; Hiram M., Sept. 11, 1862. Mr. Wolf has an excel- lent farm of 240 acres in Annawan Township, upon which is located a good farm dwelling 27 x 56 feet in size, and farm buildings of good quality. He is what is termed a general fariner, but gives some at- tention to raising Poland-China hogs and Short-horn cattle. He is one of the progressive and enterpris- ing farmers of the township. Politically, he is a Democrat, and his wife is religiously a Baptist.

orman Johnson. This gentleman is one of the prominent young agriculturists of Henry County. He resides upon section 29, Annawan Township, where he has an excel- lent 240-acre farm .. He was born in this county, Nov. 3, 1855, and until he reached his 2 Ist year remained under the parental roof. During the meantime he attended the district schools and as- sisted his father at farm work. He not only acquired a fair education but became thoroughly versed in practical agriculture, which has enabled him to bring his farm to a high state of cultivation and manage it profitably. He has upon the place a nice story-and- a-half brick dwelling, 30 X 30 feet in size, with a barn 26 x 30 feet, an excellent orchard and a good herd of graded Short-horns. He has also excellent horses and mules and fine Poland-China hogs. Politically, he is identified with the Republican party.

On the 19th of February, 1878, Mr. Johnson and Miss Rachel Moon were united in, marriage, the Rev. B. Wagner, of the United Brethren Church, officiat- ing. Mrs. Johnson is a daughter of one of the old

and respected pioneers of Annawan Township. Her parents were Thomas and Ann Moon, the latter of whom is living in that township, and a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Johnson was born in Bureau Co., Ill., Jan. 5, 1861, and has become the mother of four children : Ly- ford M., born Sept. 1, 1880; Norman E., Sept. 10, J881, and Ralph Elmer, March 9, 1884. James Clinton, born March 19, 1879, was the eldest, and died in infancy.

ndrew G. Larson, general farmer and stock-raiser, on section 9, Western Town- ship, was born in Linkoping, Sweden, March 28, 1835. His father, Lars Swenson, also a native of Sweden and a farmer, married Beaty . Hokins, who was also born in the same place. They both passed all their lives in Sweden, he dying over 80 years of age.

Of the seven children in the above family, the sub- ject of this sketch was the second. The five younger are living and are all married but one; two are liv- ing in America. Andrew lived at home until he was 18 years of age, when he engaged as a general la- borer upon a farm. A year afterward, in 1854, he came alone to America, locating first in the city of Rock Island. He soon commenced to work in that vicinity as a brick manufacturer, and was also a farm hand for some time in this county. After his mar- riage, in 1859, he settled upon an 80-acre farm in Lynn Township, this county, to which he added 120 more, and improved the same and resided there until the spring of 1880. He then came to Western Township, where he purchased 100 acres, and to which he has since added by purchase 160 acres. He has now an aggregate of 260 acres, most of which is judiciously improved, his farm being one of the best in the township. Mr. Larson has been very successful as an agriculturist, and he is also highly esteemed by the community in which he resides. He. has held the office of Road Commissioner and Town- ship Collector ; has also been a Deacon in the Swe- dish Lutheran Church, and he is now holding the office of Trustee and Treasurer in that religious body.

Mr. Larson was married at Andover, this county, Dec. 28, 1859, to Miss Helena S. Larson, who was born in Central Sweden, in April, 1836. Her parents,

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Jonas Larson and Anna Larson, came to America about 1857, settling first in Geneseo, and afterward In Lynn Township, this county, where they spent the remainder of their days, being very aged at the time of their death. Mrs. Larson, the wife of Andrew G., died at her home in Lynn Township in 1879, leav- ing seven children, named Ida M., Emma S., Anna B., Oscar, Clara A., Francis A. and Victor H. Henry and Augusta are deceased. Mrs. L. was also a member of the Swedish Lutheran Church.

illiam Wayne. Among the respected farmers of Western Township is classed the subject of the following sketch. He devotes his time and attention to general farming, and resides on section 9. He was born in the city of Philadelphia, April 1, 1827. His father, William Wayne, Sr., was also a native of the Quaker city, and a lineal descendant of the fa- mous soldier, Anthony Wayne, and came from an old New England family of English extraction on both sides. William, Senior, was a hardware merchant in the great city during his life-time, and was an earnest, hard worker and prominent in the business affairs of the city. He was married in Philadelphia, to Miss Rebecca Walker, who came from Lumberton, N. J. Her father was a millwright, and of New Eng- land ancestry, and a descendant of the old Quaker families of that State, and the parents of the subject of our sketch inherited the same religious inclina- tions. His mother died in Philadelphia when Wil- liam was only about six years of age. He continued to reside with his father, and received his schooling under a private tutor. Remaining at home until he reached his majority, he was married at Philadelphia and started out as an agriculturist. The maiden name of the lady, who thus signified her desire to share with him his fortunes and misfortunes, was Miss Edith Blackfan. She was born in Chester Co., Pa., was the daughter of a physician, and was reared and educated at home. After having borne two children, Eliza, now deceased, and Mary E., now of Philadel- phia, the wife died in that city.

After the death of his wife, Mr. Wayne came to Illinois and secured an unimproved farm in Western Township. At the time the tract of land consisted

of 160 acres, which he has since put in a good state of cultivation, and fairly supplied with the necessary farm buildings, and where he has since resided. His success as a farmer is best told by stating that, be- sides the excellent farm upon which he lives, he owns an entire section of land in Sedgwick Co., Kan., some of which has been well improved.

Mr. Wayne celebrated his second marriage in Osco Township, this county, Dec. 2, 1856. His second wife was Sarah E. Leibee, a daughter of George and Margaret (Deem) Leibee. Her parents were formerly from Middleton, Butler Co., Ohio, where Mrs. Wayne was born, March 9, 1835, and where she was reared and educated. She came with her parents to Illi- nois in 1856. They located in Osco Township, where her marriage to Mr. Wayne was shortly afterward celebrated. She is the mother of four children, all of whom are living, and a record of whom is as fol- lows : George H. married Hattie Jones, and resides at Orion, where Mr. W. is engaged in the mercantile business; Margaret L. is the wife of Edward Duf- field, a farmer of Western Township; Clara J. mar- ried Henry Crampton, and resides in Orion ; Charles resides with his parents at home. Mr. W. has held the minor offices of his township, and politically is a Republican.

A ndrew P. F. Gustafson, dealer in agricult- ural implements, wagons, carriages, etc., at Lynn Center, Lynn Township, this county, was born in Chicago, Sept. 28, 1855. His father, C. G. Gustafson, was a native of Sweden, and a blacksmith by trade. He was married in his native country, to Miss Anna L. New- quist, a native also of Sweden. Just after their mar- riage in their native country, realizing that better op- portunities were afforded in the United States for the accumulation of property, and hoping to better their condition in this country, they emigrated, arriving at and locating in Chicago. In that city they beeame the parents of two children, John G. A. and Andrew. In 1856 they came from Chicago to this county, where two more sons were born to them, Frank O. and Charles W. At present they are residing at An- dover, where they are living in retirement.

Andrew P. F., subject of this biographical notice, resided at home, where he assisted the father and at-

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tended the district schools, receiving a good English education. He was united in marriage in Lynn Township, this county, June 3, 1881, with. Miss So- phia M. Gran. She was the daughter of John Carl- son and Anna L. (Johnson) Carlson, and the reason of a discrepancy in names is attributed to the fact that Mrs. G. prior to her emigration to this country had her name changed from Carlson to Gran. She was born in Sweden, Sept. 11, 1858, and was but 12 years of age when her father died. She emigrated to this country in company with her brother, John F., in 1875, locating in Lynn Township, this county. She afterward lived in Moline City, where she was engaged in domestic labor, at the residence of Uncle Charlie Gran, whose name she had adopted until her marriage. Her mother is at present residing in Lynn Township, with her daughter and son.

Mr. and Mrs. Gustafson are the parents of two children,-Annie S., born March 24, 1882, and Ern- est F., born July 4, 1884. The latter died Aug. 29, 1884. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Gustafson lived on the parental homestead of 120 acres, in Andover Township. In the spring of 1885 they came to Lynn Center, where Mr. Gustafson established his present business, in which he has met with signal success. He owns his stock and building, 40 x 55 feet in di- mensions, with three lots and a good residence. He and his wife are members ef the Swedish Lutheran Church. Politically, he is identified with the Re- publican party.

K. Dyson, cashier of the Bank of Wood- hull, was born in Medina Co., Ohio, Sept. 16, 1856, and is the son of John W. and Arethusa M. (King) Dyson, who were natives respectively of England and New York State. His father was a wagon-maker and carriage manufacturer for many years, sold out in 1867, moved to Galva, this county, and is now a resident of that place. The subject of this sketch received a liberal education at the public schools, and at the age of 16 years left home, and for three and a half years was engaged in a store at Galva; then for two years was general clerk in the postoffice at that place ; next for nearly two years he was an employee in Beck's Bank at Galva; then was a book-keeper for

two years in Butters & Ober's agricultural store; and in 1878 he came to Woodhull and took charge of the books in the Farmers' Bank for 15 months; then for a time he was with H. Higgins, in partnership with whom he purchased the Farmers' Bank, and con- ducted the same for a year. Mr. Higgins then sold his interest to the firm of Howell, Woods & Co., April 1, 1880, since which time they have managed the business of the concern.

Mr. Dyson was married Sept. 16, 1879, to Miss Carrie L. Rayley, a native of Ohio. Mr. D. is a Republican in his political sentiments, and both himself and wife are members of the Presbyterian . Church, he holding the offices of Elder and Deacon. He holds the office of Township Treasurer, and is one of the leading men of Woodhull, known to be philanthropic, public-spirited and ever ready to lend a helping hand to every movement calculated to be a public benefit.

ackson Deets, general farmer and stock- raiser, residing on section II, Andover Township, was born in Canal Township, Venango Co., Pa., Feb. 7, 1835. His parents were Joseph and Sallie (Cousins) Deets, both natives of Pennsylvania and of German de- scent. Joseph Deets, the father of our subject, followed the occupation of a farmer until his death and was a soldier in the War of 1812. He and his wife were members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, but are both now deceased.

Jackson Deets, whose name heads this article, was one of 15 children of his parents' family, and remained under the parental roof-tree until his mar- riage, which occurred in his native township, Oct. 20, 1859, the lady with whom he was united being Miss Sarah A. Foster, born in the same county and township, April 25, 1838. Her parents were of Scotch ancestry and farmers by occupation. Mrs. D. was reared on her father's farm, and remained at home until her marriage, when she and her husband came West, about 10 days after their marriage, loca- ting on a farm which he rented in Mercer Co., Ill. About four years later, Mr. D., our subject, made a purchase of 140 acres of land in Knox Co., Ill., where he resided for seven years, in the meantime

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putting his farm under excellent cultivation. At the end of this period he sold out his possessions in that county, and came to Andover Township, Henry County, at which place he made a purchase of 180 acres of land on sections 11 and 14. This he has made his permanent home, residing on the same since its purchase, the condition of which is well improved, and is excellent farming land. He has increased his landed possessions until at the present time they consist of 400 acres, which are divided into three parts, the divisions being the roads only. His house is a fine, large structure, and besides this he has fine, first-class barn and outbuildings. He is the owner of 1,400 acres of land in Nebraska, 500 of which is improved and in prime condition for agri- cultural or grazing purposes.

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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 54

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