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 59
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Sergeant. When in his 36th year, in 1856, he con- cluded to emigrate to the United States, hoping to better his financial condition in life, and after a voy- age on the briny waters, he landed at New York city. From the latter place he went to Ohio, where he remained about a month, and then came to this county, and has resided here since that time, 1856.
The marriage of Samuel Schwab to Miss Eliza- beth Magley took place in Switzerland in 1852, four years prior to the time that Mr. S. emigrated to this country. Mrs. Schwab was born in Switzerland, Nov. 1, 1817, and has borne her husband two chil- dren,-Elizabeth, born Jan. 3, 1853 ; and Catherine, born Dec. 24, 1856,-the former in Switzerland, and the latter in this country. Mr. Schwab has suc- ceeded by his perseverance and economy in increas- ing his landed interests in this county to 375 acres of good farm land. He has a fine residence on his place, a good barn 60 x 48 feet in dimensions, and, in addition to the cultivation of his land, devotes much of his time to the raising of fine stock. In a religious point of view, he is a believer in the doc -. trines advocated by the Congregational Church. Politically, he votes with the Democratic party.
illiam Kirkland, farmer, residing on sec- tion 5, Clover Township, was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, Sept. 6, 1813. His pa- rents were James and Elizabeth (Anderson) Kirkland, natives of Ireland, who emigrated to the United States from the old country in 1810, and, after their marriage in Philadelphia, came to Ohio, where they purchased land and were en- gaged in the manufacture of cotton cloth. They soon sold out and moved to Indiana, where they again purchased land, which was somewhat improved. The father died there in 1817, and his wife sold out her interest, and with her son William, then only a child, went back to Ohio, on horseback, a distance of 300 miles, where they located and remained until 1855.
William grew to manhood in Morgan Co., Ohio, and at the age of 33 years, having received a good education in the district schools prior to his majority, he was united in marriage. The lady chosen to ac- company him through the stormy trials of the future
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as well as the sunshine, was Miss Hannah Farley. Of their union six children have been born,-Mary A., Lisella, William P., John A., Davis O. and Lloyd G. Mr. Kirkland came to this State with his family and mother, where he located in Boone County, on 100 acres of land which he purchased. He resided there for 18 months, when he sold his property and came to Clover Township, this county, where, the same year of his arrival, he purchased 160 acres, and soon thereafter 80 acres adjoining, and 140 acres on sections 14 and 4, Clover Township, where he at present resides. His mother died at the residence of her son, William, in 1865. Mr. Kirkland is a prom- inent citizen of his township, and, with his wife, is a member of the Christian Church. He has held vari- ous offices within the gift of the people of his town- ship, and is respected for his honest dealings with his fellow-man. Mr. and Mrs. Kirkland have three living children,-Mary A., who is the wife of Martin W. Hiller; Davis O., the husband of Flora Barman ; Lloyd G., who married Lillian Hanna; besides James C., deceased, who was next to the oldest and married.
dward S. Whiting, dealer in agricultural implements and farm machinery, at Ke- wanee, Ill., is a son of Seth and Abigail (Chapin) Whiting, natives of Massachusetts and descendants of the old Puritans, and was born at Chicopee, Mass., June 17, 1884.
His father was born Jan. 1, 1803, married at Springfield, Mass., and in the year 1858 came to Henry County, Ill., and settled upon a farm in Wethersfield Township, where he lived up to 1875, when he moved to Kewanee, in the same county, where he still resides. He accumulated, of his own industry, a handsome property, and enjoyed all his life the reputation of a good citizen and an honest and upright man.
The subject of this sketch was educated at the public schools of Illinois, and at Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College. From the age of 18 to 20 he taught school, and when 21 purchased a farm, and followed agricultural pursuits until the year 1877, when he engaged in his present business. When the Order of the Modern Woodmen of America
opened their organization in Kewanee, Mr. Whiting became their first President, a position held by him at this writing (November, 1885). He is a member of the Congregational Church, and is looked upon as one of its most substantial and consistent supporters. Taking but little interest in politics, he seeks no official preferment; unostentatious in his manner, fair and square in his dealings with all men, Mr. W. may truthfully be written as one of Kewanee's best citi- zens.
He was married at Buda, Bureau Co., Ill., in Jan- uary, 1870, to Miss Lottie Mason, native of New York State, and daughter of Mr. Levi Mason.
wan P. Peterson, a farmer residing on sec- tion 31, Osco Townstip, was born in Swe- den, Oct. 10, 1829. Mr. Peterson passed 20 years of his life in his native country, en- gaged in the occupation of a farmer, and in the summer of 1849 emigrated to the United States. In 1850 he entered a tract of Government land in Andover Township, this county, on which he moved, cultivated and improved until 1872, when he sold his interest in the same, and moved to Osco Township, locating on section 31. The opportu- nities which Mr. P. expected to find in this country for the accumulation of a competency were found, and he is to-day the proprietor of 505 acres of good farm land, the major portion of which is under an advanced state of cultivation. He has a good resi- dence on his farm, together with good out-blildings, and his landed, estates in Henry County, together with his personal possessions, have been accumu- lated through his own indomitable energy, perseve- rance and economy.
Mr. Peterson was married in Rock Island, Ill., Dec. 15, 1853, to Johanna Forsburg, who was born in Sweden, July 16, 1834. She emigrated to the United States when 18 years of age, and has become the mother of II children by her marriage with Mr. Peterson. Their names are as follows: Christine A., Charles H., Augusta M., John A., Frank E., Julia E. William E., Martin J., Vernie A. and Dora T .; Mary E. died when four years old.
Politically, Mr. Peterson votes for the Republican party. He has held the offices of School Director
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and Commissioner of Highways. He and his good wife belong to the Swedish Lutheran Church, and are active and energetic supporters of the tenets of that denomination.
onas Westran, an industrious and ener- getic farmer of Wethersfield Township, re- siding on section 9, was born in Sweden, Nov. 4, 1842. He emigrated to America in 1864, and later came to Henry County, and settled in Wethersfield Township, on a tract of land of 160 acres, all of which is improved and in excellent condition.
In Sweden, May 29, 1864, our subject formed a matrimonial alliance with Christina Erickson, who was also a native of Sweden, born Jan. 8, 1838. Of their union have been born II children, eight of whom survived. The following are their names : John, William, Edmund, Bina, Christine, Emma, Amanda and Jonas.
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illard A. Bowen, enterprising dealer in jewelry and musical instruments, Kewa- nee, Ill., where he located in business in 1878, was born at Albany, N. Y., Aug. 31, 1855. His parents, Prof. Truman H. and Jane (Brown) Bowen, natives of " York State" and of old English extraction, reared a family of five sons and two daughters, the subject of this sketch being fifth in order of birth. Prof. Bowen, now de- ceased, was for many years of his life Professor of Mathematics, Music and the Science of Government in the State Normal University at Albany, N. Y. In 1857 he removed to the State of Iowa, where he laid out the town of Sand Spring, in Delaware County, and there spent the rest of his life, dying in 1880 at the age of 55 years.
After receiving such education as was practicable at the common schools of Iowa, Willard A. Bowen began the trade of watchmaker and jeweler, which he has since followed. He spent about three years and a half in Dubuque, Iowa, and came to Kewanee in 1877. After about eight months'" jourship " with
a Mr. Graham, he set up for himself by opening a small repair shop in a window of what is now the Union National Bank building. From this beginning his present splendid business has grown. All his watches and most of his jewelry are manufactured specially for him, and bear the imprint of his name. His present quarters are in the Merritt Block, Main Street, where he has by far the finest jewelry store ever kept in Kewanee.
Nov. 11,' 1877, he was married in this city to Miss Nellie F. Wright, daughter of B. H. Wright, Esq. (see biography of B. H. Wright) and one of the reigning belles at the time. What Mr. Bowen has of this world's goods he has acquired by industry and effort.
eorge Hachtel, one of the thriving and representative farmers of Henry County, where he resides, on section 17, of Weth- ersfield Township, was born in Germany, April 1, 1835. His parents, John M. and Margaret Hachtel, both died in Germany.
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George, of whom we write, was the eldest son of his father's family, and remained in his native coun- try until 17 years of age, receiving all his education from the schools there. Shortly after his arrival in America, he came to Seneca Co., Ohio, and for about three years worked out, when, at the expiration of that period, he came to Stark Co., Ill. Here he lived until the fall of 1863, and then removed into Henry Country, where he located on his present homestead, since which time he has been a resident of Wethersfield Township. He is the owner of 400 acres of valuable land, all of which is in excellent condition and well equipped, and upon the same he has erected a magnificent residence. He keeps about 60 head of cattle and 12 horses, and fattens annually roo head of hogs.
Mr. Hachtel and Miss Elizabeth S. Sultzer were united in marriage in Wethersfield Township, on the 30th of December, 1863. She is the daughter of Frederick C. and Fredericka (Fritz) Sultzer, natives of Germany. They reside in Kewanee, and Mrs. Hachtel was the eldest of their family of four chil- dren. She was born in St. Louis, Mo., May 19, 1839. Mr. and Mrs. Hachtel's family consists of seven children,-George C. F., Reuben E., George
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L., Nathaniel D., Mary E. and two who died in in- fancy.
Mr. Hachtel has been School Director for six years, and in politics is identified with the Demo- cratic party.
ames Johnston. One of the well known agriculturists of Wethersfield Township is the gentleman whose name heads this no- tice. He was born in Montgomery Co., N. Y., about 1836, and came to Henry County with his parents, James and Ann (McLane) John- ston, when six years old. They settled in Wethers- field Township, and there the mother died. The elder Johnston's demise occurred in La Fayette Township, Stark County.
James, the subject of this biographical notice, was the seventh in order of birth of a family of eight children. He has been a resident of Henry County since boyhood, where he has followed the vocation of farming. At present he is the proprietor of 160 acres, the major portion of which is in an advanced state of cultivation.
Mr. Johnston is yet enjoying a life of single-bless- edness. Politically, he is a believer in and a sup- porter of the principles of the Democratic party.
ric Westerlund, a farmer, residing on sec- tion 28, Osco Township, is a native of Sweden, having been born in that country June 18, 1836. Mr. Westerlund continued to reside in his native country until the fall of 1850, when, at the age of 14 years, he ac- companied his parents across the black deep and landed in America. His mother died on the voy- age, and her grave was the black deep of the ocean. Mr. Westerlund continued to reside with his father, who had located in Andover Township, this county, until he had obtained his majority. On becoming his own man he went forth to fight the battles of life single-handed and alone, and his first work in which he realized a remuneration from others was that of farming. He continued to "work out " for a time, and then purchased 80 acres located on section 28,
Osco Township, upon which he settled, and at once entered vigorously and actively upon the task of im- provement and cultivation, and where he is at pres- ent residing. He has fine improvements upon his farm ; has erected a nice residence and barn, and by economy and energetic labor has increased his landed interests until at present he is the proprietor of 290 acres of good farm land, the larger portion of which is under an advanced state of cultivation. Mr. Westerlund keeps on his farm about 40 head of cattle, 12 head of horses and colts, and fattens from 60 to 100 head of hogs annually, and is meeting with financial success in the vocation which he has fol- lowed all his life, that of agriculture.
Mr. Westerlund was united in marriage at Moline, Ill., Feb. 7, 1857, to Christine Anderson, who was born in Sweden, Jan. 30, 1843, and of their union six children have been born, namely : Sarah E., Emma C., Sophia J., John O., Annie and Julius O. The father and mother are members of the Swedish Lutheran Church. £ In politics Mr. Westerlund affiliates with the Republican party.
bner O. Warner, proprietor of the New Kewanee House, Kewanee, Ill., was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., Feb. 8, 1845, and is the youngest of four sons born to Amos and Polly (Parmalee) Warner, natives of Connect- icut, and descended from the English. The elder Mr. Warner, who was a farmer by occupation in his life-time, died in Oneida County when Abner was about six years of age.
When about ten years old, the subject of our sketch began clerking in a general store at Higgins- ville, N. Y., and from that time on until about 18 years of age, he was a professional "counter jumper," interspersing the service, however, with attendance at the Oneida Seminary. Before he had arrived at the age of 19, he was engaged in a mercantile busi- ness in the city of Buffalo, where he remained for probably six years, closing up his establishment during the non-navigation period, and clerked for various other concerns. Among the many, he spent two winters as clerk at the Drovers' Hotel, Hudson City, N. J. It was probably at the latter place he imbibed his first ideas of hotel-keeping, though, as will be seen, it was many years before he became
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"mine host of ye hotel." From Hudson City, we next find him in the flour and feed business at Springfield, Mass., and from there to Elyria, Ohio, as book-keeper, etc., in a mercantile house, where he remained about six years. He was evidently head- ing for the great West by slow and easy stages, for the next time we meet him he is clerking in a gro- cery store in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1879 he struck Kewanee, and engaged at once in the produce busi- ness, which he followed with considerable success for about three years.
In 1882 his opportunity came, and we find him smilingly welcoming "ye guests" to the old Kewanee House as its landlord. The " New Kewanee" was completed in 1884, and Mr. Warner, who, by the way, is a bachelor, at once fitted it up, and at this writing we find him deservedly the popular man, and running the best kept and equipped hotel on the line of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, be- tween Chicago and Galesburg.
roderick Murchison. Of the many prom- inent well-to-do farmers of Wethersfield Township who are of Scotch nativity, Mr. Roderick Murchison is one of the best known. His farm is located on section 13, and consists of 348 acres of fine, tillable land. He is a son of Finley and Catherine (McLean) Murchison, who were formerly of Scotland, but in 1851 became residents of Henry County. The elder Murchison died in Wethersfield Township July 15, 1872. Mrs. Murchison is now living, in good health, at over 80 years of age. She is grandmother to about 50 chil- dren, also great-grandmother to 15 more. They had a family of 12 children, of whom Roderick was the youngest. He was born before his parents left Scot- land, the date of his birth being July 17, 1849. He was reared and educated n Henry County, being brought here when only two years of age, and has spent his life upon the farm.
Mr. Murchison was married in Galva Township, this county, on New Year's day, 1873. Miss Bessie, daught- er of John and Flora (McRae) Cameron, was the bride. Her parents came to America in 1849, and three years later located in Stark Co., Ill. They subsequently moved to Henry County, but in 1883 went to Iowa.
Mrs. M. was the second of a family of five children, and was born in Stark Co., Ill., Sept. 20, 1854. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Murchison, to whom they have given the following names : Finley A., John C., Flora A. C., Nora L. and Nettie J. Mrs. M. is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
kavid Patty, deceased, formerly residing in Walnut Grove Township, Knox County,
wood this State, was born Aug. 12, 1827, in County Down, Ireland. The Patty family were of Scotch extraction, the ancestors of the same having emigrated to Ireland during the re- ligious persecutions in Scotland, and settling in the northern portion of that country. David Patty was a son of Thomas and Mary (Watson) Patty, whose parents were natives of Scotland. Thomas Patty, father of the subject of this notice, together with his wife and eight children, moved from the Green Isle to the Isle of Man, where the father and mother both died. The parents of the mother were Protestants in Ireland, and were persecuted by the Catholics, and, to avoid persecution, also emigrated to the Isle of Man.
David Patty, the subject of this sketch, grew to manhood on the Isle of Man. His younger years, prior to the age of 18, were passed on the farm. On arriving at that age in life, he went to Liverpool, Eng., where he became a member of the Liverpool Police, and was occupied in that vocation for four years. He was united in marriage, at that metropo- lis, to Miss Margaret Kermode, who was born Feb. 16, 1824, on the Isle of Man. She went to Liver- pool with her father, seven years before her marriage. Her father died in 1868, in Knox County, this State. Her mother's name was Ann Kione, who died on the Isle of Man, in 1833, having been born there in 1796. She had three children, two of whom are de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Patty, soon after their mar- riage, emigrated to the United States, and located at Brimfield, this State, where he was foreman for J. M. Wiley, who conducted a large farm for four years. Mr. Wiley came to Lynn Township, Knox County, and farmed there one year. He then removed to wel- ler Towhship, and after seven years' farming, he went to Walnut Grove Township, Knox County, and lived there four years, until his death, which occurred in
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November, 1868. The year before his death he had purchased 80 acres of land on section 35, Galva Township, this county, where his family now reside, and to which they removed the spring after his death. He was the father of five children,-Mary E., de- ceased ; Mrs. Eliza A. Riner; Wesley D., now re- siding on the old homestead ; Frank A., deceased, aged seven years ; Julia E., deceased, aged 20 years, and the wife of Arthur Aby.
' Mrs. Patty is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. Wesley D. is engaged in conducting the old homestead, on section 35, Galva Township, with whom his mother is at present residing. He is meeting with success in his chosen vocation, agri- culture, and politically is identified with the Prohibi- tion party.
oseph Robb. It was not until about 1854 that some of the best land in Illinois was made accessible to the settlers. At that time the old Military Tract Railroad was com- pleted from Mendota to Galesburg, which, with its extensions north to Chicago and in all directions to Quincy, Burlington and Peoria, opened up the magnificent district known as the Military Tract. Among those to come in and take advantage of the situation was Joseph Robb, who now resides upon an excellent farm of 240 acres of land on sec- tion 27, of Wethersfield Township.
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He was born in Ireland, March 5, 1825, and came to America with his parents, Nathan and Eleanor (Monteith) Robb, in 1832. They first settled in Franklin Co., N. Y., where they lived until 1853, when they came to Stark Co., Ill. They subsequently moved to Little Rock, Ark., where they died. Joseph lived at home until 26 years of age, when for two years longer he lived in Stark County, and the fol- lowing year he passed in Marshall Co., Ill. He then, in 1855, came to Henry County and made a perma- nent settlement, and has been successful in his call- ing. He has taken great interest in the local affairs of his township, and has served as Assessor, Com- missioner of Highways, Constable and School Di- rector. Politically, he is a Republican. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church.
Mr. Robb was married in Marshall Co., Ill., May
20, 1853, to Martha J., daughter of Samuel B. and Rachel (Hornmett) Mclaughlin. Mrs. Robb was born in Peoria Co., Ill., March 9, 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Robb have seven children living, viz .: Clara J., Samuel I., Rachel E., Mary L., Eva J., Ethel A. and Joseph M. The deceased are Lewis A., Elmer L. and Mabel B.
eorge Winters. One of Henry County's prosperous, energetic and respected citi- zens is Mr. George Winters, who is en- gaged in agricultural pursuits on section 24 of Cornwall Township. He was born in Lin- colnshire, England, in the year 1832, and re- mained in his native country until he attained the age of 25 years, when he concluded to emigrate to the New World, the land of possibilities, and on the 16th of July, 1858, Mr. Winters arrived in Annawan, this county. In 1867 he made a purchase of 280 acres of land on his present site, where he and his family have since resided. Mr. Winters entered vigorously and actively upon the improvement of his land and it is now under a high state of cultivation. He has erected upon his farm a frame house and all neces- sary outbuildings, and has quite a desirable home, with all modern conveniences.
He was married before his emigration to the Uni- ted States, on the 13th of May, 1858, the lady chosen for his companion being Miss Mary Gash. Of their union one son, William R., was born March 1, 1860. Religiously, Mr. W. is liberal in his opinions, and po- litically is a Republican.
eth H. Moon is a citizen of the township of Annawan and belongs to the farming portion of the community of Henry Coun- ty. He is located on section 10, where he is the owner of 156 acres of land, on which he has been occupied in the pursuit of mixed husbandry. He was born in Yorkshire, England, and came to the United States in his infancy with with his parents. His father, Steven Moon, settled in the township of Annawan in 1853, and reared his family there on the home estate.
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Mr. Moon married Margaret A. McNeely Feb. 23, 1876. She was born in Henry County Aug. 4, 1852. To their household have been added three children, whose births occurred in the following order : Ar- thur C., Jan. 25, 1877 ; Iva D., Sept. 30, 1878; Ray- mond C., April 8, 1881 ..
The farm of Mr. Moon is desirably located, ad- joining the town plat of the village of Annawan, and has on it an excellent dwelling with other suitable and necessary farm buildings. He is a Republican in his political connections and opinions. He has served the township in which he resides in the ca- pacity of Highway Commissioner for eight years past, and has also held the office of School Di- rector. He has been Assessor of Annawan Town- ship three years and has filled the position of Post- master two years.
B ḷlazy Schmitt, a farmer on section 4, Alba Township, came to Henry County in 1853. He bought 40 acres of land, on which he proceeded to apply the habits he had formed in his native country, and with such good judgment and industrious application that he · is now the owner of 311 acres, which is in excellent condition for prosperous farming. He is a native of Alsace, France, one of the provinces that have been recovered from the French by the German armies within a few years past and where the people were in the habit of using the German language, which is still spoken by the members of the Schmitt family.
Mr. Schmitt was born Feb. 7, 1822, and came to the United States in 1849. He landed at New York and located in Pennsylvania, where he was a resi- dent three years. He came thence, as has been stated, and has since been one of the best and most respected of the citizens of his township. He was married in February, 1852, to Mary Schorter, and they have four children. William is the husband of Eliza Smith. John, George and Josephine are un- married. Mrs. Schmitt was born in the same part of the country as her husband, March 16, 1830. She had a brother, a half-sister and a half brother. Jo- seph Schorter is deceased, as is her half-brother, Lourin Metz. Josephine Metz is still living.
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