Portrait and biographical album of Henry County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 60

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

USA > Illinois > Henry County > Portrait and biographical album of Henry County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 60

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Mr. Schmitt is a fine sample of the best grade of his countrymen and represents the courtesy and high-bred civility of the race to which he belongs. The family are Catholics.

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enry Scott, a resident of section 14, Weth- ersfield Township, and one of the energetic and prosperous farmers of Henry County, is a son of Andrew and Ellen (Mitchell) Scott, natives of Scotland, where they remained all their lives, their death occurring in the old country.

Henry, our subject, was born in Scotland, Sept. 19, 1814, and was the second in order of birth in a family of five children. In 1840 he emigrated to the United States, being then 25 years of age, and for ten years engaged in working at the shoemaker's trade, in New York City, which he had learned in the country of his nativity. About the year 1849, he went to California in search of gold, but, not meet- ing with satisfactory success, remained only about two years and again returned to New York city, where he lived for one year. His health having been impaired while in California, he returned to Scotland for the purpose of recuperating, and also to visit the scenes of his boyhood. In the summer of 1855 we find him tilling a farm in Elmira Township, Stark Co., Ill., which he had purchased and where he lived for about six years. At the end of that time, finding better facilities for farming in this county, he made a change of his location to section 14 of Wethersfield Township. Here he erected good farm buildings, and brought his place to a high state of cultivation. He owns 160 acres of good tillable land here.

Mr. Scott and Miss Catherine Rutherford were married in Wethersfield Township, in February, 1869. Mrs. Scott was born Dec. 5, 1829, and is a daughter of George and Jane (Rutherford) Rutherford, who were born, lived and died in Scotland. Mrs. Scott had previously been the wife of Thomas Trumbull, who died in Wethersfield Township, April 20, 1853. Thomas Trumbull, her only child by this marriage, now lives in Nebraska. Mrs. Scott came to America when 22 years of age, and by her present marriage is the mother of two children,-Jane R. and Ella M.

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Jane is the wife of Thomas F. Oliver, a farmer of Wethersfield Township; and Ella, the wife of Wm. E. Scott, of Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Scott are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church, and he affiliates with the Republican party.

hristopher G. Taylor, Secretary of the Kewanee Wagon Company, was born in Yorkshire, Eng., Jan. 16, 1840, and came to America in 1852. His parents, George and Esther (Grundell) Taylor, also of York- shire, reared four sons and one daughter, Christopher being the eldest of the five. Arriving in the United States, the family repaired at once to Newark, N. J., and there lived up to 1854, removing thence to Janesville, Wis., and in 1856 to Kewanee. Here the two old people died, Mr. Taylor in Decem- ber, 1884, at the age of 73, and his relict in June, 1883, aged about 75 years.

The subject of this sketch began the wagon-mak- er's trade when about 20 years of age, and with the exception of a year or two milling has followed it ever since. He was with the O'Brien Manufacturing Company, and at the organization of the Kewanee Wagon Company was made its secretary.

obert P. Booth, a farmer located on sec- tion 24, in the township of Annawan, was born in Yorkshire, England, March 21, 1846. He came with his parents to America when but a lad, and they settled in Henry County, Ill. He became a resident of Henry County in 1854 and in 1879 he bought the farm on which he is now prosecuting the business which he chooses as a life occupation. He was married to Helen Moon Feb. 26, 1870, by Rev. Charles Daw. son, of the Primitive Methodist Church. They have had five children, of whom one is deceased. Mrs. Booth was born Nov. 3, 1853, in Henry County. Their children were born in the order in which their names are here given : Ida, Jan. 1, 1871 (died Sept. 11, 1876); Martha D., March 21, 1873 ; Minerva M., Feb. 17, 1875; Lawrence E., July 6, 1878; Robert Ray, Nov. 6, 1884. Mr. Booth is one of the indus-

trious and frugal members of the community of the township in which he lives and is managing his property according to the most approved methods of modern farming. His cattle is of the Short-horn graded variety, and the swine on the place are of Poland-China blood. His horses are principally three-fourths Normans. The value of his estate is increased by a stream of living water which trav- erses the fields. The farm includes 240 acres, all being under excellent cultivation The fruit on the place comprises apples, cherries and a variety of small fruit.

mzi A. Crane, owner of 360 acres of land, located on section 22, Osco Township, is a son of Elias and Esther (Maxwell) Crane, natives of New Jersey, where they married, settled and lived until their deaths. They were the parents of six children, John, Mary A., Phebe, Susan M., Elias M. and Amzi A.

The subject of this sketch was born in Union Co., N. J., Nov. 6, 1829, and his early life, until the age of 2 1 years, was passed on his father's farm and in attending school. He then obtained a position in New York city in a grocery and provision store, in which he remained about eight months, when, on account of ill health, he came on a visit to the West, and being pleased with the country determined to make his home here. He then returned East and in a few months again came West, this time for a permanent settlement. In the spring of 1853 he came to Henry County, where he has since lived. He first purchased 160 acres on section 22, Osco Township, where he has erected fine buildings and is now the proprietor of 360 acres, most of which is under a high state of cultivation. He keeps from Ioo to 200 head of Hereford cattle, six horses, and fattens about 25 head of hogs annually.

Amzi A. Crane was married in Trivoli, Peoria Co., Ill., Sept. 13, 1854, to Emeline C. Potter, daughter of Elias and Ann (Crane) Potter, natives of New Jer- sey, where they married and settled ; in 1831 they re- moved to Peoria Co., Ill., where they lived until about 1867 ; then they removed to Farmington, Ful- ton Co., Ill., where they now reside. Mr. and Mrs. Potter are the parents of four children,-Susan E.,

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Emeline C., Mary C., Louisa A. Emeline C. (Mrs. Crane, wife of our subject) was born in New Jersey, July 24, 1835. Mr. and Mrs. Crane are the parents of three children,-Franklin P., born July 9, 1855 ; Hattie M., born March 1, 1859; and Anna E., born August 1, 1861 .. Franklin P. resides in Kansas City, engaged in the stock business, is the husband of Nellie May, a native of Mercer Co., Ill., and Min- nie B., their daughter. Hattie M. is the wife of How- ard H. Smith and resides in Osco Township and is the mother of one child, Clarence C., born June 2, 1885 ; and Anna E. resides with her parents in Osco Township.

Mr. Crane has held the office of Supervisor three terms, Township Treasurer 15 years, Township As- sessor and other minor offices. Mr. and Mrs. C. are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is identified with the Republican party.

A lexander Rule. This gentleman, though born across the ocean, was one of the early pioneers of Henry County. He has given his life's efforts to agricultural pursuits, and has a fine farm on section 24, of Wethersfield Township. He was born in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, Oct. 21, 1820, and passed most of his time in that country, until 1845, when he emigrated to America.

In that early day he found his way to Henry County, where he located when but few of the sturdy pioneers had arrived within its borders. He has since made this his home. His parents were Alex- ander and Jane (Reed) Rule, and of their eight chil- dren the subject of this sketch was the youngest. Alexander enjoyed only limited advantages for an education, but made good use of them. Mr. Rule experienced the hardships that fall to the lot of all settlers in a new country. He went to work with a will, however, and has not only been successful from a business point, but has also exerted a good in- fluence in the community ; and has not only done considerable towards developing the material re- sources of the county, but also much toward elevat- ing the moral status of the community. He owns a farm of 240 acres, most of which is tillable. Upon this he has a fine large residence and splendid farm

buildings. He also owns 40 acres in Stark County. In politics he is identified with the Republican party, and his wife and two daughters are members of the United Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Rule was married in Elmira Township, Stark Co., Ill., May 30, 1848, to Beatrice Oliver, who was born in Scotland, March 13, 1818. Her parents were Thomas and Margaret (Fife) Oliver. She was the third of a family of ten children. Maggie and Eliza J. are the names of the two children reared by Mr. and Mrs. Rule. The latter is the wife of Peter Hyer.

ohn Nightingale, merchant and Post- master at Morristown, this county, is a native of England, in which country he was born Aug. 7, 1830, and there resided until he reached his 20th year, following the occupa- tion of a tailor, which trade he had learned after an apprenticeship of seven years.

In 1851 Mr. Nigtingale emigrated to the United States, and lived near Rome, N. Y., where he fol- lowed his trade for some eight years. Leaving the latter place, he moved to Davenport, Iowa, and worked at his trade in that city for two years. In January, 1861, Mr. Nightingale came to Morristown, this county, where he has since resided. He has been Postmaster at that place for four years, receiv- ing his last appointment during the administration of President Arthur. In connection with his office he has a general stock of merchandise, and by fair and honest dealings has established a good and pay- ing business.

The marriage of Mr. Nightingale took place in the land of his nativity, May 15, 1849, when Miss Eliza- beth Monkman became his wife. She was a native of England. Five children were born of their union, namely : George H., born in England; Frank, Charles W., Bessie and Thomas ; the last four, born in this country, and died in their infancy, all of whom have been placed beneath the sod, their souls returning to God who gave them.

Mr. Nightingale, in addition to his office of Post- master and his business, has held the position of

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School Director at Morristown. He is the owner of two houses and several lots in the village. Polit- ically, he is a believer in and a supporter of the principles of the Democratic party.

illiam G. Howland, Vice-President of the Kewanee Wagon Company, is a Manx- man, being born on the Isle of Man, June 20, 1845, and was the eldest of two sons and three daughters, born to Hewey and Eliza- beth Howland. His father was a farmer. Wil- liam began to learn the trade of blacksmith when he was about sixteen years of age. He came to America in 1866, and to Kewanee the same year. He was an employee of the O'Brien Manufacturing Co., when that concern sold out to the company of which he is now Vice-President. Before leaving the Isle of Man, he was married to Miss Mary Skinner, who died in Kewanee in 1871, leaving three chil- dren : Jennie, Ann and Alice. In 1873 he married his second wife, Mary Miles, who died in 1876, leav- ing one child, George, and in 1880 he found his third wife, in the person of Miss Laura Price, by whom he had two children born to him: Thomas and W. May.

harles F. Sultzer, a resident on section 17, of Wethersfield Township, was born in Peoria Co., Ill., Aug. 15, 1841, and is a son of Frederick C. and Fredericka (Fritz) Sultzer, natives of Germany. Their family comprised four children, of whom Charles, our subject, was the second in order of birth. He remained at home, assisting in the labors on the farm and alternating them with attendance at the district schools, until he attained the age of 22 years, when he engaged in threshing and farming. With his father, he came into Henry County, locating upon a tract of land of 160 acres, which he pur- chased and entered vigorously and actively upon the task of its improvement and cultivation. This land is located in Wethersfield Township, his present place of residence, where he has remained since that early period.

Mr. Sultzer was united in marriage, in Wethers-

field Township, on the Ist of January, 1868, choos- ing for his companion and helpmeet Miss Mary Wiley, daughter of James and Nancy (Holmes) Wiley, natives of Ireland. She was the eldest of her parents' family, consisting of eight children, and was born in Philadelphia, Pa., Aug. 1, 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Sultzer have become the parents of two children, as follows: Laura E. and Lillie F .; the former was but five years of age when she died.

Mr. Sultzer has held the office of School Director of his township, and politically is identified with the Republican party. Mrs. Sultzer is a member of the Congregational Church.

homas Brady, wholesale and retail dealer in malt liquors, Kewanee, Ill., is a native of County Cavan, Ireland, and son of Patrick and Catherine (McCabe) Brady, who reared to man and womanhood eight children and buried four in infancy. Thomas Brady was born May 3, 1845, and came to America in 1863. Two older sisters had preceded him to this country by a few years, and with them, in New York, he spent his first three weeks in the " new country." From New York he went to Chicago, where he got employment of the Michigan Central Railway Com- pany as check clerk, a position he filled about 13 months. From that time on, for six months, he was a railroad man; with the Illinois Central a few months at Cairo, Ill., as check clerk; then back to Chicago where, in different departments, he was with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Company I I years. It was with this company, in the capacity of car re- pairer, that he came to Kewanee in 1865 and filled the position seven years. His next employment was with the Haxtun Steam Heater Company, and in 1873 he engaged in the liquor business, which, with the exception of a year or two, he has since followed. He owns a farm of 160 acres in Kewanee and Burns Townships; some three or four houses and lots in Kewanee village ; carries on his liquor business, and is an extensive bottler of malt liquors and soda water. All Mr. B. has he has acquired by his individual industry, for he came to this country as poor as pio- neers generally were.

Independent in politics, devoted to his business, a

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consistent member of the Catholic Church and a highly respected citizen. He was married at Kewa- nee, April 5, 1866, to Miss Rose Ann Traynor, a native of Ireland, and has had born to him nine children,-Katie Ann, John P., Thomas, Frank, Mamie, Martha, Willie, Rose and James, who died in infancy.

L. Wiley, President of the Bank of Galva, is among the prominent and wealthy men word of Henry County who came here in an early day, and here laid the foundation of a fortune. He was born March 23, 1819, in Rock- ingham Township, Windham Co., Vt. His grandfather was Robert Wiley, whose biography, to- gether with a genealogy of the Wiley family, appears in another sketch. Our subject's parents were John and Randilla (Weaver) Wiley, both natives of Ver- mont. The former, John Wiley, was born March 5, 1795, in Rockingham, Windham Co., Vt., and died Feb. 10, 1866, in Saxton River, Vt. By occupation he was a farmer, and a quiet, unassuming man, mod- erate in all his views and actions, and early in life instilled the value of good principle, industry and frugality into his son, D. L. Wiley, our subject, for which the latter became so well known in this com- munity. He generally voted the Democratic ticket, differing in that respect from his son, who early be- came imbued with the principles of the Republican party, with which he has been identified all his life, yet being perfectly independent, voting for the best man.

John Wiley, the father, was united in marriage April 22, 1817, in Rockingham, Vt., to Randilla Weaver, who was a daughter of Daniel Weaver She was born Sept. 3, 1793, in Windham County, and be- came the mother of nine children, viz .: Lucius S., Daniel Leveret, Edward, Mary F., William, Robert, Hascall, Myron and Milton. Mary F. was the former wife of Charles B. Day, of Peoria. Of the above children, only our subject, Hascall, Robert and Mil- ton are living. Hascall resides on the old home- stead in Rockingham, Milton in Saxton River, Vt., and Robert in Brimfield, Peoria Co., Ill.

D. L. Wiley, whose name heads this sketch, was primarily educated in his native school district, and

also attended about two years at the neighboring academy. He is self-educated as far as business is concerned. In early life he worked on a farm, but for several years was also engaged in mercantile business. In the summer of 1844 he came to Brim- field, Ill., where he first engaged in farming, and then merchandised one year. He next came to Galva, Ill., in the spring of 1855, where he engaged in farming, doing considerable hard manual work. Later, he resided in Galva, but continued the super- intending of his farm in the meantime. He has been fairly successful, and his success can be attributed to his indomitable perseverance, frugality and energy.

Inheriting these sterling qualities, no doubt, from his native Green Mountain State, which has fur- nished so many of our foremost men in social, busi- ness or political circles, in January, 1865, he, in part- nership with others, started the First National Bank in Galva; and when the charter expired the banking business was continued under the name of L. M. Yocum & Co., our subject being President of the bank. Within the last decade Mr. Wiley has largely engaged in the real-estate business in Monona County, Iowa, where he has 1,000 acres of land, all of which is in a high state of cultivation. This land he has principally iniproved, and since he made the purchase it has risen in value until he now has a very valuable possession.

Mr. Wiley was joined in matrimony Aug. 5, 1846, in his native State, with Miss Mary Billings, who was born July 30, 1818, in Rockingham, Windham Co., Vt., where she died, June 1, 1851. She was a daughter of Samuel and Susannah (Divoll) Billings, natives of Massachusetts. They died in Windham County, where they were highly respected citizens. Mrs. Mary Wiley became the mother of two chil- dren, Flora B. and William F. The former is the wife of W. L. Wiley, and is the mother of four chil- dren, namely : Mary, Everett, Stella and Fred. William F. married Florence Munger, who is the mother of three children, viz. : Ione B., Agnes and Florence. The two children of Mr. Wiley, whose name heads this notice, reside in Monona County, where W. F. is one of the first Short-horn breeders in the State of Iowa, on the farms formerly owned by their enterprising sire. Daniel L. was married a second time, Feb. 27, 1854, to Miss Sarah F. Davis, who was born Sept. 26, 1832, in Rockingham, Vt. She is a daughter of John H. Davis, and is the

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mother of four children. Stella, who died in 1880, aged 23 years, and Amy, born 1868. The two others died in infancy.

Thus we have related the biography of Daniel Leveret Wiley, and to-day, in the evening of life, while the darkening shadows are gently and silently approaching, he can cast a retrospective glance on his career in life and be contented with the view.

oyal Franklin Bailey was born in the town of Rockingham, Windham County, State of Vermont, in November, 1831. Came to Galva, Henry Co., Ill., in 1857, where he has since resided and "paid his taxes like the average law-abiding citizen." In politics he is an " Abraham Lincoln Republi- can;" in religion, a "Bob Ingersoll Baptist; " in morals, a "George Washington : " "he can't tell a lie." Hence this history. " Sic transit gloria mundi!"

illiam Oliver, resident on section 23, of Wethersfield Township, is a progressive and well-to-do farmer, and a son of Thomas and Margaret (Fife) Oliver, who came to America with their family in 1837, and lo- cated in Stark County the following year, at which place they remained and died.

William Oliver, subject of this biographical notice, was the sixth in order of birth in his parents' family, consisting of ten children, and on his emigration to America with his parents was but ten years old. He received an education such as the common schools of that early period afforded, and remained at home until 27 years of age, meanwhile engaging in agri- cultural pursuits in the vicinity. Since his location in this county he has become the possessor and owner of 470 acres of good, tillable land, on which he is at present residing. Upon his farm he has erected a splendid residence, and all other necessary build- ings, besides having put the land in a good state of cultivation.

Miss Elizabeth Turnbull, who was born in Scot- land, Nov. 18, 1828, was the lady with whom Mr. Oliver was united in marriage, in Elmira Township,

Stark County, April 3, 1853. Her parents, William and Mary (Horning) Turnbull, emigrated to the United States in 1849, and settled in Stark County, where they died. Mr. and Mrs. Oliver have had their home circle blessed by the birth of ten children,- Mary E., Thomas F., William P., Adson R., George, Andrew, Annie, John H., Ellen and Jennie. Mary E. is the wife of Archibald Turner, and they re- side in Iowa. Mr. Oliver has served his township in the minor offices, and is at present one of the School Commissioners, and he, with his wife, are members of the Presbyterian Church. In politics, he affiliates with the Republican party.

ohn S. Wilson, residing at Orion, and en- gaged in general farming, is a native of Sparta, Ill., where he was born Jan. 3, 1844. The father, David E., formerly from South Carolina, and a farmer, was united in marriage after he had come to Illinois with his parents, who were Americans, and who settled in the southwestern part of this State. The lady of his choice was Miss Margaret A. Stewart. After mar- riage they went to Wisconsin, in the year 1846, Mr. David E. having visited it as a volunteer soldier in 1840. The mother died there when her son John S. was only about 11 years of age.

After the mother's death he resided with his father until he attained the age of 17 years, when he came to Illinois and learned the trade of carpenter and joiner. He afterward worked for a time as a " jour," and started then on his own account. He settled in Edford Township, this county, for a while, and in 1875 purchased 80 acres of good farming land. On the latter he has since made his home, erecting a good residence.

John S., our subject, formed a matrimonial alli- ance, in Grant Co., Wis., Sept. 16, 1863, with Mary Gee, who was born in Ohio, near Salem. She came West with her parents, who settled in Wisconsin, in Grant County, when she was but a mere child, and died at her home in Edford Township, this county, in 1869. She had become the mother of one child, Maggie B.

May 26, 1870, Mr. Wilson was again married, to Miss Edna E. Scott, in Edford Township. She was

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born in Cook Co., this State, Sept. 12, 1844, a daugh- ter of Alvin and Louisa Scott, natives of Connecticut and New Hampshire respectively. They were farm- ers, and came to Cook County, where they were mar- ried. Mrs. Wilson was the eldest daughter and eldest child but one of a family of seven children. The father died at an advanced age, in 1868, in Cook County, but the mother is still living in Edford Township. Mrs. Wilson began teaching when she was 19 years of age, having received an excellent education, and followed the same for several years. She has become the mother of three children, one deceased. The living are Evalyn E., who was born Feb. 19, 1876, and Lawrence O., born March 9, 1879.

Mr. W. affiliates with the Republican party in political sentiment. As to religious matters both himself and wife are tolerant; that is, they do not believe any one will be sent into endless torment be- cause of difference in religious belief.

charles H. Thompson, the only gentleman who is engaged exclusively in the livery business at Kewanee, Ill., was born in Monmouth Co., N. J., Aug. 9, 1854, and was the third child of Samuel and Ellen (Hen- drickson) Thompson, natives of the same county. Mr. Thompson was educated at Trenton, N. J., in the Model School, at which institution he lacked, on account of sickness, eight weeks of gradu- ating. He began his studies with a view to adopt- ing the legal profession, but, finding it incompatible, abandoned the idea at an early age. He developed a " weakness " for horses when a mere youth,-in fact, he was but 13 years of age when he drove a " speeder " at the county races. From New Jersey he removed to Peoria Co., Ill., in 1877, and there, at the town of Princeville, carried on a livery stable about three years.

After farming four years, he came to Kewanee, where, in November, 1883, he engaged in his present business, that of keeping a livery, sale and feed stable. In the spring of 1885, he was elected Consta- ble, an office he is filling at this writing (August, 1885).

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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 60

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