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 61
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112
On New Year's Day, 1879, he was married, at Princeville, to Miss Louise Calhoun, a native of
Peoria Co., Ill., and daughter of Dr. Henry E. Cal- houn, of that place. Pearl H., Paul (who died in June, 1883, at the age of three months) and Zora, are the names of their two sons and one daughter.
In politics, Mr. T. is a Republican, and is an act- ive worker in that party.
eorge H. Loomis, resident on section 33, in the township of Geneseo, was born in the State of Maine. His birth occurred in that part of the town of Milburn now included in the village of Skowhegan, in the county of Somerset. The date was July 10, 1821. Sam- uel Loomis, his father, was a native of Massachu- setts, and he married Lydia Hutchins. She was born in Maine. The father went, after he had passed some time in the city near where he was born in the employ of a baker, to Maine, whither his parents had preceded him, and where they were among the pioneer settlers. He bought a consider- able tract of timber land in the place now occupied as the site of Skowhegan, and there he cleared a farm from the heavy timber, which covered the en- tire State before it was settled to any extent. In 1835 he went thence to the township of Madison, and there bought a farm on which he was the resi- dent owner six years. At the end of that time he rented the place and went to the village of Skowhe- gan, where he bought the homestead of his father, and lived on the place where he was born until his death.
Mr. Loomis of this sketch was reared on the farm of his father, and obtained his education in the pub- lic schools. He remained at home in order to assist on the farm until he was 25, when the death of his father occurred, and he continued to live with his mother on the place until 1863. In that year he sold it, and in the year succeeding he came to Henry County. He at once bought 80 acres in the town- ship of Munson, located on section 4. He built a house, a stable and a corn-crib, and dug a, well and a cistern and made other improvements. This place was in his possession until 1869, when he bought the farm he now owns and occupies on section 33 in the township of Geneseo. He is the proprietor of 116 acres, all of which is in a finely improved condition.
499
HENRY COUNTY.
Mr. Loomis was married in February, 1848, to Elizabeth McClure, and they have had five children, four of whom are living : Samuel J. is a business man of Walnut, Iowa; John M. is a resident of Pitts- burg, Kan .; Henry lives in Geneseo; Walter L. is still with his parents. Scott was born Jan. 23, 1861, and died March 13, 1866. Mrs. Loomis was born July 13, 1826, in Somerset Co., Me.
eorge Day, one of the prosperous and en- ergetic farmers of Wethersfield Township, where he is a resident on section 20, was born in Richland Co., Ohio, March 23, 1818. His parents, Lewis and Mary (Hull) Day, were natives of New Jersey. They were united in marriage and settled in Pennsylvania, where they lived several years, when they removed into Rich- land Co., Ohio, in which county they died.
George was the fifth in order of birth of his parents' family of 1 1 children. He received a common-school education, and lived at home under the parents' in- fluence until he attained the age of 21 years, when he came to what is now Richland Co., Ill., where he made a purchase of 160 acres of land, and another of 40 acres in Crawford County, when he again returned to Richland County, Ohio. About four years later he exchanged his Illinois land for a farm near Mans- field, Ohio, where he located and lived about six years, when he again sold, and this time came West into Illinois. Locating in the spring of 1851 in Henry County, he soon made a purchase of 160 acres of land in Wethersfield Township, on section 20, his present homestead, where he settled and has lived with the exception of three years, most of which time he lived in Pennsylvania. To his first purchase of 160 acres here, he has added until he now owns 240 acres, which by his industry and hard labor he has under excellent cultivation and improvement, with a fine substantial residence thereon, barns and necessary outbuildings.
Mr. Day was first married in Richland Co., Ohio, Aug. 28, 1845, to Miss Elizabeth Ferguson, who was a native of Ohio. She died in Wethersfield Town- ship, Sept. 1, 1852. He then formed a second matrimonial alliance in Peoria, Ill., the lady chosen for his wife being Miss Elizabeth Gaskill, who was
born in McLean Co., Ill. By this second marriage have been born seven children, namely : Losson L., Frances, Erna, Lewis L., Abby, Nora and Elzey H. The eldest, Losson L., is deceased. In politics Mr. Day is independent.
... 040 ..-
Charles Bauer, a prominent farmer and stock-grower, resident at Kewanee, Henry Co., Ill., was born at Wittenburg, Germany, Oct. 4, 1840, and came to America in 1861. His brother had preceded him to this country a few years, and was at Kewanee, engaged in the butchering business, when Charles arrived.
After about four years of association with his brother, he engaged in farming and has since fol- lowed it, and for ten or a dozen years of the time he also carried on market and butchering business. His parents, Daniel and Mary (Merz) Bauer, reared three sons and two daughters, the subject of this sketch being next to the eldest of the five. He was educated in Germany, in his native language, and after coming to America learned to read and write English.
He was married at Kewanee in 1865, to Miss Katherine Zeang, a native of Germany, and has had born to him five children,-Augest, John, Willie, Carne and Katie.
Mr. Bauer owns one of the finest farms in the county. It contains about 300 acres, all in a high state of cultivation, stocked and fully equipped with the newest improved agricultural implements and machinery. Though eminently able to live without work, he prefers to keep in the harness, and every day finds him at his post.
s@200
erman R. Warner. In 1846, when only a boy of 11 years, Orman R. Warner, who is to-day living upon a fine farm on section Io, of Burns Township, accompanied his parents to Henry County. Here he was reared, received a good common-school edu- cation, embarked upon his business career, in which he has been very successful, and has become one of the prominent men of the community. The confidence in his business judgment by the people of
.
500
HENRY COUNTY.
the township was demonstrated when they elected him Assessor, which position he now fills.
Mr. Warner was born in Leeds Co., Upper Can- ada, March 22, 1835. His parents, Ralph and Clara (Keeler) Warner, were natives of New York State. They were married, moved to Canada, and remained in the 'Dominion until 1846, when they came into Henry County, and made their home in Burns Town- ship, where they lived until they died, Mr. Warner's death occurring Oct. 22, 1851, and that of Mrs. Warner, Aug. 12, 1880. Orman was the ninth of a family of II children born to them. He remained at home until 23 years of age, working on his father's farm, and attending the district schools. He was married on New Year's Day, 1858, to Miss Ruth, daughter of Henry and Annie (Breese) Cofner, who were also early settlers of Henry County, and natives of Ohio. In 1854 they came to Burns Township, where they remained until 1868, when they removed to Union Co., Iowa. Ruth was the third of a family of ten children, and was born in Knox Co., Ohio, Oct. 3, 1837 .
Mr. and Mrs. Warner have three children, to whom they have given the following names: Lartie M., Samuel C. and Morton K. Lartie is the wife of Hilbert C. Doty, of Nebraska; Samuel was married to Margaret J. Anderson, and resides in Burns Town- ship.
Mr. Warner has been prominent in the political affairs of his township, and has served for two years as Collector, and for 14 years as Assessor, besides filling other positions. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Po- litically, he is identified with the Democratic party.
ohn Laird, a gentleman who has devoted 30 years of active, earnest labor to farming, but is now living in retirement on section 24, of Oxford Township, is a native of the Key- stone State. He was born in Franklin Co., Pa., June 5, 1817. His parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Campbell) Laird, were natives of Ireland and Virginia respectively. The elder Laird followed tailoring for a business, and also instructed his son, John, in the art of the trade, which he not only fol- lowed until he left the parental roof, which he did at
the age of 22 years, but also for many years after- ward. In Concord, Franklin Co., Pa., he handled the goose, and used the shears and needle for 16 years. In 1855, in order to better his condition in life, finding very meager opportunities to do so at the old home, he came West, and located in the Prairie State. He purchased 75 acres of land in Oxford Township, this county, upon which he settled ; since then he has added 106 acres, and has now a fine, well equipped and improved farm of 181 acres. During the meantime he has bought other farms and sold them.
Mr. Laird was married to Miss Mary Ragan, a native of Pennsylvania. To them have been born two children,-Allen and Alfred. The former was married to Miss Priscilla Hiller. Mrs. Laird died at her home Nov. 11, 1884. She was well known and respected throughout the neighborhood.
Politically, Mr. Laird is a Democrat, and is con- nected with the Presbyterian Church at Woodhull. He is looked upon as one of the solid and representa- tive men of Oxford Township.
ahum H. Flagg, Edford Township, came to Henry County in 1871. He was born in Boylston, Worcester Co., Mass., Jan. 9, 1821. He is the oldest son of Levi and Alothina (Houghton) Flagg, both of whom were born in the same town where the son first saw the light. They were of English descent. Mr. Flagg attained to the estate of manhood in his native town and was trained to farming, which had been the business of his ancestors for many generations. He received his education in the public schools and was afterward sent one term to the High School at Lei- cester, in his native State. After arriving at the period of his legal freedom he passed two seasons with a carpenter and joiner, and then went to Worcester, where he operated independently as a builder until the year in which he removed to Illi- nois.
Shortly after his arrival in Henry County, asso- ciated with a man named Dennis, living on section 23, they bought 80 acres on section 16, in Edford Township, and they continued to manage their farming relations jointly until 1874, when they made
Elisha R Wolcott
HENRY COUNTY.
503
a division and Mr. Flagg located on section 23. He has attended to his farm since and has also worked at his trade.
He was married, Nov. 17, 1842, to Eunice S. Maynard. She was born in the same town as her husband, Aug. 20, 1824, and died April 12, 1870. She became the mother of three children, only one of whom is now living. His name is George H. Flagg, and he is a resident of Worcester, Mass.
eter Johnson, engaged by Culver & King, in the farm implement business at Galva. was born Oct. 3, 1840, in Malung, Sweden. He is a son of John and Martha Johnson, na- tives of the same country. His father died shortly after he came to the United States, in 1847, in Victoria, Knox Co., Ill. The Johnson family originated in the Province of Dalanar, Sweden. The parents joined the colony and came to this country, and John Johnson, the father of the subject of this notice, was the man who carried Eric Jansen, the founder of the colony, from Sweden to Christianstadt in Norway, while Eric was fleeing from Sweden, pur- sued by the authorities and a religious mob. The parents came here in 1846, in the fall, and settled at Bishop Hill, this county. Soon after, John Johnson and wife left the colony and settled in Victoria, where he followed his trade, that of a carpenter, and where he died soon after. His wife bore him eight chil- dren, -- John, Christine, Martha, Kate, Peter, Betsey, by her first husband ; and Fred Gloom by her second hu band, P. J. Gloom, deceased. She is still living in Bishop Hill, aged 76 years.
Peter Johnson received only a limited education, the same being acquired at Bishop Hill during the time his parents were members of the colony, the major portion of his early life having been passed on the farm. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. D, 57th Ill. Vol. Inf., as private, and was promoted Sergeant. He was all through the war, participating in the bat- tles of Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, siege and battle of Corinth, Atlanta Gap, and was. also with Sherman in his famous march to the sea, and partici- pated in many minor engagements and skirmishes, and was at the Grand Review at Washington. He received an honorable discharge in July, 1865, and
returned to Bishop Hill, where, doffing his uniform and laying aside his accoutrements of war, he once more entered upon the civil pursuits of life, and for one year was occupied in farming. He then aban- doned the farm and learned the wagon-maker's trade, which he followed for a number of years.
Mr. Johnson has held several township offices, such as Collector, etc., and in 1876 was elected Sheriff of Henry County, which he filled one term, and for the next two years was Deputy Sheriff under William Van Nice. After that he engaged in house carpenter work, and followed it for several years. In the spring of 1882 he removed to Galva, where he has been employed by Carver & King in the sale of farm implements. Mr. Johnson was married in July, 1870, to Miss Christine Nordstadt, daughter of Olof D. Nordstadt, a native of Sweden, and in which Mrs. Johnson was born. She is the mother of four children by Mr. Johnson, only one of whom, Fred William, is living, the others having died in infancy. Mrs. Johnson is a member of the Swedish Method- ist Church, and politically Mr. J. is a Republican. Socially, he is a member of the A. O. U. W.
lisha R. Wolcott. The subject of this narrative is one of the oldest settlers of Henry County, and one of the first to lo- cate in Wethersfield Township, where he now lives. In the spring of 1837, in company with, or as a member of, the Wethersfield Colony, he came into Henry County. He had one share in the colony, which comprised 1821/2 acres of land, 160 of which lay on section 7 of what is now Wethersfield Township. Upon this Mr. Wolcott settled and be- gan its improvement, and here for well-nigh half a century he has lived. He owns upward of 240 acres of good tillable land and 130 acres of timber land. His stock comprises about 50 head of cattle, 18 horses and colts and 100 head of sheep.
Mr. Wolcott was born in Wethersfield, Conn., Dec. 30, 1816. Her parents, Elisha and Mary Robbins) Wolcott, were also natives of Connecticut, where they lived, labored and died. Elisha was the third of a family of ten children, and lived with his parents until 20 years of age, when we find him locating upon the wild prairie of Henry County
504
HENRY COUNTY.
His long residence here justly entitles him to be looked upon as one of the fathers of the county. Many hard experiences that he has met during this half century would require a large volume to re- count. The lot of a pioneer at its best is one of hardship, inconvenience and suffering ; but he has accomplished a great work in assisting to open up one of the fairest garden spots in the Prairie State. The memory of such men should be held dear to posterity. Politically, Mr. W. is identified with the Republican party, but in temperance principles he is a Prohibitionist.
As a man eminently worthy to represent the old pioneers of Henry County in the gallery of portraits in this ALBUM, we place Mr. Wolcott's portrait on the page preceding this sketch.
erman Herbner, farmer, Galva, was born Jan. 29, 1831, in Holtehousen, Cur Hessen, Germany, where his ancestors lived many years. Henry Herbner, the grandfather of our subject, was a farmer at the above place, dying there, aged 96, as did his wife, Elizabeth Ben- der, and their six children. Of these, Herman, who had followed in the same occupation as his father, died, aged 66 years and 9 months. He had formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Elizabeth, and she died at the same place, aged 58 years. Of their union were ten children, namely: Conrad, Henry, Cort, Valentine, Harry, Lewis, Herman, Peter, Hein- rich and Catherine. Three are deceased : Harry was killed in Pennsylvania; Peter served his coun- try as a soldier, and after returning home died ; and Valentine. Five emigrated to America,- Henry coming in 1840, locating near Philadelphia, Pa. In 1856 he came to this county, but not until a year later did he come to Galva Township; Harry emi- grated to the United States in 1846, our subject in 1850, his brother Valentine in 1853, and Peter, his brother, in 1854.
Herman Herbner, whose name heads this bio- graphical notice, was educated in his native country. After arriving in America he worked from 1850 to 1856 by the month, in Montgomery Co., Pa. He next came to Belvidere, Boone Co., Ill., where he went to farm- ing, engaging in the same until the spring of 1857,
when he emigrated to Galva Township, this county, and has resided here ever since. Mr. Herbner is the proprietor of 40 acres of land in Galva Town- ship, and 80 acres in Burns Township.
Mr. Herbner, who commenced in life with but lit- tle if anything, and has accumulated some of this world's goods, is a man well liked and respected by all in his community, and an energetic, persevering and industrious gentleman.
illiam L. Barnes, of Geneseo, is one of the most prominent citizens of Henry County as an agriculturist. He is a man who enjoys the esteem of the community, of which he has been a member for 30 years, to an uncommon degree. His traits of char- acter are such as to render him a popular and reli- able citizen, and he is prized for his geniality of temperament, his large-hearted generosity and the characteristic that is comprised in the term " whole- souled." He is the owner of an extensive acreage in the townships of Munson and Cornwall.
Mr. Barnes was born in East Hampton, Long Island, N. Y., Sept. 2, 1823, and is the son of Joseph and Phebe (Miller) Barnes. He was brought up in the town of his nativity and there took the first im- portant step of his life. On the 23d day of November, 1853, he was married to Betsey Miller. She was a native of the same town in which her husband was born, and there her youth and earlier years were passed. She was the daughter of Uriah Miller. After their marriage they remained resident on the historic island three years, and there their first child was born. His birth took place May 3, 1855. His name is William K. Barnes and he is a citizen of Kansas.
In April, 1856, Mr. Barnes removed his family and interests to Henry County. He purchased land in the township of Munson, in the vicinity of Geneseo, and is still a heavy land-holder there. His estate contains nearly 700 acres and is considered one of the most valuable farms in the whole county. Mr. Barnes is still interested in the personal supervision of his property. He is a Republican in his political preferences, but has never taken an aggressive posi- tion in the arena of politics and has never been an aspirant for office. Some of those of a quiet char-
505
HENRY COUNTY.
acter have been held by him, but he has never de- sired the prominence of public position.
Four children were added to the household while they were still residents of Munson. Joseph married Mary Upson and is a resident of Douglas Co., Minn. Fannie is the wife of C. B. Miller, one of the genial hosts of the Geneseo House. Henry is operating with his brother Joseph in the banking business in Minnesota. Nathan, the youngest, is now a student in Knox College at Galesburg. The mother and daughters are members of the Congregational Church at Geneseo. Mr. Barnes was brought up in the faith of his forefathers,-the Presbyterian creed- but is disposed to regard with a liberal spirit the opinions of those who differ from the tenets of that religious organization.
The family removed to Geneseo in the fall of 1880.
illiam Ours, a resident of 'section 29, Wethersfield Township, where he is en- gaged in agricultural pursuits, is a son of Jacob and Nancy (Crislip) Ours, both natives of Virginia, who lived and died there. Wil- liam was the eldest of their family, which con- sisted of three children,-William, Mary A. and Rebecca-and was born in Virginia, April 26, 1822. He left the State of his nativity when about 24 years of age, going to Kosciusko Co., Ind., where he made a purchase of a farm and settled, remaining until the year 1864. He then came into Henry County and bought 160 acres in Wethersfield Township, on sec- tion 29, his present place of residence, and began the task of its improvement and cultivation. He has erected a substantial residence and other neces- sary farm buildings, and, besides this property, he is the owner and proprietor of 160 acres of land in Stark County, this State.
In Kosciusko Co., Ind., he formed a matrimonial alliance with Eliza A. Goodale, the event occurring on the 2d of December, 1849. She is the daughter of Joel D. and Eliza B. (Kimball) Goodale, who were natives of New Hampshire. Her parents set- tled in Livingston Co., N. Y., where her mother died. Her father, Mr. Goodale, died Aug. 21, 1885. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, as follows : Joel H., Artemus K., Udolphus C., Gideon
G., Frederick X., Eliza A. (Mrs. Ours), Gustavus L. and Enos J .; Eliza was born in Livingston Co., N. Y., Oct. 15, 1826. Mr. and Mrs. Ours' family comprised the following named children : Eliza A., Emma G., William G. G., Samantha M., Charles F., Eliza A. and Mary L. Eliza A., the first child, is deceased ; Samantha M. is the wife of John Lind- strom, and they reside in Kewanee. Politically speaking, Mr. Ours is a Republican.
arwel B. Whitney. In 1854, when Thomas Whitney, with his family, came into Henry County, Jarwel B. Whitney, his son, was a lad of 13 years of age. The elder Whitney settled on a farnı in Burns Township, where Jarwel B. was reared and educated, and grew to manhood, and, with the exception of two years spent in Knox County, and three years' service in the war, he has made his residence.
He was born in Ripley Co., Ind., Nov. 17, 1841. His mother, Lydia (Tufts) Whitney, was a native of Maine, which State was also the birthplace of his father. They both died in Burns Township. J. B. owned a good farm, comprising a quarter of section 22, upon which he has good farm buildings. In 1862, when the President of the United States was calling for more troops to suppress the rebellion, on the 9th day of August of that year, Mr. Whitney enlisted in II 2th Ill. Vol. Inf. He did three years of good ser- vice, and during Sanders' raid in East Tennessee he was taken prisoner, and remained in confinement in the rebel prisons for about six months. During this period he experienced prison life at Knoxville, and at the well-known and infamous Libby Prison pen.
Mr. Whitney was married in Henry Co., Ill., Dec. 31, 1872, to Carrie Henderson. This lady was born in Logan Co., Ohio, Sept. 12, 1851. Of the four children born to them, Ida M. and George H. are the only ones living : the other two died in infancy. Mrs. Whitney's parents, Robert and Margaret (Mc- Davitt) Henderson, were ·natives of the Buckeye State, where the former died, and the latter is a resi- dent of this county.
Mr. Whitney has served the township as Clerk
506
HENRY COUNTY.
and in other positions, being elected on the Republi- can ticket. Mrs. W. is a member of the Presby- terian Church.
tephen Moon, residing on section 34, Anna- wan Township, is a farmer by occupation, and was born in Yorkshire, Eng., Feb. 2, 1821. In 1851 he emigrated to America, lo- cating at New York for a short time, when he came further West, into the State of Illinois, and worked by the month for about a year, in this county. He then purchased 80 acres in Annawan Township, which he endeavored to put under excel- lent cultivation, and later made other purchases, until he now has 320 acres, on which he is now re- siding. Mr. Moon is engaged quite extensively in general farming, keeping some of the highest grade of cattle. He has a herd of Short-horn, and one or two thoroughbreds. His horses are English Draft. Upon his farm he has several springs, and also 100 acres of timber land outside of his large farm, which is well stocked.
Mr. Moon entered the married state November, 1849, in Yorkshire, England, the lady of his choice being Miss Sarah Petch, a native of that place. She was born Feb. 6, 1831, and of their union have been born six children, as follows : Seth H., born Nov. II, 1850; Ellen, Nov. 3, 1852 ; Thomas P., Oct. 17, 1854; Mary, Sept. 10, 1856; Elizabeth, Nov. 5, 1858; Hannah M., July 19, 1864.
6
ohn K. Warner. One of the prominent and leading farmers of Burns Township is John K. Warner. He is engaged in gen- eral agriculture on section 15. Here he owns an excellent farm of 216 acres, most of which is tillable, and upon which he has erected a fine residence and good farm buildings. He was born in Upper Canada, Oct. 24, 1830, and when about 15 years old came with his parents to Henry County, since which time he has made this his home and has grown up to be one of the well-to-do farm- ers of Burns. His parents, Ralph and Clara (Keeler)
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.