Portrait and biographical album of Henry County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 85

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 85

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In 1882 he embarked in a mercantile enterprise at Cambridge, and when his relations in that avenue were fairly under way he removed in the year named to that place. Mr. Crane is also engaged in raising stock in Phelps Co., Neb., where he is the owner of three sections of land and a large herd of cattle.

Politically, Mr. Crane is in harmony with the Democratic party. While a resident of Osco Town- ship, he was frequently called to serve in the vari- ous offices and discharged the duties confided to his care with honor and fidelity.

athaniel W. Tibbetts, engaged as a farmer on section 27, Kewanee Township, was born in Neponset Township, Bureau Co., Ill., Nov. 14, 1845, and is a son of James P. and Julia A. (Sayles) Tibbetts, natives of Maine and New Hampshire respectively. They were married in Lowell, Mass., and soon afterward came to Henry County and settled in Wethersfield Town- ship. Later they removed to Neponset Township, in Bureau County, where the mother died Nov. 28, 1866. The father still survives. Of their union were born three children, as follows : Nathaniel W., our subject, James G., deceased, and John E.

Nathaniel W. remained at home until 21 years of age and received a fair education at the common schools. He then bought a farm in Knox County and engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he has since followed. At the latter place he lived for about a year and a half, when he sold out and removed to Missouri, there making a purchase of another farm, upon which he remained but one year, selling on ac- count of poor health. In 1870, he came into Henry County and located in Kewanee Township on a farm of 70 acres. The same he has put under excellent cultivation and improvement, and made it his per- manent home, residing there ever since.

In Galesburg, Ill., on the 27th of January, 1867,

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HENRY COUNTY.

Mr. Tibbetts was married to Miss Mary R., daugh- ter of the Rev. Henry S. and Hannah (Huff) Willey, natives of Vermont and Maine respectively. She was born Feb. 12, 1807. He was a Baptist minister (Free-Will), and preached for 42 years. He was born Feb. 4, 1800. At the time of his death he had settled in Hudson village, Me., and there died, July 5, 1872, as also did his wife, Nov. 18, 1871. They had become the parents of nine children, viz .: Henry, Hiram L., Elizabeth H., Lucena D., Henry S., B. Frank, Mary R., George'W. M. and Eliza E. Mrs. Tibbetts was born in Dixmont, Me., March 16, 1843.

Mr. Tibbetts has been Assessor of Kewanee Town- ship four years and Director in the Farmers' Insur- ance Company for several years. Politically, he is a Republican.

harles M. Samuelson, engaged as a gen- eral farmer on section 35, in Western Township, was born in Central Sweden, November, 1828. (See sketch of John Sam- uelson.) Charles M., whose name heads this article, resided at home until 20 years of age, when he went to work for his eldest living brother, Samuel, where he remained for four years. At the expiration of that time, 1851, he emigrated to the United States, locating at Buffalo, N. Y .; but in the spring following he came to Andover, Henry Co., Ill. He afterward engaged to work on a farm near Gales- burg, Ill., at which he continued two years, working for Deacon Chambers; but, wishing to return again to Andover, he left his employment at the latter place and returned. Here he was married, Sep- tember, 1856, to Miss Hannah M. Swanson, who was also a native of Sweden. She came to the United States in the emigration of her father's fam- ily, who settled in Illinois in 1852. (See sketch of J. V. Swanson.) The family of Mr. and Mrs. Sam- uelson now comprises seven children, including one deceased. Their names are : Albert, who is mar- ried, and lives on section 34, Western Township; Peter A., Edward, Victor, Oscar, Hannah and Min- nie, deceased, died in infancy.

Mr. S. first lived on the homestead his father secured in Western Township, comprising 80 acres.

He afterward purchased a 54-acre farm, and still later increased his possessions to a total of 480 acres. His success as a farmer has been simply remarkable, as, when he arrived at Buffalo from his native coun- try, he had not a single cent, and now he has the fine, large landed possessions referred to, which are well equipped with farm buildings, and in good agri- cultural condition. These are the results of his own industry and economy.

The family are connected with the Swedish Lu- theran Church, at Orion, of which he is now a Trus- tee, and in politics he is a Republican.

obert Boyd is one of the farmers of Henry County who has reached a prominent po- sition as an agriculturist. He is the pro- prietor of 400 acres of land, finely situated, and in a valuable condition generally. He was born April 5, 1839, in the city of Montreal, Canada. His ancestral stock is of English origin, and he is the son of James and Margaret (Rutherford) Boyd. In his infancy he was taken from the Domin- ion to the State of New York, and he remained in the Empire State until he was eight years of age. He was then brought West by a . man named Benjamin Graham. The latter located in Henry County in the fall of 1848, in Crocker's Grove. Mr. Boyd passed his early life in farm labor, receiving a compensation suited to the kind and quality of the work he was able to perform. He often received only his board, and his wages for a long time was only $8 a month. He was the object of the malice of the man who was his reputed protector, and he was crippled by the effects of his brutality. They parted company at the period when the fatherless child was 14. But he was in- dustrious and honest, and found no difficulty in obtaining work suited to his condition, and managed to save his earning until, in 1864, he was able to buy 80 acres of land in Cambridge Township. To this he has added until he enjoys the repute ascribed to him at the beginning of this personal narration. Of the tract of 400 acres of which he is the owner 154 acres is located adjoining to the village of Cam- brige. Mr. Boyd is a Democrat is political persua- sion. It should have been mentioned in the proper place that his mother, Margaret (Rutherford) Boyd, was a second time married and accompanied her hus-

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band, Captain William J. H. Lee, of the British army, to India, in the service of England. She remained there 2 1 years. She returned to London, and at the date of this writing she is in the United States visit- ing her relatives. One of her sons is in the British service in India, and is acting in the capacity of a civil engineer.

Mr. Boyd was married to Mrs. Catherine (Blink) Diesch. By her first husband she had three chil- dren-Mary, Frank and Ellen. Three sons are included in the household of Mr. and Mrs. Boyd. They are named George H., Robert L. and Charles D. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd are connected in member- ship with the Methodist Church.

saac Pyle, engaged as a farmer on section 8, of Kewanee Township, is a son of Samuel and Frances A. (Howell) Pyle, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia respectively. They married and settled in Muskingum Co., Ohio, where they remained until 1856, when they came to Henry County and located in this township. They remained at the latter place, making it their permanent home, at which place the father died, Feb. 12, 1863. The mother still survives, and re- sides on the old homestead. She and her husband became the parents of four children, viz. : James C., William W., Isaac and Samuel A.

Isaac, our subject, was born in Muskingum Co., Ohio, Aug. 24, 1833, and remained at home until 17 years of age, attending the district schools in the acquisition of an English education during the winter seasons and working on his father's farm in the sum- mer. In October, 1856, as stated above, Isaac came with his father into Henry County, and began at once in the work of agriculture, which he has suc- cessfully followed since. Locating on a tract of land, he began actively and energetically in the task of its improvement and cultivation, and by subsequent purchases is now the owner and proprietor of 260 acres of valuable land, his farm being one of the finest in his township. Besides his agricultural pur- suits, he has been also engaged in the business of auctioneering, in company with C. J. T. Little; was appointed Inspector of the Coal Mines in Henry

County in September, 1880, which position he still holds, and is sought for to settle various estates, and also chosen the guardian of many children.

In Vinton Co., Ohio, on the 16th of September, 1855, Mr. Pyle was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Caroline, daughter of Rezin and Nancy (Aikins) Ball, natives of Virginia and Ohio, respectively. They married and settled in Ohio, where they lived for many years, and then emigrated to Nebraska, where they remained until they died, the mother on the 23d of May, 1863, and Mr. Ball Oct. 12, 1880. Of their union were born seven children, the record being as follows : William B., Eliphalet J., James W., Levi, Sarah A., Artemus M. and Caroline M. The latter, now Mrs. Pyle, was born in Muskingum Co., Ohio, July 19, 1837, and she and her husband have had their home brightened by the birth of eight children, six of whom survived: William M., Ulysses G., Bert M., John H., Nettie and May. The deceased are Charles E. and Alice C.

Mr. Pyle is largely interested in educational mat- ters, and takes a great interest in all matters of that nature, considering that to be the aim of his life. He has served his township in various ways, was Supervisor for four years and has been School Di- rector for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Pyle are active and prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically speaking, Mr. P. is a Repub- lican, and in his temperance views he is decided, although not a fanatic, as he is in favor of all meas- ures to resist the great evil.

lijah A. South. Among the many wealthy and respected farmers of Henry County, is classed the subject of this sketch. His home is on section 31, of Western Township, where he devotes his attention to raising stock and doing a general farming business. In the township of Dunkard, Greene Co., Pa., on the 8th day of February, 1827, he was born. His father, Elijah South, was also a native of the same township, and of slight German extraction, and by occupation a farmer. The early life of our subject was spent upon his farmer's farm, receiving such advantages for an education as was afforded in the community.

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HENRY COUNTY.

He was married in his native township to Miss Nancy Johnson, who was born and reared in the same neighborhood, and the daughter of a Pennsyl- vania carpenter and cabinet-maker. The grand- parents of our subject on both sides were prominent members of the Quaker Church in Pennsylvania. The grandfather South was a soldier of the Revolu- tionary War, and an uncle of Elijah's served in the War of 1812. The elder South acquired a large property in Greene County, where both the father and mother of our subject died, at the ages of 83 and 74 respectively.

Elijah A. was the second of a family of eight chil- dren, four sons and four daughters, three each of whom are still living. Two of the sons occupy the homestead of the father and grandfather, and which was improved by them. Mr. South lived at home until he was 28 years of age, working on his father's farm, but doing business on his own account. At that age, on the 31st of August, 1854, and in Greene County, he was married to Sarah E., daugh- ter of George and Mary (Bugess) Long, natives of the Keystone State, and prominent farmers in Greene County, where they died. In Prairie Town- ship, of that county, Mrs. S. was born. She spent heryounger life at home, attending the schools of her neighborhood. She died at her home in Osco Township, this county, Dec. 4, 1865, leaving four children,-Mary A, wife of J. Marion Garland, of Monongalia County, W. Va .; L. G. S., a teacher, and resident of Park City, Montana Territory ; Dora, wife of Edward Stewart, farmer at Colona Town- ship, this county ; and Plumer W., residing at home.

In 1864, Mr. South came to Illinois and located in Osco Township, where, in company with Eli Hol- land, he purchased 265 acres of land, which was at the time partly improved. There he resided for two and a half years, when he purchased 80 acres in an- other part of the township, which he improved and farmed until about 1867, when he sold it and moved to Edford Township, where he secured 200 acres of partly improved land. This place was destined to be his home for about 15 years. In March, 1882, he came to Western Township, and purchased a 284- acre farm, upon which he now resides. This is one of the best improved farms in the county, and Mr. S. is one of the prominent and successful farmers and stock-raisers of the district. Besides the land he owns here, he has two improved farms in Rock

Island County, one of 225 acres and the other of 80 acres.

On Jan. 27, 1867, Mr. S. was married the second time, returning to his native county to consummate the ceremony. This time the union was between himself and Miss Mary Summers, a native of Fay- ette Co., Pa. She had been reared and educated in that county, and lived at home until her marriage. Of this union three children have been born, one of whom is deceased. They have been named in the order of birth, Sarah E., Charles and Guy, who died in infancy. Both Mr. and Mrs. S. are members of the Baptist Church, and the former is Trustee of his Church.

ohn Stabler, engaged as a farmer on sec- tion 35, Kewanee Township, is a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Hood) Stabler, both natives of England. Their family comprised four children, of whom John was the second in order of birth. He was born in England, July 1, 1833, and his school advantages were quite limited, being employed on a farm when but nine years of age. On attaining his 20th year he went to Canada, at which place he remained but one year, and in the spring of 1854 came West, locating in Bureau Co., Ill. In the latter place he settled, re- siding there until 1874, when he came into Kewanee Township, this county, and made a purchase of 290 acres of land, upon which he has since been a resi- dent. By his hard labor and industry he improved the same, and has on the place a fine brick residence, barn and other outbuildings, besides having increased his landed interests until he now is the proprietor of 390 acres of good valuable land. Besides the land owned in Illinois, he owns 480 acres of fine farming land in Lancaster Co., Neb. When Mr. S. came to Bureau County he had but $40. He at once en- gaged to work out by the month, doing so for three years, obtaining $14 a month as a salary.

Mr. Stabler was married in Bureau County, March 14, 1860, to Miss Emma Burch, a native of England. Of their union have been born six children, of whom the following is a record: May E, George W., Fanny E., Robert L., Franklin J. and one who died in infancy. May E. is the wife of Wm. S. Lyle, and

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resides in Farragut, Iowa; George W. resides in Bu- reau Co., Ill., and the remainder of the children live at home. Mrs. Stabler died in Bureau County, Dec. 16, 1870, and Mr. S. was again united in marriage, June 13, 1872, in Kewanee, to Tamar Peart, who was born in Cumberland, England, Oct. 22, 1839. When 16 years of age she came to live in Canada, at which place she remained for somewhat over nine years, then coming to the States.

Politically, Mr. S. affiliates with the Republican party. He has been School Trustee for eight years, School Director, etc., in his township.

mbrose Mathews, a retired farmer and re- spected citizen of Henry'County, residing in the village of Wethersfield, is a son of Ambrose W. and Margaret (Connor) Mathews, the former a native of New Jersey and the lat- ter of New York. The parents of Mr. Mathews of this notice were married and settled in New York, where, after a short residence, they removed to the Western Reserve, in Northern Ohio, from which State they emigrated to Illinois in 1845, settling in Wethersfield Township, this county, where they re- sided until their deaths, hers occurring May 8, 1857, and his June 16, 1884. They reared to manhood and womanhood ten children, namely: Charles C., Henry, Nelson J., Uriah V., Enos T., Mary E., Amanda, Ambrose, William and Rosanna. Charles C., Henry, Nelson J. and Enos T. are deceased. Ambrose W., their father, was born Oct. 9, 1792, and his wife Aug. 17, 1790.

Ambrose, Jr., subject of this notice, was born in Seneca Co., N. Y., Nov. 20, 1831. He was but one year old when his parents removed to Ohio, where he resided with them until 1845. He received a good common-school education in the district schools and assisted his father in the labors of the farm until he arrived at the age of 19 years. At this age in life he was apprenticed to learn the shoemaker's trade, at which he worked for three years. He then came to this county, in 1845, and remained about five years, when he returned to Geauga Co., Ohio, and finished learning his trade. He then returned to this county and worked at his trade in Wethers- field and Kewanee until 1861. During this year he

enlisted as a private in the 124th Ill. Vol. Inf., and served until the close of the war. In 1863 he was promoted as Commissary Sergeant of the regiment, and served in that capacity during the remainder of his term of enlistment. He met with many narrow escapes, having received several shots through his clothes ; but during his entire service, and the battles in which he participated, he was never seriously wounded.

On receiving his discharge he returned to his old home in Wethersfield Township, where, throwing aside his uniform and accoutrements of war, he again entered upon the peaceful pursuits of life. He has since been engaged in agricultural labors, until about 1881, since which time he has followed various occupations. He is the inventor of a force- pump known as the " Little Giant," on which he has received a patent. He manufactured and sold these pumps for about four years, when he was obliged to give up the business on account of ill health.

Mr. Mathews was united in marriage in Wethers- field, Jan. 1, 1852, with Maria C. Cline, daughter of Daniel and Betsey (Crouse) Cline, natives of New York, in which State, Dutchess County, her father died, Sept. 14, 1837, the date of his birth being June 19, 1797. Mrs. Cline came to Henry County with a married daughter in 1844, and settled in Wethers- field Township, where she died June 8, 1871, the date of her birth being Aug. 22, 1800. She was the mother of four children-Jane A., George, Maria C. and Mary E. Maria C., wife of the subject of this sketch, was born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., March 16, 1828, and came to this county with her mother in 1844., Mr. and Mrs. Mathews are the parents of a family of five children, namely: Cora C., Edward, Rosa, Melva and John L. Cora C. is the wife of James Wiley, Jr., and resides in Wethersfield Town- ship. Rosa married George Dustin, who resides in the same township. Edward and John L. are me- chanics, and are employed in the manufacturing establishment of the Haxtun Steam Heater Com- pany. They have buried one child, who died when about nine months old.

Mr. M. has held the office of Township Assessor almost continuously for about 12 years. He was the first Collector of Wethersfield Township after the organization of the same, and has held the office of Constable, together with that of other minor offices.

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HENRY COUNTY.

He is a member of the Julian A. Pratt Post, No. 143, G. A. R.

Religiously, he and his wife are members of the Congregational Church of Kewanee. Politically, Mr. M. is a believer in the principles advocated by the Republican party.

arius Storey, engaged as a farmer on sec- tion 4, Kewanee Township, was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., on the 18th of March, 1828. In 1847 he came West and located in in Kewanee Township, this county, where he made a purchase of land, upon which he began the task of its improvement and cultivation and has to day 125 acres of valuable land.

He was married in this county on the 14th of January, 185 1, the lady whom he chose to be his companion in life being Miss Nancy Dingman, a hative of Canada. She has borne her husband four children, as follows : Elijah, Larmer, Jane and Josephine. (See sketch of Elijah elsewhere in this ALBUM ) Mrs. Storey died Jan. 31, 1867, and Mr. S. formed a second matrimonial alliance April 25, 1867, with Elizabeth Schwyhart, who was born in Ohio, June 21, 1843. Of the late union has been born one child, Tessa.

Politically, Mr. S. is identified with the Repub- lican party, and he has served his township as School Director.

oseph H. Page is engaged as a general farm- er on section 8, Wethersfield Township, where he was born Sept. 24, 1839. His parents, Hazelton and Mary A. (Cook) Page, were natives of New England, coming to this township from the State of their nativity in 1838. Mrs. Page died May 19, 1850, and the father Nov. 9, 1881. Of their union were born five chil- dren,- Robert C., Joseph H., Mary E., Ann J. and Edgar O. Mary E. and Edgar O. are deceased. Ann J. is the wife of Thomas Daniels and resides in Cambridge.

Joseph H., our subject, remained at home, receiv- ing a good common-school education in the schools

of Wethersfield Township, and assisted his parents in the labors on the farm. He is now the owner of 160 acres of good tillable land in this county, upon which he has erected good buildings, and by his energy and industry has put the farm under excel- lent cultivation and improvement, this being his place of residence.

Mr. Page was united in marriage in this township, Henry County, Aug. 29, 1863, the lady whom he chose to be his wife being Miss Sarah R. Lester, daughter of Charles and Julia A. (Snyder) Lester. They came to Henry County from Cayauga Co., N. Y., about 1842 and settled in Wethersfield Town- ship, where the mother died, Jan. 9, 1859. The father died Feb. 14, 1876. They became the parents of seven children, namely: Jefferson, Sarah R., Champlin M., Parker J, Myron, Phebe A. and Charles. Sarah A., the wife of our subject, was born in Wethersfield Township, Aug. 29, 1845.

Mr. and Mrs. Page have a family consisting of four children, viz .: Mary B., Charles H., Guy W. and Frank L.

Politically, Mr. P. votes according to the princi- ples advocated by the Republican party.

ohn H. Allen, druggist at Cambridge, was born Feb. 9, 1843, in Shelbyville, Ind. In ancestral descent he is of Scotch-Irish origin, his earliest progenitor having been of that race. His grandfather, Isaac Allen, came from Scotland to Virginia, and settled there and raised a family. One of them, John Allen, born in 1805, removed thence to Shelby County, Ind., where he was married to Martha Higbee. She was a native of the State of Kentucky, and was of Ger- man descent. Six of their nine children are now living. In the spring of 1850 John Allen removed his family to Mason Co., Ill., settling in Havana, where the lives of his parents terminated.

Mr. Allen, of this sketch, was educated in Ha- vana, and at the opening of the Rebellion enlisted in the rith Ill. Cav., and served four years in the army. Since that time he has been engaged in different mercantile pursuits, for the last eight years of which he has been engaged in the drug business,

Mrs Caroline W. Howard

Dr. Slewis Hound

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having been engaged in that business six years in Ipava, this State, and two years in Cambridge.

The marriage of Mr. Allen to Lovina Marty took place at Havana, Ill., and their children are named Emma A., Mattie E., Hattie F., Clara M. and Eu- gene W. Mr. Allen is a Republican in political views and actions, and a member of the A. O. U. W. and Masonic Order.

ewis Hurd, a practicing physician, residing at Wethersfield, is one of the earliest set- tlers and one of the first medical practi- tioners in Henry County. He came to Illinois in 1836, and after a stay of about one year's duration in that portion of Knox County now included in Stark County, he made a location in Henry County in the same township in which he is now a resident.

Dr. Hurd is the son of Dr. Thomas B. and Anna (Shepard) Hurd, and was born in Hamilton, Mad- ison Co., N. Y., Aug. 19. 1811. His parents were natives of Connecticut, where they were married and first settled. Later, they removed to Madison Co., N. Y., and the death of the father transpired there, about 1838. The mother died in the same place at a later date. Their children were named Hepzibah, Thomas B., Orrin S., Lewis and Anna.

Dr. Hurd was educated primarily in the common schools of his native county, and was the assistant of his father in the cultivation of the medicinal herbs the latter used in his professional labors, as he be- longed to the Thompsonian school. This associa- tion was his first instigation to enter the profession which he has followed incidentally since he was 19 years of age. He acquired a practical knowledge of the medicinal virtues of plants and had the benefit of the experience of his father. At 15 he entered Hamilton Academy, which he attended until he was 19. He went to Buffalo, N. Y., in 1830, where he began to practice to some extent. But he was prac- tically unknown and dependent on his own efforts wholly. He is and has been all his life an expert with tools, and while securing a start in Buffalo he secured a maintenance at first by his work as a car- penter until he acquired sufficient practice to pre- clude his labor as a craftsman. At the end of four

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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 85

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