USA > Illinois > Stephenson County > The History of Stephenson County, Illinois : containing biographical sketches war record statistics portraits of early settlers history of the Northwest, history of Illinois, &c. > Part 71
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MRS. HELENA BECK, whose maiden name was Helena Reiser, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1818; she grew up there, and came to America in 1847, and lived in Milford, Mass. In 1849, she married Frank Hertrich, a native of Bavaria, Germany ; they, came to Stephenson Co. in 1857 ; he engaged in the brewing business ; his death occurred in 1861 ; they had five children, all born in Milford, Mass., and only three are living-Helena, Paulina and Martha. In October, 1866, she married Charles T. Beck, a native of Bavaria, Germany ; he died in November, 1867 ; they had one son, Charles Frank.
W. L. BEEBE, retired farmer and stock-raiser, residence Galena_avenue ; is a native of New York State, and was born Feb. 9, 1812 ; he grew up in that State. After reaching manhood, on the 11th of June, 1835, he was united in marriage to Miss Sallie Ann Tripp, a native of Seneca Co., N. Y .; they came to Michigan in 1838, and remained in that State two years; in 1840, they came to Illinois, bringing their furni- ture with them on a wagon, and beside that they had only $30 in money when they crossed the river at Oregon, in Ogle Co., where they settled. Mrs. Beebe lived in a shanty while her husband made several trips to Chicago with his team ; Mr. Beebe bor- rowed $50 and with this money entered 40 acres of land ; he and his wife both say that they felt rich when they owned their first 40 acres ; he entered 40 acres more ; they made a farm, and with industry and economy prospered; lived in that county until 1862, and owned 600 acres of land, when they came to Stephenson Co. and engaged in farming and raising fine stock, and since then have lived in this county. Mr. Beebe had nothing when he began ; one winter he thrashed with a flail 2,200 bushels of grain, and used to cart grain with his team for 50 cents a day; he owns a large, valuable farm adjoining the city, and also owns one in Ogle Co. Mr. and Mrs. Beebe have eight children-Robert S., Henry T., Alexander I., Nancy E., Clarissa C., Milton B., Philip S. and Frank C .; Mrs. Beebe's mother died in November, 1876 ; her father, 89 years old, and her six sisters and three brothers, are all living ; her brother, Robert Tripp, helped to capture Jefferson Davis during the war ; Mr. Beebe's father came to Ogle Co. in 1837; he lived and died on the claim he first made, and was past 91 years of age at the time of his death.
ROBERT BELL, proprietor of the Tremont House, corner of Clay and Chicago streets, is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Lebanon Co. Dec. 19,
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1813 ; he grew up to manhood in that State; in April, 1843, he and his brother started for the West; they rode on horseback all the way to Illinois, and arrived in Stephenson Co. in June, 1843; they located on Cedar Creek and began making a farm. In 1845, Mr. Bell was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Ann McCool, from Lewisburg, Union Co., Penn .; she came with her parents to this county in 18-41. Mr. Bell con- tinued farming until 1877, when he came into the city, and in 1879 he opened the Tremont House ; he held the offices of County Supervisor, Road Commissioner and School Director. Mr. and Mrs. Bell have five children-Ellen Mary, now Mrs. Laird, in Nebraska; James, living in Kansas; Lucretia, Joseph and Eva at home.
DAVID BENSON, cashier for Mrs. J. Benson, dealer in fancy dry goods and notions, Opera House Block, 120 Stephenson street ; is a native of Ohio, and was born in Cincinnati Sept. 2, 1825 ; he came to Rock Island in 1856. During the war he entered the service, enlisting in the 12th I. V. I., and was commissioned Captain of Co. D; he afterward entered the service of the Illinois Central Railroad, and remained with that company eight years. In 1864, Mr. Benson was united in marriage to Miss Jeanette Brown, a native of Michigan; they came to Freeport in 1872, and Mrs. Benson estab- lished her present business ; she buys all of her goods, has the entire management of the business, and has successfully carried it on for the past eight years, having built up a large trade.
H. D. BENTLEY, dealer in pianos, organs and all kinds of musical instru- ments and sheet music, No. 144 Stepbenson street ; is a native of England, and was born in the city of London Dec. 5, 1848; his parents came to the United States in 1851; they came to Stephenson Co. and located in Freeport the same year ; he grew up and received his education here ; after leaving school, he entered the music store of Pelton & Pomeroy; he went to Chicago with this firm and was book-keeper and cashier, and afterward did the buying for the extensive business of that house ; he remained there five years, and in 1879 established his present business ; he has had a large practical experience in the music business ; he has unusual facilities for buying the best instruments, and by his energy is building up a large trade. Mr. Bentley was united in marriage Dec. 27, 1875, to Miss Elida Jane Pattison, daughter of Richard Pattison, of this city ; they have one son-Charles Johnson.
AUGUST BERGMAN, of the firm of Bergman & Dorman, livery sta- ble and dealers in agricultural implements, Bridge and Exchange streets ; is a native of Prussia, Germany, and was born Sept. 27, 1835; he came to the United States in 1852, and the same year came to Stephenson Co., and settled in Freeport ; he soon after engaged in making brick, and continued for eight years; in 1864, he engaged in the livery business, and, in 1867, he also engaged in the sale of farm machinery, in a small shanty ; they have carried on the business for thirteen years; their trade has steadily increased, until now they have become one of the largest dealers in agricultural imple- ments in the Northwest; their large and commodious brick block, fronting on Bridge and Van Buren streets, is fully occupied with their business. Mr. Bergman was elected Street Commissioner in 1864; he has held the office of Alderman six years, and other town offices. Mr. Bergman was united in marriage to Miss Mary Scharer, from Mary- land, April 12, 1864; they have five children-August H., William, Mary, Minnie and Edith.
S. J. BEST, physician and surgeon, Stephenson St., Freeport ; is a native of Clinton Co., Penn., and was born June 22, 1837; his parents came West to Illinois during his early boyhood, and located in Stephenson Co. in 1847 ; he grew up and attended school here, then entered the seminary at Mt. Morris, where he remained five years ; he began reading medicine here for a short time, then went East and pursued his studies in the city of Philadelphia for five years, under the preceptorship of his uncle, Dr. A. J. Crotzer, and graduated at Jefferson Medical College in 1860; after graduating, he returned to Freeport and engaged in the practice of medicine, and has practiced his profession here for twenty years ; he is a member of the Stephenson County Medical Society. In April, 1864, Dr. Best was united in marriage to Miss Kate S.
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Wolf, a native of Union Co., Penn. ; they have five children-Charles, Nellie, Harry, James and an infant daughter.
CHARLES BETTS, attorney at law ; is a native of Batavia, N. Y. and was born June 13, 1824 ; he grew up and received his education in that State ; he entered the law office of Redfield & Pringle, and began reading law ; he afterward continued his studies in the office of Hon. Isaac A. Verplank and Hon. John H. Martindale ; he was admitted to the bar at Rochester, N. Y., in 1847; the following year, he emigrated to the State of Illinois, and located at Freeport, which was then a very small place; he engaged in the practice of law. In the political campaign of 1852, when quite a young man, he received, unsolicited, the nomination of the Whig party for the office of Auditor General of the State of Illinois ; since the political revolution of the country of 1858, Mr. Betts has acted with the Democratic party ; he indorsed the sentiments and prin ciples of Hon Stephen A. Douglas, and supported him with all his energies, and was his firm friend until his death; at the Congressional Convention of the Democratic party of the Third Congressional District in 1870, he received, without solicitation, the nomination for Congress in this district, strongly Republican, and, where the candidate of his party was defeated two years previous by ten thousand majority, he reduced that majority nearly one-half; he continued the practice of his profession until within a short time. In August, 1878, Mr. Betts was united in marriage to Miss Mary C. Wilson, a native of this city ; they have one daughter.
BILLKER & REINHOLD, manufacturers and wholesale dealers in fine cigars, 84 Stephenson St .; the business was established in March, 1879, by W. G. Billker ; he is a native of Germany ; he came to Freeport in 1863; in March, 1880, Edward Reinhold became associated with him ; he is a native of Baltimore; he came to Freeport in 1867; the firm became Billker & Reinhold; they engaged in manufac- turing cigars, and have built up a good trade in this State and in Iowa.
JOHN BILLERBECK, proprietor of the Vienna Bakery, Galena street, east of Galena avenue ; is a native of Prussia, Germany, and was born Nov. 13, 1835 and came to America in 1853, and came to Freeport the same year; he has been engaged in business here over twenty years ; he established his present business, and is building up a nice trade. He belongs to the German Benevolent Society and to the Fire Department. In 1864, he married Miss Minnie Reineke, a native of Germany ; he has five children-Anna, Anton, Lotta, Josie and Charlie
PETER BIXLER, manufacturer of woodwork, carriages and buggies, Van Buren street, north of Bridge street ; is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Williamsport, Lycoming Co., Oct. 29, 1847; he grew up and learned his trade there ; he came West, and located in Freeport, in 1868, and engaged in his present business in 1870, and has carried it on since then, and has built up a good trade. He is a member of Winnesheik Lodge, No. 30, I. O. O. F., also, a member Co. C., I. N. G. He married Miss Sarah C. Dubbs, a native of Pennsylvania; she died Oct. 26, 1876, leaving two sons-Harry F., born Dec. 3, 1870 ; Samuel R., born Dec. 22, 1873.
DANIEL S. BOGAR, merchant, dealer in dry goods and groceries, 153 Stephenson street ; is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Lewisburg, Union Co., Aug. 16, 1823 ; he grew up to manhood in that State ; he came to Stephenson Co., in 1850, but did not locate here permanently until 1852 ; he entered a store as clerk ; he was afterward express messenger on the I. C. R. R. In 1860, he engaged in mer- cantile business. He has held the office of Postmaster at McConnell's Grove. In 1866, Mr. Bogar, was united in marriage to Miss Hattie E. Buckley, a native of Unadilla, Otsego Co, New York. They have one daughter-Ettie J.
GEORGE BORDNER, of the firm of Bordner & Rosebrough, wholesale and retail dealers in coal, water lime and stucco ; is a native of Union Co., Pa., and was born March 19, 1824; he grew up to manhood in that State; he went to New York State, and remained a few years, and came West to Illinois, in 1848, and arrived in Free- port, October 24, of that year ; he worked at anything he could find to do, and after- ward engaged in farming; very few men worked harder than Mr. Bordner to get
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started ; at that time there was very little money to be had ; he has cradled oats for 20 cents an acre, and had to take store pay; he split rails for Hon. J. H. Addams for 50 cents per hundred, and walked three miles to his work ; in 1866, he engaged in the livery business, and continued for seven years ; then engaged in shipping horses East and South ; in 1876 he engaged in his present business. He is also a member of the firm of J. E. Rosebrough & Co., grain dealers, at Ashton, Ill. Mr. Bordner was united in marriage, Oct. 24, 1850, to Miss Lovina Roush, from Center Co., Pa .; they have had eight children, four of whom survive-Minerva M., Etta, Delia and Lyma.
D. B. BREED, of the Journal Printing Co., is a native of New York State, and was born in Jamestown, Chautauqua Co., Oct. 1, 1852 ; when 14 years of age he came to Illinois, and entered the Journal printing office at Amboy, Lee Co .; the following year he came to Freeport and entered the printing office of the Freeport Journal, and has been connected with the office since then, and has filled every position from " devil " up; he has been interested in the business of the office since 1873. He holds the office of City Treasurer ; was elected to that position in April, 1880. Mr. Breed is prominently identified with the Masonic order, and has held the position of Secretary of M. R. Thompson Lodge for a number of years.
M. V. BROWN, dealer in coal, hides, wool, seeds, lime and stucco ; office and yard foot of Stephenson street; is a native of Huron Co, Ohio, and was born June 1, 1838; his parents came to Stephenson Co. in 1853; he grew up and attended school here ; after reaching manhood, he engaged in his present business, and has carried it on for the past twenty years ; there are few men in this county and adjoining counties, in this line of business, who are as well and favorably known, and he has a large established trade. Mr. Brown was united in marriage July 24, 1862, in this city, to Miss Matilda S. Sherbondy ; they have one son-William. Mr. Brown is prominently identified with the Masonic order, having taken all the degrees except the 33d.
BENJAMIN T. BUCKLEY, physician and surgeon, Exchange street, opposite court house ; is a native of Unadilla, Otsego Co., N. Y., and was born Sept. 18, 1825; he grew up and attended school there, and came West to Illinois, with his father and family; they arrived in Stephenson Co. in April, 1846; they located in Harlem Township, only a short distance from the city; he studied medicine, and attended lectures at Rush Medical College, Chicago, and graduated from that institu- tion in 1852; after graduating, he engaged in the practice of medicine, and since then has practiced his profession here, except four years he practiced in California. He has held the office of Examining Surgeon for Pensions, and has served in the City Council. In October, 1857, Dr. Buckley was united in marriage to Miss Lila A. Sabin, from Ohio ; they have two sons-Charles S. and Benjamin R.
HON. HORATIO C. BURCHARD, Director of the United States Mints, was born at Marshall, Oneida Co., N. T., Sept. 22, 1825 ; his parents were Horatio Burchard and Frances (Chapin) Burchard, both of Springfield, Mass .; in 1840, he removed with the family to Beloit, Wis. ; he attended school there, and after- ward entered Hamilton College, New York, and graduated from that institution in 1850 ; he studied law, and was admitted to the bar in Monroe, Green Co., Wis., in 1852 ; in 1854, he took charge of the Freeport, Ill., schools, as General Manager and Head Teacher ; in 1855, he became associated with Thomas I. Turner, under the style of Turner & Burchard, for the practice of law ; in 1856, E. P. Barton, Esq., was admitted as a partner, and, T. I. Turner retiring in 1858, the firm of Burchard & Barton was continued until 1864, when H. M. Barnum, Esq., was added to the firm, which continued until 1871, when Mr. Burchard retired from the firm after being elected to Congress ; in 1862, he engaged in mercantile business, in the hardware trade, and associated with his brother, Jesse Burchard, under the firm name of H. C. Burch- ard & Bro., which was continued until 1869, while in the interim, he was professionally and successfully occupied in the courts of Stephenson and adjoining counties. From 1857 to 1860, he was School Commissioner of Stephenson Co., Ill .; in 1863 and 1865, he was a prominent member of the Legislature of Illinois ; in the session of 1863, he
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was a member of the Committee on Claims, and in that of 1865, was Chairman of the Committee on Banks and Corporations ; during the war session of the Legislature he warmly and efficiently sustained the war measures of Gov. Yates for the support of the war and the relief of the soldiers; he introduced and supported several very im- portant bills, which became laws upon our statute books, among them was the bill allow- ing the soldiers to vote, and the Registration law ; he was prominent in opposing and defeating the bill introduced by the Democrats, for the purpose of taking the appoint- ing power from Gov. Yates, and vesting it in a Commission; he introduced the bill authorizing the payment of bounties to soldiers. In 1869, he was elected to Congress, at a special election held to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of E. B. Washburne ; he was successively elected to the 42d, 43d, 44th and 45th Congresses; during the 41st Congress, serving upon the Committee on Banking and Currency, of which Gen. Garfield was chairman, the first speeches of Mr. Burchard were in connec- tion with the tariff question, in the earliest of which hediscussed the subject at length ; he also discussed largely the subject of the currency, dwelling on the office of money, the necessary supply of coin, the value of circulation required, the actual amount in circulation in our own and other countries, and several other important questions ; the conclusion of his able speech was as follows: " We are returning safely, slowly, surely, to the goal of a sound, redeemable currency, from which eight years ago we, perhaps necessarily, departed; the country rejoices to see the national credit restored, and a stable standard of value regained, unaided by Congressional legislation, and controlled by the higher laws of trade and commerce during the present session ; the difference between the paper and specie standard has diminished half; without shock to business or financial revulsion, gold has fallen from 180 to 10 per cent premium, and almost gained the point of departure." At the beginning of his second term of Congress, his mastery of economical and financial subjects was recognized in his appointment on the Committee of Ways and Means; by careful and exhaustive study of the questions that came before him, and by the force of argument with which he sustained his con- clusions on the floor, he proved himself one of the ablest members of this important committee ; he was continued upon the Committee of Ways and Means during the remainder of his Congressional service; after his election to the 45th Congress, the grave question arose as to the method of counting the Electoral votes ; a committee was appointed to inquire into the privileges, powers and duties of the House of Repre- sentatives ; he was appointed on that committee, and presented, on behalf of the Repub- lican members, a minority report ; he brought forth other important measures, one rela- ting to the laws of internal revenue, another bill authorizing the receiving of postal saving deposits, a bill which authorized the Secretary of the Treasury to receive saving deposits through the money-order post offices ; the latter received favorable report from the Committee of Ways and Means, and was placed upon the general calendar, and was not reached for action on the House calendar. In February, 1879, Mr. Burchard re- ceived the appointment of Director of the United States Mints, and entered upon the duties of his office on the 5th of the following month. In politics, he is a firm and consistent Republican, and to the support of his party brings abilities of no mean order, and the prestige of an honorable reputation and unsullied record. Mr. Burchard was united in marriage May 15, 1861, to Miss Jane Lawver, daughter of M. Lawver, an old and honored resident of Stephenson Co .; they have one son-Edward Lawver, born Sept. 5, 1867. 1
JESSE BURCHARD, of the firm of Burchard & Scott, wholesale and retail dealers in hardware, iron and carriage stock, 119 Stephenson street ; is a native of Oneida Co., N. Y., and was born Dec. 9, 1830 ; when 10 years of age, his parents came West to Beloit, Wis., in 1840, and he grew up to manhood in that State; he came to Stephenson Co. and located in Freeport in 1862, and engaged in the hardware trade, the firm being H. C. Burchard & Brother, he having the active management of the busi- ness ; Mr. Burchard has successfully carried on the business for the past seventeen years ; in 1875, the firm became Burchard & Scott; they have a large wholesale and retail trade, they carry a large stock, and are one of the heaviest mercantile firms in this
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section of the State. Mr. Burchard was united in marriage May 29, 1866, to Miss Lizzie C. Fry, daughter of Hon. C. J. Fry, of this city ; they have four children- Charles J., George H., Mary E. and Fannie.
J. C. BURBANK, homeopathic physician and surgeon ; office, Munn's Block, corner of Stephenson and Van Buren streets .; is a native of Bradford Co., Penn., and was born in the town of Towanda; he grew up and received his education in that State ; he studied medicine, and graduated at the Pennsylvania Homoeopathic Medical College in 1856; he is also a graduate of the Pennsylvania Hospital ; he came West to Illinois in 1856, and located at Polo, Ogle Co., and practiced his profession there until 1869, when he removed to Janesville, Wis .; in 1873, he came to Freeport, and since then has practiced his profession here. Dr. Burbank has held the position of Vice Presi- dent of the Illinois Homoeopathic Medical Society ; while living in Ogle Co., held vari- ous town and school offices ; he has no taste for office, and devotes his whole energies to his profession. Dr. Burbank was united in marriage, Jan. 19, 1860, to Miss Martha M. Belding, a native of Bradford Co., Penn .; they have four children-Hattie B., Wil- bur A., Fred and Roy : they have lost one daughter, Sophia.
JOHN BURRELL, of the firm of Emmert & Burrell, wholesale and retail dealers in drugs, medicines, paints and oils, No. 111 Stephenson street ; is a native of Westmoreland Co., Penn., and was born .Feb. 20, 1830; he grew up and attended school there; after reaching manhood, he came West to Illinois, and located in Stephen- son Co. in the spring of 1851 ; he entered a drug store as clerk the first year, and the following year he became a partner in the store, and has been connected with the business for twenty-eight years, and, with one exception, is the oldest merchant in the city. He has held the offices of Supervisor and Collector, and school offices. In 1853, Mr. Burrell was united in marriage to Miss Augusta E. Burn- side, a native of Indiana ; they have three children-Florence (now Mrs. S. Hermanns, of Morris, Ill.), Lillian A. and William Burnside.
BURRELL BROTHERS, wholesale and retail dealers in groceries and provisions, 110 Stephenson street ; the firm is composed of Lewis F., Henry and Daniel W .; the business was established in 1856 by Lewis F., the senior member of the present firm. He is a native of Westmoreland Co., Penn., and came to Stephenson Co. in 1850; he carried on the business until 1870, when he went to Chicago, and became connected with the extensive printing, binding and stationery house of Culver, Page & Hoyne, and since then has been a member of that firm, still retaining his interest in the firm of Burrell Brothers. Henry Burrell is a native of Westmoreland Co., Penn., and came to Freeport in 1850 ; he grew up to manhood here, and learned the tinner's trade ; he was engaged in the hardware trade in Winnebago Co. for eight years ; he became a member of the present firm in 1874 ; during the war, he enlisted in Company G, 15th Regiment, I. V. I., and served two years ; participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth and Vicks- burg ; he was commissioned Lieutenant, and served in that position in the 6th Miss. Reg. Colored Infantry ; he was afterward promoted and commissioned Captain of Co. F, 142d I. V. I., and commanded that company until the close of the war. He was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Steves, a native of Winnebago Co., in 1867. Daniel W. is a native of Pennsylvania, and came here with his parents in 1850; he grew up to manhood here, and has had a large practical experience in the grocery business.
REV. D. B. BYERS, Pastor of the Evangelical Church ; is a native of Ashland Co., Ohio, and was born Feb. 5, 1835 ; he grew up to manhood, and received his education in Ohio and Illinois ; he entered the ministry in 1856 ; he came to Free- port in 1859 ; besides preaching here many years, has served eight years as Presiding Elder. Mr. Byers has been successfully engaged in the ministry for the past twenty- four years. Mr. Byers was united in marriage to Miss Susan E. Barshinger, from Pennsylvania, April 5, 1859 ; they have six children.
DR. W. S. CALDWELL, physician and surgeon, 122 Stephenson St. ; is a native of Southern Kansas, and was born Aug. 8, 1832; his father, Abner Caldwell,
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belongs to the celebrated Caldwell family, and he was an own cousin to John C. Cal- houn. When fourteen years of age, Dr. Caldwell went to Michigan, where he com- pleted his literary course ; then began his extended course in the study of medicine at the University of Michigan; he also pursued the study of medicine and surgery in Cincinnati, Philadelphia, New York, Berlin, Vienna, Paris and London. Dr. Cald- well came to Jo Daviess Co., in 1856, with only $20 in his pocket ; he taught school one winter, then engaged in the practice of his profession at Elizabeth, where he remained fifteen years; then removed to Warren, where he remained seven years, and built up a large and very successful practice; in April, 1877, he went abroad and spent two years in Europe, pursuing his studies in Berlin, Vienna, Paris and London ; upon his return, in June, 1879, he located in Freeport, and since then, within one year, has a larger and more successful practice than any physician outside of Chicago. Dr. Caldwell has received five diplomas from different medical institutions ; he is a great student, and devoted to the interests of his profession.
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