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 77
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CHARLES SEYFARTH, of the firm of Baier & Seyfarth, corner of Adams and Jackson streets, proprietors of the Freeport Brewery; is a native of Germany, and was born in Saxony, July 24, 1829; he grew up and learned the blacksmith's trade ; he came to the United States in 1849, and came to Stephenson Co. in 1852 ; settled in Freeport and engaged in blacksmithing ; he carried on that business until 1869 ; then Mr. Baier engaged in the brewing business ; they have built up a large business. In December, 1856, Mr. Seyfarth married Miss Elizabeth Hermann, from Silver Creek, in this county ; they have three children-Mary, Louis and Charles. Mr. Seyfarth has held the office of School Director, and is a member of Freeport Lodge, I. O. O. F.
J. A. SHEETZ, insurance agent, Stephenson street; is a native of Lycom- ing Co., Penn., and was born Jan. 6, 1836; his parents came to Stephenson Co. in 1839, and were among the earliest settlers; he grew up and attended school here. After the war broke out, he enlisted in the 8th I. V. I., and was commissioned 2d Lieutenant of Co. F; he was promoted for gallantry at the battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh; he was brevetted Brigadier General for gallantry at Mobile ; after the close of the war, he entered the regular army, and served in the 30th and in the 4th U. S. I. until De- cemeber, 1875. Col. Sheetz was united in marriage, July 3, 1879, to Miss Jennie Massenberg, of this city. One of the Freeport newspapers, speaking of the sudden death of his father, Jared Sheetz, says : " On last Sabbath, the 11th inst., just as the bells had broken the stillness of the morning, calling the people to worship in the vari- ous churches, our city was thrilled by the announcement that an old and esteemed cit- izen-Jared Sheetz-had been suddenly called to cross the dark valley, and had gone from the very act of devotion in the earthly sanctuary, to join the general assembly and church of the first-born in heaven. His demise, startling and unexpected as it was to us all, was a terrible blow to his loving family and friends, who had not dreamed that the somber angel of death was brooding over their peaceful home on that beautiful Sabbath morning. Only a few minutes before he had set out from his residence, on Clay street, in his usual health, to attend morning service, and, on going, remarked to his family that he thought he would go to the Lutheran, known as the Stone Church, and
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which is located on the South Side, a distance of about three-quarters of a mile from his home, a longer walk than he was accustomed to take. He had but just been seated in the church, and had taken up his hymn-book to join in the worship already commenced, when he was observed to swoon in his seat, his head dropped to his bosom, his book fell from his hand, he sank down and was found quite insensible. He was immediately carried out and every effort made to restore him to consciousness, but in vain. Dr. D. T. Buckley, his family physician, was immediately summoned, but before he reached the scene, life was extinct. He died of apoplexy. Mr. Sheetz was born in Berks Co., Penn., on the 6th day of January, A. D. 1805, and hence, at the time of his death, was in his 73d year. He was educated for the pulpit, and at an early age entered the min- istry of the Lutheran Church, and labored successfully and with great acceptance in that office in his native State, until the year 1839, when he removed to this county. He spoke fluently both the English and German languages, and on this account found additional demand for labor in his calling, and often went long distances to attend funerals among people who could only repay him with grateful thanks. Coming here with the very earliest settlers, and by his talent and acquirements, it was but natural that he at once took a prominent and influential rank among the leading citizens of the county, and which, by strict integrity and kind helpfulness to others less favored, he maintained through life. His influence was uniformly on the side of the best moral and material interests of the community in which he lived. Though he never sought office for himself, yet he was called upon to fill various important public trusts. He held the office of School Commissioner for Stephenson Co. at a time when our public-school system was quite new, and by his efficient administration aided greatly to organize and establish the public-school system which has since become the pride of all our people. Mr. Sheetz was twice married, and leaves a widow surviving. He rcared a large family of children, and so kind and generous was he in his care for them in all their best inter- ests, that they may well feel they have lost one who was to them a father in the true sense of that relation."
JAMES M. SMITH, of the firm of McMillan & Smith, dealers in lumber, shingles, sash, doors and blinds, 32 Stephenson street ; is a native of Union Co., Penn., and was born Dec. 4, 1819 ; he grew up to manhood there, and came West to Illinois in 1844 and settled in Stephenson Co .; he entered land from Government and began making a farm. A few years after coming here, in the fall of 1850, he married Miss Mary A. Miller, a native of Pennsylvania ; in the fall of the same year he engaged in mer- cantile business at Buena Vista ; he continued in trade there fifteen years ; in 1872 he returned to Freeport, and in February, 1879, he associated with Mr. McMillan and engaged in the lumber business, and they have an extensive trade. Mr. Smith was the first Secre- tary of the Buckeye Mutual Fire Insurance Company ; he has held the office of Super- visor, Collector and Commissioner of Highways, and was Postmaster at Buena Vista for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have three children-Charles A., Mary and Jennie.
SYDNEY SMITH, of the firm of Smith & Porter, grain and stock dealers ; is a native of the State of New York, and was born in the city of Buffalo Feb. 21, 1837 ; he grew up and attended school there ; he came West and located in Stephenson Co. in 1855, and entered the grain warehouse as clerk, and Mr. Smith has been connected with the grain trade since then, a period of a quarter of a century; the firm of Smith & Porter are the oldest dealers in grain on this line of the road; they buy and ship from Ridott, Pecatonica, Winnebago and Baileyville ; they have an extensive shipping trade. In 1860 Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Sarah M. Davis, of Brook- lyn, N. Y. ; she died in 1871, leaving three children-John S., Fannie and Lulu ; his . present wife was Theoda Knapp, from Cayuga Co., N. Y .; they have two children -- Georgie and Theoda.
MRS. CHRISTINE SNOW, formerly Miss Christine Hilderbrand, is a native of Germany, and was born May 4, 1826 ; she came to the United States in 1847, and came the same year to Stephenson Co. The following year, in October, 1848, she was united in marriage to Mortimer Snow, a native of Hamilton Co., N. Y .; they moved on a farm in Silver Creek Township and engaged in farming. When the war broke out he enlisted in 1861 in the 46th I. V. I .; he was wounded in the battle of
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Shiloh, and was afterward discharged on account of wounds received in that battle. He subsequently died in 1870, leaving five children-Ella, Carrie, Frank, Hattie and Fred. There are few persons who more fully understood the hardships of early settlers than Mrs. Snow ; when they began farming, she lived in a small cabin without any floor, or doors, or windows, except blankets ; having enjoyed the advantages of a good education, she was determined that her children should not suffer for want of similar advantages ; they left the farm and came to the city. Ella, now Mrs. John Hea, and Carrie were both graduates of the high school in 1878. Mrs. Snow is a lady of energy and good business management ; she still owns the farm in Silver Creek Township, and also owns city property.
CHARLES P. SNOW, gardener and grower of small fruits; is a native of Madison Co., N. Y., and was born July 22, 1829 ; his parents came West to Illinois, and arrived in Stephenson Co. in September, 1837, and settled in Silver Creek Town- ship ; after reaching manhood, he lived in Iowa for some years. After the war broke out he enlisted in the 38th Regiment I. V. I., Co. C; he was in the siege of Vicks- burg, and at Yazoo City, Black River and Banks' expedition, and at other places ; he was slightly wounded before Vicksburg; he served over three years. Since the war he has lived in Freeport, and engaged in fruit-growing. In April, 1851, Mr. Snow was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Brown, from New York : they have nine children- Luella, John, Oscar, Arthur, Philo, Minnie, Katie, Roxina and Melvina.
W. H. SNOOKS, of the firm of Galloway & Snooks, proprietor of the Free- port Soda-water Manufactory, corner Jackson and Walnut streets ; is a native of Bed- ford Co., Penn., and was born Nov. 20, 1838; when seven years of age he came to Michigan, and grew up to manhood there; he came to Stephenson Co. in 1864, and located in Freeport ; he associated with his present partner in 1873 and engaged in their present business, and they have established a good trade. In 1859 Mr. Snooks was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Snyder, a native of Ohio.
J. H. SNYDER, proprietor of steam planing-mill and pump-factory, corner Adams and Bridge streets ; is a native of Lewisburg, Penn., and was born July 13, 1836 ; he grew up to manhood there; he came West to Stephenson Co. in 1853, and remained in Freeport one year, and then returned East; in April, 1857, he came to Freeport and located permanently ; the following year he entered the dry goods store of William Walton, where he remained three years ; in 1862, he established his present business, and has successfully carried it on for the past eighteen years, and has built up a large trade. He has held the office of City Alderman. In October, 1859, Mr. Sny- der was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth E. Chapman, a native of Ohio; they have six children-Cora A., W. G., Hattie J., Eugene I., Carrie and Laura Belle.
PROF. C. C. SNYDER, Superintendent of Schools of the city of Free- port ; is a native of Clinton Co., Penn., and was born Feb. 22, 1842 ; he came West in boyhood; he attended the common schools and completed his education at the North- western University, at Evanston, Ill., and afterward engaged in teaching in Belvidere, - in this State, and in Lyons, Iowa ; he came to Freeport in 1872, and accepted the position of Superintendent of Schools of the city, and under . his able management the schools of the city have been raised to a high standard. Prof. Snyder was united in marriage, Jan. 1, 1868, to Miss A. Vernette Forbes, daughter of J. S. Forbes, one of the earliest settlers of Stephenson Co .; Prof. and Mrs. Snyder have four children- Waldo S., Maud, Karl F. and Vernette.
DR. K. T. STABECK, editor of the Freeport Budget ; is a native of Stephenson Co., and was born Feb. 20, 1853; he grew up and received his education in this State; after completing his literary course he began reading medicine ; he pursued his medical studies in Philadelphia two years and in Chicago for two years, and gradu- ated at Rush Medical College in 1873. After graduating he engaged in the practice of medicine in this county. In 1875, he went to Europe, and took a special course in medicine at the Government State University at Christiania, the capital of Norway ; upon his return he resumed the practice of his profession. In 1873, Dr. Stabeck estab- lished the Davis Budget, and conducted that paper until 1876, when he came to Free- port. In March, 1877, he bought the Illinois Monitor, and changed its name and
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established the Freeport Budget, and has successfully conducted the paper since then, and, through his energy, it has the largest circulation of any paper in the county.
J. H. STAVER, of the firm of Staver & Snyder, dealers in boots and shoes, Stephenson street; is a native of Clinton Co., Penn., and was born March 23, 1832; he grew up to manhood in that State; he came West and located in Freeport in 1855, and established his present business in 1861, and has successfully carried it on for the past nineteen years. In 1861, Mr. Staver was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Jewell, daughter of Hollis Jewell, one of the oldest and most honored residents of Free- port; Mr. and Mrs. Staver have six children-Charles, Mary, Nellie, Anna, Willie and Bertha.
J. H. STEARNS, attorney at law, of the firm of Neff & Stearns, Stephen- son street ; is a native of New Hampshire, and was born Jan. 9, 1841; his parents came West to Wisconsin during his early boyhood ; he attended school there, and entered Harvard College, and graduated in 1862; he came to Freeport in 1871; studied law with Judge Bailey and Hon. J. I. Neff, and was admitted to the bar in May, 1878, and the following September he became a partner of Mr. Neff, Judge Bailey having been elected to the bench. Mr. Stearns holds the office of City Attorney. In May, 1869, he was united in marriage to Miss Ruth Chapin, of the city of Dubuque.
OWEN E. STEARNS, homeopathic physician; was born in the town of Phelps, Ontario Co., N. Y., Aug. 20, 1827, his parents being Joel and Nancy (Edmon- ston) Stearns ; he was educated at the Phelps High School, and, upon leaving this insti- tution, commenced the study of medicine, for the practice of which he developed early an inclination ; he entered the Homoeopathic Medical College of Cleveland, Ohio, pur- sued its full course, and graduated with a fine record in 1850. In the spring of the following year he removed to Freeport, Ill., where he began his practice, and soon acquired a substantial reputation for skill and efficiency, and secured a very large and lucrative patronage. He was subsequently elected Vice President of the first Homœo- pathic Medical Society of Northern Illinois, being then quite young in the profession. He has at all times a deep interest in movements for promoting and perfecting the existing systems of popular education, and was President of the Board of Education of Freeport, having been a member of this body six years. In a very great measure to his efforts is due the high standard attained by the schools of that city. Both professionally and socially he stands in high estimation, and ever since his residence in Freeport has been regarded as one of its leading citizens. He is one of the senior practitioners of that place, and the success of his labors has, to a very large extent, popularized the system of homœopathy.
H. S. STEVENSON, dealer in groceries and provisions, No. 93 Stephenson street; is a native of Morgan Co., Ill., and was born July 1, 1846; he grew up to manhood, and received his education in this State. During the war, he enlisted and served in the 146th I. V. I. He came to Freeport in 1872, and established his present business in 1875 ; he has two stores, one on Galena street and one on Stephenson street ; has built up a large trade. In 1871, Mr. Stevenson was united in marriage to Miss Louise Rosenstiel, daughter of C. H. Rosenstiel; they have three children-William, Edward and Clare.
W. A. STEVENS, dealer in dry goods and notions, No. 102 Stephenson street; is a native of Castine, Hancock Co., Me .; he grew up and attended school there; after reaching manhood he went to Boston, and remained there about ten years ; he came West to Stephenson Co., and located in Freeport in 1862, and engaged in the dry goods trade, and has continued in the business for the past eighteen years, and has built up a large trade. In 1859, Mr. Stevens was united in marriage to Miss Mary W. Wells, a native of Maine; they have two children-one daughter, Mary, and one son, William.
ISAAC STINE, deceased; was a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and emi- grated to the United States in 1847 ; he came to Stephenson Co. in 1852, and located in Freeport, and, with his brother, engaged in the clothing business; they were the pioneers in this branch of trade, and carried on the business here for twenty-seven years, until his death, which occurred Sept. 11, 1879. W. A. Stine is a son of the late Isaac Stine,
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the pioneer clothing dealer of Freeport, and was born May 18, 1857; he grew up, and during boyhood he entered his father's store; in February, 1880, he engaged in his present business, the firm being Stine & Kern, and they are building up a good trade.
LEONARD STOSKOPF, attorney at law, corner Stephenson and Chi- cago streets ; is a native of Canada, and was born Oct. 5, 1840 ; his parents came to Illinois and located in Stephenson Co. in 1841; he grew up and attended school here, and studied law with Mr. Mitchell, and was admitted to the bar in 1873; after being admitted, he engaged in the practice of law, and since then has practiced his profession here. He has held the office of Police Magistrate. In 1874, Mr. Stoskopf was united in marriage to Miss Susanna Hunt, daughter of Thomas Hunt, Esq., of Ridott Town- ship, one of the early settlers of this county ; they have two daughters-Florence and Mary.
LOUIS STOSKOPF, physician and surgeon, corner Stephenson and Exchange streets ; is a native of Stephenson Co., and was born in the city of Freeport, Nov. 14, 1842 ; he grew up and attended school here, then went to Ann Arbor, Mich. ; after attending the high school there, he entered the classical department of the Univer- sity of Michigan, and remained two years, then entered the same class in Yale College, and graduated in the class of 1865 ; while in Yale College, he was a member of the uni- versity crew, and rowed in 1864 and 1865; after completing his collegiate course, he studied medicine, and attended lectures at Rush Medical College, Chicago, and grad- uated in the medical department of Columbia College, in 1869 ; after graduating, he engaged in the practice of medicine in his native city, and has, since then, practiced his profession here; he has served as Secretary of the Stephenson County Society of Phy- sicians and Surgeons, and is now Vice President of the society. Dr. Stoskopf was uni- ted in marriage, Oct. 1, 1873, to Miss Caroline H. Brewster, daughter of Daniel S. Brewster ; they have two children-one son, William, and one daughter, Alice Louise.
VALENTINE STOSKOPF, wholesale and retail dealer in flourand feed, corner Galena and Exchange streets; was born in Strasbourg, France, April 4, 1817; he came to the United States in 1837, and lived in New Jersey a short time, then removed to Canada. While living there, in October, 1839, he was united in marriage to Miss Catharine Schoup, a native of Strasburg, France; they came West to Illinois, and arrived in Stephenson Co. in July, 1841, and settled in Freeport; he engaged in working at his trade of blacksmith ; he and M. Hettinger had a shop located on the Branch, on Spring street ; they have done good work, and they often speak of the times when they used to work early and late in the little shop on Spring street ; Mr. Stoskopf car- ried on the business successfully for many years ; in 1872, he engaged in the milling business, and has carried it on since then ; when he came to this country, he had but very little ; he has, by his own efforts and good management, become one of the most successful and substantial citizens of Freeport ; he has done much to build up and improve the city. He has held the office of Assistant Supervisor, and other town offices. Mr. and Mrs. Stoskopf have eight children-Leonard, Louis, Michael, John, Mary A., Sarah, Emma and Ella.
D. C. STOVER, inventor and manufacturer, corner of Stephenson and Walnut streets ; is a native of the State of Pennsylvania, and was born in Greencastle, Frank- lin Co., May 9, 1840 ; he grew up and attended school there; after reaching manhood, he came West t,o Illinois, in 1862, and settled in Carroll Co., where he remained a few years, then came to Stephenson Co., and located in Freeport. Mr. Stover has given much time and study to invention, and has taken out several valuable patents ; he in- vented and has been engaged in manufacturing "cultivators" " Stover's wind-mill," and Stover's machine for manufacturing barbs and placing them on the wire for fences, the most complete and the principal machine of the kind now in use; the manufact- uring interests of Freeport owe more to Mr. Stover than to any other person. Mr. Stover was united in marriage to Miss Mary Clare Porter, daughter of the late Dr. Porter, of Lanark, Carroll Co., Ill .; they have two children-one daughter, May, and one son, Porter.
D. H. SUNDERLAND, Supervisor of Census for the Second Census Dis- trict of Illinois, Opera House Block ; is a native of Addison Co., Vt., and was born
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July 26, 1822; he grew up and received his education in that State; after reaching manhood he came West to Illinois, and arrived in Stephenson Co., in July 1845 ; he engaged in teaching, and afterward entered as clerk in the store of O. H. Wright. In 1855, he was elected County Clerk, and he held that office for ten years; he was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors, and was afterward elected Mayor of the city ; he was appointed, in March, 1880, Supervisor of the Census of the Second Census District. Mr. Sunderland has lived in this county thirty-five years; he was much interested in educational interests, and has been actively identified with the interests of the county. He was united in marriage June 4, 1850, to Miss Frances Barrett, a native of Essex Co., Vt. She died in April, 1861, leaving two sons-Byron H., in the postal service, and David E., studying dentistry in this city.
GEORGE F. SWARTS, of the firm of Swarts & Stockings, wholesale and retail dealers in drugs and medicines, paints and oils, 137 Stephenson street ; is a native of Centre Co., Penn., and was born April 21, 1839; he grew up and attended school there, and when 16 years of age, came West to Illinois, lived two years in De Kalb Co., and in 1857 came to Stephenson Co .; in 1861, he entered the drug store of Emmert V. Burrell and served an apprenticeship of four years, and became thoroughly familiar with the business ; in 1865, he associated with J. W. Neff and engaged in the drug trade; after four years he sold his interest to Mr. Neff; he established his present business, and has, by his energy and close attention to business, built up a large trade ; he had nothing when he began life ; he has been successfully engaged in business for the past fifteen years. Mr. Swarts was united in marriage, April 18, 1864, to Miss Cor- nelia M. Smith, a native of Newport, N. Y.
CHARLES F. TAGGART, clerk, railway postal service, is a native of Northumberland Co., Penn., and was born Dec. 8, 1822 ; after reaching manhood he came West to Illinois, and arrived in Stephenson Co. in Dec. 1846; he entered land and engaged in farming. In 1858, he was elected Sheriff of Stephenson Co. and held that office two years. After the war broke out, he raised a company, which became Com- pany D, 93d I. V. I., and was elected and commissioned Captain without a dissenting vote ; he was slightly wounded before Vicksburg; he participated in a number of bat- tles ; their battle-flag bears the record of nineteen battles ; he served until February, 1865. Since his return he has held the office of Assessor, and is now in the railway postal serv- ice. In October, 1853, Capt. Taggart was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Smith, of Northumberland Co., Penn .; they have three children-Frank, engaged in business here; Anna B., and William H., practicing dentistry.
F. S. TAGGART, proprietor of Taggart's machine shop and foundry, cor- ner Mechanic and Spring streets ; is a native of Stephenson Co., and was born in Ridott Township, Aug. 21, 1848; when 10 years of age his parents removed here in the city, and he grew up and attended school here, and graduated at the high school ; after grad- uating, he engaged in teaching for a short time ; having a taste for machinery, he went to Chicago and entered the machine shops of the Chicago & Northwestern R. R .; in Jan- uary, 1876, he established his present business ; he had very little to begin with, but, being a thorough, practical machinist, he, by close attention to every detail of his busi- ness, has established a large trade ; he is a natural mechanic ; when only 14 years of age, he built a small steam engine, perfect in all of its parts ; he had only poor, imperfect tools to work with, yet the engine ran perfectly. He has held the position of Assistant Fire Marshal. In November, 1875, Mr. Taggart was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Rowell, a native of Stephenson Co .; she was born in Ridott Township.
W. H. TAGGART, dental surgeon, corner Stephenson and Van Buren streets ; is a native of Stephenson Co., and was born March 23, 1855 ; he grew up and attended school here, and is a graduate of the high school; after graduating he studied his profession in the city of Philadelphia, and, graduating at the Philadelphia Dental College in the class of 1878, he returned to his native city, and since then has prac- ticed his profession here, and has taken a leading position in his profession.
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