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 78
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HORACE TARBOX, Western pioneer, operator in real estate ; was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., Dec. 7, 1817 ; his parents were Peter Tarbox and Mary (Woodruff ) Tarbox; his education was acquired at the common schools, located in the vicinity of
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his home; in early life he was engaged, for a time, in working on the Erie Canal ; in 1841, he turned to the West, and, settling in Freeport, Ill., established himself there in the hotel and livery business, which he prosecuted for several years ; he interested him- self at the same time, also, in the lumber trade, and in building operations ; in 1850, he went to Council Bluffs, Iowa, and to Omaha, Neb., where he found employment in opening up farming lands, and in pioneer and settler work generally, while dealing largely, always, in stock of every description ; he was the first to carry a plow into Colorado, and with it to break the virgin soil, formerly the camping-ground of the Indian or the bed of wolf and buffalo ; in 1859, he settled in Boulder City, and engaged there in his cus- tomary pioneer work, buying land, which he would improve and sell ; in 1865 and 1866, he returned to Freeport, Ill., and speculated largely in land, buying, building and other real estate operations; in 1870, he again went West, to Sioux City, Neb., where he was similarly occupied ; from that locality he traveled to Sidney, Col., and thence to Grand Island, Neb., continually engaged in land speculations, and in buying, sell- ing and raising stock; his home and family have, since 1841, been in Freeport, but from that date down to the present time the greater portion of his life has been passed in the further Western section of the country, where he has continued to open up prairie land, form farms, build, deal in stock, and to interest himself in pioneer frontier labors in general; he has spent several winters in Florida, and owns property in Gaines- ville, and also has two orange groves near there. When Mr. Tarbox came here he had only $500, and, by his energy and good management, has become one of Freeport's most successful citizens. In 1841, Mr. Tarbox was united in marriage to Miss Mary Van Pelt, a native of Penn Yan, N. Y .; they have three children-two daughters, both married Mary, ( now Mrs. Moore, living in Sidney, Neb.), Jennie ( now Mrs. Bridge ford, living in Chicago ), and one son, Frank, at home.
N. F. TAYLOR, dealer in surgical instruments, Opera House Block, 118 Stephenson street ; is a native of New Hampshire ; he grew up and received his education in that State ; he came West to Minnesota in 1855, and engaged in the mercantile business ; remained in that State nine years, and in 1864 came to Ste- phenson Co., and located in Freeport. In 1846, Mr. Taylor was united in marriage to Miss Esther W. Colby, a native of New Hampshire ; she received her education there : she studied medicine, and is a graduate of Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, and has, since graduating in 1872, successfully practiced her profession in this city. They have one daughter-Vashti C.
OSCAR TAYLOR, attorney at law and senior member of the firm of O. Taylor & Son, abstractors and insurance agents, corner of Clay and Exchange streets ; is a native of Saratoga Co., N. Y., and was born Feb. 16, 1822; when only 16 years of age he came West to Joliet, Ill. in 1838, and lived one year in Joliet and then came to Rockford, and was one of the early settlers of that place ; he was elected Town Clerk, and was the first person elected to that office in Rockford ; he remained there three years, and came to Freeport in 1842, and was connected with mercantile business for five years ; he studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1850, and engaged in the practice of law. Mr. Taylor has a complete set of abstract books for Stephenson Co., and also transacts insurance business; he was elected Justice of the Peace in 1850. Mr. Taylor was united in marriage, Aug. 2, 1842, to Miss Malvina M. Snow, a native of Madison Co., N. Y .; they have had six children, three of whom are living-Louise W., Oscar L. (now in college), and Sallie J.
JOHN B. TAYLOR, manufacturer and wholesale and retail dealer in leather, shoe-findings and saddlery hardware, 41 and 43 Stephenson street ; is a native of Madison Co., N. Y .; he came to Stephenson Co. and settled in Freeport in 1852, and began currying leather within the next two years ; he became a member of the firm of F. Baker & Co., which was succeeded by the firm of Taylor & Rubel, which con- tinued for seven years, and since then Mr. Taylor has conducted the business ; in 1865, he built a tannery, and engaged in the tanning business; in 1878, the tannery was destroyed by fire ; he rebuilt the following year, in a very substantial manner ; Mr. Tay- lor's large and commodious double store, Nos. 41 and 43 Stephenson street, erected for conducting his business, is one of the finest in the State, and he has a large established
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trade. Mr. Taylor is one of the most public-spirited citizens of Freeport; he laid out and equipped, at his own expense, what is widely known as "Taylor's Driving Park,' which is acknowledged to be the most complete in its arrangement of any track in the West; when Mr. Taylor began life he had nothing, and he owes his success to his own efforts ; he has done his full share in building up and beautifying the city, contributing liberally to all the various enterprises in that direction ; he has no taste for office; though he has been repeatedly solicited to accept the nomination for Mayor of the city, he has steadily declined.
S. F. TAYLOR, proprietor livery, sale and boarding stable, corner of Bridge and Chicago streets; is a native of Strafford Co., N. H., and was born June 5, 1821 ; he grew up there until 17 years of age ; he came West to Illinois, and located in Ste- phenson Co. in December, 1855 ; he engaged in the staging and livery business, and has carried it on for twenty-five years, a longer time than any one else in the same busi- ness. In 1846, Mr. Taylor was united in marriage to Miss Franceno Prescott, a native of Bristol, N. H .; they have two children-Julia M. (now Mrs. S. O. Clayton, living here), Ellen F. (now Mrs. L. J. Philip, living in Polo).
W. B. THOMAS, foreman of the printing office of the Freeport Journal; is a native of York Co., Penn., and was born Feb. 21, 1843 ; his parents came to Ste- phenson Co. in 1848; he grew up and attended school here; entered the Journal office in the fall of 1861, and learned the printing trade, and, with the exception of one year in Pittsburgh, and one year in the office of the County Clerk, he has been connected with the Journal office since then. In 1867, Mr. Thomas was united in marriage to Miss Mary F. Welch, a native of Delaware, Ohio; they have one son-Freddie G.
FRANK J. TRUNK, brick manufacturer, Galena avenue; is a native of Germany, and was born April 1, 1843 ; his parents came to America in 1847, and came to Freeport in 1851; he grew up to manhood here ; his father established the business ; Frank has carried on the business since 1868, and has a large trade. He married Miss Annie Marks, a native of Jo Daviess Co., June 8, 1869; they have four children- John, Matilda, Nellie and Rose.
E. VAN SLOOTEN, wholesale dealer in leaf tobacco and foreign exchange ; residence corner Galena avenue and Galena street; is a native of Germany, and was born in the Kingdom of Hanover Sept. 25, 1828; his father was a merchant, and he grew up and became educated in that business ; he emigrated to the United States in 1850, and came the same year to Stephenson Co .; in 1857 he engaged in mercantile business, and for some years transacted a large trade ; his sales have amounted to $150,- 000 in one year ; in 1873 Mr. Van Slooten, with his family, went to Europe and made an extended visit, and since then he has been engaged in his present business. Mr. Van Slooten married Miss Jette Kroeger, a native of Hanover, Germany ; they have two children-Nattie and Adele.
AUGUSTUS F. VOIGT, of the firm of Schmich & Voigt, dealers in groceries and provisions, Galena avenue, between Stephenson and Galena streets ; is a native of Stephenson Co., and was born in the town of Lena, Feb. 1, 1852 ; he grew up and received his education here; he associated with Mr. Schmich, and they estab- lished their present business in July, 1876, and they are building up a good trade. Mr. Voigt was united in marriage, Nov. 18, 1879, to Miss Mary Seyfarth, daughter of Charles Seyfarth, of this city.
JOHN R. WADDELL, of the firm of Waddell Brothers, manufacturers of sash, doors and blinds, corner Liberty and Spring streets ; is a native of Stephenson Co., and was born March 27, 1846; his parents were early settlers; they came here in 1843 ; his father was a contractor and builder here until 1871, when he went to Ch - cago after the great fire, and is engaged in contracting there. John R. grew up to ma - hood and learned his trade here ; engaged in building until 1876, when he engaged with his brother in their present business, and they are building up a large trade. After the breaking-out of the war, he enlisted in Co. A, 46th I. V. I .; he participated in a number of severe battles; he served three years. In November, 1869, he was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Chapman, a native of Ohio.
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W. H. WAGNER, publisher of the Deutscher Anzeiger ; is a native of Germany, and was born in Baden, March 14, 1841; he came with his parents to the United States, in 1852 ; his father established the Deutscher Anzeiger in 1853. The subject of this sketch entered the printing office when only 12 years of age; he has been connected with the paper since then, a period of twenty-seven years; in 1863, he became a partner with his father, the firm being William Wagner & Co .; upon the death of his father, in November, 1877, he assumed editorial management of the paper, and since then has occupied that position; in 1871, Mr. Wagner was elected City Treas- urer, and in 1876 and 1877 he held the office of Assistant Supervisor. Mr. Wagner was united in marriage, May 14, 1861, to Miss Wilhelmina Seyfarth, of this city ; they have seven children, all sons.
WILLIAM WALTON, dealer in dry goods, carpets, clothing and mer- chant tailoring, notions, etc., 104 and 106 Stephenson street ; is a native of Birminge ham, Eng .; he grew up to manhood and was educated to his present business ; he cam, to the United States in 1855 ; he came to Chicago, where he remained a short time- and in the fall of 1858 he came to Stephenson Co. and located in Freeport and engaged in the dry goods business at 88 Stephenson street ; in 1860 he removed to the store now occupied by E. L. Cronkhite; in 1869 he removed to his present location, where he could have more room to meet the demands of his trade; he occupies two stores packed full of goods, and employs forty men ; he carries the largest stock of goods of any merchant in Northern Illinois, and has the largest established trade of any dry goods house west of Chicago in this State. When Mr. Walton began life he had very little ; he owes his success to his own efforts.
JOHN M. WALZ, manufacturer of barrels and firkins, No. 71 Galena street ; is a native of Germany, and was born Sept. 10, 1833; he came to this country in 1853, and came to Stephenson Co. in 1856, and settled in Freeport and began work- ing at the cooper's trade ; in 1863, he engaged in business for himself, and has carried it on since then ; he employs ten men, and has established a good trade. In 1862, he married Miss Lena Freidag, from New York State ; they have seven children-Mary, Lena, Herman, Willie, Laura, Emma and an infant daughter not named. Mr. Walz belongs to the Germania Society.
E. C. WARNER, book-keeper and cashier of the wholesale leather and sad- dlery hardware house of J. B. Taylor, 41 and 43 Stephenson street ; is a native of Cook Co., Ill., and was born in the city of Chicago Feb. 10, 1841 ; he grew up and attended school there, then went East and completed his education. After the breaking-out of the rebellion, he enlisted in the 89th I. V. I .; after serving in the ranks three months, he was ordered on detached service ; he served at the headquarters of Gen. Rosecrans, Gens. Thomas, Sherman and Garfield; after the war, he came to Freeport, and entered the employ of Mr. Taylor, and since then has occupied his present position. Mr. Warner was united in marriage, May 17, 1866, to Miss Jeannot Bigger, a native of Michigan ; they have four children-Edwin, Hubert, Burt and Roy.
L. A. WARNER, manufacturer of Warner's patent door-springs, Chicago street, north of Jackson street ; is a native of Montgomery Co., N. Y .; he was raised in Connecticut, and came West to Illinois in 1855, and located in Stephenson Co. ; he engaged in contracting and building, and carried on that business about twelve years ; he patented the door-springs in August, 1875, and engaged in their manufacture, and has built up a good trade. Mr. Warner married Miss Sarah D. Whittlesy, a native of Con- necticut ; they have five children-Carrie (now Mrs. Harrison, of Chicago), Andrew Clinton (now living in Dixon), Charles (now in Beloit College), G. Wilberforce (in busi- ness with his father) and Emma L.
REV. SANFORD WASHBURN, Pastor of the Embury Methodist Episcopal Church ; is a native of the State of New York, and was born in Dutchess Co., at Fishkill, on the Hudson, Oct. 24, 1830; he grew up to manhood in that State, attending school there; he came West, and entered the Garret Biblical Institute at Evanston, where he pursued his theological studies and graduated in the class of 1861 ; after completing his studies, his first pastoral charge was at Momence ; he has served acceptably and successfully as pastor in this conference at Wilmington, Plattville, Plano,
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Chicago, Plainfield and Morris, and came to Freeport in October, 1879. On the 19th of November, 1861, Mr. Washburn was united in marriage to Miss Mary Frances Booth, a native of Westfield, Ohio ; they have four children-two daughters (Mina A. and Emily C.) and two sons (Frank B. and Arthur S.).
DAVID WEARY, contractor and builder, Pleasant street; is a native of Union Co., Penn .; and was born on March 1, 1829; he grew up to manhood in that State, and learned the trade of carpenter and joiner in Lycoming Co .; in 1860, he came West to Wisconsin, and in 1866 came to Freeport, and since then, for the past fourteen years, has been engaged in building here. In 1855, Mr. Weary was united in marriage to Miss Christiana Erwin, a native of Lycoming Co., Penn. ; they have three children -- Elsie, Jennie and Arthur ; they have lost four children-Alvaretta, William, Edgar and Eugenia.
THOMAS WEBSTER, proprietor of the Freeport City Mills, east end Bridge street ; is a native of Yorkshire, England, and was born Feb. 4, 1806 ; he grew up to manhood; lived there until 1851, when he came to this country, and during the same year came to Freeport ; invested in farming lands ; in 1866, he engaged in his present business, and has conducted the milling business for the past fourteen years, and they have an established trade. In 1841, Mr. Webster was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Bentley, a native of Yorkshire, England ; they have eleven children, four sons and seven daughters. Mr. Webster and his family attend the Episcopal Church, and he has held the position of Senior Warden over twenty years.
DAVID T. WELD, photograph artist, 137 Stephenson street; is a native of Steuben Co., N. Y., and was born March 22, 1840; he grew up to manhood in Win- nebago Co., Ill., and studied his profession there ; after the breaking-out of the rebellion, . he enlisted and served in Co. C, 16th Iowa V. I .; was wounded in the battle of Corinth ; he came to Freeport in 1863, and established his present business, and his gallery is the oldest in the city ; he has had a large experience and has superior facilities for making fine work.
JOHN WERTMAN, wagon manufacturer, Van Buren, north of Bridge street ; is a native of Mercer Co., Penn., and was born in 1833 ; he grew up to manhood in that State, and learned his trade in Berks Co .; he came to Stephenson Co. in 1858, located in Freeport and engaged in wagon-making, and since then has continued in the business ; he owns the place where he carries on his trade. In 1867, he married Sarah A. Ault, in this city ; they have two children-Florence and Frances.
THOMPSON WILCOXON, pioneer settler of Illinois, and capitalist, was born in Milledgeville, Ga., Aug. 22, 1800; his parents were Thomas Wilcoxon, form erly engaged in farming and agricultural pursuits, and Mary (Hardy) Wilcoxon ; he received a common-school education at Portsmouth, Ohio, to which locality his parents had removed while he was in his infancy ; he was brought up upon his father's farm, laboring in the summer, and in the winter months attending school ; subsequently, he was engaged in a partnership connection with three brothers in farming and send- ing produce to the market of New Orleans, La .; while thus occupied, they constructed their own boats, called " flat-boats " and in person piloted them down the Ohio River ; in 1835, he visited the Northwestern district, accompanied by one of his brothers, on a prospecting tour, traveling on horseback, and guiding himself, in many cases, by fol- lowing the Indian trails, for, in those days, roads were few and poor. In 1837, he again came to the Northwest, purposing to settle in a desirable locality, and decided to remain at the spot now known as Cedarville, distant about six miles from the present city of Freeport ; associated with his brother, he purchased a claim there, took posses- sion of the appropriated land and gradually transformed it into a well-cultivated farm ; the district was then unsectionized, almost in a primitive state, and very sparsely settled ; he continued farming until 1854, when he removed to Freeport, disposing of his land in Cedarville about three years afterward ; he has since then resided permanently in the former town and engaged in real estate and building operations; among other enter- prises which he has conducted to successful issues is the Freeport Opera House, of which he is the builder and owner. Mr. Wilcoxon was united in marriage Dec. 23, 1830, to Miss Cyinda Mitchell, daughter of Judge Mitchell, of Scioto Co., Ohio ; they
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have four children-Mary D., now married, living in Chicago ; Thomas D., living here ; Martha E., now married, living in Richmond, and Mitchell H., engaged here in the insurance business.
JACOB WILLIAMS, grain dealer, east side River, is a native of New York, and was born in the city of Buffalo Feb. 28, 1842 ; he grew up to manhood and received his education here ; he came West in 1870, and located in Freeport and estab- lished his present business, and has a large shipping trade. In 1865, Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss M. A. J. P. Davy, from Niagara Falls, New York ; they have one son, James D.
ADAM WILSON, retired, Galena avenue ; is a native of New Jersey, and was born on Nov. 16, 1813; grew up to manhood, mostly in Pennsylvania; came West to Illinois by wagon, and located on Fox River, and was one of the early settlers there ; he came to Stephenson Co. in 1843, and settled at Crain's Grove; he entered several hundred acres of land, and engaged in farming, which has since been his principal busi- ness, and he still owns a farm there. He has held the office of magistrate in this county for twelve years, and has also held other town and school offices. In 1835, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Priscilla Lott, a native of Luzerne Co., Penn .; they have four children-Nancy, Lucy, Stephen and Frances.
JOHN H. WILSON, yardmaster of the Illinois Central R. R., at Freeport ; is a native of Union Co., Penn. ; he came West to Illinois and entered the employ of the Illinois Central R. R. in 1857. After the breaking-out of the rebellion, he enlisted in the 11th I. V. I., Co. H; after his return from the service he again resumed his connection with the Illinois Central ; in 1867, he was appointed yardmaster, and since that time, for the past thirteen years, he has held that position in this city.
E. B. WINGER, manufacturer of the Stover Wind Engine and Winger Feed Grinder, Stephenson street, corner Adams ; is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Lancaster Co., on Sept. 24, 1837 ; he grew up in Franklin Co., and received his edu- cation in that State ; after reaching manhood he was successfully engaged in the mercan- tile business at Greencastle, Franklin Co., for fourteen years ; he came to Stephenson Co. in March, 1877, and located in Freeport, and engaged in his present business ; he is building up a large and extensive trade throughout the different States. Mr. Winger was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth B. Stover, a native of Greencastle, Penn., in April 18, 1861 ; they have four children, all sons.
GEORGE WOLF, Justice of the Peace and collecting agent, and has abstracts of titles to lands in Stephenson Co., Galena avenue, opposite court house; is a native of Centre Co., Penn., and was born Dec. 3, 1827; he grew up and attended school there ; after reaching manhood he came West to Illinois and located in Stephen- son Co .; in May, 1849, engaged in teaching during the winter seasons; in 1851, he engaged in painting, and carried on that business for ten years ; he belonged to a mili- tary organization ; on the 4th of July, 1861, the company went to Belvidere to celebrate, and Mr. Wolf met with the serious misfortune of losing his arm by a premature dis- charge of a cannon. Mr. Wolf has held the office of Justice of the Peace for many years, also held office of Assessor and Collector; he has set of abstract books of titles to lands in Stephenson Co. In 1854, Mr. Wolf married Angeline Fleming, from Vir- ginia ; she died in January, 1880, leaving six children-Charles C., Kate B., Sadie E., Winnie, Agnes and Nellie.
H. WOODMANSE, manufacturer of Woodmanse's wind engine, wind- mill pumps and feed mills, Helena street and Railroad ; is a native of Belmont Co., Ohio, and was born Oct. 14, 1836 ; he grew up and attended school there ; after reach- ing manhood, he came to Illinois ; in 1868, he came to Stephenson Co., and located in Freeport, and engaged in dealing in agricultural implements ; he afterward bought the property where he is now located and established his present business, and has built up a large trade, extending through the Western States. In 1866, Mr. Woodmanse was united in marriage to Miss Helen Barnes, a native of Sycamore, DeKalb Co., Ill.
O. H. WRIGHT, deceased ; the subject of this sketch was one of the earliest settlers of Stephenson Co .; he was born in Shoreham, Addison Co., Vt., in the year 1812; he grew up and attended school there, and completed his education in Canada;
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after reaching manhood, he came West to Illinois, and arrived in Freeport in December, 1836 ; he engaged in mercantile business, and, with the exception of Mr. Crocker, who opened a store for a short time, Mr. Wright was the first established merchant in Free- port. Two years after coming here, on the 15th of January, 1838, Mr. Wright was united in marriage to Miss Mary M. Atkinson, a native of Durham, England. Mr. Wright held the offices of Probate Judge and County Recorder; he was prominently interested in getting the railroad here, and had the bridge built across the river ; he laid out the east part of the town ; he was actively identified with all the interests of the city and county ; he was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, and was promi- nent in the organization of that church in Freeport ; he was noted for his generosity and kindness of heart, and was ever ready to aid the needy and the afflicted. His death occurred in March, 1851; he left two children-one daughter, Mary S., now Mrs. John Scott, living in Iowa, and one son, William O., now engaged in business here in this city.
O. P. WRIGHT, of the firm of J. W. Henney & Co., manufacturers of car- riages, buggies and road wagons, corner Bridge and Adams streets ; is a native of Ste- phenson Co., Ill., and was born April 5, 1855; he grew up and attended school, and then served apprenticeship in his present business ; he has been a member of the firm since 1875. Mr. Wright was united in marriage, May 28, 1879, to Miss Louise Ben- nethun, a native of Cedarville, Stephenson Co., Ill.
W. H. YATES, postal clerk, railway mail service; is a native of Montgom- ery Co., N. Y., and was born Dec. 25, 1831; he came to Stephenson Co. and located in Freeport March 3, 1853; he entered the railway mail service in 1861, on the Western Union R. R., from Freeport to Racine, and has been in the service continu- ously for nineteen years, and is the oldest postal clerk now in the service west of Chicago. Mr. Yates was united in marriage, May 29, 1854, to Miss Addie Turner, of Marshall, Mich .; she died June 19, 1876, leaving two children-one son, Ralph T., and one daughter, Ida.
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