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 90
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99
HENRY C. MONTAGUE, farmer; Lena; born Jan. 23, 1846, in Ste- phenson Co., Ill. ; his parents came to this county in 1835, and settled on a farm just north, of Waddams Grove, where they both died ; his father died Oct. 6, 1875, aged 73; his mother died in September, 1866, aged 60 years; his father owned, at the time of his death, about 500 acres of land, which has been divided among his family ; Henry C. owns the homestead, consisting of 260 acres of land. He married Miss Anna Drew, Jan. 18, 1870; she was born in Canada, Sept. 8, 1847 ; died Jan. 19, 1880; her parents came to Stephenson County in 1852; they have two children-Frank L. and Blanche E. The family attend the M. E. Church ; Republican in politics.
DR. W. P. NARAMORE, physician and surgeon, Lena; born in Decem- ber, 1825, in Seneca Co., N. Y .; in 1832, he came with his mother to Ohio; at about the age of 18 he commenced the study of medicine at the Willoughby Medical Col- lege, and graduated from the Sterling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, in 1852, and has been in constant practice since 1846; he is the oldest resident physician in this
729
WEST POINT TOWNSHIP.
county ; he owns a farm of 240 acres, adjoining Lena, where he resides. He has been a member of the Board of Supervisors about fifteen years; he represented this county in the Legislature from 1852 to 1856; was also in the Constitutional Convention, at Springfield, during 1861 and 1862 ; he has held other minor offices. Married Miss Lucy A. Jones in 1848; she was born in 1826 in Pennsylvania; died in 1858; they have two children-W. W. and John M .; his second marriage was to Miss Mary Bower, October, 1859; she was born in Pennsylvania ; they have five children-Milton O., Martha L., Susan, Lottie May and George H. They attend the Christian Church .; Republican in politics.
W. A. NEWELL, ticket agent and telegraph operator I. C. R. R., Lena ; born Dec. 15, 1847, in Huntington Co., Penn .; when a child he came to Ogle County with his parents ; in 1870, he was employed by the I. C. R. R. at Macon, Ill .; in 1871, he came to Wenona, Ill., as telegraph operator; in 1872, he came to his present posi- tion. Married Eliza Griffin in 1870; she was born in New York ; they have three children-Ina, Edith and Jennie. Lutheran in religion ; Democrat in politics.
J. H. OZBURN, agent I. C. R. R. and American Express Co. and Post- master, Waddams Grove; born Dec. 3, 1828, in Huntington Co., Penn .; in 1857, he came to Davenport, Iowa; in 1858, to Pontiac, Ill .; in 1859, he came to Stephenson Co. and engaged in farming till 1869; in 1871, he started merchandising in Waddams Grove, and continued till 1878; he was appointed to his present position in 1875 ; was appointed Postmaster in 1872; he built the brick store in Lena, now occu- pied by John Metz. He married Miss Elizabeth Stem in 1856; she was born in Penn- sylvania ; they have five children-Mary J., Sada J., John T., Maud H. and Nellie. Presbyterians in religion ; Democratic in politics.
E. T. PERRY, farmer, Sec. 35 ; P. O. Lena ; born Sept. 2, 1817, in Jef- ferson Co., N. Y .; in September, 1839, he came to Stephenson County ; he owns 218} acres of land, part of which he entered; he has been Constable, School Trustee and Magistrate ; has been for six years a member of the Board of Supervisors ; has served as Assessor four years. He married Mary Howard in 1841 ; she was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y .; they have four children-Louisa, James H., Justus C. and Parker. Bap- tist religion.
D. T. PERRY, farmer, Sec. 34; P. O. Howardsville; born Dec. 25, 1809, in Oneida Co., N. Y .; in 1837, he came to Stephenson County ; he owns 62} acres of land ; he has been Assessor, has been School Director about forty years, and has been five years County Superintendent. He married Polly Howard in December, 1834; she was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., in 1812, and died in September, 1878; they have four children-David H., Belle, Douglas and Emery ; lost Martin, aged 7 years and 7 months ; his second marriage was to Mrs. Bennett, in August, 1879; she was born in Kentucky; she has three sons and one daughter by a former marriage.
JOHN REEDER, proprietor of Lena Elevator, Lena ; born Aug. 15, 1836, in Frankfort on the Main ; in 1855 he came to Lancaster, Penn. ; in 1856 he came to Freeport, Ill. ; in 1857 he removed to Lena, worked at the brick-mason trade till 1861, when he enlisted in Co. G. 15th I .; V. I. served fourteen months; was at the battle of Pittsburg Landing; he then returned to Lena and carried on the grain business ; in 1873 he bought the elevator, which he now occupies. Married Miss Elizabeth Lapp, in 1856 ; she was born in Summit Co., Ohio; they have eight children-Christie E., Helen, Alfred L., Frank, John, Arthur, Berdie and Irvin. Mr. Beeder is a Lutheran in religion; Democrat in politics.
WILLIAM A. RICE, farmer, Sec. 6; P. O. Waddams Grove; born Aug. 14, 1847, in Cortland Co., N. Y .; in 1863, he came to Stephenson County ; he owns 200 acres of land. He married Rose Satterlee in 1877; she was born in Stephenson County ; they have two children-Katie and Star. His father was born Aug. 19, 1819, in Cortland Co., N. Y .; he came to his present farm in 1863; he owns 190 acres. Married Eveline Prince in 1853; she was born in Cortland Co., N. Y .; they have seven
730
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
children-Frank J., Rectina, Berdette, Mary E., Edwin, George and Minnie M ; he has two children by a former marriage-William A. and Ira D. Republican in politics.
SPENCER RISING, of the firm of S. Rising & Co., bankers, Lena ; born Nov. 14, 1835, in Albany, N. Y .; when a child, he came with his parents to Oswego, Kendall Co., Ill .; in 1855, they removed to Rockford; in 1867, he came to Lena, and at once entered into the banking business; for the past four years, he has been Town- ship Treasurer. He married Miss Mary Meslor in 1859; she was born in New Jersey ; they have six children, three living-Rollin S., Kate C. and Frank K. Presbyterian in religion ; Republican in politics.
CORNELIUS ROUSH, dealer in groceries, coal, salt, lime, etc., Lena ; born May 12, 1826, in Centre Co., Penn .; in 1849, he came to Stephenson County ; since 1856, he has been actively engaged in business; during 1860-61, he was engaged in the grain trade, in the firm of Gaylord & Roush; he has been Town Trustee and Assessor. He married Miss Adelia A Howard Nov. 13, 1853; she was born in New York; they have two children-Elizabeth and Fred. Lutheran in religion; Repub- lican in politics.
CAPT. JOHN M. SCHERMERHORN, Postmaster, Lena ; born May 17, 1830, in Fultonville, N. Y. ; when a boy, he came with his parents to Centreville, St. Joseph Co., Mich .; in 1845, they removed to Stephenson County, where he has remained; he received the appointment of Postmaster in 1869. He enlisted in 1862 in Co. G, 92d I. V. I .; served to the end of the war, at which time he held a commission as Captain. Married Rachel J. Dodds in 1858; she was born in Indiana ; they have five children-Finley F., Almeda, Nettie, W. W. and Cora.
AUGUST SCHUDT, farmer, Sec. 6 ; P. O. Lena; born Sept. 19, 1837, in Germany ; in 1849, he came to Buffalo, N. Y .; engaged in lumbering and farming ; in 1861, he came to his present locality ; he owns 385 acres of land, which he has improved with a good, substantial barn and other improvements. Married Rosa Sharp in 1865 ; she was born in Wurtemberg; they have three children-Cornelia, Arthur and Otto. Lutheran in religion.
A. SHANNON, firm of Shannon & Co., carriage manufacturers, Lena ; born May 23, 1834, in Centre Co., Penn; at about the age of 18, he was apprenticed to the carriage business, and worked at this trade about fifteen years ; from 1868 to 1873, he held the office of Justice of the Peace and Conveyancer, Secretary of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company ; and in 1873 he came to Lena and commenced his present business. Married Miss Isabella Royer in 1856 ; she was born in Centre Co., Penn. ; they have four children-John H., Sarah J., Anna M. and Oris W. Lutheran in religion ; Democrat in politics.
LEVI SHERMAN, capitalist, Lena; born May 8, 1822, in Essex Co., N. Y .; June 1, 1850, he came to Stephenson County ; he owns 200 acres of land, which he has improved, and has always been engaged in farming till he came to Lena ; he has been School Director, Town Treasurer, etc .. He married, Oct. 25, 1847, Miss Harriet, daughter of James and Lovecy Fowler ; she was born in Manchester, Vt .; they have an adopted daughter-Elizabeth, now Mrs. Damert. Lutheran in religion.
A. H. STAHL, proprietor Lena Steam Mill, Lena ; born Feb. 27, 1821, in Perry Co., Penn., now Snyder County ; in 1859, he came to Ogle Co., Ill .; in 1863, he came to Lena, first engaged in farming, and was four years in the lumber business ; December, 1869, he took possession of this mill ; he has been five years Town Trustee. Married Miss Catharine A. Crotzer Jan. 1, 1846 ; she was born in Clinton Co., Penn., Feb. 27, 1826 ; died Dec. 9, 1877 ; had ten children, five living-Mary C., now Mrs. Crane, of Freeport ; Sarah E., now Mrs. A. T. Blodgett, now living in Boone County ; William I., Emma and Ellan Jane ; John L., died June 23, 1879, aged 28 years ; Clara, died April 13, 1876, aged 22 years ; lost three children died in infancy.
E. STEVENS, farmer, Sec. 34 ; P. O. Howardsville; born Oct. 14, 1827, in Cape Vincent, N. Y .; in 1847, he came to his present farm, consisting of 180 acres of land, which he entered ; he was the first Township Clerk of West Point, and has held
731
WEST POINT TOWNSHIP.
about all the township offices. Married Miss Olive Bartals in November, 1851; she was born in 1830, in Jefferson Co., N. Y .; died in March, 1856; his second marriage was with Miss Elizabeth Haggert, Nov. 20, 1860; she was born in Gloversville, Fulton Co., N. Y .; they have three children-Sarah, Jennie and Thad. Republican in politics.
Z. STOVER, firm of Sechler & Stover, general merchandise, Lena; born May 27, 1827, in Clark Co., Ohio; in 1855, he came to Stephenson Co. and engaged in farming for about ten years ; he then engaged in live stock ; continued this about four years ; he has also been engaged in the hardware business about nine years; in April, 1879, he formed a co-partnership with Mr. Sechler in a general merchandise business ; he has held the office of County Supervisor about nine years ; has also been Township Assessor and Collector, Justice of the Peace, School Treasurer, etc. Married Miss Margaret Willard in 1849 ; she was born in Ohio; they have three children- Leora, now Mrs. Newcomer ; Lodisca and W. Willard. Lutheran in religion.
DR. S. H. VERBECK, dentist, Lena ; born Sept. 8, 1850, in Schaghti- coke, Rensselaer Co., N. Y .; in 1873, he commenced studying dentistry in Glovers- ville, Fulton Co., N. Y., with Dr. H. H. Read ; in the fall of 1874, he attended a course of lectures at Albany, N. Y .; in the fall of 1875, he went to Philadelphia and attended the Philadelphia College of Dental Surgery; graduated in March, 1876; he then returned to Gloversville and formed a co-partnership with his preceptor, Dr. H. H. Read ; remained there till July, 1877, when he came to Lena and established his present business ; he holds a diploma from the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery at Philadelphia.
JO DAVIESS WADAMS, farmer, Sec. 13; P. O. Waddams Grove; born Oct. 2, 1829, in Galena, Ill .; at the close of the Black Hawk war he came with his parents to his present location ; he now owns 91} acres of land ; his father died in 1858, aged 73 years; his mother died in August, 1878, aged 79 years; he was named Jo Daviess after the county he was born in, and is supposed to be the first white child born in that county ; his father served in the Black Hawk war.
GEN. CHARLES WAITE, druggist ; born April 1, 1837, in Orange Co., Vt .; in about 1840, he came to Genesee Co., N. Y., with his parents; in 1855, they removed to DeKalb Co., Ill. He enlisted in 1862, in Co. A, 27th M. V. I., and served to the end of the war. He returned to Sycamore, Ill., and opened a general store ; continued this till 1869, when he removed to Lena and commenced his present business. Married Miss Emily Clement in 1866; she was born in La Porte, Ind. ; they have three children-Charles C., Daniel and Frederick P. Episcopal in religion ; Republican in politics.
CHARLES WALZ, firm of Damert & Walz, hardware, Lena ; born Jan. 3, 1853, in Kaiserslautern, Germany ; May 1, 1873, he came to Poughkeepsie, N. Y .; in 1874, he came to Lena ; he first worked at the carpenter's trade, and afterward was employed as clerk in a coal yard; March 29, 1880, he formed a co-partnership in the above firm ; he owns a house and three lots in town. He married Elizabeth Boehm, Aug. 1, 1876 ; she was born in Newark, N. J .; they have two children-William C. and Charlotte C. Lutheran in religion.
A. WEAVER, retired, Lena; born Aug. 1, 1812, in Westmoreland Co., Penn .; in 1853, he came to Stephenson Co., and engaged in farming until 1862, when he came to Lena and engaged in the lumber trade about eighteen months ; he then opened a general merchandise business, the firm being Weaver & Sechler; this he continued until April 1879, when he withdrew from the business; he owns business and residence property in town. He is a member of the Baptist Church, having joined this denomi- nation at the age of 21; his family also are all members of this church. He married Margaret Grossman in 1854; she was born in Pennsylvania ; they have five children- Samuel, William, Sidney, Ida and Albert ; lost Jacob, aged 6 years.
MOSES WEAVER, deceased ; he was born March 1, 1822, in Adams Co., Penn .; in 1857, he came to Stephenson Co. and settled on a farm in Waddams Township; here he remained until 1860, when he removed to Lena, where he remained
732
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :
until his death, which occurred Sept. 27, 1874. When he first came to Lena he was engaged as clerk for F. Rebor, in general merchandise; the following year he left the employment of Mr. Rebor and entered into the grain trade, which he continued until the time of his death ; in the fall of 1861, he bought a stock of general merchandise, and carried on the business until 1863, when he closed out the stock and opened an agricultural warehouse ; he has been a number of years School Director, and principally through his exertions Lena is indebted for the fine schoolhouse which is located there; he was also a member of the Town Board; he built and occupied the elevator which bears his name. He married Miss Fannie D. Hines, December, 1847; she was born in Franklin Co., Vt .; they had seven children, five living-Flora (now Mrs. Winter), Ada (now Mrs. Clark), Bertram, Sarah and Sherman; they lost two children in infancy. Presbyterian in religion.
MILES WHITE, general merchandise, Lena ; born Feb. 17, 1841, in Jef- ferson Co., N. Y .; in 1852, he came to Waddams Grove with his parents ; in 1865, he enlisted in Co. E. 7th I. V. C., and served to the end of the war; in May, 1866, he removed to Lena and started a small grocery ; he now carries a large and weil-selected stock; he owns the brick store which he occupies and other property in town. He married Miss Ellen Flemming July 4, 1862; she was born in Cumberland Co., Penn .; they had six children, four living-Wilbur E., Reuben Miles, Oscar C. and Herbert E. Baptist in religion ; Republican in politics.
HENRY WINGART, Justice of the Peace and insurance agent, Lena ; born Feb. 7, 1828, in Union Co., Penn .; Nov. 21, 1852, he came to Stephenson Co .; in 1854, he removed to Mt. Carroll, Ill .; in 1857, he came to Jo Daviess Co .; in 1867, he returned to Stephenson Co., where he has since resided ; when in Mt. Carroll he followed brick-making and the carpenter's trade, also in Jo Daviess Co. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1869 ; in 1870, he received a' commission as Notary Public; he was elected County Superintendent in 1859, in Jo Daviess Co .; held this office until 1865 ; he then enlisted in Co. G, 39th I. V. I., and served to the close of the war. He married Elizabeth Hildebrand, Dec. 25, 1849 ; she was born in Union Co., Penn .; they had six children, four living-Isabella E. (now Mrs. M. F. Haladay), George E., Frank J. and Cora E. The family attend the M. E. Church ; Republican in politics.
WILLIAM YAGER, farmer, Sec. 9; P. O. Lena; born Dec. 24, 1836, in Germany ; in 1851, he came to New York City ; in 1854, he came to his present farm ; he owns 354 acres of land, well improved ; his buildings are probably the best in the township; his house is built of brick, and cost about $4,000 ; his barn is 40x64, costing $1,600, and other improvements which he has added to this farm since coming here. Married Anna Leckington, June, 1860; she was born in Pennsylvania; they have four children-Emma, Jennie, Hattie and John W. Democrat in politics.
ROCK GROVE TOWNSHIP.
JACOB ASHENFELTER, farmer, Sec. 33; P. O. Rock Grove ; born in York Co., Penn., October, 1808, where he learned millwrighting ; he worked in Center, Mifflin, Somerset and Huntingdon Counties ; moved West in the fall of 1847, and bought his farm in 1848, of William Wilson, containing 150 acres, valued at $50 per acre. In 1837, was married to Miss Rebecca H. Miles, of Pennsylvania; their family were Cyrus, who served in the 46th I. V. I., deceased ; Susan, married to P. Dinges, deceased ; Franklin, deceased, died from disease contracted in the army ; belonged to the 46th I. V. I .; Mary Jane and Homer, at home ; there were also two infants, de- ceased. Mr. Ashenfelter has held school and township offices ; in politics, a Demo- crat ; his family attends the Reform Church, at Walnut Grove.
EDWARD BARKER, farmer, Sec. 34 ; P. O. Davis ; born in Franklin Co., Vt., Jan. 12, 1807 ; came to Stephenson Co., in 1842, and settled on his present
733
ROCK GROVE TOWNSHIP.
farm, which he entered and now owns; it contains 140 acres. In 1835, was married to Miss Mary Warner, of Vermont ; they have eight children-Mary, now married ; Isaac A., Jay W., Martha, now Mrs. Williams ; William H., Charles J., Theodore S. and Jerusha M. Mr. Barker has been Justice of the Peace, and held school offices ; in politics, a Republican ; he had two sons in the army, Jay W. and Theodore S.
N. J. BARIMORE, farmer, Sec. 27 ; P. O. Orangeville ; born in Greene Co., Penn., Feb. 11, 1828; at the age of 13, removed to Ohio, with his parents, Joseph and Saloma Barimore; he lived in Ohio eight years, removed to Wisconsin, in 1849 ; from Wisconsin, came to Stephenson Co., Ill., in the spring of 1851 ; his parents came here in 1849, and, after two years here, removed to Wisconsin ; they both died there, the father aged about 82 years ; the mother, aged about 67 years. Mr. B.'s farm embraces 280 acres ; 260 in the home farm, and 20 acres of timber land in Wisconsin ; he has held school offices, School Trustee, School Treasurer, etc., most of the time since he has been here ; religion, M. E. Church ; politics, Democrat. He was married in 1851 to Miss Susan Stair, a native of Indiana ; with her parents, Jacob and Elizabeth Stair; came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1837, settling near the Illinois line ; they permanently resided near the place of their first location in Wis- consin ; her mother died about a year after their settlement in Wisconsin, aged 37 years ; her father died in 1864, aged 64 years. Mr. and Mrs. Barimore, have seven children living-Saloma E., Frank G., Mary K., Jacob S., Jennie, Bennie and Ruth Anna; two children deceased, William and Widdie.
HUGH BENNEHOFF, farmer, Sec. 26; P. O. Rock Grove; born in Union Co., Penn., Feb. 5, 1831; he came to Stephenson Co., Ill., with his father, Daniel, and the family ; Rachel, who married Mr. Kuns, and is now a widow ; Market, now Mrs. Reese ; William and Daniel ; they stopped in Cedarville, and Hugh went to Rock Grove, learned the harness trade; then he went to Jude, Wis., and worked at brick-making, and his trade; moved to Shannon, where he farmed, in 1864 or 1865 ; settled on the old farm on Sec. 25, where he owns 163 acres, valued at $55 an acre. In 1856, he married Miss Elizabeth Kramer, of Pennsylvania; their family are Mary E., Ida J., John W., Susan £., Charles F., William C. and a twin brother who died while yet an infant. Mr. Bennehoff has been Collector and Road Commissioner on the Repub- lican ticket, and his family attend the Lutheran Church.
H. H. BOLENDER, merchant, Rock Grove; born in Rock Grove Town- ship, Stephenson Co., Ill., Aug. 26, 1853; he was raised on a farm and at the age of 22 went clerking for Harver & Staver, in Monroe, then for F. S. Parlin ; in 1879, he went to Rock Grove and established his present business ; now carry between $4,000 and $5,000 worth of stock, with a steadily increasing trade. In 1879, he married Miss P. E. Holmes, of Green Co., Wis. Mr. Bolender's father, Levi, was born Nov. 12, 1822; his mother, Sarah Haas, April 27, 1834 ; the children were Henry H., the subject of this sketch ; Emma C., born June 21, 1855; David C., born Dec. 29, 1856; William, deceased, born May 23, 1859 ; Allen F., born March 1, 1861; Amanda J., born Dec. 8, 1863; Edward J., born Sept. 4, 1866; Ida May, born March 31, 1868; John A., born May 10, 1870; Jay H., born Jan. 11, 1872; Clayton S., deceased, born Aug. 1, 1876.
SAMUEL CHAMBERS, farmer, Sec. 24; P. O. Rock Grove ; born in West Buffalo Township, Union Co., Penn., Sept. 23, 1813 ; he came out West, in 1835, in company with his brother Thomas, on horseback, and stopped in Jo Daviess Co., Ill. ; in 1836, moved to Rock Grove and bached with his brother, engaged, in the mean while, breaking prairie ; he claimed and entered the farm on which he lives and now owns 190 acres; his brother Robert, who came out after he did, died in 1844, and his heirs now hold the estate, and Benjamin, another brother, came in 1839, and farms on the next section. In 1841, he married Miss Elizabeth Musser, of Union Co., Penn. ; born in 1819, May 10; their children's names are Joseph M., Rebecca E., afterward Mrs. Hessman, now dead ; Robert T., Mary, afterward Mrs. McCalla, now dead ; John J., Anna E., now Mrs. Brenizer ; Benjamin F. and Nancy L. Mr. Chambers has held the office of School Trustee for fifteen years, Supervisor eight years, and has been Assessor on the Democratic ticket. He belongs to the M. E. Church, at Jefferson, Wis.
734
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
H. CLEVENSTINE, merchant, Rock Grove; born Oct. 16, 1821, in Union Co., Penn., and was raised in Center Co .; lived in Pennsylvania till the spring of 1857, when he came to Stephenson Co., Ill .; after a few months here, he took a trip through Iowa, and, in the fall of 1858, went to Wisconsin, where he lived for ten years; returned to Stephenson Co. in the fall of 1868, and has since resided in this county ; was in mercantile business for some years before coming here in 1868, and for all of the time since that date; has been Postmaster of Rock Grove since the spring of 1873 or 1874, and has been School Trustee two or three terms; politics, Democratic. He was married, in October, 1869, to Miss Lettice Williams, a native of Pennsylvania ; their children living are Hiram Albert, Cyrus Sterling and Emmert Christian; one child, John Henry, died April 8, 1880, aged 7 months.
C. J. COOPER, farmer, Sec. 5; P. O. Rock Grove; born in Bucks Co., Penn., May 26, 1810; twelve years later, his father moved West, coming to Clarke Co., Ill., where they remained eleven years ; then bought and settled on a small place in Crawford Co .; lived eleven years there, removing to Stephenson Co. in 1844. Mr. Cooper first saw this region before Stephenson Co., was yet embraced in Jo Daviess Co .; the period referred to was when he was here as a soldier in the Black Hawk war, in 1832; in that war he was a soldier in Capt. Royal A. Knott's Company, 1st Regiment, commanded by Col. Blackburn, and of the 2d Brigade, commanded by Gen. Alexander, and saw the most of the war, of which so few soldiers yet survive. His occupation has been chiefly farming, though for a good many winters was engaged in operating saw-mills, etc .; he has 152 acres of farm land and 30 acres of timber land, all in Rock Grove Township. Held the office of School Director for seventeen years, and for many years also served in various township offices. In religious matters, he was born and bred a Quaker ; in politics, he is Republican. He was married, July 28, 1840, to Miss Margaret A. Thompson, a native of Virginia ; she came, at an early day, with her parents, Robert and Susannah Thompson, to Clarke Co., Ill., though they lived most of the time afterward in Crawford Co .; they came there about 1838 or 1839, her grandfather having moved there as early as 1825; Mrs. Cooper died Jan. 31, 1880, aged over 58 years. The children living are Robert T., Barton, Joseph, Margaret, now Mrs. N. E. Emrick ; Susan L. and C. J. ; two children deceased-Mary E. (Mrs. Jacob Fisher) and Harlan.
W. L. COOPER, retired, Rock Grove ; born in Delaware, April 11, 1807 ; a year or two later his parents returned to Pennsylvania, having moved from that State to Delaware, and lived in Delaware only about two years; they lived in Bucks Co., Penn., until about 1823, when they removed to Crawford Co., Ill., and lived in Craw- ford and Clarke Cos. thereafter ; his parents, Amos and Hannah Cooper, both died in Clarke Co., Ill .- his father aged 63 years, and his mother, about 60 ; his grandfather, William Cooper, also his grandfather on his mother's side, John Lloyd, both lived and died in Montgomery Co., Penn. The subject of this sketch was married May 10, 1831, in Crawford Co., Ill., to Miss Elizabeth Beems ; she was born and raised near Williamsburg, Whitley Co., Ky., on the Cumberland River ; she is a daughter of James and Nancy Beems, who were quite early settlers on the Cumberland River, coming there from Virginia, and both died there at the advanced age of over 90 years. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper have had eight children, seven of whom are living ; those living are Ann (now Mrs. Daniel Thompson), Hannah (now Mrs. Valentine Haas), James, Mary (now Mrs. Jonathan Smull), Henry, Eliza (now Mrs. Charles Hennick), and Elizabeth (now Mrs. Franklin Boyd); the third child, George, died at Rock Grove, at the age of 18 years ; in 1840, Mr. Cooper removed from Crawford Co. to Will Co., some nine or ten miles from Joliet ; lived there one year; then came West, in 1841, the land not being yet in the market; entered his land from the Government, so that his farm- work was commenced here with the ground in its original state of uncultivated wild- ness ; was engaged in farming until the last ten or twelve years, when, being too old for hard farm labor, he sold his farm, and has since lived in the village of Rock Grove ; has a good house and lot, horse and buggy, and, with enough money at interest to yield him a living, is enjoying a quiet old age ; he has done his part well in the affairs of his com-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.