USA > Illinois > Henry County > The biographical record of Henry County, Illinois > Part 11
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HONS SHULT.
Not on the plane of affluence did Hons Shult start out on life's journey, but in the valley of limited circumstances with the rough and rugged path of hard undertaking before him. He has met with many difficult- ies and obstacles but has steadily overcome these, and is to-day one of the most prosper- ous citizens of his community. For over a
HONS SHULT.
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third of a century he has actively engaged in farming in Lynn township, but now in the evening of life is enjoying a well-earned rest at his pleasant home in Orion.
Born in Skepersta Soken, Genspeng, Sweden, October 16, 1834, Mr. Shult was nineteen years of age when, in 1854, he took passage on a sailing vessel at Guttenberg, and after what was then considered a speedy voyage of five weeks, landed in New York on the 26th of July. He proceeded at once to Henry county, Illinois, and soon after his arrival at Hickory Grove, Lynn township, obtained employment at grading on the Chi- cago, Burlington & Quincy railroad, work- ing that summer and fall as far south as Quincy. He then returned to Henry county and spent the three following winters in chopping cord wood on the island. Being ill with fever and ague he was unable to work during the summer months for three years. After his recovery Mr. Shult rented land which he operated for three years, and then purchased a tract of seventy acres which he still owns, it being at that time wild and covered with a dense growth of underbrush, which he at length grubbed up. In his farm ing operations he met with most excellent success, and was able to add to his landed possessions from time to time until he now has five hundred and twenty-five acres of very valuable and productive land. The last three hundred acres which he purchased was an improved farm. Upon his land are three sets of good farm buildings, and everything about the place betokens the care and super- vision of a painstaking owner. Having ac- quired a handsome competence he removed to Orion, where he built a fine home in 1894. and has since lived a retired life.
In 1862, in Henry county, Mr. Shult married Miss Mary Johnson, a Swedish
lady and a daughter of Andrew Johnson who emigrated with his family to the new world and settled in Henry county, Illinois, in 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Shult are the par- ents of six children, who are still living, namely : Albert, who is married and oper- ates a part of the home farm; Frank Ed- ward, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, who is married and is now located at Woodhull, this county ; Josephine, wife of August N. Johnson, who is engaged in farming upon the Shult land; Oscar, who is also married and lives on the old homestead ; Ernest, who assists his brothers in the cult- ivation of their father's farm; and Lydia, at home. Two of the children met death very suddenly November 13, 1888, while crossing the railroad track on the farm. Both children and horses were killed, though Oscar, the oldest, who was driving, was not seriously injured, These were William, aged ten, and Ida, aged twelve years. Their death was a severe blow to the parents and many friends of the family.
Mr. Shult's political support hasever been given the Republican party since he cast his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, but he has never taken a very active part in politics aside from voting. As a progressive and enterprising citizen he has been prominently identified with educational affairs, and with two others started the school in his neighborhood, of which he was a director for many years. Both he and his wife are earnest members of the Swedish Lutheran Church of Orion and are people of the highest respectability. Meeting with many discouragements during the first years spent in this country, Mr. Shult once decid- ed to return to his native land, but being taken with ague about that time was unable to travel and so remained in America. Soon
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prosperity shone upon his efforts, and he is to-day one of the most substantial men of the community in which he lives.
ANDREW PETERSON.
From Sweden came many of Henry county's most industrious and useful citi- zens-men who have borne a very active and prominent part in the development and upbuilding of the county, and helped to make it one of the best agricultural districts of the Prairie state. In Andrew Peterson we find a worthy representa- tive of this class. For a period of about forty-four years he was successfully engaged in farming and stock raising here, but has now laid aside all business cares and is liv- ing a retired life on his farm on section 33, Western township.
Mr. Peterson was born in Vordnas, Sockeen, Sweden, December 20, 1827, and was reared upon a farm in the land of his birth. His father, Israel Peterson, was a land owner in Sweden, and died when An- drew was but eight years old. In 1850 he crossed the briny deep, being about eight weeks upon the voyage, and on landing in this country proceeded at once to Henry county, Illinois, arriving in Andover Au- gust 7, during the cholera epidemic here. For three months he worked in the timber of Knox county, and then went to Rock Island county, where he was employed as a farm hand by the month for about a year, getting from five to eight dollars per month. Subsequently he worked in the shops at Moline, accepting any situation by which he could make an honest living. For a time he worked in a sawmill at that place, and
was engaged in cutting wood for two years.
Returning to Henry county, Mr. Peter- son was married August 28, 1857. to Miss Lena Anderson, a sister of Swan P. Streed, also a native of Sweden, who came to Henry county, Illinois, in 1848. They began house- keeping in Lynn township in a small frame house which he erected upon his land, hav- ing previously purchased twenty-six acres. The first three years spent here he suffered much with fever and ague-a disease quite prevalent in pioneer districts-but when his health improved was able to devote more time to the cultivation of his land. and in his farming operations met with well de- served success. His home farm now com- prises two hundred and eighty-five acres of well improved land, and he also has an ad- joining tract of sixty acres in Western township. This property has all been ac- quired through his own industry, persever- ance and capable management, for on land- ing in the new world he was without a dollar. and has been dependent entirely upon his own resources for his success in life.
Mr. Peterson has been called upon to mourn the loss of his estimable wife, who died March 1, 1883, leaving four children, namely: Mary is the wife of William Gabrielson, of Rock Island county, and they have four children, Carl Elmer, Hattie Amelia, Frank Arthur and Arnold William. Josephine is the wife of Charles J. Chinell, a farmer of Western township, Henry coun- ty, and they have one child, Violet Irene. Edmond is also an agriculturist of Western township. Henry, a farmer of Lyon town- ship, is married and has one son, Clarence Henry.
Politically Mr. Peterson is identified with the Republican party on national issues, and he has filled the office of highway commis-
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sioner in Lynn township for about ten years; and school director for about twenty- five years. Using his influence, he succeed- ed in getting a school house built on his own farm, and gave the lot for the same. He is a member of the Lutheran Church of Orion, and his upright, honorable life has gained for him the respect and confidence of a large circle of friends and acquaintances throughout Rock Island and Henry coun- ties.
CARL J. LARSON.
This well-known painter and paper langer of Cambridge, Illinois, was born in southern Sweden, on the 17th of September, 1854, a son of Lars and Chaste Larson, who spent their entire lives in that country. where the father followed farming. A man of good principles and business tact, he was widely and favorably known, and was called upon to fill several official positions in his town. He was born April 8, 1800, and died in 1876, while his wife departed this life in 1898, at the ripe old age of eighty-five years. Both were members of the Lutheran Church. In their family were eight chil- dren, of whom four remained in the old country, namely : Lars, Johannes, Carolina and Sven. Those who came to America were Peter, a resident of Cambridge, Illi- nois; Hannah, wife of Peter Neilson, of Creston, Iowa; Sana, a resident of British Columbia; and C. J., who is the youngest of the family.
C. J. Larson was educated in the schools of his native land. It was in 1880 that he crossed the broad Atlantic and came to Cam- bridge, Illinois, where he was met by his brother, Peter. For two years he worked
as a common laborer. accepting any employ- ment which he could find. He had learned the carpenter's trade in Sweden, but it was almost impossible to obtain work along that line at Cambridge when he located here. In partnership with a gentleman from his native town he embarked in his present busi- ness in 1884, and has built up an excellent trade, having for the past eight years done all the painting for the leading citizens of Cambridge and vicinity. About 1891 he bought out his partner's interest and now has the leading business in his line in this part of the county.
On the 24th of March, 1886, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Larson and Miss Matilda C. Hulting, a daughter of Per and Johanna Hulting, of central Sweden. She was born in that country and came to America November 2, 1874, two of her brothers having already located here. They were joined by her parents in 1877, both of whom are now deceased, the father having died in 1892, aged seventy-two years; the mother in 1890, aged sixty-one. Both were members of the Lutheran Church. By a former marriage the father had one son, Andrew. Of the six children born of the second union Lottie died young ; Lottie, the second of that name, died at the age of twenty-four years; and Anna died at the age of twenty-two. Those living are J. P., a resident of Geneseo, Illinois ; Matilda C., wife of our subject ; and Alfred S., who has resided with Mr. Larson since his mother's death.
Mr. and Mrs. Larson are active and in- fluential members of the Lutheran Church in which he has served as deacon for ten years, and are highly respected and esteemed by all who know them. His political sup- port is given the men and measures of the
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Republican party. One of the most reliable and straightforward business men of Cam- bridge, he has demonstrated the true mean- ing of the word success as the full accom- plishment of an honorable purpose. Energy, close application, perseverance and good management-these are the elements that have entered into his business career and crowned his efforts with prosperity.
JARED HEMINGWAY SMITH.
Almost a half century has passed since this gentleman arrived in Henry county, and he is justly numbered among her honored pioneers and leading citizens. . As an agricult trist he has been prominently identified with her business interests, and makes his home on section 22, Osco township. His is an hon- orable record of a conscientious man, who by his upright life has won the confidence of all with whom he has come in contact.
Mr. Smith was born in Harwinton, Litchfield county, Connecticut, November 18. 1827, and belongs to an old colonial family. Tracing his ancestry back four generations lie is descended from one of three brothers. who came from England to America and settled in the Nutmeg state. His father, Anson Smith, was also a native of Har- winton, and received a very limited educa- tion in the early schools of that place. After lis marriage he located on a farm there, and was actively engaged in his chosen oc- cupation of farming until his death, which occurred when he was about seventy years of age. He was twice married and by his first union had four children: Anson, Caroline, Amasa and Esther, all of whom died in Ohio, where they emigrated to
make homes for themselves. For his second wife the father married Abigail Holt, a native of East Haven, Connecti- cut, and to them were born the fol- lowing children : Rodney D., who was born in 1824 and died in 1864; Roxy A., who died young; Jared H., our subject; and Minerva A., who married Mr. Holt and died in 1896, leaving two sons. The parents spent their entire lives in their native state.
Jared H. Smith, the only representative of the family now living, received but a com- mon school education in Connecticut, and his early life was passed in work upon the home farm and in the shops of that locality. On leaving the parental roof in 1853, at the age of twenty-six years, he came to the prairies of Illinois and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of wild land in Osco township. Henry county, at which time there were only three houses between his place and Geneseo, and about the same number between there and Cambridge, while not a tree was in sight. He has watched with interest the wonderful development of the country, and has materially assisted in its improvement. For a number of years he hauled all his pro- duce to Geneseo and his wheat to Rock Isl- and, these being the nearest markets. As time passed acre after acre of his farm was placed under the plow until all was under a high state of cultivation, and as he succeed- ed in his farming operations he added to his landed possessions until he owned about fif- teen hundred acres. He has always retained the old homestead of one hundred and sixty acres where he first settled, and besides it has three hundred acres of valuable land elsewhere in the county. Nearly all of this has been improved by himself or under his supervision. In connection with general farming he has always followed stock rais-
J. H. SMITH.
MRS. J. H. SMITH.
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ing, and annually feeds from fifty to two hundred head of cattle for the market. He was one of the original stockholders of the First National Bank of Cambridge and one of its directors for a number of years. He is also interested in other business interests.
On the Ist of October, 1854, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Jane Amelia Welton, who was born July 12, 1827, the youngest daughter of Noah and Ellen (Coles) Welton, life-long residents of Litchfield county, Connecticut. All of her family are now deceased with the exception of one sister, Mrs. Alvira Potter, of Strat- ford, Connecticut, who is now over eighty years of age. Mr. Smith was married in that state and brought his bride to the home he had prepared for her in this county, where they began their domestic life. Three chil- dren came to brighten their home, namely: Amelia M., born March 15, 1857, is now the wife of M. M. Nash, of Osco township; An- son W., born August 23, 1858, died Febru- ary 24, 1863; and Myra Jane, born March 30, 1862, is the wife of W. F. West, who is manager for the grain firm of Fleming & Smith at Osco. The wife and mother died of diphtheria at the home place February 17, 1863.
Mr. Smith was again married, August 18, 1864, his second union being with Miss Mary E. Knowles, who was born in Pennsyl- vania, February 5, 1840, and came to this state with her parents. Her father died in Henry county, and though her mother's death occurred in Philadelphia, Pennsylva- nia, in 1899, her remains were brought back and interred by the side of her husband in the Andover cemetery. None of their chil- dren now live in Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Smith became the parents of six children. as follows : Henry A., born February 18, 1866,
was married January 6, 1892, to Adelia At- wood, and is in the employ of the telephone company at Cambridge, though he makes his home in Osco where he owns a farm. Anna, born July 9, 1867, is at home with her father. Jared Heber, born March 9, 1870, owns and operates one hundred and sixty acres of land in Osco township, purchased from his father. He was married, June 17, 1896, to Minnie M. Hadley, and they have three sons, Jared H., Julian and Thorwold. George Rodney, a twin brother of Jared Heber, also lives on a farm in Osco town- ship. He was married, December 30, 1894, to Clara May Marsch, and they have two children. Charles Edward, born August 17, 1876, and Mary Ethel, born September 29, 1877, are both at home. The children have all received a common-school education and three sons have attended commercial college in Davenport and Chicago. All live near the old homestead. Mrs. Smith died April 27, 1895.
Mr. Smith is one of the most prominent and influential members of the Episcopal Church of Osco, who was one of the promo- ters of and organizers of the parish, and con- tributed liberally towards the building of the church. Since its organization he has been officially connected with the same, having served as senior warden for about eighteen years. He has looked after all the improve- inents of the church, and has ever been one of its most active workers. On national issues he always votes the Republican ticket. but at local elections supports the men whom he considers best qualified to fill the offices. regardless of party lines. For a number of years he served as township school treasurer, and for three years was supervisor of Osco township, during which time many substan- tial improvements were made in the county.
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During the long years of his residence in the county, he has championed every movement designed to promote the general welfare, has supported every enterprise for the public good, and has materially aided in the ad- vancement of all social, educational and moral interests. In manner he is quiet and unassuming, yet he makes many friends and is held in the highest regard by all who know him.
WILLIAM D. JONES.
William D. Jones, a practical and en- terprising agriculturist residing on section 34. Colona township, owns and operates one hundred and seventy-five acres of land, con- stituting one of the valuable and highly im- proved farms of the locality. His posses- sions have been acquired through his own efforts, and as the result of his consecutive endeavor he has won a place among the well- to-do citizens of the community.
Mr. Jones was born in Ontario county, Canada. September 22, 1844, and was there reared to manhood upon a farm. He is a self-educated as well as a self-made man. and deserves great credit for the success that he has achieved in life. As a young man he came to the United States, and in October, 1866, took up his residence in Henry county, Illinois, where he was at first engaged in teaming and later in coal mining. For about three years he worked by the month as a farm hand, and subse- quently followed farming during the sum- trer months, and mining through the winter Ile also devoted a part of his time (work at the carpenter's and joiner's trade, being a natural mechanic and handy in the
use of tools of all kinds. In 1877 Mr. Jones made his first purchase of land, consisting of an eighty-acre tract where he now re- sicies. When it came into his possession it was covered with brush and timber, which lie at once began to clear away, while he erected a small frame house, fenced the land and made other permanent improvements. He now owns one hundred and seventy- three acres, a portion of which is timber land, but seventy acres of the amount is under cultivation, and improved with good buildings.
On the 8th of May, 1869, in Henry county, Mr. Jones married Miss Anna M. Anderson, who was born in Sweden, but was only three years old when brought to this country by her father, Andrew Anderson, who in 1852 located in Mercer county, Illi- nois. A few years later he removed to Minnesota, but in 1864 returned to Illinois, and took up his residence in Western town- ship, Henry county. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are the parents of seven children, namely : Anna Martha, now the wife of Daniel Mc- Graw, a farmer of Colona township; Mabel, wife of Josephus Evans, of Rock Island county, Illinois ; Carrie C., wife of Clarence .A. Garland, of Colona township, Henry county; William Manville, who assists his father in the operation of the farm; Clarence Everett, Lucinda Mary and Wesley Davis, all at home, and the last named still in school.
Politically Mr. Jones is a true blue Re- publican and has supported that party since casting his first presidential ballot for Gen- cral U. S. Grant, in 1872. He has served his fellow citizens in a most creditable and acceptable manner as highway commissioner for three years : school director for fourteen years, and president of the district ; and jus-
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
tice of the peace for seven years. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are held in high re- gard by all who know them.
MATILDA EATON, M. D.
Among the successful representatives of the medical profession in Cambridge, Illi- nois, is Dr. Matilda Eaton, a native of Lu- zerne county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Hugh and Phebe (Munson) Eaton. On the paternal side she is of Scotch-Irish de- scent, her ancestors being among the refu- gees who left Scotland in 1619 to escape from religious persecution and settled in the north of Ireland, where they endured a per- secution scarcely less irksome than that from which they had fled. For a century they made their home in that country, and in 1719 their exodus from Ireland to America be- gan, since which time the emigration of the Scotch-Irish to America has been continu- ous. Sandy Eaton, from whom the Doctor is descended, was born in Scotland; was a farmer by inheritance and a weaver by trade. His son Hugh wedded Mary Ram- sey, of Scotch descent, and to them were born three sons and three daughters. Of this family, James Eaton, the Doctor's grandfather, married Mary Moore, by whom he had seven children, namely: Eliza, de- ceased; Hugh, the Doctor's father; Mrs. Matilda Gingle; Mrs. Margaret Hall; \lex- ander; John; and Mrs. Jemima Adrian.
Hugh Eaton was born in county Antrim. Ireland, May 4, 1826, and completed his education at Dublin, where he studied for four years. In July, 1846, he came to Amer- ica, and after spending one year in New
York, located in Luzerne county, Pennsyl- vania, where he made his home for eight- een years, being principally engaged in farm- ing, though he followed school teaching dur- ing the winter months for five years. Com- ing west he located in Bureau county, Illi- nois, April 15, 1865, but a year later took up his residence in Burns township, this county, where he lived until 1885, and then moved to Cambridge to spend his remaining days in ease and quiet. Here he died May 16, 1893. He efficiently served as school director for many years, but would accept 110 other office. Religiously he was an earnest and consistent member of the Chris- tian Church, to which his wife also be- longed. In Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, he was married, in January, 1850, to Miss Phebe Munson, and to them were born the following children: Mary, wife of Joseph Rogers; Susan, wife of Joseph Brown; Stephen W., a resident of California ; James W .; Robert A., who died at the age of twenty-three years; George Munson; Ma- tilda; Margaret, wife of Briton Hadley; Annie, wife of Lester H. Hadley, of Chi- cago; Clara, who died in infancy ; Caroline ; William E. C .; Oscar; and Frank, who died in infancy. The mother, who was always a faithful member of the Christian Church, died December 3, 1898, at the age of sixty- six years.
On the maternal side Dr. Eaton is of English extraction and traces her ancestry back to Thomas Munson, who came to this country from England about 1637. Her great-grandfather, Walter Munson, was only seven years old at the time of the Wyoming massacre and was too young to enter the service during the Revolutionary war, but had three older brothers, Wilmot, Stephen and Daniel, who fought for American in-
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dependence. At the age of sixteen Daniel en- tered the service, becoming one of General Green's life guard, and was serving in that capacity at the time of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. He was discharged May 24, 1778, and died soon afterward. Stephen and Wilmot were with General Washing- ton's army in the battles of Brandywine and Germantown, and during the terrible winter at Valley Forge, when the soldiers were so poorly clad. Wilmot never received a cent of pay, neither a pension nor a bounty. Dr. Eaton's maternal grandparents were Walter and Susan ( Bodle) Munson, both natives of Pennsylvania, where they made their home throughout life, the grandfather be- ing engaged in farming. He always kept well-posted on the questions and issues of the day and was a supporter of the Whig party. His children were Phebe, the mother of Dr. Eaton; Emily E., wife of Robert Jones, of Bureau county, Illinois; Sarah, wife of Nelson Jones, of the same county ; Deborah, wife of Nathaniel Coleman, of Bradford, Illinois; William B., a resident of Creston, Iowa; Mrs. Margaret Ware, a widow of Sidney, Nebraska; Mary J., wife of E. Q. Lovering, of Buda, Illinois; Han- nah and Giles W., both deceased; and Loretta, wife of Frank Stevens, of Creston, Iowa.
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