USA > Illinois > Henry County > The biographical record of Henry County, Illinois > Part 14
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DANIEL L. KELEHER.
Since the 7th of April, 1857, this gen- tleman has resided in Henry county and his name is inseparably connected with its agri- cultural interests. Coming to the new world in limited circumstances, his enterprise, en-
ergy and perseverance have enabled him to mount from a lowly position to one of affluence. One of his leading characteris- tics in business affairs is his fine sense of order and complete system and the habit of giving careful attention to details, without which success in any undertaking is never an assured fact.
Mr. Keleher, who is familiarly known by his many friends as Dan, owns and operates one of the most desirable farms in Western township, it being pleasantly located on sec- tions 14, 20, 23 and 24, three and a half miles from Orion. A native of Ireland, he was born in county Kerry, August 20, 1836, and received a good practical education. In 1853 he emigrated to the United States and first located in Bucks county, Pennsyl- vania, where he peddled apples, butter and other farm produce for some time, and also worked on the market square now occupied by the public building in Philadelphia.
Coming to Henry county, Illinois, April 7: 1857, he accepted a situation on the farm of M. B. Lloyd, the father of Western town- ship, where he remained two years, and then purchased twenty acres of land from that gentleman. After operating it for one year, he traded it to Mr. Lloyd for a forty- acre tract of raw prairie land, upon which he has since made his home. The twenty- acre tract was on the proposed line of the Peoria & Rock Island railroad. Anticipat- ing the location of a depot there, as it was the central point between Coal Valley and Orion, he wished to retain it, but was given an extra good bargain by Mr. Lloyd and so sold it. The forty-acre tract was fenced, broken and improved by the erection of a little house, and there he lived alone for a time. His labors were at length crowned with success, and to his landed possessions
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he has added from time to time until he now owns five hundred and eighty-six acres of very valuable and productive land, having paid as high as seventy-three dollars per acre for a portion of it. This farm he has tiled, fenced and placed under a high state of cultivation, and has erected thereon a com- modious residence, a good cattle barn, the largest in the county, and substantial ont- buildings, which stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise. He also has another well improved farm of one hundred and six acres west of Orion, and in connection with general farming is successfully engaged in the stock business. He annually feeds and ships from five to seven carloads of cattle and hogs, and has found this business profit- able.
At Rock Island, in 1863, MIr. Keleher Was united in marriage with Miss Ellen Currin, a native of county Donegal, Ire- land, who came to the United States in doldhood and was reared in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, removing to Cambridge, Ili- pois, when a young lady. By this union have been born four children, namely : Mary 1. wife of Andrew Long, a farmer of Osco township. Henry county; Ellen, at home; D. C., alle is married and follow - farming 1 Western township; and Lizzie, who mar Sted Anton Laksted and lives in Orim. The self completed his alnejtion In three years' Opendance at the Grensen Collegiate Insti
term as president of the Henry County Farmers Institute. At its session November 7, 1900, a vote was taken as to the most popular farmer in Henry county, and he was given that honor almost unanimously. He was a delegate to the Farmers Congress at Colorado Springs, and has filled other positions of honor and trust, the duties of which he has most capably and conscien- tiously discharged. He is a strong advo- cate of the township central public school. Religiously he and his family are communi- cants of the Catholic Church, and are peo- ple of prominence in the community where they reside. Mr. Keleber is one of the most enterprising and public-spirited citizens of his township, and favors the erection of a monument to the memory of the first set tiers of Henry county. He enjoys the well- earned distinction of being what the public calls a "self-made man," and an analyzation of his character reveals the fact that enter- prise, well-directed effort and honorable deal ing have been the essential features in his prosperity.
JOHN V. SWANSON.
For almost half a century John V. Swan son has been identified with the agricultural interests of Henry county, and is to-day one of its most prosperous and successful farm ers, his home being in section 36, Western Being di angle Temperance man, Mr. Reducer sopp ste de men and measures of Na Pretuldion pares has been a delegate Inflores Yengomar Sand of the years township. Ile was born in Linchpuenglan. Sweden, on the Oth of September, 1835. and is a son of John and Lena Catherine Swan- son, also natives i that country, the former Born June 24. 1708, the latter February 4. 0,00. In the land of his birth the father Po opyel. twintig wife and sand allowed farming for some years, and there Cerebroner med - 10 55 gig jo wood all of In- children were Forn. the family he
J. V. SWANSON.
MRS. J. V. SWANSON.
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ing composed of three sons and four daugh- ters. In the summer of 1853 the parents and children emigrated to America and took up their residence in Henry county, Illinois, where the father improved a farm of eighty acres, making it his home until called to his final rest September 15, 1869, at the age of seventy-one years. The mother, who sur- vived him a number of years died at the home of our subject March 28, 1887, and was laid to rest by the side of her husband in Andover cemetery, where a substantial monument has been erected to their mem- ory.
John V. Swanson was a young man of seventeen years when he came to the United States with his parents, and during early life he assisted his father in the labors of the farm, remaining under the parental roof un- til 1863. On the 28th of March, 1863, he was united in marriage with Miss Anna M. Peterson, also a native of Sweden, who was born January 8, 1846, and was brought to America by her parents in 1849, being reared in this county. Her father, Nels Peterson, was one of the early settlers of Western township, where he developed and improved a farm. He was born in Lounberga, Swe- den, November 18, 1812, and died in Henry county, Illinois, August 9, 1888, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Eva Carrie Mannosdoter, was born in the same county, February 10, 1821, and died Sep- tember 5, 1883.
To Mr. and Mrs. Swanson were born seven sons and two daughters, as follows: Hannah M., wife of John A. Anderson, of Phelps county, Nebraska; Amelia, wife of Oscar Larson, of Western township, this county ; Joseph, at home; Nathan, who holds a business position in the office of the North- western Railroad Company at Chicago; 7
Luther, who wedded Mary Johnson and fol- lows farming on section 34, Western town- ship: Charles .A., at home : William, a stu- dent in an art school in Chicago; Otto A. and Victor C., both at home.
Throughout his entire business career Mr. Swanson has followed the occupation to which he was reared, and is to-day one of the best and most substantial farmers of Henry county. Success has attended his well-directed efforts, and to-day he is the owner of six hundred and thirty-four acres of valuable land, divided into three well-im- proved farms. This property has all been acquired by his own labor and enterprise and the assistance of his estimable wife, who has proved a faithful helpmate. The fam ily are active and prominent members of the Swedish Lutheran Church of Andover, in which Mr. Swanson has served as deacon for many years. Ile is an advocate of good schools and competent teachers, and has done effective service in the interest of education while serving as school director for a number of years. Politically he is a stanch supporter of the Republican party and its principles, and never withholds his aid from any enter- prise which he believes calculated to advance the moral, social or material welfare of his township and county, and is therefore num- bered among the most valued and highly esteemed citizens of the community.
ANDREW J. LARSON. -
The subject of this biography is a worthy representative of the agricultural interests of Henry county, and now operates a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 26, Andover township. He is a na-
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tive of this county, his birth having occurred in Osco township on the 28th of June, 1867. His father, A. G. Larson, was born in Sweden, July 25, 1837, and remained in his native land until the summer of 1860, when he came to America and took up his resi- dence in Henry county, Illinois. For four years he worked by the month in Andover township, and then purchased eighty acres of land on section 28, Osco township, on which he erected a good set of farm build- ings. To the original purchase he has added from time to time as his financial resources permitted until he now has seven hundred acres of fine farming land in this county. He is independent in politics and is a man highly respected and esteemed by all who know him. His home is still in Osco town- ship. He has two brothers living in this county : Jonas, a resident of Andover town- ship, and August, of the village of Osco.
On the Ist of November, 1866, in Lynn, Illinois, A. G. Larson was united in mar- riage with Miss Tilda L. Hokanson, who was born in Sweden, May 18, 1846, and they have become the parents of eight chil- (Iren, of whom four are now living, namely : Andrew J., our subject : Henry J., Carl R., Giust .1., all at home, May Augusta, who died in 1899. L. Edward, twin brother of our subject, was accidentally injured by a corn stalk cutter and died from the effects of the same : Nellie .\. died from the effects w an injury from a blow given accidentally In one of her schoolmates ; and two children Med in infancy.
Reared on the home farm, Andrew J. Larson acquired his education in the district -tools of Osco township. In 1893 he be- em life for himself as a farmer in Lynn Wwwguiship, where he remained until he bought Mis present farm of P. E. Walline in 1897.
He carries on general farming and stock raising, and in his labors is meeting with marked success. He is a thorough and sys- tematic farmer, and the neat and thrifty ap- pearance of his place plainly indicates his careful supervision. As a Republican he takes an active interest in political affairs.
Mr. Larson was married, in Cambridge, March 7, 1893, to Miss Carrie Youngquist, a native of Western township, Henry coun- ty, and a daughter of J. A. Youngquist, of Cambridge, of whom more extended men- tion is made in the sketch of Albert Peter- son on another page of this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Larson now have an interesting family of three children : Earl Russell, Mil- dred Irene Ruth and Florence Maud. He attends and supports the Lutheran Church of Andover, of which his wife is a member.
JOHN W. STEARNS.
Among the farmers of Henry county who have met with most excellent success in their chosen calling is the gentleman whose name introduces this review. He is now the owner of nearly five hundred acres of fine farming land in this county, which is divided into two well improved farms, and upon one of these, on section 12, West- ern township, he now makes his home.
Mr. Stearns is a native of the Green Mountain state, his birth having occurred in the town of Waterbury, Washington county, Vermont. April 28. 1835. The family to which he belongs was founded in this country by three brothers, natives of England, one of whom settled in Massa- chusetts, another in New York, and the third in Ohio. From the first branch our
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subject is descended. His grandfather, John Stearns, Sr., and his father, John Stearns, Jr., were both natives of Massachusetts, and were among the carly settlers of Vermont, where the former improved a farm of three hundred acres on the side of a hill There the father was reared, and during his boy- hood and youth he aided in the arduous task of clearing away the timber and plac- ing under cultivation the wild land. In Massachusetts he married Abigail Hall Toby, a native of that state, and upon a farm in Washington county, Vermont, they made their home until he was called to his final rest February 28, 1855. His wife survived him many years and spent her last days with our subject in this county, where she died March 26, 1896, at the ripe old age of eighty-six years.
In the county of his nativity John W. Stearns, of this review, pursued his studies in the common schools, and he remained on the home farm until reaching man's estate. Coming west in October, 1860, he stopped at Rock Island for a short time, but later in the same season came to Henry county, where he engaged in farming on a rented tract of eighty acres for two years, and later on the James Glenn farm of one hundred and sixty acres for three years. In 1864 Mr. Stearns purchased one hundred and sixty acres of wild land, where he now resides, and at once began its improvement, his first home here being a small house. As time ad- vanced and he prospered in his undertak- ings, he bought more land, and has made many valuable improvements upon his place, including the erection of a large and pleas- ant residence, two good barns and other outbuildings, has set out fruit and shade trees, and in other ways has added to the value and attractive appearance of the farm.
Besides this place, consisting of one hun- dred and sixty acres, he has another farm of two hundred and sixty-eight acres ad- joining, and is to-day one of the substan- tial farmers and stock raisers of his com- munity.
Mr. Stearns was married in Vermont, October 14, 1860, to Miss Albina Stone, a native of that state, who died in this coun- ty, in August, 1866, leaving one son, John Arthur, who is now married and follows farming in Osco township. Ile has two chil- dren, Bessie and Willis. On the 18th of July, 1867, in Henry county, Mr. Stearns was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Glenn, who was born February 9, 1840, and reared in Clinton county, Ohio, and came to Illinois with her father, Jacob Glenn, in 1856, locating in Colona township, Henry county. No children were born of this union, but Mr. and Mrs. Stearns have reared and educated two. A niece, Mary Harper, made her home with them from the age of ten years until her marriage, being now the wife of Milton F. Edwards, of Colorado Springs, Colorado. . \ nephew, Harry Rue, was only eighteen months old when he came to live with them, and now as a young man he assists in carrying on the farm.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Stearns has been identified with the Republican party, and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. He has served on the township committee of his party and has been a delegate to numerous conventions, but has never sought political honors, though he has been called upon to serve his fellow citizens as township school trustee, as road commissioner, and as treasurer for about eighteen years. He has ever taken an active and commendable interest in public affairs, and gives his support to every enterprise
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calculated to advance the moral, social or material welfare of his township and county. His estimable wife is a member of the Methodist Church, and both are held in high regard by all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance.
THOMAS M. ROBERTSON.
Prominent among the citizens of Henry county who have witnessed the marvelous development of this section of the state in the past sixty-five years, and who have, by honest toil and industry, succeeded in ac- quiring a competence, and are now able to spend the sunset of life in quiet and retire- ment, is the gentleman whose name intro- dices this sketch. For many years he was one of the leading agriculturists of the coun- ty, but is now living a retired life in Cam- bridge, to which city he removed November I, 1899, and where he owns a desirable home.
Mr. Robertson was born a few miles north of Galesburg, in Henderson township, Knox county, Illinois, May 2, 1835, and is a worthy representative of one of the most prominent pioneer families of this section of the state, his parents being Daniel and Mary ( Maxwell) Robertson. The father's birth occurred in Perth, Scotland, but he was only six months old when brought by luis parents to America. From New York the family removed to Morgan county, Illi- nois, in 1817. They constructed a flatboat in Pennsylvania, on which they loaded their Household goods, horses and cattle, and they toated down the Ohio river to Lewiston, weir St. Louis. Going to the land office at 1000, Daniel Robertson entered a tract of WwvernMent fand at Ilenderson Grove, which
was said to be the nicest grove in the state at that time. He secured the deed to a Guarter-section of land on section II, Hen- derson township, Knox county, and his brother, Alexander, who died in 1848, also obtained at that time one hundred and sixty acres and later entered a quarter-section more. The father of our subject lived at what is now Hendersonville, which was a thriving village before the railroad was laid out, but as the company saw fit to lay their line through Galesburg and skip Henderson- ville, the latter was virtually killed. He and his brother were the first white men to set- tie in Knox county. During the Black Hawk war, the latter entered the army, leav- ing Daniel to care for the home and family. He was well acquainted with Shabbona, the friendly Indian of those troublesome times. Mr. Robertson was reared in the Scotch Presbyterian faith, but never united with any church. While a resident of Schuyler county, Illinois, he was appointed justice of the peace by Governor Edwards and held the office for some years. He died at his home in Knox county, April 6, 1890, at the ripe old age of eighty-six years, hon- ored and respected by all who knew him. The mother of our subject, who was a most excellent woman, had died in 1840, at the early age of twenty-seven years. She was a daughter of Thomas and Clarkie ( Will- iamson) Maxwell. Her mother's people came from Indiana to Illinois at a very early day and first located in Sangamon county. but in 1829 removed to Knox county. By his first marriage Mr. Robertson had five children, namely: Elizabeth, the first female white child born in Knox county, married Isaac Reed, and is now living in this county at the age of sixty-nine years; Alexander R. died from the effects of an accident Oc-
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tober 11, 1891, at the age of fifty-eight years; Thomas M., our subject, is next in order of birth; Malissa, deceased, was the wife of James Smelser; Mary is the widow of Robert Adcock and a resident of War- ren county, Illinois. For his second wife the father of these children married Miss Jane Riddle, who died in Galesburg, in 1895, at the age of eighty-five years. By that union were born six children, five of whom are now living : John T., a resident of Gales- burg : James G., who died November, 1900, at Marysville, California; Amanda, now Mrs. Briggs, of Oklahoma; and Harlen, of Indian territory, and Harbin C., twins, liv- ing near Galesburg, Illinois.
The boyhood and youth of Thomas M. Robertson were passed upon the home farm in Knox county, and he received a good com- mon-school education. At the age of sev- enteen he and his brother Alexander began breaking prairie, with three plows and five yoke of oxen to each plow. They broke much of the sod between Wataga and Little York, Mercer county, their largest day's work being ten and a quarter acres near Wataga, getting two dollars and twen- ty-five cents per acre. The brother re- tired from the business before our sub- ject, who continued to follow it for about nine years. He became the owner of seventy-seven acres of land in Knox town- ship, which he sold on coming to Henry county in 1867. and bought one hun- dred and sixty acres in Weller town- ship, to which he subsequently added tracts of sixty-two, eighty and one hundred Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Robertson, but Cora died at the age of three years, and three of the number died in infancy. Those living are Arthur, on the home farm; Fannie, wife of V. J. Poppy, and forty acres, but has since sold a portion of this land, though he still retains one hun- dred and seventy-six acres of well improved and valuable land on section 7, and one hun- dred and thirty-seven and a half acres on a farmer of Weller township, this county,
section 8, Weller township. Upon these farms he has erected good and substantial buldngs, has placed the land under a high state of cultivaton and otherwise improved them, until they are now among the most desirable of their size in that section of the county. He has also owned land in Ne- braska.
On the 28th of October, 1858, Mr. Rob- ertson was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Bick, who was born in Ohio, May 17, 1840, a daughter of Elias and Cather- ine (Stein) Bick, natives of Pennsylvania, who in 1852 removed to Knox county, Illi- nois. Her father was a successful merchant tailor, who did a large business and em- ployed many workmen. He was born Au- gust 15, 1813, and died February 24, 1864, while his wife was born December 1, 1815, and died February 12, 1852. Both were devout members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, and were held in high regard by all who knew them. Mrs. Robertson was the eldest of their four daughters, the others being as follows: (2) Alsetta is the wife of William Collins, a railroad employe of Atchison, Kansas, and they have five chil- dren, Frederick, William, Forest, Harry and May. (3) Susie is the wife of Albert Thompson, a farmer of Norton, Kansas; and they have seven children, Frederick, Charles, Howard, Florence, Cora, John and Maude. (+) Louisa is the wife of John Maxwell, a farmer of Grinnell, Iowa, and their children are Catherine, Jennie, Atha, Cora and Charles.
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by whom she has one child. Jessie ; Harry B., a grain buyer of Bishop Hill, who mar- ried Hattie Hunt and has one child, Mildred ; and Carrie, wife of C. W. Nelson, who lives on the home farm.
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For many years Mr. Robertson has been identified with the financial interests of Cam- bridge, serving as one of the directors of the Farmers National Bank since its or- ganization, in 1882, and as vice-president during that entire time with the exception of two years. He is now one of the oldest bank officials in this part of the county. He has also been interested in the mercan- tile business some ten or twelve years. His political support is always given the men and measures of the Democratic party, and while living in the country he served his fel- low citizens as road commissioner some time, and as a member of the school board for nine years. At the age of twenty-one years he was made a Mason in Hiram Lodge, Henderson, Illinois. Being demitted from that lodge, he became one of the charter members of Oxford Lodge, and later as- sisted in the organization of the lodge at Woodhull, Henry county. He and his es- timable wife are members of the Baptist Church. They are widely and favorably known throughout the county, and it is safe to say that no couple within its borders are more honored or highly esteemed, or more justly deserve the high regard in which they are held by all who know them.
ANDREW LINCOLN.
Kroppa Congregation, Sweden, April 29, 1842, a son of John and Maria ( Olson) Lindgren, also natives of that country, where the father, who was a farmer by occupation. died. The mother subsequently came to the United States and settled in Kansas. her death occurring in Linsberg, that state. January 7, 1893. Our subject was reared and educated in his native land, and contin- tied to make his home there until his emigra- tion to America, in April, 1869. On his arrival in this country he proceeded to Kan- sas, where he received a contract for stone work on the Santa Fe railroad. His first contract was around Emporia and Florence and in that vicinity. He located in Linsberg. Mc Pherson county, where he purchased two hundred and forty acres of land and followed farming for a time. For twelve years he was also engaged in the lumber business at that place, hauling the first load of lumber from Salina to that place. He took up govern- ment land there, and in his farming op- erations was fairly successful, though he met with some reverses, caused principally by the grasshopper plague. While residing in McPherson he was a member of the city council during which time many improve- ments were made. He was also a trustee of Bethany College, from the beginning of the school, a period of sixteen years, and was one of the officers when the college buildings were erected.
While a resident of Kansas, Mr. Lincoln was married, October 21, 1871, to Miss Anna Christine Johnson, a native of Sweden, and to them were born nine children, as fol- lows: Julius L., who was ordained a Lu- theran minister in 1893. and is now pastor of a church at Jamestown, New York; David, an undertaker and embalmer at
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