USA > Illinois > Henry County > The biographical record of Henry County, Illinois > Part 16
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On the 8th of September, 1835. in Cleve- 1.nc. Ohio, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Freeman and Miss Marcia A. Prichard. who was born in Waterbury, New Haven county, Connecticut, April 11, 1816, a daughter of Gaines and Mary ( Bronson ) Prichard. In 1820 her family removed from that state to Ohio, the journey being made with an ox team and occupying six weeks. The mother died in August. 1821, and a month later the father also passed away at we age of twenty-seven years. ller ances-
during her infancy she had six grandmothers living. Her grandmother Prichard was ninety-six years of age at the time of her cicath, while her maternal great-grandmother lacked only a few weeks of being one hun- (red when she passed away. At the age of ninety the latter was as vigorous as a per- son thirty years younger. She had her sec- ond sight and could read and sew without glasses. The male representatives of both families were principally farmers, though two of Mrs. Freemen's cousins were Episco- pal clergymen, and one a physician. Her maternal grandfather, Gates Bronson, was born during the Revolutionary war and was named for the celebrated General Gates. His father, Michael Bronson, served as a lieu- tenant in the Continental army and also did the duty of an adjutant. He never applied for a pension, but after his death his wife re- ceived about two hundred dollars annually from the government.
On coming west it was the intention of Mr. Freeman to lay aside business cares and live a retired life, but he was much too ener- getic a man to enjoy such a life, and became actively identified with different enterprises. He took considerable interest in fruit cult- ure. Although he was intensely a public- spirited man and an advocate of all that tends to advance and improve the community in which he lived, he did not care for public office. He died in Geneseo on Friday, No- vember 2, 1894. at the age of eighty-eight years, six months and eighteen days. He was a man of strict integrity, good business ability and great energy, and commanded the respect and confidence of all with whom he came in contact, either in business or so- cial life. He was an active and prominent member of the Protestant Episcopal Church
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and a constant attendant upon its services. His widow is also a communicant of that church, and takes an active part in its work. She is a woman of many excellent traits of character which have endeared her to the entire community, and she is held in high re- gard by a large circle of friends and ac- quaintances.
FRANK W. DURMANN.
This well-known farmer, residing on sec- tion 28, Colona township. Henry county, is a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Rock Island county October 21. 1847. His father, Joseph Durmann, was born in Bavaria, Germany, December 15. 1813. and when a young man emigrated to America. In April. 1845. he was married in Daven- port, Iowa, to Miss Amanda Killing, also a native of Germany, though she was reared in Davenport. Mr. Durmann followed the cooper's trade in Rock Island for some years. and then located on a farm in Rock Island county, to the cultivation of which he de- voted his time and attention until 1867. when he removed to Colona township. Henry county, and purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land, making it his home un- til his death, which occurred in March, 1895. In his family were five children, four sons and one daughter, of whom our subject is the eldest. Joseph. John and William are all substantial farmers of Colona township: and Mary is the wife of Patrick McKee, a farmer of Rock Island county.
F. W. Durmann was a young man of about eighteen years when he came to Henry county with his father, and in the improve- ment and cultivation of the home farm he bore an active part. On Thanksgiving day,
November 24. 1870, he was married in Rock Island county to Miss Josephine Davis, who was born in the city of Rock Island on the same street where our subject's birth oc- curred. Her father was John C. Davis, a native of New York, and a son of Garry. Davis, who was one of the pioneers of Rock Island county, and built and conducted the first hotel at Milan, then Camden Mills. There her father grew to manhood and mar- ried Jane Renfrow, who was born in Illinois, her father, Absolam Renfrow, being also an early settler of Rock Island county, and the first cabinet maker and undertaker of Rock Island.
Mr. and Mrs. Durmann began their do- mestic life on a farm where they now re- side, and consisting of eighty acres of well- improved land. He has built a neat and com- fortable residence, and is successfully en- gaged in general farming and stock raising. The marriage of our subject and wife has been blessed with five sons, namely: Burd C., Louis A., Ray. John D. and Harry W.
In politics Mr. Durmann is a Jefferson- ian Democrat, and at national elections al- ways supports that party, though he usually votes independent of party lines in local af- fairs where no issue is involved. He served two terms as township collector, and was a member of the school board some years, but has never sought political honors, pre- ferring to devote his undivided attention to his business interests. Fraternally he is connected with the Home Forum, and relig- iously both he and his wife are earnest and consistent members of the Baptist Church. They have witnessed almost the entire growth and development of this section of the state, and are justly deserving of promi- nent mention among its honored pioneers and worthy citizens.
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SWEDISH EVANGELICAL CHURCH.
At an early day a large Swedish colony was founded at Andover, and it soon be- came necessary to found a church at that place. Accordingly the Swedish Evangeli- cal Church was organized on the 18th of March, 1850, with ten communicants. The first of the Swedish colony to locate in An- dover was Swan Nelson, who took up his residence here in 1840, but in 1847 we find that only a few families had settled here. When John A. Larson arrived in 1848 land could still be purchased at the government price of one dollar and a quarter per acre, and ten acres was considered sufficient for a family. The village was laid out at that time.
The Rev. L. P. Esbgorn arrived in An- dover October 24. 1849. being sent as a missionary from Sweden. He was a well- educated man, and the first winter spent here he instructed the young people in algebra and other studies. The church was organized by him on the 18th of March, 1850, with twenty inembers, as previously stated, but five days later the membership was increased to thirty- five. He served as pastor until 1856, dur- ing which time a small brick building was erected according to plans given by the company in New York who located the col- ony here and gave to the church ten acres of land. The church was built by donations, Jenny Lind, the famous singer known as the Swedish nightingale, giving the most wards its crection. When Mr. Esbgorn let the church had a membership of three Hondred, but being without a pastor for two Mise the membership decreased. Accept WWW.b) from the church Rev. Jonas Swen souborsame accident pastor in the fall of Tại TI bythe ! strong nhìn the congre-
gation increased so rapidly that it was found necessary to build a more commodious church edifice in 1867. It is to-day the larg- est Protestant church in Henry county, the seating capacity being twelve hundred. At that time the membership was over one thousand, but since railroads have been laid out in all directions other churches have sprung up at different places which have taken members from the parent church. though the congregation at Andover still numbers over eight hundred.
In 1863 Rev. Esbgorn returned to Swe- den, where he was given a large pastorate over about eight thousand, and there he died in 1870. Rev. James Swenson, who was also a highly educated man, was pastor of the church at Andover for fifteen years, and died at this place on the 20th of December. 1873. The congregation here reared a mon- ument to his memory, costing five hundred dollars. On the 13th of October, 1875. Rev. E. Carlson became pastor, and was in charge here for twelve years. He was promoted and given the degree of D. D. in 1892, and during the vacancy from 1873 to 1875 the congre- gation was given a supply. In 1887, Rev. V. Setterdahl became pastor, and is yet serv- ing the church in a most acceptable manner.
ANDREW PETER FRAGD.
Among Andover township's most influ- ential and prominent citizens is A. P. Fragd who is now so efficiently serving as super- visor of the township. He was born in Kal merlan, Central Sweden, on the 22nd of September, 1852, and was five years old when he came to America with his parent -. John and Ann ( Peterson) Fragd, also na
A. P. FRAGD.
MRS. A. P. FRAGD.
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tives of Sweden. The family took passage tus, Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, De- on a sailing vessel at Liverpool, and after a voyage of seven weeks' duration landed in New York, whence they came direct to Henry county, Illinois, locating in Andover township, where the father followed farm- ing throughout the remainder of his life. In his native country he served fifteen years in the standing army, serving up to the time of his emigration to the United States, in 1857. He was an ardent Republican in pol- itics and both he and his wife were earnest and consistent members of the Lutheran Church. The father died the latter part of May, 1891, and the mother ten weeks later. They were among the honored pioneers and highly respected citizens of Andover town- ship. Their children were Caroline, now deceased ; Sophia, wife of Captain Anderson' of Iowa; Lottie: Augusta; Christine, de- ceased; Andrew P., and August, a resident of Chicago.
Reared in Andover, our subject was edu- cated in the schools of that village, and since starting out in life for himself has success- fully engaged in farming and stock raising in Andover township. In 1875 he was united in marriage with Miss Emma Ander- son, also a native of Sweden, and a daugh- ter of John Anderson, who lives at Osco. By this union were born eight children, namely : Sherman, who died October 8, 1900; Anna, Esther, Elmer, Walter and Eda, all at home; and Mary and Esly, both de- ceased. The wife and mother died in .\n- dover in 1896, and two years later Mr. Fragd wedded Mrs. Mary Davis, a native of Pennsylvania, and widow of William Davis, who was an early settler and large land owner of Andover township, where he made his home until his death, August 17. 1894. Mrs. Fragd was born in Kiskimini- 8
cember 18, 1836, and is a daughter of George W. and Rachel (Starry ) Dun- mire. Her father was a son of Solomon Dunmire, a native of Germany, while her mother was a native of Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, but of German an- cestry. In 1850 her father came to Henry county, Illinois, and located in Western township, where he purchased unimproved land and opened up a farm, which was his home until his removal to Butler county, Kansas, in 1875, where his death occurred some seven years ago. His wife died in Pennsylvania when Mrs. Fragd was an in- fant. The latter accompanied her father to Ilenry county and remained with him until her marriage to William Davis, in March, 1862. Her education was principally ob- tained in the schools of her native state, but she attended the schools of Western town- ship for a time after the removal of the family. William Davis was born in Ireland, and when less than eighteen years old came to the United States and direct to Andover township, Henry county, where he first worked as a farm hand. Later he purchased land, and at the time of his death, August 14, 1894, he was a well-to-do man. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
As a Republican Mr. Fragd has ever taken a very active and prominent part in local politics, and has been honored with several official positions of responsibility and trust. For the long period of twenty years he has been a public official of Andover township. He was commissioner of high- ways fourteen years, during which time many iron bridges were constructed in his township, and the first road graders owned by the township were purchased. He was
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assessor some seven or eight years, and since 1897 has held the office of supervisor to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He takes a commendable interest in county, state and national politics, and gives his support to all measures which he believes will prove of public benefit. . As a member of the township central committee of his party he has rendered considerable service. Socially he is an honored member of the Odd Fellow's Lodge of Cambridge, and re- ligiously holds membership in the Lutheran Church of Andover.
REV. VICTOR SETTERDAHL.
For thirteen years Rev. Victor Setter- dlahl has been pastor of the Evangelical Li- theran Church at Andover, during which time he has ministered faithfully to the spir- itual needs of his people and given powerful and effective aid to all influences which work for the advancement of the community. He was born in Ostergoetland, Sweden, January 20, 1844, a son of M. Anderson and his wife Catherine Larson, who lived and died in that country. Our subject took his name from his old home in Sweden, where .he was reared and educated.
In 1864 Mr. Setterdahl came to the United States, and the following year en- tered Augustana College at Paxton, Illinois, where he took the seminary course and was graduated in 1873. From June of that year until June. 1874, he was pastor of a church at Rock Island. Ile then took charge of the church at Orion, Henry county, becom- ing its first pastor, and built up the congre- gation until it numbered three hundred and jorty-five communicants. Prior to coming
to Andover he was connected with the churches at Lockport and Joliet, Illinois, as pastor, for three years, and before the estab- lishment of the churches did mission work in those cities. In 1887 he accepted a call from the church at Andover, and has since remained at this place. The church here has had a remarkable career, and from it seven churches have branched off-Swedonia, New Windsor, Woodhull, Orion, Cam- bridge, Oppheim and Cable. Its elegant house of worship there was erected at a cost of thirty-five thousand dollars. It was sup- plied with a pipe organ in 1874, at a cost four thousand dollars. In 1875 the par- sonage was built. This is the oldest church in Augustana Synod, and one of the largest country churches in the country. A summer school of two months is held here each year. There are ten acres of land attached to both church and parsonage.
On the 5th of May, 1874, in Mercer county, Illinois, Mr. Setterdahl married Miss Albertina Larson, who was born in that county in 1853, and after her graduation at the high school in Galesburg she success- fully engaged in teaching in her native coun- ty for a time. Her parents were Gustaf and Catharine Larson. Her father was born in Sweden, and became a resident of Mercer county, Illinois, in 1850. He died in 1870, and his wife passed away, in 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Setterdahl have five children. Victor E., now engaged as a bookkeeper in Chicago, is a graduate of Augustana College. He was married February 2, 1898, to Miss Edith Hanaway, of Meadville, Pennsylvania, but of Scotch descent. Etta, also a graduate of Augustana College, was for a time a stu- cent of music of the Conservatory of Music of Rock Island, Illinois. She is now a teach- cr in the village school in Andover, and is
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organist for the church. Fred, Violet and Naomi complete the family.
For twenty-three years Mr. Setterdahl has been connected with ministerial work in Henry county, and his labors have been crowned with success. Revered and loved by his own congregation, he has also won the honor and esteem of all others who have seen his devotion to his noble calling.
PETER WESTERLUND.
One of the early settlers of Henry coun- ty is Peter Westerlund, now retired from business activities and quietly enjoying the income which he accumulated in former years. For many years he was successfully engaged in farming in Western township. where he still owns a valuable place of three hundred and twenty acres within three miles of Orion, but is now living a retired life in that village.
Mr. Westerlund was born in Sweden, August 21, 1839, and was eleven years of age when, in 1850, he came with his father to the new world and took up his residence in Henry county. After living for two years in Andover township the father bought one hundred and sixty acres of government land in Lynn township, in the improvement and cultivation of which our subject bore an act- ive part until reaching man's estate. He be- gan his education in his native land, and later attended the schools of Andover and Lynn townships for a time.
Leaving home in 1859, Mr. Westerlund went to Pikes Peak with ox and mule teams, and after prospecting in the mountains for some time went to Denver September 4 of the same year. The first house, where now
stands the city, was then being erected. From there he proceeded south to Fort Albu- querque, New Mexico, but not being pleased with the country, he and his companions sold their three wagons and oxen and float- ed down the Rio Grande river to El Paso, Mexico, passing numerous rapids and hav- ing exciting adventures. Selling their skiffs
they went with some freight trains to San Antonio, and then started for Jefferson City on foot, carrying with them their luggage, a distance of one thousand miles. On reach- ing Quitman Mr. Westerlund secured work at getting out timber for the sawmills, and was thus employed for two months. He then went to Jefferson, Texas, where he spent the summer at work in a brick yard, and in the fall of 1860 he and his associates started north, arriving home in November of that year.
The following spring Mr. Westerlund, with others, established a brick yard at Woodhull, which they operated one season, but he then sold his interest in the business and took charge of the old home farm, which he carried on until 1865. He then bought his first property, consisting of eighty acres of wild prairie land, to which he subsequently added from time to time until he now has three hundred and twenty acres of land all in one body. This he has divided into two farms, has erected thereon two sets of good farm buildings, and has placed the land un- der a high state of cultivation. These places are now successfully operated by his sons, while he practically lives a retired life in Orion, where he has made his home since the spring of 1897, owning a good residence in that place. He is now vice-president and one of the stockholders of the State Bank of Orion, having been elected to that office on the reorganization of the bank. The
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bank was first started by our subject and his sons, associated with two others, as a private bank.
On the 17th of February, 1863, in Henry county, Mr. Westerlund was united in mar- riage with Miss Eleanora Hultman, who was also born in Sweden, and came to the United States when a young lady. They have be- come the parents of five children, namely : William, who is married and engaged in business in Chicago; John A., a business man of Alabama; May, wife of Dr. Magnuson, a dentist of Orion; Arndt L., on the old homestead; and Perry E., also on the farm; both are married.
Mr. Westerlund cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864, being in Texas in 1860, and has since been an ardent supporter of the Republican party and its principles. Both he and his wife hold mem- bership in the Lutheran Church of Orion, and enjoy the hospitality of many of the best homes of the village. His success in life has been worthily achieved, and his career demonstrates what may be accomplished through energy, careful management, keen foresight and the utilization of the powers with which nature has endowed one, and the opportunities with which the times sur- round him.
DAVID CLINTON TOMLINSON.
Among the successful, energetic and pro- gressive farmers of Henry county is D. Clin- ton Tomlinson, who has been a resident of the county since 1857, and now resides on section 20, Osco township. His birth oc- curred in Holly, Oakland county, Michigan, August 17, 1844, his parents being D. S. and Ilannah ( Winegar) Tomlinson, both na-
tives of New York, the former born in 1810, the latter in 1807. After their marriage they moved to Michigan about 1837, and first located in Genesee county, but later set- tled in Oakland county, where the father owned and operated a farm. On disposing of that place, in 1857, he came to Henry county, Illinois. Mr. Tomlinson purchased one hundred acres of land in Osco township, which he improved, and throughout life fol- lowed general farming. He died on his farm ir. October, 1883, having survived his wife twelve years, as her death occurred April 14, 1871. By his ballot he always supported the men and measures of the Republican party, and took an active interest in edu- cational affairs. His children were Jennie H., now the widow of William Perkins and a resident of Buffalo, New York; Catherine, wife of George Thomas, a farmer of Shelby county, Missouri; Ellen, deceased wife of John Beers, a resident of Osco township, this county; D. Clinton, our subject; and William H., who lives on the old homestead on section II, Osco township.
Mr. Tomlinson, of this review, began his education in the common schools of Michi- gan, and after coming to this county with his parents, at the age of thirteen years, he attended school for a time. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and while assisting his father in the work of the farm acquired an excellent knowledge of its labors. At the age of sixteen he began work for himself, though he made his home with his parents until his marriage, October 1, 1871, Mrs. Caroline D. (Harper) Geer becoming his wife. By her first marriage she had three children, namely: (1) Pearl G. is the wife of William McNeill, who is running a cream- ery in Prophetstown, Illinois, and they have four children, June, Leola, Arneda and Va-
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da. (2) Jessie is the wife of Charles Pur- viance, proprietor of a laundry and bottling works at Wyoming, Illinois, and they have five children, Leroy, Edith, Grace, Carol and Charles. (3) Grace is the wife of George Reese, a farmer and stock raiser of Proph- etstown, and they have two children, Ralph and Avis. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Tomlinson are as follows: ( 1) Albert C., who is engaged in farming on his father's land in Cambridge township, married Sarah Neville, and they have two children, Gwen- dolin and Duane C. (2) Mabet is the wife of Charles Arnett, a farmer of Penora, Guth- rie county, Iowa. (3) Duane S. married Esther C. Fragd and lives at home. Mrs. Tomlinson was born in New York, April 13, 1839, and died on the home place in Osco township, this county, November 6, 1899. On leaving her native state she went to Wisconsin, and after spending one year there came to Illinois in 1857, living for a time in Whiteside county, and later in Gen- eseo, this county. She was of a willing dis- position, and to her our subject attributes much of his success in life, for she aided him much by her encouragement and support. Pleasant and agreeable in manner, she made many friends, and was highly respected and esteemed by all who knew her.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Tom- linson located on the farm where he now resides, his wife there owning one hundred and sixty acres on section 20, Osco township. He has made many improvements upon the place, and has added to his landed posses- sions, having two hundred and forty acres of rich and arable land on sections 13 and 24, Cambridge township. He has always fol- lowed general farming and stock raising. making a specialty of hogs, and in his busi- ness undertakings has steadily prospered un-
til he is now one of the most substantial men of his community.
As a Republican Mr. Tomlinson has been quite prominently identified with political affairs, and is a recognized leader of the party in his community. For nine consecutive years he served as supervisor of his town- ship, and later filled the same office for four years, always serving the people to the best of his ability. While he held that office the court house was in course of construction. He was also officially connected with the schools of his town- ship for a number of years, and has al- ways given his support to church work. Over his life record there falls no shadow of wrong; his public service was most exem- plary; and his private life has been marked by the utmost fidelity to duty.
ANDREW P. JOHNSON.
Andrew P. Johnson is a successful con- tractor and builder of Orion, of whose skill many notable examples are to be seen throughout Henry and Rock Island coun- ties. Thoroughly reliable in all things, the quality of his work is a convincing test of his own personal worth and the same ad- mirable trait is shown in his conscientious discharge of the duties of different positions of trust and responsibility to which he has been chosen in business and political life.
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