USA > Illinois > Henry County > The biographical record of Henry County, Illinois > Part 27
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in Kewanee, leaving two children : Elizabeth A., now the wife of Alfred Watkinson, of California, and Harry M. of Kewanee.
Originally Mr. Brown was a Democrat in politics, but in 1856 supported John C. Fremont for the presidency, and has since affiliated with the Republican party, though at local elections he often votes independent of party lines. He has been a delegate to the county conventions of his party, and has served as constable, assessor, road commis- sioner and school director, discharging his various official duties in a commendable and satisfactory manner. He is one of the few remaining old settlers of the county, and is to-day the oldest voter in Wethersfield town- ship. He was a pall-bearer at the first fu- neral held there. Ile well remembers when this section of the state was all wild and un- improved, when wolves, deer and feathered game were abundant, furnishing many a meal for the early settlers, whose larder would otherwise have been scant, as those who had money were often unable to procure even the necessities of life in the sparsely settled country. As years have passed all this has been changed and although the wild game has disappeared the residents of Henry county are now able to secure all the deli- cacies which the markets of the world afford.
J. E. STACY.
J. E. Stacy, the present alderman of the Second ward of Kewanee, and a manu- facturer, wholesale and retail dealer of ci- gars and tobacco, his place of business be- ing at No. 222 Second street, was born in Havana, Illinois, July 17, 1865, a son of John and Ellen ( Murphy) Stacy, both na- 13
tives of the Emerald Isle and members of the Catholic Church. The father died in 1866, at the age of thirty-five years, leav- ing two children, J. E., our subject ; and William E., a manufacturer of cigars at Farmington, Illinois. For her second hus- band the mother married James Ennis, by whom she also had two children: Philip, deceased ; and Christopher, who is working for our subject. Mrs. Ennis is still living at the age of fifty-seven years, and is an honored resident of Kewanee.
During his minority J. E. Stacy lived on a farm, and as he was compelled to earn his own livelihood his educational ad- vantages were limited, though he attended the country schools for a time. On start- ing out in life for himself he engaged in teaming in Canton, Illinois, and then learned the cigar maker's trade, at which he worked for others until the 23d of May, 1897, when he formed a partnership with James Finin, and embarked in the same line of trade under the firm name of Stacy & Finin. One year later this connection was dissolved by Mr. Stacy purchasing his part- ner's interest in the business, which he has since carried on under the name of James E. Stacy. He manufactures on an average about two hundred thousand ci- gars per year, and was engaged in the wholesale business only until November I, 1900, when he opened a retail department. He has built up a good trade in both branches, and the products of his factory being of a superior grade find a ready sale on the market.
Mr. Stacy was married, May 27, 1896, to Miss Maggie Killeen, a resident of Wy- oming, who was born in Illinois, and is a daughter of Patrick and Bridget Killeen, natives of Ireland. Both our subject and
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his wife are members of the Catholic Church, and he is also connected with the Catholic Order of Foresters and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He is also a mem- ber of the L. D. of A. of Kewanee, and holds a retiring card of the Cigarmakers International Union of America. He was president of the cigar union of Canton during the strike of March, 1897, which lasted two years, but resigned that posi- tion on his removal to Kewanee. He has ben a member of the trades council of this city nearly two years and secretary of the local cigar union about a year ; and in connection with his special trade has been an important factor in union circles for the past four years. As a Democrat he also takes an active part in politics, and on that ticket was elected alderman in April, 1900, for a term of two years. For his success in life Mr. Stacy deserves great credit, as it is due entirely to his own un- aided efforts. Ilis first business transac- tion was at the age of fifteen years, when lie trade an old carbine rifle, which was a present to him, for some tin-type pictures and seventy-five cents in money. He has worked his way steadily upward until he is now at the head of a good and constantly increasing business. In his career he has displayed that energy, enterprise and de- termination which marks the successful business man.
WILLIAM OLIVER.
Since pioneer days William Oliver has been a resident of this section of the state, having located in Stark county in 1838, and since 1854 he has made his home in Henry county. During his active business life he followed the occupation of farming with
marked success, but is now living retired in Wethersfield, enjoying a handsome com- petence which he has truly earned and richly deserves.
Mr. Oliver was born in Rossshire. Scot- land, February 7. 1827, and is a son of Thomas and Margaret (Fife) Oliver, both natives of Roxburghshire, where their mar- riage was celebrated. In 1837 the family emigrated to the United States, and the fol- lowing year took up his residence in Stark county, Illinois, being among the first set- tlers of what is now Elmira township. There the father of our subject opened up and improved a farm, which he made his home until called to his final rest, having survived his wife for some years.
There our subject grew to manhood, and the education which he acquired in the pioneer schools was supplemented by a course at Knox College, Galesburg. He remained at home until his marriage, which occurred April 3, 1854, in Stark county, Miss Elizabeth Trumbull becoming his wife. She was born and reared in Scotland, and was a daughter of William Trumbull, also a pioneer of Stark county. By this union were born ten children. The sons of the family were Thomas, who is married and now operates the home farm; William P., a resident of Adams county, Iowa; Adam E., who was admitted to the bar and engaged in the practice of law at Kewanee until his death in 1894: George and Andrew, who both died in 1891, after reaching years of maturity; and John, a graduate of the St. Louis Medical College, and now a physician of Kewanee. The daughters were Mary E., wife of Archie Turner, of Adams county, lowa; Anna, who died in 1898; Nellie and Jane, both at home.
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After liis marriage Mr. Oliver located on a farm in Wethersfield township, Henry county, where he purchased two hundred acres of wild land, which he broke and placed under cultivation. He added to his landed possessions from time to time until he had six hundred and forty acres, on which he built a good residence and substantial barns and outbuildings. He continued to successfuly engage in farming until 1898. when he rented his place and erected a pleasant residence in Wethersfield, where he has since lived retired. As a boy he commenced work for ten cents per day ; his wages were subsequently increased to twenty-five cents per day ; and he was finally given ten dollars permonth; but being in- dustrious, ambitious and enterprising, lie steadily prospered as time advanced until he is now one of the most substantial men of the community, and his success has been worthily achieved. By his ballot he sup- ports the men and measures of the Repub- lican party, but has never sought official honors for himself. For some years he efficiently served as a member of the school board and as school director in his district, having always taken a commendable inter- est in educational affairs. He and liis fam- ily are earnest and consistent members of the United Presbyterian Church of Elmira, and are people of prominence in the community where they reside.
JOHN H. MURPHY.
John H. Murphy, one of Kewanee's well-to-do and highly respected citizens who is now living a retired life, was born in
county Wexford, Ireland, March 7, 1832, and is the only survivor in a family of seven children, four sons and three daughters, whose parents were Gregory and Mary (O'Farrel) Murphy, lifelong residents of the Emerald Isle, where the father died at about the age of eighty years, the mother at the age of fifty-five. The first of the family to come to America was our sub- ject's brother, James, who crossed the At- lantic in 1846 and took up his residence on a farm in Will county, Illinois, where he lived for many years, dying when quite an old man. Michael came to this country in 1877 and settled in Chicago, where he died at the age of sixty. The first of the members of this family were Margaret, who married Nicholas Holden and died in Ireland; Jamies; Patrick and Ellen, who also died in Ireland ; John H .; and Michael.
Our subject was reared and educated in the land of his birth. It was in 1850, at the age of eighteen years, that he emigrated to the new world and located in Chicago, where he was engaged in mercantile pur- suits for a number of years. In 1882 he came to Henry county and has since made his home in Kewanee, where he worked in the shops for a time, but for the past ten years has lived a retired life. He owns a pleasant home at No. 707 East Third street, where he and his estimable wife ex- pect to spend their declining years. They are worthy members of the Catholic Church, and are highly esteemed by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
On the 22nd of October, 1864, Mr. Murphy married Miss Kate Smithi, a native of New York and a daughter of John and Mary (Burns) Smith, who were born in Ireland and were the parents of six children, namely : Margaret, John, Mary, Kate, Will-
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iam and Ann. Besides Mrs. Murphy only Mary is now living. The children born to our subject and his wife are James, a resi- dent of Kewanee, who wedded Mary Coch- ran and has one child, John; John, who is engaged in the mining business in South Dakota; Ellen, at home; Margaret, wife of Frank Reynolds, of Wethersfield; Frank, who is clerking in Kewanee; Kate, wife of Gould Hulburt, a railroad man of Wyom- ing ; and William A., at home.
HENRY EKLUND.
Sweden has furnished to the United States many bright, enterprising young men who have left the old world to enter the business circles of this country with its more progressive methods, livelier compe- tition and advancement more quickly se- cured. Among this number is Henry Ek- lund, a prominent architect of Kewanee, Illinois. He was born in Boros, province of Westergotland, Sweden, May 2, 1868, a son of Andrew and Sophia (Sund) Ek- lund, natives of the same province. The father is a well educated man, who served for over twenty years as a non-commis- sioned officer in the Swedish army, and after retiring from military service embarked in the lumber and real estate business in Boros, which he still carries on. Ile has ten chil- dren, all living, namely: Alma, wife of John Josephson, of Boros; Henry, our sub- ject; Mary, wife of Jacob Johnson, of Ke- wanee, Illinois; Hilda, wife of Rev. John Miller, a minister of the Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church at Bloomington, Illinois; Elizabeth, wife of John Nordine, of Boros, Sweden; Carl, who is married and is now
pastor of the Swedish Methodist Church at Des Moines, Iowa; Hilma, also of Des Moines, Iowa; Judith, Cornelia and Fritz, who are living with their parents in Boros, Sweden.
Henry Eklund began his education in the pubile schools of his native town and later attended a private school, where he studied for a professorship. In 1887 lie came to the new world, sailing from Gottenborg to Hull, England, and from Liverpool to New York. He remained in the latter city for a short time and then came to Kewanee, Illinois, where he took private lessons in drafting. Later he took a special course in architecture at the University of Illinois, and by studying hard completed the same in one year, after which he returned to Ke- wanee, and has since devoted his time and energies to his profession, in which he has met with marked success. In 1898 he de- signed and supervised the construction of the Washington school building, which is one of the finest in the state, and in 1900 he received the commission to plan and su- pervise the construction of a large addition to the Irving school, the Hallin Block of Kewanee, a modern three-story building with all the latest improvements; Thomas McClure's residence on Prospect street in 1895; one for John Wilsey on Tremont street; one for Asa Barney on Chestnut street; and one for X. Caverno on South Tremont street, beside many other resi- dences and buildings. Mr. Eklund also has had considerable work throughout this. Stark and Knox counties. He conscien- tiously fulfills his part of every contract. and, being a skilled architect, the buildings erected by him are among the finest and best in this section of the state.
On the 25th of October, 1899, was cele-
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brated the marriage of Mr. Eklund and Miss Esther Nelson, of Chicago, a daughter of Swan Nelson of that city. She has a brother Arthur, who is still at home with his parents. Mr. Eklund is an active and consistent . member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church; has been a member of the board of directors of the Young Men's Christian Association at Kewanee for eight years, and is now vice-president of the same. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Wood- men of America, and is trustee of the former lodge. Since coming to this country he has affiliated with the Republican party, and has taken an active and commendable interest in public affairs, as every true American citizen should. For three years he has been a member of the public library board, and he gives a cheerful support to all enterprises which have for their object the betterment of mankind.
THOMAS PORTER LIKEN.
One of the early settlers and prominent citizens of Henry county, Mr. Liken is now living a retired life in the city of Geneseo, his home being on South Mechanic street. He was born near Pittsburg, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, November 20, 1846, and is a son of Thomas and Sarah ( Sands ) Liken. The father was a native of Ireland, who came to Pennsylvania when nine years old, living there until 1865, when he came to Illinois and settled in Munson township. Henry county, where he purchased a farm, making it his home until called from this life, in 1895, at the age af seventy-three years. Throughout his active business ca- reer he followed the occupation of farming.
His wife survived him about two years, dy- ing on the old homestead in Munson town- ship, at the age of seventy-two. Of their nine children four are still living, Thomas P. being the oldest of the family.
During his minority our subject assisted his father in the labors of the farm, and re- mained under the parental roof until his mar- riage. He began his education at his birth- place, and attended the public schools of Geneseo after coming to this state. On the 28th of December, 1870, in Munson town- ship, he married Miss Rachel V. Hill, who was born in Augusta county, Virginia, April 27, 1851, a daughter of William T. and Elizabeth (Lockhart) Hill. The birth of her father occurred in Rappahannock county, the same state, April 10, 1821, and about 1855 he came to Henry county, Illinois, lo- cating in Munson township, being engaged in farming and stock raising on section 24 until his death, which occurred in 1890, when he was well advanced in years. His wife had passed away a number of years pre- viously. They had a family of fourteen chil- dren, eleven of whom are still living, Mrs. Liken being the sixth in order of birth. Mr. Hill was a large land owner and one of the most prosperous men of his community, as well as one of its most highly respected citizens.
Mr. and Mrs. Liken are the parents of five children, all of whom were born in Mun- son township. In order of birth they are as follows: William E., born February 24, 1872, was educated at the Collegiate Insti- tute of Geneseo, and now follows farming, while he makes his home with his parents; Mande E., born March 16, 1875, is the wife of Joseph F. Combs, a farmer residing on section 23, Osco township, this county, and they have one child, Herbert P .; Clyde T.,
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born May 7. 1878, is now editor of the Gen- eseo Daily and Weekly Arena, and is repre- sented on another page of this volume ; Myr- tle M., born June 14. 1880, was educated in the schools of Geneseo and a young ladies' seminary at Pittsburg. Pennsylvania, and is now at home with her parents: and Grace M., born January 27, 1884. is attending the Geneseo high school.
After his marriage Mr. Liken embarked in farming for himself on a place adjoining that owned by his father in Munson town- ship. He purchased one hundred and eighty acres of land on section 7, and to it he sub- sequently added until he had a fine farm comprising five hundred and fifty acres in Munson township, besides a tract of two hundred acres in Iowa. In this county he engaged in general farming and stock rais- ing quite extensively until 1895, when he gave up active business and removed to Gen- eseo, where he has since lived a retired life at his pleasant home on South Mechanic street, surrounded by the comforts which usually attend a well spent life of industry. His beautiful residence is surrounded by a large and well-kept lawn, and is situated on one of the principal residence streets of the city.
While living in Munson township Mr. Liken served as school director for some years, but has never cared for political hon- ors. Ile is, however, a public spirited man, and advocates all measures tending to ad- vance or improve the community in which he lives. Politically he is identified with the Democratic party, and . fraternally affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. For many years he was an elder in the Presbyterian Church of Munson; has al- ways been an active Christian worker, and a liberal donator to the support of his church.
At present he is a member of the board of trustees of the Geneseo Collegiate Institute, and has for some years served as treasurer of that organization. In his farming opera- tions he has met with that success which usually follows the industrious and enter- prising man, and is now enabled to live in ease and comfort upon the proceeds of his former toil. He still retains his farms in Munson township, which are now occupied by tenants. He has witnessed almost the entire development of the county, and in its upbuilding he has ever borne his part. His life has been manly, his actions sincere, and his example is well worthy of emulation.
CLYDE THOMAS LIKEN.
ยท Clyde T. Liken, editor and proprietor of the Geneseo Daily and Weekly Arena, is the third child in order of birth in the family of Thomas P'. and Rachel V. ( Hill) Liken, of Geneseo, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. He was born on the old home- stead in Munson township, May 7, 1878. and at the age of five years commenced at- tending the district school of that locality, where he pursued his studies until sixteen. In the fall of 1894 he entered the Geneseo Collegiate Institute, where he was gradu- ated after taking a three years' course. He was a close and careful student, who did good and conscientious work, and always stood well in his classes. He was president of his class during his senior year, and was chosen, as a representative of the institute, to take part in several oratorical contests. At present he is a member of the Alumni Association of that school. In the fall of 1897 he entered the Northwestern Univer-
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sity at Evanston, where he continued his studies until January 1, 1898, when he en- tered the freshman class at Knox College, Galesburg. He was a student there two years, taking the scientific course, and iden- tified himself with the different phases of college life, taking part in the literary societies and the athletic sports.
Returning to his home in the fall of 1899, Mr. Liken became a reporter on the Geneseo Daily Arena, and a few months later pur- chased a half interest in the paper, being a partner of H. W. Buckle in the publication of the same. In March, 1900, he purchased the interest of Mr. Buckle, and has since been sole proprietor. The Daily Arena is a four-page, seven-column paper, independ- ent in politics; while the Weekly, which is published every Thursday, supports the Democratic party. The paper was estab- lished in 1895 by the Henry County Pub- lishing Company, and under the able and efficient management of our subject has be- come one of the leading journals of the county.
Mr. Liken is a member of Stewart Lodge, No. 92, F. & A. M., and also of the Presby- terian Church of Geneseo. He stands de- servedly high in both church and social cir- cles, and is one of the most popular young men of the city.
J. WILLIAM JOHNSON.
This well-known citizen and successful agriculturist of Wethersfield, was born in Kansas City, Kansas, January 4, 1858, and is a son of J. W. Johnson, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1816, and was educated at Williams College, of which he was a grad-
ttate. The paternal grandfather was Dr. J. V. Johnson, who was born in Washington county, New York, in 1786, and became a prominent physician. The father of our subject fitted himself for the legal profes- sion, and at an early day located in Prince- ton, Illinois, where he engaged in the prac- tice of law for a time. While there he was united in marriage with Mary Eliza Win- ship, a daughter of Horace and Sarah Win- ship, who settled in Princeton in 1833- Later Mr. Johnson removed to Wyandotte, Kansas, now Kansas City, and there en- gaged in the practice of his profession until his death in 1859. His widow returned to her people in Princeton, Illinois, but later married John Jacobs and resided at Morris, Illinois, where she departed this life in 1865.
Being left an orphan at the age of seven years, the subject of this sketch was early thrown upon his own resources to battle with the world. In 1869 he came to Wethersfield to make his home with Dr. and Mrs. Hurd, by whom he was reared as their own son. A sketch of this worthy couple will be found elsewhere in this work. Mr. Johnson was provided with good school privileges, and completed his education at the high school of Kewanee. He remained with the Doctor and his wife until nineteen years of age, when he commenced earning his own live- lihood by working by the month as a farm hand in different parts of the state. In 1885 he located permanently in Wethersfield township, this county, upon a farm of ninety acres, which he has operated in connection with other land. He is a thorough and skillful agriculturist, and in his labors is meeting with excellent success.
At Princeton, Illinois, in 1891, was cel- ebrated the marriage of Mr. Johnson and Miss Daisy M. Garman, a native of that
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place and a daughter bi Samuel Garman. navy. The press gang also captured his eld- By this union were born two children, Caro- line and Mary E. The latter died May 11, 1899, at the age of one year. In his politi- cal views Mr. Johnson is a stanch Repub- lican, and cast his first presidential ballot for James .A. Garfield. He is public spir- ited and progressive, and takes a deep and commendable interest in public affairs.
REV. M. F. FOLEY.
There is no position held by man more important than pastor of a church, nor is there a position that has attached to it greater importance or responsibility when properly conceived and consciously dis- charged. This is more essentially the case with the clergymen of the Catholic faith, for he is held more as an instructor and guide, not only in religious matters, but in moral and social conduct, by his congrega- tion. There are few men by character and education better fitted to preside over a peo- ple in all these relations than the reverend gentleman whose name stands at the head of this biography.
A native of London, England, Father Foley was born in Horse Ferry Road, West- minster, November 1, 1867, and is a son of Martin and Catherine (()'Brien ) Foley, the former a native of County Waterford, Ire- land. the latter of County Cork. Ilis pa- ternal grandfather was taken from his bed one night and pressed into the English na- vy. He jumped overboard, but was recap- tured and sentenced to forty-eight lashes. lle was pardoned from this, however, by his landlord, but was not released from the
est son. Father Foley's parents crossed the ocean about the same time he came to Amer- ica and located in Canada. Two years later they removed to Spring Valley, Illinois, where the father engaged in the shoe busi- ness until his death. Subsequently the mother removed with her family to Peoria, where she is now living. Of their ten chil- dren, five died in Ireland, the others being M. F., our subject: Thomas, of Peoria; Michael P., who lives with his mother; and Katie, who died in Peoria.
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