USA > Illinois > Henry County > The biographical record of Henry County, Illinois > Part 28
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72
In November, 1875. Father Foley went to County Cork, Ireland, and entered the Brothers school at Fermoy, a great military town, where he remained ten years, half of this time being spent at St. Colman's College. Those were the days of the martial and coercion laws, when citizens had to be in at eight o'clock at night. Father Foley belonged to a reading club, which the police would raid to see if the members had any firearms about them, and this proved very trying to the independent spirit of the young Irish boy. While there he received a great many prizes. When only sixteen years of age he carried off an exhibition prize of sixty pounds sterling, which amounts to about three hundred dollars in our money. This made him an eligible candidate for subsequent examinations for any government position, and he was offered a position as military engineer. Coming to America the roth of April, 1885. Father Foley entered St. Michael's College at Chatham, New Brunswick, where he remained until Septem- ber 15, 1888. He was next a student at Le Grande Seminary in Montreal, Canada, 11- til June 26, 1890, when he went to Balti- more, Maryland, and took up higher the-
299
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ology at St. Mary's College, which is one of the oldest institutions in America.
On the 29th of January, 1892, Father Foley left Baltimore for Milwaukee, and there was ordained a priest on the 26th of May, by Bishop Messmer, of Green Bay, Wisconsin, he being the only priest ordained at that time. He was first appointed assist- ant pastor at Chebanse, Iroquois county, Illi- nois, where he remained eleven months: was then at Odell two months; Keithsburg six months; and Peoria three years. On the 27th of June, 1896, he received the appoint- ment as pastor of the Catholic Church at Carthage, where he remained until Novem- ber, 1898, when he was appointed pastor of St. Malachy's Church at Geneseo. He has already done a good work here, and has made many friends among all denominations as well as his own parishioners.
Father J. G. Alleman, a celebrated Ger man missionary, was the first priest to say mass in this part of the state, his district lying along the Mississippi river from St. Louis to Rock Island and across the state to Peoria, and he built the first Catholic church at Rock Island, taking the material from the Nauvoo Mormon temple which he had purchased. He traveled all over the country on horseback, and organized the first parish in Geneseo, saying the first mass in James Warren's house. He was succeeded by Father Mueller, of Chicago, who said mass in the seminary building, and he in turn was followed by Rev. John Dolan, who succeeded Father Alleman at Rock Island. He also said mass in James Warren's house. as did Father Murphy, who next had charge of the parish. Later Father McElherne said mass in Perry's hall. He was succeeded by Father Corbinian, a famous missionary from Chicago, who said mass in Sniff's hall. A
church was built in 1866, and was under the charge of Fathers Meinrod, Shuitbert. Ma- thias and Dionisius, all of Chicago. At that time the congregation numbered ninety-nine families. The first resident priest was Rev. Thomas J. Ackley, who was succeeded by Rev. F. W. Smythe, an Englishman, who had been converted to the Catholic faith. He also had charge of the out missions at Hooppole, Atkinson, Annawan. Sheffield, Bradford and Kewanee, and during his pas- torate here baptized six hundred and forty people. This English priest on his coal- black horse was a familiar sight in and around Geneseo. . After seven years of faith- ful service he returned to England, where his death occurred. He was followed by Rev. Hugh O'Gara McShane, who remained until 1877, when the Chicago diocese was divided, and the Geneseo parish became a part of the Peoria diocese. Father McShane is now the pastor of the Enunciation Church at Paulina street and Wabansia avenue, Chicago. The next pastor was Father L. J. Dunne, who remained seven years, and was then succeeded by Father Fallihee, now of Arlington, Illinois. In 1889 Rev. Will- iam O'Hara became pastor, and nine years later was succeeded by Father Foley. When our subject took charge here the church was three thousand dollars in debt, but this has all been paid off, and he has made many im- provements in the church property, includ- ing steam heat and electric lights. The fur- nace and heating apparatus was the gift of J. H. O'Brien, a prominent grocer of Geneseo, and an elegant bath room has been put in the pastor's residence, it being the gift of Cornelius Hayes. The Geneseo con- gregation consists of about four hundred adults. Father Foley also has charge of Co- lona, where there is also a church: Canı-
300
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
bridge, where he says mass in private houses ; Orion, Briar Bluff, Carbon Cliff and Cleve- land.
GEORGE A. MORTON.
George A. Morton, an energetic and en- terprising farmer residing at No. 517 East Prospect street, Kewanee, is a native of Henry county, his birth having occurred in Anawan township, August 9. 1866. His pa- rents, Daniel and Catherine ( Potter ) Mor- ton, were natives of Ohio and Connecticut, respectively, and early settlers of this coun- ty, where the father took up a tract of goy- ernment land and improved a farm. This tract remained in his possession until his death. but at that time he was living a retired life in Kewanee. Prior to coming to Illi- mois he owned and operated a farm in Mich- igan, which he sold on his removal. He and his wife made the journey to Henry county in a wagon, and first settled in Ana- wan township, where she died. There he owned one hundred and sixty acres of land, and also had two hundred and sixteen acres in Kewanee township, seventy acres in the corporation of Kewanee, one hundred and twenty acres in Wethersfield township, and one hundred and twenty acres in Bureau county. He was prominently identified with the early development and upbuilding of Henry county, and experienced many of the hardships and difficulties of pioneer life. On first locating here he sold all his grain in sacks and his hogs dressed. In 1875 he removed to Kewanee, which at that time was mere village. He owned considerable property in the city and was quite well-to (1). He was a man of affairs, taking an active interest in all enterprises for the bene-
fit of his community, and served as consta- ble at an early day. While living in the east he held membership in the United Brethren Church. He was born May 15, 1815, and died August 19, 1899. For his second wife he married Mrs. Catherine ( Potter) Buck- ley, of Princeton, who had been a resident of Bureau county for many years, and is now living with her son-in-law in Galva. She was seventy years of age on the 31st of De- cember, 1900. Mr. Morton was the father of five children by the first marriage. The three by the second marriage were Helen, who died at the age of four years; Mrs. Edna Taylor, who has two children, Addie and Lloyd; and George A., our subject.
During his boyhood and youth George A. Morton pursued his studies in the public schools of Kewanee, and early became fa- miliar with agricultural pursuits, and now owns one hundred and sixty acres of well improved land in Neponset township, But- reau county, Illinois. He has made farming and stock raising his life occupation, and is meeting with excellent success. On the 8th of August, 1888, he was united in marriage with Miss Emma Duff, a native of this city, whose parents, James and Eliza Duff, came to this country from Ireland. She was only two years old when she lost her mother, but her father survived for many years, dying November 1, 1897, at the age of seventy- four. Their other children were Ada, wife of Wesley Kimball, of Kansas; James, a resi- cent of Lonetree, Iowa; William, of Stock- ton, California ; and Lida, wife of Wright Smith, of St. Joseph, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Morton have one child, Ethel, who is the pride and joy of their home. They are members of the Baptist Church, and Mr. Morton is also connected with the Improved Order of Red Men. In his political views
301
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
he is an ardent Republican. He is a worthy representative of one of the old and promi- nent families of the county, and is a man highly respected and esteemed by all who know him.
LIBERTY STIMSON.
Liberty Stimson, deceased, was one of the honored pioneers of Henry county and a leading representative of its farming and stock raising interests. He was born in the town of Dedham, Massachusetts, in 1804. and came to Illinois in 1836, locating first in Bureau county. In 1838 he entered three eighty-acre tracts of land in Henry county, and at the land office in Galena he received the government patents, which are now in possession of his widow. He located upon his property in 1840, and later added to it, but subsequently sold a portion of the estate, though his widow still owns one hundred and eighty-two and a half acres in Geneseo township. The Geneseo colony was organ- ized in Bergen, Geneseo county, New York, in 1835, but did not locate here until a year or two after his arrival. He was therefore one of the first settlers of this part of the county, and for many years was known to almost every resident within its borders. He bought stock in all parts of the county, became quite an extensive farmer, and bought and sold much land, though he al- ways retained the tract on which he origin- ally located and which is still in possession of the family. His brother, Moses, also owned a large tract of land in Geneseo township, their homes being near each other. The latter never married, and died before our subject's death.
With the early development and improve-
ment of this section of the state Mr. Stim- son was prominently identified for many years, and was recognized as one of the most useful and valued citizens of his com- munity. He was an earnest and consistent member of the Congregational Church, and died in that faith, July 26, 1878, at the age of seventy-two years and five months. Be- coming widely and favorably known, he made many friends, and his death was a loss to the entire community.
On Christmas day, 1837, Mr. Stimson married Miss Leah Clark, of Tiskilwa, Bu- reau county, Illinois, who died December 17. 1863, and the two children born of this union are also deceased. In 1844 Mr. Stimson was again married, in Geneseo, his second wife being Mrs. Remembrance Ogden, nee Evans, who by her former marriage had five children, namely : Elizabeth, widow of John Taylor and a resident of Burns town- ship, this county; Mrs. Emeline Dawson; Samuel, who married Amanda Tibbs; Thom- as, who died at the age of eighteen years ; and John, who married a Miss Graff.
On the 13th of February, 1867, at the residence of the bride's brothers in Rock Island, Mr. Stimson was united in marriage with Miss Hannah E. Reynolds, a native of Montpelier, Vermont, and a daughter of E. P. and Betsey ( Stuart ) Reynolds. Her fa- ther was born in Kinderhook, New York, and was a descendant in direct line from Sir Joshua Reynolds, the famous painter of Eng- land, while the mother was a native of Jef- fries, New Hampshire, and traced her an- cestry back to Mary, Queen of Scots. They were married in Albany, New York, at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Mr. Reynolds followed contracting and building for some years, and served as captain of a company in the war of 1812. He was a fine
302
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
looking man, being over six feet tall and of in Los Angeles, California, where his widow commanding appearance. He took quite a still resides. Record S., a member of the Congregational Church, was married in San Francisco, California, and died at Gold Hill, Nevada, at the age of forty-one years. prominent part in public affairs, and was thus identified with several counties of Ver- mont. In early life he was a minister of the Free Will Baptist Church, but after his re- moval to the Green Mountain state he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, there being no church of the former denomination in his community. He was ever active and influential in religions work, and was a per- sonal and valued friend of Bishop Elisha Scott. He was accidentally killed at Shore- ham. Vermont, by a wagon load of boxes tipping over on him, when fifty-five years of age. His wife survived him five years and died at the same age. She was a Congrega- tionalist in religious belief, and was an earn- est Christian worker.
Mrs. Stimson is the eighth in order of birth of the ten children born to this worthy couple, the others being as follows : Harmon G., an attorney, married Louisa Thompson. now deceased, and he died at the age of eighty-one years. Nazro B., who died at the age of seventy-nine, first married Sarah Bennett and second Sarah Dillon. Mary ... At good Methodist, married Palmer Stearns, wow deceased, and she died at the age of eighty. Elisha P., who died at the age of seventy-eight, married first Eliza Young auid second Mrs. Amanda Ogden, who is -till living. Betsey S. is the wife of B. H. Kimball, of Rock Island, Illinois. Martha W. is the widow of Thomas B. Woods and w resident of Woodstock, Vermont. Lucy married Hosea \. French, and died at die age of sixty-eight years. . Both she and Der maisband were consistent members of the Ihøyer-alist Church. John R., an Episco- jobwww m religious belief, married Elizabeth Bpostett and died at the age of seventy-one,
Mrs. Stimson, who is familiarly known by her many friends as Aunt Hannah, was educated at Montpelier and Woodstock, Ver- mont, and Lebanon, New Hampshire. She then taught school for one year in the latter state ; two years in graded schools in Massa- chusetts; three years in graded schools in New York : six months in a parish school in Louisiana ; and two years and a half in a select school at Marshall, Harrison county, Texas, on the Red river, near Shreveport. She was at the last named place when the Civil war broke out, and had much difficulty in reaching her friends in the north. She obtained a passport signed by the governors of Texas and Louisiana, with which she was able to travel as far as Vicksburg, where their jurisdiction ended. Here thir- teen lady teachers were recommended to the tender mercies of General Kirby Smith, of the Confederate army, who was a native of New York, but had married a southern lady. They spent ten days at Vicksburg during the siege in the fall of 1862, stopping at the American House, and saw General Grant's forces kept at bay by shot and shell. The leading Confederate generals at that place were Bragg, Stonewall Jackson, Van Doren, Beauregard, Todd and Slaughter. Major Watts was there for the exchange of pris- oners. They were all very gentlemanly and nice to the lady teachers, who were finally taken to the gunboat Monarch in closed car- riages, as the people of the city were very hostile to northerners. On this boat were several hundred exchanged prisoners under Captain La Salle, a Union officer. They
303
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
stopped at Lake Providence, on the Arkansas side of the river, and four more teachers came on board, under Captain Dubb, also a Union officer. Between that place and Hele- na a battle was fought between the contend- ing forces, which lasted four hours. No one on the Monarch was injured, though one man who was ill died from fright and dis- turbance. The battle was precipitated by a man on Lieutenant Pritchard's boat being shot by a Confederate from the Mississippi side. They finally reached Memphis in safe- ty. At Helena some gentlemen came on board for the purpose of buying their Con- federate money, but they were not allowed to sell. At Memphis, however, Mrs. Stim- son disposed of what Confederate money she had, receiving only thirty-seven and a half cents on the dollar. At Cairo, Illinois, the company separated and Mrs. Stimson came back to Rock Island, where she had been mourned for lost many days, and was looked upon as one risen from the dead. She then taught in the graded schools of that city and the schools of Hampton, Illinois, until her marriage, in 1867. That she was considered an excellent instructor is evinced by the num- ber of years she was retained in the same school. She was progressive in her meth- ods, was a great student, and had that love for her profession without which there can be no success. She is an active and promi- nent member of Grace Evangelical Church of Geneseo, being converted at the early age of ten years under the ministry of Bishop Scott, and she is highly respected and es- teemed by all who know her on account of her sterling worth. Previous to uniting with the Grace Evangelical Church she was con- nected for many years with the Episcopal Church, being confirmed by Bishop Hopkins. of Vermont. The mother of Mr. Stimson
was a first cousin of Benjamin Franklin, and the family is one of the most prominent in and around Boston.
JAMES STEELE HAMILTON.
Among the early settlers and highly re- spected citizens of Henry county was MIr. Hamilton, of Geneseo, who was affection- ately known by many as Uncle Steele. He was born in Westmoreland county, Penn- sylvania, on the 12th of June, 1812, and lived at the place of his birth until coming to Illinois. His father. Alexander Hamil- ton, was a native of Ireland, and when a young man came to this country, settling in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where he married Miss Elizabeth Steele. There he engaged in farming throughout his life. and died November 18, 1845. His wife had passed away November 10, 1834. They were the parents of seven children.
For a number of years our subject en- gaged in farming in the county of his na- tivity, and when but a young man came to Henry county, Illinois. He puchased a farm in Cornwall township, which he operated for several years, and then removed to Ben- ton county, Iowa, where he was also en- gaged in agricultural pursuits for nine years. At the end of that period he returned to this county and took up his abode in the city of Geneseo, where he lived a retired life until his death, which occurred March 15. 1889. at the present home of his widow.
On the 5th of March, 1840, in Cornwall township. Henry county, Mr. Hamilton was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Tay- lor, a daughter of Andrew and Polly (Brown) Taylor. Her father was born
304
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
January 17. 1789. in New Hampshire, where he grew to manhood. After his marriage he removed to New York, where he engaged in farming for some years, and then went to Indiana, where he continued to follow that pursuit until coming to Henry county, Illi- nois. Locating in Cornwall township, he bought a farm, which he operated until called from this life at an advanced age. Mrs. Hamilton's mother had died in New York some years previous.
Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton, namely: (1) Priscilla died at the age of about five years. (2) John T., who is engaged in the hardware busi- ness in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, married Annie Jones, and they have two children, James E. and Faun. (3) Alexander died at the age of one year. (4) William W., who is in partnership with his brother John T., in the hardware business at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, married Josephine Allsop, and they have three children, Louise, Jane S. and Joseph- ine. (5) Porter H., who is also connected with his brothers in business at Cedar Rap- ids, but is now in California, married Car- lota Sargent, and they have six children, Alfred, Richard, Guy, Clifford, Porter and Carlota. (6) Sarah is the wife of William Orr, a retired farmer of Geneseo, and they have three children, Mary E., Viella and Roy.
By his ballot Mr. Hamilton always sup- ported the men and measures of the Demo- cratic party, but never cared for the honors or emoluments of political office, though he was a public spirited citizen and was an ad- vocate of all that tended to improve or ad- vance the interests of the community in which he lived. He was a man of many friends and no enemies, was a devoted hus- band. a kind and indulgent father, and true
friend. He won the confidence of all by whom he was surrounded. A man of pow- erful physique, he was also a man of firm mind and strong will power, and was in- swerving in what he believed to be right. He had the courage of his convictions, and was honored for his strict integrity and up- right character.
THERON H. CHESLEY.
Theron H. Chesley, a prominent attor- ney of Kewanee and president of the Star- Courier Printing Company, was born in Caledonia county, Vermont, October 22, 1857, a son of Albert and Lucretia (Smithi) Chesley. He traces his ancestry back to two brothers who came to this country from England in the early part of theseventeenth century and settled in New Hampshire, where they were given land grants. From that state the paternal grandfather re- moved to Vermont, and it was there that the father of our subject was born in 1828. Completing his education in the local schools he engaged in farming and finally embarked in business as a boot and shoe dealer at Sheffield, Vermont, and continued the same until after the Civil war broke out. In the spring of 1862 he entered the army and re- mained in the service until hostilities ceased. He died in June, 1867. His widow made her home with our subject in Illinois from the spring of 1878 until her death in 1888. Their children were Theron H., of this re- view; and Ella, wife of Dr. T. B. Keene, of Montezuma, lowa. By a former mar- riage the father had two sons, M. A., pub- lisher of the Democrat at Chetopa, Kansas ; and Albert S., a grocer of Kewanee.
305
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
The early education of our subject was studies and was graduated in 1896. In the acquired in the common schools of the spring of the following year he commenced tlie practice of his profession in Kewanee, and has already met with fair success in that enterprise. Green Mountain state, and there he served an apprenticeship to the printer's trade, at which he worked in different places in Ver- mont, first at Lyndon. In 1877 he came to In October, 1881, Mr. Chesley was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Whit- ney, who was born in Hastings, Minnesota, October 28, 1861, but was living with her parents in Kewanee at that time. Her fa- ther, Dr. C. N. Whitney, founded the Ke- wanee Courier in 1876, and at different time has edited the Quincy Whig and vari- ous papers in the state. He is a well-edu- cated man, who has been a Methodist preacher and temperance lecturer, but is now living retired at Kingston, Jamaica. Mr. and Mrs. Chesley have four children, namely : Merton W., born in 1882; Willis F., in 1884; Ella, in 1887; and Theron H., Tr., in 1893. All are now attending school, and the oldest son also aids his father in the printing office. this state and at once found employment with the Kewanee Courier. Ile spent a few months in Cambridge, and in 1878 be- came local editor of the Kewanee Courier. In the fall of 1879 he leased the paper in connection with his brother, and they car- ried it on together for six years. In 1882 Mr. Chesley purchased the whole stock and continued its publication until 1892, when he formed a partnership with L. W. Chand- ler, now of Independence, Iowa. In the spring of 1896 our subject started a daily, but in October of the same year sold out to Delano & Henderson, who continued its publication for about eighteen months. Mr. Chesley then bought back the Courier plant and organized a company. In 1898 he con- solidated the Star and Courier, and became president of what is known as the Kewanee Printing and Publishing Company, which issues both a daily and weekly journal and also does job printing of all kinds. He started in business here on a small scale, but his office is now equipped with the most modern improvements, including folding and type-setting machines. He owns the building occupied by him, it being a good brick structure, which, with adjoining buildings, occupy 64x100 feet on the cor- ner of Main and Third streets, and also has a pleasant residence in Kewanee be- sides farm land in Nebraska. Mr. Ches- ley took up the study of law in 1891, and four years later entered the Kent College of Law at Chicago, where he completed his
Since attaining his majority Mr. Ches- ley has been identified with the Republican party, and has done all in his power to ad- vance its interests and insure its success. He served as postmaster of Kewanee under President Harrison's administration, from 1891 to 1895. He is a typical business man of the west-wide-awake and energetic- and in his undertakings has been eminently successful. Fraternally he is a member of the blue lodge, chapter and council of the Masonic fraternity at Kewanee, and also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica, the Royal Circle and the Mystic Workers of the World. Socially he is quite popular, being genial and pleasant in manner, and has the happy faculty of making friends readily, and as easily retaining them. He
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.