USA > Illinois > Henry County > The biographical record of Henry County, Illinois > Part 29
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gives his support to the Congregational Church, of which his wife is an earnest member.
GEORGE ALLEN VAWTER, D. D. S.
Among the representative professional and business men of Henry county, none stand higher in the estimation of the general public than the subject of this sketch, who has been a prominent factor in business, professional and political circles of the county for more than twenty-one years. He is a native of the state, born in Macomb, the county seat of McDonough county, January 4, 1858. His father, Allen T. Vawter, was born in Cumberland county, Kentucky, December 14, 1830 and came with his parents to MeDonough county, Illi- nois, in 1833. On a farm near Macomb, he grew to manhood. He then moved to the city of Macomb, in 1851, when he engaged in the nursery business, being one of the earliest nurserymen in central Illinois, in which line of business he is still engaged, having a record of forty-nine years of con- tinual service in one line of business.
The first ancestor of the family settled 11: Virginia, where the great-grandfather of our subject, Russell Vawter, was born. He always lived in his native county, Culpepper. His son, Beverly Vawter, was born in Cul- pepper county, Virginia, September 22, 1782, and when twenty-one years old he moved to North Carolina where, on the 13th of Jan- uary, 1807, he married Elizabeth Hutchins, In 1813 he moved with his family to Ken- tucky, and from thence to McDonough county, Illinois, in 1833, becoming a pioneer farmer in that county, where he died, April 21. 1845. He was a soldier in the war of
1812. On the 14th of March, 1854, Allen T. Vawter was united in marriage with Miss Florida Elizabeth Kellogg, a native of Ohio, born June 9, 1836. Her father was a native of New York, and in the Civil war gave his life for his country. Of the seven children born to Allen T. Vawter and wife but three survive-Lemuel E., now of Macomb, Illinois; Harry M., a dentist of Knoxville, Iowa, and a director in one of the leading banks of that city; and our sub- ject. The parents are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Macomb, the father having been for many years one of its trustees.
In the public schools of Macomb, Illi- nois, our subject received his education, be- ing a graduate of the high school of that city in the class of 1876. Soon after his graduation he commenced the study of dentistry with Dr. H. H. Whissen, of Macomb. At that time there were but few dental schools in existence, and the differ- ent states had no definite requirements for the practice of dentistry. In after years the Doctor, for his own gratification, took a full course in dentistry in the dental de- partment of the State University of Iowa, graduating from that institution in March, 1894. He located, however, in Cambridge, in 1879, and there he has since continued to reside in the practice of his profession. Few dentists, even in the larger cities have had a larger or more lucratice practice. In 1892 he built a model dental office of the cottage type, surrounded by a nice lawn, and com- plete in every detail. It is equipped with a mantle and fireplace, and is supplied with hot and cold water, with fountain cuspidor. Telephones and electric lights show evidence of twentieth century progress. It has a large plate glass window in the front and
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another one in the north which furnishes the light with which to operate by. and with the aid of a lady assistant his office is always kept neat and tidy.
Dr. Vawter is a stalwart Republican, and he has always been a hard worker for his party. At present he is chairman of the Republican central committee of Cambridge, in which position he has shown good ex- ecutive ability, doing much to advance the interests of the party. He has served on the town board as trustee, and also as presi- dent of the board. While on the board he was one of the committee that put in the splendid water works plant of Cambridge. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order, Knights of Pythias, Eastern Star, and Si Psi Phi, the latter being a dental so- ciety. In each of these organizations he has taken an active part.
On the 14th of November, 1883, Dr. Vawter was united in marriage with Miss Nellie I. Gould, daughter of L. Y. and Orlano Paddock (Mead) Gould, and they reside in a good home in the south part of the city, where their many friends always receive a cordial welcome. They attend and support the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which they have taken much interest, though not members. For a number of years the Doctor has been president of the board of trustees.
Dr. Vawter has been a successful busi- ness man, and he is essentially a self-made man. Inheriting no property. all that he has gained has been acquired by his own exertions and good management. He as- sisted in organizing one of the banks in Cambridge, and has also been interested in the organization of others. He is now con- nected with some large business enterprises, among which is the Philippine Lumber and
Development Company, of which he is a director. The company is composed of some of the wealthiest and best business men in the country. The Philippine islands con- tain vast quantities of timber, of which there are more than four hundred varieties of hardwood, at least fifty having a high com- mercial value. The company, with its ample capital, propose acquiring and developing the vast resources of the country, and, be- ing the first to enter the field, will doubtless reap bountifully. The Doctor is also a stockholder in the Coliseum Company of Chicago, the directors of which are nearly identical with those of the Philippine Com- pany. Few men, with the limited means at their disposal in commencing life have ac- complished more than Dr. Vawter, and while he has been prosperous, he is unaffected by his gains, is easily approached, and enjoys in a high degree the respect and confidence of the people with whom he has so long been associated.
ADAM DUNLAP.
Among the honored citizens and retired farmers of Geneseo none is more worthy of notice in this volume than Adam Dunlap, who is enjoying a well-earned rest at his pleasant home on North State street. A na- tive of Ohio, he was born in Wayne county on the 18th of December, 1833, and is a son of William and Nancy (Finley ) Dunlap, whose birthplace was the north of Ireland. Coming to America in the early part of the nineteenth century, the father located in Wayne county, Ohio, where he became owner of a good farm of three hundred acres, on which he made his home through- out the remainder of his life. He was born
14
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in 1798, and died February 23, 1852, hav- ing only survived his wife nine days, her death occurring on the 14th of the same month. Both were earnest and faithful mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church, and were most estimable people. Their children were as follows: Margaret is now the widow of .A. J. Burns, and a resident of San Fran- cisco, California: Thomas, born in 1832. died September 15, 1885; Adam, our subject, is next in order of birth ; Elizabeth, born November 23, 1836, died in 1838: Mary E., born in 1838, married John Schnebly, died in Lucas county, Iowa, in 1860: Alexander on January 13, 1841, is engaged in farming near Winterset, lowa: Nancy J. was married and died in Califor- nia, August 15, 1866, at the age of twenty- three: James P., born April 18, 1845, a druggist and express agent in Califor . wa: William, born October 9, 1847, died in 1857: Archibald F. is editor of the "Repor- ter." a newspaper in West Salem, Ohio; Ind Andrew J. is section boss on the Erie railroad at that place.
and unable to engage in active army service Mr. Dunlap was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, and sent to Jeffersonville, Indiana, and later to Madison, Wisconsin, where he remained until his term of enlist- ment expired, being mustered out in 1865.
Returning to Illinois, he was married on the roth of August, that year, to Mrs. Ma- linda Merriman, who was born on the 26th of May, 1813, in New York state, and died March 24, 1891. She was a consistent mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was highly respected and esteemed by all who knew her. There were no children by this union but by her former marriage Mrs. Dun- lap had six children, of whom mention is made in the sketch of William Merriman on another page of this volume. Our subject was again married December 5. 1895, his second union being with Mrs. Caroline Sieben, widow of Valentine Seiben, of this county. She was born November 19, 1839, and died November 29, 1898. She held membership with the United Evangelical Church. On the 23d of October, 1900, MIr. Dunlap married Mrs. Lavilla Schnaufer, widow of Jacob Schnaufer, and daughter of Daniel and Mary Fatzinger, natives of Pennsylvania, where Mrs. Dunlap was also born. By her first marriage she had two children, George D., who is living with our subject, and Frank J., now attending Northwestern College, Napierville, Illinois.
The early life of Adam Dunlap was passed upon his father's farm, and his e.1- ucation was obtained in the district schools of the neighborhood. In 1852 he started ut to make his own way in the world, and two years later came to Henry county, IHli- noi-, locating in Phenix township, where he worked on a farm until after the Civil War broke out. In 1862 he responded to his Mr. Dunlap is a Methodist in religious belief, and officially connected with the church of that denomination at Geneseo. Fraternally he is a member of Jenkins Post, G. A. R., and politically is identified with the Democratic party. For many years he was one of the active and progressive far- mers of Henry county, as well as one of its pointry's call for aid by enlisting in Com- jwo. K. One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Ilis first engagement Ww the battle of Richmond, Kentucky, and Un inter of 1862 3 was spent in that state. The following spring the regiment went in 000; nit of Morgan, and was later at Camp Selon on the Cumberland river. Being ill most reliable and honored citizens, and now
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in his declining years he is enjoying a well- earned rest, free from the cares and respon- sibilities of business life. Throughout the county he is widely and favorably known.
JOHN M. DAVIS.
John M. Davis, the well-known alderman of the first ward of Kewanee, Illinois, was Lorn in Wales, on the 20th of June. 1865, and the following year was brought to Amer- ica by his parents, Morgan and Joanna Davis, who first settled in Utah, but two years later removed to Joliet, Illinois. Troughout his active business life the father was employed as a roller in a rolling mill. He died in 1885. at the age of seventy- seven years, and his wife departed this life in 1882, at the age of sixty-three. They were formerly connected with the Latter Day Saints, but later held membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church. To this wor- thy couple were born fourteen children, of whom our subject is the youngest. His brothers and sisters who are still living are William, who has spent his entire life in Wales; David, a resident of Idaho; Morgan, of Illinois; Jane, wife of William Pickerel, of South Chicago, Illinois; May .A., widow of James Mathews; and Miriam, wife of John Fellen, a coal miner of Kewanee, all of whom are living.
John M. Davis was reared in Joliet, Illi- nois, and received his education in its pub- lic schools. He began his business career as a nail packer ; then for over a year he was engaged in the manufacture of nails in Chi- cago as an employe; later was employed in the steel department of a rail mill and subse- quently learned the puddler's trade, to which
he has since devoted his energies. In 1884 he came to Kewanee, and has since been em- ployed in the rolling mill at this place, as a puddler.
Here Mr. Davis was married, in 1886, to Emily Jones, who was born in Kewanee township, this county, a daughter of George and Margaret Jones. She is one of a fam- ily of thirteen children, of whom the fol- lowing are living : William, a resident of Ke- wanee, who married Martha Jenkins and has five children, John, Lizzie, Cassie, George and James; Jennie, who is the wife of Carr Mittin, of Kewanee, and has two children, George and Andrey; and Cassie, wife of James Mercer, of Kewanee, by whom she has three children, Jessie, Lola and Claude. Mary J., another sister of Mrs. Davis, wedded Thomas Palmer, and died in 1893, at the age of thirty-nine years, leaving four children, Margaret, Abram, Emma and May. To Mr. and Mrs. Davis were born five children, of whom the eldest, David, died at the age of twenty-one months. Those living are Raymond, Opal, Harry and Mary A. George Jones was born in Wales, January 1, 1830, and his wife, Margaret Birch, was also born in Wales June 20, 1832, and was there married and came to Pennsylvania where they located about 1865. About 1867 they moved to Kewanee township where he bought a farm and lived until re- tiring to Kewanee in 1887. They are mem- bers of the Latter Day Saints. He was tax colector of the city one term.
By his ballot Mr. Davis supports the men and measures of the Republican party, with which his father and the other members of the family also affiliated. He takes an active interest in public affairs, and in April, 1900 was elected alderman of the first ward of Ke- wanee, which office he is now most creditably
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and satisfactorily filling. He is now serving as chairman of the hall committee, and is also chairman of the committee on sewers and nuisances. Hle belongs to the Royal Circle and Kewanee Lodge, No. 3, of the Amalgamated Association of the Iron, Steel & Tin Workers of which he is now treas- urer. Mrs. Davis is a member of the Bap- tist Church.
JOSEPH H. RINK.
The motto "merit always commands its reward" is well exemplified with the career of the subject of this sketch, who after many years of active labor is now living a retired life in Geneseo, surrounded by all the com- forts and many of the luxuries of life which have been gained through former toil. He was born in Alsace, Germany, October 24, 1833, and was a lad of thirteen years when he came to the United States with his par- ents, Joseph Herman and Magdeline (Smith ) Rink. After spending a short time in Buffalo, New York, they came west and settled on the Rock River bottom. It was not long after this, however, that the family took up government land in Loraine town- ship, this county, and transformed the wild tract into a good farm. There the parents both died at an advanced age, and were buried in Eight Mile Grove cemetery, Lo- raine township. In their family were six children, five of whom are still living, Mr. Rink being the only surviving son.
Joseph Rink continued to reside on the old homestead in Loraine township until 1899, when he removed to Geneseo, and has since lived a retired life. On first coming to this county he took up forty acres of land, to which he added from time to time as his
financial resources permitted until he owned seven hundred and forty acres, which he placed under a high state of cultivation and improved with good buildings. Since his re- moval to Geneseo he has erected a large and modern city residence on Palace street, where he is now living in ease and quiet.
At Hooppole, Illinois, he was married, March 11, 1857, to Miss Helen Egert, also a native of Alsace. Germany, and one of a family of six children, five of whom are now living. She was fifteen years of age on her emigration to the new world in com- pany with her parents, George and Anastasia (Yagley) Egert, who located at Hooppole. There the father died at the age of sixty- three, the mother at the age of seventy-nine.
Of the thirteen children born to Mr. and Mrs. Rink six are living, namely : ( 1) Frank is a prosperous farmer of Loraine township, this county, though a part of his farm is in Whiteside county. He married Kate Kirsh- ner and they have four children, Ida, Law- rence, Cletus and Etta. (2) Lewis lives on the old homestead in Loraine township. (3) Joseph, a farmer of the same township. married Nellie Collins, and they have two children, Ruth and an infant. (4) Sarah and (5) William are both with their par ents. (6) Mathias lives on the home farm.
Mr. Rink and his family are communi- cants of the Roman Catholic Church. and are people of prominence in the community where they reside. Their new home, erected ir 1900, is one of the finest of Geneseo. Mr. Rink was very poor when he started out in life for himself. As his father was paralyzed and unable to care for himself and family thus the burden fell upon the shoulders of the young man who, however, was equal to the emergency, and well did he perform its arduous duties. By industry, energy and
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goni management he worked his way stead- ily upward until he became one of the most prosperous citizens of Loraine township, having accumulated a handsome property. Recently he has been afflicted with deafness, now being unable to carry on a conversation except in writing, but he bears patiently his great affliction, and takes a deep interest in all that is going on about him, especially in that pertaining to the welfare and happi. ness of his family.
ERICK HANSON.
Erick Hanson, whose home is at 71I South Tremont street, Kewanee, Illinois, was born near Stockholm, Sweden, on the 24th of January, 1844, and is a son of Hans and Anna Anderson, who spent their entire lives in that country. The father learned the carpenter's trade in early life and ever afterward followed contracting and building. He died at the ripe. old age of eighty-three years, and his wife's death occurred when she was seventy-four years of age. In their family were twelve children who reached years of maturity, namely: Mary, John, Anna, Peter, Erick, Carrie, Sophia, Emma, Letta, Axel, Hattie and August. Peter is now deceased; Sophia is the wife of Mr. Bergren of Michigan; and the others are all residents of Sweden with the exception of our subject.
Erick Hanson was educated in the schools of his native land. When his school days were over he learned the shoe- maker's trade, which he followed until he attained his majority, and then gave his at- tention to carpenter work, being a natural mechanic and skillful in the use of all kinds
of tools. In 1870 hie crossed the Atlantic to America and took up his residence in Moline, Illinois, where he spent two years and a half. He then removed to Geneseo, where he built a fine home and he followed shoemaking until 1892, since which time he has engaged in carpentering in connection with otherwork. Since the fall of 1900 lie has made his home in Kewanee, and al- though his residence here is of short duration he has gained the confidence and respect of all with whom he has come in contact either in business or social life. He is the owner of a nice home in this city, having sold his Geneseo residence.
On the 13th of September. 1872, at Geneseo, Mr. Hanson married Miss Chris- tina L. M. Ericson, a native of Sweden, born December 1, 1849, who came to America in 1871. Six years later her parents, Alex- ander and Stinagreta (Swanson) Erickson, also came to the United States, settling first at Geneseo. The father died at the age of eighty-two years, but the mother is still liv- ing at the age of seventy-eight, an honored and highly respected resident of Kewanee. Mrs. Hanson is the oldest in a family of four children, the others being Caroline, who became the wife of Charles Peterson and died at the age of thirty-three years; Peter, who died February 1, 1898, at the age od forty-two years; and A. G., a farmer of Kewanee township.
Mr. and Mrs. Hanson are the parents of eight children, namely: Almina M., a successful dressmaker of Kewanee, takes a great interest in church work and has been a teacher in the Sunday school for the past ten years. Nellie D. was educated at the Geneseo high school, and for seven years has taught in the schools in Henry county, in the meantime attending the teachers'
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training school. known at the N. I. T. I., of sixty. They were the parents of five. for five summers. Ellen E. is a photog- children of whom one is still living. rapher of Geneseo. Martin E. was graduated Levi Fronk grew to manhood in the place of his birth, and there engaged in agri- cultural pursuits until coming to this county in 1838. He became the owner of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of rich land in Cornwall township, which was all wild when it came into his possession. He erected thereon a log house in which the family lived while he broke the virgin soil and im- proved the place. He was a hard working. industrious man, and through his well di- rected efforts accumulated a comfortable competence. In connection with general farming he engaged in stock raising to some extent. About 1885 he laid aside business cares and removed to Geneseo, where he- spent his remaining days in ease and quiet at his pleasant home on East Pearl street. There he died after two years' illness No- vember 14. 1900, and was laid to rest in Liberty churchyard. from the Geneseo Collegiate Institute in 1900, and is now taking a post-gaduate course. He took first prize in a declamatory contest held at Geneseo May 25, 1900, re- ceiving ten dollars in gold, and was president of his class which numbered eighteen. Su- san MI. is clerking in Kewanee. Florence C. and Paulus F. are both attending the public schools. Otelius L. died January 5, 1896, at the age of two years, three months and nineteen days. The family hold membership in the Swedish Lutheran Church, and while a resident of Geneseo Mr. Hanson served as janitor of his church for four years, and and also acted as librarian, having charge of three hundred volumes published in both English and Swedish. Both he and his wife are also members of the Fraternal Tribune of which he is now trustee and are held in high regard by all who know them.
LEVI FRONK.
Among the honored pioneers and repre- sentative citizens of Henry county was num- bered Levi Fronk, now deceased. He was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, on the 4th of December, 1815, a son of Henry and Sarah Fronk. Dauphin county was also the birth place of his father, who throughout his active business life followed the occupation of farming. About 1841 he came to Henry county, Illinois, and settled in Cornwall township, where he made his home intil called to his final rest, about thirty years ago, at the age of eighty years. Ili- wife diedl two years previous at the age
Before leaving Pennsylvania Mr. Fronk married. January 1. 1838, to Miss Nancy Shields, a native of Juniata county, that state, where she resided until her marriage. Her parents, Frank and Mary ( Baricke- man) Shields, were life-long residents of Pennsylvania, and the father was a farmer by occupation. She is the only one of their ten children now living. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fronk were born twelve children, as follows: Henrietta, wife of John Murphy. a retired farmer of Geneseo, by whom. she has three children, Flora, Nancy and Emma; Sarah, wife of Sheldon H. Ayres, a farmer of Olathe, Kansas; Rebecca, wife of Wiliam Bellairs, of Valley Junction, lowa; Cyrus, who died November 29, 1883 .. at the age of twenty-eight years; Matilda, widow of George Armstrong, of Cornwall
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township, this county, who died August 9, parents being Ira and Elizabeth (Webb) 1900, aged forty-seven years; Joseph L., a resident of Grant City, Missouri ; Clemen- tine, wife of Bryan Rumler, of Cambridge, Illinois; Henry B., a resident of Kansas City; Margaret, wife of a Mr. Rowe, of Grass Valley, California ; Tamson, wife of Andrew Rush, of Chicago, by whom she has one son, Edward; Ellen, who died in in- fancy; and John, a resident of Hamilton, Missouri.
On coming to Henry county Mr. Fronk found this region nearly all wild with very few settlements; the houses were widely scattered and deer and wolves were often seen on the prairies, but during his residence here this was all changed, the county became thickly settled, and highly cultivated farms and thriving cities and towns were to be seen in every direction. In the work of development and progress he ever bore his part and was accounted one of the most use- ful and valued citizens of his community. By his ballot he supported the men and measures of the Republican party, and as a publie-spirited citizen he advocated all measures tending to improve or advance the interests of the community in which he lived. He was an active and consistent member of the Baptist Church, and was a man who made many friends and no enemies, being generous, honest, and upright in all his dealings.
WILLIAM WILSON STEVENS.
William Wilson Stevens, deceased, was one of the honored and highly esteemed citizens of Kewanee. He was born in Pem- broke, New York, August 13, 1822, his
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