USA > Illinois > Henry County > The biographical record of Henry County, Illinois > Part 3
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By his ballot Mr. Charlet supports the men and measures of the Republican party, and has always taken an active interest in educational affairs, serving as school di- rector for three years, but he has never cared for political office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business in- terests. He is a member of the German Evangelical Church of Kewanee, and was a trustee of the same for twelve years. Coming to this country empty-handed, but with a strong determination to succeed he has steadily and persistently worked his way upward until he acquired a comfortable competence, which now enables him to spend the remainder of his life in ease and quiet, surrounded by all that makes life worth the living.
THOMAS BENNISON.
Thomas Bennison, who is now living a retired life at his pleasant home at No. 600 East First street, Kewanee, Illinois, was born in Hurst, England, April 28, 1837, a son of Samuel and Mary Bennison, who are represented on another page of this volume in connection with the sketch of
their son, Samuel. In 1845 our subject accompanied his parents on their emigra- tion to the new world, and was reared and educated in Pennsylvania. From that state the family removed to Shullsburg. Wiscon- sin, and in 1864 came to Henry county, Illinois.
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
When his school days were over Mr. in 1893, at the age of fifty-eight. Lechard Bennison worked in the lead mines of Wis- is engaged in mining in Colorado. Mary is the wife of Bennett Osborne, of Kewanee. Ann was the wife of our subject. Robert is a veteran of the Civil war and a retired farmer of lowa. Hercules R. was married February 22, 1880, to Alpha Johns, and died in Kewanee, in July, 1899, aged fifty- five years. Of his two children, Joseph C. and Mae B. are still living, while Philip died at the age of nine years. consin, and after coming to Kewanee em- barked in mercantile business in company with others. Later he was alone in busi- ness, and with the development of the city his trade constantly increased, successfully following that pursuit from 1865 until June, 1897, when he retired from active life to enjoy the competence he had acquired through years of industry, perseverance and good management. . As a business man he was always energetic, prompt and notably reliable, and his success has been worthily achieved. He has erected three large store buildings on Tremont street, Kewanee, and has built a number of private residences in that city, and he and his son-in-law put up a large brick block in Cozad, Nebraska. He is also a stockholder in a bank in that city, and for a number of years was one of the directors of the First National Bank of Ke- wanee, of which he was one of the charter members.
In 1862 Mr. Bennison married Miss Ann Walton, a native of Shullsburg, Wisconsin, and a daughter of John and Mary Walton, who were born in England, and died in Kewanee, Illinois, the former, July 30, 1887, aged seventy-eight years, the latter January 29, 1885, aged seventy-six. They were both members of the Primitive Meth- odist Church. By occupation Mr. Walton was a miner and followed that pursuit very successfully in the gold fields of California for two years, and after his return east worked in the mines here for a short time, and then lived retired throughout the re- mainder of his life. Of his seven children Thomas died in 1853, at the age of twenty- one years. Sarah became the wife of Will- iam Bennison, now deceased, and she died
To Mr. and Mrs. Bennison were born four children: Mary A., now the wife of M. 11. Brown, of Nebraska, by whom she had two children, Azal and Ruth; Stella E., wife of Robert Davis, of Nebraska, by whom she has one child, Paul; Lewis J., who died May 6, 1888, at the age of six- teen years; and Nettie O., wife of Arthur Wake, of South Omaha, Nebraska. The wife and mother, who was a consistent and faithful member of the Primitive Meth- odist Church, was born in 1844. and depart- ed this life July 13, 1899. Mr. Bennison was again married November 14, 1900, liis second union being with Miss Alice Jones, of Kewanee, who was born in P'ein- sylvania June 6, 1851, and came with her parents, Moses and Catherine (Taylor ) Jones, to Kewanee in 1863.
Mr. Bennison is also a member and. trustee of the Primitive Methodist Church of Kewanee, and is a stanch supporter of the Republican party. On the temperance ticket he was once elected trustee of the city, but has never cared for official honors. . Is a public-spirited citizen, however, he has been actively identified with the improve- ment of Kewanee, and has done all within his power to advance its interests along various lines. On locating here he and the other members of the Bennison family took
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up their residence on what became known as Bennison row, but within the past few years the name has been changed to Cam- bridge street. The family is one of promi- nence in the community, and its members stand deservedly high in the esteem of their fellow citizens.
JOHN CHISNALL.
Since November, 1867, this gentleman has been an honored resident of Kewanee, and is to-day serving as special tax col- lector for the city. He was born in Lan- castershire, England, January 27, 1833, and is a son of William and Alice Chisnall, who were lifelong residents of that country. The father died when a young man, but the mother long survived him, passing away in 1870, at the age of sixty-four years.
John Chisnall, the only child of this worthy couple, was educated in the common schools of England, and when a lad of eleven years was apprenticed to the wheel- wright's trade, which he learned thorough- ly. He came to this country as a Mormon emigrant in 1831, prior to the insurrection of Brigham Young against the government, and first located in Utah, where he remained until 1858, during the uprising. The fol- lowing two years were spent in Omaha, Nebraska, which city at that time had no telegraph or railroad lines and gave little promise of its present thriving condition. During all this time Mr. Chisnall worked at his trade. In 1860 he went to Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania, where he made his home until coming to Kewanee in 1867. During the winter of 1866-67 he spent four MOSES W. RESSER. months in visiting his native land. Upon For over half a century Moses W. Resser has made his home in Henry county. his return he located in Kewanee, where he worked at wagonmaking principally un- and since attaining to man's estate has been
til 1888. Being economical and industrious he managed to save something from his wages, and this capital he invested in a lot in the heart of the city, upon which he erected a pressed brick double store build- ing, which on account of its location is very valuable property. This he now rents to a good advantage.
In 1857 Mr. Chisnall was united in marriage with Miss Ellen Sandiford, who was also a native of Lancastershire, Eng- land, and came to the United States on the same vessel with our subject in June. 1831. Both are active members of the Latter Day Saints' Church, and during his residence in Kewanee Mr. Chisnall has served as pastor of the church of that de- nominaton at this place. The congregation now numbers about one hundred families, and they have erected a good modern church edifice. Fraternally Mr. Chisnall is a mem- ber of the Knights of Honor, No. 1173, of Kewanee, and the blue lodge of the Masonic order at this place and the chapter and com- mandery at Princeton. He affiliates with the Republican party but has never taken an active part in politics. From 1892 until 1898 he was with the Kewanee Coal Com- pany, and the following year was appointed by the mayor as collector of special taxes, water rents, etc., which position he is now most creditably filling. He has also served as health officer and justice of the peace since 1893. He has led an upright, hon- orable and useful life, and is highly respected and esteemed by all who know him.
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
tion 5. Geneseo township. He was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, on the 27th of October, 1847, and was only three years of age when he came to this country with his parents, Moses and Hannah (Groop) Resser, also natives of the Key- stone state. The family settled in Phenix township, where the father purchased a farm of two hundred acres. To his landed possessions he added from time to time tin- til he had seven hundred acres in Phenix and Geneseo townships. He died in the city of Geneseo at the age of eighty-two years, and his wife passed away at the age of sixty-five. In the family of this worthy couple were eight children, of whom Moses WV. is the fifth in order of birth, and six of the number are still living.
Our subject remained on the home farm in Phenix township, giving his father the benefit of his labor until the Civil broke out, when he ran away from home, and at Leavenworth, Kansas, enlisted in Company I. Eightlı Kansas Volunteer Infantry. He took part in many of the principal battles of the war and remained in the service until hostilities ceased, being honorably dis- charged at San Antonio, Texas. He then returned to his home in Illinois and went upon the Mississippi river, leading the life of a sailor for ten years. When he retired from the service he held a certificate as first-class pilot from the government. Dur- ing the following six years he was engaged in the hotel business in Geneseo, conduct- ing what was known as the Singleman House.
In the meantime Mr. Resser was mar- ried at that place, in 1879, to Miss Mary A. Bookmiller, a native of Phenix township,
actively identified with its business inter- this county, where her father, John D. ests. He is now following farming on sec- Bookmiller, now deceased, was engaged in farming. By this union were born five chil- dren, all of whom are still living, namely : Edith F., who is now the wife of Henry C. Kirchner, a farmer of Greene county, Iowa, and has one child, Flossie A. ; Moses D., aged seventeen; Otis A. and Flora F., twins, aged twelve years; and Earl E., aged eight, all at home.
Mr. Resser is now the owner of a fine farm of two hundred acres on section 5, Geneseo township, which formerly belonged to his father's estate, it being purchased by our subject from the other heirs. When it came into his possession it was all wild and unbroken, and all of the improvements now found thereon have been made by him. He is accounted one of the most thorough and skillful farmers of his community, and in his undertakings is meeting with well- deserved success. In the development of his farm he has materially advanced the in- terests of the county, and has ever borne his part in promoting those enterprises for the public good. He is a recognized leader in public affairs, and has creditably filled nearly all the township offices, including that of supervisor.
CASPER SAND.
Among the prominent retired farmers of Geneseo, Illinois, and honored veterans of the Civil war, is Casper Sand, who was born on the 7th of August, 1844, in Ger- many, of which country his parents, Henry and Anna Catherine ( Weaver ) Sand, were also natives. The father served the usual length of time in the German army, and in his native land followed both farming and the mason's trade. In the fall of 1849 he
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
brought his family to the United States, being several weeks in crossing the ocean. From New York they proceeded to Chi- cago by water, and in the latter city Henry Sand was offered a good position, but hay- ing decided to join his brothers, Louis and Philip, in Henry county, he continued his journey by team, arriving here in the same fall. He purchased a soldier's claim of forty acres in Loraine township, to which he subsequently added until at the time of his death he had one hundred and seventy acres of highly cultivated and productive land. He died in 1888, at the age of eighty- one years, and his wife departed this life in 1879, at the age of seventy-three. Both were members of the Evangelical Church, and were highly respected by all who knew them. They were married in 1838, and became the parents of four children, namely : Casper, our subject; Mary, widow of Fred- erick Jaquet, a resident of Loraine town- ship; Emeline, wife of Henry Jaquet, a farmer of Bureau county, Ilinois; and Mar- garet, who died at the age of nineteen years.
Casper Sand attended school one sum- mer in Germany before coming to the new world, and was a student in the public schools of this county for a time, but as a boy he worked hard upon the home farm and had little opportunity to obtain an ed- ucation. Feeling that his adopted country needed his services during the Rebellion, he enlisted in the fall of 1864, in Company, H. Thirty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, at Peoria, and went into camp at Spring- field. Later the regiment joined Sherman's army in Georgia and went on the march to the sea. Mr. Sand was in the engagement at Savannah, where he was under constant fire for about a week, at the end of which
time the Confederates retreated, giving General Sherman the grand opportunity of capturing that city just in time to present it to President Lincoln as a Christmas gift, in 1864. The day that our subject par- ticipated in the grand review at Washing- ton, D. C., was one of the proudest of his life, knowing that he had aided in the preser- vation of the Union. He was mustered out at Springfield in June, 1865. He was wounded, but never taken prisoner, and stood the service fairly well. At the close of the war he resumed farm work and con- tinned to follow that occupation until his retirement from active labor in 1896. He is still the owner of a good farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which is well improved in the way of buildings and fences, and is under a high state of culti- vation.
In 1875 Mr. Sand wedded Miss Mary Groshaus, also a native of Germany, who died in 1868. During the funeral services at the church, word came of the death of Mr. Sand's father, and her remains were taken back home, so that both might be buried together. Our subject was again married, August 7, 1886, his second union being with Miss Charlotte Sommers, who was born in this state, a daughter of George and Catherine Sommers. Her father, a na- tive of Germany, came to America at a very early day and settled in Henry coun- ty, Illinois, becoming one of its pioneers as well as one of its highly respected citi- zens. The year of his arrival here was 1833. He owned and operated a well im- proved farm of three hundred and seventy acres in Loraine township. His circle of friends and acquaintances throughout this section of the state was quite extensive. He died .April 10, 1891, at the age of sixty-
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
eight years. two months and fourteen days, a valuable farm of two hundred and minety and his wife. Wlox Was born in Warren, Pennsylvania, June 18, 1835, died August 11, 1891, on the fortieth anniversary of their marriage. She was a good woman, gentle anl loving. yet firm, and was a de- vont Christian from her youth, both she and her husband being members of the Evangelical Association. She had two brothers, Philip and Rev. Jacob Worth, who are still living, and also three sisters, Sophronia, Delia and Mary Ann (de- ceased ). To Mr. and Mrs. Sommers were born nine children, namely: Philip E., a resident of this county; Henry G., of Chi- cago: Jacob C., a farmer of Kansas; Char- lotte .A., wife of our subject ; Joseph W., a resident of Montana : Mary A., wife of Simon Jaquet, a farmer of this county; Katie E., an invalid; Delia, who died at the age of two years; and Frank W., a resident of Loraine township. The children born to our subject and his wife are Perry 1. E. Homer H. G. and Alice C. By a former marriage Mrs. Sand has one child. Edna E.
In his political views Mr. Sand is an ardent Republican, and he filled the office of school director about five years. He is an humored members of Jenkins Post, No. 452. G. A. R., while his wife belongs to the Ladies' Circle of the G. A. R., and bothi hold membership in the Evangelical Church. They are widely and favorably known, and well merit the high regard in which they are held.
WILLIAM NELSON.
Geneseo township has no more progress- ive or enterprising citizen than this well- known agriculturist, who is the owner of 2
five acres on sections 13 and 24. He was born in Sweden, on the end of January. 1847, a son of Nels and Stiena ( Olson) Nelson, who were life-long residents of that coun- try. The father followed the occupation of farming and also engaged in the manufac- ture of iron. He died in Sweden at the age of forty-four years, while the mother was seventy four at the time of her death. They were the parents of eight children, but only three are now living. August, our subject's youngest brother, started for America some years after William came to this country, lut died on the voyage and was buried at sea. None of the others crossed the At- lantic.
It was in 1866 that William Nelson emi- grated to the United States and took up his residence in Wethersfield township, Henry county, Illinois, where he worked by the month at farm labor for five years, and then rented a farm in that township, which he operated for four years. At the end of that period he came to Geneseo township and purchased eighty acres of partially improved land on section 24, and erected thereon a large and modern residence. He tiled the place and has otherwise improved it until it is now one of the model farms of the com- munity. To his original purchase he has added until he now has nearly three hundred acres all under excellent cultivation.
On the 22nd of November, 1873, Mr. Nelson was united in marriage with Miss Emma S. Peterson, also a native of Sweden, who came to this country in 1869, and joined her parents who were then living in Wis- consin, but are now deceased. By this union were born three children, namely: Mary D., born in Wethersfield township, Novem- ber 13, 1875, was graduated from the Gene-
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
" collegiate Institute in 1893, and is now the wife of Alfred Peterson, a prominent farmer of Geneseo township, whose home is on section 24, just opposite the residence of her parents. Emma Sophia, born in Weth- ersfield township, January 13, 1880, was graduated from the Geneseo Collegiate In- siitute in 1896, and for four years has taught school in Geneseo township, giving the highest satisfaction. Henry William, born in Geneseo township, February 2, 1892, is now attending the home school.
Mr. Nelson gives his political support te the men and measures of the Republican party, but has never been an aspirant for office. However, he takes a deep and com- mendable interest in public affairs, and gives liis aid to all enterprises for the public good. He holds membership in the Swedish Luth- eran Church of Geneseo, which his family also attend, and they are people of promi- nence in the community where they reside.
L. F. MATTESON.
Greater fortunes have been accumulated in Henry county but few lives furnish so striking an example of the wise application of sound principles and safe conservatism as does that of Mr. Matteson. The story of his success is short and simple, containing no exciting chapters, but in it lies one of the most valuable secrets of the prosperity which it records, and his business and pri- wate life are pregnant with interest and in- centive, no matter how lacking in dramatic iction.
Mr. Matteson was born in the northern part of Sweden, June 13, 1844, a son of Hans and Brita Matteson, who brought their fam-
ily to America in October, 1854, and settfed in Copley township, Knox county, Manois. Throughout the remainder of In- Wie the father engaged in general farming în Knox and Henry counties, and died on Galva township, this county in 1866, at the age of fifty-five years. Subsequently his wife went to Nebraska to make her home with rela- tives and there died in 1890, aged seventy- six years. They were the parents of nine children, eight of whom were born in Swe- den, while one was born in this country, but died when quite small. Of the eight, Anna is the wife of Isaac Boostrom, a man- ufacturer of tile and brick in Polk county, Nebraska; L. F. is next in order of birth; Anson H. is a stock raiser and shipper, of Loomis, Phelps county, Nebraska: Carrie is the wife of Jonas W. Olson, of Galva, Illinois ; Lizzie is the wife of Olof Erickson, of Stromsburg. Nebraska; Mary died in Cambridge township, this county ; and .Au- gust H. and Peter E., twins, are both de- ceased.
The subject of this sketch was princi- pally educated in the schools of his native land, though he attended school for a time in this country after attaining his twentieth year. He grew to manhood upon the home farm and then removed from Knox to Henry county, locating on a farm in Galva township, where he spent two years. The following eight years were passed in Cam- bridge township, and while living there hu was married in 1875 to Miss Lizzie M. San- burg, who was also born in Sweden, De- cember 9, 1855, and came to America with an uncle in 1870. Her father died in Swe- den when she was an infant and the mother came to America in June, 1899, and resides in Galva township. By this union were born five children, of whom Jefferson W. died at
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
the age of Twelve year -. Those living are kcal offices, including that of school director, Franklin who is 100 engaged in farming upon his father's Mhp. Dulie N., a graduate of the Galva high school and now the wife .: William Edward Hanson, who is clerk- ing in her father's store; and May and Mor- ris, who are both attending school.
Mr. Matteson owned a farm of eighty deres in Cambridge township, which he operated until 1878, when he removed to Galva, and practically lived retired for the following two years. In 1881 he purchased a meat market, which he conducted at in tervals for about fourteen years, and still owns the building in which it was located, it being now occupied by John Lapan. On the 13th of March, 1899, he purchased his present drug store of Mrs. Hanson, and has since given his attention to that line of trade. He carries a well-selected stock of drugs, druggists' sundries, paints, oils, books and stationery, and is meeting with good suc- cess in this venture. During his residence in Galva he purchased a well improved farm of one hundred and eighty acres, which has been operated by him for a number of years. und in connection with his farming opera tions he is now giving considerable atten tion to the stock business. He is a stock- holder -of the Galva State Bank, the Galva Telephone Company, and the Westrand Manufacturing Company of Galva, which manufactures corn planters and farm imple- ments. As a business man he is enterpris- ing, energetic and thoroughly reliable. and the success that he has achieved is cer- tainly well merited. He is a prominent member of the Knights of Pythias lodge of Galva, in which he has filled all the offices. In his political affiliation he is a Republican and has always taken an active interest in party affairs. He has filled a number of
and in 1899 was elected supervisor of Galva township, which position he is now filling with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. Ile has been a member of the town board of Galva for eight years, during which time he labored earnestly for the establishment of water works, and his efforts were finally crowned with success. He has been a delegate to the county senatorial conventions of his party, and is one of the most influential and prom- inent citizens of his community. His esti- mable wife holds membership in the Luther- an Church at Galva, and he contributes lib- erally to its support and to all worthy en- terprises for the public good.
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W. SYDNEY GOEMBEL.
Among Geneseo's most enterprising and progressive business men is W. Sydney Goembel, who for the past twelve years has represented the Moline Wagon Company as a traveling salesman, while in that line of business he has been successfully engaged for almost a quarter of a century. He was born in Peoria, Illinois, on the gth of April, 1848, and is the eldest son of Jacob and Louisa ( Luther ) Goembel.
The father was born in Niederaula, Kries Herschfeld, Kurfenstenthun, Hessen, Ger- many, May 17, 1824, and in 1834 came to America with his parents, Sebastian and Anna ( Schaffer ) Goembel, landing at New Orleans, on the 9th of June, after sixty- three days upon the water. They proceeded up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers to Peoria, and across the country to Tazewell county, Illinois, where Sebastian Goembel
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bought winrt amd alew secured a quarter section of government land. llis last days were spent in Washington, that county. where he died at Aoout the age of seventy- six years. His wife was over eighty-three years of age at the time of her death. For many years they held membership in the Evangelical Association, and were highly respected by all who knew them. Of their nine children only the eldest daughter, Cath- erine, wife of John Minch, of Washington : and Jacob, father of our subject, are now living.
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