USA > Illinois > Henry County > The biographical record of Henry County, Illinois > Part 40
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school here to some extent. By her mar- riage she has become the mother of twelve children, but only five are now living. Louisa died at the age of nineteen years and was buried in Kewanee. The surviv- ing members of the family are as follows : Edward, born in 1863, married Emma Lehman, and is engaged in fruit farming near Milan, Illinois; Mary is the wife of Henry Kempin, of Kewanee: Clara is the wife of Peter Verstrette, who is employed in the shops at Kewanee; and Carl and Theodore assist their father in the opera- tion of the home farm.
By his ballot Mr. Spiegel supports the men and measures of the Republican party. and for two years he efficiently filled the office of school director. He is a member of the German Lutheran Church, and is a man highly respected and esteemed by all who know him on account of his sterling worth. His wife is also a member of the German Lutheran Church. Mr. Spiegel has a fine home, furnace heated, and a barn 40x60 fcet, with large cribs and outbuildings. In addition to general farming he raises ·considerable stock.
H. J. STEWART, M. D.
Although but a recent acquisition to the goodly array of enterprising professional men of Kewanee this well-known physician and surgeon is already building up an ex- cellent practice, his specialties being the dis- eases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. He was born in Warren county, Illinois, March 21, 1868, a son of David B. and Sarah E. (Pilkington) Stewart, natives of Pennsyl- vania and early settlers of this state. The
father, who is a farmer by occupation, is still living in Warren county, at the age of seventy-six years, while his wife is sixty- three years of age. For many years he served as justice of the peace in Spring Grove, that township. On account of a cancer the Doctor recently assisted in re- moving his father's left ear with the hope of stopping that terrible disease. In the family were nine children, of whom five sons and three daughters are still living.
Dr. Stewart was reared on a farm and began his education in the country schools. Later he attended the high school at Alexis. Illinois, and the Northwestern University at Chicago, graduating from the medical department of that institution in 1893. He (levoted several months to hospital work, and in 1899 took a post-graduate course on the diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, thus becoming well fitted for the profession which he has chosen as a life work. On the Ist of June, 1893, soon after his graduation, he opened an office in Viola, Mercer county, Illinois, where he was engaged in practice until coming to Kewanee, March 1, 1900. With seven years' experience he comes to this place well qualified, and his skill and ability have already won for him a good patronage. He is very progressive and keeps well posted on the latest discoveries made in the science of medicine and sur- gery. As a citizen he is enterprising and public spirited and is such a man as gives character to a community.
In 1894 Dr. Stewart married Miss Ade- laide H. Frazier, a native of Viola. Her father H. B. Frazier, was one of the leading merchants of that place, where he died July II, 1898, at the age of sixty-three years, and was succeeded in business by his sons. John, Fred and Edwin. There are also
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three danghters in the family. Adelaide IL., wife of our subject : Nanie, wife of M. R. Mckinnon ; and Sarah, wife of Dr. McClannahan, of Viola. The mother of these children is still an honored resident of that place.
Dr. and Mrs. Stewart have two chil- dren. Florence Verl and Louise Ruth. The parents both hold membership in the Presby- terian Church, and the Doctor is also a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Galva District Medical Association, the State Medical Association, and the Kewanee Medical Society, being secretary of the last named. In Warren county he served as school trustee for a time; was also president of the village board of Viola for six years ; trustee and chairman of the village council ; and township school trustee three years. Ile was elected to these positions on the Democratic ticket, but at present is not an advocate of the issues of modern Democ- racı.
JOSEPH JOHNSTON.
There passed away at his home in Galva township, February 11, 1899. Joseph Johnston, who was one of the most highly esteemed men of that locality. Ile was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, November 14. 1831, a son of Isaac and Margaret ( McGill) Johnston, who spent their entire lives in that country, the father being engaged in farming. Our subject was the second in order of birth in their family of ten chil- dren, of whom three sons and three daugh- ters are still living. The daughters and one son still reside in Scotland, while two sons make their home in this country, these be- ing John, who lives in Iowa; and William, who lives north of Oneida, Illinois.
During his boyhood Joseph Johnston re- ceived only a limited education in the schools of his native land, but by reading and ob- servation in subsequent years became a well informed man. He always transacted his own business affairs and by the successful management of the same became one of the most prosperous citizens of his community. On coming to America in 1856 he first lo- cated near Victoria, Illinois, where he worked as a farm hand for a Mr. Sansberry until going to the gold fields of Colorado, in 1862. There he engaged in prospecting and teaming, three times crossing the plains with merchandise to Denver. Ile met with success while in the west, and on his return to Illinois was able to purchase eighty acres of land south of Nekoma, in Henry county, to the improvement and cultivation of which he at once turned his attention. Later he purchased an improved farm of three hundred and twenty acres, part in Ontario and part in Walnut Grove town- ships, where he made his home until 1881. when he removed to a farm of one hundred seventy-two and a half acres west of Galva, though he still retained his former place. He also purchased one hundred and seven teen acres of land adjoining Galva, a part of which has since been subdivided into town lots. In his farming operations he met with most excellent success, becoming the owner of about six hundred and ten acres of valuable land, two hundred and ninety acres of which was in this county, the remaining half section being in Knox county. lle gave special attention to the raising of stock, both horses and cattle, and found this branch of his business quite profit able.
Mr. Johnston was twice married, his first wife being Janet Anderson, by whom
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he had five children, all living, namely : Mary, John, Isaac, Henry and Maggie, and all, with the exception of John who resides in Knox county, living in Henry county. After the death of the mother, Mr. Jolmston was again married, in March, 1877, his second union being with Miss Margaret Meikle, who was born in Ayrshire, Scotland. in 1845, and came to the new world in 1873, locating in Henry county, Illinois. Her parents both died in the old country, never coming to the United States. To them were born three children: Elizabeth, now the wife of Lloyd Jones, of Galva township, by whom she had one child, Ber- nice; William, who lives with his brother on the farm; and Janet, at home with her mother.
The Republican party always found in Mr. Johnston a stanch supporter of its prin- ciples, but he would never accept or hold public office, preferring to give his undi- vided attention to his business interests. He always enjoyed good health up to within a few months of his death and continued to actively engage in the work of the farm until the last. For a number of years he was connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was an earnest and consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. No man in his community was more respected of more fully enjoyed the confidence of his fellow citizens, and none ever better deserved such respect and con- fidence, for his was an honorable and up- right life, consistent with his professions in every respect.
ORIN H. LOOMIS.
For many years this gentleman was one of the leading business men of Kewanee, but in January, 1900, he sold out, and is
now practically living a retired life in that city, where he is so well and favorably known. He was born in Coventry, Connec- ticut, June 17, 1822, and is one of a family of eight children, three sons and five daugh- ters, whose parents were Selah and Esther (Howard) Loomis, natives of Connecticut and Massachusetts, respectively. In 1833 the family removed to Michigan, and after seventeen years spent in that state came to Wethersfield township, Ilenry county, Illi- nois. The father died in Kewanee in 1871, at the age of eighty-six years, and the mother passed away in 1876, at the age of eighty-four.
Orin H. Loomis began his education in the schools of his native state, and com- pleted his literary training at the White Pigeon branch of the Michigan University. For one year he was professor of methe- matics at that institution, and for the suc- ceeding five years taught in the district schools of Michigan. In 1847 he had charge of a school at Freeport. Illinois, where was educated Charles Giteau and sis- ter. Even at school they were notably bad, so much so that the teacher sent them home with their books, and with the understand- ing that they were not to return until better behavior on their part could be assured. Several days later the father returned the children to school and vouched for their good behavior. They were accordingly given another trial and there was a marked improvement in their deportment. Their father stood high in the community, but the children were taught disobedience to his rule by their mother. This fact 1In- doubtedly led to the terrible event which occurred at the Pennsylvania Railroad depot at Washington, D. C., July 2, 1881, when the son took the life of one of the nation's
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able and worthy statesmen-James .\. Gar- two children; Mark; Raymond : William : field-and caused sorrow throughout the civilized world. For this act Charles Giteau was hanged at Washington, June 30, 1882.
In 1849 Mr. Loomis came to Henry county and was engaged in farming with his father in Wethersfield township for a time. On the Ist of September, 1854, hie embarked in the grain business in Kewanee, and shipped the second carload of grain that ever left this station. In 1855 he and his associates built the first steam elevator erected in Kewanee, and he continued to deal in grain until 1862, when he became interested in the agricultural implement business, which he carried on until 1870. For the following three years he engaged in farming, and on his return to Kewanee at the end of that time resumed business at his old stand, where he remained until he retired from active life in January, 1900.
At Edwardsburg, Michigan, Mr. Loomis was married, in 1846, to Miss Rosetta Rogers, who died there in the spring of 1849. On the 27th of August, 1850, at East Hamburg, New York, Mr. Loomis was united in marriage with Miss Cornelia A. Starkweather. By this union were born eight children, namely: (1) Frances, who passed away in 1857, when only six years and a half old. (2) Niles Howard, a resi- dent of Nora, Oklahoma, married Carrie Minnick, and they have nine children : Orin Howard, who first married Louise Feurst, who is deceased: Bertha, wife of Fred Steele, by whom she has one son. George, cleceased : William H. ; Guy : Fred : Eugene; George : Clark ; Alma : and Carrie, who died in childhood. (3) Henry L., a resident of Bloomington, Illinois, married Jennie Regan, and they have seven children : Cath- crine, wife of John Borst, by whom she has
Henry; and Louise. (4) Lucy C. is the wife of Willis E. Terry, of Galesburg, and they have five children: Grace L .; Julia T .; Willis; Lucy; and Ruth. (5) Rosetta M. is the wife of Edward A. Hubbard, of Chi- cago, and they have one chikl, Loren. (6) Grace E. is the wife of J. J. Pratt, an im- porter of goods at Buenos Ayres, South America, and they have one child. Norman. (7) Emma F., now a resident of Galesburg, is the widow of Rev. Charles Leeper, a Congregational minister, who died at Pe- tosky, Michigan. (8) Hattie M. is the wife of Dr. C. W. Hall, of Kewanee. The mother of these children, who was an earnest and consistent member of the Congrega- tional Church, died January 18, 1890.
In his political views Mr. Loomis is an ardent Republican, and was one of the twelve that organized the party in Henry county in 1854. Of that number only our subject now survives. Henry G. Little, aged eighty-eight years, died in Grinnell, Iowa, ir November, 1900. Mr. Loomis served as justice of the peace for some time during the '6os, and was a school trustee for years. He has been an important factor in edu- cational affairs, and was one of the pro- jectors of the Wethersfield Academy, with the establishment of which he was promi- nently identified, and which was finally con- verted into a common school. Both edu- cation and religion have had Mr. Loomis' best endeavors through life. He is a prom- inent member of the Congregational Church. and since coming to Henry county has served as superintendent of the Wethers- field Sunday-school eleven years, and the Kewanee Sunday-school thirty-seven years -a record which probably has no parallel in the state. For sixteen years he had a
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Sunday-school in the country and attended every Sunday. His life has been an hon- orable and useful one, and he justly merits the high regard in which he is uniformly held by his fellow citizens, who appreciate his sterling worth and many excellencies of character.
ELBERT P. KEMERLING.
This progressive and enterprising agri- culturist, whose home is on section 35, Burns township, has spent his entire life upon his present farm, for there he was born February 1, 1851, and is a representa- tive of one of the prominent pioneer tam- ilies of Henry county. His father. Jacob Kemerling, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, May 18, 1807, and received his edu- cation in the common schools of that lo- cality. He chose farming as a life work. On the 23d of March. 1837, he became a resident of Henry county, Illinois, where, in connection with his brothers he entered a large amount of land. He was one of a family of seven children, the others being John, Joseph, Henry, George, Katherine and Anna. His share of the property was one hundred and sixty acres in Kewanee township, a similar amount in Galva town- ship, and three hundred and twenty acres in Burns township. On the last men- tioned tract he erected a log house 20×16 feet, in which he and his family lived while he broke the virgin soil and made other im- provements upon the place. The lumber for his first frame house had to be hauled from Rock Island, and in those early days he marketed his grain in Chicago and Pe- oria. Wild game of all kinds was found in abundance, wolves often came prowling
about the house at night, and on one oc- casion the father of our subject was attacked by a catamount, which he shot at but failed to kill. It was captured, however, the fol- lowing morning by others. On the 10th of February, 1831, Jacob Kemerling mar- ried Sarah Albright, who died September 20, 1863. By that union he had nine chil- dren, of whom our subject is the youngest. The others that are still living are Henry H., who married Anna Miller, of Burns township, and is now engaged in farming at Rockport, Missouri; Sophrona, wife of George Carbaugh, of Crawford county, lowa ; Prudence Il., wife of W. J. Anscomb. a farmer of Burns township; and Charlotte. wife of G. W. Caldwell, of lowa. Levi, the oldest, died in Arkansas in 1894. In 1868 the father was again married, his sec- ond union being with Elizabeth Ewing. He filled the offices of assessor and school director, serving in the former position for the long period of twenty years. He died in 1881.
The subject of this sketch was born in a primitive log cabin, then so common on the frontier, and was reared amid pioneer scenes, while his early education was ob- tained in an improvised school room in the cellar of his present home. He early became familiar with the labors of the farm, and since reaching manhood has devoted his time and attention to the cultivation of the old homestead, owning a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, on which he has made many improvements.
On the 3d of October, 1878, near Har- lansburg, Pennsylvania, Mr. Kemerling was united in marriage with Miss Elvira Dean, a native of that county, and a daugh- ter of William E. and Eliza ( Hanna) Dean, who were born in Pennsylvania. She is the
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odes of thei: for duldren, the others being Judson, who married Hattie Hetten- bangh and lives in Lawrence county, Penn- sylvania : Mary, wife of Misner Kemerling. a farmer and carpenter of the same county ; and Edward, who married Florence Stude- baker, of Butler county, and follows farm- ing in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Kemerling have two children : William J., born September 15, 1880, at- tended Brown's Business College at Gales- burg, from which he received a diploma for bookkeeping in 1899, and is now at home; and Mones Albert, born October 8, 1888. still attending school.
Politically Mr. Kemerling has been a lifelong Democrat, and has taken an active and prominent part in local affairs, having served as tax collector one term, road com- missioner three years and school director about twenty years. Ile is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 128, and the Modern Woodmen Camp. No. 84. both of Kewanee: while his wife holds member- ship in the Baptist Church. Both are wide- ly known and have a host of warm friends in the community where they reside. He now lives retired on the farm.
OLOF L. PETERSON.
While "the race is not always to the swift nor the battle to the strong," the in- variable law of destiny accords to tireless energy and ability a successful career. The vedleof this assertion is abundantly verified ovale Trie of Mr. Peterson, a leading furni- tiue dealer of Galva, Ilinois.
He was born on the 30th of August. 1840, in Sweden, where his parents, Per Persson and Christine Olson, spent their en-
tire lives as farming people. Twelve chil- (Iren were born to them, and five of the num- ber are still living, namely : Per, still a resi- cient of Sweden; Olof L., our subject ; Jacob, of Sweden: John. a railroad em- ploye of Galva: and Eric, who is employed on a ranch in Colorado.
Reared in the land of his birth, O. L. l'eterson is indebted to its common schools for his educational advantages. He re- mained on the home farm until eighteen years of age, when he commenced learning the trade of a cabinet and furniture maker, receiving no wages during two years of his apprenticeship. At the end of that time he had become a skilled workman. Before leaving Sweden he was married, in 1865 to Miss Brita Hansen, who was born in the same neighborhood as her husband, Feb- ruary 18, 1840, and is the only member of her family now living. Her parents both died in Galva, Illinois.
In 1865. soon after his marriage, Mr. Peterson brought his bride to the United States, it requiring fourteen days to make the voyage from Liverpool to New York, and another week to reach Chicago. Com- ing at once to Galva, he secured work with a Mr. Bates, a furniture dealer of this place, with whom he remained only a short time, and for two years was in the employ of a Mr. Curtis, who kept one man constantly busy manufacturing furniture, nearly all of which was made by hand at that time, with the exception of beds and chairs.
When he landed in Galva Mr. Peterson had only twenty dollars, but being econom- ical and industrious he was soon able to purchase a home. After working for others for a few years, he also bought an interest in a furniture store, in partnership with Mr. Headstrom, and together they carried on
O. L PETERSON.
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business for a year. In 1870 P. Herdien purchased Mr. Headstrom's interest, and the firm of Peterson & Herdien conducted the business for eighteen years with marked success. They started on a small scale, but kept adding to their stock until they car- ried a complete line of furniture, much of which was manufactured by them, also con- ducting branch stores at Cambridge and Kearney, Nebraska. In 1887 Peterson & Herdien dissolved partnership after their store was destroyed by fire, at a loss of abont two thousand dollars. Mr. Peterson at once rebuilt, erecting his present building, and put in a new and better stock of goods. Besides furniture he carries carpets, win- dow shades and bicycles, his stock being valued at seven thousand dollars, and he occupies both floors of his building. Ile does some repair work, and also does under taking and embalming in partnership with Andrew Becklean.
In connection with his home and busi- ness property in Galva, Mr. Peterson owns a farm of sixty acres adjoining the town. He was one of the early stockholders of the First National Bank, incorporated Farmers' and Merchants' Bank, but in 1887 sold the stock and invested in the Galva State Bank, of which he is now a stockholder. He was one of the incorporators and is a stock- holder of the Wistrand Manufacturing Company, which he assisted in organizing ; is also a stockholder of the Hayes Pump & Planter Company, the Galva Gas & Coke Company, the Galva Telephone Company and the Farmers' Elevator Company. From 1877 to 1891 he held sha: es in the Herdien Coal Company, whose mine was operated quite profitably. From 1891 to 1896 he held the largest share in the Grav Eagle Coal Company, of Galva.
Mr. and Mrs. Peterson are the parents of five children, namely: A. Olivia, who is a graduate of the public schools of Galva and the Northwestern University of Evanston, and is now teaching in the schools of Galva; Alfred L. received a business education in Galesburg, married AAlthea Anderson and is a head bookkeeper for the Hayes Pump & Planter Company; Oscar Manual, who took a business course in Chicago, and is with his father in the store: Emma Z .. at home; and Victor V., who was in the em- ploy of Swift & Company for a year, and is now bookkeeper for a hardware company of Chicago.
Politically Mr. Peterson is identified with the Republican party, and fraternally affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 408, and the Modern Woodmen of America, No. 241. He is a prominent and influential member of the Swedish Methodist Church of Galva, which he assisted in building, and with which he has always been officially connected, having served as trustee for twenty-six years. He is a very liberal supporter of the church and for a time the whole burden rested upon him, the congregation being weak. Without the aid of influence or wealth he has risen to a position of prominence in his community and his native genius and acquired ability are stepping-stones on which he has mounted.
NELS RUNQUIST.
When after years of long and earnest labor in some honorable field of business a man puts aside all cares to spend his re- maining years in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil, it is certainly a
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well deserved reward of his former industry. Mr. Runquist purchased the Galva House. Mr. Runquist is now living retired at his pleasant home in Galva, Illinois, and his history is one that shows the accomplish- ment of well-directed labor.
A native of Sweden, he was born in Helsingland, August 31, 1837, and in 1846 came to America with his parents, John and Christine Runquist, who formed a part of the colony that settled at Bishop Hill, this county, during that year. There the mother died in 1856, and the father passed away in 1865. He was a shoemaker by trade and followed that occupation, both in Sweden and in Illinois. Of their five children two are also deceased, the living being Mrs. Christine Ottestrum, Mrs. Hannah Lind- gren and Nels, all residents of Galva.
Nels Runquist began his education in the schools of his native land, and continued his studies for a time after the family lo- cated at Bishop Ilill. During his youth he learned the harness maker's trade, which he followed until 1863, and then embarked in the grocery business at Galva as a member of the firm of Johnson, Erickson & Com- pany. This partnership was dissolved two years later, and Mr. Runquist carried on the business alone until 1883. lle began work with a small stock, which he gradually in- creased to meet the growing demands of his trade as the population of the town in- creased. and was soon at the head of a large and profitable business. In 1883 he sold ont, but started in the same business again en the ist of January, 1890, with a stock of goods valued at three thousand dollars, Which was destroyed by fire the following March. Hle at once rebuilt, erecting a good brick building, which has been divided into two large store rooms, and from the rent of The e be receives a good income. In 1802
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