USA > Illinois > Henry County > The biographical record of Henry County, Illinois > Part 43
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Mr. Hayes, of this review, received his education in the public schools of Stark and Henry counties. He remained upon the home farm, which he later owned, until 1875, when he purchased a farm near
Kewanee, where he remained six years. In 1881 he entered into partnership with H. 11. Perkins in the manufacture of the Boss shoveling board. His first invention was a two-row stalk cutter, known as the Hayes two-row cutter, which he sold to the Decre- Mansur Company at a fair price. This he invented while on the home farm, intro- duced to the trade by wagon, and created a demand for the same. Hle was first en- gaged in business at Kewanee, where he soon doubled the manufacturing capacity of his place, and added to it the retail busi- ress. At the end of a year he purchased Mr. Perkins' interest, and continued in business alone at Kewanee until 1886, when lie removed to Galva. On the 5th of Jan- mary, 1891. he organized a stock company with a capital of one hundred thousand dol- lars, which a few years later was increased to two hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Hayes, is one of the largest stockholders of the company, served as its president for some time, and is now vice-president and manager. They now manufacture corn planters, pumps, riding and walking cultiva- tors, harrows, shoveling boards, but make a specialty of cultivators and planters. their capacity being one hundred complete ma- chines per day. The plans for the manufac- ture of all these machines have been dictated by our subject, with the exception of the riding cultivator, which was invented by his son, Ralph W. Mr. Hayes has pat- ented an automatic reel for winding check row wire; a two cylinder force pump; and the Hayes and Eclipse planters, of which there are between thirty-five and forty thou- sand now on the market. He has numer- ons patents on shoveling boards, of which he manufactures from twenty-five to thirty thousand annually, and about four hundred
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thousand have been placed upon the mar- ket. Mr. Hayes also has two patents on a steel lawn swing manufactured by the com- pany, and has perfected one of the most com- plet lines of walking and riding cultivators on the market. Under his management the company has steadily prospered and is one of the most important industrial concerns in the county. They now have eight sales- men upon the road, traveling through Illi- pois, Iowa. Kansas, Missouri, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota and South Dakota.
On the roth of January, 1871, in Stark county, Mr. Hayes was united in marriage with Miss Matilda J. Dack, who was born in Henry county, October 8, 1848. a daugh- ter of John and Jane Dack, pioneers of this section. By trade the father was a shoemaker, but for many years he was en- gaged in farming, and died upon his farm south of Kewanee. The death of his wife occurred in that city. They were of Scotch and Irish descent. Their children who are now living are John, a resident of Nebraska, who owns about one thousand, two hundred acres: Thomas, who is also living in that state, where he owns sixteen hundred and twenty acres of land : Frederick, superinten- dent of the Hayes Pump & Planter Com- pany: Mr -. Sarah A. Gillan, a resident of Omaha : and Matilda J., wife of our subject.
Mr. and Mrs. Hayes have five children. ramely: Ralph W .. a graduate of the me- chanical engineering department of Ann Arbor University, is of an inventive turn of mind and is now assistant superintend- ent in his father's shop. lle married Stella Mink and they have one daughter. Lucile. Albert 1. attended the University of Cham- paign one year, and Ann Arbor two years, and is now salesman and general agent for the Hayes Pump & Planter Company, with
headquarters at Council Bluffs, Iowa. For- rest S. is fitting himself for a lawyer at Ann Arbor. Fred D. possesses consider- able talent as an artist, and is now a student at the Chicago Art Institute. Percy C. is now employed as time keeper in his father's office. All of the sons, with the exception of Albert L., are graduates of the Galva high school.
Being a strong temperance man Mr. Hayes supports the Prohibition party, and has taken an active part in its work. He has been a delegate to its conventions and has been candidate for state treasurer on the party ticket. He is an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he has been officially connected, and is now serving as superintendent of the Sunday school. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Starting out in life for himself with no capital his prosperity has been worthily achieved, and he well deserves the enviable position which he now occupies in business circles. Self-reliance, conscientiousness, en- ergy and honesty-these are the traits of character that insure the highest emoluments and greatest success, and to these may be attributed the success that has crowned the efforts of Mr. Hayes.
HUGH A. MARTIN
It is quite interesting to observe, in noting the various members of a community. how they have been gathered together from clifferent states and localities and how well they usually combine to form an intelligent and prosperous community. The subject of this sketch, who to-day is a successful
i
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farmer residing on section 13. Burns town- ship, Henry county, Illinois, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the 19th of June. 1851. His father. John Martin, was a native of county Londonderry, Ireland, his birth having occurred near Belfast, March 6. 1818. On leaving the Emerald Isle at the age of twenty-one he came to) America and took up his residence in Phila- delphia, where he spent several years. Later he lived in Ohio, and in 1854 came to Henry county, Illinois, making his home in Burns township throughout the remainder of his life. His first purchase of land consisted of forty acres which he broke and improved. and to it added from time to time as his financial resources increased until he had ac- cumulated four hundred acres of valuable land, which he placed under a high state of cultivation. In connection with the opera- tion of his land he was also extensively en gaged in raising, buying and shipping stock, and found that business quite profitable. He was widely and favorably known through- out the county, and in his death, which oc- curred October 29, 1899. the community realized that it had lost one of its best citi- zens. His remains were interred in Corner cemetery.
While a resident of Philadelphia, John Martin married Elizabeth McRell, and they became the parents of six children, of whom our subject is the eldest. Robert, now a resident of Kewanee, married Laura Snyder, native of Illinois, who died, leaving three children. John G. married Elizabeth Kem- erling, of this township, and followed farin- ing in Burns township until his death. which occurred about fifteen years ago. Three of his four children are still living. William J. married Anna L. Radford, and is now in the stock commission business at the
stockyards in Chicago. Sarah Jane is the wife of James Barber, a farmer of Burns. township, and they have one child living. Elizabeth, the youngest of the family, died in infancy.
Hugh A. Martin was only three years old when brought by his parents to this county, and almost his entire life has been passed in Burns township, though the fam- ily lived for a short time in Wethersfield. .After completing his education he taught school for one year. but with that exception he has always followed farming during his business career. He also buys and sells considerable stock, and by upright and hon- orable dealings has gained an enviable rep- mitation in business circles. He is now the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and eighty acres in Burns township, all under cultivation. In his political affiliations he is a stanch Democrat, and has served as town- . ship assessor and collector.
On the 25th of December. 1873. Mr. Martin was united in marriage with Miss Mary O. Alexander, a native of Illinois, and to them have been born three sons, namely ; Edwin, born December 9. 1875. married Alice M. Andrews, a native of Iowa, and they have one child, Lloyd : Charles A., born August 30. 1877. and Wallace A., born September 2, 1885. are both at home. The parents are members of the Presbyterian Church.
Samuel Alexander. the father of Mrs. Martin, was one of the pioneers of Henry county, having come here from Dutchess county, New York, at an early day. At that time Kewanee contained only one or tow log houses, and this region was all wild and unimproved. Here he conducted a store and also engaged in stock raising and general farming. In 1848 he married Jane
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Ann Cline, and to them were born four chil- dren : Maria C., born June 5. 1849, is the wife of Milo Bunker, of New Hampshire. Mrs. Martin is next in order of birth. George F., born June 28. 1858, married Alice Big- by, and is engaged in mercantile business 11% Nebraska. Alice C .. born December 20. 1860, is the wife of Stephen West. of Ke- vanee. Illinois, The mother of these chil- dren died May 16, 1875. and was buried in Wethersfield. this county, while the father died December 17. 1898, and was laid to rest in Nebraska.
SHERMAN L. RISHEL.
The subject of this sketch, who is a suc- cessful and enterprising farmer residing on section 32. Munson township, is one of Henry county's native sons, his birth having occurred in Cambridge, February 28, 1865. On both sides he is of German descent, though his original American ancestors lo- cited here many generations ago. Ilis father With \. Rishel, was a native of Columbia monty, Pennsylvania, and come to Henry monty, Illinois, in September. 1859. at the age of nineteen years. Being a dentist, he at he opened an office in Cunbridge. and en- gogol in the practice of his profession for a tilbe, but later turned his attention to farm- ing. becoming owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land in Munson township, on Which he locater after spending a short time W Burns township. It was in 1865 that he irmiol from his professional labors. Ile erected a good and substantial building upon la police and made many other useful and ahoble improvement , but was an invalid during the last fifteen years of his life, dur- my which time the farm was operated by
his sons, who were young men of industrious habits and good business ability. Ile died upon his farm in 1896. honored and respect- ed by all who knew him. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Marie Fesler, was born in Havana, Illinois, but was living with her parents in Burns township, this county. at the time of her marriage. She still sur vives her husband and now makes her home in Cambridge. The children born to them are Addie, wife of F. H. York, of Michigan ; Sherman L., our subject; and Webster D .. who lives on the home farm in Munson township.
During his boyhood and youth Sherman L. Rishel attended the public schools and also took an elective course at the North- western Normal School in Geneseo. He re mained with his parents until his marriage. aiding in the work of the farm. He now owns and successfully operates one hun- dred and fifty-four acres of well-improved and highly cultivated land on section 32, Munson township. He carries on general farming and stock raising, making a spec- ialty of Aberdeen and .Angus cattle, and also handles about a carload of hogs annually. In his farming operations he has met with fair success, and has found the stock busi- ness quite profitable.
In April. 1880. Mr. Rishel married Miss Etta llelson, who was born in Mimson township. in 1864. Her father. Charles Nelson, followed farming in that township until his death, which occurred in July. 1900, and her mother still resides there. Ile came to this county about 1859, and from the wild prairie developed a good farm. Mrs. Rishel is the second in order of birth in a family of five children, the others being Justina, wife of G. W. Hutchinson, of Cam- bridge; Manie, wife of J. M. Anderson, of
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Andover : William C. and F. J .. both resi- dents of Munson township. To our sub- ject and his wife have been born four chil- dren, namely : Earl N., Ira Cecil, Sherman Fay and Zella May. The three oldest ars now attending the district school.
Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Rishel are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Munson, and he also holds membership in the Odd Fellowslodge, the Rebekalı so- ciety and the Modern Woodmen Camp. No. 28, of Cambridge, of which he is one of the board of managers. The last named order has a county camp, to which each individual camp sends delegates. It is the only county camp in the state and was organized by Mr. Pigler, of Kewanee, in 1896. It holds quar- terly meetings, and Mr. Rishel is now sery- ing as venerable consul of the same. In political sentiment he is a Republican, and has always been quite prominent in political circles. In 1896, he was elected collector of Munson township. He has also served as justice of the peace and assessor of his town- ship, being elected to the latter office in 1898 and re-elected in 1900, for another two years' term. He is also filling the position of clerk of the district school board. and his of- ficial duties have always been most faithfully and satisfactorily performed.
WILLIAM WAYNE.
The subject of this sketch, who is now living a retired life in Orion, was for over thirty years actively identified with the ag- ricultural interests of Henry county, and be- came one of its most successful farmers and stock raisers. He was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 1, 1827,
of English ancestry, and is a descendant of General Anthony Wayne. In October, 1893. while in Philadelphia, he and his wife visit- ed the old homestead of the general. it being now owned by Captain William Wayne, who has allowed no changes to be made in the general's room, which still contained the old furniture used by him. There is also an excellent portrait of him hanging on its walls. William Wayne, Sr., father of our subject, was also a native of Philadelphia, and was a prominent hardware merchant of that city, where he and his wife both died. the former in 1857, and the latter when our subject was very young. She bore the maiden name of Rebecca Walker, and was a native of New Jersey.
Our subject grew to manhood in his n't- tive city and was educated in private schools Having a great fondness for country life he chose farming as an occupation, and when a young man followed that pursuit near Philadephia for a time. There he was mar- ried September 3. 1849, to Miss Edith Blackian, and they made their home on a farm within six miles of Philadelphia for five years. The wife died on that place, leaving a daughter, Mary, who was reared by an aunt in Cincinnati, and is now a resi- cient of Philadelphia.
It was in the spring of 1856 that Mr. Wayne came to Henry county, Illinois, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of wild land near Orion. He broke acre after acre of the virgin soil until the entire tract was under cultivation; he erected good and substantial buildings, set out fruit and forest trees, and made many other improvements upon the place. He prospered in his farming operations, and added to his landed posses- sions from time to time until he had four hundred and ten acres, which he converted
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into one of the most valuable and desirable farms of the locality. Ile has since dis- posed of part of this, but still owns the orig- inal tract of one hundred and sixty acres, which he now rents, while he lives a retired life in Orion, enjoying a well-earned rest. In connection with general farming he also carried on stock raising in a profitable man- ner. Ilis home in Orion embraces a whole block and is one of the best and most beau- tiful places in the village.
Mr. Wayne was again married. December 2. 1856, his second union being with Miss Sarah E. Leibee, who was born March 9, 1835. and reared in Middletown, Ohio, and is of German descent. Her paternal grand- father was one of the first settlers and busi- ness men of Cincinnati, at one time owning a large part of that city. Her father. George Leibee, was born in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1802, but his early life was principally passed in Cincinnati, where he later engaged in business. From there he removed to Middletown, Ohio, and in 1855 came to Osco township, Henry county, Ilinois, where he opened up and improved a farm of eight hundred acres. He became one of the sub- stantial men of the county, and gave to each of his children a farm. He married Mar- garet Dean, daughter of Adam Dean. He died in 1886, at the age of eighty-four years and his wife died in 1863. They were mem- bers of the Protestant Methodist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Wayne have a family of four children, namely: ( 1) George H., a prom- inent business man of Orion, married Har- riet Jones and has three children, Bessie. Stella and Forest. ( 2) Margaret L. is the wife of Edward Duffield, a stock dealer of Orion. (3) Clara J. married Henry J. Crampton and died in Orion, in 1887. leav- ing two children, Geneva and Clinton
Wayne. (4) Charles, a grain and lumber dealer of Reynolds, Rock Island county, Illi- rois, married Susan Breckenridge, a daugh ter of James Breckenridge, of Galva, and they have five children, James B., Carl, Mary E., William and Edward A.
Politically Mr. Wayne was originally an old line Whig, but since the organization of the Republican party has been a stanch sup- porter of its men and measures, but has never. aspired to office. He has ever been a stanch friend of education and of public schools, and while living on his farm efficiently served as a member of the school board for some years. He and his wife are members of the Chris- tian Science Church of Rock Island, and are among the most highly respected and honor- ed citizens of Orion. Mr. Wayne was made a Mason at Cambridge, and was a charter member of Coal Valley lodge, in which he served as master, but has since demitted his membership to Sherman lodge, at Orion. Ile takes a deep interest in everything pertain- ing to the public welfare of the town, and withholds his support from no enterprise calculated to prove of public benefit.
FRANK S. MELVIN.
Among the most enterprising and pro- gressive citizens of Munson township is the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch, and who is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits on sections 4 and 11 and is also interested in the manufacturing business in Rock Island. Ile was born in Belknap county, New Hampshire, May 6, 1854, and on the paternal side is of Scotch- Irish descent and on the maternal side of English extraction. His parents were George
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T. and Lucy .A. ( Fox) Melvin, the former of whom was born in Maine, in 1825, and died in December, 1885. while the latter was born in New Hampshire in 1832, and died in 1884. The father received only a com- mon school education, and when a young man commenced work as a car builder. In rado, remaining there about nine months. On his return to Illinois, he located on the home farm, which he and his brother oper- ated together until his marriage.
the spring of 1857, he went to Chicago, and entered the employ of the Chicago, Rock Isl- and & Pacific railroad, but in the fall of the same year was transferred to Rock Island and placed in charge of the car department. where both passenger and freight cars were built and repaired. He remained there un- til 1862, when, owing to ill health, he re- signed his position and came direct to Mun- son township, Henry county, where he pur- chased a farm and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. Meeting with suc- cess in this undertaking, he added to his landed possessions, and at the time of his death he owned two hundred and twenty acres of valuable land. He was reared to farm work in New England and followed it throughout much of his life. Both he and his wife died on the farm in Munson town- ship. His political support was given the Republican party, though he never would accept office. He gave to the support of all church and charitable work, and was a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. He came to this state with limited means, and his success was due to his own well-directed and energetic efforts. In the family were only two children, of whom Frank S. is the older. Fred H., a retired farmer, formerly of Munson township, now lives in Geneseo.
Reared on the home farm, Frank S. Mel- vin was principally educated in the neighbor- ing schools, but also took a special course of private instruction. He remained under
the parental roof until 1874. when at the age of twenty years he entered the employ of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company, in the supply department between Rock Island and Peru, but at the end of two years his health failed and he went to Colo-
In December, 1884. Mr. Melvin wedded Miss Eva J. Thomas, who was born in Maine, in June, 1853 and came to Illinois, with her parents in 1870, locating on the farm on section 4. Munson township. Henry county, now occupied by our subject. Here her mother is still living with our subject. Of her five children only three survive, these being Henry C., traveling salesman for wholesale poultry dealers and a resident of Minonk, Illinois; Augusta S married William M. Rideout and now resides in Ot- tumwa, lowa: and Eva J., wife of our sub- ject. Mr. and Mrs. Melvin have three chil- dren; George Herbert, born in Decem- ber, 1886; Frank S., born in March, 1888: and Lora A., born in November, 1890. Both sons are now students at the Collegiate In- stitute of Geneseo, where they are pursuing a general course of study. In 1899, George H., though one of the youngest of his class. took first prize of a year's tuition at that school.
Since his marriage Mr. Melvin has resid- ed upon his present farm, and has success- fully engaged in general farming. He is the owner of one hundred and ninety acres of very valuable and productive land in this county. He is one of the stockholders, sec- retary and treasurer of the Novelty Manufac turing Company of Rock Island, which was incorporated with a capital stock of twenty-
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five luffidred dollars, and he also has charge of the traveling department. He is a wide awake, energetic business man, and generally carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Melvin has been identified with the Republican party, and is a member of the county cen- tral committee from Munson township. Hle has served as collector of his township; was appointed township school treasurer in 1893 and has since filled that office ; and in 1899 was elected supervisor, in which capacity he is now serving his fellow citizens in a most able and acceptable manner. Mr. Melvin is a member of the Modern Woodmen Camp. No. 40, of Geneseo, and also holds men- bership in the Congregational Church at that place, in which he formerly served as Sunday school superintendent. He is a worthy representative of that class of citi- zens who lead quiet, industrious, honest and useful lives, and constitute the best portion of : community. Wherever known he is held in high regard, and is certainly deserving of honorable mention in the history of his adopted county.
JACOB J. FLEMING.
In Jacob J. Fleming we find a worthy representative of the industrial interests of Kewanee, in which city he has engaged in mining since 1857. He was born in Dur- ham county, England, July 9, 1843. his par- ents being Jacob and Mary (Coatsworth) I.leming. The father followed lead mining until his death, which occurred in that coun- try in 1845, when he was about fifty years wage. Religiously he was a consistent
member of the Methodist Episcopal Churchte In his family were seven children, of whom three also died in England, these being Mary .Ann, who died in infancy; Mary Ann ( the second of that name), who died at the age of ten years; and Elizabeth. The others were Hannah, now a resident of Pennsylva- nia : Thomas, who died in Nevada, Mis- souri, in 1895, at the age of sixty-four years; Joseph, a resident of Spring Val- ley, Illinois; and Jacob J., our subject. In 1853, the mother, accompanied by her four children, came to America. The voyage was a pleasant one, lasting thirty days. The family first located at Monongahela City, I ennsylvania, where they lived until coming to Kewanee in 1857. Here the mother died July 29, 1887, at the ripe old age of eighty- two years, six months and twenty-one days. From early girlhood she was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was a most estimable lady.
Jacob J. Fleming acquired the rudiments of an education in his native land, but when little over eight years of age was compelled to leave school and go to work as his father was in ill health and the family needed his earnings. Ile worked at washing and sepa- rating lead ore for the mills until coming to America with his mother. Since 1857 he has been a resident of Kewanee and has been identified with its coal mining interests. He is now successfully operating a mine one mile east of the city, giving employment to set - enteen men below and one above ground. The present output of the mine is about five hundred bushels per day, and last year about seven thousand tons were mined, all of which yas sold to the local trade.
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