USA > Illinois > Henry County > The biographical record of Henry County, Illinois > Part 52
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He stood high in the community where he made his home, and enjoyed the confi- dience and respect of all who knew him. His widow is now a resident of Cambridge, where she is surrounded by a large circle of friends and acquaintances who have for her the highest regard.
F. G. WELTON.
This honored veteran of the Civil war and well-known county clerk of Henry county. Illinois, who makes his home thì Cambridge, was born near Waterbury, New Haven county, Connecticut, on the 14th of April, 1843. and is a son of Albert and Su-
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san A. ( Bidwell ) Welton, natives of Con- necticut and Ohio, respectively. They mar- ried in the former state, where the mother removed during her childhood. In earh life the father was a wood turner, but after coming to Illinios, in 1851, he turned his at. tention to agricultural pursuits, and owned two or three farms in Henry county. Dis- posing of his property here, he moved to Nebraska in 1869, and continued to engage in farming there until his death, which oc - curred June 6, 1899, when he was over seventy-nine years of age. He served as justice of the peace many years and held other offices during the war. In religious be- lief he was an Episcopalian, to which church his widow also belongs. She is now an honored resident of Cambridge. Of their four children only two are now hving, namely: F. G., our subject; and George W., a farmer of Waverly, Nebraska. Mary E. died at the age of fourteen years; and Clarence W., at the age of one year.
F. G. Welton began his education in the schools of his native state, and later attended the public schools of this county, being eight years of age when the family came to Illinois. He also attended commer- cial college at Wheaton, Illinois after his return from the Civil war. On the 28th of July, 1861. he enlisted in Company B, Forty- second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and under command of General Fremont partici- pated in the battle of Springfield, Missouri. With his command he was then sent to Co- lumbus, Kentucky, on the river below Cairo, and they were later attached to the fleet at Island No. 10. Joining General Pope's army, they went to Fort Pillow, and from there to Hamburg Landing. Tennes- see. They participated in the siege of Cor- inth, the battle of Farmington, Mississippi ;
Columbia, Tennessee; and Stone River : were through the Tullahoma campaign and in the battles of Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge. Danbridge, Tennessee: and the .\t- Janta campaign, including the battles of Resaca, Adairsville and New Hope Church. At the last named engagement. Mr. Wel- ton was seriously injured. three shots enter- ing one leg, while the other leg was shot off, and he was also shot through the right hand. While convalescing from wounds in a hospital in Chicago, in November, 1864. he was taken with the smallpox, and later returned home, but was not discharged until March 9. 1865.
After receiving his discharge Mr. Wel- ton was engaged in the drug business at Berlin, Mercer county, Illinois, for nine months, but as his wounds broke out anew, he sold out and returned to his father's home, remaining there a year before he had entirely recovered. During the following year he worked in the office of the circuit clerk, and in 1869 was elected to his present office, that of county clerk, which he has since filled so satisfactorily. This office he has now held for a longer period than any other living in the state. though the clerk of Putnam county, now deceased, held the office forty-one years. Mr. Welton has also served as a member of the school board of Cambridge and as treasurer of the vil- lage, and his official duties have always been most faithfullly and acceptably performed.
In the spring of 1866, Mr. Welton mar- ried Miss Ella M. Clark, a daughter of Dr. Dexter Clark, of Rockford, Illinois, and to them were born eight children, namely : Albert D., the eldest, is cashier in the First National Bank of Greenwood, Nebraska ; Clarence W., clerking in his father's office. married Annabel Holmes, of Columbus.
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Georgia, and they have one child, Albert; Kate C. is the wife of Ben M. Smith. of Rogers Park, Illinois, and they have two children, Frances and Mabel; Mabel E. is also a clerk in her father's office; Susan B. is the wife of Robert L. Sheppard, an attor ney of Evanston, Illinois, and a son of Pro- fessor Robert D. Sheppard, of the North. western University, and they have one child. Robert L. : Tom is a student at the Nautical Academy at Easton, Maryland ; one daugh- ter died in infancy unnamed and Frank G. died at the age of six months.
At present Mr. Welton is serving as commander of the Grand Army Post at Cambridge, and is also a prominent member of the Masonic lodge at that place, in which he has held office. He also belongs to the chapter, commandery and consistory, and for the long period of nineteen years served as district deputy grand master. His wife helds membership in the Congregational Church.
JAMES CROMIEN.
Since 1857 James Cromien has been one ni the honored residents of Galva township his home being on section 14. For many years he was prominently identified with its agricultural interests, but is now practically having a retired life, though he manages Vis farm which is now operated by his sons He was born in the county Wexford, Ire- land. June 22, 1837, a son of John and Miss Ellen ( Cavanaugh ) Cromien. He was only Wirteen weeks okl when his mother died. leaving two children, the others being Phil- ip, who died in Stark county, Illinois. Feb- mary 20. 1870. He received a very limited education in the schools of Ireland, and
served through the Civil war in this coun- try as a member of the One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. The father of our subject was a well educated man, but was in limited circumstances on his emigration to AAmerica. After the death of his first wife he married Miss Ann Dunn, by whom he had two chil- dren, but one died in infancy. Mary is now the wife of W. H. Harrison, a farmer of Creston, Iowa. In 1851 John Cromien brought his family to the United States. and after farming for some time in Knox county. Illinois, he took up his residence in Henry county, where he followed the same occupation. His last days. however, were spent in Union county, Iowa, whither he removed in 1876. He had previously pur .. chased and fully improved a farm in this county. He was a supporter of the Demo- cratic party, but never took an active part in politics. He was born in 1803, and died in 1894, while his second wife was born in 1799, and also died in Union county, Iowa, in 1878.
The subject of this sketch was fourteen years of age when he came to America with his father, and was principally engaged in the public schools of his native land. He remained under the parental roof until he was married in 1867 to Miss Nora Lancas- ter, who was born in Lake county, Illinois, in 1846. They became the parents of ten children, of whom three are now deceased, namely : Mary, who died at the age of one year; Ellen, who died at the age of ten : and Edward, who died at the age of twen- ty-two. Those living are John J., who is married and engaged in farming near Min- eral, Bureau county, Illinois ; Henry E., a resident of California: and Elizabeth L., J. William, Frank D., Marie T. and Albert
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L., all at home. All have been educated in the public schools, and some have also at tended business college.
After his marriage Mr. Cromien located on a traet of eighty acres of land in Galva township, to which he added from time to time as his financial resources increased in- til he now has five hundred and eighty acres of valuable land in that township, and also owns a residence in Peoria, where he made his home for three years. Before going to Peoria he lived in the city of Galva for three years, and on leaving the former place re- turned to his farm. His residence was de- stroyed by fire July 9, 1900, but has since been replaced by a more modern and pleas- ant home. Throughout his active business life Mr. Cromien followed general farm ing, never devoting his time to any specialty, but since 1891 he has practically lived a re- tired life, leaving his sons to conduct the farm under his supervision.
Mr. Cromien has been called upon to mourn the loss of his estimable wife. wh , died November 10, 1891, on the home farm. Religiously he and his family are communi- eants of the Catholic Church of Galva. In polities he is a staneh Democrat, but has never cared for political honors. He is accounted one of the leading and promi- nent citizens of his community.
CHARLES A. JOHNSON.
Galva township has no more honored or highly respected citizen than Charles A. Johnson, whose home is on section 10. He has been a resident of Henry county since 1870, and has done much to advance the moral, social and material welfare of the community in which he lives. He was born
in Smoland, Sweden, on the 3d of January, 1847, a son of Johan and Katrine ( Carl- son ) Johnson, both now deceased. In 1884 the father came to this country to visit our subjeet, and returned to Sweden in 1887. Throughout his aetive business life he fol- lo wed farming, and always enjoyed good health. He was seventy-three years of age at the time of his death. In his family were only two children, the younger being Chris- tine Johnson, a resident of Sweden.
Mr. Johnson received but a limited edu- cation in the public schools of his native land. He served two years in the National Home Guards, and remained with his father on the farm until his emigratien to Amer- ica in 1870. He was twenty days in cross- ing the ocean and landed in the United States with no capital with which to begin life in a strange land and among a strange people. Before coming to this county he spent some time near Victoria, Illinois. Taking an active interest in church work, he was given permission to attend the theo- logical seminary at Evanston and prepare for the ministry. He found employment on a farm, and aided other boys in securing their educations, and also devoted consider- able time to procuring supplies for his countrymen who were attending school. He always made his home in families where they had family worship, and his first read . ing was in the Bible.
On the 28th of February. 1878, Mr. Johnson married Miss Clara C. Bengston, who was born in Sweden in 1849, and is the only survivor in a family of three chil- dren. Her parents both died in Sweden. Of the six children born to our subject and his wife two died in infancy. The others are Gus Wilbur, who is attending business . college in Galesburg: Eskil E. and Osier,
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who are attending the district school near their home: and Cora L., at home.
After operating rented land for some years, Mr. Johnson purchased a tract of eighty acres on section 9. Galva township, and a few years later added to it another eighty acres, making a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation. He raises both hog's and horses for market, and owns and operates a sorghum mill quite success- fully. He is a stockholder in the new ele- vator at Galva. and was a promoter of the same. giving both time and money to the enterprise. He is also a stockholder in the Westrand Manufacturing Company of Galva.
Mr. Johnson takes an active interest in the welfare of the community in which he resides, and is now serving as chaplain of the Patrons of Husbandry. He has always been an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has served as one of its trustees and as superintendent of the Sunday-school. In the earlier part of his career he often preached the gospel in the Swedish language, and has done much to promote the moral interests of the commu- nity. Politically he is a supporter of the Republican party, but has never been pre- vailed upon to accept any office save that of road commissioner. Although he is prac- tically self-educated. he is a man of literary taste, and owns a good library.
JOHN KEWISH,
Since 1873 John Kewish has been a resi- dent of Henry county and his name is insep- %rably connected with its agricultural and
financial interests. He was born on the Isle of Man, February 2, 1850, and is a son of Patrick and Ann ( Craine) Kewish, who spent their lives there. The father engaged in farming on quite an extensive scale. He was born March 17, 1817, and died November 28, 1880, while his wife was born April 23. 1819, and died November 3. 1874. Of their eleven children one died in infancy and two at the age of six and eight years, respectively. Those who reached adult age were Thomas, who still lives on the Isle of Man; Eleanor, who died on the home place; John, our subject; Ann, who also died on the home place; William, who came to Galva, Illinois, and died here Jan- uary 4. 1886; Robert, who also died here January 28, 1887, leaving a wife and two children, residents of Weller township; and Isabella and Sarah, who both died on the home place.
During his boyhood John Kewish at- tended the private schools of his native land and remained at home until sixteen years of age, when he went to sea and followed the life of a sailor for five years. For two years he was in the regular service and two years in the British Naval Reserves. In 1873 he came to the United States and took up his residence in Galva, Illinois, where for two and a half years he followed the occupation of an engineer, holding a certificate as a third engineer with the West India and I'acific Steamship Company. In this way he secured a start in the new world, and in 1876 commenced farming. In 1882 he pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of par- tially improved land on section 24, Galva township, which has since been his home. He has remodeled the residence, erected out- buildings and made many other improve- irents, so that it is now one of the most de-
JOHN KEWISH.
MRS. JOHN KEWISH.
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sirable farms in the locality. In 1893 he bought an eighty-acre tract, and six years later purchased another eighty acres, making three hundred and twenty acres which he now owns on sections 24 and 25. Galva town- ship. With the assistance of his sons, Mr. Kewish is successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising. He also buys and feeds stock for shipment, and was one of the original directors and stockholders of the Galva State Bank, with which he is still connected.
In 1873 Mr. Kewish was united in mar- riage with Miss Anna Kewish, who was also born on the Isle of Man, September 29, 1849, and came to America in 1869, locating in Galva, Illinois. She is the only survivor of a family of seven children, three of whom settled here. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kewish, all of whom are still living with the exception of Ralph, who died in 1890. The others are as follows : John T., born in 1875: Annie, 1877; Eva J., 1878; Bertie W., 1880; William, 1880; Irvie, 1889 ; and Ella, 1891. All have attend- ed the district schools, while John T. is a graduate of Steinman Business College, and is now engaged in farming in Galva town- ship; Annie is a graduate of the Galva high school and the Geneseo Normal, and is now folowing teaching; and Bertie is a graduate of the Kewanee Business College. With the exception of John T., all are still under the parental roof.
In his political views Mr. Kewish is an ardent Republican, and has been a delegate to the county and congressional conventions of his party. He has always taken an active and influential part in local politics; has served as assistant assessor of his township, has been road commissioner twelve years : school director many years, and school trus- 25
tee at the present time. Religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and socially is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge, No. 408, and Encamp- ment, No. 174. in which he has filled all the chairs, and is also a member of the Ke- wanee Canton. Mr. Kewish is pre-emi- nently public-spirited and progressive and gives his support to all enterprises for the public good. He was one of the men who assisted in raising funds for the farmers' ele- vators at Galva and was one of its most lib- eral supporters financially. He has been as- sociated with the leading business men of that place, particularly in connection with its banking interests. He is a prominent member of the Sons of Mona, a society of Manxmen in Chicago, and has taken an ac- tive part in their meetings. He owns a large and valuable library of over fifteen hun- dred volumes, containing a most complete list of poets. He is practically a self-edu- cated man and is a great reader whose liter- ary taste is principally along the line of his- tory and statistics. He is one of the most honored and highly esteemed citizens of his community and exerts a great influence for good.
TAYLOR LINN.
This well-known lumber dealer of Alpha has been prominently identified with the bus- iness interests of that town for the past eleven years, and is accounted one of its most re- liable and prominent citizens. He is a na- tive of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Morrow county, April 1, 1849, and is a son of John Linn, who was born in Maryland, and when quite young removed with his father, William Linn, also a native of Mary-
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land. to the Buckeye state, the family be- on. but he discontinued the hardware busi- coming pioneers of Morrow county. There ness at the end of five years, selling his store in 1895. He also handles grain, conducting the Farmers' Elevator at Alpha, and still continues to oversee the operation of his farm. He has gained an enviable reputa- tion as a reliable business man, and receives a liberal share of the public patronage. . John 'Linn grew to manhood and married Mary A. Campbell, who was born in Penn- sylvania and was a daughter of William T. Campbell, also an early settler of Morrow county, where he cleared and improved a farmn. For some years after his marriage Mr. Linn was engaged in business in that county and was also interested in the man- ufacture of lumber. Coming west in 1856 lie located on a farm in Mercer county, Illi- nois, and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. Subsequently he purchased a farm in North Henderson township, the same county, where he made his home for some years, but his last days were spent in retire- ment from active labor in Alpha, where he died January 3, 1888. His wife survived him a number of years, passing away Decem- ber 8, 1898. The were consistent and faith- ful members of the Baptist Church, and Mrs. Linn was a leader in all church work during here residence there. She also gave liberally to its support.
Taylor Linn was only seven years of age when brought by his parents to this state, and on the home farm in Mercer county he passed the days of his boyhood and youth, his education being acquired in the local school. He received an excellent training in farm work, and after arriving at man's es- tate he located on a farm in Knox county, where he owned two hundred acres of wel! improved and highly productive land. In connection with its operation he successful- ly engaged in raising and shipping stock for a number of years. In 1889 he removed to Alpha and embarked in business as a dealer in shelf and heavy hardware, of which he carried a large and complete stock. He also opened a lumber yard, which he still earries
Mr. Linn has been twice married. In Mercer county, September 26, 1871 he wed- ded Miss Elizabeth Henderson, a native of Knox county, Illinois, and a daughter of Thomas Henderson. She died in her native county, January 1, 1882. By that union were born two children: Almon H. attend- ed first the home schools, later took a busi- ness coure at Knox College and in 1899 was graduated from the law department of the Michigan University at Ann Arbor. He is now engaged in the practice of his profession in Henry county. Mary A. died in infancy. In February, 1885. in Knox county, Mr. Linn was united in marriage with Miss Liz- zie H. Junk, who was born and reared in that county. Her father, Samuel Junk, was a native of Pennsylvania and an early settler of Knox county. There is one son by the sec- ond union. Harrison J.
In political sentiment Mr. Linn has been a life-long Republican and cast his first pres- idential ballot for General U. S. Grant in 1872. He has never sought political honors preferring to give his undivided attention to his extensive business interests. For some years he was a member of the school board, and has always taken an active and com- mendable interest in educational affairs. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He has made an un- tarnished record and unspotted reputation as a business man. In all places and under all circumstances he is loyal to truth, honor and
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right, and justly values his own self-respect as infinitely more preferable than wealth. fame and position.
ALBERT S. MUNSON.
Among those men who have added to the wealth and prosperity of Henry county, and who by their progressive spirit, en- ergy, thorough business ability, practical knowledge of their special branch of busi- ness, upright and honorable dealings, none are more worthy of honorable mention in a work of this character than Albert S. Mun- son, and although he has gone to join those of his comrades, friend and old settlers who have crossed the river of death and are now. free from the labors, trials and troubles of this world, his memory still lingers and, as the result of his labors, will live on and on in the minds of future generations.
Mr. Munson was born in Oneida county, New York, on the 22nd of December, 1853, a son of Seldon and Amanda Munson, also natives of the Empire state. In the family were five children, namely: Amanda, who married Lewis Smith and died in Oneida county, New York; Albert S., our subect; Mary A., widow of Wesley Gamble and a resident of Watertown, New York; Elmira, wife of Lee Andrew McKee of Frankfort, New York; and Merritt, who died in Knox- ville, Illinois.
Albert Munson spent the first twenty- two years of his life in his native state, and was indebted to its schools for his educa- tional privileges. He then came to Geneseo, Illinois, at which time the village contained only a few houses, no railroad had yet been built, and wild game was found in abun- dance. He commenced work at his trade --
that of a carpenter- and assisted in the erec- tion of nearly every public building in Gen- eseo. He also built school houses, churches, business blocks and private residences in the same place, and erected many buildings in Atkinson, Annawan and Cambridge, in fact all over the county. He was industrious, painstaking and conscientious, as well as thrifty and conservative in business, and as a man was kind hearted and generous, al- ways willing to lend a helping hand to those in need or distress. He also gave liberally to all public enterprises which he believed calculated to advance the general welfare. A man of good business ability, he accumu- lated considerable property in the city as well as some farm land.
On the 22nd of December, 1858, Mr. Munson was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Mc Whirter, of Geneseo, who was born in Culmonarch, Scotland, July 4, 1835, and came with her brother James to Amer- ica at the age of ten years. Her parents, James and Jeannette (McSkimming) Mc- Whirter, were natives of the same coun- try and came to America about 1850. After spending three years in Athens, Ohio, they came to Rock Island, Illinois, where the mother died. The father spent only a short time at that place and then removed to Iowa Falls, Iowa, and located on a farm, where his death occurred. Of the ten children born to them five died in Scotland, the others being Jennette, who married William Hold- ing and died in Iowa; James, who married a lady from Scotland and both are now de- ceased ; Mary, who died at Iowa Falls, Iowa; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Munson; and John, who is married and lives in Iowa Falls. Our subject and his wife had one child, Seldon Albert, who was born March 27, 1873, and died July 29, the same year.
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Mr. Munson died September 27, 1900, from the effects of a sunstroke received two years previously. Like his father he was a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, but would never consent to become a candi- date for office, preferring that others should have the political honors while he devoted his time and energies to business affairs. He was a good citizen, a kind and devoted husband, and a friend to all who knew him. Religiously he was a consistent and faithful member of the Congregational Church and he merited and received the respect of the entire community in which he lived.
HERBERT ROOT EDWARDS.
Throughout the greater part of his life Herbert R. Edwards was a resident of this section of the state, and during his last years was engaged in farming in Western township. Henry county. He was born in Vermont, December 3. 1826, but was a small boy when he came west with his par- ents. William and Huldah ( Bangs) Ed- wards, who were also natives of the Green Mountain state. By occupation the father was a farmer and devoted his time and at- tention to that pursuit throughout life. On first coming to Illinois the family spent a short time at Greenfield, Green county, and then removed to Moline, where the parents both died, the father at about the age of fifty years, and the mother at the age of eighty-six. They . had five children, and with one exception all grew to manhood. namely: William Il. followed the wagon maker's trade for many years, and later was foreman of the plow factory at Moline. He married Caroline Fleming, of Davenport, lowa, who died twelve years ago, leaving
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