USA > Illinois > Henry County > The biographical record of Henry County, Illinois > Part 56
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Mr. Krause has a well-improved farmi of one hundred and sixty acres on section IO. Burns township, and in connection with general farming he is successfully engaged in stock raising. Upon his place is a good residence, substantial barns and other out- buildings, and everything about the place denotes the thrift and enterprise of the owner, who is numbered among the most skillful farmers of the neighborhood. He is a supporter of the Democratic party, and holds membership in the German Lutheran Church.
HON. WILLIAM C. STICKNEY.
In the past ages the history of a country was the record of wars and conquests : to-day it is the record of commercial activity, and those whose names are foremost in its annals are the leaders in business circles. Among the most prominent business men of Henry county is William C. Stickney, of Woodhull. who has a wide reputation as a capable finan- cier and occupies a position of no little proni- inence in connection with the political af- fairs of the county.
William C. Stickney was born in Cam- bridgeport. Massachusetts, September 6. 1846, and is descended from a prominent early New England family, being of the eighth generation from William Stickney. who founded the family in America as early as 1637. Records of the family, however. in England. can be traced back to 1331. William Stickney settled at Rowley, Massa-
chusetts, where he was a selectman and free- holder, and filled several offices of trust and honor. (2) Samuel Stickney, his eldest son, was also born in England in 1633, and came with his parents to Rowley, Massachusetts. He was later a large freeholder of Brad- ford, and the early records show him as having been a selectman there nine years between 1671 and 1695, and in 1689 a rep- resentative to the Council of Safety, at Boston to confirm the new administration. (3) William Stickney was a freeholder at Bradford, where he died young. (4) Will- iam Stickney, a resident of Billerica, ap- pears on the Massachusetts muster rolls in 1722, although not eighteen years old. He was prominent in public affairs, having for many years served as town clerk, selectman, and a representative to the first Provincial Congress, which was convened at Salem, October 7, 1774, at no little peril to its members. He was also a representative to the second Provincial Congress, convened at Cambridge, February 1. 1775. serving on many of the most important committees, and in the third Provincial Congress, of which he was a member, he took an equally important part. (5) William Stickney, of Billerica, was a sergeant in Col. Bridge's regiment, and was in the battles of Lexing- ton and Bunker Hill. Later he was a lieu- tenant in Col. McIntosh's regiment. In 1784 he moved to an unbroken wilderness. which was afterwards incorporated as Graf- ton, Vermont, which place he represented in the general court ( legislature ) of Ver- mont for two years. (6) William Stickney, a farmer of Grafton, Vermont, was select- man, representative to the general court of Vermont, and held many other offices of trust.
(7) Henry Stickney, our subject's fa-
W. C. STICKNEY.
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ther, was born in Grafton, Vermont. Jan- uary 29, 1807, and grew to manhood in that state. For some years he was en- gaged in the commission and grain business in Boston, Massachusetts, and while there he married Miss Mary Anna Wood, a na- tive of New Hampshire, and a daughter of David Wood, who was also born in that state. In 1853 Henry Stickney emigrated to Illi- nois with his family and located in Henry county, where he entered some government land, securing other tracts on land warrants, and kept adding to his landed possessions until he owned about one thousand acres. He was one of the most successful farmers of the county, as well as one of its promi- nent early settlers. His death resulted from an accident November 16, 1866. He was well known throughout Henry and adjoin- ing counties, and was elected a member of the first board of county supervisors. His wife survived him a number of years and departed this life February 19, 1888. being laid to rest by his side in the Woodhull cemetery. (For further information see the Stickney Family Genealogy, Salem, Massachusetts. )
(8) William C. Stickney was six years of age when he came with his parents to this county, and on the old homestead farm he grew to manhood, receiving his primary education in the common schools. Later he attended Knox College for some time. On the completion of his education he re- turned to the farm and for several years de- voted his time to agricultural pursuits. He succeeded to the old homestead, which he operated until 1892, and at the same time successfully engaged in stock raising, his farm being headquarters for registered short horns for many years. In 1880 he purchased an interest in the Farmers Bank at Wood-
hull, and on his removal to that town in 1892 he assumed the active management of the bank, which is now one of the most re- hable financial institutions of Henry county. In connection with his banking business he still carries on the home farm, he now own- ing three hundred and fifty acres of the original homestead. He is also interested in the electric light plant at Woodhull in partnership with H. E. Houghton and T. F. Bell, it being built and put in operation by these gentlemen.
On the 13th of April, 1870. in Wood- hull, Mr. Stickney was united in marriage with Miss Ida A. Clarke, a native of Con- necticut and a daughter of Jason Clarke, who brought his family to this county among the early settlers, where Mrs. Stick- ney was reared and educated. By this union were born three children, namely: William W., who is engaged in farming on the old Stickney homestead, married Nellie, daugh- ter of T. W. Gamble, of Woodhull, and they llave two children, William Wilson and Ida; Grace MI. is the wife of Dr. W. A. Davis, of Woodhull ; and Henry C. completes the fam- ily. The wife and mother died March 31, 1891, and her remains were interred in Woodhull cemetery.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Stick- ney has affiliated with the Republican party, and has supported every presidential nom- inee of the party since casting his first bal- lot for General U. S. Grant. For several terms he was one of the leading and in- fluential members of the county board of supervisors, and was a member of the board at the September session, 1878, when the resolution was passed for building the pres- ent court house. In 1894 he was elected to the state legislature, becoming a member of the Thirty-ninth general assembly. He
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filled the office in a most creditable man- ner : was a member of the committees on appropriations, corporations and banking ; and materially assisted in securing the pass- age of a bill for the establishment of an in- sane asylum in this district. He takes a deep interest in everything pertaining to the public welfare, and withholds his support from no enterprise calculated to prove of public benefit. His genial, pleasant manner has made him quite popular in both public and private life, and as a public-spirited and enterprising man he is recognized as a valued citizen of the community.
WILLIAM C. GILLESPIE.
For the past ten years this gentleman has been successfully engaged in the hotel business in Alpha, and by his genial, pleas- ant manner has made many warm friends among his patrons and fellow citizens. He was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, December 13, 1829, and there grew to man- hood upon a farm, his early life being de- voted to work at the carpenter's trade.
On first coming west, in 1853, Mr. Gil- lespie located in Comanche, Iowa, where he engaged in carpentering for a time. In the tall of the same year, however, he went to northern Wisconsin, where he spent a few months, and then returned to Iowa, but in January, 1854, came to Illinois, taking up his residence in Mercer county, where he worked at his trade for a few years. In 1860 he went to Pikes Peak, where he en- gaged in mining with fair success for about two years.
After the battle of Lexington, Missouri,
Mr. Gillespie went to Denver with the in- tention of enlisting but found the quota full and so returned to his old home in Illinois. Soon afterward, however, he went to Leav- enworth, Kansas, where he enlisted in Com- pany H, Eighth Kansas Volunteer Infantry, and with his command proceeded at once to Tennessee. He participated in a number of skirmishes and several important en- gagements, including the battles of Look- out Mountain and Corinth ; the Atlanta cam- paign, and the battle of Nashville, and later at Perryville, Kentucky, under command of General Jefferson C. Davis; and was in a forced march from Nashville to Louis- ville, and in the fight at Green River Bridge, In 1863 he was honorably discharged and returned home, but the following year re- enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Fortieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and with this regiment went to Memphis, Ten- nessee. He was on active duty until the term of his enlistment expired, and was dis- charged at Chicago early in the year 1865. He then returned to his farm in Mercer county, and in connection with its opera- tions he engaged in raising and dealing in stock, and was also extensively interested in bee culture, having quite a large apiary.
On the 22nd of February, 1869, in Aledo, Mercer county, Mr. Gillespie was married by Rev. James Poag to Miss Sarah MI. Decker, a native of that county, and a daughter of Westfall Decker, who was born in Ohio, and came to Illinois in 1837, lo- cating in Mercer county. By this union were born four children, namely : Hannah M., wife of Forrest Wilson, a farmer of Henry county ; John C., a resident of Alpha ; Ida E., wife of William Shivey, a farmer of Henry county ; and Bonnie D., at home with her parents.
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After his marriage Mr. Gillespie settled on a farm near Aledo, in Mercer town- ship, Mercer county, where he purchased eighty acres of land, which he broke, fenced and improved. Subsequently he bought an- other farm of similar size, and still later an- other tract of eighty acres, all of which he operated. One of the farms he traded for three hundred and twenty acres of land in Coffey county, Kansas, but after residing there for one year he sold out and returned to the old home farm in Mercer county, Illi- nois. A year later he returned to Kansas and bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Butler county, where he lived for a few years and then sold. He was subse- quently engaged in agricultural pursuits in Mercer county, Illinois, until coming to Alpha in 1890, when he purchased a hotel and has since successfully conducted the same. Besides his property he owns seven acres and a good residence in the village, and has a farm of three hundred and twenty acres near Rolla, Missouri. On starting out in life for himself his capital consisted only of a pair of willing hands and a firm de- termination to succeed. Being a man of sound judgment, keen discrimination and good business ability, as well as a capable financier, he has met with success in life and is now quite well-to-do. In 1872 Mr. Gil- lespie made a trip to California, and spent six months on the Pacific slope. He cast his first presidential vote for Franklin Pierce, in 1852, and since the organization of the Republican party has been one of its stanch supporters, but has never cared for po- litical preferment. He is an honored member of Oxford Lodge, No. 367, F. & A. M., at New Windsor, and is also connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is widely and favorably known throughout
this section of the state, with whose inter- ests he has so long been identified, and well merits the high regard in which he is held.
HENRY BOOMER.
.Among the leading citizens of Atkin- son township is numbered Henry Boomer, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits on section 28, a mile and a quarter from the village of Atkinson. He first came to Illi- nois in 1843, and has been a resident of this county since 1862. He was born in Jeffer- son county, New York, July 23, 1825, and is a son of Michael Boomer, whose birth occurred in the same county, April 23. 1794. His paternal grandfather, Edward Boomer, was also a native of New York, and belonged to one of its pioneer families. The father served as a drummer in the war of 1812, and participated in several engagements, in- cluding the battle of Sackett Harbor. In his native county he married Miss Martha Moore, who was also born there November 19, 1795, and died July 20, 1843, while his death occurred September 9. 1847. By oc- cupation he was a farmer, and followed that pursuit in Jefferson county, New York, throughout life.
Henry Boomer is the only survivor of a family of thirteen children, consisting of eight sons and five daughters. His early life was spent upon the home farm and he pursued his studies in the common schools of the neighborhood. He came to Illinois in 1843, and for several years worked on a farm near Elgin, Kane county. Return- ing to the county of his nativity he was there married, March 1, 1849. to Miss Julia Wood, who was also born in Jefferson county, New York, of which her father, James Wood, was an early settler.
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Soon after his marriage Mr. Boomer re- turned to Illinois, and took up his residence near Savanna, La Salle county, where he rented land and engaged in farming for eight years. In 1862 he came to Henry county and purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in Atkinson township, where he now resides. At that time only a few acres had been broken, and a little shanty erected thereon, but to its further improvement and cultivation he at once turned his attention. and now has a very desirable and attractive farm, supplied with all the conveniences and accessories found upon a model farm of the present day. To the original tract he has added eighty acres, and now has two hun- dred acres of rich and arable land. In con- nection with his farming operations he also raises and feeds stock.
Mr. Boomer's first wife died here Au- gust 9. 1894. By that union there were four children, namely : Herbert, a railroad man of Ottumwa, Iowa, married, and died May 20, 1893, leaving four children, Eugene, Harry. Jesse and Frank; Mrs. Emogene Thayer is a widow living in California; Gertrude, the wife of Timothy Sammons, of St. Paul, Minnesota, and they have two children, Rosaline and Aldin J .: and Jay, who carries on the home farm, married Miss Helen Placater, a native of La Salle coun- ty, and has two children, Floyd Henry and Olive Gertrude.
MIr. Boomer was again married in Jeffer- son county, New York. November 15, 1898. his second union being with Mrs. Flora Hol- lister Wilcox, a daughter of Colonel Charles Hollister of that county, who served with distinction as an officer in the war of 1812, and rose from the rank of captain to colonel, holding four commissions. He spent his entire life in the Empire state,
and there married Miss Pleuma Lewis, the mother of Mrs. Boomer. Colonel Charles Hollister was a son of John Hollister, who was engaged in the supply department of General Washington's army during the Revolutionary war. There the wife of our subject was reared and educated. Her first husband was Henry Noble, who died in the service of his country during the Civil war, leaving one son, Charles Noble, a resi- cent of Jefferson county, New York. There Mrs. Noble wedded James Wilcox, and with him removed to Michigan, where his death occurred.
Mr. Boomer is now practically living a retired life while his son operates the farm. Politically he is a Jeffersonian Democrat, and is a stanch supporter of his party prin- ciples. His wife is a member of the Geneseo Baptist Church, and both are held in the warmest regard by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
THOMAS C. COWDEN.
This well-to-do and progressive farmer residing on section 17, Burns township, was born in Millwood, Guernsey county, Ohio, on the 8th of August, 1849. a son of Will- iam and Mary ( Rogers) Cowden. The fa- ther was born in Ireland in 1798, and when a boy came to America with three brothers, one of whom drifted to parts unknown. After spending some time in New York, he went to Ohio, where he was married, and where he continued to reside until coming to Henry county, Illinois, about 1854, lo- cating in Burns township, on the state road, buying eighty acres. He also took up six eighty-acre tracts of land, including the southwest quarter of section 17, and north-
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west quarter of schop 20, and north east quarter of section 19. that town ship. He was called to his final rest July 31. 1891. He was one of the most prosperous as well as one of the most highly esteemed citizens of his community. His second wife died when our subject was but three or four years old.
To this worthy couple were born the iol- lowing children : William Washington was a member of Company D. One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil war and was killed in the battle of Resaca. Joseph served three years in Company A, Forty second Hinois Volun teer Infantry, and re-enlisted in the Fourth United States Cavalry. Ile died from the effects of his army service while home on a furlough, after having spent thirteen months in the hospital at Nashville. D. L., now a retired farmer of Cambridge, Illi- nois, was also a member of the One Hun- dred and Twelfth Illinois Infantry. John H., a farmer, died at the age of twenty three years. Thomas C., our subject, is the next son. Jacob G. is a farmer living near Tecumseh, Johnson county. Nebraska. Mary, deceased, first married George Davis and, second, S. 1. Mathews and had two children by the former marriage. Deborah is also deceased. She was the wife of J. G. Walker.
Reared upon the home farm, Thomas C. Cowden early became familiar with all the duties which fall to the lot of the agricult- urist, and acquired his literary education in the public schools of the neighborhood. He still lives upon the old homestead, owning one hundred and twenty acres, and in his farm operations is meeting with most ex- cellent success. He has owned and oper- ated a threshing machine and corn sheller 27
twenty-three years. On the 6th of Febru ary, 1883. was celebrated his marriage with Miss Anna Michaels, a native of MeDon- ough county. Illinois, and a daughter of lsaac and Margaret ( Walker ) Michaels. Her mother died near Salisbury, Missouri, July 10, 1882, and her father departed this life in Alabama, February 14, 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Cowden have two children : Law- rence H., born June 18. 1885 ; and Flossie, born December 24, 1892.
Like his brothers, Mr. Cowden was also numbered among the boys in blue during the Rebellion, enlisting in 1865, at the age of fifteen years, in Company E, One Hundred and Fifty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war. He was mustered into the United States service at Chicago, and then sent to Tullahoma, Tennessee. When hostilities ceased and his services were no longer need- ed he was mustered out at Memphis, and honorably discharged at Springfield, Illi- nois. As a Republican he has taken quite an active and prominent part in local pol- ities since casting his first presidential vote for Grant. He has been a member of the township central committee, and for three . years was a member of the Republican county central committee. He has served as school director about eighteen years, and has also filled various other offices, includ- ing that of drainage commissioner, his du- ties always being faithfully and conscien- tiously performed.
ANDREW ARNQUIST.
This prominent and successful merchant of Bishop Hill, was born in Helsingland, in the northern part of Sweden, April 29. 1847. and is the second in order of birth in a family
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of seven children, all of whom reached years of maturity. but two are now deceased. Peter, John, Anna and Sarah still reside in Sweden, our subject being the only member of the family in the United States. The death of his parents occurred in Sweden, where they spent their entire lives. The father, Andrew Arnquist, Sr., was a carpen- ter by trade.
Our subject's early education was ac- quired in the common schools of his native land. The parents being in straitened circumstances the children early became de- pendent upon their own resources for a live- lihood, and he worked with his father at the carpenter's trade, and also at farm labor until his emigration to America in 1870. On landing on the shores of this country, he proceeded at once to Henry county. Illi- nois, his destination being Bishop Hill.
After working as a farm hand for three years Mr. Arnquist commenced clerking in the general store of Linbeck & Jacobson. where he gained his first knowledge of mercantile pursuits. In the fall of 1877 he bought a lot. and erected thereon a build- ing, in which he placed a small stock of gen- eral merchandise. From the beginning his trade steadily increased and he soon built up a good, extensive business. A few years after opening his store he bought the general mercantile establishment of A. Barlow, which he consolidated with his own, and has since conducted business as a dealer in general merchandise, furniture and under- takers' supplies, carrying a stock valued at eight thousand dollars. In addition to his business property and pleasant home in Bishop Hill he owns a farm of two hundred and eighty acres in Weller and Galva town- ships, all under cultivation and well im- proved. This he now rents.
In 1873 Mr. Arnquist was united in mar- riage with Miss Anna E. Berg, who was also born in Sweden and came to this coun- try the same year as her husband. They have become the parents of five children, namely: Bennett, who when quite young commenced learning the mercantile business with his father, and is now the efficient manager of the store; Almeda, who is a normal graduate and is now successfully teaching school in Bishop Hill; Emma, de- ceased; Andy, who is with his brother in the store: and Blanche. All of the children reside at home, and the sons are now success- fully conducting the store for their father. They are wide-awake and energetic young men of good business and executive ability.
Politically Mr. Arnquist is identified with the Republican party, and is now serv- ing as trustee of the township schools. He has been a member of the town board for many years, and was president of the same for some time. He is a supporter of all church work, and a prominent member of Weller lodge. A. O. U. W., the Select Knights of America and the Home Forum. He has been a trustee of all of these, and financier of the first named order. He has made the most of his opportunities through life, and although he came to this country in limited circumstances he is now one of the substantial and well-to-do citizens of his community and his success is due to his own well-directed and energetic efforts.
JOHN HENDERSON.
This well-to-do agriculturist of section 15. Oxford township, is a typical self-made man. Placing his reliance upon industry
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and perseverance, he has made the most of , circumstances. however discouraging, and has won his way to a substantial success, his fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres adjoining the corporate limits of . Alpha being a tangible evidence of prosperity.
Mr. Henderson was born on the 9th of September, 1831, in Indiana county, Penn- sylvania, and is a son of Brice and Anna ( Thomas) Henderson, also natives of that state. The father was one of the first set- tlers of Indiana county and there grew to manhood and married. He died about 1836, and his wife, who long survived him, passed away in Indiana county about 1873. They were the parents of six children, three of whom reached years of maturity, but only our subject is now living. The children were small when the father died, being left for the mother to rear, and most faithfully did she discharge that arduous duty.
The boyhood and youth of our subject were spent upon a farm and he was educated in the common schools of his native county. When a young man he came to Henry coun- ty, Illinois, in the fall of 1856, and after working by the month as a farm hand for three or four years he purchased eighty acres of partially broken land, where he now resides. He located upon his farm in 1861, and to its further development has since given his time and attention with most gratifying results. He has added to the original purchase until he now has three hun- dred and twenty acres, on which he has made many substantial improvements, so that he now has one of the most attractive and de- sirable farms of its size in the county. He also owns one half-section in Barton county, Kansas, and also one hundred and sixty acres in Pawnee county, Nebraska. In connec-
tion with general farming he has success- fully engaged in stock raising.
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