USA > Illinois > Henry County > The biographical record of Henry County, Illinois > Part 57
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72
January 10, 1861, Mr. Henderson was married in this county to Miss Eliza Cox, who was born in Indiana but reared in Illi- nois. She is a sister of J. F .. Cox, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Henderson have become the parents of five children, namely : Frank, who is married and follows farming in Pawnee county, Nebraska; Anna, who died at the age of thirteen years; William, who assists in the operation of the home farm; Jennie, wife of J. W. Mclaughlin, of Oxford town- ship; and Fannie, at home.
Mr. Henderson cast his first presidential vote for Winfield Scott, the Whig candi- date of 1852, and has been identified with the Republican party since its organization in 1856. He has never sought political honors, but being a warm friend of our pub- lic-school system he faithfully served as a member of the school board for some years. His support is given to all enterprises which he believes calculated to prove of public benefit, and he is accounted one of the valu- able citizens of this community.
CHARLES H. RUGH.
Charles H. Rugh, who resides on section 20, Colona township, owns and operates a fine farm of three hundred and forty-two and a half acres, whose neat and thrifty ap- pearance well indicates his careful super- vision. Substantial improvements are sur- rounded by well tilled fields, and all the ac- cessories and conveniences of a model farm are there found. His place is known as the old Glenn homestead.
562
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Mr. Rugh is one of Illinois' native sons, for he was born in Rock Island county. Feb- ruary 25. 1844. His father, Henry Rugh, was born near Blairstown, Indiana county, Pennsylvania, in 1810, and was still a young man when, in 1837. he left that state and removed to Rock Island, Illinois, where as a mechanic he followed the cabinet maker's trade until 1849. Gold being discovered in California that year, he went to the Pa- cific slope and spent several years there, be- ing moderately successful in his mining operations. In 1867 he returned to Illinois, but in the spring of 1869 again went to Cali- fornia, though he spent his last days with our subject in Missouri, where he died in 1876. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary .A. Spiers, departed this life in 1847.
Charles H. Rugh, whose name intro- duces this sketch, spent his boyhood and youth with James Glenn and one of his sons. assisting in carrying on the farm and at . tending the local schools for a few months during the winter season. In 1868 he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Eliza Glenn, a daughter of James Glenn, who was one of the honored pioneers of Henry coun- ty, having located here in May, 1835. He was born on one of Henry Clay's farms in Kentucky, July 18, 1811, and was reared in that state. On coming to Henry county, Illinois, he opened up and improved the farm now owned by Mr. Rugh. Our subject and his wife are the parents of three sons, name- ly : Frank G., who is married and now en- gaged in the telephone business in Kewanee, Illinois: Harry, who is married and is an electrician and telegrapher of Sandwich, Illinois : and James, who holds a business position in Rock Island.
After his marriage Mr. Rugh engaged in farming in this county for one year, and
then removed to Butte county. California. where he followed gold mining with fair success for a short time. In 1873 he re- turned to Henry county, Illinois, and re- sumed farming, but two years later removed to Holt county, Missouri, where he pur- chased over four hundred acres of land, which he improved and farmed successfully for nine years. He went to Dakota in 1882, but seven years later we again find him in Missouri, where he spent one winter. In 1890 he returned to this county, and pur- chased the old Glenn homestead, on which he has since engaged in general farming and stock raising with marked success.
On attaining his majority Mr. Rugh supported General U. S. Grant for the presi- dency in 1868, and the Republican party has since found in him a stalwart advocate of its principles. He has never aspired to office, preferring rather to give his undivided at- tention to his business interests. He is ener- getic, progressive and enterprising and to these characteristics may be attributed his success in life.
JACOB LIEVENS.
Among the prosperous farmers of At- kinson township. Jacob Lievens occupies an enviable position. Since coming to the new world he has through his own unaided ef- forts steadily prospered until he is now the owner of a well improved and valuable farm of four hundred and forty acres of land on section 21, and two hundred and forty on section 3. His early home was on the other side of the Atlantic, for he was born in Belgium, February 27. 1843. and was there reared upon a farm, receiving a good com- mon school education in his native tongue,
563
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
but his knowledge of the English language has all been acquired since coming to America.
In 1872 Mr. Lievens led to the marriage altar Miss Rosalle Vandevort, who was born in the same neighborhood as her husband, and as a wedding journey the young couple came to this country. From New York they proceeded at once to Illinois, their destination being Henry county. Locating in Atkinson township, Mr. Lievens first worked as a farm hand for nine months, and then rented a farm which he operated for about three years. In 1875 he purchased eighty acres of land, on which a little house had been built, but there was not a tree or fence upon the place. In the improvement and cultivation of his land he met with marked success, and as time advanced he has added to his property until he now has six hun- dred and eighty acres under a high state of cultivation and supplied with all the con- veniences and accessories found upon model farms of the twentieth century. His first home here has long been replaced by a large and more substantial residence, and everything about the farm indicates the thrift and enterprise of the owner, who is accounted one of the most skillful farmers of the community.
Mr. and Mrs. Lievens have become the parents of ten children, namely Jacob, Jr., who is married and follows farming on sec- tion 3. Atkinson township ; Henry and John, who are both married and engaged in farm- ing near their father: Peter, who is mar- ried and lives on the home farm : Charles, Mary, Edward, Louisa, Frank and Emma, all at home. The family are communicants of the Catholic Church of Atkinson, and Mr. Lievens is a stanch Republican in politics, but has never cared for political preferment.
He is, however, one of the leading and prom- inent citizens of his community and well qualified to fill any position to which he might be elected.
JOSEPH FRANK COX.
As a furniture dealer and undertaker this gentleman has become an important factor in the business circles of Alpha, and as a public-spirited citizen is thoroughly in- terested in whatever tends to promote the moral, social or material welfare of the com- munity. A native of Illinois, he was born in Rock Island county, January 16, 1840, and is a son of John W. and Juliette ( Will- iamson) Cox, both natives of Indiana, of which state the grandfather, Joseph Cox, was an early settler. The father was born in 1807, and came to Illinois in 1835, be- coming one of the pioneers of Rock Island county. He opened up a farm in Hampton township, where he made his home until 1848, when he removed to Mercer county, this state, and two years later came to Henry county, settling in what is now known as Oxford township. From a tract of wikl land he developed a good farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres near Alpha, and also owned other property, being one of the most prosperous farmers of his community. He died upon his farm in Oxford township, March 2, 1869, and his wife, who survived him for some years, passed away in January, 1888.
Amid pioneer scenes Frank Cox grew to manhood, his time being passed in attending the district schools for about three months during the winter, and in working upon the farm during the remainder of the year. At
564
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
the inauguration of the Civil war he joined the boys in blue, enlisting August 3. 1861. in the Fourth Illinois Cavalry, which was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee. He participated in the battles of Fort Henry, Fort Donelson. Shiloh and Franklin, after which he was taken ill with typhoid fever and sent to the hospital at Keokuk, Iowa. After his recovery he was placed on de- tached duty as clerk in the office of the general hospital at Keokuk, Iowa, and for a time served as ward master. When his term of enlistment expired he was honorably dis- charged in October, 1864, and returned to his home in this county.
Here Mr. Cox was married, December 6, 1864. the lady of his choice being Miss Jane W. Sutton, who was born in Canada, but was reared in Wisconsin and Illinois. Her father. William B. Sutton, died in the Badger state, after which her mother mar- ried R. M. Wilber and removed to Illinois, making her home for a time in Warren county, and later in Henry county. Mr. and Mrs. Cox are the parents of the following children : Minnie, a professional trained nurse: Elmer, who is married and lives on a farm in Nebraska; Clinton C., who is married and engaged in the grain and coal business in Alpha; Walter, also a business man of that place : Daisy and Treva, both at home; Lyle, who is attending the Alpha school: and Carlton, the second born, died at the age of two years.
After his marriage Mr. Cox located on a farm a mile and a half from Alpha, where he owns one hundred and sixty acres, and to its improvement and cultivation devoted his energies until 1890, when he rented the place and removed to Alpha. Here he opened a furniture store and two years later added to it an undertaking business. He
carries a well assorted stock, and by fair and honorable dealing has built up an excellent trade, which is constantly increasing.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Cox has affiliated with the Republican party, and cast his first presidential vote for Abra- ham Lincoln in 1864 and for every nominee of the party since that time. He has taken quite an active part in local politics: has been a delegate to county, state and con- gressional conventions ; and has been hon- ored with a number of official positions of trust and responsibility, having served as collector, road commissioner, township clerk and supervisor. He was an influential mem- ber of the county board for twelve years: was chairman of the equalization committee some years: and a member of other im- portant committees. He proved a very com- petent and faithful officer. He is also an official member and trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Alpha, and holds mem- bership in Oxford Lodge, No. 367, F. & A. M. : Horeb Chapter, at Rio, No. 4, R. A. M. : and Sherman Post. No. 479. G. A. R .. of Woodhull.
WILLIAM A. MUSSEY.
Among the representative business men of Atkinson is William A. Mussey, the junior member of the firm of Mussey Brothers, dealers in grain and coal at that place. A native of Vermont, he was born at Rutland, June 22, 1839, and is a son of Henry and Sabra Amanda ( Lawrence ) Mussey. He was educated in the district schools of that locality, which he attended until eighteen years of age, and upon his father's farm early acquired an excellent knowledge of agricultural pursuits.
On the 15th of August, 1862, during the
565
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
dark days of the Rebeiffon, Mr. Mussey en- listed in Company K, Twelfth Vermont In- fantry, under Colonel .A. P. Blunt, and was mustered into the United States service at Brattleboro, about the Ist of September. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac and, was stationed near Wash- ington to defend that city most of the time. though it took part in the battles of Gettys- burg. For over five months Mr. Mussey was confined to the hospital, and was mus tered out with his regiment at Brattleboro. Vermont, July 16, 1863.
Returning home he resumed farming upon his father's place and remained under the parental roof until the fall of 1868, when he removed to Henry county, Illinois. The previous winter he had visited this county, and on the 3Ist of March, 1868. led to the marriage altar Miss Louisa Nowers, a daughter of Thomas Nowers, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. By this union have been born two children, namely : Clara Foster is now the wife of H. P. Hinckley, who is connected with Armour & Company at Allegheny, Pennsylvania, and they have one child, Gertrude Abbie. Harry R. is a graduate of Beloit College, and is now principal of the Port Byron Academy.
As previously stated Mr. Mussey re- moved to this county in the fall of 1868, and for several years was successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits, his farm adjoining the corporate limits of Atkinson, in which village he made his home. For two years he was a silent partner of his brother in the grain and coal business at that place, and in 1885 became actively associated with him in the management of that enterprise under the firm name of Mussey Brothers. He is d wide-awake and progressive business man, and has met with well-deserved success.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Mussey are active members of the Congregational Church, and he is also a charter member of Atkinson Camp, M. W. A., of which he was the first venerable consul. In his political affiliations he is a Republican, and has served as presi- cent of the board of trustees of the village and justice of the peace one term.
WILLIAM PAPENDICK.
This well-known and successful farmer and stock raiser residing on section 24, Loraine township, was born in Berlin, Ger- many, on the 29th of July, 1859, and is a son of Louis and Sophia ( Greenwood) Papendick, also natives of the fatherland, . the former born in Schwerin, the latter near Berlin. In 1863 Louis Papendick brought his family to America, and on land- ing in New York proceeded at once to Mor- rison, Whiteside county, Illinois, where he was engaged in cabinet making for a short time. He subsequently made his home in Prophetstown for three years, and at the end of that period came to Henry county, and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Loraine township, upon which he resided until called to his final rest Janu- ary 31, 1879. His wife survived him for a few years and passed away September 30, 1887. They were the parents of five chil- dren, of whom two died in infancy, the others being Carrie, wife of John Jaquet, of Loraine township; William, our subject; and Otis, who married Anna Walzer and is engaged in farming in Rock county, Minne- sota.
William Papendick was only three years old when brought by his parents to this coun-
566
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
try, and he is indebted to the district schools of Whiteside and Henry counties for his ed- cational privileges. During his boyhood and youth he remained at home and did his share of the farm work, and after the death of his father he and his brother Otis took control of the place, which they operated in partner- ship until 1888. when our subject purchased his brother's interest. He has a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres under a high state of cultivation, and as a tiller of the soil and stock raiser is meeting with ex- cellent success.
On the 3d of March. 1886, was celebrat- ed the marriage of Mr. Papendick and Miss Lizzie Kreps, and three children bless their union, namely : Julia Beatrice. born April 26. 1887: Hattie born February 22, 1889: and Louis, born February 26, 1891. All are now in school. Mrs. Papendick is a native of Bureau county, Illinois, and a daughter of Christian and Annie ( Chaplar ) Kreps. who were born, reared and married in Switzerland, where the father followed the carpenter's trade until their emigration to America in 1850. They first located in Bu- reau county, Illinois, but later came to Henry county, and took up their residence in Lo- raine township, where the father died in 1865. the mother in 1885. Of their ten chil- dren nine are still living, namely : Anna, widow of George Liverknecht and a resi- dent of Geneseo: Mary, wife of Charles Walzer, of Loraine township: Christian, a resident of Chatfield, Fillmore county, Min- nesota : John, who was formerly a resident of California, but is now engaged in gold mining at Cape Nome, Alaska: Caroline, sofe of John Neiswenger of Geneseo: Fred, Bf Rock county, Minnesota; Lizzie, wife of wir subject : Elias, a merchant of Rock
Rapids, Iowa; and Emeline, a resident of Geneseo.
Mr. and Mrs. Papendick hold member- ship in the Evangelical Church, and he is also connected with Hoop Pole Camp, No. 126, M. W. A. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party, and is prominently identi- tied with public affairs in his community. For eight years he has creditably served as justice of the peace, and has also been school director for a number of years. He is one of the union special drainage commis- sioners, which has reclaimed fourteen hun- dred acres of land in his part of the coun- ty, their main ditch being eight miles in length. He is one of the most progressive and public-spirited citizens of the community and is widely and favorably known.
IRA E. KELSEY.
Ira E. Kelsey, an active and energetic farmer, who carries on his chosen occupation on section 16, Annawan township, is a na- tive of Connecticut, his birth having oc+ curred in Kensington, March 18, 1850. His father, Erastus Kelsey, was born in Portland, Connecticut, January 10, 1821, and belonged to an old New England family. He was twice married, his first wife being Fanny Way, who died in Annawan town- ship. this county, March 22, 1869, leaving three children, of whom our subject is the oldest. William E., born July 2, 1853, died in Annawan, in April, 1888. Mary Eliza- beth, born June 10, 1868, is now the wife of Richard Arkland, of Calhoun county. Iowa. For his second wife the father mar-
MR. AND MRS. IRA KELSEY.
569
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ried Johannah Burgess, of Somerset county, Maine, who died August to, 1895, while his death occurred March 26, 1896. The family came to Illinois in 1856 and first located in Bureau county, but the following spring came to Henry county, the father purchasing one hundred and six and two- thirds acres of land on section 16, Ammawan township, at twenty-six dollars per acre. Throughout his active business life he fol- lowed farming, and preferring to devote his entire time and attention to that occupation He would never accept public office.
Ira E. Kelsey received his education in the district school near his boyhood home, and obtained a thorough knowledge of ag- ricultural pursuits upon his father's farm. On leaving the parental roof, in 1870, he went to the western frontier, and spent three years in Kansas and Nebraska among the Indians, with whom he was on quite familiar terms, often camping out with them. On his return home in 1873. his father retired from active labor and he succeeded to the management of the farm, and has since suc- cessfully engaged in its operation. He has never cared to enter politics, though be takes a deep and commendable interest in public affairs. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Neighbors, and his wife also belongs to the latter order.
On the 20th of March, 1870, Mr. Kelscy was united in marriage with Miss Frances M. Boss, a native of Rochester, ew York, who died October 2, 1881. He was again married October 14, 1882, his second union being with Miss Augusta Koch, of Daven- port, Iowa, who was born in New York. August 26, 1853, and is a daughter of Carl and Ernestina (Edler) Koch, both natives of Germany. On coming to America, in
1850, her parents located in New York, where they made their home until Mrs. Kelsey was three years old, when they re- moved to Davenport, Iowa. The father, who was a carpenter by trade, died April 4, 1897. and the mother departed this life 'August 6, 1887. Of their three children Carl died in childhood, Augusta is next in order of birth ; and Louisa is the wife of John Cole, of Davenport, Iowa. By his second mar- riage Mr. Kelsey has had five children, namely : Edna L., born March 10, 1884, is attending school; Arthur C., born October 26, 1885, died February 4, 1887: Laura May, born December 16, 1887, is also in school: Florence F.,. born August 26, 1890; and Leroy Oscar, born July 4, 1893, are also pursuing their studies in the local schools and reside at home.
R. W. MILAR.
For almost a quarter of a century R. W. Milar has been engaged in the fire in- surance business in Atkinson, though he is now practically living a retired life, enjoying a well-earned rest. He was born in Somer- set county, Pennsylvania, July 29, 1824, and is a son of John and Isabel ( Fulton) Milar, natives of Maryland and Pennsylva- nia, respectively. Born of poor parents the fa- ther was thrown upon his own resources at an early age and learned the blacksmith's trade in Baltimore. When a young man he went to Pennsylvania, where he married and continued to make his home until his death, which occurred when our subject was a small boy. He left a widow and six children, namely : Samuel, deceased; Eli, a retired farmer of Tuscarawas county, Ohio, now
570
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
eighty years of age: Michael, who died in Missouri: R. W., our subject : John A., de- ceased : and Mary Ann, who is living on a farm in Tuscarawas county, Ohio. There the mother died at the age of seventy-six years, having never married again.
R. W. Milar began his education in the schools of Pennsylvania, but his advantages along that line were limited, and he never at tended school more than a year. At the age of twelve years he accompanied the family on their removal to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, where he worked on a farm for four years, and then commenced learning the miller's trade, to which he devoted his en- ergies for four years, but was forced to give up that occupation as he found it injurious to his health. He next took up the trade of carpenter, which he followed many years.
On the 6th of July, 1849, Mr. Milar married Miss Rebecca Knisley, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Jacob B. Knisley, who was a carpenter Nof ew Philadelphia, Ohio, where Mr. Milar made his home un- ti! 1855. In that year, accompanied by his wife and three children, he came west and located in Geneseo county, Illinois, where he worked at his trade for a short time. and the folowing year he came to Atkinson, which at that time had just been laid out. He assisted in the construction of the first building erected here, and for many years built the greater portion of its business houses and private residences. In 1877 he became interested in the fire insurance busi- ness, and now represents the following companies: the Hartford, of Hartford. Connecticut : the Springfield, of Springfield, Massachusetts: the Phoenix, of Brooklyn; the Ph enix, of Hartford; the Fire Associa- tion, of Philadelphia: and the Insurance Company of North America. He has been
engaged in this business longer than any other man in this section of the state. Al- though he started out in life empty-handed he has acquired some property, and is now the owner of a good farm of eighty acres. two miles north of Atkinson, which is suc- cessfully operated under his supervision.
Mrs. Milar, who was a consistent and faithful member of the Congregational Church, died in November, 1892, at the age of sixty years, and was laid to rest in Oak- wood cemetery. Geneseo. She was the mother of four children, namely : Theodore, a carpenter of Atkinson, married Eliza Ruth Storm and they have one child, Storm ; Leroy married Clara Guesbecker, and died in At- kinson, November 28. 1898, at the age of forty-four years, leaving one child, Robert : J. Knisley married Anna Green and died in Atkinson, in 1882, at the age of twenty-six years ; and Clara is the wife of R. E. Bailey, a painter, decorator and paper hanger, and they live with our subject. They had a daughter, who died in infancy.
Mr. Milar was made a Mason at Anna- wan, in 1867, and still holds membership in Annawan Lodge, No. 433, which has been moved to Atkinson. He served as worship- ful master of the same for six years, and has represented the lodge in the grand lodge of the state. He cast his first presidential vote in 1848 for John P. Hale, the Freesoil can- didate, and since the organization of the Republican party has been one of its stanch supporters. He has been a delegate to many conventions, and has been honored with po- litical positions, having served as constable seventeen years : justice of the peace twenty years and school director many years, and deputy sheriff of Henry county four years; discharging the various duties of these posi- tions with fidelity and ability.
571
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
FESTUS C. COLE.
The natural advantages of this section of the state attracted at an carly day a su- perior class of settlers, thrifty, industrious, progressive and law-abiding, whose influ- ence has given permanent direction to the development of the locality. Among the worthy pioneers of Henry county Festus C. Cole holds a prominent place. Since June, 1839 he has made his home here, and now owns and operates a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 28, Ox- ford township, one mile south of .Alpha.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.