USA > Illinois > Henry County > The biographical record of Henry County, Illinois > Part 62
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P. L. JOHNSON.
MRS. P. L. JOHNSON.
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
and also took up higher mathematics and bookkeeping under private instruction, thus well fitting himself for a business career. He remained at home assisting his father in the labors of the farm until he was mar- ried in 1882, to Miss Amanda Johnson, who died July 28, 1887, leaving three sons, Ros- well M., Clarence R. and LeRoy, who have since found homes with relatives. Mr. Johnson was again married, December 24. 1890, his second union being with Miss Emma A. Olson, who was born in Bishop Hill, May 19, 1868, and was a student of the Galva high school, after which she en- gaged in teaching in the township and vil- lage schools. Her father, Olof Olson, one of the colonists, is still living in Weller township. His other children are Jennie V., wife of E. L. Swanson, postmaster at Bishop Hill, and Henry G., at home.
After his first marriage Mr. Johnso n engaged in farming for himself until his first wife died, when he removed to Bishop Hill and opened a repair and blacksmith shop. Seeing the needs of the people he in- creased his business, and now carries a full line of shelf and heavy hardware, stoves. ranges, farm machinery, wagons, buggies, pumps, etc., his stock being valued at four thousand dollars, while his annual business amounts to ten thousand. He purchased a lot and erected thereon the building which he now occupies. To his own diligence, enterprise, and good management is due his success in life.
In politics Mr. Johnson has always been associated with the independent party ; has been a delegate to several county conven- tions, and in 1888 was a delegate to the na- tional convention of the People's party at Cincinnati. Two years later he was a can- didate on the Democratic ticket for county
clerk, and was defeated by the Republican candidate, who had a majority of four hun- dred and fifteen votes, while the county usually has a two thousand Republican ma- jority. For several years he was trustee of the village and is now president of the board, which office he has held for two years. He also served as town clerk two years. Fra- ternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Good Templars, of which he was chief templar for three years; and also be- longs to the Modern Woodmen Camp, No. 1042, of which he is venerable consul, and has been a member of the board of man- agers. Mr. Johnson assisted in incorporat- ing what is known as the Voluntary Do- native Society in 1889, with a capital of twelve hundred dollars. The principal now amounts to about fifteen thousand dollars in notes and farm property, all of which has been obtained by donations, it being the ob- ject of the society to support the poor of Bishop Hill and Weller township. Its of- ficers are C. G. Falk, president : Martin Johnson, vice-president; John Soderquist. treasurer : and Paul L. Johnson, secretary. They have already done an excellent work. Our subject is also president of the Bishop Hill Telephone Company, a local organiza- tion. For seventeen years he was a corres- pondent of the local papers, and has also made contributions to a number of city pa- pers. He is one of the most intelligent and best informed citizens of his community, and is quite popular both in business and social circles.
WILLIAM LANDWEHR.
Among the most popular and influential citizens of the northeastern part of Henry county is William Landwehr, one of the
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leading business men of Hooppole. A na- over one hundred head of cattle. Although tive of Illinois, he was born near Wheeling, he still manages the farm he removed to Hooppole in 1897. and is now engaged in business as a dealer in wagons, buggies and farm implements. He is local agent for the Deering Harvester Company and the Moline Plow Company, and in this new venture he is meeting with good success. Besides his valuable farm he owns a splendid home and two other large lots in Hooppole. Cook county. January 23. 1854, and is a son of Diedrick and Louisa ( Nelker) Land- wehr, both natives of Germany, the former born in Hanover. July 5. 1820. the latter near Bremen, May 1. 1824. On coming to America in 1840. the father first located in Syracuse, New York, but after spending a short time in that city he removed to Wheel- ing. Illinois, after remaining a short time in Chicago. Later he lived in Des Plaines, Cook county, until coming to Henry county, in 1861, when he took up his residence on section 33, Yorktown township. Five years later he removed to section 32, and upon his farm erected the best house in the town- ship. He successfully engaged in agricult- ural pursuits and was an extensive breeder of cattle and hogs. He was a member of the German Evangelical Church and was highly respected and esteemed by all who knew him. His death occurred on his farm in section 32. Yorktown township, January 27. 1886, and his wife died November 5, 1893. Their children were Margaret, wife of George Berge, of Tampico, Illinois; Mary, wife of George Arnold, of Missouri; William, our subject ; and Frederick, who married Emma Shears and also lives in Tampico.
William Landwehr spent the days of his boyhood and youth in Cook and Henry coun- ties, and remained with his father until the latter's death, when he took charge of the homestead farm, consisting of three hun- dred and thirty-three and a half acres on sections 32 and 33. Yorktown township, and sections 2 and 4. Alba township. In connection with its operation he also ex- tensively engaged in buying and feeding stock for market, usually keeping on hand
On the 7th of December. 1879. was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Landwehr and Miss Mary Ann Countryman, and they be- came the parents of two children, namely : Edward, who was born February 15, 1885, and died May 2, 1896; and Horace A., born July 15, 1896. Abraham Countryman, the father of Mrs. Landwehr, was born in Little Falls, Herkimer county. New York, Novem- ber 30, 1830, and was the eldest son of Henry and Catherine ( Docstader ) Country- man, also natives of the Empire state. At the age of fourteen he came with his parents to Illinois, by way of the Erie canal to Buffalo and the Great Lakes to Chicago, and settled in Wheeling. Cook county, being among the pioneers of that region, where the father rented land and engaged in farming. On leaving home at the age of nineteen Abraham Countryman commenced learning the carpenter's and joiner's trade, and after three months' apprenticeship he worked as a journeyman for six months. At the end of that time he began taking contracts, and carried on business for himself as a builder until 1867, when he took possession of eighty acres of land on sections 19 and 20, York- town township, Henry county, which he had purchased in 1854. He made all of the im- provements upon the place and placed the land under a high state of cultivation. Sub- sequently he bought more land adjoining
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until he had one hundred and sixty acres besides property in Hooppole. Politically he was a lifelong Republican. He was mar- ried. May 5. 1855. to Magdalena Miller, a native of Bavaria, Germany, and to them were born six children : Mary .I., wife of William Landwehr: Frank W., who mar- ried Katie Winterman, of Wisconsin, and re- sides in Greene county, lowa : Edward, who married Lottie Goembel and lives in Hoop- pole : William, who married Sylvia Goemble and makes his home in Yorktown town- ship, on the old homestead ; Adley, who died at the age of eight years; and George, pro- fessor in a business college at Dallas, Ore- gon.
Mr. Landwehr is one of the trustees of the United English Evangelical Church of Hooppole. . As a Republican he takes quite an active interest in local politics, and gives a cheerful support to all enterprises tending to advance the welfare of the community in which he resides. He is a very liberal man, giving much to charitable objects, and is one of the most popular and highly esteemed citizens of Yorktown township. Of unques- tioned integrity, his word is considered as good as his bond, and he has the confidence of all who know him.
JOHN C. CARLSON.
For forty years John C. Carlson was prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Osco township, Henry county, and having acquired a comfortable com- petence, he is now living a retired life in Aurora, Illinois. Like many of our best citi- zens he is a native of Sweden, born Febru- ary I. 1829. and there grew to manhood. He assisted his father in the work of the
home farm until he attained his majority. and then commenced working by the month as a laborer, being thus employed for about two years. He next rented land and en- gaged in farming on his own account. His parents both died in Sweden, in which coun- try his sister, Mrs. Hattie Fritof, is still living. Another sister, Mrs. Carrie Wei- berg, came to America and is now a resi- (lent of Nebraska. She has five children. who were assisted in obtaining an education by our subject, these being Charles, a prom- inent attorney of Peoria ; Eric, general ticket agent for a railroad company at that place : Edgar, timekeeper for the Rock Island & Pe- oria railroad, with home at Peoria; John, who owns about four hundred acres of land in Jackson county, Nebraska, where he is now serving as supervisor; and Carrie, who is now Mrs. Frederickson of Nebraska, with whom his mother lives. Mr. Carlson is one of the most liberal and generous of men, and has always assisted his relatives to the best of his ability until they could secure a start for themselves. His nephew, Albert Peterson, was educated by him at Daven- port College, and made his home with our subject for nine years. He is now one of the well-known men of Andover township, this county.
Wishing to better his condition in life, Mr. Carlson came to the United States in 1860 without capital and unable to speak the English language. For a year he worked as a farm laborer at nine dollars per month, in this country, during which time he be- came familiar with the customs of the coun- try. Subsequently his wages were increased, and he was finally able to rent a small farm. which he operated with good success for three years. He then purchased a tract of forty acres, which he improved, and as fast
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as his financial resources permitted he added to his acreage. For his first purchase he paid fourteen dollars and a half per acre, and for the last seventy-five dollars per acre. He now has a well-improved farm of two hundred acres in Osco township. In his labors Mr. Carlson has met with most ex- cellent success, and although a hard working man he has believed in enjoying life as he went along. He has always been willing to assist any deserving person and has gained an enviable reputation among his many friends and acquaintances in his neighbor- hood. When he purchased his farm it was raw prairie, but he erected thereon good, modern buildings, planted trees, and other- wise beautified the place, until he now has one of the best-improved farms in Osco township. In connection with general farming he always engaged in stock rais- ing.
Before leaving Sweden Mr. Carlson was married, in 1851, to Miss Annie Anderson, by whom he had one child, who died at the age of five years. The wife died March 28, 1899, on the home place which she had helped to build up. She was seventy-nine years of age at the time of her death, and was a consistent and faithful member of the Swedish Lutheran Church, of Andover, to which Mr. Carlson also belongs, and of which he has always been a liberal supporter. His name is a synonym for generosity and benevolence, and is one of the men who are a benefit to any community. An extensive traveler, he has visited all through the north and west as far south as the Mexican bor- dler of Texas.
Besides his property in Henry county, Mr. Carlson has made investments in real estate in Morgan Park, Chicago. Politi- cally he is a stanch Republican, and has
worked untiringly for his party, although he has never aspired to office. Since 1884 he has practically lived retired upon his farm in Osco township, while he has rented the land, and in 1900 moved to Aurora, where lie expects to spend his remaining days in ease and comfort, enjoying a well-earned rest. His has been a useful and honorable career and he can well afford to lay aside all business cares. Few men are better known in the community where he has so long resided, and he is held in high regard by all.
In Aurora, Mr. Carlson makes his home with Mrs. Alma Almgreen, who was born in Sweden, November 23, 1866, and there received a good education in the languages. also taking a thorough business course. With a sister she came to America in 1887, and the following year married Charles Alm- green, now deceased, who was a mechanic of Chicago. Her son, Archer, born in 1889, has made a trip to Sweden to visit his grandparents, who are well-to-do people of that country. She has two sisters : Beda, wife of Albert Shultz, who is foreman ma- chinist of the Automatic Machine Company of Aurora : Edith, an employe in the depart- ment store of Scott & Pease of the same place : and one brother, Temer, who is also with the Automatic Machine Company.
JOHN LEVI JENNINGS.
This well-known and prominent farmer of Burns township, and an honored veteran of the Civil war, was born on Christmas day, 1840, at Sheppardstown, Virginia, while his mother was there on a visit, his parents being Levi and Susan H. (Sheppard) Jen-
J. L. JENNINGS.
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nings, natives of Virginia and Ohio, respec- tively. They removed to Illinois about 1834 and first located in Peoria county, but in 1850 came to Henry county. The father first purchased five hundred and twenty acres of land in Cambridge township, consisting of the east half of section 12; the east half of the east holf of the southwest quarter of section 12; and the northeast quarter of sec- tion 13. It was all under fence with excep- tion of the northeast quarter of section 12, and upon this place he made his homestead ; later he bought section I of Cambridge township ; one hundred and twenty acres on section 13, consisting of the east half of the northwest quarter and the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter; and also bought two hundred acres on sections 8 and 9, in- cluding various timber tracts. Much of this was government land. Mr. Jennings also purchased the west half of the northwest quarter of section 6, Burns township; all of section 7 with exception of the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter; the west half of the northeast quarter, the north half of the southeast quarter, and the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter ofsection 18. Burns township; the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 17, the same township; and the north half of the southeast quarter of section 13, Cambridge township. To this property his widow afterward added two hundred acres. At one time Mr. Jen- nings owned several thousand acres in Peoria and Iroquois counties, but sold most of this before coming to Henry county. About 1854 or 1855 he went to Cass county, Iowa, and purchased ten thousand acres of land. He broke and improved a large amount of land in Henry county, Illinois, and was one of its most prosperous agriculturists, as well as one of its honored pioneers and highly
esteemed citizens. At the time of his death he owned probably twelve thousand acres of land in Iowa and Illinois. When our sub- ject was six years old his father was thrown from a wagon and seriously injured. In a will made at that time he requested that all of his real estate be sold before his son at- tained his majority, and when the land was finally sold in the fall of 1861 it was dis- posed of at a great sacrifice. The father, however, recovered from the injuries above referred to and lived to be sixty-five years of age, dying on the 28th of December, 1859 at Henderson, Minnesota. He was a man of broad and liberal views and was a great reader. He not only had a large libary for his own use, but kept a free library for the benefit of the people of his community. His wife died on the Ist of February, 1888.
Unto this worthy couple were born four children, of whom John L. is the third, the others being as follows: Ann V., born in Ilinois, in 1836, married James Bush, a na- tive of Ohio, who is now engaged in farm+ ing in Adair county, Iowa; Mary Jane, born in Peoria county, Illinois, is now the wife of N. B. Gould, president of the First National Bank of Cambridge ; and Ella, born in Henry county, who died at the age of four years.
John L. Jennings spent the first nine years of his life in Peoria county, Illinios, and began his education under the direction of a private tutor. He then accompanied his parents on their removal to this county, and here attended the public schools near his boyhood home, but completed his education at Lombard University, in Galesburg, where he was a student for two years. In the fall of 1859 he went with his father on a trip through the north, and while at Henderson, Minnesota, the father died.
Mr. Jennings remained with his mother
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until his first marriage in 1860 to Miss Mary Jane Collins. In 1867 he wedded Miss Mary Jane Beck. Mr. Jennings has two sons, John 1 ... Jr., born July 7, 1871 ; and Roy F., born September 28. 1874. The latter is now married and has two children, William B. and Daisy J. For his third wife Mr. Jen- nings married Miss Sarah E. Pratt, their marriage being celebrated January 28, 1875.
When the country became involved in Civil war Mr. Jennings laid aside all personal interests and entered the service, enlisting .August 15, 1862, in Company H, One Hun- dred and Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infan- try, as color sergeant of the regiment, which was assigned to the Army of the Ohio. He participated in the engagements at Monti- cello. Kentucky; Calhoun, Philadelphia. Campbell Station, Knoxville, Bean Station, Dandridge and Kelley's Ford, Tennessee; Resaca, New Hope Church, Pine Mountain, L'toy Creek, Rough and Ready, Jonesboro, and Atlanta, Georgia: Columbia, Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee ; and Fort Ander- son. Town Creek and Wilmington, North Carolina. Mr. Jennings was in twenty-three general engagements and about one hundred skirmishes. In the East Tennessee campaign he was under the command of General A. E. Burnsides; under General Sherman in the Atlanta campaign of the fall and winter of 1864; and Major General Scofield in the North Carolina campaign of the spring of 1865. He was wounded in the battles of Knoxville, Utoy Creek, Franklin and Re- -aca, and at Franklin was left on the battle- field for dead. When the war was over and it- services were no longer needed, he was Imustered out at Greensboro, North Carolina, Jone 20, 1865, and discharged at Chicago.
After almost three years of arduous
and faithful service in the south, Mr. Jen- nings returned to his home in Burns town- ship, where prior to entering the army he had begun to build the first fine house in the township. It is still one of the best, hav- ing double walls, while hte doors and fin- ishings are of a very superior quality, being from two to four inches in thickness. His fine farm consists of the west half of section 7, and he has made most of the improvements found thereon. One of its chief attractions is a large grove which he planted, there be- ing not a shrub upon the place in the spring of 1866. In connection with his farming operations Mr. Jennings has successfully engaged in stock raising, having for many years kept a fine herd of short horn cattle and Berkshire hogs. For ten years he was also a traveling salesman for the Western Wheelscraper Company of Aurora.
Mr. Jennings is absolutely independent in politics. He is one of the representative citi- zens of his community who is as true to his duties of citizenship in days of peace as in time of war, and as a whole-souled, genial gentleman he makes many friends. Through- out life he has made a special study of geol- ogy and is recognized as a geologist in the International Scientific Directory. He now has over five hundred labeled specimens of minerals, fossils, etc., and also owns a fine private library containing the works of the best authors. He is a writer of considerable ability, and has contributed many able ar- ticles to the press both along the lines of road work and fiction. His writings, however, have been principally on economic subjects for county and city papers, and have met with favorable comment, showing conclu- sively that he thoroughly understands the topic of which he treats. Ile has visited
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nearly every state lying between New Eng- land and the Rocky Mountains, including Canada and Manitoba, and consequently is somewhat of a traveler.
JOHN E. ODEMAN.
Among the leading business men and prominent citizens of Annawan, Illinois, is John E. Odeman, a blacksmith and wagon- maker, who was born in the city of Borros, Orsos, Sweden, October 16, 1854. His fa- ther, Emanuel Hanson, was a native of the same place, his birth occurring there July 15, 1812. By occupation he was a farmer. On the 17th of November, 1843, he married Lovisa Peterson, who was born in Frolunda, Sweden, August 10, 1817, and died April 27, 1882, while he passed away October 13, 1884. They never came to the new world. In their family were eight children, name- ly : Ingolissa, born December 6, 1843, died January 15, 1844; Emma Laurentine, born December 6, 1844, died October 9. 1855; John Aaron, born October 27, 1847, died April 28, 1848; John Aaron ( second ), born July 31, 1849, died October 19, 1854: Jo- hannah Louisa, born October 22, 1851, died October 8, 1854; John Erick, our sub- ject, is next in order of birth; Ida Amanda, born June II, 1857, died September 27, 1857; and Andrew Peter, born March 8, 1859, died April 4, 1864.
John E. Odeman, the only survivor of this family, passed his boyhood and youth in the land of his birth, and on completing his literary education served a three years' apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade in Guttenburg, Sweden, at the end of which time he was ranked as a journeyman me-
chanic. With the hope of benefiting his financial condition he emigrated to America at the age of twenty-five years, landing in New York on Thanksgiving day. Novem- ber 6, 1879. After spending three months working at his trade in New Britain, Con- necticut, he came to Annawan, Illinois, in the spring of 1880, and found employment as a journeyman blacksmith with Joseph A. Hilding, for whom he worked six years. At the end of that period he bought out his employer, who returned to Sweden. and has since conducted business at his present lo- cation. He does all kinds of high class work, and also handled farm machinery, imple- ments, buggies, wagons, etc., until 1898.
On the 6th of November, 1885, Mr. Odeman led to the marriage altar Miss Caro- lina Winblad, who was born in Kalva, Elfs- burg, province of Guttenburg, Sweden, De- cember 12, 1853. and is one of a family of seven children. Her parents, Andrew and Catherine (Everson ) Neilson, both died when she was very young. The father was born November 11, 1802. died May 1, 1858; the mother was born December 28, 1810, and died December 21, 1853. Two of her brothers came to America: John M., born March 21, 1840, died October 12, 1896; and Nicholas Winblad. The latter is now engaged in the tailoring business in Chicago. He was born October 10, 1837. The other members of the family were Joseph, born July 24, 1835, a resident of Halsted, Sweden: Carl J., born March 13, 1842, who died in that country April 19, 1845; Anna Maria, born December 9, 1844, a resident of Halsenberg. Sweden; and Johannah, born February II, 1849, who died in Stockholm. Mrs. Odeman came to America October 6, 1885, and has since made her home in Annawan, Illinois. Three
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children blessed the union of our subject and his wife: Agnes Elvera, born August 13. 1886: Carl Leonard, who was born Feb- ruary 15. 1889, and died March 28, 1890; and Clara Levina, born May 12, 1891.
Mr. Odeman gives his political support to the men and measures of the Republican party, and his fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, have called upon him to serve as mayor of Annawan one term and as a member of the board of trustees two terms. Fraternally he is an honored mem- ber of the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias, the Home Forum and the Modern Woodmen of America. Both he and his wife belong to the Eastern Star Chapter of Masonry and she is also a member of the Home Forum. In early life they held mem- bership in the Swedish Lutheran Church, but are now identified with the Congrega- tional Church, and are among the most highly-esteemed citizens of their community.
JOSEPH H. ANDERSON.
The world instinctively pays deference to the man who has arisen above his early surroundings, overcome the obstacles in his path and reached a high position in the bus- iness world. Throughout life Mr. Ander- son has made the most of his advantages, and through his own well-directed efforts has steadily prospered until he is now one of the substantial farmers of Oxford town- ship, his home being on section 9.
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