USA > Illinois > Henry County > The biographical record of Henry County, Illinois > Part 64
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In the winter of 1893-4 Mr. Loy took the picture of the Illinois Model Farm, made of grains and grasses, to the Midwinter Fair at San Francisco, and placed it in the horti- cultural building. For two years he exhibited the same on the Pacific coast. He also pub- lished a book of poems, profusely illustrated, entitled Poems of the Golden State Mid- Winter Fair, and another entitled Poems of the White City. Returning to Ilinois in 1806, he located in Atkinson, and again em- barked in the manufacture of brick and tile.
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Moltoigh he was without a dollar on reach- Ting this place, he possessed the strong deter- miination to succeed, and the prosperity that Las since come to him is dne entirely to his down industry, perseverance and good man- ugement. At present he is also operating a coal mine and in both undertaking's is meet- ing with good success.
In religious belief Mr. Loy is a Presby- terian, and in politics is a Republican, taking an active interest in public affairs. The art of composition has always come naturally to him, and he has written many beautiful poems and songs. A number of these were on topis connected with the Spanish-American war, and he has also written many stirring campaign songs. He still has many poems of merit that have never been published, and deserves to be ranked among the leading poets and authors of the west. For twenty years he has been connected with the Clay Workers' Association, and has written and recited a number of odes in its honor, and has also done the same for the Annual Fire Chiefs' Association.
MRS. MARY J. STITT.
One of the most highly respected ladies of Oxford township is Mrs. Mary J. Stitt, who has lived on the farm on section 27, Where she now resides, for thirty-one years. She is a native of Knox county, Ilinois, and a daughter of D. J. Paden, who was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, in Decem- ber. 1825, while the birth of her paternal grandfather, Isaac Paden, occurred in Fay- the county, the same state, in 1800. Her an- Gestor's were of Scotch origin and early set- aler- vi those counties.
bi the county of his nativity D. J. Paden
was reared and educated, and with his par- ents came to Illinois about 1842, locating in Knox county, where he married Lucinda McCaw, a native of Indiana county, Penn- sylvania, and a daughter of William Mc- Caw, who was born in Scotland and died in the Keystone state. Throughout his active business life Mr. Paden followed the car-
penter's and joiner's trade. In 1870 he re- moved to Page county, Iowa, and located on ' a farm. He is still living at the age of sev- enty-five years, and now makes his home with a son in that county, his wife having died December 20, 1890.
Mrs. Stitt was reared in Henry county. and received a good common-school educa- iton, which enabled her to successfully en- gage in teaching for about five years prior to her marriage. On the 19th of August, 1869, she gave her hand in marriage to James Stitt, who was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, October 4, 1827, and there grew to manhood. He was the son of Will- iam and Margaret ( Harmonni) Stitt, his father being a farmer in Franklin county, and of Irish descent, the grandfather of our subject coming from county Down, Ireland, about 1791. William Stitt continued to en- gage in farming in Franklin county, Penn- sylvania, until his coming to Oxford town- ship, Henry county, Illinois, in 1856. He made his home near his son, and there died in February, 1873. His wife was also a native of Pennsylvania, of German parent- age. She made her home with her son James prior to her death in 1879. They were mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church.
In early life. James Stitt, our subject, learned the tailor's trade. In 1850 he made an overland trip to California with a wagon train, and spent two years in prospecting and mining in the gold fields, returning home
JAMES STITT.
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by way of the Isthmus in Panama and New York city. In 1853 he was first married to Elizabeth Hammond, in Pennsylvania, and then removed to Stockbridge, Michigan, where he engaged in farming and working at his trade for a short time, but the follow- ing year came to Henry county, Illinois, ar- riving here on the 4th of July, 1854. He purchased the farm on section 27. Oxford township, where his family still reside. though at that time it was a tract of one hun- (red and sixty acres of unbroken prairie, which he at once began to improve and cul- tivate.
In 1862 Mr. Stitt joined the boys in blue of Company D. One Hundred and Twelfth Ilinois Volunteer Infantry, and was chosen corporal of his company. He was in active service for three years, and participated in a number of important engagements, including the battles of Knoxville. Resaca, the Atlanta campaign, the battles of Franklin, Nashville and Wilmington, and the East Tennessee raid. He was also in a large number of skir- mishes and lesser fights, and was twice wounded, first at Knoxville, Tennessee, and seriously at Wilmington, North Carolina. His term of enlistment having expired he was honorably discharged June 20, 1865.
Mr. Stitt's first wife died in January. 1869, leaving five of the seven children born to theni, namely : Lawrence, who is married and lives in Colorado; Frank E., who is married and lives in Coin, Page county, Iowa; Amanda became the wife of W. C. Cole, December 9, 1885, and died Septem- ber 9, 1896; Wesley K., who is married and resides in Viola, Illinois ; and Elmer M., wito makes his home in Montana. The children born of the second marriage are as follows: Charles, who is married and resides in Bar- ton county, Kansas ; James H. and William
L., who carry on the home farm for their mother, since the death of their father : Lu- cia, one of the successful teachers of the county, residing at home ; and Harry W .. who is attending the State University at Champaign, Illinois.
Upon his farm Mr. Stitt erected a com- modious and substantial residence, and made many other permanent improvements, so that the farm is now one of the most desirable in the locality. Besides this property he had also owned land in Iowa, Nebraska and Kan- sas. He was one of the most successful farmers and stock raisers of his community as well as an extensive stock buyer, and these industries are still carried on in a prof- itable manner by his sons, who annually ship from three to five carloads of cattle and hogs to the city markets. Politically he was identified with the Republican party for some years, but being a strong temperance man he finally gave his support to the men and measures of the Prohibition party. He served for some years as township school trustee, and filled other local offices of honor and trust. For over forty years he was a consistent and faithful member of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, and his upright and honorable life gained for him the confidence and esteem of all who knew him. He died upon his farm April 25, 1896, and was laid to rest in Summit Level cemetery. . Since his death Mrs. Stitt and her sons have suc- cessfully managed the business affairs of the family, and she has displayed excel- lent business and executive ability. She is well and favorably known throughout this section of the county, and her family is one of prominence in the community where they reside. For thirty-four years she has also been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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CHARLES R. LORY.
Charles R. Lory, the leading photog- rapher of Kewanee, was born in Platteville, Wisconsin, on the 14th of February, 1856, and was only eight years old when he first came to Kewanee. His father, Richard . home until coming to Kewanee, Illinois, in Lory, was born in Cornwall, England, in 1883. Here he died May 5, 1892. His wife had departed this life on the 20th of June. 1881. Mrs. Lory is a member of the Prim- itive Methodist Church, which her husband attends and supports. 1831. and was there reared and educated. being nineteen years of age when he crossed the Atlantic with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Lory. The family located in Platte- ville, Wisconsin, where Richard Lory mar- ried Miss Eliza Trenery, also a native of Cornwall, England, who as a child had come to this country with her parents and settled in Platteville. There they continued to make their home until their removal to Kewanee in 1864. Here Mr. Lory was engaged in the coal business until his death, which oc- curred August 25. 1877. His widow still survives him and is a member of the Primi- tive Methodist Church.
During his boyhood and youth Charles R. Lory pursued his studies in the public and high schools of Kewanee, after which he was variously employed for a time. In 1877 he commenced learning photography in a gallery in that city, and for a time followed his chosen occupation at Eldorado, Kansas, but in 1892 returned to Kewanee, where he opened a studio of his own. He was alone in business until 1897, when he formed a partnership with George MI. Strong, a prom- inent business man of this place, but the fol .. lowing year purchased his partner's interest and has since conducted the business alone. He is widely recognized as one of the best and most artistic photographers in this sec- tion of the state, and therefore receives a liberal share of the public patronage.
On the 19th of August, 1888, Mr. Lory
was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Thompson, a daughter of Robert S. and Nancy ( Callender ) Thompson, both natives of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. The fa- ther's early life was spent upon a farm near Pittsburg, where he continued to make his
For some time Mr. Lory has been a direc- tor of the Kewanee public library and a mem- ber of the purchasing committee. He has also served as secretary of the same for eight years, and to his untiring efforts much of the success of the library is due. Frater- nally he is a member of the Knights of Py- thias and the Modern Woodmen of America, and he has been secretary of Camp, No. 84, for three years. He occupies a prominent position in musical circles, and for a number of years has been leader of the Kewanee Mil- itary Band, which is one of the finest bands in this locality. He is also very fond of lit- erature and art, and has one of the best se- lected private libraries in this section of the state. In 1899 he built a beautiful home on Prospect street, in one of the finest residence portions of the city, and it has become a favorite resort of a cultured society circle.
JOHN REARDON.
For many years John Reardon, who is now deceased, was one of the leading agricul- turists of Munson township, and the fine farm which he there improved is still in possession of his widow. He was born in
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county Cork, Ireland, July 4. 1825. and was many other improvements which added a son of Peter and Mary ( Fitzgerald ) Rear- don, also natives of the Emerald Isle, where they continued to make their home through- out life. In their family were three sons and three daughters, all of whom came to the United States and are no wdeceased.
It was in 1847 that our subject emigrated to America, sailing from Cork, Ireland, and landing in Quebec, Canada. After working for a time as a farm hand in the Dominion, he went to Michigan, and later to Toledo, Ohio, where he was employed on the docks. While there he was married, May 2, 1854, to Miss Margaret Clare, who was also born in Ireland, September 30, 1826, and came to America in April, 1847,-the year of the big emigration. She was one of a family of eight children, four sons and four daughters, who on coming to this country settled in Kings- ton, Canada, but soon became scattered. Mrs. Reardon's brothers are now deceased; one sister resides in Toledo, Ohio. Our subject and his wife had one child, Mary, born De- cember 31, 1855. She is now the wife of Au- gust Johnson, a native of Sweden, who now operates the old homestead farm in Mun- son township, and they have three children, Sherman, John, Mary and May.
For one year after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Reardon continued to reside in To- ledo, Ohio, and in 1859 removed to Bloom- ington, Illinois, near which place lie engaged in farming for George Hill for four years. The following three years were spent in Galva, where Mr. Reardon was employed as section foreman on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. At the end of that time he purchased one hundred and ten acres of land in Munson township, this county, from P. P. Allen. The land was all broken, but he erected the house and barn and made
greatly to the value and attractive appear- ance of the place. For twenty years he con- tinued to successfully engage in farming, but in 1888 purchased a good home in Gen- eseo, where he lived retired until his death, which occurred April 24, 1890. His remains were interred at Geneseo. His widow has since sold the house at that place and erected a more convenient cottage for herself, where she delights to entertain her many friends. She rents her farm to her son-in-law. Mr. Reardon always took an active and com- mendable interest in public affairs, and for three years efficiently served as road master in Munson township. In religious belief he was a Catholic, to which church his wife and daughter also belong. The family are high- ly respected and esteemed by all who know them.
FRANK H. EDWARDS.
This prosperous and well-known farmer residing on section 10, Western township, is a man whose sound common sense and vigor, able management of his affairs have been important factors in his success, and with his undoubted integrity of character have given him an honored position among his fellow men.
Mr. Edwards was born in Moline, Rock Island county, August 2, 1857, and is a worthy representative of one of the honored pioneer families of this state. His father, Herbert Edwards, was born in Brattleboro, Vermont, about 1827, and was a son of William Edwards, who in 1835 brought his family to Green county and one year later to Illinois, becoming one of the first settlers of Moline and opening up a farm which is now within the city limits. There Herbert
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Low oils grew to manhood. and in Rock Island @ anty married Harriet Godon, a na- tive of Michigan and a daughter of Amos Gordon, who was also a pioneer of that coun- ty. Throughout the greater part of his ac- tive business life Herbert Edwards followed the plasterer's trade but in 1867 he removed to Henry county and located on a farm in Western township. following agricultural pursuits until his death. December 21, 1872. His widow has married again and now re- sides in Geneseo.
Reared in Henry county, Frank H. Ed- wards acquired his early education in its district schools, and later pursued his studies for a few terms under Professor Comstock, of Colona. He remained on the farm with his mother and operated a part of the place until twenty-five years of age. On the 23d of January, 1883. near Flanagan, Livings- ton county, Illinois, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Anna M. Smith, a native of Maryland, and a daughter of Charles A. Smith, who removed from that state to Liv- ingston county, where Mrs. Edwards was principally reared and educated. By this union were born four children : Ella B., H. Royce, Ethel H. and Elwood Glenn, all at home.
Charles A. Smith was born in Germany. and when young came to the United States. landing in New York and going from there to Maryland, where he married Elizabeth Hays, also a native of Germany, who was brought by her parents to this country when she was two and a half years old, the family loenting in Cumberland. After their mar- riage they removed to Livingston county. Illinois, locating near Long Point, but later moving to a farm near Flanagan, where Mr. Smith now lives. His wife died December 8. 1808.
Mr. and Mrs. Edwards began their do- mestic life upon the farm in Western town ship where they still continue to reside. In its operation he has met with marked suc- cess, and to the original tract he has added from time to time until he now has five hun- dred and sixty acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation. The well tilled fields are made to yield a golden trib- ute in return for the care and labor bestowed upon them, and everything about the place betokens thirft and prosperity. The build- ings are neat and substantial, and the pleas- ant home is the abode of prosperity and good cheer. In conection with general farming Mr. Edwards raises and feeds considerable stock. The Republican party has always found in him a stanch supporter of its prin- ciples, but he has never cared for political preferment, desiring rather to give his undi- vided attention to his business interests. He and his wife are active and prominent mem- bers of the English Lutheran Church of Mor- ristown, with which he is now officially con . nected, and they are people of prominence in the community where they reside.
WILLIAM FORGY.
One of Clover township's most substan- tial and successful agriculturists is William Forgy, who dates his residence in Henry county from the 2nd of April, 1854, and to- day owns and occupies a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section &, two and a half miles from Woodhull. He was born in what is now Morrow county, Ohio. May 27. 1826, and is a grandson of Robert Forgy, a native of Ireland, who came to the new world at an early day and settled in Mif-
WILLIAM FORGY.
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thin cramty Pennsylvania, where he opened in the township. He purchased more land! up all improved a farm. There The father. from time to time until he isol four hwolred acres, and throughout this busmess career has successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising. John Forgy, was borim 1799. On reach mg manhood he was proried in Washing- ton county. Pennsyl amacto Miss Jane Mil- ler. a native of that county. her father dying young. In early life John Forgy engaged in school teaching for some years, and in 1825 removed to Richland county, Ohio, becoming one of its first settlers. There he entered one hundred and twenty acres of timber land and in the midst of the wilderness improved a farm, upon which he reared his family. .After the death of his first wife, who was the mother of our subject, he married again and removed to Rock Island, Illinois, where he purchased a place and spent the remainder of his days, dying February 14, 1872.
In the county of his nativity William Forgy passed the days of his boyhood and youth in much the usual manner of farmer Lay's, aiding in labors of field and meadoll. und attending the district schools for a few weeks during the winter season when his services were not needed at home. In 1849 at the age of twenty-three years, he went 1. Iowa City, Iowa, and the following year crossed the plains to California with an ox team, landing in Bear Valley. He spent two years in gold mining on the Feather and Yu- ba rivers and making some money when his health permitted, but he lost considerable ume on account of illness. In 1852 he return- ed to his old home in Ohio by way of the Nic- aragua route to New York. In 1853 he came to Henry county, Illinois, and purchased land, but soon returned to Ohio to take care of the crops which he had planted. In the spring of 1854, however, he located upon his land in this county, and at once began the work of improvement and cultivation until he now has one of the best farms of its size
Before leaving Chox. Mr. Forgy was married. February 21. 1854, to Miss Eva Moody, a danghter of John and Elizabeth . Stockdale ) Moody, who was born in the same neighborhood as her husband. Their wedding journey was the trip to this county, which was made by team and lasted twenty- seven days. They became the parents of five children who reached years of maturity, namely : Allen T., a resident of Galesburg, a graduate of Hledding College, who is mar- red and has two children, Herman C., and I lora : Nellie J., also a graduate of Hedding College, wife of J. L. Carnes, by whom she has one daughter. Kate E. ; Ralph Judd. a farmer of Union county, Iowa, who is mar- ried and has one child. and ; William H., who died at the age of twenty-five years; and Robert J., who is now operating the home farm. All the children were offered good educational advantages. The wife and mother passed away January 12, 1899, and was laid to rest in Clover Chapel cemetery. She was a consistent and faithful member of the Woodhull Methodist Episcopal Church, to which Mr. Forgy belongs. He cast his first presidential vote for Franklin Pierce in 1852, and has since been identified with the Democracy, being a stanch supporter of its principles, although he has voted for pro- hibition. He was the first collector in Clover township, and for three terms most cred- itably and satisfactorily served as supervi- sor. He also filled the office of school direc- tor for twenty-five or thirty years, and has served as district clerk and president of the board, doing all in his power to advance the
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educational interests of the community. Fra- ternally he has affiliated with the Grange and lias served as master of the local Grange. He i- an enterprising. public-spirited citizen and i. ever ready to advance those interests for the public good.
O. W. LAGER.
O. W. Lager, of the firm of Lager & Company. is proprietor of "the Leader" of Annawan, and is one of the most progressive business men of that thriving little town. His ability, enterprise and upright methods have gained for him an enviable reputation in business circles, and although he is still a young man his popularity is established on a firm basis-that of his own well-tested merit.
Mr. Lager was born on a farm east of Stockholm, Sweden, January 1. 1877, and is a son of Alfred and Emily Lager, natives of the same locality, who brought their family to America in 1882, when our subject was five years old, and located in Geneseo. I11 his native land the father learned the carpen- ter's trade, which he still continues to follow at Geneseo.
Our subject is the third in order of birth in a family of eight children. He was edu- vated in the public schools of Geneseo, and at the age of fourteen began his business career as clerk in the dry goods store of Bickel & Cook, of Geneseo, in whose employ he re- mained for eight years. In March, 1898, the firm of Lager & Company was formed nd purchased the department store of J. L. N. L. T. Dow at Annawan. They carry a Urge and well assorted stock of dry goods, Lots, shoes, groceries, queensware, carpets and clothing, in fact everything found in a m -; class department store. By fair and
honorable dealing they have built up an ex- cellent trade and now furnish employment to four clerks. Mr. Lager is also a member of the firm of C. W. Lager & Company, at Atkinson, the store at that place being under the management of his older brother, C. W. Lager. Both establishments are conducted on a strictly cash basis, and to-day are the leading business houses of the towns in which they are located. Religiously our subject is a member of the Swedish Lutheran Church.
DANIEL MALONEY.
Among the agriculturists of Henry coun- ty who have met with marked success in their life work and are now able to lay aside all business cares and spend the sunset of life in ease and retirement is Daniel Maloney, a well-known and honored citizen of Geneseo. He was born in county Limerick, Ireland, on the 17th of Nevember, 1823. and was baptized at Sologhead by Rev. Thomas Dwyer, his sponsors being Thomas Hewitt and Maria Crowe. His parents were Daniel and Catherine (Croak) Maloney, also na- tivs of county Limerick, who spent their en- tire lives on the Emerald Isle, where the fa- ther followed the occupation of farmng. In their family were nine children, of whom two sons and three daughters came to America, while the others remained in Ireland.
Our subject was reared in county Tip- perary, Ireland. It was in 1851 that he crossed the Atlantic from Liverpool on the West Point, a sailing vessel, which was eight weeks and three days in making the voyage at that time. Ou landing in New York, he went to Fairfield, Connecticut, where he worked on a farm two years. He then came west and spent four years in Kewanee, Illi-
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nois, where he met and married Miss Mary Downey, who was born in county Kilkenny. Ireland, in 1837, a daughter of Patrick and Elizabeth ( Phalen ) Downey. At an early age she emigrated with her parents to Can- ada, where they spent seventeen years, and later resided for three years in Michigan before coming to Kewanee, Illinois. Her fa- ther, who was a farmer by occupation, died in 1866, and was buried in Galesburg, Illi- nois, while her mother died in 1868 in Leavenworth, Kansas. Of their eleven chil- dren all but two were born in Canada.
Mr. and Mrs. Maloney are the parents of ten children, namely : William B., born Jan- uary 19. 1859, married Nettie Fritz and is engaged in farming in Bureau county, Illi- nois; Patrick H., born March 17, 1860, and died December 14, 1878; Elizabeth, born September 27, 1862, and Louis Michael, and died January 26, 1898, leaving two children, Josie and Helen, who now reside with our subject ; John T., born November 25, 1864, married Hattie Mccullough, and is a re- tired farmer of Atkinson; Oscar D., born June 25, 1867, is also a resident of Atkin- son ; Joseph S. S., born September 16, 1869, was drowned while swimming near Geneseo, June 14, 1892; Francis L., born June 14, 1872, is a resident of Atkinson; James, born April 28, 1875, Mary E. P., born November I, 1877, and Edward V., born November 15, 1879, are all at home with their parents.
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