USA > Illinois > Henry County > The biographical record of Henry County, Illinois > Part 68
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Calvin F. Wolever grew to manhood upon his father's farm, and acquired his education in the district schools of Corn- wall and Atkinson townships. He early be- came familiar with the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist, and from his father purchased the old homestead con- sisting of one hundred and sixty-five acres of land on section 18, Cornwall township, to which he has since added twenty-two acres. He now has one of the most highly cultivated and best improved farms in the
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locality. Politically he follows in the foot- steps of his father and is a supporter of the Republican party. He was married in 1898 to Miss Maggie Wolf, a native of Henry county, and a daughter of Bernard and Dorothy ( Gravenhurst ) Wolf, and they now have a little son, Robert, born Novem- ber 1, 1900.
FREDERICK A. HURLBUTT.
Henry county has many prosperous and successful farmers who are the architects of their own fortunes, having through their own unaided efforts gained a handsome competence. Among these is the subject of this personal history, who has been identi- fied with the development and upbuilding of the county since 1858, while his name is inseparably connected with its agricultural and financial interests. He makes his home on section 6. Galva township, where he owns a fine farm.
Mr. Hurlbutt was born in New Hamp- shire. November 9, 1831, a son of Alba and Laura (Osgood ) Hurlbutt, natives of the same state. By profession the father was a physician and was a graduate of one of the castern schools of medicine. He was born June 24, 1794. On coming west in 1840 he located south of Victoria, in Knox county, and while engaged in the practice of his profession his sons improved and operated the farm. In politics he was a Whig. He died upon his farm in Knox county, Octo- ber 1. 1858, and the death of his wife oc- curred March 14, 1871, in Henry county. She was born June 16, 1802.
Unto this worthy couple were born nine children, of whom one died in infancy, the others being as follows: Hubbard, born May
23, 1822, died on the old homestead No- vember 23, 1844: Edmund, born May 6, 1824, died in Marshalltown, Iowa, in the fall of 1898: Nathaniel, born September 22, 1826, died while prospecting in California ir. 1849: Laura, born March 27, 1829, mar- ried Leander Taylor and died on the old homestead May 21, 1865; Frederick A., our subject, is next in order of birth; Fran- cis, born June 22. 1837, who lives on the old homestead in Knox county, was a sol- lier of the Civil war, but soon after the bat- tle of Fort Donelson was taken ill and re- turned home after serving one year : Susan, born June 22, 1844. is the wife of Alexan- der A. Taylor, a farmer of Nebraska: and Charles, born March 10, 1846, died in that state, October 10, 1894. The children were educated in the common schools of Knox county.
During his boyhood Frederick A. Hurl- butt pursued his studies in a primitive log school house with its slab benches and other crude furniture. He remained at home as- sisting in the labors of the farm until after the death of his father in 1858, when he came to Henry county and purchased eighty acres of unimproved land in Burns town- ship, which he at once began to break and cultivate. At first he met with many re- verses and was forced to endure many hard- ships, but after the Civil war his prospects became brighter and he steadily prospered in his farming operations. As his financial resources increased he added to his landed possessions from time to time until he now owns one thousand acres of valuable land in this county divided into five farms which are located in Weller, Galva and Burns townships. He is one of the largest land owners in the southern part of the county, and having started out in life for himself
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with no capital his success is due to hard work and good management. His property is all well improved with good buildings, and the land is fully tiled and under a high state of cultivation. At one time Mr. Hurl- butt was extensively engaged in raising cattle for market, and has always kept a good grade of draft and road horses. He has not confined his attention wholly to agri- cultural pursuits, but was one of the pro- moters and a large stockholder of the Farm- ers Elevator of Galva; also a director and vice-president of the stock company of same: a stockholder and director of the Galva State Bank : and a stockholder of the First National Bank of that place.
On the 31st of October. 1860, Mr. Hurl- butt was united in marriage with Miss Caro- line Osgood, who was also born in New Hampshire in 1839, but at that time was living with her parents in Knox county, Illinois, whither the family removed in 1841. Her father, Willard Osgood, was of English ancestry. He took up land in Knox county and there spent his remaining days. In his family were only two children, the older being Levi, a resident of Marshall- town. lowa. Mr. and Mrs. Hurlbutt are the parents of nine children : ( 1) Edgar L .. born December 20, 1861, lives on part of his father's land. ( 2) Elmer A., born May 14, 1863, is a farmer of Weller township. He married Effie Michaels and they have four children, Earl E., Marion, Edna and Edgar. (3) Levi H., born October 5. 1865, lives on his father's land in Burns township. He married Margaret Sewell, now deceased, and they have two children, Leo and Mar- guerite. (4) Minnie L., born October 24. 1867. is the wife of John Peugh, of Ne- braska, and they have four children. Gladys, Lettie, Zelda and Laurice. (5) Jennie MI.,
born July 11, 1870, is the wife of Frank Penney, of Burns township. (6) Frederick N., born January 2, 1873. lives in Burns township. He married Winnie Hamilton. and they have two children, Hazel and Ray- mond. (7) Zelda A., born August 31, 1875, lives with her brother Levi. (8) Charles H., born December IF. 1878, and (9) Frank, born December 12, 1880, are both at home. All have been educated in the district schools.
As a Republican Mr. Hurlbutt takes an active interest in public affairs, and has held several minor township offices, serving as school director many years, and also as trustee. He gives to the support of church work although not a member of any re- ligions denomination, and never withholds his aid from any'enterprise which he be- lieves calculated to advance the moral, edu- cational or material welfare of his com- munity. For sixty years he has been a resident of this section of the state, and has borne an important part in its upbuilding and advancement. As a business man he ranks among the ablest of Galva township, and his success in life is due to no inherited fortune, or to any happy succession of ad- vantageous circumstances, but to his own sturdy will, steady application, studious habits, tireless industry and sterling in- tegrity.
JOSEPH BURSTON.
Joseph Burston, who is now living a re- tired life in Geneseo, Illinois, was born in Sweden, on the 9th of December. 1821, and i. a son of Isaac and Mary ( Swanson) Johnston, lifelong residents of that country, where the father died in 1836, aged sixty
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yor. thes mugher in 1863. aged seventy- le wos the only one of their seven Miifiren to yome to America, the others all onvorming in Sweden
. Burston was reared and educated in In- motive land, and was there married, in 1842. to Miss Mary Johnston, who died in 1864. Five years later he was again mar- ried, his second union being with Mary Johnston, also a native of Sweden. He worked on a farm in that country until hortly after his second marriage, when he engrated to the United States, landing in Boston after a voyage of sixteen days. Im- mediately after his arrival he proceeded to Geneseo, Illinois, and obtained work on the farm of D. Ford. For eighteen years he continued to engage in agricultural pursuits, And then removed to Geneseo, purchasing seven acres of land at the edge of the city. and building thereon a good home, where he is now living a retired life, enjoying a well-earned rest.
By his first marriage Mr. Burston had The children, all born in Sweden, namely : Ci Gust, born March 14, 1842, married Christina Johnston, of Sweden, and they came to America with his father in 1809. locating in Geneseo, where Gust worked in i wagon factory. On the 14th of February, 1000,he returned to his native land to engage ih the same business. ( 2) Charlotte, born December 13. 1844, married John Larson, who died in Sweden in 1870, and she later come to America, and was again married in M Mine, Illinois, her second husband being Swan Brown. also a native of Sweden. Troy still reside in Moline. (3) Charles. Leme March 13. 1849. wedded Mary Toliston, a native of Sweden, and they also make their home in Moline. (4) Lena, birk December 10. 1851, is the widow of house, and most of the material for clothing
Oscar Bueling, who died in 1885. and she. too, is a resident of Moline. (5) Fred, born March 14. 1863, married Addie Johnston and lives in Moline.
In early life Mr. Burston was a most industrious man, was honorable and up- right in all his dealings, and his career has ever been such as to commend him to the con- fidence and high regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact. He is an active and consistent member of the Swed- ish Lutheran Church of Geneseo, and is now serving as deacon of the same.
LEWIS SHEARER.
Prominent among the successful farmers and representative citizens of Cornwall township is the gentleman whose name intro- duces this article, his home being on section IS, where he has a well improved and highly cultivated farm. A native of New York, he was born in Wilton, Saratoga county, about five miles east of Saratoga Springs, in 1817. and is a son of James and Elizabeth ( In- gersoll ) Shearer. In 1834 he removed with the family to Livingston county, in the same state, and settled on the Wadsworth lands. Five years later he became a resident of Tip- pecanoe county, Indiana, where he worked with his father on the farm, which was lo- cated about seven miles northeast of La Fayette. They found a market for their wheat at Michigan City, where it was worth fifty cents a bushel, and in exchange re- ceived salt, leather, cotton and the vari- ons articles needed in their pioneer home. At that time all shoes and boots were made ly shoemakers who went from house to
LEWIS SHEARER.
MRS. LEWIS SHEARER.
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Sas wwan in the line Our -ject's and Effith. boro Juh 5. 1887. ku peenli ig Inother then on the Shi mesteaf in Tippe- at home. Con Leys Boss. 0 mp 3 70. cones punty. Inchiana. Tames Shearer was 1861, lives in Munson forosiup his chun- ty. He married Amanda Mugs ni ampl they have four children-Lilly Burger Where and Clara, ali living af hatte. lxirw October 6. 1777 wwi die in 1803. In= remains being internet to the sale of luis Avie near the old Ti pperzne wanie gmund.
Lewis Shearer no moly odel ip the amim mus task of clearing od Motor wing the Tante farm, but during In- sentence in In- alena also taught schimbatin terms. He Mari twenty five scholars. You might be re- ceived two dollars each For a Ale ce months fern. On leaving home in ett ger in flyn . jag upen rented land is Warren omy. In dana. for one year.
Mr. Shearer was fiarricdonc Isbava in 1843. to Miss Permelia Burger, Who va- born in Ohi . February 16. 1821. 201 chrei June 16. 1899. She was Buried o Liberta Church cemetery. where her sons are as interred. She was a daughter i Silas and Sarah ( Henderson) Burget. By this union were born the following pamel chiffrer : (1) Sarah. born October 8. 1844. in Tip- piccante county. Inffiana, married Nel-en Waterhouse, and they have two children Grace, whowas born . August 25, 1872, and is now the wife of J. Dwyer. a motorihan of Minneapolis, Minnesota: anl Pearl, who was born March 26. 1882. anl is at home with her parents. (2) Mary Ann. born May 31. 1849. resides in Chicago. (3) Albert James, born in Cornwall township. Henry county. Illinois. September 2. 1853. (lied April 29. 1872. (4) Bruce. born March 24. 1856, was thrown from a horse. and from the effects of the injuries received. died in 1867. (5) Norman, born June 13. 1850. married Mary McCafferty, daughter ( Charles and Rose McCafferty, who re- side in Sheffield, Illinois, and they have two children-Blanche, born January 16. 1886.
Mr. Shearer came to Heury conter Mi- io is, in the fall of 1850, and sport tie- in- i wing winter in a rentel bonne noir 10 :- wanee. In the spring of 1851 le jnin- chased seventy five pool a half acres of land, mon of woich was timber, of James S. Haxx inom. anil als vone humefre I and sixty acre- www unbroken prairie laml in Cornwall town- ship. of Captain Jack. Since that time it has been an active factor in the development and progress of Henry county, and in hi- irming operations has met with unquali- Gell success, his farm, which was developed item a wild tract. being one of the best in the township.
In early life Mr. Shearer was a Demo- crat. but since the formation of the Republi- En party has been one of its stanelead- herents, and has ever taken a prominent part in public affairs. He was one of the mist judges of election in what is now Corn- wall township, but which was prior to the formation of the township. In 1852 he was asked to take the position of road overseer. lut declined to serve. but the i Mowing year he was again appointed to that posi- tion and accepted the office. For a number of years he efficiently servel as school vii- rector, and also filled the office . i township trustee. In 1857 he was first elected super- visor of his township, and served until 1861. and in 1862 was appointed to fill a vacancy in that position, and continued to serve as supervisor for seventeen years. filling the office with credit to himself and the entire satisfaction of his constituents. He has done
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much to advance the interests of the com- munity in which he lives, and is counted one of its most influential and popular citi- zens. Religiously he has been a member of the Christian church for several years.
WILLIAM PORTER.
Among the honored pioneers and highly esteemed citizens of Henry county is num- bered William Porter, who located here in the spring of 1843 and has since been prom- inently identified with its growth and de- velopment. He is now the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and seventy-three acres on sections 3 and 4. Cornwall town- ship, which is under a high state of culti- vation and well improved.
Mr. Porter was born in South Hunting- ton township, Westmoreland county, Penn- sylvania, on the 15th of September, 1815. and is a son of Daniel and Catherine ( Gaff- ney ) Porter, the former a native of Vir- ginia, the latter of Mt. Pleasant township. Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. In 1834 the father brought his family to Illi- nois, and after traveling all over the state took up his residence in Decatur on the 6th of October, that year. On account of the frequency of prairie fires he avoided the newer settlements. He spent the 4th of July in Danville, and remained for about four weeks in Bloomington on this trip. He bought a farm of two hundred and forty acres adjoining Decatur, which was al- ready fenced and under cultivation.
William Porter is the fifth in order of birth in a family of eleven children, the others being John, who was drowned in the Youghiogheny river in Pennsylvania;
twins, who died in infancy; Edward, who died in Reno, Iowa, at the age of seventy- seven years, leaving a large family living near that place: Isaiah, who went to Cali- fornia in 1849, and lived on the Pacific coast until his death, which occurred at Tacoma, Washington; Harriet, who mar- ried William White and died in Stark coun- ty, Illinois; Lucinda, wife of Daniel Ging- rich of the same county; Catherine, who married Samuel. Airhart, and also died in Stark county. Both were graduates of Knox College, of Galesburg. Aaron, a resi- dent of California : and Elizabeth, who died at the age of three years.
The subject of this sketch came with his parents to Illinois, and remained on the farm near Decatur until June, 1837, when he went to Stark county. There he entered one hundred and sixty acres of unbroken land, to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted his energies until coming to Henry county in the spring of 1843. He purchased eighty acres of land in Cornwall township, and traded his Stark county farm for a partially improved tract of two hun- dred acres. It is now under a high state of cultivation with good and substantial build- ings, all of which have been erected by Mr. Porter. The neat and thrifty appearance of the place plainly indicates his careful super- vision.
In Stark county, on the 5th of May, 1840, MIr. Porter married Miss Eleanor Hamilton, who was born on the 16th of February, 1818, in South Huntington town- ship, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and died in Cornwall township, this county, May 20, 1885. She was one of a family of six children whose parents were Alexan- der and Elizabeth ( Steele ) Hamilton. The children born to our subject and his wife
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were as follows: Mary Martha, now the wife of John T. Rondema , farmer of the state of Washington; Alexander Hamil- ton, who died in infancy; Jane Ellen, who clied at the age of four years; William C., (leceased, who married Amanda Turpin and followed merchandising at Hartwell, Ne- braska: Charles, who died in infancy: Ella and Daniel, twins, the former of whom first married Horace G. Benedict and, second. Charles S. Terpening, a farmer and school teacher, and the latter married Sarah Lloyd and follows farming : Epaphroditus J., who married Miss Mary Jewett Sears and is a physician at Grand Island, Nebraska, hav- ing graduated from Rush Medical College. Chicago, in 1878; Josie, wife of Allison Orville Taylor, a merchant of Minatare, Ne- braska: Viola, wife of James Dysart, a stock raiser of Eagle, Nebraska, and Bowen, who married America Ernst, and died at Gold Hill, Oregon, of which place he was a physician, being a graduate of the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College; he was also a student in the Rush Medical Col- lege.
Mr. Porter has always taken an active and commendable interest in public affairs, especially educational matters, and has effi- ciently served as school director. Political- ly he is identified at present with the Peo- ples party, and has always been a warm supporter of the principles advocated by Abraham Lincoln, and fraternally is con- neeted with the Grange. In religious belief he is a Baptist, and is an earnest and con- sistent member of that church. Through the fifty-eight years of his residence here Mr. Porter has become widely known, and his many excellent traits of character have gained him the high regard of a host of friends.
In 1849. in company with two others from Bureau county, Illinois, our subject started for the gold fields of California, making the trip with ox teams in about four months' time. On the Little Blue river they joined a wagon train, so that when they finally crossed the great plains there were sixty-five men and one woman and baby, the wife of our subject's brother Isaiah. He remained in California two years. pros- pecting and mining. His trip did not prove a financial success. The return trip was made by water, via New Orleans, and the Mississippi river to Peoria, then by stage to Henry county.
In 1861 he again went to California, via New York City by boat to Aspinwall, by rail, ocean and the Isthmus to Panama and then by boat to San Francisco. He engaged in mining in Nevada and remained four years, returning in 1865 by water to New York, thence by rail to Henry county. He crossed the isthmus over the now proposed canal route by stage and river steamers. In 1883 he went to the state of Washing -. ton, va the Northern Pacific, being a pas- senger on the first train to cross the moun- tains from St. Paul.
JOHN TAYLOR.
More than sixty-three years ago John Taylor came to Henry county, Illinois, and for almost half a century was actively in- terested in its progress. His labors as one of the founders of the county justly entitle him to a prominent place in its annals. He was born on the 16th of August, 1821, in New Hampshire, of which state his parents, Andrew and Polly ( Brown ) Taylor, were
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aby natives, the former dorn January 17. 158), the latter Inile 10. 1785. At an early das the family regel to New York state; Adliere of mother thel, and later went to Vajontonco. Indiana, mlang the journey With Of teams. In 1837 they came to Henry ermay, Illinois, and the father took up a twi of government land in Atkinson town- imp. Where he made his home until his neath, which occurred October 20, 1843. Wwwpughout his active business life he fol- booked the occupation of a farmer.
John Taylor was the third in order of Jagth in a family of four children, the others Being as follows: Nathan Woodbury died il Atkinson, this county. Of his seven chil- When one was killed in a coal bank; two an bying in this county; two in Iowa: one my Kansas; and one in Stark county, Illi- mr. James N. also died in Atkinson, and tweeof his six children are deceased, while the live in Bradford, Stark county; one in Missouri: and one in Iowa. Mrs. Mary E. Hampelton is a widow living in Geneseo, Illi- 1 . She is the mother of seven children. Jour of whom are still living and reside in Laiky Rapids, Iowa.
The subject of this review was about axten years of age when he came with His father to this county, and he aided in Temosforming the wild land into a good Www. Prior to his marriage he became the owner of eighty acres of land, only eight göre of which had been broken, but he soon ibland The remainder under cultivation, and Dites parchased another eighty-acre tract of cobl land. Around this entire tract be powent a hedge fence and upon the place omvitol y comfortable residence and a good cho com buildings, making it his home wohl he death, which occurred October 12, 1882 He was the first collector of Corn-
wall township, and also filled the office of school director. He bore a very active and important part in the early development of the county, and was one of the most hon- ored pioneers and useful citizens. At one time he was an active member of the Granger Association, and was ever identi- fied with those enterprises which he believed would prove of public benefit.
On the 15th of November. 1849. Mr. Taylor was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Ogden, who was born in Pennsyl- vania, February 25, 1831, and is a daughter of John H. and Remembrance ( Evans ) Ogden, natives of New Jersey and Pennsyl- vania, respectively. The father was born February 13. 1804, and died October 21, 1840, while the mother is also deceased, the remains of both being interred in Colberts cemetery on the Rock river. They, too, were pioneers of this county. In their family were four sons and two daughters, namely : Samuel, born May 7. 1827. died April 30. 1854: Thomas E., born March 21, 1829. (lied October 13. 1844: Mrs. Taylor is next in order of birth; Mary Emeline, born Feb- ruary 4. 1833. died in Iowa, April 10, 1887: James E .. born December 8. 1834. died May 30, 1850; and John, born November 12, 1836, died January 2, 1887.
Mr. and Mrs. Taylor became the parents of eight children : ( 1) James A., born June 6, 1851, married Sarah Berdue, a native of Illinois, and they have six children, James Albert, John A., Gertrude E., Ella M., May M. and Florence E. (2) Mary M., born May 2, 1853. is the wife of George Hill, a native of Virginia, and a farmer and teacher by occupation. Of their six children only George and Arthur E. are now living. Roy. Eva, Ella E. and an infant are deceased. (3) Byron M., born May 20, 1856, married
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Fanny WeleD, a native of Minois, and they have two daughters, Libby .und Elsie. (4) Joli Augustus, born Mareir 15, 1858, mar- ried Rosa MeBude, of Davenport, lowa, and they have three children living. Madge. Grace E. and Augusta. (5) Orin W., born March 5, 1860, and (6) Ella, born May 12. 1862, are both at home. +7) George W .. born December 25, 1864, died September 20, 1867. (8) Emeline, boris March 22. 1867, died September 17, the same year.
ERIC ANDERSON.
Among the leading and popular citizens of Weller township is Erie Anderson, who Mas efficiently served as supervisor of that township since 1890. He was born in the central part of Sweden, February 5. 1847. a son of Jons and Christine ( Olson ) Ander- son, natives of the same country. the birth of the former occurring November 2, 1811. the latter May 16, 1815. In 1850 the father brought his family to the United States, and located at Bishop Hill. Henry county, Illi- nois. During the greater part of the time from 1850 until 1861. he worked at his trade as a blacksmith, but when the colony there was disbanded in the latter year he took up farming in Weller township, continuing to follow the same until his death, which oc- curred January 10, 1892. He was a man of exceptionally fine physique, and was high- ly respected and esteemed by all who knew him. His marriage to Christine Olson re- sulted in the birth of nine children, six of whom grew to maturity, namely : Christine, deceased wife of Eric Olson : Olof, a farmer of Weller township, who enlisted in 1861 in: Company D. Fifty-seventh Illinois Vol-
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