USA > Illinois > Henry County > The biographical record of Henry County, Illinois > Part 7
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
On the 22d of December, 1864. at Knox- ville, Illinois, Mr. Stonberg was united in marriage with Miss Eleanor Swanson, who was born in Sweden in 1834. and came to this country in 1852. By this union were born six children, namely : Amanda J., who died at the age of fifteen years: Emma MI .. at home with her parents; Mary .1., who keeps house for her brother on the farm: Carrie H., also on the farm : Charles E., who is now operating his father's land : and John F., who was a twin brother of Charles E. and died at the age of eleven months. The children were all reared under the parental roof and received good district school edu- cations, while Charles E. also attended the Northern Illinois Normal school at Dixon for two years.
Mr. Stonberg is liberal in his religious views, and is independent in politics, voting for whom he deems best qualified to fill the offices, regardless of party lines. While liv- ing on the farm he served as school director for eight years and also filled other minor offices in his township with credit to him- self and to the entire satisfaction of all con- cerned. He is widely known throughout the county which has been his home for over half a century, and has the entire confidence and respect of his fellow citizens.
WALLACE W. ANDREWS.
This well-known farmer residing on sec- tion 16. Burns township, was born in Litch- field, Connecticut, on the 20th of May, 1843. and is a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family of Henry county, his parents being Orin B. and Minerva (Hemingway)
Andrews, also natives of Litchfield county. Connecticut, where their marriage was cele- brated September 20. 1840. The father was a son of John Andrews, who was also born in the Nutmeg state and had six children. In 1851 Orin B. Andrews came to Henry county, Illinois, and took up his residence in Osco township, where he purchased eighty acres of wild prairie land, and at once turned his attention to the development of his farm. At that time there were but few settlers in his vicinity, and most of the land was still in its primitive condition. He died Septem- ber 14. 1857. The mother married Simeon Matthews September 14. 1870, and died January 20, 1900.
In the family of this worthy couple were five children, of whom Wallace W. is sec- ond in order of birth. Watson L., born July 24. 1841, enlisted during the Civil war in Company H. One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Dunn, and was in a number of engage- ments, and was killed on the battle field. His remains were interred in the south. Lucy, deceased. was the wife of William Simonton. Charles resides in Cass county, Iowa. Willis died in Cass county, Iowa.
Wallace W. Andrews was about eight years of age when he accompanied his par- ents on their removal to this county, where he grew to manhood, his education being acquired in the country schools. At the be- ginning of the Rebellion he enlisted in the Ninth Illinois Cavalry, which was organized at Camp Douglas, Chicago, from which place it was sent to Springfieldl, Illinois, thence to Pilot Knob, Missouri, through to Helena. Arkansas, thence to Memphis, Tennessee, fighting all the way across the country, skirmishing and guarding railroads. It was
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in the last battle at Nashville, and then start- ed farther south, being at Livingston, Ala- bama, when they heard of Lee's surrender. After four years of hard service he was discharged and returned home. In 1866 he went to Cass county, Iowa, and bought eighty acres of raw prairie land, which he improved, and there remained until 1884, when he returned to Henry county. He now owns a good farm of one hundred and twen- ty acres in Burns township, and is success- fully engaged in its operation.
Before leaving for the west Mr. Andrew's wedded Miss Mary Fort, a daughter of Isaac and Caroline (Gooding) Fort, natives of Connecticut, in whose family were four children, one son and three daughters, two of whom are now living. Mrs. Andrews died September 18, 1897, and was laid to rest in Cosners cemetery. Seven children blessed this union, namely : Watson Wilbur, born May 28. 1870, is a member of the Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows and a resident of Burns township: Lucy C., born July 22, 1872. is the wife of David Martin: Albert I .. born December 12, 1873. is deceased ; Elmer W .. born May 17, 1875. is at home ; Alice MI., born October 14, 1878, is the wife of Edward Martin: George K., born Oc- tober 21. 1880, and Leroy W., born Au- gust 26, 1885, are both at home.
Socially Mr. Andrews is connected with the Masonic fraternity of Cambridge, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of the same place. He is also a member of the G. A. R. In politics he is an ardent Repub- lican, and he takes a deep and commendable interest in public affairs. Ile has always manifested the same patriotism in days of peace as in time of war, and is numbered among the most useful and valued citizens of his community.
HENRY DE WITT.
This well-to-do and highly esteemed citi zen of Annawan was born in Durham, Greene county, New York, May 15, 1820. and is a son of E. Lucas and Polly ( Will- iams ) De Witt. On the paternal side his ancestors were among the early settlers of New York and of German extraction. The father was also a native of Greene county and a son of James De Witt, with whom he was engaged in the milling business in early life, operating grist, saw and woolen mills. About 1834. when our subject was fourteen years of age, he removed with his family te Upper Canada, and in 1849 they came to Henry county, Illinois, locating in Annawan township. The father was engaged in farm- ing on the southeast corner of section 34. and continued his residence there until called to his final rest at the age of eighty-three years. He entered some government land and also purchased another man's claim. He took quite an active part in politics and was a stanch Democrat. Religiously he and his family were connected with the Baptist Church. His wife, who was also a native of New York and of Welsh descent, survived him a number of years, and died at the ad- vanced age of ninety-four. They were par- ents of the following children: Harriette. who married Adam Bean, and both died in Kewanee: Henry, our subject : Platt. a resi- dent of Annawan township: Parmelia, wife of Peter Baker, of Kansas: Ira, who died in Annawan; and Antoinette, who married Samuel Blinn and died in Kansas.
The early life of our subject was spent under the parental roof, and at the age of thirty he came to Henry county. He had only five dollars in cash with which to begin life, but he has always made the most of his
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advantages, and is now one of the well-to- do and prosperous citizens of his commu- nity. On coming to this county he pre-empt- ed eighty acres of land in Kewanee town- ship, and bought twenty acres, for which he paid twenty-five dollars per acre. On dis- posing of that property he purchased two hundred and forty acres on section 28, An- nawan township, on which he made his home for fifteen years, and then removed to the village of Annawan, where he has built a good residence. Ile also owns eight lots there, and still has his farm, which he rents, while he is practically living retired, enjoy ing a well-earned rest. Diligence, enter prise and good management have been the crowning points of his success and have en- abled him to overcome the difficulties and obstacles in the path to prosperity.
In May, 1847, Mr. De Witt was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Ann Nelson, a native of Canada and a daughter of James Nelson. She died May 2, 1898. Six children were born of this union, namely: Harriette first married John Haxby, who died leaving four children; George, now a resident of Ne- braska; Luella is the wife of Henry Spur- lock. of Chicago, and they have two chil- dren, Geneveive and John ; William, of Iowa ; and Myrtle married Henry Balternstern, and resides at Galesburg, Illinois. Mrs. Hax. by married for her second husband James Rockafellow, of Annawan township; Oran, a resident of Arispe, Iowa, wedded Mary Tharp, and they have two children, Murl and Ruth; E. Lucas, of Tingley, Iowa, mar- ried Katie Fox, and they have two children, Morris and Harold; Levina Jane is the wife of Byron House, of Tingley, Iowa, and they have two children, Luella and Birdie ; Addie, the wife of Elmer Fitzkie, of Annawan, and they have two children, De Witt and Henry ;
and Harry, of Annawan, married Mabel Williams, and they have two children, Robert and Marion.
DANIEL LEVERETT WILEY.
Only those lives are worthy of record that have been potential factors in the pub- lic progress, in promoting the general wel- fare or advancing the interests of the com- munity in which they live. For many years Mr. Wiley was one of the leading farmers and business men of Henry county, and for twenty years was prominently connected with its financial institutions as president of what was one time known as the First Na- tional Bank of Galva, though the name was afterward changed to the L. M. Yocum & Company's bank.
Mr. Wiley was born in Rockingham, Vermont, March 23, 1819, a son of John and Randilla ( Weaver ) Wiley, also natives of the Green Mountain state, where the father followed farming throughout life. He was born in 1795, and died in 1866. In his family were eight sons and one daughter. but only one of the number is now living. Wilton W., still a resident of Vermont.
Our subject acquired his literary educa- tion in the common schools of his native state, and remained at home until he attained his majority. For a few years he followed mercantile business in the east. Coming to Brimfield, Illinois, in 1844. he purchased a tract of land and for a time followed farm- ing. In the meantime he returned to Ver- mont, where he was married on the 5th of August, 1846, to Miss Mary Billings, of Rockingham, a daughter of Samuel and Su- sannah ( Divoll ) Billings, who were natives of Massachusetts. She was born July 30
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1818, and died June 1. 1851. She left two children : Flora B., the older, is now the wife of Lorenzo Wiley, a farmer of Castana. lowa. William F. married Florence Mun- ger and is now engaged in the stock busi- ness in Sioux City, Iowa. He was formerly connected with the bank at Galva until his health failed, when he went to lowa.
In 1854. Mr. Wiley was again married in Rockingham, Vermont, his second union being with Miss Sarah F. Davis, who was born there September 26, 1832, her parents. John H. and Susana ( Billings) Davis, be- ing farming people of that place. She was the fourth in order of birth in their family of six children, the others being as follows. Louise M. born July 13, 1826. She died August 27, 1866. She married in 1849 Al- bert Sherwin and he now resides in Lead- ville, Col. Susan A., born November 18, 1827, is the wife of Amos G. Sears, of Chi- cago. Nathaniel J., born October 14, 1830, went to California during the gold excite- mient of 1849, and is now a resident of Vir- ginia City, Montana. Flora, born March 47. 1838, is the widow of F. A. LeClercq, and a resident of Springfield, Ohio. The father of this family died in Ohio, in 1861, after which the mother came to Illinois to make her home with her children, and her death occurred in Galesburg in 1879. By his second marriage Mr. Weily had four chil- dren: Stella L., born December 25, 1856, clied May 18, 1880; Mary, born April 29, 1862. died February 27, 1865; one, born November 10, 1864, died March 3, 1865; and Amy, born April 21, 1868, was married in 1886 to Orrin Houghton, who died March 5. 1891, leaving two children, Earl W. and Flora H. On the 14th of October, 1895. Mrs. Houghton married George T. Lacey,
and now lives in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he is engaged in merchandising and em- ploytd in a bank.
After his marriage Mr. Wiley made his home in Lafayette until 1855, when he re- moved to Galva, having purchased property at this place, and erected a pleasant resid- dence for his family. For a year before lo- cating here he was successfully engaged in mechandising in the town of Brimfield. He invested largely in farm property, which he improved and operated very successfully for several years, and then sold to an ad- vantage, his land speculations proving quite profitable. He finally disposed of all his farms in Illinois and purchased considerable land in Iowa, which he also improved. In 1865, in connection with others, Mr. Wiley assisted in establishing the First National Bank of Galva, becoming one of its largest stockholders, and for twenty years served as its president. After the charter expired it was merged into the L. M. Yocum & Com- pany's bank, of which he remained president until his death. For many years he prac- tically lived a retired life, though he con- tinued to look after his farming interests. He died at his home in Galva, March 17, 1890, honored and respected by all who knew hm.
Though reared a Democrat, Mr. Wiley became a stanch supporter of the Republi- can party, and served as supervisor of his township for a time, though he never took an active part in political affairs. In relig- ious belief he was a Universalist, and gave liberally to the support of church work. Many a deserving young man has reason to be very grateful for his timely assistance on the rugged pathway of life, for he took a deep interest in the welfare of those start-
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ing ont in life without capital and uncom- plainingly working their way steadily up- ward to the goal of prosperity. He was al- ways ready to relieve suffering and distress ; and was held in high regard by all who knew him.
JAMES GILBRAITH.
Many of Henry county's most successful citizens have started out in life for them- selves with naught but an abundance of de- termination and indefatigable industry, and have succeeded through their own diligence, energy and economy. Among this class may be numbered the subject of this sketch, who is to-day a prosperous farmer residing on section 30, Alba township.
Mr. Gilbraith was born in county Down, Ireland, July 6, 1837, and is a son of James and Jane ( McCracken) Gilbraith, who, as farming people, spent their entire lives in that county, the former dying in 1882. the later in 1874. In their family were seven children, namely : (1) John came to Amer- ica and at Rock Island, Illinois, married Maragaret Moore, also a native of county Down, Ireland. He died at his home in Keokuk, Iowa, leaving the following chil- dren, William, John, Robert, Alexander, Hugh, Joseph, Lizzie, Agnes and Margaret. (2) Hugh married Eliza McClelland, who died in 1885, and he also died in Ireland in 1890, leaving two children, John and Will- iam. (3) Eliza Jane is the wife of John McKee, of county Down. ( 4) Isabella mar- ried David Orr and died in Ireland in 1894, leaving six children, James, John, Isabella, Mary, Margaret and Jane. (5) William married Susannah Scott, who died in 1888.
and he departed this life in 1884. leaving four children. Alexander. John and two daughters. (6) James, our subject, is next in order of birth. (7) Margaret, who died in Keokuk, Iowa, in 1888, was the wife of Robert Miller, now a resident of Minnesota.
James Gilbraith attended the schools of his native land until twenty years of age and aided in the labors of the farm. With the hope of benefitting his financial condition he came to America in 1859 on the steamer Circassian, and on landing in New York came direct to Rock Island county, Illinois. During the first year of his residence here he worked for John Warnock, and during the following two years was in the employ of others in Henry county. In 1863 he pur- chased eighty acres of land in Alba town- ship, which had already been broken, paying for the same twelve dollars and a half per acre, and this he has brought to its present high state of cultivation. He has added to his property from time to time until he now has six hundred and eighty acres of rich and arable land in this county, and also has a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Rock Island county. He has devoted con- siderable attention to the raising of cattle for market, and has been remarkably suc- cessful as a breeder of fine Hereford cattle. He also raises horses for market, and in most of his undertakings has prospered until he is now one of the most substantial citizens of his community. On landing in New York he had only one hundred dollars with which to begin life, and the wealth that he has since accumulated has been acquired solely though his own industry, perseverance and good management.
On the 17th day of April. 1866, in Rock Island county, Mr. Gilbraith married Mi-,
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Sarah Morrison. also a native of county Down, Ireland, who died March 1, 1886. Five children were born of this union, name- ly : ( 1 ) James, born July 10, 1867, was mar- ried in Rock Island county, in 1891, to Ly- dia Coin, and they had two children : Gladys May, who died in April, 1900; and Ruth Elizabeth. (2) Joseph, born March 12, 1869, married Emma Hirshberger, by whom he has two children, Lyle and Frank Leslie, and they live in Annawan. (3) Robert H .. born August 18. 1870, married Maggie Downey, of Aledo, and resides in Alba town ship, Illinois. (4) Sarah J., born February 18, 1873. is the wife of John Warnock, of Westchester, Iowa. (5) Eliza A., born February 18, 1875. is the wife of John Prit- chard. of Geneseo, and they have one chikl, Bernice. Mr. Gilbraith was again married, December 23. 1882, his second imion being with Miss Matilda Smith, who was born near Antwerp, Germany. They have one son, Clarence A., who was born May 29, 1885.
In 1850 Mrs. Gilbraith came to America with her parents. Anthony and Elizabeth (Young ) Smith, also natives of Germany. Her father died in Indiana, Pennsylvania. in 1860, and her mother departed this life at Taylor Ridge, Illinois, in April, 1888. They had six children, five of whom were born in Germany, namely: ( 1) Elizabeth married James Bothel and died near Taylor Ridge, in 1893, leaving two children, Her- bert and Campbell. (2) Martin L. married and died near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, leav. ing three children. (3) Kate is the wife of Daniel Bothel, of lowa City, Iowa, and they have four children, John N .. Adlow, Ger- trude E. and Norwood. (4) Mrs. Gilbraith is the next in order of birth. (5) Margaret
married Alexander Madill. of Milan, Illi- nois. and died leaving two children, Will- iam A. and Mand D.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Gilbraith hold men- bership with the Congregational Church of Atkinson and are people of prominence in the community where they reside, having a large circle of friends and acquaintances. In his political affiliations he is a Republican. and he has filled the offices of school direc- tor and road commissioner. Financially he has reason to be satisfied with the result of his labors since coming to the new workl. and his course as a citizen has been such as to commend him to the confidence and re- spect of the people among whom he has lived.
JUDGE C. M. TURNER.
In the last half century the lawyer has leen a prominent factor in all affairs of pri- vate concern and national importance. He has been depended upon to conserve the best and permanent interests of the whole people and is a recognized power in all the avenues of life. He stands as the protector of the rights and liberties of his fellow men, and is the representative of a profession whose fol- lowers, if they would gain honor, fame and success, must be men of merit and ability. Such a one is Judge Turner, who now occu- pies the bench of Henry county, winning high commendation by his fair and impartial administration of justice.
The Judge was born in Stark county, Illinois, November 1, 1861, and is a son of Benjamin Turner, one of the honored pio- neers, who was born in Delaware, December
C. M. TURNER.
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7, 1807, and when a child was taken by his they successfully engaged in practice until parents to Ohio, where he grew to manhood our subject was elected county judge, June 0, 1800. The firm was one of the most popu Inr in Cambridge and built up an extensive and important law practice. and became quite prominent politically. In 1849 he emigrated to Lafayette, Stark coun- ty, Illinois, and engaged in farming there until the following year, when Toulon was On the 6th of June, 1889, at Toulon, Illi nois, Judge Turner was united in marriage with Miss Emma E. Follett, who was born in Missouri, but was reared in Toulon, where her father, Benjamin C. Follett, was engaged in the hotel business and in merchandising for a number of years, but is now living in Wyoming, Stark county. Mrs. Follett, who in her maidenhood was Miss Helen Rhodes, died in Wyoming in 1892. She was born in Stark county about 1840, a daughter of Erie and Eunice Rhodes, natives of Kentucky, and prominent early settlers of Stark county, Illi- hois, where both died. The Judge and his wife have two children: Helen Marie and Ruth Almira. laid out, and he moved to that place. lle erected the first house in the village, and, as a hotel man and merchant, he was prominent- ly identified with its business interests for many years. He served as postmaster of Tou- lon for sixteen years, and was one of the leading and influential members of the Old Settlers' Society, serving as treasurer of the same at the time of his death and for many years previous. Ile died at Toulon, March 21, 1887, honored and respected by all who knew him. His first wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Mc Williams, died in 1856, leaving one daughter, Sarah, whose death ocurred in 1892. In 1858 he married Miss Ruth A. Myers, a native of Pennsyl- vania, who went to Toulon, Illinois, to teach music, and is still a resident of that place.
Judge Turner, the only surviving child of the second marriage, passed his boyhood and youth in Toulon and attended its public schools, graduating from the high school of that city in 1879. Subsequently he entered Knox College, Galesburg, where he was graduated with the degree of B. A. in 1884, and in 1887 received the degree of A. M. He read law at Toulon with Hon. M. Shal- lenberger, and on his admission to the bar, in 1888, began practice at that place, but in 1890 opened an office in Cambridge, where he has since made his home. He purchased the law library of the Hon. William M. Shepherd, which is one of the finest in the city. In the fall of 1890 Judge Turner formed a partnership with J. V. Streed, and under the firm name of Turner & Streed 4
In his social relations Judge Turner is a member of Cambridge Lodge, No. 199, I. (). O. F., in which he has passed all the chairs ; is also a member of the Encampment and has been for several years a representa- tive to the grand lodge of the state. He is a Master Mason, and a trustee of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, of Cambridge. The Judge is widely known throughout both Stark and Henry counties, and in the former served as justice of the peace, and was also secretary of the Stark County Old Settlers' Society from 1887 to 1890. He owns the farm on which the first court in that county was held. During his residence in Cam- bridge he has taken a very active and promi- nent part in public affairs; has served as president of the school board six years; and as mayor of the city in 1892 and 1893. He was active in securing the franchise for the electric light plant but was not at that time
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
on the board. Pre-eminently public-spir- ited and progressive, he takes an active in- terest in all enterprises calculated to prove of public benefit, and is now serving as treas- urer of the Henry County Fair Association. Politically he is a Democrat, and was the first representative of that party elected to any county office for many years, a fact which plainly indicates his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens. His mind is analytical, logical and inductive. With a thorough and compre- liensive knowledge of the fundamental prin- ciples of law, he combines a familiarity with statutory law and sober, clear judgment, which makes him not only a formidable ad- versary in legal combat, but has given him the distinction of being one of the ablest jur- ists in this section of the state.
HENRY QUINN.
For almost a quarter of a century Henry Quinn has been a resident of Illinois, and in this time has always been recognized as a public-spirited and progressive citizen, in- terested in the welfare of the communities with which he has been connected and taking on active part in all that has pertained to advancement along commendable lines. To- day he is a well known representative of journalistic interests, as a faithful officer, serving as deputy sheriff and as the popular whi highly esteemed proprietor of the Quinn Hotel of Cambridge.
Mr. Quinn is a native of the Buckeye state, his birth having occurred in Butler ghinty, on the 11th of October, 1854. His Torents were Thomas and Ann ( Boland) MAhm. The father was a native of New
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