USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > The biographical record of Whiteside County, Illinois.. > Part 11
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62
Whig and later a Know Nothing, though he was still known as a Whig. On the dissolu- tion of that party he joined the Democracy. In the spring of 1854 he left Ohio and came to Sterling, Whiteside county, Illinois. In Hopkins township he secured one hundred and sixty acres of land with a Mexican soldier's land warrant, paying for the same seventy-five cents per acre. After spending one year in Sterling, he removed to his farm, on which he had erected a residence and made other needed improvements. On ac- count of his wife's failing health, he finally sold the place in 1864, for forty-five dollars per acre, and returned to Sterling, where he lived retired until called from this life in 1886, at the age of eighty years. His estimable wife died in January, 1883. They were members of the First Lutheran church of Sterling, and he was one of its trustees and always took an active part in church affairs.
John F. Hecker, whose name introduces this sketch, is the second in order of birth in a family of ten children. He received a good practical education in the common schools of West Brookfield, Ohio, and at the age of eleven years commenced learning the tailor's trade with his father. He con- tinued to work with him until April 19, 1853, when he left home with the purpose of securing a better education. He started on foot for Delaware, Ohio, but the day was so bad that he became disgusted and was pursuaded to stop at Mansfield and go to work at his trade. He remained there until the 4th of July. when he returned home for a visit.
In August, 1853, Mr. Hecker came to Dixon, Illinois, where he worked for a merchant tailor until the first of January, 1855, and then came to Sterling, where he
92
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
opened a shop and engaged in business on his own account. He located there the year the Northwestern Railroad was built through the place, and was the only tailor of the town at that time where he enjoyed quite a good trade until May, 1857, the date of his removal to Morrison, then a growing village. At that time it was his intention to stay only a year, but he remained and has since made his home here. He was en- gaged in business as a merchant tailor until June 17, 1872, and during that time in- vested his savings in real estate, and in this he displayed excellent judgment and good business ability. Since 1872 he has devoted his entire time and attention to the loan and real estate business with most gratifying success and is now the owner of valuable property in the city and surrounding country and is a capitalist as well.
On the Ist of February, 1882, Mr. Hecker married Mrs. Celia Holland, a na- tive of Beechville, Canada, and a daughter of Morris L. Green, of Sterling. To them have been born two children, Ida Frances and Morris L. The family have a fine home at No. 401 West Grove street. They attend and support the Presbyterian church and are held in high regard by all who know them. While engaged in the clothing busi- ness, Mr. Hecker served as assistant post- master for some time, and in all the rela- tions of life has been found true to every trust reposed in him.
F FRANCIS MARION THOMAS, who is now living a retired life in Morrison, was born in Mt. Pleasant township, White- side county, December 27, 1843, and is the son of G. W. and Mary Thomas, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this work.
On the old farm in his native township he spent his boyhood and youth, and in the district schools of the township and in the public schools of Morrison he received his education. He remained at home, assist- ing in farm work until in August, 1862, when the war for the union being in prog- ress, and having reached the age required for enlistment, he became a member of Company F, Ninety-third Illinoiss Volun -. teer Infantry. With his regiment he went from Chicago to Memphis, Tennessee, in November of that year. At that place the regiment spent the winter of 1862-3, and in the spring it was sent down the river in the Vicksburg campaign. It was first sent to Yazoo Pass, and returned from there on the west side of the river below Vicks- burg. Crossing the river, it had an engage- ment with the enemy at Jackson, Tennessee, with the loss of a few men. On the 16th of May, 1863, Mr. Thomas was taken prisoner, and after being held for three days was par- oled and returned to the Union lines. He was then sent home where he remained about three months until he was duly ex- changed, when he returned to his regiment, with which he remained until the close of the war.
Mr. Thomas returned to his regiment in time to be with it in the Chattanooga cam- paign. He was in the battle of Missionary Ridge, November 25, 1863, and later in the battle of Chickamauga. The next engage- ment in which he participated was at Al- toona, Georgia, a hard fought battle, which was later made famous by the song based on the message of General Sherman, "Hold the fort, for I am coming." The Ninety- third Regiment was with Sherman in his march to the sea, and spent the winter at Savannah, Georgia, and was later at Col-
93
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
umbia, South Carolina, when that place Mr. McCall is the present supervisor of was burned. It was also one of the num- ber in the grand review at Washington at the close of the war. In the three years in which it was in service it traveled two thousand six hundred miles on foot, and about three thousand six hundred miles in boats and on cars, a total distance of some six thousand miles. Its record was a commend- able one, and it was finally mustered out - June 23, 1865, in Louisville, Kentucky.
On receiving his discharge, Mr. Thomas returned to his home and again took up his work as a farmer. On the 22d of March, 1866, he was united in marriage with Miss Maggie Hawk, a native of Pennsylvania, born July 13, 1846, and daughter of Daniel F. and Harriet (Martin) Hawk, both of whom were also born in Pennsylvania, the former November 24, 1798, and the latter October 14, 1817. They were married in their native state and were the parents of eleven children, as follows: Henry, who was born December 23, 1839, enlisted in the Ninety-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and in the same company with our subject. He was wounded in the battle of Missionary Ridge, and died ten days after, December 5, 1863. Mr. Thomas remained with him all night on the battle field, and went with him to the hospital, remaining with him until he died. He reported his death to the bereaved parents. and was thus made ac- quainted with his future wife. Robert, born March 11, 1842, was also a soldier in the Civil war, enlisting in the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infan- try. He died July 7, 1865, in Memphis, Tennessee, from fever contracted while in the service. Mary, born January 9, 1844, is now the wife of James Y. McCall, and they have two children, George and Hattie.
Newton township. Maggie, the fourth in order of birth, is the wife of onr subject. Hiram S., born April 28, 1850, married Clara McCall, and they have six children, Hugh, Lorena, Maud, John, Annie and Ross. They reside in Newton township. Arthur D., born September 11, 1852, mar- ried Belle Booth, and with their four chil- dren-Edward, Belle and Beulah, twins, and Arthur, -they now reside in Pamona, California, having moved to that state in 1899. John S., born October 26, 1857, married Lizzie Blean, and they have four children-Arthur, William, Pearl and Het- tie. They reside in Newton township. Joseph C., born April 26, 1860, married Cora Turney, and their five children are: Maggie, Edna and Eva, twins; and John H. and Della J., twins. Their home is in Fenton township. Daniel F. Hawk came with his family to Rock Island county in 1857, and for one year rented a farm. He then purchased a farm of two hundred acres in Newton township, Whiteside county, which he continued to cultivate until his death, February 2, 1877. His wife sur- vived him some years, dying July 3, 1892.
Soon after his marriage, Mr. Thomas purchased a farm of eighty acres in Mount Pleasant township, on which he resided for twelve years. On that farm their only child was born-Henry J., born October 14, 1867. He grew to manhood and mar- ried Ola McNutt, and they reside on the old homestead of his Grandfather Hawk which was purchased by his father in 1879, and on which he lived until his removal to Morrison in 1889. Three children have blessed the union of Henry J. and Ola Thomas-E. Wayne, George Lee and Mar- guerite.
94
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
While engaged in farming Mr. Thomas was quite successful, and only retired that he might give his son the opportunity of ac- quiring a good education. For two years the son attended college in Mount Vernon, Iowa, where his school life ended.
Mr. Thomas has had the confidence of his neighbors to an unlimited degree. His honesty, faithfulness and good judgment has been recognized by them in being se- lected to settle two very large estates and several minor ones. While residing in Newton township he served as school treasurer for seven years. In politics he is a Republican, the principles of which party he has always been a stanch advocate. For many years he has been an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as lias also his wife and son, the latter now being superintendent of the Sunday- school in Newton township. While resid- ing on the farm Mr. Thomas also took an active part in the work of the Sunday- school. For twenty-two years he was a trustee of the church, and for many years served as steward. He has had the inter- est of his Master's cause at heart and fur- nished the means to educate a young Jap- anese man for evangelistic work, it requir- ing eight years to properly instruct him in the work. Few men in Whiteside county have more earnest and steadfast friends than Mr. Thomas, and his life has been such as to merit the esteem of all.
C HRISTIAN C. ROBERTSON, whose home is on section 12, Ustick town- ship, Whiteside county, Illinois, is one of the leading agriculturists of his community, being enterprising, energetic and reliable. Although he is still a young man, his popu-
larity is established on a firm basis-that of his own well-tested merit.
Mr. Robertson was born on his present farm May 22, 1867, a son of Joseph K. Robertson, a native of Indiana, who was born on a farm near New Albany, Septem- ber 7, 1825. His parents, John and Re- becca (Riddle) Robertson, were early set- tlers of that state and also pioneers of Cass county, Illinois, where they located when Joseph K. was only three years old. Both have long been dead, the grandfather dying December 22, 1870, the grandmother in January, 1839.
Joseph K. Robertson grew to manhood in Cass county, where he followed farming for a time, and there he was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary Needham, who was born in West Milton, Yorkshire, England, May II, 1834, and was ten years of age when brought to this country by her parents, John and Elizabeth (Poshley) Needham, also natives of England. In their family were only two children, the older being Thomas, who died in this country about 1879. In 1853 Mr. and Mrs. Robertson came to Whiteside county, where he took up land and began to make a home for him- self and wife. As he succeeded in his un- dertakings, he added to his first purchase from time to time until at his death he owned four hundred and fifty acres of valu- able land. He died September 26, 1897, honored and respected by all who knew him. Politically he was a Democrat, and on his party ticket was elected to several township offices, including those of col- lector and school trustee, the duties of which he discharged in a capable manner.
To Joseph K. and Mary (Needham) Rob- ertson were born nine children, namely: (1) John H. is a farmer of Graham, Noda-
95
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
way county, Missouri. (2) Sarah is the wife of F. F. Williams, a farmer of Clyde township, Whiteside county, and they have four children: Annie E., George, Mary Agnes and Helen. (3) James B., a resi- dent of Missouri, married Sarah Lisle, a native of this state, and they have three chil- dren: Annie, Joseph and Florence. (4) Joseph is a farmer of Union Grove town- ship. (5) Isaac N. died when quite young. (6) Mary A. is at home. (7) Susan E. died young. (8) Margaret E. is at home. (9) Christian C., our subject, completes the family.
During his boyhood and youth Christian C. Robertson attended the district schools near his home, and later completed a busi- ness course at Fulton College, from which he was graduated in 1887. He has always lived on the home farm, and since his father's death has had charge of the same, while previously he assisted his father in its man- agement. It consists of two hundred and forty-nine acres, on seetions 13, 14, 23 and 24, and he has displayed excellent business ability and sound judgment in its operation. The father erected the buildings upon the place, consisting of a comfortable modern residence and substantial outbuildings, and our subject has made other improvements since it came into his control. In connec- tion with general farming he carries on stock raising with marked success. He is a Dem- ocrat in politics but has never been an as- pirant for official honors, though he has served as school- director in his district. Socially, he is quite prominent, belonging to Dunlap lodge, No. 321, F. & A. M., of Morrison; the Mystic Workers, No. 9, of Ustick, of which he is master; and Ustick camp, No. 3995, M. W. A., of which he is now clerk.
D ENNIS AUSTIN. For over forty-five
years this gentleman has resided in Whiteside county and his name is insepara- bly connected with its agricultural and stock-raising interests. His thoroughly American spirit and great energy has en- abled him to mount from a lowly position to one of affluence, and he is now living re- tired in Morrison.
Mr. Austin was born in Switzerland county, Indiana, December 30, 1825, a son of William and Margaret (Livings) Austin. The father was born in New York, Novem- ber 9, 1795, and when only seven years old lost his parents, Isaac and Deborah (Rey- nolds) Austin, who were born in the New England states, and had six children, namely: Isaac, Joel, Stewart, Seymour, Sarah and William. The mother of our subject was born in New Jersey, April 2, 1799, and was a daughter of Daniel and Polly (Ellison) Livings. Her father was born September 2, 1776, and died October 7, 1863, while her mother was born in 1769, and died in 1852. William Austin, father of our subject, was a soldier in the war of 1812 at the age of eighteen years. From his native state he went to Ohio, where he made his home for two years on a farm, and spent the following two years in Indiana, where he owned large tracts of land. On selling his property there in 1854, he came to Whiteside county, Illi- nois, and in Mount Pleasant township pur- chased four hundred acres of land, on which he made his home until his death, October 22, 1859. He was one of the most suc- cessful farmers of the county and was highly respected by all who knew him. His wife survived him several years, dying on the 3d of October, 1877.
To this worthy couple were born the
96
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
following children: (1) Ezra died in in- fancy. (2) Maria, born in New York, January 27, 1820, married Joseph Myers and died October 3, 1877. Their children were Indiana, who died at the age of twelve years; Job, who died at the age of twenty- six; Florence, who died in 1892; John; Joseph, and Victoria, wife of Alexander McClennan. (3) Miranda, born in March, 1822, was married in 1840 to Silas Rich- mond, who died, leaving one child, Silas, who died in 1858. In 1847 she wedded Henry Murphy, who died leaving four chil- dren, Charles, Clark, Almeda and Julius, all residents of Kansas. Her third hus- band, Thomas Rock, she married in 1858, and by that union had twin sons, Clarence and Clinton. (4) Daniel L., born Octo- ber 22, 1823, was married in 1846, to Myra A. Gary, and they had six children: Myra J., wife of John McGregor, of Win- field, Kansas; Celia A., wife of Noah Vest, of Storm Lake, lowa; George W., who married Eveline Hurd and lives in Storm Lake; Charles W .; Augustus E., who was married in July, 1884, to Gertie Cobleigh, and John. After the death of his first wife Daniel L. married again and by the second union had one daughter, Sue. (5) Dennis, our subject, is the next of the family. (6) Jonathan, born in 1828, died at the age of two years. (7) Silas R., born De- cember 6, 1830, is a retired farmer of Lyn- don, Whiteside county. He was married in 1860, to Fanny McGee, and to them were born six children: Marion; Lettie; Carrie, deceased; Annie; Norma, and Ermie. (8) Martin V., born in 1833, was married, in 1857, to Hannah M. McGee, and had eight children: Olive M .; William G .; Nellie; Nettie; Bert; Harry; Edna; Vernie, and Silas, deceased. (9) Georgiana, born in
1837, is the wife of Homer Olmstead, of Ordway, Colorado, and they have five chil- dren: Alice, Minnie, Nellie, Charles and Marion. (10) William S., born in 1841, is a resident of Unionville and is employed as a stock buyer by Baker Brother, of Mor- rison. He was married, in 1867, to Eliza Harris, who died in 1898. He had six chil- dren: Charles B. S .; Edith M .; Mary L .; Homer, deceased; Glen H., and Marguer- ite E.
Dennis Austin was educated in the sub- scription schools of Indiana, which he was only able to attend through the winter months as his services were needed on the home farm in summer. He remained under the parental roof until he was married, Sep- tember 17, 1848, to Miss Harriet Gary, who was born in Allegany county, New York, June 4, 1831, a daughter of Charles and Eunice (Spalding) Gary, natives of Connect- icut and Vermont, respectively. Her pa- ternal grandmother, Mrs. Esther (Bucking- ham) Gary, was a representative of one of the early pioneer families of Connecticut. From New York the Gary family removed to Indiana, where Mrs. Austin's parents both died.
Ten children were born to our subject and his wife. (1) Emory W., born May 19, 1848, was drowned in Rock creek at the age of twelve years. (2) Millard F., born October 27, 1850, is now a prosperous farmer of Kansas. He was married, Sep- tember 4, 1873, to Alice Moss, and has six children: Ethel, now the wife of Marion Covey, of Miltonvale, Kansas; Ray; Lela; Josephine; Mabel; and Hazel. (3) Frank P., born March 20, 1853, is a retired farmer of Clark, South Dakota. He was married, February 17, 1874, and had six children : Emma; Emery, who died in 1889; Arthur;
97
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Frank; Lillian; and Glen D. (4) Harrison C., born April 9, 1855, is a successful farmer living near Fillmore, Nebraska. He was married in 1878, to Emma R. Follans- bee, and had one child, Jennie M., who was born in 1879, and died in 1896. (5) Esther W., born April 20, 1857, was married, De- cember 27, 1876, to S. A. Maxwell, who is a teacher in Fulton College and lives near Morrison. They have four children: Edith L., who was born January 4, 1878, and was married in 1897, to L. H. Smith, by whom she has one child, Harold; Ralph, born in 1881; Vera J., born in 1883; and Harold A., born in 1889. (6) Olive B., born September 17, 1860, was married, September 17, 1880, to Frank Weimer, now of South Dakota, and they had six children : Roy; Austin, deceased; Eva; Grace; Ada; and Frank. (7) Lincoln A., born January 11, 1864, is unmarried and is a successful farmer of Clark county, South Dakota. (S) Hattie B., born December 22, 1869, was married, April 22, 1891, to Mason P. Brew- er, who lives on his father's farm in Lyndon township, Whiteside county, and they have four children: Buell A., Carl, Harriet and Nellie. (9) Clara E., born March 21, 1870, is employed as a stenographer in Chicago. (10) Clark D., born April 17, 1873, is a gardener in Galt, Whiteside county, Illinois. He was married in November, 1894, to Alice Holcomb and has two children, Fay E. and Dewey.
After his marriage Dennis Austin, of this review, purchased fifty acres of his father's farm and erected thereon a log house and log stable with clapboard roof. Ile began to clear away the timber and break the land, and continued to reside there until 1854, when he sold his place and came to Whiteside county, Illinois. His first pur-
chase here consisted of one hundred and sixty acres of wild land, and he again went through the arduous task of converting an unimproved tract into a well cultivated farm. In his new home he met with excel- lent success and added to his farm a tract of sixty acres, which he converted into one of the best places of its size in Lyndon township. He gave considerable attention to stock raising, making a specialty of horses and cattle, and he bought young stock to fatten for the market. In 1889 he met with a heavy loss, his house and its con- tents, valued at three thousand dollars, be- ing completely destroyed by fire. It was one of the finest homes in the township. Nothing daunted he immediately began the erection of another dwelling, though not so pretentious. In 1894 he left the farm and removed to Morrison, where he purchased a fine modern residence on East South street, and has since lived retired, having sold his farm. He well merits the suc- cess he has achieved in life as it has come to him through his own unaided ef- forts, industry and enterprise.
Politically Mr. Austin has always affili- ated with the Republican party, but has taken no active part in politics, preferring to give his undivided attention to his farm- ing. However, he most efficiently served as school director in his district for a num- ber of years. Although not a member of any religious denomination he gives liber- ally toward the support of the Methodist Episcopal church of Morrison, of which his wife is an earnest member.
JOIIN HENRY COOK, now living in Unionville, Whiteside county, has had a varied experience in life. He was born
98
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
in Devonshire, England, July 9, 1851, and is the son of Harry and Sophia (Tousey) Cook, both of whom were also natives of England. The subject of this sketch was their only child. Harry Ccok held a com- mission in the British army as captain. He was a man of good business ability, and a worthy soldier of his country. His death occurred in London, Canada, when our sub- ject was but about two years old. Later his wife married Hugh Birney, a native of Ireland, and they became the parents of one son and one daughter. The son, William, is now residing in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, while the daughter, who married a Mr. Lee and is living in Jersey City, New Jersey. The mother made three trips across the At- lantic. In 1869 she made a visit to her son, the subject of this sketch, who was then living in Fulton, Illinois, and remained with him about eighteen months. She then re- turned to England, but later came back to the United States and died in New York in 1882.
The subject of this sketch was but two years of age when he was first brought by his mother to this country. He remained here until he was five years old, when he was sent back to his native country, where he remained but a very short time, and was then returned to the United States. When eight years old he was again sent back to England, and there remained until he was eleven years old, when he was again brought back to this country. Soon after their ar- rival his mother left him in charge of his step-father and returned to England. He did not remain with him very long, but came west to Fulton, Illinois. When he arrived he was bound out to John Skinner, but not being treated very well by his master he left him, and going to Carroll county he worked
one season for a farmer there, and then re- turned to the eastern part of Whiteside county and worked as a farm hand one year for twenty dollars per month. When sev- enteen years old he went into Ustick town- ship, where he worked as a farm hand until he was of legal age, during which time he attended school during the winter months. After leaving school he still continued to work as a farm hand on the farm of Mr. Farwell until 1879, when he went to Boul- der Valley, Montana, where he worked in a placer mine for one month, and from there went to Wicks, a new mining camp, where he worked for the Alta Mining Company, of Montana, a few days as a common laborer at three dollars and fifty cents per day. He was then given the position of foreman at four dollars per day. He remained with that company about two years, and in his mining operations was quite successful.
Returning to Whiteside county, on the Ioth of October, 1882, he was united in marriage with Miss Maggie Durward, daugh- ter of Peter T. Durward, whose sketch ap- pears on another page of this work. She was born in Fulton, Illinois, April 9, 1855. By this union four children were born: Harry Artie, born August 23, 1885, in Ustick township; Lyle Fay, November 20, 1888, in Butte, Montana; Gracie May, October 28, 1892, in Unionville, Illinois, and Durward Peter, March 14, 1896, also in Unionville.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.