USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > The biographical record of Whiteside County, Illinois.. > Part 14
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During his boyhood Alfred N. Abbott attended the district schools near his home but completed his education at the State University, Champaign, which institution three of his brothers also attended. He has spent his entire life on the home farm, engaged in agricultural pursuits, and has added to it since his father's death a tract of one hundred and twenty acres, making four hundred acres in all. lle has also im- proved the place by the erection of good and substantial buildings, which add greatly to its value and attractive appearance. Ile raises both grain and stock and each year fattens a number of head of cattle and hogs for the market.
On the 12th of October, 1886, Mr. Abbott was united in marriage with Miss
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Sarah Green, who was born in Woodbine, Daviess county, Illinois, April 3, 1865, a daughter of John and Margaret Green, of Morrison, the former a native of England, the latter of the Isle of Man. Four chil- dren grace this union, namely: Bayard T., Frances D., Louis A. and Howard G.
In his political affiliations Mr. Abbott is an ardent Republican and he has ever taken an active and prominent part in the public affairs of the county. On attaining his ma- jority he was elected justice of the peace, which office he filled for six years, and subsequently was supervisor for one term. He resigned the latter office in November, 1898, having been elected to the Legisla- ture from the thirty-first congressional dis- trict, and is now filling that position in a most creditable and satisfactory manner. His ambition has been to aquit himself of life's duties honorably before all men, to improve his capabilities and opportunities and to become of use in the world; and it is to this spirit mainly that he owns his ad- vancement. He has not only been honored with positions of public trust but has also been chosen to administer and settle sever- al estates for his neighbors. Socially, he is a Master Mason, one of the directors and prominent members of the Mystic Workers, and also belongs to Ustick Camp. M. W. A., No. 3995.
A NDREW S. DURWARD, a well-known and prominent stock buyer of Union- ville, is a native of this county, born in Ustick township September 30, 1863, a son of Peter T. Durward, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. He re- ceived a fair district school education, pur- suing his studies only through the winter
months, as his services were needed on the home farm during the summer season. He assisted his father in the cultivation of the land until he reached the age of twenty-one, and then went to lowa, where he remained about a year. On his return to Illinois he obtained the position of watchman on the Mississippi river steamer Silver Wave, and remained upon the water three years, being mate the last two years, as he successfully passed the examination and secured a license.
On the 3d of February, 1887, Mr. Dur- ward married Miss Elizabeth Edlund, a daughter of Gulick and Martha (Peterson) Edlund, natives of Sweden. The father died when she was quite young, but the mother is still living and is now the wife of Jonas Edlund, a brother of her first hus- band. His sketch also appears elsewhere in this work. Our subject and his wife have three children, two sons and one daughter, namely: Winnie E., Clifford and Lloyd.
After his marriage Mr. Durward engaged in farming upon rented land for ten years, but gave the greater part of his time and attention to the raising of cattle and hogs, to which he fed all of his grain. As a stock raiser and farmer he met with most excel- lent success. At the end of ten years he sold his implements and purchased a home in Unionville, and also seventy- seven acres of land where Ustick postoffice is now lo- cated, paying for the same sixty-three dol- lars per acre. This is one of the best farms of its size in the township.
After securing a home for his family, Mr. Durward thought to add to his wealth more quickly by going to the new gold fields in the Klondike region. He left home the last day of March, 1898, and traveled over
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the Skaguay trail. He arrived at the pass April 10, and on striking the Yukon river built a skiff in which he floated down that stream for sixteen hundred miles, visiting all the mining camps along its banks. He stopped at Beaver creek, where he was taken ill with typhoid fever three months later, and on the 25th of September, the same year, he started for home on the steamer Pilgrim. Four days were spent on Behring sea and twelve on the Pacific coast before he once more set foot in the United States, and five days later he reached home - rich in experience if not in gold. After regaining his health, he formed a partner- ship with H. D. Burch, under the firm name of Burch & Durward, and has since successfully engaged in buying and shipping stock to the Chicago markets. He is a wide-awake, energetic business man, and generally carries forward to successful com- pletion whatever he undertakes.
In his political views, Mr. Durward is a Republican, and prior to going to the Klon- dike he held the offices of road commis- sioner five years, and school director, while at present he is school director in Union- ville. Fraternally he is a member of Anchor lodge, No. 120, K. P., of Morrison, Ustick lodge, No. 9, Mystic Workers, in which he is holding the office of banker, and while a resident of Ustick he belonged to Ustick camp, No. 3595, M. W. A., of which he was vice-consul. He has also been a trustee and treasurer of the Presbyterian church for two years although he is not a member.
C YRREL A. LUM, an enterprising agri- culturist of Whiteside county, is the owner of a fine farm on section 16, Union Grove township, and his management of 7
the place is marked by the scientific knowl- edge and skill which characterize the modern farmer. He was born in Ellisburg, Jeffer- son county, New York, July 1, 1846, and is the only child of Calvin and Mary B. (Clark) Lum, also natives of Jefferson county, New York. The mother died when our subject was only ten months old, and the father departed this life August 26, 1875. His ancestors were originally from Massachu- setts. By occupation he was a farmer, and he owned and successfully operated one hundred and seventy acres of land in his native county. For his second wife he mar- ried Eunice Potter of the same place, who died ten years after their marriage, and subsequently he wedded Harriet Beddinger, also of Jefferson county, by whom he had one son, Manford P., who is now clerking in a store in Michigan. He is married and has one son, Gerald.
Our subject remained with his father until twenty-one years of age, and was edu- cated in the home schools. During the Civil war he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Eighty-fifth New York Volun- teer Infantry, and was in the service nine months, being honorably discharged at the close of the war, in June, 1865. Returning home he continued to work on the farm until his marriage, which was celebrated Decem- ber 25, 1867, Miss Inous A. Hoxie becoming his wife. She was also born in Ellisburg, and is a daughter of Isaac and Mary Hoxie, natives of New York. One child was born of this union, Bessie M., at home.
In February, 1867, Mr. Lmm came to Whiteside county, Illinois, and after suc- cessfully operating rented land for two years in Union Grove township, he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of partially im- proved land. Later he sold that place and
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bought eighty acres on section 21, Union Grove township, and twenty acres on section 28, but subsequently sold the latter tract, and in 1895 purchased eighty acres of farm- ing land on section 9 and ten acres of tim- berland on section 18. In connection with general farming he is engaged in stock rais- ing, making a specialty of hogs, and feeds most of his grain to his stock. Through his own well-directed and energetic efforts, he has met with excellent success in busi- ness affairs, being a man of keen discrimina - tion, sound judgment and good business ability. Politically, he is identified with the Republican party, and though he has never aspired to office, he has been called upon to serve his fellow citizens as tax col- lector for two years, and constable for eighteen years. Socially, he is a Master Mason, a member of Morrison camp, M. W. A., and the Grand Army post No. 118, while religiously his wife and daughter are members of the Baptist church.
R OBERT SNOW JAMES, who owns and operates a farm of seventy-two acres, on section 3, Mount Pleasant town- ship, is a native of Clyde township, and was born February 2, 1865. He is a son of Amos A. and Ann (Norrish) James, the former a native of Mount Pleasant town- ship, Whiteside county, Illinois, and the latter of England. She is a sister of Robert S. Norrish, of whom mention is made else- where in this work. Amos A. and Ann James were the parents of eight children, of whom Robert S. was the fourth in order of birth. (See sketch of Amos A. James on another page of this work.)
On the old home farm in Mount Pleas- ant township the subject of this sketch
spent his boy hood and youth, and as soon as old enough was assigned his share of farm labor. He attended the district schools of the township and received a good common-school education, which has been put to a practical test in his business career. He remained at home, assisting in the cul- tivation of the home farm until his mar- riage in 1890 to Miss Rosa Thomas, who was born in Mount Pleasant township, and the daughter of A. P. Thomas, who is also represented in this volume. By this union one child has been born, Vera.
Immediately after their marriage, our subject and wife took up their residence on the family homestead of his father, which he operated for several years, doing a suc- cessful business in general farming. In 1897 he purchased his present farm of sev- enty-two acres on section 3, Mount Pleas- ant township, which he cultivates in addi- tion to one hundred and thirty acres which he rents. While under cultivation, the farm which he purchased is devoid of im- provements.
In politics Mr. James is thoroughly inde- pendent, voting for the man rather than the party. While never a seeker for office, he has served his district as school director for ten years, doing all in his power to advance the interests of the public schools. Fra- ternally he and his wife are members of the Mystic Workers of the World As a citizen he is always willing to do all in his power for the general good of his township and county.
EORGE R. HAMILTON. In the
G I pioneer epoch in the history of this section of Illinois George R. Hamilton came to the Prairie state, and has been an im- portant factor in the substantial develop-
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ment and permanent improvement of White- side county. He has seen its wild lands transformed into fine farms, while industrial and commercial interests have been intro- duced and thus towns have become thriv- ing cities. In the work of progress he has borne his part and has been particularly active as a representative of the agricultural interests of the community. He is to- day the owner of four hundred acres of land in Lyndon township, constituting a valuable property, which returns to him a good in- come.
A native of Northampton, Massachusetts, Mr. Hamilton was born February 24, 1820, a son of Adam R. Hamilton, who was born in that place October 12, 1791, and was of Irish descent. The father was a printer by trade, but on account of failing health he turned his attention to farming. He was married in Massachusetts to Miss Nancy Miller, also a native of the Bay state and on leaving Massachusetts they removed to New York, where they were connected with agricultural interests until 1835, when they came with their family to Illinois, the father purchasing land from the government. The sections had not been surveyed, but the townships had been laid out, and he at one time owned two hundred and forty acres, upon which he made his home until his death. For many years the farm was operated under his supervision, but in his last year he rented the land. He died in 1865 and his wife passed away in 1860. During the war of 1812 he served as a private, and at all times was loyal to his duties of citizenship. In his family were six children: John M., of Lyndon town- ship; Nancy, who married Theron Crook, and died in 1852; Lovisa, who married John Swarthout, who died in 1854, after which
she became Mrs. Olds, her death occurring in 1896; George R .; Mary G., who died in New York at the age of five years; Mary E., wile of John Garlick, of Nebraska, by whom she has six children; and John, who died in Nebraska, in 1896; and Harriet A., who is living with our subject.
George R. Hamilton, of this review, ac- quired his education in New York and after his arrival in Illinois he aided in the arduous task of developing a new farm from the wild prairie. When he had attained his major- ity he began working as a farm hand, being thus employed for two years. His industry and economy in that time enabled him to save a little money and he accordingly in- vested it in five acres of land, -the nucleus of his present extensive landed possessions. As the years passed he kept adding to the property, making judicious investments. When he had been gone from the home farm for two years he returned and assumed its management, renting the property until his father's death. From time to time he extended the boundaries of his own farm by additional purchase until he now has four hundred acres, much of which is under a high state of cultivation or devoted to past- urage. Near his home is a beautiful grove which has grown to stately trees during his residence here. Substantial building, the latest improved machinery and all the ac- cessories of this model farm indicate the thrift and enterprise of the owner, who is accounted one of the leading agriculturists of the community.
On the 28th of May, 1868, Mr. Hamil- ton married Miss Hannah Belt, who was born in Ohio, June 9, 1835, and when twelve years of age came to Ilinois with her parents, who were also natives of the Buckeye state. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton be-
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came the parents of two children: Willis G., who died in 1891, married Nellie Harri- son, and they had one son, W. Vernon; Louie E., the daughter, is now managing the household affairs for her father, for the wife and mother was called to the home be- yond February 6, 1887. Mr. Hamilton is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics is a Prohibitionist. He is a most active and interested worker in the Old Settlers' Association, which has held its meetings on his farm for thirty-five years. He was a member of its committee on grounds nearly all that time. The meet- ings are very pleasant occasions, bringing together the pioneer settlers who laid the foundation for the present prosperity of the county, wno came to the west when this was a frontier region, resided in primitive cabins, ofttimes built of logs, broke the wild lands, and endured many hardships in order to found homes for themselves and families in this great and growing section of the country. Through the sixty-four years of his residence here Mr. Hamilton has become widely known, and his many excellent traits of character have gained him the high re- gard of his many friends.
JAMES WOODBURN, a prominent nurs- J eryman and florist of Sterling, was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, October 12, 1836, and is the only son of George W. and Mary (Williams) Wood- burn, also natives of Pennsylvania, and pioneers of Whiteside county, Illinois. The father came to this county in the fall of 1837 and bought a pre-emption claim be- fore the land came into market, the pres- ent property of our subject being a part of this. In the spring of 1838 he returned to
Pennsylvania for his wife and child, and on again coming to Whiteside county, took up his residence upon his land, which he contin- ucd to cultivate and improve until 1849, when he made an overland trip to Cali- fornia. He remained upon the Pacific coast, engaged in mining, for about ten years, and then returned to his farm in this county, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying here in 1872. In politics he was first a Whig and later a Republican, and in religious belief he was a Presbyte- rian. His estimable wife was one of the charter members of the First Presbyterian church of Sterling.
James H. Woodburn was given a liberal education. At the age of ten years he en- tered the preparatory department of Linn Academy of Indianapolis, Indiana, and at sixteen became a student at the Big Springs Academy, where he completed his educa- tion. He then engaged in farm labor until after the opening of the Civil war. On the 2d of August, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, Seventy-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, as a private, but was soon promoted to the rank of corporal and later sergeant and lieutenant. He participated in the battles of Stone River, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge and Ringgold Gap, was in the Atlanta campaign with Sherman, and remained in the service until the close of the war, being mustered out June 12, 1865. After the war he turned his attention to horticulture and floriculture, and now has a fine nursery covering twenty acres.
Mr. Woodburn was married, November 15, 1858, to Miss Susan Farrar, a native of Manchester, New Hampshire, and a daugh- ter of Isaac and Hannah Farrar, and by this union two children were born: George W., who died in April, 1890, and Charles
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H., an attorney of Sterling. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Sterling, in the work of which they take an active and prominent part, Mr. Wood- burn having served as president of the board of trustees for twenty years. Polit- ically he affiliates with the Republican party, and fraternally he belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Independent Order of Mutual Aid, the Knights of Honor, the Knights of the Mac- cabees, and the Grand Army of the Rc- public.
C HARLES H. WOODBURN, the popu- Jar and efficient court stenographer of Whiteside county and a well-known attor- ney of Sterling, residing at No. 501 Fifth avenue, was born in that city November 5, 1862, and is the only child of James H. and Susan (Farrar) Woodburn, whose sketch is given on another page of this work. The early life of our subject was passed under the parental roof, and he attended the Ster- ling public schools, the Wallace high school and the Sterling Business College, where he gave special attention to stenography. He became quite proficient in that art, and was soon called upon to do court and legal reporting.
In 1888 Mr. Woodburn was made the first official reporter for the old Thirteenth judicial district, comprising seven counties, receiving the appointment under Judge John D. Crabtree. The large circuit and his numerous duties occupied his entire time until taking up his present profession. In his intimate and long connection with the court and legal affairs, he became fa- miliar with the profession of law. He was admitted to the bar in November, 1897, but
on account of the duties connected with his official position he found it impossible to give his attention to practice until 1899, when he opened an office in the Kreider, Harpham & Williams building, on the cor- ner of Third and Locust streets, where he has since engaged in general practice. He is one of the brightest professional men in Whiteside county, and starts out on his career with brilliant prospects.
On the 11th of February, 1885, Mr. Woodburn was united in marriage with Miss Mary Clatworthy, a native of England and a daughter of Rev. W. H. and Elizabeth (Croker) Clitworthy, who were also born in that country. In early life the father was a minister of the Wesleyan Methodist church, but in 1878 retired from that call- ing and turned his attention to farming in Lee county, Illinois, becoming an extensive land owner. Mr. and Mrs. Woodburn are active members of the Fourth Street Meth- odist Episcopal church of Sterling, and he also belongs to the Knights of the Globe and the Independent Order of Mutual Aid. In politics he is an ardent Republican, and takes an active and commendable interest in public affairs.
C C. McMAHON, a prominent member of the Whiteside county bar, and an in- fluential citizen of Fulton, Illinois, was born June 16, 1860, at Prince Edward Island, a son of Francis and Rosa (McAvoy) McMa- hon, both natives of northern Ireland. His parents were married in Prince Edward Island, where they continued to reside until 1867, when they came west, and from that time until the death of the father, in 1895, made their home in or near Fulton. The widowed mother is now living in Fulton.
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C. C. McMahon spent the early years of his life at home, receiving his elementary instruction in the public schools of Lyons and Fulton. He subsequently completed the scientific course, and took portions of other courses, at the Northern Illinois Col- lege, which he attended four years before entering. in 1885. its law department, from which he was graduated in 1888. Not being yet ready to commence his profes- sional career, Mr. McMahon, who had paid his college expenses by working between terms at boating and rafting, and had for seven years been inate on boats plying be- tween Stillwater and Rock Island. In the winter of 1889 and 1890 he rcad law with J. D. Andrews, who then had offices at Morrison and Sterling, and has since be- come famous in the legal world as the au- thor of various important works, including "Commentaries on American Law," " An- drews' Stephen's Pleading, " and " Practice in the Supreme Court of Illinois," used as text books in the leading colleges of the country, and of other works of recognized merit and authority.
In the spring of 1890, in the Fulton Bank building, Mr. McMahon opened the office that he still occupies, and in the meantime has built up a lucrative practice in the various courts of the state. Self- educated and self-made in the highest sense implied by the term, securing a thorough knowledge of his profession during the in- tervals of the steamboating seasons, he may well be congratulated on the high position that he has already attained in the legal fraternity. His business transactions are varied and extended. He is one of the faculty of the law department of the North- ern Illinois College.
In national politics Mr. McMahon sup-
ported the Republican party until 1896, but since then has been identified with the sil- ver movement; in local matters he is inde- pendent, being pledged to neither of the old parties. He has warmly advocated the various beneficial enterprises inaugurated in the city, and has rendered faithful service in many capacities, among others having been township collector one year and city attorney continuously since 1892. He was largely instrumental in securing the loca- tion of the Mississippi Valley Stove Com- pany, and is now one of its directors, and has been actively interested in other move- ments calculated to improve and benefit the town. Fraternally Mr. McMahon is a mem- ber, and past chancellor, of Sunlight lodge, No. 23, K. P .; a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and of the Mystic Workers of the World.
FARL E. MARVEL, a well known con- tractor and builder of Prophetstown, is a native of Whiteside county, born in Port- land township, August 3, 1856, and is a son of John Marvel and grandson of Rev. John Marvel. The father was born in New York, in 1834, and there grew to manhood, but when a young man he came west and set- tled in this county. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade and followed that occu- pation in early life, but on coming to White- side county, he located in Portland town- ship and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He continued his residence there throughout his active business life, but spent his last days in retirement in Prophetstown. In this county he wedded Miss Mary Wright, also a native of New York, and a daughter of Jonathan Wright. He died July, 1895, and she passed away April 11, 1899. Our
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subject was the oldest of their six children, the others being Daniel, who is married and engaged in mining in Breckenridge, Colo- rado; Ike, a resident of Spring Hill; Hattie, who resides with our subject; Ella, also a resident of Prophetstown; and Guy, who lives on the old homestead.
Earl E. Marvel was reared on the home farm and educated in the public schools of the neighborhood. In 1879 he went to Jewell county, Kansas, where he took up a claim and engaged in farming for about ten years and then sold his place, He also worked at the carpenter's and joiner's trade to some extent. Returning to Whiteside county, in 1891, he located in Prophetstown, where he worked at his trade in the employ of others for about a year, and then began contracting and building on his own account. In this undertaking he has met with well- merited success, and has erected a large number of the best residences in the town, among them being the fine residences of Mr. Field and H. N. Paddock, besides many other of the fine residences of Prophetstown, while some of the business houses also show his architectural skill and handiwork. He has also erected buildings in Erie and else- where in the county, and for the past three years has been the leading contractor and builder of Prophetstown. Here he bought property and building for himself a pleasant home, which ranks among the best of all the modern structures of the town.
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