USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > The biographical record of Whiteside County, Illinois.. > Part 30
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many houses and some business blocks, and became quite prosperous. After his return from the war he resumed private practice and up to the time of his death was one of the leading physicians of the county. He was also surgeon for the Chicago & North- western Railroad and was the originator and main supporter of the free bridge over the river at Sterling, which now stands as a monument to his memory. He was one of the originators and president of the County Medical Society, now non-existent, and also belonged to the State Medical Society. Sterling lodge, I. O. O. F., and Will Rob- inson post, G. A. R., of which he was one of the most prominent members and surgeon for many years. It was largely through his instrumentality that the free library was es- tablished at Sterling, and he took an active part in promoting any enterprise for the public good. Politically he was identified with the Republican party. He passed away June 8, 1891, and in his death the community realized that it had lost one of its most valued and useful citizens. His wife died in February, 1888. They at- tended and supported the Presbyterian church. Their children were Pamnelia, Dar- win H., Martha L., Mary C. and Frank.
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Northwestern Railroad for fifteen years and for that company has done considerable work. In 1891 he was made surgeon of the Sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was with his regiment in the Cuban and Porto Rico campaigns during our recent war with Spain. He was on the second boat that landed and was in the first skirmish on the island. At the end of six months he re- turned to the United States September 9, 1898, and was mustered out of the United States service November 25. He has since given his time and attention to his private practice.
On the 4th of October, 1882, Dr. An- thony married Miss Nellie Persels, of Beloit, Wisconsin, and to them have been born two children: Nellie and Hazel. The family reside at No. 202 West Fourth street and attend the Presbyterian church. Fraternally, the Doctor is a member of the Rock River Valley Medical Society, the State Medical Society, the National Medical Association, and the Railway Surgeons Association. He still belongs to National Guards, and is a member of the A. O. U. W., the Knights of the Globe, and the blue lodge, chapter and commandery of the Masonic order, all of Sterling. His political support is always given the men and measures of the Repub- lican party. Like his father he is public spirited and progressive, and gives his influ- ence to every enterprise for the public good.
JAMES R. BELL. The prosperity of any community depends upon its busi- ness activity, and the enterprise manifest in commercial circles is the foundation upon which is builded the material welfare of town, state and nation. The most impor- tant factors in public life at the present day
are therefore men who are in control of successful business interests and such a one is Mr. Bell, president of the Sterling Na- tional Bank, of Sterling, Illinois, and the oldest business man of the city.
Mr. Bell was born in Goffstown, New Hampshire, June 8, 1825, a son of Jona- than and Lydia (Dow) Bell. The father, who was an agriculturist, was born on the same farm in Goffstown, the land hav- ing been entered from the government by the grandfather, Jonathan Bell, Sr., after his return from the Revolutionary war as a member of a Massachusetts regiment. He was born in New Hampshire, though his father came from the north of Ireland and was of Scotch ancestry, while his wife, Deborah, was of English descent. He served all through the Revolution. He was a pioneer of Goffstown, where from a heavily timbered tract of land he developed a good farmn. From his place the English cut masts, and the stump of one tree cut for that purpose was large enough for him to turn his ox-team around on top of stump. He owned two farms and it was upon the sec- ond that he died at the advanced age of ninety years. In religious faith he was a strong Congregationalist. The father of our subject grew to manhood upon the first farm, which he purchased after his mar- riage, and there he made his home through- out life. He held different township offices of honor and trust and owned a pew in the old Congregational church at Goffstown, having a deed to the same. His wife was a daughter of Job Dow, who was also a rep- resentative of one of the pioneer families of that place. She died at the age of fifty-six years, the father at the age of seventy-four. Of the ten children born to them, six reached years of maturity, namely: Fred-
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JAMES R. BELL.
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erick, who died on the old homestead, which is still in the possession of the family; Mrs. Elmira Connor, who died in Goffstown; Mrs. Mary Austin, who is still living; Mrs. Margaret Holt, who died in Goffstown; James R., our subject; Ira L., a resident of Goffstown. The others died young.
During his boyhood and youth James R. Bell attended the common schools to a limit- ed extent, having to walk two miles through the woods where no roads have been laid out. Being one of the oldest sons of the family his services were needed at home during the summer months, but for twelve or sixteen weeks he was a student at the winter schools until about sixteen years of age. Later he attended a select school for a time and then worked with his fa- therupon the farm until nineteen years of age, when he was given his time, As an apprentice he learned the shoe- maker's trade at Goffstown and then worked at the same for a manufacturing company near Manchester for three years. At the end of that time he went to Rushford, Allegany county, New York, where he worked for an uncle who was in the shoe and tanning business, and two years later he was offered an interest in the business or the privilege of taking the shop and run- ning it, and he chose the latter. While at that place he was married, July 19, 1852, to Miss Salome Gordon, a daughter of Will- iam Gordon, who was born in Vermont of Scotch parentage, and became a pioneer business man of Allegany county, New York. Mrs. Bell was born in Rushford, and her oldest brother was the first white male chill born in Allegany county. Our subject and his wife have two children: (1) William J , who is a partner of his father in business, married Mary E. Cochran and has
three children: Russell, who is also a member of the firm; Verna; and Herbert E. (2) Samuel G., who resides on a farm of our subject in Whiteside county, married Ella Erb and has two daughters, Winnie May and Bertha.
Mr. Bell rented and operated his uncle's shop in Rushford, New York, for five or six years, during which time he secured a good start. Hearing of the valuable land in Whiteside county, Illinois, which could be bought cheap, he and his wife's brother came to this section, traveling by railroad as far as Geneseo, and from there on foot to Prophetstown. They found that the land which they had intended to buy had been practically sold, but they purchased a large and well improved farm in Erie township, which they divided in the spring of 1854. A few years later, when the railroad was be- ing surveyed through the county, Mr. Bell was offered double the amount which he paid for the farm and accordingly sold his portion. On the ist of April, 1864, he hitched up a young team to a lumber wagon, and with his wife and two small children left Rushford, New York, bound for White- side county, Illinois. They drove to Buffa- lo, a distance of fifty miles, and then boarded a vessel to cross the lake. They encount- ered a terrible gale, during which even the officers expected the ship to sink, but they finally reached Monroe, Michigan, in safety, and from there proceeded to Chicago by rail. They brought a hired man with them, as well as their team and wagon, and from Chicago drove to the farm which Mr. Bell had previously purchased in Whiteside county. In early days he hauled all his produce to market in Dixon. In the fall of 1856, when the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad was built, he removed to Sterling,
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purchased property there, built a store and embarked in the shoe business. There was practically no town here at that time, but the survey had been made and town named, and a few houses been built, with two stores. The same fall he went to New York and purchased a good stock of ladies' shoes, and also did custom work, employing from eight to ten hands. His first business location was a half mile east of his present store, but when the town changed he removed to the latter place and built what is now known as the Bell block, which at that time was considered the best store in the town. It is still a good, substantial structure, the lower floor of which he occupies.
For some years he engaged in the shoe business exclusively, but has since added clothing and gents' furnishing goods, his son, William J., being associated with him as a partner in this business. He has now been longer in business than any other man in the county, and is one of its most thor- ough, reliable and successful merchants and bankers. He was one of the incorporators and a member of the first board of directors of the Sterling National Bank, and in the second year of its existence was elected president. The capital stock was soon in- creased from fifty to seventy-five thousand dollars. Under his able and judicious man- agement the bank has prospered from the start and now has twenty-five thousand dollars of undivided profits, besides paying four per cent semi-annual dividends and the deposits now amount to about two hundred thousand dollars. Every year Mr. Bell has been re-elected president, and the success of the bank is certainly due in a large meas- ure to him. He owns two buildings at the corner of Third and Locust streets-the principal corner in the city-having six
store rooms below and offices above. He also has residence property in Sterling and a fine large farm in Mount Morency township, just across from Rock Falls, which he purchased because he liked good farms, but with no intention of living there- on. His own home is beautifully located at the corner of B avenue and Eighth street, where he owns a large tract of land. His son, William J., has a place adjoining his on the north.
Since the organization of the Republican party in 1856, Mr. Bell has been one of its stanch supporters. He was elected county supervisor and filled that office for six years, resigning that position when he went to California on account of his health. He was well pleased with the work of the board and their business methods and en- joyed the position. It was during his term that the question of building a bridge across the Rock river at Sterling was decided. For seven years he was a member of the city council and had entire charge of pur- chasing the ground and building the city hall. His aims have always been to attain to the best, and he has carried forward to successful completion whatever he has un- dertaken. He has made an untarnished record and an unspotted reputation as a business man. He and his wife are earnest and faithful members of the Methodist Epis- copal church, of which he is one of the trustees, and they are highly honored by those who know them.
W ILLIAM FORWARD is a representa- tive farmer of Prophetstown town- ship, owning and successfully operating a good farin of eighty acres on section 35. He is a native of New York, born in Cayuga
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county, September 5, 1834, and is a son of George and Sarah (Kager) Forward, who were born, reared and married in England, where they continued to make their honie until after the birth of two of their children. About 1830 they emigrated to America and took up their residence in Cayuga county, New York, where they resided for some years. Subsequently they made their home in Henry county, Illinois, for a few years, but spent their last days in Michigan. In their family were seven sons and three daughters, of whom one son is now de- ceased. Of those living, George resides in Tampico, Whiteside county, Illinois; Frank and Delbert live near Lansing, Michigan; Lewis and Charles reside near Wichita, Kansas; and Edward near Wichita.
William Forward passed his boyhood and youth in his native county, but the greater part of his education has been acquired by reading and observation since arriving at mature years. In 1855 he left home and went to Berrien county, Michi- gan, where he accepted a position in a saw- mill, and was there employed as engineer for nine years. It was in the spring of 1867 that he became a resident of this county, having the fall previously been here and purchased a farm. A part of the land had been broken and an old house stood thereon. To the further improvement and develop- ment of his place he at once turned his at- tention. He fenced the land, set out trees, erected neat and substantial buildings and placed the land under a high state of culti- vation.
In Berrien county, Michigan, Mr. For- ward was married March 29, 1863, to Miss Arabel Burnham, a native of Allegany county, New York, and a daughter of Guy C. Burnham. Being well educated, she
successfully engaged in teaching school in Michigan prior to her marriage, and also taught one or two terms after coming to this county. She was an earnest and con- sistent member of the Free Methodist church, and died in that faith June 9, 1894, being laid to rest in Leon cemetery. To our subject and his wife were born six children: Edith, now the wife of Samuel Teach, of Lyndon, Ruby, a resident of Sterling, and formerly a teacher; Louisa, who also engaged in teaching and married H. L. Drain, but is now deceased; Joseph, who is now a young man; Walter, who as- sisted his father in carrying on the home farm; and May, who is now her father's housekeeper.
Mr. Forward cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and con- tinued to support the Republican party for some years, but of late years has been inde- pendent in politics, voting for the best men regardless of party lines. He has always been a stanch supporter of our public school system, and for many years was an efficient member of the school board. For the suc- cess that he has achieved in life he deserves great credit, for it is due entire to his own well directed efforts, perseverance and en- terprise. His well-spent and honorable life commends him to the confidence of all with whom he comes in contact and he has a host of warm friends in Whiteside county. His children are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
R ALPH SMEDLEY, for many years one of the leading farmers of Portland township, is now living retired from active work at his pleasant home in Spring Hill, about a mile south of his valuable farm
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of two hundred and forty acres that he still owns. He was born in Oneida county, New York, October 8, 1845, a son of Moses Smedley, who was of English birth.
Moses Smedley came to America, when a small boy, and grew to man's estate in Oneida county, New York, where for a number of years he followed the trade of a stone mason and plasterer. In 1846 he migrated to this part of Illinois, bringing with him his family and household effects, and settled on a claim in Portland township. Here in opening up the land upon which he located he had his first experience as a tiller of the soil. He met with fair success in his labors, and in addition to general farming worked at his trade for many years, continuing a resident of the place until his death. While living in Oneida county he married Mary Ann, daughter of Peter Casler, one of the first settlers of the Mohawk val- ley, and of the children born of their union three survive, as follows: Sarah E., wife of Mr. Wing, of Marshall county, Min- nesota; Mary, wife of Franklin Warren, of the same county; and Ralph, the special sub- ject of this brief sketch.
able discharge at Chicago, with a fine record of active service, having lost scarce a day from sickness or other reasons.
Resuming his work on the old home- stead, he remained with his parents until his marriage, when he assumed charge of the Blasdell farm which he carried on for six years. In 1874 he purchased eighty acres of the land now included in his large farm, and on this he labored with unceas- ing toil until he had it well under cultiva- tion. As time moved on he bought more land, increasing the size of his estate until it now contains two hundred and forty acres of choice land, finely located, and sub- stantially improved. He has erected two sets of farm buildings, including dwelling houses and barns, and these with their at- tractive surroundings invariably receive the attention of the passer-by, and give visible evidence of the thrift and superior manage- ment of the owner. in 1892 Mr. Smedley rented his farming property, and having built a good, comfortable house at Spring Hill moved into it with hisfamily. Although living in town he is never idle, as he still devotes his time to looking after his farm interests, making repairs, and keeping the place in order, allowing nothing to de- teriorate from his high standard. As a skill- ful farmer he held a high position through- out the community in which he so long lived and was for years recognized as one of the most successful agriculturists and stock raisers of the county.
Ralph Smedley, who took kindly to agricultural pursuits, remained beneath the parental roof-tree throughout the days of his boyhood and youth, and assisted in the management of the farm until May 8, 1864, when he enlisted as a private in Company B, One Hundred and Fortieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which was attached to the Army of the Tennessee. He partici- On March 15, 1868, Mr. Smedley mar- ried Anulett Blasdell, who was born in Portland township, a daughter of Mason W. Blasdell, an early pioneer of Whiteside county. Mr. Blasdell was born in Virgil, Cortland county, New York, in 1820, and pated in several small engagements and skirmishes, and when the hundred days for which he had volunteered had expired he re-enlisted, and subsequently assisted in driving old "Pap Price" out of Missouri. Returning to Illinois he received his honor- came to this county when a young man.
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Here he married Alzina Row, who was born in Cameron, Steuben county, New York, in 1823, a daughter of James Row, who set- tled in this section of Illinois in 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Smedley have one child, Lera, who married Henry Sohrbeck, a farmer in this township, and has four children, name- ly: Ella Melba, Hazel, Perry and Ray- mond. On all national issnes Mr. Smedley supports the Democratic platform, but in local politics he casts his ballot for the best men and measures regardless of party lines. He is liberal minded, deeply interested in the welfare of town and county, and has rendered excellent service to the public as constable for three years, as commis- sioner, as township treasurer nine years, and as township trustee six consecutive years. During the past half century Mr. Smedley has seen woodland and swamp transformed into broad and cultivated fields, the log cabins of the pioneers re- placed by frame houses, and the hamlets develop into thriving villages and towns. Although not one of the original settlers of the place, he has done much towards this wonderful change in the landscape, and has ever given his hearty support to all plans conducive to the advancement of the community in which he resides.
J UDGE AARON A. WOLFERSPER- GER, M. S., LL. D., of Sterling, Illi- nois, has attained distinction as one of the ablest members of the Whiteside county bar. In this profession probably more than any other success depends upon individual merit, upon a thorough understanding of the principles of jurisprudence, a power of keen analysis, and the ability to present clearly, concisely and forcibly the strong
points in his cause. Possessing these nec- essary qualifications, Judge Wolfersperger is accorded a foremost place in the ranks of the profession in Whiteside county, and stands to-day as one of the most esteemed members of its bar.
A native of Whiteside county, he was born in Jordan township, five miles north of Sterling, March 22, 1856, and is a son of John and Lydia (Capp) Wolfersperger. His paternal great-great-grandfather came to this country from Switzerland and loca- ted in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, where he spent the remainder of his life as an agriculturist. The grandfather, John Wolfersperger, was an extensive farmer of Pennsylvania and spent his active business life in that state, but his declining years were passed at the home of his only child, the fa- ther of our subject, in this county. Prior to coming to Illinois, John Wolfersperger, Jr., had married Miss Lydia Capp, also a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Jacob Capp, who was of English and Ger- man descent. On his arrival here Mr. Wolfersperger entered a tract of govern- ment land in Jordan township, and was ex- tensively engaged in general farming and stock raising there, owning over a section of land and operating two sections. He was one of the most substantial farmers of his time in this county and was one of the first stockholders of the Sterling National Bank. In 1883, he retired from farming and moved to Sterling, where he died in November, 1897. His wife passed away in August, 1895. They were consistent mem- bers of the Lutheran church, and in poli- tics he was a Democrat.
During his boyhood and youth Judge Wolfersperger acquired physical strength by hard labor upon the home farm and obtained
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a good literary education in the public No. 602 First avenue, and they attend and schools and Carthage College, where he was granted the degree of B. S. He then at- tended the Union College of Law, Chicago (now a part of the Northwestern University), from which he was graduated in 1879, with the degree of LL. B , and took his Master's degree in the course. On his admission to the bar he began practice alone in Sterling as a young attorney, but from the first he met with unusually good success. He was able to speak German and as at that time one-half the population of the town used that language, he naturally received their patronage. In 1884 he was elected city attorney, was re-elected and held that posi- tion continuously until the fall of 1890, when he was elected county judge and resigned the former office. Although he was the Democratic nominee for judge in a county RICHARD SMITH. Wherever there is pioneer work to be done, men of energy and ability are required, and success or failure depends upon the degree of those qualities that is possessed. In wresting the land of Whiteside county from its native wilderness; in fitting it for the habitation of men; in developing the natural resources of the community in which they live, few if any have contributed more than Richard Smith, and it is meet and proper that for the arduous and important labor he has per- formed he should receive due reward. He has made his home in the county since 1838, and now owns and operates a good farm on section 10, Tampico township, just north of the corporate limits of Tampico. where the Republican party usually had a majority of sixteen or eighteen hundred, he w.is elected by over fifteen hundred major- ity, thus showing his popularity and the con- fidence and trust reposed in him by his fel- low citizens. He most creditably filled the office for four years, and has since devoted his time to a large private practice. He is a director of the Sterling National Bank and attorney of the same since its organization. He is also attorney for the Sterling Water Company, and local attorney for the Chica- go, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. He has met with success financially as well as professionally, and now owns considerable real estate, both c.ty and farin property.
On the 4th of November, 1880, Judge Wolfersperger was united in marriage with Miss Anna Hendricks, of Sterling, a daugh- ter of Jacob Hendricks, and to them have been born two children: Lelia S. and John WV. The family have a pleasant home at
support the Presbyterian church, of which Mrs. Wolfersperger is a member. Socially the Judge is a Knight Templar Mason, a member of the blue lodge, chapter and com- mandrey of Sterling, and also belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge, No. 174. While a Democrat in politics he is in favor of sound money. Genial and affable, possessed of a logical mind and of rare persuasive powers, he is enabled to appear well before a jury and to exert over it a wonderful influence. As a citizen he has at all times the good of the community at heart and all his abilities are exerted to make the city and county of his adoption rank among the best of their size in this great commonwealth.
Mr. Smith was born in the town of Cor- inth, Orange county, Vermont, December 27, 1834, a son of Robert and Christiana (Lee) Smith, also natives of that state. In 1837 the father came to Whiteside county, Illinois, and was one of the first to locate
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