USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > The biographical record of Whiteside County, Illinois.. > Part 49
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On returning home at the close of the war General Ege engaged in farming on the old farm, but in 1866 sold it and moved to
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another farm near Albany. Having been engaged in the reading of law for some time, in 1867 he was admitted to the bar and engaged in practice in connection with his other business. When the Albany Lumber Company was organized, he became its first president, and for four years served in in that capacity, when the company sold out. In 1866 he moved to the village of Albany and built the hall now used by the Masonic fraternity and known as Masonic hall. For many years he has been engaged in buying and shipping grain. and has paid out to the farmers in the vicinity as much as three thousand dollars in one day for grain. He was a partner in the first store erected in Albany after the great tornado, the firm being Haslett, Marcy & Co.
In politics General Ege is an uncompro- mising Republican, and he has taken an active part in public life. For nine years he served his township as a member of the county board of supervisors, with credit to himself and constituents. Fraternally he is a charter member and past master of Albany lodge, No. 156, A. F. & A. M., which was organized at his residence. He is also a member of the chapter and commandery of the same order, and a charter member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and Modern Woodmen of America. His interest in the Civil war is maintained by meeting with the veterans in Captain A. F. Knight post, No. 460, G. A. R., of which he is a member and past post commander. He is a member of the Presbyterian church in Al- bany, and for many years was one of the trustees of the church. The family is a cultured one and stand high in the social circles of Albany and Whiteside county. and is living retired in Albany, Illinois, awaiting the last bugle call.
M ARLOW CROSBY MCKENZIE, a prominent citizen of Hume township, who is now living retired unpon his farm on section 28, has been a resident of this county since July, 1865, and by shrewd judgment, excellent management and fair dealings, has acquired a sufficient property to enable him to give up business cares and enjoy the result of his former labors.
Mr. Mckenzie was born in Essez county, New York, August 26, 1823, and is a son of William McKenzie, a native of the same place, and a grandson of Squire Bill Mc- Kenzie, a pioneer settler of that county, where he died at the age of forty-eight years. There the father grew to manhood and married Levisa Richmond, an aunt of George P. Richmond, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. William Mckenzie followed farming upon a part of the old homestead in Essex county until called from this life in 1841. His wife survived him for a time. They had five children, namely: William R., one of the early settlers of Whiteside county, Illi- nois, where he opened up a farm and spent his last days, dying here in 1890; Katherine, who married and settled in Ticonderoga, Essex county, New York, where her death occurred; Milton, now seventy-nine years of age, who owns and operates the old home farm; Marlow C., our subject; and Laura, who married George T. Mckenzie and died in Cedar Rapids, łowa.
During his youth Marlow C. Mckenzie was given rather limited school advantages, so that he is almost wholly self-educated. He remained with his father until the latter's death, and then, in 1842, came to Whiteside county, Illinois, where he worked on a farm for three years and a half. He
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then went to Wisconsin, where he worked in the pineries one season, and also in a sawmill. Subsequently he returned to Essex county, New York, where he was employed in a sawmill for a time, and later boated on the canal and lake one season, and then tended a lock for a time. In Cohoes, New York, he was married, in 1849, to Miss Marion M. Haven, also a native of Essex county, and a daughter of George H. Haven. They began their domestic life on the Haven farm, which Mr. Mckenzie operated for three years, and then, in 1852, they went to California by way of the Panama and Isthmus route. They took a steamer on the west coast and proceeded to San Francisco. Our subject engaged in mining and purchased an in- terest in mines. He also worked by the month in a livery stable, and later was in- terested in several different enterprises, all of which proved successful with the excep- tion of his mining ventures. After eight years spent on the Pacific coast he returned east in 1860 by the same route. For two years he was engaged in the meat and butcher business in Port Henry, New York, and then sold out and again came to White- side county, Illinois, arriving here in July, 1865. The following month he purchased a slightly improved place of fifty-six acres, and as there were no buildings upon it, he erected a house eighteen by twenty feet, and began to make further improvements. He has since enlarged his residence, has built a good barn and other outbuildings, and made many other improvements which add greatly to the value and attractive appearance of the place, which now com- prises one hundred and sixty acres under a high state of cultivation.
Mr. Mckenzie has been called upon to
mourn the loss of his estimable wife, who died April 26, 1897, and was laid to rest in Prophetstown cemetery, where a near mon- ument has been erected to her memory. Their only daughter, Martha May, died at the age of eighteen years. In 1893 he and his wife returned to New York, and spent four months very enjoyably in visiting old friends and scenes. In 1898, he again spent a month in that state. He has practically lived retired from active labor since 1889, devoting his time to looking after and keep- ing up his place.
Politically, Mr. Mckenzie was an old- line Whig, later a Know Nothing and sup- ported Fillmore in 1856; in 1860 he voted for Abraham Lincoln, and has since been a stanch supporter of the Republican party. He has taken quite an active interest in public affairs and has been elected to official positions of honor and trust, having served as highway commissioner, and a member of the county board of supervisors two years, during which time he was a member of the equalization and other committees. He was initiated into the mysteries of the Ma- sonic order while a resident of New York, and now belongs to Prophetstown lodge, F. & A. M., and also Prophetstown chapter, R. A. M. Wherever known he is held in high regard, and those who know him best are numbered among his warmest friends.
JAMES SMACK. Among the energetic and enterprising farmers of Newton township who have met with success in their chosen calling is the subject of this review who owns and operates a good farm of eighty acres on section 5. He was born in Rochester, Monroe county, New York, June 14, 1837, a son of Edgar and Melinda
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Smack, in whose family were five children, Jr., was a small boy, becoming one of the namely: George, deceased; William ; James; John and Sarah.
James Smack was reared and educated in his native state, and early became familiar with every department of farm work. In 1857 he came to Whiteside county, Illinois, and took up his residence in Newton town- ship, but lived on several different farms before purchasing his present place on sec- tion 5. The well-tilled fields and neat and thrifty appearance of the farm plainly indicate his careful supervision and show conclusively that he thoroughly understands the occupation which he has chosen as a life work. In connection with general farming he is also engaged in stock-raising.
Mr. Smack has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Sarah Early, by whom he had two daughters: Isadora, wife of Noah Nofke, and Isabel, at home. After the death of his first wife he wedded Miss Mary C. Davis, and by this union has one daughter, Effie M., wife of Joseph Steven- son. In his political views Mr. Smack is a stanch Democrat, and has most creditably and acceptably filled the offices of highway commissioner for ten years, and school director for twenty years. Socially he is a member of the Home Forum.
UDGE EDWIN G. ALLEN, an hon- J ored old resident of Sterling, who is now living retired, was born in Brighton, Mon- roe county, New York, September 22, 1830, and is a son of Lemuel and Mary Ann (Armstrong) Allen. The father was a native of Vermont, as was also the grandfather, Lemuel Allen, Sr., who was a soldier of the war of 1812, and after that conflict removed to Monroe county, New York, when Lemuel,
pioneer farmers of that locality, where he spent the remainder of his life. There the son grew to manhood and married. He followed farming throughout life, became quite well-to-do, and supported first the Whig and later the Republican party. He died in 1883. at the age of eighty-four years; his wife in 1840, at the age of thirty-eight. She was born in England, but when only six weeks old was brought to this country by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Arm- strong, who settled in Pittsford. Monroe county, New York, at what is still known as Armstrong Hill. Our subject is the younger in a family of two children, the other being Lemuel.
Edwin G. Allen obtained his primary education in the public schools of his native state, and later attended Madison Academy in Wayne county, New York. At the age of sixteen he commenced teaching school in that state, and during the five years he was thus employed he was the second teacher in the public schools of Monroe county to receive twenty dollars per month. He had learned the carpenter's trade, and during the summer months followed that occupa- tion, while he taught school during the winter. On attaining his majority he went to Ann Arbor, Michigan, taught the Car- penter Corners school, built their school- house and also engaged in mercantile busi- ness, remaining there for three years. At the end of that time he sold out his business and removed to Battle Creek, Michigan, where he clerked for T. B. Skinner & Com- pany for one year, and in 1855 came to Sterling, which was then a stirring and thriving little town, the railroad having just been completed a month before his arrival. In partnership with a Mr. Holmes, he
E. G. ALLEN.
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embarked in mercantile business, under the firm name of Allen & Holmes, where the Burial Case block now stands, but in De- cember, 1856, their store with all its con- tents, together with most of the town, was destroyed by fire. The following year he built the house now occupied by W. M. Dillon, on the corner of Broadway and Third street, for General E. N. Kirk, and in the fall of the same year bought the interest of Mr. Hoover in the firm of Feather & Hoover, and resumed general merchandising on Third street. His health failed, and the next spring he sold out and began the study of law with General E. N. Kirk and Frederick Sackett, at the same time doing most of the writing for them. He was ad- mitted to the bar by examination in 1861, and opened an office of his own. Soon afterward he was elected police magistrate, and most creditably filled that office for twelve years, doing a large amount of work. He also served as justice of the peace for twenty-nine years, and in the meantime filled the office of county judge for four years right after the Civil war in a most acceptable and satisfactory manner. While in office he built up a good general practice, making a specialty of office work, such as preparing cases, etc., but doing little as a trial lawyer. All through the war and a few years later he was also engaged in the real estate and loan business, and met with most excellent success in his business ventures. From March, 1864, until the following August, he was in the pay depart- ment with Major Henry at the front. Since 1890 he has lived retired, having laid aside business cares to spend his remaining days in ease and quiet.
On the 19th of March, 1856, Mr. Allen was united in marriage with Miss Lois L.
Peck, who was born and reared in Ypsilan- ti, Michigan, a daughter of Joseph Peck. By this union two children were born, namely: Lemuel, who is now revising clerk for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad at Milwaukee, married Daisy Hetfield, of Sterl- ing, and has one son, Lemuel H. Mary is the wife of William H. Randall, of Durand, Illinois, and has one son, Edgar Allen. In 1891 Mr. Allen bought a commodious and pleasant residence at the corner of Avenue D and Eighth street, where he and his wife now reside. He was a Republican in poli- tics until the Greenback movement, with which he has since been connected. So- cially, he is a member of Sterling lodge, No. 612, F. & A. M. ; Sterling chapter, R. A. M., of which he is past high priest; Dixon com- mandery, K. T .; and Freeport consistory. He was the first chancellor commander of Corinthian lodge, No. 69, K. P., and for a number of years represented the local order in the Grand lodge. He is widely known and highly respected and has a host of warm friends in the community where he has so long made his home.
H JON. DANIEL RICHARDS, deceased, was one of the most distinguished of the citizens of Whiteside county, a man with not only a local, but a national reputation. He was born April 5, 1821, in Orangeville, Wyoming county, New York, and was the son of Paul and Lois (Stone) Richards. They were the parents of a large family of chil- dren, all of whom are now deceased. Paul Richards was the first judge of the county court of Wyoming county, a man of more than ordinary ability, and for a time was a member of the Legislature of New York.
Daniel Richards received a liberal edu-
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cation, and in his youth exhibited that zeal- ous interest in public affairs which ever characterized his life and made him more than an ordinary man wherever he lived. At an early age he took up teaching as a profession, following that occupation with success for some years. For a time, how- ever, he engaged in the mercantile trade at Orangeville, pushing the business with all his characteristic energy. In 1844 he was attracted to the great west and determined to see the country for himself. Accordingly he visited Illinois and spent the entire year in traveling over its broad prairies, but at the close of the season returned to his home in Orangeville, where for ten years he con- tinued to engage in the mercantile trade.
On the 29th of August, 1850, Mr. Rich- ards was united in marriage with Miss Frances Barrett, also a native of Orange- ville, Wyoming county, New York, and daughter of Theodore S. and Caroline J. (Damon) Barrett, who came to Whiteside county in 1857, and here spent the remain- der of their lives. On first coming to the county they settled in Sterling, and a little later moved to a farm near Galt. While residing in New York, Theodore S. Barrett took a prominent part in public and official life, but after coming to Illinois he lived a more retired life. His death occurred at the home of Mrs. Richards in 1894, at the age of eighty-six years. His wife died in 1860. They were the parents of four chil- dren: Frances is the wife of our subject. Theodore H. served with distinction during the Civil war and attained the rank of gen- eral. He commanded a regiment in the last battle of the war. He now resides at Herman, Minnesota. Lucia C. died at the age of fifteen years. Lorenzo M., who was born in Orangeville, New York, August 8,
1836, died in Sterling at the home of Mrs. Richards, May 23, 1895. He was well known in Whiteside county, and was univer- sally esteemed. His education was com- pleted in the Genesee and Wyoming Sem- inary, a well known educational institution in western New York, which had among its professors Horace Briggs, LL. D., and Prof. Norman F. Wright, both men of the highest character as educators. In 1855 he came to Sterling, but returned to New York a few months later. After completing his education, he spent the summer of 1857 in what was then the territory of Minnesota, and in the fall of that year again came to Sterling, which was ever afterwards his home, until death came to his relief. For some years he was a teacher in the public schools, and at the time he was stricken with paralysis in 1865 he was principal of the first ward school. He was a brainy man and had high and lofty hopes, but for thirty years he carried his burdens un- complainingly until death came to his re- lief.
In 1854 Mr. Richards made his second trip through the west looking for a loca- tion, finally deciding to cast his lot with the city of Sterling, and in 1855 moved with his family to the place. Forming a partner- ship with Henry Garrettsee, he engaged in the hardware business, but they were in business but a short time when, in the fire of 1856, they were burned out. Wasting no time in lamentation, they at once opened up business in the Keystone block, and were soon in the midst of a good and profitable trade.
The business energy of Mr. Richards, and his rigid integrity in all the relations of life, with the natural abilities that he pos- sessed to an extraordinary degree, soon at-
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tracted the attention of his fellow citizens, and those who sought his counsel and so- ciety found in him a man of marked abil- ity and unswerving integrity of character. He was blessed with a keen sense of right, justice and honor, and clung to these with a tenacity of purpose that won for him a warm place in the heart and affections of all good people. He had a strong mind, great force of character and energy of pur- pose that made him a leader in the Repub- lican party in city, county and state. He ably represented Sterling in the board of supervisors of the county, and served with honor and distinction for many years.
In 1860 Mr. Richards entered heartily into the memorable campaign that resulted in the election of Abraham Lincoln as pres- ident, and made many able speeches in favor of freedom and a free country. He was. a fine speaker, pleasing in address, forcible in his arguments, and always had ideas that were new and original and con- vincing. So rapidly did he secure the con- fidence and esteem of the people that in 1862 he was nominated by the Republican party for the office of state senator in the district comprising the counties of Lee, Ogle and Whiteside, and was unanimously elected, the opposing party not considering it worth while to put up a candidate against him.
Soon after his election, Mr. Richards sold out his hardware business and gave his entire time, energy and ability to his con- stituents. The Legislature of Illinois in the winter of 1862 63, was one of the most memorable ones in the history of the state. The party opposed to the prosecution of the war was in the majority, and they favored extreme measures for stopping its progress. The ablest men in the state in both parties
were in the Legislature, and that memorable session, brought to such an unexpected termination by being prorogued by Gov- ernor Yates, will stand as being one of the most remarkable in the history of the state. It was during that session that Mr. Richards' remarkable tact and great ability as a ready thinker and able debater and legislator shown out and made him a leader in the senate. He won a high and commanding position among the prominent men of the state, and exerted great influence for good among all parties. His ability and unswerv- ing integrity attracted the attention of President Lincoln, and it is said that the name of Daniel Richards was a sufficient endorsement for any favor that he could bestow.
At the close of the session of the Legis- lature, Mr. Richards entered the law office of Honorable Perkins Bass, of Chicago, be- came a close student, and was later admitted to the bar after a most creditable examina- tion. In the death of President Lincoln he lost a valued friend who only waited a favorable opportunity to tender him a suit- able reward for his fidelity to his state and country in a trying time. Through the efforts of llonorable E. B. Washburn, afterwards minister to France, President Johnson tendered him the position of tax commissioner for the state of Florida. Personally he did not desire this position, but was urged to take it as it was very de- sirable that some true, tried and honest man should assume the duties at once, inas- much as the other two commissioners were of the opposite party. He yielded to the urgency of the occasion and started at once for Fernandina, Florida. He was made president of the board, a position he occu- pied until the office expired by limitation.
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Florida was about calling a convention to frame a new constitution, preparatory to being re-admitted to the Union. The issue was clear and marked between the regular Republican party and the followers of Andrew Johnson. Mr. Richards was ap- pealed to by the colored people and mem- bers of the Republican party to espouse their cause and canvass the state. True to the noble instincts of his nature, he could not stand idle and see the oppressor's heel placed upon the colored men of the state. With his whole heart and soul he entered the contest and made the canvass of the state for the oppressed and down trodden ones. He was elected a member of the convention, his party was victorious, and as a reward for his faithful labors, he was elected president of the convention. The party opposed to him in the convention proposed to make every office in the state, except members of the Legislature, to be appointed by the governor and removable at his pleasure. To this outrage upon a free people, the whole nature of Mr. Rich- ards revolted, and he utterly refused to countenance it. This created a division, and the result was a bolt in the convention. Two constitutions were framed and sub- initted to Congress for acceptance, and that body admitted Florida under the bolters' constitution, to the exclusion of as good a constitution as any set of men ever framed for a free people to live under.
Those who knew Mr. Richards best can truthfully testify that it was a part of his na- ture to hate wrong and oppression, no mat- ter from what source it came. With the success of that great outrage upon the peo- ple of the state, died within him all hope of peace, happiness and prosperity for the peo- ple, and he resolved to free himself from all
responsibility, and from that moment he re- tired from political life, and worn out in body and mind, and wondering, as he often expressed it in view of the triumph of dis- honesty and wrong, "if God was just." Fearing his power and influence still, he was approached by the successful party to know if he would accept a position as one of the judges of the supreme court of the state. True to his nature and teachings, he in- dignantly spurned the offer, and from that time on he gave his time and attention to the practice of law, and ranked as one of the ablest men in the state, and "Judge Richards, " as he was called there, will ever be remembered by the good men of Florida as one of her ablest, most honest and up- right citizens.
When Governor Reed was impeached and on trial he sent a special train for Judge Richards to come and defend him, saying to him, "You are the only man in the state that can save me." Under his able and skillful management the governor was cleared. Being of a delicate constitution, inherited from a family of whom none are now living, his constant and incessant labors, aided by the climate, soon sowed seeds of a disease that terminated his life. For more than a year it preyed upon him, gaining power over his shattered constitu- tion daily, until he was completely pros- trated. As soon as he gained sufficient strength he returned to his home in Sterl- ing, and at first the change seemed to be beneficial, and it was hoped that he might recover, but it was not to be. Gradually he became weaker and suffered most extremely, but patiently and resignedly he awaited the hour of dissolution. Finally a sleepy stupor came on. Peacefully he slept, and peace- fully he passed away on the 2 1st of January,
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1872. Thus passed from view a good hus- band, an affectionate parent, an honored citizen, and above all, an honest man.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Richards are Ella G., a fine musician and vocalist, who makes her home with her mother; Carrie, wife of J. F. Utley, of Sterling; and Grace F., wife of Charles E. Windom, a nephew of Ex-Secretary Windom, and who is engaged in the furniture business in Sterl- ing. Since the death of Mr. Richards the family have resided at their old home, No. 604 Fourth avenue, honored and respected by all.
S AMUEL ALBERTSON. Illinois owes its high standing among the sovereign commonwealths that make up the United States to the high character and dauntless spirit of the settlers who made their home within her borders in early days. To their inspiration and work is due her wonderful progress in agriculture, manufacturing and the arts. They opened the mines, trans- formed the wilderness into fertile farms; es- tablished churches and schools in the sav- age wilds, laying the foundations for the grand institutions of philanthropy and learn- ing which are the glory of the state at the present day. Among these brave and far- sighted pioneers was Samuel Albertson, who is now, after a long and busy life, liv- ing retired upon his farm on section 14. Sterling township, Whiteside county.
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