USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > The biographical record of Whiteside County, Illinois.. > Part 52
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HERMAN D. COLLINS is a leading S and popular citizen of Erie, who is now successfully engaged in the real estate busi-
ness. His ability, enterprise and straight- forward dealings have gained lor him an en- viable reputation, and although he is still a young man comparatively, his popularity is established on a firm basis-that of his own well-tested merit.
Mr. Collins was born July 18, 1865, a son of James and Elizabeth Collins, and he received his education in the public schools of Erie. He remained under the parental roof until he was married, September 4, 1890, to Miss Ida L. Waite, who was born September 20, 1862, a daughter of William and Mary A. Waite. They have one child, Claude C., born August 16, 1892.
After his marriage, Mr. Collins was en- gaged in the hotel and restaurant business for some years, but now gives his attention to the real estate business, in which he is meeting with good success. He is a stanch supporter of the Republican party and its principles, and has ever taken an active and prominent part in local politics. As one of the leading and influential citizens of his town he has been honored with important official pysitions, having been a member of the board of trustees for eleven years, and president of the same for two terms. He is now serving in the latter capacity with credit to himself and to the entire satisfac- tion of his constituents. Fraternally he is a member of Erie lodge, No. 667, F. S: A. M .; Evangeline chapter, No. 52, O. E. S .; and Acorn lodge, No. 317, K. P.
J OHN BEELER, whose home is on sec- tion 7, Sterling township, comes from the fatherland, and the strongest and most creditable characteristics of the Teutonic race have been marked elements in his life and have enabled him to win success in the
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face of opposing circumstances. He pos- sesses the energy and determination which mark the people of Germany and by the ex- ercise of his powers he has steadily pro- gressed, and has not only won a handsome competence but has commanded universal respect by his straightforward business methods.
Mr. Beeler was born in Baden, Ger- many, November 30, 1848, a son of Chris- tian and Catherine Beeler, also natives of Baden, where the father engaged in farm- ing throughout life. He died when our subject was quite small, but the mother is still living in Baden. Our subject attended the public schools of his native land until fourteen years of age, and then worked on the home farm until his emigration to Amer- ica in 1864. He sailed from Liverpool, and landed in the United States after a voy- age of thirteen days. He came at once to Sterling, Illinois, where he had friends liv- ing, and on reaching here found that he had but ten dollars with which to begin life in the new world. He secured work with Mathias Wahl, of Genesee township, and remained with him for two years. Later he engaged in farming on the shares for John Dietrehn, Joseph Myers and Peter Bressler, being a year with each.
At the end of that time Mr. Beeler was united in marriage with Miss Anna Bristley, also a native of Baden, Germany, and a daughter of Christ and Mary Bristley. Mr. and Mrs. Beeler have two children: Mar- garet E., the older, has attended the Ster- ling Business College, completed the nor- mal course in 1895, and is now pursuing art studies at Dixon College. Edgar is attend- ing the Sterling Business College.
Mr. and Mrs. Beeler began their do- mestic life in Palmyra township, Lee
county, where he bought eighty acres of cultivated and well-improved land, on which they lived for eleven years. In 1886 he purchased a fine farm of two hundred acres in Sterling township, on which they have since made their home. He has extended the boundaries of his farm by the additional purchase of a one-hundred-and-eight-acre tract, and now has one of the most desira- ble places in the township. In 1896 he erected a handsome modern residence at a cost of three thousand dollars, the architect being James Capp, of Sterling. The house is heated by a furnace and supplied with all modern conveniences. He has also erected a fine barn 42 × 70 feet. He is ex- tensively engaged in stock raising, feeds all of his corn to his stock, and makes a specialty of draft, Norman and Clyde horses. A man of keen perception, of un- bounded enterprise, his success in life is due entirely to his own efforts, and he deserves prominent mention among the leading and representative citizens of his community. He is a member of the Lutheran church of Sterling, and in politics is a Republican.
OHN E. SCOTT, who owns and oper- J ates a well improved farm of one hun- dred and ninety-seven acres in Hopkins township, Whiteside county, is now living retired in the village of Como. He has been very successful as an agriculturist, and by the exercise of industry and natural abil- ty has accumulated a competency for his declining years. The respect and general regard of his neighbors and acquaintances are his to a gratifying degree, and a synop- sis of his history will, doubtless, prove of interest to many.
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Born near Waterford, Morgan county, Ohio, May 26, 1826, John E. Scott is one of the thirteen children of Jesse and Anna G. (Sherman) Scott. The eldest of the family, Asa, born February 26, 1817, mar- ried Elizabeth Taylor, when he was twenty years of age, and both are now deceased. They became the parents of sixteen children, five of whom reside near Como. Jane, born March 5, 1818, married Isaac Bre- telle, who died many years ago. She is still living, her present home being in Nebraska, with one of her four surviving children. Josiah S., born May 18, 1819, married Harriet Correll, in 1843, and they became the parents of twelve children. She died in September, 1899. David, born December 5, 1820, married Lavina Stone and had nine children. Both are now deceased. Hiram B., born January 6, 1822, died June 21, 1850, unmarried. Adrial, born Novem- ber 30, 1823, married Mary Salome, and died in 1896. Their five children survive, and the widow is now making her home in lowa. Joel S., born September 30, 1824, wedded Polly Stillions, and their only child, Polly, is deceased. The mother, born Oc- tober 7, 1834, died October 7, 1851. Mr. Scott subsequently married Elizabeth Cor- rell, and had two children, but all of the family have passed away. Mary E., born June 4, 1829, inarried Edwin Scott, who survives her, his home being in Rock Falls, Illinois. Their family comprised six chil- dren. Maria A., born February 14, 1831, married Lewis Davis. Both are deceased, but their five children survive. Caroline A., born August 8. 1832, became the wife of Alphonzo Brooks, and had three children. The parents died in California about twelve years ago. Alice E., born February 27, 1834, died September 9, 1845. Emeline,
born February 7, 1842, was drowned in Rock river near Como May 8, 1845.
Jesse Scott, the father of our subject, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and served in the war of 1812, as captain of a company, under command of General Johnson. Subsequently, he engaged in the milling business, at one time operating three flour mills. In 1830, he came to Illinois, where he engaged in work as a carpenter and blacksmith. He lived to a good old age, dying when in his ninetieth year. He was married on New Year's day, 1815, to Miss Sherman, who was a devoted helpmate, sharing his joysand sorrows.
When he was ten years of age, John E. Scott removed to the west with his parents. His father built a flat-boat, and conveyed his family and household goods to Illinois, by the way of the Muskingum, Ohio and Illinois river, as far as as Rock river, land- ing at Como, June 1, 1830. Then com- menced a life of considerable hardship, but the family possessed the true pioneer spirit, and accepted uncomplainingly whatever came to them, believing that better times were in store. John E. Scott continued to live upon his parents' farm until his mar- riage, and subsequently became the owner of the property which had belonged to his father. He has continued to improve and cultivate this farm, until it is now considered one of the most valuable places in the county. He has endeavored to do his duty as a citizen, and in his political preference is a Republican. Religiously, he is con- nected with the Methodist Episcopal denomination.
The marriage of J. E. Scott and Mary Jane Shereer was celebrated November 4, 1852. Their eldest child, Anis Cecelia, born October 7, 1853, married David
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Donichy, of Nelson, Illinois. They have three sons and one daughter. Anna Eliza and Anna Adelia, twins, were born October 23, 1855. The former became the wife of Charles Van Drou, and had five children. She died August 23, 1895, and Mr. Van- Drou married Kittie Walton, and resides in Sterling. Anna Adelia became the wife of Oscar Partridge, who cultivates the farm owned by our subject. They are the par- ents of two daughters. Amy Augustine, born July 27, 1857, died May 20, 1860. Oscar H., born March 15, 1859, married Emma Kramer, and lives in Sterling. Mrs. John E. Scott's grandparents, John and Mary (McClurd) Sherer, were married in Germany, removed thence to Glasgow, Scotland, where her father was born. He went to Canada upon attaining his majority later located in Chicago, and for some years prior to his death dwelt in Joliet, Illinois. He departed this life, July 24,
1851, and his wife, formerly Mary M. Cochran passed away December 23, 1850. Their marriage took place October 16, 1832; their daughter Mary Jane was born October 26, 1833, and her twin brother died at the age of six weeks.
R OLLIN H. WOODS, the well known and popular mayor of Rock Falls, is a native son of Whiteside county, born on the old home farm in Montnforency town- ship, May 22, 1866. His father, Peter C. Woods, a native of Indiana, came to this state in 1864, and located in Montmorency township, Whiteside county, where he en- gaged in farming and stock raising. He married Ann Blacklidge, of Metamora, Indiana, and to them were born three chil-
dren, of whom our subject is the youngest. Chester, born in Metamora, Indiana, died in Whiteside county, in 1885, at the age of twenty-two years. Edgar, also a native of Metamora, came to Illinois with his parents, and is now engaged in farming a few miles south of Rock Falls. He married Anna Mc Whorter, of Whiteside county, a daughter of Hon. Tyler McWhorter, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work, and they have seven children, all living.
Our subject spent his boyhood on the home farm and began his education in the common schools of the neighborhood. Early recognizing the advantages to be ac- crued by a good education, he eagerly seized the opportunities given him for the same. and attended the Sterling high school and later took the teacher's and surveyor's course in the Northern Illinois Normal School at Dixon, from which institution he was graduated. He then taught school for several terms, and in 1889 opened a livery business in the city of Rock Falls, which he successfully conducted for two years, when he sold out and was in the railroad employ for some time, but not finding his last occu- pation congenial to his tastes, he returned to his old home and in 1892 opened a real estate and insurance office in Rock Falls. This business he has managed with a great deal of skill and energy, has built up a good patronage, and become thoroughly acquired with the people and business interests of the city. For a time he was also a dealer in cigars and tobacco, which business he sold out in November, 1899.
At Rock Falls, March 15, 1893, Mr. Woods was united in marriage with Miss Lida Wagley, a daughter of Joseph Wagley. of Rock Falls, and they now have a little son, Rollin E., born May 31, 1897. The
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family have a pleasant home at No. 202 Fourth avenue.
In 1894, Mr. Woods was elected alder- man and took an active part in the business of the city council and in the affairs of the city. He was re-elected to the same posi- tion in 1896 and was an active member of the committee on finance, and streets and alleys, being chairman of the former com- mittee. In the spring of 1899 he received the nomination for mayor, in recognition of his qualifications for that office and his untir- ing activity in advancing the best interests and prosperity of the city, and after a hard fought contest between the different candi- dates for that office, he came out victorious, being elected by a large majority, and carry- ing every ward. He is by no means un- acquainted with the responsibilities of the office, his two terms as alderman having fitted him for its duties. He has always been greatly interested in the affairs of the city, looking toward its advancement and improvement. He is himself a property owner in Rock Falls and has the interests of a true citizen in her welfare. Fraternally he is an active and prominent member of the Knights of the Globe and the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows.
L EONARD A. SLAYMAKER, a progress- ive farmer of Newton township, resid- ing on section 14, where he owns ninety acres of land under good improvement, in addition to which he has a lot of timber land on section 16. He was born in Lan- caster county, Pennsylvania, September 27, 1836, and is the son of George and Anna Elizabeth (Rockey) Slaymaker, both of whom were natives of the same county and
state, the former born in 1799, and the lat- ter in ISIS. They were both reared in their native county and there married. Eight children came to bless their union, of whom seven are yet living. Mary J., who is now the owner of the old family homestead in Newton township, is now making her home with her sister, Mrs. Dr. Lundy, of Lyons, Iowa. Lavinia C. is the wife of James Harris, of Bellfont, Pennsylvania. Leonard A. is the subject of this sketch. Anna E. is the wife of Ishmael Monroe, of San Joaquin county, California. George M. is a farmer of Newton township. Samuel H. died in Newton township January 4, 1883. Sarah, wife of Dr. Lundy, of Lyons, Iowa, was killed in a railroad wreck in 1881. James H. makes his home in Albany, Illinois.
George Slaymaker came with his family to Whiteside county, Illinois, in April, 1855, and after residing in the village of Albany one year, located in Newton town- ship, where he rented a farm for four years. He then bought a farm in the township on section 15, adjoining the present farm of our subject, which he improved, and on which he resided during the remainder of his life, his death occurring July 15, 1881. In his native state he took an active part in public affairs, but after coming to Whiteside county, he lived a quiet and retiring life.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, Captain John Slaymaker, commanded a company of riflemen during the war of 1812, and was in active service. His son George, the father of our subject, being too young to carry arms, accompanied his father in the service in the capacity of a teamster. The paternal great-grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was present at Braddock's defeat. George Slaymaker had the privilege of seeing the Marquis
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de Lafayette when the latter was on his last visit to the United States.
The boyhood of our subject was spent on the farm in his native state, and he received a good common-school education, At the age of eighteen years, he entered a machine shop in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, to learn the machinist's trade, but this object was interrupted by the removal of the family to Whiteside county, he accompanying them. He remained with the family until the spring of 1859, when he started with a party of five to Pike's Peak. Those com- prising the party were his uncle, Alexander Slaymaker, Samuel Coffman, James Burns, a Mr. Gordon, and our subject. On reach- ing Omaha, they learned that Pike's Peak was "busted," and some of the party con- cluded to return home. Mr. Slaymaker was of the number that concluded to go on to the end of their journey. With their team of oxen they started across the plains, and at Fort Laramie met Horace Greeley, who was coming home from his famous overland trip. Arriving at their journey's end, the season was spent at Boulder and Long's Peak, Colorado, engaging in pros- pecting and mining, but without much suc- cess. In the fall the party sold out the claim they had located and returned home with the same ox team with which they made the outward trip. They arrived at home just at the beginning of the winter.
Soon after his return home, Mr. Slay- maker was united in marriage with Miss Mary Stagg, the wedding ceremony being celebrated at Fulton, Illinois, February 26, 186t. She was born in Henry county, Illi- nois, October 16, 1842, and came to White- side county with her parents, Thomas and Nancy (McDermott) Stagg, when but five years old. Her father was a native of New 25
Jersey, and located near Columbus, Ohio, and from there moved to Henry county, Hli- nois, in the thirties, and to Whiteside county in 1847, locating in Albany, where he en- gaged in blacksmithing a number of years, and later bought a farm in Newton town- ship, where he spent the remainder of his years, dying in December, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Slaymaker have been blessed with no children of their own, but reared from in- fancy a niece of Mrs. Slaymaker, Mary Effner, daughter of Edward and Amanda Effner, and she is now the wife of William W. Blean, a prominent farmer of Newton township.
After marriage Mr. Slaymaker engaged in farming in Newton township until the fall of 1872, when he rented his land and moved to Marion county, Kansas, where he purchased a claim and spent one season en- gaged in farming. In the spring of 1874 he returned to Whiteside county intending to sell his property here and take up his permanent residence in Kansas. Being In- able to sell to advantage, he concluded that Whiteside county was a good enough place in which to live, and therefore he returned to his farm and Kansas lost a good and val- uable citizen and Illinois regained one.
Since his return from Kansas Mr. Slay- maker has given his sole attention to agri- culture, following an intelligent system of mixed farming. He has made nearly all the improvements on his place, which is one of the best in his township. In politics he is a Democrat and has given considerable at- tention to political affairs. For four years he served as justice of the peace in his township, and he has also given much of his time to educational affairs as a member of the board of education. He and his wife are members of the Newton Presbyterian
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church, in which he has been an active worker, serving for twenty-five or thirty years as elder or trustee. He has also been active in Sunday-school work, serving as superintendent for many years. Fraternally he is a member of Pilot camp, Modern Woodmen of America. As a citizen he is progressive, and all who know him have for him unbounded respect. His home is a cultured and refined one, and his hospitality is unbounded.
J
JOHN G. LIMERICK, one of the most energetic, enterprising and progressive business men of Rock Falls, is a native of Illinois, born in Burean county, January 18, 1864, and is a son of George and Letitia Limerick. The father, who was a native of New York, came to Illinois when a small boy and later took up government land in Bureau county which he developed into a good farm. He followed agricultural pur- suits throughout life and died upon his farm in Bureau county, in February, 1875. His wife passed away at the same place in 1878. Of their nine children, only three are now living besides our subject, namely: A. H. is a prominent citizen of Winfield, Kansas, and principal and superintendent of the public schools of that place; Maggie is the widow of Thomas A. Bishop, a prosperous farmer of Whiteside county, and she now lives with her three children at 1005 West Fifth street, Sterling; and Minnie E. is the wife John Stewart, who is engaged in the express business in Chicago.
The subject of this sketch was reared on the home farm in Bureau county, where he remained until nineteen years of age. He attended school in Ohio, that county, and when his education was completed went to
Boone, Iowa, where he was employed in the grocery business for a short time. While there Mr. Limerick was married. April 14, 1885, to Miss Ella Hartman, of that place, a daughter of Henry and Leah Hartman. Three children were born of this union: Elmo J., born in Boone, Iowa, January 27, 1886, died in Rock Falls, in 1890, and was burried in Sterling, Illinois; the second child died in infancy unnamed; Volney G., born in Rock Falls, December 17, 1891, completes the family.
Mr. Limerick remained in Boone, Iowa, until April, 1887, and then came to Rock Falls, where he has since resided. He was employed as clerk in the hardware store of A. J. McNeil & Company for a period of seven years, and for one year by E. U. Taylor, another hardware merchant of Rock Falls. In 1896 he embarked in business for him- self, purchased a barber shop, which he has since owned, but does not give all his time to the business, being now engaged quite ex- tensively in the fire insurance business. He has obtained the agency for several of the best companies, and by his industry and close attention to his business has built up a large and prosperous patronage in that line. In the spring of 1898, he was elected city collector for a term of one year. During that time the of- fice was made an appointive one, and upon the expiration of his term he was ap- pointed by Mayor Woods for another term. He is a public-spirited citizen who gives his support to every enterprise for the public good.
W ILLIAM E. CURTIS, a prominent liveryman of Rock Falls, and a worthy representative of an honored pio- neer family of this county, was born in
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Tampico township, December 14, 1854, and is a son of George W. Curtis, a native of Connecticut, who was born May 6, 1822, and lived near Hartford until 1848, his time and attention being devoted to farming and stock raising. While still a resident of the east he was united in marriage with Miss Lois R. Hart, a daughter of Russell and Lois Hart, of New York state, and to this union six children were born, of whom our subject is the fourth in order of birth, the others being as follows: Nancy E., born on the Fox river, at Newark, Illinois, is now the wife of Brantson H. Gray, a carpenter of Rock Falls, and they have six children, all living: Henry, Minnie, Jean, Arthur, Lois and Catherine; George H., born at Newark, is now traveling in. Europe; Jessie L., born in Newark, married Delia Batch- eler, of Montmorency township, this coun- ty, by whom he has four children, and he is now engaged in farming in Ness county, Kansas; Lois Isabelle, born in Tampico township, Whiteside county, is the wife of Irwin Green, of Montmorency township, who is now a Methodist minister of Cream- ery, Iowa, and they have three children, Ethel, Maurice and Herbert; and Emily A., born in Tampico, married Frank Bryan, a farmer of Montmorency township, where she died in February, 1884, at the age of twenty-four years, and was buried there.
Immediately after his marriage, George W. Curtis came west and first located on the Fox river, near Newark, Illinois, where he engaged in farming and stock raising for some time. Subsequently he removed to Tampico township, this county, where he purchased two hundred and forty acres of government land, and to its cultivation and improvement he devoted his time and at- tention for fifteen years. He next made his
home in Coloma township, about two miles east of Rock Falls, until 1887, when he moved to Rock Falls and erected there a residence. He lived here until November, 1899, when he removed to Caro, Michigan, where he has property interests and where he and his wife intend to reside.
The early life of our subject was spent upon the farin in Tampico township where he was born, and in the district schools of the neighborhood he began his education, pursuing his studies there through the win- ter months, while during the summer sea- son he aided his father on the farm. In 1869 he removed with the family to Coloma township, where he continued his school life and remained with his father for about two years. At the end of that time he started out in life for himself, and for seven years worked on different farms in this county.
January 15, 1878, Mr. Curtis led to the marriage altar Miss Edna Barber, a daugh- ter of Sidney and Sophia (Martin) Barber, of Rock Falls, whose sketch appears else- where in this volume. By this union four children have been born, namely: Elmer, born in Montmorency township, this coun- ty, June 11, 1881, is now attending the pub- lic schools of Rock Falls, from which he will graduate in 1900; Arthur, born in this county, December 30, 1882, is a student in the high school of Rock Falls; and Sidney, born June 21, 1889, and George W., born December 25, 1891, are also in school.
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