USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > The biographical record of Whiteside County, Illinois.. > Part 53
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62
After his marriage, Mr. Curtis went to Nebraska, where he spent one summer, and on his return to Whiteside county, he en- gaged in farming in Montmorency township until 1889, when he came to Rock Falls and embarked in the livery business, which he has since carried on with most excellent
444
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
success. He is one of the leading business men of the city and quite prominent in pub- lic affairs. He was highway commissioner of Coloma township for six years, and alder- man of Rock Falls, from the second ward, in 1895 and 1896. Politically he is identi- fied with the Republican party, and frater- nally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, of Sterling; the Knights of the Globe, of Rock Falls; the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Mystic Workers of the World.
FERNANDO N. BREWER is now prac- tically living a retired life upon his farm in Lyndon township, Whiteside county. He is numbered among the pioneer settlers of this locality, for since his early boyhood days he has been identified with the interests of this section of the state, and has borne his part in its progress and development. He has seen its wild lands transformed into fine farms, while its hamlets have become villages and industries and commercial enter- prises have been introduced. Long familiar with the county and its history, Mr. Brewer well deserves representation in this volume, and he is also deserving of the success which has crowned his well-directed efforts in busi- ness. His diligence and enterprise brought him prosperity, and he is now accounted one of the substantial citizens of the com- munity.
A native of Berkshire county, Massa- chusetts, he was born July 23, 1836, and is of Welch lineage, probably five generations of the family having resided in America since the progenitor came from Wales to the New World. The grandfather, Daniel Brewer, was born August 19, 1784, in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, and was
married in 1806 to Electa Langdon, who was born August 26, 1787. His brother was a soldier in the war of 1812. Daniel Brewer died February 2, 1869, and his wife passed away February 8, 1870. Their children were Emeline, born October 23, 1807; Daniel P., born November 18, 1809; Hiram, born July 29, 1811 ; John, born June 28, 1814; Eleazer T., born August 8, 1816; Esther M., born January 19, 1819; Na- thaniel, born March 26, 1821; Harriet N. and Henry L., twins, born September 1, 1823; Reuben R., born June 8, 1825; Har- riet N., born March 23, 1828; and Phebe A., born September 13, 1830. Of these children only three are living-Reuben R., of Berkshire county, Massachusetts; Phœbe, of Connecticut; and Daniel P., father of our subject.
Daniel P. Brewer was born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, in November, 1809, and when a young man learned the tailor's trade, which he followed until his removal to Whiteside county, in 1837. He married Emeline Hollister, who was born in Berk- shire county, in 1811. They became the parents of five children, of whom our sub- ject is the eldest. Elizabeth was married May 18, 1856, to H. L. Osborne, now de- ceased, and resides in Sterling, Illinois. Their children are Adelbert; Lois; Harper; Elva, wife of Frank Blair, of Sterling; Etta; one who died at the age of eighteen years, and one who died in infancy. Lucelia, the third of the family, was married November 24, 1862, to S. A. Langdon, of Morristown. James Oren, a farmer of Lutesville, Mis- souri, was married April 2, 1874, to Rebecca H. Winner, and they have three children- May, a teacher; Earl and Jessie. Esther N. was married March 6, 1876, to J. H. Upton, a farmer of Portland township, and
445
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
their children are Ralph, Mabel, Blanch and Ruth.
Fernando N. Brewer was only a year old when brought by his parents to Illinois and thus he was reared amid the wild scenes of the frontier and with the family experi- enced all the hardships of pioneer life. His father became a resident of Portland town- ship, where he has since resided, owning at one time two hundred acres of land, which he has deeded to his youngest daugh- ter, with whom he now makes his home. Before putting aside business cares he en- gaged in general farming and was quite suc- cessful in his undertakings. In politics he is a Republican and held several offices in the township. About 1885 he put aside all business cares and has since lived retired. His wife died November 12, 1894, since which time he has resided with his youngest daughter.
Mr. Brewer, of this review, attended the first school established in White- side county and remained at home until twenty-six years of age, working the old homestead farm on the shares with his father for five years. He then married Cordelia Frary, who was born in Prophets- town township, December 20, 1842, a daughter of Marvin and Eliza (Wight) Frary, early settlers of that township, to which place they removed from New York about 1839. Their only child was Mrs. Brewer. Mrs. Frary, however, was twice married, her first husband being Sampson Ellethorpe, by whom she had a son yet liv- ing,-E. S. Ellethorpe. Katie Brill Brew- er was born in Tampico township, White- side county, Illinois, January 19, 1879. Her parents both died before she was four years old; she then came and lived with our subject as one of the family. She graduated
at the Prophetstown school in 1896 and has since worked at her trade of dressmaking while still making her home with Mr. and Mrs. Brewer.
After his marriage Mr. Brewer located on a farm owned by his wife, where he re- mained for a year. He then purchased one hundred acres of land and has since added to his farm until it now comprises four hun- dred acres of highly improved land. It was only partially under cultivation when it first came into his possession but he trans- formed it into rich and fertile fields, erected new buildings and fences and added many modern accessories and equipments. He engaged in general farming and stock rais- ing and for a time engaged in the dairy business, but later abandoned that and made a specialty of the raising of Durham cattle. In 1891 his son assumed the man- agement of the farm and he has since lived retired, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned, for his career was an active and useful onc, characterized at all times by the strictest integrity in his trade transac- tions.
Mr. and Mrs. Brewer became the parents of two children: Mason P., born in 1866, now operates the homestead and is an en- ergetic and enterprising agriculturist. In April, 1891, he married Harriet Austin, and they have four children, -- Buell, Carl, Harriet and Nellie. The daughter, Eva E., is the wife of George Fisk, of Lyndon township. He owns a farm in Fenton township in connection with his brother, but is now living on his father's farm. They have two children, Roy and Myrtle.
Mr. and Mrs. Brewer hold membership in the Methodist church of Lyndon, and he has held several offices in that organization. In politics he is a stanch Republican and
446
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
has served as supervisor, assessor and in other local positions of trust and responsi- bility. He is one of the directors of the County Fair Association and has been one of the directors of the Old Settlers' Associa- tion for over thirty-four years. The presi- dency of this society has been tendered him, but he declined to serve. The association is in a very flourishing condition, and its annual meetings are attended by about ten thousand people. Throughout the county Mr. Brewer has a wide acquaintance and is held in the highest esteem by all. For more than fifty years he has been identified with the interests of this locality and few are more familiar with its history. His dil- igence and honesty in business have brought him gratifying success, and his fidelity to duty in public and private life have won him a leading place among the honored res- idents of this section of Illinois.
F RANK HODGES, one of the most pro- gressive, enterprising and energetic farmers and stock raisers of Whiteside county, has spent his entire life here, his birth occuring in Coloma township, March 12, 1859. His father, Francis W. Hodges, now an honored and highly esteemed citizen of Rock Falls, was born in Massachusetts, August 11, 1824, a son of David and Clarissa (Jones) Hodges, and was reared by his aunt. He was married February 6, 1855, to Miss Mary Stewart, who was born in New York March 19, 1839, a daughter of James and Jane Stewart, and by this union four children were born, namely: Joseph W., born March 19, 1857, is a resident of Rock Falls; Frank, our subject, is the next in order of birth; Jenny L., born October 13, 1861, is the wife of Y. C. Stevenson, of
Cleveland, Ohio; and J. Stewart, born March 12, 1875, lives at home with his par- ents. It was in 1840 that the father came to Whiteside county and subsequently he purchased a farm of ninety acres in Coloma township, to the improvement and cultiva- tion of which he devoted his energies during the greater part of his life. There he con- tinued to make his home until his removal to Rock Falls in 1895.
Frank Hodges remained with his parents until reaching man's estate, acquiring an ex- cellent knowledge of agricultural pursuits, and receiving a good practical education in the common schools. On the 11th of No- vember, 1889, he was united in marriage with Miss Vora Thompson, a daughter of R. M. Thompson, of Morrison, whose sketch appears on another page of this work. Our subject is now in partnership with his father- in-law in the stock business and has con- trol of Mr. Thompson's land, amounting to about nineteen hundred acres. Annually he feeds from two hundred and seventy-five to three hundred head of cattle and about five hundred hogs, and as a stock raiser and general farmer is meeting with most gratify- ing results. He is a man of keen discrim- ination and sound judgment and generally carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. In his political affiliations he is a Democrat, and in his social relations is a member of the Modern Woodmen.
JOHN L. THOMPSON is a skillful farmer and successful stock raiser whose home is on section 15, Fenton township, White- side county, Illinois, where he owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, and also has an adjoining tract of ten acres on sec-
447
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
tion 19. He was born in that township, March 26, 1852, and is a son of R. M. Thompson, a retired farmer of Morrison, whose sketch will be found on another page of this work. Our subject remained under the parental roof until he attained his ma- jority and then began the battle of life for himself. He purchased his present farm, and upon that place has since followed his chosen calling with marked success. He devotes considerable attention to stock rais- ing, and usually keeps on hand enough stock to consume all the grain raised upon his farm. Lately he has turned his atten- tion to dairy farming, and for that purpose now keeps from fifteen to twenty cows.
Mr. Thompson was married, December 23, 1880, to Miss Carrie E. Hamlin, who was born in Erie, Whiteside county, Feb- ruary 17, 1861, a daughter of S. Benjamin and Nancy Hamlin, the father born in New York, the mother in Pennsylvania. The father engaged in the cooper business in Erie, having formerly learned the trade while a resident of Ohio. Mrs. Thompson is the sixth in order of birth in a family of seven children, the others being as follows: (1) Oliver C., now a resident of Peoria, and county engineer of Peoria county, flli- nois, married Susan Aldapher, and they had four children, two of whom died in infancy. Those living are Sylvester B. and Howard W. (2) Ammi Rogers, a street railway con- ductor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, married Lucy V. and Roe, and they have two children, Fred N. Roy. (3) Alfred Albert died when young. (4) Addie E. is the wife of John B. Wood, of Fenton, Whiteside county, and they have five children: Harry; Car- rie N. and Callie E., twins; Fred; and Wil- lis. (5) Ida Ellen died at the age of twelve years. (7) Frank B., a farmer residing in
Eric, married Mary Anna Mutschler. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have become the par- ents of two children: Roy J., born Janu- ary 13, 1885, and Matt C., born May 20, 1888. Both attend the public schools.
Mr. and Mrs. Thompson hold member- ship in the Christian church of Erie, and are highly respected and esteemed where- ever known. He is also a member of Ew- ing lodge, No. 175, M. W. A., and politic- ally is identified with the Democratic party, although he was reared a Republican. He is now an advocate of the free coinage of silver, believing it to be for the best inter- ests of the entire country.
LEOPOLD STOECKLE, deceased, was one of the leading business men of Sterling for some years, and took an active part in promoting its substantial im- provement and material development. An adopted son of America, his loyalty was above question and his labors in the inter- est of the city were most effective and ben- eficial.
Mr. Stoeckle was born in Baden, Ger- many, November 11, 1832, and when about fifteen years of age was brought to Amer- ica, by his parents, Ludwig and Eliza Stoeckle, who located in Cleveland, Ohio. There he learned the barber's trade, and at the age of eighteen he removed to Chicago, where he continued to work at his trade for some years, conducting the barber shop in the Sherman House for a part of the time.
In that well-known hotel, Mr. Stoeckle was married, January 5, 1852, by Rev. Rowley, a Methodist Episcopal minister, to Miss Cathrina Bergman, who was born in Prussia, Germany, February 15, 1831, and when fifteen years of age came to America
448
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
with her parents, John August and Kath- rina (Steffin) Bergman. In Chicago her father followed his trade of carpenter and builder, and also engaged in the real estate business, buying and improving city prop- erty and then selling it again. In this way he accumulated a competency. Both he and his wife died in Chicago and were laid to rest in Calvary cemetery.
To Mr. and Mrs. Stoeckle were born thirteen children, namely: John Lee, born November 26, 1852, is now a barber en- gaged in business on the corner of First avenue and Third street, Sterling; Rosa and Kathrina, twins, born December 15, 1853, died in infancy; Emil Albert, born April 6, 1855, resides with his mother; James, born November 27, 1856, died when three days old; Mary A., born Feb- ruary II, 1858, is the wife of William Per- kins, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Eugene, born December 14, 1859, died when ten days old; Edward Eugene, born December 17, 1860, is a barber of Stafford, Kansas; Walter Julian, born December 2, 1862, is a mail carrier of Sterling; Julius, born Jan- uary 5, 1865, died April 6, the same year; William, born October 24, 1866, died May 10, 1868; William August, born October 6, 1868, is bookkeeper for the Wire Works Company, of Sterling; and George Rudolph, born October 10, 1871, was accidentially drowned in Rock River, August 11, 1887.
After his marriage, Mr. Stoeckle con- ducted the Sherman House barber shop until 1859, when he came to Sterling and opened a shop in the Boynton House, then the principal hotel in the place. There he remained in business for two or three years, and then removed farther down town, carry- ing on business at several different places until he finally purchased property and in
1868 erected the store building on Third street now occupied by the D. & W. Cloth- ing store, which has since been remodeled, improved and modernized by Mrs. Stoeckle, who has put in a new front. He also bought the building on the corner of Third and Locust streets, formerly owned by the Patterson Banking Company, now the Adam Express Company's office. He also pur- chased a residence at No. 209 Fifth avenue, which is now occupied by his son, William Stoeckle. He built up a successful and profitable business and judiciously invested his savings in town property. Since her husband's death, Mrs. Stoeckle has most ably conducted her business affairs. In 1887 she built a double house on Second street between Eighth and Ninth avenues, and in 1892 erected her present fine residence on Fifth avenue beside the old home now occupied by her son.
During his entire business career, Mr. Stoeckle gave his undivided attention to his trade, and by industry and economy, and the exercise of good judgment in invest- ments he made a signal success. He was of a kind and genial disposition, and was a friend and counselor to those in need. He was a man who made many friends and had no enemies. He was prominent in the leading fraternal societies, being a Knight Templar Mason, and a member of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows and other orders. He died June 1, 1881, honored and respected by all who knew him.
EJOE McENTIRE, M. D., a prominent and successful young physician of Erie, is a native of Illinois, born in Rock Island coun- ty, April 22, 1874, and is a son of Thomas L. and Elizabeth McEntire, both of whom
449
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
were of Scotch-Irish descent. After com- pleting his literary education he began prep- aration for his chosen profession. He en- tered Rush Medical College, of Chicago, and on the completion of the prescribed course was graduated from that noted insti- tution May 22, 1895. On the ist of No- vember, of the same year, he opened an office in Erie, Whiteside county, Illinois, and as his skill and ability became recog- nized he built up a good practice which he now enjoys. He is a progressive physician and constant study and close application have kept him well informed on the latest discoveries made in the practice and science of medicine and surgery.
A LEXANDER J. McNEIL is a leading hardware merchant of Rock Falls and occupies a foremost position among the prominent business men of the city. He is a native of Whiteside county, born on a farm adjoining Rock Falls, in 1857, and is a son of Robert McNeil, of Coloma town- ship, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. He was reared on the farm where his father still resides, and remained under the parental roof until twenty-four years of age, while he obtained his educa- tion in the district schools of Coloma town- ship, pursuing his studies in the little brick school house east of Rock Falls, near the old home farm. He well remembers many times during his boyhood of herding cattle on the present site of Rock Falls. His youth was that of the common farm life of the boys of the west, full of that natural freedom of life, slowly molding that char- acter which, through habits of industry, pa- tience and duty, and untrammeled by vice,
makes our best and noblest citizens of to- day-makes the brains of our country.
In 1879, Mr. McNeil came to Rock Falls and commenced business life by entering into partnership with A. M. Batcheler in the agricultural implements business under the firm name of Batcheler & McNeil, and in which he continued for three years. Being offered the position of traveling sales- man for the McCormick Harvester Com- pany, in 1883 he accepted, disposed of his business and remained with them until Octo- ber of the same year when he began travel- ing for the Sterling Manufacturing Com- pany, remaining with them two years. He afterwards held a similar position with the Barnes Manufacturing Company of Free- port and was in their employ until March 1888, when he returned to Rock Falls and embarked in the hardware business, which he has successfully conducted ever since. In 1896 the frame building which he occupied was destroyed by fire, but with characteris- tic energy he immediately commenced the erection of another, and as the result now has a fine substantial brick structure, the interior arrangement of which is perfectly adapted for the display of the full line of hardware which he carries.
In the fall of 1883, Mr. McNeil was united in marriage with Miss Carrie Chase, of Washington D. C., a sister of Hon. B. F. Chase, of the pension department at Washington. They have one child, Emily J., born in Rock Falls November 17, 1889.
Mr. McNeil is a popular citizen and held in high esteem by the people of Rock Falls. He has always been an active worker in the interests of the city. In 1896, at the time his store was burned, he, in return for their noble services, gave the fire department of Rock Falls and Sterling a fine banquet on
450
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Lincoln's birthday, which returned in unit- ing these departments into a friendly ex- change of duties, so that ever since mutual assistence is rendered on every necessary occasion. Politically Mr. McNeil is an ardent Democrat, but has never cared for political honors. He is a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of the Globe, being one of the directors of the Knights of the Globe Mutual Benefit Association. Mr. McNeal and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church and he has been an active member of the Y. M. C. A., of which he is now a director.
THOMAS J. WILBER, who is now living retired from active labor in the village of Erie, was born in New York state, July 28, 1840, a son of James and Katherine (Nolls) Wilber. The father, who owned and operated a sawmill in that state, died about 1884, and the mother departed this life in 1871. In their family were eleven children.
Our subject was reared by his maternal grandfather, and remained with him until twenty-two years of age. On the 23d of January, 1867, he was united in marriage with Miss De Vera Grover, and soon after- ward they came to Whiteside county, Illi- nois, locating on a farm in Garden Plains township, where they lived for about two
years. The following year was spent in Iowa, but at the end of that time they re- turned to this county and took up their resi- dence in Erie, where Mr. Wilber was suc- cessfully engaged in mercantile business for a number of years. He owns a good farm of eighty acres in Fenton township, which he has improved and cultivated, and resided on it for seven years. : Since the spring of
1899 he has lived retired in Erie, enjoying the fruits of former toil.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilber have one child, Lawrence A., who is now engaged in the stock business in Hillsdale. The parents are both earnest and consistent Christians, though members of different religious de- nominations, Mr. Wilber belonging to the Christian church, his wife to the Seventh Day Adventist church. In politics he is in- dependent, voting for the men whom he believes best qualified to fill the offices, re- gardless of party affiliations. He commands the respect and confidence of all who know him and is one of the honored citizens of his community.
B ERNHARD JOHNSON. The Teutonic race has always been an important element in our national progress, and Ger- many has furnished to America many of her best citizens. Our subject is one who came from the fatherland to the new world and to-day he is one of the most extensive farm- ers and stock dealers of Whiteside county, owning.four hundred acres of valuable land and leasing five hundred acres additional. He was born in the Grand Duchy of Olden- burg, Germany, September 16, 1840, and is a son of Tobias Johnson, whose death occurred when our subject was only three months old. The mother bore the maiden name of Margaret Mennen, and like her husband was a native of Oldenburg. Bern- hard was their only child, but after the death of the father the mother wedded Frederick Lubben Hendrichs, and by that union had two children, both of whom died in early life.
Bernhard Johnson obtained his educa- tion in the public schools and remained in
451
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
the fatherland until twenty-six years of age, when he came to Illinois, believing that he might better his financial condition in the new world. For thirteen years he made his home in Dixon, where he engaged in sprinkling streets and also purchased and operated a gristmill, which he conducted successfully for some time. At length he sold out and took up his abode in Nelson township, where he engaged in farming on rented land. In 1878 he came to Mont- morency township, Whiteside county, where he purchased two hundred and forty acres of land to which he afterward added a quar- ter section, making four hundred acres in all. Here he is engaged in the raising of grain and stock. His farm was not improved when he located thereon, but he has since erected an elegant brick residence and made all modern improvements. He has a sew- erage system on the farm and water is piped to all the buildings. The barns and out- buildings are models of convenience, and the residence, which was erected in 1895, is supplied with all improvements. The land is under cultivation or used for pasturage purposes, for he is extensively engaged in the raising of stock. At one time he rented his farm and removed to Chicago, where he re- mained for five years. During the World's Fair, he conducted a hotel and boarding house there, and yet owns some suburban property in that city. Since his return he has engaged quite extensively in dealing in stock, buying both cattle and sheep in all sections of the country. He annually ships about twelve carloads of each, and now has about seventeen hundred sheep upon his farm. He is regarded as one of the most successful stock dealers in this section of the state, and has conducted his business with such marked energy and enterprise that he
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.