USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > The biographical record of Whiteside County, Illinois.. > Part 6
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
There he died and was buried. His first wife passed away twenty or twenty-five years before, leaving five children, two sons and three daughters, of whom Robert R., the father of our subject, is the oldest. (2) Mary is the wife of David Mitchell, a grocer of Fulton, by whom she had four children, three still living, namely: Charles, a civil engineer of Chicago; and Minnie and William, both of Fulton. (3) Maria is the wife of Morgan McFarland, a farmer and stock raiser of Villa Grove, Colorado. (4) Rebecca is unmarried and lives with her sister, Mrs. McFarland, in Colorado. (5, Dyer, a resident of Garden Plain, married Dora Knowlton, who died leaving three children, Horace, Harvey and Lura, and for his second wife he married Mrs. Lavina Woods. The grandfather of our subject was twice married, and by the second wife had two children: Ethel Linda, who mar- ried Edgar Florence and died in 1875 or'76, and John, a merchant of Bagley, Iowa, who is married and has four children: Lawrence, Ray, John and Bessie.
Robert R. Murphy, father of our subject, was born near Portsmouth, Ohio, in 1834, and when a young man came to Whiteside county, Illinois, locating in Garden Plain township, where he conducts a farm and is also successfully operating the Garden Plain Creamery. His political support is always given the Republican party, and being one of the prominent and influential men of his township, he has been honored with numer- ous local offices, including that of supervisor, in which he served for two terms. He married Miss Eliza J. Armstrong, a native of Pennsylvania, who at an early day came with her parents to Albany, Whiteside county, Illinois, where her marriage was celebrated. By this union five children
were born, namely: Addie is the wife of E. A. Harrington, a telegraph operator of Peru, Illinois, by whom she has two chil- dren, Fay and Ruth; Edgar, who operates a creamery in Hartwick, Iowa, married Kate Baker and has three children: Vernon, Floyd and Hazel; Samuel L., our subject, is the next of the family; Bertha is the wife of George Dunshee, a fariner of York township, Carroll county, Illinois; and Frank assists his father in business and resides at the old home in Garden Plain township. The mother of these children died in 1878, and for his second wife the father married Lurinda Cosselman, a native of Ustick township.
The subject of this review received his education in the Garden Plain public school, and remained at home until twenty-two years of age, when he came to Ustick to take charge of the Spring Valley Creamery that was owned by his father. He had operated it several years before and at this time had charge of the plant for eight years, doing a successful and profitable busi- ness. At the end of that time he sold out. On the 3d of October, 1888, was celebrated his marriage with Miss Virginia Durward, by whom he has four children: Pearl, Lepha, Devenia and Robert R.
After his marriage Mr. Murphy located on the farm which he had previously pur- chased, and upon which he had erected a good modern residence and made other im- provements. This place consisted of thirty- seven acres adjoining the creamery, but he has since sold half of it and now operates rented land belonging to his father-in-law. He carried on a general farming and stock raising with good success, making a spec- iality of Jersey cattle, and he also deals in horses, selling to the local trade. In con-
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nection with his other business he ran a threshing machine for a short time. He is a prominent member of Ustick lodge, No. 9, Mystic Workers of the World, in which he has held office, and is identified with the Republican party, but has never aspired to political honors.
FRANK FITZGERALD, M. D. Among those who devote their time and ener- gies to the practice of medicine and have gained a leading place in the ranks of the profession is Dr. Fitzgerald, a prominent physician and surgeon of Morrison. He was born in Cherry Valley, New York, April 5, 1857, a son of Alfred and Sarah (Wilkins) Fitzgerald. The father was a carriage maker of that place, where he made his home until his death, which occurred in 1885. The mother is still living in Cherry Valley. The paternal grandfather, Fitz- william Fitzgerald, a descendant of Edward Fitzgerald, of England, came from that country to America and engaged in wagon making at Cherry Valley, New York, where . he built up a good business. The maternal grandfather, Daniel Wilkins, was a black- smith and a fine mechanic of considerable inventive genius. One of his brothers was a prominent divine in England, and he was also being educated for a clergyman, but not liking the idea he ran away from home and came to the United States; he died at Cherry Valley when our subject was quite small.
During his boyhood Dr. Fitzgerald at- tended the common schools of his native place and also a select or parish school. At the age of fifteen he came alone to Morri- son, Illinois, and found employment in the drug store of John S. Green, where he re-
mained for eleven years, having complete charge of the same from 1876, at the age of nineteen, until 1883. During that time a larger amount of business was transacted over its counter than at any time in recent years. On account of his health, Dr. Fitz- gerald was at length forced to resign his position, and he then commenced the study of medicine with his father-in-law, Dr. Sam- uel Taylor, who came to Erie from Richland county, Ohio, and after staying there several years removed to Morrison, and was engaged in active practice up to the time of his death, which occurred January 30, 1890. After reading with him one year, our sub- ject entered Rush Medical College, Chica- go, from which he was graduated with the class of 1886. Returning to Morrison he engaged in practice with his preceptor until the latter's death, and has since been alone. He enjoys a large general practice which extends throughout the surrounding country twelve or fifteen miles in every direction, and he is also local surgeon for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company. He has done considerable surgical work for the company besides a large amount in the city. He is a member of the old County Medical Society and of the International Association of Railway Surgeons, and has attended many of their meetings. He also belongs to Dunlap lodge, F. & A. M., and his wife attends the Presbyterian church.
On the 30th of October, 1879. Dr. Fitzgerald was united in marriage with Miss Evaline Martha Taylor, by whom he has had two children, but Stella, the elder, died at the age of eighteen months. The only one now living is Samuel Taylor Fitzgerald. The Doctor is a pleasant, genial gentleman, who makes many friends. and is quite pop- ular socially.
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
W ESLEY Y. HENDRICKS. Among the leading and representative citi- zens of Ustick township there is none who stands a more prominent figure than the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. He makes his home on section 14, where he owns a well-improved and highly cultivated farm, which under his able man- agement is made to yield bountiful harvests in return for the labor bestowed upon it.
A native of Whiteside county, Mr. Hen- dricks was born in Sterling November 3, 1857, and belongs to a family of Holland origin that was founded in Pennsylvania several generations ago. Most of his an- cestors have been farmers, though his pater- nal grandfather was a prominent business man of Philadelphia, conducting the leading market of that city during his time. Later in life he and his wife came west and located in Sterling, where both died. Of their chil- dren, Leonard, father of our subject, was the eldest; John is now engaged in the real estate business in Dodge City, Kansas; Ephraim is a retired farmer of Cawker City, Kansas, who has four children, Allin, Frank, John and Charles; Sabila married S. Gear- hart, a watchmaker, now deceased, and she died in 1889, leaving two children, Lizzie and Samuel; Rebecca was the wife of David Meyers, of Sterling, and died in 1879, leaving several children; Samuel is a resi- dent of Rockford, Illinois, and has nine children, one of whom, Harry, was with Roosevelt's Rough Riders in the war with Spain, and was wounded in an engagement, but recovered.
Leonard Hendricks, father of our sub- ject, was born in Pennsylvania in 1822, and in Montgomery county, that state, he was married, to Miss Margaret Rebecca Young, also a native of the Keystone state,
where her parents spent their entire lives. Her father was a miller by trade. She was the eldest in a family of three children, the others being Mary, who wedded Samuel Krout and remained in the east, where she died in July, 1899, and her husband about 1879; and Benjamin, who lived and died in Indiana.
While a resident of Pennsylvania the father of our subject worked at the mill- wright's and carpenter's trade, and contin- ued to follow those occupations for several years after his removal to Sterling, Illinois, but in 1868 he purchased a farın of eighty acres in Clyde township and turned his at- tention to agricultural pursuits, operating the same with the aid of his sons. He died in December, 1891, honored and respected by all who knew him, but his wife, who was born January 1, 1819, is still living and enjoys good health. She makes her home with our subject. Of the eight children born to this worthy couple, Sophia died at the age of five years, and Sarah died at the age of seventeen. The others reached years of maturity and are as follows: (1) Eliza, who died in 1886, was the wife of J. Eshl- man, by whom she had four children and two are still living in and near Sterling. One son, Roy, a druggist, was a bugler of Company E, Sixth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, during our recent war with Spain, and was taken ill at Porto Rica and brought to Camp Alger, where he died in 1899. (2) Isaiah, living on the Teller place in Clyde township, is married and has six children: Annie, Bessie, Sarah, Ruth, Dorothy and Salem. (3) Mary is the wife of Levi Leatherman, who is engaged in farming to a limited extent on rented land in Lyndon township, and they have four children: Alta, Alma, Lulu and Ray. (4)
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Jesse, who is engaged in general farming, and the fruit and nursery business in Carroll county, Iowa, is married and has three chil- dren: Earl, Hazel and Hart. (5) Wesley Y., our subject, is the next of the family. (6) Jacob, a farmer and well driller, of Scranton, Greene county, lowa, is married and has two children, Hazel and Cleo.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools of Jordan and Clyde townships, and remained on the home farm until the father sold the place in 1876. During the following year he worked by the month as a farm hand, and when his father purchased ten acres for a homestead, he turned his attentionto its improvement and cultivation. Subsequently he worked by the month for five years, and then operated rented land for a year. In 1883 he pur- chased forty acres of partially improved land, for which he paid thirteen hundred and fifty dollars, and besides this property he owned five acres of timber land in Clyde township.
On the 29th of July, 1884, Mr. Hen- dricks wedded Miss Mary E. Durward, who was born March 24. 1860, a daughter of Peter T. and Janet Durward, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. They now have two children: Edna B., born October 13, 1885; and Ralph Dur- ward, born August 23, 1887.
After his marriage Mr. Hendricks lived upon his farin until 1888, when he sold the place and moved to Carroll county, Iowa, where he bought eighty acres and success- fully operated the same for seven years. At the end of that time he sold out and re- turned to Whiteside county, Illinois, For one year he lived on a place north of his present farm, and in 1896 purchased one hundred and fifteen acres of the old home-
stead, where he has since engaged in gen- eral farming and stock raising with marked success. Politically he is an ardent sup- porter of the Republican party, and he has held township offices such as collector, con- stable and road overseer, the duties of which he has most capably and satisfactorily dis- charged. He contributes to the support of the Presbyterian church, to which his wife belongs, and his aid is never withheld from any enterprise calculated to prove of public benefit.
C HARLES F. REYNOLDS, one of the
most progressive and enterprising young farmers of Mt. Pleasant township, where he and his brother operate two hundred and forty acres of land on section 2, was born in that township, July 28, 1872. His father, He- man A. Reynolds, was born in Rutland county, Vermont, January 14, 1836, a son of Raymond A. and Nancy ( Brown) Rey- nolds, the former a native of the same place, the latter of eastern Canada. In early life the grandfather of our subject followed the blacksmith's trade. In 1855 he removed to Kane county, Illinois, and two years later came to Whiteside county, where he began his career as a farmer. At the time of his death, which occurred in 1885, he was living retired in Unionville. His wife died at the same place in 1887. The father of our subject was the second in order of birth in their family of four children, the others being Susan, who mar- ried A. W. Champlin and died in Union Grove township; Adelia E., widow of Clark Fisk, and a resident of Unionville; and one who died young. In the county of his na- tivity, Heman A. Reynolds received a good common-school education. He came to
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Illinois with his parents and is still living on the old home farm, which his son now carry on. He first purchased seventy-five acres in 1877, but has added to it from time to time until he now has two hundred and forty acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation and improved with good buildings. In the past few years he has converted his place into a stock farm and now feeds all his grain to his cattle and hogs. Politically he is a Democrat and on the money question favors a gold standard.
In 1862, Heman A. Reynolds wedded Miss Mary E. Reynolds, who was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, Janu- ary 21, 1846, a daughter of Philip and Nancy (Fisk) Reynolds, natives of New York and Vermont, respectively, who, in 1854, moved to Lyndon, Whiteside county, Illinois. Here her mother died, but her fa- ther died in De Kalb county, this state, while on a visit. They had but two chil- dren, the only son being James, a resident of Livingston county, Illinois. Our subject is one of a family of three children, but one son died in infancy. Martin W., the older of the two now living, resides on the home farm which he operates in connection with our subject. He married Emily C. Hammer and has one child, Edna M.
Charles F. Reynolds, whose name intro- duces this sketch, attended the common schools near his boyhood home and for two terms pursued an elective course at Fulton College during the winters of 1891 and 1893. When old enough to be of any assistance he commenced to aid in the work of the home farm, and there he has since carried on operations as a general farmer and stock raiser. In the management of the place he has displayed good business ability and sound judgment, and success has attended
his efforts. He is a Democrat in politics, but is not radical, and endeavors to support the best men for the office regardless of party ties.
On the 6th of March, 1895, Mr. Rey- nolds was united in marriage with Miss Lillie A. James, who was born December 20, 1874, a daughter of Amos A. and Ann (Norrish) James, a sketch of whom will be found on another page of this volume. They began their domestic life in a house on his father's farm, and there they have since re- sided. Two children have come to brighten their home, namely: Mabel A. and Paul- ine E.
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JOHN FROST. One of the active, prom- inent and enterprising citizens of Union Grove township. Whiteside county, is the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch, and who is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits on sec- tion 17. He was born in Islham, Chamb- shire, England, August 12, 1828, a son of James and Mary (King) Frost, the former a native of the same place, the latter of Freck- enham, England, where their marriage was celebrated. They spent their entire lives in England, the father working as a laborer in different places. He died at Baden, Mills at the age of eighty years, and the mother died at the same place at the age of seventy years; in their family were seven children, namely: John, James, Henry, Esther, Ellen, Mary Ann, William and Sarah, three of whom are now deceased. Besides our subject, William, who lives near Le Mars, Iowa, is the only resident of this country.
During his boyhood John Frost acquired the rudiments of an education in the public
JOHN FROST.
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schools of his native land and remained in dustry; perseverance and good management that country until after his marriage. On On locating here much of the county was still in its primitive condition, and he has watched with interest the wonderful trans- formation that has since taken place, while he has been no unimportant factor in its ad- vancement. Ile affiliations with the Re- publican party, and both he and his wife are consistent and faithful members of the Bap- tist church of Morrison. the 18th of July, 1852, he led to the mar- riage altar Miss Ann Fletcher, who was also born in Islam, September 16, 1829, a daughter of William and Sarah (Wells) Fletcher. She is one of a family of twelve children, of whom five are now living in the United States, namely: Mrs. Esther Stin- ton, of Morrison, Illinois; Mrs. Sophia Deman, of Union Grove township, White- side county; Mrs. Rebecca Weathers, of Nebraska; William Fletcher of Union Grove B URRELL V. DANIELS, a leading farmer of Union Grove township, Whiteside county, whose home is on section 5, evidences by the manner in which he carries on his business that he thoroughly understands the vocation in which he is en- gaged, and that success is attending his ef- forts toward acquiring a competence. Neat- ness and order prevail upon his place, which is managed, with regard to its cultivation, in a manner which reflects great credit upon the owner. township; and Ann, wife of our subject, James, the only child born to Mr. and Mrs. Frost, died in infancy. They have two adopted children: Edith, now the wife of James Pearson, of Union Grove townsoip; and Herbert H., who aids his father in the operation of the home farm. He married Miss Jennie Pierault, and three children have been born to them, Edith and Eva, twins, who are living, and one son, de- ceased.
Two years after his marriage Mr. Frost emigrated to America and settled in Union- ville, Illinois, where he made his home from 1855 to 1857, and then removed to the farm on section 17, Union Grove township, Whiteside county, which he now owns. At first he rented the place, but in 1868 pur- chased it. It comprises one hundred and twenty acres of rich and arable land, which he has placed under a high state of cultiva- tion, and has made many improvements thereon which add greatly to its value and attractive appearance. He follows general farming and stock raising and success has attended his efforts toward securing a com- petence. He started out in life for himself empty-handed, and the prosperity that has come to him is due entirely to his own in-
Mr. Daniels was born in lower Canada, February 14, 1833, a son of Asa and Almira (Vance) Daniels, natives of Vermont. The maternal uncle, Burrell Vance, was a sol- dier of the war of 1812. Our subject's pa- ternal grandparents died before his birth. The father worked at the stonemason's trade to some extent, but his principal occupation was that of farming. In early life he and his wife moved to Ascot, Churbruck county, Lower Canada, where he followed farming, and from there went to Massachusetts. A year or so later, in 1846, they came to Whiteside county, Illinois, and took up their residence in Lyndon township, where the father purchased land and engaged in farm- ing for a short time. He next made his home in Ustick township, where he entered
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
forty acres, and later a like amount, and afterward bought another tract. Upon that farm he spent his remaining days. He was born July 4, 1798, and was accidentally killed by falling from a load of hay, April 15, 1874. His wife was born October 15. 1801, and died February 19, 1897. In their family were seven children, namely: David, a resident of Clinton, Iowa; Warner, who was killed by an engine on the North- western Railroad tracks in Ustick township; Amos, a resident of Rowley, Massachusetts; Asel, twin brother of Amos, deceased; Syl- via, deceased wife of William Campfield, also deceased; Burrell V., our subject; Mar- tha, wife of Charles Shew, a resident of Clinton, Iowa; and one who died in infancy unnamed.
After his father's removal to Illinois Bur- rell V. Daniels remained in the east until sixteen years of age, at which time he also determined to come west. Selling his three- year-old colt lor twenty-four dollars he came to this state by way of the great lakes to Racine, Wisconsin, and from there on foot to Whiteside county. On his arrival he worked for his father until twenty years of age, and then purchased an unbroken tract of forty acres in Union Grove town- ship, to the cultivation and improvement of which he at once turned his attention. He has extended the boundaries of his farm from time to time as his financial resources permitted until he now has three hundred and twelve acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation and improved with good buildings. He follows mixed farming, and is meeting with well-deserved success. In his political affiliations he is a Republican.
On the 14th of February, 1855, Mr. Daniels was united in marriage with Miss
Mary Cass, who was born in Vermont June, 1836, a daughter of Josiah and Sallie Cass, also natives of that state. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, brought his family to Illinois in 1854, and settled in Union Grove township, Whiteside county, where both he and his wife died. To Mr. and Mrs. Daniels were born three children: (1) Wallace, a farmer of Union Grove, mar- ried Jessie Somers, and has three children, Royal, Amy and Fernie. (2) Adelbert, a farmer of Union Grove township, married Lucy Seaman, and has three children, Neva, Earl and Howard. (3) Wyman died at the age of a year and a half.
W ILLIAM O. DUDLEY was one of the pioneers of Whiteside county, lo- cating here in 1836, and here spending the remainder of his life, respected by all who knew him. He was a native of Massachu- setts, born in Richmond, Berkshire county, December 24, 1803. He grew to manhood in his native state, and with a view of bet- tering his condition in life, determined to seek a home farther west. From Massachu- setts he went to Ohio, where he remained a short time engaged in teaching. In 1836, in company with several other persons, he came to Whiteside county, Illinois, with a view of here making his permanent home. One year later he was married to Miss Louisa Dudley, their marriage being cele- brated October 18, 1837. She was a native of New York, born in Clarendon, Orleans county, July 9, 1818, and who, in 1835. came to Whiteside county with her parents, William D. and Tryphena (Fitch) Dudley, who were natives of New England. They were numbered among the very earliest set- tlers of the county, coming here in 1835.
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Of their children only two were living at the time they came to this county, Louisa and her brother, William Chester, who now lives in Lawrence, Kansas.
Timothy Dudley, the father of William O., also came to Whiteside county, emigrat- ing here in 1837, with two of his children, Eliza and Henry. A year later, Jane Dud- ley Newhall came, and later on, Ann, wife of Marcus Sperry, settled here. All the family came prior to 1840, but none are now living in the county. William Wade Dudley, a nephew of William O. Dudley, and a son of John Dudley, was one of the heroes of the Civil war. He organized a company, with which he entered the service, but by his bravery and gallantry he was pro- moted colonel of the regiment.
After their marriage, William O. Dudley and wife located on the farm about one mile from the present homestead, and later moved to the farm now occupied by our subject, which was his home until his death, April 15, 1888. He was a member of the Con- gregational church, and was quite active in its work. His wife is also a member of that denomination. In politics he was a Repub- lican, and in his township was regarded as one of its leading citizens. His widow now resides on the old family homestead of her father, and where she was united in marriage. To William O. and Louisa Dudley seven children were born. James H., the eldest child, enlisted in the service of his country in the beginning of the war, at which time he was in college. He served until the close of his term of service, and came home and died in 1861. Frances R. died June 16, 1850, when only nine years old. Jane mar- ried Frank E. Arnold, by whom she had four children-Roy D., Nellie R., Clyde, and Nettie Jane, deceased. They resided
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