USA > Illinois > The makers of Illinois; a memorial history of the state's honored dead > Part 15
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Henry W. Scheerer was brought to La Salle county when not yet two years old and was educated in the schools of Farm Ridge. Thrown upon his own resources at the age of sixteen, he struggled along, year after year, in order to provide for his own support and aid in that of the younger members of the family until he attained his majority, when he was assisted by an old friend and neighbor, this assistance enabling him to begin farming on his own account in Farm Ridge township. He rented land for a number of years, during which period he carefully saved his earnings until he was able to purehase property. The first farm which he owned was a tract in Grand Rapids township, upon which he remained for six years, when he again removed to Farm Ridge township and there suceessfully and capably tilled his fields until about 1897, when he retired to enjoy the rest which he had truly earned and richly deserved, being owner of about four hundred acres. He also dealt to some extent in real estate. He was a man of notable energy and industry, working diligently at all times to better the condition of his family, and he never refused to assist a friend or lend a helping hand to the poor.
On the 8th of March, 1883, Mr. Scheerer was married to Miss Elizabeth Smith, who was born in Farm Ridge township, La Salle
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county, August 24, 1861, a daughter of Anton and Louise (Hage- dorn) Smith, natives of Germany, whence they came to America in early life. The father engaged in farming until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for three years. He then returned to his farm, which he carefully and systematically cultivated until about 1904, when he took up his abode in the village of Grand Ridge, there living until the death of his wife in September, 1910. He afterward went to live with his daughter in Farm Ridge township. Mr. and Mrs. Scheerer became the parents of six chil- dren: Cora, who resides at the old home at Grand Ridge; Jessie, a student in Jennings Seminary, of Aurora; Nettie, twelve years of age, attending school at Grand Ridge; and three sons who died in infancy. The family circle was again broken by the hand of death when on the 18th of March, 1910, Mr. Scheerer passed away, and the silent reaper again entered the household, claiming Mrs. Scheerer on the 13th of July, 1911. In politics Mr. Scheerer was a republican and served on the village board of Grand Ridge for a number of years, and also as township clerk of Grand Rapids township. He belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was a mem- ber of the Mystic Workers. Both he and his wife held membership in the Methodist church and were people of the highest respectability, enjoying the warm regard of all with whom they came in contact.
Rorman Comund Stebens
T HE name of Norman Edmund Stevens graces the pages of the history of journalism in Illinois. At the time of his death he had for forty-seven years been aetively connected with newspaper publieation in Ford county as editor and proprietor of the Pax- ton Weekly Record. Strong and virile were his utterances, just and equitable his opinions and at all times he was actuated by the high purpose of making his paper a moving foree for good and progress in the world. Ohio numbered him among her native sons, his birth having oeeurred in Kent, Portage county, April 25, 1833, his parents being Mareus and Orpha (Phelps) Stevens. The father, a representative of an old New England family, removed in 1808 from Springfield, Massachusetts, to Portage county, Ohio, and was one of the pioneers of that scetion. There he wrestled with the hardships and privations of pioneer life and at his death in 1840 his wife and five small children, all sons, were left with scant means of support. At the age of ten years Norman E. Stevens began pro- viding for his own support by working upon a farm. His educational opportunities were necessarily limited but, ambitious to aequire broader knowledge, he left the farm at the age of fifteen years, using the money he had saved from his earnings in paying tuition and meet- ing the expenses of a course of study in Oberlin College. He applied himself assiduously to the mastery of the branches which he took up but after a year and a half's study found that his funds were exhausted and he was compelled to seek employment. At the age of seventeen years he beeame an apprentiee in a newspaper office at Elyria, Ohio, and when it was destroyed by fire a few months later he went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he sceured a position on the Daily Forest City, then edited by Joseph Medill, afterward the famous editor of the Chieago Tribune. In connection with the Leader Mr. Stevens completed his apprenticeship as a printer. In 1852 he entered upon a two years' connection with the Ashtabula (Ohio) Demoerat. His employer paid him but a small portion of his salary and he was eom- pelled to buy the paper rather than lose his aceumulated earnings. It was, however, a demoeratie organ, supporting Stephen A. Douglas, and as his views were not in aeeord with the principles advocated by
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the "little giant" of Illinois he soon afterward sold the paper and in 1854 removed to Watertown, Wisconsin, there purchasing a half interest in the Chronicle.
In August, 1857, Mr. Stevens disposed of that paper and began the publication of the Wabasha County Herald, a weekly republican paper, at Reed's Landing, Minnesota. The paper was afterward removed to the town of Wabasha and strongly advocated the cause of Fremont in the presidential campaign of 1856. Mr. Stevens secured for the Herald a large circulation and successfully continued its publication until 1863, when he sold out and removed to Chicago, where he again secured employment under his former chief, Joseph Medill. The year 1864 witnessed his arrival in Paxton and January 9, 1865, saw the first edition of the Paxton Record which he owned and published to the time of his death, covering a period of forty- seven years. Speaking to an intimate friend in the latter part of his life, he said: "I have made it a rule of my life to conduct my paper to the uplift of the community." He never descended to the bitter personal attacks which have so often characterized journalistic ven- tures. He never sought to lead the public astray on the matter of fact and his efforts to mold public opinion were founded upon a firm belief in the justice and efficacy of the cause which he supported. His editorials were clear, concise and to the point. He was never verbose, never ambiguous and the strength of his writing lay in its very simplicity and clarity.
On the 19th of March, 1857, occurred the marriage of Mr. Stevens and Mrs. Adda H. McMillen, the widow of Milo C. McMillen. By her first marriage she had two daughters and a son: Leonore H., the wife of Henry Kelsey, of Woodburn, Oregon; Belle E., who became the wife of Abraham Croft, of Paxton, and died in 1881; and Willis, of Los Angeles, California. To Mr. and Mrs. Stevens were born two sons, both residents of Paxton-Edgar N., who married Miss Eleanora Smith; and H. Arthur, who wedded Minnie Hefner, by whom he has two sons, Harold H. and Herbert, who have chosen journalism as their profession and are now members of the staff of the Paxton Record. Mrs. N. E. Stevens passed away in 1907, at the age of seventy-six years, and Mr. Stevens had almost reached the age of eighty years when death called him, on the 2d of December, 1912. He could not be said to be a man in public life in the usually accepted sense of the term and yet there are few who have exerted a wider influence or done more to merit public regard. He made his paper the medium whereby he expressed his views and his study of vital questions was so comprehensive and his opinions so just that
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his written utterances found lodgment in the minds of lis readers and in time bore fruit. He never cared to hold public office but acceded to the urgent demand of his friends, at length consenting to become a candidate for the Illinois general assembly, in which he rep- resented his district in 1879-80. He served on a number of important committees and the excellent constructive legislation with which he was connected led his constituents to seek his reelection but he declined to again become a candidate. His profession made exacting demands upon his time yet Paxton could always count upon his cooperation in matters relating to hier welfarc. He served upon the village board, was for some years a member of the school board and at the time of his demise was an active working member of the library board, regu- larly attending its meetings and doing much to uphold the standard of that institution. He was prominent in Masonry, attaining the Knights Templar degree, and he belonged also to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His Christian life was the outcome of his belief in the teachings of the Congregational church. His career was one of personal sacrifice and public service and his various activi- tics as a journalist and citizen left an ineffaceable influence for good upon the community in which he lived. His pastor spoke of him as one of the highest examples of Christian manhood. He spoke of the figures of speech used in the Bible to characterize the Christian, "light, leaven and salt," and said that Mr. Stevens was sunlight, leaven and salt in his own home, in his church and in various other relations. Many men have attained far greater prosperity if success is to be measured in terms of worldly means, but if character counts for more than all else in the world there were few men equally success- ful with Norman E. Stevens. His many friends find a fitting tribute to his worth in the words of Shakespeare:
"He was a man. Take him for all in all I shall not look upon his like again."
On January 5, 1912, all the business men of Paxton, one hundred and five in number, gave Norman E. Stevens a banquet at Paxton Hotel to show their appreciation of his services to Paxton and Ford county. The mayor and many other leading business men made addresses, and presented him with a silver loving cup with the follow- ing inscription on it: "Presented to Hon. Norman E. Stevens by his friends of Ford county in appreciation of forty-seven years serv- ice to his county as editor and publisher of the Paxton Record, 1865- 1912." Mr. Stevens was the oldest editor in the world at the time of his death.
Ity Howland
Henry F. Dowland
HILE the record of a business man is less speetaeular W than that of a military or politieal leader, it is none the less essential and none the less valuable. In Streator, where for many years he was engaged in the eonduet of a furniture and undertaking establish- ment, Henry F. Howland was well known as a busi- ness man whose methods were enterprising and whose dealings were at all times reliable, thus winning for him the confidenee and high respeet of all with whom he was associated. He was born in Seekonk, Massa- ehusetts, May 5, 1839, a son of Shubal and Mary (Godfrey) How- land. The father was a native of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and dur- ing the greater part of his life followed mereantile pursuits. His wife was born at Blackstone, Rhode Island, and spent the greater part of her days in that state. During the early boyhood of Henry F. Howland the parents removed from Seekonk, Massachusetts, to Rhode Island. His mother died when he was but nine years of age and the father with his two sons afterward returned to Fall River, Massachusetts. Henry F. Howland, who had previously been a pupil in the publie sehools of Rhode Island, made his initial step in the busi- ness world at Fall River, where he seeured a position as driver of a bakery wagon, making trips to neighboring villages and towns. For a brief period in his youth he was employed in a box factory in Rhode Island and later seeured a position with the Lonsdale Manufacturing Company at Lonsdale, Rhode Island. That he was faithful, capable and trustworthy is indieated in the faet that he remained in the mills of that company for fourteen years.
It was in 1870 that Mr. Howland removed to the west, settling at Wilmington, Illinois. In previous years he had earefully saved his earnings and his eapital was now invested in a furniture and under- taking business which he eondueted at Wilmington for eleven years. That he beeame well established in publie regard there is shown in the faet that when he left Wilmington for Streator one of the loeal papers wrote of him as follows:
"Mr. Henry F. Howland and family took their departure on Tuesday last for their new home in Streator. We are sorry to lose
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so enterprising a gentleman from among our business men as Mr. Howland has been for upward of ten years. We know that we but feebly express the sentiment of our townspeople in saying that all regret his removal from amongst us. During the time Mr. Howland has resided in our city he has filled various offices of honor and trust and in all instances has been found reliable, trustworthy and strictly honest. To the citizens of Streator we recommend him as a thorough going business man and a gentleman in every sense of the word, and we hope that when he acquires a competency in this world's goods that he may return to Wilmington to dwell among us. May health and prosperity attend his household and peace and harmony dwell therein."
Through the influence of Daniel C. Heenan Mr. Howland was induced to go to Streator and open a furniture and undertaking business in that city. There were six furniture stores there at the time, three of which Mr. Howland purchased and later he bought out an established undertaking business, thus extending the scope of his activities. He erected a fine substantial brick block opposite the Heenan department store and was not long in winning a large, grow- ing and profitable trade. He continued the business successfully until 1903, when he sold his stock of furniture and thereafter con- centrated his energies upon the undertaking business, which was then conducted under the firm name of H. F. Howland & Sons. He remained in business for three years longer and in 1906 turned over the establishment to his two sons, Henry J. and John F., who con- ducted the undertaking establishment together until 1909, when John F. Howland passed away, since which time his brother has con- tinued the enterprise alone. The father then retired and spent his remaining days in the enjoyment of a rest which he had truly earned and richly deserved. As the years passed on he had prospered and had become the owner of extensive property interests in Streator. It was in 1891 that he erected the three-story brick building on North Park street, where he conducted his store until disposing of the furniture business, when he removed the undertaking rooms to the S. W. Williams block on Main street.
On the 23d of April, 1859, occurred the marriage of Henry F. Howland and Miss Mary Carlin, who was born in County Down, Ireland, February 2, 1832, and came to the United States when about eighteen years of age. She went first to Saylesville, Rhode Island, where she was living at the time of her marriage, the ceremony, how- ever, being performed in Pawtucket, that state. Her parents were Mr. and Mrs. John Carlin, also natives of County Down, and after coming to America they made their home at Saylesville until called
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to their final rest. Mr. and Mrs. Howland became the parents of eight children: Mary, who became the wife of Nicholas Casey and died January 6, 1911, while Mr. Casey's death occurred March 23, 1909; Lydia, who died in Rhode Island in childhood; Joseph, who passed away at the age of six months; Lydia A., a resident of Strea- tor; Henry J. who is engaged in the undertaking business in Strea- tor; Susan, who died in childhood; John F., who was associated with his father and brother in business and died Mareh 5, 1909; and Lucy M., a resident of Streator.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Roman Catholic church, of which both parents were communieants. Mrs. Howland died on February 17, 1904, and on the 19th of February, 1911, Mr. Howland passed away. In polities he was an independent republican, and while living in Wilmington he served as city elerk for two years and for eight years as a member of the city council, but declined the nomination for mayor. He was also for six years a member of the Streator school board and was ever interested in the work of public progress and improvement. While living in Rhode Island he served as a member of the state militia. His fraternal relations were with the Knights of Columbus and Modern Woodmen of America, and along strietly social lines he was connected with the Streator Club. The high position he held in business cireles is indicated in the faet that he was chosen president of the Undertaking Association. He was most devoted to his family, counting no personal effort or sacri- fiee on his part too great if it would promote the happiness and wel- fare of his wife and children. He made a companion of his sons and daughters and his love and eare for them and for his wife made their home life largely an ideal one. At his death his family received many letters from friends from far and near, letters which spoke of their appreciation of the worth, the manliness and honor of Mr. Howland, and are a greater monument to his worth than any that could be erected of marble.
William P. Caberly
REPARED by a well spent life for the death that P came to him so suddenly on the 4th of January, 1910, William P. Caverly left behind him a record which many might well emulate, inasmuch as material suc- cess crowned his activities and honor and respect came to him as the result of a straightforward, up- right life. He was born in County Cork, Ireland, on March 17, 1833, his parents being Andrew and Mary Caverly. The father was a gentleman farmer of Ireland, renting land from Lord Bandon; the mother of French parentage but was born on the Emerald isle. Neither Andrew nor Mary Caverly ever came to the new world. Under the parental roof William P. Caverly spent his youthful days and had acquired a good education by the time he had reached the age of seventeen, when he came to the United States. This was in the year 1850 and famine was prevailing in Ireland, practically forcing him to leave his native land in order to gain a living elsewhere. Such were the hard conditions of life in Ireland that they left an indelible impress upon the mind of Mr. Caverly and in all the ensuing years between his emigration and his death he never failed to extend a help- ing hand where aid was needed, many testifying to his assistance and liberality in their hour of need. He was accompanied to the new world by his sister Kate, both expecting to return, but they were so well pleased with the country and its people that they decided to remain permanently. They landed at New York and for three years Mr. Caverly engaged in driving a bakery wagon in that city, never having an accident during all that time, a fact of which he was justly proud, as he had practically no knowledge of the city when he accepted the position and was unacquainted with American ways and customs. At length Mr. Caverly was persuaded to enter upon an apprentice- ship to the carpenter's trade by his elder brother, John, who came to the United States after the arrival of William. When the three years' period of indenture had ended the brothers came to the west, William remaining for a brief period in Chicago and afterward going to Annawan, Kewanee and finally Toulon.
In Stark county Mr. Caverly formed the acquaintance of Miss Elizabeth Hartley, and on the 17th of December, 1864, she gave him
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her hand in marriage. She was born near Sheffield, England, August 17, 1844, a daughter of Charles and Ann (Hamshaw) Hartley, both of whom were natives of England, where the father engaged in rais- ing flax, employing several men. In 1853 he brought his family to the United States and settled east of Toulon. His parents had come to the United States some years before, establishing their home at Wheeling, West Virginia. Mr. Hartley visited his people there and then came on to Stark county, Illinois, in 1851. He purchased land and then returned to England, but brought his family with him to the new world in 1853. He then took up his abode upon his farm and there resided until 1888, when he and his wife left the farm to their sons and removed to Toulon, where Mr. Hartley continued to reside until his demise. During the period of his retirement he spent considerable time in travel, which he greatly enjoyed. He died April 21, 1908, and his wife passed away in March, 1907. Of their family of nine children five are yet living, including Mrs. Caverly.
For a year after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Caverly resided in New York city and then removed to Stark county, Illinois, Mr. Cav- erly turning his attention to contracting and building, in which he was very successful. Contracts for the erection of large buildings were accorded him in Toulon and in surrounding towns and cities. He erected the Peoria board of trade building, the public school building of Toulon and many other important structures in this part of the state. At length he turned from industrial to agricultural pursuits, purchasing a farm east of Toulon, while later he sold that property to Clark Hodges for the farm which was the Caverly homestead for many years. The land at that time was somewhat low and marshy and many thought that Mr. Caverly had got the worst of the bargain, but time proved the wisdom of his judgment, for the district in which he settled has been converted into some of the best farming lands of the state. After acquiring that property he gave his attention almost exclusively to agricultural pursuits and met with well deserved success in all his operations, afterward adding several other farms to his original possessions. Five years prior to his death, however, he put aside the work of the fields and again took up his abode in Toulon, where his remaining days were passed practically in retirement.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Caverly were born four children: Edward C. and George A., who are residents of Toulon; Frank J., who makes his home in Davenport, Iowa; and Mary, who became the wife of John D. Pauli and died June 3, 1901, leaving an infant daughter, Beatrice, who was reared by Mr. and Mrs. Caverly.
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Mr. Caverly was a lifelong member of the Catholic church and to its teachings he had always been faithful. He was a loyal citizen of his adopted land and in business affairs was an energetic, enterprising man, who carefully guided and shaped his interests so that success resulted and he became one of the most prosperous residents of Toulon. In all his dealings he was thoroughly trustworthy and what he achieved represented the wise usc of his time, talents and opportunities. He never had occasion to regret his determination to come to America, for here he found the opportunities which he sought and in their improvement attained prosperity and prominence. He had a wide acquaintance among the leading men throughout the state and Mrs. Caverly now has in her parlor, placed in a beautiful frame, an invitation requesting his presence at the laying of the cornor stone of the United States government building in Chicago on the 9th of October, 1899, signed by Governor John R. Tanner, Mayor Carter H. Harrison; chairman of the committee, William P. Williams; Judge Peter S. Grosscup; and Thomas C. McMillan, secretary of invitations. Mr. Caverly never sought to figure prominently in pub- lic affairs, yet his sterling worth was recognized by all who knew him, and thus it was that he gained many friends among the leading resi- dents of the state.
Edmir Coles
Edward Coles
T HE prevention of a pro-slavery elause in the eonstitu- tion of our state was chiefly the work of the subjeet of this sketeh, and entitles him to a high place in the Valhalla of our heroes and great men. As the chief executive of the state from 1823 to 1827 Gov- ernor Coles led the fight to prevent the adoption of an amendment to the constitution which would legalize slavery in this state. So important was the issue which was thus deeided in 1824, that Miss Lottie E. Jones, an acknowledged authority on the sub- jeet of Illinois history, regards the decision then made as one of the five events which were vitally deeisive in their eharaeter. The follow- ing sketeh is based and largely quoted from her work, entitled, "De- eisive Dates in Illinois History."
Edward Coles, the second governor of Illinois, was born in Al- bemarle county, Virginia, December 15, 1786. He was the son of John Coles who had been a colonel in the Revolutionary war. Ed- ward was one of ten children. A neighbor and intimate friend of the family at that time was Thomas Jefferson who was very fond of the youth, and showed him many favors, none of greater value than his counsel and the influence of his personality. It was from Jefferson that young Coles imbibed ideas of the wrongs of slavery.
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