Henry County, Illinois Biographies
Henry County, Illinois Biographies
Many thanks to Denise McLoughlin for her transcriptions of these biographies.
Make sure to visit her Tampico Area Historical Society website
The following biographies can be found on pages 700-703, in the Portrait & Biographical Album of Henry County,
Illinois, Originally published 1885, Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL. All biographies were transcribed by Denise
McLoughlin (visit her Tampico Area Historical Society website):
Page 700:
Rueben CONE came with the Geneseo Colony in 1836, bringing his wife and three children. One Child was born here. Mrs. CONE was Miss Harriet THOMAS, of Canada. Mr. CONE removed to Kansas in 1862, and in 1871 went to Colorado, where he died in 1883. Three of the sons live in Colorado.
J. W. EPPERSON was born in Indiana in 1829. He came to Knox County in 1849, and to Henry County in 1853.
John M. FOLLETT was born in Essex County, New York, March 18, 1832. Came to Henry County in May, 1852.
Sylvanus FERRIS was a native of Pennsylvania. Came and settled in Wethersfield, 1838. Died Feb. 11, 1877.
Thomas GLENN, a brother of James GLENN, came in the spring of 1835. He never married; died in 1850, of consumption.
Dr. George GAGER was an herb doctor, and lived near Dayton. He was a droll character in many ways. He died at an early day.
George GARLAND was born in Pennsylvania in 1836. He came to this county in 1859.
L. B. GOODELL was born in Pennsylvania in 1834. He came to this county in October, 1857.
Joseph GOODRICH was born in Wethersfield, Ct., July 31, 1794. He came to Henry County in 1836. Died Feb. 19, 1852, He had been a missionary to the Sandwich Islands.
Patterson HOLMES, native of Redfield, Vt. Born Sept. 1, 1830. Came here in 1853.
Dr. S. T. HUME, second physicianto locate in Geneseo. Some of his early experiences, when every new man was suspected o being a horse-thief, are given elsewhere, and are not only illustrtive of the times but also amusing.
Charles ATKINSON, one of the organizers of Henry County and one of its first officials, came to this county in 1835 and located in Cleveland. He came from Massachusetts and took an important part in the early history of the county. He moved to Moline an dis now one of its wealthy and prominent citizens.
Royce ALLEN came to Henry County in 1852; was born in Camden, N. Y., June, 1819; died in 1880, aged 62 years.
William C. BARTLETT, born in Montgomery, N. Y., Dec. 18, 1797; died Sept. 3, 1878. Catherine, his wife, was born in Champlain, N. Y., April 17, 1803. They came to this county May 4, 1836.
Jerome BRITTAIN was a pioneer carpenter. He built for C. W. DAVENPORT the first log house, a large double one, and the first "out on the prairie," in Morristown, in 1836, five miles south of Brandenburg. He died in 1839.
John BOYD, Sr., was born in Philadelphia, April 9, 1802; came to the county in 1848; died in Cambridge, Feb. 2, 1877. He served three years in the army. Died Feb. 2, 1877
George BRANDENBURG was born in Maryland July 28, 1799; came to this county Sept. 9, 1835. His wife, Phoebe, was a native of Vermont, and was born Jan. 22, 1795; came to the county 1836. George BRANDENBURG was always known as "Judge." When questioned as to what court he had presided over by a Boston "tender-foot," he replied that he was "Judge" of one of the earliest elections in the county! A son and daughter, Frank and Elizabeth, reside in Dayton, in this county.
Francis M. BRANDENBURG, native of Indiana, born July 11, 1834; came to this county in 1835.
Cornelius BRYAN settled in Henry County in 1837; died June 23, 1854, aged 64 years.
Mrs. E. J. BLODGETT came to this county in 1849. She was born in 1832.
Redding BUSENBARK, born in Ohio in 1821, and came to this county in 1855.
Preston BROWNING and family came from WhiteCo., Ill., in an early day. He returned to Southern Illinois. His son resides near Geneseo.
Pages 701-703:
Alfred Beck settled between Green and Rock Rivers. He died many years ago and has no descendants living whom we could find.
James M. Barrett was born in Maine in 1809; came to this county in 1849, and later removed to Page Co., Iowa
Elizabeth K. Blackfan was born in Bucks Co., Pa., March 1811; came to this county in 1841; died Jan. 10, 1871
F. J. Cox and Elizabeth, his wife, settled in Henry County in 1851
Washington B. Colbert left the county and went to Oregon in an early day. Some of his half-brothers remained in the county.
George A. Colbert was one of the first preachers in the county, he and P.K. Hanna and Ithamar Pillsbury being the first that are now remembered as preaching to the settlers. There are grandsons of Colbert living here.
Ithamar Pillsbury was the chief founder of the Andover colony. He was the first Presbyterian preacher in the county. He was buried in the Andover Cemetery.
Caleb Pillsbury was a brother of Rev. Ithamar Pillsbury. Caleb’s son, Levi, lives near Andover. One of his daughters lives in Lynn Grove.
Charles W. Davenport came Oct. 31, 1836. His wife was Ellen E.
Samuel Clark, a prominent farmer of Andover, removed to Richland Grove, where he died a few years ago.
Rufus Hubbard was one of the first of the Geneseo Colony. He was known as the first and great music teacher in the county. He died in Moline, in 1883, leaving one son.
Jeduthan Hubbard was a native of Connecticut. He came to this county in 1839. He died Dec. 8m 1861, aged 61 years.
John P. Hanna, a brother of P. K. Hanna, and at one time know all over the county as “Uncle Prior,” was one of the earliest and most respected of our pioneers.
George W. Hill was born in Ohio, in 1840. He came with his parents to this county in 1846. He is a son of Thomas Hill.
John B. Hagin was born in New York in 1818, and came to this county in 1855.
Albert Jagger was one of the substantial men of the Andover Colony. He returned to New York.
Jacob Kemmerling was born in Ohio, May 18, 1807, and came to this county in March, 1837.
William T. Little, from Hollis, N. H. Came to Wethersfield in 1836, and died May 25, 1845.
Abner T. Little came to this county in 1837, and died Sept. 8, 1863, aged 90 years.
Henry G. Little, born in Goffstown, N. H., July 29. 1836; delayed coming a year in order that he might bring a wife with him. He is now living in Grinnell, Iowa. He was at one time Sheriff of the county (1854). He was an active, prominent and an excellent citizen.
George H. Lincoln was born in New London, Conn., May 3, 1808, came in 1850, died July 16, 1873, aged 70 years.
Charles Lester was a native of Massachusetts, born Jan. 29, 1815. He came to this county in 1844 and died Feb. 14, 1876.
Andrew McFarland was a native of Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1804. He came to Henry County in 1851.
Daniel B. McHenry was born in White County, Ill., Nov. 16, 1827. Came to this county in January, 1836. Rachel A. McHenry, daughter of Benjamin Fritts and wife of D. B. McHenry, was born in Pennsylvania, Nov. 8, 1831, and came to the county in 1837.
Eric Miles was a resident of Galva, where he died in 1880, at the advanced age of 92 years.
Mrs. Phebe Miller was born in New York in 1790; came in 1835. She was many years housekeeper for Eben Townsend; died April 10, 1877.
Eben Townsend was an old man when he came to the county. He was one of the Andover colony. Lived to extreme old age, and was buried in the Andover Cemetery.
James Frank Miller, native of Southampton, L. I.; born 1825; came in 1835; died April, 1877.
Stephen Marshall lived in Colona and died about the year 1840, while on a visit East. He left a large family of children, who are in California. When Marshall came to the county he lived with the two Glenns and Anthony Hunt, all in one cabin and all old bachelors.
Anthony Hunt came with the Glenns to the county. A full account of Mr. Hunt and family may be found in the sketch of James Glenn. His wife, Caroline, born in Germany, May 11, 1812, and came with her husband to the county in 1835, was the second woman in the county.
Anthony Hunt died on the homestead he first improved, Oct. 16, 1875. He was a German and married a German lady of St. Louis. Members of his family are still in the county. He was an industrious farmer and an excellent and intelligent citizen. Mrs. Catherine Hunt and daughter, Sarah, reside in Geneseo.
Andrew Oliver, a native of Scotland, was born March 20, 1820. He came to this county in 1838.
Marcus B. Osborn, native of New York; born in 1803; came in 1837; removed to Salt Lake City.
Eric Olson came to this country with the Swede Colony. He died in 1880, aged 73 years.
Edward A. Mix was in his earlier life a Sea Captain and came from New York City. He was one of the founders of the Andover Colony. He returned to New York and took an active part in the late war.
Adrian Van Winkle was extensive farmer in an early day. Afterward he was a grain-buyer in Geneseo. Died in 1883.
S. B. Shumway was born in Bradford Co., Pa., April 15, 1822, and came to Henry County in 1853.
Luther Sheldon, a carpenter, was born in New York, November, 1809, and came to Henry County in 1839. He died May 4, 1877.
George Tyler kept the first ferry on Rock River in this county. He died in 1839. His widow kept tavern in Cleveland, where many of the newly-arrived pioneers boarded and lodged on their arrival.
Joseph Tillson, the first actual settler in Cambridge Township, was born in Wrentham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, March 11, 1801. He left Boston in September, 1836, and came West, arriving in Henry County in 1837. In 1838 he built the cabin in which Mr. Stackhouse found him when he came here in 1840.
J. M. Timberlake was born in Sangamon Co., Ill., June 8, 1837. He came to Henry County in 1857.
G. W. Timberlake was born in Henry County, Oct. 24, 1843.
Ralph A. Tenney, a native of New Hampshire, was born Oct. 13, 1826. Came to Henry County in 1851, Removed to Chicago.
Charles F. Tenney is a native of New Hampshire, where he was born March 28, 1832. He came to Henry County in 1853.
Thomas H. Maine, was born Sept. 17, 1815. Came to Tazewell County in 1836, and to Henry County in 1855. His wife, Maria E., came with him. She was born in Ohio in 1823.
Ebenezer Tyler came from New Hampshire to Wethersfield Township in 1848. Died April 25, 1877.
Aunt Polly Vincent came in 1845. Died in Cambridge in 1881, aged 70 years. An elegant pioneer woman, widely known and beloved. She was a native of Canada.
William J. Vannice was Sheriff of the county at one time. He was born in Montgomery Co., Ind., Feb. 17, 1838, and came to the county in 1852.
Zachariah Welch, a native of Pennsylvania, came in 1851. Died March 14, 1877, aged 53 years. By occupation he was a farmer and carpenter.
David Wiley is a fine specimen of a jolly Irish laborer. He was a chief sod-fence maker in the county. He lived in Morristown, and died there without issue in 1840.
Street C. Welton, born in Litchfield, Conn., 1816, and came in 1849.
Lester C. Welton, a native of Litchfield, Conn., was born in April, 1817, and came in 1849. His wife was a native of Hartford, Conn, and was born in May, 1819.
Mrs. Adaline Welton was born in Orange Co., N. J., in 1824, and came to Henry County in 1849.
Col. John H. Wells came from Orange Co., N. Y., in 1838. He died May 20, 1844.
Jesse Woolsey was the first landlord at Andover - then the favorite stopping place with all the travelers on the old Knoxville and Galena road from 1840 to about 1850 - and was widely known. He died some years ago.
Ebenezer Walters lived in Bernard’s Grove, about five miles north of Geneseo. Left the county years ago. None of the family here.
Chauncey E. Washburn was born in Massachusetts, May 17, 1834. Came to Henry County in 1837.
Abisha Washburn was a native of Massachusetts. He settled in Colona. He died in 1872, on the last day of August. He came in 1837. His widow is living in the county.
Lucinda Washburn was born in New Hampshire in 1809, and came to the county in April, 1836.
William C. Wilson was born in Norway in 1839, and came to this county in 1858. Was Captain in the army; served five years.
John P. Potter, born in Coshocton, Ohio, Sept. 14, 1823. Came in 1838. His wife, Charity A., was born at Young’s Mills, Ohio, Feb. 25, 1829. Her family settled in Whiteside County, 1837.
David Potter, born Oct. 1, 1799. From Knox Co., Ohio. Came in October, 1838. Born in Crawford Co., Pa. Died in Wethersfield, Oct. 8, 1860, aged 61 years.
John Henry Poppy, of Germany, was born in 1797. He came in 1847 and died in December, 1875.
Thomas Miller was a noted hunter. He looked a good deal like an Indian and was still more so in his acts and manners. He died in Hanna Township years ago.
Hannah Paddelford was born in New Hampshire, May 11, 1790. He came to this county in 1837.
Rufus P. Parish was born in New Hampshire, Sept. 4, 1816. Came to county in 1855.
Isaac Paden was born in Fayette Co., Pa., Nov. 6, 1800. He came to this county in 1852.
William R. Robinson was born in Southampton, Sept. 24, 1829. He came to this county in May, 1842.
N. H. Robinson was born in 1788, Long Island. Came to this county in 1839. Died in Kansas, March 8, 1877.
Solomon Penny, widely known as “old Sol Penny,” the happy story-teller of the county. Many think he was nearly Lincoln’s match in this respect. He was also a great wit. Penny’s Slough was a great resort for the disciples of Izakk Walton. Penny’s house was a welcome and favorite resort, and “Old Sol” was a great attraction.
Henry C. Sleight was born Aug. 15, 1792. Came to the county in 1844. Died at Sag Harbor, Jan. 7, 1877.
Luther C. Sleight was born in Russelville, Ky., in April 1817. Came in 1837. Removed to Sag Harbor.
John D. K. Sleight was born in New York in January, 1834. Came to county in 1844. Removed to Richmond, Va.
Halman A. Sleight was born in Jamaica, N. Y., Aug. Y, 1828. Came to County in 1844. Was Treasurer of Henry County five terms. Died in the county.
William Stackhouse, native of Burlington, Vt. Was born in 1814. Came to county in 1838. In a short time went away, and returned in 1840.
Henry Sullivan was a prominent man at an early day in the politics of the county. He was at one time Recorder.
Samuel Sullivan and brother and two sisters came here together. They were from Ohio. They left the county and went further West many years ago.
Isaac N. Stewart was born in New York, Oct. 12, 1814. Came to Henry County in August, 1847. His wife was born Oct. 2, 1828. Came to county in 1855.
Roderick R. Stewart, one of the founders of Geneseo. His three daughters were the first school-teachers in the county. He held many offices in the county and his family was the prominent leading family in the county.
Lyman Snow was born in Massachusetts in November, 1809. He came to Henry County in 1840. Died in Cambridge in 1880.
Austin Sykes was born in Rutland Co., Vt., April 28, 1815. Located in Henry County in 1850.
Arba M. Seymour, the first Surveyor of the county. His wife was a Miss Crocker. Mr. Seymour removed to Wisconsin.
R. L. Sheppard was born in New York in 1819. He came to Henry County in 1858.
John Searles was born in Ohio in 1804. He was one of the pioneers of Henry County. He came in 1836.
JOSHUA BROWNING was elected one of the first County Commissioners. He died at an early day. [Source: Page 700]
The first road ordered surveyed and laid out in the county was from Andover to Geneseo, thence to the Rock River road at or near JOSHUAH BROWNING'S. [Source: Page 727, Portrait & Biographical Album of Henry County, Illinois, Originally published 1885, Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL. Transcribed by: Denise McLoughlin]
Sources of the following biographies are noted at the end of the bio...
Samuel B. RANDALL, agent of the United States Express Company, Police Magistrate and insurance agent, resident at Cambridge, was born April 1, 1831, in Wallingford, Rutland Co., Vt. He is the son of John and Rosalinda (DAVIDSON) RANDALL. His father was born in the same place in 1786, and was the son of John RANDALL, a native of Rhode Island. The latter was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, and was in the action at Monmouth, N.J., and fought through the entire course of the war, with the exception of a short time when he was held a prisoner in Canada, having been captured at Fort Washington. In 1838 the family left Wallingford and went to Litchfield, Bradford Co., Pa., and they were there resident until 1851, when the father, mother, and a brother and sister came with Mr. RANDALL to Cambridge, settling on a farm on section 11.
Mr. RANDALL was educated primarily at the common schools, and as he was fond of books he made the most of his leisure by study, and thus acquired a mental training of the most practical value. After coming to Henry County he taught about ten terms of school. He bought a farm on the southwest quarter of section 11, on which he spent the agricultural seasons in farming until 1865. He then established a small mercantile enterprise at what was then East Cambridge, and he also operated largely as a buyer of wild game poultry and furs, which he bought chiefly of hunters, his traffic commonly averaging $45 daily. On one day he shipped 1,200 quails, the result of four days' purchase. He made shipments to the city of New York. After three years' operations he came to Cambridge, where he bought the mercantile interests of James MASCALL and engaged in business, in which he was interest until 1873. His relations took extensive shape and if the crisis in the year named had not caused a fatal shrinkage of values, the enterprise would have had a very different ending. The hasty action of a New York firm caused the suspension of the business at a time when none of its liabilities which had matured were unpaid.
Mr. RANDALL was trained a Douglas Democrat, but his conversion to the most radical Republicanism was the work of but the shortest space of time possible, and was effected by the tidings that the rebels had fired on the flag of the United States at Fort Sumter. Mr. RANDALL was elected Justice of the Peace in 1857 and served 12 years. In 1883 he was elected Police Magistrate of Cambridge. He has officiated as agent of the United States Express Company since the establishment of their office at Cambridge, in 1870.
He was married July 4, 1855, to Lucy A., daughter of Daniel and Lucy A. WILLIAMS. She was born in Onondaga Co., N.Y., and was married in Davenport, Iowa. She died June 28, 1882, of cancer. Feb. 1, 1883, Mr. RANDALL was again married to Anna Louisa CARLSON, daughter of Carl Peter Samuelson. The maiden name of her mother was Christine JOHNSON. Her parents both died when she was four years old, their deaths occurring within the same week. They had four children - two sons and two daughters. Mrs. RANDALL was born Dec. 25, 1864, at Hulsby, Fingard, Alsada, Sweden. She is the mother of two children: Frank A. born Nov. 1, 1883; and Samuel J., April 18, 1885.
The ancestors of Mr. RANDALL were remarkable for tenacity of life. His paternal grandsire lived to the age of 90, and his grandmother attained to great age. Following is the record of his brothers and sisters: Albert, born March 15, 1810, died May 14, 1864; Edwin, born May 20, 1812, died March 31, 1813; John O., born Jan. 12, 1815, died May 20, 1816; Lucina M., born April 15, 1817, died Feb. 23, 1840; Edwin D., born Dec. 7. 1819, is still living; Abel M., born Dec. 22, 1821, became a member of the 112th Ill. Vol. Inf., and was killed in a military charge, May 14, 1864, at Resca, Ga.; John, born April 21, 1824, is living; Sarah E., born May 22, 1826, died Feb. 17, 1833; Electa A., born June 1, 1829, died Feb. 26, 1830; Samuel B. is next in order of birth; Sarah M., born Oct. 11m 1833, died about 1874. John Randall, the father, was born Aug. 15, 1785 and died Dec. 26, 1863. Rosalinda Randall, the mother, was born Jan. 28, 1791 and died Dec. 26, 1866. [Source: Pages 311-312, Portrait & Biographical Album of Henry County, Illinois, Originally published 1885, Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL. Transcribed by: Denise McLoughlin]
Alexander WHITE, Superintendent of the Water Works at Geneseo, is also a hardware merchant at that place, where he has prosecuted the latter business since 1879. He was born March 1, 1829, in Washington Co., N. Y., and is the son of James and Jane (HALL) WHITE. His father was a native of the north of Ireland, and came to the United States in childhood. The mother was born in the State of New York.
Mr. WHITE passed the years of his boyhood and youth in the State of his nativity, and there he acquired a complete knowledge of the business of a machinist, for which he had a natural genius. In the fall of 1853 he came to Illinois and settled in the county of De Kalb. He came thence to Geneseo in the spring of 1855. He devoted the next few years to the perfecting of an important invention known as White's Steam Governor, and in 1859 he erected a structure for the purpose of its manufacture. In 1865 the firm of Hammond, White & Co. was formed for the manufacture of stoves at Geneseo, the members of the association being A. H. HAMMOND, I. D. RUGGLES and Mr. WHITE. The business of the house was managed at Geneseo until 1870, when the firm removed their relations to Rock Island, and there were incorporated as the Rock Island Stove Company. Mr. WHITE was made superintendent and for upwards of five years officiated as secretary and superintendent. In 1879 he removed again to Geneseo and established the business of a hardware merchant, and has continued the management of his relations therewith ever since.
The connection of Mr. WHITE with the inventions of the West has been of marked importance, as he has made several which have had a local value, notably those relating to the improvement of stoves used in burning the soft coal, which is one of the leading resources of Henry County. He invented a self-feeding soft coal burner, whose value is obvious to those who have used that article of fuel. His invention was the first of its kind in the market. Another, of nearly equal practical utility, was that of a perforated attachment in the rear of mica windows, to prevent their becoming smoked, and which has been widely adopted and has been in general use for a period of 13 years.
Mr. WHITE was a Democrat in the days of his early citizenship, but when the evolutions of the Whigs transformed the issues of the political elements he adopted those of the Free-Soil party, and on the regular organization of the Republican he fell into line and has since been an inflexible supporter of its principles. He has served two terms as Alderman of Geneseo.
The marriage of Mr. WHITE to Edith M. MUNSON occurred in Washington Co, N. Y., March 10, 1850. She was a native of that county and is the daughter of Nathaniel MUNSON, a prominent citizen of the county. Mr. and Mrs. WHITE have had three children, only one of whom is living - Ella R. Two died in infancy. The parents are members of the Presbyterian Church. [Source: Page 312, Portrait & Biographical Album of Henry County, Illinois, Originally published 1885, Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL. Transcribed by: Denise McLoughlin]
ABRAM MILLER, of Geneseo, is the pioneer landlord of that city, and has been longer in the pursuit of that business than any other individual now living in Henry County. He is associated with his sons, I. C. and C. B. Miller, in the management of the Geneseo House, one of the most popular and best managed establishments within the range of the traveling public.
Mr. Miller was born in the town of East Hampton, Suffolk Co., Long Island, N. Y., Aug. 24, 1816. He is the son of Uriah and Betsy (Baker) Miller, who were all their lives residents on the same island, where their parents were among the settlers before the land was cleared of its forest growth. Uriah Miller was born Oct. 4, 1784, in Suffolk County, and he was brought up to man’s estate on the farm on which his father settled before he was born. His wife was born in the same county on the island, and their children were born as follows: Nathan, June 24, 1813, lives at Easthampton, L. I.; George L., Nov. 16, 1821, resides at Bridgehampton, L. Il; Mary B. May 26, 1824 (died March 10, 1828); Betsy B., Feb. 5, 1830, married William Barnes (see sketch). Uriah Miller passed his life in the business of a farer, and died in April, 1859; his wife’s death occurred in September, 1872.
Abram Miller grew to manhood on the estate of his father, and before he attained his majority he learned the trade of a carpenter. In 1838 he set out westward in company with two others, with the purpose of seeking a wider field for the exercise of his abilities and ambitions than the crowded East afforded. He came to Geneseo, and has been a continuous resident of Henry County since that year, and for a period of 47 years. For 16 years he was employed at his trade, and in other capacities, as opportunity served and occasion required, until, in 1854, he commenced the business in which he has since operated without intermission, save such interruptions as are hereinafter mentioned.
The building in which he made his first experiment as caterer to the necessities of the public was a primitive structure, half log house and half frame, which was located on the south side of Main Street, east of State. The patronage surpassed the most sanguine expectations, and his house was, as a rule, filled to overflowing with the miscellaneous throng of land-lookers, prospectors, settlers and travelers of all varieties incident to a newly developed section of country. May 1, 1864, the pioneer hotel of Geneseo was destroyed by fire, a disaster which occasioned a loss of $6,000 to the proprietor; but, not being a man easily disheartened or overwhelmed by a seemingly adverse fate, he replaced the old building with a new brick edifice, which proved a wise venture and renewed the prestige of the inn of the early days. Exactly 13 years later the all-devouring flames proved the destruction of the fine building, and at that time the loss was $5,000. Previous to the second “trial by fire” he had associated his two eldest sons with himself in business. They are a trio not easily daunted, and they at once set about the work of constructing the beautiful and well arranged hotel, in which they have done business since it was completed, in 1877, seven months after the burning of the second building referred to.
The Geneseo House has one of the best locations in the city. It is constructed of solid brick and stone, is four stories high, contains about 50 sleeping apartments and a full suite of other rooms necessary to the business of a first-class house, as it is in every particular. The hosts are all to the “manner born.” No guest can find just cause of complaint in the manner in which his want are anticipated. The house has a reputation which will sustain its popularity while it is under its present management.
Mr. Miller was married at Spring Creek, Henry Co. Ill., Jan. 6, 1842, to Miss Sarah A. Southworth. Her parents, Samuel and Rachel (Couch) Southworth, were natives respectively of Burlington, Vt., and Ellery, Chautauqua Co., N. Y. Her father was born March 31, 1792. He was about 14 when he accompanied his parents to Chautauqua Co., where he was married. The family of his wife were among the earliest of the settlers in the western part of the Empire State. Samuel Southworth and his wife had eight children, viz.: Mehitabel, Perry, Sarah Ann, Hiram, James, Ira, Jane M. And Charlotte. Three only survive. James is a resident of Jamestown, Kan., which is named in his honor, as he was one of the heaviest land-holders there; Mrs. Jane M. Faxon lives in Nebraska. The parents of Samuel Southworth were named John and Charlotte (Derby) Southworth. Rachel I. Couch was the daughter of Ira Couch. She was born at Ballston Springs, in the state of New York, April 12, 1793. She removed with her husband and family to the West in 1838. They remained a short time in Rock Island, and went thence to Shannon Grove, in Henry County, where they settled on a farm, of which they were the occupants three years. In 1841, they went to Spring Creek, where they bought another place. In 1861 the family removed to Geneseo, where the parents passed the remaining years of their lives. Mr. Southworth officiated a number of years as Justice of the Peace, but was in no active business relations after his removal to Geneseo. His demise took place Oct. 16, 1876. The decease of his wife occurred Sept. 16, 1862.
Mr. and Mrs. Miller have four children. Ira Couch Miller was born Sept. 15, 1842. He was married Sept. 16, 1866, to Josephine, only child of Andrew and Uriah () McFarland. Their children were born as follows: Andrew A., Feb. 28, 1868; Lull Grace, Aug. 12, 1873; Perky, Oct. 8, 1880. The child last named died Dec. 31, 1882 of brain disease; Clearance Burdette was born Dec. 29, 1845, and was married Sept. 7, 1882, to Fannie, daughter of William Barnes, of Geneseo, of whom a sketch is given elsewhere. They have had one child - June Ada, born June 5, 1885, and died the last day of July subsequent. De Witt Clinton Miller was born July 31, 1848, and was married Sept. 1874, to Ella, daughter of Nathaniel and Eliza (Hewitt) Persons. Hattie Persons, their daughter, was born Nov. 23, 1878. D. C. Miller is the proprietor of two flourishing hotels in Minnesota, situated respectively at Faribault and Rochester. Ada, the only daughter of Mr. Miller’s household, was born July 19, 1852, and married Dec. 24, 1978, to C. B. Pillsbury, a physician of Ypsilanti, Mich. The father and youngest son are Republicans. The two elder sons are Democrats.
Mr. and Mrs. Miller are among the representatives of the early days of the settlement of Henry County and are inseparably connected with its history. The first Boniface of Geneseo and the oldest in the county in his line of business, is the same considerate, genial gentleman whose characteristics gave his house its popularity in the olden time. Mrs. Miller, who was, nearly 50 years ago, the merest slip of a girl, has laughed her way through her life with the best possible results; and although she has nearly doubled her weight, she is as active and lithe as in the day of her girlhood, and she is still a prime favorite with young and old. Her hospitality is as noted as that of any other in the city where she lives and she is a ruling spirit in her social circle. Her closely united family are models of devotion to their home and its associations, and it is the universal hope that the home circle may long remain unbroken. [Source: Page 315-319, Portrait & Biographical Album of Henry County, Illinois, Originally published 1885, Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL. Transcribed by: Denise McLoughlin]
William Miller, formerly a farmer, then a carpenter and a lumber merchant in Geneseo, came to Henry County in 1838. He has been a resident of Illinois since 1836, when he located at Peoria, and came thence to Henry County in the year named. He was born in Peekskill, Westchester Co., N. Y., March 31, 1816, and is the son of George and Mary (Oakley) Miller. He received his education and training in a knowledge of agriculture previous to his 18th on his father’s homestead. At that age he began to learn the carpenter’s trade, at which he worked in his native State until his removal to Illinois. After his removal to Henry county he lived two years in the township of Andover. He came thence in 1840 to Geneseo. In political preference he is a Prohibitionist; he was a Republican in the early days of his citizenship. Mr. Miller was joined in marriage Dec. 22, 1842, to Harriet T. Cone, who was born in the township of Victor, Livingston Co., N. Y. And who is the daughter of Elisha and Eliza A. (Hill) Cone, whose father was a member of the Geneseo Colony, and settled in the county n 1836. He built the first log cabin in the township of Geneseo. His death occurred Sept. 6, 1846. Mrs. Cone resides with her daughter. She is 75 years old, and has been a resident of Henry County nearly a half century.
Following are the children of Mr. And Mrs. Miller: George L. died in infancy; Emilie E. is the wife of W. S. Read, of Pike Co., Ill.; George W. Was born July 7, 1850, and is a resident of St. Joseph, Mo., and is the Auditor of the Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs and the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroads. [Source: Page 477, Portrait & Biographical Album of Henry County, Illinois, Originally published 1885, Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL. Transcribed by: Denise McLoughlin]
J. C. Nichols, M. D., a distinguished physician and surgeon of Kewanee, Ill., son of the Rev. John B. And Mary E. (Hutton) Nichols, both deceased, was born at Portsmouth, Ohio, March 9, 1844. His father, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, removed to Iowa in 1845, and there died in 1862 at the age of 54, his wife having died ten years earlier, at the age of 38 years.
The subject of this sketch was well educated at the Mr. Vernon (Iowa) schools, and graduated at the Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1880, with the degree of M. D., and at Kewanee entered at once upon the practice of his profession. His earliest ambition was to be a lawyer; but, getting into the drug business at Wyoming, Iowa, and following it for about seven years, he turned his attention to medicine, a science he understands thoroughly and practices with great success.
In August, 1861, at Monticello, Iowa, he enlisted as a private soldier in Co. D, Iowa Vol. Inf., and served to July, 1865, when he was mustered out with the rank of duty Sergeant. He was in the battle of Pea Ridge; with Gen. Curtis to Vicksburg; on Sherman’s march to the sea; in the Grand Review at Washington; was wounded eight different times and saw as much actual service as any man in the army. Nov. 10, 1877, the Doctor was married at Kewanee, Ill., to Miss Maria L. Sykes, a talented teacher for eight years in the public schools, four years as Principal of the Geneseo schools, and four years at Wyoming, Iowa, where she met and captivated the Doctor. They have two children - Gena V. And Hiram O. The Doctor belongs to the I.O.O.F., A.O.U.W., K.of H., Woodmen of America and G.A.R. He is no politician; no fanatic; no “crank.” Believes in attending strictly to his own business, and has found that not altogether universal practice a good one. [Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of Henry County, Illinois, Originally published 1885, Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL. Transcribed by: Denise McLoughlin]
Richard Payne, brick manufacturer, Galva, is a native of England and was born in Oswestry, Shropshire, in that Country, May 12, 1828. His father, Thomas Payne, was also a native of England, where he married Catherine Richards, also of English birth, but of Welsh extraction. His grandfather, also named Thomas Payne, was born in Fitz, Eng. He was a farmer and brick-maker, and died at the age of 79 years, in Oswestry, leaving a large estate. His wife, Anna Payne, was born in Meidstown, County Kent, England, and lived to be 101 years old. They reared a family of six children, namely: Thomas, the father of our subject; Sarah Ann, James, William and Hannah, all of whom are deceased. Thomas was born Dec. 21, 1785, in Oswestry, and died in March, 1881, aged nearly 96 years. He was also a brick-make in early life, but came to this country in 1850, and located in Whitefield Township, Marshall Co., Ill., where he died. His wife, Catherine Richard, was born at the same place, and was the daughter of Thomas Richard. She died about 1857, nine children having been born of this couple, as follows: Thomas, John, Ann (now Mrs. Jarvis), Edward, Richard, Ann (Now Mrs. Roummel) William, George and Mary (the latter deceased).
Mr. Payne was reared and educated in his native country, and came to America with his parents. He resided with them in Marshall Co., Ill., until 1856, in the meantime joining with them in the brick-making business. In April, 1865, he came to Galva, and for many years made brick in the old-fashioned way, by hand. This required a great deal of hard work, but he met with fair success. In the spring of 1878 he formed a partnership with Obed Price, which has continued to the present time, and the firm is now know as Payne & Price. Prior to 1878 Mr. Payne employed about ten hands. At that time he introduced horse-power, and two years later his business had increased to that it demanded greater facilities. He then put in an 18-horse-power engine, which runs a Henry Martin Stock Brick Machine. This machine has a capacity of 25,000 bricks per day. The firm employ about 25 men in the factory and in shipping. Mr. Payne devotes his attention to the superintending of the factory, while his partner attends to the contracting department.
Mr. Payne was married in Ottawa, Ill., to Miss Emelia Roe, who is now deceased. She became the mother of two children - Nellie and Thomas R. She died at Galva, Jan. 1882. She was the daughter of Thomas Roe, of English ancestry. Mr. Payne was married a second time, to Mrs. Jennie Prescott. [Source: Page 609, Portrait & Biographical Album of Henry County, Illinois, Originally published 1885, Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL. Transcribed by: Denise McLoughlin]
CASPER ACKERMAN, farmer, section 9, Alba Township, is a native of Prussia, having been born in that country April 25, 1833. He came to the United States in 1859, landing at New Orleans after being on the water 12 week. Soon after landing at the Gulf city, he came to St. Louis, which required 12 days of his time. He remained at the latter city only a few hours, when he took the train for LaSalle Co., Ill., arriving there in safety, and at once engaged to work for his brother on the farm, and followed that occupation for 18 months. He then left the farm and went to Ottawa, and was there engaged at various occupations for four years, the principal part of his work being that of making tallow candles. At the expiration of four years, he bought the business and continued the same with signal success for seven years.
In 1871, Mr. ACKERMAN sold his business at Ottawa, and came to Henry County, where he purchased 160 acres of land, located on section 9, Alba Township, and at once entered vigorously and energetically upon the task of its cultivation and improvement, and has followed that occupation until the present time. By economy and energetic labor, coupled with the active co-operation of his wife and children, he has added to his original purchase of land until he is at present the proprietor of 730 acres.
Mr. ACKERMAN was united in marriage to Miss Johanna BODECKER, on Dec. 8, 1862. She is a native of Hanover, Prussia, and has borne her husband seven children. The living are: Annie C.; George C.; Ernest B. and Casper A., and the deceased are Anna, who died in infancy; Henry C. and Henry (second). Mr. ACKERMAN, in addition to the cultivation of his land, devotes a considerable part of his time to the raising of Holstein and Short-horn cattle and Chester White hogs. As an agriculturist he is regarded as one of the foremost in the township, and likewise one of the respected and honored citizens of Henry County. [Source: Page 716-717, Portrait & Biographical Album of Henry County, Illinois, Originally published 1885, Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL. Transcribed by: Denise McLoughlin]
Moses ADAMS, a former citizen of Munson Township, at present residing in Chicago, is a native of the State of Maine and removed to Henry County in 1852. He was a citizen of the same township until his removal to Chicago in 1877. He was born in Old Falmouth, Cumberland Co., Me., Dec. 21, 1811, and is the second son of Moses and Sarah (SKILLIN) ADAMS. The grandfather of our subject was a soldier of the War of the Revolution, and was in the fight at Bunker Hill. He was in the Colonial service throughout the war and after the declaration of peace he settled near Portland, Me. He was born in Newbury, Mass. The father of Mr. ADAMS inherited the traits of his father, and when the second war with the British Government was declared he enlisted in the defense of his country. He was born Sept. 16, 1775. After his marriage he settled at Portland in Maine. The family removed there when the son who is represented in this sketch was about 16. The latter was apprenticed to a merchant and was in the same employ five years, officiating as a clerk. When he was 21 his employer set him up in business in Portland and he conducted his commercial operations there 16 years. A disastrous fire ruined him in a financial sense, or nearly so, and he returned to his former station of clerk. He engaged at first as an assistant in a warehouse and later as a clerk in a store. He came West in 1851 and was employed in the positions last named in La Salle, Ill.
In 1852 he came to Henry County and entered a claim of land in Munson Township, or what is now known as such. It was situated on the northwest quarter of section 22. He took possession of the place as resident owner and manger in 1854, and occupied it as long as he remained in the county. Mr. ADAMS is a member of the fraternity of Masons and also belongs to the I. O. O. F. He has been connected with the latter since December, 1843. He was brought up in the tenets of the Presbyterian Church, but he is now a believer in the principles of the Univeralist Church. He is a firm believer in the doctrine of the final subjugation of sin and the restoration of all mankind to a reconciliation with the Savior.
In 1835 Mr. ADAMS formed a matrimonial alliance with Frances E. CUTLER. She was born in Medford, Mass., May 26, 1811, and died in Munson Township, Aug. 17, 1867. Seven of the children of which she became the mother are living: Frank, the oldest son, was a soldier in the 14th Ill. Cav., and was for a long time a prisoner at Andersonville: his health was injured beyond recovery by the privations he endured, and he is now a resident of Topeka, Kan.,; Moses A. lives in Cook County; Edward is an engineer in Oregon; Sarah M. is the widow of Asa SMITH; he served in the 124th ILL Vol. Inf., and lost his life in the war; Elethea is the widow of Lorenzo ELDREDGE; Mary married Henry BOYCE; Charlotte L. is the youngest. [Source: Page 562, Portrait & Biographical Album of Henry County, Illinois, Originally published 1885, Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL. Transcribed by: Denise McLoughlin]
John S. PARSONS - In 1856 Mr. PARSONS came from Rock Island County into Henry, and shortly afterward purchased 80 acres of land on section 21, Osco Township, where he settled. Here he has since lived, and is looked upon as one of the most highly respected and well-to-do farmers of Osco. He is a son of George H. and Henrietta (CASEY) PARSONS, who were natives and residents of Maryland all their lives. The eldest of their family of seven children was John S., who was born in Worcester Co., Md., March 27, 1824. Here the earlier years of his life were spent growing up to manhood and receiving a good practical education. The last years of his residence in Maryland he was engaged in farming. In the spring of 1852 he came West, and soon found a location in Rock Island County, where for four years he remained working out by the month. The opportunities for accumulating anything by such means is meager at all times, but especially so in pioneer times, when people had but very little money; and the early settlers themselves were sturdy, vigorous and hard-working men. Mr. PARSONS, however, must have saved a little, for we soon find him in this county, and the owner of 80 acres of land. He erected good buildings on his farm, which now comprises 70 acres of good tillable land.
Shortly after he removed to Henry County, Mr. PARSONS felt that the wisest course for him to pursue was to secure the advice, assistance and help of a good wife. This he found in the person of Miss Mary D. CARROLL, the date of the wedding being Oct. 21, 1857, in Henry County. Mrs. Parsons is the daughter of Anthony W. and Belinda (ROOT) CARROLL. The former was a native of Pennsylvania, while her mother was a Massachusetts lady. Her parents settled in Licking Co., Ohio, where her mother died May 27, 1865. Her father went West, and died at Olathe, Kan., April 27, 1822. Mrs. PARSONS was the eldest of a large family, consisting of eight children, and was born in Muskingum Co., Ohio, April 2, 1827. She has been an active, enterprising lady in the community as well as an excellent wife. She has served her district in the capacity of School Director for two years. Both herself and husband are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. [Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of Henry County, Illinois, Originally published 1885, Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL. Transcribed by: Denise McLoughlin]
John B. MOFFITT, a full history of whose life would alone fill a volume half as large as this album, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, of Scotch patronage, Feb. 11, 1833, and was the son of John and Matilda (BLAIR) MOFFITT, who were visiting friends in Ireland at the time of the birth of our subject. From Scotland the family came to America in 18842, bringing two children, and had seven born in Philadelphia. The senior Mr .MOFFITT died iin Philadelphia, and his widow still lives at Kensignton.
John B. was intended by his father for a carpet manufacturer, and he taught him therein when not at school. At the age of 14 John ran away from school and made his way to New Bedford, whence he shipped in a sperm whaler and was gone four and a half years, cruising the Australian coasts, Japan, New Zealand, the Southern Ocean, Peru and Paacific Islands. Returning home, he was induced to learn the carpenter's trade; but before the end of three years he went again to sea on the whaler, as "boat-steerer" or harpooner, and was out about ten months, when he and three seamen, including the Captain, all that were saved, were cast away on Ascension Island (one of the Caroline group in the South Pacific), and lived with natives about six months, when they were rescued by a Cunard steamer that happened to touch the island. While there, he learned to speak the native language and became very much infatuated with their mode of life. The "Britannia" carried them to Hong Kong, where they shipped in an opium clipper for Shanghai. It was now the winter season and the sailors were compelled to work night and day in the worst weather imaginable. At the mouth of the Yan Tse Kiang, the vessel grounded, the tide drove them from the vessel and they lay a month at Shanghai, repairing. Finally, carrying a lot of Chinese refugees, they set sail, to be wrecked again upon a small island from which they pulled 60 miles away to another, larger, island. Here they found a Chinese junk, with whose Captain they were unable to make terms; so, dropping that unruly gentleman overboard, they took his junk and made back to Shanghai. From there Mr. MOFFITT shipped on a man-of-war, or private armed vessel, and for two years was employed as convoy against pirates. After an interesting experience with pirates at the mouth of the river Min, and after being again cast away upon a Chinese island, he found himself at Hong Kong, from where he shipped in a Dutch bark, "Emily," for Java via Foo Chow, laden with tea. At Java the vessel took on a cargo of coffee, and the next we hear of Mr. Moffitt he is digging gold in Australia, where he alternated between poverty and opulence for about seven years.
Via Peru, the Chinchi Islands and Queenstown, he landed again in Philadelphia, April 1, 1862, after an absence of 11 years. In March, 1863, he came to Kewanee, where he worked a while at carpentering, then farmed a few years, again in mercantile business of various kinds and in various capacities, and in 1875 pulled out for Texas, where, at the town of Tetrell, he bought and shipped grain for about two years. Returning to Illinois, he lived a year or two in Ogle County, and came back to Kewanee, where he finally settled down to business, and, as he says, "for life." He carries on the extensive furniture establishment in the village. Belongs to no church, but is a Knight Templar in Masonary, and always votes the Democratic ticket. He was married at Princeton, Ill., in May 1865, to Mrs. Elizabeth LYLE. [Source: Page 699, Portrait & Biographical Album of Henry County, Illinois, Originally published 1885, Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL. Transcribed by: Denise McLoughlin]
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