Rockford Illinois

Winnebago and Boone Counties Genealogy Society

1875 winnebago and boone

The Winnebago and Boone Counties Genealogical Society has archived a wealth of historic genealogical records previously available on the Cherry Valley Public Library District website. Although these indices and manuscripts for Boone, Cook, McHenry, and Winnebago counties were removed, they are still accessible as downloadable PDFs. The collection includes vital records, city directories, church histories, and historical maps, providing invaluable resources for researchers and family historians exploring their ancestry in the region.

Ancestors of Horace Alden Keith of Brockton, MA

Horace Alden Keith

Horace Alden Keith, born May 25, 1862, in West Bridgewater, MA, founded the Brockton Webbing Company, becoming a prominent figure in local industry. He hailed from a distinguished lineage, tracing back to Rev. James Keith, an early minister in Bridgewater. His father, Henry Snell Keith, and mother, Thalia Alden, also contributed to the family’s historical significance. Horace’s early career included roles at Spalding Brothers before establishing his own successful business, reflecting both his entrepreneurial spirit and New England heritage.

John Wesley Somers

John Wesley Somers, a prominent figure in Ida Grove, passed away on August 2, 1919, at 84. Born in North Carolina in 1834, he later moved to Illinois, where he married Sarah J. Fitzgerald in 1858. Serving as a First Lieutenant in the Civil War, he returned to pursue a career in pharmacy. Somers and his family moved to Ida Grove in 1882, where he established a successful drugstore. He is survived by two children, a grandson, and a great-grandson. His wife died four months prior.

Biography of Thomas Page

Thomas Page, a key commercial figure in Kansas for over fifty years, was born in Scotland in 1843 and immigrated to the United States in 1866. He began his milling career in Albany, New York, before moving to Topeka in 1871. There, he played a pivotal role in establishing the city as a milling center, founding several mills, including the Interocean and Mid-Continent Mills. A respected businessman and community leader, Page remains active at over seventy years old, while balancing his family life with his wife Jessie and three children.

Biography of Ralph Ray Price

Ralph Ray Price, a Kansas native and professor of History and Civics at Kansas State Agricultural College, has deep roots in the state’s pioneering past. Born in 1872, he was shaped by his family’s involvement in Kansas history, with ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War. Educated at Baker University and the University of Kansas, he became a distinguished educator and administrator, significantly expanding his department. An active community member and writer, he contributed to Kansas education and historical scholarship alongside his wife, Roberta Simpson Price. They had one son, James Francis Price.

Biography of Harrison B. Oatman

Harrison B. Oatman was born in Cortland, New York, in 1826 and moved to Ohio and then Rockford, Illinois, where he married Lucena K. Ross in 1847. In 1853, he journeyed to Oregon, settling in Jackson County, and participated in mining and trading. He notably escaped an attack related to the Indian war and later lived in Portland, transitioning from grocery trade to land speculation. Oatman served as a first lieutenant in the First Oregon Infantry during the Civil War, earning commendations for his bravery.

Biography of William Taylor

William Taylor, born in County Armagh, Ireland, on April 15, 1820, immigrated to the United States with his family in 1840. Settling in Illinois, he became a skilled mason and contributed to early construction in Belvidere and Rockford. In 1871, seeking new opportunities, he moved to Idaho, where he established a successful farm on rich land. A prominent pioneer, Taylor’s hard work led to a prosperous 640-acre property. He raised a family of notable individuals and became well-respected in his community, embodying the spirit of Idaho’s early settlers.

Biography of Aaron B. Perine

Aaron B. Perine, a pioneering resident of Kansas since 1854, made significant contributions to the state’s development through his work with Native Americans and as a successful blacksmith and plow manufacturer. Born in New York in 1836, he faced early hardships but built a thriving business in Topeka, aided by his sons. A civic-minded individual, Perine remains active despite his age. His family lineage includes notable figures, and he is married to Mary E. Bodwell, a descendant of early Kansas settlers involved in the Underground Railroad.

Biographical Sketch of Bernard T. Duffey

Bernard T. Duffey was born on July 5, 1869, in Rockford, Illinois. He attended public schools there and married Lillian Knapp in Beloit, Wisconsin, in 1892, later marrying Bertha Agnes Nye in Chicago in 1910. Duffey began his career in fire insurance with the Rockford Insurance Company in 1887 and worked there until 1900 before joining the Royal Insurance Company of Liverpool, England, where he currently serves as the state agent in Ohio. He is also a member of the Cleveland Athletic Club.

Biographical Sketch of Frederick D. Kellogg

Frederick D. Kellogg was born on September 3, 1880, in Rockford, Illinois. After completing his education, he married Florence M. Clark in 1902 and had one daughter, Virginia. Kellogg spent seven years in the banking sector in Chicago before relocating to Cleveland in 1909 to join The Ohio Quarries Co. He became secretary and treasurer of the company in 1910 and held additional roles in the Lorain Southern Railroad and Quarries Equipment Company. Kellogg was also active in various Masonic and social clubs, with golf as his leisure activity.

Warnock, Samuel B. – Obituary

Samuel B. Warnock, a pioneer of Day Ridge, passed away on November 11, 1927, in La Grande due to Bright’s disease. Born in Illinois in 1863, he moved to Oregon at 26 and homesteaded in Wallowa County. He was married in 1902 and had three children, two of whom survive him. Warnock was a respected member of the community and a devoted Presbyterian. His funeral was held at the Methodist church in Flora, attended by many friends and family.

Biography of Edwin Ruthven Heath

Edwin Ruthven Heath, born in 1839 in Wisconsin, became a notable physician in Kansas City, Kansas, after a remarkable life shaped by adventure and exploration. He experienced the California Gold Rush as a child, later practicing medicine in South America, where he contributed to railway construction and explored remote rivers. A specialist in diabetes and urinalysis, he actively practiced until late in life despite physical challenges. Heath was an esteemed member of various geographical societies and served in several consular roles while maintaining a commitment to public service and community involvement.

Biography of Alonzo J. Tullock

Alonzo J. Tullock, a prominent civil engineer born on March 21, 1854, in Winnebago County, Illinois, made significant contributions to engineering in the western United States. After studying at the University of Illinois and the University of Michigan, he took charge of a struggling bridge works in Leavenworth, which he eventually owned and transformed into the Missouri Valley Bridge and Iron Company. Tullock’s notable projects include bridges over the Mississippi River and a harbor at Galveston. He passed away on July 21, 1904, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and a supportive family.

Biography of Clarence Stewart

Clarence Stewart, born in 1848 in Rockford, Illinois, became a prominent businessman in Riverside, California. His father, John N. Stewart, moved the family to California in 1852, where Clarence was raised. After various roles, including serving as a deputy Indian agent, he settled in San Bernardino and established a successful agricultural and business career. He was pivotal in developing Riverside’s economy through real estate and manufacturing, while also engaging in community affairs and holding several important positions, including notary public and vice-president of the Stewart Hotel Association.

Biographical Sketch of Richard Stewart

Richard Stewart, born June 2, 1850, in Rockford, Illinois, moved to California with his family in 1852 and settled in San Bernardino County in 1865. A successful stock raiser and farmer, his 72-acre ranch is renowned for its agricultural quality. He owns valuable properties in San Bernardino, including the first pressed-brick building in the area. Married to Alice M. Abels in 1876, they had six children. Currently, he manages his estate while considering a return to stock farming.

Biography of John Henry Stewart

John Henry Stewart, born in Massachusetts in 1823, became a leading figure in San Bernardino. After moving to Illinois and marrying Charlotte Woodworth, he later relocated to California for health reasons. Despite a severe illness that left him disabled, Stewart thrived as a businessman, notably erecting San Bernardino’s first brick building. He remarried Martha Kenfield, who devotedly supported him for nearly three decades. Stewart was influential in local development, including the Silk Center Association, and left a sizable estate upon his death in 1885, benefiting his family and community.

Biography of Harrison H. Guthrie, M. D.

Harrison H. Guthrie, M.D., began his medical career in San Bernardino in 1881 after relocating from Minnesota, where he had overcome health challenges. Born in West Virginia in 1832, he was raised by grandparents in Maryland. After teaching for several years and serving in the Civil War, he graduated from Rush Medical College in 1863. After establishing his practice in Minnesota, he became involved in local governance. Settling in California, he prospered and engaged in scientific pursuits. He has been married twice and has three children.