Whiteside County IL
Biographical Sketch of Allen A. Alderfer
Allen A. Alderfer, born August 16, 1865, in Sterling, Illinois, was a prominent merchant in Topeka, Kansas. He moved west at twenty-one, working with the Santa Fe Railway before establishing his grocery business, where he built a loyal clientele. Alderfer had a diverse career, previously employed at both the Topeka Flour Mills Company and Shawnee Milling Company. A lifelong bachelor, he was active in community organizations including the Masons and Odd Fellows, and was a dedicated Republican.
Biography of Ernest N. Bailey
Ernest N. Bailey, born June 15, 1857, in Carroll County, Illinois, was a prominent farmer, stockman, and grain merchant in Baileyville, Kansas. He was the brother of former Governor W. J. Bailey and a descendant of Colonial New York settlers. After moving to Kansas in 1879, he expanded his agricultural endeavors, eventually establishing a significant grain elevator. Active in the community, he held various local positions and contributed to the development of Baileyville, where he lived with his wife, Gertrude L. French.
Biography of Alexander S. Robertson
Alexander S. Robertson, born on June 22, 1863, in Ontario, became a prominent figure in Nampa through his successful drug store and active political involvement. Educated in Illinois and Nebraska, he worked as a bank cashier before establishing his business in Nampa in 1890, where he earned a reputation for integrity. A former Republican, he became a silver Republican after 1896 and served in the state legislature and senate. Married to Lelia D. Gordon, they have four children and are well-regarded members of their community.
Biography of W. B. Kurtz
W. B. Kurtz, born on November 1, 1846, in Berks County, Pennsylvania, is a prominent figure in Weiser’s industrial landscape as the proprietor of the Weiser flouring mill, established in 1890. A German descent miller by trade, he honed his skills in Illinois before moving to Idaho in 1878. Kurtz’s commitment to ethical business practices and community service is reflected in his active role in the Congregational church and local fraternal organizations. He is married to Lenora B. Babcock and has one daughter, Hazel.
Biographical Sketch of P. B. and W. B. Spears
P. B. Spears, born December 29, 1854, in Indiana, moved to Kansas in 1880 after marrying Georgia A. Taylor. His brother, W. B. Spears, born April 6, 1858, initially relocated to Illinois before joining P. B. in Kansas. W. B. married Minnie B. Clark in 1881. The brothers founded the Bank of Burr Oak and constructed a modern brick bank building in 1882. They also own 280 acres of improved land. The Spears family includes three children: Ethel, Charles, and Helen.
Biographical Sketch of Frank B. Carpenter
Frank B. Carpenter, born on July 17, 1866, in Oberlin, Ohio, served as the general counsel for The New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad Company. He graduated with an A.B. from Oberlin College in 1888 and attended Columbia Law School. Carpenter was appointed as assistant general counsel in 1901 and later became general counsel in 1912. He was also an administrator and trustee of the estate of W. J. Gordon and held various director and membership positions in several organizations. He married Edna Woods in 1890 and had three children.
Biography of Paul Phillip MacCaskill
Paul Phillip MacCaskill, born July 7, 1890, in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is a notable member of the Kansas bar practicing in Parsons. Educated in various locations, he engaged in public affairs, serving as secretary to Senator Baille P. Waggener in 1915 and later as a committee clerk. A descendant of Scottish ancestry, his family has a rich heritage, including a chaplain in the Confederate army. Admitted to the bar in 1913, he has actively participated in local politics and is a family man, married with one son.
Biography of Fred C. Hall
Fred C. Hall, born on October 15, 1883, in Galt, Illinois, is the secretary and manager of the Henderson Gasoline Company in Nowata, Oklahoma. After completing his education through night school, he began his career in the railroad industry, rising through various positions at the Missouri Pacific before arriving in Nowata in 1913. Hall has also succeeded in the life insurance business and is active in local government as a city commissioner and treasurer. He is a family man with five children and contributes to community initiatives.
Baxter, David Patrick – Obituary
David Patrick Baxter, 80, of Portland, passed away on December 12, 2004, from cancer. Born on March 17, 1924, in Sterling, Illinois, he moved to Baker City, Oregon, where his father served as a minister. A talented athlete, he graduated from Baker High School in 1942, later attending Oregon State College and the University of Portland. A U.S. Navy veteran, he spent 32 years at GMAC in Portland. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and a half-sister.
Biography of D. P. Chapman
D. P. Chapman, born in 1836 in Connecticut, established a notable orange grove in Riverside, California, after a diverse career that included mercantile ventures and military service during the Civil War. He served in the Ninety-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, where he rose to Sergeant before being wounded. After the war, he was active in state politics and worked as a general agent for a life insurance company in Pittsburgh for over twenty years. In 1887, he settled in Riverside, where he cultivated his successful orchard and became a respected community member. He married Carrie Olmsted and had five children.
Biography of Miss Myrtle E. Dade
Miss Myrtle E. Dade, born in Fulton, Illinois, is celebrated for her exceptional leadership as the beneficiary recorder of the Royal Neighbors of America. Demonstrating remarkable business acumen, she streamlined operations, introducing innovative practices that set standards in fraternal insurance. Appointed supreme recorder in 1905, she effectively managed the growing membership, enhancing efficiency within the limited resources available. A gifted artist and dedicated community member, she has significantly contributed to the society’s success while maintaining ties to her Presbyterian faith.
Biography of H. E. Casteel
Herbert E. Casteel, born on March 15, 1860, in Davenport, Iowa, emerged as a significant figure in Rock Island County’s banking and business sectors. Despite limited formal education, his tenacity and ambitious spirit facilitated his ascent to bank president and prominent local businessman. His varied career included positions in the lumber industry, railroads, and merchandising, leading him to establish and lead key financial institutions like the Rock Island National Bank. Casteel, a family man and active Mason, was well-respected in both business and community circles.
Biography of William Fisk Eastman
William Fiske Eastman, born November 11, 1844, in New York, was a prominent figure in Moline, Illinois, as co-editor of the Moline Daily Dispatch and postmaster. A Union College graduate, he transitioned from teaching to journalism and banking, despite health setbacks. Eastman played a pivotal role in establishing the Moline Dispatch Publishing Company, advancing local Republican and reformist journalism. Married twice, he was deeply involved in the community, holding significant roles in the Christian Church and local politics, leaving a notable legacy in Illinois media.
Biography of Colonel Charles L. Walker
Colonel Charles L. Walker, born in McHenry County, Illinois, on December 27, 1851, became a prominent lawyer in Rock Island County after moving there in 1873. A graduate of the Rock River Seminary, he studied law while supporting himself and joined the Sweeney, Jackson & Walker firm upon admission to the bar in 1878. A dedicated Republican, he was appointed aide to Governor Richard Yates and served as attorney for the Illinois and Michigan Canal. Walker was also active in the Rock Island community and a committed Methodist. He married Anna Guy Stoddard in 1881.
Biography of Mrs. Mary Fay Hawes
Mrs. Mary Fay Hawes, born on July 22, 1866, in Fulton, Illinois, exemplifies the empowered American woman. A graduate of Northern Illinois College and initially working with the Modern Woodmen of America, she married Major Charles W. Hawes in 1894. Subsequently, she became a leading figure in the Royal Neighbors of America, serving on its board since 1895. Known for her speaking skills and dedication, she actively contributes to her church and maintains a fulfilling family life, reflecting the evolving role of women in society.