Biographies G

 Following are some biographies of families who at one time or another lived in Henry Co. Illinois. In some cases it is the parent, sibling, spouse or child who was a Henry Co. resident so please read carefully!

D. R. GAFF

GAFF, D. R., proprietor of the Shenandoah Republican, P. O. Shenandoah; born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, January 11, 1848. He lived in the county of his birth until twenty years of age, when he moved to Carroll county, Illinois, and subsequently to Stevenson county, same state. In July, 1871, he came to Shenandoah, of which place he has since been a continuous resident. He established the paper with which he is now connected in September, 1877, having previously established and owned since 1871 the Shenandoah Reporter, which paper he sold to G. W. Gunnison in 1874. Was married to Miss Belle M. Miller, a native of Henry county, Illinois , in January, 1879. They are the parents of one child: Morrill.

Source: History of Page County, Iowa; Des Moines: Iowa Hist. Co., 1880 p667

REV. SAMUEL GOODALE

REV. SAMUEL GOODALE, Pastor of Grace Episcopal Church, Columbus, was born in Berkshire County, Mass., in 1814, where he remained, living with his parents, until he was twenty-one years of age. He graduated at Union College, Schenectady, N. Y., in 1836, having been one of the founders of the Psi Upsilon Society, and a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, of that college. He then taught school in Wheeling, W. Va., three years. He entered the Episcopal Theological Seminary at New York City, graduating in 1841, in which year he was ordained at Providence, R. I. His first charge was as missionary near Syracuse, N. Y., where in 1843 he married Miss Rebecca Kimball, who died at Kalamazoo, Mich., in 1850, to which place they had that year removed. She left a son, Chester, now living near Ashland, in Cass County, Neb.

In 1852, Mr. G. was married at Wilbraham, Mass., to Miss Anna Merrick, a native of that State. They have one child, a daughter, Josie, now the wife of V. T. Prise, of Columbus, Neb. From Kalamazoo he went to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1853, remaining two years, then going to Geneseo and Rock Island, Ill., where he remained until 1866. In that year he came to Nebraska, accepting the appointment of missionary along the Union Pacific Railway. He located at Columbus in 1868, where he built a church, afterward going to Lincoln, Ashland and Fremont, at which places, and at Silver Creek, he built churches. In 1877, he returned to Columbus, where he now lives. He was chosen Chaplain of the Senate of the Eighth Legislature, serving most acceptably in this position during the session.

Source: Andreas' History of Nebraska, Platte Co, City of Columbus

THEODORE F. GOOLD

Theodore F. Goold was born in Kewanee, Illinois, December 25. 1877. His father, Henry L. Goold, was Scotch-Irish and his mother (Florence Hurd in her youth) was of German nationality. The family came west to Nebraska when Mr. Goold was ten years old, his father engaging in the stock business until 1897.

Mr. Goold was reared in Keith county, attending school there and later going to the State University, from which he was graduated in 1902, after completing the scientific course. He was associated with his father in the ranching business until 1906 at which time the Citizen's Bank of Ogallala was established and he became cashier of that institution. His efforts, combined with those of his associates, have made this bank a success from the start and it is now doing a good business. The deposits of this bank are guaranteed.

Mr. Goold was married in Ogallala, September 26, 1908, to Miss Jennie Smith, a daughter of Francis M. Smith, deceased. Mr. Goold is a member of the Masonic order, holding membership in the Blue Lodge at Ogallala and the Sisostris Temple, thirty-second degree Masons, at Lincoln, and also of the Temple of the Mystic Shrine.

His father, Henry L. Goold, now chairman of tthe (sic) board of county commissioners, held the office of regent at the State University from 1896 to 1902. He has taken an active part in Republican politics and has been honored with positions on committees of prominence. His birth occurred in Yates City, Illinois, December 26. 1851.

He lived in that city until grown and attended the Northwestern University, until his health failed, when he went to California, where he spent three or four years in educational work and farming. He went into the furniture business in Kewanee, Illinois, and also bought and shipped horses from Nebraska doing an extensive business. In 1880 he moved to Nebraska, where he engaged in stock raising, in which he has been very successful. He has a ranch of six thousand acres, some six miles southeast of Ogallala.

Henry L. Goold has taken a great interest in the educational matters of the region and has been a member of the board of education in Ogallala. He helped to establish the experiment station in connection with the State University while regent of that institution. He has been a great success as a farmer and stock breeder, raising draft horses of the Shire breed and shorthorn cattle. He is an example of what perseverance will do for a man in either east or vest.

Source: Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska; p 696

NATHANIEL BARTLETT GOULD

The name of Nathaniel Bartlett Gould is on the roll of Henry County's honored dead by reason of the work which he did while an active factor in the life of Cambridge and this section of the state. He gave ample evidence of his public-spirited citizenship in his service as mayor of the city and of his humanitarian principles in his broad philanthropy and liberal charity.

A native of Vermont, he was born March 31, 1827, his parents being Amos and Nancy H. (Bartlett) Gould, who were likewise natives of the Green Mountain state. His paternal grandfather, Amos Gould, was a soldier of the Revolutionary War, enlisting for three months, and was stationed on Manhattan Island at the time that Benedict Arnold deserted the American camp, being situated about a mile from where Major Andre, the British spy, was captured with the dispatches that Arnold had given him, making the one a traitor to his country and the other a victim of his loyalty to his native land.

The maternal grandfather, Nathaniel Bartlett, was also in the Colonial army during the Revolutionary War and was in service under General Arnold in the disastrous campaign through the almost impassable woods of northern Maine. Their destination was Quebec, Canada, but they advanced no farther than St. John's, arriving there in terrible condition on account of the hardships which they had endured in traveling through the wilderness. The children of Amos H. and Nancy (Bartlett) Gould were ten in number, six sons and four daughters, of whom five are now living; Judge J. M. Gould, of Moline, Illinois; Lyfe Y., a resident of Cambridge; Amos, who makes his home in Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Nancy J., the widow of B. H. Burrows, of Andover Township, this county.

Nathaniel B. Gould was reared in New England and having arrived at years of maturity was married November 24, 1859, to Miss Mary J. Jennings, a daughter of Levi and Susan H. (Shepard) Jennings. The latter was born on the day her father returned from the War of 1812. The birth of Mrs. Gould occurred in Peoria County, Illinois, November 14, 1838. Her parents were natives of Ohio and were married there. Her paternal grandfather was a resident of Salem, Ohio, and of Quaker-English stock. He followed the occupation of farming as a life work and thus provided for his family. Both he and his wife, Mrs. Anna Jennings, lived to an advanced age.

The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Gould were John and Elizabeth (Van Meter) Shepard, natives of Virginia. They were slaveowners of that state and although they set their colored people free the negroes all remained with them after obtaining their freedom, a fact which indicates that they were most kindly and considerate in the treatment of the members of the dark race who were once their property. Mr. And Mrs. Shepard removed to Columbus, Ohio, where the death of the latter occurred, after which Mr. Shepard came to Illinois, settling in Danville. There he married again. He had six children by his first marriage and two by the second. Mrs. Gould became the mother of two daughters: Nellie L., who was born October 20, 1863, and died at the age of fifteen years; and Katharine M., who was born November 29, 1865, and became the wife of W. F. Hayes, by whom she had one daughter, Katharine Gould Hayes. Mr. And Mrs. Gould also reared a niece, Daisy M., a daughter of Daniel Gould, who became as a daughter in their household, and afterward married Edward L. Torbert, now a resident of Syracuse, New York.

The death of Nathaniel B. Gould occurred August 27, 1907, when he had reached the age of seventy-nine years and five months. His was a long, useful and active life, crowned with honors and success. He was regarded as one of the political leaders of this part of the state and took an active and helpful interest in many measures relative to the public welfare. He gave unfaltering support to the Republican Party, believing that its principles were most conducive to good government and keeping at all times well informed on the vital questions and issues of the day. For a number of years he filled the position of chief executive of Cambridge, and his service as mayor was of a businesslike character, in which needed reform and improvement played an important part. When his salary as mayor was given him it was immediately turned over to some poor widow or person in need and thus his official life proved a dual blessing to the community, to the city which benefited by his practical efforts in its behalf and to the one who was the recipient of his bounty. He served in the office of supervisor for a quarter of a century and for many years was a member of the school board, discharging every official duty with singleness of purpose, actuated at all times by his devotion to the general good. He had the respect and trust of even his political opponents and throughout the entire community was recognized as a man whom to know as to esteem and honor. His philanthropy was one of his strongest characteristics. He could never listen unmoved to any tale of sorrow or distress and his benevolent spirit found expression in generous assistance to the poor. In his business relations he was prominent as the president of the First National Bank of Cambridge from its organization until his death. Mrs. Gould still survives her husband and makes her home in Cambridge. She was reared in the Episcopal Church, which she still attends, and is a lady whose many splendid traits of character have endeared her to all with whom she has been brought in contact.

SOURCE: History of Henry County

Submitted by: Alice Gless

book contains picture

WILLIAM EDWARD GOULD

William Edward Gould, whose life work has been an influencing factor in financial circles in Kewanee and in this part of the state, while his sound judgment proves an excellent guide for the conduct of important business interests, was born in Cairo, Illinois, December 6, 1867, his parents being George and Anna (Clitherow) Gould. The father was a fruit grower, conducting a good business along horticultural lines.

William E. Gould enjoyed the advantages of instruction in Oberlin College, after mastering the elementary branches of learning in the public schools, and in his youthful days became his father's assistant, which brought him practical business experience and gave him an insight into commercial and financial problems that has enabled him successfully to manage complex interests at a later day. He first became identified with banking at Toulon as a member of the firm of Dewey, Burge & Gould, on the 1st of May 1896, and there remained until April, 1902. For the past seven years he has been connected with the Savings Bank of Kewanee, of which he became one of the organizers, and at the same time he retains his interest in the bank at Toulon. Seeing opportunity for further investment in business interests that promised profitably he became a partner in the Kewanee Ice & Fuel Company, and also aided in the organization of the Fischer Lumber company of Kewanee, Missouri, of which he is the secretary and treasurer.

On the 1st of January, 1902, Mr. Gould was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Bates, of Kewanee, Illinois, a daughter of M. C. and Emma (Latimer) Bates, who are farming people of Knox County. Mr. And Mrs. Gould have one child, Harriet Barodel. The parents are well known socially in the city, the hospitality of the best homes of Kewanee being freely accorded them. Mr. Gould belongs to the Masonic fraternity and the Odd Fellows Lodge, and his religious belief is evidenced in his membership in the First Congregational Church. While he is preeminently a business man he does not allow commercial and financial interest to monopolize his time to the exclusion of other affairs of vital moment, but one the contrary gives his cooperation to various measures and projects for the public good.

SOURCE: The History of Henry Co., Vol 2, H. Kiner, 1910, Pioneer Publishing, Chicago IL

Submitted by: Alice Gless

DR. JOSEPH GOYER

The latter gentleman was a native of Bartholomew county, Indiana. In 1826 his parents removed to Putnam county of the same state, and in 1836 to Warren county, Illinois. One year later the family removed to Henry county, Illinois, remaining until 1847, when the residence was changed to Bureau county of the same state, where Joseph studied medicine two years, after which he attended medical lectures at the Indiana Medical College of Como, for a portion of a term. He then went to Rock Island, Illinois, where he began the practice of his profession. He remained there until 1853, then removed to Big Rock, Scott county, Iowa, where he bought a store and stocked it with drugs and general merchandise, and practiced his profession for two years. He then returned to Rock Island and remained there until 1859, when he went to California. He returned in 1860, and in 1862 enlisted in the Eighty-ninth Regiment, Illinois volunteer infantry. He was wounded at the battle of Stone River, Tennessee, in 1862, through the left shoulder and right hip, being taken prisoner and re-taken in the same battle. He was discharged in 1863 and returned home. In 1864 he went to Tomah, Monroe county, where he practiced his profession until 1876 and from thence to Viola, Richland county, where he resided for a number of years.

Source: The History of Richland County Wisconsin, Judge James H. Miner - 1906

OLIVER T. GRAVES

Oliver T. Graves, b. 19 Apr 1823 in Belchertown MA. Married Melissa Norton in Dec 1845 in Springville, NY. After 1850, they moved to Kewanee Twp, Henry Co. and had a farm. Son, Dwight Norton Graves was born in Henry Co 27 Oct 1855. They had another son, Charles, and a daughter Elizabeth who died in Henry Co.as a young child. Oliver Graves died in Schell City MO 23 Apr 1884. Melissa N. Graves died in Berkeley, CA in Sep 1916.

Original Sources not listed

Submitted by Marilynn Wright

GEORGE W. GREENWALT

George W. Greenwalt is one of the pioneer homesteaders of Custer county, Nebraska, and has witnessed the development of the country around his home from the time he located there, nearly thirty years ago, until the present time, and during this period the region of sod shanties, where the land was mostly devoted to the cattle ranch business, has changed to a region of fertile farms and comfortable farm homes. He was one of those who found it necessary at times, in the early days, to use a coffee mill to grind a little grain for making bread, and when he came he had almost no cash to invest, but made his start in life by his own efforts and did his full share, at the same time, to assist the general development and improvement.

He is a native of Dayton, Henry county, Illinois, born January 18, 1862, next to the youngest child of John and Caroline (Goodman) Greenwalt, who were parents of four daughters and two sons.

Mr. Greenwalt was the older of the two sons in the family, and the brother, Daniel, resides in Kimberley, South Africa. An elder sister of Mr. Greenwalt, Mrs. A. R. Doolittle, lives in Portland, Oregon.

Mr. Greenwalt lived in his native state until his eighteenth year, and June 20, 1880, came direct from Henry county to Custer county, Nebraska and began working on a ranch in order to learn the cattle business, the country at that time being given over to large ranches. He became an expert cattleman and also rode the Wyoming range in the same capacity. He has traveled extensively and crossed the continent four times, and is well informed on a variety of subjects.

In the spring of 1883 Mr. Greenwalt took up his present homestead on the southwest quarter of section eight, township seventeen, range nineteen, and has since lived continuously on this place. He has developed and improved his estate and now has four hundred acres in this property, devoting considerable attention to stock raising and handling a large herd of cattle.

He has been actively instrumental in promoting the welfare and development of this part of the county and has served in various offices of public trust. During the years 1901-1905 he served as county commissioner.

He is unmarried and realizes to the full extent the difficulties of holding a homestead under adverse circuimstances and pioneer conditions. He is one of the able and enterprising business men who have done so much for the region and has given freely of his time and influence for the betterment of his county and state.

Source: The Compendium of History, Reminiscence and Biography of Nebraska; Alden Publishing Co, Chicago IL 1912

JOHN M. GRIMM, B.S., LL. B.

Among Cedar Rapids' prominent and successful attorneys must be numbered John M. Grimm, who has been connected with the bar of this city since July 1, 1890, but has already made for himself an enviable reputation in professional circles. He was born in Wethersfield township, Henry county, Illinois, December 21, 1866, and is a son of Charles H. and Catherine (McLennan) Grimm, the former a native of Germany, the latter of Rossshire, Scotland. Soon after his emigration to America the father located in Henry county, Illinois, and later came to Iowa county, Iowa, taking up his residence near Williamsburg, where he followed farming very successfully until life's labors were ended. He died in 1873, at the age of forty-five years, and his wife departed this life in 1885, at the age of about fifty years. Of their two children one died in infancy, so that our subject is the only representative of the family now living.

John M. Grimm began his education in the public schools of Illinois, and after coming to this state pursued a high-school course at Marengo, where he was graduated in 1883. He passed his boyhood and youth upon a farm, where he remained until he entered upon a collegiate course at the Iowa State University at Iowa City. While attending that institution he cut short the college year, and for several summers engaged in civil engineering, spending one season in Nebraska with the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad; one in Iowa with the Illinois Central Railroad; and two years in Sioux City. It thus took him five years to complete the college course, graduating in the class of 1889 with the degree of B. S. During the last year of his collegiate course he took up the study of law, and one year after receiving his degree of B. S., in June, 1890, graduated from the law department of the State University.

Coming to Cedar Rapids, Mr. Grimm formed a partnership with James H. Rothrock, Jr., under the firm name of Rothrock & Grimm, the senior member being a son of Judge J. H. Rothrock, who was on the supreme bench twenty-one years. After the Judge retired from that office, in January, 1896, he became connected with his son and our subject in the private practice of law, and continued with them until his death, in January, 1898. The son was still a member of the firm until after his election as judge of the superior court of Cedar Rapids, when, in January, 1901, the partnership was dissolved. Later the firm of Preston, Grimm & Moffit was formed, consisting of J. H. Preston and J. M. Grimm, of Cedar Rapids, and J. T. Moffit, of Tipton, Iowa, with offices at Cedar Rapids and Tipton, Cedar county, Iowa.

Mr. Grimm makes a specialty of corporation practice, and now represents the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, the Illinois Central Railroad as local attorney, and the order of Railroad Conductors of America as general counsel. In the fall of 1892 he was elected county attorney on the Republican ticket, and entered upon the duties of the office January 1, 1893. He filled that position three successive terms, and the county reports show that while in office he transacted more business at less expense than any county in the state, giving every detail of the business his personal attention, keeping down expenses and discouraging improper criminal litigation. He is a very able and efficient attorney, and his growing business has given him prestige in the city.

Mr. Grimm has also become interested in several business enterprises, and is now a stockholder and secretary of the Cedar Rapids Canning Company, organized in 1898, and a stockholder of the Cedar Rapids New Telephone Company. He is attorney for the Cedar Rapids National Bank, and also for many leading fire and casualty insurance companies and mining corporations of the city. He is an active member of the Commercial Club, and a director of the Cedar Rapids Auditorium Company, which has erected a commodious building especially for public meetings. He was one of the prime movers in organizing this company and in furthering its plans.

December 27, 1894, Mr. Grimm married Miss Orphea Bealer, a daughter of E. J. C. Bealer. They now have one son, Donald Stephen, who was born January 27, 1896. Mrs. Grimm is a lady of domestic tastes, who takes an exceptional pride in her home and family, and makes friends wherever she goes.

Mr. Grimm is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias, and the D. O. K. K. He takes an active part in the social features of these orders, has filled all the chairs in the Knights of Pythias Lodge, and in 1892 delivered the address of welcome to the grand lodge which met at Cedar Rapids. Being an orator of exceptional ability, he has often been called upon to deliver addresses on Memorial day and the 4th of July throughout the county. He is a supporter of the Universalist church, and one of its prominent workers, though not a member. Public spirited and progressive, he takes a deep interest in all enterprises which he believes calculated to promote the moral, social or material welfare of the community. Mr. Grimm has always been actively identified with political affairs, has served as president and secretary of the Republican county committee and of Republican clubs at different times, but has never been an office seeker. He is one of the most popular young men of the city, and owes his success in life to his perseverance, energy and a laudable ambition to succeed.

Source: Biographical Record of Linn County, Iowa; Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1901

C. H. GURNEY

GURNEY, C. H.; was born July 17, 1847, at Stanfordville, Dutchess county, New York. At the age of ten he moved, with his parents to Henry county, Illinois. In the winter of 1866 he first taught school, at Saxon, Illinois. In the fall of 1868 he entered Hillsdale College, Michigan, and, on June 19, 1873, finished the classical course of study. In 1876 Hillsdale College conferred the degree of A. M. on completion of past graduate course. January 3, 1874, he took charge of schools at Salem, Nebraska. In 1875 he had grasshoppers “bad,” and fled to Illinois.  July 10, 1876 , he was elected principal of public schools of Villisca, Iowa, and remained four years in charge of same. On September 6, 1880, he took charge of Shenandoah public schools. On April 3, 1878, he was married at Salem, Nebraska, to Miss Mary Abbey Rising. On July 7, 1879, May Belle Gurney was born at Villisca, Iowa.   His religion is to do right; his politics, tocast one honest vote; his social creed, to mind his own business.

Source: History of Page County, Iowa; Des Moines: Iowa Hist. Co., 1880 p668-669

J0HN A. GUSTUS

J. A. Gustus has spent many years in Nebraska and has passed through much of the early history of the state, having met all the discouragements and trials incident to pioneer life. He has become well known in Custer county, where he has a large number of friends.

He was born in Sweden, December 21, 1855. When he was seventeen years of age, having received a common school education, he left his native land and came to America, spending some time in Michigan. Later he joined an uncle, John Gustus, in Geneseo, Illinois, and there worked evenings as clerk and attended a private school.

On August 24, 1879, in Moline, Illinois, Mr. Gustus was united in marriage with Tilly Louisa Vangreen, also a native of Sweden, who came with her parents to America in early childhood. He was employed in the works of the Moline plow factory and they made their first home in that city. In 1881 they came with their two children to Omaha, Nebraska, and in the fail of 1884 they came on to Custer county. Mr. Gustus secured a homestead twelve miles west of Callaway in Elim Valley, and made his home there until 1890, bringing the land into shape for successful farming. Since 1890 the family have lived in Callaway and he is associated with the farmer's Co-operative Creamery Company at that place. He served several years on the school board and has at all times taken in active interest in the affairs of the community.

Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gustus: Arthur C., of Omaha; Sophia, wife of S. C. Waldron, of Custer county, has four children; Mabel, wife of Dan Pearson, lives in Callaway; Esther, Josie, John, and Varner, at home. The family are well known in Callaway and Mr. Gustus is recognized as a progressive, public-spirited citizen and honest and upright in his dealings.

Source: Compendium of History, Reminiscence and Biography of Nebraska; Alden Publishing Co, Chicago, 1912

IL State Marriage Index lists John A Gustus and Tillie Louisa Van Green mar Rock Island Co 24 Aug 1878 (bio says 1879)