The Burke family, originally from Ireland, settled in Cherry Valley, Illinois, with Luke Burke, born August 20, 1842. Luke served in the Union Army during the Civil War from 1861 to 1864. He married Catherine McGrath on November 25, 1846, and they lived at 202 Grove Street, now home to their grandson Emmett Burke. Luke, a village blacksmith, died in 1897, and Catherine in 1939. Their children included Mamie, Harry, George, and Emmett. Harry ran a dry goods store, while George lived on Genoa Road. The Burke family has significantly contributed to Cherry Valley’s community and history, spanning multiple generations.
Will Brown, born November 11, 1885, in Mendota, Illinois, married Mae Lang, born August 18, 1885, on a farm near Malta, Illinois, on December 23, 1908. They had one daughter, Bessie, born November 20, 1910. The Browns moved to Cherry Valley in 1927, initially living on a farm in Flora Township before settling in Cherry Valley. Will worked at Atwoods and Cases, retiring at 73. Mae and Will were known for their community involvement and their beautiful garden. Their daughter Bessie married O. Fletcher Landquist, and they had three children: Carol, Joan, and Jim.
Clayton L. Booth, born on August 4, 1902, lived in Cherry Valley, Illinois, from 1906 to 1918. His family moved from Chicago when he was four. They resided on South Mill Road, while his grandparents lived on East State Street. His father, William Booth, worked as a road commissioner and supplied materials for concrete work. Clayton attended local schools and was part of the first Boy Scout Troop in Cherry Valley. In 1918, the Booths returned to Chicago, where Clayton worked for Commonwealth Edison for over 47 years, retiring in 1967. His mother, Anna, remained active in community service.
William and Carrie Wellsbay Bauer and their six children—Clyde, Frank, Ida, Floyd, Cathryn, and Howard—relocated to Cherry Valley, Illinois, in September 1917 due to William’s job transfer with the railroad. The family home, located at 114 South Walnut Street, was where they lived until Mrs. Bauer’s death in 1950. William Bauer served on the Cherry Valley Village Board from 1925-1929 and 1931-1939. The Bauer children pursued various careers, with some remaining in Cherry Valley and others moving to Rockford. This article chronicles their lives and the extended family’s local connections and contributions.
The Aten family of Cherry Valley, Illinois, has a rich history detailed by Raymond Aten. Albert S. Aten (1859-1925), originally from Tecumseh, Michigan, married Alice G. Meeker (1865-1933) in 1888. They settled on a farm near Cherry Valley before moving to town in 1906. Albert, a rural mail carrier, served the community for 23 years, while Alice was active in local church affairs. They had four children: Lulu, Walter, Ralph, and Raymond. The family contributed significantly to the local community through various roles and activities, including military service and civic engagement.
William W. Heckman, born on July 28, 1854, in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, was a progressive farmer who managed 160 acres of well-cultivated land across South Dixon and Nelson Townships, Illinois. He moved to Illinois in 1865 with his uncle and established his homestead in 1877. Heckman married Hannah Missman of Somerset County, Pennsylvania, and they had three children: Grace A., C. Eugene, and Walter I. The couple, active members of the Evangelical Church, supported the Prohibition party and advocated for temperance. Their well-improved farm included advanced irrigation facilities, reflecting Heckman’s dedication to modern farming practices.
Joshua E. Lahman, born June 16, 1839, in Washington County, Maryland, was a distinguished Civil War veteran and successful farmer in Franklin Grove, Illinois. His parents, Christian and Elizabeth Lahman, were early pioneers in Illinois. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Lahman enlisted in September 1861 with Company C, Thirty-fourth Illinois Infantry, and rose to the rank of Sergeant. He was severely wounded at the Battle of Murfreesboro and also fought at Shiloh. Post-war, Lahman learned harness-making and operated a business in Iowa before returning to farming in Illinois. Married to Hannah M. Batschlett in 1867, they had five…
Samuel Mong, born on July 26, 1829, in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, was a prominent farmer in Bradford Township, Lee County, Illinois. He was the son of Henry and Sarah (Hurket) Mong, natives of Maryland and Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. Mong spent his early years in Clarion County, gaining practical agricultural knowledge from his father. At sixteen, he learned the tanning trade, which he practiced for seven years. In 1855, he moved to Lee County, Illinois, and married Margaret K. Kelley in 1857. They had five children: John, Lucy (wife of Haber Schmucker), Hattie (wife of William Schrenner), George, and Peter. Mong’s…
Hon. Sherwood Dixon, born November 15, 1847, in Dixon, Illinois, was a prominent lawyer and legislator representing the Nineteenth District. He was the son of James P. Dixon, an early pioneer and son of John Dixon, the city’s founder. Educated locally, Dixon studied law under William Barge and was admitted to the bar in 1869. He practiced law in partnerships, notably with the firm of Dixon & Bethea. In 1868, he married Melissa G. Mead. Dixon was active in politics as a Democrat, serving as a state representative and chairman of the Judiciary Committee. He was also committed to education,…
Andrew Reinhart, born on August 28, 1813, in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, was a prominent farmer and stock-raiser in China Township, Lee County, Illinois. His parents, Christian and Anna C. Reinhart, emigrated from Germany to the United States in 1846, settling in Lee Centre before moving to China Township. Andrew, who grew up on the family farm, transformed it into a prosperous estate of 366 acres, expanding his holdings to 620 acres in China Township, 160 acres in Lee Centre Township, and 440 acres in Iowa. Married to Catherine Hafenrichter on June 1, 1868, they had six surviving children. Reinhart was known…