[Pages 511-512]

Thomas C. Gould, a pioneer of Whiteside County of 1837, was born in Warwick, Franklin Co., Mass., Oct 29, 1803. His father was a blacksmith by trade, and the son obtained of him a general knowledge of that business, and later served a two-year apprenticeship in Orange Co., N.Y. He afterwards spent a few months in the South, and returned thence to Middlesex County. He established his business in Lexington, and was there married Nov. 8, 1832, to Sarah Locke. She was born April 29, 1811, in Lexington.

In 1837 Mr. Gould came to Illinois, and after a few months spent on the Illinois River he came to Lyndon and started a blacksmith's shop on the farm of Deacon A. R. Hamilton. He went back to Massachusetts for his family in 1841, and on returning to Whiteside County he opened a shop in the village of Lyndon. He had entered a claim of land on section 3, and soon after establishing his business at Lyndon was compelled by failing health to retire to his farm and engage in agricultural pursuits, to which he devoted his attention until his death, Dec. 26, 1876. Four children were born to him and Mrs. Gould, of whom three are now living: Thomas C. was born Oct. 5, 1835, in Lexington, Mass.; he married Martha I. Pierce, Oct. 14, 1873; she was born in Kentucky. Sarah is the wife of J. W. Hazard (see sketch), and Lucy married Henry E. Helms.

[Note at pages 510-511]

Thomas C. Gould, Page 511. This was Jack's and Howard's great grandfather.

[Note at pages 512-513]

Lucy (Gould) page 512. Jack and Howard Gould's grandmother. Her mother was a Locke and can be traced back to revolutionary war. He was a minuteman at battle of Lexington. Don H. has all records should you wish them.

[Page 520]

John W. Hazard, one of the substantial citizens of Lyndon Township, is the son of David and Leonora (Reynolds) Hazard, of whom as full a personal narration as is possible to obtain is presented in another place. Mr. Hazard was born May 31, 1835, in Mansfield, Tioga Co., Pa. In 1837 his parents came to Whiteside County, coming with a pair of horse and a wagon and driving the entire route. The son grew to man's estate on the homestead on which his parents located, and obtained a fair education in the public schools. At 20 he entered the employment of Turley & King, at Round Grove, to buy grain. He operated in their interest one year, then formed a partnership with D. K. Lincoln and J. B. Bush. The company erected a warehouse at Round Grove, and Mr. Hazard conducted the business of buying and shipping grain one year. The firm dissolved, and he resumed farming, in which avenue of employment he has since operated, with the exception of eight years, when he rented his farm and was himself engaged in grain and lumber, also coal, lime, etc.; was also engaged in the construction of the water works at Lyndon, in which the company he was a stockholder. He is a useful and honored citizen, and enjoys to an unusual degree the confidence and esteem of his fellows. He is Supervisor of Lyndon, and when the village of Lyndon was first organized he was mad Chairman of the Board of Trustees. He has also served in the capacity of Town Clerk. He was a stockholder in the Lyndon Hydraulic Manufacturing Company, and one of the trustees. He has been an uncompromising Republican from the formation of the party, and has pursued an undeviating course, casting his first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont and for every nominee of the Republican party since.

Mr. Hazard was married in December, 1856, to Sarah L., daughter of Thomas C. and Sarah (Locke) Gould. She was born March 19, 1836, in Lexington, Middlesex Co., Mass. Mr. And Mr. Hazard have two children, -- Jessie S. and John G.

[Note between pages 718-719]

John M. Hamilton - Page 179. Grandfather of Don Hamilton. farm referred to is where I was born. Charles A. Hamilton – Page 720 was Don's father. Married Theora E. Helms oldest sister of John Helms.

[Page 787-788]

John H. Helms is a native of Hanover, Germany, in which country he was born Nov. 26, 1841. He attended school in his native country until he attained the age of 14 years, after which he followed the occupation of a farmer, until arriving at the age of 20 years. He then joined the army, in conformity with the laws of his native country, and served six years, during which time he participated in several battles. After receiving his discharge, he went to France, and resided in that country for two years.

In 1868 Mr. Helms, realizing that he could better his financial condition in the New World, emigrated to the United States, and the same year came to this county, and for a time resided with his brother, Henry, who has preceded him and located in Lyndon Township. He remained with him for about one year, then went to Minneapolis, where he worked in a hotel one year. His next move was to the land of gold, California, in which state he was variously employed until 1873, when he returned to Lyndon and rented farms, which he returned to Lyndon and rented farms, which he cultivated for his own individual profit for a period of two years.

Leaving the farm, Mr. Helms moved to the village of Lyndon, where he engaged in the provision and restaurant business, which vocation he followed for eight years. In 1882 he purchased the farm he at present occupies, adjoining the village plat and located on section 16. He has also other lands that he has bought at times, and at present his landed interests amount to 200 acres. Mr. Helms is a self-made man, and of this world's goods that he possesses, he has none to thank except his own indomitable energy, coupled with the active co-operation of his good helpmeet.

He was united in marriage in the month of May, 1870, to Henrietta Carson. She died October following, without issue, and Mr. Helms was again married Oct. 24, 1873, to Miss Sophia Meyer, a native of Hanover, Germany. Four children have been born of the latter union, Emma, Anna, Willie, and John.

[Page 796]

Henry E. Helms, a farmer on section 3, Lyndon Township, was born Oct. 12, 1833, in Hanover, Germany. He was educated under the compulsory laws of his country, and on the fulfillment of the period required, was, under the same regulations, placed at apprenticeship to acquire acknowledge of shoemaking. His next lot would have been conscription, which would have made him a soldier for three years; but in 1853 he left his native land for America. He came from Hamburg to New York on a sail vessel, and was on the ocean six weeks. He landed at the port of New York, May 2, and went with his uncle to Hartford, Pa., where he became a farmer and worked on season. During the winter succeeding he traveled in Illinois and Wisconsin, spending the next summer also in those States. In August, 1854, he came to Lyndon. He spent six years subsequently in farm labor.

Nov. 8, 1860, he married Lucy, daughter of Thos. and Sarah (Locke) Gould, Whiteside County pioneers. In the spring of 1861 Mr. and Mrs. Helms removed to Ustick Township, and took possession of a rented farm. On this they operated with success six years. In 1867 Mr. Helms bought a farm lying partly on section 35 of Mt. Pleasant Township, and section 2 of Lyndon. On this he resided and made some improvements, and selling it two years later at an advance on purchase money. He made another investment on section 9 of the same township, on which he lived eight years. In 1878 he sold again, and went to the village of Lyndon, and was there a resident until 1880. In April of that year he took possession of the farm he now occupies on section 3, which he had bought some years before. It had practically no improvements at that time, but the owner has since put it in a valuable and attractive condition. He is now engaged in mixed husbandry.

Mr. and Mrs. Helms have four children - Theora, Albert, Cora, and John; one child, Daisy, died in infancy. The eldest was married June 23, 1881 to Charles A. Hamilton, grandson of Deacon A. Hamilton, thus uniting in the grandchildren tow of the oldest pioneer families.

[Note between pages 796-797]

Henry E. Helms - Page 796 Grandfather of Jack and Howard Helms. John referred to was their father. Others – my mother Theora, Aunt Cora (Millikan), Uncle Bert (Albert). Their last farm was called old Hillside.

[Note between pages 872-873]

Lyndon History - Page 873 to 878. John E. Helms home.

(Thomas C. Gould is mentioned on page 874 as having come to Lyndon Township in 1837.)

[Note between pages 786-787]

John H. Helms - Page 787 was Jack and Howard's great uncle. Ran away from German Army.

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