made judicious investments in land and became one of the extensive holders of farm property in Whiteside county, his possessions aggregating about one thousand acres. He managed his property and in its control showed excellent executive ability and marked foresight.

Mr. Brookfield was not unknown as a speaker of ability and was frequently called upon to preside at public meetings, where his dignity and his tact made him largely an ideal presiding officer. In Masonry he attained the Knight Templar degree and was a worthy exemplar of the craft, which is based upon mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and in 1898 he was a candidate for congress. In his citizenship he was public-spirited and patriotic, loyal to the best interests of the country at large, while in his home community he contributed in substantial measure to the work of upbuilding and progress. Although not college-bred, he was a man of broad education, wide knowledge and natural refinement. He traveled extensively, and his letters, which were published in the papers, were read with interest, for he brought vividly before his readers the scenes upon which he had looked or those things which had proven of interest to him.

On the 15th of September, 1882, Mr. Brookfield was married to Miss Helen J. Galt, a daughter of Thomas A. and Catharine (Anthony) Galt. Mrs. Brookfield was born and reared in Sterling and has always been a resident of this city. She is a representative of one of the prominent families of the county, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this work. By her marriage she has become the mother of three children: Emily, the wife of Chauncey R. Hardy, of Chicago, by whom she has one daughter, Helen Jane; Fannie, the wife of Earle E. Butler, of Chicago, and they have two children, Helen Sarah and Edwin Brookfield; and Galt, who is attending school.

Mr. Brookfield was a member of the Presbyterian church and was very active in its work, doing much to promote the cause of the organization and aid in its growth. He was a man of strong character, of marked individuality and of lovable disposition, and it is doubtful if a report concerning the death of any other citizen of Sterling has ever caused more genuine or widely felt regret. His fellow townsmen entertained for him the most genuine friendship and admiration. He was a man of splendid qualities of heart and of mind and with the passing of the years developed a character which was the exemplification of honorable, upright and courteous manhood. In business he met with splendid success and yet there was not one esoteric phase in his career. His methods neither sought nor required disguise and all knew him as one who could be thoroughly trusted under all circumstances. He held friendship inviolable, regarded it as a privilege as well as a duty to aid in the upbuilding of his city and to uphold the best interests of state and nation. His best traits of character, however, were reserved for his own fireside, and in the family circle he was ever a devoted and loving husband and father. He died on New Year's day of 1900 at the age of thirty-nine years, and it will be long before the memory of Lewis Edwin Brookfield ceases to be cherished in the hearts of those who knew him.

Mrs. Brookfield, surviving her husband, still makes her home in Sterling. She is a lady of literary taste and culture, who entered the public schools of Sterling and began her education there, completing it in the university at Lake Forest, Illinois. She shared with her husband in his deep interest in the welfare and progress of the city and is much interested in all that pertains to the welfare of Sterling. She has recently given the beautiful home in which she was reared to the city of Sterling for a hospital, which is not conducted in the interest of any church or society, but is open to people of all faiths and creeds. It is a beautiful property, situated on West Third street, surrounded by a broad lawn and adorned with fine old trees. It overlooks the Rock river and is most advantageously situated and will ever be a monument to its generous and public-spirited giver. Mrs. Brookfield is recognized as a leader in the social circles of Sterling and her influence is an element in the intellectual and esthetic culture as well as moral development of the city.

ROBERT L. BURCHELL.

Among the energetic, far-seeing and successful business men of Whiteside county is numbered Robert L. Burchell, whose business interests have largely been of a nature that have promoted the general development of his town while advancing individual success. He is today president of the First National Bank of Erie, and proprietor of the largest mercantile establishment of the town. He has been closely associated with its commercial and financial interests since 1868, and bears an unassailable reputation by reason of the straightforward, honorable business principles that he has ever followed.

Mr. Burchell was born in Columbus City, Iowa, May 31, 1846. His father, Robert C. Burchell, was a native of Virginia and a member of the legal profession. About 1850 he removed westward, settling in Columbus City, Iowa, and in 1855 became a resident of Oregon, Ogle county, Illinois, where he gained a position among the prominent and influential residents of that locality. His practice was large and of a distinctively representative character, connecting him with the most important litigation tried in the courts of his district. He was state district attorney for eight years. was one of the electors on the Greeley ticket and later was a strong Blaine

He also served as mayor of Oregon and in public office his loyalty was above question, while his ability was widely recognized. He married Miss Mary J. Morris, a native of New Albany, Indiana, and they became the parents of six children: Kate, the wife of Adolph Jones, a resident farmer of Iowa; Henry, a merchant of Walnut, Bureau county, Illinois; Nancy; Robert L.; Frank, a merchant of Oregon, Illinois; and Jennie, the wife of Charles Wales, of Savanna, this state.

Robert L. Burchell acquired his education in the schools of Mount Morris, Ogle county. Illinois, and made his initial step in the business world as clerk in a store in Oregon, where he remained for three years. During that time

he largely acquainted himself with commercial methods and, going to Franklin Grove, Lee county, Illinois, was also employed as a clerk for a time. Later he occupied a similar position at Dixon but was actuated by laudable ambition to engage in business on his own account and in 1868 came to Erie, where he opened a dry goods store, investing a capital of about thirty-six hundred dollars. As the years have passed his business has constantly increased until he now owns three large stores and carries a stock valued at more than ten times the amount originally invested. In fact he has one of the largest stores in the county, carrying an extensive line of general merchandise.

A man of resourceful business ability, Mr. Burchell has extended his efforts into various other lines. Soon after his arrival in Erie he opened a private bank, which he conducted until the 1st of October, 1903, when he discontinued the private banking business and organized the First National Bank of Erie, of which he became president, while his son, Robert C., became cashier. The bank is capitalized for forty thousand dollars and now has surplus and undivided profits of twenty thousand dollars. He owns valuable real estate, including the building in which he now carries on business and which was erected by him in 1894. It is a large brick block, two stories in height with basement, having a frontage of one hundred and twenty feet and a depth of one hundred feet. This entire building is occupied by Mr. Burchell in his general merchandising interests. He is also the owner of a valuable farm property in Erie and Fenton townships and has a number of buildings in the village. He also established a creamery in Erie, conducting an extensive and constantly growing business in that line, and in 1870 he was appointed postmaster of Erie and continued to fill the position for many years. This by no means covers the extent of his public service in office, for he filled the position of supervisor for a number of years and was chairman of the board for two terms. He has also been treasurer of the village and school treasurer as well, and whether in office or out of it he gives loyal support to every movement or measure calculated to benefit the community.

Mr. Burchell was married on the 18th of November, 1866, in Chicago, to Miss Margaret Victoria Jones, a daughter of Augustus and Mary Jones and a native of the State of New York, born November 18, 1847. Their children are: Robert C., who is cashier of the bank; Mrs. Mary Shoecraft, a resident of Clinton, Iowa; George, who has charge of his father's store; and Ruth and Margaret, in school. The eldest son, Robert C., born June 16, 1870, in Erie, has resided here throughout his entire life with the exception of the period between 1887 and 1895, which he spent in Chicago in the wholesale grocery house of W. M. Hoyt & Company. In the latter year he returned to Erie and has since been associated with his father in business. He was first connected with the private bank and the store and upon the organization of the First National Bank became its cashier and has since practically been its manager. He was educated in the public schools of Erie and also spent two years as a student at Lake Forest, Illinois. He is today one of the representative, enterprising business men of the town, a worthy successor of his father who, though still active in the management of his business affairs, largely leaves the work of the bank and the store to his sons. Robert C. Burchell

was married in 1896 to Miss Vinnie G. Gilleland, a native of Evansville, Indiana, but a resident of Chicago at the time of her marriage. Her father was the Rev. Leland A. Gilleland, a minister of the Congregational church but now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Burchell have been born three children: Robert Lawrence, Richard Gilleland and Leland C. The father is a stalwart Republican in his political views, is connected socially with the Knights of Pythias and is regarded as a representative, enterprising citizen of Erie, standing stanch in support of all interests for the public good, while in his business affairs he manifests keen discernment and unfaltering diligence.

Robert L. Burchell is a member of the Masonic fraternity, joining the Erie lodge at its organization. He belongs to Prophetstown Chapter and Sterling Commandery. He is always loyal to the teachings of the craft and his life record is one which has gained for him the high respect and confidence of his fellowmen. Throughout his entire life he has endeavored to make all of his acts and commercial moves the result of definite consideration and sound judgment. There have never been any great ventures or risks. On the contrary he has practiced honest, slow-growing business methods and has supplemented them by energy and good system.

JAMES SMITH.

James Smith, a successful agriculturist and also one of the most prominent raisers of fine stock in Whiteside county, was born in Albany, Illinois, September 20, 1863, a son of William and Sarah A. (Graves) Smith, natives of England. About 1855 they removed from New York to Whiteside county, Illinois, locating in Albany, where the father was first employed for a year by the firm of Quick & Mellvane as a wagonmaker. Subsequently he engaged in business on his own account and for thirty-five years carried on a most profitable trade. His work was all done by hand and he received from seventyfive to one hundred and twenty-five dollars for each wagon and some of these vehicles are still in daily use, James Smith having three at the present time which are yet in good condition. In the conduct of his business interests he met with a gratifying and well merited measure of success and, having now attained the age of seventy-seven years, is living retired in the enjoyment of well earned rest. His wife, who is also yet living, is seventy-two years of age. This worthy couple became the parents of seven children, five of whom still survive: Mary, the wife of Thomas Corbett, of Fenton; James, of this review; Luella, the wife of S. W. Huff, of Lost Nation, Iowa; Sabina, who became the wife of Fred Miller, of Albany; and William, who likewise resides in Lost Nation, Iowa.

James Smith acquired his education in the schools of Albany, and when nineteen years of age rented land in Garden Plain township, successfully carrying on his agricultural interests on this tract for nineteen years. In 1894 he purchased one hundred and twenty acres at fifty-seven dollars and a quarter

per acre, on which he has since resided. The land was well improved at the time he bought it and his unremitting industry and capable management in its further development and cultivation are indicated by the fact that it is now worth one hundred dollars per acre. In connection with the conduct of his farming interests he is likewise extensively and successfully engaged in the stock business, making a specialty of fine hogs and thoroughbred draft horses. He raised one horse for which he received two thousand dollars and often has draft horses weighing from nineteen hundred to twenty-one hundred pounds. His stock has taken the blue and red ribbons at the Morrison Fair, while his sheep, which he has raised for a number of years, have taken the first and second and even the sweepstake prizes. He is widely recognized as one of the prosperous and enterprising citizens of the county, whose success has come to him as the direct result of his own untiring labor and sound business judgment.

On the 3d of May, 1888, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Emma Winona Storer, a daughter of W. H. and Nancy (Gallaher) Storer, natives of Pennsylvania. They were married in Ohio, Mrs. Storer passing away in that state. In 1884 Mr. Storer came to Whiteside county and purchased the farm upon which our subject now resides. His family numbered six children, namely: Mary E., the wife of Parson B. Egbert, of Tacoma, Washington; Mrs. Smith; Harry S., of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; William, deceased, whose wife is now Mrs. Amos Pletcher, of Albany; Martha A., the wife of Lee Abbott; and Thomas J., who resides in Tacoma, Washington. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born two children, Boyd W. and Miles Standish.

In his political views Mr. Smith is independent, casting his ballot for the men whom he deems best qualified for office, regardless of party ties. A native son of this county, he is well and favorably known as a representative agriculturist and stock-raiser and as a citizen whose aid can always be counted upon to further any movement instituted for the general welfare and for the development and upbuilding of this section of the state.

THOMAS WORMELL.

Nature seems to have intended that man shall enjoy a period of rest in the evening of life. In youth one is full of energy and bright hopes and in more mature manhood his labors are performed by a sound judgment that results from experience and observation. If his work is therefore persistently carried on he cannot fail to achieve a measure of success that will enable him to enjoy the necessities at least and some of the comforts of life in the evening of his days without recourse to further labor. Such has been the history of Mr. Wormell, who in former years was actively engaged in farming but is now living retired.

He was born in Lincolnshire, England, September 15, 1833. His parents were John and Ann (Roland) Wormell, both of whom were natives of that country. The father followed various occupations and to some extent