History of Lee County, Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

228 HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY
on the 2d of January, 1888, his parents being William and Augusta
(Skinner) Atkinson, who are among the well known and
respected residents of Amboy. He had but limited educational
opportunities in early life, attending school only until eight years
of age, but has become a well informed man through reading, ex-
perience and observation. On leaving the Amboy school he began
assisting his father in the operation of the home place, thus
early becoming familiar with the work of the fields. It was in
1908 that he I'ented the farm which he now operates and which
comprises one hundred and sixty acres on section 10, Amboy town-
ship. The land is lich and productive and the well tilled fields
annually yield golden harvests as a reward for the care and labor
which he bestows upon them. In addition to the cultivation of
cereals he also devotes considerable attention to live-stock inter-
ests, keeping about sixteen horses, twenty-eight cattle and thirty-
five hogs.
In Amboy, on the 23d of October, 1912, Mr. Atkinson was
united in marriage to Miss Lena Herzfeldt, a daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Albert Herzfeldt. The father makes his home in Chi-
cago, but the mother has passed away. Our subject purchased his
home, which is a pleasing and substantial residence. In politics
Mr. Atkinson is a stanch republican, while his religious faith is
that of the United Brethren church. He has always resided within
the borders of Lee county and enjoys an enviable reputation as
one of its representative young agriculturists and progressive
citizens.
LEE B. SWINGLEY, M. D. C.
Dr. Lee B. Swingley, controlling a large practice as a veterinary
surgeon in Dixon, was born in Ogle county, Illinois, April
30, 1886. He is a son of Oscar and Alice (Lewis) Swingley. The
father was a pioneer farmer and a native of Ogle county, Illinois,
The mother was born in Herkimer county. New York, and came
to Illinois when she was a child. The father died in Ogle county,
Illinois, August 26, 1903 while the mother passed away in Seattle,
August 9, 1913. To their union wore born four children: George
A, now residing in Seattle, Washington; Lee B., of this review;
Mary Ada, the wife of Joseph Hoarn, a resident of the state of
Washington; and Florence M.. deceased.