Naylor, David bio

Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County, Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States, and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890; page 536 & 539; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
David Naylor. The city of Canton, Fulton County, Ill., is the home of many energetic and prosperous business men, who have won for themselves both fame and fortune, but none merit more praise, or are more highly esteemed than he whose history claims attention. He is a native of Sumerset County, N. J., being born in that place on the 31st of October in the year 1826, and is the son of Elias and Mary (Pittenger) Naylor. His great-grandfather was born in England, and emigrated from that country to America, settling in New Jersey, and in that State was born the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, his name being David Naylor. He was a soldier in the Ward of 812 and married Miss Elizabeth Boozenberry. To them were born four children, viz.: Samuel, Elias, Eliza and Amos. Of these, Elias marriead Miss Mary Pittenger, of Somerset County, N. J., and a daughter of Peter and Mary (Lane) Pittenger. Mr. Naylor’s ancestors on the maternal side were of Holland-Dutch descent, and for several years were residents of the State of New Jersey. His mother was born in 1800 and departed this life in 1839, leaving five children, viz.: David; Elizabeth, wife of George B. Gruman, of Connecticut; Elias V., who is dead; Samuel, who is at the present time a resident of Pennsylvania; Amos, who lives at Canton, Ill., and owns an interest in a coal mine. Mr. Naylor’s father is living in Pennsylvania and has reached his eighty-seventh year. He was a farmer and merchant, and after the death of his first wife was married again, after he removed to Easton, Pa. David was reared on a farm and continued to lead that life until he attained his twelfth year, and at that date sustaining the sad loss of his mother, he went to live with an aunt, whose husband – Abraham Amerman – was a merchant. In his uncle’s store he learned the mercantile business, clerking there until twenty-two years of age, and then entering into a partnership in the grocery, soap and candle business with his uncle Samuel Naylor, at Somerville, Somerset County, N. J. In 1856 this partnership was dissolved, Mr. Naylor coming west, and locating in Canton, Ill., where he has continued to reside up to the present writing. Immediately after his arrival he formed a partnership with Isaac F. Stevens, who also came from the East, and they commenced an extensive soap and candle business which lasted about eight years, but since that, Mr. Naylor had control of the business three or four years.
Afterward, he became a partner of Mr. Krischke In the tanking business, which proved very remunerative. Just a the present writing Mr. Naylor is not actively engaged in business but deals extensively in poultry, which he ships in large quantities. His educational training was received in common schools, but his natural industry enabled him to acquire an excellent business education. On January 25, 1851, he was married to Miss Hannah Schenck, a native of New York State, and a daughter of Henry and Harriet Schenck. Mrs. Naylor died on the 18th of May, 1886, leaving a devoted husband, and three children living to mourn her loss. Of these children, John is a resident of Canton and engaged in the mercantile business; Mary Irena remains at home with her father; Theodore W. resides in Canton, Ill.; and a fourth child, Delove, is deceased. Mr. Naylor has a beautiful home, and is surrounded by all the comforts of life. While not an active politician, or an office seeker, still at the same time he takes pride in using his influence for worthy political causes. He is generally considered one of the most substantial and enterprising citizens in the place, and has acquired a considerable amount of money. To such men Canton is indebted for the rapid growth and wonderful prosperity which distinguishes it as a desirable place of residence.