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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY 605
ERICH LARSON.
Among the residents of Altona and the northern part of Knox county
are many of Swedish birth and the work which they have done in
upbuilding and developing this section of the county is worthy of
most favorable comment and consideration. Erich Larson is numbered
among those whose labors have constituted a force for progress here,
and in a review of his life in all of its connections one is
reminded of the statement of an eminent lecturer who said that
"Sweden is the home of the honest man/' It has been this
characteristic national quality of integrity that has constituted an
important feature in the success of Mr. Larson, who for many years
was identified with farming interests but" is now living retired. He
was born at Bollnas, Sweden, June 4, 1837. His paternal grandfather
was Lars Larson and his father was Erich Larson, who died in 1849.
He was a tailor by trade and started for America with his family in
1849. While en route his death occurred on Lake Michigan, being
occasioned by cholera, and an older brother of our subject died in
Chicago. There were altogether three of the family who died while en
route. The others proceeded on their way to Andover and afterward
became residents of Victoria, Illinois, Erich Larson accompanying
his mother on that trip. They secured land in Knox county and
engaged in farming. Mrs. Larson, who bore the maiden name of Anna
Carlson and was a daughter of C. Carlson, long survived her husband
and died in 1887 at the age of eighty-eight years, three months and
ten days. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Erich Larson, Sr., were born seven
children, of whom the following are now living: Caroline, who is the
widow of P. Nelson and is a resident of Galva; Anna, who is
unmarried and lives in southern California; and Erich.
The last named spent the first twelve years of his life in the land
of his nativity and then started with his parents for the new world.
His education completed he worked on a farm, breaking the land, and
when a boy of thirteen years did as much work as any man in the
fields. He remained with his mother until he reached the age of
twenty-two years and then started out independently, from which time
forward he was indebted entirely to his own resources and his labor
for the success which he achieved. After his marriage he removed to
Victoria, where he resided for two years, when he purchased another
farm, now the old home place. He afterward spent four years in
Ontario township and then returned to his mother's farm, on which he
lived for two years. In 1875 he located in Walnut Grove township,
where he purchased a large farm, continuing thereon until 1904, when
he came to Altona and retired. While actively engaged in business he
converted his fields into productive tracts of land from which he
annually gathered bountiful harvests. He used the most progressive
methods in tilling the soil and caring for his crops and annually
found ready sale
606 HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
for his produce and stock. During the past eight years he has lived
retired, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly
deserves.
In 1861 Mr. Larson was united in marriage to Miss Mary Elizabeth
Pitts, who was born in Henry county, Indiana, January 1, 1837. Her
great-grandfather was a native of Ireland. Her grandparents were
John and Hannah (Hall) Pitts and her parents were William H. and
Cynthia (Knight) Pitts. The father was born in North Carolina and
became a shoemaker by trade. The mother was also a native of that
state and was a daughter of Elias and Sarah (Cary) Knight, who were
of English descent. It was in the year 1850 that the parents of Mrs.
Larson came to Knox county from Indiana and later, in 1852, they
removed to Iowa, where their last days were passed, the father dying
in 1871 at the age of sixty-one years, while his wife passed away in
1875 at the age of sixty-four years. In their family were the
following children: John W., who starved to death in Andersonville
prison during the Civil war; William Harvey, now living in Iowa, who
was also a volunteer for the Union cause and was crippled for life;
George M., a resident of Vinton, Iowa; Elias H., who is also located
in that state; Aril Emery, of Kansas; Mary Elizabeth, now Mrs.
Larson; Rachel L., now Mrs. Brody; and Sarah, who is living in
Vinton, Iowa, and is married to Joseph Berry.
Unto the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Larson were born the following
named: Cynthia Ann, now deceased; George William, at home; John
Henry, who was born in 1866 and is living in Walnut Grove with his
wife, who was formerly Ellen Swanson, and their four children; and
Emma Jane, who was born in 1869 and is the wife of E. E. Thrasher,
who is living on the home farm. There are two grandchildren and one
great-grandchild, Helen May Walsh, who is the daughter of C. and Fay
(Thrasher) Walsh.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Larson are members of the Baptist church and his
political allegiance is given to the republican party but while he
has always kept well informed on the questions of the day, he has
never sought nor desired office, preferring in his earlier years to
concentrate his energies upon his business affairs ; and so capably
and successfully did he manage his farming interests that he gained
in time a substantial competence, enabling him to live retired. He
is' now seventy-four years of age and receives the respect which
should ever be accorded one who has traveled thus far the journey of
life and whose record has at all times been creditable and
honorable.
CHARLES AUSTIN.
Charles Austin is profitably engaged in general farming and
stock-raising in Knox, his native county, his birth having occurred
on the old homestead ifl Walnut Grove township on the 29th of May,
1857. He represents a family which, long established in America,
came originally from England. His grandparents, James and Beulah
(Jennings) Austin, were both natives of Ohio, the former born in
Preble county, September 5, 1798, and the latter on the 30th of
April, 1798, and both lived to a ripe old age, the father's death
occurring on the 28th of October, 1886, and the mother's on the
30th of September, 1888.
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY 607
Their son Allen, the father of our subject, was also born in Ohio,
on the 17th of February, 1823, and in early life learned and
followed the carpenter's trade. On the 2d of March, 1854, he came to
Knox county, Illinois, making the journey on horseback. Subsequently
he returned to Preble county, Ohio, and later again came to Knox
county, the second trip being made on foot. Taking up his abode on a
farm near Altona he there established what is now known as the old
Austin homestead, and there he engaged in agricultural pursuits
until about nine years prior to his death, when he removed to Altona
and lived retired until called from this life on the 14th of May,
1898, when seventy-five years of age. He was a faithful and
consistent member of the Presbyterian church and was deeply
interested in the public life of the community in which he resided,
giving stalwart support to the party of his choice although not a
politician in the sense of office seeking. He was twice married. On
the 18th of May, 1856, he wedded Miss Louisa Gehringer, who
was born on the 1st of May, 1839, a daughter of Levi Gehringer, who
was born on the 14th of September, 1806. He married Catherine
Reynard, who was born March 2, 1805, and died May 15, 1889. Her
father, Henry Reynard, was a representative of a family that came to
Knox county, Illinois, in 1855, from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. In
the family of Mr. and Mrs. Allen Austin were seven children, of whom
five still survive, as follows: Charles, of this review ; Emily, at
home ; Albert, a resident of Douglas, Illinois; John, living in
Burlington; and Harry, of California. On the 22(1 of April, 1878,
the wife and mother passed away and for his second wife Mr. Austin
chose Miss Emily Gehringer, a sister of his former wife. Unto the
second union of Allen Austin there were born two children: Olive,
the wife of William McClure, of Altona; and Ida, yet at home. The
Gehringer family is of German origin and its representatives were
numbered among the early settlers of Knox county, Illinois, whence
they came from Pennsylvania at an early day. They ever took a deep
interest in the work of the Presbyterian church.
Charles Austin, whose name introduces this review, was reared amid
the busy activities of rural life, spending the period of his
boyhood and youth on his father's farm, and after securing a good
education in the district schools of Walnut Grove township he
assisted in the cultivation of the fields until after the death of
his mother, which occurred when he was about twenty-one years of
age. He then carried on agricultural pursuits independently on the
old homestead for a number of years, and in 1898 took up his abode
on his present farm, since which time he has concentrated his
efforts upon the further development and improvement of this place.
He carries on general farming and stock-raising and in both lines is
meeting with excellent success for his methods are practical, his
ideas progressive and his well directed efforts and intelligently
applied labor productive of good results.
On February 14, 1884, Mr. Austin was united in marriage to Miss
Grace McGaan, who was born October 21, i860, a daughter of William
and Agnes (Andrews) McGaan, both of whom were natives of Scotland,
the father's birth there occurring on the 1st of January, 1817, and
the mother's in the year 1819. Mrs. Austin's grandfather, William
McGaan, Sr., was born in Scotland and there passed his entire life.
He married a Miss Hunter. Their son William came to the United
States with his family in 1857 an^ here took up farming near Altona,
Illinois, following that line of activity throughout his active
career.
608 HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
He is living at the old home farm at the remarkable age of
ninety-five years. In his family were three sons and one daughter,
the brothers of Mrs. Austin being: William, an attorney of Clarke,
Dakota; Hugh, operating the home farm; and James, living retired in
Altona. With the passing of the years four children were added to
the household of Charles Austin and his wife, as follows: Edgar and
Perry, aged respectively twenty-five and twenty-two years, at home;
Grace Ethel, who at the age of nineteen years is teaching school;
and Charles R., fourteen years of age, who is also under the
parental roof.
Reared in the faith of the Presbyterian church, Mr. Austin has long
been an active and helpful worker in the church of that denomination
in Altona and for the past twenty years has served as elder. At the
polls he gives loyal support to the men and measures of the
republican party although he has never sought nor desired public
office for himself, and feels a deep interest in all matters which
have to do with the welfare of the community at large. His life,
which has been an active one, has been lived to good advantage, a
fact which is attested not only by the material gain which has come
to him as the reward of well directed efforts in agricultural lines
but also by the high place which he occupies in the esteem,
good-will and confidence of his fellowmen.
GUSTAF E. FREDRICKS.
Prominent among the farmers of this vicinity is Gustaf E. Fredricks,
who accompanied his parents from their old home in Sweden on their
journey to the new world and their new home which they established
in Knox county, in 1857, when he was a lad five years of age. Flis
birth occurred, October 23, 1852, his parents being Charles J. and
Inga C. (Larson) Fredricks, natives of Sweden, where the father was
a laborer. On their advent in this county they settled in Galesburg
and lived there for two years, removing to Soperville, in 1859,
where the father bought ninety-six acres of land and engaged in
farming and teaming. In 1867 he sold this place and went to Log City
and farmed there until 1870, then coming to Ontario township, where
he bought a tract of land, comprising one hundred and sixty acres,
at thirteen thousand dollars, and tilled the soil on this place
until 1878, when he removed his family to Altona. In addition to his
farming he ran a threshing machine for a great many years. His wife
died January 11, 1892, at the age of seventy-four years, and his
death occurred March 9, 1899, at the age of eighty-two years and
twenty-five days. He was a man of means owning at the time of his
death five hundred and twenty acres of land. In politics he gave his
support to the republican party and with his family he worshipped in
the Swedish Lutheran church of Altona.
Gustaf E. Fredricks acquired his education in the common schools and
early in life devoted himself to agricultural pursuits working in
the fields for a wage until twenty-three and a half years of age,
when he rented a farm and started out for himself. Later he
purchased the old homestead and has developed and improved this ever
since, possessing a fine farm of two hundred acres of rich and
productive land. He is a successful farmer and finds much pleasure
in his daily round of labors in which he still continues since he
has his son Newton
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY 609
with him who lightens the responsibilities greatly and performs the
heavier duties. In addition to his farming he operated a threshing
machine for thirty-four years, which he ran for ten years by
horse-power and during the latter twenty-four by steam. He uses a
Case threshing machine and was one of the first in the county to buy
a self-binder and a traction engine. He has provided a substantial
income for his family and is accounted a man of wealth, who enjoys
handsome financial returns, not only because he worked hard and
lived simply, but also because he had good judgment and knew the
value of sacrificing immediate enjoyment to permit him to accumulate
means for future investments which he made wisely and with
deliberation, for his own benefit and contributing to the commercial
upbuilding of his community. He is a stockholder in the Oneida State
Bank, in the Altona Bank and in the Galesburg Street Car Company. He
also owns real estate of considerable value in Nebraska.
On February 26, 1876, Mr. Fredricks was united in marriage to Miss
Ida Matilda Walgreen, a daughter of Nelson P. and Johanna Walgreen,
long since deceased, who lived in the county where the father
carried on agricultural pursuits. Eight children were born to Mr.
and Mrs. Fredricks: Clara A., the wife of C. E. Swanson, a tailor at
Lewiston, Illinois, who has one daughter; Mollie C, who lives at
home; Fannie C, at home; Jennie, who is also living under the
parental roof; Emma R., at home; Minnie H., who is a graduate of the
Oneida high school, of Oneida and of Brown's Business College at
Galesburg; Hilda C, a graduate of the Galesburg high school, who
lives at Galesburg; and Clarence N., who assists his father on the
farm. Mrs. Fredricks died on August 5, 1905, at the age of
fifty-four years, her birth having occurred February 4, 1851.
Mr. Fredricks and his family belong to the Swedish Lutheran church
of Altona. He gives his political support to the republican party
and is an earnest worker for its issues and candidates, being
elected on the ticket to the office of road commissioner and town
supervisor, serving twelve years and four years respectively. Mr.
Fredricks is a man of genial disposition and cordial bearing and has
won many warm friends during the long years of his residence in Knox
county.
JAMES COOK.
James Cook, now deceased, was one of the prosperous agriculturists
and extensive landowners of Knox county and his business record may
well serve as a source of encouragement and inspiration to others,
showing what may be accomplished when energy and determination lead
the way. lie was born in Roxburyshire, Scotland, October 22, 1816,
and his life record covered the intervening years to February 12,
1887, when he passed away. His parents were Robert and Janet (Lockie)
Cook, who spent their entire lives in the land of hills and heather,
where the father devoted his attention to farming. In their family
were the following children: Jane, Agnes, Margaret, William, Janet,
Mary, James, Elizabeth and Robert.
James Cook spent his youthful days in his native land and assisted
his father on the home farm until 1836, when at the age of twenty
years he bade adieu to home and friends and sailed for the new
world. He possessed a young man's ambition to make the most of life
and believed that better opportunities would be offered him in the
United States. He first made his way to Buffalo, New York, and
thence to Canada, where he continued for a time. He afterward went
to Ross county, Ohio, settling near Chillicothe, and for six years
was engaged as a drover, driving cattle to New York and
Philadelphia. The 1st of July,, 1845, witnessed his arrival in Knox
county, where he soon completed
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY 619
arrangements for the purchase of a farm near Rochester, becoming the
owner of one hundred and twenty acres. After two years he sold that
property and purchased eighty acres on section 16, Copley township,
to which he added from time to time as his financial resources
permitted until he became the owner of eight hundred acres of
valuable Illinois farm land, all of which was in his possession at
the time of his death. His last ten years were spent in honorable
retirement from labor in the enjoyment of a rest which he truly
earned and richly deserved.
On the 3d of March, 1853, Mr. Cook was united in marriage to Miss
Agnes Stein, a daughter of Andrew and Margaret (Carr) Stein, of
Edinburgh, Scotland. Her father, who was born near that city,
devoted his life to farming and died in 1829. His wife was also born
in the vicinity of Edinburgh and died in May, 1867, at the age of
seventy-five years. They were the parents of eight children:
William, Mary, Isabelle, Janet and Margaret, all now deceased;
Agnes, now Mrs. Cook; and John and Andrew, deceased. Of this family
Agnes, the sixth in order of birth, became the wife of James Cook.
She was born near Edinburgh, May 28, 1823, and was educated in her
native country. She came to the new world to visit her sister who
was living at Knoxville, and during her visit became acquainted with
Mr. Cook, who sought her hand in marriage. She is now living with
her daughter, Janet Cook, at No. 960 North Cherry street in
Galesburg. By her marriage she became the mother of seven children.
Isabelle, the eldest, is the wife of Nathan A. Milroy, of Copley
township, and they have six children: Mary, the wife of Martin
Gibbs, living in Victoria township; William; Samuel, living at home;
Edna, the wife of Glenn Gibbs, of Victoria township; Archie and
James Milroy, both at home. William, the second member of the Cook
family, is living on North Cherry street in Galesburg. His wife died
in October, 1888, and he subsequently married Miss Helen Stephenson
and they had one child, Marion, deceased. Janet, the third of the
family, is living with her mother. Margaret is the wife of Alexander
Wylie, of Vinton, Iowa, and their children are: Mabel, James C,
Jean, Agnes, Margaret, Effiie and Isabelle. Mary A. became the wife
of Houston Tait but both are now deceased. They had three children:
Agnes, the wife of Louis Jarnagin, of Victoria township; Dwight
Cook, living in Cascade, Montana; and Jennie Tait, whose home is in
Copley township, this county. Agnes, the sixth member of the Cook
family, is the wife of George M. Huston, of Miami, Florida, and
their children are: Margaret, now deceased; Agnes; Georgine; and
George. Elizabeth, the youngest member of the Cook family, died in
infancy. Mrs. Cook now has four great grandchildren: Dale and Dean,
sons of Martin Gibbs; and Helen and May Louise Tait.
The death of James Cook occurred February 12, 1887, when he was in
his seventy-first year. After taking out naturalization papers, he
became a supporter of the republican party and remained loyal to its
interests. He served as school trustee and as road commissoner, yet
was never a politician in the sense of the office seeker. He was
always however, mindful of his public duty and was faithful to every
trust reposed in him. His widow remains a consistent and loyal
member of the Presbyterian church to which Mr. Cook long belonged
and in which he served as trustee. His was a well spent, useful life
and at all times and in all relations his fellow townsmen found him
an honor-
620 HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
able man who held to high ideals and therefore commanded the respect
and esteem of those who knew him. While more than a quarter of a
century has passed since he was called from this life, he is yet
remembered by many of the old settlers of the county who had for him
warm esteem and the admiration which is always given to a successful
man whose prosperity is well won.
ALONZO L. ROBY.
Alonzo L. Roby, who rents a farm in Walnut Grove township, where he
is engaged in farming and stock-raising, was born January 10, 1874,
at Bethesda, Ohio, his parents being Eriah and Martha (Hinkle) Roby.
The father was also a native of Bethesda, who is living retired at
the age of seventy-five years but the mother passed away in 1905 at
the age of fifty-five years. They were the parents of eleven
children, six of whom survive, who beside our subject are as
follows: Lola, who is the wife of R. Clay, of Belmont county, Ohio;
Ella, who is married to Jefiferson Medley, a resident of Morristown,
Ohio; Lily, who is the wife of Jesse Atkins, a resident of Bethesda,
Ohio; Ernest, who is residing in Barnesville, Ohio; and Hugh, who is
living in Belmont, Ohio.
Alonzo Roby spent his early days attending the common schools and
accepting employment on the farm until he was eighteen years of age,
when he removed to Knox county and engaged in farming pursuits for
four years. Subsequently, in 1901, he rented the farm near Altona
upon which he is now residing. He has met with unusual success in
both general farming and stock-raising, and to these pursuits has
given his undivided attention, his early training fitting him for
close application and scientific methods.
610 HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
Mr. Roby has been twice married. His first union was to Mabel Shear,
who was born on the 6th of September, 1876, and whose death occurred
on the 4th of May, 1903. To this union three children were born:
Ralph, whose birth occurred March 31, 1893; Warren, who was born
September 28, 1896; and Lelah, born November 11, 1899. His second
union was to Mrs. Belle Gibson, the widow of Jerry Gibson, a native
of Canada. Mrs. Belle Roby before her first marriage was a Miss
Dixon, a daughter of George and Sarah Ann (Tedder) Dixon, both
natives of Canada. The father was born in the province of Ontario,
where he attended school and grew up, following the occupation of
farming. He died in 1890. To them were born eleven children, in the
following order of birth: John Nelson; Hannah Margaret, deceased;
Isabelle, the wife of Alonzo L. Roby, our subject; Mary Tedder;
George Warner; Bertha Florence Elizabeth; Franklin James Alfred,
deceased; Irene Lillian Gertrude; and three others who died in early
life. Mrs. Roby removed to the United States from Canada in 1901
with her first husband, Mr. Gibson.
In politics Mr. Roby gives his support to the republican party and
has done much active service in promoting its progress and
influence. In religious faith both he and his wife are members of
the Methodist church of Altona, Mrs. Roby holding membership also in
the Ladies' Aid Society. Mr. Roby belongs to Lodge No. 330, A. F. &
A. M., and is at present worshipful master of this organization. He
also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is the
treasurer of this order, and is also a member of the Modern Woodmen
of America, of Altona. He is a man of strong character, whose
natural ability makes him a worthy representative in any community
and he has won for himself a creditable place among Walnut Grove
township's leading citizens.
FRANK N. GAY.
Frank N. Gay, who since 1869 has been connected with the Farmers &
Mechanics Bank of Galesburg, at which time he assumed the office of
assistant cashier, was born in Henderson, this county, June 20,
1845, his parents being Joseph and Maria Antoinette (Rhodes) Gay,
both of whom were natives of Vermont. The father came west in 1838
and settled in Log City, Knox county, where he was employed in
getting out timber for the old Galesburg House. At length he went to
Henderson, where he built a store, and in addition to commercial
pursuits there also engaged in farming, and buying live stock of all
kinds, which he sold at St. Louis. He followed general merchandising
until i860, when, with a well earned and substantial competence, he
retired from business life and came to Galesburg, where his
remaining days were passed. His political allegiance was given to
the republican party and he filled a number of township offices,
discharging his duties with credit to himself and satisfaction to
his constituents
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY 613
Both he and his wife held membership in the Congregational church.
Mr. Gay survived his wife for a considerable period, her death
having occurred in Henderson in 1854. In their family were four
children: David and Loraine, both now deceased; William M., living
in Madison, Wisconsin, who was born in Log City, August 30, 1838,
and said to be the first white male child born in the colony; and
Frank N.
The last named pursued his early education in the public schools of
his native town and afterward entered the academic department of
Knox College. Subsequently he went to Ellington, Connecticut, where
he was a pupil in the Hall school, and following his return to Knox
county began clerking in a store in Henderson. He afterward spent
three, or four years as a salesman in Reid's dry goods store in
Galesburg and for a year was connected with the house of O. T.
Johnson. He afterwards was salesman in the clothing store of Mr.
Arnold for two years and subsequently spent a few years in the
employ of E. F. Thomas, to whom he returned after the suspension of
Mitchell & Rhykerd. After the death of Mr. Thomas he was with J. B.
Colton, the successor of Mr. Thomas, and for six years was upon the
road as traveling salesman in the boot and shoe trade. In 1889 he
entered the Farmers & Mechanics Bank as assistant cashier, which
position he still holds, and he is furthermore connected with the
financial interests of Galesburg as a stockholder in the First
National Bank. He is now well known as a representative of the
banking interests of this city and county, and his ability in this
field is attested by his long connection with the Farmers &
Mechanics Bank, covering a period of more than twenty-two years.
On the 25th of June, 1872, Mr. Gay was united in marriage to Miss
Mary Dellgratia Clark, a daughter of the Rev. William D. and Mary
Clark, of Quincy, Illinois. Two children were born of this marriage
but the elder, Frank Nelson, is now deceased. The daughter, Loraine,
is the wife of George T. McCandless. who is cashier of a bank in
Anson, Kansas, and they have two children, Frank Gay and George
McCandless. Mr. and Mrs. Gay are members of the Central
Congregational church society, and in his political views he is a
republican. They have a large circle of warm friends in Galesburg
and Mr. Gay has for many years been identified with the business
interests of this city, whereby he has gained a wide acquaintance,
while his business ability and sterling personal worth have won for
him the warm regard, good-will and confidence of those with whom he
has been associated. He has not sought to figure prominently in
public life, but has been content to do the duty nearest at hand day
after day, and it is such citizens who constitute the real source of
strength and stability in a community.
CLAUS EMIL QUICK.
A large percent of the citizens of Knox county claim Sweden as the
land of their nativity or that of their forefathers, and through the
exercise of the sturdy qualities peculiar to their race combined
with the more progressive, spirit of the new world, are meeting with
substantial success in the various avenues of labor in which they
engage. In this class is numbered Claus Emil Quick, who was born in
Smalands, Jonkoping Ian, Sweden, on the 24th of June, 1859,
614 HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
a son of Carl Johann Quick, also a native of that country, his birth
occurring April 9, 1823. The father, who was a son of Johan Johanson,
followed the occupation of farming as a life work and also served
for a time in the Swedish army. At an early age he married
Fredericka Anderson, a daughter of A. Anderson, and in 1900 they
celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Of their family of nine
children one daughter is now deceased. In 1875 four of their sons
came to this country, locating in Altona, Illinois, where they
worked as farm hands until 1886. The six succeeding years were
passed in farm labor in Lynn township and then they moved to Walnut
Grove township and rented land, where Claus Emil Quick has since
engaged in general farming and stock-raising. In 1877 the father and
remaining members of the family also came to the United States, and
here the father passed away on the 19th of April, 1910. The mother
who still survives him at the age of eighty-four years, makes her
home in Knoxville.
Claus Emil Quick was a pupil in the schools of his native town until
twelve years of age, when he put aside his text-books to learn the
tailor's trade. Two years later, however, not finding that field of
labor congenial, he took up farming, to which occupation he has
devoted his attention continuously throughout the intervening years.
That these years have brought substantial success is due to the fact
that Mr. Quick has ever made wise use of his opportunities and in
the conduct of his affairs has manifested industry, perseverance and
thrift, characteristic elements of the Swedish race. Fie has never
been afraid of hard work but has labored untiringly in the
prosecution of agricultural pursuits and as a result is today
numbered among the enterprising and progressive farmers of his
locality.
It was on the 6th of March, 1886, that Mr. Quick was united in
marriage to Miss Ilelga Mathilda Amenoff, who was born in Aspey,
Linkoping Ian, Sweden, on the 17th of March, 1865. Her father, John
Amenoff, was born in Sweden on the 29th of April, 1837, anc^ is a
son °^ Theodore Amenoff. The latter, a representative of a well
known family of Sweden, was a merchant and official of that country,
where he passed away on the 6th of August, 1871. Fie had married
Sophia Ohnstadt, who was born in Sweden in 1810, and the only son
born unto this union was John Amenoff, who in 1874 came with his
family to the United States. Fie located upon a farm northeast of
Altona, in Knox county, Illinois, and for twenty years was
successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits upon that place. At
the expiration of that period his accumulations made it possible for
him to withdraw from active work and in 1906 he took up his
residence in Altona, where he is now living retired. Ere leaving his
native country he had been married, in 1861, to Miss Johanna Luisa
Carlson, who was born on the 22d of October, 1835, a daughter of
Carl and Adela Carlson, both now deceased. The father, a farmer by
occupation, passed away in 1849 at the age of fifty years and the
mother's death occurred in 1889 when she had reached the ripe old
age of eighty years. Of their family of six children five still
continue their residence in Sweden. Mrs. Quick was one of six
children born unto John and Johanna Amenoff, and she now has one
living brother, Alex, of Galva, Illinois. On December 15, 1911, Mrs.
Johanna Luisa Amenoff, the mother of Mrs. Quick, passed away and was
laid to rest in the cemetery at Altona. She was a lady of rare
qualities and refinement and not onlv greatlv
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY 615
beloved by her immediate family but venerated by a host of devoted
friends. By her marriage to Mr. Quick Helga Mathilda Amenoif has
become the mother of three children. The eldest, Ida Charlotte, was
born on the 29th of July, 1887, and is now the wife of Ora Krumstadt,
a resident of Galva. The second daughter, Minnie Olivia, born July
5, 1889, after her graduation from high school pursued a course of
study at Geneseo school, and also at Valparaiso, Indiana, and is now
successfully engaged in teaching school. Edward Theo, born October
1, 1891, is still at home.
The religious belief of Mr. Quick is indicated by his membership in
the Swedish Lutheran church of Altona, and in fraternal relations he
belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. Since becoming a
naturalized American citizen he has given stalwart support to the
republican party and for fifteen years has held public office, in
the capacity of school director and also as road master. Fie has
ever proved a most popular official and a valued, public-spirited
citizen for his interests are thoroughly identified with those of
his adopted country, for whose laws and institutions he has the
highest regard.
J. ALEXANDER FINLEY.
J. Alexander Finley, a resident of Knox county since he was four
years of age, is a progressive and thoroughly modern man believing
in the value of higher education both for its practical value as the
shortest means of preparing adequately for a business or
professional career and also for its purely aesthetic value, since
education is the necessary basis for all broader culture and fuller
enjoyment of the things worth while in life. He was born in
Delaware, Ohio, March 26, 1839, his parents being Joseph and Jane
(Ferris) Finley, the former a native of Highland county, Ohio, and
the latter of West Virginia. The father, who followed agricultural
pursuits with much success on his farm in Ohio, came to Illinois, in
1838, and purchased a quarter section of land. In 1843 he removed
his family to his farm situated in Ontario township and became a
resident of the county remaining here until his death in 1865. He
was a prosperous farmer and at his death left a tract comprising
five hundred acres of well improved farmland to be divided among his
heirs. He was twice married, his first wife dying when J. Alexander
Finley was aged two years, and his second marriage occurring in
1843, the vear °f ms removal to Knox county. There were four
children in the family, of whom the subject of this review was the
third in order of birth. Mr. Finley was a supporter of republican
policies and a loyal member of the Presbyterian church.
J. Alexander Finley had no educational advantages beyond the
district schools of Ontario township, but what he was denied in his
childhood he made up in later years and through his wide reading and
careful observation gained a fund of information concerning the most
varied topics, on which he discourses with much fluency and native
charm. At the age of twenty-two years he interrupted his labors in
the fields, where he had worked since old enough to assist his
father, and enlisted in the army with Company D, First Regular
Illinois Cavalry, on April 23, 1861, after Fort Sumter was fired
upon. His company
616 HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
was mustered in July 15, 1861, and he was taken prisoner at
Lexington, Missouri, and paroled, being mustered out July 14, 1862.
He operated a farm for forty-one years, meeting with unusual success
in raising crops and in his more spe-. cialized undertaking, the
breeding of Clydesdale horses. He is the owner of four hundred acres
of very valuable land which he cultivated until 1904, when he
retired to Oneida and has lived there ever since.
On November 6, 1868, the marriage of Mr. Finley and Miss Mary E. Cox
occurred. She was born in Somerton, England, and her parents, Joseph
and Elizabeth Cox were natives of England, who came to America in
1853 and settled on a farm in the county. They are both deceased,
the father's death having occurred in 1904, and the mother's some
years earlier. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Finley:
Gertrude, the wife of W. L. Allen, a retired farmer, who resides in
Oneida; George, who attended Knox College and lives at home; J.
Orton, who attended the State University of Illinois and now
operates a farm, and is married and has two daughters; Dr. Clyde A.
Finley, who is married and practices as a physician at Galesburg,
having received his professional training at Bellevue College, New
York; and Louise B., who is a graduate of Knox College, and now
teaching school in Eureka, Utah.
Mr. Finley is a republican in his political affiliations and with
his family holds membership in the Congregational church of Oneida.
Possessed of a keen sense of duty, he has devoted himself throughout
his life to the interests of his family providing his children with
every opportunity that lay within his reach in order to make of them
exemplary men and women, such as we need in larger numbers in every
state in the land.
**************************************************************************
WILLIAM S. CAMERON.
William S. Cameron, who has been a resident of Galesburg for more
than a quarter of a century, is a prominent factor in industrial
circles as the president of the Frost Manufacturing Company, to
which office he was elected in 1900. His birth occurred near Elgin,
Scotland, on the 17th of January, 1864, his parents being Robert and
Elspit (McBeth) Cameron, who were likewise natives of that country.
The paternal grandfather, Alexander Cameron, was also born in
Scotland and became a mason contractor. Unto him and his wife were
born the following children: William, John, Peter, Robert, Jane and
Annie. William McBeth, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was
likewise a mason contractor and passed away near Elgin, Scotland,
when seventy-eight years of age. Flis wife, Mrs. Ann (Proctor)
McBeth, was seventy-six years old when called to her final rest.
Their children were as follows: James, William, Robert, Jane, Annie,
Elspit and Helen.
Robert Cameron, the father of William S. Cameron, grew to manhood in
the vicinity of Elgin, Scotland, and largely devoted his life to
general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career.
Fie lived retired for a number of years prior to his demise, which
occurred at Rothes, on the 10th of July, 1911, when he had reached
the age of eighty-four years. Flis wife passed away in 1871, when
only twenty-seven years of age. Both were faithful members of the
Established church. Unto them were born five children, namely:
William S., of this review; James, who is a resident of Elgin,
Scotland; Ann, who died in infancy; Alexander, who died when a young
man of twenty-one years; and Nellie, living at Elgin, Scotland.
William S. Cameron obtained his education in the schools of St.
Andrews, Lhanbryd and Elgin and remained in his native land until
nineteen years of age. After putting aside his text-books he served
an apprenticeship in the general contracting business. In 1884,
wishing to test the truth of the many favorable reports which he had
heard concerning the opportunities and advantages of the new world,
he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and settled in
Galesburg, Illinois, where he has remained almost continuously
since. He was first employed by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy
Railroad Company for two years and then entered the service of the
Frost Manufacturing Company,taking charge of the pattern department.
In 1900 he was chosen president of the concern and has remained its
chief executive officer to the present time. The Frost Manufacturing
Company was established in 1851 and has manufactured principally
engines, boilers and dry pans. Its products are sold in all parts of
the United States and a number of foreign countries. Three hundred
people are employed in the plant, which consists of the following
departments: machine shop, boiler shop, forge shop, foundry, pattern
shop and flange shop. As the head of this extensive and important
industry Mr. Cameron has displayed splendid executive ability and
keen discernment. Intricate business problems he comprehends with
rare quickness and the solution which he proposes almost invariably
proves to be the correct one.
On the 27th of September, 1888, Mr. Cameron was married to Miss
Margaret S. Davidson, a native of Alves, Scotland, and a daughter of
Peter McL. and Margaret (Bremner) Davidson, who were likewise born
in that country. Emigrating to the United States, they settled in
Galesburg, where Mrs. Davidson passed away in 1909 at the age of
fifty-eight years. Peter Davidson, a contractor and builder, still
survives. He was the father of six daughters, namely: Margaret,
Isabel, Elsie, Grace, Delia and Genevieve. Samuel and Elsie (McConachie)
Davidson, the paternal grandparents of Mrs. Cameron, had eight
children: James, Samuel, William., John, Peter, George, Elsie and
Jessie. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Cameron had the following
children: Alexander, James, David, Margaret and Annie. Unto our
subject and his wife were born three children: Robert LeRoy, born on
April 13, 1890, who died at the age of six years; Margaret Mae, born
on March 27, 1892, a graduate of the Galesburg high school, who is
now attending St. Mary's school at Knoxville, Illinois; and William
Ray, born on December 22, 1897, a public school student.
Fraternally Mr. Cameron is identified with the Benevolent Protective
Order of Elks and he is also a member of the Galesburg and
Soangetaha Clubs. His wife is a devoted member of the Presbyterian
church. They are prominent in the social circles of Galesburg and
their own home is a favorite resort with many friends. Coming to the
new world in early manhood, Mr. Cameron utilized his opportunities
to the best advantage and now enjoys an enviable reputation as one
of the most prosperous and esteemed citizens of his community.
GEORGE L.
STEPHENSON.
George L. Stephenson, a representative of the mercantile interests
of Knox county, has a flourishing store at Oneida and has been a
prominent factor in the political and social life of this community
with which he has been identified since 1865. Born in Kirkbright,
Scotland, October 20, 1838, he is a son of George and Isabella
(McMillan) Stephenson, who left their home in Scotland, in 1850, for
a new one in America. Mr. Stephenson was a farmer and came to
Illinois on account of the excellent agricultural opportunities,
settling in Copley township where he bought at the outset forty
acres of land. Later he increased his holdings by buying eighty
acres more and spent the remainder of his life in the cultivation of
this land, death terminating his labors in 1884. He was
470 HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
twice married, George L. Stephenson being a son of his first wife,
who died in 1862. His second wife is also deceased.
George L. Stephenson was the sixth of a family of eight children of
whom one died in infancy. He received the usual education available
in a country school and when able to support himself took up
agriculture until 1863. He then came to Oneida village, engaging in
the grocery business for two years, which position he gave up for
clerking, remaining, however, only for a short time in this
vocation, when he went into another department of the mercantile
business with C. F. Matteson, who was conducting a clothing and
men's furnishings establishment. Three or four years later he saw
his chance of opening a profitable business on his own account and
became the owner of a general store carrying dry goods, clothing,
men's furnishings and the usual stock in trade, and he has been
properously engaged in this enterprise ever since. He has also ably
acted in the capacity of auctioneer for over forty years.
On October 26, 1866, Mr. Stephenson was united in marriage, in
Copley township, to Miss Grace L. Stewart, a native of Scotland, her
father being engaged in the furniture business in Glasgow. Five
children were born of this union: Frank S., a farmer in Walnut Grove
township, who is married and has five children, three boys and two
girls; Milton J., who is married and employed as a railroad man in
Chicago and has had a high-school education; Grace, the wife of
David N. Olson, an undertaker and embalmer, who lives in Evanston,
Illinois; Jessie, who lives at home and takes care of her mother;
and Harry II., a graduate of Knox College, who died August 15, 1907.
Mr. and Mrs. George L. Stephenson are members of the Presbyterian
church of Oneida. In his political sympathies Mr. Stephenson votes
with the republicans and, his townspeople recognizing in him a
citizen well qualified to hold public office, have called him to
serve again and again. He was mayor of the village for ten years,
and acted on the council for a number of years, while he filled the
position of town supervisor for seventeen years, during ten of which
he presided as chairman. He is active in the Masonic order, being a
member of the Oneida Lodge, F. & A. M., and was a member of the
Galesburg Chapter, •but withdrew from there and helped organize the
Oneida chapter. He is an ardent worker in the Galesburg Commandery,
and is associated with the Medinah Temple of the Mystic Shrine at
Chicago. Mr. Stephenson is a man of strong personality and has a
gift for making friends, in whose affections he holds a high place
and by whom he is regarded as a man of absolute integrity.
ALBERT L. SQUIRES.
For more than forty years Albert L. Squires has been associated with
agricultural interests in Knox county. He was born in Trumbull
county, Ohio, February 25, 1845, ms parents being Ira and Caroline
(Stewart) Squires. Passing his boyhood in his native land, he was
scarcely out of school, when he was fired with enthusiasm at the
outbreak of the Civil war and enlisted in Ashtabula county, Ohio,
with Company I, Twenty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, One Hundred
and Twenty-fifth Corps, Second Division, serving under General
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY 471
Hooker, for three years. His company, of which James J. Smith was
the cap-* tain, fought with General Meade in the battle of
Gettysburg. He was honorably discharged in 1865, at the close of the
war, and returned to his home in Ohio, assisting with the work of
the fields for several years. In 1868 he came to Knox county,
Illinois, to visit his sister, Mrs. Alexander Gehring. Being pleased
with the agricultural prospects in Knox county, he remained here and
engaged in farming, which he has pursued ever since.
In 1865 Mr. Squires was united in marriage to Miss Jane Howland, a
daughter of Fred Howland, originally from Connecticut, but later a
resident of Ohio. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Squires.
Mary Luella, residing in Cherry Valley, Ohio, is the wife of David
Robinson, a farmer, and has eight children. Kate, a resident of
Niles, Ohio, is the wife of George Champlain, a carpenter, and has
seven children. The wife of Mr. Squires passed away in 1908, at the
age of sixty-seven years. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church of Wataga, Illinois. Fraternally he is associated with Lodge
No. 589, I. O. O. F., of Wataga, and J. D. Shields Post, No. 45, G.
A. R., of Gales-burg. Ever faithful in the performance of his
duties, he has found much enjoyment in his work and in the pleasant
home of his sister, -Mrs. Gehring, he passes his life quietly and
with contentment of spirit.
JOHN MAGNUS
APPLEGREN.
John Magnus Applegren, who has long been successfully identified
with the commercial activities of Wataga, was born in Alfta,
Gefleborg Laen, Sweden, on October 10, 1848. His father, Johann
Frederick Applegren, was born on the 10th of August, T826, was one
of the prominent and well known men in his province. All his life he
was connected with the operation of a tannery on his ancestral
estate, where he was living when he passed away at the age of
eighty-five years. He organized in his native town an insurance
company of which he was secretary for forty-five years, and upon his
retirement was presented by the members of the company and the
policyholders with a loving cup valued at one thousand dollars. He
was a member of the Lutheran church and a representative of the
government for his province. He was married three times, his first
union being with Miss Elizabeth Limn, a daughter of J. Limn, an
officer in the Swedish army. She passed away in 1851, leaving two
children: John Magnus, our subject; and Peter Fred Applegren. For
his second wife Mr. Applegren chose Miss Karen Johnson, who died in
1858. Of this union there was born one son, Andrew Gustave, a
wholesale merchant in Sweden. Mr. Applegren's next marriage was with
Miss Anna Elizabeth Sorl-ing, and unto them were born four children:
Anna, Johanna, Breta and Maria, all of whom are residents of Sweden.
The paternal grandparents of our subject were Johann Magnus and
Margaret Applegren. The former, who was a native of Falun, Sweden,
passed away in 1854 at the age of fifty-five years, but his wife,
whose birth occurred in 1797, lived until 1887. He was the founder
of the large tannery on his estate, which is still owned and
operated by the family.
472 HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
The school days of John Magnus Applegren, who was reared at home,
were terminated at the age of fifteen years when he was sent out by
his father to buy and trade leather and hides. Later be assisted in
the general store maintained and conducted for the benefit of the
employes of their factory, serving in this capacity until he was
nineteen when he took passage for America. Upon his arrival in this
country he made his way inland to Wataga, and here engaged in
farming until 1874, when he entered the store of H. P. Woods. He
remained there for ten years and then went to work in the railway
carshops, but after following this for two years returned to his
former employment. After being identified with this business for
another decade he made a trip to Sweden and upon his return together
with a Mr. Sundberg bought a mercantile establishment in Wataga.
This connection continued until 1902, when Mr. Applegren bought his
partner's interest and took his son into the business.
In 1874 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Applegren to Miss Mary
Peterson, who was born on the 15th of April, 1853, a daughter of
Jonas and Christina (Hedman) Peterson, the father one of the pioneer
settlers of Knox county, where for many years he engaged in farming.
Both parents are now deceased, the mother having passed away in
1904. Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Applegren there has been born
one son, Fred, whose birth occurred on May 2, 1875. He is unmarried
and has been associated in business with his father for nine years.
He belongs to the Masonic order, being a member of Wataga Lodge, No.
291, A. F. & A. M., of which he was secretary in 1910, and he is
also affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America Camp, No. 3229,
Wataga, and served several years as clerk of the local order.
Mr. Applegren gives his political support to the men and measures of
the democratic party, the policy of which he fully endorses, but he
has never been an office seeker, always having preferred to
concentrate his energies upon the development of his personal
interests, in which he has met with a goodly degree of success.
AMES A. BARLOW.
Ames A. Barlow has become well known in real-estate circles in
Galesburg, handling both city and farm property. His intellect early
grasped the eternal truth that industry wins, and industry became
the beacon light of his life. It has prompted him to become
thoroughly acquainted with every phase of the business in which he
engages and to have a knowledge of all the property that is upon the
market and the valuation thereof. Because he has done this he has
been enabled to negotiate many important realty transfers and now
has a large and gratifying clientage.
Air. Barlow is a native of Lafayette, Stark county, Illinois, born
February 25, 1857, although he has lived in Knox county ever since
he was three years old. His parents were Gideon A. and Martha B.
(Peterson) Barlow. The father was born in Sullivan county, New York,
July 18, 1833, while the mother's birth occurred in Sweden, October
8, 1837. The former was a son of Nathan Barlow, who was likewise
born in the Empire state and was a farmer by occupation. In the year
1844 he removed westward with his family, establishing his home in
Illinois when his son Gideon was but eleven years of age. The latter
worked on his father's farm through the period of his. minority and
afterward took up the same line of business on his own account,
following that occupation until he retired, a few years prior to his
death. He worked diligently and persistently to cultivate his fields
and make them productive and in time they returned to him a
substantial competence. He passed away, December 10, 1898, in Galva,
Illinois, where his widow is still living. There he was recognized
as a valued and representative citizen and enjoyed the respect and
good-will of all with whom he came in contact. In politics he was
always a republican for he came to his majority about the time that
the republican party sprang into existence. He filled a number of
township offices and in all connections of vital interest to the
community manifested a public-spirited devotion to the general good.
He was a member and trustee of the Baptist church, to which his wife
also belongs. They were married on the 20th of May, 1856, and became
the parents of eight children: Ames A., Frederick W. and Gideon B.,
who are residents of Galva; Ada L., the wife of John W. Swickard, of
Galesburg; Edgar Sherman, who is living in Kewanee, Illinois; John
F., a resident of Kansas City, Missouri; Forest S. and Lewis W.,
both of Galva.
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY 475
Ames A. Barlow pursued his education in the Galva schools and after
he had finished the high-school course there, pursued a commercial
course in Davenport, Iowa. He then became an active factor in the
further development and improvement of his father's farm and so
continued until the 2d of December, 1902, when he entered the county
treasurer's office to serve for a period of four years. Fie proved a
faithful custodian of the public funds, carefully and systematically
discharging the duties of his position, and upon the expiration of
his term of office he received the commendation of all concerned. He
then began operating in the field of real estate, in which he still
continues, handling both city property and farm lands, together with
realty in Florida. He brings to bear a most enterprising and
progressive spirit and is largely regarded as an authority upon
anything pertaining to real estate in Knox county.
On the 17th of August, 1879, Mr. Barlow was married to Miss Celinda
S. Hathaway, a daughter of Arthur F. and Jane (Mowatt) Hathaway, of
Galva. Her father was a native of Salem, Massachusetts, born October
21, 1821, and her mother's birth occurred in Montreal, Canada. Mr.
Hathaway became a lumber dealer of Galva, where he took up his abode
in 1854, remaining actively in business there until he retired,
about twenty years prior to his death, which occurred on the 8th of
August, 1894. He had for two years survived his wife, who died in
1892. He voted with the republican party and served as supervisor
and in other township offices; but whether in office or out of it he
was always loyal to the best interests of the community and gave his
active cooperation to many-projects for the general good. Unto him
and his wife were born four children: Mrs. Barlow, whose birth
occurred in Galva, July 10, 1856; Abbie, who was born November 16,
i860, in Galva, where she is still living; Jeptha B., born in Galva,
March 23, 1863; and Jennie, born in Galva, October 5, 1865. The two
younger daughters are still residents of their native town. Mr. and
Mrs. Barlow are the parents of three children: Lawrence W., who was
born in Galva, December 14, 1880, resides in Galesburg and is
married and has one daughter,
476 HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
Grace. Mabel M., born in Galva, April i, 1883, is the wife of S. R.
Scott, of Galesburg, and has two children, Maxine and Genevieve;
Abbie A., born in Galva, July 24, 1894, is yet at home with her
parents.
Politically Mr. Barlow is a republican, having continuously
supported the party since attaining his majority. The only office he
has held for many years was that of county supervisor and he is
never remiss in the duties of citizenship and when his aid and
cooperation are sought for the benefit of the community they are
freely given. He has attained high rank in Masonry, being a member
of the Knight Templar Commandery, the Woodmen and the Elks Lodges.
He is also a member of the Elks Club and of the Galesburg Club, and
is ever appreciative of the social amenities of life. In manner he
is genial and cordial and his many attractive qualities have won for
him an extensive circle of warm friends.
ALBERT
CHESTER KEENER, M. D.
Dr. Albert Chester Keener has become well known because of his
connection with educational interests in central Illinois and his
present connection with the medical profession as a practitioner at
Altona. ITe was born July 23, 1873, in Biggsville, Henderson county,
this state, and represents one of the old families of this section.
His grandfather was Marton Keener, who married Miss Meyers and came
with his family to Illinois in 1868, settling near Biggsville, where
he followed the occupation of farming. His son, James T. Keener, the
father of the Doctor, was born in York county, Pennsylvania, and in
his boyhood days devoted his time to the acquirement of an education
in the country schools in his native state and also to the work of
the fields on the home farm. During the period of the Civil war he
drove a team on the canal near the Susquehanna river, being thus
employed until the removal of the family to Illinois. His wages were
four dollars per month and he frequently tells interesting tales of
how he rode the mules many a night upon the tow path. He came with
his parents to this state in 1868 and in early manhood learned the
plasterer's trade which he followed for a time, but afterward
returned to the occupation of farming which he followed until his
labors had brought to him a substantial competence that he regarded
as sufficient to supply him with the necessities and comforts of
life throughout his remaining days. He then retired and is now
living in Biggsville at the age of sixty years. ITe married Eliza
Jane Edwards, who is now fifty-six years of age. In their family
were five children: Charles Lester, a resident of South Dakota; Mary
Blanch, the wife of P. Stevenson, of Monmouth, Illinois; John
Creston, living on the home farm; and Maud, who is with her parents.
The other member of the family is Dr. Keener, of this review, who in
his boyhood days attended school in Biggsville, Illinois, and
afterward took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for
eight years and three months following his graduation at Biggsville.
Lie proved a capable educator and made steady progress in this
profession until his ability was recognized and he was elected
county superintendent of schools. His election furthermore was
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY 477
a notable compliment as he is the only democrat that has been
elected to this office in Henderson county, a fact which indicates
his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him. He filled
the office for four years but two months before the close of his
term he entered the Northwestern University Medical School at
Chicago, having determined to engage in practice as a life work.
There he pursued a four years' course and was graduated in June,
1910, being president of his class in the senior year. In September
of the same year he removed to Tower Hill where he entered upon the
active practice of his profession but in the following March bought
out the practice of Dr. J. H. Conwell, of Altona, where he is now
located and is well established in his chosen life work.
On the 10th of June, 1896, Dr. Keener was married to Miss Nannie
Magee, who was born in Henderson county, Illinois, February 12,
1873. They have become parents of two children, Alberta Faye and
Darcy Dale, aged respectively fourteen and eleven years. The parents
are members of the Presbyterian church of Altona and are well known
socially in the town, having gained many warm friends during the
brief period of their residence here. Dr. Keener belongs to the
Masonic lodge at Carman, Illinois, and formerly to the Woodman camp
at Biggsville but has transfered his membership to Altona. He was
also identified with the Mystic Workers at Biggsville and his
political support is given to the democratic party. He holds
membership with the Phi Chi fraternity and belongs also to the
County Medical and State Medical Societies. Through the proceedings
of those bodies as well as by private reading and study he keeps in
touch with the advanced work being done by the medical profession
and in his private practice he holds to high ideals, performing his
work with a sense of conscientious obligation.
ANDREW RYLANDER.
Andrew Rylander, who is an enterprising farmer of Ontario township,
was born in Sweden, September 19, 1862. His parents were Johanas and
Clara (Johnson) Johnson, who spent all their lives in their native
country, where the father was engaged in farming. They were zealous
members of the Swedish Lutheran church. The father died in 1899 and
the mother in 1903.
Andrew Rylander was reared and received a common-school education in
his native country and at the age of fifteen began working on a farm
there, where he remained until 1882. At that date he came to America
and in the fall of the same year located in Knox county, where he
was employed on a farm for eight years. In 1890 he rented a place in
Ontario township and engaged in farming it for eighteen years. In
1905 he purchased his present farm of one hundred and sixty-seven
acres and moved on it in 1908. He engages in general farming and
makes a specialty of raising hogs and cattle.
On the 15th of January, 1897, Mr. Rylander wedded Miss Jennie
Holcomb, who was brought from Sweden to America in 1869 by her
parents, Haukin and Elsie (Martin) Holcomb, both natives of Blekinge,
Sweden, when she was six years of age. The parents located in Knox
county, where they later purchased a farm and where the father died
in 1884. The mother is now living with a daughter in Kansas. Mr. and
Mrs. Rylander have become the parents of three children, all of whom
are residing at home. They are: Dell V., who was graduated from a
business college; Floyd E.; and Carl Milo.
478 HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY-
In politics Mr. Rylander is a republican, and fraternally he is a
member of Oneida Lodge, No. 555, M. W. A. He is greatly interested
in the cause of education and has served as school trustee for six
years. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church at
Altona. He possesses keen discernment and in the years of his
residence in Knox county has gained a handsome measure of success,
placing him with the prosperous farmers in this portion of the
state.
GEORGE GARDNER
STEARNS.
George G. Stearns, deceased, was for some time connected with the
agricultural interests of Knox county, but prior to his death
retired from business, spending the evening of his life in well
earned rest. He was born in Conway, Massachusetts, February 9, 1836,
a son of George and Fannie (Arms) Stearns,-who were also natives of
Conway and spent their entire lives in the east where the father
followed the occupation of farming and thus provided a good living
for his family. Both he and his wife were consistent and faithful
members of the Baptist church and his political endorsement was
given to the republican party. In their family were seven children:
Isabelle, George G. and Henry, all now deceased; Clara, the wife of
Tyler Harding, of Des Moines, Iowa; Harriet, who has also passed
away; Fannie, who married John Holcomb, of Conway, Massachusetts;
and Jennie, deceased.
In the public schools of his native town George G. Stearns pursued
his education and was reared to the work of the farm, early becoming
familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the
agriculturist. On leaving New England he removed westward to
Indiana, where he lived for a year, and in 1858 came to Knox county,
turning his attention to farming in the vicinity of Knoxville. There
he resided until 1861, when his patriotic spirit was aroused by the
attempt of the south to overthrow the Union and he joined the army,
enlisting as a private in the First Illinois Cavalry, with which he
served for four years. Fie was then mustered out with the rank of
captain of Company A, of the Seventy-seventh Illinois Infantry. He
had served for one year as orderly sergeant and was captured and for
nine months was held as a prisoner of war. His valor and courage won
him promotion until he was given command of the company and as its
head his personal bravery inspired and encouraged the men who served
under him. When the war was over he resumed the pursuits of private
life and once more engaged in farming, continuously following that
pursuit until about twelve years prior to his death, when he retired
to private life and made his home in Knoxville. He always gave
stalwart support to the republican party which was the defense of
the Union during the dark days of the Civil war and which he ever
believed to be the party of reform and progress. He held membership
in the Grand Army of the Republic and thus maintained pleasant
relations with the boys in blue. He was also an exemplary
representative of the Masonic fraternity and his religious faith was
evidenced in his membership in the Presbyterian church. He died
August 8, 1898, and in 1906 his widow removed to Galesburg, where
she still lives.
It was on the 2d of October, 1865, soon after his return from the
war, that Mr. Stearns was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Runkle, a
daughter of Eldirt and Nancy (Bowen) Runkle, of Knoxville, who were
natives of New York and were married in the Empire state. Her father
was a mill man by occupation and came to the west when this region
was still a pioneer district, settling at Knoxville in 1835. There
he followed the occupation of farming until his death, which
occurred in June, 1865, and during the intervening period of thirty
years his labors constituted an element in the substantial
development and progress of the locality in which he lived. He was a
republican in his political views and in his religious faith was a
Presbyterian. His wife long survived him and died in October, 1890,
at the advanced age of eighty-one years. In their family were six
children but only Mrs. Stearns, who was born in Knoxville, is now
living. She was the fourth in order of birth. The others were
Elizabeth, James, Mary H., George and Frank.
To Mr. and Mrs. Stearns there were born five children, namely:
George E., of Olympia, Washington; Arthur D., residing in Galesburg;
Fred R., of Omaha, Nebraska; Fannie, the wife of Henry Carl, of
Hatfield, Massachusetts; and Mary, who married Fred Holloway, their
residence being at 997 North Broad street, Galesburg. * Mr. Stearns
was nearly sixty-two years of age when called to his final rest. He
had lived an active, -busy and useful life and his death was the
occasion of deep regret to many who knew him as well as to his
immediate family. He was always reliable in business affairs and
straightforward in his dealings and in matters of citizenship he was
as true and loyal to his country as when he followed the old flag
upon the battle fields of the south.
888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888
CLYDE T. LIKEN, D. D. S.
Dr. Clyde T. Liken, who enjoys a constantly increasing and lucrative
dental practice in Knoxville, was born in Henry county, Illinois, on
the 7th of May, 1878. His father, Thomas P. Liken, is a native of
Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, born on the 20th of November, 1846,
and is a son of Thomas and Sarah (Sands) Liken. Thomas Liken, Sr.,
was a native of Ireland but was brought to America when only four
years of age. His parents settled in Pennsylvania, and he was there
reared to manhood. When Thomas Liken had reached adult age he
married Sarah Sands, who was a native of the Keystone state, where
the family remained until 1865, when they came to Illinois. Thomas
Liken engaged in farming in Munson township, where he purchased land
for ten dollars per acre.
554 HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
His labors converted this raw land into a valuable tract and he
continued a resident of the state until his death, which occurred
about thirteen years ago. He had a brother, who was a soldier of the
Civil war and died in Andersonville prison. One of his sons, William
Liken, an uncle of Dr. Liken, served in the war between the north
and south, enlisting in Company E, One Hundred and Fifty-fifth
Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was killed at Petersburg,
June 8, 1864.
The first nineteen years in the life of Thomas P. Liken were spent
in his native state, but in 1865 he removed to Illinois with his
parents, who settled in Henry county. There his father bought land
and successfully engaged in farming, becoming one of the extensive
property owners and prosperous agriculturists of the county. Thomas
P. Liken was reared to manhood on his father's farm in Henry county,
where he became proficient in tilling the fields and caring for the
crops, thus qualifying himself for the vocation that he followed
during the entire period of his active life. On December 27, 1871,
Thomas P. Liken was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Victoria Hill,
who was born in West Virginia, on the-27th of April, 1851, and was a
representative of one of the old and honored pioneer families of
Virginia. Tier grandfather, John K. Hill, was born in that state and
served as a soldier of the war of 1812. ITer parents were. William
T. and Elizabeth (Lockhart) Hill, the latter a daughter of a
Virginia planter. After her marriage to Mr. Hill, they lived for a
time in the Old Dominion and in 1855 they removed westward to Henry
county, Illinois, becoming early settlers of that part of the state,
where they ever after made their home. Mr. Liken actively engaged in
farming until eight years ago when he retired to Geneseo, where he
and Mrs. Liken continue to make their home. They are the parents of
two sons and three daughters, all of whom are living: William E.,
who is living on the old homestead in Henry county; Clyde T., our
subject; Maude, the wife of Joseph Coombs, of Llenry county; Myrtle,
who married D. C. Shaw, a banker of Pittsburg; and Grace, who is
living at home with her parents. The boyhood of Dr. Liken was spent
on his father's farm in the work of which he assisted while
attending the district schools, where he obtained his elementary
education. Later he became a student of the Geneseo Collegiate
Institute, being graduated from there in 1897, when he entered Knox
College. Upon the completion of the work of his junior year he left
college and began to make his own way, his first position being that
of associate editor of the Geneseo Daily and Weekly Arena, with
which publication he was identified for two years. At the expiration
of that period he decided to enter the dental profession and to
realize his ambitions matriculated in the Chicago College of Dental
Surgery, being awarded his degree with the class of 1904.
Educationally Dr. Liken is well equipped for his life w-ork as in
addition to his collegiate studies he took a commercial course,
being a graduate of the Cedar Rapids Business College, and since
entering upon his practice he has taken some post-graduate work in
dentistry. He first engaged in practice in West Chicago, where he
maintained an office for two years and then came to Knoxville,
locating here in 1907. Although he has been identified with his
profession in this city little more than four years, the period has
been of sufficient length for him to demonstrate the quality of his
work and its thoroughness in every detail. His ability, businesslike
methods of conducting his practice and pleasing personality have all
been
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY 555
very important factors in enabling him to build up the excellent
practice he now has.
In Knoxville, on the 20th of October, 1908, was celebrated the
marriage of Dr. Liken and Miss Elizabeth Alvira Charles, whose birth
occurred in this county on the 21st of July, 1884. Mrs. Liken is a
daughter of A. G. and Charlotte (Rogers) Charles, both natives of
Knox county, where the mother resides; the father has passed away.
Mr. Charles' birth occurred in 1846 and his wife was born on the
31st of January, 1848. Her father was a native of Connecticut and
her mother a native of England. To Dr. and Mrs. Liken has been born
one child, Mary Alice, on July 12, 1911.
Dr. and Mrs. Liken are members of the Presbyterian church and he is
affiliated with Pacific Lodge, No. 66, F. & A. M., of which he is
past master; Knoxville Camp, No. 411, M. W. A.; and Horatio Lodge,
No. 362, K. P. While in college he joined the Delta Sigma Delta
fraternity and his political support he accords the republican
party. Dr. Liken's outlook toward the future is most promising in
every way as he is popular socially and highly regarded as a
representative of his profession.
CARL V. NELSON.
Carl V. Nelson, the cashier of the State Bank of Victoria, Illinois,
is a progressive and reliable young man with remarkable business
abilities. A native of Victoria, born February 2, 1887, he is keenly
alive to the interests and advancement of his town.
George M., father of Carl V. Nelson, was born in Sweden, October 12,
1846, the second son of a family of four children of Nels and Mary
(Erickson) Johnson, of Sweden. All of this family came to America
except the father and mother, both dying in Sweden at the ages of
fifty-six and thirty-five years respectively. George M. Nelson was
educated in Sweden and came to America in 1869, where he settled at
Oneida, in Knox county, Illinois. He was married in 1876 to Sophie
Peterson, the daughter of Peter Peterson, who also was born and
educated in Sweden. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson later located in Victoria,
where he engaged in the trade of wagon making and repair work, a
line which he is still successfully pursuing. To them were born
seven children, of whom Carl V. Nelson is the sixth, the others
being: Mrs. Alma Welin, of Victoria, who is the mother of two
children, Vincent and Harris ; Gertrude, formerly a school teacher;
Frank, of El Paso, Illinois ; William, also a resident of El Paso.
who married Edna (Van Buren) Nelson, by whom he has two children,
Dorothy and Millicent; John, who makes his home in South Dakota; and
Grace, who resides at home. The Nelsons are active members of the
Swedish Methodist church of Victoria. Mr. Nelson is a member of the
Modern Woodmen of America and is an independent in politics.
Carl V. Nelson, reared under the parental roof where he still
resides, was educated in the public schools of Victoria and after
completing a high-school course began work in the State Bank of
Victoria as a bookkeeper. Ever faithful and efficient, he was soon
promoted to the position of assistant cashier. In this
556 HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
place his splendid business qualities were shown more strongly, and
on July i, 1911, he was again promoted, this time to the position of
cashier, in which capacity he is now serving. He takes an active
part in all local politics and is known in his township as a
conscientious and efficient public servant of the city party. He has
been for three years town clerk of Victoria township and is now
serving a first term as village treasurer. With whatever
organization he is allied, he usually is entrusted with positions of
trust and responsibility. Fraternally, he belongs to the Modern
Woodmen of America and is clerk of the local lodge. Fie is an
earnest worker in the Swedish Methodist church of Victoria, of which
he is a member, and is treasurer of the Epworth League and also of
the Galesburg District League. Mr. Nelson's rapid progress so far in
life gives promise of his being one of the most prominent and
successful business men of the county, as well as one of its most
honest and useful citizens.
PETER STROM.
Prominent among the business men of his part of the county is Peter
Strom, cashier and general manager of the Victoria Exchange Bank.
Fie was born in Victoria township, on the 28th of February, 1876,
and is a son of Eric Strom, who is now living retired one-half mile
south of Victoria, on section 18, Victoria township. The father was
born in Bollnas, Flelsingland, Sweden, August 4, 1839, his parents
being Eric and Martha (Peterson) Strom. The grandfather of our
subject spent his entire life in Sweden, dying in that country when
his son Eric was seventeen years of age. Flis widow come to this
country in 1846 with her son Peter and made her home in Bishop Hill
until her death in December, 1907. Flere she married Suralla
Iielborne, of Bishop Hill. She was a mem-. ber of the Adventist
church.
Eric Strom, father of our subject, was reared and educated in his
native land and was there married in 1862 to Miss Carrie Nelson, who
was also born in Bollnas, August 20, 1841, and was a daughter of
Nels and Carrie Nelson, who were lifelong residents of Sweden. By
this marriage the following children were born. Eric, Jr., who
controls and manages a coal bank for C. S. Clarke and resides in
Victoria township, married Ida Grimm and they have eight children,
Flarry, Merle, Earl, Grace, George, Archie, Ross and Gehrl. Carrie,
the second child of Eric Strom, Sr., died at the age of seven years
and was buried in Bishop Hill. Delia is the wife of Oliver Peterson,
a barber of Victoria, and they have three children, Roy, Floyd and
Alice. Annie died at the age of fourteen months and was buried in
Victoria cemetery. Emma, who died at the age of thirty-one years and
was buried in Victoria cemetery, married Fred Good-speed, of
California, and to them were born three children, Gladys, Wayne and
Vans. Henry is unmarried. Carrie is the wife of Ned Cadwell and has
two children, Lavone and Winthrop. Peter, of this review, completes
the family. It was in 1867 that his parents came to America,
arriving at Bishop Hill, Illinois, on the 6th of August of that
year, but the following year removed to Victoria, where the father
worked as a farmer and coal miner until 1874, when he purchased his
present home. He is a republican in politics but has never cared for
official honors.
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY 557
Peter Strom was reared in Victoria township, where as a youth he
attended the public schools. After finishing a business course at
Quincy, Illinois, he was employed for a while in the Victoria Bank,
leaving there to become a bookkeeper in the State Bank of Galva,
Illinois, where he remained until November, 1903, when he entered
upon his present position.
He was married December 25, 1910, to Etta Conner, a daughter of
William D. and Sarah A. (McMullen) Conner, of Victoria township. Her
father was born in Licking county, Ohio, in August, 1832. He was a
son of Samuel and Anna (Griffith) Conner, who came from old Virginia
families that migrated to Ohio at the time when Anna Griffith was
fifteen years of age. William D. Conner was married in Licking
county in 1856 to Sarah A. McMullen, who was the daughter of M. M.
and Harriet (Pyle) McMullen, also descendants of old Virginia
families, but both born in Ohio. M. M. McMullen was reared in
Bowling Green, Ohio, and spent all his life in Licking county. He
died at the age of forty-four years and his wife at the age of
seventy-eight, both being buried at Brownsville, Ohio. They were
members of the Methodist church. Mr. McMullen was a democrat in
politics, served as a school director and held many township
offices, always performing his duties faithfully. The children of M.
M. and Harriet (Pyle) McMullen were: George; Joseph, who went to
California in 1849; Drusilla, the deceased wife of Stephen Smith, of
Missouri; Sarah A., the mother of Etta (Conner) Strom; Lemuel, who
died in Knox county, Illinois, at the age of twenty-two years;
Robert, who died in Knox county; Mary, who is the present wife of
Stephen Smith, of Missouri, the former husband of her sister;
Margaret, the wife of a Mr. Chaplear, of Mount Vernon county, Ohio;
and Lewis, who resides on the old home farm in Licking county, Ohio,
and is the father of five living children. After the marriage of
William Conner he spent eighteen months in Iowa, and then moved to
Stark county, Illinois, living there six years. He came in 1895 t0
Knox county, Illinois, where he resided until the time of his death,
which occurred September 6, 1909, on his farm of seventy-four acres,
which is within the corporation limits of Victoria and is now the
home in which his wife, Sarah (McMullen) Conner, and Mr. and Mrs.
Peter Strom live. To William and Sarah Conner were born eight
children, of whom Etta Strom is the fourth in order of birth. The
other children are as follows. Edgar, of Victoria, wedded Mary
Sornborger and they are the parents of eight children, Clarence,
Albert, Sadie, deceased, William, Florence, Earl, Eva and Mary.
Belle is the wife of Charles Johnson, of Beardstown, and is the
mother of three children: May and Maud, twins, and Sadie. Carrie,
the wife of William R. Church, of Bureau county, Illinois, is the
mother of three children, Russell, Niles and Nettie. William, Elmer,
Mamie and Alice May are deceased, William dying at the age of five
years and the other three in infancy. William Conner, always a
leading man in his community, was a democrat in politics, a trustee
of the town board and school director when in Iowa. His wife is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Peter Strom is very active in all local politics and is a stanch
prohibitionist, believing the principles of this party to be most
conducive to good government. Both he and his wife are faithful
workers in the Methodist church, he being a
558 HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
member of the board of trustees. Mrs. Strom is also a great worker
in the Ladies' Aid Society. Mr. Strom belongs to the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows and has filled all the chairs in the local
lodge. Ever conscientious and efficient, his faithfulness to his
tasks and his duties make him one of the leading citizens of his
town.
KARL R. HAGGENJOS.
Karl R. Haggenjos, well known as a representative of journalism in
central Illinois, now owning and publishing the Illinois Democrat at
Galesburg^ together with a number of other papers in different towns
in this section of the state, was born in Chicago, February 19,
1859. His parents, John and Fortunata (Siedle) Haggenjos, were both
natives of Villingen, Germany, the former born on the 25th of
December, 1833, and the latter on the 2d of September of the same
year. It was in 1856 that John Haggenjos sailed across the broad
Atlantic to the United States and made his way into the interior of
the country to Chicago, where he followed carpentering and
contracting. For a long period he was associated with the building
interests of that city but retired about five years prior to his
death, which occurred July 30, 1890. He was survived for seventeen
years by his wife, who passed away May 6, 1907. His political
support was given to the democracy and his religious faith was that
of the Catholic church, St. Michael's numbering him as one of its
communicants. It was in Chicago, in April, 1858, that he wedded
Fortunata Siedle, who came to America in the spring of 1847, with
her brothers and sisters and settled in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania,
she, however, coming to Chicago in 1858. Unto them were born nine
children: Karl R., of this review; Emily, Michael, Albert, Stephanie
and Josephine, all of whom are residents of Chicago, Illinois;
Wilhelmine and Mary, both deceased; and Wilhel-mine, the second of
the name, who makes her home in Chicago.
In his youthful days Karl R. Haggenjos was a pupil in St. Michael's
parochial school of Chicago and when his school days were over at
the age of twelve years, he sought and obtained a position on the
Freie Presse, a German newspaper, serving as compositor for five
years, during which period he gained intimate knowledge of various
branches of newspaper publication. In 1877 he came to Galesburg and
entered the employ of his uncle, Charles Haggenjos, in the rendering
business. Another five years was thus passed, at the end of which
time he went to Denver, Colorado, and worked on the Rocky Mountain
News. He afterward had charge of the Colorado Journal at Denver and
subsequently began the publication of the Denver Freie Presse. He
also established the Denver Volksblatt, a morning paper. After his
removal to Pueblo, that state, he started the Colorado Freie Presse
of that city and when he sold out returned to Galesburg in 1891. He
began the publication of the Tribune in East Galesburg, in 1892, but
has since changed the name of the paper to the Illinois Democrat,
removing the plant to Galesburg. In addition to its conduct he also
publishes the Rio Reporter, at Rio; the St. Augustine Eagle, at St.
Augustine; the North Henderson Review, at North Henderson; The
Maquon Tomahawk, at Maquon, Illinois; and the Cameron Gazette, at
Cameron, Illinois.
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY 561
On the 10th of August, 1884, Mr. Haggenjos was married at Denver,
Colorado, to Miss -Minnie Haessel, a daughter of Peter and Catherine
(Brill) Haessel, of Peoria, Illinois, who were natives of Bavaria,
Germany. The father, who was a soap manufacturer, was born September
7, 1813, and his wife's birth occurred on the 29th of January, 1819.
On coming to the United States they settled in Pittsburg,
Pennsylvania, where they remained for a year, and then removed to
Peoria, Illinois. In 1867 the family removed to Galesburg, where Mr.
Haessel died July 3, 1872. He was survived for almost a third of a
century by his wife, whose death occurred March 28, 1904. In
politics he was a republican and both were consistent members of the
Lutheran church. Unto them were born four children: Philippine, the
wife of Charles Haggenjos, of Galesburg, Illinois, who is deceased;
Catherine, living in Galesburg; Adam, who has passed away; and Mrs.
Karl R. Haggenjos, whose birth occurred in Peoria, Illinois, on the
6th of August, 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Haggenjos have become the parents
of seven children: Albert, who was born in July, 1885, and who is
still at home; Mabel, the wife of Bertrand Weingartner, of
Galesburg; Maude, twin sister of Mabel, who is at home; Carolyn;
Virginia, the wife of J. Glenn Bragg, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania;
and John and Philippine, who are also yet under the parental roof.
The first four were born in Denver, Colorado, while Virginia and
John were born in Pueblo, Colorado, and Philippine in East
Galesburg, Illinois.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Haggenjos
has supported the democratic party and publishes his papers in its
interest. He is a member of the Typographical Union and is very
widely known in newspaper circles. Gradually he has worked his way
upward to success and the prominent position which he now occupies,
and in the publication of his papers he has held to the high
standards of modern journalism, giving to his readers a
comprehensive review of the chief points of interest as the days go
by.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LEO PRESTON BAIRD.
Leo Preston Baird, general manager and principal stockholder of the
Abingdon Light & Power. Company, who is also successfully conducting
a thriving insurance agency, is one of the most enterprising and
progressive young business men of the town. He is a native of Knox
county, his birth having occurred in Elba township on the 15th of
July, 1885, and a son of B. P. and Josie (Gray) Baird, who are
mentioned at greater length elsewhere in this work. The father, who
is one of the prominent and influential residents of Abingdon, is a
native of Clinton county, Pennsylvania, while the mother was born
and reared in Knox county. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Baird, our subject being the second in order of birth. The others
are as follows: William Lemuel, who was educated in Heckling
College, now engaged in agricultural pursuits in this county; Lois
Irena, a graduate of Hedding College, who for the past three years
has
662 HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
been teaching in the high school at Winfiekl, Iowa; Eva Lena, also a
graduate of Heckling College, now principal in the schools at
Whitehall, Michigan; and Forest Gray, who is a senior at Hedding.
Mr. Baird had one son by a previous marriage, Newton Homer, who was
educated at Knox College and is now conducting a cattle ranch in the
vicinity of Denver, Colorado, where he owns twenty-four hundred
acres of land.
Reared amid the refining influences of a cultured home, Leo Preston
Baird was given the social and educational advantages that prove
most helpful, if they are not essential, in the successful pursuit
of any vocation. Lie received his introduction to the elements of
English learning in the district school in the vicinity of his
boyhood home, continuing to pursue his studies through the public
schools of Abingdon until his graduation from the high school with
the class of 1902. In the following autumn he matriculated at
Heckling College, where he studied for two and a half years, then
entered the Illinois State University at Urbana, being awarded the
degree of B. A. with the class of 1907. After the completion of his
collegiate course he turned his attention to teaching, his first
position being that of assistant principal in the schools of Atwoocl,
Illinois. Lie remained there only one year, then took the
principalship of the schools at Princeville, which he resigned at
the end of two years. In the Autumn of 1910 he announced his
candidacy for the office of superintendent of schools in Peoria
county, receiving the nomination on the republican ticket. Although
Mr. Baird was only twenty-five years of age, and was not very widely
known in the county, during the brief period of his connection with
the profession he had manifested those qualities that made him
recognized as one well qualified for the office. ITis opponent on
the democratic ticket was a man much his senior, who was not only
widely known in the county but had the additional advantage of being
connected with several influential families. Nevertheless, although
he was the youngest candidate who ever sought the office, Mr. Baird
carried Peoria by five hundred majority, and lost the election by
only ninety-one votes, which were cast in precincts in the outlying
country where he was not known. Despite the fact that he lost the
office it was such a close contest in face of his opposition that
Mr. Baird's friends looked upon it almost as a victory, having felt
from the first that his chances of winning were very small. His
opponent later told him that had he been better known he would have
carried the vote by a large majority. Following this episode Mr.
Baird returned to Abingdon and purchased a third interest in the
Abingdon Light & Power Company, of which he has ever since been
general manager. Feeling that he wanted to further extend his
activities he later bought the insurance business of Strawther
Givens and is conducting this in connection with his other duties. A
young man of high principles and engaging personality, Mr. Baird has
the happy faculty of successfully carrying through anything he
undertakes, his affability and enthusiasm no less than his integrity
and keen sense of honor winning him recognition among all classes.
He has not only succeeded in retaining the many patrons of Mr.
Givens, but has increased his business until his clientage is second
to that of no other agency in the city. lie is one of the more
recent acquisitions to the business circles of Abingdon, where he is
making marked progress, and although his father's influence has
unquestionably been of assistance to him he possesses the faculties
that would attain success despite obstacles and defeats.
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY 663
On the 31st of July, 1907, Mr. Baird was united in marriage to Miss
Gertrude Perle Edwards, a daughter of W. F. Edwards of Galesburg,
and to them has been born one child, Richard Bruce, whose natal day
was the 19th of June, 1908.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Baird attend the Methodist Episcopal church,
toward the support of which organization he is a liberal
contributor, and fraternally he is affiliated with Princeville
Lodge, No. 360, A. F. & A. M. He also belongs to the Gamma Zeta
Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, which he joined while at
the university. Mr. Baird has a large circle of friends, who are
watching with interest the progress of his career, feeling assured
of his success.
WILLIAM A. BARTLETT.
William A. Bartlett, a well known and prosperous young citizen of
Galesburg, has here been engaged in the real-estate business since
1907. He was born in Galesburg on the 25th of October, 1882, his
father being Frank Sears Bartlett, a sketch of whom appears on
another page of this volume. After acquiring his education in the
schools of his native city he went to Winnipeg, Canada, there
spending one year in the employ of the Deering Harvester Company. He
next acted as a clerk in the stock house of the Chicago, Burlington
& Quincy Railroad for one year and then became engaged in the
hardware business at Monmouth, Illinois, in association with his
father-in-law, George A. Schussler, this relation being maintained
for three years. On the expiration of that period he went to Racine,
Wisconsin, as purchasing agent for the J. I. Case Plow Works, but
resigned at the end of a year and removed to Colorado for the
benefit of his health, remaining in that state for two years and
having charge of a lumber concern. In 1907 he came to Galesburg,
Illinois, and has since devoted his attention to real-estate
interests here with excellent results, selling Red River lands in
North Dakota.
On the 30th of June, 1903, Mr. Bartlett was united in marriage to
Miss Maude Frank Schussler, a daughter of George A. and Mary J.
(Barnes) Schussler, of Monmouth, Illinois. In politics Mr. Bartlett
is independent, supporting men and measures rather than party for
party principles. He is a devoted and consistent member of the
Universalist church and also belongs to the Benevolent Protective
Order of Elks, the Elks Club, the Galesburg Club and the Country
Club. His nature is social and his disposition cordial, and while he
has at all times commanded the respect and admiration of his
business associates, he has also enjoyed the warm friendship of
those who have come within the closer circle of his acquaintance.
THOMAS JUNK.
Thomas Junk, a retired farmer and stock-raiser and at one time an
artisan in the carpenter trade, resides in Henderson village, Knox
county, Illinois. He is a native of Union Town, Fayette county,
Pennsylvania. The date of his birth is March 27, 1833. As noted in
his brother's sketch, he is of German origin on his father's side,
his grandfather having been born in Germany. His mother,
454 HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
whose maiden name was Elizabeth Lincoln, was a second cousin of
Abraham Lincoln. His father was born in Pennsylvania to which state
his people had come after a short residence in New Jersey where they
had settled on coming to this country. He followed the pursuit of
farming in Pennsylvania all his life, passing away in 1877, when he
was seventy-six years of age. He was a stanch democrat in politics
and in his religious predilections was a Presbyterian. Thomas Junk
was educated in the district schools of his native locality. When
old enough to handle a plow he began to farm, first as hired help
and then for himself. In 1856 when twenty-three years of age he came
west, locating in Knox county where he learned the carpenter trade,
following this calling for some years. Then, wishing to engage in
farming, he gave up the trade in which he had been trained and
bought a farm of eighty acres in Knox county. This he operated with
much success, raising abundant crops, hogs and cattle. Some years
ago he retired and removed to a residence in Henderson village.
Thomas Junk's marriage to Miss Maria Kilgore took place November 10,
1859. She was a daughter of David Kilgore, for years an
agriculturist in Franklin county, spending his winter months
teaching school, but who left Pennsylvania and became one of the
famous "forty-niners" in the days of the California gold boom. There
were seven children born of this union. Jessie Louise, the wife of
John Nisley, a farmer in Nebraska, is the mother of five children.
Some of these are married and have children of their own, thus
giving Thomas Junk the distinction of being a great-grandfather.
Frances is living at home. James E. is married and operates a farm
in Stuart, Iowa. W. S. is living in Knox county on the farm where he
was born. lie is married and the father of four children. Minnie is
the wife of Jasper Strode, a farmer in Knox county. She is the
mother of five children. Edith is the wife of Charles Sears,
connected with mercantile interests in Loveland', Colorado. She is
the mother of two children. David died at the age of twenty-three.
Although keenly interested in the political welfare of his community
and of the state and nation, Mr. Junk has never been bound by party
ties. He votes for the man who in his judgment is best fitted to
discharge the duties of the office for which he is a candidate. He
has served as trustee of his township and as school director. In
religious allegiance he and his wife subscribe to the faith of the
Reorganized church of Latter Day Saints. Mr. Junk is living a
comfortable, care-free life in the village of Henderson, is in good
health, and from all indications seems to possess the grace of
providence granting him the enjoyment of many added years.
JOHN BOWEN
VIVION, M. D.
Dr. John Bowen Vivion was a distinguished physician, honored by the
profession throughout the state. Study and close application
constantly promoted his ability and gave him prominent place in the
ranks of the medical fraternity in Illinois. He was born in Clark
county, Kentucky, October 23, 1810, a son of Henry and Mildred
(Ryan) Vivion, both of whom were natives of Virginia, being reared
upon farms in the vicinity of Alexandria, that state. They removed
westward to Clark county, Kentucky, when it was almost an unbroken
wilderness and took helpful part in its reclamation and development.
Both were firm believers in the Christian religion and held
membership in the Baptist church until that denomination divided
upon the question of missions, after which they joined the Christian
church. Henry Vivion devoted his life to general agricultural
pursuits and was recognized both as a good farmer and good citizen.
He at one time owned about fifteen slaves, their labor being used in
the development and cultivation of his fields. He was ever a most
charitable and benevolent man, giving freely of his means to aid the
poor, and in 1822, when a scarcity of corn caused great suffering
among them, he refused to sell at the advanced price which was being
asked, saying that what he could spare he would give to those who
needed. About 1810 the family removed from Clark to Warren county,
Kentucky, there remaining for six years, at the end of which time
they went to Howard county, Missouri, where they resided until the
father's death when he was seventy-nine years of age. The mother
then made her home in Clinton county, Missouri, with her son James,
and reached the advanced age of ninety-five years.
Dr. Vivion received limited educational opportunities, yet when the
chance offered attended the district schools near his father's
homestead until eighteen years of age and afterward engaged in
teaching school for two or three years-. However, he had decided to
make the practice of medicine his life work and during his leisure
hours he studied medicine, reading alone. When twenty-two years of
age, at Huntsville, Missouri, he began reading under the direction
of Drs. Head and Rutherford, with whom he studied for one and a half
years. He then went to Winchester, Kentucky, where he spent a year
and a half under the preceptorship of Drs. Frasier and Vivion. He
next attended lectures in the medical department of Transylvania
University at Lexington, Kentucky, and on the 1st of May, 1836,
began practice in Dover, Missouri, thereafter following his
profession for more than sixty-five years. For thirty-five years he
practiced in accordance with the tenets and principles of the
allopathic school, but in 1866 became an advocate and practitioner
of homeopathy, winning a diploma in Hahne-mann College. In 1851 he
removed from Dover to Waverly, Missouri, and two years later
purchased a farm about two miles from Dover, on which he resided for
seven years, practicing all that time. In i860 he sold this property
and went to College Mound, Missouri, while in 1865 he became a
resident of Ursa, Illinois. Three years later, or in 1868, he came
to Galesburg, where he continued to reside until his death, which
.occurred on July 1, 1902. His work in his profession was most
serviceable and throughout the period of his practice his skill and
ability increased because of his wide reading and study, and his
broad experience. His standing among his professional brethren is
indicated by the fact that he was honored with the presidency of the
State Medical Association, but resigned in favor of a younger man.
On the 26th of September, 1836, Dr. Vivion was united in marriage to
Miss Maria Jane Atkinson, and for a half century they traveled
life's journey together but were separated through the death of the
wife, on the 25th of August, 1887. In their family were eight
children of whom four reached adult age, namely: Sarah Ann, the wife
of Thomas Gorham; Robert, who was a Union soldier in the Civil war
and died from hardships undergone in the field; John G., deceased;
and Edward L. On the 16th of May, 1888, Dr. Vivion was again
married, his second union being with Lucy Neely, a daughter of James
Neely, who came to Galesburg after the arrival of "the colony'' from
the state of New York. For ten years he resided at Log City and then
removed to Center Point, where he followed farming until his death.
Flis wife, who bore the maiden name of Sabrina Arnold, was also from
the Empire state. His brother, Abram Neely, came to Knox county at a
very early day and owned a mill upon the present site of the Santa
Fe depot and also a great deal of land on what is now Broad street.
458 HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY-
Dr. Vivion gave his early political allegiance to the whig party and
following its dissolution he joined the democratic party in 1856 and
remained thereafter one of its strong supporters. He filled a number
of local positions, serving as health commissioner of Galesburg for
several years, as city health officer for two years and as city
physician for five years. Fie was also prominent in church work and
in 1843 was elected an elder of the Christian church, which position
he filled throughout the remainder of his days. Church services were
held in his office in Galesburg and the Lord's Supper was
administered there until 1871, when his denomination built a church
in this city. He afterward filled the pulpit much of the time until
1890, when a regular minister was secured. His life was ever
characterized by high and honorable principles, his course
conforming to his religious professions. Fie was always kind and
generous to the poor and was a loyal, devoted friend. His entire
life was characterized by progress, whether in the field of his
profession, in public service or in church relationships, and
certainly the world is better for his having lived.
GEORGE LOUIS
NEWBERG.
George Louis Newberg, the present mayor of Wataga, has always
devoted his energies to general farming and stock-raising, in both
of which occupations he has met with a goodly degree of success. Fie
is one of Knox county's native sons, his birth having occurred in
Copley township, on the 7th of January, 1862, the pioneer period,
being members of the Bishop Hill Colony. By trade Mr. Newberg was a
charcoal and lime, burner, which occupation he followed in
connection with his farming in Copley township. He was very
successful, being a thrifty, hard-working man and at the time of his
demise was one of the leading men of the community. Of the marriage
of Mr. and Mrs. Newberg there were born five children, four of whom
are living, our subject being the second in order of birth, while
the others are as follows: Mathilda, the wife of William Hedstrum,
of Copley township; Johanna, the wife of Harvey Larson, of
California; and Christiana, who married Samuel Sambo, also of
California. The father passed away at the venerable age of
eighty-four years, on the 5th of May, 1899, but the mother had only
reached an age of forty at the time of her demise on the 25th of
January, 1875.
The district schools in the vicinity of his home provided George
Louis Newberg such educational advantages as he enjoyed, his student
days being terminated at the age of sixteen. During the succeeding
five years he gave his undivided attention to the operation of the
home farm under the supervision of his father. At the expiration of
that period he left the parental roof to make his own way in the
world, first engaging in farming in Copley township, but later he
removed to Oneida, where he remained until 1905, when he became a
citizen of Wataga. In connection with general farming, Mr. Newberg
made a specialty of raising and shipping stock, activities proving
to be very remunerative under his capable management. He has always
been an energetic man, who considers that anything worthy of
engaging his efforts, is deserving of the best of them and has so
directed his endeavors.
For his wife and helpmate Mr. Newberg chose Miss Anna C. England,
who was born in Persifer township, this county, in May, 1864. Mrs.
Newberg is a daughter of George England, who was born in
Pennsylvania, in 1826, a son of William England. He was reared to
manhood in his native state and there he later married Miss Susie
Webb, who was also born in the Keystone state. Their domestic life
was begun in Pennsylvania, but they removed to Illinois in 1856,
locating in Knox county. Mr. England was one of those who responded
to his nation's call during the Civil war and enlisting in Company
A, Thirty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in 1864 went to the
front, being mustered out on the 15th of March, 1865. He passed away
in 1911, at the age of eighty-five years, but the mother is still
living in her seventy-second year. To Mr. and Mrs. Newberg have been
born five children: Ivan, a farmer of Wataga, aged twenty-two years,
who married Ethel Edwards; Mary, a young woman of twenty; John, who
is eighteen; Nathan, now fourteen; and James, who is eight. Martha,
a niece, is a little maid of four years and makes her home with Mr.
and Mrs. Newberg.
The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church of Wataga, in which
the parents hold membership, and Mr. Newberg is also an Odd Fellow
and a Mason, being identified with the lodges of Wataga; he is a
member of Oneida Camp of the Modern Woodmen of America and Lodge No.
671, of the Mystic Workers of the World. His political support is
given to the men and measures of the republican party and he takes a
deep interest in all municipal affairs. He served as school director
for several terms and in 1910 was elected mayor of Wataga, the
responsibilities of which office he is discharging in a manner
highly pleasing to the community and most creditably to himself.
CHARLES BROWN.
Charles Brown is manager and superintendent of the Farmers' Elevator
Company, of Wataga, where he has resided for the past fourteen
years. He is a native of Sweden, having been born in Halland, on
April 7, 1856, a son of Nels Johnson and Johanna (Johnson) Brown.
Both parents spent their entire lives in the old country, the
father, who was born in 1810, devoting his energies to farming until
his demise, which occurred in 1892. Three children, born of the
union of Mr. and Mrs. Brown, are living, as follows: Charles, our
subject; Hetta, who is living at home; and August, who is operating
the home farm.
460 HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
Charles Brown was reared and educated in his native land to the age
of fourteen years when he went to Denmark, where he worked for two
years at the jewelry trade. In 1877 he emigrated to the United
States, locating in Chicago, where for twelve years he followed the
barber's trade. At the expiration of that period he came to Wataga
and bought out a barber shop that he operated until 1903, then
withdrew to become manager and superintendent of the Farmers'
Elevator Company. During the succeeding six years he has been
successfully identified with this enterprise, the business of which
has developed in a most gratifying manner during' the period of his
connection with it.
For his wife and helpmate Mr. Brown chose Miss Maggie S. Campbell,
who was born in 1873, a daughter of William H. and Mary Ann
Campbell, now residents of Wataga, but natives of Ireland, whence
they emigrated to the United States in 1867.
Mr. Brown votes the republican ticket but he has never been an
office seeker. He is a member of the Brotherhood of American Yeomen,
and a charter member of the Mystic Workers of the World, Wataga
Lodge, No. 671. Although he has always led a somewhat unobtrusive
life, never having actively participated in the public affairs of
the municipality, Mr. Brown can always be depended upon to indorse
every movement that is at all likely to promote the interests of the
community.
FRANK O. RYLANDER.
Many of Sweden's native sons have sought the broader opportunities
of the new world, bringing with them the unremitting energy and
perseverance characteristic of that nation, and in the great
majority of cases they have attained success in the management of
varied business affairs. Such is the record of Frank O. Rylander,
who was born in Smaland, Sweden, on the 23d of October, 1864, a son
of Johanas and Clara (Johnson) Johnson. The parents were both born
in Sweden and there spent their entire lives, the father engaging in
farming as a life occupation. Both are now deceased, the father's
death occurring in 1899, while the mother died in 1903. They were
consistent members of the Swedish Lutheran church.
In the common schools of his native land Frank O. Rylander acquired
a good education and after laying aside his text-books he assisted
in the work of the farm for a while. Later he spent two years in
Stockholm, working at the cooper's trade, and then, on the 15th of
May, 1887, he came to the United States, attracted by the business
opportunities which he heard were here offered. He made his way
direct to Illinois, locating in Oneida, Knox county. From there he
went to Davenport, Iowa, where he was employed as a carpenter until
September, 1887, when he began working out by the month. He was thus
engaged for several years and in 1893 to°k up agricultural pursuits
in Ontario township, Knox county, Illinois. Meeting with success in
this venture he was able in 1907 to purchase a farm upon which he
might engage in farming independently and he now owns a fine tract
of one hundred and sixty acres on section 21, Ontario township. Here
his time is fully occupied with the
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY 461
various phases of agriculture and in addition to the cultivation of
the fields he makes a specialty of feeding hogs, in both of which
lines he is meeting with well merited success.
It was on the 29th of March, 1893, that Mr. Rylander was married to
Miss Anna C. Halstead, a daughter of John P. and Christiana
(Carlson) Halstead, both of whom were of Swedish descent. The
father, a farmer by occupation, was killed by a train at Oneida, his
death occurring on the 29th of April, 1899. His widow still survives
and makes her home in Woodhull, Henry county, Illinois. In the
family of Mr. and Mrs. Rylander are seven children, namely, George
E., Clara A., Ottis R., Mildred L., Frances M., Robert L. and
Everett Lester, all of whom are yet at home. In the various
relations which go to make up the public life of the community Mr.
Rylander is deeply interested and he is recognized as one of the
representative citizens of Ontario township. He holds membership in
the Ontario Congregational church and fraternally belongs to Oneida
Camp, No. 555, M. W. A., at Oneida, and to the Mystic Workers. A
review of the political question of the country led him to give his
support to the republican party and since becoming an American
citizen he has never faltered in his allegiance to the principles of
that organization. He has never sought nor desired public office,
however, the only position which he has ever filled being that of
school director, as which he has served for nine years. He has never
regretted the step which he took when he sought a home in the United
States, for here he has found good opportunities for business
advancement and in their utilization has won a substantial degree of
prosperty. Illinois, also, has found in him a valued citizen for he
has ever manifested admirable traits of character and exhibited a
public-spirited devotion to the best interests of his adopted land.
DAVID P. NILES.
A well known retired farmer of Sparta township is David P. Niles,
who is the oldest pioneer in point of years of continuous residence
now living in this district. He was born in Hillsdale, Columbia
county, New York, on October 20, 1824, and is a son of Sill and
Louisa (Olmstead) Niles. The mother passed away in 1852, but the
father survived until 1871, his demise occurring at the age of
seventy-six years. The paternal grandfather, Thomas Niles, who was a
veteran of the Revolution, was a blacksmith by trade, in connection
with which he also engaged in farming. He was a native of
Connecticut as was Steven Olmstead, the maternal grandfather. The
family of Mr. and Mrs. Sill Niles numbered eight, those beside our
subject being as follows: Eliza, the wife of Charles D. Loomis, of
Columbia county, New York; George F., who is deceased; Charles H.,
deceased, who also was a resident of Columbia county; Helen C, now
Mrs. Kane, of Columbia county; Martha, the widow of H. Ten Broeck,
of Columbia county; and two who died early in life.
In his early boyhood David P. Niles attended the district schools in
the vicinity of his father's farm in the acquirement of an
education, subsequently giving his undivided attention to
agricultural pursuits until 1856. He then decided to remove to the
west and three years later became a resident of Wataga,
462 HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
making his home with a family by the name of Smith. He purchased the
old Wataga mill that he successfully operated for seven years, when
he bought three hundred acres of land and engaged in farming.
Agriculture at that period involved much more drudgery than at the
present, many tasks, that then required days to do by hand, now
being performed by the aid of modern machinery in a few hours.
Despite the hard work and discouragements he encountered, Mr. Niles
persisted in his undertakings and eventually became one of the
largest landowners in the county. In connection with the operation
of his fields he made a specialty of raising and feeding stock, both
proving to be most lucrative under his capable direction. During the
long years of his efficient management of his affairs, he so
intelligently concentrated and directed his efforts that he acquired
a competence that enabled him to retire, and he is now renting his
property and enjoying the ease and comfort awarded the well spent
years of his early life.
For his wife Mr. Niles chose Miss Helen C. Johnson, who1 was born in
Sweden in 1849. Of this union there was born one child, who is now
deceased.
During his early years Mr. Niles was a whig but when this party
merged into the republican he gave his support to the men and
measures of the latter body. Although he never prominently
participated in the political activities of his township he served
as road commissioner, the duties of which office he discharged in a
highly creditable manner. Mr. Niles has now passed the
eighty-seventh milestone on life's journey, but despite his many
years his eyesight is remarkably good and his faculties as acute as
those of a man years his junior. He is still able to look after his
own business affairs and takes a lively interest in all public
questions. During his long period of residence here he has been the
interested observer of the development of the country as it kept
pace with the progress of civilization, and many are the interesting
reminiscences he relates of the pioneer days.
WILLIAM BURN SIDE.
William Burnside, formerly prominently associated with the
agricultural interests of Knox county but nowr living retired, still
derives much of his income from his interests in farm property. He
has passed the seventy-eighth milestone on life's journey and the
rest which he is enjoying is well merited for it has been won
through the close application, unfaltering energy and unassailable
integrity which he manifested when conducting his agricultural
pursuits. Lie was born in Ohio, August 13, 1833, and was one of the
eight children of William and Margaret (Callison) Burnside, who were
natives of Virginia, the latter a daughter of Thomas Callison, who
was a farmer of the Old Dominion. William Burnside, Sr., was reared
in Virginia and, following his removal to Ohio, there engaged for a
number of years in farming. Subsequently, however, he went to
Indiana, but in the fall of 1850 came to Illinois, settling in
Chestnut township, Knox county, where he purchased ninety acres of
land, to which he added as opportunity offered and his financial
resources permitted, until his farm embraced two hundred and forty
acres of rich land. He died on the old homestead, at the age of
eighty-four years, and his wife passed away at the age of seventy.
She was a devoted member of the Methodist church and most carefully
and conscientiously reared her family. The children were as follows:
John, Anthony and Isaac, all now deceased; Elizabeth, the widow of
John Hedley, of Kansas; William ; Alary, the widow of Samuel
Coffman, of Chicago; and George, who is living in Abingdon,
Illinois.
370 HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
William Burnside was three years old when his parents went to
Indiana and was a youth of seventeen when the family came to
Illinois. Here he was reared to manhood upon his father's farm in
Knox county, attending the district schools in the winter seasons,
and in the summer months aided in the cultivation of the home farm.
The occupation to which he was reared he determined to make his life
work and started out on his own account by renting a farm in
Chestnut township. He carefully saved his earnings during that
period and was at length enabled to purchase ninety acres, to which
he added from time to time until he became the owner of fifteen
hundred acres or more, thus winning a place among the most extensive
landowners of central Illinois. The rapid settlement of this part of
the state and the improvements which he placed upon his land greatly
enhanced its value and won for him a position among the most
prosperous agriculturists of Knox county. He engaged in farming and
in raising and shipping stock until the fall of 1892, when he
removed to Galesburg and purchased a fine home at the corner of
Seminary and Grove streets. This he occupied until 1907, when he
removed to his present residence, at No. 1078 North Broad street.
In 1861 Mr. Burnside was united in marriage to Miss Julia Terry, a
daughter of John Terry. Mrs. Burnside was born in Knox county while
her parents were natives of Virginia. The children of this marriage
were six in number. Marcus T., who is now a farmer of Chestnut
township, married Maude Cranston and has three children, Roy, Pearl
and Orpha. Nellie is the wife of D. E. Meeks, of Galesburg, and they
have two children, William and Fay. Charles S., a farmer living at
Maquon, Illinois, married Jennie Clark. Fannie died in early
childhood. Albert Guy, who is proprietor of a hotel at Spirit Lake,
Iowa, married Mabel Ackerman and has one son, Carl. The youngest of
the family is Carl S., who is operating one of. his father's farms
in Chestnut township. The mother died in 1895, at the age of
fifty-three years, and on the 24th of February, 1897, Mr. Burnside
wedded Mrs. Lydia Edgerton, widow of Dr. R. C. Edgerton, and a
daughter of John and Cordelia (Clark) Tiffany. She was born in
Flarpersfield, Delaware county, New York, June 8, 1842, and her
parents were also natives of the Empire state although their
ancestors came from Connecticut. ITer grandfather, Horace Tiffany,
was a native of Connecticut and of English descent. Fie married
Martha Osborn and they had eight children, Fliram, John, Peter,
Nathan, Eliza, Olive, Sallie and Charles. The maternal grandfather
of Mrs. Burnside was John Clark and unto him and his wife, who died
when a comparatively young woman, there was born a son and four
daughters. John Tiffany, the father of Mrs. Burnside, was a soldier
in a New York regiment in the Civil war and died from illness while
in the service. His wife lived to be sixty-three years of age and
reared their family of five children, Louise, Hiram, Lydia, Mary and
Peter. By her former marriage Mrs. Burnside had one son, Hubert C.
Edgerton, who is married and lives in Burley, Idaho. Mrs. Burnside
belongs to the Universalist church. Mr. Burnside votes with the
republican party and has filled the office of road commissioner but
has not taken an active part in politics because of the demands made
upon him by his extensive business interests. His real-estate
holdings are the visible evidence of a life of well directed energy
and thrift. Starting out empty-handed, he made the best possible use
of his time and opportunities, and by honorable and straightforward
methods, coupled with unflagging industry, gained a position among
the prosperous and honored residents of this section of the state.
His life may well serve as an inspiration and an example to others
who desire to attain success and an untarnished name.
JACOB E. MORGAN.
Jacob E. Morgan is a well known farmer of Lynn township, having
spent his entire life in this locality, his birth having occurred on
the old Morgan homestead August 2, 1867. He traces his ancestry back
to Edward Morgan, who married Margaret Rittenhouse, and their son
Morgan Morgan married Ann Roberts, a daughter of John Roberts, who
fought for American independence in the Revolutionary war. Benjamin
Morgan, a son of the latter couple and the grandfather of our
subject, married Tacy Stroud in 1800. Among their children was John
Rittenhouse Morgan, the father of our subject, who was born in
Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, April 5, 1809. He passed through
the experiences of pioneer life in Ohio and later in Indiana, from
which state he came to Illinois. He first married Rachel Bicknell
and after her death wedded her sister Susan Bicknell, who was born
at Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania, in 1826. Her father, George
Bicknell, who was a mechanic by trade, settled in Indiana at an
early day and in 1851 brought his family to Knox county, Illinois,
entering land in Lynn township. After his wife's death he took up
his abode in La Fayette, this state, where he passed away in 1866,
at the age of sixty-four years. His wife, who bore the maiden name
of Susan Moore, died in 1851, at the age of fifty-seven years. In
their family were six children: Rachel and Sarah, both deceased;
Mary, who is living with a daughter at the age of eighty-eight
years; George and Jacob, both deceased; and Robert P., a resident of
Alliance, Nebraska. After losing his first wife Mr. Bicknell married
Catherine Hagar, who was the widow of Peter Hagar. The Bicknell
family, of which Mrs. John R. Morgan was a representative, was an
old one of Pennsylvania, representatives of the name coming from
England and settling in Philadelphia prior to the Revolutionary war.
Her grandfather, Charles Bicknell, ran a stage from Philadelphia to
Baltimore and on his way home contracted yellow fever, which caused
his death when he was thirty-two years of age. His son, the father
of Mrs. Morgan, became a soldier of the war of 1812 at the age of
seventeen years. He was reared by his foster father, who had been
drafted and he took his place in the army, serving until honorably
discharged. For his services he received a land patent, which he
located in Walnut Grove township, Knox county. His daughter Mrs.
John R. Morgan had but little opportunity to secure an education.
She was twelve years of age when her parents removed from
Pennsylvania to Indiana and in 1847 sne became the wife of John R.
Morgan. They became pioneer residents of Brunertown, Indiana, where
the grandfather took up land and built a cabin, living there two
years before he made the journey by team and wagon to Illinois,
traveling by way of Peoria to Centerville. Subsequently they lived
in Knox county, settling on what has since been known as the Morgan
homestead. They first lived in a deserted cabin until the present
residence was built in 1852. There they made their home until the
father was called to his final rest. The mother is now living with
her daughter and is one of the honored pioneer women of this part of
the state. When she became a resident of Knox county her neighbors
were the Swedish colony at Bishop Hill and there was also a family
by the name of Fraker at Fraker's Grove. Joseph Simeon and Jonathan
Gibbs and the Collinson family likewise lived in the northern part
of the county. Peoria was the nearest market. Unto Mr. and Mrs. John
R. Morgan were born eight children, of whom six are now living.
George B., a resident of Fort Scott, Kansas, married Alice Robinson
and has eight children. Lydia Jane is the wife of George Spidle, of
Schuyler, Nebraska, and they have three children. Mary Ellen is the
wife of Thomas C. Heaton, living on the old homestead, and they have
four children. Charles E., of Columbus, Nebraska, married Lida
Munsie and has six children. Morris J., living at Ainsworth,
Nebraska, wedded Mary Wagner and has ten children. Jacob E. is the
youngest of the family.
The last named pursued his education in the public schools to the
age of fourteen years and during the remaining seven years of his
minority worked with his father on the old home farm. He afterward
engaged in cultivating the home place on his own account for four
years and on the expiration of that period came to his present farm
in Lynn township. where he has since carried on general agricultural
pursuits and stock-raising. He has a well developed property, the
fields responding readily to the care and labor which he bestows
noon them, and in his barns and pastures are found good grades of
stock. He is likewise interested in the Farmers Elevator of Galva
and in the Cooperative Bank of that place, and is an enterprising,
progressive business man whose judgment is sound and whose labors
are resultant.
Jacob E. Morgan was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Collinson,
who was born in Walnut Grove township, January 16, 1872, and is a
daughter of Thomas W. and Sarah F. (Brooks) Collinson. Mr. and Mrs,
Morgan became parents of two children: Eugene, born September 1,
1890; and Ethel, born April 13, 1892.
The family are well known and have an extensive circle of friends in
this part of the county. The parents are members of the Baptist
church of Galva and Mr. Morgan belongs also to the Modern Woodmen
Camp of that place. In politics he is a republican, active in
support of the party. He was elected a member of the board of
trustees of Lynn township and served for three terms, and his
connection with the school board covers altogether nine years. He
stands for progress and advancement at all times, whether in
business or in public affairs, and he has a wide and favorable
acquaintance in this county where his entire life has been passed.
MICHAEL MOUNT.
Michael Mount, is the oldest conductor in point of years of
continuous sendee now running out of Galesburg, on the Chicago,
Burlington & Quincy Railroad, Avas born in Jefferson county,
Tennessee, in the vicinity of Knoxville, on January 22, 1841. He is
a son of William T. and Alzaria (Cates) Mount, the father a native
of Virginia, his birth occurring in 1799, and the mother born and
reared in Jefferson county, Tennessee, where they were married. In
his early youth William T. Mount left his native state and went to
Tennessee, settling in Jefferson county, where he engaged in farming
until his death in 1857. The mother survived him for many years, her
death occurring in the county where she had passed her entire life
in 1896. They were both members of the Baptist church, and his
political support the father accorded to the whig party. He was a
public-spirited man and took much interest in local politics, always
assuming his share of the governmental responsibilities and for some
years served as justice of the peace. The children of Mr. and Mrs.
Mount, all of whom are now deceased with the exception of three,
numbered nine, as follows : Margaret, the widow of Joseph Bailey, of
Jefferson county, Tennessee ; John, who is deceased; Humphrey, a
soldier in the Confederate army who died at Vicksburg in 1863;
Martha and Nancy, both of whom are deceased; Michael, our subject;
Mattie, the widow of Joseph Miles, of Knoxville, Tennessee ; and
William and James, who are deceased.
Having been reared on his father's farm, in the acquirement of his
education Michael Mount first attended the district schools of the
vicinity and later the college at New Market, Tennessee. He remained
at home assisting his father and brothers in the cultivation of the
fields until 1861. In the latter year he enlisted as a private in
the Confederate army, going to the front as a member of Company A,
First Tennessee Light Artillery. He participated in some of the most
sharply contested battles of the war, being present at Shiloh,
Corinth, Columbus and the siege of Vicksburg, and was mustered out
in 1863 with the rank of corporal. After the close of his period of
enlistment he returned home. remaining there until December, 1863,
when he came to Illinois, locating at Quincy. Soon thereafter he
obtained employment on a farm in that vicinity, where he worked
until the 1st of August, 1864, when he came to Galesburg, and
entered the service of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad
Company as brakeman on a freight train. In 1869 he was promoted to
the position of conductor, and on the 1st of March, 1884, was
assigned passenger duty. During the first four years of his
connection in this capacity, he was on the Galesburg and Peoria
division, and the succeeding two years he ran from here to Chicago.
Fie was next transferred to the Galesburg and Quincy division, where
he was retained for ten years and at the end of that time he was
detailed on the Peoria line, his present run.
Fowler, Illinois, was the scene of the marriage of Mr. Mount and
Miss Annie Virginia Mitchell, the event being celebrated on the 28th
of April, 1868. Mrs. Mount was born at Fowler, on the 2ist of
December, 1851, and is a daughter of Wylie J. and Nancy (Ballard)
Mitchell. The father was born at Wheeling, West Virginia, on the
13th of January, 1805, and the mother at Lynchburg, Virginia, on
January 28, 1814. Wylie J. Mitchell came to Iowa during the pioneer
days, locating at Burlington when it contained but fourteen houses.
There for many years he conducted a hotel and among his guests were
the first governor and the Indian chief. Black Hawk. Later he
removed to Missouri, but subsequently located on a farm in the
vicinity of Fowler, and there he passed away on October 3, 1870. Fie
was survived for more than thirty years by his widow, whose death
occurred on May 1, 1902. In politics he was a republican, but he
never held any office save that of school director.
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY 401
Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell had seven children, the youngest of whom is
Mrs. Mount. The others are as follows: Thomas B., who is deceased;
Mary Margaret and Sarah Jane, twins, who are also deceased; James
W., who died on the 28th of March, 1904; Susan E., who is deceased;
and Nancy, the wife of John Watson, of' Aberdeen, Washington. The
parents were both members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and for
many years the father was one of the official stewards. Four
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mount. Charles FL, who is an
engineer on the "Q" running out of Galesburg, is married and has one
daughter, Annie Adelia. Alzaria Virginia married E. J. Ross of
Chicago, and they have one daughter, Virginia Helen. Rolla, who is
also a resident of Chicago, is married and has three daughters:
Alzaria Catherine, Ruth Roberta and Mary Ann. James, who is the
youngest, has passed away.
Fraternally Mr. Mount is a worthy exemplar of the Masonic order,
being a member of the blue lodge and the commandery of Galesburg. In
his political views he is independent giving his support to such men
and measures as he deems best adapted to serve the highest interests
of the municipality. Having been a resident of Galesburg for over
forty-seven years, Air. Mount is widely known in the community,
where he has many friends, who accord him the respect his many fine
qualities justly merit.
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