|
721 HISTORY OF
KNOX COUNTY, Illinois
ALBERT WILLIAM HAMERSTRAND
The agricultural interests of Lynn township have a worthy
representative in Albert William Hamerstrand, who was born in that
township on the 5th of February, 1878, his parents being John and
Anna (Collinson) Hamerstrand. The father was born in Smaland, Sweden,
May 29, 1840, and until he came to America at the age of
twenty-eight years, was engaged in the carpenter's trade in
Stockholm. Upon arriving in America he went directly to Altona,
where he was employed by a railway but subsequently took up farming
for Robert Wilber near Victoria. Later he was with C. Appell, but
after seven years' employ rented the farm upon which his son Albert
was born. He erected the house upon this place, and its
substitutability attests his ability as a carpenter. Playing in the
course of eight years rented three different farms, he then
purchased the farm on which they lived for twenty-three years, until
the spring of 1909, when they retired and purchased a residence in
Galva, Illinois, where they now reside, leaving the cultivation of
the farm to their son, Albert William, who has now made it his home
for over twenty-six years. Mrs. Hamerstrand was born the 3d of
August, 1858, at Vester, Gotland, Sweden, and came to this country
with her parents at the age of ten she being the oldest of eight
children, and a daughter of Andrew Magnus Collison. The children of
Mr. and Mrs. Hamerstrand are: Albert William, who is the subject of
this sketch: Elma, who is the wife of Nels Henrikson, an
agriculturist of Lynn township and who has one child; and Fern, who
is residing with her parents.
After finishing his common-school education Albert Hamerstrand
assisted his father in the cultivation of the home farm but
subsequently attended the Galva high school for one year, and later
the Augustana Business College of Rock Island, from which he was
graduated. After finishing these various courses he took up active
farming and remained at home. His ability and progressiveness were
of great value to his father, and together they cultivated one of
the most profitable and highly productive farms in the township. On
the 11th of January, 1905, Mr. Hamerstrand was married to Emily
Elizabeth Johnson, the daughter of Hans and Betsy Johnson, born on
the 24th of March, 1882. Hans and Betsy Johnson were the parents of
three children: Arthur and
722 HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY, Illinois
Emanuel, who are residing at home, and Mrs. Hamerstrand. Mr. and
Mrs. Hamerstrand are the parents of one son, Maurice William, born
October 25, in 1905.
The republican party, with its progressive and successful measures
of prosperity, and its ardent support of many of the policies which
have brought about our national welfare, has won Mr. Hamerstrand's
allegiance. He is at present serving as township clerk, an office
which he has held for eleven years. He also holds the office of
school director and telephone director. Both he and his wife are
members of the Swedish Lutheran church of Galva, in which the former
has served as auditor for many years and the latter has been an
active member of the Ladies' Aid Society.
Sweden has frequently sent men to Knox county whose thrift, industry
and progressiveness have aided materially in developing the natural
resources of the county. Of these none have been more active than
the Hamerstrand, who have always been energetic, diligent and
untiring in their efforts to fulfill the duties which lay before
them in their agricultural pursuits. By his close application to
work and living in accordance with the strictest principles of
integrity and honor, Mr. Hamerstrand has won for himself the respect
and esteem of his fellow citizens.
ALBERT
LENG.
One of the thoroughly progressive and enterprising agriculturists of
Truro township is Albert Leng, who owns and operates two hundred and
ninety-five acres of land, located three miles north of
Williamsfield. He was born in Scarborough, Yorkshire, England, on
July 2, 1841, and is a son of John and Ann (Woodall) Leng, who
always made their home in the mother country, the father having
passed away when our subject was a child of three years.
Albert Leng was educated in the common schools of England, where he
resided until he had attained the age of twenty-nine years. Being an
enterprising and ambitious young man, America had always appeared
very attractive to him, as he felt convinced from the reports he had
received, that better opportunities must be afforded for advancement
here than in his native country, so in 1870 he took passage for the
United States. When he arrived in this country he came directly to
Illinois, first settling in Scott county, where he remained from
June to October, when he went to Peoria county. He worked out as a
farm hand for a time, thus acquiring sufficient capital to purchase
eighty acres of land that he operated with excellent success until
1885. In the latter year he again changed his location, this time
becoming a resident of Knox county, purchasing a place in the
vicinity of Rochester. He owned this and also the farm in Peoria
county until 1892, when he disposed of both places and bought the
property where he now lives. During the period of his ownership he
has placed many improvements on his farm, including a commodious
country residence, suitable barns and substantial outbuildings. Pie
is a man of progressive ideas and practical methods and as his
circumstances have permitted has added to the comfort and
convenience of his homestead by the introduction of various modern
appliances and
725 inventions. His fields are devoted to the raising of such
cereals as are best adapted to the soil, all of the work on the
fields now being done by Mr. Leng's sons. In addition to general
farming he has made a specialty of stock-raising, both branches of
the business having brought him very satisfactory returns.
Furthermore, Mr. Leng is the owner of one hundred and forty acres
near Mil-bank, South Dakota. His son, Luther E., recently bought two
hundred and sixteen acres in Truro township, having sold his
holdings in Peoria county to his brother E. G. Leng.
In Peoria county, on the 5th of February, 1874, Mr. Leng was united
in marriage to Miss Mary Frances Aby, who was born on the 2d of
September, 1851, and is a daughter of Elder and Mary Ann (Murphy)
Aby. Nine children have been born of this marriage, as follows:
Luther E., who was born on the 25th of February, 1875; James E.,
born November 23, 1876, now deceased; Mary S., born on the 23d of
December, 1877, the wife of H. Spencer, of this county, and the
mother of five children, three daughters and two sons; Lyman W.,
born on December 23, 1880, who married Jessie Keneer and has one
child, that is now deceased; Lulu O., who was born October 17, 1882,
and died January 15, 1908, the wife of W. F. Porter of Victoria, by
whom she had two sons and one daughter; Robert N., born September
17, 1884; Ewart Gladstone, born on the 28th of December, 1887, who
married Anna Rich, of Peoria county, and has two children; Edna E.,
born on October 6, 1889, she was the wife of George Keneer and
the mother of one child; and Carl E., whose birth occurred on
February 24, 1892.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Leng hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal
church, among the congregation of which they number many friends,
and his political support he accords to the populist party. He has
always taken an active interest in township affairs and has served
as road commissioner and school director and at the present time is
justice of the peace. Much credit is due Mr. Leng for the prosperity
he has achieved, as he came to this country with no capital save the
strength and optimism that accompanies youth and tireless energy. He
has directed his undertakings in an intelligent manner, manifesting
rare business sagacity and foresight in the development of his
interests and as a result has realized good dividends on the
investment of his labor.
JOHN HAMILTON PATTERSON.
Although thirty-seven years have elapsed since John Hamilton
Patterson passed away, he is still well remembered by many of the
older citizens of Knoxville, as one of the promising agriculturists
of his township. He was born in Adams county, Ohio, on the 14th of
April, 1840, the only child of Alexander and Hannah (Smith)
Patterson, who were natives of Dayton. Ohio. The father, who was an
agriculturist, was engaged in farming in his native state for many
years, but he and his wife later removed to Decatur, Indiana, where
they both passed away.
John Hamilton Patterson was educated in the district schools, and
while pursuing his studies also assisted his father with the work
about the farm. At the age of sixteen, self-confidence asserted
itself and he left the paternal home and came to Illinois, at that
time considered a western border state. He located in Knox county in
1856 and engaged in farming, ultimately acquiring property of his
own. Enterprising and ambitious, he applied himself energetically to
whatever he undertook, directing his endeavors with foresight and
intelligence. Just when his efforts began reaping financial returns
and the future gave every assurance of promise his endeavors were
terminated by death. He was accidentally killed by the falling wall
of a burning building on the 18th of December, 1874, being at the
time but thirty-four years of age.
On the 15th of February, 1861, Mr. Patterson was united in
marriage to Miss Mary M. Brashear, whose birth occurred in Ohio, on
the 6th of August, 1839. Her parents were Bazil and Eleanor (Shaw)
Brashear, natives of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, where they were
also married. During the early years of their domestic life they
removed to Ohio and there the father engaged in farming for a time
but he subsequently came to Knoxville, and here both parents passed
away. Their family consisted of the following children: Elizabeth,
who married a Mr. Engle and has passed away; John and Haford, both
of whom are also deceased; Bazil, who is a resident of Bond county,
this state; Ruth, the widow of Robert Patterson, who served for four
years in the Union army; and Mary M., the widow of John H.
Patterson.
Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Patterson. Ira E., the
eldest, who resides in Orange township, this county, married Miss
Flora Thomas, of Springfield, Illinois, and they have two daughters,
Edna and Frances. Harvey D., who is a resident of Missouri, married
Mae Thomas of Springfield, this state, and they have three sons, Roy
A., Fred L. and Harvey E. Frank A., who lives in Fulton county,
Illinois, married Bessie Church of Cambridge and they have one
child, Glendora, Emma M. has passed away.
In matters of citizenship Mr. Patterson was public-spirited and
progressive, but he never sought political preferment, although he
discharged his civic duties by appearing at the polls on election
day, casting his ballot in support of the candidates of the
republican party. During the period of his residence in Knox county,
which covered eighteen years, he won and retained the friendship of
many of its citizens, who held him in high esteem by reason of his
many fine sterling qualities.
GEORGE F. HILTON, M. D.
Dr. George F. Hilton, engaged in the practice of medicine at St.
Augustine, Knox county, Illinois, his recognized ability winning him
a liberal patronage, was born in Fulton county, this state, December
8, 1855, his parents being David and Sarah A. (Bishop) Hilton. The
ancestry can be traced back to several generations in this country
and it is well known that the first of the name came from England.
The great-great-grandfather was a native of Maine and William
Hilton, the great-grandfather, was born in Wiscasset, Maine, August
15, 1759, and died July 14, 1846. His wife, Catherine B. Hilton, was
born May 24, 1764, and died July 8, 1816. Their children were:
David, who was born September 727 10, 1782, and died January 13,
1838; Hannah, who was born January 27, 1784, and died September 18,
1844; Martha, who was born February 9, 1786, and died May 6, 1819;
Jessie, who was born May 1, 1788, and died in March, 1862; Joshua,
who was born March 15, 1790, and died December 27, 1876; Nancy, who
was born September 30, 1792, and died November 24, 1861 ; Thomas,
who was born February 28, 1795, and died September 16, 1862; Oliver,
who was born March 24, 1797, and died in May, 1877; Emma, who was
born October 2, 1799, and died in February, 1875; Helen, who was
born January 3, 1802, and died in August, 1883; Daniel, who was born
July 19, 1804, and died in December, 1873; and Martha, who was born
July 25, 1807, and died March 28, 1877.
Of this family Joshua Hilton was the grandfather of Dr. Hilton. He
was born, as previously stated, March 15, 1790, and died December
27, 1876. His wife, Sally Hilton, was born June 1, 1794, and died
March 21, 1881. Their children were: McKinney, who was born
September 22, 1814; Catherine, who was born August 27, 1816, and
died December 16, 1878; Asa, who was born December 22, 1819, and
died February 3, 1820; Sarah, who was born March 10, 1821; Amos, who
was born April 26, 1823, and died January 5, 1885; David, the father
of our subject; Caroline, who was born August 27, 1832, and died May
5, 1836; and Joshua, who was born August 27, 1835.
David Hilton, the father of our subject, was born in Maine, June 24,
1827, and in early life removed to Ohio. In the late '50s he became
a resident of Fulton county, Illinois, and spent his remaining days
there upon a farm, his death occurring July 9, 1896, when he had
reached the age of sixty-nine years. In early life he engaged in the
butchering business in California, having made the trip to that
state with ox teams, spending three years upon the Pacific coast. He
married Sarah A. Bishop, who was born February 26, 1831, and died
February 26, 1903. In their family were the following children.
Jasper, who was born October 14, 1851, passed away on the 5th of
October, 1852. Cyrus, the next of the family, was born on the 24th
of February, 1853. George F., of this review, is the next younger.
Henry W., born September 15, 1857, married Mary A. Maranville, who
was born in 1861, and they became the parents of eleven children:
Lola, who was born October 30, 1876, and died November 19, 1876;
Orpha Bell, who was born May 24, 1879, and^ died March 20, 1910;
Fan-nie, born April 21, 1881 ; David, who was born September 13,
1883, and died February 5, 1904; Dayton, born August 22, 1885; Ethel
V., born December 29, 1887; Harley, born in March, 1889; Jesse, born
May 7, 1890; Elra Ray, born July 6, 1892; Skeet, born September 19,
1895; and Ina, born October 28, 1897. Mary, the daughter of David
and Sarah A. Hilton, was born August 19, 1859, and married Lewis K.
Hoar, a resident of Vandalia, Illinois, who is known throughout the
state as a very successful contractor and business man. Six children
were born to them, namely: Effie May, who was born November 4, 1879,
and died February 26, 1881; Bertha Estella, who was born October 27,
1881, and died August 9, 1889; Sarah Ellen, who was born August 12,
1884; Edna Fern, who was born June 15, 1887, and died July 12, 1910;
Martha Lutta, who was born November 23, 1890, and died January 29,
1891; and Jesse Daniel, who was born November 21, 1891, and died
October 21, 1892. John W., born March 13, 1862, passed away on the
13th of February, 1898. Stephen Leonard, born 728 December 21, 1863,
married Serilda Ann Moon, who was born January 18, 1868, and they
became the parents of six children, namely: Ina May, born February
7, 1888; Charles David, who was born May 9, 1889, and died September
29, 1910; William Wesley, who was born November 2, 1890, and died
November 8, 1895; Sarah Pearl, born February 28, 1896; Mabel
Frances, born November 22, 1902; and Velva Dora, born September 4,
1904. Of this family Charles David was married, his wife being Alice
Holman, who was born May 12, 1886, and they had one daughter, Helen
J., born March 24, 1910. Jessie was born May 21, 1865. Martin L. was
born September 12, 1867. Sarah E. was born January 12, 1870, and
died on the 9th of February, 1871.
Dr. Hilton acquired his education in Cuba, Illinois, being graduated
from the high school with the class of 1875. During his high-school
days he also took up the study of medicine and in 1875 entered the
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Keokuk, Iowa, from which he
was graduated in 1879. Immediately afterward he began the practice
of medicine in St. Augustine, Illinois, where he has since
continued. He has practiced with phenomenal success here, his labors
being attended with results that indicate his comprehensive
knowledge of the science of medicine and his correct application of
its principles. Fie has written many valuable articles on medical
science pertaining to pathology and the treatment of disease and he
always maintains that there are two important principles in
medicine—first, the diagnosis of the case and second, the
application of the remedy. He is now the owner of a fine office
building and an attractive residence in St. Augustine and has also
invested in railroad stock.
In 1881 Dr. Hilton was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Louise
Supple, who was born in St. Augustine, June 15, 1858, and died
November 28, 1890. They became the parents of three children: Leo,
who was born May 22, 1882, and died April 20, 1884; Irene Frances,
who was born May .22, 1885; and Charles Demott, who was born April
1, 1887, and is now in the employ of a railroad company, living in
Kansas City, Missouri.
Dr. Hilton holds membership in the Catholic church and also belongs
to the Modern Woodmen camp, No. 4234, and to the Royal Neighbors,
No. 395. In politics he has been a lifelong democrat and, while he
has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, he has
labored effectively in behalf of the cause of education during his
nine years' service as school director. His professional relations
are with the Knox County and Illinois State Medical Societies and at
all times he keeps in touch with the advanced work, thought and
purposes of the profession.
PROFESSOR GEORGE HOWARD
BRIDGE.
Professor George Howard Bridge, supervisor of manual training, in
the high school of Galesburg, was born in De Kalb county, Illinois,
May 2y, 1857. He is descended from English ancestry but
comparatively little is known back of the last generation. His
father, George Bridge, was a native of Dorchester, England, and was
reared in Dorchester, where he afterward learned and followed the
butcher's trade, continuing in that pursuit until he came to America
729 about 1855. After establishing his home in DeKalb county, he
there opened a butchering business which he continued until 1864,
when he came to Gales-burg and for a number of years was proprietor
of a meat market here. He married Hannah (Read) Leggett, also a
native of Suffolk and a daughter of Stephen and Mary (Howard) Read,
who were likewise natives of England. Her father who was a farmer
died in middle life and her mother reached an advanced age. In their
family were twelve children' including Mrs. Bridge. George Bridge
spent the last years of his life in Nebraska and his widow is now
living with her son George H. She was twice married, her first
husband being Isaac Leggett, by whom she had one child, Walter, who
is now deceased. The seven children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Bridge
are: George H.; Everett, the wife of William Putnam, of Kansas;
Clara L., the wife of S. C. Greaves, of Harrison, Arkansas; Emma J.,
the wife of W. C. Whitmore, of Surprise, Nebraska; John R., of
Galesburg; Mae, the wife of William Warren, of Mon-mouth, Illinois;
and one who died in infancy.
Professor Bridge spent the first seven years of his life in the
county of his nativity but has been a resident of Galesburg for
forty-seven years, largely acquiring his education in the public
schools of this city and in the Western Business College of
Galesburg, from which he was graduated in 1879. For a time he was
one of the proprietors of a commercial college at Lawrence, Kansas,
in partnership with M. H. Barringer under the firm name of Bridge &
Barringer, the connection being maintained for two years. He then
returned to the Galesburg public schools as supervisor of penmanship
in all of the schools, continuing to occupy that position for ten or
fifteen years, during which time he had charge of the commercial
work. In 1887, however, he organized the manual training department
of which he is still the supervisor and under his direction there
are now about four hundred and thirty boys pursuing the course. The
Galesburg schools were among the first in the state to introduce
manual training as well as to establish an elective course and were
also among the first to introduce the practical phase of manual
training. The boys are given instruction in all kinds of wood work
and recently iron work has also been introduced. This is of marked
assistance to the public-school pupils, preparing many of them for
the practical and responsible duties which come later in life.
Professor Bridge holds to high ideals and attempts to establish a
standard that will produce thoroughness, efficiency and reliability.
More than one man now successful in a chosen field of labor received
the impetus for his progress in the instruction of Professor Bridge.
The 5th of April, 1881, was the wedding day of Professor Bridge and
Miss Minerva I. Olin, who was born in Aurora, Kane county, Illinois,
April 4, 1857. Her parents, Edwin C. and Cynthia Olin, however, were
natives of New York, who became early residents of Aurora, coming to
Illinois in 1853. In 1855 Mr. Olin entered the employ of the
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, with whom he
continued for nearly forty-five years, during most of the time in
the capacity of bridge superintendent. The family removed to
Galesburg in 1873. In 1902 Mr. Olin went to Conway, Iowa, to look
after his farming interests, but about a year later passed away
there on May 3, 1903. Mrs. Olin died at the home of her daughter,
Mrs. Bridge, in Galesburg in 1908. In the family were two children,
Minerva and Ida, the latter the wife of C. U.
730
Goldsmith, of Lincoln, Nebraska. Unto Professor and Mrs. Bridge have
been born seven children. Glenn F., who was a graduate of the
Galesburg high school and also attended the State University at
Champaign, Illinois, for two years, died of mountain fever when
twenty-two years of age, at Salida, Colorado. Earle R., who is a
graduate of the high school and of Knox College, has taught for six
years in the Galesburg high school and is now assistant supervisor
of manual training. Arthur H., who, following his graduation from
high school, spent two years in Knox College, is now managing a
large farm in Cass county, North Dakota. Irene O. is a graduate of
the high school and of Knox College, and Gordon H., Ruth J. and Edna
are all pupils of the high school.
Mr. and Mrs. Bridge are members of the Baptist church, in the work
of which they are actively and helpfully interested, contributing in
many ways to various branches of the church work. For several years
Professor Bridge was chairman of the board of deacons, is now
chairman of the board of trustees and for two years was
superintendent of the Sunday school. He votes with the republican
party, but has never sought nor desired office, preferring that his
public service should be of another character. A resident of
Galesburg for forty-seven years, he has been connected with its
public schools for thirty-one years of that time and his work in
behalf of public instruction has been of a practical character and
of far-reaching benefit. He is now the president of the Sixth Ward
Improvement Society and vice president of the Galesburg Improvement
Association. In other ways he has taken an active and helpful
interest in the general welfare of this city and his cooperation can
be counted upon to further any movement for the public good. His
residence is at No. 1590 West Main street, where in 1900 he erected
an elegant home, one of the finest in the city.
MRS. LYDIA M. HALL.
Mrs. Lydia M. Hall, who is now living in Yates City, has been a
resident of Knox county since she was a child of nine years. She was
born in Erie county, New York, and is a daughter of James and Sarah
J. (Candee) Jobes, natives of Onondaga county, New York, where they
were also reared and educated. After their marriage they located in
Erie county, twenty miles south of Buffalo, whence they removed to
Illinois. They first located in Kendall county and after residing
there for seven years came to Knox county, settling in Salem
township, in 1854, where they spent the remainder of their days, the
father passing away at the age of eighty-five and the mother at
ninety-one. Both were laid to rest in the cemetery at Uniontown. Of
the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Jobes there were born ten children.
Wallace, a veteran of the Civil war, now residing in Tecumseh,
Nebraska, married. Amanda Buffin, who was reared in Knox county.
Newton married Margaret Russell, who was born and reared in Salem
township, this county, a daughter of Nicholas and Sarah Russell.
Irvin, also a Civil war veteran, married Lucinda Lewis, now
deceased, and is living in Seattle, Washington. Candee is married
and resides in Abingdon, Illinois. Julia became the wife of Peter
Cassler and now resides in New Jersey. Mary married Walter Faxom.
733
She is living in Salem township and Mr. Faxom, who died in 1897, was
both a farmer and mason by profession. The next in order of birth
are Casper, who is a retired farmer, residing at Yates City, and
Mrs. Hall. Sarah died at the age of six years. Emma, the youngest in
this family, died in infancy. Mrs. Jobes was a member of the
Presbyterian church. Politically Mr. Jobes was a republican, but
never filled or sought public office. They were most estimable
people and had a wide circle of acquaintances, who held them in the
highest regard.
Mrs. Lydia M. Hall, the youngest now living, was but two years of
age, when she accompanied her parents on their removal from New York
to Illinois. She began her education in the district schools of
Kendall county, supplementing the knowledge therein gained by
further study in the schools of Salem township, where she was reared
to womanhood.
In 1864, while yet in her early girlhood, Mrs. Hall, who has been
married twice, became the wife of Matthew Buffum, who was born and
reared in Ohio, a son of Stephen and Esther Buffum. They began their
domestic life on a farm of three hundred acres in Salem township,
where they made their home until Mr. Buffum's death. After his
demise the greater part of the property was sold, but Mrs. Hall
still owns one hundred and twenty acres located on sections 19 and
20 in Salem township. Mr. Buffum passed away in 1891 and was laid to
rest in the Uniontown cemetery. He was a democrat in politics and
always took an active interest in township affairs, having served
both as road commissioner and school director.
Following the death of her first husband, Mrs. Hall removed to Yates
City, where she has ever since resided, her farm being operated by
tenants. Her second marriage was with Cyrus Hall, who was a native
of Ohio and a son of Chauncey Hall. Mr. Hall died in 1906, and was
at that time a retired farmer.
Mrs. Hall is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work
of which she takes an active and earnest interest. She is also a
member of the Ladies' Aid Society and holds the office of treasurer
in that organization. For a period of eighteen years Mrs. Hall has
been a resident of Yates City, and numbers among its citizens many
warm friends, to whom she has endeared herself through the kindly,
helpful spirit and gracious manner that enable her to win and retain
the high regard of those with whom she comes in contact.
MRS. CATHERINE U. GREEP.
Mrs. Catherine U. Greep, who is the widow of Hans Greep, formerly a
well known agriculturist of Lynn township, is still residing upon
the homestead. She was born February 14, 1851, in Galesburg, and is
the daughter of Joel and Julia (Annis) Starboard. Joel Starboard was
the son of John Starboard, an efficient carpenter and cabinet worker
who passed away when his son was ten years of age, the mother having
died six years previous. The orphaned son was reared by an aunt and
came to Galesburg in 1842, where he followed the plow-makers' and
shingle-makers' trade. Eleven years later, in March 1853, he removed
to the present homestead in Lynn township, where he lived out an
active and successful career. Mr. and Mrs. Starboard were the
parents of four children: 734
Martha A., who is the wife of H. Lyke, of Iowa; Mary, who is married
to Thomas Williams of Missouri; Ella N.; and Mrs. Catherine U.
Greep, the subject of this review.
Until her marriage Mrs. Greep remained at home and assisted with the
duties which come to hand on every farm. In 1873 she was married to
Hans Greep, who was born in May, 1844, and who was a native of
Sweden. When three years of age he came to America with his parents
and settled with the Bishop Hill colony. His father, John Eric
Greep, was a tailor by trade and was married to Catherine Johnson.
His death occurred April 18, 1899, when he was eighty-two years of
age, and his widow passed away in February, 1908, at the age of
eighty-eight years. During his active career Mr. Greep was engaged
in agricultural pursuits, first assisting his father and later
farming independently in Lynn township. After his marriage he
purchased the present Greep homestead in 1882, and twelve years
later removed to Galva, Illinois, where he died in 1905. After the
death of her husband Mrs. Greep returned to the farm, where she is
now residing. They were the parents of three children: Orpha E., who
is a home missionary in North Dakota; Theodore W., who has assumed
the management of the home farm; and Olive S., who is residing with
her mother.
Mrs. Greep traces her ancestry on the maternal line back to Samuel
and Johanna (Thorndyke) Annis, the former a native of Maine who died
in Victoria in 1854 at the age of ninety years and the latter, of
Scotch-Irish descent, passed away in the same town. Their son,
Ellison Annis, was born in 1792 in Waldo county, Maine. In early
life he left his native state and crossed the country to the
Illinois river on July 4, 1837, settling in Victoria on the 28th of
July of that year. He was married to Catherine Maro, whose birth
occurred, in 1796, in Boston and who passed away in 1871, while her
husband died at the age of about eighty-nine years in July, 1880. He
began life as a sailor and was in the war of 1812 drawing a land
warrant for his service. During this service he first became
acquainted with the western country.
Mrs. Greep's life has been devoted to her home duties and to the
interests of her church. She holds membership in the Second
Adventist church, and aims to live in accordance with the high
principles of its teachings. Both she and her husband have been
useful citizens in their community, because of their substantial
moral worth and because of their constant devotion to duty.
GEORGE W. WITHERELL.
George W. Witherell is the owner of the Spring Brook Stock Farm, in
the operation of which he is meeting with a gratifying degree of
success. He is a native of Indiana, his birth having occurred in
Washington county, on the 8th of September, 1845, and a son of
Ephraim H. and Rebecca (Donaldson) Witherell. Mr. Witherell traces
his ancestry back to the colonial days, his great-grandfathers in
both lines having participated in the Revolution, while his
grandfather, Witherell, was a captain of artillery in the war of
1812, and his grandfather, Donaldson, a captain of infantry. The
paternal ancestors came from 735 Vermont, where his father was born
in 1816, but when a child of two years he was taken to Pennsylvania
by his parents and there he was reared and educated. After leaving
school he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed during
the greater part of his active life. The mother of our subject was
born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, in 1818, and it was there she and
Mr. Witherell were married and spent the early days of their
domestic life. In 1840 they removed to Washington county, Indiana,
where for five years he followed his trade and also that of
shoemaker. The expiration of that period they again started
westward, this time settling in Peoria county, Illinois, continuing
to make their home there until 1851, when they came to Knox county.
There they settled on a farm in Kickapoo township, but at the end of
two years located in Knoxville, and here the father passed away in
1908, at the age of ninety-two years, while the mother was
seventy-one at the time of her demise, The family of Mr. and Mrs.
Witherell consisted of one daughter, Ursula, who died in 1861, and
six sons, who are as follows: Loren R., who is a resident of
Knoxville; George W., our subject; Willard, who is living in
California; Erie, whose home is in Missouri ; Silas, who is a
resident of Springfield, Missouri; and Oscar, who passed away in
1905.
Practically the entire life of George W. Witherell has been spent in
Knox county, as he was only a child of six years when he came here
with his parents. He obtained his education in the common schools
and when old enough to become self-supporting decided to take up
agriculture for his life vocation. He located on his present farm
just after his marriage in 1866, and has devoted his entire
attention to its cultivation and the raising of stock for forty-five
years. It contains one hundred acres of fertile land, that is
devoted to such cereals as are best adapted to the soil and climate,
and pasturage for the stock. As his means have permitted Mr.
Witherell has improved his place by the addition of many modern
conveniences, characteristic of the spirit of progress he has ever
manifested in his undertakings. He has a fine grade of cattle,
mostly Shorthorns and Jerseys, of which he makes a specialty, and is
constantly improving the line by careful breeding. In the
administration of his affairs he evidences the clear judgment,
discretion and intelligence that ultimately bring prosperity,
particularly when united with enterprise and diligence.
Mr. Witherell was united in marriage on the 17th of May, 1866, at
Knoxville, to Miss Martha A. Stolloper, who was born in Washington
county, Maryland, on February 28, 1847. The parents of Mrs.
Witherell were Henry and Harriet Stolloper, also natives of
Maryland, whence they removed to Knox county fifty years ago. The
mother is still living but the father passed away when Mrs.
Witherell was a child. Eight children were born of the marriage of
Mr. and Mrs. Witherell, as follows: Flora, who is the wife of George
Breed-laugh, of Knox county ; Minnie, who married John Dredge, also
of Knoxville ; Etta, the wife of Harry Woolsey, likewise of
Knoxville; Daisy, who became the wife of James Ferrell, of
Galesburg; Clara, who married Ray Howser, of Gales-burg ; Harmon,
who married Lola Myers, now residing in Kingston, Kansas; Arthur,
whose wife was Miss Mamie Peterson of Knoxville, a resident of this
county; and Clyde, who married Miss Mae Dawson. of Dahinda. now a
resident of Knoxville.
736
Mr. Witherell is a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted in
Company A, Seventy-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and gone to
the front on the nth of February, 1863, where he remained until the
close of hostilities. He saw much active service, having
participated in fourteen battles, the most important being those of
Vicksburg and Cross Roads, and he was also present at the siege of
Mobile. On the 15th of August, 1865, he was mustered out at New
Orleans, receiving his discharge at Springfield, this state, on the
2d of September, 1865. He is a charter member of Post No. 239, of
the Grand Army of the Republic, in which he has held all of the
chairs. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of
America, being a charter member of the Knoxville camp, with which he
has been identified for twenty-four years and has held all of the
chairs, and he also belongs to the Fraternal Reserve Association. In
matters of faith both he and Mrs. Witherell are Methodists, and take
an active interest in the work of their church, among the membership
of which they number many friends.
JAMES
W. COX.
James W. Cox, a prominent and respected resident of Abingdon, has
for more than two decades served as president of the Globe Shirt &
Overall Company, one of the leading manufacturing enterprises of
Knox county. His birth occurred in Indian Point township, this
county, on the 12th of May, 1855, his parents being John and Rebecca
(Bellwood) Cox, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The father came
to Knox county, Illinois, in early manhood, about the year 1850,
while the mother was brought here by her parents when a little maid
of about six. Following his marriage John Cox located on a farm in
Indian Point township, residing thereon until called to his final
rest in 1893, when about sixty-five years of age. His widow still
survives and makes her home with our subject. She has spent
practically her entire life in Knox county and is well known and
highly esteemed within its borders.
James W. Cox was reared under the parental roof and supplemented his
preliminary education, obtained in the district schools, by a course
of study at Hedding College. Subsequently he followed the profession
of teaching for five years, imparting clearly and readily to others
the knowledge that he had acquired. In 1880 he turned his attention
to merchandising, first conducting an establishment at Albert Lea,
Minnesota. A short time afterward he came to Abingdon, Illinois, and
opened a store here, being one of the leading general merchants of
the town for about five years. After abandoning mercantile pursuits
he was not connected with business interests for about a year. In
1889, however, in association with S. T. Mosser, he established the
Globe Shirt & Overall Company. Business was begun on a modest scale
on the site now occupied by the Mercantile, but these quarters were
soon found inadequate and a removal was made to the present
location. The rapid growth of the business required frequent
enlargements of the plant, which today is a modern structure of two
stories and covers a quarter of a block. Employment is furnished to
from one hundred and seventy-five to two hundred operatives. Mr. Cox
is a 737 man of excellent executive ability and sound judgment,
carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. In
addition to his manufacturing interests he is also a factor in
financial circles as a director of the First State & Savings Bank of
Abingdon.
In politics Mr. Cox is independent, supporting men and measures
rather than party. A stanch friend of the cause of education, he has
served as a member of the board of education for the past ten or
twelve years and is now acting as its president. Fraternally he is
identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to
Abingdon Lodge, No. 184. He has spent almost his entire life within
the borders of Knox county and is widely recognized as one of its
representative and esteemed citizens.
submitted by Anne who calls herself Ancestor
Seeker which she had already submitted these Cox's biographies to
Illinois Trails before my time but they are not here. so am putting
them here again. Thanks Anne.
ANDREW JACKSON ROSS.
Andrew Jackson Ross is one of the well known retired farmers of Lynn
township who has taken an active part in the agricultural
development of this section and who is now enjoying the fruits of
his former labor. He was born on the 14th of April, 1835, in Camden
county, New Jersey, and is a son of Benjamin and Nancy (Norcross)
Ross. He is a grandson of Andrew Ross, who was a native of Scotland
and came to New Jersey when but a young man. He was engaged in
agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1839.
Benjamin Ross was also a native of Camden county, New Jersey, and
was an agriculturist throughout his entire active career. His death
occurred in 1856, when he was fifty years of age. In politics he
gave his support to the democratic party and held various township
offices. The mother's birth occurred in 1806 and she passed away in
her native state, New Jersey, in 1895. She was a daughter of Joseph
and Martha (Sloan) Norcross, the former of whom was an agriculturist
and of English descent. To Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Ross eleven
children were born, five of whom survive: Joseph, who is residing in
Camden, New Jersey; Hannah, the wife of Thomas McCann, of New
Jersey; Andrew J., of this review; Edward, who is also living in New
Jersey; and Patience, who is the widow of J. T. Howard, of New
Jersey.
After finishing his education in the district schools near his home,
Andrew J. Ross worked out by the month until 1859, when he removed
to Knox county and located upon the farm which is now known as the
Gibbs farm. Subsequently he came to Victoria township and from 1870
until 1894 resided there. After he left that township he removed to
the property upon which he is now living retired. In addition to
general farming he also engaged in stock-raising and in both of
these undertakings his labor and efforts were amply rewarded by the
increasing returns which were annually yielded to him. He instituted
many reforms as fast as they were advanced by leading agriculturists
in the country and in this way raised the standard of the science of
farming in this township. Because of his long experience in
agricultural pursuits his advice is frequently asked and always
heeded, his judgment being based upon the results which he received
by careful and untiring efforts.
738
On the 5th of September, 1858, Mr. Ross was married to Miss Mary Ann
Downs, whose birth occurred in 1824 and who passed away in 1901. She
was a daughter of Charles and Patience (Chew) Downs, both of whom
were natives of Ireland. The father was engaged in farming and in
the sawmill business. Their deaths occurred in 1867 and 1871
respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Ross were the parents of two children.
Ella, the eldest, was born June 26, 1859, an^ *s' at home.
Elizabeth, born May 3, 1867, is the wife of John R. Goff and the
mother of two children: Ford, who is married to Ora Todd and has one
daughter, Lillian; and Grace Mildred, whose birth occurred October
31, 1886, and who became the wife of David Craig, a son of David and
Mary (Cowell) Craig, of Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. David Craig, Jr.,
three children were born, Howard, Mildred and Lucille. The death of
Mrs. Ross occurred on the 17th of May, 1901.
Politically Mr. Ross is affiliated with the republican party, by
whom he was elected to the office of road-master of the township. In
religious faith he is affiliated with the Christian church of La
Fayette. For more than fifty years Mr. Ross has been a resident of
Knox county and during this period he has made his influence felt in
the circles with which he has been connected and has performed a
citizen's duty in the development of the township. He is a man of
noble qualities of character, of strong and resolute purpose,
industrious and, enterprising, and, well known throughout the
community for his uprightness and honesty, he merits and enjoys the
respect and confidence of his neighbors and many friends.
CHARLES D. NORTH
Prominent in financial as well as agricultural circles in Knox
county, Charles D. North, president of the Bank, of Yates City and
owner of one of the finest farms in Elba township, resides four
miles north of Yates City. Born in Pendleton county, Virginia,
October 8, 1844, he was a son of Thomas J. North, whose birth
occurred in 1801, in Loudoun county, Virginia, whither Caleb North,
the great-grandfather of our subject, had come from Ireland, leaving
there May 1, 1729, and landing here July 20. George North, the
grandfather, was born in 1751 and was an officer in the
Revolutionary war. Thomas J. North was a miller by trade and
followed this occupation in Virginia until 1875, when he removed to
Yates City, Illinois, and lived retired, dying here several years
later. He married Eliza Hinkle, who was a daughter of Jesse Hinkle,
a Methodist Episcopal preacher. The Hinkle family are of Dutch
origin and the first ancestor to come to this country was Anthony
Jacob Hinkle, who settled in Virginia. To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J.
North fourteen children were born, of whom three are now living,
Sarah K., Thomas G. and Charles D.
Charles D. North obtained his education in Virginia and on leaving
school enlisted in the army with the Sixty-second Virginia Cavalry,
under the command of Fitzhugh Lee, and served during the last three
years of the war. He took part in some of the important engagements
and was wounded three times. When the war was over, he settled in
Knox county in 1866 and engaged in the 741 cultivation of the
soil, first renting land and, later on, purchasing a tract of his
own. He made a number of purchases at various times and now he and
his wife own three hundred and twenty acres, upon which their home
is situated, and another tract of three hundred and twenty acres six
miles north of Yates City, besides thirty acres located six miles
north of Yates City and thirty-six acres three miles from the home
place. Mr. North is the president of the Bank of Yates City, of
which L. A. Lawrence is the vice president and Jack Mason the
cashier, and he is likewise the owner of a one-fourth interest in
the National Coal Company of Middle Grove, which is capitalized
forty to fifty thousand dollars. Charles D. North came to Yates City
on the 20th of March, 1866, and there was married, on the 226. of
December, 1875, to Mary Sophia Nicholson, the only child of James H.
and Catharine (King) Nicholson. They have resided on their present
farm near Yates City since 1877. In their family were the following
children: Adah Katharine, born September 15, 1877; Ralph Nicholson,
born August 20, 1879; Earl James Hasbrouck, born January 25, 1881 ;
Carl Clinton, born May 25, 1882, who was married to Edith Victoria
Slay ton, January 26, 1910; Harold Edward, born July 25, 1884; and
Elsie Louise, born June 9, 1889. All of the sons are engaged in
agricultural pursuits with the exception of Harold, who is
bookkeeper in the Bank of Yates City.
Since exercising the right of franchise Mr. North has been
affiliated with the democratic party and has served as road
commissioner and for twenty-five years as school director. He is a
member, of the Universalist church and in the conduct of his life
exemplifies its principles of open-mindedness and truth as well as
the lofty ideals of the Masonic order to which he belongs, being a
member of the blue lodge and the chapter of Yates City and of the
commandery at Gales-burg. Mr. North possesses singular force of will
and the power to execute whatever enterprises he chooses to
undertake, and it is his determination and his fearlessness in
meeting obstacles that have won for him his remarkable success in
life.
HERMAN P. SMITH.
Heman P. Smith, who is living retired upon his farm in Lynn
township, Knox county, has devoted almost his entire life to
agricultural pursuits. He was born in Cortland county. New York, on
the 14th of November, 1833. His paternal grandfather, Robert Smith,
was a native of England, having come to America in 1775, when George
Washington was organizing his army at White Plains. Robert Smith
immediately enlisted and served through the entire war, being a
subordinate officer under Washington. After the war he was given a
patent to land in Cortland, New York. During the political
organization of New York state he was the first town clerk elected
in Schenectady, and during his services the township offices were at
his home and all the meetings were held there. Thereafter he moved
onto the land granted him which he farmed for some time. Shortly
after his election to the office of clerk his son. the father of the
subject of this review, was sent to a neighbor's for a. supply of
dishes. Being delayed on his errand, he was severely punished by his
father upon his return.
742
HISTORY OF. KNOX COUNTY
The reprimand seemed uncalled for to the boy and he replied to his
father, that just because he had been elected town clerk he need not
feel so big. This anecdote was subsequently repeated to Washington,
who enjoyed it greatly. The grandmother was in her maidenhood Miss
Grace Braithwait. Both the grandparents passed away before Heman P.
was born. The parents, William and Lorinda (Badger) Smith, were
natives of New York state and Ohio, respectively. William Smith came
to Knox county in 1844 and located upon the property which is now
known as the Smith farm. In New York state he engaged in milling but
took up agricultural pursuits after his removal to Knox county. His
death occurred in 1880, when he was ninety-two years of age. Mrs,
Smith was a daughter of Edmond and Margaret Badger, who came to
reside with their daughter after they left Ohio. Mrs. Smith passed
away in 1890, when she was one hundred years of age. She had become
the mother of eight children, three of whom survive: Heman P., who
is the subject of this review; Austin, who is living in La Fayette;
and Erastus, of Lynn township.
The boyhood and youth of Heman P. Smith were spent at home, his time
and attention being divided between the duties of the schoolroom,
the pleasures of the playground and the work on the home farm. When
he was twenty-one years of age he taught school for a short time in
Altona and attended Beloit College, of Beloit, Wisconsin, for some
time, before locating permanently upon the family homestead.
Agricultural pursuits formed his chief occupation during the
remainder of his life excepting while he was in service in the Civil
war. He enlisted on the 9th of August, 1862, at Altona, with Company
G, Eighty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Thomas Whiting.
For three years he served in the Army of the Cumberland, which was
commanded by General Sherman, and during this time he saw active
service, at Nashville, Louisville, Chattanooga and Atlanta. He was
taken ill and was in a hospital for nine months before being
mustered out because of disability for further service. He
immediately returned home and took up the cultivation of his farm,
which he had left in charge of his brother. His hard labor,
persistency and untiring energy won him a sufficient competence that
now permits him to live retired and enjoy the comforts of life. His
farm presents a neat and thrifty appearance and is one of the most
highly productive in Lynn township. Because of his long
identification with agricultural interests his advice is frequently
sought and is always heeded in matters pertaining to farm
development.
In 1865 Mr. Smith was married to Miss Harriet E. Thompson, whose
birth occurred on the 4th of August, 1838, in Goshen, Connecticut,
and is a daughter of John F. and Harriet E. (Reed) Thompson. Mrs.
Thompson was a daughter of William and Amy (Crandall) Reed, who came
to Knox county before the Smith family located here. Throughout his
active career Mr. Thompson followed the blacksmith's trade. To Mr.
and Mrs. Smith seven children have been born: Lemont, who is married
to Minnie Short, by whom he has four children; Lethay, who is
engaged as a hospital nurse; Fred, an engineer of Gales-burg, who is
married to Emma Blene and has seven children; Abbie and Addie,
twins, the former being engaged in teaching school and the latter at
home; Urban, of Lynn township, who is married to Myrtle Jones, and
has two children; and Bertha, of Kansas City, Missouri.
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
743
In politics Mr. Smith has always given his support to the democratic
party and has served as assessor of the township and for many years
as member of the school board. He holds membership in the Grand Army
post of Victoria and both he and Mrs. Smith are members of the
Baptist church of Galva. Because of his long residence in this
county he has been a witness of much of its development, in which he
has taken more than a citizen's interest and share, and is a well
known figure in social and agricultural circles.
ABRAM MYERS EIKER.
Abram Myers Eiker for many years closely identified with the
agricultural interests of Knox county and now living retired on his
farm of one hundred and seventy acres in Orange township, was born
in Adams county, Pennsylvania, June 18, 1840. His father, Abram
Eiker, a native of Pennsylvania, was a farmer and blacksmith by
occupation and also for many years operated a gristmill. He was
married to Josephine Myers, who was born in Maryland, and in 1861
removed his family—consisting of his wife, four sons and one
daughter, of whom Abram M. Eiker, his brother Isaac and Elizabeth
Anderson survive—to Knox county, Illinois, settling on a farm that
he purchased in Orange township. There he lived until the death of
his wife when he made his home with his two children, living a
peaceful existence which was terminated eight years ago.
Passing his boyhood days in Adams county, Pennsylvania, Abram M.
Eiker was reared and educated in that locality. On coming to
Illinois at the age of twenty-one he entered the employment of his
uncle on his farm in Knox county. Before long he was prepared to
engage in farming for himself and forty-six years ago, in 1865, he
bought the farm of one hundred and seventy acres on which he now
lives. At that time the country was only wild prairie land and
tangled underbrush, but this he cleared and developed, improving it
until it is now one of the flourishing farms in this section. He
built the present substantial house and the barns, and devoted
himself to the various departments of general farming, making a
specialty of raising cattle and horses. Some years ago he withdrew
from active work on the place and now his son operates it continuing
his father's wise administration and thorough-going methods of
cultivation.
In 1861 Mr. Eiker was united in marriage, in Adams county,
Pennsylvania, to Miss Martha Krise, a native of Pennsylvania and a
daughter of George Krise, a farmer in Adams county. Mrs. Eiker
passed away in 1905, leaving her husband and five children to mourn
her loss. Their names are: George L., a farmer in Orange township;
Flora B., the wife of Curt Clark of Orange township; Bert K.,
living on a farm in Chestnut township; Ross, who operates his
father's farm; and Henrietta, the wife of Oren Smith, living in
Kansas.
On January 15, 1906, Mr. Eiker was again married, the second union
being with Miss Letitia Prushafer, born near Monmouth, Illinois,
March 9, 1867. She was a daughter of Fred and Hannah Prushafer,
natives of Germany who became pioneer settlers of Illinois, locating
near Monmouth, where they lived for twenty-eight years when they
removed to the county line and resided there until their death. The
children of this marriage are: Mary, the wife of William B. Briggs, living near Victoria; Lucy, the wife of Alfred
Myrick, living in Knox county northeast of Knoxville; Grant and
Charles, living in Butte, Montana; and John, a farmer in the state
of Washington.
744 HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
Mr. Eiker votes with the republicans and has been county
commissioner for a period of nine years and school director in
Orange township for sixteen years. He is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church while Mrs. Eiker belongs to the Christian church.
Their home is pleasant and hospitable, being always open to the many
friends who often come to seek their generous and cordial welcome,
and who pronounce Mr. and Mrs. Eiker a charming host and hostess.
JACOB M. OBERHOLTZER.
Jacob M. Oberholtzer is a retired farmer, living in Knoxville. He
was for many years identified with general agricultural pursuits and
is still owner of four hundred and sixty-eight acres in Elba and
Truro townships. His birth occurred in the former township, March
14, 1845, his parents being Henry and Martha (Tucker) Oberholtzer,
both of whom were natives of Ohio, whence they removed to Knox
county between the years of 1838 and 1840. The family, as the name
indicates, comes of German ancestry and was founded in America by
Samuel Oberholtzer, the grandfather of J. M. Oberholtzer, who, upon
crossing the Atlantic, settled in Ohio, where he followed the
occupation of farming. He was married three times and had a family
of twenty-one children. His death occurred near Findlay, Hancock
county, Ohio. His son, Henry Oberholtzer, was born in the Buckeye
state and came to Knox county with Samuel Tucker, settling in Elba
township. The Tuckers were also early settlers in this part of the
state, and on their removal from Ohio settled near Williamsfield.
They were farming people, and Henry Oberholtzer was employed by Mr.
Tucker, who afterward became his father-in-law. He wedded Martha
Tucker in the early '40s, and their son, Jacob M. Oberholtzer, was
the eldest of four children. Following his marriage Henry
Oberholtzer began farming on his own account in Elba township, where
he resided until the spring of 1865, when his life's labors were
ended in death.
J. M. Oberholtzer, spending his youth on the home farm in Elba
township, attended the common school throughout the winter months
and worked in the fields during the summer seasons. The occupation
to which he was reared he determined to make his life work, and
continuously carried on farming until 1904, when he retired to
private life, establishing his home in the village of Knoxville,
where he is now resting from further labor. Throughout his well
conducted business interests he acquired a substantial competence
that now supplies him with all the comforts and many of the luxuries
of life. He is the owner of four hundred and sixty-eight acres of
land in Elba and Truro townships, and the rental there from is the
source of a gratifying income.
On the 28th of October, 1869, Mr. Oberholtzer was united in marriage
to Miss Laura A. Wheeler, a daughter of Moses and Cynthia (Walker)
Wheeler.-The Wheeler family is of Swiss origin, and the great
grandfather of Mrs. Oberholtzer. a native of Switzerland, was the
first of the name to come to America. 747
Moses Wheeler, was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, September
2J, 1810, and was a resident of that district until 1820, when he
removed to Tioga county, Pennsylvania. There he made his home until
1845 when he removed to Bradford county, where he lived for eleven
years. In 1856 he became a resident of Peoria, Illinois, and in 1857
removed to Knox county, where he took up the occupation of farming,
owning and cultivating a tract of land of two hundred and
sixty-seven acres in Elba township. He was a. man of considerable
local prominence and held a number of offices in the county. He was
a member of the Baptist church and he gave his political support to
the republican party. While living in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, he
was married May 1, 1834, to Cynthia O. Walker, whose parents had
removed from New Hampshire to Tioga county, following the birth of
their daughter, who first opened her eyes to the light of day in the
Old Granite state May 22, 1812, her life record covering the
intervening years to the 4th of May, 1880, when she passed away in
this county.
Mrs. Oberholtzer was the youngest of the children born unto Mr. and
Mrs. Wheeler, and by her marriage she has become the mother of six
children. Elza, the eldest, is now living near Beardsley, Minnesota.
Lloyd H., also residing near Beardsley, where he is engaged in
farming, is married and has five children: Wilma; Vera; Lynn;
Harley; and Lela. Oliver T., who carries on general agricultural
pursuits near Beardsley, is married and has two children, Ora and
Alto. Bertha Blanche is the wife of Frank C. Sherman of Beardsley,
Minnesota, and unto them were born six children, Hubert, Laverne,
Robert (deceased), Lyle, Chester and Carter. Forrest Earl, born in
August, 1881, died in October, 1883. Hubert W. is living in
Knoxville, but is employed as a bookkeeper by the Brereton Coal
Company of Galesburg. He is married and has a daughter, Evelyn.
Mr. Oberholtzer has always exercised his right of franchise in
support of the men and measures of the democratic party, and has
held the office of supervisor in both Elba and Knox townships. His
religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church to the
teachings of which he has always been loyal. He is interested in the
welfare of his community and has cooperated in many measures for the
public good, but his time is given mostly to his business efforts
which, capably conducted, have brought to him substantial success
Year after year he carefully tilled the fields and cultivated his
crops in such a manner that substantial harvests were gathered and
his annual income was augmented. His life indicated what may be
accomplished when energy and determination lead the way. '•■:,.'
GEORGE K. SLOUGH.
George K. Slough, one of Abingdon's foremost citizens, is the
cashier and secretary of the First State & Savings Bank of that
town. His birth occurred near Peoria, Illinois, on the 30th of
October, 1861, his parents being George W. and Anna M. (Kellar)
Slough, who were also born near that city and came of Pennsylvania
Dutch stock. The paternal grandparents were Jacob W. and Anna
Slough, natives of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, who crossed the
Atlantic to the United States some time in the '20s, locating in
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
748
In 1834 they came west to Illinois, locating in Peoria, which was
then a town of only sixteen cabins. They conducted the first tavern
at that place and both he and his wife remained residents of Peoria
until called to their final rest. Following his marriage George W.
Slough, the father of our subject, located on a farm near Peoria,
where his demise occurred about 1883. His widow subsequently took up
her abode in Peoria, where she died about 1905, passing away in the
faith of the Congregational church. George K. Slough now owns the
old homestead which has been in possession of the family for about
seventy years.
George K. Slough was reared under the paternal roof and obtained his
early education in the public schools, later pursuing a business
course in the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso. After
putting aside his text-books he was employed for a short time as
clerk and bookkeeper in Peoria. Subsequently he went to Burrton,
Kansas, where he remained for six years, spending three years with a
grain firm and three years as assistant cashier in the Bank of
Burr-ton. In 1890 he returned to Peoria and entered the service of
the Wilson Grocery Company, a wholesale grocery concern, having
charge of their books for twelve years. In 1902 he came to Abingdon
to accept the proffered position of cashier in the First State &
Savings Bank, in which capacity he has since served in a most
satisfactory and commendable manner. In 1908 he was one of the
organizers of the Abingdon Sanitary Manufacturing Company,
manufacturers of vitreous china plumbers' supplies, and was chosen
treasurer of the concern, in which connection he has since
contributed to its growth and success.
On the 2d of September, 1884, Mr. Slough was united in marriage to
Miss Jessie Gordon, of Peoria county, by whom he has seven children,
as follows: Charles G., who is engaged in the automobile business at
Abingdon; Georgia K., a teacher by profession; Howard Austin, who is
a senior in Knox College; and Ethel, Andrew, Theodore and Marjorie,
all at home.
In politics Mr. Slough is a stanch republican but his aspirations
are not in the line of public office. He is a worthy exemplar of the
Masonic fraternity, belonging to Abingdon Lodge, No. 185, A. F. & A.
M., of which he is at present worshipful master. He is likewise
identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Mystic
Workers, while his wife is a devoted and consistent member of the
Methodist Episcopal church. Upright character and sterling worth
have gained him a favorable place in the regard of many friends, and
Knox county numbers him among her valued citizens.
RICHARD F. GIBBS.
Agricultural interests in Lynn township, Knox county, are ably
represented by Richard F. Gibbs, whose birth occurred on the Gibbs
homestead August 14, 1850. His paternal great-grandfather was born
in England and came to America about the time of the Revolutionary
war. The grandparents, Martin and Hannah (Beck) Gibbs, were early
residents of this county, where the former, whose death occurred in
1870 when he was eighty years of age, erected a sawmill on the only
timber land in the northern part of Knox county. The parents of our
subject were Jonathan and Tamer (Norcross) Gibbs, both of whom were
born in New Jersey, where their marriage also occurred. In his
native state the father had learned the glass-blowers' trade in
Waterford, but after his removal to Lynn township, Knox county, he
engaged in agricultural pursuits and made that his life's work. Mrs.
Gibbs was a daughter of Joseph Norcross. To Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs six
children were born, four of whom survive, namely: William H., a
resident of Galva, Illinois; Phoebe, who is married to D. Bradley,
of La Fayette, Illinois; Clayton A., who is living in Galva; and
Richard F., the subject of this review.
Acquiring his education in a near-by district school and attending
to many of the lighter duties on the farm occupied the youth and
boyhood of Richard Gibbs. He remained with his father until the
latter's death, and since that time has been the owner and manager
of the home farm. His life has been marked by constant labor and
conscientious attention to duty and the results of these are clearly
shown in the improved condition of his property and the abundance of
his harvest. In addition to general farming he is also engaged in
stock-raising.
On the 30th of November, 1875, Mr. Gibbs was married to Miss Mary J.
Reed, whose birth occurred on the 24th of September, 1852, near
Newcastle, England, and who came to Galva, Illinois,, with her
parents, George and Jane (Cockburn) Reed, when she was but five
years of age. Mr. Reed, who has now passed the ninety-first
milestone on life's journey, his birth having occurred in August,
1820, is one of the most venerable citizens of the county. His wife,
who was a daughter of George and Ann (Foster) Cockburn, passed away
in 1857. George Reed is a son of Gabriel and Dorothy (Scipry) Reed,
agriculturists, who died in 1857 and 1859, aged seventy-four and
seventy-six, respectively. The mother's three brothers were soldiers
in the English army and fought in the battle of Waterloo. When but
fourteen years of age George Reed began earning his own livelihood.
He learned the mining trade in Pennsylvania and began work at
sixteen cents a day, furnishing his own clothes and working twelve
hours. After he had saved thirty-five dollars he was married and
took up his home with his wife's parents, but realizing, that if he
were to" win the success he desired, he must engage in a more
lucrative work he came west, making the trip on a fishing vessel.
The journey took seven weeks. He settled in Galva and again followed
mining until 1863, his wife and three children following two years
later. Subsequently he became overseer in a coal mine at Galva.
After giving up mining he followed agricultural pursuits on a farm
located at Centerville near Victoria.
To Mr. and Mrs. George Reed six children were born: Anna, of Copley
township; Mary Jane, who is married to Richard F. Gibbs of this
review; John Reed, who is living in Galesburg; George W., of
Victoria; Joseph G., an agriculturist of this county; and Emma, also
of Victoria. Mr. Reed is at present a member of the Christian church
although he formerly held membership in the Methodist church. To Mr.
and Mrs. Richard F. Gibbs four children have been born: Grace, who
died when but eight years of age; Aris, who is married to Joseph
Leslie Haxton, of Lynn township; Laura E., who is the wife of
Charles LI. Baker, of La Fayette, and who has three children, J.
Herbert, Harold F. and Dorothy; and Harry A., who is married to
Myrtle Haxton and is residing at home.
In politics Mr. Gibbs gives his allegiance to the republican party
but he has never sought nor desired office. In religious faith he
holds membership in the Christian church of La Fayette. The greater
part of his time and attention has been given to his various
undertakings, and he has had little chance to affiliate with lodge
or fraternal circles. By thus devoting himself constantly to his
farm, he has proven his worth as a substantial, progressive
agriculturist.
GEORGE A. SHIPPLETT.
George A. Shipplett, one of the leading and most progressive
citizens of Abingdon, is a prominent factor in financial circles as
the cashier of the First National Bank of Abingdon and as a member
of the board of directors and cashier of the Bank of St. Augustine
and an organizer and director of the Farmers State Bank of
Ellisville. Of the last two named institutions he was> one of the
promoters, being one of four men who established the Bank of St.
Augustine. His birth occurred in Mount Crawford, Virginia, on the 2d
of October, 1871, his parents being John M. and Sarah E. (May)
Shipplett, also natives of Mount Crawford, where they were reared
and married. The mother there passed away on the 3d of August, 1911,
when sixty-eight years of age. The father, who survives, yet makes
his home at Mount Crawford, where he is now living retired.
Throughout his active business career he was successfully engaged in
general agricultural pursuits, the old homestead being near the town
of Mount Crawford. For many years past he has done all in his power
to advance the cause of prohibition, being a leading worker in the
local ranks of the party. He has lived a clean, upright and
honorable life and has always been among the first to support any
movement or measure instituted to promote the general welfare. Both
Mr. and Mrs. Shipplett took an active part in the work of the
Methodist Episcopal church and gave liberally of their time and
means in the interests of religion and charity. In December, 1911,
John M. Shipplett celebrated his seventieth birthday.
George A. Shipplett was reared under the parental roof and
supplemented his preliminary education by a course of study in the
Mount Crawford high school and the Mossy Creek Academy. After
putting aside his text-books he was associated with his father in
the operation of the Buena Vista Mills in Rockingham county for two
years. In 1891 he made his way to Illinois, locating in St.
Augustine, where he secured employment in the mercantile
establishment of Mills & Shipplett. At the end of a year, however,
he came to Abingdon to accept the proffered position of bookkeeper
in the First National Bank. After about two years, having
demonstrated his faithfulness and ability in the discharge of the
duties entrusted to him, he was made assistant cashier of the
institution and sometime later was promoted to the position of
cashier, in which capacity he has since ably served. He is a member
of the board of directors of the First National Bank and is likewise
a director and cashier of the Bank of St. Augustine. He assisted in
the organization of. the Farmers State Bank of Ellisville and has
since been a director of that institution. Mr. Shipplett has been
identified with the promotion and organization of practically all of
Abingdon's industries. He is vice president of the Abingdon Sanitary
Manufacturing Company, director and treasurer of the Abingdon Shirt
& Overall Company and director and treasurer of the Abingdon Trap
Company. In these various connections he has displayed excellent
business ability and keen discrimination, carrying forward to
successful completion whatever he undertakes. 751
Mr. Shipplett gives his political allegiance to the democracy and
his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called
him to several positions of public trust. He has served as a member
of the town council, as township treasurer and also as mayor of
Abingdon and at present is treasurer of both the town and township
school board. He was one of the chief factors in establishing the
public library in Abingdon, which was maintained by private
subscription during the first two years of its existence but has
since been maintained by taxation. At the time of its organization
he was made treasurer and director, in which capacity he has served
continuously since or for a period of fifteen years. Fraternally he
is identified with the following organizations: Abingdon Lodge, No.
185, A. F. & A. M.; Achilles Lodge, No. 373, K. P.; the Supreme
Court of Honor; Mystic Workers of the World; the Order of the
Eastern Star; and Galesburg Lodge, No. 894, B. P. O. E. His
religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Christian
church. His unbending integrity of character, his fearlessness in
the discharge of duty, in every relation in which he has been found,
and his appreciation of the responsibilities that have rested upon
him, have made him a citizen whose worth is widely acknowledged.
MANDIVILLE JOHN.
Mandiville John, now living retired in Hermon, was for many years
actively engaged in general farming in Knox county. He was born in
Clinton county, Ohio, his natal day being the 2d of January, 1854,
and his parents Elisha and Rachel (Lewis) John. The family removed
to Illinois in 1856, locating in Knox county, where Elisha John
later bought some land that he cultivated and improved until his
death. When the Civil war broke out he enlisted in Company D,
Seventh Illinois Volunteer Cavalry and went to the front, where he
remained three years. He was wounded during the period of his
service, having participated in twenty-seven engagements among them
being some of the notable battles of the war. He always kept in
touch with his comrades of the field, through the medium of his
membership in Abingdon Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, to
the interests of which he was ever loyal. Mr. John passed away in
1900, but the mother still survives at the advanced age of eighty
years, and now makes her home in Hermon. Three sons were born of the
marriage of Mr. and Mrs. John, all of whom are living, those beside
our subject being, Edwin and Samuel, both of whom are farmers in
Indian Point township, this county.
When brought to Knox county by his parents, our subject was only a
child of two years, so that practically his entire life has been
spent in the vicinity where he is now residing. Reared in a home
where much stress was laid upon the necessity of thrift and industry
in recognition of the responsibilities of life, when still little
more than a child he was assigned regular duties about the farm.
752
These increased with the passing years and when not engaged with his
studies in the district school the greater part of his time was
given to assisting his father in tilling the fields and caring for
the stock. After leaving school he worked with his father until old
enough to begin for himself. He then left the parental roof and
began his independent career as an agriculturist, continuing to
follow this vocation until 1908, when he retired and removed to
Hermon. Mr. John was successful in his undertakings, and now owns
eighty acres of land, which furnish him a competence that enables
him to live in retirement, enjoying in the evening of life the ease
and comfort that is the just reward of a well ordered and usefully
spent period of activity.
Mr. John has been married twice. His first union was with Miss Mary
Berry, their marriage occurring on the 24th of December, 1878. She
was a daughter of Joseph and Martha Ann Berry and a native of
Virginia, her birth there occurring on the 2d of October, 1858. In
1862 she accompanied her parents on their removal to Knox county,
where the father engaged in farming. Later he went to Hermon and
engaged in the manufacture of wagons, continuing to make his home
there until his death. Mrs. John passed away in 1901, leaving one
son, Everett Le Roy, the only child born of this union. On the 9th
of February, 1908, Mr. John married Miss Hila Martin, who was born
in Missouri on the nth of August, 1881. Her mother is now deceased,
but her father, William Martin, is still living in Missouri, where
he located during the pioneer days, and engages in farming.
Both Mr. and Mrs. John are members of the Christian church and he
votes the republican ticket, but has never taken an active part in
local politics, as his own interests demanded all of his time and
energies for their development.
DEWITT
SMITH.
Dewitt Smith, is one of the oldest residents of Maquon township,
having spent seventy-five years in the immediate vicinity of his
present homestead, which is located five miles from the town of
Maquon. He was born in Pennsylvania, in 1833, and is a son of E. R.
and Angeline (Catlin) Smith. The father, who was a native of
Vermont, removed with his wife and family to Illinois in 1836,
locating in Knox county. He purchased one hundred and thirty acres
of land in Maquon township and began the life of a pioneer farmer.
The country was largely in a wild state at that period, the
government still owning vast stretches of uncultivated prairie and
acres of native timber, while the streams and forests abounded in
fish and game. The life of the settlers was very primitive, rude log
cabins serving for homes, as well as schoolhouses and churches,
while little time was left from the work of the fields and the care
of the homes for social life. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were the parents of
eleven children, five of whom are still living. The father lived to
a ripe old age, being ninety-three years at the time of his demise.
As he was only a little lad of three years when he accompanied his
parents on their removal from Pennsylvania, Dewitt Smith spent the
greater part of his boyhood and youth amid the environment of
frontier life. When old enough to begin his education he entered the
district schools of the vicinity, where he mastered the common
branches. After laying aside his school books, he gave his attention
to agricultural pursuits, under the direction of his father, until
he was familiar with the practical methods of tilling the fields and
caring for the stock. In 1859, he yielded to the longing of every
ambitious young American and went west, spending three years amid
the gold fields of California. Upon his return home he again turned
his attention to farming and in 1877 bought his present place. Here
for many years he engaged in general farming and stock-raising, both
proving to be very lucrative, but the active operation of the fields
is now left to his son, although Mr. Smith still gives the work his
supervision. The buildings now standing upon the place were, with
few exceptions, erected before Mr. Smith purchased it. They were
substantially constructed and have always been kept in a good state
of repair. In addition to his fine homestead he owns thirty-one and
a half acres of land southeast of Maquon, that contains a vein of
coal.
Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Phoebe Day, of Clermont
county, Ohio, and unto them have been born three children: Robert
D., who has passed away; one who died in infancy; and one son,
Victor, who is unmarried. He attended the public schools and after
the completion of his education undertook the operation of the
homestead, to which activity he still devotes his energies. In 1907
Mr. Smith mourned the loss of his faithful helpmate and wife, having
traveled life's path together for many years in joys and sorrows.
The political views of Mr. Smith coincide with the principles of the
republican party, to whose candidates he gives his support. He
served for six years as township commissioner and he also acted as
school director. During the seventy-five years he has been a
resident of Maquon township, Mr. Smith has witnessed many changes,
the progress and development of the county having kept pace with the
onward spread of a newer and higher form of civilization.
LEWIS EDWARD GIBBS.
Lewis Edward Gibbs, who is engaged in farming and stock-raising in
Lynn township, Knox county, was born upon the farm upon which he is
now residing on the 29th of June, 1863, his parents being Joseph and
Elizabeth Ann (Goetzinger) Gibbs, the former of whom was a native of
New Jersey. The father came to Knox county with his parents in 1837
and they located at once on the property, where the Gibbs family
still reside. They made the trip from New Jersey by team, there
being eight in their family. Mr. and Mrs. Martin Gibbs, the
grandparents of our subject, were among the oldest settlers and were
one of the Quaker families who settled in this county. They remained
actively engaged in agricultural pursuits until Joseph Gibbs
purchased the farm. He arrived in this county when he was twenty-one
years of age but returned to
Peoria shortly after, going down the Illinois river and up the Ohio
river to the old home, where he was married and was engaged as a
glass blower. He lived in Philadelphia for ten years and during that
time operated a wood-yard. In 1858 he came to the present homestead
and resided there until two years before his death, when he removed
to Galva, where he died when well advanced in years. His wife passed
away on the 1st of March, 1911, when she was eighty-nine years of
age. She was a daughter of Christopher and Jeannette (Altman)
Goetzinger.
To Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs ten children were born, of whom five are
now living: Lewis E., who is the subject of this review; William H.,
who is in the insurance business at Galva; Joseph E., who is
residing in Victoria township ; Hannah V., a widow living in La
Fayette; and Elizabeth A., who is married to Charles Howell, also of
La Fayette. Mr. Gibbs was one of the leading republicans in his
district and held many offices, among them being that of supervisor
when the county seat was changed from Knoxville to Galesburg. He
held membership in the Masonic lodge at Philadelphia.
Lewis E. Gibbs acquired his education in the district schools and
assisted his father on the home farm until he was twenty-one years
of age, after which he farmed on shares until he was twenty-five
years of age, when he removed to Galva and engaged in the hardware
business, which he conducted for three years before returning to
Lynn township and operating a farm for five years, which his father
gave to him. He then rented a farm from his mother for five years
and it is still his home. He has engaged in stock-raising in
addition to carrying on general farming. Almost his entire active
career has been spent in agricultural pursuits and because of the
thorough training which his father gave him, he has become one of
the most successful agriculturists in Lynn township. The Gibbs
family have contributed much to the development of the land of this
region and have been among the most successful farmers who have ever
resided here.
Mr. Gibbs was married on the 12th of December, 1888, to Miss Eva May
Dudley, whose birth occurred on the 1st of January, 1867, and who is
a daughter of Charles and Elizabeth C. (Bevier) Dudley, who are
living in La Fayette at the ages of seventy-seven and sixty-six
years respectively. They are both natives of Knox county and have
spent their entire lives in this region. Mr. Dudley was born in
Massachusetts on the 1st of October, 1834, and is a son of Stephen
and Salome (Collins) Dudley. The father was born in Wallingford,
Connecticut, in 1809, and passed away at the age of seventy-two
years. Throughout his life he was an active farmer and blacksmith
and removed to Knox county in 1854, when he settled in Lynn township
upon the farm upon which he resided until he removed to Galva, where
his death occurred. Charles Dudley, retiring from the farm, removed
to Altona, where he remained five years, and then went to La
Fayette. He was a soldier in the Civil war, having enlisted in 1861
for three years' service with Company D, Thirty-seventh Illinois
Volunteer Infantry. After he had completed his term of enlistment he
joined Company G, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Illinois Volunteer
Infantry, at La Fayette, under General White of Chicago. He served
in the Western army and at one time was under Grant. He was mustered
out at Springfield and immediately returned to his agricultural
pursuits. Mrs. Dudley, whose birth occurred on the 16th of December,
1842, in Ulster county, New York, is a daughter of Abram and Adeline
(Meisner) Bevier, whose deaths occurred on December 8, 1910, and in
1876, at the age of ninety and fifty-four, respectively. The
grandparents, Moses and Elizabeth Bevier,' were also agriculturists
and Adeline Meisner, who became the wife of Abram Bevier, was a
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Meisner. Of the 757 children born to Mr.
and Mrs. Dudley four survive: Martha, who is the wife of J. A.
Johnson, of La Fayette; Mrs. L. E. Gibbs; Minnie, at home; and
Flossie, who became the wife of L. Hulick, of Neponset, Illinois. To
Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs four children have been born, all of whom are
residing at home. Elizabeth May, Lewis Edward, Jr., Charles D. and
Hazel Bernice, aged twenty-two, twenty-one, eighteen and sixteen
years, respectively.
Mr. Gibbs gives his political support to the republican party and
has served as commissioner for his district. He has also held the
office of assessor and is now serving his second term as justice of
the peace. He has acted as clerk of the school board for several
years and in 1909 was elected supervisor of Lynn township. He is one
of the most active representatives in his district and has served as
delegate to various conventions as a republican representative. Both
he and his wife hold membership in the Christian church of La
Fayette, Illinois, and he is a member of the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, of La Fayette, of the Mystic Workers of Galva and of
the Modern Woodmen of America, of La Fayette, of which lodge he has
served as clerk. He is popular with a large circle of friends and
the public know him as a successful and enterprising agriculturist.
CARL LUTHER YOUNGDAHL.
Carl Luther Youngdahl, prominently identified, with the agricultural
and stock-raising interests of Walnut Grove township, this county,
where for a number of years he has kept an extensive farm under a
high state of cultivation, was born February 18, 1869, in Wyanet,
Illinois, a son of Nels S. and Bertha (Goerenson) Youngdahl. The
paternal grandfather, Nels Swanson, . was a soldier in Sweden, his
native country. The father was a native of Krefanstad, Sweden,
having been born September 17, 1832, and came to the United States
in 1856, locating in Minnesota until 1863, when he removed to
Princeton, Illinois, where he engaged in farming. In 1881 he removed
to the present Youngdahl homestead and was engaged in its
cultivation until his retirement in 1891, when he located in Altona,
where his death occurred April 14, 1909, and where his widow is now
living at the age of seventy-four years. He was a member of the
Lutheran church of Altona and gave his political support to the
republican party although he never sought office as a reward for
party fealty. They were the parents of six children: Christina, the
widow of P. A. Amenoff; George E. and Nels T., both deceased;
Sophia, who is the wife of John Johnson, of Altona; Anthony C. who
is a college professor in Michigan; and Carl Luther, who is the
subject of this review.
In the common schools of Illinois Carl L. Youngdahl acquired his
education and remained at home engaging in farm duties until he was
twenty-one years of age, when he removed to his present home. He has
cultivated and improved this property and today it is provided with
all the conveniences necessary to the farming occupation and he has
given his time to raising crops together with stock breeding. As a
farmer he has been quite successful and, taking pride in the
appearance of his property, he has added every improvement that
might contribute to its neatness and utility.
758
Mr. Youngdahl has been twice married, his first union being to Miss
Cora Anderson, a daughter of C. J. and Mary (Riegel) Anderson. To
this union one child was born, Ruth, who is fifteen years of age.
The mother died in 1901, at the age of twenty-seven years. Mr.
Youngdahl was again married in 1906, his second union being with
Miss Margaret Johnson, who was born in 1868 and is a daughter of
Mons and Amelia (Ewalt) Johnson, the latter residing in Princeton,
Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were the parents of seven children:
Mrs. Margaret Youngdahl; Ellen, who is the wife of William Linn, of
Princeton; and Rachel, Matilda, Minnie, Hugh and Hattie, all
residing at home.
Politically Mr. Youngdahl gives his support to the republican party.
He is serving as highway commissioner of the township for a second
term. He belongs to the Lutheran church of Altona and is a man whose
high moral character, industry and straightforwardness, together
with his interest in the general welfare of the community, have
given him high standing in the township.
WILLIAM NICHOLAS BUCK.
William Nicholas Buck, who is successfully engaged in stock-raising
in Haw Creek township, was born in the vicinity of Greenfield,
Highland county, Ohio, on May 28, 1854. His father, Thomas Buck, was
born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but was reared in Highland
county, Ohio, and there he married Miss Mary Lowman. Mrs. Buck was a
native of Pike county, Ohio, and a daughter of Jacob Lownian. Mr.
and Mrs. Thomas Buck began their domestic life in the Buckeye state,
where they resided until 1874 when they came to Illinois, first
locating in Maquon township, Knox county, but later removing to Haw
Creek township. The father, who had always engaged in farming,
continued to devote his energies to agricultural pursuits until his
death, which occurred at the age of sixty-five years. The mother was
sixty-three when she died and was laid to rest beside her husband in
the Maquon cemetery. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Buck numbered
six: William Nicholas, our subject; Edgar, who married Arzella
McWilliams, now residing in Galesburg; Austin, who married Flora
Smith, residing in Haw Creek township; Elmer, who married Alta
Connor, living in Gilson, Illinois; Tillie, the wife of Charles
Smith, of Maquon township; and Carrie, the wife of Amos McWilliams,
of Elba township. The family was reared in the faith of the
Presbyterian church, in which the parents held membership, while his
political allegiance Mr. Buck gave to the republican party but has
never sought public office.
As he was a youth of twenty when he removed to Illinois with his
parents William Nicholas Buck had already acquired his education, in
pursuit of which he attended the common schools of his native state.
Reared on a farm, he was at that time familiar with practical
agricultural methods as well as the care of stock. During the first
year of his residence in Illinois he lived in Maquon township, but
subsequently removed to Haw Creek township. After his marriage he
began farming for himself as a renter on the Daniel Housh place,
where he remained for three years. From there he went to the Mary
Ann 759 West farm, the cultivation of which engaged his energies for
eight years. His efforts had proven so lucrative that at the
expiration of that period he had accumulated sufficient capital to
buy eighty acres in this township. After cultivating this tract for
four years, however, he disposed of it to Frank Nelson and removed
to the T. Humstead farm, where he remained for a year. He again
invested his capital in the purchase of his present farm, which
contains eighty-two acres of fertile land, located on section 32,
Haw Creek township, on the east and west road between that and
Maquon township. Mr. Buck takes great pride in his homestead as well
as its appearance, and during the period of his occupancy has
erected a number of good, substantial outbuildings, at the same time
putting those already on the place in repair. Everything about his
farm suggests thrift and prosperity, the fences are in good
condition, ample provision is made for housing both the stock and
machinery, while the grounds about his residence are given careful
attention. Stock-raising has always been Mr. Buck's specialty and he
breeds and raises high-grade horses, cattle and hogs, and is meeting
with success in his undertaking.
Mr. Buck married Miss Rozina Ouderkirk, whose birth occurred on the
farm where she is now residing, on the 6th of September, 1861. She
is a daughter of John Ouderkirk, who was born in New York state,
whence he came with his parents to Maquon township, in 1835, when a
child eight years of age. The paternal grandfather was a blacksmith,
but upon locating here bought a quarter section of land that has
ever since been in the possession of some member of the family. He
paid for this one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre, and met
with great difficulty in meeting his payments. It was here that John
Ouderkirk was reared and educated, and upon attaining his maturity
he married Caroline Jones, a native of the state of New York. Of
this union there were born the following children: Mary, who married
Milton Housh of Maquon township ; Ellen, who became the wife of
Leslie Howard, of the same township; Charles, who is deceased; Ada,
who died when an infant; Rozina, now Mrs. Buck; Louisa, a resident
of Maquon township, the widow of Philip Selby, who succumbed to
typhoid fever; and Cassie, the wife of Silas Dennison, a resident of
Maquon township. Grandfather Ouderkirk died in Haw Creek township,
in 1846, and was buried in the cemetery at Maquon.
His political allegiance Mr. Buck has always accorded to the
republican party and has served as school director and trustee in
his township. The greater part of Mr. Buck's life has been spent in
the vicinity where he is now residing and among the citizens of
which he numbers many loyal friends.
FRANK
POPLETT.
In the early development and improvement of Knox county the Poplett
family has borne an active part and is numbered among the pioneer
settlers. Here Frank Poplett was born on the 28th of May, 1851. His
parents, John and Sophia (Davis) Poplett, were natives of Kentucky,
the father settling in Knox county with his people in 1835, after
having lived for some time in Indiana, the mother accompanying her
people to Knox county when they settled here in 760 1834. The
paternal grandfather, Thompson Poplett, bought one hundred and sixty
acres of land in Sparta township on his arrival. This land he farmed
for twelve years when he removed to Peoria county and lived there
until his death in 1868. The grandmother died before Frank Poplett
was born. John Poplett, the father, lived with his people in Peoria
county assisting his father with the work on the homestead. He died
leaving his son Frank, who was one year of age, and his widow to
mourn him. Mrs.' Poplett subsequently married David Henderson, of
Henderson township, Knox county. She is still living on the farm, a
widow, her husband having died some years ago.
At the usual age Frank Poplett entered the district school in the
vicinity of his home and acquired a practical education. On leaving
school he worked on the home farm until twenty-one years of age and
then set out to cultivate the soil for his own benefit. For this
purpose he rented eighty acres of land which he operated for three
years. At the expiration of this time he engaged in mercantile life,
conducting a store in Henry county. This he discontinued after three
years and returned to farming. In 1883 he purchased the place on
which he lives at present, eighty acres in Henderson township, Knox
county. He was a practical farmer and during the twenty-eight years
of his management of the homestead improved it greatly and was very
successful in all departments of general farming. He was progressive
in his methods and owns a farm of which he can be justly proud.
Mr. Poplett was married in July, 1872, to Miss Laura Rowe, a
daughter of Laurenza and Narcissa (Goff) Rowe, who were natives of
New York and Kentucky, respectively, but became residents of Knox
county at an early date, where Mr. Rowe was engaged in agricultural
pursuits. Mrs. Poplett lived to be forty-one years of age, her death
occurring in March, 1890. Of the four children born of this union
two died in infancy. Ella, the surviving daughter, is the wife of J.
M. Findley, of Henderson township, where they rent a fine farm. They
are the parents of six children, namely: Giles, Geneva, Edith, Inez,
Frank and May. Elmer F. Poplett, the surviving son, is operating the
home farm which he rents of his father. Fie is married and has two
children, William and Dale.
Mr. Frank Poplett accumulated a sufficient income to enable him to
withdraw from the management of his farm. He makes his home with his
son, living retired on the place where his labors have borne their
fruit for many years.
R.
J. McKEIGHAN.
R. J. McKeighan, one of the successful representatives of the
farming and stock-raising interests of Knox county, is the owner of
a finely improved property of three hundred and twenty acres located
on sections 21 and 22, Salem township, known as Willow Row Grain &
Stock Farm. He was born in Fulton county, Illinois, on the 21st of
March, 1849, and is a son of the late James McKeighan, one of the
well known and successful agriculturists of Salem township. The
father was born, reared and educated in the north of Ireland,
remaining a resident of his native land until he had attained the
age of thirty-three 763 years, when he emigrated to the United
States. Upon his arrival in this country Mr. McKeighan made his way
to Illinois, locating at Farmington, where he followed various
occupations until he had acquired sufficient capital to begin
business for himself. Believing that farming offered a safer
investment and more lucrative returns than anything else, he then
invested his small savings in some land three miles southwest of
Farmington and industriously applied himself to its improvement and
cultivation. He subsequently returned to the Emerald isle for a
visit and while there was married to Miss Elizabeth Cunningham, also
a native of northern Ireland. Returning to the United States with
his bride he settled on his farm in Fulton county, continuing to
live there until 1855, when he removed to a tract of one hundred and
sixty acres of prairie land on section 22, Salem township, Knox
county, which he and his brother, Alexander McKeighan, purchased in
1853 for one thousand dollars. In 1854 James McKeighan paid his
brother a thousand dollars for his half interest in the property.
Soon afterward he succeeded in selling his Fulton county farm and
with the proceeds bought eighty acres of land on section 21, Salem
township. As he was both capable and energetic he met with excellent
success in his efforts and subsequently extended the boundaries of
his farm by the addition of another eighty, making the aggregate of
his holdings three hundred and twenty acres. This is now the
property of his son R. J., having been in the family for over
fifty-six years. Mr. McKeighan made a specialty of raising corn, and
today our subject and his son are among the most noted raisers of
seed corn in this part of the country. McKeighan's Golden Dent
corn has many points of excellence, being a heavy yielder, of very
deep grain, early maturing, shells high per cent of corn, has no
superior for feeding purposes and is adapted to different soils and
climatic conditions. James McKeighan always continued to -be more or
less actively connected with the operation of his farm until he
passed away at the age of eighty-three years. He was laid to rest in
the cemetery at Farmington, as was also his wife, who was
seventy-seven years of age at the time of her demise. Their family
numbered six, of whom our subject is the eldest. The others in order
of birth are as follows: Rachel, the wife of Rev. W. H. Clatworthy,
of Yates City; Elizabeth, who married Robert R. Steck, of Salem
township; James and Margaret, who died in infancy; and Emma, the
deceased wife of D. F. Lawrence, of Salem township. The parents were
both earnest members of the Presbyterian church and the father gave
his political support to the republican party but was never an
office seeker. He was one of the prosperous agriculturists of the
county and for a short time during the early days was identified
with the Yates City Bank.
As he was only a child of six years when he removed with the family
to Knox county, R. J. McKeighan obtained the greater portion of his
early education in the district schools of Salem township, the
course therein pursued being later supplemented by study in the
schools of Farmington and Monmouth. Having been accustomed to
agricultural pursuits from his earliest boyhood, upon attaining his
majority he began operating the home farm on the shares, continuing
this for two years. Following his marriage he located with his bride
on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 17, Salem
township, which he cultivated for three years, at the expiration of
that time returning to the old homestead, where he is now residing.
During the period of his occupancy 764 he has erected all of the
buildings now standing upon his farm with the exception of the house
and the horse barn, both of which were built by his father. Mr.
McKeighan is one of the capable agriculturists of the county and
annually reaps abundant harvests from his fertile fields, which are
cultivated under his personal supervision. In connection with his
general farming he has always made a specialty of raising Hampshire
sheep, while he keeps a fine herd of thoroughbred Jersey cows for
dairy purposes. His interests have spread beyond the boundaries of
his farm and stock-raising and he was one of the organizers of the
Ideal Telephone Company, of which he was president for about six
years and likewise a member of the board of directors.
In 1877 Mr. McKeighan completed his plans for a home of his own by
his marriage to Miss Ximena Corey, a native of Maryland and a
daughter of J. M. and Martha Corey. To them were born two sons, the
younger of whom, John, died in infancy. James Leslie, their
surviving son, is residing on the home farm with his parents,
assisting his father in its operation. He married Sarah Rice, a
daughter of Amos Rice, of Mattoon, Illinois, and they have three
children : Martha Lorene, James Rice and Anna Katherine.
The entire family affiliate with the Presbyterian church at Yates
City, in the work of which they take an active and helpful interest.
For over forty years Mr. McKeighan was an elder of the church, while
for ten years his wife has been treasurer of the Home Missionary
Society, and their son is now an elder in the church and
superintendent of the Sunday school. Both father and son give their
political support to the republican party, but they have never
aspired to official honors although the former has for some years
been a member of the board of school directors. Mr. McKeighan is not
only one of the prosperous but one of the highly respected men of
his community, ever having conducted his business transactions in a
manner to preclude all possibility of adverse criticism, his honor
and integrity being above question.
LEVI J.
COX.
Levi J. Cox, deceased, who passed his life, spanning three score
years and one, within the confines of Knox county, was born- here
January 1, 1849. ^s parents, James and Emma (Pittard) Cox, were both
natives of Somersetshire, England, who lived there until after their
marriage, Mr. Cox being engaged in farming as a tenant on an English
estate. They crossed the Atlantic in 1848 and found their way to
Ontario township, Knox county, where they settled on a farm. Later
he removed to Oneida and since 1880 lived retired. In 1884 the
mother passed away and eleven years later the father's death
occurred, on May 13, 1895.
Reared at home Levi J. Cox obtained his education in the rural
schools in the vicinity and in the Oneida high school. At the age of
nineteen years he engaged in farming for himself but almost at the
outset met with a serious accident that retarded his progress for a
time in no slight degree. He was out hunting prairie chickens with a
party of friends, when he was shot by the accidental discharge of a
gun. For fourteen years he cultivated eighty acres of 765land on
section 28, after which he purchased one hundred and sixty acres in
Sparta township, operating this farm for a number of years. He
disposed of this property and went east, remaining in Hartford,
Connecticut, long enough to learn the butcher trade, which he
followed on his return to Knox county. After a time he sold out his
interests in this business and again took up farming, confining his
labors first to a tract of forty acres and later increasing this to
one hundred and sixty acres. He acted as pound-master for a period
of twelve years. On March 4, 1902, he retired to live a quiet life
in Oneida village. He passed away just eight years from that time,
dying from injuries received in an automobile accident in 1910. Mr.
Cox was a man of industrious habits and by his thrift and good
management was able to multiply his income and at his death
bequeathed to his wife and children four hundred and ninety acres of
land in the county. He belonged to Oneida Lodge, No. 337, F. & A. M.
Mr. Cox was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth West, a daughter of
Samuel and Kathryn (Anderson) West, the father a native of England
and the mother of Scotland. The story of the emigration of the West
family from their native shores is a narrative filled with the most
thrilling incidents. The grandfather, John West, was sold in
Scotland to an American living near New York and when the
Revolutionary war broke out he gave his services to the cause of
freedom. He was shipwrecked on his voyage to America and passed
sixteen years before he finally reached our shores. Mr. and Mrs. Cox
were the parents of three children: Arthur B., who operates a farm
of one hundred and sixty acres in Ontario township, given him by his
father, is married to Maude Houghton and has three children living,
Laverne, Joseph Elishier and Levi Charles, while one child, Maude,
is deceased. Stewart lives on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres,
which his father gave him and is married to Mildred White. They have
three children, Garrett, Minnie E. and James. Asa, the youngest in
the family, has passed away.
Mrs. Cox gives her helpful support to the Presbyterian church and is
also an enthusiastic worker in the Order of the Eastern Star of
Oneida. She is a woman of much charm of manner and has many close
friends to whom she has always been loyal.
submitted by
Anne who calls herself Ancestor Seeker which she had already
submitted these Cox's biographies to Illinois Trails before my time
but they are not here. so am putting them here again. Thanks Anne.
SWAN
J. THULINE.
Swan J. Thuline, who owns and operates a farm in Walnut Grove
township, Knox county, was born in Kristianstad, Skona, Sweden, on
the 9th of September, 1848, his parents being John and Lissa
(Swanson) Olson. He was the grandson of Olaf Olson and Swan
Peterson. In his early life he engaged in agricultural pursuits and
continued in this industry for the greater part of his active career
and was also employed in a gristmill. His birth occurred in 1813,
and he was one of seven children, five of whom now survive: O. J.,
of Gales-burg; Swan, who is the subject of this review; Ellen, who
is the wife of Mr. Johnson of Chicago; Magdalena, who is living in
Sweden; and Hannah, who married L. N. Lundgren of Chicago. 766
After attending the public schools and assisting his father in farm
work Swan J. Thuline, desiring to start out upon his independent
career in a country which offered great opportunities to all, set
out for America at the age of nineteen years. He came direct to Knox
county, and after residing in Galesburg, removed to Walnut Grove
township, where in 1905 he purchased the property which is his
present home. During these years he engaged in general farming and
stock-raising and met with the success which has been the reward of
so many of the thrifty sons of Sweden who have come to this rich
agricultural district.
In 1882 occurred the marriage of Mr. Thuline to Thilda Johnson,
whose birth occurred on the 23d of May, 1862, in Sweden. She was the
daughter of Johann and Burgda (Nelson) Talkelson, who are
agriculturists. Her grandfather was a soldier in his native country
in the war of 1812 and died in 1872 at the age of ninety years. In
addition to Mrs. Thuline one other daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson
has come to America and is living in Galesburg. Mrs. Thuline came to
America at the age of twenty years and went direct to Galesburg,
where she met Mr. Thuline, who had sent for her. To Mr. and Mrs.
Thuline the following children have been born: Joel, who is
twenty-eight years of age and married to Jennie Plem, by whom he has
had one child, Irene; David, aged twenty-seven, who is engaged in
farming; Winfred, aged twenty-five, who is residing in Rock Island;
Carl, who is twenty-four years of age and is farming; Edwin, Esther
and Ruth, aged twenty-two, twenty and eighteen respectively, all
residing at home; Mabel, aged seventeen, who is in Galesburg;
Walther, Robert, Mary and Alice, aged sixteen, thirteen, eleven and
ten respectively, all living at home; Roy, who is eight years old
and residing at home; Lilly, who is also at home and seven years of
age; and Gladys, who is a girl of but five years.
In politics Mr. Thuline gives his support to the republican party,
and although he does not seek office for political reasons he is at
present highway commissioner of the township because of his interest
in the development of his home district. His parents were members of
the Lutheran church and his family are being brought up in the same
faith. He has never had occasion lo regret leaving his native land,
for in America he has found the opportunity for which he sought—the
opportunity to win success by honorable and industrious methods.
E.
H. BROADFIELD.
E. H. Broadfield, deceased, for many years well known in Peoria and
Knox counties, where he was identified with agricultural interests,
was a native of England, having been born in Stourport,
Worcestershire, May 8, 1831. His father, Edward H. Broadfield, was
born in Shropshire, England, February 21, 1810; his mother, whose
maiden name was Ann Rowley, was a native of Worcestershire, England,
born June 6, 1806, and died September 22, 1881.
A resident of England until he was twenty-four years of age, E. H.
Broadfield acquired his education in the night schools of
Manchester, where for four years he was employed in the lithographic
and printing business. In 1855 he 769 crossed the Atlantic, hoping
to find larger opportunities for obtaining a livelihood in America.
Settling in Peoria county he lived there until 1864, when he removed
to Knox county, where he tilled the soil until his death December
19, 1903, having attained the age of seventy-two years, seven months
and eleven days. Ever industrious and faithful in the performance of
his duties, his labors, were rewarded by an ample competence derived
from his farm of a hundred and sixty acres, so that he was enabled
to leave his family well provided for.
Mr. Broadfield was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Crandall, a
daughter of Zane and Mary (Johnson) Crandall, at Peoria, Illinois,
on April 12, 1864. Ten children were born of this union, Edward H.,
Walter, William R., Arthur. Frank, John, Lyman, George EL, Ada, and
Nellie. Mr. Broadfield was independent in his political convictions
and served for a number of years as commissioner of highways. Mrs.
Broadfield, who is in her sixty-eighth year, her birth having
occurred in Peoria county on March 22, 1844, owns the farm of one
hundred and sixty acres which her husband cultivated for many years.
Here she lives a quiet life surrounded by her family and friends,
ever occupied in the service of others believing that this is the
only way to the attainment of true happiness.
ELIAS WILHELM NORENE.
Elias Wilhelm Norene, who is an agriculturist of Walnut Grove
township, Knox county, was |