GEORGE M.
SORNBORGER.
To win recognition as a valiant soldier, as a prosperous farmer and
as a capable merchant shows not only versatility, but also indicates
the adaptability and concentrated effort which compel success. For
this reason George M. Sornborger who has distinguished himself in
such a varied record commands our unqualified admiration. A native
of Victoria township, Knox county, he, 965, has remained a
resident of this county all his life, and for the last fifteen years
has lived in Victoria, Copley township, where he is engaged in the
mercantile business. He was born April i, 1841, a son of Anson
Sornborger, who moved from his native place, Dutchess county, New
York, in the year 1838, coming with his parents to Victoria
township, Knox county, Illinois. Like his father he followed farming
as a pursuit, buying sixty acres of land in 1842. He sold this after
a time and in 1849 bought another farm near Copley, where he lived
till the end. He married Miss Catherine Wilber, also a native of
Dutchess county, New York, and who accompanied Martin Van Buren's
family to Illinois, where they settled in Victoria township when she
was a young girl. She was a daughter of John Wilber and Dorothy (Freimeyer)
Wilber. Of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Anson Sornborger, George M.,
the subject of this biography, and two brothers survive: F. W.
Sornborger, who lives in Geddes, South Dakota; and Charles, residing
in Victoria township. The grandfather, George Sornborger, was born
in Holland and came to this country with his parents during colonial
times. His wife was Miss Catherine Wolcott, of English lineage. By
occupation he was a farmer and mechanic and during the Revolution
took up arms in the cause of freedom. He is buried in Victoria
cemetery, Knox county, the only Revolutionary war hero in any
cemetery in this part of the county. His death occurred in 1840.
George M. Sornborger had a common-school education. At twenty-one he
enlisted in the Eighty-third Illinois Infantry from Knox county,
under the command of Colonel Harding of Monmouth, Illinois, a
company which remained with General Grant for three years. Mr.
Sornborger remained until their famous engagement at Fort Donelson,
afterward becoming ill with pneumonia and on that account he had to
be discharged after serving eleven months and seventeen days. He
returned home and when sufficiently recovered to work, he took up
farming and followed this for more than thirty years. He owned his
farm and made a comfortable income in general farming and cattle
raising. During this time he saw the wild prairies of Illinois
transformed into beautiful tracts of cultivated land and the old
difficult methods of transportation replaced by the railroads built
through almost every county of the state. His father used to tell of
the early hardships and difficulties with which the farmers had to
contend, how, for example, he took his grain clear in to the Chicago
markets by team and there sold it for fifty cents a bushel. In 1896
George M. Sornborger sold of his land, one hundred and sixty of his
two hundred acres. His sons Claude and Floyd are now operating the
old farm. Upon his withdrawal 'from agricultural labors he removed
to Victoria and opened a general merchandise store which he has
conducted since 1896.
The marriage of Mr. George M. Sornborger and Miss Frances E. Suydam
occurred October 12, 1865. Born in New York state, she was a
daughter of John G. and Henrietta (Cholette) Snydam, who removed
from New York to Victoria township, this county, in 1849. Mr. Suydam
enlisted in the Eighty-third Illinois Infantry, the same company to
which Mr. Sornborger belonged, and died for the Union June 6, 1863.
Miss Frances E. Suydam's paternal grandparents were Mr. and Mrs.
Abraham (Smith) Suydam, natives of New York, while those on the
mother's side were D. C. and Sarah (Mire) Cholette.
966 HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY, Illinois
Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. George M. Sornborger, all
of whom are living. They are: Clarence T., aged forty-four, who is
married to Anna Doak and operates a farm in Copley township; George
A., who is married to Nellie Hanson and lives in Copley township;
Lolette Kate, residing at Ne-koma, Illinois, the wife of W.
Woodcock, and mother of two children, Ross and Bertha; Mary, the
wife of Alfred Sanquist, who resides in Victoria township; Claude
and Floyd, who live on their father's old place, the latter being
married to Edith Johnson, of which union there is one child; Grace,
the wife of C. A. Carlson, a farmer of Victoria township, and the
mother of two children, Doris M. and Charles William; Fern, who is
the wife of Emery Anderson, a farmer, of Dakota and has three
children, Vera C, Clarence G. and Maurice G.
George M. Sornborger is well known in military organizations of the
state, being a member of P. G. Tate Post No. 678, G. A. R., of
Victoria, Illinois, and is now serving as commander of that post for
his second term. From the time of casting his first vote, which was
for Abraham Lincoln, he has been a consistent republican in his
political faith and has been elected to office several times, once
as assessor and for two terms as collector. Mr. Sornborger is a man
of genial temperament and in his public and private relations has
never failed to adhere to the principles of honor and truth which
have constituted his guiding rule of life.
WILLIAM HENRY GIBBS.
William Henry Gibbs, a well known citizen of Galva, Illinois, is a
native of Knox county, his birth occurring in Lynn township, January
27, 1843. He comes of a family of Quaker origin, which was founded
in America at the time William Penn and his colony settled in
Pennsylvania. Our subject's paternal grandfather, Martin Gibbs, was
a native of Camden county, New Jersey, in which state he engaged in
the sawmill business prior to coming to Illinois with "the father of
our subject in September, 1838. They located upon what became known
as the old Gibbs homestead in Lynn township, Knox county. Here the
grandfather erected a sawmill in 1849 and engaged in its operation.
He and his son occupied a double log house during those pioneer
days. He married Hannah Beck and they were prominently identified
with the early development of this section of the state.
Jonathan Gibbs, the father of our subject, was born in Camden
county, New Jersey, December 22, 1808, and remained with his parents
until he had attained his majority, when he commenced learning the
glass-blower's trade, following that occupation for nine years. As
previously stated, he came to Knox county in September, 1838, and
upon the home farm in Lynn township spent the remainder of his life.
In connection with farming he assisted in the operation of the
sawmill, which was the first erected in his part of the county. On
coming to this state he was accompanied by his wife and one child,
for he had previously -married Tamar Norcross on the 14th of August,
1832. She was born May 11, 1812, and was a daughter of Joseph and
Martha (Duball) Norcross, being one of their seven children. Her
death occurred July 15, 1900.
967 HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY, Illinois
To Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Gibbs were born nine children, of whom four
are still living, namely: Phoebe, the wife of A. O. Bradley, of La
Fayette, Illinois; Clayton A., who is connected with the Hayes Works
at Galva; Richard F., of Lynn township; and William Henry, of this
review. Jonathan Gibbs died September 16, 1889.
William H. Gibbs was reared and educated in much the usual manner of
farmer boys and remained under the parental roof until twenty-two
years of age, assisting in the work of the farm. He then went to La
Fayette, where he engaged in business as a contractor in mason work
until 1888. He was next employed as fireman on the Chicago,
Burlington & Quincy Railroad and later was promoted to engineer, in
which capacity he served until 1901. For one year he had charge of
the City Water Works of Galva and in 1909 entered the employ of the
Hayes Manufacturing Company of that place, with which he is still
connected.
On the 12th of May, 1864, Mr. Gibbs was united in marriage to Miss
Julia A. Grant, who was born in Stark county, Illinois, August 30,
1844. Her father, Nelson Grant, who was a farmer by occupation and a
native of New York state, was born on the 16th of February, 1810,
and died February 27, 1892, in Stark county, Illinois. Her mother,
who bore the maiden name of Mary Chatfield, was born November 10,
1814, and died May 12, 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs have become the
parents of three children: Cora May, who is the wife of Herman R.
Pelz, a traveling salesman living in Peoria; Clara Alice, the wife
of Thomas E. Chilton, who is a native of England and a salesman for
the Challenge Company of Batavia, living in Galva, Illinois; and
Claude Irvin, a molder by trade, who married Alice Peterson, a
daughter of John S. Peterson, of Galva, in which city they make
their home. Mr. Gibbs has one grandchild, Dorothy May Chilton, who
was born April 4, 1903, and is now attending school. By his ballot
Mr. Gibbs supports the men and measures of the republican party and
he has taken an active interest in local affairs. He served on the
school board in Lynn township and his support is never withheld from
any enterprise which he believes will prove of public benefit.
P. A. SUNWALL.
P. A. Sunwall, a successful agriculturist who makes a specialty of
buying, selling and raising stock, is the owner of a fine farm of
one hundred and thirty acres, located two miles north of
Williamsfield. He is a native of Knox county, his birth having
occurred in Truro township, in 1871, and a son of Jonas and Anna
(Peterson) Sunwall, natives of Sweden. The father was born in
Helsing-land in 1826, and there he passed the first forty-three
years of his life. Having heard many favorable reports regarding the
opportunities and advantages afforded to enterprising men in the
United States, in 1869, together with his wife and family, Jonas
Sunwall took passage for the new world. Upon his arrival in this
country he came directly to Knox county, settling on a farm in Truro
township to the further development of which he devoted his energies
until age compelled his retirement from active life. He passed away
in 1907
at the venerable age of eighty-two years. The family of Mr. and Mrs.
Sun-wall numbered four: Nelson J., a resident of Texas; P. A., the
subject of this sketch; Jennie M., of Colorado; and a son who died
in infancy.
The period of his boyhood and youth, P. A. Sunwall spent on his
father's farm, obtaining his education in the district schools. Like
other farmer lads he was early assigned chores about the barn and
fields, his duties increasing as his strength developed with the
passing years. By the time he .had attained his maturity he was a
good practical agriculturist, having long been accustomed to
plowing, sowing and harvesting the fields under the competent
direction of his father. When qualified to begin farming for himself
he undertook the operation of the home place, where he is now living
and has met with increasing prosperity in its cultivation. His
fields are rich and fertile and annually yield abundant harvests
that well repay him for the labor expended in their cultivation. In
addition to his general farming, Mr. Sunwall also raises and buys
stock, that he ships to the Chicago and St. Louis markets. He has
met with more than an average degree of success. In taking care of
the soil and in the conservation of its fertility he follows the
plans of the State University and is a faithful adherent of
Professor Hopkins, whom he considers the foremost exponent of
scientific soil renovation in the world. In his experiments vvith
various crops Mr. Sunwall was the first in this section of the
country to obtain satisfactory results in planting his land to
alfalfa. He considers this legume the most valuable the farmer can
raise and is proud to be set down as the pioneer alfalfa grower in
these parts. During the period of his ownership of his present place
he has put thereon many improvements indicative of the spirit of
enterprise and progress that has characterized his undertakings.
Ever since age conferred upon him the right of franchise he has
given his political support to the men and measures of the
republican party. He has been called upon to discharge the duties of
a number of township offices and for many years has been a school
trustee. Keenly regretting the limited opportunities offered him in
acquiring his own education he has become the earnest advocate of
betterment in our school system and especially interests himself in
bringing about the consolidation and grading of the country schools.
Mr. Sunwall is unmarried. He is a man of enterprise and industry,
whose success is attributable to intelligently directed effort.
W. B. ELLIOTT.
W. B. Elliott lives on the old homestead of two hundred and fifty
acres four and one-half mile north of Williamsfield, in Victoria
township. He was born within a mile and one-half of where he now
resides, May 10, 1866. His parents were Burgess and Achsah Ann (Rue)
Elliott, the father a native of this county and the mother of
Indiana. The father was born in 1837 and the mother in 1846. Four
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Elliott, two of whom died in
infancy. Our subject is the elder of the two surviving, the other
being C. W., who resides at 89 Arnold street, Galesburg. Burgess
Elliott spent his entire life in this county, where for many years
he was actively' engaged in farming. His efforts were crowned with
success and he subsequently retired to Williamsfield, where he was
living when he passed away at the age of seventy-one years.
971 HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY, Illinois
Reared on his father's farm, W. B. Elliott obtained his preliminary
education at his mother's knee, between the corn rows and in the
district school. He attended Lombard College about a year and
one-half and then spent three years at the State Normal University,
completing the course in 1893. He spent seven years as teacher in
the public schools of this state, being principal of schools at
Saybrook, McLean county, Wyoming, Stark county, and Altona, Knox
county. In 1895, while principal of the Altona school, Mr. Elliott
turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, locating upon his
father's farm, where he now lives. Here he engages in general
farming and stock-raising and is meeting with very good returns from
both. Having been reared on a farm, he possessed the practical
knowledge that well qualified him for his present undertaking. A man
of good business judgment, he has applied himself intelligently to
the direction of his activities along the more progressive lines of
modern agriculture. He has erected several new buildings on the
place and remodeled many of those that were there, installing
various modern conveniences and improvements that have added greatly
to the comfort and attractiveness as well as the value of the
property. In every respect it is a thoroughly up-to-date and model
farm, manifesting in all its details the careful supervision and
capable direction that indicate system in its operation. Mr. Elliott
owns one hundred and twenty acres about a mile from where he
resides, having purchased this tract several years ago.
For his wife Mr. Elliott chose Miss Jeannette Armstrong. She was the
daughter of John and Mary (Montgomery) Armstrong, natives of
Scotland, and was born at Darhead, Lanarkshire, Scotland, July 10,
1863. Her father was born in 1802 and died in 1885, while the mother
was born in 1828 and still resides in this county. They were married
in 1852 and emigrated to America in 1867, locating in Victoria
township, where the mother now lives. Mrs. Elliott was one of a
family of nine children, of whom but three others survive, namely:
Mrs. Agnes Wycoff, of Peoria county; and James and Thomas, who live
with their mother. W. B. Elliott and wife have become the parents of
six children: Jennie Achsah, William Burgess, Edward Rue, Robert
Montgomery, Charles Roland (deceased), and John Kenneth.
Mr. Elliott's fraternal relations are confined to his membership in
the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Neighbors, his wife also
being a member of the latter. He is a member of the Galesburg Club
and maintains relations with his fellow agriculturists of Knox
county through the medium of his membership in the Farmers'
Institute, of which organization he has been president for the past
two years. His political allegiance he gives to the republican party
and now represents Victoria township on the county central
committee. All local political affairs engage his attention, and for
two years he served as supervisor of Victoria township and he is now
discharging the duties of justice of the peace, while for fifteen
years he has been a member of the board of school directors. He has
been a delegate to county and state conventions of his party. Mr.
Elliott is a representative modern agriculturist of progressive
ideas, who believes that it requires as high a standard of
intelligence, clear judgment and business sagacity to successfully
direct the operation of a farm as any industrial enterprise.
Agriculture is becoming recognized as one of the most lucrative as
well as independent vocations and is annually attracting a more
intelligent and capable class of men, who realize that it is a
business in which success is as dependent upon foresight, sagacity
and specific information as any in the whole field of commercial or
industrial activities.972
STEPHEN WYMAN.
A well known agriculturist of Knox county, who is now living retired
on his beautiful homestead located on section 20, Persifer township,
is Stephen Wyman, whose holdings in this county aggregate four
hundred and sixty-five acres. He was born in Vinton county, Ohio, on
the 21st of June, 1834, and is a son of Arthur and Annie (Soltz)
Wyman. The father was born in the state of New York, but when a lad
of eight years he came to Ohio with his people, who passed the
remainder of their lives in the Buckeye state. Arthur Wyman was
reared and educated in Vinton county, and there he met and
subsequently married Miss Soltz, who was a native of Ohio. They
began their domestic life on a farm in that state, where Mr. Wyman
continued to engage in agricultural pursuits until 1852. In the
latter year with his wife and family he came to Illinois, settling
in Knox county. Pie subsequently acquired the title of two hundred
and forty acres of land in Persifer township, northeast of the farm
of their son Stephen, and now the property of Harvey England. A man
of much energy and determination of purpose, he industriously
applied himself to the further improvement and cultivation of his
property, erecting thereon a comfortable dwelling and good
substantial barns and outbuildings. His farming was conducted along
general lines, the greater part of his time and attention being
devoted to stock-raising, which proved to be very lucrative. He
passed away on his homestead at the age of sixty-seven and was
buried at Westfall cemetery, as was also the mother, who was
seventy-five at the time of her death. They were members of the
United Brethren church, and in his political views the father was a
republican. He was always interested in all township affairs and
served with efficiency in some of the minor offices. The family of
Mr. and Mrs. Wyman numbered eleven, all of whom were born in Ohio.
John, who passed away at the age of seventy years and was buried in
Westfall cemetery in Persifer township, became one of the prosperous
farmers of this county, owning at the time of his death eight
hundred acres of land in Persifer township. He married twice, his
first union being with Hannah Taylor, a daughter of Daniel Taylor,
while for his second wife he chose Miss Katherine Mundwilder, who
now resides in Knoxville. Minerva, the eldest daughter, married Noah
Dawson, of Persifer township, and they are now both deceased. Edward
J., who died at the age of sixty-nine years and was buried in
Westfall cemetery, married Elizabeth Bradford. The next in order of
birth died in infancy, and the fifth is Stephen, our subject. Levi
died in Missouri, while in the Union army. Mary married Charley
Taylor of Persifer township and they are now both deceased, as also
are Eliza and Andrew, who were twins. Arthur, who was a volunteer in
the Union service, died from yellow fever just after the battle of
Vicksburg, and George, the youngest member of the family, when last
heard from was living in Idaho.
973 HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY, Illinois
The first eighteen years of his life, Stephen Wyman passed in his
native state in whose common schools he obtained his education. He
accompanied his parents on their removal to Knox county in 1852, and
remained at home until he had attained his majority, assisting with
the operation of the farm. When he was twenty-one he began working
for himself, so capably and intelligently directing his activities
that he met with excellent success in his agricultural pursuits. He
kept adding to his holdings as he was able until he now owns
ninety-two acres of land in Knox township, and three hundred and
twenty on section 20 of Persifer, where he has resided for many
years and fifty-three in section 18, making in all four hundred and
sixty-five acres. The dominant factors in the success of Mr. Wyman
have unquestionably been his perseverance and energy, which have
been utilized to most excellent advantage. He is most ambitious and
applies himself conscientiously and painstakingly to whatever he
undertakes, striving to excel in everything. No effort has been
spared in the development of his farm, all of which is now under
high cultivation and well improved. He has erected good substantial
buildings on his place, to the value of which he has added at
various times by installing many modern conveniences and
improvements. Both hip residence and grounds afford a most
attractive and pleasing-appearance from the public highway and he
has built a fine private road on his grounds with cement bridges
across the culverts. In connection with general farming Mr. Wyman
raised stock, making a specialty of hogs annually, making large
shipments to the near-by markets.
Mr. Wyman has been married twice. His first wife was Miss Katherine
Miner, a native of Indiana and a daughter of Thomas Miner, who
resided in Knox county only one year, and they became the parents of
seven children. In order of birth they are as follows: Richard, a
resident of Knoxville, who married Annie Swanson; Marion, who was
drowned in the state of Washington; Electra, the wife of Cornelius
Ward; Thomas, who married Bessie Brandt and is residing in Abingdon,
this state; George, who lives in the state of Washington; San ford,
who died in Oregon and is buried in Westfall cemetery; and Viola,
who died at the age of nine months. The mother died on the farm
where she had passed the period of her married life and was laid to
rest in the family lot at Westfall. She was a fine Christian
character and held membership in the United Brethren church. Mr.
Wyman subsequently married Miss Erma F. Rambo, who was born in
Peoria, and is a daughter of George Rambo. They have five children:
Jasper Newton, who is living in the northwestern part of Colorado;
Walter Stephen, who is operating the home farm; Iva, the wife of
Norman Arbogast, of Galesburg; Hattie, who married Martin O'Connor
and is living in Galesburg, Illinois; and Lewis, who married Mary
Arthur and is living in Douglas, Illinois.
Ever since granted the right of franchise upon attaining his
majority, Mr. Wyman has given his political support to the men and
measures of the republican party. He has never prominently figured
in township affairs but he has given efficient service as a school
director. Progressive and enterprising in matters of citizenship he
takes a deep interest in all movements that he feels will benefit ,
974, the community and assists in promoting their adoption.
He is now rated as one of the prosperous agriculturists of his
township, but the struggle to attain this position was fraught with
much self-denial and years of unceasing labor. Upon him developed
the hardships and discouragements that fall to the lot of the
majority of people, and the money to provide some of the necessary
improvements on his place was borrowed at an exorbitant rate of
interest. However, he possessed those qualities that refuse to
recognize defeat and kept persistently ahead until he had attained
the goal. Now in addition to his valuable property he has a
comfortable competence and is a stockholder in the Appleton &
Victoria Telephone Company. Mr. Wyman is a man of many fine sterling
qualities, the worth of which have been thoroughly tested during the
long period of his residence in Knox county and never found wanting.
JENNIE H. REYNOLDS.
Jennie H. Reynolds, wife of the late Peter G. Reynolds, who during
his lifetime was associated with agricultural interests in Knox
county, resides on the farm which her husband operated for many
years, a tract of one hundred and twenty acres in Sparta township.
She was born in Knoxville, Illinois, January 29, 1864. Her father,
Robert Higgins, who lives at Knoxville and is in his seventy-third
year, is a native of Belfast, Ireland, arriving in America at the
age of fourteen years. His parents located at Knoxville, Illinois,
and there he was brought up to follow farming and also learned the
butcher's trade, following this dual occupation until his retirement
a number of years ago. He married Elizabeth Wallace, also a native
of Ireland, and they had ten children, five boys and five girls, of
whom two are deceased. The living are: Jennie, the subject of this
review; Robert, residing in Minnesota; Samuel, living at home;
Mayme, the wife of J. B. Grounds of Denver, Colorado; Martha, the
wife of Ray Van Tassel, of Flint, Michigan; James and Charles,
living in La Junta, Colorado; and Belle, the wife of A. Humphrey of
Minnesota.
After the usual education in the public schools of her native
locality Jennie H. Higgins remained at home for a time and in April,
1893, was united in marriage to Peter G. Reynolds. He was born on
the old homestead in Sparta township in i860 and was a son of E. B.
Reynolds, at present a resident of Gales-burg. Reared in the
locality in which he passed his entire life he obtained his
education here attending first the district schools of Sparta
township and later Lombard College at Galesburg. He engaged in
agriculture operating his father's farm for a number of years. He
then farmed on his own account and after his marriage purchased the
farm where Mrs. Reynolds is now living. Here he followed the
pursuits of general farming and feeding cattle for market, meeting
with substantial rewards for his untiring toil. In politics he was
an ardent democrat and served for many terms as a director on the
school board and as road commissioner. On August 3, 1898, Mr.
Reynolds passed away after a lingering illness of two years, and
although he had suffered long his untimely death came as a great
shock to his family, for he had been a good husband and a devoted
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY 975
father. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds: Ralph J.,
born August 13, 1894; and John E., born February 24, 1897.
Mrs. Reynolds is a member of the Christian church of Knoxville, the
faith to which her husband also belonged. He maintained fraternal
relations with the Masonic order having been a member of the
Knoxville lodge. Occupied with the responsibilities of motherhood,
educating her children, seeing that they may be provided with the
opportunities which will enable them to make their way in the world,
the years of widowhood have passed rapidly for Mrs. Reynolds and
have softened her grief and the loneliness that follows the
bereavement of dear ones.
OWEN BETTERTON WEST.
Born in Yates City, Illinois, Owen Betterton West has been a
resident of Knox county his entire life," the date of his birth
being August 1, 1869. His father, Isaac N. West, was born in Clinton
county, Ohio, in 1835, and came to Yates City with his parents, John
and Elizabeth (George) West, who settled two miles north of Yates
City on a farm which he owned, comprising one thousand acres of
land, and grew to manhood in Elba township. John West was also a
native of Clinton county, Ohio, being born May 3, 1809. His first
American ancestor was Owen West, a brother to the father of Benjamin
West, the celebrated artist, and was born in London, England, in
1729 and came to America in 1761, settling in Georgia. He was widely
known for the strong views he held in opposition to slavery. Isaac
N. West was twice married, his first wife being Charlotte Hull; he
was married the second time to Eliza Ann Mason, a daughter of
Jeremiah and Eliza (Sayler) Mason, who lived in Knox county, where
Mrs. West was reared, although she claimed Ohio as her native state.
There were nine children in the West family, of whom the following
are still living: Charles, married to Susan Nixon, resides in Miami,
Oklahoma, where he is engaged in the real-estate business; Owen B.;
Nora, the wife of Frederick Soldwell, who resides in Yates City; and
William Edwin, who operates a grain elevator in Yates City. The
deceased are: Marion, Edith, Josephine and two who died in infancy.
By his former union to Miss Charlotte Hull, Mr. West had a daughter,
Charlotte, the wife of Frank Chamberlain, a merchant in Yates City.
I. N. West resided north of Yates City where he owned a very fine
farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Salem township, operating
this until his death at the age of forty-eight years. He was not a
politician but was loyal in his support of the republican policies.
Mrs. West passed away at the age of seventy years and three months.
Owen B. West obtained his education in the common schools of Salem
township and attended Lombard College, after which he took a course
at Brown's Business College, at Peoria, Illinois. His first work was
in the fields but he remained at this only a short time when he
engaged in the grain business in Yates City meeting with much
success in the enterprise. His desire to return to agricultural
labors, however, and a good offer made him by M. W. Thompson induced
him to sell his grain interests—which Mr. Thompson later sold to
976 HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY, Illinois
William Edwin West, Owen West's brother—and again resume the
carefree and independent life on a farm. Being progressive and
modern in his methods of cultivating the soil and breeding cattle he
found much profit in this work and continued it until the spring of
1911 when he located in Yates City where he now lives. He is
interested in several local business enterprises and is the
president of the Farmer's Telephone Company.
The marriage of Mr. West and Miss Alpha Van Tassell occurred on
March 14, 1895. She was a native of Peoria, Illinois, her parents
being William W. Van Tassell, born in New York city, and Jane
(Boardman) Van Tassell, born in England. Mr. Van Tassell brought his
wife as a bride to Stark county, Illinois, and later removed to
Peoria, where he lived for forty years, being employed on the
railroad during much of that time and for a number of years was
employed as government store keeper for the internal revenue
department of the United States. He was an old soldier, having
enlisted for the first time from New York and for the second time
from Stark county, Illinois. At the time of his discharge he was a
sergeant. He was a republican in politics and with his family
belonged to the Methodist church. His death occurred at the age of
seventy-two and his wife's at the age of sixty-five years. They had
eight children of whom six are still living, Mrs. West being the
only one of the number residing in Knox county. Mr. and Mrs. West
are the parents of two children: Lloyd Alvin, born March 14, 1896;
and Harriet Florine, born November 21, 1903.
In his political views Mr. West is a republican and was elected on
the party ticket in the spring of 1910 to the office of supervisor,
his term continuing until 1912. At previous times he has held the
offices of assessor of Salem township, member of the board of
auditors of Salem township, alderman, and mayor of Yates City. He is
a Mason being a member of the Yates City lodge in which he has
passed through all the chairs.
JAMES CATION.
James Cation was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1821, and died in
Williams-field, Illinois, in 1904, his parents being William and
Margaret (Paul) Cation. The family were well known silk weavers of
that country and were engaged in hand weaving fine Paisley shawls.
In the land of his nativity James Cation was reared and educated and
in 1843 accompanied his parents on their emigration to the United
States, the voyage being made in a sailing vessel which encountered
a severe storm while passing through the West Indies. The rigging of
the vessel was torn away and lost, and for nine weeks they drifted
but finally landed in New Orleans, whence they made their way to
Peoria, Illinois.
The father of our subject settled on a farm on section 26, Millbrook
township, Peoria county, and James Cation subsequently purchased the
land which his father had obtained from the government. It was in
1870 that James Cation came to Knox county and located on a farm in
Elba township, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1892.
Pie then retired from active labor and removed to Williamsfield,
where he passed away at the age of eighty-three years.
977, HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY, ILLINOIS
He was a member of the Presbyterian church and was formerly a
republican in politics but later came a free-trade democrat. He took
a very prominent and active part in township affairs and held a
number of minor offices. He was successful in business and was a man
honored and esteemed by all who knew him. In 1855 he married
Catherine Gray, who was also born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1838, and
came to America in 1852 with a brother and two sisters, her parents
having died in Scotland. She still resides in Williamsfield and is
an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church. To Mr. and Mrs.
Cation were born eight children, namely: David, of Williamsfield,
Illinois; William, a resident of Knoxville, Illinois; Alex, who
lives in Walla Walla, Washington; John, of Elba township, Knox
county; one who died in childhood; James L., a banker who died in
Arizona at the age of thirty-seven years; Charles, who died in
Oregon; and Mary, who died at the home of her parents when a young
woman.
CLYDE H. MACHEN.
Clyde H. Machen, senior partner of the firm of Machen Brothers,
wholesale and retail dealers in fuel, feed, flour and hay, at 133
East Waters street, Galesburg, was born in Columbus, Texas, on
January 24, 1882. His parents are Henry S. and Mary J. (Brower)
Machen, the father a native of Illinois and the mother of
Pennsylvania. Henry S. Machen was born in Peotone, Will county, and
there he was also reared. He was given the benefit of very good
educational advantages and when old enough to become self-supporting
engaged in teaching. This profession engaged his attention for
several years, but having decided upon a commercial career he
subsequently went to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, where he became
identified with the lumber business. Later he was appointed manager
of a large plantation and lumber mill in Texas, that he operated for
a time and then went into the oyster business at Mississippi City,
Mississippi. In 1887 ne removed to Missouri and engaged in
contracting and building at Marcehne, that state. While engaged in
this business he erected or supervised the construction of many of
the leading buildings in the town. At the end of three years, in
1890, he entered the employ of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe
Railroad Company, and has ever since continued in their service. In
February, 1903, he was transferred to Galesburg in the capacity of
passenger and freight agent, which position he still holds. The
paternal grandparents of our subject were A. B. and Louise (Sultzbaugh)
Machen, natives of Pennsylvania. In their early years they came to
Illinois, locating in Will county, where they resided for many years
and from there removed to Marceline, Missouri. There the grandfather
passed away about 1885, having attained a ripe old age, but he is
still survived by the grandmother, who continues to make her home in
Marceline. Mrs. Henry S. Machen was the only child of her parents,
her mother being Mrs. Ella L. (Evans) Brower. Three sons were born
to Mr. and Mrs. Machen, of whom our subject is the eldest, the other
two being Harvey L. and Cecil E.
The earliest memories of Clyde H. Machen are associated with
Marceline and Lexington Junction, Missouri, as he was only a child
of three years when
978
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
his parents located in the former place. When old enough to begin
his education he entered the public schools of Marceline, but
subsequently, attended Woodson Institute. As soon as he was
qualified to become self-supporting he laid aside his text-books and
entered the employ of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad
Company, at Lexington Junction, where he remained until 1901. In the
•latter year he was stationed at Laplata, Missouri, going from there
to various other points on the company's lines until 1903, when he
accompanied his parents on their removal to Galesburg. Very soon
thereafter he was assigned duty elsewhere, and during the succeeding
six years was employed in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado
and New Mexico. In 1909 he returned to Galesburg and established the
business he is now conducting. During the first three months he was
sole owner, but the enterprise developed so rapidly that his brother
Cecil E. became associated with him at the expiration of that period
under the firm name of Machen Brothers. Their store is located at
No. 133 East Waters street, and as they are both enterprising young
men, who conduct their business in a straightforward, legitimate
manner, they are accorded an excellent patronage that is constantly
increasing.
On the 21st of December, 1908, Mr. Machen was united in marriage to
Mrs. Nellie ii. Wright, a daughter of Benson and Gertrude V. Hume,
of Illinois, and they have become the parents of one son, Clyde
Richard.
Mr. and Mrs. Machen hold membership in the Central Congregational
church. His political support Mr. Machen gives to the republican
party. During the brief period of his connection with the commercial
activities of Galesburg, he has manifested the qualities that
invariably characterize the successful business man, and the future
of the enterprise with which he is connected seems assured.
MICHAEL WELSH.
In the death of Michael Welsh on the 28th of July, 1907, Knox county
lost a citizen who had long been honored as a representative and
worthy resident of this part of the state. He had occupied his home
in Williamsfield for many years, becoming a resident of Truro
township in the spring of 1856. From that time until his death he
had maintained a creditable position as a business man and as a
public official, and throughout his entire life he had wisely used
the advantages and opportunities that came to him. While he never
had any great ambition to obtain wealth, yet he made for his family
a comfortable living and he continually added to his store of mental
riches through his wide and diversified reading.
Mr. Welsh was born September 8, 1830, in Kilkenny county, Ireland,
his parents being William and Mary (Holden) Welsh. His educational
opportunities were equivalent to those of a common-school course in
this land, and on the 14th of October, 1850, when he was twenty
years of age, he was married to Miss Catherine Grace, and with his
bride started for America, arriving in New Orleans on the 1st of
January, 1851. This was the wedding journey of the young couple who,
after a voyage of eight weeks upon a sailing vessel, reached the
American port, and from the present city of New Orleans made
cx£U~S Qk&L-
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY 981
their way up the Mississippi river to St. Louis. After a brief
period passed there they journeyed up the Illinois river to Peoria
and thence by wagon traveled with Benoni Simpkins, one of Mr.
Welsh's earliest friends, to Maquon, arriving there on the 19th of
April, 1851. The following year Mr. Welsh aided in building a bridge
across Spoon river, now known as the Long Bridge, receiving for his
services the munificent sum of fifty cents per day! He turned his
attention to agricultural pursuits when, in 1856, he removed with
his young family to Truro township, where he continuously made his
home until the time of his death. While residing there he formed the
acquaintance and gained the friendship of Llenry J. Corbin, whose
willingness to assist young men in their struggles to get a start in
those pioneer times endeared his memory to many. Mr. Welsh was
always extremely grateful to Mr. Corbin, and one of the last things
he planned before his death was a visit to the grave of this friend
of his early manhood to remove some brush that had grown upon and
around the last resting place of Mr. Corbin.
While Mr. Welsh carefully managed his business affairs with the
laudable ambition to provide a good living for his family it was
well known that he never took advantage of the necessities of
another in a business transaction, nor was he ever so busy that he
neglected the duties and obligations of good citizenship. It is said
that his home was known from Galesburg to Chillicothe in the early
days as the abode of hospitality and good cheer and that no worthy
person was ever denied shelter and entertainment there. From time to
time he was called to public offices and filled a number of local
positions in a most creditable manner. Fie served as assessor for
several terms, and for twenty years filled the position of justice
of the peace at a time when country justices heard many cases. Much
litigation occurred in the country between the years i860 and 1880,
and all through the fall and winter months, after crops had been
harvested, Mr. Welsh was busy hearing the contested interests of
litigating parties. Fie made a fine judicial officer, and at
different times nearly every leading attorney of Knox county bar of
that period practiced before him, including H. N. Keightley, Judge
Leander Douglas, Judge Craig and C. K. Harvey. That his decisions
were strictly fair and impartial is indicated in the fact that in
the twenty years in which he presided over the justice court no
litigant ever took an appeal from his decision. For a half century
he had a personal acquaintance with all the members of the Knox
county bar and he was a great admirer of Julius Manning and a
lifelong friend and supporter of Judge Craig.
Mr. Welsh took a very deep interest in everything pertaining to the
general progress and improvement of his home community, his county,
state and nation. He was a stalwart democrat, giving unfaltering
support to the principles of his party, yet he approved and
commended the stand which President Roosevelt took concerning the
anthracite coal strike, and he sympathized with President Lincoln in
his determination to put down the war. Fie did not approve of the
peace measures advocated at the time of the McClelland campaign. He
had previously supported Stephen A. Douglas, and was present at the
famous Lincoln-Douglas debate in Galesburg in 1858. All through his
life he added to his knowledge through wide reading and was
especially interested in works of a legal nature and in history. The
rural daily mail brought many periodicals and papers to his home and
he always kept in touch with current events. In
Vol. .11—45
982
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
the early days when it was difficult to obtain books he eagerly
availed himself of every opportunity to secure reading matter and
pored over the volumes of biography that contained the lives of
Clay, Webster, Calhoun, Washington, Lincoln and the heroes of the
Revolutionary war. Thus from the well supplied storehouse of his
mind he could continually draw for anecdote, information, or fact to
enrich his conversation or prove an argument.
Six months before his demise Mr. Welsh was called upon to mourn the
loss of his wife. A half year passed and he was laid to rest by her
side in St. Joseph's cemetery in Galesburg. Their family included
the following sons and daughters: William M., F. F. and Jay of
Williamsfield, Illinois; Mrs. Alice Cloonen, of Zearing, Iowa; J.
D., of Galesburg; Dr. M. M., of Odell, Illinois; and Mrs. Mary Judge
of Pontiac, Illinois. Mr. Welsh enjoyed good health and was a man of
splendid physique. I>y the members of his family he was never
regarded as old or decrepit for he continued young in thought and
spirit. He planned to attend the 4th of July celebration at
Galesburg, in 1907, but the excessive heat of the summer proved
detrimental to him, and on the 8th of July, while sitting on the
porch of his home, he was overcome by the heat. All through his life
he had chosen those things which are most worth while. He entered
largely into the realm of thought, and yet he remained an active
factor in the world's work.
LYMAN P. WILSON.
Lyman P. Wilson, now serving for the second term as city attorney of
Galesburg, to which office he was reelected in 1911, is one of the
younger representatives of the bar of the city, yet since entering
upon active practice has made substantial and continuous progress.
Fie was born in Clarke county, Iowa, January 21, 1883. His father,
John Wilson, was a native of Hermon, Knox county, Illinois, born
August 11, 1856, and in the public schools of this county he pursued
his early education, which was supplemented by a course in Hcdding
College. He then took up rail construction work and contracting, and
after continuing in that line of business for a time, devoted
several years to farming in Iowa, near the town of Leslie. Fie then
returned to Knox county and filled the position of postmaster at
Hermon for twelve years. In 1897 he removed to Galesburg and entered
the employ of the city water department, while subsequently he
became connected with the engineering department, where he is now to
be found. He has always voted with the democracy and made for
himself a creditable record during his three terms' service as
postmaster of Hermon. On the 21st of July, 1881, near London Mills,
he was united in marriage to Miss Amanda P. Phillippi, who was born
in that locality, November 25, 1858. They are both members of the
Methodist Episcopal church and well spent lives have won for them
the kindly regard and confidence of all with whom they have been
brought in contact.
Lyman P. Wilson, their only child, pursued his education in the
public and high schools of Galesburg and in Knox College, from which
he was graduated with the class of 1904. He then entered upon
preparation for a professional career as a student in the law
department of the University of Chicago, form which he was graduated
in the spring of 1907. In the fall of the same year he opened an
office in Galesburg, where he continues in general practice, and in
the trial of cases he has proved his ability to successfully cope
with the many intricate problems of the law. In the spring of 1909
he was elected city attorney and commendation of his first term's
service was given him in his reelection, in the spring of 1911. He
was chosen as the candidate of the republican party and has always
been one of the stanch supporters of that political organization.
On the 21st of January, 1909, Mr. Wilson was married to Miss Edith
Marks, a daughter of J. Warren and Mary Lillian (Houder) Marks, of
Pontiac, Illinois. Her father, who was born August 2, 1857, followed
farming for a long period at Pontiac and is now living at Lake Park,
Iowa. It was on the 10th of January, 1883, that he wedded Mary L.
Houder, who was born December 14, 1862. They became the parents of
three children: Wei ford PL, born July 24, 1884; Mrs. Edith Wilson,
born December 31, 1886; and Florence L., born September 18, 1889.
During his college days Mr. Wilson was prominent in fraternal
circles, becoming a member of the Phi Alpha Delta of the University
of Chicago and the Delta Sigma Rho fraternity of Knox College. Both
he and his wife are earnest and active members of the Methodist
Episcopal church, in the work of which he has taken a helpful part,
serving for a time as a teacher in the Sunday school. He also
belongs to the Woodmen's lodge. Because nature endowed him with
strong intellectual qualities and, furthermore, because he is
ambitious and determined, one feels no hesitancy in predicting for
him a successful future, for he has already well established himself
in the practice of his chosen profession.
JOHN HALL.
John Hall, one of the venerable residents of this county, who is
passing a peaceful old age in his home in Douglas, retired from
active participation in farming interests several years ago, and
although nearly eighty-two years of age he is as cheerful in spirit
and keen in mind as many a man twenty years his junior. He was born
in County Mayo, Ireland, June 13, 1830, his parents being James and
Mary (Nash) Hall, natives of Ireland. There were nine children in
the family, seven of whom came to America, John Hall being the only
one who survived. On his arrival in the United States he settled in
New York state and found employment in a machine shop, continuing in
this connection for a number of years, until he came to Peoria
county, Illinois. He remained there three years and then removed to
Gallia county, Ohio, where he resided for twelve years. There he
married Mary Jane Stewart, a native of Ohio, and subsequently
removed to Salem township, Knox county, Illinois, buying a farm of
eighty acres, situated on section 7 of Salem township, in 1867. Mr.
Hall set about cultivating this land, which was partly improved, and
constructed buildings and fences thereon. He was enterprising in his
methods
984 HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY, Illinois
and met with excellent results in his work. In 1907 he discontinued
his labors on the farm and retired ;to Douglas, Illinois, to pass
the remainder of his life in the enjoyment of a well earned rest.
The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. IT all: Fred,
deceased; John William; Robert S., who resides in Douglas and is
married to Blanch Burlington, a daughter of Frank Burlington, of
Farmington, Illinois, and has three children, Priscilla Bella, Floyd
Vincent and Mary Elizabeth; Francis, who married Anna Kennedy, a
daughter of James Kennedy, of Macomb, Illinois, and has one child,
Glenn, and two daughters deceased, one dying at the age of two years
and the other at the age of six. Mrs. ITall passed away on the old
home farm at the age of fifty-six years and is interred in the
Union-town cemetery.
Mr. Hall votes with the republican party but is not actively
interested in politics although he is well informed on affairs of
national and local interest. He is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, to which his wife also belonged.
HENRY SULTZBAUGH
MACHEN.
Henry Sultzbaugh Machen, who has been freight and passenger agent
for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad at Galesburg since
February 1, 1903, was born in McLean county, Illinois, on the 25th
of February, 1861. Lie is a son of Amos and Louise (Sultzbaugh)
Machen, both natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Amos Machen
remained a resident of his native state until i860, when he came to
Illinois, locating on a farm in McLean county. He assiduously
applied himself to the further cultivation and improvement of his
land for some years thereafter, meeting with a reasonable degree of
success. Later, however, he withdrew from agricultural pursuits and
engaged in contracting and building. After identifying himself with
this business he removed to Missouri, subsequently becoming a
resident of Marceline, that state. Lie located there about the time
the town was founded and engaged in the same business. As he was a
good mechanic and capable business man, his undertaking thrived and
he erected many of the leading public buildings and private
residences in the town. He was numbered among the enterprising and
successful citizens at the time of his death, which occurred in
1899, at the age of sixty-two years. The mother is still living and
continues to make her home in Marceline and there recently
celebrated the sixty-eighth anniversary of her birth. Mr. Machen was
a veteran of the Civil war, having been in the service for three
years and three months. He was clerk of his company and was mustered
out with the rank of corporal. He was not a member of any
denomination but was friendly to all, while his wife holds
membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. They were the parents
of eleven children, our subject being the eldest of the six who
attained maturity. In order of birth the others are as follows: Levi
B., who is deceased; Emma, the wife of William Houle, of Chicago;
George R, who is deceased; May, deceased; and Guy, who lives "in San
Marcial, New Mexico. The paternal grandparents were Henry and
Caroline (Brennemann) Machen, natives of Pennsylvania, but of German
extraction. To them were born four children, Amos, the father of our
subject; Ann; Peter; and Henry. Agricultural pursuits always engaged
the attention of Henry Machen, who passed away in Lancaster county,
Pennsylvania, at the age of sixty-seven years. He was long survived
by his widow, who was eighty-two at the time of her death. The
maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Flenry Sultzbaugh, were also
natives of Pennsylvania, but they came in an early day to Peotone,
Will county, Illinois, making their home with their son. Later they
returned to the Keystone state and there they both passed away at a
ripe old age. Their family was as follows: Philip; Henry; Louise,
the mother of our subject; Mary Ann; Peter; and Rebecca.
The first year of his life Henry S. Machen passed in his native
state, but at the expiration of that time he was taken to
Pennsylvania, where he resided until he was seven. In 1868 he was
brought back to Illinois, spending the succeeding two years in Will
county. He then accompanied his parents on their removal to Linn
county, Missouri, remaining there until he was a youth of thirteen,
when he went to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. At the usual age he began
his education, which was pursued in the public schools at his
various points of residence, until he was graduated from the high
school at Sturgeon Bay. For two years thereafter he engaged in
teaching, but having decided that he preferred commercial activities
at the end of that time he withdrew from this profession and began
his business career. Fie was identified with the lumber interests of
Wisconsin for some years thereafter, and then went to Texas. During
the first eighteen months of his residence in the latter state he
was overseer of a large cotton plantation, but later he was made
manager of some shingle mills in Beaumont, Texas, continuing in this
capacity for two years. From there he went to Mississippi City,
Mississippi, where he engaged in contracting and building for a
year, then established a wholesale and retail oyster business that
he conducted for three years. At the end of that period he withdrew
from commercial activities and entered the employ of the Atchison,
Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Company. He began his services with this
company in 1888 in the capacity of night ticket clerk at Marceline,
Missouri, remaining there for five years. In 1903 he was transferred
to Galesburg as freight and passenger agent and has ever since been
identified with this position. A man of pleasing personality and
gracious and accommodating manner. Mr. Machen has discharged his
services in a manner highly acceptable to the company and the
public, • and is held in high esteem by all who have occasion to
have dealings with him."
At Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, on the 13th of April, 1881, was
celebrated the marriage of Mr. Machen and Miss Mary J. Brower, and
they have become the parents of three children. Clyde PL, who is
mentioned at greater length elsewhere in this work, is engaged in
the fuel, feed and flour business with his brother, Cecil E., who is
the youngest member of the family. Harvey, the second in order of
birth, who is now residing in Oklahoma, and married.. having two
children.
Mr. Machen is a trustee of the Central Congregational church, in
which both he and his wife hold membership, and fraternally he is
affiliated with the
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
985
and Caroline (Brennemann) Machen, natives of Pennsylvania, but of
German extraction. To them were born four children, Amos, the father
of our subject; Ann; Peter; and Henry. Agricultural pursuits always
engaged the attention of Henry Machen, who passed away in Lancaster
county, Pennsylvania, at the age of sixty-seven years. He was long
survived by his widow, who was eighty-two at the time of her death.
The maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Sultzbaugh, were also
natives of Pennsylvania, but they came in an early day to Peotone,
Will county, Illinois, making their home with their son. Later they
returned to the Keystone state and there they both passed away at a
ripe old age. Their family was as follows: Philip; Henry; Louise,
the mother of our subject; Mary Ann; Peter; and Rebecca.
The first year of his life Henry S. Machen passed in his native
state, but at the expiration of that time he was taken to
Pennsylvania, where he resided until he was seven. In 1868 he was
brought back to Illinois, spending the succeeding two years in Will
county. He then accompanied his parents on their removal to Linn
county, Missouri, remaining there until he was a youth of thirteen,
when he went to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. At the usual age he began
his education, which was pursued in the public schools at his
various points of residence, until he was graduated from the high
school at Sturgeon Bay. For two years thereafter he engaged in
teaching, but having decided that he preferred commercial activities
at the end of that time he withdrew from this profession and began
his business career. Fie was identified with the lumber interests of
Wisconsin for some years thereafter, and then went to Texas. During
the first eighteen months of his residence in the latter state he
was overseer of a large cotton plantation, but later he was made
manager of some shingle mills in Beaumont, Texas, continuing in this
capacity for two years. From there he went to Mississippi City,
Mississippi, where he engaged in contracting and building for a
year, then established a wholesale and retail oyster business that
he conducted for three years. At the end of that period he withdrew
from commercial activities and entered the employ of the Atchison,
Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Company. He began his services with this
company in 1888 in the capacity of night ticket clerk at Marceline,
Missouri, remaining there for five years. In 1903 he was transferred
to Galesburg as freight and passenger agent and has ever since been
identified with this position. A man of pleasing personality and
gracious and accommodating manner. Mr. Machen has discharged his
services in a manner highly acceptable to the company and the
public, • and is held in high esteem by all who have occasion to
have dealings with him."
At Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, on the 13th of April, 1881, was
celebrated the marriage of Mr. Machen and Miss Mary J. Brower, and
they have become the parents of three children. Clyde PL, who is
mentioned at greater length elsewhere in this work, is engaged in
the fuel, feed and flour business with his brother, Cecil E., who is
the youngest member of the family. Harvey, the second in order of
birth, who is now residing in Oklahoma, and married.. having two
children.
Mr. Machen is a trustee of the Central Congregational church, in
which both he and his wife hold membership, and fraternally he is
affiliated with the
986
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
Masonic order, being identified with Vesper Lodge, A. F. & A. M. In
politics he is a republican, giving his endorsement to the
progressive faction of that party, and for one year he served as
city clerk of Galesburg. Mr. Machen is a highly estimable citizen,
progressive and enterprising in his ideas, who takes an active
interest in all matters pertaining to the public welfare.
ERASTUS FULLER.
Erastus Fuller, now living retired at No. 630 Maple avenue, is one
of the well known citizens of Galesburg, having resided here for
forty-nine years, during the greater portion of which period he
actively engaged in carpenter work, while for a time he also
operated a planing mill. His birth occurred at Gardiner, Maine, a
town located on the banks of the picturesque Kennebec river, on the
3d of May, 1830. The Fuller family originally came from England, the
founder of the American branch having located in New England in
1634. The paternal grandparents of our subject were William and Lucy
(Hodg-kins) Fuller. The former was born in Ipswich, Massachusetts,
March 10, 1761, and died in West Gardiner, Maine, in September,
1842. The grandmother was born June 10, 1764, and died May 3, 1846.
In their family were eleven children: Hannah, born September 17,
1787; Lucy, born December 14, 1788; Catherine, February 3, 1791;
William, February 1, 1793; David, January 19, 1795; James, January
12, 1797; Abigail, December 12, 1798; Daniel, February 1, 1801;
Joseph, February 17, 1803; George, July 13, 1807; and Mary Ann,
August 20, 1810. All were born in Ipswich, Massachusetts, with the
exception of the last named, whose birth occurred in Gardiner,
Maine. The father of these children was a cabinet-maker and
carpenter by trade and was a veteran of the Revolutionary war,
having enlisted in the service three times during the war for
independence. The maternal grandparents of our subject were Elisha
and Sarah (True) Drew, to whom were born five daughters: Mary,
Charlotte, Sarah Ann, Adaline and Hannah. They were likewise
residents of Massachusetts, where the grandfather followed the
carpenter's trade during his active years.
The parents of our subject, David and Mary (Drew) Fuller, were both
natives of the state of Massachusetts, and there they were likewise
reared and married and passed the early years of their domestic
life. Subsequently they removed to Gardiner, Maine, formerly a part
of Massachusetts, where the father followed his trade during the
remainder of his active life. He was a carpenter and cabinet-maker
of rare skill and workmanship, having learned to do exquisite work
with the broadax. He was one of the well-to-do citizens of his town,
owning his own home, and there both he and his wife passed away at
the venerable age of seventy-four years, his death occurring in 1869
and hers in 1877. In matters of faith they were strictly orthodox
and his political support he gave to the whig party. When the second
war with Great Britain opened, David Fuller was old enough to enlist
and went to the front as the musician of his regiment but did not
long remain in the service. He was a public-spirited man and always
took much interest in all local political issues and for some years
discharged the duties of justice of the peace. Eight children were
born to Mr.
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
987
and Mrs. Fuller, our subject being the fifth in order of birth. The
others are as follows: Elizabeth E., Elisha D., David H., Mary C,
Sarah H., Rebecca A. and Ursula Anna, who died December 4, 1829.
Reared on his father's farm in Maine, Erastus Fuller obtained his
education in the subscription schools of the vicinity. At the age of
fourteen years he laid aside his school books and turned his
attention to the carpenter's trade, which he learned under the
capable direction of his father. This had been the occupation of the
men in both the paternal and maternal lines of his family for
several generations and to this fact in all probability can be
attributed much of the mechanical skill Mr. Fuller has always
manifested. By the time he had attained his majority he was a
capable and most creditable representative of his craft, which he
successfully followed during the entire period of his active life.
Fie followed his trade in his native state until he was twenty-seven
years of age, but believing that the newer towns of the west offered
greater possibilities, in 1857 with his wife and family he came to
Illinois. Upon his arrival in the state he first located at Oquawka,
Henderson county, where he resided until 1863. In May of the latter
year he removed to Galesburg, where he has even since lived, having
resided in his present home for forty-four years. During the long
period of his residence here Mr. Fuller has erected and
superintended the construction of many of the best dwellings in the
town and has also done the carpenter work in some of the leading
public buildings. He was always regarded as one of the best
carpenters in the town and one of the most reliable. A man of high
honor and integrity, he made it one of the guiding principles of his
life to keep his word and to discharge each task to the best of his
ability. Consequently he had little difficulty in commanding a high
price for his work, as it was always found to be worth the amount
charged. When he first located here he only did carpenter work but
after his sons became old enough to go to work he leased the old
Coulton planing mill, which he operated for fifteen years very
successfully. A goodly degree of prosperity has attended the efforts
of Mr. Fuller, who in addition to his comfortable residence and
other property interests has a competence that provides him and his
wife with all of the necessities and many of the comforts of life.
Mr. Fuller has been married twice. His first union was with Miss
Elizabeth Merry, a daughter of Samuel and Frances (Barter) Merry,
their marriage being celebrated in Maine, on December 9, 1851. Four
children were born to them, as follows: Lizzie Flora, who died at
the age of seven years; Elmer, who was a babe of eighteen months
when he died; Hervey, whose death occurred at the age of one year;
and Blanche, who died in infancy. The mother passed away on the 5th
of April, 1867. On the 23d of April, 1868, Mr. Fuller married Miss
Amelia D. Stancliff, who is a daughter of William and Esther
(Belden) Stan-cliff. Mrs. Fuller was born in Knox county, on
September 26, 1843, an^ nere she has passed her entire life. Her
father was a native of Pennsylvania and her mother of New York, but
they were married in the former state, coming from Erie,
Pennsylvania, to Knox county in 1843. They located at Center Point
in June of that year and there they continued to reside until 1848,
when they came to Galesburg. Here William Stancliff passed away on
the 15th of August, 1851, at the age of forty-three years. The
mother, however, survived until February, 1894, her death occurring
at the venerable age of eighty-four.
988 HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stancliff, as follows:
William Henry Harrison, Mary Anna, Amelia Desire, Emma Arabel, James
Russell, David Russell and Daniel Belden. The paternal grandparents
of Mrs. Fuller were Russell and Desire (Goodard) Stancliff, natives,
of Pennsylvania. They had two sons, William and James. Her maternal
grandparents were David and Anna (Ensign) Belden, natives of New
York, whence they removed to Pennsylvania, coming from there to Knox
county in 1839. Plere they both passed away and were laid to rest in
Llope cemetery. They had seven children: Par-melia, Esther,
Nathaniel, William, Sallie Ann, Daniel Dixon and Susanna Meriel. The
family of Mr. Fuller and his second wife numbers six, three
daughters and three sons. David, who is a traveling salesman,
married Cora Elizabeth Barrer and they reside at Galesburg. Emma,
the deceased wife of Dr. Ralph T. Edwards, passed away in Siam near
Bangkok, in January, 1910, leaving three children, Ralph Stancliff,
Emma Hammell and Mary Elizabeth. W'illiam Stancliff, a postal clerk
on the fast mail running from Chicago to Omaha, married Mary Ellen
Brooks and resides at La Grange, Illinois. They have one child
living, Erastus Brooks. Walter Erastus, the youngest son, died just
before graduating from high school in March of 1895. Bessie Mabel is
a nurse in Mayo Brothers Llospital at Rochester, Minnesota. Mary
Edith, who is the youngest member of the family, is at home with her
parents.
In matters of faith Mr. and Mrs. Fuller are Congregationalists,
holding membership in Central church of this city, and his political
support he gives to the republicans. He was formerly a whig but when
that party was merged into the republican he transferred his
allegiance and has ever since cast his ballot for their candidates.
Mr. Fuller has witnessed the marvelous development of Galesburg that
has accompanied the introduction of modern commercial and industrial
methods in keeping with the rapid progress of the times, the
inventions that are now common household and business necessities
being undreamed of luxuries when he first came here.
EDSON
REIFSNIDER, D. D.
Edson Reifsnider, who is dean of Ryder Divinity School, Lombard
College. was born in Aurora, Illinois, on the 28th of April, 1868, a
son of Vincent and Frances Salina (Gurley) Reifsnider. He acquired
his early education in the public schools of Chicago and
subsequently entered the divinity department of Tuft's College,
Boston, Massachusetts, from which institution he was graduated in
1898 with the degree of B. D. Before entering college Dr. Reifsnider
spent ten years in mercantile pursuits in Chicago. During his senior
year at Tuft's College he acted as pastor of the New Bedford,
Massachusetts, Universalist church. Immediately after his graduation
he accepted a pastorate in Danvers, Massachusetts. Lie remained
there until 1892 and the following year removed to Galesburg, where
he held a pastorate for six years. In 1903 he also accepted a
position as instructor in Ryder Divinity School, Lombard College,
and was thus engaged until 1909 when he was chosen dean of the
school. Lie has since occupied that office. In 1911 Buchtel College,
Akron, Ohio, conferred upon him the degree of D. D.
991
On the 1st of October, 1906, Dr. Reifsnider was married in Galesburg
to Miss Anna Louise Cutter. Lie gives his attention exclusively to
the best interests of the Ryder Divinity School and is one of the
valued members of the faculty of Lombard College.
JOHN PURDY.
John Purdy was known in business, circles of Galesburg as a
pattern-maker and through his well conducted activities reached a
point of success that enabled him to spend his later years in
honorable retirement from labor. In early life he learned the
pattern-maker's trade, which he followed for a number of years,
entering the employ of George Brown. In this connection he displayed
marked skill and ability, so that he was able to fill a responsible
position and command good wages for his services. Llis industry and
careful expenditure at length brought him a substantial competence
and with this he retired to private life about 1886.
Mr. Purdy was twice married, his second union being with Mrs. Anna
Foote, whom he wedded on the ist of June, 1887. She is a daughter of
James and Sarah (Halley) McFarland, of Warren county, Illinois,
their home being on the Monmouth road about six miles from
Galesburg. Their daughter Anna was twice married, her first husband
being Henry Foote, who was born in Illinois, February 5, 1834, and
was a son of Francis and Hannah B. (Miles) Foote, both of whom were
natives of the east and died in that part of the country when their
son Henry was a small child. He afterward came to Illinois with an
uncle, Bradley Miles, who settled at Lewistown, this state. Mr.
Foote completed his education as a student in Knox College and for a
few years engaged in farming but, believing that he was called to
the ministry, he engaged in preaching in the Methodist Episcopal
church. Lie was called to his last charge in Oneida, Knox county, in
the fall of 1873 and there engaged in preaching until the following
year, when he went to Tennessee, where he died on the 5th of
January, 1874. His life was ever a consistent and honorable one and
was a factor for good in the world's work. Llis widow afterward
returned to her mother's home, where she lived for a year, and then
came to Galesburg, placing her children in the high school here.
It was on the 26th of October, 1859, m Warren county, about six
miles southwest of Galesburg, that Mr. Foote was united in marriage
to Miss Anna McFarland, and the children of this marriage are: Harry
Willis, who was born August 12, 1864, in Warren county, Illinois,
and is now engaged in the live-stock commission business in St.
Joseph, Missouri; and Winifred Louise, who was born July 31, 1870,
in Warren county, Illinois, and is the wife of George Rakstraw, a
banker of Wyoming, Illinois, by whom she has four children, Harry
Eugene, Roy Delbert, Florence Margaret and Helen Louise. The mother
of these children, Mrs. Rakstraw, was educated in Brown's Business
College.
Some years subsequent to the death of her first husband Mrs. Foote,
who was born in Warren county, Illinois, October 12, 1842, became
the wife of John Purdy. In his political views he was a republican
but never sought nor desired
992 . HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY, Illinois
office in recognition of his party fealty. His religious faith was
that of the Baptist church, while Mrs. Purdy belongs to the
Methodist Episcopal church. She is widely known in this part of the
state, where her entire life has been passed, and those who know
her, esteem her highly because her life has been a force for good
and because her Christian principles have found manifestation in her
kindly spirit and charity toward others.
GEORGE A. GIBSON.
George A. Gibson is one of the representative agriculturists of
Persifer township, where he engages in the cultivation of three
hundred and twenty acres of land, two hundred and forty of which on
section 17, Persifer township, he owns. He was born in Vermilion
county, Illinois, on May 22, 1875, and is a son of John H. and Mary
(Leadbetter) Gibson. In 1881, the father, who is now deceased,
removed with his family to Knox county, locating in Persifer
township, where he engaged in farming.
George A. Gibson was a child of six years when he removed with his
parents to Knox county, and here he has ever since made his home.
His youth was passed in the township where he now resides, his
education being obtained in the common schools. While he was still
in his early boyhood he began assisting his father about the home
place, thus acquiring the knowledge that has enabled him to become
the successful agriculturist and stockman he is today. When old
enough to begin for himself, naturally he adopted the vocation to
which he had been trained from childhood, and that his decision was
a wise one is evidenced by his present prosperity. Pie is the owner
of two hundred and forty acres of most fertile land on section 17,
Persifer township, that is well improved and under high cultivation.
His place is fully and thoroughly equipped with all the machinery
and appliances deemed essential by the modern farmer for the
operation of the fields, and he has introduced various other
conveniences and improvements in keeping with the spirit of progress
that characterizes all of his undertakings. In connection with the
cultivation of his fields Mr. Gibson is engaged in stock-raising and
is meeting with satisfactory success in both branches of the
business. He takes great pride in his farm and his stock, the latter
being of high grade, and everything about the place bespeaks the
intelligent direction and capable supervision that accompany
success. lie is a man of progressive ideas, yet is not a theorist,
being thoroughly practical in his methods, and directs all of his
operations with as careful regard for system as is evidenced by the
successful man in any other line of business. lie makes a scientific
study of his soil, its needs and requirements and the cereal to
which it is best adapted, and by the carefvil and systematic
rotation of his crops realizes abundant harvests each year. Mr.
Gibson bought his farm of Charles Wyman, and located here
immediately after his marriage. Although the previous owner had
erected all of the buildings he has wrought many changes in the
place during the period of his occupancy, and it is now one of the
most attractive as well as valuable properties in the community.
993, HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY, Illinois
For his companion and helpmate Mr. Gibson chose Miss Emma Kellar,
and they have become the parents of one son, Roy H., who is
attending the local school. Mrs. Gibson is well known in the
vicinity being a daughter of William and Katherine Kellar.
His political support Mr. Gibson always accords to the republican
party, and for the past three years he has been serving as road
commissioner in Persifer township, and he is also a school director
in district 89. He is meeting with financial success in his
agricultural pursuits, and in addition to his well stocked farm he
is a member and director of the Persifer Telephone Company. Mr.
Gibson has at all times fortunately directed his activities so
intelligently that he has achieved his purpose. This can be largely
attributed to the fact that he is never in doubt about the course he
shall pursue, but carefully concentrates his energies upon a
definite end with the determination of attaining it.
DOUGLAS WILLIAMSON.
Douglas Williamson, living on section 13, Indian Point township, is
one of the representative farmers of Knox county. His methods are at
all times practical, as well as progressive, and the results
achieved have placed him with the substantial and successful
residents of his community. Pie was born in Cedar township, January
29, 1856, a son of James and Sophronia (Bland) Williamson, both of
whom were natives of Indiana. The grandfather, Thomas Williamson,
was a native of Kentucky and with his family removed to Illinois,
settling first in Sangamon county, where he remained for a short
time. In 1832 he came to Knox county and entered land from the
government. Not a furrow had been turned, nor an improvement made
upon the place and the family experienced all the hardships and
privations of pioneer life, while converting the raw prairie land
into productive fields. Thomas Williamson had been a resident of
Knox county for only a brief period when he was drafted for service
in the Black Hawk war and aided in quelling the Indian uprising in
this state. The farm upon which he settled in Cedar township
remained his place of residence until his death and his wife also
died on the old homestead.
James Williamson, father of Douglas Williamson, accompanied his
parents on their removal from Indiana to Illinois and was reared in
this state. In boyhood he assisted in the arduous task of developing
the home farm and later he purchased land and began farming on his
own account. For many years he was thus connected with agricultural
interests in Knox county, but eventually sold his farm and removed
to Abingdon, where he lived retired until his death in 1902. He was
then seventy-eight years of age. He married Sophronia Bland, whose
father, Joshua Bland, was also one of the early settlers of Knox
county, arriving here in 1832. She is still living in Abingdon at
the advanced age of eighty-four years. In the family of Mr. and Mrs.
James Williamson were nine sons and five daughters and twelve of
these are still living. The eldest, Mrs. Mary Bateman is deceased.
The oldest surviving member of the family is Stewart Williamson, now
of Galesburg. He was born in an old log schoolhouse of Cedar
township, March 10, 1847, was educated in the Brush creek school in
994. HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY, Illiinois
that township, and then took up the occupation of farming. For
fifteen years he resided in Abingdon, after which he settled on a
farm near that town. Eventually, however, he took up his abode in
Galesburg, where he now lives. Fie was married in Abingdon October
n, 1874, to Elizabeth Jones, a native of Monmouth and a daughter of
John A. and Nancy (Hart) Jones, who came to Illinois from Virginia
and were resident farmers of Knox county until their deaths. Unto
Mr. and Mrs. Stewart Williamson were born eight children: Minnie,
the wife of Harry Bloomneld of California; Guy, of this county;
Clyde, of Cedar township; Myrtle, the wife of John Smith of Chicago;
Lou, the wife of Allen Sweborg, living on a farm in Cedar township;
Cora, Ethel and James, all at home. Frank M. Williamson, the third
member of the family of Mr. and Mrs. James Williamson, is living in
Cedar township where he follows farming. Annie, the next of the
family, is the wife of R. McGahey. Rachel is the widow of George
Swartz and lives in Abingdon. James M., is a resident of Colorado.
Douglas is the next of the family. William is a resident of
Colorado. Ellen is married and lives in Cedar township. John is a
practitioner of osteopathy in Parsons, Kansas. Mary is the wife of
Dwight Hunter of Cedar township. Daniel who was killed in a runaway
accident in April, 1911, was among the first to go to the Klondyke
country, traveling with a company of men who walked over the
Chilkoot paths. He remained there one season when his provisions
gave out and he was compelled to leave the north. Pie then went to
California where he remained one year and then made his way to
Seattle, Washington. While there he enlisted for service in the
Spanish-American war and went to the Philippines, taking part in the
first battle. Pie participated altogether in thirty-seven
engagements, remaining in the islands for three years. On his return
to the United States he was mustered out at Seattle and was
discharged at Washington, D. C. Later he drew a piece of land in
Oklahoma, remaining there for some time, but subsequently sold his
claim. He then engaged in breaking horses and was killed while
following that business. Charles, the next of the family, is a
farmer living in Cedar township. Edward is an electrician and sketch
artist, residing in Denver, Colorado, and the youngest of the
family.
In taking up the personal history of Douglas Williamson, we present
to our readers the life record of one of the well known and
representative agriculturists of Knox county. Pie pursued his
education in the Warren school and then took up the occupation to
which he had been reared. For fourteen years he engaged in breaking
horses and did a larger business of that kind than any other man in
the county, breaking as many as one hundred and fifty horses in a
year. Since then he has confined his attention entirely to general
farming, including the cultivation of the cereals best adapted to
soil and climate, and also to the raising of stock, making a
specialty of thoroughbred Jersey cattle. For the past six years he
has lived on his present farm on section 13, Indian Point township,
and the neat and thrifty appearance of his place indicates his
careful management and progressive methods.
On the 20th of March, 1894, in Galesburg, Mr. Williamson was married
to Miss Cora Young, who was born in Fulton county, Illinois,
February 24, 1872, a daughter of Asher and Susan (Parks) Young, both
of whom were natives of New Jersey and on removing to Illinois
settled near Fairview, Fulton county, when that was a pioneer
district. Both Mr. and Mrs. Young are now living with Mr. and Mrs.
Williamson. The three children of the latter are: Gladys, Marie and
Otis, all at home. The parents are valued members of the Methodist
Episcopal church and are loyal to its teachings. Air. Williamson
belongs to Abingdon Lodge No. 185, F. & A. M. and also to the Odd
Fellows Lodge of Hermon and the Modern Woodmen Camp at Abingdon. His
many sterling traits of character and his business enterprise and
ability have gained him a place among the valued citizens of his
township and his good qualities have won him many friends. 995
LORENTUS CONGER
FERRIS.
Lorentus Conger Ferris, who is conducting a feed store and transfer
line at number 109 South Prairie street, Galesburg, is a native of
Knox county, his birth having occurred in this township on the 14th
of January, 1869. He is a son of Fred and Elizabeth (Sherman)
Ferris, who were also born and reared in this county, where their
parents located during the pioneer days. The paternal grandfather,
George Ferris, came here about the same time as the Gale family and
was numbered among the founders of Galesburg. The maternal
grandparents passed the greater part of their lives in this
vicinity, where they attained a ripe old age. Their family numbered
fourteen. Reared on a farm, during his early manhood Fred Ferris
followed agricultural pursuits, but of recent years he has been
engaged in gardening in the immediate vicinity of Galesburg. When
the call came for troops in the early days of the war, Mr. Ferris
responded by enlisting as a private and going to the front, where he
remained for three and a half years. There he early displayed the
courage and ability that qualified for a more responsible position
and he was mustered out with the rank of lieutenant. Upon his return
home he resumed the responsibilities of civil life as a farmer,
continuing to follow that occupation for some years thereafter. The
children of Mr. and Mrs. Ferris numbered thirteen, nine of whom
lived to attain maturity, as follows: George, who is living at Bull
Frog Fields, Nevada; Margaret, the widow of Mr. Beckwell, of Los
Angeles, California; Lorentus Conger, our subject; Olmstead, who
resides at Rock Island; James, of Kenosha, Wisconsin; Harry, who
lives in Peoria; Albert, now a resident of Galesburg; Edward, who is
living in Fairview; and Grant, who is a farmer in Warren township.
The mother, who has now passed away was a Methodist in religious
faith, and his political support the father accords to the
republican party.
The first six years in the childhood of Lorentus Conger Ferris were
passed on the farm where he was born, but he has ever since lived in
Galesburg. He attended the public schools until he was old enough to
make his own way in the world and engaged in lathing for two years.
At the expiration of that time he gave up this trade and for three
years thereafter drove a dray, continuing at home until he had
attained his maturity. Four years ago, Mr. Ferris established the
business he is now conducting and is meeting with a goodly measure
of success in his undertaking. He is one of those who energetically
apply themselves to whatever they engage in, and is using
intelligence in the direction of hisenterprise. During the four
years he has been identified with this activity he has made marked
progress in its development, and is now firmly established and
thriving.
996 HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY, Illinois
Mr. Ferris was married on the ist of July, 1890, to Miss Ida Morgan,
who was born in Indiana and is a daughter of Peter and Catharine
(Harris) Morgan. The parents came from Indiana to Knox county many
years ago settling on the Gale farm. Agricultural pursuits always
engaged the energies of the father, who passed away at the age of
sixty years. The mother, however, is still living. They had seven
daughters, as follows: Ida, now Mrs. Ferris; Alice; Anna; Rhoda;
Frances, who died at the age of fourteen years; Lillian; and one,
who was seven at the time of her death. The father, Peter Morgan,
was one of those who gave his services in defense of the Union
during the Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Ferris have two daughters, Ethel
and Bessie. The family home is located at 198 Cedar avenue, where
they own a comfortable and pleasant residence.
Mr. Ferris champions the political principles of the republican
party, and although he takes an active interest in all municipal
affairs, has never sought public office. Mrs. Ferris and their two
daughters hold membership in the -Methodist Episcopal church, and
take a helpful interest in the work of its various organizations.
F[e is a most worthy representative of one of the highly respected
pioneer families, and is held in favorable regard by his many
friends, the majority of whom have known him from early boyhood.
HENRY C. BLOOM.
Among the farmers of Persifer township who have prospered as the
result of untiring and faithful labor is Henry C. Bloom, the owner
of eighty acres of land on section 13. A native of Sweden, he was
born September 21, 1865. Flis grandfather was Constan Sunderman
Bloom, a wealthy sea captain, who on one of his voyages was wrecked
at sea for three weeks and after five days of floating on the water
was picked up by a passing ship. John Jaskrith Bloom, father of
Henry C. Bloom, was also a native of Sweden, born in 1818. His
occupation was that of agriculturist and he performed his duties
with an additional degree of success because of the liberal
education which he had received. Fie married Carolina Johnston, a
countrywoman of his, born in 1828, who had also received a good
education in the land of her birth. She was a daughter of Jonas
Johnston. Mr. Bloom was ten years his wife's senior and after her
death, in 1908, he survived her by only two years, both being buried
in Saby cemetery, in Jankopinglan, Sweden. They were both zealous
members of the Lutheran church. Their family consisted of four
children, three girls and one boy, two of the girls being deceased.
Only Henry C. and one sister now survive.
Henry C. Bloom after finishing his education, in 1887, when only
twenty-two years of age, with the initiative and courage
characteristic of those who make a success of life, set out
unaccompanied for America, reaching Knox county, where he labored
for three months as a section hand. Then going to Dahinda, Illinois,
he worked for two years on the Santa Fe Railroad, after which he
began his career as a farmer. On January 11, 1893, he married
Christiana Matteson, a native of Sweden, born December 5, 1845, and
the youngest child of John and Anna Catherine (Pearson) Svidbeurg.
John Svidbeurg was born in 1805, and his wife, in 1809, both being
natives of Sweden, where they spent their entire lives, he dying in
1876, and she in 1882. They were the parents of five children, three
girls and two boys. One brother and one sister of Airs. Bloom also
came to America, the sister residing in Bloomington, Illinois, and
the brother in Orange township, Knox county. After receiving her
education Christiana Svidbeurg came to America at the age of
twenty-five, living in Galesburg for two years and at Knoxville for
six months prior to her marriage to her first husband, a Mr.
Matteson, deceased. Two children were born of her first marriage:
Ella Amanda, who is the wife of W. H. Webb, of Persifer township,
and mother of Marion Eleanor, Margaret Christiana, and Maurice
Matteson and Madeline, twins; and Minnie Esther, who is the wife of
Henry Westergreen, residing in Copley township, and mother of Vivian
lone, Harold Love and Nellie Christiana. After his marriage Mr.
Bloom purchased a farm of Judge Craig, in Persifer township, which
tract being unimproved he has cultivated, erecting on it good
buildings and converting it into an attractive place. Iiis farming
has been along general lines and he also raises cattle, hogs and
horses. Mr. Bloom has been very active in furthering the interests
of his community. Lie is a stockholder in the Dahinda-Victoria
Mutual Telephone Company, has given much attention to the schools of
his district and has served one term as school director. He is loyal
to the republican party and is socially connected with the Fraternal
Reserve Life Association, Dahinda Lodge, No. 2, being chaplain of
the local lodge. Mr. Bloom is a true representative of the land of
his birth, sturdy, persevering, reliable, and these qualities have
made him a highly honored citizen. 997
E. S. WILLARD.
E. S. Willard is one of the highly successful and capable business
men of Williamsfield, where he located three years ago, founding the
enterprise that he and R. L. Reed are now conducting under the firm
name of E. S. Willard & Company. His birth occurred in Marshall
county, this state in 1878, and he is the only child born of the
marriage of J. E. and Martha (Schanck) Willard. His father, who is
also a native of Marshall county, was for many years engaged in the
restaurant business, but he now has charge of the cemetery at
Prince-ville, and both he and the mother reside in that city.
When old enough to begin his education E. S. Willard entered the
public schools of Lawn Ridge, which he attended until he had reached
the age of sixteen years. Feeling that he had sufficient knowledge
to enable him to begin preparations for his business career, he then
laid aside his text-books and entered Ziegler's furniture and
undertaking establishment of Peoria, of which there was a branch at
Lawn Ridge. From there he went to Wyoming, where he continued to
follow the same business for eight years, thus ably qualifying
himself to conduct a similar place of his own. In 1908 he came to
Williamsfield and opened the establishment of E. S. Willard &
Company, which has developed in a most gratifying manner during the
three years of its existence. Mr. Willard was at first alone in the
business, but soon took in E. T. Merry as a partner. Upon the
latter's death in 1910, Mr. Reed purchased his interest and has ever
since been connected with the enterprise. It is the only furniture
store in the town and they also carry a varied assortment of
carpets, hardware, crockery, wall paper and musical instruments. In
connection with their household furnishings they maintain an
undertaking department, which is among the most complete to be found
in a town of this size in the state. Mr. Willard gives his personal
attention to this department of their business and discharges his
duties in a manner becoming its dignity and solemnity. In their
store, due to its excellent location and attractiveness, they have
enjoyed a good and growing patronage from the first, and being
pleasant and agreeable as well as accommodating they have succeeded
in retaining satisfied customers and in adding to them continually.
Every department of the store is flourishing, and they are having
particularly large sales in musical instruments, especially pianos.
998
Mr. Willard was married while residing in Wyoming to Miss Ida
Osborn, a resident of that place, the event being celebrated in
April, 1901.
Fraternally Mr. Willard is affiliated with the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, having taken all degrees to the Encampment. He is one
of the wide-awake, alert and progressive business men of
Williamsfield, who is not alone interested in the development of his
own enterprise but in that of the community at large, and he can
always be depended upon to give his support and cooperation to every
movement that he feels will be of general benefit to the citizens of
the town and surrounding districts.
PROFESSOR WILLIAM EDWARD SIMONDS.
Professor William Edward Simonds, professor of English in Knox
College since 1889 and a well known contributor to the text-books of
the schools, was born in September 10, i860, in Peabody,
Massachusetts, a son of Edward and Mary A. (Chase) Simonds. The
father was also a native of the old Bay state, having been born at
Ipswich, Massachusetts, December 30, 1811. He was the second of the
ten children of Charles and Mary (Stacy) Simonds, who were married
in 1808. The former was born in 1786 and passed away in 1851, while
his wife, who was born in 1788, died in 1874. Their children
continued to live in Pea-body or that vicinity until called from
this life, the death of Edward Simonds there occurring July 4, 1873.
In early manhood he had wedded Mary A. Chase, who was born in
Bushwick, a borough of Brooklyn, New York, August n, 1828. Shortly
after her birth her parents removed to Massachusetts, occupying for
two years the old Whittier homestead in East Haverhill, following
the removal of the poet to Amesbury. Thereafter the family settled
permanently in Hudson, New Hampshire. Her ancestry is traced back to
Humphrey and Rebekah (Nichols) Chase. The former, who was born in
1779, died in i860, and the latter, born in 1780, died in 1848. They
were the parents of John Chase, who was born in Plaistow, New
Hampshire, in 1802, and was married in 1827 to Martha L. Rhodes, of
Lynn, Massachusetts, a daughter of Thomas and Ruth (Marston) Rhodes.
John Chase died in Nashua, New Hampshire, in 1888. He was the father
of Mrs. Mary A. Simonds, who was the eldest in a family of ten
children and is now living in the home of her son, Professor
Simonds, in Galesburg.1001
The childhood and youth of Professor Simonds were passed in Peabody,
Massachusetts, formerly known as South Danvers, a parish of the
ancient town of Danvers, adjoining the city of Salem, noted in
colonial history as the scene of the witchcraft delusion. South
Danvers was the birthplace of George Pea-body, who became prominent
as a banker in London and famous as a philanthropist, and at his
death the town took the name of Peabody in his honor. Professor
Simonds pursued his education in the public schools of that place
and afterward spent the year of 1878-9 in the Phillips Andover
Academy. In 1879 he entered Brown University, from which he was
graduated in 1883 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He was
thirteen years of age at the time of his father's death. The family
inherited little or no property and his education was obtained at
considerable sacrifice and with much hard work. He has always
accredited much of his success to his mother; she had been a school
teacher prior to her marriage and was ambitious for her son and
anxious that he should have a college education. While they both
worked to accomplish the object before them, Professor Simonds has
always said that he felt sure that his mother carried the larger
burden. During his college days she boarded some of the students in
her home and thus provided for the support of her family, while
Professor Simonds at different periods worked in the Providence
public library, taught in the evening schools and during the summer
vacations engaged in such employment as usually claims the attention
of college students. For two summers he was storekeeper at Rocky
Point, a great shore resort on Narragansett Bay. He afterward acted
as station agent for the Stonington line at Oakland Beach, another
resort, through one summer, and undoubtedly these experiences, due
to necessity, were not the least valuable part of his education.
Following the completion of his college course Professor Simonds
engaged in teaching for two years in the high school of Providence,
Rhode Island, to which place he and his mother had removed in 1879,
making that city their home until the summer of 1885, when they went
to Germany. During the fall and succeeding winter he was a student
in the University of Berlin, after which he and his mother went to
Strassburg, where he continued his studies until the spring of 1888,
at which time he passed his examinations and received his Ph. D.
degree from the university. His work had been in the field of
English literature and Teutonic philology. On returning to the
United States he spent one year at Cornell University at Ithaca, New
York, as instructor in German, and in 1889 received a call to the
chair of English in Knox College, where he has since remained,
making this one of the most attractive departments of the
institution. The work done is thorough and comprehensive, bringing
to the pupils a wide knowledge of the best literature of our race.
Professor Simonds has written and edited several text-books for the
use of students of English literature, the first of these being the
thesis which he prepared at Strassburg—Sir Thomas Wyat and his Poems
(1889). He published an Introduction to the Study of English Fiction
in 1894, a Student's History of English Literature in 1902, a
Student's History of American Literature in 1909 and has edited
school editions of Scott's Ivanhoe, De Quincey's Revolt of the
Tartars, Mrs. Gaskell's Cranford, Scott's Quentin Durward,
Washington's Farewell Address and Webster's First Bunker Hill
Oration. Professor Simonds is also a contributor to The Dial. During
1904 he gave courses of lectures in the summer session of the
University of Illinois and in 1907 and again in 1908 he taught
through the summer sessions at the Ohio State University, while in
1911 he again taught at the University of Illinois. At its
commencement exercises in June, 1911, Brown University honored him
by conferring upon him the degree of Doctor of Letters. He has
lectured frequently on subjects connected with literature and during
the period when university extension was most popular, from 1890
until 1900, he gave many courses in cities and towns in Illinois,
particularly in Peoria and Quincy and also in Burlington, Iowa. He
has delivered many addresses before teachers' institutes in central
Illinois and has taken an advanced position upon many points which
have proven important elements in upholding the standard of
education in the state.1002
Professor Simonds has cooperated in many projects which are allied
interests of school work. Pie is a member of the Modern Language
Association and the National Council of Teachers of English. For
many years he has been a director of the Galesburg public library.
In connection with his duties as professor of the college he is also
discharging those of secretary of the faculty. Pie is a member of
the Delta Upsilon, a college fraternity, and since 1876 has been a
member of the Baptist church, serving at the present time on the
board of trustees of the First Baptist church of Galesburg. He is
president of the Associated Charities of Knox county and no good
work done in the name of charity or religion seeks his aid in vain.
Plis political allegiance has always been given to the republican
party and it is a well known fact that Professor Simonds' position
upon any vital question is never an equivocal one.
In 1898, at Chicago, Professor Simonds was united in marriage to
Miss Katherine L. Courtright, daughter of Rev. Calvin W. Courtright,
a Presbyterian clergyman. For some years prior to her marriage Mrs.
Simonds followed the profession of teaching, conducting for a short
time a private school for children and young women in Chicago. In
1896-7 she acted as dean of women in Knox College. By her marriage
she has become the mother of three "daughters, Mar-jorie, Katherine
and Eleanor.
Such in brief is the history of Professor Simonds, who throughout
his entire career has never chosen the second best but has sought
always those things which are of greatest value to the individual
and to the community and at all times has made his life a
serviceable factor for good in the world's work.
JOHN A. JOHNSTON.
John A. Johnston, who owns and operates a farm in Walnut Grove
township, Knox county, was born on the 18th of August, 1866, in this
township. He is a son of Joseph and Jeannette (Anderson) Johnston,
the former a native of Sorn, Ayrshire, Scotland, who came to America
early in life and located in Altona. At first he was employed by the
month on a farm but subsequently purchased a tract for himself.
During this time he was also engaged in hauling merchandise by team
from Galesburg to Pikes Peak, Colorado. Pie made two round trips,
usually making thirty miles a day. After this he returned to engage
in farming in Walnut Grove township but while thus occupied he
secured a claim in a gold mine, which brought him some profits.
During the war he deposited this money in the Galesburg Bank and
later purchased the first eighty acres of the farm upon which he
resided during the remainder of his life. He brought this farm under
a high state of cultivation and devoted much of his time to
stock-dealing. He was a member of the Presbyterian church and,
though he never held political office, was greatly interested in the
welfare of the community. Mrs. Jeannette (Anderson) Johnston is of
Scotch ancestry, her father being James Anderson, a son of John
Anderson, and the mother Miss Mary Borland. The father was born in
Ayrshire, Scotland, and was a blacksmith by trade, following his
occupation all his life in his native country. In i860 he came to
America and made his home with his son A. B. Anderson in Knox
county, where he died in 1865. A. B. Anderson, the brother of Mrs.
Johnston, is a prominent banker and the senior member of the firm of
A. B. Anderson & Son, of Oneida. There were nine children in the
Anderson family. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnston five children were born:
Mary, who is the wife of Thomas Wade, of Galva, Illinois; John A.,
who is the subject of this review; and Isaac, Henry and Maggie, all
residing in Galva. Mr. Johnston's second marriage was to Miss Maggie
Meikle, who is now residing in Galva, and to this union two children
were born: Jeannette, who is the wife of John Anderson; and William,
who is living in Galva. 1003
John A. Johnston spent his youth and boyhood attending the district
school and on the home farm, where he was early trained to the best
methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He started
upon his independent career on a part of the home farm, where he
engaged in general farming and stock-raising, in which he has met
with the success which is the reward of persistent effort, diligent
labor and constant application.
Mr. Johnston was married to Miss Abbie Lytton, whose birth occurred
in 1867 and who is a daughter of Ezra and Rhoda Lytton. To this
union two children have been born, Ray, who is eight, and Loren, who
is five years of age. Mr. Johnston devotes his whole attention to
agricultural pursuits and has never been an active member of any
political party, church or lodge. He has been a resident of the
county throughout his life and is regarded as one of the substantial
and progressive farmers, displaying in all of his undertakings an
energy which has enabled him to overcome any difficulties and
obstacles that have arisen.
THOMAS W.
THOMSON, M. D.
Dr. Thomas W. Thomson, numbered among the alumni of Rush Medical
College and successfully engaged in practice in Knoxville, was born
in Truro township, Knox county, January 27, 1873, a son of P. and
Mary S. (Lapham) Thomson, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The
father was a mechanic and wood worker who in early life came to
Illinois, where he was married. He settled first in Macon county but
after a year came to Knox county and was identified with industrial
interests here for a considerable period. For the past thirty-five
years he and his wife have made their home in Yates City
1004 HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY, Illinois
and their sterling worth has won for them the high regard and
friendship of many with whom they have been brought in contact. In
their family were the following children: Morton W., who is a
resident of Calgary, Canada; LeRoy A., a retired farmer living at
Galesburg; Frank D., the principal of a high school at Springfield,
Illinois; Preston W., an attorney of Los Angeles, California; and
Thomas W., of this review.
Dr. Thomson, whose name introduces this review, spent his boyhood
days in Yates City, where he attended the public schools and after
completing his course there received a certificate that entitled him
to teach. lie followed that profession for four years or from 1891
until 1895, when, desiring to make further advancement along
educational lines, he matriculated in Knox College, where he spent
the succeeding four years as a student. Even then he was not
satisfied with his educational training and from 1899 until 1903
attended the University of Chicago, from which he was graduated on
the 15th of January of the latter year, winning the degree of
Bachelor of Science. His broad literary education served as an
excellent foundation for his professional knowledge, which was
gained in Rush Medical College of Chicago. In 1898 he had been
awarded a state teacher's certificate. The success which he gained
in that field foreshadowed the results which were to crown his
efforts since he has entered upon active practice. In the meantime,
however, the military chapter in his life history was written,
covering his service in the Spanish-American war. He enlisted on the
16th of April, 1898, as a member of Company C, Sixth Illinois
Volunteer Infantry, and was in the service at Porto Rico, returning
to New York on the 13th of September, 1898. On the 25th of November
he was mustered out at Springfield, Illinois, having done active
duty in the West Indies and made for himself a creditable record.
Following" his graduation from Rush, Dr. Thomson entered upon the
practice of medicine and surgery in Elmwood, Peoria county,
Illinois, where he remained for three years and then returned to
Knox county, settling in Knox-ville. He is said to be one of the
busiest physicians and surgeons in the county, constantly
overburdened by the demands which are made upon his professional
service. He is very painstaking and conscientious in the performance
of his professional duties, is most careful in the diagnosis of his
cases and is seldom, if ever, at fault in predicting the outcome of
disease, while as operator he has obtained wide recognition.
While Dr. Thomson's life work is that of the practice of medicine
and surgery, he has become equally widely known in musical circles,
having developed the marked talent with which nature endowed him
until his ability has gained him wide recognition. For three years
he was a director of the band at the University of Chicago and
received there a baton, which was the highest honor for
professorship. He was also solo cornetist of the Sixth Regiment Band
and is now first violinist in the Conservatory of Music Band of Knox
College. Moreover, he has done much to foster and stimulate musical
taste and talent in this and other sections of the state.
It was on the 24th of June, 1903, in Galesburg, that Dr. Thomson was
united in marriage to Miss Agnes Bollenbach, who was born in that
city October 22, 1879, a daughter of Peter and Christina Bollenbach,
both of whom were natives of Germany. The father is now deceased but
the mother vet resides in Galesburg. Unto Dr. and Mrs. Thomson have
been born four children: William H., Berwin, Florence H. and Frank.
The family is well known socially and the hospitality of the best
homes in Galesburg and the county is cordially extended them. Dr.
Thomson holds membership in Pacific Lodge, No. 66, A. F. & A. M. ;
Ravinia Chapter, No. 95, R. A. M.; and Illinois Council, No. 91, R.
& S. M. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, cordially
and actively supporting the different departments of the church
work. His professional relationships are with the Knox County and
Illinois State Medical Societies and he is the official medical
examiner for the United States Marine Corps at Knoxville. In every
relation of life his labors have been actuated by a high sense of
duty and a laudable ambition that has prompted him to reach out for
the best, whether for his own benefit or for the community at large.
Early in life he set his mark high and has used every available
opportunity to reach that level. 1005
DORRANCE W.
ALDRICH, M. D.
A record of the medical profession in Galesburg would be very
incomplete and unsatisfactory were not prominent reference made to
Dr. Dorrance W. Aldrich, who for thirty years was a practitioner
here, capable, energetic and conscientious. He was born in Boone
county, Illinois, near Belvidere, April 1, 1846, his parents being
William and Sarah Ann (Bassett) Aldrich, the former of whom was born
at Binghamton, New York, September 25, 1809, and the latter a native
of Pennsylvania, born at East Smithfield, July 26, 1812. They were
married at Smithfield, Pennsylvania, March 30, 1834. Making the trip
overland, they located in Boone county, where the father devoted his
time to farming. Just before the Civil war he came to Knox county,
settling about four miles north of Galesburg, in Henderson township,
where he owned and cultivated a farm, making his home there until
his demise. Pie was a republican in his political views and a
Presbyterian in his religious faith. Plis wife also belonged to the
same church. Following the death of her husband she removed to
Abilene, Kansas, where she made her home with a daughter until she,
too, passed away January 16, 1902. In their family were twelve
children: Chauncey S., now deceased; Owen J., living at Grand
Junction, Colorado; Francis, deceased; Julian B., whose home is in
Omaha, Nebraska; Dorrance W.; Clara, the wife of James Dickson, of
Quincy, Illinois; Laurin W., living in Council Bluffs, Iowa ; Nora,
the wife of Frank Morse, of Abilene, Kansas; Norman K., of
Galesburg; Percy, Prentice and Jesta, all now deceased.
Dr. Aldrich pursued his preliminary education in the schools of
Henderson township and afterward had the benefit of a course in Knox
College, thus through broad literary training laying the foundation
for his professional knowledge. He prepared for the practice of
medicine as a student in Rush Medical College and entered upon the
active work of the profession at Gilson, Illinois, where he remained
for two and a half years. He then entered the Bellevue Hospital
College of New York, and completed a course with the class of 1874.
Thus still better equipped for the onerous and responsible duties
which devolved upon him, he returned to Gilson, where he continued
in practice until 1879.
1006 HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY, Illinois
That year witnessed his arrival in Galesburg, |