Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Part 141

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913; Gale, W. Shelden
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1388

USA > Illinois > Knox County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 141
USA > Illinois > Lake County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 141
USA > Illinois > Mercer County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 141
USA > Illinois > Kane County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 141
USA > Illinois > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 141
USA > Illinois > Coles County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 141
USA > Illinois > Clark County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 141
USA > Illinois > McDonough County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 141
USA > Illinois > Schuyler County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 141

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

His public spirit is fully shown by his con- nection with various public enterprises, such as the Galesburg Stoneware Company; The Na- tional Perefoyd Company; The Galesburg Pav- ing Brick Company; the Galesburg National Bank, having been a Director of the same since its organization. He was a member of the Berggren and Lundeen firm, later the J. A. Lundeen Company, and still later the Berggren Clothing Company. From its organization, for twenty years, he was President of The Covenant Mutual Life Association, and for the last two years has been its Treasurer, still holding that position.

Mr. Berggren is both an Odd Fellow and a Mason, joining the former order in 1868; the latter, in 1869. He is a member of the several Masonic bodies in this city, and in the Order of Odd Fellows has taken a very active inter- est, filling every office of the subordinate bodies and the principal offices of the Grand Lodge. He was Grand Master and presided over the de- liberations of the Grand Lodge at Danville, Illi- nois, in 1880, and represented the Grand Lodge in the Sovereign Grand Lodge, at Baltimore, Maryland.

Mr. Berggren has broadened his life and add- ed greatly to the storehouse of information by quite extensive travel. He has visited almost every State in the Union, and in 1882, took an extensive trip through England, France, Bel-

gium, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Scotland, and Ireland, His charities have been of a prac- tical kind. He has given to the Swedish M. E. Church and parsonage, 1 to several other churches, Knox College, Lombard Gymnasium, and Cottage Hospital.

His religious affiliations are with the Swedish M. E. Church, although in 1856, he was con- firmed in Sweden in the Lutheran Church. He served as lay delegate to the General Confer- ence at Cincinnati in 1880.

In politics, he is a staunch republican. He is not only a worker, but has been one of the lead- ers in his party.

He was married March 8, 1866, to Christina Naslund, whose parents came to this country in 1854, joining the Bishop Hill Colony. Six chil- dren were born to them, Capitola Maud, Guy Werner, Ralph Augustus, Claus Eugene, Jay Valentine, and Earl Hugo. Ralph Augustus was run over by a train of cars and killed in 1887.

JAMES B. BOGGS.

James Buchanan Boggs, Attorney at Law and Master in Chancery, was born in Greencastle, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, October 20, 1828. His parents were John and Isabella Craig (Allison) Boggs, and were natives of Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Both the father and the mother were intelligent and painstaking peo- ple and exhibited marked traits of character. They were of Scotch-Irish ancestry and seem to have inherited the stern morality of that race.

John Boggs was a physician, and at an early age, was left fatherless. He was adopted by his mother's brother, Dr. Robert Johnson, a man of wealth and influence, and under his supervision, rose to prominence. He received his medical diploma from the University of Maryland, and for thirty years practiced medi- cine in his native county. In the War of 1812 he was appointed surgeon of Franklin County Volunteers, and in 1819 he married Isabella Craig, daughter of William Allison.

Dr. Robert Johnson, the adopted father of Dr. John Boggs, was a surgeon in the Revolutionary War from the beginning to the end. He was also one of the original members of the Society of Cincinnati, whose first president was George Washington.

J. B. Boggs availed himself of such oppor- tunities for schooling in his youth as the dis- trict schools afforded. This preparation was supplemented by a thorough training at the academy. He studied law at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and in 1852, was admitted to the Bar. After leaving school, he was first en- gaged in teaching, and afterwards took charge of the Chestnut Grove Iron Furnace. His first law practice was at Loudon and McConnells- burg. In 1856, he came to Galesburg, where has been his home ever since.

Mr. Boggs is a man of ability and of fine presence. In forming opinions, he is cautious, and is not biased by prejudicial instincts. His nature is benevolent and open, to be read of all men. To him, right doing and right living

:09

KNOX COUNTY.

are instinctive. The places of honor that he has been called to fill have heen deservedly won. He filled the office of City Attorney in 1862-65- 66-67-68-69, and was elected Alderman from 1879 to 1884. He was appointed Master in Chancery in 1871 and has held the office ever since.

According to his means, he has favored every public enterprise that has been for the interest of the city of his adoption. For several years, he has been the president of the Galesburg Printing Company, and a charter member of the Homestead and Loan Association and its attorney. He helongs to the Masonic Order. though not an active member at present. He has been connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since 1849.

Mr. Boggs is a firm believer in the teuets of the Presbyterian faith and his life has always been in harmony with that church. All its laws and ordinances are to him sacred and these he has kept blameless. His political affil- iations are with the republicans. Although his time is employed principally in the Chancery Court, yet he has never failed to do his duty as a worker for the success of republican princi- ples.

He was united in marriage at Galesburg, Octo- ber 5, 1858, to Susan Cornella Weeks, daughter of Benjamin Weeks. Eight children were born to them, three of whom are living, Isabel Alli- son, Elizabeth Wharton (Dunn), and Henry Hurd.

AARON BOYER.

Aaron Boyer was born in York County, Penn- sylvania, February 17, 1833. In 1839, he moved with his parents, Daniel and Rosana Boyer, to Indiana, where he attended the district school until twelve years of age, obtaining only a meager education. About this time, he met with an accident, which eventually caused his total blindness. However, as soon as he was able to labor, his parents being poor, he was obliged to assist his father in the distillery business, in which he soon became proficient. At the age of fifteen, his father sent him from home to super- intend a distillery for an acquaintance. His labor here was too great for his strength and education. Besides, the making of whiskey was distasteful and repulsive. After remaining eight months, he returned home, asking God's help to keep him from such an unworthy occu- pation. This resolution was the cause of his leaving home and starting out to make his own way in the world. After many unsuccessful efforts to obtain work, he was finally employed for the season by the Miama Canal Packet Com- pany (J. A. Garfield being at the same time an employe of this company), in driving a team on a canal packet. In the Fall of 1849, he was so badly crippled with rheumatism that he had to seek other employment. It was while thus dis- abled that he learned to make brooms.

In 1850, he was engaged with a surveying party on the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railroad, which was the second railroad run- ning out of Cincinnati, Ohio. But the incle- ment weather so aggravated his rheumatism and affected his eyes, which had never recov-

ered their strength, that he was forced to give up all kinds of labor. At the age of seven- teen, he became totally blind. But this boy's ambition could not be overcome, even by so great a calamity as this. Ile began making brooms at East Germantown, Indiana, where hla parents then lived. In a short time, he had be- come so proficient in this work that he was appointed foreman of the hroom shops at the School for the Blind at Indianapolls, where he remained for one year.

In 1853, he married Elizabeth Buck. To them was horn one son, who died in Infancy, the mother dying soon after. October 3, 1858, he married Sarah Harper in Wayne County, Indi- ana, where from 1855 to 1864, he was engaged in the manufacture of brocms, his first purchase of broom corn aggregating but five dollars, he obtaining credit for two dollars of this amount. He then moved to Crawford County, Illinois, where he carried on the same business, until he came to Elmwood, Illinois, in 1866. In 1868, he went to Galesburg, locating in a small frame dwelling house with a factory fifteen hy thirty feet. From this small beginning, has grown up a large and successful business, which he car- ried on until 1897, when he leased hls plant and is now retired. In 1893 he bought about twelve thousand dollars' worth of hroom corn within thirty-six hours time.

Mr. Boyer, by his indomitable perseverance, transformed his little broom shop into a large manufactory, making from 15,000 to 18,000 dozen brooms annually. He has also invented and had patented some useful broom machinery. Twice his factory has been destroyed by fire- once with no insurance. The present factory was built in 1882, and is sixty by ninety feet, two stories high. It is filled with the latest and most improved machinery. He has also built a fine brick residence with all modern improve- ments.

Mr. Boyer's second wife died in 1875, leaving three sons and one daughter, Charles H., An- drew J., William R. and Ola B.

July 10. 1877, he married Julia E., daughter of John and Bethan (Lee) Mitchell, who were among the early settlers of Galesburg, coming from New York, about 1840. By this marriage, Mr. Boyer has had four children,-one son and one daughter dying in infancy. The two sons now living are Abel and Orrin E.

Mr. Boyer is an active member of the Meth- odist Church, and during his long business career, has earned for himself the friendship and respect of all with whom he has come in contact, either in business or in a social way.

SAMUEL BROWN.

Samuel Brown was born in Montgomery County, Indiana, April 23. 1826. He was the son of Samuel and Jane (Bell) Brown; the father was of Scotch-Irish descent, and was born in Kentucky; the mother, who was of Welsh-Irish ancestry, was a native of New Jersey; they were married in Butler County. Ohlo, March 12. 1807; he was a soldier in the War of 1812 and drew a soldier's warrant. This worthy couple moved

710

KNOX COUNTY.

from Butler County, Ohio, to Whitewater, Indi- ana, then to Montgomery County, Indiana, where they lived twelve years, and from there, in the Fall of 1834, to Rio Township, Knox County, Illinois. The next Spring they hought land in Henderson Township (Section 6), and although there were settlers all around them, neighbors were generally three miles apart. They were both members of the Baptist Church, and Mr. Brown held the office of deacon. In politics, he was a democrat. They died in War- ren County, Mr. Brown, September 10, 1856, aged seventy-four, Mrs. Brown, May 12, 1869, nearly eighty-three years of age. They had nine children, Elizabeth, Esther, Mary, Benja- min, Allen S., Nancy, Jane, Samuel and John. All lived to enter upon married life, except John, who died at the age of ten, but only Sam- uel and Benjamin are now living. The parental grandparents of Samuel Brown were John and Esther (Crossley) Brown.

Samuel Brown attended school only nine months, but nevertheless hecame a well-read, self-educated man, one of the best informed and most intelligent in his township. It was not until after he was married, that he learned to read and write, acquiring this and much other knowledge from the teachers who hoarded in his family.

November 6, 1845, in Mercer County, Illinois, Mr. Brown married Elizabeth Miller. Six chil- dren were born to them, Abraham Miller; Jacob Edward; William W., deceased; Jennie, de- ceased; Nannie and Ella. Abraham M. grad- uated from Lombard University in 1870; he is a lawyer, having been admitted to the Bar in 1872; in 1876, he was elected to the Legislature, serving one term. Jacob Edward is a farmer and stock-raiser in Rio Township. Jennie mar- ried Milton L. Overstreet; died, 1892. Nannie is the wife of J. L. Overstreet. Ella married Na- thaniel G. Scott, who died in August, 1898; they had three children, Preston Brown, Notely Mil- ler, and Mary deceased. Mrs. Scott was educated in the Galesburg High School, graduating in the class of 1877.

Mr. Brown was only twenty years old when he married and settled on his farm of 80 acres on Section 30, Rio Township. This farm he improved, and was so successful that he added to the original until the home farm now con- sists of over 600 acres. To his wife is due equal credit for the accumulation of this fine property. Although she was a most delicate woman, she was an excellent housekeeper and manager. In the month of August, 1870, at great sacrifice to himself, he left his prosperous farm and moved to Galesburg for the purpose of educating his children. Mr. and Mrs. Brown celebrated their Golden Wedding in 1895, one of three golden weddings in the family; it was a notable occa- sion.

In religion, Mr. Brown is a Universalist. In politics, he is a democrat, and has held a num- ber of local offices, such as Justice of the Peace, which office he held for about twelve years, School Director and Trustee, Road Commis- sioner and Supervisor.

DWIGHT W. BUNKER.

Dwight W. Bunker was born November 4, 1846, in Mentor, Ohio. He was the son of Sam- uel and Silvia (Walton) Bunker and received from them great care and instruction during his hoyhood years. He was educated in the common schools, and from them acquired that mental discipline which fitted him for the busi- ness of life. When only two years of age, his parents came to Henderson, Illinois, where they spent the remainder of their days. Young Bunker had a strong desire to be a soldier, and when only fourteen years old he enlisted at Wataga in Company K, Forty-first Illinois Vol- unteers, known as the "Lead Mine Regiment," October 20, 1861. He helonged to Captain B. F. Holcomb's Company and was its youngest mem- ber. He was at the capture of Forts Henry and Donaldson, and saw the stars and stripes plant- ed in triumph on their heights. He fought at the bloody battle of Shiloh, and was terribly wounded there while standing near the color- bearer. His left arm was shattered, his left side was lacerated, and a bullet struck his shoulder, which was never removed. He was left, as though dead, on the field of battle. But life was not wholly extinct, and he was re- moved to a tent where he remained several days without even the covering of a blanket. For six weeks he lay in the death-ward of the hospital, looking at the ghastly forms of the dead and dying around him, with scarcely a ray of hope of recovery. His father, learning of his condition, removed him to his home, and thereby, probably. saved his life. These frightful wounds were the cause of his early death, and it may he truly said that Dwight W. Bunker died for his country.

As soon as he had sufficiently recovered, he was anxious to engage in business. From 1864 to 1873, he was employed on the Union Pacific Railroad. At the close of his service with this company, he engaged in trade for himself, open- ing a shoe store on Main street in Galesburg. This business he conducted with success until his death.

Dwight W. Bunker was an excellent citizen. He was patriotic, loving, and kind, and dis- charged every obligation not grudgingly, but cheerfully. He was benevolent and charitable according to his means, and was no laggard in the performance of good deeds. In every organization to which he belonged, he was re- garded by his associates as an efficient working member. He belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic, and in May, 1897, was elected Junior Vice Commander of Illinois. He was Colonel on the staff of General-in-Chief Thomas G. Lawler, receiving the appointment November, 1894. He was a member of the Board of Su- pervisors of Knox County at the time of his death, and by them, resolutions of respect and condolence were passed.

In his religious belief, Mr. Bunker was a Congregationalist. In his political faith, he was a republican, and labored earnestly for the cause of that party.

He was married, May 31, 1873, to Mary Isabell

albert Hurd.

711

KNOX COUNTY.

Carpenter, daughter of Asaph N. and Mary E. (Winterbottom) Carpenter. Along the paternal line of her ancestors, is found Thomas Car- penter, her great-grandfather, who was born in Massachusetts. Her great-grandmother was Cloa Carpenter, born in the same State. Her grandfather was Asaph Carpenter, born at Reho- both, Massachusetts, and her grandmother was Caroline Carpenter, born in the same town.

Her maternal line of ancestors reaches back to her great-grandfather, Peter Carpenter, and to her great-grandmother, Nancy Carpenter, both born in Massachusetts. Her grandfather was Lease Winterbottom, a native of England, and her grandmother was Sarah Lewis, born in Connecticut.

Mr. and Mrs. Bunker had but one child, Dwight Carpenter, who married Vina Penn: They have one child, Carrie Isabell.

CAPTAIN JAMES L. BURKHALTER.

Captain James L. Burkhalter, son of David and Mary Ann (Marks) Burkhalter, was born in Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, April 15, 1835.

The Burkhalters are Swiss and came orig- inally from the Canton of Berne. The name, which signifies "Keeper of the Castle," is very common in Switzerland. Ulrich Burkhalter came to this country in 1732, and on August 11, took the oath of allegiance in William Penn's Colony. He purchased three hundred acres of land in Burks County (now Lehigh), in White- hall Township, just north of Allentown. It was here that the father of Captain Burkhalter was born.

Ulrich had a son Peter, who was Captain Burkhalter's great-great-grandfather, and who possessed the landed estate of his father. He was a man of prominence. He was naturalized in 1761; was County Commissioner in 1776; was a member of the State Convention the same year; was a member of the Pennsylvania As- sembly for several terms; and was a Repre- sentative in Congress from 1791 to 1794. He was also Captain of a company of the Northamp- ton Association, and saw active service during the Revolution in the Jerseys. Peter Burk- halter died in 1806. He had a son whose name was John Peter, and the latter had a son whose name was Henry, the grandfather of James L. Henry was the father of fourteen children, twelve of whom lived to maturity-six sons and six daughters. The third son, David, was the father of Captain Burkhalter.

Captain Burkhalter's life is full of incident and interest. Both his patriotism and his man- hood have made him a man of mark. The "War Governor," Richard Yates, appointed him re- cruiting officer under the call of President Lin- coln for 300,000 volunteers. He recruited Com- pany "G" of the Eighty-third and Company "F" of the Eighty-sixth Illinois Volunteers. He then enlisted as a private in Company "F" and was elected Captain.

Under this rank, he commanded his company through its many campaigns. He was detailed

for various other duties, such as building bridges and roads. As Provost Marshal and later aa Inspector General by appointment of General George H. Thomas, he served on ataff duty un- der Generals McCook, Fearing, Morgan, Davis, and Slocum. He campaigned In very many different States-Kentucky, Tennessee, Missis- sippi, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia,-and was one of "Sher- man's Bummers" in that famous march through Georgia to the Sea. At the close of the war, he took part in the grand review of the armies at Washington.

Alongside the Captain's military record, his civil record is worthy of mention. He has held various public offices, such as Police Magis- trate and Town Clerk in Maqnon, County Treasurer of Knox County for eleven consecu- tive years, and Supervisor from the City of Galesburg for five terms. In January, 1883, lie was elected president of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank, which position he still holds.

His political creed is republican. He is strictly a party man. He is an uncompromising believer in republican principles, and he follows them to the end. Ilis religious creed is broad, and his impulses are benevolent. He is a be- liever in the righteousness of good works.

Captain Burkhalter was married to Martha E. Adle, December 2, 1858. To them were born eight children: Charles F., Henry L., Jamca W., Desdemona. John D., Nellie L., Robert P., and Alvin P.

COLONEL CLARK E. CARR.

Colonel Clark E. Carr was born at Boston Corners, Erie County, New York, May 20, 1836. He was the son of Clark M. and Della (Torrey) Carr. His parents were intelligent and palns- taking people, and gave their children all the advantages possible in those days. His mother died when he was three years old, and Is bur- ried at Boston Corners. When he was nine years old, his father married Fanny Le Yau, who became a devoted and affectionate mother to the children. The family came West around the Lakes, in March, 1850, landing in Chicago. Here teams were purchased, and they made their journey in "prairie schoonera" to Henry County, Illinois, locating on a farm near Cam- bridge. In the Autumn of 1851, the family re- moved to Galesburg, where the father and his second wife lived and died.

Colonel Carr's paternal ancestry reaches back to Caleb Carr, who died while Colonial Gov- ernor of Rhode Island, and to Rev. John Clark, who was driven out of the Massachusetts colony for preaching the Baptist doctrine. Like Roger Williams, John Clark went to Rhode Island, then a wilderness, and afterwards became ita Governor. The Colonel's great-grandmother waa a Miss Clark, descended from Governor John Clark, and Clark has been the Christian name of his grandfather, of his father, of himself, and of his son.

Colonel Carr's early educational advantagea were of the better sort, and he judlclously and wisely improved hia opportunities. He attended

712

KNOX COUNTY.

the district school in the village of his nativity, until he was eleven years of age. He then went to Springville Academy, Erie County, New York, where he remained two years. At four- teen he arrived in Galesburg. Immediately, he entered Knox Academy and afterwards the Col- legiate Department of Knox College, leaving at the end of the Sophomore year to commence the study of law. He first entered the Law School at Poughkeepsie, New York, and subse- quently, the Albany Law School, graduating in 1857. His first copartnership in the practice of his profession was with Thomas Harrison, and three years later, with Hon. O. F. Price, under the firm name of Carr and Price. In March, 1861, as a just acknowledgment of his services on the stump, he was appointed by President Lincoln Postmaster of Galesburg, which posi- tion he held for twenty-four years.

Early in the War of the Rebellion, Governor Yates appointed him Colonel on his staff, and to its close, Colonel Carr performed his duties faithfully, such as assisting in the organization of regiments at Springfield, visiting the army in the field, and bringing home the sick and wounded. Governor Yates said that no man out- side of the army did more efficient service. He was constantly active, also, in the interest of the government, in awakening by his speeches throughout Illinois, a patriotic and living public sentiment; often speaking with Governor Yates and others in support of the State and Na- tional administration. In 1862, when an at- tempt was made to turn out all the republican State officers of Illinois, Colonel Carr and other patriotic men came as champions of their cause before the people, and succeeded in keeping the State Government in the control of Governor Yates and his colleagues. In September, 1863, a great mass meeting was held in Chicago for the purpose of sustaining President Lincoln in issuing the Emancipation Proclamation. It was here, from the Court House steps, that Colonel Carr made one of the greatest speeches of his life. It was published in the Chicago papers and circulated throughout the country.

Colonel Carr has always shown himself to be a public spirited man.

He has held several offices in the city of his adoption. He was a delegate to the National Convention, held at Baltimore in 1864, which re- nominated President Lincoln. He was a dele- gate from the State-at-large to the National Convention in 1884, which nominated Blaine and Logan. He was a member of the committee on the platform resolutions, of which committee President Mckinley was chairman.

It is almost needless to say that Colonel Carr is and always was a republican. He has spoken in almost every northern State in advocacy of republican principles. He also made many liter- ary addresses, and his services in both the polit- ical and literary field are still in great demand. He spoke at the first meeting in favor of the Hennepin Canal, held at Ottawa many years ago, and was present at the Willard Hall meet- ing in Washington, and at other meetings favor- ing the enterprise. A great event in which

Colonel Carr bore a conspicuous part was in the organization of the Gettysburg Association. Commissioners from the several States whose soldiers had participated in that battle consti- tuted the Association. Colonel Carr was ap- pointed commissioner for Illinois by the Gov- ernor. The dead bodies were to be consigned to their graves, and headstones erected, before the cemetery was finally turned over to the general Government. It was this Association that invited President Lincoln and his Cabinet to be present, and Edward Everett to deliver the oration at the dedicatory exercises, and it was Colonel Carr that suggested and urged that Lin- coin also be invited to speak. All these com- missioners sat on the stage, when the great patriotic President delivered that celebrated ad- dress.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Part 141

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913; Gale, W. Shelden Publication date: 1899 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1388

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913; Gale, W. Shelden
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1388