Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Part 153

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

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In 1873, she was elected County Superin- tendent of Schools, having been nominated on the republican ticket, over two opposing candi- dates, and held the position, through prac- tically unanimous re-élection, for ten years, dis- charging its duties with an ability constantly growing, and with a conscientiousness born of a deep and abiding consciousness of her responsi- bility to her Maker. As Superintendent, she was unwearied in her efforts to advance the interests of education and promote the effi- ciency of the schools under her charge. She secured the insertion of a column devoted to school interests in the Republican-Register, es- tablished an educational exhibit at the county fair, and personally conducted, each year, a Normal School and Teachers' Institute. She was a member of the Examining Committee of the State Teachers' Association, and of the In- ternational Council of the Permanent Exposi- tion in Philadelphia.

During the Civil War she was active in the work of the Soldiers' Aid Society, usually hold- ing the office of either Recording or Correspond-

ing Secretary, and was unanimously voted the recipient of a photograph of Attorney General Bates, which he had sent to a four days' Sani- tary Fair at Galesburg to be given "to the best woman," from "the old fogy, Edward Bates, of Missouri." it was not alone the recognition of her patient, patriotic toil that secured for her this tribute; the people knew her worth as a teacher, a woman and a Christian whose daily life was an exposition of her faith.

Miss West was also an active and successful Sunday school worker, taking a deep interest in every effort to elevate humanity to a higher plane, thereby bringing the soul of the creature nearer to the great heart of the Father. For several years she taught a large class of young women in the "Old First" Church, from which eight, inspired by her personal influence and with a purpose vivified by her own intense spirit of self-consecration, went forth to de- voted missionary work. Each of these she fol- lowed with intelligent, prayerful interest, not only watching her work but learning and re- membering the details of her home life with marvelous accuracy.

To the cause of temperance she brought the same wisely directed effort, the same self-ab- negation. In the formation of the Women's Christian Temperance Union in Illinois she was a potent factor. Here she felt that she had found her true mission, and here she believed that she could best work out her loftiest ideals. In connection with the work of this organiza- tion she accomplished her noblest triumphs. and won world-wide fame. In city, county, district, State and international work she toiled with tireless energy and unflagging zeal, and was chosen the "round-the-world" delegate of the Galesburg branch. Her final mission in the. interest of humanity and religion was under- taken in January, 1892. On August 31 of that year she sailed from Vancouver for Japan,. where she was enthusiastically received. To. the higher classes of Japanese women she spoke four or five times a day. At Tokio she was made an honorary life member of the Red Cross Society; and was presented with a silver medal by the Empress, being the only foreign woman ever thus honored with the exception of the Crown Princess of Russia.

But the physical strain of the journey proved too much for a constitution already too far taxed by overwork, and on December 1, 1892, she passed into eternal rest at the home of a. dear friend and former member of her own church at home. Mrs. Leila Willard Winn, of Kanazawa, Japan. Funeral services were held in the native chapel, Christians and pagans. uniting to do honor to one who, in her broad charity strove to follow in the footsteps of her- Master. Her remains were brought home to the city which she loved so well, and on Monday, January 16, 1893, another service was held over the lifeless form at the "Old First." She sleeps among her kindred and friends, awaiting the summons of Him who said, "I am the Resurrec- tion and the Life."

MARTHA FARNHAM WEBSTER,

Leren Stevens

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KNOX COUNTY.

NEHEMIAH WHITE.

This distinguished educator and theologian, the third son of Justin Morgan White and his wife, Lydia Eddy, was born January 25, 1835, at Wallingford, Rutland County, Vermont. His ancestors were among the earliest settlers of New England. Nicholas White, the first American of the family, was living at Dorches- ter, Massachusetts (now a ward of the city of Boston), in 1642. In 1653 he removed, with his family, to that part of Taunton, Massachusetts, which, in 1712, became the township of Norton. Nicholas White, the grandson of the first Nicholas, was one of the most influential citi- zens of the province. He was an officer in the littie army which took part in the series of struggles between the whites and the aborigines between 1695 and the close of Queen Anne's War, in 1713. He was equally prominent in civil life, and was twice a representative to the General Court of the colony. Philip White, grandson of Nicholas (third), was born July 28, 1734, at Norton, Massachusetts. He married Abigail Campbell, March 2, 1758. A few weeks after his nuptials he joined the army under Abercrombie. The object of the expedition was the reduction of Fort Ticonderoga, and with the other Massachusetts volunteers took part in the storming of that stronghold, July 8, 1758. He was also a soldier of the Revolution and served through the campaign of 1776. His son, Nehemiah, born August 6, 1765, married Mercy Miller, at Tinmouth, Vermont, in 1787. The third son of this marriage, Justin Morgan White, was the father of the subject of this brief biographical memoir.

Nehemiah White received his early education in the common schools of his native town, and entered upon his life's work as a teacher at the early age of sixteen years. In the Fall of 1852, with the design of preparing for college, he en- tered the Green Mountain Liberal Institute, then a well attended and prosperous institu- tion, under the charge of Dr. John Stebbins Lee. In August, 1853, he entered Middlebury College and graduated in 1857. Immediately upon leaving his Alma Mater, he became Asso- ciate Principal of the Green Mountain Liberal Institute, and in April, 1859, took charge of Clinton Liberal Institute, at Clinton, New York. This post he resigned at the close of the year, on account of the failing strength of his wife. In 1864, he was offered the position of Assistant Principal of Pulaski Academy, at Pulaski, New York, and, on the resignation of the Principal, was made executive head of the school.

In 1865, he accepted the Professorship of Mathematics in Saint Lawrence University, at Canton, New York. The funds of the young college were at that time very meager and the instructors few in number, so that the range of his teaching (or of what he tried to teach) was correspondingly wide. He not only gave in- structions in the various branches of mathe- matics, but also in natural science and the modern languages. Here, however, he first en- joyed the advantages of a good library.

Through the munificence of Mr. Herring, of New York City, the valuable collection of books gathered by Dr. Credner, an eminent Biblical critic, was presented to the University. Mr. White became greatly interested in patristic literature, hegan the study of Sanscrit, enlarged his knowledge of the Gothic tongues, and earnestly sought to lay the foundations of a broader culture. He resigned his professorship in 1871.

In 1872, the chair of Ancient Languages was tendered by the Trustees of Buchtel College, at Akron, Ohio. This institution bears the name of its founder, Mr. John R. Buchtel, who ulti- mately devoted his whole fortune to its endow- ment and support. Here the work of Professor White covered a narrower field than before, his chair embracing only instruction in the Latin and Greek classics. The work prospered under his care, but in September, 1875, he ac- cepted a call to the Presidency of Lombard University, and entered upon his duties in the following month. The inaugural ceremonies took place January 6, 1876. He tendered his resignation as President of the University in 1892, but by request remained as Instructor in the Ryder Divinity School, a department of the same institution. This charge he still holds.

Professor White married Frances Malona, daughter of Orsamus White, of Huntington, Vermont, at South Woodstock in that State, March 11, 1858. The fruit of this union was a daughter, Lois Melinda, born July 17, 1861. She died January 1, 1882, Mrs. White having passed away on April 29, 1864.

May 29, 1871, Professor White married Inez I.ing, daughter of Lorenzo Ling, of Pulaski, New York. Two children have been born to them: Willard Justice, on April 19, 1872, at Wallingford, Vermont, and Frances, on July 3, 1876, at Galesburg, Illinois. Willard Justice graduated from Lombard University, in 1891, and from Barnes Medical College, of Saint Louis, five years later. He is now a practicing physician at Rio, Illinois. Frances graduated from Lombard in 1897.

Professor White received the degree of Ph. D. from Saint Lawrence University; In 1876; and in 1889, the degree of S. T. D. was coll- ferred upon him by Tuft's College.

MATTHEW CHAMBERS WILLARD.

Matthew Chambers Willard lived a life worthy of all imitation. His tastes and habits were simple, his manners suave and gentle, and his actions controlled by a keen and deliberative judgment. His qualities were those of a Christian gentleman, and inspired confi- dence in all with whom he came in contact. He was the son of Silas and Hannah Cordelia (Chambers) Willard, and was born in Washing- ton, Illinois, June, 1843.

His father was a Vermonter, born in Barre, April 21, 1814. In 1834, he came to Illinois, in his private conveyance, with his elder brother, who was far gone in consumption, in the hope of arresting the disease. He supported himself on the way by working at his trade of harness

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maker. His efforts to save the life of his brother proved unavailing, for he died soon after reaching his journey's end. After work- ing three or four years at Alton and Jackson- ville, he established himself in the harness bus- iness at Washington, Tazewell County, until nearly the time of his removal to Galesburg in 1849. A short time in Washington, he entered upon a mercantile career, which he pursued in Galesburg with great success. He at once became interested in the various railroad schemes that were agitating the community. He looked with disfavor upon the Peoria and Oquawka project as wanting in proper objective points. He then gave his attention to the Bur- lington system, and by his untiring efforts, with others, the road was finally brought to this city. The marked traits of his character are portrayed in the following: "His business oper- ations have been bold, but guided by a strong judgment, and carried out by strenuous exer- tions, they have always proved safe and com- monly successful." While the town was small and comparatively feeble, he took the money from his own business, which gave the town its first flouring mill. And when the proposition for our first railroad was at a crisis in the struggle for existence, he boldly risked in the enterprise almost all he was then worth. Others made like exertions, and the little town is become a flourishing city.

But while risking nearly all his means in the road, he, a stockholder and director, quietly, yet boldly, resisted all infringement on the Sabbath for its operations, and was especially decided against its becoming a shelter for in- temperance. He was called away at the early age of forty-three. But one scarcely meets in the whole course of life with a man at once so unam- bitious and at the same time so capable and en- ergetic as he. His life, like his taste and turn of mind, has been one of unpretending usefulness.

Matthew's mother was a native of Vermont, born in Bridport, September 19, 1820. She came to Illinois with her parents in 1836. She en- joyed the distinction of being one of the pupils of Knox College on the first day of its collegiate year.

Matthew's maternal grandfather was Mat- thew Chambers, Jr. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and on his settlement in Gales- burg, hecame a charter member of the Board of Trust of Knox College. His maternal great- grandfather was an officer in the Revolution, and had the confidence of Washington, as is shown by testimonials in possession of the family. He was one of General Wayne's picked men for storming Stony Point.

Matthew C. Willard received his elementary training in the public schools of this city. He then entered Knox Academy and prepared for college. He entered college and graduated in 1864 with honor and distinction. After gradua- tion, he was employed in mercantile business, and afterwards in the sale of real estate. In 1872, his Alma Mater elected him a member of the Board of Trustees, a position he held to the day of his death, September 15, 1894.

Aside from his domestic relations, there were two objects that were uppermost in his mind- the college and the church. Of the former, he was elected Secretary, serving for several years, and was a member of the Executive Board. Its interests and welfare were ever dear to his heart. His good judgment and persistent ac- tivity were acknowledged, and to these qualities much of the success and prosperity of Knox College is due. The old First Church also claimed his attention. Here was the religious home of his parents, and here he was consecra- ted in May, 1858. His love and zeal are shown by his strict attendance on all appointments of the church. Divine service, prayer meetings, and business meetings were not neglected. As a Christian, he fulfilled his mission faithfully and well. For several years he was Superin- tendent of the Mission Sunday School.

Politically, Mr. Willard was a republican, but he was not of that sort that would condone wrong-doing in his own party. He was a strong temperance man, and believed in purity of gov- ernment, purity of home, and purity of life. He lived a life of honesty and integrity, and died with the plaudits of every citizen-good and faithful servant.

Mr. Willard was twice married. His first wife was Helen Frances Dieterich, a daughter of George Dieterich of this city, whom he mar- ried May 9, 1872. Her father was a man of great influence and note.

His second marriage was to Ideletta Henry, of Princeville, March 30, 1886.

Of this last union, there were born three children; one son and two daughters: Cordelia, Silas, and Louise.

THOMAS RIGNEY WILLARD.

Thomas Rigney Willard was born in Grove- land Township, Tazewell County, Illinois, Nov- ember 18, 1844. He was the son of Warren C. and Caroline (Cottle) Willard. His parents were natives of Vermont, and came West at an early period; the father in 1834, at the age of eighteen; the mother in 1820, when she was three years old. Her father, Andrew Cottle, set- tled at St. Charles, Missouri, where he died, and she was reared in the family of her aunt, Sophronia (Cottle) Hayes. Warren C. Willard became a student in the Illinois College at Jacksonville, with the intention of preparing for the university, but failing health compelled him to seek other work. After his marriage, he built 'a log house and began life as a farmer. By labor in the open air his health was re- stored, and in 1847, at the invitation of his older brother, Silas Willard, he moved to Galesburg, and assumed the management of a general mer- chandise business, which his brother had estab- lished. He died in Florida, in March, 1871; his wife died in 1879.

Thomas R. Willard graduated from Knox College in 1866, and the next year taught Greek and Latin in Knox Academy. In the Fall of 1867, he entered the Chicago Theological Sem- inary, but took the middle and senior years of

M. Evelyn Strong.

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KNOX COUNTY.

his course in divinity at Andover, Massachu- setts, where he graduated in 1870. He spent the following year traveling with his parents in California and Florida, on account of his father's failing health. During the college year, 1871-72, he was instructor in Logic and Rhetoric in Knox College July 9, 1873, ne married Mary L. Wolcott, of Batavia, Illinois, at the home of her parents. They spent the greater portion of the next two years at the university town of Leipzig, Germany, where Mr. Willard at- tended lectures on the Greek language and liter- ature. In the Spring of 1875, he visited Greece, and made a pedestrian tour through portions of the Peloponnesus and the north of Greece.

At the opening of the college year, 1875-76, Professor Willard entered upon his labors in Knox College, in which he is still engaged. At first he was the sole instructor in Greek and German, but as the course in German was lengthened, the elementary work in that lan- guage was assigned to others. In June, 1899, on the resignation of Dr. John H. Findley from the presidency of Knox College, Professor Wil- lard was appointed, by the trustees, Dean of the Faculty.

He has for many years been interested in the development of the manufacture of paving brick, first with the Galesburg Brick and Terra Cotta Company, and more recently with the Galesburg Paving Company, of which he is at present a director.

Professor and Mrs. Willard have five chil- dren: Frank. C., Superintendent of Schools in Tombstone, Arizona; Nelson W., Instructor in the Classics in St. Albans Military Academy, Knoxville, Illinois; Alice; Florence; and Mary. The three daughters are students in Knox Col- lege; the two sons graduated from that insti- tution in 1896.

In national politics Professor Willard is a republican. He is a member of the Congrega- tional Church.

MOSES O. WILLIAMSON.

Moses O. Williamson can boast of a birth- place broader than the vast prairies of Illinois. He was first "rocked in the cradle of the mighty deep." He was born on the Atlantic Ocean, July 14, 1850. His parents, William and Mar- garet Williamson, were natives of Sweden, and it was during the ocean voyage, while coming to America, that Moses was horn. They came directly to Illinois, and settled in Sparta Town- ship, Knox County. His father purchased a small farm on Section 22, where he lived until his death, in 1854. His mother died in 1886. They had a family of six children, who lived to manhood and womanhood.

Moses remained 'at the paternal homestead until he was twelve years of age, assisting in the farm labors and farm duties, according to his ability. At this time, he went from home to work on a farm of a neighbor, where he re- maired two years. He then came to the village of Wataga and engaged himself to Olson & Gray, to learn the harness trade, where he served for three years, afterwards working

one year as journeyman. He then bought out Mr. Gray, one of the partnera, and from 1867 to 1879, was in partnership with Mr. Olson. His next venture was the purchase of Mr. Olaon'a interest in the harness business, which he carried on, single-handed and alone, until 1890, when he came to Galesburg.

Mr. Williamson has the ability to please. Hia rigid life of honesty and integrity has won for him implicit confidence and universal respect. Places of honor have been given him without stint, and no word of criticism or censure haa ever been spoken justly against him. Before coming to Galesburg, he held the office of Coun- cilman, Justice of the Peace, Village Clerk, and Town Clerk, and was ever regarded as a careful and reliable public man.

In political faith, he is an earnest and con- scientious republican. He believes in his party creed, and has done much for the success of his party candidates and party principles. In 1884, he was made Secretary of the Republican County Central Committee. and has been its Secretary or its Chairman ever since, being its Chairman at the present time. He was elected County Treasurer in 1886, County Clerk in 1890-1894-1898, was one of the organizers of the Swedish American Republi- can League of Illinois, was its President in 1897, and was one of a committee of five, asso- ciated with the Republican State Central Com- mittee in 1896, that had charge of the Swedish part of the campaign in that year in Illinois.

Mr. Williamson is not a bigot. He believes in the freedom of religious convictions. He ia an attendant at the Congregational service, though not a member of that church. Both hia private and public character are above reproach. His early educational advantages were very limited, and yet by his assiduity and love of learning, he became thoroughly fitted for fielda of great usefulness. In his sympathies, he is patriotic and charitable, loving country, home, and friends, and has always discharged his public and private duties ably and honestly, winning for himself the commendations of his fellow citizens.

Mr. Williamson was married October 18, 1871, to Mary Driggs, a native of Oneida County, New York, and the daughter of William M. and Mil- licent (Housted) Driggs. Three children have been born to them, two of whom are now liv- ing: Ada and Nellie.

AIKEN, EZRA D .; Secretary of the Boyer Broom Company. Galesburg; horn April 17. 1844, in Wentworth, New Hampshire; educated in Illinois. His parents were John V. and Martha D. (Darling) Aiken, of New Hampshire. The father was a farmer, and came to Illinois in 1857, settling on a small farm in Ontario Township, Knox County. His eyesight began to fail when he was a lad of ten; he was blind at fifty, and died at the age of eighty-five. He had one daughter, Mary, who died in 1865, and four sons: Edward A., who was killed at the battle of Reseca; Dennis B .. who served through the Civil War; Lonis B., who served one term of enlistment; and Ezra D., who re-

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mained on the farm, and cared for his blind father and invalid mother. In 1870, Mr. E. D. Aiken entered the employ of Jones Brothers in the grain, lumber, and stock business. In 1874, he came to Galesburg, and engaged with his uncle, S. N. Grose, in the stationery and book business, in which he later became a partner. In 1884, he contracted a partnership with W. E. Reed, sold out his interest in 1888, and in 1891, became the bookkeeper and confidential clerk of Mr. Boyer, who was blind. In 1897, he was the promoter of a stock company, which purchased Mr. Boyer's interest in the broom business, and which was organized as the A. Boyer Broom Company, with Mr. Aiken as Secretary and Treasurer. In religion, Mr. Aiken is a Congregationalist. He is a republi- can.

ALLEN, NORMAN T .; Clergyman; Gales- hurg; horn August 15, 1844, in Galesburg, Illi- nois; educated in Knox College and in the North Western University. His parents were Sheldon W. Allen, of Augusta, Oneida County, New York; and Fidelia (Leach) Allen, of Wa- tertown, New York; his grandparents were Chester Allen, of Connecticut, and Eunice Al- len, of New York. Mr. Allen was married to Amelia A. Kent, May 26, 1867, at Rock Island, Illinois. Five children were born to them: William R., Adah E., Eva A., Norman C., Grace F. Mr. Allen is a Methodist, and has retired from active service as a minister. He is a re- publican, and was Overseer of the Poor from 1889 to 1891; Justice of the Peace from 1893 to 1897, to which office he was re-elected in 1897, for four years.

AMES, ABSALOM AUSTIN; Galesburg; born March 7, 1856, at Summerset, Ohio; educated at Columbus. His father, John W. Ames, son of A. A. Ames, of Pennsylvania, was born in Mor- gan County, Ohio, and his mother, Martha A., daughter of Charles Morehrad, was from Vir- ginia. Mr. Ames taught school for some time at Columbus, Ohio. He afterwards lived in Cal- ifornia for seven years, later going to Oska- loosa, Iowa, where he became connected with the Rattan Manufacturing Company, which was succeeded by the Smead Warming and Ventilat- ing Company, in whose employ he remained for many years. He came to Galesburg in 1892, and was elected Alderman from the Fifth Ward April 6, 1897. He was married to Ida A. Crall August 9, 1885, at Albia, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Ames have three children: Eva M., John T., and Francis C. In politics, he is a republican.

ANDERSON, A. W .; Blacksmith; Galesburg; born December 17, 1856, in Sweden; educated in Sweden and America. His parents were Abra- ham and Nellie Anderson, of Sweden. He was married to Elsie Anderson in Kansas City in 1883. They have five children: Maud Aqueline, Nellie, Leo Forest, Helen, and Hazel. Mr. An- derson inherited his trade, his father having been a blacksmith and mechanic. He came to America in 1881, and settled at Kansas City. In 1886, he was honored by a call from the government of Sweden, and promised five crowns a day if he would return, but having a

substantial trade in America, he decided to re- main here. He was in Joplin, Missouri, for one year, and came to Galesburg in 1885, where, for two years, he worked at his trade with the Frost Manufacturing Company. He then es- tahlished a business for himself. He has excep- tional ability, and has made important discov- eries in his line of work. He welds steel on copper, iron and brass, on which process he has taken out a patent in this country and in Europe. Much is expected as the result of this discovery, and a company of business men has been formed, known as the "Copper and Steel Welding Company," with a capital of $15,000, of which Mr. Anderson is the promoter. Mr. Anderson is a member of the Lutheran Church. In politics, he is a republican.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Part 153

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