Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Part 164

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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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).

MURDOCH, FRANK; Banker; Ontario Township; horn September 2, 1842, in Ayrshire, Scotland; educated in Ohio and Illinois. His parents, Thomas D. and Janet (Snithers) Mur- doch, and his maternal grandparents, James and Mary (Watson) Struthers, came from Scotland, as did his paternal grandparents, Francis and Janet (Nimo) Murdoch. His parents came to Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1852, and to Knox County, Illinois, in 1857. They bought land in Sparta Township, and died in Oneida, aged eighty-two and seventy-two years, respectively. Mr. Murdoch was married to Alta, daughter of Alvah and Jerusha (Stevens) Wheeler. His second marriage was with Mary Ellis in Oneida, June, 1877. Their children are: Myrtle, Alta, Maud, and a nephew, William B. Hurst, whom Mr. Murdock has adopted. Mr. Murdoch came to this coun- try with his parents, and was a farmer until 1873, when he became Cashier of the Oneida Exchange Bank. In 1876, he became sole owner of the bank, and formed the now existing partnership with A. B. Anderson. Mr. Murdoch is a Mason and a member of the Oneida Lodge, No. 337, and

of the Galesburg Com- mandery, No. T. K. He served 8. three years as Eminent Commander, is a member of Oriental Consistory and the Mystic Shrine, Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Murdoch is a republican, and was elected to the Legis- lature in the years 1892-94-96; during these three terms he served on many important com- mittees. Mr. Murdoch was for four years a member of the Knox County Central Commit- tee, and for two years was its Chairman; he served eight years in the National Guard; was Brigade Commissary of Subsistance with rank

of Captain on the staff of J. N. Reece, of Spring- field. Mr. Murdoch is a Presbyterian.

STEPHENSON, GEORGE LOWRY; Ontario Township; Merchant; born October 20, 1838, in Kirkcudbright, Scotland. His father, George Stephenson, was born in North, and his mother, Isabella (McMillan), in South Scotland. They were Presbyterians, and died in this country. October 26, 1865, Mr. Stephenson was married in Copley Township to Grace L. Stewart, of Glasgow, Scotland. They have five children: Frank S., Milton J., Grace D., Jessie I., and George Harry. In 1850, Mr. Stephenson came with his parents in a sailing vessel to the United States, the voyage lasting five weeks. They landed at New Orleans, and an additional two weeks were required to reach St. Louis by steamboat. After a month they came up the Illinois River to Peoria, and from there by team to Knox County. They settled on a farm in Copley Township, and soon owned eighty acres of improved land. Here the parents died, and Mr. Stephenson grew to manhood and acquired his education in the public schools. In 1863 he became a merchant in Oneida, selling first, groceries, and then men's furnishing goods. In 1872, he started a dry good. store which is his present occupation. Mr. Stephenson is a member of the Presby- terian Church. In politics, he is a republican. The reading of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and "Thaddeus of Warsaw" made him an abolition- ist, and he was an ardent supporter of Lin- coln, rendering valuable service to the cause. In Oneida, he has been Constable, Collector, City Marshall, Alderman and Mayor. In his township he has been School Director, Presi- dent of the Board of Education, Supervisor for eighteen years, and for thirteen years chair- man of the County Board. Mr. Stephenson has been an auctioneer. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. (ancient), and has been a Mason since 1862. In Galesburg he joined Chapter No. 48, now of Oneida; also Galesburg Com- mandery No. 8. He is also a member of Medina Temple, Chicago. In 1898, Mr. Stephenson received unanimous nomination for State Rep- resentative, but refused to run because the Senate had refused to reapportion the State.

VAN AUKEN, HARRISON; Farmer; On- tario Township; born in Albany County, New York, October 12, 1836. His parents were Aaron and Catherine (Ostrander) Van Auken. They had six children: Hannah, Martha, Cal- vin, John, Harrison and Fletcher. Aaron was born in Albany County, New York, as was also his wife, Catherine; they came to Knox County, November 10, 1858; he died September 1, 1890, aged eighty-six, and his wife, January 14, 1892, aged eighty-four. Aaron's father, John, was born in 1777. Catherine's parents were John and Catherine. The family's ancestors came from Holland.

Harrison Van Auken married Sarah E. Ray in Knox County, April @7, 1895. Mrs. Van Auken's parents. Robert and Anna M. (Stake), were born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania,

Alvar Reynolds

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where they were farmers. Mr. Van Auken was educated in Monroe County, New York; he is a successful farmer, and owns three hundred and sixty acres of valuable land. He is a demo- crat in politics.

WETMORE, CHARLES BRIDGE; Farmer; Ontario Township; born on the Wetmore home- stead in Ontario Township, September 23, 1844; educated in Knox County. His parents, Theo- dore P. and Eveline C. (Morse) Wetmore, were natives of New York State; the former from Yorkville, Oneida County; the latter from Herkimer County. His maternal grandparents were Horace Morse, a native of Massachusetts and a soldier in the War of 1812, and Thirza (Underhill), born in the State of New York. His maternal great-grandfather was a Revolu- tionary soldier. His paternal grandfather, Ezra Wetmore, was born in Connecticut, while his wife, Susan (Palmer), was a native of Rhode Island. Susan Palmer's father was Fones Palmer, a Revolutionary soldier from Hopkins, Rhode Island. The paternal great- grandfather, Captain Amos Wetmore, was a soldier in the Revolution; his wife was Rachel Parsons. Mr. C. B. Wetmore's father died August 16, 1876; his mother, May 29, 1892, aged respectively sixty-six and seventy-eight years. Mr. Wetmore was reared on the homestead which he bought from the heirs; the farm con- sisted of one hundred and sixty acres of land and nineteen acres of timber. August 5, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, Eighty-third Illinois Volunteers, and was wounded at the second battle of Fort Donelson, February 3, 1863. He was discharged from the hospital at Paducah, Kentucky, in April, 1863. He has never fully recovered, and draws a pension. He was Post- master at Oneida for two years. January 22, 1868, he was married, in Knoxville, to Thirza M. Moore. There are three children: Eveline M., Theodore L. and George E. Eveline M. married Birney W. Adams; Theodore L. and George E. are at home. Mrs. Wetmore is a daughter of Lyman K. Moore, a pioneer of Rio Township, and granddaughter of Holland Moore, a soldier of the Revolution. In politics, Mr. Wetmore is a republican. He has been Road Commissioner and Township Collector. He is a member of the A. F. and A. M., Oneida Lodge, No. 337.

WALNUT GROVE TOWNSHIP.

By J. F. Hubbell.

This is one of the most desirably situated townships in the county, its surface being chiefly rolling prairie. It is well watered, by Walnut Creek and several tributary branches; its soil is unsurpassed in fertility, and fine farms, with substantial buildings, are to be seen everywhere within its limits. It is in what is called the "Military Tract." a section of the State selected as bounty land for soldiers, be- cause of its fine soil and undulating surface.

affording an abundance of water courses and excellent natural drainage.

The township derived its name from exten- sive groves of walnut timber growing near its center. Another, Turkey Hill Grove, lies ou the northwest quarter of Section 26; and these two include all its timber lands, with the ex- ception of a small tract in its southern end.

There is one village in Walnut Grove, which has borne various names its final appellation being fixed as Altona, when the Chicago, Bur- lington and Quincy Railroad was built through the place.

The first white men who undertook to make settlements here were Messrs. Jones and De Hart, who built a cabin on Section 21, but he- came alarmed at the hostility of the Indians, and left at the time of the Black Hawk War. The ruins of their cabin were still standing in 1838. In 1836, came John Thompson, the first permanent settler, who moved here from Pennsylvania, with his wife Catherine, and located on Section 16; though a Mr. Smith, a Mormon, built the first frame house, on what was originally called the Snow, and afterwards known as the Wisegarver farm. Mr. Thomp- son also planted the first crop-a field of sod corn-in 1837, fencing it in with the first rails split in the township

Mr. Thompson and Mr. Copps, two of the first settlers, had been soldiers in the War of 1812; and the father of Mr. Allen, one of the pioneers of the township, had served in the Revolutionary War. After Mr. John Thomp- son, Levi Stevens was the next to arrive, and Abraham Piatt the third.

Mr. Amos Ward soon followed (in 1838), and was, in 1839, elected the first Justice of the Peace. Township organization was effected in April, 1853.

As has been already said, Elder M. Smith, of the Mormon Church, built the first frame house, in 1840, on Section 15, and in 1842 sev- eral hundred of his co-religionists had located here. They designed building a temple, on Sec- tion 5, but, before carrying out their plans, left for Hancock County, on the advice of Joseph Smith. As they had entered and pos- sessed themselves of nearly all the timber land, and designed building up a community of their own faith, the other settlers were not sorry to see them depart. Since then, settlement has been rapid, and there is nowhere to be found a more flourishing and intelligent community than that now living in Walnut Grove.

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The first boy born in the township was John Thompson, Jr .; the first girl was Helen Ward, now Mrs. A. P. Stephens. The first couple married were Austin Frederick and Elizabeth Finney. The first death was that of Mrs. Hinsdale, a sister of Amos Ward, who died in August, 1838, at the residence of Abram Piatt, on Section 15, where she was also buried.

In 1844, John W. Clarke was appointed the first postmaster. He was succeeded by S. Ellis, in 1845, and he by Amos Ward, in 1846.

The first school house was huilt on the south- west quarter of Section 16, in 1840, and Miss Rohey Tabor, a Quakeress from Massachusetts, was the first teacher. She married afterward, moved to Henry, and died in 1896. Another early teacher was . E. L. Gross, afterwards a distinguished attorney of Springfield, and editor of the Illinois Statutes.

Elder Samuel Shaw organized the first church (after that of the Mormons). It was known as the First Baptist Church, and had eight members, with a place of worship on Walnut Creek. There are now eleven schools, one of which is graded, with two hundred and eighty-four pupils out of four hundred and fifty persons under twenty-one years of age. The eleven school buildings have cost nearly ten thousand dollars.

The first township officers, elected April 5, 1853, were Amos Ward, Supervisor; A. F. Ward, Clerk; H. L. Sage, Assessor; James Liv- ingston, Collector; H. L. Collinson, Daniel Al- len and C. Copps, Highway Commissioners; Reuben Cochran, Overseer of the Poor; Amos Ward and David Livingston, Justices of the Peace.

The population of Walnut Grove was, in 1860, eleven hundred and twenty; in 1870, nineteen hundred and sixty; in 1880, seventeen hundred and eighty-one; in 1890, thirteen hundred and fifty.

Altona, the only village in the township, is situated on the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, about eight miles from Gales- burg. Around it lies as rich a farming country as is to be found in Illinois; and the village itself is the center of a considerable trade, he- ing one of the most prosperous in the county. While the Central Military Tract Railway (now called the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy) was being built, in 1853, many laborers employed on the road came and camped in the edge of the wood, near the railroad line. To supply their

wants Cyrus Willard and J. S. Chambers built a store, eighteen by thirty-six feet in size, near the center of Section 16, on the northeast quar- ter of that section, on land then owned hy Daniel Allen. This was the first building erected in Altona, and was the pride of the community, as it was the only store hetween Galesburg and Kewanee. The second store, built the same year, was owned by Samuel Whiting. Altona was, for several years there- after, a good business point, there being no other villages sufficiently near to compete with it in trade. In 1854, Nils P. Peterson, of Mo- line, built a flouring mill, with a distillery in connection with it; the latter, being in opposi- tion to the popular sentiment, was discontin- ued after one year. The mill, however, con- tinned in successful operation for ten years, and was the only mill or factory ever con- structed in the village. In 1855 an elevator was built. In 1854, Needham Rogers built the "Walnut Grove House," which is still run as a hotel. The second hostelry, the "Altona House," was constructed and opened by Mrs. McKee, a year or two after.

Altona was laid out and platted in 1854, hy John Piatt, for the heirs of John Thompson. The same year, E. B. Main and Daniel Allen, on whose land the first building of the village was erected, laid out an addition, just northeast of the first location. The place was then called LaPier. After the railroad was completed, how- ever, at the instance of the railroad officials, the name was changed to Altona. The name of the postoffice, however, being Walnut Grove, a confusion resulted, and an attempt was made, in 1863, to change it; and the name of Reno was chosen, in honor of the famous general of that name. But about that time three despera- does by the name of Reno, who had made the patronymic decidedly unsavory, were lynched in Indiana; so that the citizens rejected it, and united on the name of Altona for village, sta- tion and postoffice.

The village. was incorporated, by special char- ter, in 1856, and under the general law in 1862, and again in 1874.

Altona has always been noted for the excel- lence of its schools. There has been a good graded school there since 1858. The local senti- ment of the place and surrounding country has always been strongly in favor of temper- ance. During the intense excitement attend- ing the agitation of the slavery question, the opposition to the extension of a system of

bes

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human bondage was so pronounced, that the place was reputed a "hot bed of abolitionists," a term considered much more opprobrious in those days than now. It has been always noted for intelligence and education, and, being the center of a prosperous farming community, has shared in the prosperity of the rich agricultural locality in which it is situated.

The population of the village was, in 1870, nine hundred and two; in 1880, eight hundred and sixteen; and in 1890, six hundred and fifty- four.

Altona has five churches, a bank, a newspaper and several societies.

Of the churches, the first to be organized was that of the Methodist Episcopal denomination, in August, 1853. It had a membership of thir- teen, and was under the pastoral charge of Rev. James Quimby. In 1857, a church edifice was erected, and later a parsonage. The two are valued at five thousand dollars. The present pastor is Rev. A. M. Barlow, who also has charge of the Nekoma Church, in Henry County. Their joint membership is ninety. The Congregational Church was founded Febru- ary 21, 1857, with nine members, under the charge of Rev. A. Root. A building costing four thousand dollars was dedicated November 9, 1866. The present membership is forty-nine, but the congregation has no pastor, and wor- ships with the Presbyterians. George A. Ward is Clerk. Revs. I. N. Candee, D. D., T. S. Vaill and J. T. Bliss organized the Presbyterian Church (Old School), on April 25, 1857, there being twenty-one members. Rev. J. T. Bliss was the first pastor, and Rev. J. Rugh is at present in charge. The formation of the Luth- eran Church took place in 1859. In 1869, the congregation erected a building costing four thousand dollars, and later a parsonage. The first pastor was Rev. Philip Direll. The de- nomination has steadily grown in numbers, there being at present three hundred and twen- ty-five communicants and one hundred and thirty-five in the Sunday school. Rev. J. G. Dahlberg is the pastor. A Swedish Baptist Mission was opened in 1876 by Rev. J. W. Stromberg, but no church was built, and the flock is at present without a pastor.

The first bank in the village was an out- growth of the general mercantile business of A. P. Johnson and Company, which was started in 1854. They cashed checks to accom- modate their customers, and from this practice the bank gradually grew into existence. Until

1890, when Mr. Johnson left the place, his was the only bank in Altona. Then the Bank of Altona, incorporated under the State Banking Law, was organized, with A. M. Craig as Presi- dent; C. S. Clarke, Vice President; George Craig, Cashier; and J. M. Nickie, Assistant Cashier. In January, 1896, J. M. McKie was elected to the position made vacant by George Craig's death. and O. E. Peterson was made Assistant Cashier. It has a capital of $50,000, a surplus of $27,000, deposits of about $80,000 and loans amounting to some $15,000.

Among the societies is the Altona Forum, which meets at Peterson's Hall, and has twenty-three members. As its first officers, It elected Dr. W. B. Gray, President and Medical Examiner; Mrs. C. C. Geiler, Secretary; L. K. Byers, Treasurer. Its present officers are: B. W. Crandall, President; C. McGrew, Secretary; L. K. Byers, Treasurer; Dr. W. B. Gray, Med- ical Examiner. There are also lodges of the Odd Fellows and of the Order of the Rebekahs. A Masonic Lodge was organized October 1, 1860, which now owns its own Masonic Hall, on Main street, and has a roster of fifty-four mem- bers. The first officers were Hiram Hall, W. M .; A. P. Stephens, S. W .; G. D. Slanker, J. W .; J. N. Brush, Secretary; J. S. Chambers, Treasurer; B. H. Scott, S. D .; George Mckown, J. D .; O. S. Lawrence, T. Those holding office at present are: R. C. Sellon, W. M .; D. U. Mc- Masters, S. W .; J. W. Mount, J. W .; W. M. Stockdale, Secretary; G. O. Snydam, Treasurer; E. S. Keyes, S. D .; C. W. Main, J. D .; Thomas Craver, T. A chapter of the Order of the East- ern Star-organized in 1892-has forty-six members, and meets in Masonic Hall. The first officers were: Mrs. C. C. Givler, W. M .; W. H. Givler, W. P. At present the list includes Mrs. A. A. Culbertson, W. M .; C. W. Main, W. P .; Mrs. L. K. Byers, Secretary. The Mod- ern Woodmen also have a camp here.

Altona can hoast of a fine public library, which is highly prized and in constant use by its intelligent citizens and by the dwellers in the country around. With its educational ad- vantages, its fine location and its superior rail- road facilities, it is one of the pleasantest resl- dence villages in the county, as it is one of the most prosperous business towns.

REV. JOHN G. DAHLBERG.

Rev. John G. Dahlberg, Altona, Walnut Grove Township, Knox County, Illinois, was born in Hvetlanda, Sweden, March 28, 1862, and came to the United States in 1880. During the

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years 1880-1882 he worked on farms in Mont- gomery and Page Counties, Iowa. In 1882 he entered Augustana College and Theological Seminary, Rock Island, Illinois, and graduated in the classical course in 1889. In the Fall of 1889 he entered the theological school of the same institution and graduated in 1891.

Mr. Dahlberg was ordained a minister of the Lutheran Church at Chicago Lake, Minnesota, June 21, 1891, having previously been called as pastor of the Swedish Lutheran Church of Al- tona, Illinois. Besides the pastorship of this important church, he is a member of the Board of Directors of Augustana College and The- ological Seminary, and Secretary of the Board, and is also Secretary of the Illinois Conference of the Augustana Synod. In 1899 he was elected a member of the Board of Home Missions of said Synod and was afterwards made Treas- urer of this Board.

Mr. Dahlberg has remained with his first charge, although he has had numerous flatter- ing calls elsewhere. In 1889 he was twice called to the principalship of Immanuel Academy, Minnesota. In 1893 he received a call to the chair of Swedish Language and Literature in Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois. The Lutheran Church of Princeton, the Lutheran Church of New Windsor, illinois, and Zion Lutheran Church of Rock Island have all ex- tended calls to him to become their pastor. These invitations he has felt constrained to de- cline. In the Spring of 1899 he had a call to the Lutheran Church of Bertrand, Nebraska, which he declined, but later did accept a sec- ond call to the Zion Lutheran Church of Rock Island, Illinois.

Before Mr. Dahlberg was set apart to his sacred calling by ordination, he had served as pastoral supply in various places. He had also taught school and had been an instructor in Augustana College.

His first wife was Emily C. Envall, of Gales- burg, whom he married in November, 1891. She died November 8, 1892, leaving a son, Carl Johan Emil, now living in Galesburg.

During the year 1896 Mr. Dahlberg visited England, Germany, Holland, Denmark and Sweden. June 22, 1898, he married Miss Jose- phine Nelson, of Altona.

JOHN MILLER MCKIE.

John Miller McKie was born in Copley Town- ship, Knox County, Illinois, June 4, 1844. He is of Scottish descent, and the son of William and Margaret (Miller) McKie, who came from Scotland about the year 1840, and settled in Copley. His parents were an industrious and frugal people, and brought up their children with correct habits and right ideas of economy.

His father was a farmer, and it was on the farm that the son had his first experience in earning a living. His early educational ad- vantages were somewhat limited; but by close application in the common schools, by reading books and the general literature of the day, he acquired a thorough practical education.

His first occupation on leaving school was

teaching. He pursued this but a short time, when he engaged in farming until the year 1876. He then became a dry goods merchant at Al- tona, Ininois, and continued in that business for two years. He then took the position as hookkeeper for a large grocery firm, which place he held for eight years. For the next two years, he became a member of a firm dealing in groceries and hardware, which ended on ac- count of a fire which swept through the town, January 2, 1888.

During all these years, Mr. McKie was diligent in business, and success seemed to crown his efforts. He possessed the power to turn even misfortune to his advantage. In 1889, he aided in organizing the Bank of Al- tona, and was elected its first Assistant Cashier. Afterwards, he was' elected Cashier, which position ne still holds. For four years, from December, 1894, to December, 1898, he held the office of County Treasurer of Knox County, being elected on the republican ticket. He has also held at Altona several other minor offices,-such as School Treasurer, School Di- rector, Village Clerk, and Tax Collector.

Into whatever position Mr. McKie has heen called by the confidence and suffrages of his fellow citizens, he has filled it most acceptably and with high commendations. The office has been honored by his official connection. As a citizen, he has shown himself worthy of the friendship of others and worthy of public trust. In all his public and private relations, he is honest, faithful, and true, and is a good ex- emplar for others to follow. He is kind in his intercourse with others, benevolent in disposi- tion, and wears in his countenance and de- meanor the marks of a Christian gentleman.

In religious faith, Mr. McKie is a Presby- terian. He belongs to the republican party and is a constant and ardent supporter of republican principles.

Mr. MeKie was united in marriage, February 22, 1872, to Jeannette Gordon McDowell. Her parents came from Scotland and were early settlers in Knox County.

Mr. and Mrs. McKie were the parents of two children: Margaret, born January 30, 1873, died March 7, 1880; and Mary, born October 9, 1880, died September 15, 1882.

GEORGE W. SAWYER.

George W. Sawyer was a farmer in Walnut Grove Township, Section 9. He was a notary public and insurance and real estate agent in the town of Altona, and he so conducted his business as to gain the respect and esteem of his fellow-townsmen.

He was born in Fergusonville, Delaware County, New York, August 5, 1828, and received his education in the common schools. His an- cestry on the paternal side was English, and his mother was of German descent. His parents, Henry and Margaret (Multer) Sawyer, were natives of the State of New York. Mrs. Sawyer's father, Mr. Multer, was a native of Germany. Henry Sawyer's life was spent in Fergusonville, but his wife, after her husband's.

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decease, came to Illinois and died at the home of her son, George W., October 26, 1885, at the age of eighty.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Part 164

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