Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Part 168

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).

Many of the first settlers of Victoria were from the South; the Robinsons coming from Tennessee, which State they left because of their conscientious objection to slavery. This family appears to have been of exceptional longevity, one member having reached the age of one hundred and four; another, a lively old lady, still a resident of the village, is past ninety-nine and seems likely to live for several years more. Another, familiarly called "old Uncle Moses Robinson," lived till past ninety- four. This town is rather noted for the num- ber of extremely old persons in its limits, not a few having lived past the age of ninety years.

The population of Victoria is peaceful, law- abiding and industrious. They have two churches; and in addition to the religious train- ing given in these, services are held in many of its school houses. Among its citizens is a large percentage of Swedish birth or descent, who here, as everywhere, prove to be a valuable addition to the population; and by their thrift and industry many of them have become wealthy and solid citizens. The first pioneer among these was Rev. Jonas J. Hedstrom, who settled in the town at an early day, and suc- ceeded in drawing after him a numerous immigration from Sweden.

In the early settlement, many of the farmers were compelled to haul their wheat to Chicago, a distance of over one hundred and sixty miles. Wheat was then worth hut thirty cents for choice fall varieties. On the return trips they brought home lumber, salt and dry goods.

The population of the township has remained nearly stationary for forty years, being, by the census of 1890, eleven hundred and seventy- nine; in 1860, it was eleven hundred and twenty: in 1870, the returns showed eleven hun- dred and ninety; and in 1880, twelve hundred and fifty-two.

The first town officers elected (in April, 1853) were J. L. Jarnigan, Supervisor; J. F. Hubbell.

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Clerk; B. Youngs, Assessor; C. A. Shurtleff, Collector; Alex Sornborger, Overseer of the Poor; A. B. Codding, Peter Van Buren and J. W. Mosher, Highway Commissioners; Peter Van Buren and Moses Robinson, Justices of the Peace; C. A. Shurtleff and Seneca Mosher, Con- stables.

VICTORIA VILLAGE. By J. W. Temple.

The village of Victoria, one of the very few towns in Knox County until lately lacking rall- road facilities, yet which persistently went on and prospered without them, is located on the high ground of a beautifully rolling prairie, partly in Copley and partly in Victoria town- ships. It was first laid out May 11, 1849, by A. A. Denny, then County Surveyor, for John Becker, J. W. Spaulding, J. J. Hedstrom, J. Halstrom, W. L. Shurtleff, J. Freed and G. F. Reynolds, A. Arnold and J. Knapp. It was at first platted on Sections 7 and 16 of Victoria Township, but soon spread until it covered parts of Sections 12 and 13 of Copley. The village originally started one and one-half miles southeast of its present location; where those pioneers of a new settlement, a store, a tavern, and a blacksmith shop, strove to become the nucleus of a future town. But the Chicago road ran through the present site, and George F. Reynolds kept his house here open as a tavern, and the village gradually formed around its present position, presumably to be nearer a good tavern and an important road. This hypothesis accounts for the number of pro- prietors when the place was finally platted. They had come there and actually started a town before it had been laid out at all, so that nearly all the residents may be reckoned among the early owners of desirable village lots.

The present village of Victoria boasts of over three hundred inhabitants, and is the center of a flourishing farming community and of a considerable.local trade. Its first, and for many years its only, store was conducted by John Becker. Early in 1899, it had four, besides a postoffice, which distributed more reading mat- ter in proportion to the population than any other in the county. The last mentioned circum- stance affords an Index to the average Intelll- gence of its people. In the Summer of 1899, the Galesburg and Eastern Railroad was extended into the township and village, thus furnishing a fresh impetus to business prosperity. Lum- ber yards, stock yards, elevators and a bank

are now among its commercial institutions, and these Improved trade facilities have won- derfully added to the growth and Importance of both village and township.

Victoria also has a well conducted graded school and three churches-Methodist, Congre- gational and Swedish Methodist.

Of these, the first, in order of time was the Congregational Society, which was originally organized as a Presbyterian body, but subse- quently changed Its affiliations. It dates Its existence from May 30, 1841, and became identi- fied with the Congregational communion on April 25, 1849. On August 12, 1852, a church edifice costing twelve hundred dollars was dedi- cated, and the congregation subsequently built a parsonage, valued at eight hundred dollars. The number of communicants is eighty-nine, and there are ninety pupils in the Sunday school, while the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor has a membership of sixty- five. The first pastor was Rev. S. G. Wright, and the present incumbent of the office is Rev. James J. Watson. N. B. Ives, Jr., is Superin- tendent of the Sunday school.

The Methodist Episcopal denomination has a church membership of eighty-seven, and a Sunday school attendance of fifty. A house of worship was erected in 1855, at an outlay of three thousand dollars. The present pastor is Rev. W. S. Porter, who also has charge of the Maxey chapel, in the township of Persifer. The latter is a branch, or mission, of the Victoria church. It has thirty-nine members and a Sunday school attendance of fifty.

In that part of the village lying in Copley Township may be found the first Swedish Methodist church ever organized. It was estab- lished on December 15, 1846, with only five members, by Rev. J. J. Hedstrom, the founder of Swedish Methodism. A church edifice waa erected in 1854, and a parsonage built three years later, the denomination's real property being at present valued at three thousand five hundred dollars. It conducts a mission church at Center Prairie, In Victoria Township, where a house of worship costing fifteen hundred dollars has been bullt. There is but one Board of Trustees for both bodies, the two branches virtually constituting one church. The Center Prairie branch was organized in 1869, by Rev. Peter Newburg. The aggregate membership of both churches is one hundred and fifty, and of the Sunday schools, eighty. The first per- manent pastor was Rev. H. O. Wester, who

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came in 1857. The present minister in charge is Rev. Otto Raba.

Popular sentiment has always been intolerant of the saloon, and there are no licenses granted for the sale of ardent spirits.

Victoria has many societies. The G. A. R. has a flourishing post, the village having fur- nished many gallant volunteers to the national forces during the War of the Rebellion. Vic- toria Lodge of the Odd Fellows' fraternity is a thriving society here. The Masonic brother- hood has a hall and a large membership. The Modern Woodmen have a large and flourishing camp, and, with the Rebekahs and Odd Fellows, occupy a line hall.

GEORGE W. REYNOLDS.

Captain George W. Reynolds was born in Milton, Massachusetts, July 15, 1826. He is the son of George F. and Abigail (Locke) Reynolds, who were natives of New Hamp- shire the father having heen born at same town, in 1804. They had a fam-

Baringtou, 1799; the mother in the ily of four children: George W., Charles C., John W., and Julia A. They came to Illi- nois in June, 1835, when George W. was only nine years old, and settled for a short time in Tazewell County. They came to Knox County in 1836, settling on a farm in Victoria Town- ship, which has been known for nearly two full generations as the "Reynolds Farm." Here the father lived, and died at a ripe old age, reaching within seven years of the century mark. He was Victoria's first Postmaster; was Justice of the Peace for many years; and was one of the first organizers of the town, which stands mostly on his land.

Captain Reynolds' early school advantages were not at all satisfactory. He remained on the home farm until 1853, attending the dis- trict school as much as his farm duties would permit. Schools throughout the State had not then been organized, and here and there, the little log school house stood as the precursor of the better structures of to-day. The school was three miles distant, and George availed himself of all the instruction that the little log cabin afforded. At the age of eighteen he at- tended Knox Academy for one year, paying his board by working nights and mornings, and Saturdays. He then returned to the old home- stead, remaining until 1847, when he took a trip to the New England States. In the Spring of 1848, he returned to Illinois and took his father's farm on shares until 1854. His next adventure was to California by the overland route, in search of gold. After remaining there for two years, he returned by the way of Pan- ama and New Orleans, and settled on the farm . which he subsequently purchased, and where he now lives.

Captain Reynolds is imbued with a good de- gree of patriotism and served his country faith- fully during the late Rebellion. In 1862, he en-

listed in Company K, Eighty-third Illinois Vol- unteers and was chosen Captain. He served through the war and was mustered out in June, 1865. He returned to his home in Victoria, re- ceiving the plaudits of his fellow townsmen for his meritorious services. He then engaged in farming and stock-raising.

Captain Reynolds has always had the con- fidence of his neighbors, and the citizens gen- erally. He was elected Town Clerk for several years, was Township Treasurer of the School Fund for about ten years, and has been School Director for a long time. The village of Vic- toria was organized in 1887, since which time he has been Village Treasurer. In religious be- lief, he is a Congregationalist, and has always done active work for the church. In politics, he is a true republican, believing thoroughly in republican measures and principles.

Captain Reynolds has been twice married. His first wife was Mary C. Hotchkiss, a native of New York. They were married in February, 1849, and the union was biessed with one son, Lewis M., born October 26, 1849. Mrs. Reynolds died in 1858, and a second marriage took place in 1859, to Elizabeth Swickard, a native of Wayne County, Ohio; they have one daughter, Jennie M., born November 1, 1868, and now the wife of James McMaster. Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Master have one daughter, Ethelyne, born in 1896.

BECKER, JOHN; Merchant (retired); Vic- toria Township; born June 10, 1811, in Otsego County, New York. His father was Philip Becker; his grandfather, Jacob Becker, came from Germany, and was a soldier in the Revo- lution. Mr. Becker was educated in the com- mon schools. He was married in Victoria, Oc- toher 12, 1845, to Mary J. Smith, daughter of an 1839 settler of Victoria, and a sister of Judge A. A. Smith, of Galesburg. Their children are: Hannah, Emma, Ella, Carrie, and Sue L. Mr. Becker came to Victoria in 1844, and was a merchant for twenty years. He moved to Galesburg, where he was prominent in banking circles, and was Alderman of the Third Ward. In 1892, he returned to Victoria Township, and settled on a farm which he owned in 1845. In religion, Mr. Becker was a Methodist. He was a republicaa.

BULSON, FREDERICK; Farmer; Victoria Township; horn July 10, 1820, in Otsego County, New York; educated in the district schools. His father, Isaac Bulson, of Rennsselaer County, New York, was a farmer and settled in Otsego County. Frederick worked on the farm till 1846, when he came to Victoria Township. In the Spring of 1847, while on a visit in Pike County, he enlisted for the Mexican War in Company K. First Regiment Illinois Volun- teers. He marched to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and after a service of twenty-one months re- turned to Illinois and was discharged. He soon after hought the farm on which he lived for half a century. He now owns 600 acres of land in Copley, Victoria, and Lynn townships, be- sides a large tract in Nebraska. He was mar- ried in March, 1850. to Mary, daughter of John

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Hainline. They had three sons and five daugh- ters: George H. (deceased), Ira, Abram (de- ceased), Sarah E., Hannah A., Susan E., Alice and Mary. Ira is a farmer in Copley Town- ship; Abram died August 10, 1889, aged twenty- three years; George H. died at the age of five years; Susan E. is Mrs. W. A. Shaw of Ne- braska; Sarah E. is Mrs. O. C. Bradley of Iowa. Mr. Bulson died January 9, 1892. Mr. Bulson was a democrat and served as Road Commis- sioner and School Director.

COLEMAN, JAMES; Farmer; Victoria Township; born December 27, 1830, in Mercer County, Pennsylvania. His father, Samuel Coleman, came to Victoria Township in 1855, and died in 1875; his mother came from Ire- land. He was educated in the common schools. Mr. Coleman was thrice married. His first wife died in Pennsylvania; his second in Illinois; he married as his third wife, Eliza Kane, of Victoria. Mr. Coleman came with his father from Pennsylvania, and located on a farm near him. He finally moved to the homestead where he now lives. He has been School Di- rector for twenty-one years. His children are: Lincoln, John, William, Clyde, Francis J., Lot- tie, Ada F., and Susie B.

DEWOLFE, CLAYTON A .; Farmer; Victoria ria Township; born April 30, 1845. He was the son of Joseph DeWolfe, and Mary Ann, daugh- ter of Martin Gibbs, one of the early settlers. Mr. DeWolfe was educated in the common schools. He was married to Lucetta, daughter of Jo- seph Atherton, March 7, 1867, at West Jersey, Illinois. They have four children: Burton A., Ernest C., Ethel N., and Louise. One son is a farmer, the other a carpenter, both of whom are members of the Grange. Mr. DeWolfe went to Iowa in 1880, and in 1889, he returned to Illinois and settled in Goshen; in 1890, he moved to Victoria Township. In 1894, he was elected Road Commissioner and served three years; he has also been School Director for sev- eral years. In religion, Mr. DeWolfe is a Protes- tant.

ERICSON, ERIC; Farmer; Victoria Town- ship; born in Farla, Soken Lane, Helsingland, Sweden, March 2, 1836; educated in his native land. His father was John Ericson of Sweden, who died at the age of eighty-six years at the home of his son, Eric; his mother was Segrid Munson. His paternal grandparents were Eric and Margaret (Peterson) Ericson; his paternal great-grandfather was John Ericson. The fam- ily is an old and honored one in Sweden. Mr. Ericson came to the United States with his pa- rents in 1850, and settled in Manitowoc, Wis- consin. In 1864, he came to Knox County with his wife and settled in Victoria Township, Sec- tion 10, where he bought seventy acres of land; he now owns 320 acres, besides timber land. In Manitowoc, Wisconsin, Mr. Ericson was mar- ried to Christina Bloom, February 6, 1862; they had one son, John E., horn May 27, 1866. Mrs. Ericson died March 4, 1896, at the age of fifty- nine. John E. Ericson was married, January 18, 1888, to Amanda, daughter of John A. John-

son, a blacksmith in Victoria; they have four children: Edna Christina, Alice Maurie, Earl John, and Carl Magnus. Mr. Ericson is one of the best farmers in the township, and was for six years Road Commissioner. He is a member of the Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, he is a republican.

HARDINE, SVANTE B .; Farmer; Victoria Township; born September 10, 1858, in Sweden, where he was educated and learned the car- penters' trade. He was married to Mary Nel- son, in Victoria, December 30, 1881; their chil- dren are: Earl M., Raymond B., Hazel N., Esther M., Ethel J. Mr. Hardine came to Gales- burg in 1880, and worked at the carpenters' trade for two years; he then located on the farm in Victoria Township, on which his father-in-law, B. Nelson, settled in 1868, which he afterwards bought. In 1890, he removed to Galva, Illinois, where he died in 1891. Mr. Har- dine is a member of the Lutheran Church. In politics, he is a republican.

HEDSTROM, CHARLES O .; Farmer; Vic- toria Township; born in Walnut Grove Town- ship, January 29, 1868. His father, Nels Hed- strom, was an early settler and prominent farmer of Walnut Grove Township. Charles O. Hedstrom was educated in the common schools, and began farming in 1892, with his brother. In 1894, he located on a farm in Victoria Town- ship, where he now resides. He was married to May Herald, of Victoria, July 28, 1892. They had three children: Cecil C., Hester and Jo- sephine. He is a republican, and a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He is one of the leading farmers of his township.

HEDSTROM. JONAS; The precise place of Mr. Hedstrom's birth cannot be certainly told, but it is believed to have occurred on the Island of Oland, Sweden, August 13, 1813. His brother, Olof, who was ten years older, had as early as 1825 arrived in New York, and within a decade had become a Methodist minister. In 1833 Olof visited the fatherland, and on his re- turn to America was accompanied by Jonas. The first few years of his residence In this country Jonas Hedstrom passed in the States of New York and Pennsylvania, and worked at his trade, as a blacksmith. When a family named Sornberg moved west to Victoria, Illi- nois, the young smith was irresistibly led to follow them, In 1838. The reason was made clear when he shortly married one of the Misses Sornberg. He took up his abode with his wife at Farmington. During his residence in the East, he had become converted to Methodism. and in 1839 he commenced to preach in the Salem school house, a little way east of Vic- toria, still continuing to work at his forge, as his regular occupation. His sermons were in English, and were listened to by many of the settlers thereabouts. However, believing that many of his countrymen would soon cross the ocean and find a home on the western prairies, he obtained from his pastor, Mr. Clark, a testa- ment with the English and Swedish text In parallel columns. Thus he renewed his knowl- edge of the Swedish tongue, which he had al-

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most forgotten. The preparation was timely. Swedish immigrants came, many of them di- rected to Illinois through Rev. Olof Hedstrom, who was conducting a mission for them in the Bethel ship at New York. In 1845 Olof Olson, who had been sent by the Jansonists of north- central Sweden to secure a suitable site for the colony, was directed to Jonas Hedstrom, and by him assisted in purchasing the first land for the Bishop Hill colony. In July, 1846, Eric Janson, and a band of followers, came to Victoria, and were hospitably entertained by Mr. Hedstrom, after which they were piloted to their destina- tion.

On December 15, 1846, Jonas Hedstrom organ- ized, in his log-cabin at Victoria, a Swedish Methodist Church, with a nucleus of five mem- bers. This was the first Swedish Methodist organization in the world. The small begin- ning grew and flourished, and Mr. Hedstrom was led to join the Peoria conference in 1847. Thenceforth he devoted his time entirely to the ministry, becoming an indefatigable worker. He traveled extensively over a wide circuit, and established churches at Andover, Galesburg, Rock Island and Moline; and assisted in form- ing a church at New Sweden, Iowa, and a Nor- wegian organization at Leland, Illinois. His strong constitution finally succumbed to the severities of "circuit" life. In the Fall of 1857 he retired, and on May 11, 1859, went to his heavenly reward, at the age of forty-five. The funeral sermon was preached by Rev. W. P. Graves, and the remains interred in Vic- toria cemetery. In 1874 his wife passed away. Of his five children, two are living-Luther Hedstrom and Mrs. Becker, of Victoria.

JARVIS. SAMUEL; Farmer; Victoria; born December 5, 1829, at Long Island; educated in the common schools. He was married to Mary E. Dean in Victoria in 1857. Their children are: Fannie, Jennie, and Hetty; his second marriage was with Hannah Sornberger in Vic- toria. They have one child, Lena. Mr. Jarvis learned the carpenters' trade in New York City, and came to Victoria in 1855. He worked at his trade and farmed for several years, and then moved into the village. Mr. Jarvis is a repub- lican. In 1888, he was appointed Postmaster and held the office till 1893; he was deputy for three years, re-appointed, and now holds the office at the present time. He is a prominent Mason, and was Master for ten years; Deputy Grand Master for the Thirteenth District of Illinois; Deputy Grand Lecturer of the State, and has been Assessor and School Director. Mr. Jarvis is a member of the Methodist Church.

LARSON, JUSTUS A .; Farmer; Victoria Township; born June 14, 1858, in Copley Town- ship, Knox County, Illinois. His father, Lewis Larson, was born in Sweden and came to Cop- ley Township in 1844. There were four sons and one daughter: Henry G .; Justus A .; John W., deceased; Victor T .; and Ida M. Mr. Lar- son was educated in the Galesburg Business College. He was married to Elizabeth Chall- man in Walnut Grove Township, October 10.

1888. There was one son, Paul K. Mr. Larson has always been a leader in town affairs. He is Highway Commissioner of Victoria Town- ship. He is a republican.

OLMSTED, AARON W .; Liveryman; Vic- toria; born July 5, 1851, in Otsego County, New York; educated in the common schools. His parents were Henry B. and Catherine (Wilder) Olmsted. He was married to Etta Robbins in Oneida March 24, 1874. Their children were: Lester; Claud, deceased; Harry; Paul; Hazel; Rex; and Don, deceased. Mr. Olmstead moved with his family to Marceline, Missouri, in Sep- tember, 1892. They returned to Galesburg in December, 1893, where his wife died January 24, 1894. Her parents were Rubin and Mary (Mayo) Robbins. His second mariage was with Lone E. Sornberger, June 15, 1895; they have one son, Winthrop A., born March 8, 1896. Her parents were Anson and Catherine (Wilbur) Sornberger, of New York. Mr. Olmstead fol- iowed farming until 1895, since which time he has been engaged in the livery business. In politics, he is a republican.

ROBINSON, CHARLES S .; Merchant; Vic- toria; born June 4, 1845, at Victoria, Illinois; educated in the Business College of Davenport, Iowa. He was married to Emily Bristol in Galesburg, in 1869. Their children are: Grace E. and Gertrude. Mr. Charles S. Robinson is a son of Moses Robinson, a farmer, who came to Victoria Township in 1836, and engaged in the mercantile business in 1866. Moses Robinson died January 2, 1898, at the age of ninety-three. Charles S. Robinson began business with his father in 1867. He was afterwards in business in Beatrice, Nebraska, and Greenfield, Iowa. He returned to Victoria in 1883 and engaged in the mercantile business with E. Coleman. He sold out in 1836, and a year later engaged in the same business with George M. Sornborger. Mr. Robinson is a democrat and was the first Pres- ident of the village.

SAYRE, CHARLES A .; Druggist; Victoria; born August 9, 1844, at Rushville, New York; educated in the common schools and Rushville Academy. His father was John Sayre. Mr. C. A. Sayre was married to Mary E. Young, in Victoria, February 28, 1884. They have one child, Gertrude Peabody. Mr. Sayre enlisted in April, 1861, in Company E, Twenty-eighth Reg- iment New York Volunteer Infantry for two years; then re-enlisted in Company C, Fifteenth New York Cavalry, and served until June, 1865, as first Sergeant. September 4, 1865, he en- listed in Company F, Fifteenth United States Cavalry, and served as Sergeant for three years. Mr. Sayre spent four years in Minnesota, where he was for a time Deputy Clerk of the Dis- trict court. In 1875, he came to Victoria. He is a member of Village Board, and Commander of P. G. Tait Post, No. 698, G. A. R. Mr. Sayre is a democrat.

SILEN, JOHN E .; Farmer; Victoria Town- ship; born in Sweden April 3, 1825, where he was educated. In July, 1858, he was married to Catrena Patronella, who died March 18, 1876. January 19, 1878, he was married to Matilda

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Rodine. By the first marriage, he had four children: Arthur E., of Nebraska, grocer and farmer; Sophia; Emma; and Lorena. Mr. Silen came to America in 1846, and lived at Bishop Hill one year, when in company with George Challman he went to Galesburg and worked at the carpenters' trade. In 1850, he went to Peo- ria, where he remained until the Fall of 1851, when he moved to Victoria, and began buying stock. In 1852-3, he worked at his trade of carpenter. In 1859, he moved upon a farm that he purchased the year before and on which he still resides. In 1863, be built a house of lum- ber hauled from Peoria. Mr. Silen has been a very successful farmer. In politics, he is a republican.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Part 168

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