Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Part 170

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 170
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USA > Illinois > Kane County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 170
USA > Illinois > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 170
USA > Illinois > Coles County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 170
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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).

838

KNOX COUNTY.

and the present incumbent, C. F. W. Smith. The church was completed and dedicated in 1867 under the pastorate of J. W. Coe, the pre- siding elder being W. H. Hunter.

The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized in 1856, the first pastor being the Rev. T. N. Hasselquist. In 1860 the society com- menced building a church, having formerly wor- shipped in private houses and school buildings. This church was struck by lightning and burned in 1875, but in the same year the present tasteful edifice was erected. The Rev. N. Nord- gren, the present pastor, has acceptably served this people for some ten years. The member- ship of the church is about one hundred and forty, and that of the prosperous Sunday school one hundred and fifteen.

The Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1857 with the Rev. V. Witting as the pastor. The keeping up of regular services and of the Sunday school has been largely due to the untiring efforts of Oliver Stream. The present pastor is the Rev. John P. Miller.

The Wataga Christian Church, costing $2,000, was erected in 1875, but was torn down in 1896 and the church organization no longer exists.

The Wataga Catholic Church was erected in 1877 at a cost of $2,000. The Rev. P. McGair was its first pastor. The church is now con- nected with that of Galva and services are held once a month.

Wataga Lodge No. 291, A. F. and A. M., was instituted August 17, 1858, with S. G. Dean, W. M .; J. H. Thorpe, S. W .; Septimus Soper, J. W. The lodge has now a membership of thirty-two and its officers are: C. W. Merrill, W. M .; J. H. Merrill, S. W .; Hamilton Taylor, J. W .; C. H. Norton, Treasurer; J. M. Churchill, Secretary; Charles Dennison, J. D .: J. M. Cooper, S. S. H. H. Marsh, J. S .; John Wiles, Tyler.

The Order of the Eastern Star was organ- ized February 22, 1888, and heing the first chap- ter in the county it had many members from the surrounding towns, there being at one time seventy-four names on the roll. Other chapters having been organized in every town from which this drew its followers, it has now only twenty- seven members. The first officers were: Mrs. S. C. Slater, W. M .: H. H. Marsh, W. P .; Mrs. Merinda Dennison. A. M .; Miss J. Curry, C .; Miss E. Dolan, A. C. The present officers are: Mrs. M. Dennison, W. M .; Dr. A. S. Slater, W. P .; Miss McClanahan, A. M .; Mrs. Mary Denni- son, C .; Mrs. J. Cooper, A. C .; Carl Merrill, Secretary; J. H. Merrill, Treasurer.

Wataga Lodge No. 509, I. O. O. F., was organ- ized January 10, 1876, by A. W. Berggren. Its first officers were: W. N. Thomas, N. G .; J. E. Thomas, V. G .; L. S. Whitcomb, Secretary; P. A. Smith, Treasurer. Other charter members were P. A. Smith and John McConchie. They meet in Masonic Hall.

Rebecca Lodge No. 48 was organized October 20, 1891, with ten members, which number has been increased to twenty-two. The first offi- cers were: Jobn Deming, N. G .; Mrs. Nancy Deming, V. G .; Oliver Stream, Secretary. Mect- ings are held in Masonic Hall.

Wataga Camp No. 3229, Modern Woodmen, was organized September 24, 1895, with eighteen charter members. The camp, though not hav- ing made much growth, is in a very healthy condition, having now twenty-one beneficiary and five social members.

The Wataga Nickle Plate Band is under the leadership of Anvern Thomas, and comprises the following members: D. M. Cooper, Carl Johnson, C. W. Huston, Edward Williamson, Fred Mallin, Earl Curry, John Whitehead, Frank Cooper, Eric Severin, George Curry, Carl Mer- rill, Will Thomas and Charles Marsh. They have been faithful and efficient in serving the public for very little compensation.

The United States census returns give Wa- taga the following population: 1860, 1,538: 1870, 1,205; 1880, 734; 1890, 586.

THOMAS CARTER DUVAL.

Thomas Carter Duval, son of James and Judith (Jennings) Duval, was born in Bath County, Kentucky, February 28, 1802. His father was of French descent, was born in Virginia and was a soldier in the War of 1812. Mr. Duval was reared to manhood in Kentucky, where he learned the cooper's trade, which he followed both in his native State and in Illinois. He was married in Bath County, April 2, 1822, to Nancy Shumate, who was born in Virginia, August 19, 1804, and died at Wataga, March 2, 1888. Ten children were born to them: Barryman, Eliza- beth, Martha, James, William, Mary, Helen, Ellenor, Daniel J. and Ann.

Ellenor (now Mrs. S. S. Soper, of Wataga). who places a portrait in this volume in memory of lier father, was born in Henderson Town- ship, Knox County, May 3, 1839. She received her education in a district school, and always lived on a farm. She was first married to David Temple, and had one child, Thomas F. She was married to Mr. Soper, in Henderson Township. in October, 1861. They have five children: George T., Mary E., Septimus 3., Edward D. and Nettie May. Thomas F. is a farmer in Boone County, Iowa; George T. is a farmer in Clark County, Missouri; Mary E. is Mrs. Mary E. Rus- sell, of Wataga, Knox County, Illinois; Septimus

& M Faulkner

Henry Gehring

839

KNOX COUNTY.

S. is in the Klondike gold fields: Edward D. is a farmer near Wataga. and Nettie M. is Mrs. Nettie May Jacobson.

Mr. Thomas C. Duval came to Illinois in 1835, settling first in Warren County, near Robinson's Point, and removing to Henderson Township. Knox County. in 1836. He brought to Illinois his wife, six children and one hundred dollars in money. He invested the money in land in Henderson Township, and his industry and good management insured success. When corn sold for a dollar a bushel he invested the proceeds in land, and, in 1869, owned about two thousand acres in Sparta and Henderson townships. In politics, Mr. Duval was a republican, and he was a member of the Christian Church. He was a good and an upright citizen, ever ready to help others with money as well as advice. He was especially lenient to his tenants, sometimes giv- ing them a second chance if crops failed, and. in one case at least, aiding a tenant, who was unable to pay his rent, to weather the storm and finally secure a farm of his own. Mr. Duval was kind-hearted and true, a kind father, a good neighbor, a man whose place could not easily be filled. His death occurred in Wataga, Sep- temher 25, 1890.

BOANERGES ELY.

Boanerges Ely was born at Cumberland Gap. Claiborne County, Tennessee, December 21, 1821. His parents, Solomon and Rachel (Turner) Ely, were hoth natives of East Tennessee. His paternal grandfather, Isaac Ely, was born in West Virginia; his grandmother, Katherine, came from Germany. His great-grandfather. Isaac Ely, was born in England, and his great- grandmother, Jessie Hopper, was born in Ire- land. On his mother's side the grandparents were William and Susanna Turner, horn in Vir- ginla, the latter near Richmond.

Solomon and Rachel Ely came to Illinois in 1834, just at the closes of the Black Hawk War, and settled in what is now De Witt Connty, where they lived on a farm. and reared a family of ten children, four of whom came to Knox County. They were devoted members of the Christian Church, and died where they first lo- cated, aged sixty-nine and forty-seven years re- spectively. He was of a poetic turn of mind, and was accustomed to write verses upon the events of the times and the affairs of the neigh- borhood.

Mr. Boanerges Ely came to Knox County in 1845, and settled on Section 16 in Sparta Town- ship. He first bought forty acres of timber on Section 24, and then bought eighty acres of gov- ernment land at government price, and after- ward hought forty acres at two dollars an acre. He now owns a farm of three hundred and fif- teen acres near Wataga. He was married in Henderson Grove, November 3, 1850, to Mary M. Duval, daughter of Thomas Carter and Nancy (Shumate) Duval. both of whom were born in Kentucky. Mrs. Ely was one of a family of ten children. Her father settled on a farm in War- ren County, Illinois. in 1835, and came to Knox

County in 1836, locating at Henderson Grove in Henderson Township. In politics, he was a re- publican. He was a member of the Christian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Ely have three chil- dren: Nancy Ann, wife of J. H. Deming; Ella J., wife of Samuel Temple; and William L., who is a farmer at Mayville, Traill County, North Dakota.

Mr. Ely is a republican, and in religion, a Christian. He was successful in business, and is counted among the prominent and substantial citizens of Sparta Township.

GEORGE W. FAULKNER.

George W. Faulkner, of Sparta Township, was born November 13, 1827, in Orange County, New York. and was educated in Oakland County. Michigan. His ancestral record is most interest- ing. His paternal great-great-great-grand- father was a Huguenot minister who fled from France to Scotland in the days of the Revoca- tion of the Edict of Nantes. His paternal grand- parents were Colonel William Faulkner. of Orange County, New York, and Ann (Rogers) Faulkner. Colonel William Faulkner served under General Putnam and had a fine record as a soldier; he was twice wounded, and drew a pension. His maternal grandfather was James Bushfield, who was born in Ireland, and was of Scotch descent.

His parents were William J. and Isabelle ( Bushfield) Faulkner, the former born in Orange County, New York, the latter born in New York City. William J. Faulkner was a soi- dier in the War of 1812, and drew a pension; he died in 1875, at the age of ninety; he was a good man and citizen. Mrs. W. J. Faulkner died February 17, 1863: aged seventy-nine. She was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. a noble Christian character and much beloved !. Seven children were born to them: William J .. deceased; Mrs. Catherine A. Sweet: Thomas B., deceased: Gardener S., deceased; Mrs. Esther E. Poyer, deceased; George W .; and Mary J .. deceased.

George W. Faulkner came to Knox County with his parents in 1839, at the age of twelve. November 12 of that year they settled ten miles northwest of Galesburg; and the next spring moved to Henderson Township, and for one year rented land of Major Thomas McKee. They then moved to land in Warren County, for which they had exchanged their Michigan prop- erty. In 1848 they bought one hundred and sixt . acres of land in Sparta Township, where David Niles now lives (Section 19), which they sub- sequently sold, and bought one hundred and sixty acres of prairie land in Section 29. This they improved, and it is now one of the very best farms in the county.

Mr. Faulkner was married in Knox County, March 17. 1864, to Bertha Emerson, who was a native of Norway, a member of the Congre- gational Church, and an exceptionally fine woman. She was educated in Galesburg and was a successful school teacher, and it was while teaching at the military school that she

$40

KNOX COUNTY.

met and married Mr. Faulkner. Mrs. Faulkner died October 24, 1872, at the age of thirty-two. They had two children, George Emerson and Kate; the latter married Mr. L. W. Peterson, and they have two children, Harry and Edith: George Emerson married Mary Rommel, daugh- ter of Henry Rommel, deceased, and they have three children, Henry G., Nellie and Janet.

After his marriage Mr. Faulkner remained on the home farm, and was in partnership with his brother, Thomas B., until 1890, when they di- vided the property. He has two hundred acres of good land, the result of industry, economy and careful business management. His neigh- bors are his best friends, a fact that speaks volumes for his character. He is a republican in politics, and is Assessor and School Directo". having held the latter office for twenty-five years.

HENRY GEHRING.

Henry Gehring, is the son of Zavier and Eliza- beth (Heminger) Gehring, both natives of Ger- many, the former having been born near Baden, February 9, 1825. Zavier Gehring was one of a family of nine children, and his par- ents were Bennet and Elizabeth (Closman) Gehring. He received an education in the com - mon schools of his native land, and left home to work out when he was eighteen years old. He continued in this position two years, when he was drafted into the German army and served three and one-half years. In 1850, when he was twenty-five years old, he came to the United States, landing in New York City with only one dollar in his pocket. There he worked as a coachman and in other positions four years, and there, in 1853, he married Elizabeth Hem- inger. In 1854, he came to nnox County and began farming, buying thirty acres of land on which he now resides. He was a good farmer and stockman, one of the most successful in the county, and increased his holdings to about eight hundred acres of land, which he partially divided among his three children. He has been School Director, and has taken a great interest in education. He has lived an honest and up- right life, and is an example to his posterity. His first wife died July 2, 1878. Afterwards he married Mrs. Mary A. (Leighton) Stevenson.

Henry Gehring was born August 29, 1858, in the old Gehring homestead, then a log house, and received his education in Knox County. His home is in Sparta Township. He is a suc- cessful stock-raiser, and now owns four hun- dred and eleven acres of land. On his farm is lo- cated the famous Gehring Coal Bank, from which hundreds of families derive their supplies of fuel.

In Knox County, March 3, 1887, Mr. Gehring married Carrie Benson, who was born March 4, 1864. They have two children: Earl Ray- mond, born January 5, 1889; and Webster Henry, born Angust 9, 1893. In religion, Mr. Gehring is a Methodist. In politics, he is a re- publican. He is a School Director and Road Commissioner, having held the latter office for eight year's.

EDWARD HOWELL GOLDSMITH.

Edward Howell Goldsmith was horn Mecklenburg, New York, December 20, 1834. He was the son of Schuyler and Catherine E. (Howell) Goldsmith. Schuyler Goldsmith was the son of Daniel and Sarah (Brewster) Gold- smith; his wife, Catherine, was the daughter of Caleb and Martha (Halsey) Howell, both of whom were born on Long Island, although the Howells were of Welsh ancestry, and Caleb Howell's father was born in Wales. The Gold- smiths were natives of New York.

Schuyler Goldsmith, who had been a farmer in New York, removed his family to Illinois in [855, and bought a farm in Knox County, near Wataga, where he lived until his death in 1861, his wife, Catherine, having died in 1850.

Edward H. Goldsmith was brought up on the farm in New York. He received his education in the common schools, his training there be- ing supplemented by much hard study at home. Although his early opportunities were limited, Mr. Goldsmith is at once recognized as an edu- cated man, in whom the effect of strong self- discipline is evident. In addition to his intel- lectual pursuits, he diligently applied himself to the management of a farm, and in time be- came an experienced and successful agricultural- ist. From 1860 to 1876, Mr. Goldsmith was en- gaged, during the winter terms, in teaching school. In this line of work he was especially successful, both as teacher and disciplinarian, his pupils taking high rank when they entered higher institutions of learning. With all his varied interests, Mr. Goldsmith has traveled quite extensively, and in 1895, accompanied by Mrs. Goldsmith, who was in failing health, he spent several months in the West, visiting the Pacific coast and many of the intervening States.

March 8, 1859, Mr. Goldsmith was married to Anna Maria Whiteford, daughter of William and Margaret Whiteford, of New Jersey. Their marriage took place at Mecklenburg, New York. They have had three children: Julia Elizabeth and Catherine Howell, deceased; Edward White- ford, a farmer in Sparta Township.

GEORGE F. NILES.

George F. Niles, son of Sill and Louisa (Olm- sted) Niles, was born at Hillsdale, Columbia County, New York, August 25, 1827. He received a common school education, which was supple- mented by an academic course. His father was born at Spencertown, New York, in 1795, and died there, March 7, 1872; his mother was the daughter of Stephen Olmsted, of New England. Eight children were born to them, six of whom lived to the age of maturity. His grandfather, Thomas Niles, was born in Connecticut in 1760. and died at Spencertown, New York, December 25, 1844. His grandmother, Rhoda (Phelps) Niles, was born in Connecticut in 1765, and died at Spencertown November 21, 1819. The Niles family is of English descent.

Mr. Niles arrived in Wataga, Knox County, Illinois, in May, 1857, and with his brother, David P. Niles, bought the Wataga Flouring

EMGoldsmith.

George F Miles

841

KNOX COUNTY.

Mill. They did an extensive business, and their brand of flour was well known and popular. Much of their business was from the surround- ing country to a distance of twenty-five miles. In 1864, they exchanged the mill for three hun- dred and sixty acres of land In Henry County, which they soon sold. From 1867 to 1871 they were in the mercantile business at Altona, lili - nois. The business interests of the brothers have been largely conducted under the firm name of Niles Brothers. They came to Knox County with very little money, but they had youth and energy, they were honest and indus- trious, and soon had the good will of the com- munity. In 1864, they bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Sparta Township, Section 19, where David P. Niles now resides. They owned eight hundred and forty acres of land in Sparta and Henderson Townships, which re- mained undivided until 1893. They also own one thousand and ninety-two acres of land, in one tract, in Page County, lowa, which is known as the Niles Stock Farm, and is located three miles south of Villisca, on the Nodaway River. Never did two brothers plan and work together in greater harmony.

The principal business of Mr. George F. Niles was farming and the raising of stock, and his herd of short-horn cattle was one of the best in the county. In 1866 he bought three hun- dred and twenty acres of land in Sparta Town- ship, Section 21, where. in 1871, he built a fine residence which he has since greatly improved and now occupies.

Mr. Niles was married in Wataga. April 1. 1866, to Ella Josephine Wood. Two children were born to them: Charles W., born May 15. 1867, died Jannary 15, 1883; and Marian Ella. born April 8, 1873. Marian Ella graduated at Knox College in June, 1894. October 2, 1895, she was married to George W. Hayden, of Oak Park, Illinois, and they have one son, George Niles Hayden, born July 24, 1897.

Mrs. George F. Niles was born at Westford Hollow, Chittenden County, Vermont, May 19. 1846, and was educated at Knox College, Gales- burg, Illinois. She was the daughter of William S. and Phylen: (Smith) Wood. Her maternal ancestors were English. Two of her ancestors, Colonel Seabody and his son, were in the Revo- lutionary War, and gave largely of their prop- erty to the cause of independence.

WILLIAM ROBSON.

William Robson. son of John and Mary I Brown) Robson, was born near Newcastle, Durham County, England, September 5, 1831. His parents were born near Newcastle, his father in Northumberland County. His paternal grandparents were .John and Elizabeth (Stobart) Robsu .. , the former having been born near Man- chester. England. On the mother's side, his grandfather was James Brown, and his grand- mother's maiden name was Armstrong.

Mr. Robson received his education-and a very practical education it was-in a select school in England, and also in the cattle busi- ness in Newcastle. He came to the I'nited

States with his parents, and lived first at Beaver Point, Beaver County, Pennsylvania. The family arrived in Knox County, Illinois. early in the Spring of 1850, and lived ou a farm south of Galesburg till the year 1854, when they removed to Rio Township, where some members of the family still reside. His mother died in 1853, and his father died in Galesburg, aged eighty-seven years. Mr. John Robson was a thoroughly trained English farmer, and reared his children in the most practical manner; he lived a retired life; politically he was a repub- lican.

Mr. Robson remained in Galesburg several years, where he learned the building trade. He was first married in April, 1857, to Miss Jane Goff, daughter of Mr. Louls Goff, who was one of the early settlers of Knox County, and held the office of Justice of the Peace in Rio Town- ship for many years. There are two children, born of this marriage, Cora Alice and John L .; John L. married Miss Jessie Murdock, of Gales- burg, and resides in Omaha, Nebraska. Mrs. Robson died in 1867.

In November, 1871, Mr. Robson was married to Miss Elizabeth Gordon, daughter of Mr. Peter Gordon, of Copley Township, who, although yet living (1899), was one of the early settlers, and became one of the largest land owners and most influential farmers of the county. Of this mar- riage three children were born: Gordon, who died in October, 1881, at eight years of age; Edward Percy, and Henry Stewart, now living.

Mr. Robson has been actively engaged In farming most of his life. His first farm of one hundred and ninety acres was located in Rio Township on Section 11, on which he erected buildings with materials hewed and sawed from native timber. He moved to this farm in the Spring of 1857, and resided there till 1864. when he bought three hundred and twenty acres of prairie land of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Company at Wataga. This tract he improved, making It his home, and, be- ing very successful, added to it five hundred and eighty acres and he now has a farm of about nine hundred acres, lying in one body near Wa- taga, Knox County. Between Galesburg and Henderson he owns another farm, thought by some to be the oldest in the county, a part of it having been cultivated by the Indians. Round- tree, a Kentucky farmer, located upon the tract. and was undoubtedly one of the first white set- tiers In this part of the country. Aa a feeder of eattle for profit, Mr. Robson Is perhaps the most successful in Knox and Mercer counties.

A remarkable Instance of fraternal confidence is the fact that Mr. Robson and his brother. John, were associated for twenty-one years in raising stock and In large farming operations. with never the "scratch of a pen" between them by way of keeping accounts. About the year 1884 they determined to divide their property. which consisted of nearly two thousand acres of land, in different farms In Knox and Mercer counties. with hundreda of cattle and hogs at various feeding yards. Starting out on horse- back one morning. they "finished at noon." glv-

842

KNOX COUNTY.

ing each other "quit claim" deeds, in connection with which no dissatisfaction has ever arisen.

Though a very public-spirited citizen, Mr. Robson has shown no ambition to hold office. Possessing the confidence of the citizens of his town, which his success in business and strict integrity in public matters naturally created, he was called to fill the useful offices which afford remuneration only in the credit for having well performed their important and sometimes diffi- cult duties. As School Director and Highway Commissioner, he rendered valuable services. He was year after year an influential representa- tive of his town, and often of his county, in political connections. The County Board of Knox County ranks among the very first in the State for able and honest administration. In creating and sustaining that character the Town of Sparta has done its full share, and more, in the choice of its representatives, but never did better, if so well, as when in 1878 it elected Mr. Robson Supervisor and retained him till 1899. when, justified by the condition of his health, he declined to serve longer. Bringing to the dis- charge of his duties the business habits and the methods with which his own business had been so successfully conducted, with a thorough knowledge of the county, and the character and habits of its people, his services were at all times valuable. On all questions his influence was profitably felt. In all building construc- tion during his official service, including the Court House and the Alms House, he had a prominent rart, his knowledge of the building trade giving him especial qualifications. But most important were his services on the Com- mittee having charge of the Alms House, and all public charities, of which he was twenty years chairman. On no other committee rests greater responsibility; nowhere else is so much required of sound judgment and careful, laborious, pains- taking consideration. To his firmness, in- tegrity, impartiality and adherence to correct business methods, the admirable management of those interests is to a great extent due. He assisted in the organization of the Galesburg National Bank, has been a Director ever since, and the Vice President for several years. In- deed, it may be said that William Robson is one of the most useful citizens of Knox County.

JOHN JAMES SUTOR.

John James Sutor, son of John and Martha (Lytle) Sutor, was born in County Monaghan. Ireland, January 25, 1849. His paternal grand- parents, Martin and Jennie (McDonald) Sutor, were both of Scotch descent. His parents came to America in 1852, when he was only three years old, and settled in Haldimand County, Province of Ontario, Canada. There they lived until 1858, when they moved to Knox County, Illinois, and rented a farm in Galesburg Township, south- west of the city of Galesburg. In 1864 they bonght eighty acres of land in Sparta

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Part 170

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