Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Part 172

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 172
USA > Illinois > Lake County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 172
USA > Illinois > Mercer County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 172
USA > Illinois > Kane County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 172
USA > Illinois > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 172
USA > Illinois > Coles County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 172
USA > Illinois > Clark County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 172
USA > Illinois > McDonough County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 172
USA > Illinois > Schuyler County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 172

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).

MASTERS, WILLIAM; Farmer; Sparta Township; born in Ontario Township, March 5, 1855; educated in Oneida. His parents were Joseph and Phebe (Fookes) Masters; they were born in Somerton, Somersetshire, England. Mr. Masters was married to Lida Nation, in Wataga. December 27, 1883. Their children are: Fred. N .; and Don C., died May 22, 1896. Mr. Masters is a republican. He has been School Director for thirteen years.

NILES, DAVID PRATT; Sparta Township; Farmer; born in Columbia County, New York, October 20, 1824; educated in New York. He was married July 9, 1870, in Knox County, Illinois, to Helen C. Johnson; she was born in Smalland, Sweden, and is a daughter of John Swanson and Helen Johnson. His parents were land-owners whose ancestors had, for several centuries, lived on the same farm. The family were Lutheran in religious belief. Mrs. Niles was educated in Sweden and came to the United States in 1869. Mr. Niles worked on the home farm in New York till in 1856, he came West with his brother,

I. A. Wood

Um Williamyan

847

KNOX COUNTY.

George F., and they bought a mill in Wataga. They made a fine quality of flour, and had d large patronage from the surrounding country. They traded their mill for land in Henry County, illinois, and engaged in farming near Wataga, where David Niles owned three hundred acres of land which he bought in 1862 and 3. He con- tinued farming and stock raising and in 1874 entered into partnership with his brother with a herd of seventy-five short-horns. They con- ducted a large and profitable business until 1893. when the partnership was dissolved so far as stock and lands in Sparta Township were con- cerned; they retained, however, over one thou- sand acres of land south of Villisca, Iowa, and a quarter section of land in Henderson Township. Knox County, Illinois. In politics, Mr. Niles is a republican.

OLSON, JONAS; Farmer; Sparta Township: born Jefleborg Lan, Sweden, December 31, 1841. where he was educated. His parents were Olaf and Elizabeth (Larson) Nelson; his grand- fathers were Nels Olson and Jonas Larson. Mr. Jonas Olson was married in Knox County. February 5, 1869, to Anna C. Donaldson. Their children are: Elizabeth L. (Mrs. Williamson) ; Ansfried (deceased); William C .; Alvin Arthur; Andrew E. Mr. Olson came from Sweden with his parents at the age of fifteen and settled on a small farm, afterwards moving to a farm of sixty-two acres. The father died within a year, leaving seven children largely dependent upon Jonas. He bought his farm before his marriage, and has greatly improved it. Mr. Olson is a man of good standing in the community. He has been a member of the Lutheran church for forty-one years. He is a republican.

PATTERSON, WILLIAM STEVENSON; Sparta Township; Farmer and stockman; born near Columbus, Ohio, December 13, 1825. His parents, John S. and Mary (Stevenson) Patter- son, were natives of Washington County, Pennsylvania, and were married March 8, 1824. Mr. Patterson was reared in Ohio, and came to Knox County November 7, 1838, with his father and stepmother. They set- tled at Henderson, where he learned the coop- er's trade, which he worked at until he went on a farm. September 30, 1846, in Henderson, he married Matilda Miller, after which he bought three hundred and twenty acres on Section 18, where James Barry now lives. He was pros- perous and owned a large tract of land. He was one of the best known men in Knox County, where he bought and sold and shipped stock on a large scale. He finally moved to Stockham. Hamilton County, where he engaged in the same business with his usual success. His chil- dren received most of their education in Gales- burg. His accomplished and talented daugh- ter, Jennie May, was educated at St. Mary's, Knoxville, and has decided artistic talent. She is a devoted mother and is an influential mem- ber of society. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson had four children who reached maturity: Edwin W., Mrs. Clara Smith, Mrs. Wm. A. Lee, Jr. (Jennie May), and Fred A. With the exception of Mrs. Lee all are residents of Nebraska. Mr.

Patterson received his education in Ohio and in Knox County. In politics he is a democrat.

REED, JAMES DURHAM: Farmer; Sparta Township; born in Kentucky, June 27, 1825; died in Wataga, December 8. 1883; his parents, Jonathan and Polly (Newell) Reed, came from Kentucky to Knox County at an early day, and died at an advanced age in Henderson Grove. He was married in Knox County, August 22, 1847, to Martha A. Duval. She was born April 27, 1831. Their children are: Mary S., de- ceased; Mrs. Nancy E. Haver; Mrs. Helen M. Andrews; Mrs. Sarah E. Langless; Frances A .; Mrs. Rosalla A. Temple, decased; Mrs. Polly E. Slabaugh; James A. I .; and Dora E. After his marriage Mr. Reed lived in Henderson Grove. For fifty years he worked a farm of two hundred and twenty acres near Wataga, where Mrs. Reed now lives. He greatly im- proved his farm and had fine out houses. He built a fine residence in 1888. Mrs. Reed is a member of the Christian church, Mr. Reed was a democrat.

STREAM, OLIVER; Farmer; Sparta Town- ship; born in Sweden December 4, 1833, where he received a limited education. His father was Olof Stream, who was a soldier in the Swedish army for twenty-five years; his mother was Betsy (Isaacson) Stream. Mr. Oliver Stream was first married to Margaret Donald- son, of Sweden, in July, 1855, emigrated to America the same year, settling in Knox County, where he has since resided. Their chil- dren were: John, Mary, Frank, Albert, Olive, and Willie. His first wife died in Rio Town- ship in 1871. Mr. Stream's second marriage was with Mrs. Martha Johnson, in Knox County, February 13, 1872. They have one daughter. Carrie. He is a member of the Methodist church. In politics, he is a republican, with prohibition sentiments. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

WEED, HARRISON T .; Farmer; Sparta Township; born in Delaware County, New York, March 18, 1840; educated in his native state. His parents were James Weed, born in the state of New York, and Abigail (Terry), a native of New Hampshire. His paternal grand - father was Lewis Weed. Mr. Weed came with his parents to Belvidere, Boone County, Illinois. There his parents died, and the son at the age of twenty went to ,Wisconsin. He came down the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers with lumber to Burlington, Iowa, where the lum- her was sold, and young Weed went by steamer to St. Lonis, where he remained one winter and part of the next summer. He was twenty-one years of age when he reached Knox County; he spent nearly all of the first year in Henderson Grove splitting rails. He then went to Har- rison County, Missouri, and taught school about a year and a half, till the breaking out of the war, after which he taught during one winter. five miles west of Galesburg. He next farmed near Onei la seven years, and was enabled to make a payment on his present farm of eighty acres, on Section 27, where he now resides. De- cemher 11, 1862, he married Sarah J. Conley,

848

KNOX COUNTY.

who died July 23, 1875. They had two children: Mrs. Harriet E. Vaughn and Ada M. Weed. October 19, 1876, Mr. Weed was married to Susan A. Farnham, at her home near Wataga. They have two children: Abbie M. and Charlotte A. In religion, he is a Congregationalist, and has been for many years a Deacon and a Trustee in the church. In politics, he is a republican. He has been a School Director for seventeen years.

WILLIAMSON, JOHN EDWIN; Farmer; Sparta Township, where he was born April 21, 1861; he was educated in Knox County, and is a graduate of the Western Business College. His parents, Jonas and Christine (Anderson) Williamson, were natives of Sweden. When fourteen years old, Jonas Williamson came to the United States with his parents and settled in Sparta Township. He died in 1893, at we age of fifty-seven years; his wife died in 1875; at the age of thirty-five. They left two chil- dren: Charlotta Margarette, wife of T. H. Rommel; and John Edwin. September 18, 1884, John Edwin Williamson married Christine Hanson in Lynn Township. They have seven children: Mabel E., Florence V., Minnie C., Axel Wesley, Mary Edith, Emma L., George E. Mrs. Williamson is a daughter of Olaf and Elizabeth (Anderson) Hanson, who settled in Sparta Township before the war. Olaf Hanson served through the war and draws a pension. He is a successful farmer in Lynn Township, near Galva. In religion, Mr. Wil- liamson is a Methodist, and has been a Trustee in that charch. In politics, he is a republican and has held the office of School Director.

HENDERSON TOWNSHIP.

Henderson was the first township in Knox County to be settled by white men. In Febru- ary, 1828, Daniel and Alexander Robertson came to Section 15. They were soon followed by others, and by 1830, a good many people had settled within its boundaries. [Much of Hen- derson's early history will be found in the arti- cles on Knox County and County Government.]

Henderson is well watered by the branches which make up the head 'waters of Henderson River. Along these creeks originally stood one of the finest bodies of timber in Illinois. It was a favorite resort for Indians, who, on Sections 23 and 26, had extensive fields of corn. A well was dug at an early day on Section 30, near the creek. At a depth of sixty feet ashes, stumps, a red cedar log and general rubbish were found in as perfect a state of preservation as though the fires had just gone ont. Until the Black Hawk War, the Indians were very friendly, remaining in their wigwams and help- ing the settlers in sugar making, but at the out- break of that disturbance they went away, but without committing any depredations.

The prairie land which comprises about one- half the township, is very good. Along the edge of this prairie, and near to the timber, the first settlers located. For their mail they had to go to Rushville, seventy-five miles away. In 1833, a postoffice, with John G. Sanburn as the first Postmaster, was established in the settlement. The postoffice, under the same name, "Knox Court House," was afterwards moved to Knox- ville. In 1830, the first "corn-cracker" was put up, and in 1837, Silvanus Western, William and Olmstead Ferris put up a steam saw-mill, and not long after added mill-stones, grinding corn and making unbolted flour,

Rev. Jacob Gum preached the first sermon, in 1829, at the house of John B. Gnm. F. B. Barber taught the first school, in a log shanty near the grove, in 1830. Mr. Barber afterward moved to Texas, where he died. In 1833, Harmon G. Brown opened a school, on Section 31. At pres- ent there are four hundred and seventy-seven persons under twenty-one years of age in the township, of whom two hundred and fifty-nine attend the twelve public schools, one of which is graded. The school houses are frame struc- tures and are worth seven thousand, three hun- dred dollars.

The first settlers were fond of hunting, and devoted much of their time to the chase. One of the disastrous prairie fires was discovered by H. G. Brown, Peter Frans and Ben Bruington while out hunting. They returned home from their quest for game to engage in fighting the flames during an entire night.

Only one village, Henderson, has ever been started in the township. [See Henderson Village for the industries of the township other than farming and stock-raising.] One of the farmers, Henry M. Sisson, has made the town- ship famous by his fine hogs, which he has shipped all over the country. His biography may be found on another page.

At the first town election, April 5, 1863, one hundred and fifty-five votes were cast, resulting in the election of Peter Frans, Supervisor; Martin W. Gay, Clerk; James McMurtry, Asses- sor; C. G. Dean, Collector; Thomas McKee and Abraham Jackson, Justices.

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows have a Lodge here.

A brief record of the church history of the township will be of interest. The first church edifice was built at Henderson, and was the re- sult of the efforts of Baptists and Methodists, jointly. In 1874, the Methodists erected a .

Johan Sunk

KNOX COUNTY.

structure of their own. The first pastor was Rev. Mr. Waters, and at present the congrega- tion is under the pastoral charge of the minister residing at Wataga. The Baptists have not now any distinctively sectarian place of wor- ship. A Lutheran church was organized at Soperville, in 1870, and a building erected in 1881. Rev. Mr. Westerdahl was the first pastor, and the present occupant of the pulpit is Rev. H. Olson. There are some two hundred and twenty-five communicants. At one time there was a Christian (sometimes called Campbellite) church in the township, but it no longer exists. The same statement may be predicated of the "Church of Latter Day Saints" (Mormon), which flourished at Soperville in the early days.

HENDERSON VILLAGE.

The village known by this name was laid out June 11, 1835, by Parnach Owen, for Calvin Glass, on Section 14 of Henderson Township. It was incorporated in 1838, an election being held March 7, at which twenty-eight votes were cast for the measure and none in opposition.

In early days it was a flourishing place, with five general stores, besides a number of other shops. Gardiner and Chapin built the first store. Between 1840 and 1850, over thirty coopers were employed here in making pork and whiskey barrels, which were shipped all over the State.

In 1839, the post office here was the largest in the county, and previous to the building the Jailroad Henderson was as

nearly im- portant a as

place either Knoxville or Galesburg; and was able to exert suf- ficient influence to secure the insertion of a provision in the railroad incorporation act that the line should pass through the town, but the provision was evaded. Nevertheless, when the Central Military Tract Railroad was con- structed, it was a stirring village, though fallen behind its rivals, Knoxville and Galesburg. Subsequently, trade being attracted to the rail- road stations, the village steadily declined, until little remained. The construction of the Rio branch of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad has saved it from extinction, and some little improvement appears.

In 1839, Ben Campbell established a distillery. which Mr. Koons bought, and removed to Sec- tion 10. Early in the thirties a saw mill was started here which, in 1841. was owned by Calvin Glass, who that same year started in it

a still with a capacity of ten barrels a day. It was burned the same year. The next year Poyer and Wickes put up a still with a daily capacity of twenty harrels, a little north of Henderson. It, too, burned in about a year, and with its destruction ended the attempts at dis- tilling in Henderson.

Population. 1850, 378. 1880. 198. 1890. 163. 1899, estimated, 125.

JOHN JUNK.

John Junk was born in Fayette County, Penu- sylvania, May 6, 1827. His parents were James and Elizabeth (Lincoln) Junk of Pennsylvania. James Junk died in Fayette County July 3, 1877. previous to which he had celebrated his golden wedding. He was the oldest of seven children. the others being: Samuel, Thomas, Sarah, Henry, Robert, and Jackson. John Junk's pa- ternal grandparents were John Junk of New Jersey, and Sarah (Preston) Junk of Pennsyl- vania; his maternal grandparents were Benja- min Lincoln, who was born near Baltimore, and was a second cousin of Abraham Lincoln; and Elizabeth (Bates) Lincoln.

John Junk was educated in a log school house in Fayette County, and later apprenticed to learn the trades of carpenter and joiner, and millwright, devoting three years to the former and two years to the latter. He came to Knox County in May, 1855, and, having previously known Dr. Joseph Henderson, he settled near him in Henderson Township. The first appll- cation of his trade in the county was the build- ing of a barn for Governor William McMurtry. after which he built a school house in District No. 1. While thus engaged, he boarded with Mrs. Ebenezer (Robertson) Westfall. Novem- her 22, 1855, he was married, in Knoxville, Illi- nois, to Elizabeth, daughter of Alexander and Narcissa (Ferguson) Robertson. Mr. Robert- son served in the Black Hawk War. He and his hrother, Daniel Robertson, came to Henderson Township in February, 1828. Alexander Rob- ertson died February 28, 1848. His daughter. Elizabeth, was born in Henderson Township. December 14, 1837.

During the Fall of 1855, Mr. John Junk bought eighty acres of land and began farming. He was very successful, and, after a few years, went to the old home of his wife and bought out the other heirs, securing a farm of four hundred and thirty acres, where he now re- sides.

Mr. and Mrs. Junk are the parents of two children, Stephen A., who died at the age of four years; and Alexander Robertson.

In politics, Mr. Junk is a democrat, and has held many important offices. In 1871. he was elected Supervisor, serving four years, and was again Supervisor in 1896. He was Justice of the Peace for eight years, and Road Commis- sioner for three years; he also served as Assessor. He is a member of Hiram Lodge No. 26, Masonic fraternity.

850

KNOX COUNTY.

JAMES CHAMPION MEMURTRY.

James Champion McMurtry, son of William and Ruth (Champion) McMurtry, was born in Crawford County, Indiana, February 3, 1829. He belongs to a noted family, whose descent is from the French Huguenots. His great-grand- father, John McMurtry, had a large family of children, five of whom were killed in the Revo- lution, at the battle of Cowpens.

The McMurtry family came to Knox County, November 1, 1829, and settled in Henderson Township. The family consisted of the grand- father, James McMurtry, his two sons, William and James, their wives, and the children of William-Mary and James C. The following families, whose names will always be associated with Knox County, were already settled in the neighborhood: Daniel and Alexander Robin- son, and Riggs Pennington, of whom William and James McMurtry bought their farm of one hundred and sixty acres, on which was a small log cabin. On this farm, the people of the whole neighborhood assisted in building a block house or stockade, which afforded protec- tion against the incursions of the Indians. At different times before, during and after the Black Hawk War, about twenty-five families were gathered here. During the war, William McMurtry organized a company of Rangers of about eighty-nine, which embraced nearly all that were fit for service in Knox, Warren and Mercer counties. They were all mounted, each man furnishing his own rifle and horse. They pursued the Indians in all directions but were never engaged in battle.

His grandfather, James McMurtry, was one of thirteen children, and was born in Ten- nessee. His maternal grandfather was of Irish descent, and was born on the "Emerald Isle." James McMurtry died in 1854, at the advanced age of nearly ninety.

His father, William McMurtry, was one of the most remarkable men of his time. He was strong intellectually, was a thorough student of human nature, and was an adept in the art ot leading and controlling men. He was born in Tennessee, and married Ruth Champion, a native of Kentucky. He was a State Senator for many years. In 1848, he was elected Lieu- tenant Governor of Illincis on the same ticket with Governor French. He was captain of a company in the Black Hawk War and Colonel of the Sixty-seventh Regiment of Militia of Illinois. During the Civil War, he was chosen Colonel of the One Hundred and Second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and after serving a short. time in Kentucky, he became ill and was honor- ably discharged.

In 1846, he became a member of the Masonic Order, joining the Hiram Lodge in Henderson and the Horeb Chapter in Henderson. He was the Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge and Chapter for fourteen years. He was one of the first three County School Commissioners of Knox County and has held the office several times since.

Governor McMurtry was an uncompromising democrat, and a particular friend of Stephen A.

Douglas. He was early instructed in

the democratic ritual by his father and grandfather. He was one of the most conspicuous political figures in Illinois, and on' account of his tenacity of opinion and firm adherence to dem- ocratic principles, he was regarded as a "wheel horse" in his party.

The natural powers of Governor McMurtry were great. He was a great reader and had a well stored mind. He was entertaining and agreeable in conversation, a good neighbor and constant friend. He performed the duties of citizenship faithfully, and was regarded by everyone as a conscientious and upright citizen.

Dr James C. McMurtry received his educa- tion in the common schools. Later, he was a student in Knox College, and in Union College, Schenectady, New York. He took his degree in medicine at the Rush Medical College in Chi- cago. After graduation, he returned to Knox County, and has practiced medicine here ever since.

In early life, Dr. McMurtry embraced the political faith of his father. He was a democrat until the breaking out of the Civil War. He cast his first republican vote for Abraham Lin- coln's re-election. Since that time he has been a firm adherent to republican principles, and his voice is often heard in the council hall of the republican party. He is regarded as an influ- ential party man, and is a party leader in local and State politics. He helped to form the Union League in Henderson Township and was elected iis first president. He has been offered many official positions in the party, which he has declined. He says that "during the war, his life was threatened many times by members of the Golden Circle; but his good nerve, judg- ment, and reputation as a good fencer, and 'dead shot,' did much to prevent disorder in Knox County." The doctor is a superior athlete, and has exhibited his strength and nerve on many occasions.

Dr. McMurtry possesses many of the char- acteristics of his father. He is noted for the honesty of his convictions, his clearsightedness of obligation and duty, and his moral courage in maintaining the right. In manner, he is not finnical or affected, and in his speech, he is straightforward and plain. He is liberal in his views, charitable towards all, given to hospital- ity, and has lived a life full of good deeds.

Dr. McMurtry was married June 9, 1855, to Caroline Nelson, of Warren County. She is the daughter of Andrew Nelson, who, at the time of marriage, was a merchant in Henderson. To Dr. and Mrs. McMurtry were born five chil- dren: James W., Franklin H., Susan H., Caro- line and Mary. Franklin H. died at the age of five.

BAER, ELI F .; Farmer; Henderson Town- ship; born January 11, 1863, in Henry County, Illinois; educated in Westfield College, Illinois. . His parents who were natives of Franklin County, Pennsylvania were: David F. Baer, born May 11, 1827, and died July 18, 1890, and Susanna (Rine) Baer, born April 28, 1825; his grandparents were David and Elizabeth (Flick-

851

KNOX COUNTY.

linger) Baer, of Lancaster County, Pennsyl- vania; his maternal grandparents were Michael Rine, of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and Elizabeth (Dunkle) Rine, of Hagerstown, Maryland; his great-grandparents were Michael Dunkle and Susanna Raider. Mr. Baer was married to Angie Waters, at Gilson, Illinois, May 25, 1898. Mr. Baer is a prohibitionist. In religion, he belongs to the United Brethren in Christ.

CARVER. EDWIN; Farmer and fruit- grower; Henderson Township; born June 28, 1834, in Fayette County, Indiana. His father. Jonathan Carver, was born on the Hudson river, in New York State, and died at the age of eighty-two. His mother, Malinda (Nelson), was a native of Augusta, Maine. His paternal grandparents, Elijah and Susan (Longwell) Carver, were natives of New York State; his paternal great-grandfather was Timothy Car- ver. His maternal grandparents, Jacob and Mary (Campbell) Nelson, were born in Maine, as was also his maternal great-grandfather, Jacob Nelson, whose son, Horatio Nelson, was in the naval service during the Revolution. February 18, 1857, Mr. Carver was married, in Fayette County, Indiana, to Nancy J. Van Buskirk, daughter of George and Rachel (Helm) Van Buskirk, natives respectively of Kentucky and Pennsylvania. Both parents died in Fayette County, Indiana, the father being nearly ninety-six years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Carver have one son, Grant, who was educated in Galva and Chicago, and married Helen, daughter of S. H. Bateman. Mr. Car- ver came to Illinois

Octoher 18, 1865.

and settled three miles Northeast of Lafayette, Stark County, on a farm of two hundred and forty acres of virgin prairie, which he improved and subsequently sold. He moved near Lafay- ette and from there, in 1880, to Galva, where he engaged in the implement business. After five years, he returned to the farm, which he cultivated until 1889, when he moved to Gales- burg. He owns sixty-five acres of land near Henderson, which he converted into a fruit farm, a charming retreat greatly admired by Galesburg people. He is a republican.

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

Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Part 172

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