Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Part 173

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 173
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USA > Illinois > Kane County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 173
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DAVISON, JOSEPH; Farmer; Henderson Township; born in Northumberland, England, January 21, 1828; educated in his native land. His father, Robert Davison, was a shoemaker and merchant in Northumberland, which is on the border of Scotland. His mother, Mary (Charlton), was a native of England, as were also her parents, Joseph and Mary Charlton. Mr. Davison's paternal grandfather, John Davison, was a North-of-England man; he was a Mason. His paternal grandmother was Isa- hella (Nesbit). In 1853, Mr. Joseph Davison came to the United States and settled in Hen- derson, Knox County, Illinois, where he en- gaged in the shoe business, which he had learned in England. This he continued until about 1875, since which time he has devoted all his attention to farming. He was frugal and industrious, and added to the first forty acres which he bought adjoining Henderson, until he


now owns more than four hundred acrea of good land. Mr. Davison was twice married; first, to Jane Armstrong in Scotland; his second marriage was to Isabella Kilgore. He has three sons: Robert, Harvey C., and Irving. In poli- tics, he is independent. He has held local offices. He was made a Mason at Hiram Lodge Number 26, and Horeb Chapter Number 4.


DUFFEY, EDWARD FENWICK; Farmer; Henderson Township; born in Covington, Ken- tucky, June 21, 1852. His father, Michael Duffey, was born in Philadelphia, October 4. 1811; he was a carpenter. In 1854, he came to Knox County and settled on Section 34, Hender- son Township, owning and improving one hun- dred and sixty acres of land, which at his death was divided among his five children. His wife, Catharine V. (McDonough), was born in New York City, and her parents, Francis and Mar- garet (Prosser) MeDonough, were natives of Ireland. Francis McDonough was a soldier in the War of 1812. M. T. Duffey's parents, John and Mary Duffey, were also natives of Ireland. Mr. E. F. Duffey moved to Kendall County, Illi- nois, in 1872, and from there to Fayette County, lowa, where he farmed. He was married in Seaton, to Hattie E., daughter of Richard Mait- land Wade, a native of Ulster County, New York, who came to Knox County in 1855, but now lives in Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Duffey have five children; Mrs. Bertha M. Cunning- ham; Kathlyn M., a graduate of Galesburg High School, class of 1899; Francis A .; M. Blanche; and Lawrence H. In Fayette County, Iowa, he bought eighty acres of land and farmed there for ten years. He then moved to Red Willow County, Nebraska, where be took up a home- stead of one hundred and sixty acres from the government, which he traded for three hundred and twenty acres of land in Rawlins County, Kansas. Ir May, 1895, he returned to the old homestead in Knox County, where he now re- sides. Kathlyn M., his second child, taught during one school term in Nebraska, having ob- tained a certificate when she was sixteen years old. Mr. Duffey belongs to the Methodist Epis- copal Church. In politics, he is a republican. and has held the office of School Director, and Assessor. He served as Justice of the Peace. and held other offices in Nebraska.


HENDERSON, DAVID; Farmer; Henderson Township; born January 26, 1822, in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, where he was educated. His father, Stewart Henderson, was born in Ireland; his mother Anna (Hunt) Henderson. in Pennsylvania. Mr. David Henderson was married to Sophia Davis Poplett, in Ontario Township, in June, 1853. Their children are Nancy Ann, Mary Jane, Jacob Harvey, Nellie Sophia, Peter Davis, and Thomas. Harriet Amanda and David Alexander died in infancy. In religion, Mr. Henderson is a Protestant. He is a democrat.


HICKMAN, ALFRED W .; Farmer; Henderson Township; born February 4, 1867, in' Henderson Township; educated in Galesburg. His parents were Jacob Hickman, of Wilmington, Delaware, and Mary Ann (Chapman) Hickman, of Oneida


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County, New York. His paternal grandfather was John Hickman, and his grandmother's maiden name was Junk; they were of Sussex County, Delaware; his maternal grandparents were Samuel Chapman of Oneida County, New York, and Mary Chapman, of Westmoreland, New York. Mr. Jacob Hickman died July 24, 1898. Mr. A. W. Hickman was married to Alice Windom, at Galesburg, Illinois, October, 1893. He is a democrat.


HODGES, ELLEN; Henderson Township; born December 10, 1844, in Gettysburg, Penn- sylvania; educated in Pennsylvania, and Knox- ville, Illinois. Her parents, Robert and Nancy (McIlhenny ) Cobean; her paternal grandpa- rents, James and Elizabetho (Stewart) Cobean; and her maternal grandparents, Victor and Nancy (Orr) McIlhenny, were born in Gettys- burg, Pennsylvania; her paternal great-grand- father, William Cobean, was born in Scotland; and her maternal great-grandparents, George and Nancy (McClure) Orr, were born in Ire- land. Mrs. Hodges was married to John Hodges in Galesburg, Illinois, April 15, 1867. Their children are: Bertha, Myron, Nellie, Charles, and Robert.


JUNK, JAMES ELVIN; Farmer; Henderson Township, where he was born April 20, 1864; educated in the same township. His parents were Thomas and Maria (Kilgore) Junk, of Fayette County, Pennsylvania; his paternal grandparents were James and Eliza (Rankin) Junk of the same County and State; and his maternal grandfather was James Kilgore, of Pennsylvania. Mr. Junk was married to Carrie Blanche Hampton in Galesburg, Illinois, De- cember 24, 1891; their children are: Fred Hamp- ton, Geneva Jane, and Dorothy. Mr. Junk is a member of the Methodist Church. He is a democrat.


McMURTRY, HARRIET; Henderson Town- ship, where she was born, February 12, 1854, and where she was educated. Her parents were James McMurtry, born in Hardin County, Ken- tucky, died, March, 1893, and Eliza (Rice) Mc- Murtry, born in Indiana, died, September 23, 1879; her grandparents were James McMurtry of North Carolina, and Margaret (Lucas) McMur- try of Kentucky; her maternal grandparents were Jacob Rice, and Margaret (Edwards) Rice of Kentucky. In religion, Harriet McMurtry is a Universalist.


McMURTRY, WILLIAM; was born in Mercer County, Kentucky, February 20, 1801. He removed, with his parents, to Crawford County, Indiana, where he married Ruth Champion, by whom he had five children: Mary E., James C., Nancy, Francis


M. and Cynthia. Mrs. McMurtry died Febru- ary 10, 1864. In 1829 he came, with his family, to Henderson Grove, where he lived un- til his death, from dropsy, April 11, 1875. He was a democrat in politics, and was elected to the legislature in 1836, and again in 1838. In 1844 he was sent to the State Senate, and in 1848, was made Lieutenant Governor. He was comparatively uneducated, but his sociability, his strong, good sense, and his inimitable en-


ergy made him one of the most influential men of his day in Illinois politics. In 1862, he was commissioned Colonel of the One Hundred and Second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, but ill health compelled his resignation in February, 1863. He was a man of powerful physique and great vitality, but his rough life in the early frontier days left him broken down in con- stitution during the later years of his life.


NELSON, CHARLES HENRY; Farmer; Hen- derson Township; born in Monson, Hampden County, Massachusetts, June 2, 1830; educated in the common schools of Knox County, His parents, Andrew and Susan (Hawley) Nelson, were born in Massachusetts, the former in the town of Wales, the latter in Amherst. His pa- ternal grandparents were George and Susan Nelson, the former having been born in Wales. His maternal grandparents were Philip and Roxanna Hawley, the former a native of Mass- achusetts. The Nelson family was of English descent. Mr. Nelson was married in Hender- son, November 8, 1882, to Ruth Cook; they have two children: Frank A. and John T. Mrs. Nel- son is a daughter of James Cook, who came to Knox County in 1862 and died in 1891; he was a farmer. Mr. Nelson came to Knox County with his father and step-mother, Bar- bara (Hamilton). His own mother died in Pennsylvania, November 9, 1839. For ten years he was a merchant; he then studied law in Chi- cago (1862) with George Ford, since which time he has practiced in Knox County. He owns nine hundred and seventy-five acres of land, chiefly in Knox County. He is a self-made man, his financial success being entirely due to his own efforts. In politics, he is a democrat. and is a free and independent citizen; he is not a member of any society. He was supervisor for three terms.


OVERSTREET, JOHN LOWREY; Farmer; Henderson Township; born, November 13, 1859, at Galesburg, where he was educated in the district school, and at Knox College. His pa- rents were Milton Lowrey Overstreet of Nich- olasville, Jefferson County, Kentucky, and Cath- erine (Martin) Overstreet of Connecticut; his grandparents were Robert S., and Jane (Low- rey) Overstreet of Kentucky; his maternal grandparents were Joel and Phoebe Martin of were Connecticut; his great-grandparents James Overstreet of England and Susan (Daves) Overstreet of Kentucky. He was married to Nannie A. Brown in Galesburg, Illinois, De- cember 26, 1882. Mr. Overstreet is a member of the Congregational Church. In politics he is a republican.


PARSONS, FRANKLIN; Farmer; Section 25, Henderson Township; born January 9, 1826, in Agawam, West Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts; educated in New York and Ohio. His parents were David Hastings and Lydia T. (Warren) Parsons of Massachusetts; his paternal grandparents were Hosea Parsons, horn June 4, 1778, and Sallie (Upham) Parsons, born October 25, 1778, the latter at Springfield, Massachusetts. Mr. Franklin Parsons first married Sarah Bullard


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KNOX COUNTY.


at Knoxville, Illinois, March 1, 1848. His sec- ond marriage was with Actus Baxter, in Hen- derson, September 5, 1871. ' His children are Leonard U., Edatha E., Frank D., Ellen A., John R., Lincoln E., Sarah L., M. Emma, and Effa M. Mr. Parsons is a member of the Uni- versalist Church. In politics, he is a repnb- Jican.


PENDERGAST, THOMAS; Coal Operator; Henderson Township; born December 22, 1846, in County Kilkenny, Ireland. He was married to Rosanna Sharkey, December 28, 1869, at Galesburg. They have five children: John, Mary, James, Katharine and Johanna. John Pendergast, the father of Thomas, was born in Ireland, as was also his mother, whose maiden name was Catherine Gorman. His paternal grandfather was Patrick Pendergast; his ma - ternai grandfather was Michael Gorman, and his maternal grandmother was Mary Cady, all of whom were natives of Ireland. In the spring of 1863 Mr. Pendergast came to Knox County, Illinois, where his father had located in 1855. He engaged in farming until 1889, when he sunk a shaft and began to mine coal on his own farm in Soperville, Illinois. He is a self-made man. and his success in life is due solely to his tire- less energy and industry. Tragic circumstances attended the removal of his father's family to America. Mr. John Pendergast came to New York in 1848, and one year later, sent for his family. Upon landing at Quebec they were seized with cholera, and before the father could reach them from New York, the mother, one daughter and a son had died. His surviving daughter was taken to the home in New York. which the father had provided for his family. He is a member of the Catholic Church. In politics, he is a democrat.


PENNINGTON, RIGGS; Мг. Penning-


ton was one of the first County Com- missioners. He was a keen, shrewd man, of medium size, dark complexion, having pierc- ing eyes, straight black hair, a full forehead, and a general appearance that gave him the air of a thoroughly wide-awake business man. Not much can now be learned of him, but he de- serves mention herein, for in his day he was one of the wealthiest and most influential men in Northern Illinois. When he left this State for Texas, in 1837, he carried nearly fifteen thousand dollars with him. He was a native of North Carolina and was the first white set- tler in McDonough County, Illinois. He came to Knox County, in 1828, and returned here once for a short visit in 1840. It is said that he remained in Texas until his death, in 1869. But perhaps a more trustworthy report is that he shortly left Texas and went to Mexico, where he amassed a large fortune.


POPLETT, FRANCIS; Farmer; Henderson Township; born in Sparta Township, May 28. 1851; educated in Knox County. His father, John Poplett, was born in Indiana, September 12, 1826. and died March 30, 1852; his mother, Sophia (Davis) Poplett, was born In Indiana. November 2, 1829; his grandfather, Thompson Poplett, eame from Kentucky; his maternal


grandfather, Peter Davis, was born in Kentucky in December, 1801, and died March 15, 1871; his maternai grandmother, Harriet (Cannon) Da- vis, was born in Kentucky March 5, 1811, and died November 8, 1891. John Poplett and So- phia Davis were married November 16, 1848; a son, Henry Thompson, was born in 1849, and died June 16, 1850. Francis Poplett was mar- ried to Laura L. Rowe, in Sparta Township July 3, 1872. Their children are: Nellie Harriet, born July 10, 1873, died Angust 11, 1873; Laura Ella, born January 12, 1875, married to Jacob M. Findiey, January 9, 1896; Mary Alice, born Angust 19, 1876, dled February 8, 1880, and Elmer Frank, born April 20, 1884. Laura Lor- rania, wife of Francis Poplett, was born Feb- ruary 22, 1849, and died March 31, 1890. Mr. Poplett is a Protestant. In politics, he is a re- publican, and has held the office of Road Com- missioner.


ROBERTSON, HARBIN CRAWFORD; Farm- er: Henderson Township; born


in the old log homestead May 5, 1850; educated in Knox County. His father, Daniel Rob- ertson, was born June 12, 1804, in Blair, Perthshire, Scotland, and came to this country with his father, Alexander Rob- ertson, also a native of Scotland, when he was but six months old. Alexander Robertson set- tled first in New York State, but in 1817, re- moved to Illinois, finally settling in Morgan County, where he died. Daniel Robertson moved, in 1822, to Sugar Creek, near Rushville, and in 1828, to Knox County, where he died April 6, 1890. Daniel Robertson's wife, Hopey Jane (Riddle) was born in Kentucky, February 25, 1812, and died November 29, 1895. December 27, 1877, in Henderson, Mr. H. C. Robertson was married to Llda McKee; they have three chil- dren: Fannie Mand, Mary Elener and Millard Allen. Mrs. Robertson is a daughter of Allen and Harriet (Biggerstaff) McKee, natives of Athens County, Ohio, and of Scotch-Irish de- scent. Her parents moved to Iowa in 1873, where her father died: her mother is still liv- ing. Mr. Robertson owns the old homestead and has, altogether, two hundred and one acres of land, eighty-four acres of which are in sec- tion twenty-eight, where he resides, and where he settled when he was married. He is the only one of the family in the townshlp. From April. 1871, till September, 1873, he lived in Kansas and Missouri, where he stili owns one hundred and sixty acres of land. In po .... cs. he is a democrat.


SHAY, J. J .: Farmer; Henderson Township, where he was born November 14, 1859. Hls father, Michael Shay, and his mother, Mary (Fitzgerald) Shay, were born In Ireland. Mr. Shay's parents came from Ireland to New York in 1848; in 1850, they moved to Knox County, Illinois, where they resided nntil their death. Mr. Shay was married to Anna Horstman, at Lexington, Nebraska, March, 1890. They have two children: Ray and Earl. Early In life, Mr. Shay went. West and spent fifteen years in Western Nebraska and Wyoming. as foreman for Daters & Company of Cheyenne, Wyoming.


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KNOX COUNTY.


He had the management of twenty-five thousand head of cattle. In 1895, he returned to Knox County, where he has since resided and fol- lows the occupation of farming. In politics, Mr. Shay is a republican, and is now serving his second term as Assessor. He is energetic and industrious, and much respected by the com- munity in which he lives.


WILLIAMSON, EDWIN PETER; Farmer; Henderson Township; born March 13, 1870, at Wataga, Knox County; educated in Business College at Galesburg, Illinois, and at Daven- port, Iowa. His father is William Williamson. Mr. E. P. Williamson was married to Elizabeth L. Olson, at Wataga, March 22, 1899. He was brought up on the Williamson farm, near Wataga, `and a


was clerk in his father's store in Moline, Illinois, from 1887 to 1888. After the death of his brother George, he managed the mill in Wataga until the Fall of 1895, when he began to farm on the home- stead. After his marriage, Mr. Williamson set- tled near Henderson on a farm of one hundred and eighty-seven acres, where he is making a record for industry and thrift.


GALESBURG TOWNSHIP.


Joseph Rowe, the first settler. took up his home in the southeastern corner of the town- ship in 1832 or 1833. Soon after came Isaiah Smelser, and in 1834 Gaddial Scott and Edward Morse located Sections 19 and 3, respectively.


on Edward Morse was one of the Henderson colony, but settled so far from his neighbors as to be over the Galesburg line, away from the timber. He built a tall log cabin, which could be seen for miles over the level country, and hence was called the "Lighthouse of the Prairie."


All the land in the township is very fertile. There are six ungraded schools, with one hun- dred and thirty-six pupils. The six school houses are all frame structures worth about five thousand seven hundred dollars.


This township comprises now the twenty- seven sections of Township 11 North, Range 1 East, not included in the limits of the City of Galesburg.


The city was made a separate town by legis- lative enactment in 1867.


The township's population (the city, of course. being excluded), as shown by the United States Census reports, has varied as follows: In 1860, it was six hundred and sixty-four: in 1870, eight hundred and seventy-eight; in 1880, seven hun- dred and forty-eight; in 1890, seven hundred and eight.


[For additional facts relative to the history of this township, the reader is referred to the article entitled "City of Galesburg."]


HILAND HENRY CLAY.


Hiland Henry Clay, son of John L. and Louisa M. (Balch) Clay, was born in Chester, Vermont, January 3, 1838.


His paternal grandfather was Timothy Clay, who was born in Massachusetts. His paternal grandmother was Rhoda Lawson, also a native of Massachusetts. His maternal great-grand- father was Hart Balch, who was born in Boston. His maternal great-grandmother's maiden name was Betsey Green. His maternal grandfather was Joel Balch, a native of New Hampshire. and his maternal grandmother was Betsey Ste- vens.


John L. Clay, the father, came to Knox County in 1837. He bought four hundred and eighty acres of land in Galesburg Township, a part of which has always been known as the "Clay " homestead, His traveling companions were Adnah Williams, who founded the "Will- iams Nursery" on West Main street, and Stephen Fields. Both Williams and Fields bought a tract of land. After making their in- vestments and examining this section of country thoroughly with a view to future settlement, they all returned to Vermont. In 1840, Mr. Clay moved to Illinois with his family, which consisted of his wife and four children; Alonzo C., William L., Warren W. and Hiland H. They lived in Galesburg, then a small village, nearly one year, until a house was built on the land which he had already purchased. This land was all prairie, very fertile, and became one of the best farms in Knox County. Here Mr. Clay lived until he died, reared his family, and by his industry, became a man of wealth and standing. He was charitable and kind, a good neighbor and a fond father. He was liberal minded; a thorough-going democrat, and was called to fill several local offices, such as Assessor and Super- visor.


Mr. Clay married into a very superior family. intellectually. His wife's maiden name was Louisa M. Balch, who was born in Andover, Ver- mont. Her brother, Dr. William S. Balch, was a Universalist clergyman, and one of the great- est orators and debaters in the denomination to which he belonged. Mrs. Clay was a strong, intellectual woman. She had a versatile mind, was well informed, and always manifested true, motherly instincts in her family. Her neigh- bors gave her the name of being a kind hearted woman, ministering to the sick and needy as circumstances seemed to require.


Major H. H. Clay inherited some of the char- acteristics and mental qualities of his mother. He was educated in the common schools, fin- ishing with a short course in Lombard Univer- sity. He is thoroughly posted in the events of the day, and has been a prominent citizen in the community in which he has lived ever since he has arrived at manhood. He was raised on the farm and farming has been his occupation through life. His homestead embraces four hundred and twenty acres of most excellent land and he is regarded as one of the best practical farmers of Knox County. During the Civil War, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Sec-


1+1 + Clay


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KNOX COUNTY.


ond Regiment Illinois Volunteers, and remained in service until its close. He participated in many hard fought battles, such as Reseca, New Hope Church, Peachtree Creek and siege of At- lanta. On entering the army he was chosen First Lieutenant of his company, and within four months thereafter, was commissioned as Captain. In December, 1864, he rose to the rank of Major, and commanded his Regiment until the close of the war.


As a soldier, Major Clay was a good discipli- narian, prompt and intelligent, and a.ways won the respect and confidence of his command. His regiment saw the most active service after May 1, 1864. They were engaged in battle in the siege of Chattanooga and Atlanta nearly one hundred days. They remained in this vicinity until November 15, when they entered the great army under General Sherman in that ever memorable "march to the Sea." Major Clay's regiment participated in the Grand March in Washington and was mustered out, June 6, 1865, disbanding in Chicago.


As a man and citizen, Major Clay has had an honorable career. He is a man of strict integ- rity, sound judgment, and has a well stored mind. He is not fastidious or squeamish, or burdened with the conventionalties of life. He goes straight forward to his lahors and duty, and leaves to others the freedom he himself en- joys. He is broad in his views, liberal in his dealings, and charitable toward all. In poll- tics, Mr. Clay is a consistent 'and unswerving democrat. All his life he has been identified with that party. He has held several township offices. In 1877 he was elected Supervisor. which office he filled most acceptably.


Major Clay was married October 14, 1878, to Jennie E. Clay, daughter of James and Char- lotte T. (Orcutt) Clay, residents of Gaysville, Vermont.


To them were born six children: Fred C., John L., Walter T., Irving H., Marion and Rob- erts M.


COOLIDGE. JAMES H .; Farmer; Galesburg Township; born August 25, 1838, in Watertown. Massachusetts; educated in the common schools. His parents were John and Mary (Bond) Coolidge of Watertown, Massachusetts. He was married to Ellen F. Brown in New Hampshire, January 1. 1862. They have nine children: Lottie E., who married David Will- iams, and died in 1895; John, James H., Jr., Ar- thur E., Nellie, Walter, Josephine, Edgar D. and Edna L. Mr. Coolidge came to Knox County in 1874, and settled on Main street, west of Gales- burg. He is engaged in general farming, dairy- ing and the breeding of thoroughbred Holstein cattle. His ancestors came from England to Watertown about the year 1700. Mr. Coolidge is a member of the Baptist Church. In politics, he is a republican.


DERBY, FRANCIS THOMAS; Farmer; Gales- burg Township; horn, July 10, 1822, at And- over, Vermont; educated in the common schools of Vermont. His parents, Nathan B. and Betsey (Thomas) Derby, and his paternal grandparents, Nathan and Nancy (Thompson)


Derby, came from Massachusetts; his great- grandfather, Nathan Derhy, was born in Eng- land. Nathun B. Derhy moved from Massachu- setts to Andover, Windsor County, Vermont, in 1821, and died in 1880. Mr. F. T. Derby was mar- ried in New York City, October 7, 1852, to Anna Thompson. Their children are: Frank W .. William N., Eddie T., Ella and Mary. Mr. Derby is a republican.


FELT, EDWARD A .; Drover and Farmer; Galesburg Township, where he was born Feb- ruary 20, 1860. His father, Charles M. Felt, and his grandfather, Peter Felt, came from Massachusetts; his great-grandfather was George A. Felt. Mr. C. M. Felt came to Knox County in 1842, and located first near Cherry Grove. He had twelve children: Charles M., Seth H., Austin V., Albert, Edward A., Harry, deceased; Mary, Adaline, Clarissa, Elsie, Helen and Kate. The father died February 21, 1897. He had been Supervisor of the township for fourteen years. Mr. E. A. Felt was married to Emma G. Stringham, in Galesburg, February 24. 1881. He now lives in the homestead where his father settled in 1858. He is a republican, and was elected Town Supervisor in 1892, which office he has held to the present time. He has also been Road Commissioner, Assessor and School Director.




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