USA > Illinois > Knox County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 179
USA > Illinois > Lake County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 179
USA > Illinois > Mercer County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 179
USA > Illinois > Kane County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 179
USA > Illinois > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 179
USA > Illinois > Coles County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 179
USA > Illinois > Clark County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 179
USA > Illinois > McDonough County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 179
USA > Illinois > Schuyler County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 179
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161 | Part 162 | Part 163 | Part 164 | Part 165 | Part 166 | Part 167 | Part 168 | Part 169 | Part 170 | Part 171 | Part 172 | Part 173 | Part 174 | Part 175 | Part 176 | Part 177 | Part 178 | Part 179 | Part 180 | Part 181 | Part 182 | Part 183 | Part 184 | Part 185 | Part 186 | Part 187 | Part 188 | Part 189 | Part 190 | Part 191 | Part 192 | Part 193 | Part 194 | Part 195 | Part 196 | Part 197 | Part 198
McWILLIAMS, DAVID; Knoxville; Retired Farmer; born in Knox County, April 7, 1846; educated in the common schools. His parents, Robert and Margaret (Thurman) McWilliams, were natives of Ohio. His paternal grand- father, Samuel McWilliams, was from Pennsyl- vania; his maternal grandfather, John Thur- man, was from Virginia. His ancestry is Scotch, French and Swedish. January 11, 1866, in Knox County, Mr. McWilliams was married to Mary E. Rambo; they have five chil- dren: Flora M., Frank E., C. Elmer, Lodema A. and Hattie L. Flora M. married Leonard Stegall; they have one son, Floyd G. Frank E. married Ollie West; they have one daughter, Alma E. Hattie L. married Andrew F. Peter-
le Simile
allen M Parmenter
875
KNOX COUNTY.
son; they have one son, Francis L. Lodema A. is a teacher in the graded schools of Knox- ville. September 13, 1862, Mr. MeWilliams en- listed in Company A, Fourteenth Illinois Cav- alry, and was honorably discharged July 18, 1865, upon a surgeon's certificate of disability. He is a member of G. W. Trafton Post, G. A. R., No. 239, Knoxville. Mr. McWilliams is a repub- licau.
MONTGOMERY, JOHN; Farmer; Knox Township; born December 2, 1866, on the old homestead; educated in the common schools. His parents, Harvey and Eliza (Maxwell) Mont- gomery, were born in Knox County, the former was born January 14, 1834, being the oldest citizen in Knox Township who was born there. They were married in Henderson Township November 15, 1864; they have three children: Sarah J., John and Henry. Sarah J. married John G. Hayes, of Knox Township; they have one son, Harry M. Henry married Mary E. Bowers; they have one daughter living, Jennie. Harvey Montgomery was fifth in a family of seven children of John and Margaret (Vaughn) Montgomery, who were born in Kentucky, the former in Nelson, and the latter in Barren County. May 10, 1830, John Montgomery came to Knox County, and in 1832 settled on the farm which his grandson now owns. The pa- ternal great-grandfather, Robert Montgomery, was a native of Scotland. The maternal grand- parents, Henry Vaughn and Jane Bell, were born in Kentucky. March 2, 1892, Mr. Mont- gomery was married in Galesburg Township to Grace J. Dunlap; they have one child, Marie G. Mrs. Montgomery's father, Thomas Dunlap, was born in Flemingsburgh, Kentucky, in 1816, and came to Illinois when a boy. He was mar- ried to Cornelia Anderson, of New York. They were deaf mutes. They had eight chil- dren: Edwin, Caroline, Hattie, Eva E., Sarah, Clara, Grace J. and Cornelia. Mr. Dunlap died April 15, 1890; his widow is still living. The ancestry of the family is Scotch and English. In politics, Mr. Montgomery is a democrat.
NEELEY, JOHNSTON J .; Farmer; Knox Township; born in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, November 10, 1852; educated in the district schools. November 15, 1876, Mr. Neeley was married, in Knoxville, to Ida A. Metcalf; they have had one daughter, Harriett Maude. Mrs. Neeley's father, Almanson Metcalf, was born in Fairview, Cattaraugus County, New York, April 12, 1823, and married Harriet M. Beech in Knox Township September 1, 1855. Mrs. Neeley was their only child. Mr. Metcalf was a republican. He was a prominent Mason of Knoxville, Lodge No. 400, A. F. and A. M. Mr. and Mrs. Neeley are members of the Presbyterian Church in Knoxville. He is a republican.
PARKING, HIRAM F .; Contractor and Builder; Knox Township; born March 15, 1858, in Knox County, Illinois; educated in the com- mon schools. The ancestry of the family is Scotch and Dutch on the paternal side, on the maternal side, German and English. Mr. Par- kins' father, Leven A. Parkins, was a native of Virginia, while his mother, Martha (Maxey),
was born in Kentucky; they had eleven chil- Byron, Hiram F., James M., Chartes, Almon E. and Annie, who was married to Julius Newton. Mr. Parkins' father died in July, 1876, but his mother is still living. Mr. Parkins' paternal grandfather, James Madison Parkins, who mar- ried Miss Haptonstall, was born in Virginia. Mr. Parkins married his first wife, Ida McDaniel, In Galesburg, January 13, 1880; they had two chil- dren: Frederick, born October 11, 1882; and Sarah I. Mrs. Parkins died September 17, 1896. May 7, 1898, Mr. Parkins was married in East Galesburg to Mrs. Laura B. (Clutts) Jefferies, who had one son, Chester, by her first marriage. Mrs. Parkins' father, Robert Clutts, was born in Ohio, September 12, 1838, and was married to Pricey Shelton, a native of Kentucky. They had three children: Mary E., Charles and Laura B. Mr. Clutts died in 1876, but Mrs. Clutts is still living. Mr. Parkins is a member of Hazel Lodge, No. 378, Knights of Pythias, of East Galesburg, also of East Galesburg Camp, No. 3436, Modern Woodmen of America. Mrs. Parkins is a member of Rathbone Marguerite Temple of Galesburg, Illinois. In religion, Mr. Parkins belongs to the United Brethren. In politics, he is a republican, and for three years held the office of Alderman.
PECKENPAUGH, WILLIAM I .; Knoxville; born in Knox County, April 30, 1849; educated in the public schools. His father, James W. Peckenpaugh, was born in Indiana; his mother, Mary (Chaney), was born in Ohio. His pater- nal grandparents. Solomon and Rachel H. (Wil- liams) Peckenpaugh, his maternal grandfather, Ezekiel Chaney, were born in Kentucky. His paternal great-grandparents were Peter Peck- enpaugh and Meally (Abbott). The former of Pennsylvania. October 9, 1872, Mr. Pecken- paugh was married in Knoxville to Mary J. Brown; she was a daughter of John Brown, born in Ohio, December 28, 1828, and Johanna (Stenson), a native of Sweden. Mrs. Pecken- paugh lost her father August 30, 1854, and her mother September 28, 1892. Her ancestry was English and Swedish. Mr. and Mrs. Pecken- paugh have four children: Arthur B., Har- riet E., John F. and Clarence W. Arthur B. married Alice Lawrence July 10, 1895; they have one son, Lawrence A. Harriet E. married Lee Chalmer Wilson, of Knoxville, October 6, 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Peckenpaugh are members of the Eastern Star of Knoxville, Faith Chapter Number 169; Mrs. Peckenpaugh has held the office of Worthy Matron. Mr. Peckenpaugh is a member of Pacific Lodge of Knoxville, No. 66, A. F. and A. M., Rahhoni Chapter of Knoxville, No. 95, R. A. M., also of Illinois Council Number 1, R. S. M. Mr. Peckenpaugh is In the tubular well and wind mill business. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He is a republican in politics, and has held the office of Alderman, and is a member of the School Board.
RAMP. ASA; Retired Farmer; Knoxville; born in Knox County, January 24, 1855; edu- cated in the common schools. His parents, Ben- jamin and Sarah (Maps) Ramp, were born in
876
KNOX COUNTY.
Pennsylvania; the former November 20,
1815, the latter, in 1819. They died
16. 1879, Asa in March, 1891. March
Ramp was
married to
Deborah Wesner
in Knox County; they had three children: Electa M., born January 1, 1880; Florence B., born January 7, 1885; Waldo L., born August 10, 1886. Mrs. Ramp was born
in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, March 28, 1859; she was the daughter of Anthony and Julia Ann Wesner; the former born in Germany, January 16, 1823, and died in Knox County October 22, 1876; the latter born in Northumberland County, Penn- sylvania, December 3, 1819, and died in Knox County March 4, 1885. Mrs. Ramp's parents were members of the Methodist Church. Mrs. Ramp is a member of the Royal Neighbors of America. Mr. Ramp lived in Ford County, Illinois, for five years; he then moved to Truro Township, and after a nine years' residence moved to Knox- ville, where they have lived for six years. He is a member of the M. W. A., No. 411, Knoxville Camp. Mr. Ramp owns about four hundred and forty acres of land in Elba and the adjoining township. In politics, he is a republican.
RIORDAN, JOHN C. (deceased); Knoxville; Farmer; born in Ireland May 29, 1827; educated in the common schools. February 14, 1854, he was married to Mary A. Richmond in Haw Creek Township. They had two children: L. Riley and Alice. Alice married Edward Schwartz; they have one daughter, Louise F. Mrs. Riordan's father, Linus Richmond, was born in Connecticut October 4, 1801. He mar- ried Sarah Pickrel. They had eight children: Mary A., David, Jesse, John C., Emily, Eliza, Guy H. and Solomon. The family came from Ohio to Illinois in 1834. Mr. Richmond died December 12, 1887; his wife died October 9, 1853. In politics, he was a democrat. He died March 26, 1877.
RUNKLE, JAMES; Farmer; Knox Township, where he was born January 22, 1836; educated in Knoxville. Mr. Runkle's parents, Eldert and Nancy (Bowen) Runkle, were natives of New York, the former of Albany County, the latter of Rensselaer County. His paternal grand- father, John Runkle, was born near the Hudson river, South of Albany, while his paternal grandmother, Helen (Van Woort), was born on the Mohawk river in Saratoga County, New York. His maternal grandfather, Nathan Bowen, was a native of New England. The ancestry of Mr. Runkle's family on his father's side was German and Scotch, on his mother's, Welsh. Eldert Runkle has six children; Eliza- beth. James, Mary E., Lucy G., George and Franklin. He died in 1865; his wife in 1888. December 4, 1872, James Runkle was married to Mehitabel Calwell in Persifer Township. They have four children, Daisy E., Lucy, Elroy and Bessie. Daisy E. married William Lotts. Lucy married Oscar Molter; they have one son, Archibald. In politics, Mr. Runkle is a democrat.
SANBURN, JOHN G., the first County Clerk, the first Circuit Clerk, the first Postmaster, and one of the most prominent men in Knox
County, was born in Canandaigua, New York, March 13, 1797. His parents were among the earliest pioneers of western New York. Inher- iting thus the spirit of enterprise, Mr. Sanburn came to Ohio in the Autumn of 1817. That winter he taught school, and the next spring, in company with his brother, Nathaniel
Sanburn, and three other young men, he worked his passage down the Ohio river to about the foot of Indiana. Thence he went overland to St. Louis and westward to St. Charles, Missouri. That winter he returned to his native town, making almost the entire journey on foot. After two or three years he again went westward and located at Vandalia, Illinois. In 1830, he came to Knox County and opened a store in Hender- son Grove. He at once took a leading position in the county, being largely instrumental in effecting its organization. When Knoxville was platted, he purchased or procured by assign- ment a very large proportion of all the lots in the village. In November, 1831, he married Miss Althea Owen, sister of Parnach Owen, who sur- vived her husband. They had seven children, four sons and three daughters. One son, F. G. Sanburn, lived in Knoxville, where he was presi- dent of the Farmers' Bank. Up to his death John G. Sanburn was one of the best known men in Knox County. He was a trustee of Knox College and of Ewing Female Seminary,- now St. Mary's. He died in Knoxville, Friday, April 14, 1865.
SMITH, LOUIS M .; Knoxville; Postmaster; born January 6, 1862, in Mercer County, Illinois; educated in Missouri. His father, George F. Smith, was born in 1836, in Knoxville, his mother, Clementine M. (Sadler), was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. They had five chil- dren: Louis M .; Bert G., who is a school teacher; two who died in infancy; and Jessie L., a teacher in the High School of Knoxville, who died October 7, 1894. George F. Smith was commissioned First Lieutenant, Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Illinois Volun- teers in 1864, and was honorably discharged October 14, 1864. He died in 1881, and his wife in May, 1898. Louis M. Smith's paternal grand- father, Miles Smith, was a native of New York; his maternal grandparents were John L. and Sibbie (Stewart) Sadler. The ancestry of the family is English, Welsh and Irish. Mr. Smith is a member of Knoxville Camp, No. 224, S. O. V., has been Captain two terms, and is now a member of the Division Council. He is also a member of Horatio Lodge, No. 362, Knights of Pythias. Mr. Smith belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics, he is a republican.
SMITH, MALCOLM; Farmer; Knox Town- ship; born in Herkimer County, New York. December 15, 1836; educated in the common schools. The ancestry of the family was Scotch and English. Mr. Smith's parents, James and Jeal (McCann) Smith, were natives of Scotland. Mr. Smith came to Illinois in 1856. He was married March 7, 1860, in Joliet, Illinois. to Harriet M. Randall. They had four children: Fred M., James D., George C., and Maud R. Fred M.'s second marriage was with Fannie
Fil. Bambus
877
KNOX COUNTY.
(Ingham) of Hornellsville, New York. He had a daughter, Clarissa, by a former marriage. James D. is a farmer, and was married to Sarah Lufkin, of Massachusetts. George C. and Fred M. are in the employ of the Union Pacific Rail- road. Mrs. Smith's father, Dennison Randall, was born in Cattaraugus County, New York, in 1810, and married Elexemena Pratt of Hume, New York. They have five children: Ann Netta, Harriet M., Esther Y., Dennison P., and William C. The Pratts were soldiers in the Revolutionary War, and both families were represented in the Civil War. For thirty years, Mr. Smith was connected with the Chicago and Alton Railroad, during twenty years of which time he held the position of Trainmaster. Mr. Smith and family are members of the Presby- terian church. In politics, he is a republican, and held the office of Supervisor for ten years.
SMITH, MATHEW M .; Superintendent for the Purington Paving Brick Company; Knox Township; born in Buffalo, New York, January 29, 1860, where he was educated. His parents, Mathew and Margaret (Brown) Smith, were born in New York City. His paternal grandparents, Mathew and Margaret (McCoy) Smith were natives of Ireland, the former of Belfast. His maternal grandparents, James and Jane Brown, were natives of Scotland. July 12, 1880, in Buffalo, New York, Mr. Smith was married to Elizabeth E. Henry; they have one son, Stephen H. Mr. Smith is a member of the Veritas Lodge, No. 478, of Galesburg, Illinois; I. O. O. F., and the Modern Woodmen of America, East Gales- burg, Camp No. 2436. He has served the people of East Galesburg for four terms as President of the village. He is a republican.
STEARNS, GARDNER G .; Knoxville; Farm- er; born in Conway, Massachusetts, February 9, 1836, where he was educated. His parents, George and Fannie (Arms) Stearns, were also natives of Conway. Mr. Stearns was Captain of Company A, Seventy-seventh Illinois Volun- teers, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. He was wounded in action, and was a prisoner of war at Tyler, Texas. October 2, 1865, he was married in Knoxville to Lucy G. Runkle, daughter of Eldert and Nancy (Bowen) Runkle; there were five children: George E., Arthur D., Fred R., Fannie G., and Mary E. Arthur D. married Mary Wertman; Fred R. married Louise Rambo. Mr. Runkle was born in Albany County, New York, in 1802, where he was educated in the common schools; he came to Illinois about 1833, and was a farmer by occu- pation; he died in June, 1865; Mrs. Runkle died in October, 1888; they had six children: Eliza- beth, James, Mary H., Lucy G., George, and Frank. In politics, Mr. Stearns was a fearless republican. For one term he held the office of Supervisor. His paternal ancestors were Eng- lish, Dutch and Welsh on the maternal side. Captain Stearns died August 8, 1898. He was an attendant at the Presbyterian church.
TATE, JOHN W .; Knoxville; General Grocer; born January 2, 1842, in Hancock County, Illi- nois; educated in the pubic schools of Rushville. Mr. Tate enlisted August 2, 1862, in Company
B, One Hundred and Nineteenth Illinois Volun- teers, and was honorably discharged September 9, 1865. He is a member of G. W. Trafton Post of Knoxville, No. 239, Grand Army Republic, Department of Illinois. December 3, 1868, in Rushville, Illinois, he married Sarah Neill. They have had four children: Sussanah, Edward A., Louis N. and Marie F. Mr. Tate is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics, is a republican.
TATE, THOMAS B .; Knoxville; General Grocer; born September 21, 1836, in Macomb, McDonough County, Illinois, where he was edu- cated in the common schools. His father, Mil- ton A. Tate, was born in Virginia, and his mother, Martha A. (Broaddus), was born in Kentucky. His paternal grandparents were John and Sally ( ~~ nn) Broaddus. Mr. Tate enlisted at Knoxville, August 8, 1862, in Com- pany E, Eighty-third Illinois Volunteers, and was honorably discharged June 26, 1865, as Second Lieutenant. He is a member of G. W. Trafton Post of Knoxville, No. 239, Grand Army Republic, Department of Illinois. He was mar- ried to Mary Booth October 8, 1861. They have eight children: Charles E., Carrie A., Nettie, Mattie, Frank M., John T., Asenath B. and Jennie. Mr. Tate nas held the offices of Mayor and Postmaster. He is a Republican in politics. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
UPSON, ALBERT; Farmer; Knox Township; born in Summit County, Ohio, May 8, 1842. His parents, Rowland Weller and Phebe (Randall) Upson, had eight children: Josephine, Lucy M., Albert, Matilda S., Louisa M., Hannah F., and two deceased. Rowland Upson was born in Summit County, Ohio, February 6, 1806, and died in Knox Township May 6, 1875. Phebe (Randall) Upson was born in New York in 1815, and died in Knox Township May 6, 1884. His grandfather, Stephen Upson, was born in Connecticut in 1775; his grandmother, Sallie Upson, was born in Connecticut in 1798; both died in Talmadge, Ohio. Albert Upson married Hannah M. Case in Knox Township, January 1, 1867. Her parents, Elisha E. and Rachel (Morse) Case, are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Albert Upson have five children: Florence M., William D., Nellie E., George A., and Arthur E. Florence M. is married to Mark Noble, Jr., of Creston, Iowa; they have three children: Florence H., Nina Z., and Jessie M. William D. married Mary T. Fackler, of Knox Township; they have one son, F. Albert. George A. and Arthur E. are with their parents on the home farm. Mr. and Mrs. Albert Upson are members of the Congregational church. Mr. Upson is an independent republican. He lives on the farm purchased (1851) by his father.
WALBERG, OLA; Farmer; Knox Township; born January 4, 1831, in Sweden, where he was educated. June 5, 1869, in Knoxville, Mr. Walberg was married to Betsey Olson, who was born in 1838. They have had three children: Swan, Caroline and Albert. Swan married Nellie Nelson, who was born in Sweden; they have one son, Harry. Caroline married Peter
878
KNOX COUNTY.
Pierson, of Galesburg; they have one daughter,
Pauline. Albert married Jettie Heagy, of Knoxville. Mr. and Mrs. Walberg are mem- bers of the Swedish Lutheran church. In poli- tics, Mr. Walberg is a republican.
WARNER, DAVID; Knoxville; Retired School-teacher; born in Indiana County, Penn- sylvania, in 1819, where he was educated. His brother, William W. Warner, was born in Penn- sylvania November 10, 1825, and married three times; his first wife was Mary Schranghos, and they had two children, one of whom is now living, W. Rufus; his second wife was Mrs. Elizabeth (Seiper) Lyons; his third wife was Annie (Roberts) Tice, whom he married Decem- ber 8, 1875, and by whom he had four children: Wilber W .; Minnie; Valdora; and David D., who died at the age of seven. W. W. Warner enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Third Illinois Volunteers, and was honorably dis- charged in 1865, on a surgeon's certificate of inability. He was a member of G. W. Trafton Post of Knoxville, No. 239, Grand Army of the Republic, Department of Illinois. David Warner married Nancy Wells August 28, 1844, in Penn- sylvania. In religion, he is a Presbyterian. He is a republican.
WESTERFIELD, SAMUEL; deceased; Farm- er; Knox Township; born January 14, 1836, in Preble County, Ohio; educated in the common schools. His parents, Jacob and Amy (Ayers) Westerfield, were natives of Ohio. The ances- try of the family is Dutch, German and French. May 16, 1872, 'n Knox Township, Mr. Wester- field was married to Mahala Harmony. They had two children: Frank E .; and Eva K., who died at the age of eleven. Frank E. is a mem- ber of Camp No. 224, S. O. V., Knoxville, Illi- nois. Mrs. Westerfield's father, John Harmony, a farmer, was born in Franklin County, Penn- sylvania, July 6, 1801, and educated in the common schools. He was married to Eva Zumbro of Pennsylvania. They have five chil- dren: Helena, Elizabeth, Anna B., Mahala and Frank Z. The family came to Knox Township in 1853. Mr. Harmony died December 28, 1893, his wife died February 9, 1888. December 2, 1861, Mr. Westerfield enlisted in Company B, Second Regiment Colorado Cavalry Volunteers, and was promoted to Corporal April 25, 1864, and honorably discharged December 13, 1864. He died July 31, 1893. Mr. Westerfield was a member of G. W. Trafton Post, No. 229, Knox- ville Department of Illinois, Grand Army of the Republic. He was a member of the -Presbyte- rian Church. In politics, he was a republican.
WILSON, THOMAS; Farmer; Knox Town- ship; born in Champaign County, Ohio, Novem- ber 27, 1835; educated in the common schools. His father, Francis Wilson, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in Butler County, March 1, 1809; his mother, Nancy (McPherrin), was born in Ohio. She was married to Francis Wilson January 17, 1833; they had three children: George W., who died at the age of twenty- seven; Elizabeth, who died January 3, 1838; and Thomas. Francis Wilson's second marriage in September, 1840, was with Elizabeth McPher-
rin; she died August 15, 1882. Five children were born to them, three of whom survive: John, Alexander and Francis M. Francis Wil- son died in the Fall of 1896; he was universally respected. February 20, 1888, Thomas Wilson was married in Knoxville to Augusta Hammar- strom. They had four children: Eva O., Harry D., Paul E. and Miriam M. Mrs. Wilson's father, Carl Hammarstrom, was born in Sweden May 1, 1825; he was married to Anna C. Carl- son, and came to the United States in August, 1865. They had six children: Charles A .; Hilma K .; A. Edward; Augusta; Emma S., who died at sea in July, 1865; and E. Josephine. His father and mother are living. The ancestry of the family is English, Scotch, Irish, and Swedish. In politics, Mr. Wilson is inde- pendent.
WITHERELL, GEORGE W .; Farmer; Knox Township; born in Washington County, Indiana, September 8, 1845; educated in Illinois. His father, Ephraim Witherell, was born in Vermont; his mother Rebecca (Donaldson) was a daughter of Alexander Donaldson, who was born in Erie County, Pennsylvania. His pater- nal grandparents, Asaph and Johanna (White) Witherell, were natives of Vermont; his great- grandfather, Noah Witherell, came from Eng- land on the Mayflower. His ancestry is Eng- lish, Irish, Scotch, and Dutch. May 17, 1866, in Knoxville, Mr. Witherell was married to Martha A. Stoliper; they have eight children, Flora M., Minnie R., Harmon E., Daisy E., Arthur A., Ettie R. and the twins, Clyde A. and Clara A. Flora M. married George Bredlove; they have two children living, Mabel and Harry. Minnie R. married John Drudge; they have two children, Roy S., and Berneth. Harmon E. married Lola Myers; they have two children, Harrie Lee and Helen; they now reside near Wichita, Kansas. Arthur A. married Mamie Peterson; they have one daughter, Geneva. Daisy E. married James Farrell; they have one daughter, Hortense. February 11, 1863, Mr. Witherell enlisted in the Seventy-seventh Illi- nois Volunteers and was honorably discharged August 5, 1865. He is a member of G. W. Trafton Post No. 239, G. A. R., Knoxville, De- partment of Illinois, also of A. O. U. W., of Knox Lodge No. 126. Mr. Witherell is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, he is a republican. He was the first President of the First Shaft of the Minor of Honor.
PERSIFER TOWNSHIP.
By Joseph W. Miles.
This township is situated in the central part of Knox County, and is drained by Spoon River and Court, North and Sugar Creeks.
Its soil is adapted to grazing and agriculture alike; more or less timber grows in its bottoms and along its streams; and its mineral resources include coal and sandstone. Formerly, the abundance of game was rivaled only by the profusion of wild fruit. Indian legends tell of
879
KNOX COUNTY.
silver and lead hidden beneath the ground, and some fine specimens of ore have been found along Sugar Creek.
The Santa Fe Railroad runs through Persifer from west to east, along Court Creek, affording a direct outlet for farm products to the Chicago markets.
The present site of Dahinda was once an Indian village, and the poles of their wigwams stood there for years after the arrival of white settlers. There are twenty-five or thirty mounds on the bluffs near by, which contain human bones and are presumably Indian graves. Many arrow-heads and stone axes have been found, and one branch of the Galena Trail passes through the township from north to south, crossing Court Creek at the point where the Appleton bridge now stands.
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.