Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Part 181

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 181
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USA > Illinois > Mercer County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 181
USA > Illinois > Kane County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 181
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KNOX COUNTY.


(Fuller) Booth, was born in New York State July 10, 1819, and died February 8, 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Booth were married in the East and moved to Illinois at a comparatively early day, finally settling in Knoxville, where they re- sided until their death. They had three chil- dren, Asenath being the youngest. She is a woman of true Christian character, a faithful wife and devoted mother. Mr. and Mrs. Hinthorn are especially interested in church and Sunday school work, and are members of the Methodist Church, Mr. Hinthorn being Superin- tendent of the Sunday school. In politics, Mr. Hinthorn is a prohibitionist.


MILES, JOSEPH W .; Farmer; Persifer Town- ship, where he was born March 6, 1864; edu- cated in the common schools and at Knox Col- Iege. His parents were Rufus W. Miles, of Newark, Ohio, and Mary Jane (Bruce) Miles, of Walingford, Vermont. His paternal grand- parents were Rev. Solomon S. Miles, born in Belpre, Ohio, in 1794, and Eliza Ann (Gilmore) Miles, of Rutland, Vermont; his maternal grandparents were Silas and Hannah D. (Scott) Bruce, of Vermont; his paternal great-grand- parents were Captain Benjamin and Hannah (Buckminster) Miles, of Massachusetts, the for- mer of Rutland. Mr. Joseph Miles was mar- ried in Persifer Township, Section 28, Septem- ber 6, 1896, to Mary E. Derham. Their two children are deceased.


MILES, RUFUS W .; Farmer; born Septem- ber 21, 1822, at Newark, Ohio; educated in the common schools of Ohio, and at Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois. His parents were Rev. S. S. Miles, of Belpre, Ohio, and Eliza Ann (Gilmore) Miles, of Rutland, Vermont. His paternal grand- parents were Benjamin and Hannah (Buckmin- ster) Miles, of Massachusetts, the former of Rutland. His maternal grandfather was John Gilmore; his paternal great-grandparents were Captain Benjamin Miles, and Mary (Hubbard) Miles, of Concord, Massachusetts. Rufus W. Miles came to Illinois in 1836, when fourteen years old. He crossed the plains in 1850, re- turning in 1851 by way of Panama and New York. Mr. Miles was married near Knoxville January 18, 1849, to Mary J. Bruce. Their chil- dren are: Lucy W., Hannah E., Emma M., James H., Rufus H., Joseph W., M. Jennie. Mr. Miles was a member of the Presbyterian Church. In politics, he was a republican, and during the last forty years of his life he was almost constantly in public office. The public service that he liked best to remember was that rendered as a member of the building commit- tee of the Knox County Alms House.


SUTHERLAND, SAMUEL; Farmer; Persifer Township; born January 14, 1839, in Athens County, Ohio. His father, Alexander Suther- land, was born in Washington County, Penn- sylvania; his mother, Harriet Leeper, was born in the same State; his grandfather, John Suther- land, was a native of Glasgow, Scotland; his grandmother was a native of Maryland; his maternal grandfather, Samuel Leeper, and his maternal grandmother, Ann Evert, were na- tives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Sutherland was


married to Anna E. Diefenderfer in 1859, at Knoxville, Illinois; they have eleven children: William Alexander, Alpheus J., Ulysses, Frank, Victoria, Romane, Ellen Jane, George S., Claude W., Anna Myrtle, Ivy Glenn. Mr. Suth- erland was educated in Pennsylvania. His father, Alexander Sutherland, came with his family from Pennsylvania to Knox County, Illinois, in April, 1852, and settled on a farm in Persifer Township. Samuel went to California, and in three years he accumulated sufficient means to purchase the farm on which his father first located, after which his father and mother came to live with him. His father died in 1870; his mother is still living at the age of eighty-six years, being at this time the oldest person in the township. A poor boy, Mr. Sutherland began life by working by the month, and through persistent energy and economy, has become one of the most pros- perous farmers in Knox County. In politics, Mr. Sutherland is a republican, and has held the office of Assessor, Collector, Constable, Commissioner of Highways, Trustee of Schools, and is at present School Director in District No. 2.


SUTHERLAND, WILLIAM ALEXANDER; Farmer; Persifer Township; born October 19, 1859, in Truro Township, Illinois. His father, Samuel Sutherland, was born in Athens County, Ohio; his mother, Ann Elizabeth (Diefenderfer) Sutherland, was born in Union County, Penn- sylvania; his grandparents, Alexander and Har- riet (Leeper) Sutherland, were natives of Penn- sylvania, the latter of Washington County. John Sutherland, the great-grandfather of William Alexander, was born in Glasgow, Scotland; his great-grandmother was Susan Norris. Mr. Sutherland was married to Emma Prosser July 2, 1884, in Stark County, Illinois. Two children have been born to them: Char- lotte I., deceased; and Fern. John Prosser, the father of Mrs. Sutherland, was born in England; her mother, Elizabeth Prosser, was a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. W. A. Sutherland began life for himself at the age of nineteen years, and found employment in Stark County. He at- tended school for several winters and ob- tained a good common school education. Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland removed to Knox County in the Fall of 1884, having saved enough money while working by the month to make a payment on his farm in Persifer Township, upon which he now lives. Mr. Sutherland has shown much interest in the progress of Persifer Township, and has held the office of Township Clerk for eight years with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his fellow townsmen. He is a member of the Masonic order, and has attained the degree of Chapter Mason; he is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Sutherland is a man of energy and push, and with the as- sistance of an economical wife, has paid for his farm under adverse circumstances. In politics, he is a republican.


WILSON, FRANCIS M .; Farmer and stock- breeder; Persifer Township; born on the home-


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John Wyman


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KNOX COUNTY.


stead, which he now owns, September 1, 1849; educated in Galesburg. His father, Francis Wilson, was twice married; first, to Nancy Mc- Pherrin; the second marriage was with Eliza- heth McPherrin, both of whom were born in Ohio. Of the first marriage there were three children: George W., Thomas and Elizabeth. His first wife died January 3, 1838. Mr. Wilson had seven children by his second wife: John; James A .; Francis M .; Drucilla J. and Mary C., deceased. The mother died August 15, 1882. Mr. F. M. Wilson was married to Clara A. Thomas, in Kansas, January 13, 1886. There were four children: Ella, who died in her ninth year; F. Earle; Harley R .; and Nellie M. Mrs. Wilson's father, William Thomas, was horn in Warren County, Indiana, in 1836, and was educated in the common schools. He mar- ried Elizabeth Odell, of his native county; there were nine children: Adeline, James, Clara A., Julia, Maryette, Harry, Edward, Franklin and Myrtle. Both parents are now living in Kansas. Mr. Wilson's family came to Knox County in 1836, and settled in Persifer Township in 1838. The ancestry of the family is Scotch-Irish and Welsh. Mr. Wilson is one of the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, he is a democrat.


WYMAN, ARTHUR; Farmer; Persifer Town- ship, where he was horn October 2, 1870; edu- cated in the common schools. He was married to Fannie Farquer, July 27, 1893, in Knox County; they have three children: Clana Ger- trude, Earl G. and Lena. His father, John Wy- man, was born in Ohio; his mother's name was Katharine Muudwiler. Mr. Arthur Wyman's father came to Knox County, Illinois, from Ohio when a young man. He had scant savings from wages at thirteen dollars a month while working in Ohio. By hard work, careful man- agement, and strict economy, he has become the possessor of several farms and much stock. He has six children, and to each of his sons, as they settle in life, he gives a farm provided with the necessary equipments. Mr. Arthur Wyman has one hundred and sixty acres of land; he is a successful farmer and interested in the progress of the community in which he lives. In politics, Mr. Wyman is a republican, and was for some time a School Director.


WYMAN, EDWARD J .; Farmer; Persifer Township; born January 10, 1833, in Vinton County, Ohio, where he was educated. His paternal grandfather, John Wyman, was a na- tive of New York and died in Ohic in 1839, at the age of seventy-six. His father, Arthur Wyman, was born February 5, 1807, and came from Steuben County, New York; his mother, Anna Salts, horn June 1, 1807, was a native of Ross County, Ohio. Arthur Wyman came to Knox County with his family of nine children in 1853. They sailed down the Ohio River from Pomeroy, Ohio, and up the Mississippi and Il- linois rivers to Peoria and thence by wagon to Knox County, where he bought three hundred and twenty acres of land. He was one of the United Brethren, and was instrumental in building the first log school house in the


district. He died in 1876; his wife died January 10, 1884. Edward J. Wyman was reared in Persifer Township. He has added to his first purchase of eighty acres of land and now owns five hundred and forty-nine acres. February 4, 1858, in Stark County, he was married to Susan Elizabeth Bradford. Six of their chil- dren attained maturity: Mrs. Mary A. Eiker, deceased; Mrs. Alice E. Steffen; William P .; Minerva J .; Clark E .; and Rufus C. Mrs. Wy- man's father, Harvey Bradford, was born in Maine, September 27, 1809, and was the son of Charles and Elizabeth (Brown) Bradford, who were active abolitionists and came to Illinois in 1833. Charles and his son, Harvey S., were highly respected in the community. Mrs. Wy- man has held the office of School Treasurer for two years. The Bradfords were descendants of Governor William Bradford, of the Mayflower. In religion, Mr. Wyman belongs to the United Brethren. In politics, he is a republican, and has held numerous local offices, including that. of Supervisor for seven years, Constable eight years and Treasurer thirteen years. He has been Director and Trustee almost continually.


YOUNG, JOHN R .; Farmer; Persifer Town- ship; son of Robert Young; born May 23, 1852, on the Young homestead, Section 30, Persifer Township; educated at the Knoxville High School and Hedding College. He married Samantha Lotts, in Haw Creek Township, De- cember 8, 1875; there were four children: Earl L., John R., Trella W. and Merrill L. May 10, 1889, his first wife died. November 3, 1891, he married Mary A., daughter of George England; two children were born to them: Leon D. and an infant daughter. Mr. Young's college educa- tion did not unfit him for farm work, and know- ing that he could make a success of farming, he chose that as his life work. He has made a success, beginning in a small way, and now owns four hundred and sixteen acres in Persifer Township, three hundred and seventy-five acres being in one tract and well improved. He is a progressive farmer. He has educated his chil- dren; his two oldest sons, Earl L. and John R., graduated at the Knoxville High School, the former teaching his first school in the Winter of 1898 and '99. Mr. Young is a republican in politics, and has been Supervisor ten years. He filled the office of Road Commissioner from 1885 to 1888, and in 1888, was elected Assessor. On the Board of Supervisors, he has been chair- man of the Road and Bridge Committee since 1894, and has rendered valuable services to the county. Mr. Young is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the A. F. and A. M., Gilson Lodge, No. 3161.


YOUNG, ROBERT LINCOLN; Farmer; Per- sifer Township, where he was born November 14, 1863. He was educated in Knox County. His father, Robert Young, was born in Warren County, Ohio, and his mother, Mary Fowler (Johnston) Young, was a native of Claremont County, Ohio. His paternal grandfather, Jacob Young, was born in Germany; his grandmother, Elizabeth Young, was born in Philadelphia; his maternal grandfather. Edward C. Johnston,


886


KNOX COUNTY.


came from New Jersey. His maternal grand- mother, Hannah Fowler (Rusling) Johnston, was a native of England. Mr. Robert L. Young was married to Emma E. England, September 17, 1890. They have one child, Harold Ewart. The parents of Mr. Young moved from Ohio to Knox County, Illinois, in 1844, and settled on the farm where they now live. Through energy and economy they have accumulated a large es- tate. Mr. Young now lives on the farm with his father, and is successfully engaged in gen- eral farming and stock raising. In addition, he cultivates a valuable farm of his own, con- sisting of two hundred and sixty-eight acres of land. Mr. Young has always taken much in- terest in the welfare of the township. In early life he taught in its schools and has later held the offices of Highway Commissioner, School Treasurer and School Director, the latter office he is now holding for the fifth year. Mr. Young is a member of the Methodist Church. In poli- tics, he is a republican.


TRURO TOWNSHIP.


By L. J. Baird.


Next to Persifer, this is the roughest town- ship in Knox County. Spoon River enters it in Section 12 and flows out from Section 31, winding through it for fifteen or sixteen miles and touching sixteen sections. This river and its branches, which liberally water Truro, pass through timber lands which formerly extended over half the township. Of late years, however, this timher has been gradually disappearing, the land on which it stood having been con- verted into almost treeless pastures, which have proved a source of greater profit. North of Spoon River, the land is mostly rolling; on the south stretches a level, fertile prairie. About one-sixth of the township is underlaid with a good quality of coal, which, with the timber, affords an excellent supply of fuel.


The first settlement was made on Section 19, in 1832, by John Dill. The first birth was that of Andrew Dill, in 1833. During that year Rev. John Cummings performed the first marriage ceremony, initing Jake Ryan and Miss Stam- baugh. In 1832, within Section 30, Malon Winans, a United States mail carrier, was drowned while attempting to swim Spoon River with a mail bag strapped to his back. This was the first death. Within this same section, in 1834, John Coleman started a ferry across Spoon River, at a point which was long known as Coleman's Ferry, but afterwards came to be called Trenton. Here the first postoffice was es- tablished, during the same year.


On the northwest quarter of Section 31, the first white settlers found a number of Indian


graves. Logs had been split into halves and hollowed out for coffins, and these were placed in the forks of trees, from ten to fifteen feet above the ground, where they rested, with their ghastly human skeletons projecting above their tops. In 1836, the pioneers took them down and gave them "white man's burial."


In 1834, Rev. John Cummings preached the first sermon at the home of Widow Lambert, on Section 31. The first school house was built in 1848, on Section 33. There are now seven frame school houses, valued at about seven thousand, five hundred dollars. Of the four hundred and forty-seven persons under the age of twenty-one, two hundred and seventy-three attend the public schools, one of which is graded.


Rensselaer Johnson was the first Justice of the Peace.


April 5, 1853, the township was organized. The first election of officers resulted in the choice of the following persons: Augustus Lapham, Supervisor; J. P. Cadwell, Clerk; Ben- jamin Sweat, Assessor; Levi Seward, Collector; Thomas Ross, Overseer of the Poor; Thomas Crawford, Luther Rice and Joseph Wilder, Highway Commissioners; Thomas Ross and Joseph Oberholtzer, Justices of the Peace.


The population in 1860 was seven hundred and thirteen; in 1870, eight hundred and ninety- nine; in 1880, seven hundred and seventeen; in 1890, eight hundred and sixty-five; and at pres- ent it is estimated at eleven hundred.


Truro Township is inhabited by prosperous farmers. The land is well tilled, and dotting the pastures are herds of well-bred hogs, horses, sheep and cattle. The farms are fairly well improved, and the people contented and happy.


The population is composed chiefly of Ameri- can born citizens of English, Irish, Scotch and Swedish ancestry. The hardy pioneers are fast passing away, but they have left energetic and intelligent descendants. Although thus sprung from various stocks, they are all intensely American in their patriotism. Adorning the walls of their homes are to be found not only the portraits of the heroes of their Fatherland, of whom they are justly proud, but also those of Washington, Lincoln and other eminent Americans, who hold no second place in their affections.


Here also is found a generous religious tol- erance, Protestant and Catholic joining in ad- vancing charitable and educational enterprises. In such perfect assimilation of different nation-


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KNOX COUNTY.


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alities, and in such broad charity in the matter of religious faith as are found here, lies one of the strongest guarantees of the future grandeur and perpetuity of our country.


WILLIAMSFIELD.


Until 1887, Truro was without a railway. During that year the main line of the Santa Fe was laid across the township, and on April 24, 1888, Williamsfield was laid out by E. B. Pur- cell, on Section 23. Later, Galesburg capitalists interested themselves in the project, and pro- moted it with so much vigor that within twelve years the new town has become one of the most prosperous in the county, and now boasts about five hundred inhabitants. There is a graded school, employing from three to four teachers since the completion of the school building, in 1890.


A Methodist church was erected early in 1890, and dedicated on the first day of June of that year. It is a substantial structure, and the de- nomination has a sair membership. Two years later, the Catholics erected an attractive house of worship.


Since 1890 Williamsfield has had a bank and a printing office, both of which started in busi- ness on January 22 of that year. The Bank of Williamsfield (a private institution) was opened by L. J. Baird and Company. David Cation is its Cashier. The Williamsfield Times; an independent weekly, was established, as has been said, in 1890. Its founder was C. D. Ben- field. In October, 1890, the building in which the Times was located was burned, and Mr. Ben- field lost his entire outfit. The subscription list of the paper was purchased by Momeny and Benson, and in a few months they were enabled to continue the publication. Later, they dis- solved partnership, and J. M. Momeny assumed control of the paper. In the Fall of 1892, S. E. Boggess leased the plant from Mr. Momeny, and in April, 1893, it passed into the hands of its present owner, M. Hugh Irish.


Varions lines of mercantile business are well represented, there being four general stores, two hardware stores, two meat markets, two lumber yards, one furniture and undertaking establish- ment, two restaurants, a livery and feed barn, two barber shops, a blacksmith shop, and dry goods and millinery stores. It has also two grain elevators, and has always been a great center for the shipment of grain and live stock. In fact, in these respects, Williamsfield is sur- passed by but few points in the State.


The societies of the village are named below:


Grand Army of the Republic; Instituted July 22, 1890, by Dr. Lambert, of Galesburg, assisted by comrades from Elmwood and Yates City, with a membership of thirteen. Named the George W. Parker Post, in memory of a deceased sol- dier from this township. John Cole, M. D., was the first Commander. For three years the Post met in Tucker's Hall, when the Odd Fellows tendered then their lodge room, free of rent, as their future home. Present membership, twenty-three. Comrades who have died since the institution are Samuel Tucker and Frank Reinboldt.


Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 779. Organized April 15, 1890. Meet in a commodious hall, over the bank. Membership, sixty. All the organizations named below also hold their meetings at the same place.


Degree of Rebekah. Organized September 12, 1895. Membership, thirty-eight. Knights of Pythias. Organized May 15, 1895. Membership, fifty-five. Order of Eastern Star. Organized July, 1895. Membership, twenty-five. Modern Woodmen of America. Organized June, 1894, with seventeen members. Present membership, thirty-two.


ANTHONY SEWARD.


Anthony Seward, son of Samuel S. and Sarah A. (Caldwell) Seward, was born in Knox Town- ship, Knox County, Illinois, October 12, 1848. His father was born in Broome County, New York, in 1826. His grandparents were Orin and Mehetabel (Livermore) Seward, who were pioneers in Knox County.


Samuel S. Seward attended the pioneer schools and assisted his father on the farm. In the summer of 1862, he enlisted in the Union army, serving until June, 1865; he was with Sherman's army in its march through Georgia, marching from Atlanta, Georgia, to Savannah, and thence through the Carolinas to the city of Washington, taking part in the grand review of the army at the close of the war; he was mustered out of service at Chicago, Illinois. He married Sarah A., daughter of John P. and Mary (Porter) Caluwell. After his marriage he located on a farm in Truuro Township, but in a few years he disposed of this farm and, after renting land for a time, bought a farm on Sec- tion 16. In 1882 he left his son Anthony in charge of the farm in Truro Township and set- tled on a farm in Cedar County, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. S. S. Seward had six children: An- thony: John M .; Sophronia (deceased); Wil- liam H .; Sarah; and Albert Marion.


Anthony Seward was married in Knox County, March 17, 1868, to Margaret M. Daniels, who was born in Richland County, Ohio, December 24, 1851. Four children have


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KNOX COUNTY.


been born to them: Chloe P., Ellen Viola, Lucius and Ella. After his marriage Mr. Seward settled upon his father's farm, of which he assumed complete control in 1882.


Mr. Seward was educated in the common schools of Truro Township. He is a farmer and grain dealer. In politics, he is a republican; in religious belief, a Methodist. He held the office of Commissioner of Highways from 1881 to 1888. In 1887 he was Township Supervisor and was re-elected in 1889, holding the office until 1894; in 1898 he was again elected to the same office. He held the office of School Treasurer five or six years, and has been School Director for a num- ber of terms. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 777, and a member of the K. P. Lodge, No. 525, at Williamsfield.


EZRA W. TUCKER.


Ezra W. Tucker, son of John and Eleanor (Metcalf) Tucker, was born January 4, 1839, in Peoria County, Illinois. His parents were born in Ashland County, Ohio, and were pioneers in Peoria. His father died in 1850.


Mr. Tucker was educated in the common schools, and attended school in a log house fur- nished with slab seats. He was married Octo- ber 22, 1860, to Kate Mundy, who was born in Elba Township. Six children were born to them: Willie, Samuel B., Mamie, Lettie, Bar- bara and Thomas. Mr. Tucker was married a second time, February 28, 1877, to Elizabeth Dugan, born in Scotland in 1837, and was the daughter of James and Elizabeth (McMurray) Dugan. Her father died in Scotland, and she came with her mother to the United States in 1865.


After his first marriage he purchased a farm of one hundred and ten acres in Truro Town- ship, where he now lives. He has improved his farm, and increased it by purchase, until ' he now has an excellent farm of three hundred acres, situated one mile south of Williamsfield, where he raises a large amount of fruit.


In religion, Mr. Tucker is a Methodist, and in politics a republican. He has held the office of Road Commissioner, Justice of the Peace, and School Director in Truro Township.


BAIRD, JOHN M .; Williamsfield, Truro Township; Lumber Dealer; born July 15, 1863, in Knox County; educated in Abingdon, Illinois. His parents, William H. and Elizabeth Jane (Farwell) Baird, were born in Pennsylvania. September 9, 1844, in Elba Township, Mr. Baird was married to Florence R. Sumner, who was born December 16, 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Baird have two children: Una C., born December 4, 1888; Vesper E., born August 6, 1892. Mrs. Baird is a member of the Eastern Star Lodge. Mr. Baird has been President of the Town Board. He is a member of the K. of P., No. 523, Williamsfield. He is an extensive dealer in lumber. In politics, he is a republican.


BAIRD, LEROY JOSEPH; Banker and Real Estate Dealer; Williamsfield; born in Elba Township, Knox County, Illinois, December 16, 1857. His parents were William H. and Elizabeth Jane (Farwell) Baird, born in Clin-


ton County, Pennsylvania. His paternal grand- parents were Benjamin Baird of Pennsylvania, and Ellen (Summerson) Baird, of England. Mr. L. J. Baird was reared on his father's farm, and educated in the common schools and at Hedding College, Abingdon. In 1880, he bought a farm which he managed for several years, finally leaving it, in 1890, to engage in the banking and real estate business at Wil- liamsfield, which is his present occupation. Mr. Baird was married at Yates City, October 21, 1883, to Mary H. Parker. They had two chil- dren, Ellen Elizabeth and Earl Melville. Mr. Baird's second marriage was with Hannah A. Elliott at Williamsfield, July 30, 1895. They have had one child, Russell Elliott. In politics, Mr. Baird is an independent democrat.




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