Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 101

Author: Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo and Chicago; Chapman Brothers, pub
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical publishing company
Number of Pages: 1130

USA > Illinois > Knox County > Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois > Part 101

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The subject of this biography is a gentleman of quiet demeanor and broad common sense. He is not an aspirant to office, though nevertheless care- [ fully observing all movements in his vicinity affect- ing the public welfare. Mr. Brown was Deputy Sheriff under S. W. Brown, during the years 1850- 51. S. W. Brown, an uncle of Harmon Brown, now lives in Vancouver, Washington Ter. He was ap- pointed Land Receiver by Abraham Lincoln, with headquarters at the above place.

Harmon Brown, for several years, has held the office of School Director and Trustee, a post to which his talents are eminently adapted. He is a leading member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he is in excellent standing. He is a member of Vesper Lodge, No. 584, Galesburg; Horeb Chapter, No. 4. Rio. As a Republican and earnest politician he has from time to time displayed a discretion which has been favorably appreciated by his co-workers in pol- itics.

1829, of William and Isabelle (Ironside) Leighton, likewise natives of Scotland.

Tle parents emigrated to the United States in 1834, and for four years were residents of New York City, where his father was engaged for two years as a clerk in a wholesale store, the firm being Chalmers, Jones & Hizer, after which he was employed by Horace Greeley as bookkeeper, and worked for him two years at that occupation. Mr. Greeley probably gave him the same advice which he subsequently made public : "Go West, young man, and grow up with the country," for in August, 1838, we find Mr. Leighton settled at Knoxville, where he had previously pur- chased a farm. and on his arrival settled on it and diligently engaged in its labors, hoping that the plow would prove more remunerative than the pen, and such indeed proved to be true, at least in his case. He remained on this place for two years, when he removed to the old Knox farm and there lived for two years. He then returned to New York City and clerked for the same dry goods firm he had formerly worked for, and remained with them a little over a year. Returning to this county, he engaged in the mercantile trade at Knoxville, which he fol- lowed for eight years, when he sold out and moved to his farm on section 12, Copley Township. He had by this time become the owner of 900 acres of land, all in a body, and on this he lived and labored until his death, in 1861, his wife having died in 1836. He formed a second matrimonial alliance in 1839, and the wife died in 1867. Mr. L. had a family of six children-John, Mary A , James, Lockhart, Will- iam and Charles. Lockhart died in 1840, and Charles in 1853. James was killed in the battle of Chickamauga, Sept. 20, 1863, holding, at the date of his death, the position of Major in the 42d Ill. Vol. Inf.

-Y.

John A. Leighton lived with his parents until he attained the age of manhood, prior to which time he was engaged in working on the farm and teaming from his home to Chicago and Peoria, and, when op- portunity would permit, attending the common schools. After leaving the parental roof-tree, he rented a farm on section 16, Copley Township, which he continued to cultivate until he purchased 160 acres on section 17, of the same township. He was married in 1850 to Miss Jessie Russell. In 1864 he made an ex- change with his brother William for his interest in

ohn A. Leighton. A goodly number of the prominent and respected citizens of Knox County, as well as wealthy farmers, came hither from Scotland. Of this nationality is the subject of this notice, residing on section 13, Sparta Township, where he is actively en- gaged as an agriculturist. He was born Feb. 10, the old homestead, which he now owns, and on which

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he is living at this writing. In 1854 Mr. Leighton built a steam saw-mill on his farm, which cost him $3,000. In 1869 he engaged in the hardware busi- ness at Oneida village, and continued in mercantile pursuits for five years. He then disposed of his business, and since that time has been engaged in stock-raising, his specialty being horses.

Mr. Leighton has a fine farm of 365 acres, and in both branches of his vocation is meeting with that success which energy and perseverance are sure to bring. He is a Republican in politics, and has held the office of Road Commissioner, and also of Consta- ble and School Director, for 10 years.

Mr. and Mrs. Leighton became the parents of four children, whom they named Isabelle, William, Ellen and Jessie. The wife died in 1859, and Mr. Leighton was a second time married, when Mrs. Jane Brant became his wife, March 21, 1860. She is a daughter of David and Margaret (Gregg) Young, natives of Scotland. Her parents came to America in 1833, and located in Canada, where they lived one year, when they went to New York City, where, in 1840, her father died. Her mother came to this State in com- pany with Mrs. Leighton, and died here in 1868. Of the latter union a son, James, has been born.

Mr. Leighton, of whom we have given a brief bio- graphical notice, as a representative of the agricult- ural class of Sparta Township is the peer of any. His past has been an honorable one, and he is to-day one of the respected and foremost citizens, not only of his township, but of Knox County.

ohn E Erickson, of the firm of Walberg & Erickson, grocers, 5 and 7 Prairie st., Gales- burg, was born in the western part of Swe- den, Aug. 1, 1854, and with his parents, Charles and Kate (Peterson) Erickson, came to Amer- ica in 1867. He had attended school in his native country, acquiring the rudiments of an educa- tion in his mother tongue, and after coming to Gales- burg applied himself to the study of the English language. He attended night schools and business college, thus fitting himself fairly for anything that he might undertake. He spent about a year and a

half in Missouri, and two years in Chicago, and the rest of the time he has been in Galesburg.

For several years Mr. Erickson was employed as a clerk with Messrs. Olson & Hofflund in the grocery business, and in 1881 engaged in the enterprise now receiving his attention. He was married at Gales- burg, Oct. 23, 1881, to Miss Saverina Mellquist, a native of Sweden, and there have been born to them two children-Aloin and Frederick, and the former died at the age of two years. Mr. Erickson is a member of the A. O. U. W., pays no attention to politics, attends strictly to his own business, and finds it profitable ; in fact, he has not only worked his own way, but has aided those nearest to him. He is known as a man of integrity, and has the confi- dence and esteem of the public.

tto Anderson, of the firm of Peterson & Anderson, merchant tailors, Galesburg, was born in the parish of Jalaryd, State of Smollan, Middle Sweden, Sept. 18, 1849. He is the son of Anders and Britta Christine (Gustafson) Johnson. The parents had a family of six sons and four daughters, of whom two sons, Otto and John, came to this country, the latter of whom is a merchant tailor of Janesville, Wis. The subject of this sketch learned his trade at Barga, Sweden, and followed it in his native land for a few years. In 1873 he came to Chicago, where he re- mained working for one year and then went to Rock Island, Ill., where, after spending several months at his trade, he removed to Monmouth, this State. In 1 876 he came to Galesburg, and six years later es- tablished himself in the business which he is at present following; the establishment is second to none in the city.

Mr. Anderson was married in Galesburg to Miss Eva, daughter of B. J. Nelson, Esq., a builder re- siding at Galesburg. She was born in Smollan, Sweden. Their family has been blest with a son, Joab Anders Edwin, born Feb. 7, 1883. Mr. An- derson is a pushing business man and a clever artist in his profession. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., also of the K. of P. and of the Business Men's Club of Galesburg.

LIBRARY OF THE L ... VERCITY OF ILLINO. 3

M. C. Reynolds

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F. Resseguie, of Galesburg, Superintend- ent of the Illinois lines of the C., B. & Q. R. R .. was born in Green County, Wis., Nov. 19, 1847. His parents were Alexander C. and Jerusha (Norton) Resseguie, formerly of New York State. Mr. Resseguie com- menced railroad business with the C. & N. W. Ry. at Janesville, Wis., as telegraph operator, and was with this company as operator, agent and Superin- tendent's clerk 14 years. In 1878 he entered the employ of the C., B. & Q. R. R., and served as chief clerk in the offices of the Division Superintendent, General Superintendent and Vice-President, till June, 1885, when he received his present appointment.

Mr. Resseguie married at Clinton Junction, Wis., Miss E. H. Taylor. They have one son living- Lathrop A., and have buried a son and a daughter- Frank L. and Grace E.

Papt. William H. Reynolds. The broad and fertile pairies of Knox County have afforded excellent opportunity for men to demonstrate their ability as agriculturists. There is no county in this exceptionally fine farming State that exceeds Knox County in this respect, and the opportunity has been improved by numerous enterprising gentlemen, who to day not only can look back over a life of usefulness to the community, but are living in the enjoyment of the well-earned and valuable property which they now possess. Prominent among this influential class of citizens is Capt. William H. Reynolds, who resides at Galesburg. Samuel and Ann Jane (Reed) Rey- nolds, his parents, were natives respectively of South Carolina and Kentucky. William H. was born in Parke County, Ind., Dec. 29, 1829, and was seven years of age when his parents removed to Warren County, this State. The senior Mr. R. was a farmer, and at this writing (June, 1886) resides upon the

farm in Floyd Township upon which he settled in 1836.

William H. was educated in the district schools and at Abingdon College. He studied law, also medicine, and really practiced the former profession for four or five years, but he was inclined to be a farmer, and as such has made his mark. He came into Knox County in 1857, and to Galesburg in 1883. He owns five fine farms in this county, one of 1,000 acres in Orange Township, and is one of the most extensive stock-breeders in this part of the State. He is a self-made man, having acquired every dollar of his property by his own effort and industry, and in addition to what he now has he has lost by bad loans and indorsements not less than $50,000, and $35,000 of it since 1875. During his residence in this county he has served the people from time to time as Commissioner, School Director, Supervisor, etc., but upon no occasion has sought an office of higher trust or greater emolument.

August 10, 1861, Mr. Reynolds enlisted as a pri- vate in Co. D. 7th Ill. Vol. Cav. At the organization of the company, however, he was made First Lieu- tenant and virtually thereafter, on account of ineffi- ciency of his superior officer, discharged the duties of Captain. He served until the final close of the war and was duly mustered out, but from that day has never received his discharge papers. The au- thorities claim they were issued properly at the time the regiment left the service, but the Captain never saw his, and having no knowledge of their where- abouts the necessary proof or duplicates cannot be made. This places him in rather a peculiar situation, and so far appears to be a wrong without a remedy. In command of his comr.any he participated in the battles of New Madrid, Island No. 10, Corinth, etc. In and about Corinth he was on duty 30 days without relief ; and at or near Coffeeville, Miss., Dec. 5, 1862 was taken prisoner and held thereafter in Jackson and Vicksburg for about two months. He was ex- changed and went to St. Louis, where he was in the Department of the Southwest some weeks before re- turning to the command, which he did March 5, 1863.

Being taken quite ill, Capt. Reynolds left his com- pany at Memphis, Tenn., in the autumn of 1864, and was for six months on detached duty in that city. We should not forget to state that he was regularly

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promoted to Captain in front of Corinth in the sum- mer of 1862, nor should it be omitted that while on detached duty at Memphis, in the summer of 1864, he was for a short time in command of the 9th Ill. Cavalry. The 9th Cavalry enjoyed the reputation of being harder to discipline than any regiment sent out from Illinois. Capt. Reynolds had made quite a reputation as a disciplinarian, and this in fact had led Gen. Grierson to order him to the command of the 9th. The men of the regiment were good fighters and they were always loyal to the cause. Capt. Rey- nolds at once promptly refused to accept the order to this command, for which subordination he was or- dered under arrest. However, the General, being a warm personal friend of the Captain, finally pre- vailed upon him to withdraw his objection, apologize for his willful conduct, and accept the responsibility. But a brief experience with the regiment was enough.

Capt. Reynolds' war history, aside from that already chronicled in these pages, will be found in the record of the 7th Ill. Vol. Cav. This regiment was organ- ized at Camp Butler, and was mustered into service Oct. 13, 1861. It was with Pope at Island No. 10 and New Madrid; it went up the Tennessee River in April, 1862, and opened the Corinth campaign and led in the rebel pursuit of May 30 following ; it marched first into Tuscumbia, Ala., and guarded the railroad to Decatur; it covered the retreating force to Iuka, Miss., in September, and there engaged the entire enemy for seven hours. On November 26 it routed 300 " Rebs" under Col. Richardson, and on December 2, 3, 4 and 5 it pursued Gen. Price through Mississippi ; at Water Valley and Springdale it repulsed the rebel cavalry, and at Coffeeville was badly defeated by the enemy ; December 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21, it raided the country, disjoining rail- roads and bridges between Yockonapatalfa and Okolona and returned to Oxford on the 30th, having traveled almost without rest over Soo miles. Jan- uary, 1863, it was at La Grange, Tenn., and in April following in Mississippi, disjoining the enemy's com- panies. May 2, it entered Baton Rouge, having traveled another 800 miles and captured over 1,000 prisoners, and lost its Lieutenant-Colonel, Blackburn. It participated in the capture of Fort Hudson, and landed at Memphis July 28 following. In all, this regiment marched about 5,000 miles and capt- ured 3,000 prisoners.

Upon his return home Capt. Reynolds engaged

again in farming, to which he has since devoted his time and attention. In the political campaign of 1880 the Greenback party ran him for Congress, an honor wholly unsought by him, and though defeated it is admitted by all that he made a gallant and hon- orable fight. He canvassed the district thoroughly, made 90 speeches and manifested a strength upon the stump that surprised his friends as well as his opponents.

In Orange Township, Knox County, Mr. William H. Reynolds was married June 24, 1855, to Martha M. Bundy, who died Feb. 1, 1873, leaving three children, namely: Emma J., now Mrs. F. H. Peterson ; William M., now mail clerk, and Minnie, now Mrs. James Rogers. The present Mrs. Rey- nolds, to whom the Captain was married at Knox- ville Nov. 25, 1873, was formerly Miss Margaret Wallace, and the children born of their union are Nellie H., Frank W. and Earnest Harrison.

As a gentleman esteemed for his many commend- able traits of character, and one who is thoroughly representative of the soldierly element, as well as of the leading agriculturists of the county, the publish- ers take pleasure in presenting the portrait of Capt. Reynolds in this volume. It is engraved from a picture taken during the time of his military service.

ugh C. Allen was born in County Antrim, Ireland, Nov. 30, 1834. He was a son of Hugh and Sarah (Caulfield) Allen. Both parents died in Ireland. There were eight children, six of whom are living. Three of them are residents of the United States. The subject of this sketch left his native land in 1857, and came direct to Knoxville, Ill., and made his home with John Sloan, his brother-in-law, and re- mained with him until the breaking out of the war. In July, 1861, he enlisted for three years, as a private in Co. E, 7th Iowa Vol. Inf. The 7th Iowa was a part of the Ist Brigade, 2d Division of the 16th Army Corps. Mr. Allen was wounded at the battle of Belmont, and was furloughed for thirty days ; then joined his regiment and was in the battles of Forts Henry and Donelson. On the 15th of Febru- ary, 1862, he went into the hospital, and did not re- join his command until in September of the same

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year, when he was discharged on account of disa- bilities. He returned home, where he remained until January, 1863, when he again joined his regiment, and participated with them in the siege of Atlanta. After the fall of the latter place, the regiment became a part of the 15th Army Corps. The command then went with Sherman in his "march to the sea," up through the Carolinas, and on to Washington, where the 7th Iowa passed in general review. The regi- ment was discharged and mustered out at Daven- port, Iowa, in July, 1865. Mr. Allen returned to his home, and engaged in farming and. stock-raising, in which he still continues.

On the 17th of March, 1863, the subject of our sketch was united in marriage to Miss Eliza J. McKee, a native of County Antrim, Ireland, daugh- ter of Samuel and Margaret (Sloan) McKee. She was born Sept. 27, 1844. Mr. and Mrs. Allen are the parents of seven children. Their names in the order of their birth are : Maggie M., Hugh, Sarah, Mary, Samuel, Mattie and Millicent. Both parents are members of the United Presbyterian Church. Politically Mr. Allen is an adherent of the Republi- can party. He is a member of Dan. McCook Post, No. 53, G. A. R., of Elmwood, Ill.

P. Wenquist. Among the leading bus- iness men of the thriving city of Galesburg, engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes, is the subject of this biographical notice, who is a gentleman of sterling worth and integ- rity. In addition to his boot and shoe bus- iness, he is Financier of Vassar Lodge, No. 210, A. O. U. W., and Recording Treasurer of the Garfield Legion, No. 8, of the Order.

Mr. Wenquist was born in Christinestadt, Finland, Dec. 17, 1847, and came to America in 1869, land- ing at Galesburg June 6 of that year. His father, Peter Wenquist, accompanied him to this country, and resided here up to 1884, when he returned to Sweden. The subject was educated in Sweden, and there also learned the shoemaker's trade, which he has followed ever since. Since coming to America he has mastered the English language, and has made himself one of the most useful members of society. He is a self-made man; has been the recipient of no

gifts or legacies ; the goodly portion of this world's goods which he possesses has been acquired by his individual effort and industry. He is a Republican in politics, and is recognized by that party as a local worker of more than ordinary force and ability.

On March 7, 1873, Mr. Wenquist was married, at Galesburg, to Miss Clara Carlson, a native of Swe- den, and the two children born to them are Judith Olivia and Olfphe May. Mr. and Mrs. Wenquist have also adopted a little girl, named Annie Char- lotte, now 11 years of age, whom they love as ten- derly as their own. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Swedish Church, by which community they are held in high esteem.

illiam O. Salisbury, Past Chief Conduct- or of Galesburg Division, No. 83, Or- der of Railway Conductors ; Overseer and Outside Sentinel of College City Lodge, No. 214, A. O. U. W., and Select Commander Garfield Legion, No. 8, Select Knights, of the Order last named, is also a conductor on the Chicago line of the C., B. & Q. R. R., Galesburg Division He was born in Hill's Grove, McDonough County, July 22, 1851, at 6:30 A. M. His father, John Salisbury, was a native of Indiana, and his mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Owen, came from Ohio. They reared seven sons and two daugh- ters, William O. being the second son. He grew to early manhood upon his father's farm, and when not otherwise engaged slipped away a few days at a time to the old log schoolhouse, where by dint of severe application he learned to read, write and cipher. In March, 1881, he went to New Mexico in the employ of the A. & P. Railroad, but on account of his family soon came back to Galesburg. In 1870 he helped to grade and lay the track, acted as brakeman, and fired and ran the material train for the O., M. & P. R. R. out of Quincy, Ill., 18 months. In 1868 he was employed as a section hand on the old T., W. & W. Railroad, and from that time it would be safe to say that he has been a railroad man, although upon two or three occasions he has since tried his hand at farming. He assisted in grading the Car- thage & Quincy .Branch, the Keithsburg Branch, north end of the R., R. I. & St. Louis road, had

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KNOX COUNTY.

charge of a section gang, and for awhile had charge of the wood-sawing machinery on the Lewistown Branch of the C., B. & Q. In May, 1872, he began braking for the latter road, but in 1873 we find him at Topeka, Kan., as yardmaster for the Santa Fe. From here he took service as brakeman with the C., R. I. & P. He soon drifted to the B. & M. R. R., and finally settled down at Galesburg, where, in March, 1881, he was given a train on the C., B. & Q. R. R., which he ran regularly for six years. Tiring of the rail, he again essayed farming, but a few months of that life sufficed, and the railroad people, always glad to give a reliable nian a place, once more put him in charge of a train.

Our subject was united in marriage April 18, 1877, at Augusta, Ill., to Susan E. Cooper. Mr. and Mrs. Salisbury have become the parents of three children, named respectively Harry Homer, Ina Josephine and Earl Owen.

Mrs. Salisbury was born in New York City, March 31, 1852 ; she came West with her parents when quite young, and began teaching school at the age of 15, in Augusta; when married, she was Principal of a high school. She has a one-fourth interest in three dwelling-houses and four store-buildings in New York City.

kaniel W. Flynn is a worthy representative of the sons of the Emerald Isle residing 9 at Galesburg. He was born in the parish of Newport, in the County of Tipperary, in 1846. His parents were Patrick and Mary (Coffey) Flynn, who came to this county in 1865 and settled at Galesburg. Of their family of three sons and two daughter but two sons survive-Daniel W., our subject, and Thomas, an Inspector in the Water Works Department, Chicago.

Daniel W. Flynn forsook his father's business (merchant tailoring), and apprenticed himself to learn the trade of shoemaking, which occupation he fol- lowed successfully for several years. He then abandoned this business and engaged in the liquor trade, with which he has since been successfully connected.

Mr. Flynn was married at Galesburg, to Catherine, daughter of James Norton, Esq., the date thereof being Jan. 20, 1873. Their union has been blest by

the birth of three sons and two daughters. The record is as follows: Fra .k, George, Daniel, Cath- erine M. and Mamie. On the 12th of October, 1883, Mrs. Flynn departed this life in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church, and is buried in the St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Cemetery.

Mr. Flynn is a public-spirited citizen, an active business man and a genial and kind-hearted gentle- man, qualities which have eminently fitted him for his very successful course in life.

ames H. Linsley, Division Roadmaster of the Quincy & Burlington line of the Galesburg Division of the C., B. & Q. R. R., was born in Canaan, Wayne Co., Pa., July II, 1823. He is the son of Dan Evelyn and Elizabeth (Hoadley) Linsley, natives of Con- necticut. The parents settled in Wayne County, coming from Connecticut in 1882, and come of a long line of ancestry in that State.

In 1836 the parents of our subject removed to Wayne County, N. Y., where James Linsley grew to manhood. At the age of 21 he came West and located in Michigan, where in 1848 we find him en- gaged in the railroad business, serving in the build- ing department of the Michigan Central Railway, following the building of that great thoroughfare into Chicago. He was afterward engaged with the Michigan Southern Railway, and in January, 1854, located at Princeton in connection with the building department of the present C., B. & Q. (then known as the Central Military Tract) R. R., and built the "Bureau bridges." In 1859 Mr. Linsley became infected with the gold fever, made a trip to Pike's Peak, but his golden dreams did not materialize, and he returned to professional work in Illinois. In 1865 he accepted a position in the track department of the "Q." Railroad, and came to Galesburg, where he has been in worthy official connection with the C., B. & Q. interests since. He married at Galva, in 1856, Miss Susan H., the accomplished daughter of Stephen Albro, of Galva. The union was blest with a family of two sons and a daughter: Cora Henrietta, the eldest, is a graduate of Knox College, and is the wife of George W. Thoinson, attorney at law, Galesburg. Frank Evelyn is a farmer in Ne-

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 101

Author: Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo and Chicago; Chapman Brothers, pub Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical publishing company Number of Pages: 1130

Author: Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo and Chicago; Chapman Brothers, pub
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical publishing company
Number of Pages: 1130