Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 103

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 103

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The father of our subject was a farmer by occupa- tion, and followed that vocation until his removal, in 1865, to Illinois, where he purchased a farm in Peoria County, on which he is still residing. The maiden name of the mother was Isabella Jack, also a native of Westmoreland County, Pa., and of Scotch lineage. Her demise occurred Jan. 22, 1885. The family consisted of eight children, seven now living : James resides in Clarke County, Iowa; Maria became the wife of Samuel Henry; Robert R., our subject ; John, who resides in Peoria County; Margaret, wife of Robert Brooks, also residing in Peoria County, of which Samuel and George are also residents.

Robert R. Steck was but a lad of 14 years when he accompanied his parents to the Prairie State. While in Pennsylvania he had attended the district schools, and after coming to Illinois attended the schools of Peoria County, when not engaged in the duties of the farm.

Nov. 1. 1876, Mr. Steck was united in marriage

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with Miss Elizabeth McKeighan, the intelligent daughter of James and Elizabeth (Cunningham) McKeighan. After their marriage they located in Peoria County, where Mr. Steck rented land until 1878, the date of removal into Knox County, where they located on section 17, Salem Township. March 3, 1884, they settled upon their present farm, and are actively engaged in its cultivation and im- provement. Mr. and Mrs. Steck are the parents of four children-Belle E., Edith R., Bessie and Ida M. Both our subject and his wife are devoted members of the Presbyterian Church, and in their community are held in high esteem.

ark S. Lemon is one of the enterprising and successful farmers of Galesburg Township, residing on section 28, where he is the owner of 205 acres of good land, all under an advanced state of cultivation, on which he has a fine dwelling, two stories high and in dimensions 30x35 feet ; his barn is 50x7 2 feet, and stable for horses 16x50 feet ; he also has a fine cattle-shed 25x32 feet, besides other out-buildings.

Mr. Lemon was born in Highland County, Ohio, Aug. 1, 1846, and leaving that State at the age of 18 years, he came direct to Galesburg Township, where he has ever since resided. He was married to Miss Mary E. Whitfield, March 2, 1870, who was a native of Pennsylvania, where she was born March 2, 1852, and was married on her 18th birthday. Her parents were of English birth, and came to America in 1849, locating in Pittsburg, Pa., where they remained some years, the father being killed in a rolling-mill, from an accidental blow on the head from a crowbar, about the year 1845. In September of the same year Mrs. Whitfield came to Illinois, bringing her two children, a son and daughter. Joseph, the eldest, was born Dec. 9, 1847, and died when nine years old. Mary E., now Mrs. Lemon, whose birth is above mentioned, became the mother of seven children, as follows : Nancy E., born Dec. 10, 1871; Ruth E., Feb. 24, 1873; Fannie B., Aug. 14, 1875; Ida M., June 26, 1877; Louis E., Oct. 10, 1879; Gracie M., Jan. 17, 1882, and Alice May, May 10, 1884.

The parents of Mr. Lemon were Samuel and Nancy (Shields) Lemon, and were natives of Penn-

sylvania, and both died in Ohio. They had nine children, as follows: Elizabeth, Isaac, Joseph, Hal- bert, Martha M., Samuel, Mark, Nancy and Luther. Mr. Lemon enlisted as a soldier April 1, 1864, in the 168th Reg. Ohio Vol. Inf., Co. A, and was mustered in at Camp Denison, and afterward ordered to Ken- tucky, where he was taken prisoner by the rebel Gen. John Morgan, and paroled three or four days after. Returning home, he was sent back to Ken- tucky again for guard duty, serving some five months in the army, never having been wounded. He was discharged at Camp Denison.

Mr. Lemon, in addition to being a very successful business man and farmer, owning one of the finest farms in a county where a poor farm is the exception, and also raising a fine grade of cattle, is always ready to perform his duty as a citizen, and for 14 years has held the thankless, though responsible, position of School Director, and for three years the office of Road Commissioner. No better evidence could be given to prove that he has the confidence and respect of his neighbors and fellow-citizens than the fact that he has held for so long these positions of public trust. In politics Mr. Lemon is a Demo- crat, but liberal and tolerant toward those who differ with him in political sentiment. Yet in the prime of life, having already reached more than the average success attained by men, we may yet hope for him many years of extended usefulness in private life and public trust. A view of Mr. Lemon's place is shown on another page.

ealy C. Woods is a prominent brickmaker in Galesburg. In company with his fath- er-in-law, Mr. T. D. Stafford, he has worked the business successfully for some years. In this department of manufacture the name of Stafford & Woods has been before the public since the spring of 1856. Altogether they make about 1,000,000 bricks per year. Mr. Woods married Miss C. L. Stafford on the 24th of December, 1867. She was born in October, 1841, in Rochester, Sangamon Co., Ill. Three children have been born to this marriage-Mildred F., Oct. 16, 1868; Fred E., Nov. 21, 1872 ; Grace A., Nov. 1, 1874. Mrs Woods' parents were T. D. and P. M. (Fisher) Stafford, and

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they were married in 1836. This excellent lady died on Jan. 13, 1872, and of the issue of this mar- riage left three children-Eliza J., Cecilia L. and Ellen M.

The parents of Mr. Woods were Ira and Orpha (Daggett) Woods. His father was a native of the State of New York, where he was born in 1790, and died in 1854. The mother was a native of Indiana, where she was born in 1810, and died June 9, 1875. They were married in 1839, and had four children, viz .: Clarissa, Nealy C., Phebe and Orpha.

The subject of our biography was born and brought up on a farm at Avon, this State, in 1842, and came to Galesburg in the spring of 1856. He attended Lombard College for three years, and in August, 1861, enlisted in the 7 th Ill. Vol. Cav., under Col. Pitt Kellogg, and was mustered in at Camp Butler. The very first duty he performed was at Bird's Point, Mo., where he assisted in the capture of Island No. 10, just below Columbus, Ky. He also served at Pittsburg Landing, and was engaged in the battle of Corinth. At this period he was on guard duty along the Men- phis & Charleston Railroad, at Coffeeville, Miss., upon Hood's retreat from Holly Springs, Miss. He was captured by Col. Walls, of the Texas Legion, while fighting dismounted against infantry in an en- gagement lasting four hours, and remained a pris- oner for some three weeks. This occurred on the 16th of December, 1862, and within three weeks of that event he was paroled and sent home.

On the 30th of January following Mr. Woods again joined the regiment, and on the 12th of April started with Grierson on the famous raid through Mississippi and Louisiana, until he came to Baton Rouge, where, on the zd of May, they captured 1,000 prisoners, having marched 800 miles in 16 days. He also assisted in the capture of Port Hudson and was fort- unate enough to come out of the war without a wound. He was mustered out Oct. 15, 1864, at Springfield, Ill.

In the city of Galesburg, in the brickmaking bus- iness, the firm of Stafford & Woods is the oldest known in the vicinity. Their manufacture will com- pare favorably with any other in the district.

Our subject is a respected member of the Masonic fraternity, and a member of the Commandery. He was made a Mason in 1863. He is also a member of the G. A. R. He is prominently connected with

the Galesburg Board of Education, where his serv- ices have had the full acknowledgment of all those connected with that department. His family are members of the Universalist Church, while in poli- tics Mr. Woods is a thorough supporter of Republi- can principles.

dward Marsh, the senior member of the hardware firm of E. Marsh & Son, Oneida, one of the oldest hardware men of the county, is the subject of this notice. Immedi- ately after coming to Oneida, in 1871, he estab- lished his present business, which he represents and conducts with so much credit to himself and usefulness to the community. His patrons find pleas- ure as well as profit in dealing with him, his stock always meeting their demands and his rule being " good goods at honest prices."

Mr. M. came to Knox County about the year 1852, engaging at Abingdon as clerk in a hardware store, at which he continued till the breaking out of Rebell- ion, when at the first call for three-years volun- teers to defend the Government and the honor of its flag, Mr. M. at once responded, joining the 33d Illi- nois, known as the Normnal Regiment, Col. I. A. Elliott, later Adjutant-General, now of Princeton, Ill., commanding. It was assigned to the 13th Army Corps, and participated in the siege of Vicksburg and other campaigns along the Mississippi and in Texas. He was severely wounded at Jackson, Miss., July 12, 1863, and being unable for duty resigned, as First Lieutenant, and was honorably discharged by special order in June, 1864.

After regaining his health, Mr. Marsh became en- gaged in the hardware business at Abingdon, in which he continued till 1869, when he went to Eagle- ville, Mo., and after one year in business there he came to Oneida, establishing the business which he has ever since so well and successfully conducted. In September, 1885, he admitted his son, C. E. Marsh, as a member of the firm, which adopted the title of E. Marsh & Son. His. store is located on Center street, and is a brick building 22x85 feet, two stories high, the second floor being occupied by a tin- factory employing a number of hands. Mr. Marsh was born in Terre Haute, Ind., Aug. 23, 1835. His father, Thomas, was a blacksmith and a native of

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Pennsylvania, of American parentage and of English ancestry. He came to Indiana when a young man and married Elizabeth Lang, formerly from the vicin- ity of New Albany, her parents being from Kentucky. After their marriage his parents came to Edgar County, Ill., and later to Monroe County, Ind., where the father died, about 1854. The mother is yet living at Bryant, Fulton County, this State, and is about 70 years of age.

Mr. Edward Marsh was educated in the public schools and was married at Abingdon, Sept. 1, 1858, to Miss Susan Nicols, who was born near l'oughkeepsie, N. Y. Her parents, Henry and Sally (Hogarth) Nicols, were York State people, and farmers, coming to Illi- nois when Mrs. Marsh was an infant, and settling in Fulton County. Mrs. Marsh died in the fall of 1866, leaving two children-Julian E. and Charles H. Mr. Marsh was married again, in 1868, to Miss Julia Bristol, of Farmington, Ill., who lived but a short time, dying at Eagleville, Mo., in September, 1869, In 1871 Mr. M. was married to his present wife, Mrs. M. E. Barklow. Mrs. M. has two sons by her former marriage-E. D. and C. E. Barklow-making four sons in the family. Charles E. Barklow has had his name legally changed to Marsh, and is now a partner in the firm of E. Marsh & Son.

Mr. Marsh has a beautiful residence in Oneida. He is one of the city Aldermen, is a solid and reli- able Republican, and a public-spirited and honorable citizen. He has scarcely passed the meridian of life, yet has served his country and his generation faith- fully. Shirking no duty, and acquiring by honesty and industry a fair amount of worldly goods, he has, besides, that priceless treasure, a good name.

arius Woolsey, one of the leading and prosperous farmers of Haw Creek Town- ship, is the subject of this sketch. He was born in Marion County, Ohio, June 9, 1849. He came West in early life in company with his mother and David Woolsey, an elder brother. He continued at home and with his brother until his marriage, in 1872, when he was united with Miss Emma Wolf, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Wolf. She was born in Haw Creek Township, Knox County. Her parents came to Illinois and

settled where Mr. Wolf at present resides. Her mother died in 1886. Her father still survives. There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Woolsey five children, whose names are John, Elmer, Cora, Ed- gar and Bert Woolsey. Edgar died when in his sec- ond year. Mrs. Woolsey is a member of the United Brethren Church.

Mr. Woolsey, as before stated, is a prosperous farmer, and a live, energetic business man. He is the owner of 700 acres of good, tillable land, nearly all of which is under cultivation. He has a fine dwelling-house, good barns and out-houses for the conveniences of farming and stock-raising.

A view of the premises can be seen on another page of this work. Politically Mr. W. is a Republi- can, though he takes no further part in politics than exercising the right of suffrage.

ichael Maley. This gentlenian is a farmer, located on section 32, in Galesburg Town- ship, and is a native of County Limerick, Ireland, where he was born in 1830. In the year 1853 he emigrated to the United States

- and landed at New York city, where he re- mained for one year, and then went to Columbus, Ohio, where he was occupied on a farm up to the date of his removal to this county, in 1855. He has since resided at his present home.

Mr. Maley was married to Miss Annie Ryan on the 12th of November, 1862. This lady's birth took place in 1842, in Ireland, and she was brought to America when a child two years old. She is a lady of very estimable character, a good mother and faithful wife. To them were born nine children, viz .: Margaret, Aug. 30, 1863; William, in March, 1865; John E., Nov. 1, 1866; Mary E., June 5, 1869 ; Thomas S., March 20, 1871; Annie E., Dec. 2, 1872; Adelia M., May 19, 1875; George D., June 18, 1879, and Frederick P., Feb. 28, 1881.

Mir. Maley has 260 acres of very fine land, which is under first-class cultivation. He has on it 500 rods of tile drain, an excellent dwelling-house, and a granary, which has a capacity of 4,000 bushels of small grain. His land cost him $70 an acre. The family are members of the Roman Catholic Church of Galesburg. He has held the position of School

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Director of his district, and in that capacity has given general satisfaction. Miss Maggie graduated at St. Joseph's Academy, and is a teacher at Galesburg. For the past three years she has been engaged in that capacity, and is considered an excellent scholar. The son, William H., is now attending the Business College at Galesburg.

dson Huggins. One of the earliest set- tlers of Knoxville and a prominent citizen is Edson Huggins, who is identified as one of the pioneers of that section and who is the the subject of this personal history. He has occupied his present home since an early day and has been an eye-witness to the growth and pros- perity of Knox County.

Mr. Huggins was born in the town of Coventry, Vt., Sept. 11, 1816. His father, David Huggins, came of New England stock, being a native of the State of New Hampshire, and was born in the town of Cornish, May 14, 1787. He grew to manhood in his native State, and while young went to Vermont and there purchased a tract of timber land, lying in Orleans County, in which section of country he was an early settler. He returned to the State of his birth, New Hampshire, to celebrate his marriage with Miss Jerusha Cobb, and with his bride set his face toward his new home. The young couple, with brave hearts and united energy, commenced the up- rearing of a home, the husband clearing the land of the forest trees, and the wife, equally desirous of success and prosperity, pursuing her part of the do- mestic labors. On this farm they worked and waited for prosperity until 1834, and in the spring of that year, with his oldest son, the head of the house with a pair of horses and a wagon emigrated to the Far West, with the strong expectation and hope of finding an Eldorado. They made their way overland to Knox County, and here purchased a pre-emption right on the northwest quarter of section 27, town- ship 11, in what is now Knox Township. They also bought two lots in the village of Knoxville, on which stood a log house.

Leaving his son in the Western home they had found, Mr. Huggins returned to the State of Ver- mont, from which, in the fall of that year, accompanied.

by his wife and their family, consisting of eight chil- dren, he started for Illinois. They took what was at the time the most desirable route, namely, via stage to Burlington, thence down Lake Champlain by boat, through to Troy, and from that city by Erie Canal to Buffalo. Leaving Buffalo, they came by the way of Lake Erie to Cleveland, Ohio, traveling on to Ports- mouth and coming down the Ohio and up the Missis- sippi River, to Beardstown, from which place they completed their journey by land. They started from that place, traveling with an ox team, intending by this mode of conveyance to reach Knoxville, but were met on their way by their son, with whom they returned in better style. The family moved into their log cabin in the village, in which humble home they remained for two years, and which they left to move onto the farm, a log cabin being there also. This latter had been built by the first claimant of the land. Mr. Huggins placed his land under high cul- tivation and made the farm his home until his death. His wife, who survived him some time, spent the last years of her life in peace and pleasure in the home of her son George.

To this couple have been given nine children, viz .: Brunson, deceased; Phebe, who married Sullivan Raney, and who died in Vermont; Nathaniel, de- ceased ; Olivia, who married Dr. Johnson, and who died in Texas; Edson, who lives in Knoxville ; Jeru- sha, wife of John Mosher, whose home is also in Knoxville; David B .; Charles H., who lives in Knox Township; George lives in Knox Township, and Chester, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Huggins were members of the first church ever organized in Knox- ville, and were devoted and earnest workers in all worthy enterprises.

When the subject of this sketch had attained the age of 18 years, he removed to Illinois with his par- ents, as previously stated. When the family landed at Beardstown and were met by him with their awk- ward conveyance, he at once proposed to return to Knoxville in search of a team, which journey he performed on foot, and came back to his parents, whom he landed in Knoxville. He learned the trade of cabinet-maker, and went first to Knoxville to re- pair the cabin in which the family lived, and during the first year he made tables. There being no wagon-shop in Knoxville, he was often called upon to do the work of a wheelwright, and during his first year filled a pair of wheels, the first work of the kind

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ever done in Knox County. He afterward became contractor and builder, at which occupation he con- tinued until within two or three years. He is now a retired business man and enjoys the fruits of a well- spent life of industry and economy. He has been twice married, his first matrimonial alliance being with Sophronia Marsh, a native of York State. Their nuptials were celebrated Sept. 11, 1844; and, leaving four orphaned children to mourn her loss, Mrs. Huggins passed from earth to the joy and peace be- yond, July 4, 1857, celebrating a nobler and grander independence in the great hereafter. The names of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Huggins are : Eloise, wife of Prof. Stickney, whose home is in Knoxville ; Emma, who wedded George A. Bassett, and Everett E. The maiden name of the present Mrs. Huggins, whose marriage to the subject of this sketch took place Nov. 8, 1858, was Louise E. Knight, and she was -born in Coventry, Vt. Both she and her hus- band are useful and active members of society and fare connected with the Presbyterian Church, of which they are conscientious and consistent mem- bers. Politically Mr H. is a supporter of the Re- publican party, and takes a lively interest in outside affairs. His handsome residence is located on Ann street, corner of Henderson, and was erected after the destruction by fire of his former home, in 1871. It was a large and commodious frame house and was a loss of no mean dimensions to its owner, who, however, immediate built, on the same spot, his present home.

offman Bros., of Galesburg, are manufact- urers of harness and saddlery of all kinds, their place of business being at No. 24

* South Prairie street. The firm is composed of G. M. and W. E. Hoffman, natives of the city of Macomb, Ill., and the third and fourth sons of F. J. and M. V. (Cannon) Hoffman.

The senior Mr. Hoffman came from Germany and lives now at Macomb, where he has carried on the harness and saddlery business successfully for 35 years. Of his family of nine sons, five have followed the trade of their father. G. M. Hoffman, of the firm above mentioned, was born Aug. 8, 1864, and W. E., March 8, 1866. They received their educa-

tion at the Macomb public schools, starting in bus- iness for themselves at Parsons, Kan., in December, 1883, and remained at that place up to the ist of December, 1885, when, on account of bad crops and the general uncertainty of the country, they con- cluded to return to their solid native State, and on Jan. 1, 1886, they opened shop at their present loca- tion. They are first-class workmen, and deal in no cheap sale work. The material and workmanship given out from their factory at all times carry with them the full guarantee of being just as represented. They carry the largest line of goods in the county, and though both young men, they have come to Knox County to stay and to merit the confidence of the people.

ohn Sulivan, Roadmaster of the Middle Division of the Galesburg Division of the C., B. & Q. R. R., was born in County Limerick, Ireland, Feb. 24, 1840. His parents were John and Johannah (Kennedy) Sullivan, worthy farming people. John, our subject, was the youngest of a family of three sons and five daugh- ters, of whom two sons and three daughters came to America. Mortimer, the brother, died in Kewanee, Ill., leaving a family of four sons and two daughters. He was a worthy citizen and business man of that place for many years. The sisters are all married and have families of their own.

The subject of this sketch was 17 years of age when he embarked for the shores of the United States, and upon his arrival in this country came immediately " West " and began work with the shovel on the track of the C., B. & Q. R. R., at Somonauk, Ill. In May, 1860, he came to Galesburg, where, after three years of faithful work, he was appointed section foreman. at Kewanee, Ill. Five years later he went to Hinsdale, Ill., in the same capacity, and worked there until 1868, when he was appointed foreman of the floating gang, with headquarters at Sandwich, Ill. This position he held until 187 1, when he received further promotion as Division Roadmaster, with headquarters at Auro- ra, whence he was transferred to Galesburg, where he has been very reputably connected ever since.

Mr. Sullivan was married in Streator, Ill., to Katie,

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daughter of John Stanton, Esq., a native of Ireland. The union of Mr. Sullivan and Miss Stanton has been blest with a family of two sons and three daugh- ters, as follows :. Mortimer, Maria, Katie, John B. and Julia. He and his wife are regular communi- cants with the congregation of the Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church.

Mr. Sullivan is a member of the C., B. & Q. Pro- tective Association. He has always avoided accept- ing nomination for office, but has nevertheless given a candid support to his party. He is a pronounced Democrat, but in local matters votes for the best man, irrespective of party. He is public-spirited and supports all measures attending the develop- ment of his adopted city. He is rearing and educat- ing his children well, and besides being a good citi- zen and genial gentleman is a kind husband and father.

obert Bruce Jameson. Among the lead- ing citizens of Knox County may be found the subject of this personal history. His home is situated on section 5 of Indian Point Township. Mr. Jameson was born in Simp- son County, Ky., on March 20, 1841, and is the son of M. H. and Sarah (Murphy) Jameson, both natives of Kentucky-Warren County and Barren County-born respectively Aug. 17, 1815, and Sept. 15, 1818.

The great-grandfather, John Jameson, was a na- tive of Virginia, but of Scotch lineage and blood. He married Rhoda Cook, and removed to Kentucky, near Pruit's Knob. Their history will be found in a book of the "Early History of Kentucky." The grandfather, Robert Jameson, was a native of Ken- tucky, and had one sister, named Margaret. He mar- ried Miss Elizabeth Haley, and they were the par- ents of seven children, as follows : Harrison, Albert G., Maximilian H., Elvira, Martha, Elizabeth and Robert. The great-great-grandfather, Murphy, on his mother's side, and his brother Joseph were born in the early part of the 18th century, in Virginia, both Baptist ministers, mentioned in "Benedict's History of the Baptists." His son, the great-grand- grandfather of the subject of this sketch, also a Baptist minister, was born June 12, 1752, and lived

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 103

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