Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 106

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 106

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Mr. Hoyle of our sketch is one of the most prom- inent Masons in the city, and in the work of the Blue Lodge and Chapter ranks second to none. He has been six times in succession elected Worshipful Master of Vesper Lodge, No. 584, and is at this writing Principal Sojourner of Galesburg Chapter, No. 46. He was married at Galesburg, May 28, 1867, to Miss Josephine Eggleston, who died Oct. 26, 1882, leaving five children, namely : Edward R., who is a mechanic; Nettie, William, Emily, Julia, and an infant, deceased.

® obert N. Wallace, a prominent grocer of Knoxville, was born in Montgomery County, Va., June 4, 1830, and his father, Robert Wallace, was also a native of Virginia. The maiden name of his mother was Sarah Wal- lace, born in Pennsylvania. Robert Wallace, Sr., was a farmer, confining his industries to a large farm of which he was proprietor in Montgomery County, and upon which he died in 1845.

Our subject was 15 years of age at the time of his father's death, and then assumed the management of the farm. Though young, his judgment was good and his ideas logical, and success attended him. He continued at his labors until 1854, when he started West to seek a location where he might found a new home. Coming directly to Knox County, he en- gaged for two years in brickmaking. The third year he resumed agricultural pursuits, and in 1857 purchased a small stock of groceries in a store that had been established for a few years. He added to the groceries from time to time, and afterward put in a stock of hardware, finally handling the latter exclu- sively. At the expiration of five years he sold out and bought a small farm within the corporate limits

of Knoxville, upon which he remained for four years. In the spring of 1885 he again returned to the gro- cery business, which appears to have been his favor- ite occupation.

His union with Margaret Vance took place Feb. 23, 1854. She was born in Kentucky, and was the mother of three children-William M. and Sarah E., twins ; Emma May. William M., born Dec. 29, 1854, and died Sept. 19, 1885 ; Sarah E., his twin sister, died Dec. 25, 1858; Emma M. married a Mr. Wat- son, May 23, 1862, and died May 20, 1884, leaving one child with the subject of our history. Her hus- band died one month previously. The little orphan was taken into the home of Mr. Wallace and tender- ly cared for.

illiam Arms, resident of Knoxville, was born in Conway, Franklin Co., Mass., March 31, 1818, and is the youngest son of Henry and Experience (Gates) Arms. (See sketch of Henry Arıns.) He grew to manhood in his native town and was reared on the farm, and educated in the public schools. After he was 21 he was employed on neighboring farms, and in 1842, possessed of an ambition to do and to be something, he came West to seek a home, jour- neying by way of stage to Troy, thence by rail and canal to Buffalo, and from there by lake to Toledo. He then took the railroad to Adrian, Mich., going thence via stage and private conveyance to Knox- ville, where two of his brothers lived. The first two years he clerked for them, and after that engaged in the manufacture of brick. In 1854 he became in- terested in the hardware business, which he followed for ten years, then sold out and entered the United States service as a carpenter. After the forces were organized he was appointed cook and remained in the service until the close of the war. Since that time he has been variously employed ; was for eight years Street Commissioner in the city of Knoxville; has been Assessor, and has served as City and Town- ship Collector. Politically he was formerly a Whig, and joined the Republican party when it was formed. He still adheres strongly to most of its principles, but is also a Prohibitionist.

Mr. Arms was united in marriage with Ann Elizabeth Smith Aug. 7, 1845. She was born at

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KNOX COUNTY.

Camden, N. Y., and is the daughter of William and Polly (Pond) Smith, both natives of Connecticut. Our subject and his wife are the parents of four chil- dren, as follows: Henry G., born May 15, 1846, en- listed in 1863 in Co. A, 77th Ill. Vol. Inf., joining Banks' command at New Orleans. He was in the Red River expedition and was captured by the en- emy April 8, 1864, remaining in their hands until May, 1865, at Camp Ford, Texas. He now lives in Knoxville. The remaining children are Albert C., born March 28, 1849, a merchant residing in Elm- wood; Clara Amelia, living in Lewistown, Ill., and Brainard Orton, a merchant at Knoxville.

apt. J. F. Stilson, extensive dealer in hardware, agricultural implements, stoves, carriages, etc., Galesburg, Ill., was born at Waterville, Me., March 5, 1827. His par- ents, Lemuel and Rhoda (Atwood) Stilson, natives of Maine, and descended from Scotch ancestors, were married at Frankfort, their native State, and at the town of Waterville they reared their five sons and three daughters. Lemuel Stilson was a carriage manufacturer in his day, and the most extensive one in that State. He lived to be 62 years old, and died in 1858. His widow survived him about three years and died at the age of 62.

The subject of our sketch left the common schools and at the age of 16 commenced his seafaring life and followed it for 13 years thereafter. At the age of 22 he was promoted to Second Mate; at 23, to First Mate, and at 24 to Captain. He plied between New York and the various European ports, with an occasional voyage to the West Indies. Capt. Wheeler commanded the good ship of which young Stilson was mate, and Mrs. Capt. Wheeler divided the honors with the commander at a beautiful little cottage located at Hampdon, Me. At times, when the good ship was in port, a certain member of the cottage crew was wont to pay her respects to the commander, and in doing so necessarily fell under the eyes of the mate. Now this member of the dry- land crew was of that age that naturally developed very rapidly many admirable characteristics, and the junior officer of the merchant vessel was also of that age most calculated to observe and appreciate such

development. So it turned out in due process of time that the good old Captain learned that his trusted young officer had determined upon quitting the ocean and establishing a "dry-land craft," the second officer whereof was to be the little sailor that but a few years before had played about the decks of the merchantman.

Capt. J. F. Stilson was married at Hampden, Maine, Feb. 22, 1853, to Miss Mary Ann Wheeler, the accomplished daughter of Capt. W. Wheeler, of the merchant marine. Though she made her young husband promise to quit the sea at once, she, instead, became his willing companion on many a long voyage. She accompanied her husband to Galesburg in 1856, and here yielded up her life in 1867. Of her four children we make the following brief mention: The eldest, Frank, is in business with his father; Minnie is an accomplished teacher in the High School; Charlotte is married to Mr. W. H. Chambers, one of Galesburg's pushing merchants, and Annie W. is at home.

Capt. Wheeler came West in 1859, and died in Galesburg, in 1867, in the 64th year of his age. He! spent 50 years of his life upon the ocean. Since coming to Galesburg Capt. Stilson has been engaged in his present business, associated, however, with two or three other parties at various times, and inter- ested for some years in the manufacture of agricult- ural implements. In business he has been remark- ably successful, and his rank in the mercantile world to-day is second to none in the county.

Capt. S.'s second marriage occurred in this city, Feb. 13, 1869, when he was united with Miss Emma Howland, a native of New York, and his youngest child, Earl, is now in college. Capt. Stilson has made his own way in the world; when he was 21 years of age, he visited his old home, and his mother presented him with two white shirts, which consti- tuted the sum of his gratuities.

ames E. Brown, Treasurer of the G. W. Brown Corn-Planter Co., of Galesburg, was born in Warren County, Ill., April 12, 1837. He is the son of G. W. Brown (see biography), was reared on the farm and at the age of 19 was sent to Galesburg, and was in the shop up to 1862 ; he then returned to farming,

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KNOX COUNTY.

at which he continued for 12 years, but eventually went back to his shop work. He has continued in the works since 1874, and at the organization of the company, in 1880, was appointed its Treasurer.

Mr. Brown was united in marriage at Galesburg, May 2, 1859, with Mary E. Musser, a native of Ports- mouth, Ohio, and is the father of three children- Jennie E. (Mrs. M. J. Dougherty), George E., Di- rector of G. W. Brown & Co., and Flora M. Their family circle is a pleasant and agreeable one, and he is a solid and substantial citizen. He belongs to no secret order, but is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Galesburg, and has been a member of its Board of Directors since that time.

illiam H. Leighton. Within the confines of Knox County are clustered some of the homesteads that taste, persevering labor 80mm and money have founded, and prominent among these is the farm lying on section 17, Copley Township, owned by the subject of our biography. From a humble beginning, and with the principle in his mind, " know no such word as fail," he has struggled to the heights of prosperity on which he now stands.

Mr. Leighton was born in New York City, in 1835, on the 8th of October. His parents, William and Isabelle (Ironside) Leighton, were natives of Scot- land, and came to America in 1832. The family re- mained in the city, where the father engaged as clerk in a store. He worked there and also for a printing- house, and fortune began to smile upon his efforts. In 1837 he came to Knoxville, and there worked at whatever employment he could find for some length of time. He continued thus for some years, then en- gaged in the mercantile business, and followed this for a few years, gaining a goodly number of cus- tomers and friends. He after a time sold out his store and began farming on section 17, in Copley Township. He purchased here 220 acres of land and remained on the same quite a number of years. After that he purchased 530 acres on section 13, Sparta Township, where he remained until his death, in 1861. The mother died in 1840.

William H. Leighton lived at home until 25 years

old. He received a practical education, better than many boys, and in 1863 purchased the place where he now lives. This comprises 180 acres, and he has devoted his time to the raising of stock and grain, in which he has been very successful. Mr. Leighton relates a little incident connected with the thrashing in 1863: While oiling the machine his clothes caught in the gearing and were stripped from his body, ex- cept his boots and shirt-band. He had purchased a jack-knife the day before, and that and his clothes and $85 in greenbacks were ground to paper-rags. He sent the money that was ground to pieces to Washington, and they remitted him $30.

Our subject was united in marriage to Miss Janette. McKee, who was born July 13, 1842, and is the daughter of William and Margaret (Miller) McKee. They were natives of Scotland, and came to America in 1840, settling in Persifer Township, Knox County. Here they remained for two years and then moved to Copley Township, where they lived on section 18, and continued there until the death of the father, in 1848, and the mother in 1880.

Mr. Leighton has a family of five children, in- cluding Maggie, May, Isabelle, Alice and Charles. He has a most amiable and intelligent family, and their home is a pleasant resort, good cheer always abound- ing there. Mr. Leighton is Republican in politics, and has held many of the minor offices, among them Commissioner of Highways, Supervisor, School Di- rector and Trustee. At the present time he holds the office of Supervisor. Both himself and wife are members in good and regular standing in the Pres- byterian Church.

eorge W. Weir. Prominent among the pioneers of Knox County, known for his energy and industry, and as an honorable and upright citizen, stands the subject of this historical narration. He came to Rio Town- ship in the fall of 1836, when only a boy of 19 years, from Morgan County, Ohio, and here began his labors for the establishment of a home, in which labors he has prospered in a manner far exceeding expectations.

When Mr. Weir came to Knox County, he engaged for a time in different occupations, among them farm labor, which lasted for nearly seven years, and at the

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KNOX COUNTY.

expiration of that time he purchased a farm in Henry County. Here he settled and lived for 12 years, then sold out and bought land in Rio Township, upon which he permanently settled and engaged in its cultivation and improvement. He is now the owner of 334 acres in Rio Township, besides a half- section in Kansas.

Mr. Weir formed a matrimonial alliance Jan. 7, 1844, with Miss Lydia J. Epperson, who has proved a helpmate in the truest and best acceptation of the term. She is a daughter of Pedro W. Epperson (see sketch), and was born in Kentucky, Dec. 16, 1825, coming to Knox County with her parents at the age of rr years, in the spring of 1836.

Mr. and Mrs. Weir are the parents of nine chil- dren-William J., Anson N., James B., John F., George A., Charlie, Hattie L. and Mary D. Of these Hattie died when three years of age ; one child, un- named, died in infancy; William J. and Anson live in Missouri, both farmers, and the latter also engaged in stock-raising; James is a merchant and the Post- master of Mount Pleasant, Kan .; John F. resides in St. Louis, Mo., and is chief bill-of-lading clerk in the Superintendent's office of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad ; George A. and Charlie are engaged in stock-raising on the old homestead in Rio Township ; and Mary D. is yet under the parental roof, giving lessons in music, embroidery, crochet and other decorative work. In politics Mr. Weir is a Democrat.

C. Clay was born in Chester County, Vt., Feb. 13, 1829. He was educated in Gales- burg, but preferring agricultural pursuits has followed that calling all his life. He is the son of John L. and Louisa (Balch) Clay, natives of Vermont, and is of English extrac- tion. Mr. Clay knows very little of any home other than Knox County, as he came here with his parents in 1840. He is a man of integrity, and his reputa- tion has caused him to be sought as an incumbent of township offices. He is a Director of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank, of Galesburg, and is one of the wealthy men of the county, owning from 800 to 900 acres of fine land, 450 of which lie in this county.

In 1880, prompted by the wishes and arguments

of political advisers, he permitted his name to be used as candidate for the State Senate, and he has also filled minor official positions in the county.

He was married in 1854, at Knoxville, then his home, to which he removed from Henderson, and later to Galesburg, now his residence. His father died in 1878, at the mature age of 76.

Our subject was active in the construction of the county jail, being appointed Superintendent at the time. In religious belief he has no choice, and does not affiliate with any secret order. In politics he is Democratic.

§ ichael Mount, passenger conductor on the C., B. & Q. R. R., is the son of Will- iam and Alzeria (Cates) Mount, natives of Virginia and Tennessee. He was born near Knoxville, Tenn., Jan. 22, 1841. His father was a farmer by occupation, and died near his old home in 1858, aged 58 years.

The subject of this sketch was inured to farm life, the duties whereof were interspersed with occa- sional attendance at the neighboring school. Before he was 20 years of age, at which time he left home, he augmented his learning materially by a course at a commercial school, with a view to still further ad- vancement in study. But the war between the States broke out, and as early as February, 1861, young Mount presented himself at Strawberry Plains as a volunteer of the Southern Army, and at once became a member of Capt. Lynch's battery. He was in a short time transferred to the Ist Tenn. Cav., and was with this command until he left the service, which he did at the surrender of Vicksburg, where he was made prisoner, July 4, 1863. In the Decem- ber following he came to Quincy, Ill., where he ob- tained employment until August, 1864, when he be- came brakeman on the C., B. & Q. R. R. From freight brakeman he became passenger brakeman, and two years later, in 1866, train baggageman. In 1869 he was placed in charge of a freight train as conductor, and in 1884 promoted to a passenger train, where we find him, January, 1886, and where his numerous friends hope to find him for many years to come. To rise from a freight brakeman to a permanency in the conductorship of a C., B. & Q. passenger train is considered by railroad men in

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KNOX COUNTY.

this country as the highest testimonial of merit. We use the word permanency in its limited sense; no man is ever permanently with any railroad company unless he owns it, but the term distinguishes the regular employe in any department from the novi- tiate.

Mr. Mount was married at Fowler, Adams Co., Ill., April 9, 1868, to Miss Annie Mitchell, daughter of James W. Mitchell, Esq., of that county. They have become the parents of three children, living, named Charles H., Alzeria and Rolla, and have buried one infant. Mr. Mount is a Knight Templar and a member of Galesburg Commandery, No. 8, and also belongs to the A. O. U. W .; he is also a member of the Order of Railway Conductors.

..... rof. W. C. Parker. Prominent as a pro- fessional gentleman, respected as a citizen and honored for his sterling worth and in- tegrity, is the subject of this notice, residing in Galesburg. He is engaged in dealing in all kinds of music and is also a teacher of vocal and instrumental music, and has attained prominence lin his profession. He came to Galesburg in the spring of 1875. Two years later he established a music store on Prairie street, where he operated suc- cessfully until May of that year, when he engaged in the business which he is now carrying on at 121 Main street.

Prof. Parker was born in Madison County, N. Y., April 23, 1832. His parents were natives of that State and there resided until their death. Prof. Par- ker was educated in his native county, in the schools of Syracuse, and prior to attaining his majority he spent seven years in the study of vocal and instru- mental music, having studied at Boston, Newbury- port and New York City, and completed his education under the instruction of the celebrated German, Prof. Held, together with that of Prof. Allen, an American instructor. After completing his educa- tion he took up his residence at Syracuse, where he followed his profession for some six years. While there he established a musical institute, and during his residence in that city was busily occupied in conducting the same. From Syracuse he removed to Valparaiso, Ind., where, about 1864, he established

a conservatory, where he was engaged in teaching until 1871, meeting with signal success. He then came to this State, and, settling in Waterloo, he start- ed another conservatory, which was at that time the largest institution of the kind in the West, and from which a great many pupils graduated.

From Waterloo Prof. Parker came to this city, and, on account of ill health, partially abandoned teach- ing and turned his attention to the sale of music. He has been a thorough student and has done much to advance the musical interests of the communities in which he has resided. His skill is remarkable, and his ability as a teacher is well known, not only in this county and State, but in many of the States east and west of this. His experience has been ex- tensive, and he claims to have been the instructor of as many pupils in his art as any other living man.

In May, 1875, Prof. Parker was married at Water- loo to Miss Cornelia Drake, daughter of B. S. Drake, of New Haven, N. Y. She was born Oct. 14, 1853, and was educated in New York. She began teaching school at the age of 17, and followed her chosen vocation until her marriage. She also graduated in music under her husband's instruction in 1872, and is credited with possessing unusual musical talent. She has very materially assisted her husband in teaching the art, and in their united efforts they have been eminently successuful. Mrs. Parker is a mem- ber of the Baptist Church, and socially Prof. Parker is a member of the Knights of Pythias ; in politics he votes with the Republican party.

enry Gardt, of the firm of Frohlich, Gardt & Co., wholesale and retail liquor dealers, was born in Germany, June 16, 1852, and came to America in 1868. His first settlement for any considerable length of time was in Galesburg, at which place he has since resided. He came here a poor boy, and began clerking for Mr. C. Brechwald, now deceased, and remained with that gentleman for many years. The savings of the salary paid him by Mr. Brechwald enabled him to go into business for himself, and the house with which he is now connected is second to none in Galesburg. The firm are sole agents for the celebrat- ed Anheuser-Busch Brewing Association, of St Louis.

LIBRARY OF THE UNEVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

George off Melton sen

Mary Ann Melton

LIBRARY OF THE L !! VERSITY OF ILLINA'S

KNOX COUNTY.

Mr. G. was married at Galesburg, May 18, 1876, to Barbara Glasser, of German descent. Their two living children are named Florence and Chauncey H. They have buried two, aged respectively four and one and one-half years. Mr. G. has served in all for two years as Alderman, is a Knight Templar, a Knight of Pythias, and a prominent member of the I. O. O. F.

eorge W. Melton is one of the largest and most extensive land-owners of Ontario Township, and its oldest actual settler. His residence is located on section 31. Mr. Melton's birthplace was Ex-President Harri- son's old farm, situated in the vicinity of Cory- don, Harrison Co., Ind., and the date Sept. 5, 1811. At this time the country was almost a wilderness, and what is now the State was then a Territory.

David Melton, the father of George W., was born in North Carolina, and was a farmer during his en- tire life. His father. Eli, and his mother, Saralı (Barnett) Melton, went to Danville, Ky., and located a home when David was but a small child. His grandparents were born in Virginia, going from there . to North Carolina, where they remained for a num- ber of years. David Melton, after arriving at the years of discretion and manhood, came to Indiana, and subsequently received into his home the aged grandparents, Eli and Sarah Melton. After making their home with him a few years, they died there. The father of the subject of this notice, after his re- moval to Indiana, engaged as an employe of Gen. William H. Harrison, who was at that time Territo- rial Governor. His energy, industry and upright character caused him to meet with marked success. While carrying on his agricultural pursuits he made the acquaintance of and afterward married Cathe- rine Pffrimer, whose father, John G. Pffrimer, held the position of Superintendent of Gen. Harrison's farm. The mother of our subject was born in Susquehanna County, Pa., and came when a child to Harrison County, Ind., with her parents.

George W. was the eldest child of the family, and not long after his birth his parents removed from the Harrison estate, locating on a farm situated in the timber bordering on Buck Creek. They remained there a short time, when they moved near Corydon. In

this neighborhood he grew to manhood, and in the month of May, 1834, came to Knox County. His worldly possessions at this time amounted to $500 and a few head of cattle. These he turned out and allowed to run wild over the prairie, while he worked at odd jobs here and there for a short time; then in company with a friend, Samuel Dean, who had visited Illinois and knew something of the country, and who was the direct cause of his coming, rented a farm, in the year 1835. Mr. Dean soon afterward married, and with him Mr. Melton made his home till 1836. His own marriage occurred March 24 of this year (1836), and took place at the residence of the bride's parents at Henderson, Knox County. Mary (Riley) Melton, his wife, was the daughter of William and Ellen (Jewell) Riley, natives of Kentucky. Her grandparents, who were of Southern ancestry, went to Ohio County, Ky., while the country was in a wild and unsettled condition, and the Indians still held possession of its forests. The grandfather of Mrs. Melton was at one time taken prisoner by the Indians, and only escaped after a long and weary confinement of ten years. He and his wife came to the home of their son, the father of Mrs. Melton, who was married and lived in Harrison County. At this place he died, and his wife afterward married Wil- son Highfield, removing to Henderson, Knox Co., Ill., at which place she was buried.

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 106

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