Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 109

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 109

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her and the younger children so long as she lived, and until the children (in all four sons and one daughter, including himself ) were able to look out for themselves. The family record discloses the fol- lowing facts necessary to preserve in this imperish- able way :

John Green was born Oct. 3, 1805; Mary Ann (Boyer) Green was born Oct. 23, 1811. Their chil- dren were as follows: Henry Green, born July 13, 1836; Peter A., born Oct. 20, 1838; Marga- ret E., Dec. 23, 1840; Edwin F., born June 24, 1843, and Caroline, born Aug. 24, 1848, died in in- fancy; Frederick E. R., born Aug. 24, 1848, and twin of Caroline, died in 1873.

Mr. G. has been in the dairy business since 1873. In July, 1862, he enrolled in Co. A, 77th Ill. Vol. Inf., and served three years, participating in the bat- tles of Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, Champion Hills, Black River, Yazoo Swamps and the Red River ex- pedition. He was captured at Sabine Cross Roads, April 8, 1864, and held until May, 1865.

Returning to Galesburg, he was married, Sept. 17, 1874, to Mrs. Sarah, widow of Thomas Grant, Esq., and their only son, Willet Edwin, was born Aug. 17, 1875. Mr. G. is a member of the I. O. O. F., Mod- ern Woodmen of America and the G. A. R.

havid Grim. Prominent among the retired farmers and representative citizens of Knox County is found the subject of this notice, whose home stands on section 24, of Copley Township. He is one of those men who have shown the keen foresight and prompt dispatch of duty which bring their own reward. He has been a resident of the homestead he now occupies since 1862, and his farm possesses some very fine qualities, having on it running water, stone, timber and coal.

Mr. Grim was born in Augusta County, Va., Feb. 18, 1819. His parents were Phillip and Mary (Sel- bridge) Grim, natives of Virginia. Their family cir- cle was large, including 13 children. They came to Fulton County in 1832, and settled in Canton. They were farmers by occupation and remained on the home place until 1870. Date of the father's death, August, 1866. The mother died in 1838.

The subject of our sketch was the ninth child in

order of birth, and he remained at home until he was 2 1 years of age, working on the farm and gaining only a limited education. After leaving home he engaged with a brother in the coal business, but after one year they dissolved partnership, and he has since carried on the business alone. Up to 1862 he lived in Fulton County, then came to the place he now owns, and has since been engaged in farming, cultivating and improving his place. He values his land at $60 an acre.

Mr. Grim was married Feb. 7, 1841, to Miss Re- becca Berkshire, the daughter of Otho Berkshire. Be- fore his marriage he lived in Canton, Fulton County. He went up to see his intended wife and staid all night. In the morning her father told him to " leave -that was all he asked of him." So he went home, and in one week returned and stole her away. When he crossed Spoon River he had to be ferried across ; the water was nine feet deep, and the ferryman said it was impossible to ford it. So he went on, and when he got within a hundred yards of Mr. Berk- shire's house his sweetheart came to meet him, got into the vehicle and they fled back toward the river. When they got there he had forgotten about hiring the ferryman to ferry them over, and so drove into the river. The water was nine feet deep or more, and running very swiftly. The team, however, swam straight across, and just as they reached the bank the rear spring of the buggy broke. In landing they got wet to the knees, and then had 18 miles to drive, and it was one of the coldest nights of the winter. When within four miles of their stopping place, they looked back and saw two men coming on horseback, to catch them, as they supposed. At their entreaties the driver cracked his whip and the horses flew over the ground at their best speed. It proved, however, that the men were not pursuing them, being parties on their way home from a dance. The young couple arrived safely at their destination, and at 1 o'clock in the morning were married by Rev. Richard Haney, whose name has since become so famous in connec- tion with the history of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Their family comprised nine children, five of whom survive, as follows : Lucinda, David, Annie, Anson and Edwin. Mrs. Grim departed this life Aug. 9, 1881. Lucinda, now Mrs. Abraham Suydam, has eight children, as follows: Arthur, Della, Carrie, John, Emmie, Jerusha, Charles and Maud. David

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married Sarah Daniels, and to them have been born six children-Ida, Minnie, Sadie, Ella, Emma, Fred. Annie, whose husband is Simeon Durham, has seven children-Emmie, Ella, John, Allie, Effie, Sadie and Sophia. Anson married Julia Goff, and has four children-Marvy, Mary, Julia M. and Jennie.

The second wife of David Grim was Arvilla Wager, the daughter of Barney and Priscilla (Crouch) Wa- ger. The result of this union is one child-Rosanna M. Mr. Grim is a Republican in politics, holding some of the political offices of his county ; he has been Pathmaster and School Director, and is inter- ested in educational matters. With his wife he is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, and one of the most substantial and practically good men in this vicinity.

amuel D. Riser, of Knoxville, where he is engaged in the grocery business, is the eldest son of his parents, and was born at Knoxville, Jan. 25, 1842. Our subject was reared on the home farm and received his early education in the primitive log school- house. He commenced teaching school in the win- ter of 1861-62, in Chestnut Township, being engaged in farming pursuits during the summer months. In the years 1866-67 he taught for nine months, and in the following year emigrated to Kansas, where he also engaged as pedagogue, in Douglas County, for three years. From that place he went to Franklin County, in the same State, where he purchased a farm and employed help in working it, while he fol- lowed teaching. This he continued for two winters, after which time he carried on the farm himself. In 1880 he returned to Knoxville and engaged in teach- ing until the following year, when, with his father, he purchased a grocery store, the partnership existing until 1885, when our subject purchased the interest of his father, and has since carried on the business alone.

The marriage of Mr. Riser, which occurred on Aug. 4, 1869, with Miss Saphronia E. Chase, was blessed by the birth of three children-Katie A., Edna M. and Venie L. Mrs. Riser previous to her marriage lived in Orange Township, and was a daughter of Maurice Chase. Mr. and Mrs. R. are

members in high standing of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. Our subject is a member of the A. O. U. W., Knox Lodge, No. 126, and in politics is a Republican.

illam I. Peckenpaugh is one of the lead- ing grocers and business men of Knox- ville. He was born in Knox County, April 30, 1849, and is the son of James W. Peck- enpaugh, who was born in Crawford County, Ind., Oct. 1, 1821. The grandfather of our sub- ject, Solomon Peckenpaugh, was a native of Ken- tucky, being born in Breckinridge County. His great- grandfather, Peter Peckenpaugh, was a native of Monongahela County, Pa., and came of a line of German ancestry. He was one of the pioneers of Kentucky, and his son (William's grandfather) grew to manhood in that State. There he remained until his parents went from there to Indiana, settling in Crawford County. His father took up land in the wilderness, on which he subsequently made a pro- ductive farm, being assisted by his son, Solomon, who made his home with him up to the date of his mar- riage, in 1820, with Rachel H. Williams. She was born in Casey County, Ky., Jan. 14, 1804, and was the daughter of James and Mary (Updegrove) Will- iams. Her father was a native of Virginia, and en- listed at the age of 18 in the Revolutionary War, in which he served for five years. He participated in a number of battles and was once taken prisoner, but made his own escape and assisted others to free- dom.

At the time of his marriage Mr. P. settled on land which he had previously bought, and there lived until 1847, at which time he came to Knox County, and, settling in Rio Township, lived there until his death, which occurred in 1851. From this union there were two children-James W. and Horton. The latter died in Rio Township, having reached the age of 27 years. The widowed mother, now in her 82d year, lives with her son in Knoxville.

James W. Peckenpaugh was a boy of but eight years when his parents moved to Vermilion County, Ind., and there he grew to manhood's estate, assisting his father in the clearing of the farm. Under the parental roof he had spent these years, and in 1844,

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November 28, he united in marriage with Mary Chaney, who was born in Perry County, Ohio, and was the daughter of Ezekiel Chaney. Mr. P. rented land until 1842, when, accompanied by his wife and one child and his parents, he started for Illinois. The journey was made overland with oxen, and they had with them their worldly effects, besides some do- mestic stock.

They located in Jackson County, this State, and took up Government land, which was of little value at that date in the history of the country. Upon this tract they built a log house and began to improve the farm. They remained there for five years, then sold the property and removed to Knox County, set- tling in Rio Township. In this part of the county they remained for six years, afterward moving to Mercer County, where they bought 40 acres, of which a few acres only were broken. On that land Mr. P. built a house and remained there several years. He then sold out and returned to Knox County, and bought a farm on section 3, of Knox Township. Here the family resided until 187 3, when, desiring to go farther West, they removed to Kansas, settling in Crawford County, where they bought a farm and en- gaged in agricultural industry until 1881. From that point they went to Girard and opened a grocery store, conducting that business until 1882, when he removed to Knoxville and with his son opened a gro- cery store, in which he was engaged for three years and then bought the farm he now owns and occu- pies, which includes 20 acres within the corporation.

Mr. and Mrs. Peckenpaugh, Sr., are the parents of nine children, viz. : Horton M., William J., Tab- itha A., Sarah E., Solomon A., Rachel A., James O., Mary M. and John R. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and useful in the society in which they live.

The subject of our sketch was reared to agricult- ural pursuits and was educated in the public schools. In 1874 he went to Kansas, in which State he spent one year, then he returned to Knoxville, where, for two years, he was variously employed, after which he engaged with J. O. Lander, in the grocery business. After following this for four years, he sold it out and in the fall of 1880 bought out the grocery business of H. L. Bailey. Since that time he has conducted the business alone, succeeding in a flattering degree and gaining a wide and popular patronage.

He was united in marriage with Miss Mary J.

Brown, Oct. 9, 1872. She was the daughter of John and Johanna Brown. To them were born four chil- dren, the names and dates of whose births are as follows : Arthur B., born Oct. 15, 1874 ; Hattie E., Aug. 14, 1877 ; John F., Sept. 1, 1879; Clarence W., Oct. 17, 1883.

Mr. Peckenpaugh is a worthy member of Knox- ville Lodge, No. 66, A. F. & A. M .; Rabboni Chap- ter, and of Knox Lodge, No. 126, A. O. U. W., and also of Knox Legion, No. 48 ; Council No. 20, O. G. R. Both himself and wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

N. Carpenter,.the American Landscape Architect, at Galesburg, was born in Re- "hoboth, Bristol Co., Mass., June 2, 1828. His parents were Asaph and Caroline Carpenter, natives of Massachusetts, and of English descent, and reared two sons and two daugh- ters, Asaph Newton being the eldest. The senior Mr. Carpenter was a farmer, and had lived his four- score years, when his demise took place at Norton, Mass. His widow still survives him, and is 76 years of age, and now resides at Taunton, Mass.

The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools, and from his 18th to 21st year served an apprenticeship at carpentering This trade he followed for about 18 years. In 1854 he moved froin Massachusetts to Janesville, Wis., and during the same year to Galesburg. While working at his trade he studied architecture, and planned many of the prominent buildings which he erected, and also furnished plans for contractors in the Eastern and Western States. In landscape architecture, Mr. C. is the pioneer in the United States. He was only 15 years of age when he conceived the idea of reducing landscape ornamentation to a practical science, and it required many years of patient study, application and experience to bring the work to what is now termed a profession, of which he is the master. Mr. Carpenter was also the first man to give this profes- sion its name, "landscape architecture," and since 1870 he has devoted his entire time to this, his pro- fession, and has furnished plans for some of the finest homes in this country, as well as for farms, parks, cemeteries and many other public and private grounds. Duplicates of these have been called for in Europe. No such showing as that of Mr. Car-

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penter can be found in any other office or studio. His office is nearly a museum of art, as he keeps a photograph of all his plans; none are duplicated or used again, as he makes every subject a separate study, and as they are each made to order and for special purposes. No two plats of grass even are formed alike, nor in his estimation could one be properly exchanged for another without losing sight of the main ends sought in each. It is surprising to note the perfection and simplicity to which the mind of Mr. Carpenter, unaided by any precedent, has brought this art and reduced it to practical use. To accomplish this he has had to contend with the wealth and education of other established profes- sions, and that he has brought his art to the favorable notice of the moneyed public the patronage which he receives fully attests. He is constantly employed and has inaugurated a branch of art which will per- petuate his name as long as the world loves the beautiful. To those who do not fully understand the term "landscape architecture," we give Mr. Carpen- ter's own definition, namely : making clear, distinct plans to a scale in advance of the work for a farm, park, cemetery, public or private grounds ; establish ing the grade for all buildings, and that of the ground in all its parts for all purposes ; establishing the surface and under-draining, etc .; sewer and water systems; locating and forming the avenues, walks, fences, lakes, fountains ; the various kinds of trees, shrubs, flowers, etc., so that everything will not only be beautiful, but harmonious and of utility, for the party and purpose to which the place is to be de- voted. This Mr. Carpenter maps out clearly and distinctly in advance of the work to be done, so that the proprietor and others can fully comprehend it and count the cost before actual work is commenced upon the place. By this method the plan is also made plain to those who are to perform the work, and this is a matter of economy of time, money and labor to all concerned. Economy intelligently enters into the whole plan. which is the forte of Mr. Carpenter in all his transactions and is one secret of his remarkable success and popularity. He has published a little pamphlet which he will send to all applicants, and takes pleasure in exhibiting the num- berless drafts and outlines, the result of his taste and ingenuity brought out by years of study and experi- ment.

Mr. Carpenter was married at Westerly, R. I.,

Nov. 20, 1853, to Miss Mary Elizabeth Winterbot- tom, a native of Connecticut, who has borne him two children-Mary Isabelle, now Mrs. D. W. Bunker, and Carrie E., who died in 1874, at the age of 16 years and 7 months.

In the battles of life Mr. Carpenter has relied upon his individual resources, the recipient of no bounties or legacies. What he has accomplished is to be credited to his own efforts, prudence and in- dustry.

atrick H. Sanford, a prominent citizen of Knoxville, was born in Cornwall, Madison & Co., Vt., Nov. 10, 1822. His father, John Sanford, was a native of the same town, and his father, Benjamin Sanford, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Litchfield, Conn., and went to Vermont in 1774, being one of the early pioneers of that State. There he bought timber land and lived until his demise.

John Sanford, the father of our subject, grew to manhoood in his native town, and was married at the same place to Miss Anna Peck. Her father, Ja- cob Peck, was a native of Connecticut, and emigrated to Vermont about the same year the Sanford family did. John Sanford rented a part of the old home- stead, and, purchasing the interest of the other heirs, resided upon the same until his demise in February, 1869. His widow still survives him and is residing on the old homestead. The parental family con- sisted of six children, the subject of this sketch being the eldest. Edgar is on the old homestead ; Cor- delia became the wife of Milo Illsworth, and they are residing at Cornwall; Jenette is the wife of C. M. Lewis, and is residing in Boston, Mass .; two children died in infancy.

Patrick H. Sanford received his early education in the district schools, and when 14 years of age entered Newton Academy at Shoreham, Vt. He supple- mented his education by an attendance at the schools of Ferrisburg and also at Harrisburg, and at the age of 20 years entered Middlebury College, from which he graduated in 1846. He had during this time taught nine winter terms of school. After graduating he became Principal of the Newton Academy, at Shoreham, held the position for 15 years and after- ward taught in an academy at Williston, Vt., for a few years, in the meantime reading law at Burling-

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

Juana Woodmansee

James Woodmansee

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILUINC'S

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ton, Vt., with Judge Asahel Peck. In the years 1851- 52 he went to Vergennes, Vt. In the fall of 1852 he came to Knoxville, and that winter read law with Julius Manning. In the spring of 1853 he was ad- mitted to the bar and opened an office in Knoxville, where he has been a resident ever since. In 1877 he opened an office in Galesburg and continued in the practice of his profession.

May 31, 1853, our subject was married to Jane Griffin. She was born in Williston, Chittenden County, Vt., July 4, 1822, and died May 2, 1863. She has become the mother of two children-Anna G., wife of John B. Wheeler, a practicing physician at Burlington, Vt., and May J. Our subject was a second time married, at which time Miss Helen H. Peck became his wife. She was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., April 22, 1835, and is the daughter of Jacob and Isabella (Ferguson) Peck. Her father was a native of Connecticut and her mother of Ver- mont, and the result of the second union was three children-Belle, John and Ray.

Our subject has filled many offices of trust in his township and county, numbering among others that of County Superintendent of Schools, Assistant Su- pervisor of Knox Township, and Mayor and Alderman of Knoxville. All of the above positions Mr. San- ford has filled in a manner reflecting much credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of the public at large. He was a member of the lower House in the 27th General Assembly, and of the Senate in the 28th and 29th General Assemblies. His first vote for President was cast for James G. Birney, of Ohio.

ames Woodmansee. Many of the earlier pioneers of Knox County, those who came when the fertile prairies and beautiful wood- lands were just being reclaimed by the brave and sturdy pioneers, have retired from the active labors of life and are enjoying their accumulations. Among this class, and one who is deserving of special mention in a work of this char- acter, is Mr. James Woodmansee, for many years an active, prosperous farmer, but now living in retire- ment at Abingdon. He was born in Greene County, Pa., March 4, 1812. His parents, Thomas and Mary

Woodmansee, were natives of New Jersey and Mary- land. James was reared in his native State, receiv- ing such instruction while a boy as the pay or sub- scription schools afforded. The family removed to Clinton County, Ohio, while James was a mere lad ; there he married and remained until 1852, when he came to Illinois, and found a desirable location in the vicinity of Abingdon. Here he vigorously fol- lowed the vocation of a farmer and stock-raiser until his retirement from active duties. The results of these years of toil were crowned with success, not only so far as the accumulation of worldly wealth is concerned, but in a higher and better sense-that of living a life of usefulness and influence for good.

The marriage of Mr. Woodmansee above referred to as occurring in Clinton County, Ohio, was his union with Miss Juana Cook. She became the mother of six children, who bore the following names : John, Angeline, Charles, Maria, Clark and Alice. The mother died June 6, 1880, and Mr. Woodmansee subsequently married Mrs. Rebecca Chase, a relict of Moses Chase, one of the early and highly respected pioneers of the county. He was a native of New York and came West as early as 1844, and settled on section 1 of Orange Township, Knox County. Here he lived, a gentleman favorably known throughout the community and a man of great usefulness, until his death, which occurred in December, 1880 or 1881. We are pleased to present the portrait of this gentleman in this ALBUM, which we do as a companion picture to that of his estimable widow, the present Mrs. Woodmansee.

Mrs. Woodmansee was born in Clinton County, Ohio, April 14, 1818, and is the daughter of James and Martha Strain. Her marriage with Mr. Chase occurred after she came West. It resulted in a family of five children ; all of those living are mar- ried and have families. They are given in the order of birth, as follows : Gurnsey, Betsey ; Warren, who was a soldier in the late war and died in the service of his country: Sophronia and Charles. The latter resides on the old homestead in Orange Township; Miss Lurena Woodmansee is his wife; Gurnsey, the oldest son, married Miss Caroline Strain ; Betsey be- came the wife of Alfred Pingry, while Sophronia married Samuel Risor. Mr. Woodmansee's parents were among the early settlers of the county, in fact came at a date so early that they are justly classed among the foremost of the pioneers. They were

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highly respected, and their death, which occurred here, was mourned by an unusually large circle of friends.

Mr. and Mrs. Woodmansee are members of the Congregational Church, and in political matters he is identified with the Republican party. As one of the highly esteemed citizens of the county and a truly representative man we take pleasure in present- ing, in connection with this sketch, the portrait of Mr. James Woodmansee, as also that of his former wife.

ohn Shumaker. Conspicuous among the leading citizens and farmers whose names are recorded in the annals of Knox County, and stand out in that bold relief which the re- flected honor of well-spent and industrious lives lends to them, is that of John Shumaker, whose homestead stands on section 12 of Indian Point Township, and who is said to be one of the best informed agriculturists in this section of the country.

Mr. Shumaker was born in Jackson County, Ohio, Sept. 25, 1819, and came with his parents to this county in 1839, settling here where John Shumaker now lives. The name of his father was John and of his mother Sally (Wolfenbarger) Shumaker; the former was born in Germany and came to America when but four years of age, settling in Greenbrier County, Va. Subsequently he moved to Ohio. He died in Illinois. The date of his birth was March 26, 1785, and he passed from earth in 1859. The mother, who survived him ten years, died in 1869, the date of her birth being March 3, 1780. She was born in Greenbrier County, Va.

The subject of this personal narrative was united in marriage with Miss Abigail Leigh, who was born Sept. 2, 1827, in Gallia County, Ohio. She was the daughter of Robert and Mary (Booth) Leigh. The date of their marriage was Sept. 4, 1844, and the ceremony performed by Esquire Massey, of Herman. The parents of Mrs. Shumaker were born in Mas- sachusetts, the father in 1795, and his wife Sept. 14, 1805. He died in Illinois in May, 1866, and his wife, who survives him, resides at Herman. The broth- ers and sisters of Mrs. Shumaker are : Adeline (mar- ried A. Long, is dead; she left two children, both sons); Booth ; Caroline (who married William Berry ;

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 109

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