Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 111

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 111

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Mr. Mons Hawkinson of this sketch has five chil- dren, as follows : Bessie, born June 15, 1874 ; Albert, born Sept. 27, 1875; Annie, born April 6, 1878 ; Ella, born Oct. 14, 188r, and Hilma J., born May

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15, 1884. With that industry for which his country- men are noted, Mr. Hawkinson has become the owner of 85 acres, which is among the best land in Knox County, all in an advanced state of cultivation and most of which he devotes to the raising of broom- corn. He has on his place a good dwelling-house.

Appreciating his duty to his adopted country dur- ing the War of the Rebellion, he enlisted in the army" in 1861. Mr. and Mrs. H. are Lutherans in faith, and in politics Mr. Hawkinson is a Republican. Like most of his people who have found homes in America, he is steady, useful and a good citizen. A view of Mr. Hawkinson's residence appears in this work.

avid McConchie, junior member of the firm of McConchie Bros., manufacturers of carriages and wagons, and manager of the wood department of this factory, is the subject herein spoken of. The business was established by the two elder brothers in 1879, and, starting at the foot of the ladder, in these few years they have not only won splendid reputations as honest men, socially and from a business point of view, but have proven themselves thorough and skilled mechanics. They have enlarged their busi- r.ess, and now what at first was operated by them- selves alone requires six additional hands, each brother having a separate department in the work. Alexander McConchie manages the iron and David the wood department. Their trade has increased with the years, and their annual sales amount now to about $6,000 and are still on the increase. The business is chiefly local, but is spreading as the ex- cellency and worth of their vehicles become more widely known.

David, the subject of this sketch, was born at Creetown, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, May 17, 1854. His father, Robert, was a native of the same shire and directly a descendant of the Scotch nation ; pure Scotch blood flows in his veins. He was mar- ried in his native shire to Jane McQuie, born in the same place and of like ancestry. While residing in the old country the parents had born to them three sons and one daughter. The oldest child, Jane, was the wife of Gilbert Dugan, formerly a grain mer-

chant of this place, but now deceased; the widowed sister is residing at Oneida. Alexander, senior member of the above firm; William, employed in the factory of his brothers as blacksmith; and David.

After the births of the children the parents set out for the United States, sailing from their native land in May, 1857. They located in Oneida the follow- ing month after their arrival, and during their resi- dence in the United States three other children were born to them, one of whom, Mamie, died at the age of one year; Samuel is employed at carpenter work in the factory, and Mary resides with her par- ents in this city. The father has been connected with the C., B. & Q. R. R. for 20 years, in the ca- pacity of switchman and baggagemaster. He has never lost a day's pay, and is known as " Honest Old Bob," or " Uncle Bob." He is loved and respected by all the employes, and has the confidence of the company to the fullest extent.

After David had completed his education in the High School of Oneida, at the age of 19 years, he commenced as an apprentice to learn the art of wagon-making. For this purpose he went into the shop of G. W. Roe, an old and experienced me- chanic of this place, where he faithfully served for five years. This seems a long period to the restless American youth, who is usually too impatient to ac- quire a trade, so long as he can be allowed to meas- ure calico or molasses for board. Mr. McConchie was not of that type, but believed that what was worth doing was worth doing well, and after leaving Mr. Roe's employ, he entered the service of Mr. R. Bristol, carriage manufacturer (now deceased), with whom he remained one year. Thus equipped with the instruction of two old mechanics and a practical experience of two shops, he was well prepared to be- gin business on his own account, and it is largely to such instruction and patient practice that their own establishment is indebted for its success and pros- perity.

Mr. McConchie was united in marriage with Miss Kate B. Armor, of Quincy, Ill., Oct. 6, 1885. She was a daughter of the well-known lumber-dealer of that city, and was born Aug. 17, 1853. She was educated in the public schools of Quincy, and re- ceived parental training under the Baptist persua- sion.

In politics Mr. McConchie is a Republican ; he is

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALITO'S

. Paragin

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also an earnest temperance man, and in his life is an example worthy of imitation by any American youth.

L. Jarnagin, a retired farmer, residing at Victoria village, Knox County, was born in Grainger County, East T'enn., March 15, 1819. He is a son of Noah and Littis (Grove) Jarnagin, natives of Tennessee and Virginia respectively. The parents came to Illinois in November, 1831, and located at what is now known as Gilson Station. At that place they remained until 1842. Two years later we find the family in Bates County, Mo., where the mother died in August, 1844. From there the father moved to Jackson County, in the same State, where he died in November, 1848.

J. L. Jarnagin remained at home until 20 years of age, receiving a good common-school education, and assisting his father on the farm. He remained in Knox County for one year and then removed to Mis- souri, making a stay of four years at that place, where he engaged in farming. Upon coming to Illi- nois he settled in Victoria Township, on section 28, where he purchased 160 acres of land. He subse- quently secured a quarter of section 22, and later 40 acres adjoining, and on section 28 bought So acres. To all of these tracts he has added, 40 acres each on sections 31 and 34 and 20 acres on section 23. His residence was located upon section 28, from 1845 to 1869, when, until 1875, he lived in the village of Victoria. At that time he returned to the farm, where he passed the following two years. Desiring again some relief from his heavy farm work, he re- turned to Victoria, where he is now residing.

Mr. J. was married to Miss Emily Tapp, in 1839. She was a native of Virginia, and is a daughter of Vincent and Sophia (Basey) Tapp. The parents of Mrs. T. came Illinois and Knox County in 1838, and located on section 33, Victoria Township, where they purchased 120 acres of land, and where they re- mained until their deaths, in 1853 and 1884 respect- ively.

Our subject and wife have been blessed by the birth of nine children, of whom we give the follow- ing brief memoranda : Melissa became the wife of Dr. William A. Grove, and is the mother of two children-Pearl and Grace ; Mary L., now Mrs. Peter

Ironburg, is the mother of three children, named Emily, Susan and Lucy ; William A. Jarnagin mar- ried Miss Eliza Breese, and to them have been born four children, who bear the names of Louis H., Pansy A., Blanche A. and John; Eliza Jarnagin mar- ried Eric Johnson, and has borne her husband two children-Earnest and an infant unnamed; Ellen Jarnagin became the wife of James David.

Our subject in political faith casts his vote for the Republican party. He has held the office of Super- visor, being the first one elected after the organiza- tion of the township, and which position he held four terms. He has also served the township as School Director and Trustee; was Justice of the Peace for 14 years and also Town Clerk. He has also held the office of Assessor for a number of years.

James Wesley, eldest son, when 18 years old, en- listed in July, 1861, in Co. K, 47th Ill. Reg. He was wounded three times and died in May, 1864, from disease contracted while in the army. Spencer L., the second son, enlisted in October, 1861, when he was 18 years of age. He was a member of Co. -- , of the 7th Illinois, and died in February, 1862, from sickness contracted while in the service. He died at Mound City Hospital, Illinois.

In 1850, Mr. Jarnagin took the trip overland to California. On the return trip the crew mutinied, and from there went to Central and South America and Cuba. He was gone nearly two years.

During the war he was a stanch Union man. He made many speeches and rendered valuable aid in recruiting and keeping alive the patriotic feeling in his locality and in organizing branches of the Union League.

The publishers take pleasure in presenting the portrait of Mr. Jarnagin in connection with this sketch.

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ndrew T. Dunlap is the son of Andrew J. and Mary S. (Patterson) Dunlap, and resides on his farm, located on section 26, of Hen- derson Township. His parents were natives of Kentucky and Pennsylvania, where they were widely known and highly respected. Our subject's father came to Knox County in 1837, when he first settled in Cedar Township, but subsequently removed to Henderson. At this latter place his de- mise took place on the 14th of April, 1877. His

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widow resides in Galesburg. They had a very inter- esting family of nine children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the fourth. He was born in Cedar Township, Oct. 23, 1850. He early showed a de- cided aptitude for study and received a good com- mon-school education. For years he has been en- gaged in stock-raising and agricultural pursuits, making the breeding of Short- horns his specialty.

Andrew J. Dunlap, the father of our subject, was born in Fleming County, Ky., July 23, 1816, and with his father, Henry T. Dunlap, removed to what is now Cedar Township, in Knox County, in 1837, where he grew to manhood and married. He and his wife had born to them nine children, seven of whom grew to man and womanhood, He was raised on the farm, and on attaining the years of majority purchased a farm in Cedar Township, where he was one of the first men to engage in the breeding of pure-blood Short-horns. He was one of the pioneer cattle- breeders of the county, and may justly be credited with having done more than almost any other man to improve the stock of this portion of Illinois. At the ime of his death he was the owner of one of the finest herds in the State, and a few years after his death, at a sale of the herd, they brought the high- est average price of any herd sold that year. He was for several years a member of the State Board of Agriculture, and was prominent in all things which had for their object the advancement of the material and moral growth of the community in which he resided. It is said that when he was married he had only $80 in money, but with that broad idea of business which always characterized his operations, he set about industriously and with prudent frugal- ity to achieve success, and at his death he left a comfortable competency to his family. He and his wife were both members of the Congregational Church, and had been for several years prior to his death. Andrew J. Dunlap left five sons and two daughters : Henry T. is married and engaged in bus- iness at Sterling, Kan .; John S. is married and doing business in Peoria; Samuel P. is in Hannibal, Mo., and is a clergyman of the Congregational Church, and Andrew T., the subject of this sketch ; the daugh- ters, Permelia A. and Ella J., are single, and reside with their mother in Galesburg; Robert M., single, now resides with Andrew T.

Andrew T., some time after the death of his father, bought the home place, and for three years after-

ward managed the herd left by his father, until it was disposed of at public sale. Since that time he has continued to breed Short-horns. At the present time one of his specialties is the breeding of fine car- riage horses. He now owns the sweepstakes Cleveland bay "Nobleman," which took the first prize at the Grand Royal Show of Stallions in En- gland, where he took his class prize and the sweep- stakes over all ages at the same show. As a two- year-old "Nobleman " won the first prize at the Royal Agricultural Society Show, at the York meeting, England, in 1883, also the champion prize of all ages at the same show : and in 1884-85 he took the sweep- stakes prize for a general-purpose horse of any age, at the Illinois State Fair. This horse Mr. Dunlap purchased of Col. Robert Holloway, of Alexis, Ill., who imported him.

The subject of our sketch is a gentleman remarka- ble for his progressive tendencies and large and lib- eral views, both social and political. He is a Re- publican in politics, with which party he has always identified himself. There are very few gentlemen in Knox County who take so decided an interest in the movements of the day affecting the country so- cially, morally and politically, and he has gathered around him an influential circle of substantial men like himself. Mr. Dunlap was married Feb. 21, 1886, to Miss Sadie Galloway, daughter of Edgar Galloway, of Ravenswood, Ill.

charles A. Schoonmaker is junior member of the firm of Madison & Schoonmaker, manufacturers and dealers in harness, sad- dlery, etc., at the city of Galesburg. He was born in Delaware County, N. Y., May 11,

IS47. His parents, Joseph and Amanda (Crosby) Schoonmaker, reared two sons, Charles being the eldest. The family came to Knox County in 1855, and have lived here since. It was here that the subject of the sketch learned his trade, and it was here also that he attended the common schools, at which he acquired a fair English education.

Mr. Schoonmaker worked for several years at " jour " work before going into business for himself, and although the style or firm name indicates him as a junior, he is really the head of the firm, in this,

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that he has exclusive management in the direction of the business. Our subject was married at Knox- ville, in 1866, to Miss Eugenia Haines, a native of York State, and the one child born to them is a daughter, named Ida.

sa Haynes, one of the prominent pioneers of this county, was born in Dutchess Coun- ty, N. Y., of Scotch-Irish parentage. His grandfather, Enoch Haynes, came to America with some of the earlier settlers, and with him a brother, William, who settled in one of the Carolinas, and Enoch at the North. They were active, prominent men during the struggles of our national birth, and both left their family name to posterity. Both families have always been Union- loving men, and their later descendants are strongly possessed of the same characteristics.

Asa, the subject of this sketch, was bereft of a mother's care while yet a babe, and was cared for by an elder sister until nine years of age, when he was " bound out " to man named Nickerson, with whom he lived until 15, when he returned to his father's house and remained until he was 22. His father moved to Clinton County, Ohio, and there Asa helped clear a farm and employed himself as was the cus- tom of those days. Hardship and toil were the com- panions of his earlier years ; he never owned a hat or cap until he was it years old, nor a boot or shoe until 13. He was sent to school for two months in the winter season, but all told he only had 13 months' schooling.

At the age of 22 he, in connection with an elder brother, purchased a farm and went to work for him- self. He married, at the age of 26, Miss Mary Gad- dis, of Fayette County, Pa. She was of Irish de- scent, and a lady of much spirit and beauty. Her parents were considered well off, in a worldly point of view, and her suitors were many; but she chose the dark, strong " Black Yankee," as he was dubbed, and made him a cheerful and helpful companion for many years ; and as we read the history of the man, as father, neighbor and citizen, we read hers, too, as the wife and mother-careful and watchful, bearing without murmur the many burdens laid upon her, and rearing her family as best she might, being

always faithful and willing, and thinking of " father" and his comfort above all else.

Oh, who can pen the history of a wife in those days of new beginnings-the lonely days stretching into weeks and months, the extra work and toil laid upon shoulders already too weak to bear their load. "Verily, they shall have their reward."

They were married Oct. 7, 1830, he aged 26, she 18. He was dressed in black cassimere knee-pants, with white silk stockings, and low shoes with silver buckles, a blue broadcloth coat, known as the " claw- hammer," adorned upon the lapels and cuffs, and upon the hips, where it was faced with yellow silk, with gold buttons. His hair was combed back smooth and braided down behind and tied with a blue ribbon. She was arrayed all in white. The slippers were high-heeled, and the dress was gored to the waist, a hoop was in the lower hem, and the sleeves were " mutton-leg." A long, large white lace shawl was thrown over her and a white vail covered her hair, rolled on top of her head and kept there by a comi a foot high.

They lived upon their farm until 1836, when they came to Knox County. They had at this time two children-a girl three years old and a boy ten months old, accompanied by two nephews aged 11 and 13.

They started the ist of September and were 19 days on the road, 17 of them being rainy. The rivers were all swollen or out of banks, and the har- ness on the horses was never dry from the time they started until they arrived at their destination. They had bought 300 acres of land on section 30, Orange Township, and here, in a log cabin of one room, they settled.

The new settlers soon began to take an active part in the business of the county and township, and soon there was not an enterprise afoot but what the name of Haynes was connected with it. He soon started a brickyard, and in 1840 put up a mill on Brush Creek, and began sawing lumber and making brick. He taught school during the winter, in his own house. In 1843 he built a large frame barn, get- ting out and sawing the lumber at his own will, and at the raising there was every man in the county, excepting three. It was a huge affair for those days, and was the topic of conversation for years. The next year, 1844, he began to build his house-a large, two-story brick, with 12 rooms and a cellar, and, while the barn had been a wonder, the house was a

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still greater, and stands to this day as a monument of his skill.

While engaged in these improvements, he was from time to time buying more land, building fences and tenement houses, and helping, too, in the busi- ness of the county, being for several years a County Commissioner and Supervisor.

The nearest flouring-mills were Long's, on Spoon River, and Edwards', upon Green River. The near- est markets were at Canton, Peoria and Oquawka. Most of his furniture was made by hand and at the house, by Jesse Perdue, who also made the frame - work of his house. The farm at that time presented a lively appearance; the mill and brickyard were in full blast ; there were from 8 to 12 yoke of oxen and horses, with their drivers, coming and going, break- ing prairie, hauling timber to the mill, men splitting rails and building fence, the masons at work on the stones, and the women at their weaving, spinning, dyeing and cooking, presenting the appearance of a. small colony. And the busy times were interspersed with wet or cold days. When under cover, the many hands were set to work mending harness, making brooms, ax handles, and patching boots and shoes -for everything was done at the farm, and every- thing kept in repair. A tailoress was hired for six months in the year, to cut and make the homespun suits. Sheep were kept, and all the bedding and clothing were made here. The loom and spinning wheel were never idle, and life on this farm was a busy scene.

Of course there were many exciting and some quite dangerous experiences in such an early day, and we might fill quite a volume with incidents and anec- dotes of those early days, but we can only give a few, as the life of the pioneer is now very like what it was then.

The timber was full of wolves, the prairie of deer, and small " varmints" of all kinds pestered and worried the settlers ; a half dozen hounds were a part of every farmer's household, and were a necessary adjunct. The wolves were very bold, often carrying off a pig or lamb in broad daylight, and to have a dog rush out barking savagely and the man rush in for a gun was a common occurrence. Many a night the men have been up most of the night keeping the wolves from carrying off small pigs or killing the sheep. They would seldom attack a human being ; but once, as Mr. Haynes was coming from Knoxville, he was

attacked by a large gray wolf. Mr. Haynes was on horseback, carrying a pair of heavy new boots ; the wolf sprang and caught his leg; he knocked it off, and, getting off his horse, killed it with the boots.

Mr. Haynes owned at one time 989 acres of land in Orange Township, 500 acres in Iowa, 120 acres in Lower California. He was one of the famous " Jay- hawkers," of 1849, and crossed the sandy desert in company with sixty others in that year; was Cap- tain of the company that went from Monmouth, Ill. He was a stanch Union man during the late war, and contributed money and influence and had many relatives on both sides of the family, a son and three sons-in-law in the army. His life was threatened several times by what were called the " Knights of the Golden Circle," but he never flinched in speaking his opinions. He was one of the founders of the Knox County Agricultural Society, of which he is a life member. He was one of the first three men who introduced Short-horn cattle into the county, and was the first to bring in the spotted China hog. For many years he was the great stock-raiser of this part of the county, and his word was always as good as his bond.

He lived for a number of years in California, where he owned two beautiful farms. He lives at this writing at the old homestead in Orange, aged 82 years. He lost his wife three years ago, and his family have all married and settled, as families will. One, a son, lives in Lower California; one in South- ern Kansas; two daughters in Missouri, and two in Orange, near the old home. His relatives are in every State in the Union, and, with very few excep- tions, among her best citizens-patriotic, honorable and industrious.

ames McClymont is a farmer, residing on section 18, in Copley Township, Knox County, and one of our most substantial and progressive citizens. He was born in Copley Township Oct. 2, 1853. His parents, Peter and Margaret (Miller) McClymont, were natives of Scotland and had a family of four chil- dren-Mary, Margaret, Helen and James. They came to America in 1844, and, settling in Copley Township, took 180 acres on section 18, made all

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the improvements and lived on the same until 1885, when they retired from what had been pleasant and agreeable labor and moved to Oneida, where the father is now living. Mrs. McClymont died in 1880.

James, of this writing, remained at school until he was 21 years old, then took up the home farm on shares. He was thus engaged until 1878, when he purchased the place where he now lives. It con- sists of 140 acres, and to it he has added all the Inn- provements that an ingenious mind can devise and a skillful hand execute.

Mr. McClymont was married in 1878 to Isabelle McDowell, daughter of John and Margaret (Gordon) McDowell. They were natives of Scotland and most estimable and worthy people. Mr. and Mrs. McClymont have a family of five children-Ethel, Fred, Gordon, Jenette and Clyde. Mr. C. is a Re- publican and has held some of the minor township offices, having been Town Collector, School Director and Pathmaster.

roctor F. Myers. Prominent on the rec- ords of Knox County are the names of many prosperous and successful farmers, and among the leading ones may be found that of our subject. His homestead lies on section 9, of Persifer Township, and he may be reck- oned among the settlers of earlier days, as he located in this section of country in 1858, in Haw Creek Township. By a happy combination of native ability and the smiles of prosperity, he has won his way until he stands high among the influential members of so- ciety.

Mr. Myers was born in Adams County, Ohio, Oct. 17, 1814, and was almost three years of age when his parents removed to Highland County, that State, where he continued until he attained the age of 21 years. In his younger days he learned the tanner's trade, and also that of milling. He did not continue in the former branch of business after coming to Illinois. He first settled in Vermilion County, where he lived nearly 12 years before coming to Knox County. In Haw Creek Township he lived about seven years, trading for mill property in Persifer Township, and removing to this latter township in 1860. He oper- ated a grist-mill nearly four years, then sold it and purchased the farm where he now resides. He is one

of the most extensive land-owners in this section of country, owning about 225 acres, one-fourth of which is improved and under good cultivation.

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 111

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