Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 114

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 114

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Mr. Charles Hinckley owns 200 acres of good land, on which there is a good dwelling-house 31x50 feet and two stories high. His barn measures 35x43 feet, with 19-feet posts. He is interested in the rais- ing of high-grade stock. He is also breeding road- sters, the stock being of the Blue Bull and Long John.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hinckley are Pluma E., Ada P., Arthur E. and Alice G. Mr. Hinckley's family are prominent members of the Baptist Church.

ohn T. Kennedy, a farmer, residing on sec- tion 24, Galesburg Township, was born in. Knox Township, July 27, 1847, being the son of Andrew T. and Mary (Sheldon) Ken- nedy. They were natives of New York and Pennsylvania, and came to Knox County in 1833. The father was born in 1808, and died Oct. 1, 1882. The mother was born in 1808 and died May 20, 1883. They had eight children, namely : Theodore D., Andrew J., Lucinda, Lasetta, William, John T., Samuel, dying in infancy, and Mary, also deceased, dying when an infant.

It would be interesting, if space permitted, to re- view what must have been a most primitive condi- tion of affairs when the parents of our subject first came to the then wild West "to grow up with the country." At that time the country was almost en- tirely unsettled, without public highways except the old Indian trails, with no great trunk-line railroads as now, without schools and colleges such as now make Knox County one of the very first in educational facilities in the State. Under much such circum- stances as the former, the subject of our sketch was born and reared, growing up a rugged backwoods boy, and assisting his parents in the development of their homestead. He was married Sept. 4, 1872, to Miss Harriet E. Painter, a native of Ohio, born Dec. 23, 1856, and they are the parents of seven

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

print Colton

957

KNOX COUNTY.

children, as follows : Minnie J., born July 1, 1873 Sarah L., born Jan. 2, 1875 : John E., Feb. 27, 1876; Charlie E., born Jan. 30, 1878; George J., Oct. 31, 1879; Harley L., born Aug. 4, 1881, and Ella I., Sept. 22, 1883.

The parents of Mrs. Kennedy, named William and Mary A. (McCoy) Painter, were natives of Vir- ginia and moved to Ohio, where the mother died in September, 1866. They have eight children living, named as follows : Sarah A., Thomas F., David A., Harriet E., Armelia, Arnimisha, Charles B. and Jes- sie R.

Mr. Kennedy, through those habits of industry and good management so characteristic of the people of this county, acquired an excellent farm of 90 acres, on which are a good house and commodious barn. Accustomed to self-reliance from early boyhood, he possesses those sterling qualities which lead to suc- cess in whatever department their possessor may have chosen. In politics he is a Democrat, and, like the children of most pioneers, has not only the ele- ments of public spirit and enterprise, but also those generous and neighborly qualities which secure the good will of all. Yet in the prime of life, with an in- teresting and growing family about him, he has the promise of many years before him in which to work out a still more successful and useful life.

illiam Talbot, a retired farmer, residing on section 1, Sparta Township, was born in England, Feb. 2, 1824. His parents were Robert and Elizabeth (Cox) Talbot, natives of England, dying in 1829 and 1827. The subject of this sketch after the death of his par- ents went to live with a step-grandmother, residing with her until he was 20 years old, working on the farm, afterward working one year with a brother. He came to America in 1846, and to Knox County, where he settled in Sparta Township, working out by the month, until he purchased a farm in Ontario Township, on section 27, of 40 acres, afterward adding thereto 20 acres, and residing on the same until 1868. He then sold this land and purchased, in Sparta Township, the place where he now resides, of 80 acres; on this he has made all his improve- ments, and done a general farming business.

He was married Aug. 26, 1852, to Miss Susan Stephenson, a native of Scotland. To this union five children, living, have been born, as follows: Mary, Elizabeth, John W., Sarah J. and Emma. Mr. Tal- bot and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is one of the representative men of Sparta Township, being a Republican in politics and a gentleman highly esteemed by his friends and neighbors, having by industry and integrity secured a competency for himself and family, and done his full share in building up the community of which he is a member.

Although a foreigner by birth, he is devoted to the institutions of his adopted country, which he never fails to indicate upon all proper occasions.

on. Francis Colton, retired capitalist, son of Chauncy S. and Emily H. (McLanathan) Colton, was born at Monson, Me., May 22,

1834 The family came to Galesburg in 1836. Our subject was educated in Knox College,

- which institution conferred upon him the de- gree of A. B. in 1855 and A. M. in 1858. Leaving college, he engaged in the mercantile business in company with his father, under the style and firm name of C. S. Colton & Sons. This partnership was continued for about seven years. He then became Vice President of the First National Bank of Gales- burg, a position he resigned in 1866 to accept the appointment of United States Consul to Venice, Italy, under the Johnson administration, and re- mained abroad until 1869.

Soon after Mr. Colton's arrival at his post, as our representative in Italy, an incident occurred worthy of record in this connection, as an interesting bit of history.

Venice was then held as an Austrian province, and the Austro-Prussian War was in progress, which resulted in the freedom of Venice, whose population was Italian. At this time one of our war vessels came into the port of Venice and dropped anchor in front of the palace of the Imperial Austrian Govern- or. The Italians took this occasion to show special honor to the United States officials and war vessel. At this the Austrian Governor took umbrage and vented his rage on the officers, as he could not well do so toward the Italians. The American Commo-

958

KNOX COUNTY.

dore had paid his official visit, the day previous, to the Austrian Governor, which he neglected to return, as international courtesy required he should do. Mr. Colton, upon consultation with the Commodore, concluded that it was a national insult, which could not honorably be overlooked. The result was that the affair was reported, through our minister at Vi- enna, to the Austrian War Department, and an order was promptly sent to the Imperial Governor to make due apologies to the American representative in Ven- ice, which he did a couple of weeks later, in the most approved manner. The apology was made in the imperial palace, on the occasion of the Empe- ror's birthday, when the representatives of all the different Governments were present. This, occurring as it did, just at the close of our war, gave assurance that we were a live nation, and knew when and how to resent an insult to our flag.

Mr. Colton resided in Italy during a very interest- ing period, at the time of the Austro-Prussian War, and subsequently during the unification of Italy. During this time he was correspondent of the New York Tribune, and wrote up the various historical changes then going on.

In October, 1869, he was appointed General Pas- senger Agent of the Union Pacific Railway, to which he gave his attention until 1871, visiting, in the meantime, the various capitals of China, Japan, In- dia, etc., and established foreign agencies through Europe for the Union and Central Pacific Railways. This mission of Mr. Colton around the world in behalf of the Pacific Railways resulted in a very large increase of business, not only for that line, but for all the lines between New York and San Fran- cisco, the result of having diverted the business from the old route by the way of the Red Sea and Suez Canal to this new American line. This traffic has largely increased every year since, much to the ben- efit of American railways.

Retiring from the railway service in 1872, Mr. Col- ton became President of the Farmers' and Mechan- ics' Bank, Galesburg, from which institution he re- tired in 1884. It will be observed that he was Presi- dent of the Farmers'and Mechanics' Bank for a period of 12 years, during which time the bank was very successfully managed, and increased its business largely.

In December, 1884, he removed his family to Washington City, D. C., which he contemplates mak-

ing his future home, though continuing his various interests in the West, where he spends much of his time. He has large landed interests throughout the West, particularly in Nebraska and Kansas, where, during the last 16 years, he has been the owner of many thousand acres, and now is the owner of very large tracts, mostly rich farming lands in the older settled portions of those States.

He has been a reliable Republican in politics, but never an office-seeker. The honors conferred upon him have been unsought. He has no particular am- bition to sacrifice himself to his country's service, and to the accumulation of money he can afford to be wholly indifferent, for he is possessed of enough of that article to see him safely through life in a style befitting his social rank.

Mr. Colton was married in Brooklyn, N Y., in January, 1875, to Miss Annie C. Snively, and they have one son and three daughters. The son has in- herited largely his father's business qualities, which were not exceeded by those of any other man ever residing in the county. In financial matters Mr. Colton was remarkably far-seeing and accurate in his calculations and methods. He has visited Europe on various business matters of importance, several times.

Mr. Colton may justly be classed among the hon- ored sons of Knox County, having been raised and educated here, and as such we take pleasure in plac- ing his portrait among those of other citizens of the county who have added strength to her position as one of the first in this great commonwealth.

ndrew Harpman. Tracing the history of Knox County, and looking out the origin of many points in its growth, we find as its support and help the names of many good and worthy men, who aided in its founding and helped along its progress. Among these stands prominently the name of our subject. He is a farmer, residing on section 26 of Copley Township, and one of the important factors in its prosperity.

Mr. Harpinan was born on the 22d of February, 1840, in Sweden, and is the son of John and Eliza Harpman, who claim Sweden as their birthplace, and who came to America in 1850. They settled in Victoria Township, this county, where he lived six

959

KNOX COUNTY.

months. He then went to Minnesota and settled at Marine Mills, Washington County. The mother died in Victoria Township, in 1851, and the father in the State to which he emigrated in the same year. To them was born a family of seven children, four of whom still survive as follows : Martha, now Mrs. Rosengrand; John, Andrew and William.

The subject of this narration was at home until 1852, and, under the laws of his country, being com- pelled to go to school, went three miles to do so daily. He had very limited education, and felt sorely the narrowness of the same. He went to Minnesota in 1851, and came back to Illinois in 1 858; he afterward went to Iowa, and again returned in 1860 to Illinois, and in 186r enlisted in Co. 1, 6th Iowa Vol. Inf., and there continued for four years and three months. Necessarily he figured in many large battles, among them Pittsburg Landing, Vicks- burg, Jackson and Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain and others, being in the Atlanta cam- paign. He was wounded at Pittsburg Landing, and also sunstruck at Jackson, Miss. After the close of his term of service he came back to Altona and en- gaged in farming, renting one year. Then, in 1868, he purchased 120 acres on section 1, Victoria Town- ship, and lived on the same four years. He then sold and purchased 12772 acres on section 26 of Copley Township, where he at present resides.

Mr. Harpman was united in the holy bonds of matrimony in 1868, with Miss Annie C. Rosenlief. She is a daughter of Herman and Christa M. (Bro- man) Rosenlief. Her parents came to the United States in 1850, from Sweden, and made settlement in La Fayette, Stark County, this State. There they lived for five years, when her father purchased 160 acres of land on section 26, Copley Township, and was there engaged in his chosen vocation until 1862. He then enlisted to fight in defense of the cause of the Union, and was killed at the battle of Chicka- mauga.

Mr. and Mrs. Harpman have a family of seven children, all living-Ruth L., Adelaide C., John W., Rebecca R., Thomas H., Victor A. and an infant unnamed. They lost one child, six years of age at her death, by name Carrie A.

Mr. Harpman is one of the most active helpers in the county, and more especially within his own town- ship. He has held the office of Township Collector,

Pathmaster and also of School Director, and is con- siderably interested in educational affairs. With his wife he belongs to the Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church, and both are in possession of large and kindly sympathies, and the will and ability to for- ward any good enterprise.

iram Enke is a farmer, residing on section 23, Chestnut Township, and is one of the

12 reliable and practical men of Knox County. He is the son of John and Nancy (Pryor) Enke, natives of Pennsylvania. His father, who was

- of German descent, was born in 1800 and died in 1854, the same year he came to Illinois from Ohio. Hiram's mother was born in 1810 and died in 1856, two years after coming to this State, of heart disease. She was of English extraction and birth and was the mother of 15 children.

The children of this family bear the names re- spectively of Edward, Lewis, Francis ; John, de- ceased ; Jessie ; Josiah and Alford, who died in in- fancy ; Josiah and Alford, namesakes of the little ones lost by death; Elizabeth, Sarah K., Hiram, our subject, Lydia, Mary and one twin sister, who died in infancy unnamed.

Hiram Enke was the tenth child in order of birth in his father's family, and united in marriage early in life with Miss Margaret E. Reece, Jan. 23, 1868. She was born in Ohio, Feb. 15, 1840, and died Aug. 27, 1885, of consumption of the lungs. She left to the bereaved husband two children, named Leva, born Jan. 23, 1872, and Lula, Sept. 28, 1876. Our subject is a man of considerable influence and marked ability in his special line of labor. To the work of farming he adds the breeding of cattle, and has proven his ability to succeed.

Mr. Enke enlisted in the hour of his country's need in the 7th Ill. Cav., Co. D, Capt. Reynolds, of Galesburg, having command. This was in August, 1862, and Capt. Bradshaw was recruiting officer. He entered his regiment at Camp Yates, Springfield, Ill., thence proceeding to St. Louis, Mo., where they remained for two weeks. They were then ordered to Columbus, Ky., and from there to Corinth, where occurred that pitiful struggle on the 4th and 5th of October, 1862. The regiment came out of the fight

960

KNOX COUNTY.

without the loss of a single man, and Mr. Enke re- mained in the city of Corinth for the next three months, at the close of which time he was ordered to Bolivar, Tenn. At that place they went into camp, but were marched to La Grange for winter quarters, where they did picket and scouting duty during the winter. This was during the winter of 1862, and the next summer was spent in guarding the railroad from Memphis to Corinth, and in the former city, in the fall of 1863, they went into winter quarters for that year, remaining most of the season doing guard duty, and in the spring went to Middle Tennessee, noting the movements of Hood, at Flor- ence, Ala. That was in the fall of 1864, and in the battle of Franklin, Tenn., Mr. Enke's regiment was situated on the left flank. Succeeding the battle they removed to Nashville, where they remained a short time, until the battle at that city. His brigade took two stockades and lost several men in the en- gagement. They next followed Hood to the Tennes- see River, and at Tuscumbia all his regiment was dismounted and compelled to wade the swollen stream, which gave him a severe illness, from which he has never fully recovered. Mr. Enke was mus- tered out of service on the Ist day of July, 1864, at Nashville, Tenn., with honor attending him as a courageous man and a soldier. In politics he up- holds the Republican party with word and deed. In theological belief he owns no " creed save that of common good," but is of true and pure moral charac- ter, and in earnest sympathy with the doctrines of faith as shown by the Christian Church. United to his political belief he holds the principles of the Prohibitionist.

R. Inness, manufacturer of and dealer in mineral waters, ginger ale and soda water, and bottler of lager beer, is carrying on business at No. 532 South Cherry street, Gales- burg, Ill. He began this industry in 1879, at the corner of West and Second streets, where his establishment was destroyed by fire in 1881. His annual product at this writing (1886) is about 3,600 cases of beer, about 3,000 cases of soda water, and ginger ale in still greater quantities.

Mr. Inness is a native of England, being born at Newcastle, Jan. 16, 1849, and was brought by his

parents, George and Ruth (Elliott) Inness, to Amer- ica in 1850. The family lived at Abingdon up to 1866, and there the subject of this sketch attended the common schools and assisted his father at his business. He went into farming for himself when 21 years of age and followed it for about nine years.

In March, 1871, Mr. Inness was married in Gales- burg Township to Miss Emma Belden, who lived thereafter only about three years and left one child, a daughter, Isabelle. The present Mrs. Inness, to whom Mr. Inness was married in Galesburg Town- ship on Jan. 31, 1877, was Mrs. Jennie (Van Riper) Elliott.

B arney Wagoner. Throughout his district Mr. Wagoner is regarded as a representa- tive farmer of the old school. He resides on section 20, Galesburg Township, where his land is to be found in an advanced state of cultivation. He was born in Madison County, N. Y., in 1830, and came to Illinois in 1856, locating first at Peoria. For some time he worked on the Peoria & Oquawka Railroad as engineer, an occupation which he subsequently followed for 25 years on the C., B. & Q. R. R. While serving in this responsible capacity, he was considered a very careful hand, and never met with any serious acci- dent while on the road. His parents were Henry and Mary (Lane) Wagoner, natives of Pennsylvania. The mother was born in 1800 and the father either in 1798 or 1799. He died about the year 1835, in the State of New York ; his wife's decease took place in Peruville, Tompkins Co., N. Y. By the marriage there were ten children-Nancy and Catherine, liv- ing ; Myra, Elizabeth and Effaline, who died of chol- era in 1832; Hiram, Barney, Jane, Caroline and Joseph, living.

Jan. 28, 1862, the gentleman whose name heads this biography married Miss Elizabeth Bruington, the daughter of Benjamin and Harriet (Scott) Bru- ington, both natives of Kentucky. Benjamin Bru- ington was born in 1811, while his wife's birtli took place in 1818. They first came to Illinois in 1833, and located on section 19, now Galesburg Township. He was the father of five children and still resides in this township. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Bruington are George, Thomas, Mary, deceased July 13, 1886; Elizabeth and Melissa. Mrs. Bru-

96 1

KNOX COUNTY.

ington's decease took place in 1881, and she lies buried in Williams Cemetery. Melissa, her daugh- ter, is also dead, her demise taking place in 1879. By Mr. Wagoner's marriage there were seven chil- dren, all of whom are living-Hattie, born Oct. 27, 1862 ; George F., Jan. 19, 1864; Marion, May 21, 1868; Henry H., Feb. 12, 1870 ; Barney Ellwood, Sept. 10, 1874; Eugene C, Sept. 26, 1878, and Ed- win Benjamin, Dec. 11, 1883.

Mr. Wagoner has 100 acres of prime land, which is in a thorough state of cultivation. His residence is one of the best buildings of his vicinity, being com- fortably planned and well furnished. He is a prom- inent member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive En- gineers, a body to which he has belonged since 1865. In politics he is a thorough Republican and con- stantly watchful of all movements connected with and dear to Republican principles. Mr. and Mrs. Wagoner have two interesting grandchildren, the son and daughter of Willard and Hattie (Wagoner) Ellis-Charles A., born Jan. 25, 1884, and Maude I., born March 1, 1886. This family is widely known and universally respected in their township and surrounding vicinity.

B enjamin F. Arnold, lawyer, real estate dealer and farmer, Galesburg, is a son of Horace and Harriet (Hine) Arnold, na- tives of York State and of English descent, who reared eight sons and seven daughters. He was born in Delaware County, N. Y., July 26, 1833. His father was an old soldier in the War of 1812, and died in 1845, and his mother has made her home with him since 1865. She is now (January, 1886) nearly 86 years of age.

Our subject received his education at the district schools and at the Fergusonville Academy, N. Y., and taught several terms of school. He came to Gales- burg in 1855, subsequently studied law; was ad- mitted to the bar in 1862, and has practiced more or less since. He is a Director in the Galesburg Na- tional B.ink, and is an extensive farmer and largely interested in the Galesburg Water-Works Company.

Mr. Arnold was married at Galesburg, May, 1864, to Miss Ella G. Ferris, the accomplished daughter of Henry Ferris, one of the pioneers of Knox County

(see biography of Henry Feriis), and has had borne to him nine children. Mr. Arnold is ar. extensive breeder of fine stock, and a heavy real estate owner in Galesburg, and owns the Knox County Nursery. He has laid out fully half a dozen new streets in the city, and has served 14 years as Councilman and two years as Mayor.

·E

homas H. Pool. Standing among the more prominent men and industrious workers of this vicinity we find the subject of this personal narration, who may be cited as one of the most substantial and worthy farmers of Knox County. He resides on section 4, on which location he has established a pleasant, attract - ive home, and is himself one who inspires the confi- dence of those about him to such an extent that lie has been the incumbent of many of the local offices. He has held the position of Constable for 16 years, ably filling that office and discharging the duties incident to it, to the satisfaction of all in any way interested.

Mr. Pool was first brought to Knox County, in the spring of 1839, from Clark County, Ind., and lived in several parts of that section of country until the spring of 1844, when he removed to Rio Township, in 1852. Here he has since resided and is now the owner of 40 acres of good land, which he has culti- vated and improved, working it up to a high degree of culture.

Our subject was born in Clark County, Ind., Aug. 29, 1830, and attended the public schools, receiving a good practical education. He never failed to im- prove his opportunities, and, unlike many boys, who idle away the precious hours of youth, he attended diligently to his studies, and in manhood he reaped the fruit of the seed so well sown. When he was four years of age, he came with his parents, who emigrated to Illinois, and there grew up. His mar- riage, which occurred in his early manhood, was cele- brated in Henderson Township, Dec. 4, 1850, and Nancy McMurtry was the other contracting party. She is the daughter of William McMurtry, Lieuten- ent-Governor of Illinois (see sketch), and was born May 8, 1830, in Knox County.

Mr. and Mrs. Pool are the parents of eight chil- dren, viz : Lucinda M., Ruth A., Mary I., William

962

KNOX COUNTY.

A., Cora Z., James F. and Jemima E. Luella died after reaching the interesting age of three years. She was the pride of her parents' heart and the pet of the neighborhood, and her loss was deeply felt by the entire community. Lucinda is engaged in teaching in Henderson Township, and is an amiable and intelligent young lady. The other children are still under the parental roof.

Mr. Pool is an earnest worker in all good and noble enterprises, and is a member of the Masonic Lodge, and although not united by membership to any church, is a man of charitable impulses and warm sympathies. He belongs to the Democratic party, with which he votes, and is alert and wide- awake to the situation of affairs in the nation.

orenzo D. Ferris. Here is one of the most successful farmers on section 31, Wal- nut Grove Township. Residence one and one-half miles east of Oneida. He possesses 160 acres, which he located and purchased in

1866. He subsequently, however, lived in Chestnut Township, where he had settled as early as 1838, having come from Cuyahoga County, Ohio, where he spent his youth. His native county was Lorain, where he was born Feb. 17, 1824. His father, Henry R. Ferris, was a Wesleyan Methodist minister, a native of Greene County, N. Y. His mother was born in Vermont, her maiden name be- ing Lodema Culver, his parents marrying in Portage County, Ohio, where they followed the occupa- tion of farming for some years. They afterward re- moved to Lorain County, in the same State, where the subject of this sketch was born. Six children were born to them. Their removal to this county took place in the spring of 1838, and, as was custom- ary in those days, they "pitched their tent " on the banks of Spoon River, in the township of Chestnut, and in this location resided some time. Then the surrounding country was one unbroken prairie and vast forest spreading out on every side. It was not long, however, before a comfortable residence was erected, and the family began to make a permanent home. The father and two of the daughters had died within six years from the date of settlement, while the mother and surviving children still live on

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 114

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