Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 118

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 118

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Mr. Johnson was married, in 1869, to Mrs. Eliza- beth Morrison, a native of Sweden, and daughter of Eric and Brita (Lawson) Erickson. They came to America in 1847 and settled in Knox County, Cop- ley Township, on section 22, where they lived until the father's death, in 1854; the mother is still living, in Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are the parents of two children-Theodore O. and Frank W. Mrs. Johnson was married to her first husband, Alexan- der Morrison, in 1855. Mr. and Mrs. M. had two children-Carrie and Enima C., both living. Mr. Morrison died in 1861.

Mr. Johnson is a Republican and a member of the Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a worthy citizen and possesses the respect and esteem of his community.

atrick Sheahan. The subject of this nar- rative is a general farmer, residing on section IT, Walnut Grove Township. He is the son of Patrick and Berdelia (Riley) Sheahan, both natives of Ireland, where they were mar- ried, but subsequently came to the United States. They at first located in New York City, where all their children were born. By this happy union there were four sons and four daughters, Mr. Shea- han, Jr., being the younger son, and the youngest but two of the family. He was born on the 5th of August, 1857. In 1866 the family all came Westward and setiled on a farm of 160 acres in the township above referred to. A portion of the family still re- side on the original homestead, where the father died Oct. 14, 1874. The mother is in her 65th year, a venerable and kindly-hearted old lady, still living on the homestead, and to which the children have added So acres since the death of their father. The farm is now owned and operated by the son, Thomas S.

Mr. Sheahan, of this biography, resided at his par- ents' home until he was married, in Wataga, Knox

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County, Sept. 1, 1880, to Miss Dora Wickham, a native of New York City, where she was born March [2, 1862. She was the daughter of Elias and Nettie Davis, of New York State. The parents were farm- ers, and first came to Illinois in 1865, settling in Galva, later at Altona, where they purchased a farm of 240 acres in Walnut Grove Township. This they made their home for eight years and then proceeded to the State of Nebraska, where they arrived in 188 1 and took up a farm of 1,120 acres in Merrick Coun- ty. This opened an opportunity for extensive stock- raising, which was carried on with success and profit. Mrs. Sheahan was educated in Knox County and resided with her parents until her marriage. By this union one child has been born-Maud, May 17, 1881. For a few years after his marriage Mr. Shea- han operated a portion of the old homestead farm, but in the spring of 1885 he took up his present loca- tion, which consists of about 144 acres, in an ad- vanced state of cultivation.

These good people are both active and consistent members of the Roman Catholic Church, in which they are held in the highest esteem. By political persuasion Mr. Sheahan is a Democrat, who is al- ways willing and ready to give his earnest support to any measure calculated to further the interests of the party whose policy he believes to be for the good of the country.

michael H. Collins, a stock-buyer of Knoxville, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio. His father, Michael Collins, was a native of Ireland, born in 1800. When a young man he left his native land and came to America. He lived in New York City eight years, employed on public works. From there he went to Pennsylvania, thence to Maryland, and thence to Pickaway County, Ohio, where he pur- chased a small farm and resided until 1848, when he sold out and started for Iowa, accompanied by his wife and eight children, with a four-horse team. One of the children was taken sick at Knoxville and he tarried for a few days, and in the meantime he con- cluded to locate in Knox County. He bought a farm of 160 acres located in Knox Township. There was a log cabin on the place and 40 acres of land

broken and fenced. He improved the remainder of the land and lived there until 1860, when he left his son Thomas in charge and moved to Copley Town- ship, where he bought an improved farm of 240 acres and lived there until his death, Dec. 31, 1862.

The wife of the elder Mr. Collins was Margaret Griffin, born in Ireland, and coming to America when quite young. There were nine children born to them. The three oldest, May, Thomas and John, were born in New York, and the others in Ohio. The three eldest are dead. The survivors are Catherine, Michael H., Edward M., Margaret E., William and Peter. Mrs. Collins died Nov. 4, 1864. After her death the children carried on the farms two years then sold out. William now lives in Bancroft, Neb .; Edward lives in Persifer Township; the remainder are in Knoxville ; Margaret is the widow of George Wilson. She and her sister Catharine own a fine residence in Knoxville, and the subject of this sketch, a single man, makes his home with his sisters.

Mr. Collins is a member of Knoxville Lodge, No. 66, A. F. & A. M. The sisters are members of the Presbyterian Church.

3 rs. Margaret A. Bulkeley, residing on section 9, Copley Township, Knox Coun- ty, is the widow of Augustus W. Bulkeley, who died in 1879. He was married to Miss Margaret A. Conenhoven, in New York City, in 1829. They were natives of Connecticut and New York, and came to Illinois and settled in Fulton County, in 1839. They remained there 12 years, Mr. B. following the carpenter's trade. He was also a contractor and employed from 5 to 30 men. He came to Knox County in 1851 and settled in Victo- ria for one year, then moved onto section 9, Copley Township, where he had previously purchased 160 acres, and continued to live there until his death. His parents were descendants of the English, who first made a settlement in Concord, Mass., in 1636. The parents of Mrs. Bulkeley traced their ancestry back to Holland, some of whom came early to this country and first settled in New York.

Mr. and Mrs. Bulkeley had a family of ten chil- dren, six of whom are still living -- Annie, now Mrs. Leach; Henry D .; Salinda W., now Mrs. L. B. Cum-

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mings; James C .; John A. and William I. James C. was born in Fulton County, 111., July 21, 1840, and remained at home until 1865. He then built a livery-stable at Oneida village and carried on the same one year. Then he went to Washington Coun- ty, Iowa, and there engaged in the same business for a few months, then returned to Oneida village and opened a grocery store, occuying himself thus until 1869, when he went to New Mexico and engaged in gold mining and remained 14 months, proceeding thence to Cheyenne, Wyoming Ter., Utah, Idaho, Montana, Washington, Oregon, and then to Cali- fornia. After these wanderings he then returned to Illinois and engaged in farming, on the old homestead, where he has since lived. He was married June 10, 1879, to Miss Sarah Copley, a native of Pennsylva- nia, and they have two children-Rolly C. and Max M.

Miss Sarah Copley was the daughter of Joseph H. and Ruth A. (Hinman) Copley, natives of Delaware County, N. Y. They came to Illinois in 1858, and settled in Victoria Township, Knox County, and lived there eight years, then came to Walnut Grove Township and purchased 170 acres of land; from there they removed to Nebraska, in 1881. They be- came the parents of five children, four of whom are still living-Sarah C., Emma H., Joseph B. and Isaac N.

Copley Township was named after Isaac Copley, a brother of the father of Mrs. Sarah Bulkeley. Mrs. B. was a graduate of Lombard University, Gales- burg. Mr. James C. Bulkeley is a Democrat, and is one of the representative men of Copley Township.

elson W. Burneson, a native of New York, was born in Otsego County, Dec. 31, 1838. He is a son of Samuel and Nancy (Robin- son) Burneson, both of pioneer stock of Otsego County, N. Y. Samuel was a son of Andrew Burneson, a native of Ireland, who settled in Otsego County and hewed out a farm. Nancy Rob- inson was a daughter of Robert Robinson, of the same ancestry as Andrew Burneson.

Nelson W. Burneson spent his boyhood in Phila- delphia, his father being an engineer and machinist, who located in Philadelphia when N. W. was about

six years old. The father died there, while in the employ of J. B Lippincott & Co., in 1862. N. W. came West at the age of 19 and located in Altona. He did firing on an engine from 1859 to 1862. He then enlisted in Co. G, Sgth Ill. Vol. Inf., and did active and honorable service till the end of the war. He was promoted to Sergeant-Major of the regiment and participated in all the battles of the campaign. After the war he was engaged in firing for about two years and was then promoted to engineer, in which capacity he is at present engaged. He runs a pas- senger train, and is considered one of the most trustworthy engineers on the road.

Mr. Burneson was married in Oneida, Knox County, to Martha, daughter of Needham and Cath- erine (Raper) Rodgers, natives of North and South Carolina respectively, and pioneers of this county. Mrs. Burneson is a lady of very estimable attain- ments, who has blest their union with one little girl, Mattie Eva, a priceless little gem in their domestic circle. Mr. Burneson is a just and upright Mason, and stands well in the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He has always stuck strict- ly to his text and has never allowed himself to de- viate from strict professional duties, holding his rights of citizenship independently with regard to all polit- ical and social matters, and although a pronounced partisan of the good old Democratic school of the State of New York, yet supports the man above party on all local issues. In social life he and his worthy lady enjoy a merited respect from all who know them.

savid Greenleaf, a leading druggist of Galesburg and President of the Electric Light and Power Company of that city, is a native of Hartford, Conn., where he was born Jan. 16, 1828. His parents were Dr. Charles and Electa (Tucker) Greenleaf, and were both of early New England families, tracing their respective ancestry to the French Huguenots. They reared six sons and six daughters, the subject of this sketch being the youngest of the former. He was fairly educated at the public schools, and while quite young learned dentistry under the instruction of an older brother at Hartford. He left that city

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in 1852, and at Peoria, Ill., prosecuted his profession until 1857. In that year he moved to Memphis, Tenn., thence a year later to St. Louis; in 1861 to Knoxville, Ill., and in the spring of 1862 to Gales- burg. Here he dropped dentistry and bought out a drugstore and at once took rank as a successful dis- penser of physic. His public spirit is a prominent characteristic.

He was among the promoters of the two promi- nent hotels of the city, and in the summer of 1885 organized the Galesburg Electric Light and Power Company, with a capital stock of $50,000, and at once became its President. In 1879 he was elected Mayor of the city, the first and only Democrat ever elected to that office in Galesburg. On coming into that position he found a city debt of $76,000. This under his administration was reduced to $50,000, and when he left the office at the end of two years, the residue was bonded at a low rate of interest, and the City Treasurer showed a balance in its favor of $38,000. These simple though important facts leave comment upon the successful official career of Dr. Greenleaf wholly unnecessary.

Our subject was married at Peoria, Ill., Aug. 15. 1854, to Miss Helen Johnston, a native of Ohio, and has two children-Marianne (Mrs. W. J. Martin, living at Omaha, Neb.) and David, a youth at this writing.

H. MeIlravy, farmer, on section 35, Cop- ley Township, was born in Magnolia, Car- roll County, Ohio, Sept. 21, 1858. His parents were Dr. H. C. and Ruth D. (Herron) McIlravy, natives of Ohio. They were married Nov. 19, 1857, in Ohio. The father studied medi- cine at New Hagerstown Academy, Ohio, and began practice in 1856 and followed his profession in Ohio until 1867, when he came to Illinois and settled in Victoria village, where he practiced medicine until his death, May 1, 1877. The mother died May 6, 1872. They had a family of two children-Hugh H., born Sept. 21, 1858, and Ruth E., born Oct. 25, 1865.

The subject of this sketch remained at home until his father's death. He attended Monmouth College during the terms of 1875-76, and in 1877 went to Ohio and attended school, returning March 8, 1878.

He then engaged to work by the month at farming. After working a few months he entered Hedding Col- lege at Abingdon, where he studied one year, then engaged in farming, and purchased 176 acres of land on section 35, Copley Township, where he has since remained and is engaged in stock and grain raising.

Our subject was married, Feb., 1881, to Miss Vi- annie Taylor, the daughter of David and Hettie (Parkins) Taylor, of Nova Scotia and Ohio respect- ively. They have a family of six children-Thomas E., Clara L., Viannie M., William D., Minnie L., Charles A. Mr. McIlravy has one child-Hugh H. Our subject is a Republican, and, with his wife, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is one of the representative men of Copley Town- ship, Knox County, Ill.

ohn Peterson, merchant tailor, of the firm of Peterson & Anderson, 29 South Prairie street, Galesburg, was born in Sweden, and came to this country in 1854. His parents, Peter Johnson and Cecilia (Johnson), are yet living in the old country, aged 84 and 82 years respectively. They reared two sons and one daughter, the subject of this sketch being the young- est son. He was educated in his native country and there learned the tailor's trade. Arriving in Knox County, he stopped at Knoxville a few months and came to Galesburg in 1855. After two years at “ jour " tailoring, he began business for himself on the south side of the Public Square, in company with Mr. An- derson. Selling out in 1862, he made a trip to Swe- den, visited his parents, returned to Galesburg, re- entered the merchant-tailoring business, and in 1869 made another visit to the old country.

In 1870 he was appointed United States Gauger, at Peoria, a position he held till August, 1885, when he resigned and returned to Galesburg and to his old business. In addition to his regular business he has for many years handled foreign exchange and ocean passage tickets, as much for the convenience of his countrymen, however, as for the profit to be benefit to be derived therefrom.

Mr. Peterson was married at Galesburg, Jan. 19, 1856, to Miss Malina Johnson, a young lady who

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happened to come to America in the same ship with him. Their only child is named Jennie A. The family belong to the Lutheran Church.

Mr. Peterson has not been particularly identified with politics, though he has always been a reliable Republican. He has represented his ward-the 2d- in the City Council a couple of years, which appears to be the sum of his office-holding, aside from the one he so long and so honorably filled under the General Government. For more than 15 years a gauger at one of the largest whisky distilleries in the world, covering a period of the most rank corruption and frauds known in civilized history; passing through a time when the very nation shook with hor- ror from the exposures of the notorious whisky rings ; a time when people were prepared to be sur- prised at the arrest of no man connected in any way with the traffic; through those times, and coming out of the service at his own request, not only without taint or blemish, but with the highest order of testi- monials, is a record of which any man may feel proud.

O. Williamson, one of the proprietors of the Wataga Custom Mills, was born on the Atlantic Ocean, July 14, 1850. His parents were William and Margaret Will- iamson, and were natives of Sweden, and it was while coming to America the subject of this sketch was born. His parents settled in Sparta Township, Knox Co. His father bought a small farm, on section 22, and remained there until his death, in 1854; the mother is still living in Wataga. They had a family of six children, who lived to man and womanhood.

M. O. Williamson remained at home until r2 years old, when he went to work on a farm, and con- tinued until 14 years of age. He then came to the village of Wataga to learn the harness trade, and served three years, then worked one year as jour- neyman. He then bought out one of the partners in the harness business, and was in company with William C. Olson from 1867 to 1879. He then bought out his partner and has since carried on the business. In 1844 he purchased one-third interest in the Custom Mill at Wataga village, and at the present owns one-half interest in the mill. He

built a house in 1875, on Faulkner street, where he now lives.

Mr. W. was married, Oct. 18, 1871, to Mary Driggs, a native of Oneida County, N. Y., and daughter of William M. and Millicent (Housted) Driggs. They have two children living-Nellie and Ada.

Mr. Williamson is a Republican, and he belongs to the I. O. O. F. He has held the office of Coun- cilman, Justice of the Peace, Village and Town Clerk, and is one of the solid and substantial men of Knox County. He was Secretary of the Repub- lican Central Committee in 1884.

Harlan, city undertaker and funeral direct- or, at Galesburg, is a native of the State of Indiana. He was born in Rush County, Feb. 1, 1840, and is a son of John G. and Eliza (Gregg) Harlan, the former a native of Ohio, the latter of Kentucky. Mr. Harlan spent his boyhood in Peru, Ind., whither his parents had removed, and where he grew to manhood. At the age of 13 he became apprenticed to the under- taking business in an extensive establishment in Peru, Ind., and completed it as far as he could. He afterward attended embalming schools and visited other large factories, with the view of adding to his already large stock of knowledge in the business.

During the late Civil War he volunteered his services in defense of the Union, and served nearly four years, receiving worthy promotion during his service and an honorable discharge. In 1867 he embarked in business in Peru, Ind., in which he still holds an interest. In 1883 he came here and established a nice business, and has very success- fully carried it on since. Mr. Harlan is a very public-spirited business man and citizen, and con- tributes liberally to all measures tending to the ad- vancement of the city's social and industrial growth. He is an active member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he was knighted in Fort Wayne Com- mandery. He is also a member of the Oriental Con- sistory, being accepted in the city of Jerusalem, which he had visited in 1858. He is a member of the Foresters, Pilgrim Knights and about all of the temperance societies, G. A. R., Post 45, and was one

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of the original members of the W. B. Reyburn Post, No. 62, of Peru, Ind. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Uniform Rank, and has taken all the knighted ranks in that order and has served as Sir Knight Commander. Is a member of the Order of Red Men, and of the Standard Club of Galesburg.

O. Williamson, of the firm of L. O. Will- iamson & Co., prominent dry goods mer- chants, of Galesburg, is a son of William and Kate (Olson) Williamson, natives of Swe- den, and was born at Wataga, Ill., Dec. 20, 1862. The subject of this sketch spent the first 15 years of his life upon his father's farm and in attendance at the public schools. In February, 1879, he graduated from the Galesburg Business College, and in March following engaged in the mercantile business. For four years he had an as- sociate in the business, but since that time he has been sole manager and director, the " company " of the concern being in no way actively engaged in the business. The house of L. O. Williamson & Co. is one of the largest and most successful dry goods es- \ tablishments in the city of Galesburg, and gives em- ployment to from 14 to 18 people the year round, and the discipline and order of the place show the skill of a master manager.

Parenthetically the writer desires to call attention to the fact that the head of this house was reared upon a farm, from which, when only 17 years of age, he stepped at once into the position of a first-class merchant. Mr. Williamson was married at Center Point, Knox County, Sept. 17, 1885, to Miss Mary C. Swanson, an accomplished young lady graduate of Knox College.

eorge H. Graves, general farmer and bee- raiser, section 19, Walnut Grove Town- ship, is a son of John G. Graves, also a farmer and bee-grower, who came from New Hampshire, where he was born, to Illinois, in 1858, and lived in Walnut Grove Township till his death, May 26, 1884. He was of New En-

gland parentage, of English descent, and was mar- ried in his native State to Emeline Shedd, who is yet living with her son. The father died of paralysis of the heart while sitting in his chair. Three children were born to the mother, our subject being the oldest but one. Two are yet living-our subject and Charles G., who is married and resides in Oneida. The youngest died at the age of one year.

Our subject was born in Cheshire County, N. H., May 22, 1853. Since his parents came to Illinois he has made this county and township his home. He received a good common-school education, lived at home, and since the death of his father he has operated the farm under his own charge, and now owns 85 acres of well-improved land. His bee- raising has been conducted in connection with his farming. He is a skillful manager of bees, as was his father before him.

Feb. 9, 1880, Mr. G. was married in Galesburg to Miss Minnie Sherman, who was born near Gales- burg, Oct. 3, 1861. She was reared and educated in Knox County. Her parents were farmers from York State, and came to this county about 1849, and are now living in Woodhull.

Mr. Graves and wife are the parents of two chil- dren-M. Emeline, born in November, 1881, and George H., Jan. 3, 1884.

homas Housh, a farmer on section 28, Haw Creek Township, was born in Washington County, Ind., Dec. 25, 1829. He is the son of George P. and Polly Housh. They re- moved from Indiana in 1837. They were farmers, and when they came to Illinois bought and improved land and made a home, on which both of the old people died. The mother died a number of years ago; the father in 1864. This family was of German origin. The father was a soldier in the War of 1812 and in the Black Hawk war.

The subject of this sketch was married to Eliza- beth Mowery, Feb. 23, 1851. She is the daughter of John and Elenor Mowery, and was born in Ohio, Oct. 31, 1835. Her father, John Mowery, was born in February, 1809, and her mother Aug. 13, 1810. The subject of this sketch and wife are the parents of eight children, as follows : Milton A., born Nov. 25,

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1851; Mary, May 22, 1854; John M., Oct. 13, 1857; Grant, April 11, 1863 ; Charles F., Sept. 8, 1869, and Jennie Pearl, Aug. 24, 1881. Jessie and Willie died in infancy. Mr. H. is raising a girl, Ad- die M. House, born July 14, 1876. Mrs. Housh died March 20, 1885.

The subject of this notice enlisted in Co. F, 86th Ill. Vol. Inf., under Capt. J. L. Burkhalter, Aug. 7, 1862, and served nine months. He took part in the battle of Perryville, Ky., and the raid after Gen. Bragg and his forces, and was mustered out at Quin- cy, Ill., April 1, 1863. He then came home and lived on the farm up to the present. He owns 157 acres of good land, all under fence and has fine im - provements. He is a member of the I. O. O. F .. also is a member of the G. A. R., and politically is a Republican.

oseph Masters, a retired farmer, on section 3. Sparta Township, was born in the south- west part of England, Jan. 17, 1833. His parents were William and Mary (Cox) Mas- ters, natives of England. They were farmers, and had a family of eight children. They' re- mained in England until their deaths in 1865 and 1843 respectively. The subject of this sketch re- mained at home until 1854 and received a common- school education, and worked on the farm. He came to America in 1854, settled in Knox County, and purchased 96 acres of prairie land. On this he built a house and barn, fences, and set out an orchard, and remained on the same until 1883. Then he moved onto section 3, where he now lives, and has, since his first purchase, bought 162 acres. He has built three fine farmhouses, which he still owns, and values his land at $80 per acre. He was married in 1855 to Miss Phebe Fooks, a native of England, and daughter of Thomas Fooks.

Mr. and Mrs. Masters have only one child living -William. They also have an adopted daughter- Kate. Mr. Masters is a Republican, and with his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has held the office of Road Commissioner and School Director, and is one of the solid and substan- tial men of Knox County.

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 118

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