Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 140

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 140

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1096

KNOX COUNTY

1860. In 1860 Peter Newborg was placed in charge. In 1861, Albert Ericson; in 1863, N. Peterson; in 1866, Peter Newborg; in 1869, John H. Ekstrand ; in 1872, H. W. Ehlund; in 1873, John Burstrom ; in 1875, A. Walgron ; in 1876, H. Olson; in 1878, C. F. Levin ; in 1880, J. B. Anderson, who remained until 1883, when Rev. P. M. Johnson, the present pastor, took charge. In 1854 they erected their first church building, at a cost of $2,000. Subsequently they built a parsonage at a cost of $500. Present membership, 110.

WALNUT GROVE TOWNSHIP.

N attempt was made toward the settlement of this township as early as the spring of 1832, by Messrs. Jones and De Hart, who made claims on section 21. The Black Hawk War frightened and drove them away and they never returned. It was unoccupied then until 1836, when John Thompson, from Pennsylvania, came in and made a claim on section 16, the present site of the village of Altona. His nearest neighbor then was at Fraker's Grove, some 11 miles distants The only near neighbors the Thompsons had were a band of Indians; two of this band, an Indian and his squaw, remaining for a long time. Thompson was wont to speak of this couple in high praise, and re- gretted much to have them move away. Amos Ward and Stephen Eames moved into the township soon after Mr. Thompson, also Simeon L. Collinson, from England. From 1838 the settlement increased quite rapidly, and among those who came in were many of the Mormon faith, the leader of whom, Joseph Smith, proposed to establish a branch church here, and to erect a temple for worship. At this time the head of this so-called religious society was at Nau- voo, Hancock County, Ill. They organized a society here of about too members. The fanatics were not very cordially received by the other settlers, and it was intimated to them that they would not be pro- tected here either in person or property, and that they had better seek some other land in which to propa- gate their peculiar ideas. Accordingly it became convenient for Joe to have a new revelation, and they were ordered to leave Walnut Grove and go to Hancock County, which order they promptly obeyed.

John Thompson, Jr., was the first male child born in the township, and Helen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Amos Ward, was the first female child born. Helen was married to A. P. Stephens, and went to Iowa.

The first marriage was between Austin Frederick and Elizabeth Finney.

Amos Ward was the unlucky man to receive the first commission as Postmaster. He held this office for many years, receiving but little else than honor and trouble. The first school taught here was by Eugene Gross, who afterward distinguished himself in the legislative halls of the State. His school was taught in a small log building which was put up in 1841.

A meeting was held for the purpose of township organization, April 5, 1853. Amos Ward was chosen Chairman pro tem., and L. B. Farris, Clerk pro tem., when the polls were declared open. H. L. Sage was elected Moderator, and an adjournment for one hour was had. Thirty-one votes were cast, electing the following-named officers : Amos Ward, Supervisor ; A. F. Ward, Clerk; David Livingston and Amos Ward, Justices of the Peace ; H. L. Sage, Assessor ; James Pratt, Collector; H. L. Collinson, Daniel Al- len and C. Capps, Highway Commissioners; Reu- ben Cochran, Overseer of the Poor; John Livings- ton and James Pratt, Constables.

The land of this township is nearly all high, roll- ing prairie, having a rich soil, easy of cultivation. It is well watered by Walnut and Prairie Creeks, with their tributaries. Beautiful groves are in every part of the township, lending to it an additional feature of attraction. The C., B. & Q. R. R., which was completed through in the fall of 1854, runs nearly diagonally across from northeast to southwest, af- fording the people ample means of transportation. It has one good town, which is located near its cen- ter, and where the people do most of their trading. Some from the southwest part go to Oneida.

There are many beautiful farms and fine farm buildings in this township. They greet the eye of the traveler from almost every point, and cause him to wish he was one of the fortunate owners. Con- siderable attention has been given, of late years, to stock-raising, which has met with success.

The population, in 1880, was 1,781; since this time there has been a slight increase. There are ! !

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KNOX COUNTY.

school districts, one graded and ro ungraded schools, and 12 frame school-houses.

SUPERVISORS.

Amos Ward. . 1853-54

R S. Stuckey .. . 1854-59

S. S. Stuckey .. .. .. 1875-76

W. A. Jones .. .. ,860

Nelson Multer. . 1877-78

A. C. Buffum .. .1861-62

J. W. Andrews. 1879-80

S. S. Stuckey. .1863-66

John A. Frederick . 1881-83

J. S. Chambers .1867-72

J. W. Andrews. 1884-85

Altona.

HIS thriving little town is situated in about the center of Walnut Grove Township, on sections 15 and 16. It was laid out by John Piatt for the heirs of John Thompson, in 1854, and was then called La Pier, the plat contain - ing 80 acres. Daniel Allen and E. B. Main made an addition the same year of 28 acres, which lay north of the first plat. In 1863 the name was changed to Altona. The advent of the C., B. & Q. R. R., which was completed through here in Novem- ber, 1854, was the cause of the town being started. The site is a very pretty one, and is in the midst of a rich agricultural country. Silas Willard was the pioneer merchant and he was soon followed by S. P. Whiting. Mr. Willard opened his store in 1852, on the corner of Main and Depot streets. Mr. Whiting opened in 1853 on the opposite corner. A district school was established here before the town was laid out. The first church organized was the Methodist Episcopal, the second Sabbath in August, 1853, by Rev. James Quimby. The first train came in in November, 1854. Dr. Herman Hall was the first physician to locate in town, in 1856. The first Postmaster was Amos Ward, and the office was called Walnut Grove, and located near the grove about a mile south of the present site. It was moved up after the town was laid out.

Altona was incorporated under special act of the Legislature in 1856. This charter was subsequently thrown out and the town was re-incorporated under the general law in 1862, and re-incorporated again under the village law in 1874. Some of the records have been lost and the history is incomplete. This is the home of Dr. R. C. Edgerton, who was quite prominent in the old slavery days as one of the operators of the Underground Railroad. The Doctor relates that, while living at Galesburg in the summer of 1844, the slaves who made their escape from Mis- souri came to his house and asked for food. He gave

them all a good meal and then took them out into a grove and gave them the proper directions north. They had been gone but a few minutes when their owners, with a posse and bloodhounds, came on in hot pursuit. They threatened the Doctor, and finally ordered him out in the chase for the fugitives. This he refused to do. He went into town, rallied around him a lot of young men, and returned to the slave- hunters and told them if they did not leave town forthwith they would make them wish they had never seen a slave. This order they obeyed post-haste.

An election was held to elect officers for village organization in March, 1873. The Trustees elected met at John W. Cline's office and completed organi- zation by electing John W. Cline, President ; A. C. Scott, Clerk; E. P. Lindwell, Treasurer. Jacob Ter- williger was appointed Police Constable. The records of the organization and elections prior to this time have been lost.

Amos Ward held the position of Postmaster until 1856, and was succeeded by J. N. Rush, and Rush by Wm. Burneson, who held it until 1861. John Fowler was the incumbent during Lincoln's admin- istration. He was followed by W. E. Ward, E. C. Russell, W. M. Whiting, W. E. Ward again, W. M. Whiting again, A. G. Love and L. K. Byers, the pres- ent Postmaster.

Altona is a prosperous town, with substantial busi- ness houses and many fine dwellings. It has a com- manding view of the country surrounding it; its streets are well laid off and ornamented with beautiful shade trees.

The population is estimated now to be about 850. The present officers are L. D. Vanscogk, J. C. Col- linson, P. M. Cronland, Nelson Multer and A. G. Love, Trustees ; with C. A. Hopkins, President of the Board; S. M. Whiting, Clerk; and P. M. Cron- land, Treasurer.

Altona has a good graded school. A full English course is taught here, and the elements of science. They have a High School course, with a term of two years. A very fair school building was erected some years ago. This graded school was organized as early as October, 1858. S. R. Lemon is Principal, and Mrs. Lemon has charge of tl.e Grammar De- partment; Mrs. Casey Howland, the Intermediate, and Mrs. Etta Tamblyn, the Primary. The enroll- ment shows the names of 200; the average attend- ance about 180.

James Johnston .. .1873-74

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KNOX COUNTY.

PRESS.

The Journal was established July 1, 1877, by E. H. Waldo, who brought the press from Michigan, where he had published a paper. Nov. 1, 1877, S. P. Whiting purchased the paper, and has since that time been the editor and proprietor. It is a six- column quarto, issued every Friday; independent in politics and religion ; circulation, about 300.

Mr. Whiting came with the family to the county in 1850, and embarked in the mercantile business at Victoria. In 1853 a move was made to Altona, where the mercantile business, in connection with shipping stock and produce, and carrying on a farm- ing business, was prosecuted until 1875. He has since 1877 continued as proprietor of the Journal, giving the news of the county to its patrons through its colums.

SOCIETIES.

Masonic Lodge, No. 330, A. F. & A. M., was chartered Oct. 3, 1860, with nine charter members. First officers were Hiram Hall, W. M .; A. P. Stephens, S. W .; G. D. Slanker, J. W. It was organized under dispensation March 20, 1860, with J. J. Friend, W. M .; Chas. Trobridge, S. W .; G. D. Slanker, J. W .; J. S. Chambers, Treas .; J. B. McCalmont, Secy .; Hiram Hall, S. D .; Geo. McKowan, J. D; H. New- mar., Tiler. Present officers : H. L. Weaver, W. M .; E. S. Keyes, S. W .; Wm. Hall, J. W .; T. F. Temple- ton, Treas .; L. B. Young, Secy .; G. V. Sydan, S. D .; C. A. Hopkins, J. D .; Wm. Moore, Tiler. Present membership about 40. The Lodge owns the build- ing, have a neat little hall, are in good working order and prosperous.

Altona Lodge, No. 511, I. O. O. F., was chartered Oct. 14, 1873, with seven charter members. First officers : Mathew Wiley, N. G .; R. J .; Burnerson, V. G .; G. U. Hall, Rec. Secy .; John A. Stuckey, Treas .; J. H. Griffith, P. G. Present officers : O. M. Tiffany, N. G .; N. P. Akeyson, V. G .; G. S. Chalmers, Secy .; J. W. Andrews, Treas ; A. G. Little, W .; D. M. Simpson, C. Present membership 30. The Lodge is in good condition, and has money loaned out. It has a nice little hall rented.

CHURCHES.

The Congregational Church of Altona was organized Feb. 21, 1857, by Rev. A. Root. Members, M. B. Waldo and wife, Truman Eels and wife, Mrs. Caro- line Jones, Stephen Eames and W. A. Jones. They

held meetings in a school-house and the Methodist Episcopal Church at first. They erected a church in the year 1866, which was dedicated November 9 of that year, and cost about $4,000. Rev. A. Root was the first established pastor, remaining only a few months. Rev. A. R. Mitchell followed, serving till 1859, when he was succeeded by Rev. H. C. Aber- nethy, as a supply. Then came Rev. L. H. Parker, who was a supply for awhile in 1866. Then Rev. Harris was a supply for a few months. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. J. D. Wyckoff, in 1867, who re- mained until 1869. J. L. Granger served the church next as a supply until 1871. Rev. H. C. Abernethy then served about six years, leaving in 1878. Rev. E. H. Baker came in 1879, serving as supply for two years. Since that time they have only occasional services, and this in union with the Presbyterian's. Present membership is about 25. They have a Sun- day- school, with good attendance.

The Methodist Episcopal Church." This society was organized here in August, 1853, Ey Rev. James Quimby, with 13 members. In 1857 they erected their building, at a cost of $3,000. It is a substantial frame building. From 1867 to the present time this church has been served by the following-named pastors : Revs. E. Ransom, B. Applebee, A. Bower, G. W. Martin, A. K. Tullis, W. Watson, J. Ferguson, M. V. B. White, J. E. Taylor, R. Barton, D. T. Wil- son and J. A. Riason, the present pastor in charge. They have a membership now of about roo, with a flourishing Sunday-school.

BANDS.

Altona has a taste for music, which is evidenced by her having two local bands. Altona Cornet Band was organized Oct. 6, 1883, with 15 members, and P. T. Anderson, leader. The present members are P. T. Anderson, Leader; John Taylor, Secy .; W. B. Tiffany, Treas .; Latimer Linderhohm, John Ek- stedt, E. Swanson, A. Scott, A. W. Anderson, W. H. Vanconk, O. Collinson, G. Perfect and G. Johnson. They practice regularly and play very well.

The ladies have also interested themselves in this department of music, and have also organized a band. The Ladies' Cornet Band of Altona was or- ganized Aug. 20, 1884. John Ekstedt is the leader. The members are Addie Shade, Ella Durand, Lydia Tapper, Etta Collinson, Nellie Edwards, Maude Templeton, Mettie Hopkins and Maude Bane.

KNOX COUNTY.

1099

Blooded Stock.

TOCK - RAISING in Knox County has become one of the chief and most profitable en- terprises of many of her lead- ing citizens. It is not simply stock that they raise, but the best pure-bred animals known in the world. Here are to be found some herds of cattle equal to almost any to be found anywhere. Many of the farmers have displayed great enterprise, as well as rare good judg- ment, in the way they have taken hold of the breeding of high grades of cattle, horses and swine. Some of them have had the courage to in- vest vast sums of money in a few animals. These, however, have invariably, we think, proven good investments, besides doing much toward lifting up the standard of the grade of the home stock. Below we give the names of many of the leading fine-stock raisers in the county.

SHORT-HORNS.

The first man to introduce Short-horns into Knox County was Peter Godfrey, who resided in Orange Township. A. J. Dunlap and E. J. Byram were the second to introduce this breed of cattle, which was in 1861. Mr. Dunlap started his herd on his farm near Galesburg, and Mr. Bylam near Abingdon. Both these men were successful, and established good herds.

George W. Dunlap & Bro., sons of A. J. Dunlap.

are breeding thoroughbreds on their farms, section 19, Cedar Township, and have a fine herd.

A. P. Charles, whose fine stock farm is near Knox- ville, has a splendid herd of Short-horns, and is quite an extensive breeder. He is also raising the Pulled Angus. Some of his fine stock are shown in the lithographie plate in this volume.

F. P. Foltz, on section 30, Cedar Township, is a successful breeder of Short-horns. He has 40 of pure blood and 75 of high grades.

In Sparta Township, Niles & Bros. take the lead in raising Short-horns. Their stock farm is located on sections 2 1 and 29 .. They have a fine and grow- ing herd.

C. W. Wetmore. one of the prominent farmers of Ontario Township, on section 32, is giving his atten- tion to the Short-horn stock. He is also breeding blooded hogs.

In Henderson Township, on section 34, O. S. Allen, one of the prominent farmers in this part of the county, has a fine herd of grades, and owns a full- blooded Short-horn bull.

Of the breeders of Short-horn stock in Knox County, J. S. Latimer and sons take the lead. Their place is known as Cedar Farm, and is located near the center of Cedar Township and consists of 350 acres. The farm is beautifully located and is one of the finest in the county, with good, large and con- venient buildings.

Mr. Latimer commenced breeding and dealing in Short-horns in 1872, procuring his first 60 head from Kentucky. From that time on, they have steadily increased their herds and their stock busi-

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KNOX COUNTY.

ness. They have had four public sales of their stock, the average price per head being $226, the sales consisting mostly of yearlings. In addition to this they have had a large trade in full bloods and high grades with the Western ranches, having realized in this direction over $400,000. Their total sales have reached upward of a million of dollars.

About five years ago Mr. Latimer took his son and son-in-law, W. B. Dunlap, into partnership with him. They now have a herd of 150 head of full-blooded Short-horns and 300 high grades. Their Short-horns are of the leading families, many of them having been imported from England at a cost of from $500 to $1,000 each.

These enterprising breeders continue to keep abreast of the times, and are constantly striving to improve their stock. They have no fears of future results, and believe the day is far distant when there will be a surplus of good Short-horns.

Other prominent breeders of Short-horns in this county are : C. N. Butt, of Knoxville; Jonas L. Campbell, of Abingdon; N. Fay & Son, Oneida; O. C. Ferris, Galesburg; Amos Hinchliff and Heber Gillis, of Rio; Strawther Givens and W. H. Heller, of Abingdon; R. J. McKeighan, Yates City ; K. R. Marks, Abingdon ; W. Robson & Son, Wataga, and J. R. Robson, Rio; H. M. and W. P. Sisson and John R. Smith, of Galesburg; and Isaac W. Wet- more, of Ontario.

HOLSTEINS.

W. P. Mosher, the enterprising farmer of Ontario Township, section 29, has started a Holstein herd and is doing well.

JERSEY HERD.

J. H. Miller, of Abingdon, was the first to introduce the Jersey stock, he having brought in, in March, 1883, a Jersey bull, which he purchased in Peoria. He has a fine stock farm, which is located near Ab- ingdon. His herd consists now of 15 head of pure Jerseys, he having sold off from time to time. For awhile he was in partnership with with J. S. Latimer, which partnership, however, was terminated in 1884, Mr. Miller buying most of the stock. In May, 1883, while in partnership with Mr. Latimer, he bought in Chicago five Jersey cows, which he brought to the farm. Mr. Miller is very proud of his Jersey stock, and is sanguine of a continued success in this line of breeding.

GALLOWAY CATTLE.

The Galloway stock was first introduced into Ce- dar Township by J. J. Rodgers. The first bull was John Boler, bred by Hart & Co., of Canada. He was brought to Cedar Township, Knox County, in March, 1880, and proved to be a grand breeder, making an excellent record. The first females were brought to Cedar Township the same spring with one bull calf, from Peter Davey's herd, Monterey, Wis. They consisted of Sallie, Mollie, Snip, Snow, and Peter Davey, the bull calf. In 1882, Mr. Rodgers sold all of these, with their increase, to parties in Missouri. In 1884 he purchased of Messrs. Norris & Clarke, of Lamoille, Ill., seven more of this breed -six heifers and one bull-Don of Lamoille (1617). The heifers were Anna (1601), dam, Bron Nellie (1585); Frances (1604), dam, Lady Walton (1580) ; Grace (1605), Nellie of Broom (1582); Charlotte (1600), dam, Pretty Polly (1586) ; Dela (1602), dam, Black Bess (1584); Coa (1603), dam, Maid of Keetle, (1583). All these were from their first imported cows, and by imported bull Harral (1610), a noted Galloway. This made one of the best foundations for a Galloway herd in the State. Mr. Rodgers now makes the Angus cattle a specialty, although he thinks the Galloways are good cattle.

Among the leading breeders in the State of the Galloway cattle are Parker & Hardy, whose farm is located near Abingdon. They are extensively en- gaged in breeding this stock. They are the owners of a splendid bnll, Prince Jumbo (1141), which was imported. This firm are doing well with their herd.

James Hammond, whose farm is located on section 33, in Ontario Township, has a Galloway herd, and is doing finely with them. See sketch of Mr. Hardy.

As will be seen by the account, Knox County has rapidly advanced in the important industry of fine- stock raising. From the time that Peter Godfrey first introduced the Short-horns to the present tinie there has been a steady development in this depart- ment. It has been demonstrated that the higher a d purer the thoroughbreds, and the better the grades, the more profitable it is to the breeder.

HISTORY OF ANGUS CATTLE IN KNOX COUNTY.

J. J. Rodgers' Angus Farm. In 1880 J. J. Rodg- ers, of Abingdon, Ill., purchased from Thomas

IIOI

KNOX COUNTY.

Ferguson, of Kinnochtry, Coupar Angus, Scotland, Favorite 6th (3118), Baroness 8th (5039), Keepsake 7th (5500), Sallie 13th (5524) and Baron Balgersho (2696)-one bull and four heifers-and imported them from Glasgow to Boston, Mass., in May, 1881. They were then hauled eight miles from the vessel and placed in quarantine, where they remained three months, then shipped to Abingdon, Ill., and arrived at the Angus Farm Aug. 10, 1881. During the voyage the increase was a bull calf-Boston (2002). In 1882 Mr. R. imported from the same herd in Scotland 15 more-2 bulls and 13 heifers. Among them was Prince of the Blood (2307). In 1883 he imported 20 more bulls.

Principally all of the above were of the Keillor Watson families, which have been bred and handled down through the Watson families, via Mr. Fergu- son, since from about the year 1700, and to date there is not one other pure Keillor Watson animal in America beside what is now at the Angus Farm ; and those that have been sold from there are the next closest in America.

In addition to the three above importations, Mr. Rodgers, in 1883, purchased from the Geary Bros., M. H. Cochrane and Mrs. Whitfield, of Canada, about 30 more heifers, the choice of their importa- tions and representatives of all the best families of Angus cattle in Scotland. All these together make one of the best-selected herds of Angus cattle in either Europe or America.

First cost in Scotland ranged from $300 to $1,000 per head ; cost of importing, from Stoo to $150 each, aside from risk, losses and other expenses. The average of the sales since, for cash, of principally the increase, was $500 for the bulls and $900 for the heifers. The Angus Farm herd has now furnished the foundations for 50 herds, which are distributed over Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Dakota and Nebraska, but principally within ten miles of the Angus Farm herd. And these are also well distributed among the best farmers and stockmen of the country.

The bulls that have most distinguished themselves at the Angus Farm are Baron Balgersho (1696) and Prince of the Blood (2307). They have the honor and record of producing sons and daughters that have sold for thousands of dollars. Two bulls and ten heifers, under one year old, sold for $12,000. Their half-bloods, from common native cows, have

sold as high as $225 each. Baron Balgersho (1696) and Prince of the Blood (2307) also have sisters and daughters at Angus Farm worth $2.000 apiece. It is the opinion of good judges that no two individuals will prove themselves so valuable to the county as Baron Balgersho (1696) and Prince of the Blood (2307). Their future is immense and will yet fill volumes.

The most distinguished among the females at the Angus Farm are Princess Olga (5521), Princess Lou- isa (55 18), Blooming Bell (5493), Matilda of Rouge- mont (2247), Princess Maria (5519), Princess Alberta (5515), Dulciana of Kinnochtry (5495), Bar- oness 8th (5039), Favorite 6th (3118), Lady Benton (6109), and a number of others whose progeny have not yet been offered for sale. But these noted ones are the dams of more $1,000 calves than any cows that were ever in the county. They are the dams of the following 12 calves that have been sold at $1,000 each : Princess Beatrice, to A. Hall & Son, Abingdon, Ill .; Princess Lena, to B. J. Manifold, Dallas, Ill .; Prince Sambo, to B J. Manifold, Dallas, Ill. ; Lady Langtry, to John Harvey, Abing- don, Ill .; Queen Victoria, to John Harvey, Abing- don, Ill .; Princess Quebec, to W. Neill, Abingdon, Il. ; Diamond Princess, to H. Dunfee, Farragut, lowa; Charlotte, to Benj. Lombard, Boston, Mass .; Prince of Angus Farm, to F. Wilson, Knoxville, Ill .; Princess of the Valley, to A. Stickle, Macomb, Ill ; Mechtildas sold for $1,000 and resold since for the same price.

Among the cows sold for $1,000 and over are Princess Maud (5520), to A. Hall & Co., Abingdon, Ill., $2,000; Princess Phœbe (4522), to J. Walton, Plymouth, Ill., $1,500; Keepsake 7th (5500), to J. Harvey, Abingdon, Ill., $1,200; Lena 3d (4279), to A. Hall & Co., $1,200; Rose 5th (4953), to N. Fox, Stiles, Iowa, $1,000.

The above distinguished cattle are of the fam- ilies of Angus doddies that the late Hugh Watson and William McCombie bequeathed to the world.

P. S. Allie (1789), A. M., purchased by Mr. R. from Findly & Anderson, Lake Forest, Ill., was the first Angus heifer that he brought to the county. She arrived at the Angus Farm, April 3, 1881.

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 140

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