Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 17

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 17

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The second matrimonial alliance of our subject was with Miss Jane Johnson-Dec. 14, 1855-a na- tive of Ireland, and who died Aug. 15, 1882. Mr. Hunter was then united in marriage to Mrs. Lucinda Andrews, relict of Thomas Andrews, who died July 10, 1883. She was born April 15, 1812, in Jefferson County, Ohio, and her marriage to Thomas Andrews took place June 9, 1831. He was a native of Che- nango County, N. Y., and the year of his birth was 1858. He came to the State of Illinois in 1841, and was identified as one of the early settlers of Knox County. To him and his wife were born 11 chil- dren, as follows: Mary, born April 18, 1832; Hen- rietta, May 10, 1834; James in 1836; Benjamin, June 1, 1838; Almina, Sept. 4, 1840; Elizabeth in 1842; Martin, Feb. 12, 1845 ; Harriet, March 21, 1847 ; Wesley, March 13, 1850; Samantha, Jan. 30, 1852 ; and Albert, May 31, 1855. Elizabeth mar- ried Kirk J. Hunter, March 17, 1859. He is the son of Isaac Hunter, Jr .; Mary Andrews married Jan. 15, 1852 ; Benjamin married Emily Twitchell, March 17, 1859; Almina married Joseph Moore; the mar- riage of James took place Dec. 10, 1874; Elizabeth and James are the only two surviving members of this family of children.

The landed possessions of Mr. Hunter of this sketch include 277 acres of highly cutlivated land. In the fall of 1841, he, with his brother, Jordan, drove 1,000 sheep across the country from Massa- chusetts to Knox County, Ill., taking 122 days to make the trip. He is estimated by his neighbors as

possessing that energetic enterprise characteristic of the pioneer, as he entered the county while the country at large was still a wilderness and erected a small log house, in which he lived for two years, and there laid the foundation of his present desirable home. Success has crowned his efforts towards prosperity, and he is one of the leading members of the neighborhood in which he lives. He has served on the Agricultural Board for a number of years and is a useful and worthy man. He is a member of the Congregational Church, while Mrs. Hunter worships under the Methodist Episcopal faith. Her name is enrolled on the records of this Church at Abingdon, Ill. Politically, Mr. Hunter is a Republican, the sentiments of which party he has upheld many years. He has a keen appreciation of the growth and advancement of the country at large, and recol- lects the time when Peoria numbered only 750 and Chicago 7,000 inhabitants.

ndrew B. Anderson, senior member of the banking firm of Anderson & Murdock, is one of the most active and prominent citi- zens of Oneida. He came to Knox County te from the Province of Ontario, Canada, late in the month of May, 1852, first stopping in the village of Victoria, where he engaged in blacksmith- ing, a trade he had learned from his father, James. The father was born, raised and also learned his trade and was married in his native Ayershire, Scot- land, espousing Mary Borland, both being of old Scottish ancestry and parentage. The result of the above marriage was six daughters and three sons, Andrew being the third child; one of the daughters died in Scotland and four in Knox County ; the eld- est son, John, never came to America, but becoming and eminent mechanic and operating extensively in his own country, went to Russia, where he was em- ployed as master mechanic, and located in St. Pe- tersburg, where he now resides, one of the most successful of mechanics. James, another brother, is a prominent farmer in Page County, Iowa.

Mr. Anderson's parents, after raising their family, left Scotland and came to America in the summer of 1860, and commenced living with their son in Copley Township, where they both died, the father in 1866 and the mother in 1870, having both been prominent

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and active members of the Presbyterian Church all their lives. They were brought up within two or three miles of the home of Robert Burns, the grand- father, Andrew Borland, having been a very aged man when he died, was most likely acquainted with the Scottish bard, living, as they did, so near to each other.

Mr. A. of this sketch was born in the parish of Sorn, Ayershire, Sept. 10, 1832, his early education being such as was given young Scottish students of that period, usually limited. When strong enough, he assisted his father in his shop till 18 years of age, when he sailed with an acquaintance for Canada, stopping two years in Paris, Ontario, working at his trade till leaving for Knox County. He came from Victoria to Oneida in the summer of 1857, following his calling as a blacksmith till 1864. He was mar- ried Dec. 21, 1860, in this city, to Miss Mary Mc- Quie, a native of Scotland, where her father, Alex- ander, died when she was quite young, and in 1857, with her mother and other members of the family, she came to America and to Knox County, where the mother died some years later. Mrs Anderson was educated in the public schools and under the excel- lent discipline of a Presbyterian mother. She is now herself mother of five children, three living : William H., John H. and Mary Ella, all at home. Charlie and Anna passed away when quite young.

In 1864 Mr. Anderson entered into partnership with Mr. H. Wright, in the hardware business, which they conducted for some years, in the meantime en- gaging considerably in other enterprises, earning money and prospering. In 1874 he engaged in the banking business alone, till the winter of 1876, when he and Mr. Murdock, who separately conducted the same business, combined their interests under the firm name of Anderson & Murdock, styling their business " The Oneida Exchange Bank. " Both Mr. and Mrs. Anderson worship in the Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a firm Democrat. He has been a member of the City Council and is now Township Treasurer, having held the latter office for eight years. There is in the brief history of Mr. Anderson's life, a mine of example and instruction for the youth who may chance to read this sketch, which they might study and imitate with the best re- sults. Since his very boyhood he has been a model of industry, sobriety and integrity, constantly and usefully employed, traits for which so many of the

prosperous citizens of Knox County are noted. And it will be a fortunate circumstance for the youth of America and for their country when they shall come to learn more generally and practice more assidu- ously the sterling virtues to which so many whose lives are portrayed in these pages are indebted for their prosperity, success and happiness, and among whom there is no more striking example than that to be found in the career of Andrew B. Anderson. Sur- rounded by wife, children and hosts of friends, he is indeed a fortunate man, and the result of character and habits as above mentioned.

Socially he is a member of the Oneida Lodge, No. 337, A. F & A. M .; also of Oneida Chapter, No. 173. He is besides a member of Oneida Lodge, No. 228. I. O. O. F.

homas Newell. The Treasurer and one" of the Trustees of Hedding College, at Ab- ingdon, and one of the originators of the! People's Bank, of that town, is the subject of this brief biographical narrative. He was one of the prime movers or factors in the growth of Hedding College. He has held the position of- Treasurer of Hedding College since June 1883, and was Financial Agent from that date to 1885. He has held the position of Trustee for six years, and his active management and wisdom as a financier have almost freed the College from a debt amounting to $20,000. Being known as a safe. conservative business man, the position of Financial Agent was warmly urged upon him at the time he accepted it. The funds were intrusted entirely to his judgment, and ensuing results have shown that the right man was chosen for the place, the debt having shrunk to a few thousand dollars.

Mr. Newell was born in Brown County, Ohio. Sep :. 19, 1821, and is the son of Thomas and Mar- garet (Taylor) Newell. His father was a native of the same county and of Irish descent. His mother was of Scotch lineage and first saw the light in the Buckeye State. When Thomas was 13 years of age his parents, with him in charge, went to Parke County, Ind,, and made a settlement at Rockville, where at the age of 22, on Sept. 14, 1843, he united in wedlock with Louisa M. Smith, daughter of Hec

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tor Smith, who claimed as her birth-place Vigo County, Ind.

Into the home of Mr. and Mrs. Newell have come six children, cf whom the two eldest were born in Indiana and the others in Knox County. He re- moved from the State of Indiana, to Chestnut Town- ship, Knox County in 1848, in which section of country he has been engaged in farming. There he remained until Jan. 4, 1877, when he removed to Abingdon, in which town he has since resided. Of his family of children, Sarah A. is the wife of George Burnside, of Chestnut Township. John W. has been twice married and lives in Clarke County, Iowa ; his present wife was formerly Miss E. A. Roberts; Will- iam H. married Salina Meek, and lives in Indian Point Township; Julia M. is the wife of Cornelius McFarland, of Clarke County, Iowa; Harriet E. wedded C. A. Lee and has a pleasant home in Al- bert Lea, Minn .; Katie E. is a student in Hedding College and still remains under the parental roof.

Mr. and Mrs. Newell are devoted and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is politically a supporter of the Republican party, and is an active energetic citizen and no drone in. the hive of life. He is one of the Directors of the First National Bank and is noted for his shrewd business tact and financial ability. He has held high offices in the College, as previously stated.

hales Edgar Givens. Among the promi- nent business mer of Abingdon is the sub- ject of this notice, Cashier of the Union Bank, and also a breeder and dealer in French draft horses. He was born in McDonough County, Ill., Nov. 8, 1857, and is a son of Thales H. and Julia (Carter) Givens. A biograph- ical notice of his father is given in this work.

Mr. Givens was educated at Abingdon College, and in 1875 engaged as book-keeper in the Union Bank, of Abingdon. He continued to serve in that capacity until 1880. when he was promoted to Cash- ier, and has held that position continuously to the present time. In addition to his duties as Cashier, Mr. Givens is to no inconsiderable extent engaged in the breeding of French draft-horses on his fine farm adjacent to the city, and keeps on an average from

20 to 25 head, five of which are thorough-bred. Mr. Givens became a benedict, Oct. 30, 1879, by uniting his destiny with that of Olive A., the accomplished daughter of Lewis Lesh. She was born in Cleve- land, Ohio, and has borne her husband three chil- dren: Eugene E., Olive P. and Ruby B. His residence is adjacent to and just south of the city limits. In politics he votes with the Democratic party.

amuel K. Pedrick. Mr. Pedrick's orchard and grounds are located on section 33, near the city limits of Abingdon, Cedar Township. This gentleman is a native of Circleville, Ohio, and was born on the 7th of August, 1823. While attending the dis- trict schools he was employed on his father's farm until attaining his majority. At the age of 33 he married Miss Harriet W. Kirk, the ceremony being performed in McDonough County, Ill. His wife was born June 17, 1830, and was a native of Green County, Ky. She came to Illinois with her parents in 1834, the family locating west of Macomb. She remained here until her marriage. To this desirable union there were born four children-Nancy E., April 21, 1858; William L., April 21, 1859; John K., Dec. 11, 1862; Samuel E. was born July 21, 1868, and died July 5, 1872.

In all the country around there is no better land than the 32 acres of fruit orchard belonging to Mr. Pedrick. This he purchased Feb. 1, 1877, and at once turned his attention to the cultivation of black- berries, strawberries and raspberries. Of all these he has five acres, and intends increasing the pro- ductions from year to year. Together with the Creston Seedling he has eight other varieties, but these former he considers preferable excepting the Green Prolific. He has two varieties of red and two of Black Cap raspberries. He has a two-story brick residence, which is very commodious and fitted up with every comfort. Mr. Pedrick is a prominent Prohibitionist and a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church.

The father of this gentleman was Levi and his mother Elinor (Keffer) Pedrick, both natives of New Jersey, the former being born Dec. 29, 1792, and dying Nov. 6, 1856. His mother was born May 1,

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

George Havelmanoel

Elise Woodmansee

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

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1802, and died Sept. 18, 1828, in Circleville, Ohio. They were married March 5, 1822, and by the union there were two children-Samuel K. and William. His second marriage was with Miss Elizabeth Hoover. She was a native of Pennsylvania, born Feb. 17, 1804, and still lives on the homestead. There were four children by this marriage, viz .: Sarah A., Lewis, Elizabeth A. and Joseph. Besides Mr. Pedrick, Elizabeth is the only surviving child.

The parents of the present Mrs. Pedrick were John and Nancy (Coe) Kirk, natives of Kentucky. The father was born in 1790 and died in November, 1856; the mother, born in 1793, died Aug. 1, 1863. There were 11 children born of the marriage-Ma- linda, Paulina, Julia A., John J., Harriet W., Mary- etta, Lucy, Miranda, Mannery, Edward and Nancy. Mr. and Mrs. Kirk were devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and, politically speak- ing, he was a Whig in his day.

Mr. Pedrick is a gentleman of quiet demeanor, though exercising considerable religious and political influence in his locality.

eorge Woodmansee. The subject of this personal narration, whose career is herein briefly recorded, is noteworthy for having lived a most useful life. At present he is liv- ing in retirement, on section 35, Knox Town- ship. His home property includes neat and substantial frame buildings, and in his former active life and earnest industry, he has proved that to him at least, " Honest labor wears a lovely face."

Mr. W. was born in Greene County, Pa., May 20, 1810. His father, Thomas Woodmansee, was a na- tive of New Jersey, and was born April 13, 1780. His father-the grandfather of our subject-James Woodmansee, was also a native of New Jersey. He was the son of Thomas Woodmansee of Connecticut, who was the son of Gabriel Woodmansee. The en- tire Woodmansee family claimed French ancestry, a part of the forefathers going from France to England and coming, previous to the Revolutionary War, to Long Island, where they first settled. Later, they removed to New Jersey and their descendants are now scattered all over the United States. The grand- father of our subject removed from New Jersey to

Pennsylvania and from there to Ohio, locating in But- ler County, where he was a pioneer, and there con- tinued to reside until his death.

Thomas Woodmansee was a child of eight years of age when his parents removed to Pennsyl- vania, and, in Fayette County, where they settled, he grew to manhood. While still young, in Greene County, he was united in marriage with Mary Tay- lor, who was born Jan. 18, 1787, in Maryland. They went at once to live in Greene County, and there tar- ried until the fall of 1817.

In 1816, the father and mother of our subject vis- ited Ohio, each on horseback, and at this time he purchased 360 acres of timber land in Clinton County. In the spring of 1817, he returned to Clin- ton County, and began cultivating and improving, and after devoting a brief space of time to this imme- diate duty, went back to Pennsylvania for his family. Then, taking their two children they went to the State of Ohio, which journey was made with horses and wagons. With them they carried their house -. hold goods, drove their domestic animals and camped and cooked by the way. The husband came out in the spring, raised a partial crop and erected a portion of his cabin. His brother-in-law completed it for hin, which being ready for them, into it they moved. Immediately following their arrival the hus -. band and father began the work for which he had come to this place. He rented some land near and while working this cleared some of his own. In 1818, he bought a farm with a few acres broken, which he worked until 1853. At this time he sold out and came to Knox County, locating near Abingdon, and about two years later, bought a farm near by and there remained until called home by death. His widow remained at the home of our subject until she departed this life. She had been a most devoted wife and mother and was ready to go, realizing that " To live in hearts we leave behind, is not to die." She was the mother of two children, of whom our subject was the eldest. His brother James lives at Abingdon.

George Woodmansee was a child of but seven years when he came with his parents to Ohio, and there grew to the estate of man. His early life was spent in assisting his father on the farm, which was all unbroken and had to be cleared. In spite of the obstacles and drawbacks that came in his way, he devoted a portion of his time to gaining an ed-

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ucation. At that period there were but few schools and his sole dependence was on the subscription school. In his early manhood he was united in mar- riage with Miss Eliza Hollcraft, who was born in Warren County, Ohio, March 15, 1815, and was the daughter of James and Eliza (Lyttle) Hollcraft, both natives of Pennsylvania. At the time of his marriage he took up and marked the boundaries of the first piece of land his father had bought and com- menced house-keeping in the old family log-cabin. Here they remained until 1855, when, on the 26th of September, they emigrated to Illinois. Like many others, they made the journey to Knox County with teams. They had with them seven horses, two bug- gies and two wagons, and reached their point of des- tination after traveling 19 days. Previous to this he had visited the county and bought land in Knox Township. There was on this a small brick dwelling and a frame house. The family first moved into the brick house and one year after built the residence which is the present home. At the same time he erected a good barn and planted a large number of shade trees. All these improvements tended to- ward producing that sweetest of all possessions, a home.

Their family circle is an extended one, including 12 children, ten of whom survive: Thomas (see sketch); Mary, wife of James Huffmire; Lucinda, who married Peter Lacey and who lives in Haw Creek Township; Adaline, wife of Hiram Ward, whose home is in Polk County, Iowa; Leroy is mar- ried, living in Orange Township; George, whose home is in Washington County, Ark .; Victoria, wife of A. J. Ferguson, living in Orange Township; Xen- ophon, whose home is in Orange Township; Loreno, wife of Charles T. Chase, also of Orange Township; and Alonzo, with his family, living in Boone County, Iowa.

Mr. and Mrs. Woodmansee are most excellent people and practical every-day Christians, and are united by profession of faith with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. W. joined that body in Ohio, and served for some years as Trustee. He is a vigorous and alert politician, well versed in the de- tails of questions relative to National affairs. He has had unchallenged opportunities for watching the fluctuations in political questions, as he cast his first Presidential vote for Andrew Jackson. Later, he became a Whig and then an Abolitionist, and during

the Rebellion was a stanch Union man. He is at the present time a Republican, to which party he has belonged ever since its oaganization.

The portraits of Mr. Woodmansee and wife ap- pear in connection with this sketch, and a view of their home place is also shown.

on. Rufus W. Miles. Among the honored and respected citizens of Knox County, whose record as a public man bears upon it no spot or blemish, and whose motto through life has been " Act and deal honorably with your fellow-men," is Mr. Miles. Mr. Miles is a fair representative of what an individual can ac- complish, providing he is possessed of these three necessary requisites-pluck, perseverance and good judgment. He is at present passing the afternoon of life on his fine farm on section 34, Persifer Town- ship, engaged in agricultural pursuits.

The parents of Mr. Miles, Solomon and Eliza A. (Gilmore) Miles, were natives of Ohio and Vermont, respectively. They were married and settled in Lick- ing County, Ohio, where they resided until 1836, when they came to this county, locating in Orange Township. There they lived for one year, and in the J spring of 1838, moved to Persifer Township, and set- tled on the identical tract on which their son, our subject, is now living. There they continued to live and labor for the best interest of themselves and children, until their demise, that of the father occur- ring Oct. 6, 1876, and of the mother, July 19, 1880. The former was a Presbyterian preacher in Ohio, but while in the discharge of his duty as a follower of the meek and lowly Jesus, his health failed him and he was obliged to resign his charge His family com- prised ten children : Rufus W., Sarah O., James G., Catherine E., Benjamin S., Marion C., John S., Par- nach O., Putnam L. and Perrigrine F.

Rufus W. Miles was born in Newark, Licking County, Ohio, Sept. 21, 1822. He attended the com- mon schools of his native county until coming to this county in 1836, when he was but 14 years of age. His desire while yet a youth, was that in the future he might be a useful man, and to this end he applied himself to study and was soon prepared to enter Knox College. He, however, attended only half of the Freshman year, when he went to work upon the

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farm, and his business since that time has been mainly that of agriculture. In 1850, soon after the gold fever had swept over the country, and many thousands believed that all that was necessary to at- tain a fortune, was simply to cross the plains and gather the gold in hatfulls, almost from the surface of the soil, Mr. Miles concluded to try his luck in that far-off coast. He consequently crossed the plains, and, on arriving there, worked for one year at min- ing on Weber Creek, in Eldorado County, meeting with partial success. He, however, did not tarry there long, for, in the latter part of August of the fol- lowing year, 1851, we again find him settled on the old homestead, acting in the capacity of a sturdy tiller of the soil, and the help of his parents during the remainder of their lives.

The marriage of Mr. Miles took place in Knox Township, Jan. 18, 1846, at which time Miss Mary J. Bruce, born in Vermont, Jan. 24, 1830, became his wife. Her parente were Silas and Hannah D. (Scott) Bruce, natives of the Green Mountain State. They left that State in 1845, coming to this county and making settlement in Knox Township. Her father was a shoemaker by trade, and died while in the proseention of his vocation at Knoxville, in 1872. His wife, mother of Mrs. Miles, still survives. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce are seven in num- ber: H. Elizabeth, Mary J., (Mrs. Miles) Dwight, Lucretia M., Atlanta L., William M. and Abby C.

In the fail of 1858, Mr. Miles was elected to rep- resent his district in the State Legislature, beating his opponent, Ford, by nearly 1,000 votes. In the fall of 1878 he was again elected as a member of that honorable body, and served his constituents with credit, during the sessions of 1878-79. In 1867, Mr. Miles was appointed by Gov. Oglesby as one of the members of the Board of State Equalization, and in the fall of 1868, was elected to that office for the counties of Knox; Fulton and Mason, and in 1872, was elected to represent the counties of Knox, Peo- ria, Fulton and Stark, making a service of ten years in that capacity.

Mr. Miles was an ardent admirer of our martyred President, Abraham Lincoln, and, after Mr. Lincoln was elected President the first time, Mr. Miles sent him an eagle's quill, with which the Chief Magistrate wrote his first inaugural address. The letter written by Mr. Miles to the President, and sent with the quill, which was two feet in length, was of such elo-

quence and prophecy, that we deem it interesting to such an extent as to gladly give it place in this sketch .-

Persifer, Dec. 21, 1860.

Hon. A. Lincoln.

Dear Sir :- Please accept the eagle quill I promised you, at the hand of our Rep- resentative, A. A. Smith. The bird from whose wing the quill was taken was shot by John F. Dillon, in Persifer Township, Knox County, this State, in Feb- rnary, 1857. Having heard that James Buchanan was furnished with an eagle quill to write his inaug- ural with, and believing that in 1860, a Republican would be elected to take his place, I determined to save this quill and present it to the fortunate man, whoever he might be. Report tells us that the bird which furnished Buchanan's quill was a captured bird-fit emblem of the man that used it; but the bird from which this quill was taken yielded the quill only with its life-fit emblem of the man who is expected to use it; for true Republicans believe that you would not think life worth keeping after the surrender of principle. Great difficulties surround you ; traitors to their country have threatened your life ; and should you be called upon to surrender it at the post of duty, your memory will live forever in the heart of every free man ; and that will be a grander monument than can be built of brick or marble.

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 17

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