Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 18

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 18

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" For if hearts may not our memories keep, Oblivion haste each vestige sweet And let our memories end. "

Yours truly, R. W. MILES.

Mr. Miles, in his own township, accepted the office of Supervisor, and for 19 years has been the incum- bent of that position, serving at present. He has also been the incumbent of the office of Justice of the Peace, and of Township Clerk, as well as other minor offices. Socially, he is a member of the order of Ma- sonry, and at one time belonged to the I. O. O. F. He is a true and consistent Christian gentleman, be- longing, with his good wife, to the Presbyterian Church. Having printed the foregoing letter, it is unnecessary for us to state that he is a Republican in politics, for the tone of that letter indicates, with more positiveness than anything we can say, the party to which he belongs.

Mr. and Mrs. Miles have had their home circle blessed by the birth of seven children : Lucy W., Han- nah E., Emma M., James H., Rufus H., Joseph W. and Mary J. James H. died July 27, 1877, when he was in his 21st year. The cause of his death was drown- ing in Spoon River, while bathing; Lucy is the wife of Charles Mastin, a resident of Elba Township, and she has borne her husband seven children : Carl,

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Joa, Rufus W., Winnefred, Eliza, Albert K. and Myrtle. The remaining children reside on the old homestead.

Mr. Miles has been Chairman of the Board of Su- pervisors for several years. Having done good work in the past, now in the sunset of life, he is enjoying a competency on his fine farm of 270 acres, on sec- tion 34, Persifer Township, 160 of which is tillable. He is respected by all who know him for his sterling worth and integrity, and none can point to a single act in the history of his life, wherein he has wronged his fellow-man, or where he has refused to listen to the earnest entreaty of true charity.

oamma M. Bartlett. Truly a good and honorable citizen of Knox County and a man esteemed for his popularity and enter- prise, the subject of this sketch stands out in distinct prominence among the residents of that section of country as an example of no- bility and manhood. His life has been an instance of what may be accomplished by dogged persistency of purpose that holds its own against "The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune." Mr. Bartlett owns a farm on section 17, Rio Township, and has made his home a model of taste and convenience.

Our subject came to Knox County in May, 1844, from Genesee County, N. Y., and may rightfully claim a place among those noble pioneers who left the refinements and luxuries of their Eastern homes and with spirit undaunted, entered the wilderness of the wild West, and here made for themselves and their descendents a name and a fortune. Imme- diately after reaching the West, Mr. Bartlett entered Knox County and located the foundation of what is now his beautiful home. He is the present owner of 97 % acres of land, all in a high state of cultivation. He was born in Alexander, N. Y., July 14, 1828. His father was by occupation a hotel keeper, and when Loamma was old enough so to do, he assisted him in the business. (See sketch of E. A. Bartlett.) He was allowed the privilege of attending the com- mon schools and studied with a fair amount of per- severance and industry. After coming to Knox County he began and has since followed agricultural pursuits. He was united in the holy bonds of mat-

rimony in Rio Township, Dec. 11, 1851, to Ann P., daughter of Joshua and Eliza P. (Kibby) Willitts, natives of Ohio, the former of whom died in Mercer County, near New Boston, in 1840, and the latter in Rio Township in 1875. Mrs. Bartlett was born in Milton, Ind., April 13, 1833.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett has been made perfect by the birth of two children, by name Mari- etta and Lucy M. Mary is the wife of Sylvester Thompson and resides in Washington County, Iowa, and is the mother of three children, as follows : Ed- win C., Alma B. and Arthur B. Lucy is the wife of Charles G. Farnham, and lives at Rio; she is the mother of three children, as follows: Grace B., Ray and Everett L.

Mr. Bartlett is an active public man and fills many of the local offices of his neighborhood. He has held the offices of Township Clerk and School Director for a number of years. He is dignified and elevated in sentiment politically, and always en- deavors to vote for the right man. His principles bear the Republican stamp.

homas R. Glisson. One of the well-to-do and enterprising farmers of Knox Town- ship, and standing among those persons distinguished for energetic industry and the success that crowns such effort, is the subject of this biography, who resides on section 26. When he first came to Knox Township he purchased his present farm, and has since added to and im- proved on the original, until he owns one of the finest farms in that entire section of country, comprising 220 acres of fertile soil.

Mr. Glisson was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, Jan. 29, 1815, and is the son of Thomas Glisson, who was born in Pennsylvania, in the town of Car- lisle. By occupation he was a cabinet-maker. Re- moving to Hamilton County when but a young man, he there married Miss Rebecca Runyan, a native of New Jersey. She was a daughter of Benjamin Run- yan. In 1817 he removed to Indiana and settled near Brookville, where he bought a saw-mill and en- gaged in business, working at his own trade until 1828. At that time, during the month of December, he sold out and returned to Hamilton County, where

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he labored at cabinet-making until his death, which took place in 1849, having survived his wife (who died in 1843) six years. They were the parents of ten children-six boys and four girls.

One of the sons, O. S. Glisson, is Rear Admiral in the United States Navy, now on the retired list. He was educated at the Naval Academy at Ann- apolis. The subject was the fourth son, and as soon as he grew large enough to be of any use whatever, he entered his father's shop and there learned the trade of cabinet-making. At this he worked until he attained the age of 23 years, when he learned the cooper's trade. This he followed until 1854, in Hamilton County, when he concluded to go West. Accordingly, he came to Knox County, purchased 180 acres of improved prairie land on section 26, Knox Township, and 40 acres of timber land on sec- tion 12 of the same township. He located on the former section and has there resided ever since, building up a pleasant and attractive home. The farm contains two sets of frame buildings, his only son occupying one of the houses.

He married Miss Mary Edwards in October, 1838, who was born in the city of Philadelphia, Aug. 30, 1819, and who is the daughter of William and Ann (Outterbridge) Edwards, both natives of Mary- land. To them have been born nine children, two of whom are deceased and seven now living, as fol- lows: Elizabeth, wife of James Redick, who lives in Hancock County, Ohio; Abbie, who wedded James Hadley and who lives in Yolo County, Cal .; Nellie, Sarah, Charles, Pameli and Harrie. Charles is married and carries on the home farm. The four younger daughters reside at home. Mr. Glisson has given his children the benefits of a good education. Mr. and Mrs. Glisson are active members of society and good workers in the neighborhood to which they belong, the wife and mother and four of her children being members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. G. is Republican in politics, and a wide-awake, earnest thinker.

Charles, the only son, lives on the home place and follows farming, the vocation to which he was reared. He was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, Oct. 19, 1853, and was but a year old when he came to Knox County with his parents. He married Miss Emma, daughter of Alexander and Ellen (Curl) McPherson, who was born in Knox Township, and to them has been born one child, a son, named

Oliver. Both the younger Mr. Glisson and his wife are favorites with the younger members of society, and desirable friends and neighbors. They are worshipers under the Methodist Episcopal doctrines of faith, to which Church they are connected by membership.

oward M. Griffith. Mr. Griffith farms on section 2, of Cedar Township, and was born May 4, 1854, in Knox County. He is the son of Abel and Hannah (Gore) Griffith. His mother was born near Hagerstown, Md., Sept. 13, 1811, her parents also hailing from Mary- land. This lady's parents were John and Mary (Spindler) Gore, and by the union five children were the result, viz : Jacob, Samuel, Nicholas, now living in Iowa; Rosena, through marriage Mrs. Thornburg, who died in 1877 ; and Hannah, the eldest, was the mother of Mrs. H. Griffith. She married Mr. Abel Griffith, April 2, 1854, her husband being born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Oct. 16, 1803.

The father of Abel, Mr. Benjamin Griffith, was quite a lad when he removed with his widowed mother, and though yet young took charge of her af- fairs until her death in 1845, in the State of Ohio. She was buried in Muskegon County, near Zanes- ville. Her husband was interred in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, 1816. By the marriage there were five children, William, Abel, Horatio, Rebecca A. and Elizabeth.

Through the the union of Abel and Hannah Grif- fith there were eight children: Morris, born in Pennsylvania, Feb. 17, 1836; John, Aug. 13, 1834; Ann, July 4, 1839; Mary, Aug. 24, 1840, in Ohio; William, Dec. 8, 1843, in the same State; Rebecca, March 12, 1846; Duc, May 9, 1853, in the State of Illinois; George, Aug. 18, 1848, in Ohio; Howard, May 4, 1854, in the State of Illinois ; and Francis B., in the same State, July 5, 1856. All these children, except the last named, are married.

Mr. Griffith, whose name heads this history, mar- ried Miss Edith E. Parsons, Oct. 1, 1884, the cere- mony being performed by the Rev. A. R. Thair. This lady was born Oct. 1, 1852, in Knox County, she being the daughter of Franklin and Sarah (Bul- lard) Parsons. They were natives of Ohio and Can-

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ada, respectively. He being born in Ashtabula County, in the State named, on Jan. 29, 1821, the date of his wife's birth, is, however, unknown. By this devoted union there were nine children, viz : Leonard W., Edotha E., Frank D., Ellen A., Rollin J., Lincoln E., Sarah E., Emma N. and Effie M. Of these there are five living.

The subject of this sketch had a son born Dec. 23, 1855. Mr. Griffith's farm consists of 221 acres of prime land, on which he erected a desirable two- story house in 1882. During two winters he attended the Knox Academy, where he won distinction in his classes. He had three brothers in the army ; one of them served two years and the other twelve months. John was Captain of the Red River Expedition, and was incarcerated fourteen months, at Taylor, Texas. The subject is a prominent member of the Congre- gational Church. and considered by that community a gentleman of broad sympathies, whose good con- mon sense is worthy of reliance whenever called into requisition.

lisha Humiston, (deceased) the gentleman whose name honors this brief review of a worthy life, was one among the earliest pi- oneers of Knox County, Ill, having arrived in the State in 1834. He was born in Connecti- cut not long subsequent to the War of Inde- pendence. He was twice married, his first wife being Elizabeth Hartshorn. Two children, a son and a daughter, were born to the union, Hartson and Almira, both births occurring in Broome County, New York. The daughter married Mr. Gary Rugg- les, a gentleman of prominence. While the country was still a wilderness, Mr. Humiston moved from Connecticut to Broome County, New York, and re- sided there until 1834, when he came to Knox County, Ill., settling in this township.

Having lost his first wife he married Betsy Noble by whom he had four children, Elizabeth, Phoebe Delia and Hobert. The last three were early asso- ciated with the history of Knox County. Hartson Humiston, who was born in Broome County, N. Y., April 3d, 1805, was married in that place to Miss Mary Church, June 28, 1832, five children being the result of the union; Cyrus J., Mary E., Helen M., Francis M. and Joanna. The last named being the

wife of Joseph F. Latimer, of Cedar Township, Knox County Ill.

In 1846 Mr. H. Humiston emigrated with his fam- ily from New York to Knox County, and immediately engaged in farming, with profit to himself and much fatisfaction to those who had dealings with him, he continued in this occupation until his death, July 6, 1876.

rasmus J. Easel. Among the more prom- inent and enterprising farmers of Knox County, noteworthy for persistent industry, and financial ability, may be counted the sub- ject of this sketch, a brief summary of whose personal history is herein given. He owns a farm on section 10, of Indian Point Township, and upon it stands a pleasant and attractive home. He is within a convenient distance of town privileges, living two and three-quarter miles southeast of . Abingdon.

Mr. Easel, of this writing, was born in Adams "County, Ill., March 28, 1855, and came to Knox County in 1865, at the age of ten years. Considera- ble attention was given to his educational training and he seemed to possess a natural predilection for intel- lectual industry. He attended Hedding College three terms and his application won him golden opin- ions. He is the son of Harvey D. and Margaret (Sampson) Easel, the former of whom was born in Ohio, in 1831, and the date of the latter parent's birth not being positively known, the records, by some unfortunate circumstance being lost.

Mr. Easel, of this sketch, lost his mother when about eight years of age. She died of congestive chills, the date of her death being 1863. She was the mother of five children, by name : Mary E., who died at the early age of four years; Erasmus, Silas, Mary F. and Jennie F.

Mr. and Mrs. Erasmus Easel were united in the holy bonds of wedlock, July 3, 1878, and his wife's maiden name was Mary Elwell. She was born Feb. 9, 1859, and was at the time of her marriage, 19 years of age. She is the daughter of Jacob and Har- riet (Haynes) Elwell, and her father was born in In- diana, July 4, 1835, while her mother, Miss Harriet Haynes, first saw the light of day, Oct. 2, 1841. The father now lives in Van Buren County, Iowa. She

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Jonathan Paturner

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died Aug. 20, 1865, leaving one child, a daughter, who is the wife of our subject. One year after Mrs. Elwell died, Mr. Elwell remarried, Mrs. Emily A. Laymon, of Ohio, being his chosen companion. Both she and her husband survive, and are living in the State of Iowa. To them were born five children, viz: Arominta, who died in infancy; Anna W., Myra, Hattie and Ora. To Mr. and Mrs. Easel, of this sketch, have been given two children : Harley D., born April 18, 1879; and Jamie R., Aug. 30, 1882.

Mr. Easel is the owner of roo acres of fine land and devotes himself to the breeding of good blooded cattle. He has always been prominent in public affairs and has held the office of School Director for a long period. In politics he affiliates with the Re- publican party and keeps his eyes open relative to public and private good. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Abingdon, and formerly attended the St. Mary's Seminary at Knox- ville, at which institution she remained two years. Mr. Easel has an intelligent and interesting family and the home is a place of pleasant resort to friends and neighbors.

onathan Latimer. As consistency is ever a trait in the records of remarkable men, one can scarcely recall the name of the sub- ject of this biography without at the same time being struck with the roundness and complete unity in character of the man immediately under our notice. Mr. Latimer, now deceased, whose pen portrait is given here, was one among the earli- est pioneers of Knox County. He settled in the year 1832, though arriving in Illinois as early as 1829. At the home of his parents in Robinson County, Tenn., the boy was born May 23, 1803, his father being Elder Joseph and his mother Anna (Dobbins) Latimer.

Descended from one of those old and sturdy New England families who played a most conspicuous part in the struggle for American Independence, Mr. Latimer through a life devoted to duty and the good of his fellows, lost none of those strong traits which so distinguished his ancestors. During the Revolu- tionary War the grandfather of Jonathan held rank

as Colonel, and contributed to the Colonial forces no less than twelve sons, each serving under his gal- lant father's command. On the 24th day of Fel). 1824, Miss Nancy West became the wife of Jonathan Latimer. After his arrival in Illinois in 1829, he took up his abode in Sangamon County. Three years later, however, the subject of our sketch finally located in Knox County, upon section 28, in what is known as Ced ir Township. At the date referred to the township only numbered four other families, proving the rapid growth during the past half cen- tury of that now prosperous district. Deciding to make his home on the newly located section, Mr. Latimer at once engaged in farming and stock rais- ing, a vocation which he followed creditably and with profit up to the date of his demise, the 4th of Aug., 1866.

The children born to the Latimer family were ten in number; Mrs. Latimer through a course of long years proving a most exemplary mother of the old time school. The family at the date of writing are disposed of as follows : Emily is the wife of J. B. F. Chesney, of Abingdon ; Mary Latimer is deceascd ; Alexander married Miss Julia Meek, and is living in Winnebago City, Minn .; Louisa twice married ; first to Joseph Meek, but is now widow of L. C. Bacon, liv- ing at Abingdon ; William (deceased) married Eliza- beth Humiston, who lives now in Abingdon, her husband dying in the year 1872; James married Jennie Hartford, and resides at Pleasanton, Kas .; Anna became the wife of Charles Foster, now dead; Clara is the wife of Mr. F. C. Wells, of Wheaton, Ill., and a prominent business man in Chicago; Jo- seph F. married Joanna Humiston, and resides in Cedar Township; Columbus married Angie Ranson, and lives in Tiogo Center, N. Y.

Early in life Mr. Jonathan Latimer became a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church. At the Cherry Grove Presbyterian Church he subsequently became one of the original members, and was leader among the leading Elders of that body. As one of the chief founders of the Cherry Grove Seminary, and most incessant worker in the cause of education Mr. Latimer's name will be remembered by not only those who were benefitted, by but those who took an active part in the good work of the hour. During the latter 25 years of his life he engaged in various business and manufacturing enterprises. During the building of what is now the C., B. & Q. Railroad,

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he contracted to tie the road to Quincy, and was connected with it until his death.

Seconded and encouraged by one of the most de- voted and loving among wives, Mr. Latimer's zeal in the cause of religion grew daily, and his upright and honorable intercourse with his fellow-men be- came a subject of remark.

He was not only open-handed but generously bountiful to all who really needed his help, or desired to help themselves. This was a common trait in the Latimer family, and is shared to-day by the wife who survives this good man. At Abingdon, where she now resides, the universal respect and love shown this lady is not lost. She is in her eighty- fourth year, being born in North Carolina in 1802.

lof Johnson. The senior member of the firm of O. Johnson & Co., manufacturers of boots and shoes at Abingdon, whose business was established in 1881, and who is associated with his son, M. C. Johnson, is the gentleman, the brief outlines of whose personal history are herein given.

The subject of this biographical notice was born in Sweden, Nov. 5, 1826, and is the son of John and Matilda (Swanson) Matteson. In his native country he learned the shoemaker's trade, entering his ap- prenticeship when a boy of 12 years. He is fully master of his trade, having worked at it continuously for almost 47 years. He emigrated from Sweden to America in the year 1854, coming directly to Illinois and settling in Galesburg, where he worked at his trade for a few months and from which city he re- moved to Abingdon. Here he continued a year and a half, working as before at his trade, and then re- turned to Galesburg, and subsequently, in [859, to Monmouth. Here he labored a year and a half and again cast his lot at Galusburg, where he went into business, in which he remained seven years.

Leaving this he engaged in farming in Knox County, in 1871, but relinquished this after two years experience, when he moved to Abingdon, where he worked as journeyman till 1881 and then commenced business for himself, forming, in 1882, the existing partnership with his son, M. C. Johnson.

Mr. Johnson, of this writing, took to wife Miss

Ellen, daughter of Swan Matteson, Oct. 22, 1855. They were married at Galesburg, and the result of their union is seven children, four of whom lived to grow up, and of which number three survive, as fol- lows: Matilda, wife of Peter E. Nelson, of Stanton, Iowa; Carrie, who died at the age of 12 years; M. C., the junior partner of the firm of O. Johnson & Co .; and Joseph, the youngest. Mr. and Mrs. John- son are useful members of the community in which they reside and congenial friends and neighbors. They are devoted members of the Congregational Church to which they both belong.

ohn W. Head. Among the citizens of Knox County, who have won repute as en- terprising men and substantial persons in a social way, may be reckoned John W. Head, a farmer living on section 3, of Indian Point. Township. To speak of him as one of the most able and sound residents of this section of country, is the only way in which to convey a com- mensurate idea of his worth.

The gentleman of whom we write was born in Highland County, Ohio, Dec. 29, 1846, and came to. Illinois, Oct. 2, 1853. His parents located at Ma- comb, McDonough County, and he remained under the parental roof until 1864, and came with his wid- owed mother to Abingdon. Nine years previous to this time, his father had realized the truth that " To every man upon this earth, death cometh soon or late, " and yielding up his life went out into the great unknown Country. The parents of John W. Head, our subject, were Wilson and Sarah (Foraker) Head.

Wilson was born in Ohio in 1822, and died at Ma- comb, Ill., Oct. 2, 1855. He occupied the pulpit at the Methodist Episcopal Church, at that place, and taught school in the western part of the city, devo- ting himself to religious and intellectual pursuits, with the honest desire to lay the foundations of good citizenship and practical Christianity. He united in marriage, in February, 1845, with Sarah Foraker, who was born in Highland County, Ohio, May 22, 1837, celebrating his nuptials at the date previously stated. In August, 1860, she married Rev. W. B. Carithers, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with whom she lived until her death, Jan. 12, 1878, which

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

John & Learn

Eliza. Abearin

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occurred at Tulon, Stark County. Mr. and Mrs. Head were the parents of three children : John W., the eldest ; Margaret S. and Mary E., the two latter of whom were twins. Margaret died at the age of two years, but Mary, who grew to womanhood, was uni- ted in marriage with H. B. Lequatte, of Rock Island County, on the 7th of June, 1872, and their home is in Drury Township, Rock Island County.

John W. Head formed the acquaintance of, and subsequently married Miss Ella Scott, Sept. 19, 1878. She is the daughter of W. K. and Sarah J. (Stickle) Scott, and was born Oct. 31, 1851. Her father was born in Kentucky, Jan. 4, 1822, and her mother April 4, 1829, in Pennsylvania. This pair were the parents of nine children, viz : Mary J , born Jan. 12, 1850; S. Ella, Oct. 3, 1851; Susan M., in 1853, who died in 1856; Annabel, Paulina J., Fannie F., Emma, Myra, Martin E. and one who died in infancy, unnamed.

Mr. Head is the owner of So acres of fine land in [ a high state of cultivation, lying one and one half miles from Abingdon. He is engaged in the breed- ing of Short- horn and Polled-Angus cattle, and has been highly successful in almost every venture, he has undertaken, all efforts of his resulting in the ulti- mate improvement of his possessions. Himself and wife are consistent and worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his fitness for of- fice has given him a place in many of the local posi- tions of his neighborhood. He has held the office of Pathmaster for an extended length of time, and has an interest in politics. He is a Republican in be- lief and by vote. He is the father of but one child, a boy, now in his sixth year, whom he proudly des- ignates as his son and heir; the date of his birth was March 25, 1880.

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 18

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