Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 19

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 19

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ohn C. Hearn. The biographer finds in his interviews with the people of Persifer Township, that many of the prominent and well-to-do citizens were brought here, or to the county, by their parents when they were in early childhood or youth. Their families were pioneers, and as the children grew and developed into manhood, many of them assumed the manage- ment of the business interests, not only of the fan-

ily estate but of the community, Prominent among this number is John C. Hearn, who to-day is a prosperous agriculturist, residing on section 29, of the township named. He was a ten-year old boy when, in Nov. 1835, his parents arrived in Knox County. They located in Orange Township, where they became widely known and highly respected. The father, James Hearn, died in Chestnut, and the mother, Nancy (Dix) Hearn, died in Orange Township.

John C. Hearn passed the first three or four years after coming to this county, in Orange Township, when the family moved to Knox Township, and later on he came into Persifer. As early as 1848 he purchased 160 acres of land in the latter township, where he settled and has since lived. Here he has erected a splendid suit of farm buildings, and is the fortunate owner of 400 acres of valuable land, 300 of which are under cultivation.

Our subject is a native of Kentucky, where he was born July 20, 1825. Shortly after he had reached 1 ·his 21st year, Oct. 7, 1846, he and Mrs. Eliza Mc- Pherrin nee Wilson, were united in marriage. She grew to womanhood in Champaign County, Ohio, and there married Mr. McPherrin, and immediately after, in 1835, moved to Knox County, locating in Knox Township. Here they engaged in farming until the death of Mr. McPherrin, which occurred in Knox Township Jan. 5, 1845. He was highly esteemed and respected among the early pioneers of the county. By him Mrs. Hearn became the mother of two children, John T. and William H., both of whom reside in California. They are both married and well- to-do farmers. John resides in Tehama County, and William in Sutter County. They married two sisters, the Misses Stevens, the eldest has five children and the youngest four. Mrs. H. was born in Champaign County, Ohio, Jan. 21, 1815., and was the daughter of Fran- cis and Priscilla A. Wilson. She has borne to Mr. Hearn two children, Lorena A. and one who died in infancy. Lorena is the wife of Albert Breece, of Elba Township, and is the mother of three children, Harry L., John C. and Eliza M.

During the intense excitement over the discovery of gold on the Pacific Coast, Mr. Hearn joined the great army of gold seekers, and crossed the plains, and like thousands of others his success was not flattering. Before the close of the year (in De-

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cember) he started for home, returning via the Isth- mus, reaching home the following 2d of April, 1851.

Mr. H. has been called to fill some of the minor official positions of his township, among which are that of Highway Commissioner and School Director. In his political convictions he votes and works for the Republican party. Mrs. Hearn many years ago joined the Methodist Church, though she had been reared in the Presbyterian.

Mr. and Mrs. Hearn have by industry, persever- ance and economy, succeeded in securing a hand- some competency. Their home is provided with all the comforts that are needed for the enjoyment of life, and it is here that they dispense a liberal hos- pitality with the ease and grace of "The olden time." As a farmer and stock raiser Mr. Hearn takes prominent rank among the leading men in this especially favored county. A view of their handsome residence is shown on another page of this volume, and their portraits are given, accompanying this brief outline of their life histories.

obert C. Edwards, one of the earliest pio- neers of this county, resides on section 26, Cedar Township. His birthplace is located in the southern part of the State of Virginia and he was born in the year 1818. Many years back he traveled to Illinois and located on the section where he still lives. In marriage he was united with Miss Elizabeth Ensinger, on the 5th of April, 1844. His wife was a native of Vir- ginia and was born in that State, May 30, 1825. After a union with Mr. Edwards of 39 years, she was called to the better land, Oct. 14, 1883, her remains resting in Cherry Grove Cemetery, at Abingdon, Ill.

Very little is now known of this lady's parentage, but that they were natives of Virginia is certain. In that State they lived up to the date of their death. To the devoted union of Mr. and Mrs. Edwards nine children were born, viz. : Sarah, David, Hester A., Susan, Nancy, Eliza, Mary, Esterlina and Bell, all of whom are married with the exception of Ester- lina and Bell. The latter young lady is the younger of her father's family and at present has the entire supervision of her father's household, over which she presides with unceasing care. Mr. Edwards has 56

acres of prime land in this township and a comforta- ble home, in which he has resolved to spend the re- mainder of his days. Politically speaking, he is a firm Democrat, in the fullest sense of the word.

hales H. Givens, deceased, a former resi- dent af Abingdon, and a pioneer settler of McDonough County, Ill., of 1854, as well as a gentleman honored and respected for his sterling worth and integrity by all who became acquainted with him, was born near Rich- mond, Ky., Sept. 20, 1822. He was the son of James and Martha (Miller) Givens, and moved with his par- ents to Monroe County, Ind., while yet in childhood. The grandfather died in Knox Connty at the resi- dence of his son, in 1867. The grandmother died ten years prior in Monroe County, Ind. There our subject was reared to the occupation of a farmer. He served a regular apprentiship at cabinet-making and subsequntly at the carpenters' trade, acquired his ed- ucation and lived there developing into manhood. It was in that State and county that he was united in marriage with Miss Julia Carter, in 1842. She was born November 8, 1854. She was a daughter of John Carter and was born in that part of Virginia, which at the present time is known as West Virginia. She died Jan. 9, 1874.

The union of the parents of Mr. Givens, of this notice, was blessed by the birth of ten children, five sons and five daughters, and of whom the elder five were born in Indiana, and the younger, in Illinois. Seven of the ten children are yet living: Strawther, has a biographical notice in another part of this work ; Araminta H., is living at Abingdon; Walter E., died in infancy; Laura, is the wife of W. G. Nesbit, of Evans, Col .; Newton, died in infancy : Florence, is the widow of Dr. Livy Hatchett, and resides at Abingdon ; Clara A., died in infancy ; Thales E., married Miss Olive A. Lesh, and resides in Indian Point Township, and of whom a biographical notice is given in this work; Dora F., is serving in the ca- pacity of head book-keeper in the wholesale house of Shaver & Dows, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Hattie M., is the wife of William A. Jones, of Abingdon.

Thales H. Givens removed with his family to Mc- Donough County, this State, in 1854, and was there

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engaged in the honorable calling of an agriculturist, together with that of stock-raising, until April, 1865. He then came to Abingdon, and subsequently en- gaged in his former occupation in Cedar Township, adjacent to the city. In 1872, in company with his eldest son, Strawther, and Mr. J. M. Dawdy, under the name of the Union Bank of Abingdon, they began business. Mr. Givens, nevertheless, continued his farming and stock-raising up to the time of his death, which occurred April 23, 1882. He was a gentleman of considerable ability, strictly honest and upright in all his dealings and was prominently identified with the educational interests of Abingdon, as well as of other places in which he had formerly resided. He took an active part in support of the Abingdon Col- lege and aided very materially in prolonging its ex- istence. The present Abingdon College was constructed and built under his supervision. He was an honored member of the Christian Church and in his politics, an active worker for the success of the Democratic party.

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illiam Smith, as a representative of the ag- ricultural class of Knox County, is the sub- ject of this notice, and resides on the south- west corner of section ro, Ontario Township. Mr. Smith is one of the successful farmers, respected, and honored citizens of that township, and his success in life is a fair measure of what may be accomplished by an individual possessing a large amount of perseverance and energy, for his accumu- lations have been acquired through his own exertions and not by being the recipient of any legacy.

William Smith was born in Washington County, Vt., Sept. 15, 1816, and is consequently nigh onto 70 years of age at the date of writing. He is a son of Samuel Smith, who was a farmer by occupation, a native of Vermont and of New England ancestry. The great-grandfather of our subject came from England and mnade settlement in the United States at an early day. His son, Joseph, grandfather of our subject, was born in New England and in early life became interested in the cause of the Colonies and was one of the first to enlist in their defense. He

served for seven years in the War of the Revolution and lived to see the cause of the Colonies victorious. When the War of 1812 broke out, he again enlisted, this time accompanied by his two sons, aged 12 and 14 years, they being musicians. He fought all through that war, and received no injuries of a seri- ous nature in either of the conflicts in which he participated. He was a farmer by occupation and died at the extreme age of 96 years in Vermont. His wife, Hannah (Derkee) Smith, of New England par- entage, lived to attain the age of 99 years, and died in Orange County, Vt. They have one child yet liv- ing, Mrs. Dolly White, who is a resident of Orange County, Vt., and at this writing has attained the ven- erable age of ro3 years. The entire family seemed to have been noted for their longevity. Mrs. White reads readily without glasses and in her actions is more agile than many ladies from 20 to 30 years her junior.

The mother of our subject was, prior to her marriage, a Miss Bettie Rood, born in Windsor County, Vt.] Her mother's maiden name was Betsey Kibling, the patronymic having been spelled prior to the settle- meut of her ancestry in this country, Kiblinger, the " er" having been dropped on their settlement in Vermont. Numerous among the families of that State as well as throughout the Western States, are to be found Kiblings.

The parents of Mr. Smith lived in their native State, where his father followed the occupation of a farmer until his death, which occurred in August, 1865, and that of the wife one year later, he being 77 and she 75 years of age. They were members of the Christian Reform Church. Of the 11 children born of their union, eight lived to attain the age of man and womanhood. William Smith, of whom we write, was the second in order of birth of his parent's chil- dren, and of whom seven are yet living. He remained at home, assisting on the farm and received the ad- vantages afforded by the common schools and devel- oped into manhood. In September, 1837, he left the parental roof-tree and engaged in traffic in " Yankee notions." He afterwards engaged in business in Franklin and various counties adjacent to York State and was thus occupied for about 20 years, meeting with signal success. In 1854, he disposed of his bus- iness in Franklin County and went to Montreal, Can- ada, where he engaged in the lumber business, and was thus occupied for several years. While there hẹ

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erected a wharf at a large expense to the Canadian Government and also completeted several other large contracts.

In 1859, Mr. Smith left Montreal and emigrated to this State, making settlement in this county, where he secured a four year's lease to a section of land which he broke and seeded by the following June, and from which he afterward reaped a large harvest. By the time his lease had expired he had been ena- bled to save sufficient to purchase a farm of his own and immediately invested his means in 165 acres of land, a portion of which had been improved. As soon as his lease had expired he erected a residence on the land he had purchased, into which he moved his family, and at once entered actively and energet- ically upon the cultivation of his land and the im- provement of his place and where he has continued to reside until the present time. He has added to his original purchase until he is at present the proprietor of 330 acres of as good drained and watered land as there is to be found in Knox County. His farm is supplied with two hydraulic pumps and is also drained by a sufficiency of tile to make it rich and productive. His residence is a good and comforta- ble one, heated by furnace, and his out-buildings are of a substantial nature.

December 27, 1865, Mr. Smith became united in marriage with Mrs. Margaret Frame, nee. Boher, a native of Pennsylvania, born in Washington County, July 12, 1831. She was first married to Dr. Thomas Frame, by whom she had three children : Thomas, a teacher in the public schools ; Emma, wife of James Tilden, a resident of York County, Neb .; and Ella, wife of J. F. Friend, a resident of Henry County, Ill. Her husband, Mr. Frame, died in Greene County, Ill., in May 1864. He was a practicing physician of considerable prominence. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, three children have been born, one of whom is deceased: Levi G. and Lucy R., both of whom are skilful muscians. The parents of Mrs. Smith were of German descent, and her father fol- lowed the occupation of a farmer. They emigrated to this State in 1858, and here resided until their death, that of the father occurring in 1860, and that of her mother ro years later, in 1870.

Politically, Mr. Smith votes with the Republican party. Religiously, Mr. S. and his wife are members of no denomination. Mr. Smith is a prominent fac-

tor in the Knox County Farmer's Insurance Company. He is a gentleman well-read and thoroughly posted in the isssues of the day. Mrs. Smith is a literary con- tributor of no small prominence, several of her arti- cles occurring in the Western Rural under the nom de plume of "Mother.". The landed possessions of our subject in this county and other Westean States, amount to more than r,ooo acres, a large majority of which is under an advanced state of cultivation. His stock npon his home farm, consisting of Poland-China hogs, and thorough-bred Durham cattle, are of the best quality, and in this branch of his chosen voca- tion, as well as others, he is meeting with that success which energy and perseverance, coupled with good judgment are sure to bring. As a representative of the agricultural class and a thorough-going energetic business men of Knox County, he is certainly the peer of any.

helden O. Allen. This gentleman is the son of Sheldon W. and Fidelia (Leach) Allen, whose names occur prominently in another place in this ALBUM. The subject of the present biography was born in Log City, Henderson Township, on the roth of Sept., 1838, and was the first male child born there. He was only in his second year when his parents re- moved to Galesburg, and in this city he spent his early life. His education was mostly received at the com- mon schools. Having made rapid progress he at- tended Hamilton College, Madison County, N. Y., during a six-months term. This he intended as a commencement of a college course, but being ambi- tious to uphold his Western home he returned to Galesburg and finished his school training there.

Subsequently he was employed as fireman of the C., B. & Q. R. R., and in July 1861, settled in Hen- derson Township, where he has since lived. He is the owner of 198 acres of land, which is in a highly improved state of cultivation. He was married in this township on the 25th of October, 1860, to Zipporah Edwards, the daughter of Marcus and Hannah (Ferkins) Edwards, natives of New York. They came to Knox County in 1839, and have resided in Hen- derson Township since that date. They have a fam- ily of thirteen children, of which Mrs. Allen was the sixth in order of birth. She was born in the town-

RESIDENCE OF THIS, JUNK SEC. 2. HENDERSON TOWNSHIP.

RESIDENCE OF L. F. FREDRICKS , SEC. 34. HENDERSON TOWNSHIP.

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WINNIE. NELLIE 2 (793) TELEPHONE BOY. 2744.

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PART OF HERD OF PURE BRED GALLOWAY CATTLE, PROPERTY OF MESSERS PARKER & HARDY, ABINGDON, ILL.

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

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ship named, on the 12th of January, 1844. She re- ceived her education at the common schools, and by her marriage has become the mother of four inter- esting children : Dora F., Edwin A., George S. and Laura M. Dora F. is the wife of Ben. Brown, and resides in Henderson Township. She has one child, Laura M. The other children reside at home. Mr. Allen has not been an aspirant for office of any kind and has in consequence not held any of importance in this township. He is, however, one of the most capable men in Henderson Township, and would do credit to any position of public trust.

The names of the brothers and sisters are as found below :

Rebecca became the wife of A W. Miller, and they are the parents of four children-Marcus C., Francis, Martin L. and Hannah May. Martin L. is deceased. Lydia is deceased. Sarah became the wife of Charles Rowe, and they are the pa- rents of two children-William and Arthur. George M. married Jessie Frantz, and has one adopted child, named Clinton. Bessie is deceased. Issachar is married and had one child, now dead. Mary mar- ried Andy Stewart ; one boy has blessed this union, named Othniel. Otis, now dead. Charles died at the age of 28, unmarried. Jackson is the next in order. Lula became the wife of Cooper McCord, and has one boy, named William Clinton. On the paternal side of the house Mrs. Allen is of English origin, and the maternal side is of English-French ancestry. Her grandfather, George Ferkins, was a member of the English Parliament. He came to this country and fought in the War of 1812 against his mother country. He died in 1856, at the age of 98. Her grandfather, Moses Edwards, was a soldier of 1St 2, and also fought in the Black Hawk War.

Mr. and Mrs. Allen are charter members of Fi- delity Lodge of Good Templars, of Galesburg. They are among the most active temperance workers of their vicinity, and within two years have traveled over 1600 miles in Knox and Warren Counties or- ganizing and directing temperance societies. Most of this traveling was done on Saturdays and Sun- days. Mr. Allen is a correspondent for the Republi- can Register, of Galesburg, as well as filling the office of President of the Correspondents' Associa- tion, of the same publication. He is a thoroughly progressive and enterprising man, and one who is up with the times in every respect. He is always

ready and willing to assist in the advancement of any good cause, a fact taken advantage of by many persons interested in the public good. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, of Gales- burg, where they are held in high esteem. In politics he is a Republican, active and uncompromising, and with a clearness of judgment that is rarely met with in men not holding the highest offices, decides measures of good in the public cause that commend themselves to the gratitude and consideration of his fellows.

lex. Thurman. A summary of the lives of many of the residents of Knox County are detailed on her records and go to show what claim may be made to genuine manhood, citizenship, and a place among the active workers in life. Among those none was better fitted to draw forth approbation than that of our subject, whose home was situated on sec. 29, Maquon Township, who followed the vocation of farming until his demise, which occurred in August, 1882.

He of whom we write, was born in Highland County, Ohio, Dec. 1, 1821. His parents were John G. and Dorothy (Strange) Thurman. They were natives of Ohio and Virginia, respectively. The father was born in 1795, and died in 1859. The mother was born in 1799, and is now living with her son's wife at the advanced age of 87 years.

He came to Knox County in June, 1841, and six years later, on the 26th day of November, was mar- ried. After marriage he settled in Maquon Town- ship, where he was actively engaged in following the avocation of an agriculturist, and there met with extraordinary success until his decease, as above stated.

The maiden name of the wife of our subject was Eliza A., daughter of Mark and Fannie (Merchant) Thurman. Her parents were pioneers of Knox County, coming there as early as 1829. There they resided until their demise. Mark Thurman, the father of Mrs Thurman, was the first Justice of the Peace in Knox County. His demise occurred Oct. 26, 1845. The parental family consisted of ten children, of whom Mrs. T. was the third in order of birth. February 14,1820, in Highland County, Ohio, she first saw the light. She was only seven months old upon

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her arrival in this county, where she has lived all her life, she being one of the oldest settlers in the county.

Mr. and Mrs. Thurman, of this notice, have become the parents of one child, a daughter, named Clarissa, who died at the interesting age of two years; Dec. 19, 1850, being the date of her death. Since her hus- band's death, Mrs. Thurman has come in possession of the extensive farm of 320 acres of land, 200 of which is in a most excellent state of cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Thurman, having lost their only child, have raised five children, all reaching the age of man and womanhood. The names of the children they have reared will be found below: Zeruial McCullock, who was five years of age when he was taken to raise; Loren E. Thurman was the next child adopted, he being only three years of age when he was taken as one of their children ; Catherine Potts was raised and became the wife of Luther Moats; Nettie Hall came to their home when only 13 months old and has grown up to womanhood and is now the leading sup- port of Mrs. Thurman.

ames McMurtry. Conspicuous among the prominent citizens of Knox County, and its enterprising and worthy men, useful for the characteristics they show forth, may be found James McMurtry, a brief sketch of whom may be found herein recorded. He resides on a farm situated on section 3, Henderson Township, and is respected by one and all. Mr. M. was among the early settlers of Knox County, coming here in 1829, at a time when this part of Illinois was a broad prai- rie, with nothing to break the monotony of the gently undulating country, as far as the eye could reach. His home was ir Crawford County, Ind., but his birth- place, Hardin.County, Ky., and the date of his birth Oct. 31, 1807. When he was eight years of age his parents went to Harrison County, Ind., and three years later, in 1818, moved to Crawford County, his mother dying there the same year. Here the subject lived until 1829, when his father emigrated to Knox County. The father died in Henderson Town- ship in 1851. James received only a limited edu- cation while attending school, his time being abrevi- ated to about one year.

Mr. McMurtry has engaged largely in agricultural

pursuits, and, although regretting his lack of early drill, has often demonstrated that the heart may be cultured though long mental training is denied. No one can know him long and not recall the fact that " Often in a wooden house a golden room we find. " He has devoted his time almost exclusively to farm- ing with the exception of three years spent on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.

He entered partnership with his brother William, who was afterward elected Lieutenant-Governor of Illinois (see sketch), and together they purchased a quarter-section of land in Henderson Township, and also bought a claim on another section. He then settled on section 3. where he has lived and estab- lished, and made desirable one of the finest farms in the township and county. He is one of the oldest settlers of this section of country. In 1848 he met with a severe and painful accident, one of his arms, -his right one-being caught in a threshing machine and so injured that he was obliged to have it ampu- tated. He, however, bears his loss with cheerfulness. He is at present the owner of 150 acres of land, 50 of which is timber and pasture, and has been pros- perous in almost every endeavor.

He united in heart and hand with Eliza Rice, April 5, 1829, in Crawford County, Ind. This lady was born in Hardin County, Ky., Nov. 20, 1809. She was the mother of 12 children, eight of whom sur- vive. The four deceased are : Jonathan, William, George and Ellen. Of the remaining part of the fam- ily, Minerva is the wife of Ruben Reeves and has a home in Iowa; Margaret is the wife of Michael Conley and resides in Nebraska; Lucinda is the wife Fielding Scott and is pleasantly situated in Nebraska; Andrew J. resides in Iowa; Ruth wedded John Con- ley and has a home in Kansas; Jacob resides in Iowa; Ezra makes his home in Warren County; and Harriet resides at home.

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 19

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