Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 21

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 21

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years with James Osborne, an uncle, and afterwards worked his farm on shares.

It was at this period in the life-history of our sub- ject that he became a benedict, having united his destiny with that of Miss Helen M. Duval, the date of their marriage being Feb. 5, 1857. She was a na- tive of Warren County, and was born Dec. 25, 1836, her parents being Thomas C. and Nancy (Shoemate) Duval. (See sketch of T. C. Duval.) After his marriage Mr. Vaughn and his bride lived on rented land in Henderson Township, which he cultivated for two years He then moved to Wataga, where he also worked another year. November 7, 1859, in company with his wife and children, Mr. Vaughn moved to Kansas. He made the journey in a cov- ered wagon, and four weeks after his start arrived in Pottawattomie County, of that State, and was there a resident for 18 months. The first year of his resi- idence there he was engaged in splitting rails and making posts, and the second year worked a rented farm. He then moved to Marshall County, that State, where he purchased 80 acres of land, which he subsequently increased by an additional purchase of 80 acres, on which he lived and labored until 1879. The land which he purchased was prairie but he improved it erecting thereon good buildings, and set out an orchard of apples and peaches, and in 1878, a cyclone came, which struck his place the 30th of May, and completely demolished all his buildings, and destroyed his orchard, levelling it to the ground. Strange as it may seem, it is nev- ertheless true, that none of the family were killed. There were nevertheless 33 persons killed by this cyclone, within a radius of 13 miles.

In 1879, after suffering the loss of his property by the cyclone, Mr. Vaughn returned to this State and county, settling north of Knoxville, where he lived " four years. He then moved to Sparta Township, where he had purchased a farm of 236 acres, on which he settled and is living at the present time. In addition to his home farm he has 160 acres in Knox Township, and also retains his 80 acre farm in Kansas, where he suffered such a loss of property, and where his family came near losing their lives. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Vaughn seven children have been born, Lydia A., Sarah E., James T., John O., Ellis E., Benny C. and Nancy U. The latter of whom are twins. Lydia A. married H. B. Flinn, and they have three children, Clarence, Myrtie and

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PRINCE OF ANGUS FARM.

PRINCESS 12 ( 4345 SCOT. H.B)

PRINCESS K.

PRINCESS 8 (3298 5COT. H. B.)

HERD OF POLLED=ANGUS CATTLE.

Johnnie Coope

RESIDENCE & FARM =PROPERTY OF FRANCIS WILSON , SEC . 30, PERSIFER TOWNSHIP.

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Charles. Sarah became the wife of George B. Lan- drum, and to them two children have been born, Claude G. and Charles. James T. chose Miss Hat- tie E. Weed for his wife, and they have one son, Harrison T.

Politically Mr. Vaughn votes with the Democratic party. Socially he is a member of the order of Ma- sonry. Religiously he and his wife are members of the Christian Church. The experiences of our sub- ject when he first made settlement in Kansas, were similar to those of his father when he first arrived in this county. We will not in this brief notice attempt to enumerate them all, but will simply say the coun- try was new and very sparcely settled, and his loca- tion was 20 miles from the county-seat, and there was but one house between him and that village. Sometimes he was compelled to go nearly 100 miles to obtain flour for his family, and on one of these trips, in company with six neighbors, they were gone 18 days.

oseph N. Reed. The subject of this bio- graphical narrative, is one of the proprie- tors and publishers of the Enterprise, a Republican organ in the journalistic field and a bright and newsy sheet, published at Abing- don, Ill. It is a five-column quarto and has a circulation of 750, being managed financially by Mr. Reed, and is edited by its publishers.

Joseph N. Reed was born in Henderson County, Ill., Nov. 20, 1858. He is the son of John and Char- ity (Webb) Reed. He was a bright, intelligent boy, with keen foresight and of quick native wit. He was educated in the public schools of Abingdon and sub- sequently graduated from Hedding College-one of the class of 1884. He entered into partnership with Robert E. Pendarvis, a class-mate, and the firm be- came known as Reed & Pendarvis. Their venture was the issuing of the Enterprise, a weekly Republi- can journal, and it proved eminently successful. The respective partners of the firm gained the good-will of friends and neighbors and proved themselves able, mentally and finacially, to fill their chosen positions, with all the more credit it may be said, because they

were comparitively inexperienced. The Enterprise has grown until it now ranks high among the live pa- pers of the county, and is a credit to its owners.

"ohn Mosser is a dealer in dry goods, boots and shoes, carpets and cloaks, and carries a stock valued at about $12,000, in the city of Abingdon. He is quoted as one of the town's successful merchants. Mr. Mosser was born in Preston County, W. Va., Jan. 1, 1832, and is the son of John and Susan (Frankhouser) Mosser. His father was born in Pennsylvania and comes of a direct line of German forefathers. His mother was born in Virginia, but grew to woman- hood in West Virginia, on the farm of her father.

John grew to manhood, spending the years prior to attaining his majority, in farming. He afterward went to McDonough County, Ill., in the year 1855, where he worked at blacksmithing, at Industry for nine - years, and at the expiration of that time-1864-re- moved to Abingdon, and in February, opened his present business house. He was married in the fall of 1860 to Miss Mary Carroll, in McDonough County, She is the daughter of William and Sarah Carroll, and was born in Fayette County, Pa. The fruits of the first marriage of Mr. Mosser, are two children : Samuel T., born in 1861 ; and Ida L., born in April, 1864. Mrs. Mosser passed from earth, Oct. 21, 1866, leaving her husband and children to mourn her loss.

Mr. Mosser contracted a second matrimonial alli- ance with Sarah J. Carroll, Nov. 24, 1867, a sister of the first wife, who has presented him with four chil- dren, three boys and one girl, viz .: Carlos G., Stacy C., Johnnie, who died at the age of two years; and Sarah, lost in infancy,

Mr. Mosser has been active in public service ; has been Alderman one term an Mayor two years. He has also filled the office of School Director 15 years. Mrs. Mosser and daughter are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. They own a handsome and desirable farm of 240 acres, in Cedar Township, finely improved and well stocked, and 80 acres ad- ditional, in the same township, and also a quarter section in Coffey County, with one half section in

人

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Reno County, Kas. He is a member, respectively, of the I. O. O. F. and A. O. U. W. Orders, and a use- ful man in the community in which he lives.

alcolm Smith. Among the highly es- teemed citizens of Knox Township is Malcolm Smith, a resident on section 23. whose biography is herein given. It was during the year 1862 that Mr. Smith first in- vested in real estate in Knox County, his initiatory purchase being 40 acres of land on section 23. The farm which he now owns he bought in 1867, and it was well improved even then, but in the ensuing year he commenced modernizing it, and to-day it presents a most attractive appearance and is one of the most desirable homes in the township.

Mr. Smith was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., Dec. 15, 1836. His father, James Smith, was a na- tive of the North of Ireland, and was of Highland- Scotch consanguinity and lineage. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and entered the bonds of matrimony with J. McCann, a native of the same county as her husband. Soon after marriage the young pair emigrated to America, and located in Herkimer County, where they lived until 1858. They then removed to the State of Michigan. where he bought a farm and there lived until his death, in 1863 ; his wife following in a few months.

There were nine children born of this union, the subject of this sketch being the second in order of birth. He grew to manhood and was educated to agricultural pursuits like his father before him, but when 20 years of age he tired of farın life and left it. After this he engaged as brakeman with the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Railroad. He continued in this position for 18 months, at the end of which time he was made freight conductor, and at this he continued for ten years, when he was promoted, becoming pas- senger conductor. This position he held two years, when he took another step upward and was made assistant train master, with headquarters at Joliet. He held this eight years, pleasing his employers and gaining the approbation of the people at large; re- ceived an appointment as train master, which he held nntil December, 1880, when he resigned and turned his attention to farming. The writer of this

sketch was at one time employed as conductor un- der the immediate supervision of Mr. Smith, and will say in regard to his abilities, etc., that he was considered one of the best officers on the road, a man that was well liked by all the employees and whose ability as a railroad man was unquestionable.

On the 7th of March, 1860, he entered the state of matrimony, his companion being Harriet Mar- tineau Randall. Mrs. Smith was born in Allegany, N. Y., on the 23d of December, 1839, and is the daughter of Dennison and Elexemena (Pratt) Ran- dall, both natives of New York. Her grandparents were pioneers of Allegany County, N. Y., and her grandfather, on the Pratt side, was Doctor of Me- dicine, and at one time a Representative in the New York Legislature. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the par- ents of four children, viz .: Fred M., James D., George C. and Maude R. They are an agreeable, refined and cultivated family, and Mr. Smith is a keen, wide-awake man, with an eye to public interest and alive to all questions affecting public and private good. Politically, he is a Republican. Mrs. Smith and her two eldest children were connected by membership with the Central Presbyterian Church in Joliet, in 1878, where they have since remained members.

garrison Shumaker. The records of Knox County include the names of many worthy citizens and industrious, able men, and among them may be noted the subject of this biographical narrative, a summary of whose life is herein given. He is a farmer and stock- grower of Indian Point Township, the place being familiarly known as Box-elder Grove Herd Farm, and is located one and a half miles northwest of Hermon and five miles southeast of Abingdon. He makes a specialty of stock-growing in addition to his agricultural pursuits and usually owns about 75 head of hogs, and a number of Clydesdale horses and Short-horn cattle. His dwelling is a two-story structure, commodious and convenient, the estimated cost being $2,000. His barn, 36 x 46 feet, is large and fully adapted to the purposes for which it is re- quired.

Mr. Shumaker was born in Knox County April 9, 1848, and is the son of John and Abigail (Leigh) Shumaker, both natives of Ohio, and who became

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the parents of 17 children. Harrison was united in marriage with Miss Sophia Shoemaker, in February, 1875, who was born in r850 in Knox County. She was the daughter of John B. Shoemaker, a native of Ohio, born near Columbus, July 5, 1815 ; He mar- ried Miss Sophia Rager, who was born in 1824, and who died in August, 1873. They had six children, the first of whom died in infancy ; Sarah E. married James Redwood, and she died in June, 1878; Jere- miah C. married Miss Clara Anderson, and is living in Abingdon ; Mahala J. is the wife of Robert Shu- maker and their home is in Knox County ; John L. died at the age of four years.

Mr. Shumaker of this sketch has two children, one deceased-Artie L., born Jan. 17, 1876; and Elmer, born June 29, 1880, and died Jan. 30, 1883. The brothers and sisters of our subject are as fol- lows: Robert married Miss Mary J. Shoemaker ; Phidelia, who died at the age of 16 years; Sally, who married S. P. Meek in 1873, and whose home is in lowa; Mary, now Mrs. Snyder, lives in Knox County ; William, who took for his wife Miss Ella Cashman; Niles P., who died at the age of nine years ; Clarke, who married Annie Fuller; Lincoln, who died in infancy; Ida, who married F. Moore and is now deceased; James, who died at the age of five years, and Carey, who died at the age of six, besides Della, Cora and Edna.

Mr. S. is a man that takes considerable interest in educational matters and has been School Director for a short time. In politics he is a Republican.

ndrew Adams, deceased. In tracing the history of Knox County and looking out the origin of many points in its growth, we find as its support and help the many influential, good and worthy men, who aided its founda- tion and who helped along its progress. Among these stands prominently the name of our subject, who resided on section 34, Maquon Township, and who was one of the important factors in its pros- perity.

He came to Knox County in the spring of 1857, from Rome, N. Y., being accompanied by his wife and five children. His first purchase was made on section 34, Maquon Township, where he resided un-

til his demise, which occurred July 25, 1885. Our subject was born in Ireland, and crossed the briny waters of the Atlantic when ten years of age. Upon his arrival here he located in New York State, where he remained until his removal to Knox County, in 1857.

His marriage occurred Dec. 25, 1835, at Rome, N. Y., at which time Sarah Conradt became his wife. She was born April 13, 1809, at Rome. N. Y. The issue of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Adams has been six children, bearing the following names: Char- lotte, Mary, William, Benjamin, Andrew and Martha. William and Benjamin are the only surviving chil- dren. The former married Elizabeth Jacobs and they make Maquon Township their home; Benjamin Adams became the husband of Sophia Walters, daughter of L. J. Walters (see sketch), and they are residents of Peoria.

Mr. Andrew Adams adhered to the faith of the Episcopalan Church, of which denomination he was a member. Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Adams has become the possessor of 160 acres of land, upon which she is passing the remainder of her days in peace and in the full enjoyment of a life well spent.

L. Stephenson. One of the principal merchants, and one of the most widely mk known auctioneers of Knox County, is Mr. G. L. Stephenson, of Oneida. He came to this place from an adjoining township in the fall of 1862, but had come into the county in 1850. He was born in in Kirkcudbrightshire, Scot- land, Oct. 20, 1838. His father, George, was a native of Aberdeenshire, and of an old Scottish family, who for many generations, were located on the same tract of land. The father was married in Ayershire, to Isabella McMillen, who was also of Scottish an- cestry and parentage. Both families were usually engaged in farming for many years in their respect- ive shires.

The family, consisting of eight children, of whom Mr. S. was the sixth in order of birth, were all born in Kirkcudbrightshire, and all sailed for America in September, 1850, landing five weeks later at New Orleans. I'roceeding up the river to St. Louis, by the advice of an acquaintance they located in Knox

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County a month later, settling on unbroken prairie in Copley Township. The father at once set about to establish a home and improve his farm, which he successfully managed until his death, Jan. 1, 1883, dying at the venerable age of 83 years. In religion he was a Presbyterian, and in politics a Republican. His first wife died in June, 1862, and he was again married, two children being born to him by his second wife, by name John and Adam.

G. L. was about 13 years of age when the family landed in this county, and he set about to earn his own living three years after reaching his majority. He first began to farm, and also to operate a thresh- ing machine, at which he continued three years suc- cessfully. In 1863 he came to Oneida and estab- lished himself in the grocery business in partner- ship with Mr. Shimer, continuing two years, when he sold to Mr. S., going out of business for one year, when he opened a clothing store with Mr. C. F. Mettson, this firm lasting three years. and after an interval of two years Mr. S. engaged in this pleasant place, and in the business which he has successfully conducted, and has not only done well, but achieved a good reputation for fair dealing.

In or about the year 1865, he engaged in the call- ing of an auctioneer for the people of this county, and has since achieved great popularity and success therein. His services are constantly in demand, both for stock selling and other classes of public property, and he has made not only a local but a general reputation throughout this part of the State. Although not an avaricious man, being always fair and liberal in his charges, he has acquired by his industry a pleasant home on Center Street, and also owns four acres of valuable land within the city limits.

October 26th, 1865, he was married in Copley Township, to Miss Grace L. Stewart, who was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in or about the year 1839. Her parents being deceased she came to America with her uncle, at the age of r2 years, with whom she continued to make her home until marriage. She is the mother of five children, Frank, Milton, Grace, Jessie and Geo. H. The parents are members of the Presbyterian Church, walking worthily in the precepts of religion, happy in their home life and re- spected by their friends and neighbors for those sterling virtues which have always distinguished the rugged nationality to which they belong by birth. Mr. Stephenson shirks no public or private duty, and

has served his townthip four years as Supervisor, the city two years as its Mayor, and is now a member of the City Council. He also stands high in the benev- olent orders, being a member of Oneida Lodge No. 337, A. F.& A. M., Oneida Chapter 173, R. A. M. and Galesburg Commandery No. 8, and also I. O. O. F. He is the master of his Masonic Lodge, and served as High Priest of the Chapter for many years. He is one of the solid Republicans of the county, and has taken an active part in local politics, as every good citizen should. Intelligent, genial, honest and enterprising, new fields of duty and usefulness doubtless await him, and it is of all such citizens that any community may justly be proud, fortunate in- deed to possess many like him.

R obert Young is a farmer whose home is situated on section 30, Persifer Township, and whose name and history are identified with the the pioneers of this section, as he came here in 1844, from Warren County, Ohio, and passed that winter in Knoxville. In the spring of 1845 he came to this township, and settled on section 30, thus laying the foundation for his present prosperous and desirable home. With him to attempt was to succeed, and though his be- ginning was comparatively humble, being endowed with a large degree of energy and pertinacity of pur- pose, he has gained beyond his highest expectations, the largest degree of success. This may be awarded that meed of prosperity which is the reward of indus- try and perseverance.

Mr. Young was born in Warren County, Ohio, March 10, 1821, and moderate advantages were granted him in an educational way, he attended the common school receiving a fair degree of mental cul- tivation. His parents were Jacob and Elizabeth Young, the former a native of Germany, and the latter an American, and a native of Philadelphia, Pa. Most of their lives were passed in Warren County, Ohio, where the father died in 1853. After a short period, succeeding his death, the mother came to Knox County to live with her children, but was spared to them only a brief time, dying in Abingdon, in 1859.

Mr. Young, of this writing, has engaged actively in agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. His landed possessions are extensive and desirable, in-

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

Mrs J. Wilson

francis ThiPlan

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cluding 380 acres of land, 260 of which are tillable. His " Barns are filled with plenty," and his land is beneficently productive. He lived in his native county until the year 1844, at which time he came to Knox County. He was united in marriage with Mary F. Johnston, who was born in that county June 5, 1826. She was the daughter of Edward C. and Hannah (Rusling) Johnston. They came to Knox County in the fall of 1844, and settled in Knoxville, in which city they departed this life, the father dyingin 1851, and the mother in 1882.

The family circle of Mr. and Mrs. Young has been enlarged by the admission of seven children, but three childish faces have been taken away. The four children who survive are Edward J., Hannah E., John R. and Robert L., and those gone before are Clarisa, Jeanette and Ella. A summary of the principal events in the lives of the living are given : Edward J. is a farmer, residing in Knox County ; Hannah is the wife of E. M. Collins, whose home is in Persifer Township. John R. follows agricultural pursuits in Persifer Township, and is extremely suc- cessful in his chosen field of labor. Robert L. still remains under the parental roof.

Mr. Young has held many of the minor offices in his township, and is treasurer of the Farmers' Mu- tual Fire and Life Insurance Company. Both him- self and his worthy wife are respected and esteemed throughout the community, and aid by their pres- ence and support, all noble and good enterprises cal- culated to forward and advance the interests of their fellow men. They are members of the Methodist Church, in which organization they are prominent factor. Politically he is a Republican.

rancis Wilson. Among the most promi- nent gentlemen who have adorned Knox County and are resident within her boun- daries, it is not too much to say that as one, typical and noteworthy for native ability and substantial worth, no better can be named than the subject of this personal narration. He is a farmer, residing on section 30, Persifer Township, and ranks among the foremost of the pioneers of that section, having entered its boundaries in November, 1836. He came from Champaign County, Ohio, and passed a brief time in Knoxville, where he followed

blacksmithing as a vocation. In the fall of 1837, owing to the illness of his wife, he moved out of Knoxville to his farm and immediately after the death of his life-long and faithful companion, in the spring of 1838, he removed to Persifer Township, where he settled on section 30. Here he established his home and has ever since remained.

Mr. Wilson was born in Butler County. Pa , March 1, 1809. While he was still young, his parents moved to Champaign County, Ohio, where he engaged him- self to learn the blacksmithing trade. When quite young he followed his calling with success, which he also did for about a year after coming to Knox- ville. Locating on section 30, his present home (his introductory purchase being 96 acres), he began his struggle for prosperity and success, and to-day may be counted as one of the most extensive land owners in Knox County, his possessions including 1,384 acres. He also owns 160 acres in Chariton County, in the State of Missouri. On his homestead he has erected a handsome and commodious set of build- ings, complete with every modern convenience and at once attractive, desirable and lasting.

Mr. Wilson's unre .: itting efforts and arduous toil are very marked and stand out in the history of his life with vivid distinctness, as proving beyond ques- tion the immense successes to be gained from self- reliance. He is an example to every American youth of patience and persistance of purpose. Following his business in the shop, he united with it his agri- cultural pursuits, often laboring until midnight and going into the timber during the day. The results of his labors prove that he has been far from a drone in the hive of life. His first matrimonial alliance was solemnized in Champaign County, Ohio, Jan. 17, 1833, Miss Nancy McPherrin being the other contracting party. She was a native of Ohio and bore him three children: George W., Thomas and Elizabeth. George W. is deceased; Thomas re- sides with his father; and Elizabeth is the wife of Martin Brooks, whose home is in Aledo, Ill .; Eliza- beth had previously married Daniel Anderson, and had by her first marriage five children, two of whom are deceased, and three living. The latter are as follows; James, Archibald and Francis. By her sec- ond marriage she has four children, viz. : Lucian, Lena, Emma and one unnamed. Mrs. Wilson died in Knox Township, Jan. 3, 1838.

Mr. Wilson re-married in Knox Township in Sep-

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 21

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