Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 23

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 23

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The subject of this narration was born in Fayette County, Pa., Dec. 19, 1832. The parents of Mr.

Junk were James and Elizabeth (Lincoln) Junk. Mr. Junk was the second in order of birth of a family of seven children, viz .: John, Samuel, Thomas, Sa- rah, Henry, Jackson and Robert. John married Elizabeth Robertson and they are the parents of two children, viz .: Stephen D. (deceased) and Alexander R. Thomas married Maria Kilgore. This union has been blessed by seven children : Jessie, Frank, Alvin, William, Minnie, David and Edith. Sarah is living on the old homestead in Pennsylvania ; Henry is married and has two children, James and an in- fant not named; Jackson and Robert are deceased. The paternal side of the Junk family is of Irish or- igin and from the mother's side it comes of Dutch stock.

Mr. Junk has but just reached the meridian of life, having attained the age of 54, and being hale and vigorous, may live to attain the three score and ten years allotted to man. In his earlier years he attended the common schools, receiving an ordinary education. Feeling that honest labor dignifies a man, he learned the carpenter trade, which he followed in Pennsylvania and at which he worked for two years after coming to Knox County. At Knoxville, May 20, 1858, he completed his happiness by choosing a life companion in the person of Ann, daughter of Thomas and Hannah (Dunlap) Henderson, both na- tives of Fayette County, Pa. The parents of Mrs. Junk came to Knox County in 1855 and settled in Henderson Township, where they passed the re- mainder of their days, departing this life in the same county, the mother in 1870 and the father in 1874. Mrs. Junk was born in Fayette County, Pa., March 8, 1839, and there lived until she came to this county, under the guardianship of her parents.

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Mrs. Junk is the first child of a family of seven, viz .: Hannah, Mary, Stewart, Martha J .; those de- ceased are Lizzie and Cynthia. Hannah became the wife of H. G. Shinn. They have four children liv- ing, viz .: Francis, Libbie E., Nellie and Wallace. Mary is the wife of Samuel Rankin, and they are the parents of four children, viz .: William, Mary E., Samuel and Horace. Stewart has been married, but is now single. He has a family of five children, viz. : Ada, Luella, Annie, Eva and Belle, Martha became the wife of Alexander Ritenhouse, and they have three children now living: Mamie, Jacob H. and Edna. Libbie (now deceased) was married to Tay- lor Lynn and had one child, Almond. On the pa-

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ternal side of the house Mrs. J. is of Irish origin.

To the house of Mr. and Mrs. Junk has been added four children, viz. : Lizzie H., James H., Myr- tie E. and Edwin T. Lizzie H. is the wife of Taylor Lynn and resides in Rio Township, while the other children are still inmates of the parental home. They have also taken the entire charge of Annie Henderson since she was an infant of ten months, and the little one has grown up in their midst, a source of much pride and pleasure to one and all. Mr. Junk takes an active part in educational mat- ters and has been a School Director in his district for a number of years. He is a keen, alert thinker in political matters, and is identified with the Demo- cratic party, whose sentiments he voices and whose principles he upholds.

ohn L. Bloomfield. Standing in the fore- most ranks of busy workers and among the enterprising and industrious men of Knox County, may be named the subject of this detailed personal narration. He is a

farmer, living on section 34, of Rio Township. He may be reckoned with the early settlers of this section of country, as he emigrated from Montgom- ery County, Ind., to his present home in the fall of 1845.

The subject of this biography was born in Butler County, Ohio, June 9, 1836, and was nine years of age when his parents came to Knox County. He at- tended school in his native State, receiving a good, practical education, and improving his opportunities, unlike many in young America of that date. In con- sequence of his persevering efforts, he found his drill and discipline during these years of immense advantage to him in later life. He has always taken an interest in educational matters and has been School Director for some length of time, being al- ways ready to promote the best interests of schools and scholars.

His matrimonial alliance was formed on April 1, 1858, with Elizabeth Coziah, a native of Knox County, who has borne him two children : Edwin D. and Francis M. On the 25th of June, 1868, he united in marriage (having lost his first companion,

in Henderson Township), with Miss Hannah C. Gritton. She was born in Knox County, Jan. 25, 1850

Resulting from this marriage there have been six children : LeVerne A., George E., William E., Ellis J., Videlli and Etheleni F .; William died in infancy. The parents of the subject were Isaac and Mary (Hahn) Bloomfield, natives of Ohio and Indiana re- spectively. They settled in Knox County in 1845, and there made a home, in which they continued until the day of their death, that of the father occur- ring in 1878 and the mother's in 1884. The parents of Mrs. Bloomfield were George and Lucy (Nation) Gritton, both natives of Kentucky. They came to Knox County when quite young and were married in that section of country, where they began life and were attended by prosperity in their honest efforts to gain a sustenance. The mother departed this life in Henderson Township, in 1866, while the father died in Missouri in 1882.

Mr. Bloomfield is one of the most useful men that the county includes, and is keen, quick and accurate in his opinions and decisions. Locally he is helpful and often fills some minor office. He is an active politician, and a Democrat in voice and vote. In religious belief he is liberal and large minded and is believer in the Universalist faith, with which denom- ination he worships.

ames B. Mackay. Among the prominent and influential citizens of Abingdon, whose interests have been closely connected with that place since his locating there in 1879, is the gentleman whose name heads this notice. The First National Bank of Abingdon, of which Mr. Mackay is President, was established in August, 1885, and opened its doors for business on the Ist day of September of that year, its officers being J. B. Mackay, President; M. C. Kimball, Vice-Presi- dent; W. A. Latimer, Cashier. Its capital stock was $50,000. It was an outgrowth of the People's Bank, of Abingdon, which was established in 1879, and of which M. O. Bates was President and the subject of this notice Cashier.

James B. Mackay was born in Edinburgh, Scot- land, June 24, 1845, and is a son of John and Jes- -

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

Daniel Fuqua,

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Rosana Fugua

LIBRARY OF THE L'NIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

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sie (Ross) Mackay, natives of that country. Young Mackay was reared to manhood in his native land, where he received a good education. Subsequent, to his attaining the age of manhood, he engaged in the banking business in Scotland, and was thus oc- cupied for 15 years. In 1878 he set sail for the United States, and in July of that year we find him at Galesburg. Remaining there for about a year, he removed to Abingdon, where he accepted an ap- pointment as Cashier of the People's Bank. Serving in that capacity until 1883, he was elected President of the bank, which position he held until its re-or- ganization and until it was merged into the First National Bank. He was then elected President and has held that position until the present time. He is one of the most popular business men of Abingdon, and is well known throughout the entire county. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church.

Mr. Mackay was married in Brooklyn, N. Y., in April, 1881, to Miss Anna G., daughter of Patrick R. Ramsay. She was born in Scotland, and arrived in this country April 18, 1881.

aniel Fuqua. Knox County Includes some notable and eminently worthy men within her borders, among whom may be named the subject of this recital, the details of whose history are herein recorded. He is a pioneer of this section, and after many useful years of life, spent in forwarding the interests and growth of the county, is living retired in Knoxville.

Mr. F. was born on the banks of James River, in Bedford County, Va., on the 18th day of October, 1814. His father, Joseph Fuqua, was also a native of Virginia, and the maiden name of his mother was Martha Reynolds. The State of her nativity was also Virginia, and when our subject was in his third year his parents removed to Kentucky and settled in Hart County. Here his father bought a farm and engaged in the culture of tobacco, and here they con- tinued until the fall of 1829, when he sold out and emigrated to Illinois. With him were his wife and eight children, and with both horse and ox teams they pursued their journey as far as Indiana, where they spent the winter, and in the spring pushed forward

to Knox County. Here they located at Henderson Grove, and finding a vacant cabin, of logs, on the south side of the Grove, they moved into it on the Ioth of May and resided there until the following fall. He, at this time, took up a claim in the heart of Henderson Grove and there built a log cabin of his own. He covered the roof with split clapboards, making puncheons for the floor, and splitting the boards for the doors. Just in the midst of his prep- arations, when both were most hopeful, he was cut down by death, dying in June, 1831, leaving his be- reaved widow to continue the struggle of life alone, in a new and unsettled country, with a family of eight children. Of their large family, consisting of 1 3, five were married and living in Kentucky. How- ever, undismayed, this pioneer wife and mother "took up the burden of life again, " and, calling to her assistance all the latent energy and perseverance of her nature, went on with her work. She carried on the farm with what assistance could be rendered her by the two older children until 1833, when they re- moved to what is now Orange Township, staked a claim and erected a log cabin. Here they lived for about three years, at the expiration of which time the mother sold out and removed to Hendersonville. Here she lived for many years, crowned with the re- ward of virtue and goodness, and, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. John Roundtree, in 1856, peacefully passed from earth.

The subject of this history was the seventh child in order of birth. At the age of 16 years, Mr. Fuqua came to Knox County, and in consequence of so early a settlement well remembers all the incidents of their removal here. He assisted his father and mother in the improvement of the farm, and after his father's death, being the eldest, naturally took the lead in its management. When they lived in Henderson Grove they were obliged to leave the county to go to mill, and the first year the family lived here they had to buy corn, which they ground in a hand-mill. Up to the time of his marriage, Feb. 20, 1834, he re- mained with his mother, dutifully caring for and as- sisting her, but with the natural desire of a young man to seek " the shadow of his own vine and fig- tree, " he entered the bonds of holy matrimony with Rosanna Bomar. Miss Bomar was born in Hart County, July 4, 1818, and was the daughter of Dr. Wilson and Elizabeth (Freeman) Bomar. Her father was a native of Virginia and a practicing physician,

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who came to this county from Kentucky in 1833, making the entire journey overland. His family con- sisted at that time of his wife and 1 1 children. Bring- ing household goods with him, he worked and camped along the way, and on reaching Knox County locat- ed in Orange Township in a deserted cabin, where they spent the winter. The following spring the fam- ily went to Knox Township, and taking up a claim worked it for two years, when, selling out, they re- moved to Truro Township. Here they lived for five or six years, then returned to Knox Township, where they spent the intervening time until 1848. At this date they removed to the State of Missouri, where the father died a few years later. He had practiced his profession and superintended the improvements on his farm up to this time.

The spring succeeding his marriage, Mr. Fuqua, of this sketch, took up a claim in Orange Township, and lived on it nearly one year, at the end of which time he sold it and removed to Knox Township, where he bought a claim in sections 4 and 9. On this piece of property he lived for several years, adding to it all modern improvements and highly cultivating it. Since that time he spent two and one-half years in Abing- don, going there for the purpose of giving his children the benefits of an education, but with that exception he has lived in the vicinity of Knoxville, in Knox Township, ever since entering it. The farm of 200 acres is managed at the present time by renters.

Mr. and Mrs. Fuqua are the parents of eight chil- dren, viz : Martha E., wife of A. A. Lynde, living in California ; Charles W., whose home is in Decatur County, Iowa; Eliza, wife of A. O. Temple, living in Knox Township; Mary F., wife of W. P. Carlton, whose home is in Cass County, Dak .; Celia, wife of T. W. McGill, living in Knox Township; Maria, wife of J. M. Woods, whose home is in Orange Township; Emma G., wife of C. S. Russell, who lives in Knox Township; and Ella D. resides at home; Andrew died at the age of five years; and a son died in infancy.

Mr. and Mrs. Fuqua both worship in the Baptist Church, to which they are united as members by pro- fession of faith, and to which they have belonged ever since they were young. Mr. F. is a wide-awake man and a good, logical thinker on the questions of the day, and once supported the Democratic party in senti- ment and vote, but lately gives the Prohibition party much attention. He and his good wife encountered

the sunshine and storm of 52 years of married life and are grandparents to 59 children, and great- grandparents to 7.

Mr. Fuqua assisted in the building of the fort to protect the settlers from the Indians during the try- ing times of the Black Hawk War in 1831 and 1832, and has figured prominently in the early struggles of the county. He joined the Rangers under Captain McMurtry, and was in two engagements, once after Stillman's defeat. Himself and wife were married at the residence of Maj. Ferguson, by the Rev. Jacob Gum, constituting part of a double wedding party, a daughter of Mr. Ferguson and Alex. Robinson being united at the same time. Mr. Fuqua's wife died at their residence, Feb. 21, 1886, and is buried in the cemetery at Knoxville.

In presenting the portraits of leading and repre- sentative citizens, none are more worthy of a place than that of Daniel Fuqua, both as a pioneer and leading citizen. We are pleased to give as a com- panion picture his esteemed and lamented compan- ion. Both are given in connection with this sketch.

ames L. Cashman. The subject of this brief personal narrative is one of the most important citizens and enterprising men resident in Knox County. He is engaged in agricultural pursuits and has been since he first_ came to Illinois, which was at a date far back, so early that he might be reckoned as one of the pioneers of this section of the country.

Mr. Cashman, who is a farmer residing on section II, of Indian Point Township, come to Illinois in 1848, and settled in Knox County. He was a native of Clinton County, Ohio, near Wilmington, which is the county-seat of Clinton County. He was born Jan. 6, 1836, and is the son of George and Rebecca J. (Murphy) Cashman, natives of Virginia. The father of our subject was born Oct. 10, 1798, and died Feb. 11, 1881. The mother was born Aug. 1, 1816, and died Sept. 27, 1885.

To them were born 13 children, three of whom died. Their names are here given : Elizabeth lives in Tazewell County, Ill .; Mary J., wife of J. J. Laws, has a home at Bedford, Iowa; H. R. and James L., twins, of whom Harvey R. was united in marriage

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with Rebecca Crawford and is living in Knox County, he holding a high position in the Revenue Depart- ment at Peoria, Ill .; Susan, who is the wife of Henry Bond, lives in Knox County; William M. married Miss Imogene Monroe, and their home is at Corn- ing, Iowa; David M. married Mary E. Moore, and her home was in Weldon, Iowa, up to the time of her death ; Isaiah wedded Annie Bridson, and their home is in Clarke County, Iowa; George E. married Miss Estella Hall, and lives near Corning, Iowa ; Sarah E. married P. D. Crawford, and lives near Weldon, Iowa; Henry, husband of Sarah E. Thomp- son, lives near Weldon, Iowa.

James L., of this writing, one of the twins, married Miss Matilda E. Bond, Dec. 31, 1857. She was born Oct. 10, 1844, in Clinton County, Ohio, and was the daughter of Walter and Eleanor (Moon) Bond. The father was born in October, 1800, and died in 1877. The mother was born in 1809, and still survives him, living at Herman, Knox County.

Thirteen children were born to this pair, as fol- lows : John, who married Miss Ann McFarland and died in June, r884; Henry, who united with Miss Susan Cashman; Lucy J., wife of Mr. Sam Davis ; Elemanda married Miss Sarah Cramer, Jasper was united with Amanda Callison; Levi took to wife Miss Sarah Drum; Cynthia E., wife of William Headly ; Sini, living at home with her mother; and Frank, who married Miss Emma Headly.

Mr. and Mrs. Cashman have two children : Ella B., born Sept. 28, 1858, who married W. H. Shuma- ker, and lives in Knox County ; and Oscar B., who was born July 23, 1866, and is now attending the Commercial College at Quincy, Il1.

Our subject is the possessor of 134 acres of highly cultivated land, upon which he erected, in 1866, fine buildings, a dwelling-house and convenient out- buildings. His large stock of domestic animals is complete and he makes a business of breeding blooded stock. He owns a thorough-bred Short- horn bull and is carrying on the business of breeding Short-horn animals. He also raises Poland-China pigs, and has for the past 25 years, which he sells to other breeders. He also handles horses, having two very expensive stallions of imported stock, deep bay in color and five and three years old respectively. The older one weighs over 2,000 and the younger 1,460 pounds. They were imported by Cress Bros., of Tazewell County, Ill.

Mr. and Mrs. Cashman are members in good and regular standing in the Christian Church at Her- man, of which congregation Mr. C. has been Dea- con for several years. He is also School Director, which position he has held for 19 years, and is a helpful, able man in all enterprises affecting public good. His wife is an amiable Christian lady, and well liked for her ready sympathy and willingness to respond to any call of duty made upon her. Her husband is a wide-awake man in a political sense, and watches the workings of National affairs, and is Democratic in politics. He has been Treasurer of the township three years and Commissioner for five.

obert Byram. Foremost in the ranks of prominent men identified with the growth of Knox County, may be named Robert Byram, who is widely known and distin- guished as one of the most eminently success- ful citizens and notable men of Central Illinois. He is a farmer by occupation and leads in his chosen field of labor the agriculturists of this section of the country. His patronymic is a household word, and he is conspicuous as a substantial, worthy man, and

- a desirable friend and neighbor.

Mr. Byram's homestead is situated on section 7 of Indian Point Township, and his decided liking for pursuits of this character-farming-has won him success and prosperity. In conjunction with the tillage of the soil he is interested in stock-raising, being one of the most widely known in this direction of any man in his section of the country. He raises Short-horn cattle and heavy draft horses, besides large numbers of blooded swine. His cattle num- ber 13 head, among which is a fine bull of the Vic- tor stock, who bears the name of Vinnie Duke. This animal is two years of age and weighs r,400 pounds. He is also the possessor of 12 full- blooded females of the celebrated White Rose family. He also im- ported a herd for Mrs. Mutts.

Mr. Byram was born in Fayette and reared in Highland County, Ohio. Here he passed ten years. The date of his birth was June 4, 1843, and he is the son of Lewis and Mary (Lucas) Byram, natives of Ohio. His father was born April 23, 1821, and departed this life Aug. 22, 1862, dying in the State

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of Illinois. He came to this State in 1853, locating where our subject lives. In 1842 the elder Byram took as his life companion Miss Mary Lucas, who was born in 1822, on the 16th of March. Much celebrity is attached to the name of Mrs. Byram, and her ancestors date back, in point of family history, to the Pilgrim Fathers, who so long since, leaving home and country in search of that grand liberty of conscience which is the birthright of Americans, came in the Mayflower and landed at Plymouth on that historical December day of storm. How nobly they succeeded, we who have enjoyed the fruits of their struggles with poverty and pain can tell, and we have proved that

"They have left unstained what there they found, Freedom to worship God."

They were the parents of seven children, two of whom died in infancy. Those living are as follows : Robert ; Emma J., who married Mr. A. J. Duncan, and is living in this township; Daniel, who married Miss Josephine Vandercar, and who resides at Ellis- ville, Fulton County ; Cordelia A., who wedded Mr. A. J. Spencer, and who is now living in Nevada Ter- ritory ; Charles C., who married Miss Christiana, and whose home is in Chautauqua County, Kan.

Mr. Robert Byram, of this biography, united hand and fortune with Miss Teenie Nance, the date of this event being Jan. 18, 1867. She was born Jan. 16, 1847, and is the daughter of John W. and Nancy (Simmons) Nance, who were natives respect- ively of South Carolina and Tennessee. Her father was born May 15, 1814, while Mrs. Nance was born Feb. 2, 1815, and died Nov. 13, 1872. The date of their marriage was May 24, 1836, and they became the parents of 1 1 children, namely : Rufus D., born Feb. 20, 1837 ; Francis M., Feb. 20, 1838; Susan A., April 3, 1839; Mary J., Nov. 27, 1840; Sarah E., July 16, 1842; Charles W., Aug. 11, 1844; Nancy C., Jan. 16, 1847; Martha W., Dec. 4, 1848 ; Harriet M., April 1, 1851; John A., Feb. 10, 1853; and Robert H., Jan. 20, 1856. Mr. Nance is now living in Abingdon, III., and is a farmer, besides un- derstanding the carpenter's trade.

Mr. Byram, of this biographical sketch, is the father of five children, as follows: Pearl L., born Nov. 4, 1870; Lewis M., Sept. 10, 1873; George R., March 16, 1875; Frank G., Jan. 21, 1879; and Lon R., May 29, 1884. He is the owner of 85 acres of land and is engaged in stock-raising as

already referred to. He is a useful man in a public way and has filled the office of Commissioner of Highways for one year. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. Lodge, No. 125, of Abingdon, which or- ganization he joined in 1882. He holds the posi- tion of Guide in that body. Religiously, he is liberal and large-minded, possessed of warm-hearted sym- pathies and that rare principle of manhood which " in honor prefers one another." Both himself and wife are working members of the Christian Church, she being helpful in all works of philanthropy and kindness. Politically, he is a wide-awake, keen, discerning thinker, and a fearless spokesman when he believes himself right. He is a stanch Repub- lican, the principles of which party he supports by voice and vote.

W. Dickerson, deceased. The subject of this biographical sketch was a leading citizen of Knox County, and was note- worthy for his particular success in his chosen field of labor, that of a farmer; his home was located on section 21, Haw Creek Township. He was born Aug. 3, 1821, in Southern Illinois-White County-and was married in 1843. To him were born seven children, as follows: Mary Ann, Phœbe, James T., Elizabeth J., Eliza, W. W. and Martha.

He came to Knox County in 1840, and may be reckoned among the pioneers of this section, as he bought land at that time and laid the foundation of his late home. He watched the gradual progress of the county, and was identified with its early history as a factor, and here he remained until his death, which occurred Aug. 11, 1885. He had been mar- ried twice, his second alliance being with Elizabeth Highfield, nee Connor. This union was crowned by the advent of two children-John L. and Frank W .; the former is deceased.

By her first union there were three children born- Melvina, Charles F. and Gilbert H. Melvina mar- ried James Dickenson and lives on the old home- stead; Charles F. married Charlotte Westfall and they reside in LaHarpe; Gilbert H. married Matilda Westfall and is now residing in Hancock County, this State. Mrs. Dickerson is the owner of 40 acres

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 23

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