Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 24

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 24

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LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

LATE RESIDENCE OF I.N .WEST, (DEC.) SEC.2,SALEM TOWNSHIP.

RESIDENCE OF HARMON BROWN, SEC . 30, HENDERSON TOWNSHIP.

RESIDENCE OF JOSIAH NELSON, SEC. 2, ELBA TOWNSHIP.

SILVER LEAF FARM . RESIDENCE OF JOHN R. SMITH , SEC. 34, SPARTA TOWNSHIP.

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of land, on which is erected a good house, neat and convenient, with all needed out-buildings. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a lady of high attainments, of many graces of mind and character, and is esteemed and respected by the en- tire community.

armon G. Brown. Among the thoroughly representative men of Knox County the name of Harmon G. Brown stands out prominently. He is a farmer on section 30, of Henderson Township, and first arrived in this county in November, 1830, from Mead County, - Ky. Settling in Henderson Township, he has re- sided there since that date. He owns 175 acres of excellent and mostly tillable land. He is a native of Kentucky, where he was born on the 20th of Decem- ber, 1803. In this latter place he resided up to the date of his coming to Knox County. Since first start- ing in life he has invariably allied himself with agri- cultural pursuits. For the first time he married in Mead County, Ky., on the 7th of Feb., 1828, Han- nah M. Hascall, who was herself a native of Ken- tucky. In eight months after her marriage she died, on the 17th of October, 1828.

He was for the second time married in Warren Co., Ill., in September, 1840, to Nancy Hogan, a native of Harrison County, Ind. This good lady was born on the 23d of June, 1820. By this union twelve children were born, viz: John, Henry C., Margaret, Alfred, Joshua, Frank, Laura, Freeman, Samuel, Ben, Harmon and Mary. Henry C., Margaret, Joshua and Harmon are deceased. John was mar- ried to Ellen Cox, and resides in Warren County. Henry C. was a member of Co. C, 17th III. Vol. Inf. This gentleman was accidentally killed by the ex- plosion of a shell while seated at breakfast, shortly after the surrender of Vicksburg. He was a gallant soldier and a loyal patriot, and one of the very first numbering among the volunteers. Alfred was mar- ried to Irena Mclaughlin, and resides in Kansas, where he follows the occupation of a farmer. Frank was married to Hannah Ramage, and resides in Kansas, where he also follows farming. Laura is the wife of James C. Heflin, and lives in Kansas. Free- man was married to Annie C. Coolidge, and is now residing in Warren County. Samuel married a lady of

Kansas, in which State he resides. Ben became the husband of Dora F. Allen, and resides in Henderson Township, where he carries on the old home farm. Mary is the wife of E. Bonesteel, and also resides in Henderson.

The subject of this history was elected at one time Justice of the Peace, but soon resigned the office. In their religious belief Mr. and Mrs. Brown are Uni- versalists and in excellent standing in their commu- nity. This gentleman's six sons as well as the father are thorough-going Republicans. Mr. Brown him- self has always watched the interest of his party, and never permits any public measure to escape his notice without carefully calculating its issues for the good or evil of his country. He has, with the excep- tion of two elections, voted at Henderson ever since it was made a precinct.

ames Bale. Resident within the borders of Knox County are many men of native worth and force of character, whose perseverance and patience have won them a high place upon her records, and foremost among these may be found the subject of this biographical recital, and the principal events of whose career are narrated in the subsequent paragraphs. His home is located on section 29, of Haw Creek Township, and by vocation he is a farmer and stock-raiser, to which united occupation he gives his most earnest attention.

Mr. Bale was born in Devonshire, England, Oct. 15, 1829, and is the son of John and Charlotte (England) Bale. The father of Mr. Bale came to America in r841, and one year later James and John came to join their father, the mother dying in England when James was but four years of age. On first arriving in America he stopped in New Jersey ; remained there a few months, then went to Pennsyl- vania, where he tarried for four years. From that State he removed to the northern part of Ohio, where he continued until 1854, and in 1862 he en- listed in the toth Ill. Vol. Inf., in Saline County. He had been in the army six to eight months when his health gave way, he being at the time 65 years of age, and susceptible to disease. He was sent to the hos- pital, but undertook to evade his duty and go home,

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and was captured by some rebel guerrillas and shot- at least this was the report of his fate which reached his sons.

In 1850 Mr. Bale took a trip to California, which he made with a team in company with Oliver Ulan. In California he remained nine years, working in the mines, and while in that State was married to Lydia Bartlett. She was a native of Illinois, and died about ten months after her marriage, this being in 1854. In 1858-9 he left that section of the country and went to Ohio, where he staid a short time, then went to Saline County, Ill., and bought a farm of 240 acres. On this he labored for four years, and at that date moved to Knox County, settling in Haw Creek Township. Here he has lived up to the pres- sent time. He was married a second time to Ma- tilda P. Parke, Dec. Dec. 18, 1860. She is the daughter of David and Matilda (Taliaferro) Parke, and was born in Clermont County, Ohio, July 9, 1832. The mother of Mrs. Bale is a cousin of Gen. Zachary Taylor. They have one son by adoption, who was born July 26, 1878. Mr. Bale owns 254 acres of good land under fine cultivation and well improved, on which are erected first-class buildings. In politics he is a Democrat, supporting and voting with that party. Mrs. Bale is a member of the Bap- tist Church.

rederick P. Foltz. Among the prosper- ous business men of Abingdon, and who has long been closely identified with the best interests of the city, is the gentleman whose name heads this notice. He embarked in the drug business there in 1865, but to this line subsequently added groceries and farm implements. Since 1879, however, he has dealt exclusively in drugs, paints, oils, books, stationery, wall-paper and farm implements, and carries an average stock of about $4,000.

Mr. Foltz was born in Franklin County, Pa., Nov. 15, 1830, and is the son of Christian and Hannah (Kieffer) Foltz. He was reared and educated in his native county and there served a regular apprentice- ship to the carpenter trade, after which he was con- tinuously occupied in that work during the year he -

remained a resident of that State. He was married at Waynesboro, Pa., Oct. 8, 1855, to Miss Melinda C., the accomplished daughter of George and Susan Jacobs. Mrs. Foltz was born at Waynesboro, Pa., Dec. 7, 1833. In 1857 our subject, with his family, moved to Kansas and was there engaged in agricult- ural pursuits until 1860, when, on account of the unsettled condition of affairs at that time, it being just prior to the war, he returned to his native State. There he worked at his trade until the close of the war, in 1865, when he again came to Kansas. Not being favorably impressed with the portion of that State which he visited, he came to Abingdon and en- gaged in the mercantile business, and has been prominently identified with the growth, not only of Abingdon, but of Knox County, since that time. He took an active part in aid of the construction of the Peoria & Farmington, now the Central Iowa Rail- road, and was a member of its Board of Directors. He was an earnest worker in securing local aid in the interest of the road. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Union Bank, of Abing- don, and has been its Vice-President since 1880. In addition to his drug and stationery business, he is extensively engaged in the sale of agricultural imple- ments, together with wagons and buggies. He is also a farmer and stock-raiser, having a fine farm of 310 acres, lying on the west line of Cedar Township. On this splendid place he keeps an average herd of 40 head of full-blooded Short-horn cattle and also a herd of 75 head of high grades. He is a gentleman of more than ordinary ability as a business man, and what he possesses of this world's goods, which is an abundance, he has acquired through his own energy and perseverance.

Mr. and Mrs. Foltz are the parents of six chil- dren, two sons and four daughters: Louisa Belle was born at Chambersburg, Pa., July 17, 1856, and died Sept. 22, 1857; Jennie Augusta was born in Shawnee County, Kas., March 20, 1858; George F. J. was also born in that county, Nov. 5, 1859, and died April 18, 1864; Frederick Luther was born in Waynesboro, Pa., Feb. 25, 1862, and died April 18, 1864, in Kansas. Linnie M. was born Nov. 23, 1867, in Abingdon; Lillie M. and Helen D. (twins) were born at Abingdon, Aug. 25, 1870; the former died September 15, of the same year.

Mrs. Foltz united with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in June, 1849, and Mr. Foltz Nov. 23, 1850.

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On coming to Abingdon and finding no church of their denomination, they united with the Cumber- land Presbyterian, with which they have since held fellowship. This, however, is now known as the Congregationalist.

rasmus A. Bartlett. One of the most pro- gressive and conspicuous citizens and pub- lic men of Knox County, through whose enterprise and vim matters pertaining to the public good are carried on, is proposed as the subject of our sketch. He is one of the repre- sentative farmers of Rio Township, and resides on section 16, a home that his energetic labors have made beautiful and attractive.

Mr. Bartlett came to Knox County in 1844, from Genesee County, N. Y., when he was 14 years of age. He has since made this section of the country his home, and is looked up to as one of the most sub- stantial men of the community to which he belongs. His birthplace was Alexander, N. Y., and the date of his birth Dec. 24, 1830. He received a common- school education up to the time he was 14 years of age, when he came to Illinois. He has a greater part of his life been engaged in agricultural pursuits, for which he entertains an honest liking. He is at the present time owner of 116 acres of good farming land, tillable and under a high state of cultivation.

He was married in Henderson Township in 1855, to Helen Sears, who was a native of Cortland County, N. Y., and who was an estimable lady and devoted wife. To him she has borne five children, by name Frank S., Mary A., Harry C., Nellie B., Carrie A., of whom Frank and Carrie survive. Mrs. B. died Nov. 12, 1869. Frank has a home in Galesburg. He was married to Sarah Fleahearty, and they are the parents of three children-Alice H., John D. and William A. Carrie is a teacher of much success and popularity in the State of Iowa.

Mr. Bartlett formed a second matrimonial alliance in Oneida, Aug. 17. 1870, with Elizabeth (Slocum) Edwards. She was the daughter of Michael and De- borah (LeValley) Slocum. On the paternal side, as far as can be traced, Mrs. B. is of American origin. On the maternal side she dates back to French an- cestry. She has one brother, and by the second

marriage of her father she has four brothers and two sisters. Two of the brothers are now deceased. Mrs. Bartlett was the widow of John Edwards, who died in Nashville, Tenn., during the war.

He was a member of the 102d Ill. Vol. Inf., Div. 18, which he entered in the year r862. By this marriage there are two children-Charlie E. and Sarah M. Mr. Bartlett is in politics a member of the Republican party, which he stanchly upholds. His parents, John D. and Sarah (Pryor) Bartlett, were natives of Vermont and England, respectively. They came to Knox County in 1844, settling in Rio Town- ship, and may be properly called pioneers. In this part of the country they died, he on March 20, 1883, and she followed him Feb. 12, 1885. They were estima- ble and highly respected old people, standing alone with whitened heads and diminished vigor, and the highest praise they needed and received, for the usefulness of their lives, was the respect and rever- ence of dutiful children and affectionate friends.

They were the parents of five children, viz .: Li- vonia A., Loamma M., E. A (see sketch) the subject of this notice, Sarah M., John D., Jr. Livonia A. married Elisha C. Field. They have had three chil- dren, all deceased. Sarah M. became the wife of Edwin R. Rhodes. The husband and wife are both dead. They left one child, Edwin B., to mourn their loss. John D. Jr., married Miss Mary A. Chat- terdon.

-Y-

ames M. Fleming was one of the early set- tlers of Oneida and of Knox County, com- ing to the former place in 1856, when it was a mere hamlet and when the county was yet sparsely peopled. He was a native of Mus- kingum County, Ohio, where he was born June 22, 1811, his parents being Virginia people. He was a farmer, and after enjoying to a limited extent the meager educational advantages of that early date, was married in his native county to Emily Wells, who was born in Licking County, Ohio, Oct. 18, 1815. Her parents, William and Susan Wells (her mother's maiden name was Bigelow), were natives of Connecticut, of New England ancestry and of En- glish descent. They came to Ohio before their mar- riage, were pioneers in that State, living after their marriage in Licking County till the death of the

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father, after which the mother re-married, going to Muskingum County, where she died. Mrs. Flem- ing was five years old at the time of the death of her father, and when 12 years old went to live in the family of Rev. Solomon S. Miles, then a resident of Newark, Ohio, and with whom she remained till within a few years prior to her marriage to Mr. Flem- ing, which took place March 10, 1836. They con- tinued to reside in Licking and Muskingum Counties till they moved to Oneida, in 1856, where they partly improved a farm of 160 acres in Ontario Township, which is owned by Mrs. Fleming and to whom it was bequeathed by her father at his death.

Mrs. Fleming is the mother of three children only one of whom is living-Mrs. Susan M. Barnes, wife of P. J. Barnes, of Del Rio, Texas, where they own a comfortable home; Clay died in Ohio, aged two years ; and Emily A. became the wife of F. M. B. Scott, died in Oneida after a few years of married life, Sept. 1, 1876, leaving one child and losing one before her own demise. The name of the child liv- ing is Ira J.

Mr. Fleming was an active temperance worker and a stanch Republican, took considerable interest in local politics, and after a long and happy married life, a life of usefulness and devotion to friends, fam- ily and duty, he rests in peace beyond the turmoil of earth and its cares, mingling now with the great majority in a "land that is fairer than day." His death occurred April 26, 1867.

dwin Brainard, a farmer of Knox County, may be cited as one of our most success- ful and prosperous men. He came to Illi- nois in the year 1855, and purchased a new, uncultivated farm of 160 acres. He erected a small house and there commenced what has since become his home. During the subsequent years he has added many improvements and fertil- ized his farm to such an extent that it now ranks among the best farms in the State. His land is in a high state of cultivation and his home is an attract- ive and pleasant one. His farm buildings and adja- cent out-houses are first-class. He owns large numbers of blooded stock, which he has been suc- cessful in raising.

Mr. Brainard is the son of Jephtha and Catherine

(Comstock) Brainard, who were formerly of New En- gland. They afterward removed from that sec- tion of the country and settled on what has long been known as Webster Hill, Oneida County, N. Y., where Edwin was born Nov. 9, 1809. Some time later his parents went to Whitestown, a small village situated in the same county. Here the subject of our writing passed the years of his boyhood with his parents (see sketch of Jephtha Brainard, of Oneida), up to the date of his marriage, which happy event took place in Western Oneida County, Dec. 21, 1842, Miss Mercy White being the other contracting party. Mercy (White) Brainard was born in West- ernville, Oneida Co., New York, Oct. 7, 1820. She was the daughter of Moses T. and Phebe (Philips) White, natives of New York and Massachusetts, re- spectively. Mrs. Brainard's father was by occupa- tion a farmer. He was married in Oneida County, and both himself and wife lived and died there. He was a prominent actor in local affairs, and, relating to his township, energetic and enterprising. They both lived to attain advanced years, the mother being 53 and the father 80 years at the date of their demise. Mrs. Brainard was the eldest daughter of a large family, comprising 11 brothers and sisters. She was the valued companion and assistant of both father and mother, up to the date of her marriage. She is herself the mother of five children, having lost one by death. Anna, residing at home, was formerly a teacher in the public school. Everett, the second, married Anna E. Osborne, and at this writing re- sides in Seward County, Neb., where he is engaged in farming. They are the parents of three children. Carrie, the third, is a graduate of Lombard Univers- ity, of Galesburg, and is a young lady of fine mental endowments. After leaving the University at Gales- burg she graduated a second time from St. Lawrence College, Canton, New York State. She has devoted her entire time and talents thus far in her life to her studies, with marked industry and ardor. Since the year 1880 she has preached the doctrines of the Universalist Church, and given much time and thought to religious points of belief. Four years of her pastorate she spent at Leroy, Ill., and is at pres- ent preaching at Girard, Ill. She is frequently des- ignated as strong-minded, and is in character an interesting and highly cultivated lady, as well as a fluent and eloquent speaker. George W., fourth in order of birth, married Carrie S. Cummings, who was

LIBRARY OF THE , UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

John M. Hayes

VIEW OF RESIDENCE AND BARNS, LOOKING WEST.

78.5%

PAT MALLOY. CENTENNIAL PRIZEWINNER.

FRANK MALLOY.

HONEST WILLIAM, ( 280G ENG. S.B.)

RESIDENCE & STOCK-FARM OF JOHN M. HAYS , SEC. 34, KNOX TOWNSHIP.

- - ---

LIBRARY OF THE L'NIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

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KNOX COUNTY.

born and reared in Knox County. They settled on the Brainard homestead and cultivated the farm where they reside at the present time.

Mr. and Mrs. Brainard, of this sketch, immediately after marriage, settled on a farm located in Lee Township, Oneida County, State of New York. Here they passed 13 years, at the end of which time they removed to Illinois. Coming to this State, they dis- posed of their farm in Oneida County, which com- prised 64 acres. Both are highly respected citizens, agreeable friends and good neighbors .. They are active members of the Universalist Church, in full and regular standing. Politically he is a Republi- can.

ohn M. Hayes. Included among the wor- thy citizens of Knox County and the able farmers of that section is the subject of this historical sketch. His effective manage- ment of his farm, situated on section 34 of .. Knox Township, gives him a place among the leading members of society resident in the county. He is actively engaged in agricultural pursuits, for which he has a decided liking, and also in the breed- ing of fine blooded stock, consisting of horses and cattle.

Mr. Hayes was born in Franklin Co., Pa., in 1816, on the 9th of July. His father was a native of Dau- phin County. The grandfather of our subject, Da- vid Hayes, was also a native of Dauphin County, and came, when the father of our subject was but a small lad, to Franklin County, where his son grew to manhood, remaining with him until his marriage. This matrimonial connection, which was celebrated within Cumberland County, was with Miss Mary McCune. She was born in Cumberland County, and at the time of marriage settled with her young hus- band on a farm given to him by his father, near Green Castle. There they lived for three years, then sold out and bought near St. Thomas, where they lived for a few years and then removed to a point near Mercersburg, at which place the father died.

There were born to them 10 children, five of whom are now living, the subject being the fourth child in order of birth. He grew to manhood in the State of

his nativity, living on the farm until he reached his 16th year, when he took charge of his father's farm, which he managed till 1848.

Our subject was united in the bonds of wedlock during that year with Phebe F. Grantham, who was a native of Jefferson Co., Va. John and his brother had previously bought a farm near Mercersburg, and after marriage he bought his brother's interest and worked the farm himself. One year afterward he sold his property, removing to Chambersburg, where he rented land for three years, and in 1853 came to Illinois, locating in Knox County, and bought the farm which is his present home. It was equipped with a common frame house and stable, which since he has owned it has given place to a good brick res- idence and convenient and commodious outbuildings, standing upon a large and handsome property sur- rounded by upward of 400 rods of hedge. He is largely engaged in the raising of the cereals and the breeding of stock, more especially horses.

Mr. Hayes lost his wife by death on the 14th of June, 1861, and was re-married on the 28th of Sep- tember, 1863, to Nancy Hockenberry, a native of Franklin Co., Pa. The children of his first mar- riage were Mary K., wife of Arthur Barnhart, whose home is in Adams Co., Iowa, and John, who lives in Clay Co., Neb. By his second marriage he had one daughter, Ella May, who lives with her brother, in Nebraska. In the year 1872, on the 3d of October, he was again married, this time to Hattie R. Epler, who was born in Adams Co., Pa., and the fruit of the third marriage has been six children-David W., Harley E., Abbie A., Bertie B., Maggie M. and Bes- sie Mabel.

In the year 1876 Mr. Hayes visited the Centen- nial Exposition and there purchased the celebrated draft horse Pat Malloy, and the following September he was delivered to Mr. Hayes. When the premi- ums were awarded, Sept. 27, Pat Malloy was given the bronze medal presented by the United States Government and a silver medal presented by Lord Dufferin in behalf of the Canadian Government, both of which are in Mr. H.'s possession. He has done more to improve the breed of horses of this section than any other man in the county, and he still re- tains Pat. Malloy, as well as two other valuable stall- ions, Honest William and Frank Malloy. He was one of the first breeders of Short-horn cattle in this county, and at the present time owns a herd of 40

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thorough-breds. In politics he is a stanch Repub- lican. Mrs. Hayes is a member of the Lutheran Church.

A portrait of Mr. Hayes and a view of his splen- did stock are shown on another page.

enry Rommel. Prominent among the suc- cessful and well-to-do farmers of Knox County, and one who has acquired a suffi- ciency of this world's goods to enable him to pass the evening of life in peace and quiet retirement upon his fine farm on section 28, Sparta Township, is the subject of this notice. Mr. Rommel was born in Saxony, Germany, Feb 1, 1829. His parents were Henry and Susannah (Grubb) Rommel, natives of the " Faderland. " His father was a farmer by occupation, and the parental family of children were six in number, three sons and three daughters, and were named Barbara, George, Liza, Henrietta, Henry and John. George and Barbara are deceased. The mother died in 1843, and the father in 1880; both in their native land.

The subject of this notice remained at home until he was 18 years old, assisting on the farm and at- tending school. He then left his native land and came to this country, disembarking at New York, Sept. 29, 1848. From there he went to Lancaster County, Pa., where he worked on a farm for two years. In 1850, he came to this State, settling at La Salle, La Salle County. He worked on a farm in the neighborhood of that place for one year, when he went to Marshall County, and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits two years. At this period in his life, he was married to Miss Anna Payne, the date being Oct. 6, 1853. She was a native of England, and a daughter of Thomas E. and Catherine (Rich- ards) Payne, who came to this country in 1860; were residents of Pennsylvania one year, when they came to this State and settled in Marshall County, where Miss Anna was married. Mr. Payne purchased a farm in that county, and there lived until his death; that of his wife occurring in 1855, and his in 1880. They were the parents of eight children-Thomas E., John, Hannah, Edward, Richard, Anna, William and George.

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 24

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