Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 25

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 25

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After marriage, Mr. Rommel engaged in teaming

for himself in Henry Village, that county, and was thus occupied until 1856, when he came to Gales- burg. In that village he was occupied in teaming and in farming, in close proximity to the city, until 1860. He then purchased 40 acres of land in Sparta Township, and moved on it in the fall of that year, and has there continued to reside, actively engaged in the prosecution of his chosen vocation, until the present time. He has since added 260 acres to the original purchase, and is now the proprietor of 300 acres of good tillable land. In addition to the culti- vation of his land, he is engaged in the breeding of stock. On his fine farm he has erected a good resi- dence and barn, and his farm is valued at $70 per acre. Mr. and Mrs. Rommel have had a family of eight children : Thomas H. married Lottie Williamson, and to them a daughter and two sons have been born-Minnie, Lester and John, and the family are living in Adair County, Iowa; Susan C. married Cy - rus Curry, and they have two children-Harry and Jessie M., and are living in Taylor County, Ill. The remaining children are George E., James W., Cicely, Mary, Richard P. and Henry W. Mr. Rommel is liberal in his political views. He has held the office of Road Overseer, and socially is a member of the I. O. O. F. Mrs. Rommel is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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obert E. Pendarvis, of the firm of Reed & Pendarvis, editors of the Abingdon En- terprise, was born near Raritan, Henderson County, this State, Oct. 30, 1861, his parents being James P. and Louisa (Sands) Pendar- vis. He was educated at Hedding College, Abingdon, graduating in the class of 1884. He at once formed the existing partnership with Mr. Reed as publishers of the Enterprise. He has also been a law student with Williams, Lawrence & Bancroft, of Galesburg, during the past year, and for six months read in the office of George L. Thatcher, of Chicago.

Mr. Pendarvis is a young gentleman of more than ordinary ability and promise, and is just about to enter upon his career as a lawyer. He has in the meantime laid the foundation of what we may well predict will be an honorable and successful career, in

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securing a solid education, not only academic but professional, while he has at the same time widely acquired a knowledge of the practical side of life in the best school, a newspaper office. Thus combin- ing the practical knowledge of business with his literary and professional attainments, and having youth and energy on his side and in his favor, his friends may well congratulate him on what promises to be a long, honorable and successful career.

afiFi saac Cope. Among those who have made agriculture their vocation through life, and who by indomitable energy have succeeded in their calling, is he whose name heads this notice. Our subject is living retired from act- ive life at Wallace Station. He came to Knox County in the spring of 1835, from Vigo County, Ind., and purchased six quarter-sections, in company with his brother Wesley.

The above Mr. Cope married three years after his arrival in this county, after which he made settle- ment on section 28, of Maquon Township, where he lived until the fall of 1885, when he left the old homestead and returned to the village of Wallace. At this place he has erected a comfortable and sub- stantial residence and lives a retired life. He is the owner of 380 acres of exceedingly fertile and well- cultivated land.

Isaac Cope first saw the light in Kentucky, near Lexington, March 13, 1811. He remained under the parental roof until he had attained the age of 18 years, when he came to Vigo County, Ind., where he remained until his removal to Knox County, in 1835. He was reared to the peaceful and independent call- ing of a farmer, and has since followed that vocation. He was united in marriage in Fulton County, Ill., May 3, 1838, to Mary Wilcoxon, the intelligent and accomplished daughter of Elijah and Charlotte (Calawan) Wilcoxon, who were natives of North Carolina. Mrs. Cope was born on the Kentucky River, in Estelle County, Dec. 31, 1819. Her parents came to Fulton County, Ill., about the year 1830, at which place they resided until their death. Her father was engaged in the Black Hawk War.

Mr. and Mrs. Cope, of whom we write, have been blessed by the birth of four children, the names of

whom are John S., Jesse W., Isaac H. and Oliver P. John S. Cope married Mary J. Rorke, who was a native of Ireland, and is now residing in Maquon Township; Anna A. is the name of her only child. Jesse maried Sophia Wycoff, and they are residents of Seward County, Nebraska. They are the parents of two children-Alonzo M. and Amos C. Isaac Cope resides in Maquon Township. Oliver P. mar- ried Ann Pickeral, and their home is in Seward County, Nebraska. They have three children, as follows : Alice, Emeline and James C.

Mr. Cope has been School Director of his district, and also Commissioner of Highways. Both himself and wife are devoted members of the Free-Will Bap- tist Church, and in politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Cope's parents were Joseph and Elizabeth (Hennis) Cope, natives of Maryland, the mother dying in Ken- tucky, and the father at Chestnut Township, Knox County.

Since the above sketch was written Mr. Cope has been gathered to his fathers, his demise taking place April 12, 1886, surrounded by his family and friends. So ends the life of another good man who stood high in the community in which he lived. Beloved by all, an excellent neighbor, a kind father and faithful hus band, Mr. Cope has gone to his eternal rest.

yrus Robbins. Among those who came to this county at an early day and who are passing the sunset of life in quiet retirement from active labor, enjoying the ac- cumulation of an honorable past, may be found the subject of this notice. He is at present residing on his farm on section 5, Sparta Township, where he has resided for upward of 50 years.

Mr. Robbins, of this notice, was born in Lewis County, N. Y., Aug. 3, 1808. His parents were Reu- ben and Charity (Sage) Robbins, natives of Berkshire County, Mass. They removed to Ohio in 1812, where the father purchased 100 acres of land on the . Ohio River, and in what is now Washington County. On this land he located with his family, and subse- quently added 40 acres to his original purchase, and there lived and labored in the most independent of all callings, farming, until his death in 1822. Five years later, in 1827, the widow, with her family of children,

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moved back to her former home and was there a res- ident until her demise, which occurred in 1829. Of the parental union eight children were born and named Stephen S., Esther H., Cyrus, Emeline, Reu- ben, Ann E., Wait L. and Amelia.

Cyrus was the third child in order of birth of his parents' children, and remained with them until he was 22 years old. He received a common-school ed- ucation, and, after leaving the parental roof-tree, went to work in a blacksmith shop and was thus occupied for six months. He then engaged as an employe of the Hampton Rope Works and was with that firm for three years, when he severed his connection with it and went to Livingston County, his native State, and worked for 13 months in a hemp manufactory. After severing his connection with the latter firm, he returned to Lewis County in 1835, from whence he went to Columbia County, and there the most happy of all events in the history of his life occurred. This was his marriage with Miss Polly M. Calkins, a na- tive of that county. Soon after this happy event, he, in company with his young bride, on the 15th of Feb- ruary, 1836, started for this State. Arriving in Henderson Grove, this county, he remained for a short time, when he moved out on the broad, uncul- tivated prairie, settling on section 4, of Sparta Township, where he had purchased 871/2 acres of land. There the two lived and labored with one in- terest in common, and that the establishment of a home and the welfare of their children, until their mother's death, which occurred Oct. 16, 1860. Their children were five in number-Newton C., Cynthia, Henry, George and Mary. Newton, Henry, George and Mary are deceased. Cynthia married Calvin Shaw, and by him became the mother of three children, liv- ing-Ernest, Frank and Fannie. Her husband died in 1881. Henry married Louisa Babcock, and to them were born three children-Jennie, Mary and one deceased.

Three years after the death of his first wife, Mr. Robbins was again married, Miss Amelia Gloyd be- coming his wife, and who lived with him for nine years, and she presented him with two children -Sherman, and one who died in infancy. In 1863, Mr. Robbins moved onto section 5, Sparta Township, where he has purchased 431/2 acres of land, and there lived until the death of his wife in 1882, since which time he has made his home with his son and daugh- ter. In 1851, Mr. Robbins purchased 80 acres of

land on section 4, Sparta Township, and while a res- ident thereon was continuously and diligently en- gaged in its cultivation, with the exception of one year, which he spent in Galesburg, for the purpose of educating his children. He now has 200 acres, all under cultivation. Mr. Robbins is a stanch Repub- lican, and in his religious views a Baptist. He is an honored and respected citizen of the county, and a man whose word is considered as good as his bond.

ohn Junk. Standing among the important members of society and the prosperous and prominent citizens of Knox County is to be found the subject of this biography, who ranks high in those characteristics which are essen- tial to the growth and development of a county. He is useful socially and bright in a political direc- tion. His ideas are clear, and, being prompt and log- ical, his thoughts and opinions able and to the point.

The gentleman of whom this personal narrative is written came to Knox County in June, 1855, from Fayette County, Pa., where he was born May 6, 1827, and where he lived until he came to Knox County. He learned two trades, that of carpenter and joiner and also that of millwright, at which lat- ter he served an apprenticeship of three years, and at the former two years. He followed his trade in Pennsylvania, and since coming to Illinois has been engaged at his former work. At the present time he is the owner of 414 acres of land, 40 of which is a timber tract.

On the 22d of November, 1855, in Knoxville, Ill., he was made one with Miss Elizabeth Robertson, daughter of Alexander and Narcissa (Ferguson) Robertson, and uniting their energies for the battle of life they began work. He was one of the first set- tlers of Knox County, making his home where his brother Daniel had settled. (See sketch of Daniel Robertson.) He was deeply bereaved at his broth- er's death, which took place in Henderson Town- ship, Feb. 28, 1848. His wife followed him Aug. 27, 1865. Their marriage was blessed by the birth of four children, of whom Mrs. Junk was the second in order of birth. She was born in Henderson Town- ship, Dec. 14, 1837.

Mr. and Mrs. Junk had two children-Alexander

RESIDENCE OF W". G. W EST, SEC. 3. SALEM TOWNSHIP.

RESIDENCE OF NELSON CUNNINGHAM, SEC 21. SALEM TOWNSHIP

RESIDENCE ,OF DARIUS WOOLSEY, SEC. 14., HAW CREEK TOWNSHIP.

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

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R., and also one whom they lost by death, named Stephen A., and who had reached the age of four years. It was a sore bereavement to the parents, to whom he had greatly endeared himself by the many childish and lovable traits of character he exhibited. Mr. Junk has been Supervisor four and Road Com- missioner three years, and has held the office of Just- ice of the Peace about eight years, a post which he still adorns. He has also been Assessor, and is a use- ful man in many public directions. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics is identified with the Democratic party.

The parents of Mr. Junk were James and Eliza- beth (Lincoln) Junk, natives of Virginia. They set- tled in Pennsylvania, where the father died in Fayette County, July 3, 1877. The mother still sur- vives him. They had some time before his death celebrated the anniversary of their golden wedding, and they have been the parents of seven children, of whom John was the eldest. The names of the other children were Samuel, Thomas, Sarah, Henry, Robert and Jackson. Robert and Jackson are deceased.

artin Gehring is one of the representative , citizens and successful farmers of Knox County, and has a pleasant homestead, consisting of a well-cultivated farm and a cozy residence, lying within Sparta Township, on section 12. He is quite a prominent man in the neighborhood where he resides, and holds the offices of Roadmaster and School Director.

Mr. G. was born on Nov. 10, 1854, in Germany, and is the son of Anthony and Mary (Moser) Geh- ring. His parents were natives of Germany and came to America with their family in 1857. Settling in Sparta Township, they purchased 40 acres of land on section 14, and also 20 acres of timber land. In

1871, the father purchased So acres on section 12, and they were residents of this part of Knox County, until 1883, when they moved to Oneida. In that town he purchased a house and lot, where he is now living a retired life. Their family consists of two sons, both living, and by name Alex. and Martin.

Our subject remained under the parental roof until 21 years of age, and then took the farm on shares, and in this way labored until 1880. At that time it

came into his possession. He has been liberally educated, and his application and aptitude for various studies have placed in his possession a source of enjoyment which, as a man, he fully appreciates and which can never be taken from him.

His marriage with Miss Elizabeth, daughterof John and Ann (Taylor) Parkinson, was celebrated March 18, 1880. She was born in Knox County, June 23, 1857, and her parents are of English ancestry, but were married in America. They have reared a fam- ily of seven children, of whom Mr. Gehring is the oldest child. Mr. and Mrs. Gehring are the parents of two bright and interesting children, by name Minnie G., born Sept. 23, 1881 ; and Fred B., born Nov. 2, 1884. Mr. Gehring is a Republican in poli- tics and interested in the workings of that party. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyte- rian Church, of Oneida.

illiam S. Farnham. The subject of this notice, who is passing the sunset of his life in peace and quiet retirement, in the thriving little village of Wataga, made his advent into the State in 1837. He was born in Genesee County, N. Y., April 6, 1812, of par- ents by name Levi and Eunice (Judd) Farnham, na- tives of Connecticut. The father was a clothier by trade and worked at the same for 40 years. The parental family consisted of eight children, all of whom lived to attain the age of man and womanhood. Both heads of the family lived in York State, whither they had removed from Connecticut, and resided there until their demise, his occurring May 1, 1853, and hers March 16, 1821.

William S. Farnham is a self-made man in every sense the word implies. Beginning life a poor boy, with nothing but strong arms and a firm determina- tion to win success, he has pursued the even tenor of his way, having always the policy of honest and fair- dealing as a motto, and has acquired a sufficiency to enable him to pass the sunset of life in peace and quiet retirement. Mr. Farnham remained with his parents until the death of his mother, when he dom- iciled beneath the roof of strangers, and there lived until he attained the age of 2 1 years, receiving of the family with whom he lived, at the age of maturity,

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$100 renumeration for his services, together with two suits of clothes. He received a common-school ed- ucation, and, after attaining his majority, worked on a farm, by the month, and was thus occupied until he came to this State and county, in 1837. On arrival here, he located at Galesburg, in proximity to which village he rented a farm, which he cultivated and rented for ri years. He then moved to Sparta Township, and, for the first time in his life, became the owner of land, his purchase consisting of 80 acres of prairie land, located on section 9. On this tract he built a house and barn, and there lived and labored, engaged in its improvement, until 1885. During this year he moved into Wataga, where he rented for himself a home, and where he has since resided in retired life.

Mr. Farnham was married to Miss Maria Kenyon, in 1839, on the 7th of May. She is a daughter of Mumford and Margery (Vanderhule) Kenyon, na- tives of Vermont and New York, respectively, and whose children were three in number. Mrs. Farn- ham was born Jan. 11, 1815, and has borne her hus- band five children-Charlotte M., who became the wife of C. T. Farnsworth, May 18, 1862. Mr. Farns- worth died Aug. 2, 1864, leaving to the care of his wife one son-Ira W. Ira lived to attain the age of 18 years; he was night-watchman in the city of Galesburg. at Colton's foundry, and was found near Center Point, lying on the railroad unconscious, and only lived five hours after he was discovered, and it has never been known what caused his death, the date of which was, however, Nov. 25, 1880; Susan A. Farnham became the happy wife of H. T. Mead, and they have two children-Abby M. and Charlotte A .: William C. selected Miss Louisa M. Rhodes as his bride, and their three children are Fred, Winne- fred P. and Jennie B .; Charles G. Farnham and Miss Lucy M. Bartlett were united in marriage and became the parents of three children-Grace, Ray and Everett; Abigail G. Farnham became Mrs. A. E. Drew, and their children are Ellen M., Amie L. and Frank.

Mr. Farnham is a Republican and has always cast his vote with that party. He and his wife, together with their daughter, Charlotte, belong to the Congre- gational Church, and in this congregation Mr. Farn- ham is a Deacon. He has held some of the minor offices of his township, but is not a seeker after office.

As a representative of the energetic agricultural class of citizens of the community in which he resides, he is certainly the peer of any.

avid H. Hartsook is of the firm of Hart- sook & Walker, merchants at Maquon. He came to Knox County in June, 1851, emigrating from Madison County, Ohio, and engaged in the milling business at French Creek, Elba Township, with Richard Morris. In this branch of business he continued until 1857, at which time he removed to Haw Creek Township, settling on section 35, on land which he had pre- viously purchased. Upon this place he remained for 12 years, in the meantime engaging extensively in farming. Subsequent to this he removed to the village of Maquon, which he has since made his home. In 1871 he engaged in the mercantile bus- iness, in partnership with L. H. Butcher, under the firm name of Hartsook & Butcher. They continued in this business for 15 months, when our subject bought out the interest of his partner and for four years carried on the business alone, when he took into the business his son-in-law, H. J. Pierce, and the firm was known as Hartsook & Pierce. This partnership existed until 1881, at which time Mr. H. sold out his interest, and two years later, on the death of Mr. Pierce, took his place in the store again, where he has since remained. Their stock consists of dry goods, boots, shoes, etc., and is a valuable concern for this section of the country.

Mr. Hartsook was born in Frederick County, Md., the date of his birth being May 26, 1824. He re- mained in the State of his nativity until 12 years of age, when he went to Madison County, Ohio, at which place he resided with his elder brother. In that county he learned the blacksmith trade, which he followed until June, 1851, the date of his emigra- tion to Knox County. Mr. Hartsook was married in Windham County, Conn., June 9, 1846, the lady being Nancy Sherman, who was a daughter of Elisha and Nancy (Cook) Sherman. Her parents were na- tives of New England, where they resided until their deaths.

Mrs Hartsook was born in Foxboro, Mass., June 3, 1827, and has borne her husband seven children,

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five of whom are living, namely: Ellen D., Susan J., Ann H., David S. and Charles E. Those deceased are Orson N. and Emma. Ellen Hartsook is the wife of Joseph McComas, and they reside in Iowa ; she is the mother of three children, bearing the names of Emma, Warner and Seymour. Susan Hartsook is the relict of H. J. Pierce, and is residing in Maquon; her only child is named Charles D. Ann Hartsook has for a husband C. A. Walker, and they are residents of Maquon ; they are the parents of one daughter-Anna P. David Hartsook married Lizzie Green, and they also have one child-a son, David H. Charles E. Hartsook married Lizzie Swigert, and they are residents of Scott County, Kan .; their one child bears the name of Vera.

Mr. and Mrs. H., of this sketch, are identified with the Christian Church, and in politics he is a firm supporter of the Republican party. His par- ents were David and Helen (Harding) Hartsook. They were natives of Maryland, the former being of German and the latter of English ancestry. They both died when our subject was quite young. The members of their family were six in number, viz. : Henry E. H., Mary E., Cass A., Ellen, Haward D. and David H.

ohn W. Stephens was born in New Jersey, June 6, 1825. His present occupation is that of farming, and he resides on section To, Cedar Township. He is the great-grand- son of Richard and Dollie (Landen) Stephens, who were both natives of New Jersey, and were well known and respected. The great-grand- father was born Feb. 22, 1732, and died on the 17th of May, 1792. In the Revolutionary War he per- formed honorable service under Gen. Washington. It will be noticed that his and Gen. Washington's birthday are the same. His great-grandmother was born Jan. 14, 1743, and died on the Ist of October, 1839. Their marriage was celebrated Feb. 18, 1762, and to the union nine children were born. The grandparents of Mr. Stephens were Samuel and Ann (Culver) Stephens. The birth of the grandfather was Dec. 22, 1762. His death occurred June 23, 1834. His grandmother was born Feb. 22, 1770, and their marriage was celebrated March 26, 1789;

her death occurred Feb. 22, 1839. They were the parents of eleven children. One, Sarah, is still liv- ing in New Jersey, at the advanced age of 90. Richard, the father of John W., also a native of New Jersey, was born Aug. 4, 1791. His decease took place April 20, 1854. He married Miss Eleanor Addis, of New Jersey, who was born in June, 1790, and died in August, 1832. The marriage took place in 1812, and five children were born to them. Sarah, Mr. Stephens'eldest sister, was born in March, 1814; Nancy in April, 1818; Amanda in May, 1820, died in September, 1854; Lorenzo was born Sept. 29, 1827. All these children are still living except the one whose death is above recorded.

Richard Stephens came with teams overland to Illinois, and stopped in Canton, Fulton County, for a short time, while he prospected. The same fall he made a selection in what is now known as Cedar Township, Knox County, where he bought a quarter- section of land on section 16. It was only partially improved, there being no house on it. Mr. Stephens erected a small frame house, in which he and the family lived for a number of years. After Mr. Ste- phens married, he, in 1850, moved to section 4, and built a house, and remained there five years, when he moved back to the old homestead, where he still lives and expects to remain the balance of his life- time.

Mr. John W., our subject, came to Illinois in the spring of 1838, and stopped in Canton, and, with his parents, took up his residence in Cedar Township, where they resided until the death of the latter. Mr. Stephens has held the position of Supervisor of this township for over four years, has also served as Just- ice of the Peace for one year, and has been Road Commissioner for 20 years. He was Postmaster for two years at what was known as Farmers' Hall. He has received as fair an education as could be ob- tained at the common district schools, and is a fairly well-read man. His farm consists of 280 acres of improved land. In 1869 he erected an exceedingly fine dwelling and good barn.

His marriage with Miss Mary Stephens took place Oct. 29, 1848. She was a native of Ohio, and born May 24, 1829, and came to Illinois with her parents in the year 1849. This lady is the daughter of Ebe- nezer and Mary (Goodpasture) Stephens. Her father was a native of New Jersey, and was born May 29, 1786. His death took place July 13, 1851. This

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lady's mother was born May 11, 1802, and died March 4, 1874. There were eight children born to this union, viz. : John, Aaron, Obadiah, Dorothy, Mary, Clarissa, Minard A. and Daniel S., who died on the steamboat while the family were coming West.

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 25

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