Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 27

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 27

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Adams are eight in number, and their names are as follows : Rosa G., Henry M., Ida R., Eddie A., E. Otis, Sarah A. and Clyde W. Theron, another child, was lost in infancy. Rosa, the wife of Amos Means, lives in Iowa, and is the mother of three children- Ethel, Florence and Clyde E. Henry is engaged in farming and lives in Nebraska; he wedded Ada* Richards, and to them has been born one child- Clara E. Ida is the wife of Ralph Mount, and her home is also in Nebraska; she is the mother of one child, named Willard E. The other children of Mr. Adams remain at home. He and his wife are con- nected with the Protestant Methodist Church. Po- litically, he is wide-awake to the situation of affairs and public workers, and supports the Democratic party, both in theory and in practice.

A view of Mr. Adams' home is shown on another page in this work.

badiah P. Beebe, a farmer and carpenter by occupation, resides on section 28, Cedar Township. He was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., Aug. 29, 1821, and early learned the trade of a carpenter, at which he worked during the summer, attending school in the winter. He is the son of T. J. and Sarah (Preston) Beebe. The father was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., in 1793, his demise occurring April 3, 1869, in the same State. His mother was born in 1795 and died in 1839. By this union there were eight

304

KNOX COUNTY.

children-Nelson, Almira, Obadiah P., Dillon, Car- lin, Martin and two who died in infancy.

Mr. Beebe married Miss Sabra A. Merritt, July 3, 1857. She was the daughter of William and Ella (Follett) Merritt, and was born in Ohio, Sept. 22, 1839. Her parents were natives of New York. The father was born in 1800, and died in Warrren County, Ill., in 1870; the mother, born in 1810, died Dec. 14, 1885, also in Warren County. There were Il children by the union, three of whom died in in- fancy; those surviving are: Ann C., born in 1835; Maritta, in 1837; Sabra A., in 1839; Adelia J., in 1841; Jerome, in 1844; Albert, in 1846; Maria, in 1850; Caroline in 1854, her death occurring two years later; and Charlie, born in 1856, died in 1881.

Mr. and Mrs. Beebe have two children living-Ida M., born April ro, 1858, wife of Sam'l Kessler, lives in Nebraska; and Willie, born July 13, 1878. Mr. Beebe emigrated to Illinois in 1869, and worked at his trade some two years, then moved to Stark County, where he remained three years, when he re- solved on returning to this section, where he pur- chased 80 acres of land, which he has under a very high state of cultivation, and on which he has built a fine dwelling house, of fair dimensions. His daugh- ter, Ida May, married Mr. Sam'l Kessler, and resides in Nebraska. By this union there were two children, boys-Preston and Clyde.

In religious sentiment, Mr. and Mrs. Beebe are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Abingdon, Ill., where they are held in high esteem. He is a Republican in politics and a strong sup- porter of its principles.

gr. J. Harts Miller. Among the leading professional gentlemen of this county, as well as live, enterprising business men, is Dr. J. H. Miller, of Abingdon. He was born in Alexandria, Va., Sept. 9, 1839. His parents were also natives of the Old Dominion, his father, Joseph H., being a native of the same place as his son, but of English and Welsh descent. His mother, Phebe A. (Janney) Miller, was born in Lou- don County, and was of Irish-English descent. The elder Miller was engaged in the mercantile business while a resident of Virginia, but in 1846, with his family, came to Illinois and located in Fulton County,

where they engaged in farming. Here the Doctor passed his youth, assisting his father in the labors of the farm and attending the neighboring schools. He was a young man of fine physical development, and possessed a patriotic heart and a strong devo- tion to the flag that had been unfurled so early in the history of the country, and had waved over a free and united people. But when the enemy at the front were pressing our armies hard and the President called for more troops, young Miller stepped forward and enlisted to defend that flag.

It was in August, 1862, when the young soldier enrolled his name on the list of Co. B, 84th Ill. Vol. Inf. He served his country faithfully and well for three years, and was mustered out in June, 1865. He participated in some of the most important and bloody battles of the war, among which are Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Chickamauga, and was at Atlanta as an Orderly with Gens. Palmer, Stanley and others.

On his return from the fields of war he began the study of medicine under Dr. I. W. Johnson, of Pe- oria. From there he entered the medical depart- ment of the University of Michigan, and later took his second course at the Homeopathic Medical Col- lege of St. Louis, graduating in the class of 1868. He immediately entered upon the practice of his profession, locating at Du Quoin, Perry Co., Ill. He remained there but a short time, for in 1870 we find him in Abingdon, since which time he has been one of the prominent practitioners of Knox County. He has also been somewhat engaged in farming, and he now owns two small but valuable farms of 80 and 45 acres respectively. Upon these he has had an opportunity of engaging in a department of stock- raising which he is very much interested in. These are his Jersey cattle, of which he has a very fine herd, and his trotting-horses, or roadsters.

Dr. Miller is also proprietor of the patent of the Star Gate, a very valuable and popular gate, which is sold from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from which its proprietor derives a handsome revenue. He is not only the owner of the patent, but is en- gaged in the manufacture of the gate.

Dr. Miller was married in 1874, in Cedar Town- ship, this county, to Miss Dulcena B. Latimer, daugh- ter of George Latimer, one of the most honorable of Knox County's pioneers. She was born in Cedar Township, where she was reared. She is the mother

305

KNOX COUNTY.

of four children-Mabel, the eldest, who was born July, 1876, died Dec. 1, 188t ; Laura W. was born March 3, 1878; Malcolm F., Jan. 10, 1880, and Anna M., Jan. 29, 1882.

Dr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the Congre- gational Church, and himself politically a Democrat. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. and Masonic fraternities. Dr. Miller, yet young in years, has led an active and successful life, and has already made a record both as a man and in his profession which much older persons might well envy. Serving his country faithfully in her hour of need, a devoted stu- dent, active practitioner and enterprising business man, he has already, though yet in the prime of life, accomplished more than usually falls to the average man in an entire lifetime.

r. Frederick Christianer. Prominent among the professional men of Abingdon, and a gentleman whose interests have been identified with the growth and development of the place, and who has met with success in the practice of his profession, is the subject of this notice, engaged in the practice of dental surgery at Abingdon. Dr. Christianer was born in Ostercap- peln, Kingdom of Hanover, Nov. 22, 1829, and is the son of August Frederick and Johana (Obrock) Christ- ianer. His father was born in the Kingdom of Han- over, Oct. 4, 1779, and died in 1876, at Beardstown, 111. His mother was born in the same country, March 6, 1806 and died in 1844 in her native land. The father of Dr. C. married in the year 1826.

Dr. Christianer emigrated from his native land to the United States in 1844, when but 15 years of age, and located in New York City. Remaining there six months he went to St. Louis, where, after spending six months he came to this State, and located at Beardstown, in 1845. At that place he engaged in the watch-maker and jeweler's trade which he fol- lowed for a time, when he removed to Canton, Fulton County, and there studied dentistry. He came to Abingdon in 1856, and engaged in the watch-maker and jeweler's trade to which he added the practice of dentistry. About 1862 he abandoned the former bus- iness and since that time has devoted his life exclu-

sively to the practice of his profession, except such time as he was compelled to devote to the various of- ficial positions to which he has been elected. For several years he was Town Clerk of Indian Point Township, and was eight years an incumbent of the office of Police Magistrate at Abingdon. For four years Dr. Christianer was County Superintendent of schools, commencing his official career in that capac- ity in 1879. He has also held the office of City Clerk of Abingdon for 17 years and is the present incum- bent of that office. He has also served as School Director for nine years and holds that position at this writing. From the foregoing brief sketch, we see that Dr. Christianer has been a resident of Abingdon for upwards of 30 years, and from the numerous positions of trust he has held, we note that his popular- ity among his fellow men has been recognized, and that he has always had the best interest of his town and county at heart.

Dr. Christianer was married at Canton, Ill., Dec. 5, 1850, to Miss Jane E., the accomplished daughter of James P. and Mary M. (Kinney) McMillen. She was born in Mercersburg, Pa., May 30, 1827. Her father was born at the same place, June 2, 1793, and her mother was likewise born there Jan. 17, 1803. The date of the marriage of her parents was in Jan- uary, 1820. Dr. and Mrs. Chistianer have been blessed by a family of seven children : James A., born Sept. 6, 185 t, is a teacher of music at Atlanta, Ga .; Frank, born Aug. 1, 1853, is a teacher of mu- sic at Des Moines, Iowa; Mollie, born Oct, 14, 1855, is the wife of A. C. Mount, extensive manfacturer of brooms at Des Moines, lowa; Belle, born May 10, 1858, is the wife of Curtis Byrom, Postmaster and merchant at Cloverdale, Kan .; Fred, born April 30, 1859, married Nettie Schultz and is engaged in the music business at St. Louis, Mo .; Harry Tell, born Jan. 22, 1862, is single and resides at Des Moines ; Lake, born Aug. 18, 1867. is a student of Hedding College, Abingdon. Dr. Christianer and family are happily possessed of a high order of musical talent, which has been liberally cultivated. Within the fam- ily circle they constitute a complete concert party, capable of giving an entertainment that would com- pare favorably with the performances of profession- als. Socially, the Doctor is a member of Abingdon Lodge, No. 184, I. O. O. F., and has been for the past eight years Deputy Grand Master of said Lodge. The Doctor takes a great interest in the order to

306

KNOX COUNTY.

which he belongs, and by his industry has contributed much to its prosperity. Politically, he votes with the Republican party.

Alex. Finley. One of the most prominent farmers and breeders of fine cattle, swine and Clydesdale horses, and owner of a fine farm, situated on sections 13 and 24, Ontario Township, on which latter he resides, is the subject of this notice. His farm of 380 acres is one of the best in any county in the State of Illi- nois. It is highly cultivated and is known as Rich- land Farm. It was bought by Mr. F. at times from 1863 to 1868, except a portion ne inherited one year before making his first purchase of So acres. He has since made this his home and has improved his stock till it now compares favorably with the best in the country, Short-horn cattle and Poland-China hogs being specialties with him.

Mr. Finley was born in Delaware, Ohio, March 26, 1839. His father, Joseph Finley, a farmer, was a native of Ohio and of New England parentage and came to Delaware County when eight years of age. Here he was married to Jane Farris, a Virginian, and to them four children were born, Alex. being the the youngest but one and but three years of age when his mother died. The father re-married, and in 1843, the entire family came to Ontario Township, Knox County, settling on an entirely new place, on section 21, and living in a wagon till their house was built, a log hut or cabin. In this they lived for seven years, after which they built, and in the new home the father died in 1866. He had improved 200 acres and owned considerable more land in an- other part of the township. After the decease of the father, Mr. Finley became possessor of 130 acres, upon which he at once began operations, adding from time to time new purchases and showing him- self remarkably successful in his chosen vocation. Mr. Finley has to-day one of the best tiled farms in the State. He has laid in the neighborhood of 3,000 rods of tiling. He attributes his good crops · to the amount of tiling and thinks that it saves one- third in plowing, and advises all farmers to tile their land and their crops will be an assured success.

He was married in Ontario Township, Nov. 5,

1868, to Miss Mary E. Cox, whose birthplace was Somerton, England, and who came to America with her parents when a little girl. They located in this country in 1846, and her parents still live in this township, where they own a farm. Mrs. F. is the mother of five children, all living and at home, viz. : Gertie, Georgie, Orton, Clyde and Louisa. Both Mr. and Mrs. Finley are members of the Congregational Church. In politics he is a Republican.

He has won his way to his present strong and in- fluential position by the practice of industry, sobriety and fair dealing, and is yet a comparatively young man. The years of his future life promise still greater achievements in business, duty and prosper- ity.

ohn J. Sutor. Conspicuous on the records of Knox County may be found the name of the subject of this biography. He is a farmer and his homestead is situated on sec- tions 19 and 20 of Sparta Township. In point of industry and enterprise he is regarded as one of the most able men of Knox County. He is well known as one of the representative citizens of this section of the country, and has been markedly successful in his chosen field of labor.

Mr. Sutor was born in Ireland Jan. 25, 1850, his parents being John and Martha (Lyttle) Sutor, na- tives of Ireland. His father was born Ang. 15, 1827, and his mother in 1829. They came to Can- ada in 1853, in which country they remained until 1859. At the expiration of this time they removed to the State of Illinois, renting a farm in Galesburg Township, where they remained until 1864. This property consisted of 80 acres, situated on section 19. Subsequently he added to it 80 acres.

The fruits of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Sutor were five children, namely : William, John J., Mar- garet J., Martin and Henry T. Mr. Sutor died Nov. 14, 1874. He was a self-made man, having strug- gled for an education and pushed his way through the world with admirable perseverance. His re- ligion was of an every-day, practical kind, and its fruits were shown in his daily life. He was con- nected with the Presbyterian Church by membership. Politically he was a Republican.

John J. Sutor, of this recital, has always lived with

LIBRARY OF THE L' !! VERSITY OF ILLINOIS

John Mc Dowell

309

KNOX COUNTY.

his parents, and his earlier days were spent at school, where by application and industry he acquired a good practical education. He assisted his father on the home farm, and at his death took entire charge of it, discharging the duties connected with it in a manner creditable to himself. In 1875 he erected a handsome and commodious residence on the farm, valued at $2,700, and, added to his farm- ing pursuits, does quite an extensive business in stock-raising. With his brothers, Martin and Henry T., as associate partners, he carries on farming in Rooks Co., Kan. They have five sections of land in Walton Township, Kan., and are extensive stock- breeders thereon. Mr. Sutor is in politics a Republi- can, and understands the inner workings of that par- ty, which he supports by his presence and vote.

ohn McDowell. One of the retired farmers of Knox County, and one of its representa- tive and substantial citizens, is found in the subject of this biographical narration. His home lies on section 15, of Copley Township, and he for enterprise and real strength of charac- ter, quick foresight and financial ability, has no peer in his neighborhood.

Mr. McDowell was born Oct. 26, 1816, and his parents are John and Ann (Livingston) McDowell, natives of Scotland. Mrs. McDowell died in her native º land in 1825, and Mr. McDowell re-married in 1830, his second matrimonial alliance being with Eliza- beth McCornack, who died in Scotland in 1836. There were by the first union four children-Gordon, Mary A., John and Elizabeth; and by the second, Jeanette, Thomas and Robert. Mr. John McDowell came to America in 1839, and settled on section 16, Copley Township, Knox County, where he purchased 640 acres of school land, and there lived for two years. At the expiration of that time he abandoned this property, as the land did not come into market nor prove a paying investment. He next went on section 14, where he purchased 160 acres, which he improved, and remained there in their desirable home until his death, in 1867.

The subject of our sketch remained at home until he was 23 years of age, lending all possible aid to the home work on the farm, and gaining as desirable an education as possible. In 1842 he went to Scotland,

and united in marriage with Miss Margaret, daugh- ter of James and Jane (Heron) Gordon. In the year 1843 he returned with his wife 10 America, coming overland from Chicago in a wagon, making this rough trip from necessity, as there was no other means of conveyance. They were six days in com- ing to Knox County, after which they settled on sec- tion 10, and, purchasing 80 acres, began what was afterward a pleasant home. There they remained until 1865, and on his original purchase he set out trees, fenced and improved it, cultivating the land, and in 1851 purchased 80 acres on section 15, which he added to it. He owns largely in landed estates at the present day, being the possessor of about 700 acres. He built where he now lives, in 1865, a home which is the admiration of that section of the country, handsome and commodious. Its value ap- proximates $3,500, and, besides a number of barns, his farms are stocked with the finest breeds of cat- tle, and are in an excellent state of cultivation.

Mr. and Mrs. McDowell have a family of ten chil- dren, nine of whom survive; they are as follows : Amelia, John, now deceased, James, Jeanette, Dewitt, Isabelle, William, Peter, Fredricka and Cora. James married Alice Swikard, and they are the parents of two children-Arthur and John. Jane H. is the wife of John McKee. Isabelle united in marriage with James McClymont, and is the mother of four children -Ethel, Frederick, Gordon and Jeanette. Peter is the husband of Amelia Gehring, and has one son, Curtis.

Mr. McDowell is a stanch and zealous Republi- can, supporting his party with sentiment and vote, and advocating its doctrines. He is a stirring, active member in the society to which he belongs, and has held many of the minor offices of the township; has been Supervisor and School Trustee, taking an act- ive interest in educational matters, and in all things relative to the good of the public schools. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace. With his wife he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and they are consistent and worthy members of that body, showing forth the noble principles of practical Chris- tianity, as taught in the precepts of the Savior, in their daily lives. He has had the misfortune to lose his life companion, she departing this life Dec. 17, 1881, in the full and blessed assurance of a happy hereafter.

Mr. McDowell was one of the settlers who came

310

KNOX COUNTY.

here at an early day, and, although not among the very earliest of the pioneers, relates that, on coming here, the tract of country that, under the skill, ready foresight and active execution of its inhabit- ants, has grown into a populous and intelligent com- munity, was in a very wild and unsettled condition. There were deer and wolves and wild animals in abundance, and he has watched from a compara- tively early date the advancement and prosperity of Knox County, with the feelings of those who put their whole souls into the success of an honest enter- prise. In the year 1884 Mr. McDowell visited his native country. While there he traveled all through England and the Continent. Getting homesick after a three months' trip, he returned home. As an emi- nently deserving citizen of the county, we are pleased to present the portrait of Mr. McDowell in this vol- ume.

kidney L. Wilmot. At the time the sub- ject of this notice, in company with his par- ents, first set foot upon the soil of this county, in 1836, there had hardly been made a settlement in what is now Sparta Township. Our subject may accordingly be ranked as a pioneer of Knox County. For a period of 50 years, he has been connected with its agricultural develop- ment. He has witnessed its growth from the primi- tive condition to its wonderful development at this time. Mr. Wilmot was born in Steuben County, N. Y., March 15, 1829, his parents being Amos and Betsey (Crawford) Wilmot, the former a native of Chester, Conn., and the latter of Bainbridge, N. Y.

The parents of Mr. Wilmot were married in 1828, and of their union ten children were born : Sidney L .; Sarah A., who became Mrs. Thomas Mansfield ; Hannah, the wife of E. Bennett; Olive, who died when two years of age; Jesse, who married Eliza Firkins; Stowell, who died in infancy; Emma, the wife of E. H. Taylor: Bradley, who selected Miss Alsada Botsford for his wife; Rebecca, wife of James Shull; and Lydia, who became Mrs. E. J. Rogers. The parents came to Illinois as early as 1836, and found a desirable location on section 6, Sparta Town- ship. They were honorable and highly respected pio- neers until their death. The elder Wilmot proved a very enterprising and valuable pioneer, and was the

first of those sturdy pilgrims who ventured out upon the broad and fertile prairie. It must be remembered that the early settlements throughout this section were made in the timber, or on some point of timber bordered by the prairie. For many years it was gen- erally considered that prairie land was valuable only as a range for stock. Even for 20 years after Mr. Wilmot had ventured out on the prairies, few men ever expected to live long enough to see them fenced. Amos Wilmot evidently had a keener vision, and this enabled him to see farther into the future than most of his fellow pioneers. The ideas which he promul- gated, and which at the time seemed so radically wrong, are now universally regarded as wise. He erected the first house on the prairie in this section of the county, which was also the first house built in Sparta Township. At that time there was but one house in Ontario Township. It will thus be seen that he was truly a pioneer, pushing ahead, opening up and making easy the way for others. Deer and wolves were numerous, and were often seen around the cabins of the pioneers. The elder Wilmot knew all about the privations and sufferings incident to the settlement of a new country. He and his devoted wife lived to see the wonderful transformation in the condition of the country they found in its native wildness. They both died in the same year, 1878, the former August 28, and the latter December 26.

Sidney L. remained an inmate of the parental home until he reached his majority. In the meantime he assisted in the work of the farm and attended such schools as the country at that time afforded. In 1850, on becoming his own man, he purchased 80 acres of land on section 5, Sparta Township, which is a portion of his present splendid farm. He was not at that time able to move upon it and begin its improvement. He worked out by the month for six months, when he rented some land, and during the winter he worked in the timber, getting out fencing material with which to enclose his land. By the year 1858, he was enabled to move upon the place, having during that year secured a helpmeet, in the person of Miss Sarah Brown, who was a native of New York. She was the daughter of William and Phoebe (Mor- ris) Brown. Her parents died when she was quite young, and she came west from New York, with the family of Schuyler Goldsmith, living with them up to the date of her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Wilmot have an adopted daughter by the name of Ada Hammond.

KNOX COUNTY.

311

She was married to William Ely (see sketch of Mr. Ely) Feb. 17, 1883; they are now living in Dakota.

Mr. Wilmot has made valuable improvements upon his farm, and has 295 acres of highly cultivated land, valued at $65 per acre. He was practically reared in this county, being brought here when a lad of seven years of age, and has become one of its best known and most highly respected citizens. He had a hard and laborious struggle in the early years of life, and where many failed, he has succeded; His life has been marked by liberality in the support of schools and churches, and in every enterprise that tended to build up or better the community. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church, of Ontario, and Mr. W. is a stanch Republican.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 27

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