Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 28

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 28

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ohn H. Wagner. Among the successful business men of Maquon may be found the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this brief 'narration. He is the son of Jesse and Nancy (Whittaker) Wagner, who were natives of Pennsylvania and of German and Irish ancestry. They married and settled in Pennsylvania, where they lived until 1840, when they came to Fulton County, and from thence, in 1848, removed to Maquon Township, and in 1866 settled in the pretty and thriving little village of Maquon, in the same State. They raised a family of eight chil- dren, as follows : William, Jacob S., Mary E., Fran- cis J., George K., Julia A., H. and Rebecca C.

John H. Wagner was born in Columbia County, Pa., the date of his birth being June 12, 1838. He received his education in the common schools and supplemented this by attendance at Hedding Col- lege, Abingdon. Afterward he attended Knox Col- lege for a short period, but was obliged to leave on account of ill health. He taught school in McDon- ough County for five months, and afterward went to Chicago, and there accepted a position as traveling agent for an insurance company located at Freeport, Ill. On returning to Chicago he entered the com- mercial college of Bryant & Stratton ; afterward, re- turning to Maquon Township, he engaged as an agriculturist, which occupation he followed for ten years. In September, 1875, he bought the hardware stock of Israel Howel, of Maquon Township, and

since that time has conducted the business. By fair and honest dealing with his fellow men he has es- tablished a good and constantly increasing trade. He is at the present time the owner of 210 acres of fine land in Maquon and Chestnut Townships.

He formed a matrimonial alliance at Fairview, Fulton Co., Ill., Dec. 25, 1865, the lady of his choice being Martha A., daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Alcott) Brunton, natives of Pennsylvania. They have been blessed by the birth of seven children, by name as follows : Eliza J., William H., Martha A., John, Mary E., Rachel and Milton. Martha was born in McDonough County, March 8, 1841.

Mr. and Mrs. W., of this notice, are the parents of four living children, namely: Reginald V., Harry, Sarah E. and Emma. They buried two children, by name Ida G. and Warren H. Ida died when seven years of age and Warren at the age of four.

Mr. Wagner has been one of the Trustees of the village of Maquon for the period of five years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and both him- self and wife are members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. In politics he is a believer in and sup- porter of the principles advocated by the Democratic party.

eorge F. Niles. Sparta Township has many prosperous and well-to-do farmers; men who are the recipients of no legacy, but who have obtained a good title to their farms through their own indomitable energy and perseverance. Among this number conspic- uously stands the subject of this notice. He was born in Columbia County, N. Y., Aug. 25, 1828, and came to this State just 29 years later.

Sill and Lovisa (Olmstead) Niles, the parents of our subject, were natives of York State. The father was an extensive farmer in his native State, and of his union with Miss Olmstead eight children were born, six of whom lived to attain the age of man and womanhood. Both heads of the family continued to reside in their native State until their demise, his oc- curring March 7, 1872, and hers in 1853.

George F. Niles lived with his parents on the old homestead in York State until he attained the age of 27 years, assisting in the labors on the farm. Prior to this time he had received an elementary ed-

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ucation in the common schools and supplemented the same by an academical course. In 1857 he came to this county and made settlement at Wataga. There he purchased a flouring-mill, and in company with his brother, David P., they successfully ran the same for seven years, when he exchanged the mill for land in Henry County. In 1862, the brothers purchased 160 acres of land on section 19, Sparta Township, and there the subject of this notice lived and labored until 1867. From the latter date until the year 187 1, they were engaged in the mercantile business at Altona, Knox County. In 1871, Mr. Niles erected a residence on section 21, of Sparta Town- ship, where he had purchased 160 acres of good tilla- ble land, in 1866, and where he resides at this writing. He and his brother are the proprietors of 840 acres of land in this county, and 1162 acres in Page County, Iowa. They are engaged in feeding stock, and in 1874, added to their business that of the breeding of Short-Horn cattle, in which they have continued until this time. At present they have 450 head of that breed of cattle, which they value at $80 per head. Mr. Niles is a Republican in politics.

Our subject is a stockholder in the First and Second National Banks at Galesburg. As will be seen from the foregoing, David P. Niles, the brother of our subject, has been in partnership with him since they first came West. They are certainly brothers, whose interests are identified, for all their land, stock, to- gether with their homes and their entire business, they own together. David P. lives on section 19, Sparta Township. The success of these two gentle- men, as we have stated, is not through being the re- cipiency of any legacy, but is attributable to their own good judgment, energetic action and active co-opera- tion.

George F. Niles was united in marriage with Miss Ella J. Wood in 1866. She is the daughter of William S. and Phylena (Smith) Wood, natives of the Green Mountain State, and who came to this State and county in 1860, and made settlement in Wataga. Her father was there engaged in the mercantile business for a time. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Niles of this notice: Charles W., born May 15, 1867, and died Jan. 16, 1883; and Marian E., April 8, 1873. Their son Charles was a kind, obedient and careful boy, and always took a great delight in looking after his father's interest.

David P. Niles also joined the army of benedicts

in 1870, at which time Miss Helen C. Johnson be- came his wife. He is likewise a Republican in poli- tics, and a prominent and respected citizen of Knox County.

esse Wagner. The different residents of Knox County are distinguished for various acts of usefulness and honor reflected back in the form of substantial successes and ad- vancement. One of the most important factors in her internal machinery is the subject of this personal sketeh, who has always followed the voca- tion of a farmer, but at the present time is passing the sunset of life retired from the active labor of farming, in the thriving little village of Maquon. He has always shown himself able and willing to for- ward all good and worthy enterprises calculated to aid in the upbuilding of this section of country.

Mr. Wagner came to Knox County in the spring of 1849, from Fulton County, Ill., purchasing a farm in Maquon Township, upon which he resided until May, 1867, when the village of Maquon became his home, and where he has since lived a retired life, in the meantime having disposed of his farm. Mr. Wagner was born in Bradford County, Pa., Feb. 3, 1802. Upon the removal of his parents to Columbia County, Pa., our subject was quite young in years, but remaining in that county he engaged in the man- ufacture of woolen goods for about 16 years. In the spring of 1840 he left the Keystone State and came to Canton, Ill., where he remained two years, until his removal to the north part of Fulton County, whence he moved to Knox County in 1849.

Jesse Wagner took to wife Nancy Whittaker, Sept. 28, 1839, the nuptials being celebrated in Columbia County, Pa. The date of the birth of Miss Whit- taker was July 8, 1803, she being born in Columbia County. Our subject and wife have been blessed by the birth of eight children, who were named as fol- lows : William, Jacob, Mary, Frances, George, John H., Harriet and Catherine.

Our subject and wife are devout and working mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, having been members of that denomination for many years. The parents of Mr. Wagner were by name Jacob and Elizabeth (Minier) Wagner, of German ancestry. William and Francis (Hazelton) Whittaker are the

COL. BAKER JR. ..

BABE P.N.5.B.VOL.2. 1163.

RESIDENCE OF HARRY DUNBAR SECS . 22 & 23 , HENDERSON TP.

RESIDENCE OF MONS HAWKINSON, SEC. 13, GALESBURG TP.

C.B&D

RESIDENCE OF M.S. LEMON, SEC . 28, GALESBURG TOWNSHIP.

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

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names of the parents of Mrs. Wagner. They were residents of Columbia County, Pa., where they both passed away.

M illiam B. Main. Among the many genial citizens of Abingdon, no one is more pop- ular or has a larger number of friends than R Mr. Main, the Ex-Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Conductor, and Agent for C. Aultman & Co. and the Fairbanks Scale Co. He was born in Otsego County, N. Y., Dec. 7, 1835. His parents were Thomas P. and Laura (Allen) Main. His father was born in Otsego County, N. Y., of which State he remained a resident till coming to Illinois. He was descended from the Scotch, his first ancestors settling in America being Peter Main, a Scotchman, who settled in Connecticut in 1680, and the mother, born in the same county and State, and of English descent.

Mr. Main, the subject of this biography, removed to Chenango County when four years of age, with his father, and came to Knox County in. 1857, locating at Altona, where he remained till 1862, when he went to Galesburg, and in 1879 to Abingdon, where he was a farmer. Like all patriotic citizens, when a call for men at the breaking out of the Rebellion was made, Mr. Main enlisted in the three months' serv- ice, and was mustered in for three years May 26, 1861, into Co. I, 17th Ill. Vol. Inf. During the war he participated in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Frederickton, Mo., and in the capture of Fort Henry. He was taken sick and honorably discharged on account of physical disability May 9, 1862, after having experienced many of the hardships and dan- gers of the service during his brief time in the army.

Oct. 14, 1862, after having recovered his health, he entered the service of the C., B. & Q. Railroad Com- pany, as brakeman, serving as such till June, 1864, when he became freight conducter, in which capacity he remained until August, 1869, when, being promoted to the position of passenger conductor, he served in that capacity until August 22, 1879, when he re- signed. He was married Jan. 17, 1865, in Guilford, Chenango County, N. Y., by the Rev. Lyman Sperry, to Miss Harriet M. Bill, daughter of Warren and Betsey Bill, who was born in the same county. They

are the parents of two children-Carrie E., born June 20, 1870, and George W., born August 19, 1875.

On coming to Abingdon Mr. Main engaged in the hardware business, in which he remained for three years, also in agricultural pursuits, and has car- ried on the latter ever since. He was Mayor of Ab- ingdon in 1882. Mrs. Main is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he was High Priest of Galesburg Masonic Chapter, No. 79, and Master of Abingdon Lodge in 1884, and has been a Mason for 20 years.

Of Mr. Main's possessions is a farm on section to, Cedar Township, containing 80 acres, which is leased. He owns also the brick block now occu- pied by Main & Burnaugh, also two dwelling houses. He has a large interest in Parsons, Kan., in a fine brick block and other property. Mr. Main is a broad gauged, genial, generous man, and a fair type of the popular and experienced conductor. As might well be anticipated of one occupying so promi- nent a position in the community, he is held in high ? esteem, and has hosts of warm friends, to whose welfare he is warmly devoted, as they are to his. He is justly entitled to the reputation which un- doubtedly is his, that of an honorable, enterprising -- and useful citizen.

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obert Cummings. Among the leading pro- gressive citizens of Knox County, and the more solid and substantial men, may be quoted the name of Robert Cummings, who is a farmer in that section of the country, de- voted enthusiastically to his business, and whose home lies on section 13, Maquon Township. Mr. Cummings came to Knox County in the fall of 1860, from Westmoreland County, Pa. In Maquon Township he worked out for some months, afterward making a settlement in that township, where he has since resided. His first purchase of So acres was on section 13, his present home, and to which he has added by subsequent purchase, until at present his acreage consists of 156

Robert was born in Westmoreland County, l'a., the date being Feb. 26, 1827. While in Pennsyl- vania he worked on the canal for a period of ten years, and with this exception he has always been

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engaged in following the vocation of an agriculturist. The gentleman of whom we write was first married to Susan Schrum. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Schrum. They were of Dutch origin. By this marriage Mr. Cummings became the father of two children, viz. : Mary A. and Harriet J. The latter died in infancy. Mary A. is now living with her people. The demise of Mrs. Cummings occurred March 8, 1858. He was again married Aug. 10, 1862, to Emily T. Thurman, the ceremony being celebrated in Salem Township. She is the daughter of Mark and Fannie ( Marchant ) Thurman, na- tives of the Buckeye State. Her parents were among the early settlers of Knox County, and their demise occurred in the Township of Maquon. The father died about the year 1846. The demise of the mother occurred in 1871. Mrs. Cummings was the fourth child in order of birth of a family of ten children, she being born in Maquon Township Oct. 7, 1833. It may be here stated that Mrs. Cummings was married before she became the wife of our subject. The gen- tleman to whom she was first wedded was Perry Tay- lor, the marriage occurring in Galesburg, Oct. 21, 1852. His demise took place in 1861.

Mr. C. is a devoted and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is the son of Robert and Mary (Yalton) Cummings, natives of the Keystone State, where they resided until death.

ames Patterson, a sturdy tiller of the soil, which vocation he has followed the major portion of his life, resides on section 25, Elba Township. He came to Knox County, Ill., in April, 1857, from Peoria County. His first purchase consisted of 160 acres of land, and he has subsequently added to his possessions until he now owns 220 acres. He has improved his farm by the erection of substantial farm buildings, and is the owner of one of the finest fruit farms in the township.

Mr. Patterson was born in Rockbridge County, Va., Oct. 10, 1823, and when ten years of age re- moved with his parents and Sarah (MacCorde) Pat- terson, to Preble County, Ohio, at which place he lived until 1849, when he emigrated to Peoria

County, locating in Brimfield Township, remaining there until his advent into Knox County, in 1857.

Our subject was married in Preble County, Ohio, Oct. 10, 1848, to Elizabeth Marshall. She was the daughter of Edward and Rebecca (Richey) Marshall. Mrs. P. was born in Preble County, Ohio, Aug. 28, 1828, and has borne her husband three children- Alice, Mary and Etta. Alice is the wife of Benja- min F. Pittman, and resides in Elba Township; Mary resides at home, and Etta is the wife of Edward Whiting, and is also residing in Elba Township. They are the parents of two children-Etha C. and James K. Mr. P. served his township as Overseer of Highways, and politically identifies himself with the Republican party.

amuel Plummer. Knox County is dotted over with some of as rich and productive farms as are to be found anywhere within. the borders of the great Prairie State. On them are located fine improvements, which have been placed there by economy, and through energy on the parts of the proprietors. As a truly representative citizen of this county, and one possessing the necessary requisites to succeed in agriculture, we take pleasure in mentioning the name of the subject of this biographical notice.

Mr. Plummer, of this sketch, came to Knox County in the summer of 1851, emigrating from Fleming County, Ky. The following summer he worked out by the month at farming, subsequently coming to Fulton County, where he purchased a farm, and lived until 1867, when he sold out and purchased 140 acres in Maquon Township, where he is at present residing. He has since been a resident of Maquon Township, and is at the pres- ent time the owner of 131 acres of land, the greater portion of which is tillable. He was born in Flem- ing County, Ky., July 15, 1831. His school privi- leges were somewhat limited, and he remained in his native county until 1851, the date of his arrival in this county.

The subject of this biographical notice was married in Fulton County, Ill., July 15, 1853, to Nancy Street, who was a native of Ohio. Miss Street, was born Nov. 28, 1815, and has borne her husband three children, two of whom are living : Amanda A. -

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and Minerva A. Emma, the second child, died in infancy. Amanda is the wife of R. P. Foster, who resides in Maquon Township. She is the mother of five children-Albert O., Samuel, Selden, Norman and Alina. Minerva is the widow of Irving Kirkuff, who died Feb. 29, 1884. She had become the mother of three children-Emma M., Charley V. and Edith B. This lady now living with her parents.

Mr. Plummer, of this notice, has held several of the minor offices of this township. His parents were Jeremiah and Amanda E. (Ross) Plumme:, who were natives respectively of Maryland and Virginia. They both died in Kentucky, the father in 1843, the mother in 1846. The parents of Mrs. Plummer were John M. and Mary (Davis) Combs, he a native of Pennsylvania and she of Ireland. They both came to Knox County at an early day and settled in Maquon Township, where they died.

B enjamin F. Pittman is a representative of that class of citizens who have been the leading spirits in the development of Knox County. Mr. Pittman is and always has been an agriculturist, and at this writing is pleasantly located on his rich and product- ive farm on section 25, Elba Township, where he is industriously engaged in the prosecution of his calling.

He came here in the spring of 1869 from Missouri, and for a year worked out in Elba Township. At the expiration of that time he began farming on his own account. He received his place as a legacy, and since moving on the same has erected a good set of farm buildings ; all his land is in a good, tillable con- dition, and he is enjoying life as a tiller of the soil.

Mr. Pittman was born in Fulton County, Pa., Sept. 7, 1843. There he received his education, worked on the farm, developed into manhood and lived until he was 22 years of age. His educatfon was supple- mented by a course at Fulton Institute, in his native county, and also at Ramsburg Seminary, in Bedford County, Pa., and Iron City College, Pittsburg, Pa .; he is consequently possessed of more than a com- mon-school education.

In August, 1861, Mr. Pittman enlisted in the 26th Pa. Vol. Inf .; served three years in fighting for the

Union and then re-enlisted in the 205th Pa. Vol. Inf. and served nine months longer. He was first in the division under Mcclellan, then under Hooker and Burnside; then with Hooker and Pope, and finally under Grant, in the battle of the Wilderness, and at Gettysburg under Meade. While in front of Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865, he was struck with a piece of shell and incapacitated for duty for about two years. He enlisted as private, and for meritori- ous conduct and bravery while on the field of battle, was promoted to Orderly Sergeant.

Returning from the war, our subject engaged as merchant's clerk, in Hancock, Washington Co., Md., for over one year. Abandoning this, he engaged in railroading in Wisconsin and Missouri, from which latter State he came here and made settlement on his farm as stated, and has since followed agricult- ural pursuits.

Mr. Pittman was married in Peoria, Ill., March 10, 1870, to Alice Patterson, daughter of James and Elizabeth Patterson, residents of Elba Township (see sketch of James Patterson). Mrs. Pittman was born in Preble County, Ohio, Aug. 14, 1850, and was about a year old when she came with her par- ents to this county. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Pittman-Bessie B. and Norma. Mr. Pittman has held the office of School Director for 10 years, and also that of Overseer of Highways. He is a inember of Dan. McCook Post, No. 53, G. A. R., of Elmwood. In politics he is a Republican.

.Y.

oseph Oberholtzer, a pioneer of Truro Township, is the subject of this biograph- ical sketch. He is a resident of Knox County, and may be considered one of the landmarks of this section of country. He is

un identified with the growth of this portion of our State, and experiences all the pleasure of those who watch the gradual growth and final success of any pet enterprise in which they are personally con- cerned.

Mr. Oberholtzer was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, May 13, 1819. His father, Jacob Oberholtzer, was a native of Bucks County, Pa., and his grand- father was a native of Switzerland; the latter also

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settled in Bucks County, and spent the last year of his life there.

The father of our subject grew to manhood in his native county, and was reared on a farm. Soon after marriage and previous to the War of 1812, he removed to Ohio and settled in Columbiana County, where he was one of the early settlers. There he entered timber land and cleared a farm, on which he lived until 1834, when he removed to Wayne County, in the same State. Purchasing a farm, he settled upon it and there labored until his death, which occurred in 1847, he having attained the age of 80 years. The maiden name of Mrs. Jacob Oberholtzer was Eliza- beth Mellinger, who was born in Lancaster County, Pa., and died in Wayne County, Ohio, several years later, at the age of nearly So years. A family of 14 children grew up about them, of whom our subject was the tenth in order of birth. He was reared on a farm and remained there until he reached the age of 18 years. At that period he started out for himself, and going to Richland County served two years at the blacksmith's trade. He then opened a shop in Wayne County and conducted the business until 1849; selling out in the fall of that year, he started with his wife and two children to Illinois. The en- tire journey was made overland with two horses and a wagon, and after a tiresome trip of 20 days they reached Knox County. He rented a house on sec- tion 34, of Truro Township, and erected a log build- ing, in which he worked at his trade. During the winter he bought the farm which he still occupies. He has continually added to and improved his property, until he has one of the most attractive homes in the county. Commodious and convenient buildings stand on the farm, suited to every branch of his chosen industry, and having added so con- stantly to his original acreage he now owns about 386 acres of farm land, besides a tract of timber - land in Truro Township. Since the first winter he has devoted his time to agricultural pursuits, and has been successful in the extreme.

Mr. Oberholtzer was united in marriage with Miss Annie Tedrow, April 15, 1841. She was a native of Somerset County, Pa., and was born Dec. 12, 1814, being the daughter of Reuben and Susan (King) Ted- row, both natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Oberholtzer are the parents of five children, as fol- lows: Louisa, wife of J. A. Shaffer, living in Truro Township; O. John lives in Elba Township; Eliza-

beth was married to O. P. Nelson, who has a home in Truro ; Homer W. lives in Elba Township; Mary E. married Benjamin P. Baird, and died June, 1880, leaving one child named Newton Baird. Mr. O. is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, strong and devoted in religious principle and a useful and worthy member of society. In politics he was Democratic until the war, and since that time has been a sound Republican.

rancis W. Sears. It would be hard to find a more skillful farmer and estimable gen- tleman than he whose name heads this sketch. He arrived in Knox County in the fall of 1840, and settled with his parents in Henderson Township, where his father for some time kept a hotel. In 1870 he removed to Iowa, where he now resides. Francis was born in Cortland County, N. Y., on the 25th of March, 1834, and was in his sixth year when he came to Knox County. His school education was very limited, but he was a boy of great perseverance and purpose, so that he is far better informed than the time given to his educational pursuits would indicate. About the year 1864 he operated a flouring and saw mill in the vicinity of Henderson, which he ran successfully for many years. He is at present the owner of 168 acres, most of which is arable land.

He was first married in Henderson, on the zoth of February, 1859, to Helen McKee, the daughter of Thomas McKee, one of the most honorable and best known gentlemen in this district and for many miles around, and whose biography is given in this work. Mrs. Sears became the mother of five children-Bur- dette V., Maggie B., Hardin F., Nellie and Charlie E. Maggie B. died when she was about six months old, to the inexpressible grief of her parents. Burdette V. was married in Nebraska, on the 16th of Febru- ary, 1884, to Jennie F. Cox, a native of Indiana. By the marriage there were two children-Frank and George (twins.) Mrs. Sears died on the 8th of Jan- uary, 1875. He was again married in Henderson Township on the 24th of August, 1876, to Sarah Martin, daughter of William and Rosilla (Pope) Mar- tin, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia. These excellent people canie first to Knox County in

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 28

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