Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 30

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 30

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At Cuba, Fulton County, on the 9th of April, 1846, Dr. Heller entered into connubial relations with Mary J., daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Acker- son) Mosher. Mrs. Heller was born in Washington County, Ohio, April 9, 1827. Her people were among the pioneers of Fulton County, having come to that county when the broad, unbroken prairies were cov- ered with a luxuriant growth of waving grass and were sparsely populated, but few having come into the wilderness up to the year 1832.

Dr. Heller and wife came to Abingdon on the 6th of June, 1846, at which time he entered upon the practice of his profession, in which he has con- tinued with unremitting and arduous toil, laboring for the healthfulness and physical welfare of the people about him. He is the second oldest of the early physicians of Knox County, and the oldest in point of years, except Dr. Duncan, of Knoxville.

A tribute to his personal worth and his unostenta- tious ability, no less than his practical knowledge as a physician, has been rendered him in the hearty support and patronage of the people of Abingdon.

At the breaking out of the Rebellion our subject was a Douglas Democrat, and at once took a pos- itive stand in favor of the Unionists ; made speeches and helped to imbue men with the hearty spirit of true patriotism, thinking not only " principles, not men," but " principles and men." At that time Dr. M. Reece, one of the most popular and intelligent physicians and surgeons of Knox County, was study- ing medicine with Dr. Heller. The two friends de- cided between themselves that one or the other of them should enter the service, and Dr. Reece, being the younger, eventually entered the army as Surgeon of an Illinois infantry regiment, where he did great good on behalf of his country.

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Dr. Heller has a fine farm in Cedar Township, consisting of 246 acres, and is engaged in the breed- ing of Short-horn cattle quite extensively, owning a herd of about 75 pure-blooded animals. At a sale recently he disposed of a number of these, retaining part and a small herd of horses.

His family circle has been enlarged by the addi- tion of five sons, named as follows : Robley E., who married Mary Patch, and resides at Topeka, Kan., and is an attorney by profession ; Joseph married Samantha Thurman, and whose home is in Osage, Kan .; William Henry died in childhood, and John L. married Amelia McMillen, is in Washington, D. C., and holds a position in the Pension Office; Frank I .. , single, lives in Meade County, Kan.

As previously stated, Dr. Heller is a man of wide usefulness, activity and enterprise, and has taken an exceedingly commendable part in favor of Prohibi- tion. His heart and mind are enlisted in that cause, and he labors with an earnestness which is worthy of good results. He is a man of firm convictions, large sympathies, and his hostility to intemperance is as decided as is his Christian philanthropy and cour- teous kindness. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church, and he is known locally as an experienced surgeon and a successful practitioner.

ohn West, deceased, was formerly a resi- dent of Elba Township, occupying a home on section 35, where, up to the date of his death, he was an energetic tiller of the soil. Mr. West was one of the early settlers here, having come to this county more than 50 years ago, from Clinton County, Ohio, and making settle- ment in Elba Township, where he at first purchased 40 acres of wild, uncultivated prairie land, on the sec- tion above named.

On his arrival in this county, Mr. West located on his small purchase of land, and by push, pluck and perseverance, he not only improved his place, and erected a fine residence thereon, together with good and substantial out-buildings, but added to his orig- inal purchase 700 acres, and at the date of his de- mise owned in this county 740 acres of good land.

John West was born in Virginia, May 3, 1809 and was but one year old when his parents moved from

that State to Ohio, and settled on the east fork of the Little Miami River. The parents of our subject were Owen and Betsy West, who died after their re- moval to Ohio.

Our subject received his education in the common schools of Ohio, and there, in Clinton County, con- tinued to reside, occupied in the vocation of a farmer, until coming to this county. He was married in Clin- ton County, Ohio, Feb. 26, 1831, to Elizabeth George. Miss George was born in Highland County, Ohio, June 26, 1811. Her parents were William and Tab- itha George.

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. West II children have been born, named Joel, William, Isaac, Han- nah, Rhoda, Mary J., Catherine, Seth, Henry, Rachel and Samantha. In religion, Mr. West belongs to the sect who, under the leadership of William Penn, first made settlement in Pennsylvania, and who are known as Quakers. Mr. West is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject de- parted this life in Elba Township, March 31, 1884. His wife carries on the farm and is the owner in her own name of 240 acres of good and productive land.

rancis M. Hampton. Few counties of Illinois contain a greater proportion of substantial citizens and good men resident within her borders than Knox, and among those who are of honorable repute as indus- trious workers and for perseverance in well- doing may be named the subject of this sketch. He is a farmer, whose homestead is located on section 8, Indian Point Township, and in point of success is unrivaled.

Mr. Hampton was born in Warren County, Ohio, in 1839. on the 24th of December. He is the son of Lawson and Ann M. (Mann) Hampton, natives of Virginia. The father was born May 10, 1814, and died in February, 1868. The mother was born in ISI0, and is still living in Bloomington, Ill. She married Mr. John Rodgers, who was in the grocery business in the city of Bloomington. To them were born ten children, as follows : Francis M., Dec. 25, 1839; Sarah A .; Delia A .; Richard, who died at the age of two years ; Jacob W .; Kate; Eliza Ann; Jo-

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seph C .; Samuel L .; Milton, who died at the age of one year, and Ezra F.

Mr. Hampton of this sketch married Miss Sarah E. Dawdy, Dec. 3, 1861. She was born in 1844, on the 27th of February, and is the daughter of Jeffer- son M. Dawdy, an early setttler of Indian Point Township, and is one of a family of 12 children- Cassandria, Mary J., James, John W., Samuel M., Sarah E., Harriet, Nancy L., Emily A., Addie F. and Althea.

The children of Mr. Hampton are eight in num- ber-Eliza A., born March 25, 1863 ; Lewis J., Sept. 3, 1866; Emma L., Aug. 4, 1868; Jennie B, June 10, 1871; Hattie E., Feb. 21, 1873; Jacob W., May 25, 1876; Albert L., May 7, 1878, and Georgie, June 30, 1880, who died May 18, 1881.

Mr. Hampton has been successful as a farmer, working up to a high point of cultivation his 160 acres of land, and claims to have been one of the first, if not the very first man, who entered into breeding and selling stock as a business. He is a public man of some little ability, and a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 184, of Abingdon. His wife belongs to the Christian Church of that city, and is a mild and amiable Christian lady. Mr. Hampton takes some interest in politics and outside workings, and is a Jackson Democrat. Eliza A., one of his daughters, united in marriage with J. G. Davis a short time since, and is living in Cedar Township, this county. Mr. Hampton claims to be an early settler, although not a pioneer, as he came to this State in 1854 with his parents, and located near Abingdon.

orenzo Rowe. The history of Knox County contains the records of many men whose struggles for prosperity have been richly re- warded, and who, after years of usefulness, find themselves in possession of an abiding place in which to pass their declining years. Prominent among these may be named the subject of this biog- raphy, a former resident of section 18, Sparta Town- ship, who came to Illinois in 1838, and has a direct claim to the title of pioneer. He has watched the growth of what was almost a wilderness into a bustling,

populous section of country, and has passed many milestones on the highway of progress therein.

Mr. Rowe was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., April 1, 1823, in the town of Scipio. His parents were Anson and Nancy (Winegar) Rowe. Mrs. Rowe died in the State of New York, in 1836, and in 1838, ac- companied by his family, Mr. Rowe came to Illinois, where he settled in Henderson, and engaged in blacksmithing. He continued at this business until his death, which took place in June, 1872, in Wa- taga.

Our subject remained at home until he reached the age of 20 years, when he began working out by the month. This he followed for two years. Only ordi- nary advantages had been granted him in an educa- tional way, but he was fairly well informed. In 1845, he was united in marriage with Miss Narcissa Goff, a native of Kentucky, and a daughter of James and Martha (Ferguson) Goff. He came to Illinois in 1830, settling in Henderson Township, where he pur- chased the place on which he lived until 1846, the year of his decease. The mother survived him 30 years, dying in 1876.

The Rowe family consists of ten children, as fol- lows: Mary O., Laura L., Thomas L., James L., Ann M., Sarah G., Alonzo H., Anie M., Hattie E. and one died in infancy, named Frank G. He pur- chased, in 1848, the place where he now lives, which includes 57 acres, to which he has added 36 acres, and carries on general farming. The principal events in the lives of the children are briefly detailed in the ensuing paragraphs : Laura L. married Frank Pop- lett, and is the mother of two children, by name Ella and Elmer; Thomas L. is the husband of Maggie McCurdy, and the father of three children-Roy, Anie and Clyde; James L. was united in marriage with Mattie Reynolds, and they are the parents of two children-Jennie and Charles; Alonzo H. wed- ded Fannie Riley.

Mr. Rowe is a most useful member of society, and with his wife is a member of the Christian Church. He holds the office of School Director and is Over- seer of the Highways; politically, he is a Democrat. · When Mr. R'owe first came to Illinois, and took up his farm in Knox County, it was. all prairie land, and from the dreary tract of country on which he staked his boundaries so long ago he has evolved his pres- ent home, building, fencing and planting trees, and

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submitting to the inconveniences of that early day. often being obliged to go as far as Chicago for vari- ous articles necessary to the farm and household.

eorge Washington Parker, deceased, an early settler in Truro Township, was born in Hampshire County, Va., March 30, 1819. He was a son of David Parker, but a lad of seven years when his father died, and at that tender age obliged to earn his own liv- ing. He lived for a time in Pennsylvania, and in 1840 removed to Ohio and located in Marion County, where he found employment at farming. At that place he met and married Miss Sallie Morrel, Jan. 4, 1849. Miss Morrel was of German lineage and born in Marion County, Ohio, the date thereof being July 3, 1824. She was the daughter of Samuel and Rosanna (Staley) Morrel, pioneers of Marion County, the former a native of Virginia.

After his marriage Mr. Parker rented a farm in Marion County, which he retained for one year, and in 1850 started with a pair of horses and a wagon for the Prairie State, accompanied by his wife and one child. He had previously visited Knox County, in 1847, at which time he made a purchase of 120 acres of land on section 9. Truro Township. After this purchase Mr. P. returned to Ohio, making the round trip on horseback. A log cabin and six acres of broken and fenced land constituted the only im- provements upon the farm. Our subject arrived in this county after a tedious journey of 28 days, and at once entered actively and energetically upon the task of improving his farm. He was still hard at work, in 1862, when the notes, of war sounded throughout the land, and on the 20th of August of that year he enlisted in Co. H, 102d Ill. Vol. Inf., and went South. He was honorably discharged at Gallatin, Tenn., Feb. 24, 1863, on account of physi- cal disability. He never fully recovered his health, but undertook the management of his farm, which he continued with success. In 1875 he erected upon his place a commodious frame house, also a suitable set of stables and shelter for stock. He added to his landed estate until at the time of his death, April 23, 1879, he was the owner of over 800

acres. His widow still survives him and resides upon the old homestead.

Mr. and Mrs. Parker were blessed by a family of 12 children, seven of whom grew to attain the age of man and womanhood. Samuel Parker is engaged in the mercantile business; Eugene, second son ; John lives in Johnson County, Neb .; Arthur resides in Holt County, Neb .; George manages the old homestead ; Lizzie became the wife of Charles Wil- der, and is residing in Truro; and Emma lives at home with her mother. Mr. Parker was a Democrat in political belief, and a prominent member of the Yates City Lodge, No. 448, A. F. & A. M. Both Mr. and Mrs. Parker were members of the Method- ist Episcopal Church before coming West.

In connection with this sketch, we feel assured, the portrait of this old and esteemed citizen will be looked upon with pleasure and satisfaction by the community in which his worthy life secured for him universal respect and esteem.

illiam Bond, a successful and well-to-do agriculturist of Elba Township, residing on his fine farm on section 25, has been closely identified with the agricultural devel- opment and growth of this county since coming here in the spring of 1854. Mr. Bond came here from Peoria County in 1854, and made settlement in Elba Township, on 160 acres on sec- tion 25, which he purchased at that time. He has there lived until this writing and been industriously engaged in the prosecution of his vocation. Since his first settlement on his land, 32 years ago, he has greatly enhanced its value and improved its appear- ance by thorough cultivation and the erection of good buildings, and at this writing has a valuable estate.

William Bond was born in Preble County, Ohio, Feb. 18, 1819, and there lived until 1852. His father, Exumus Bond, married Juda Bennett. He was a native of South Carolina, and moved to Ohio while young, and there married. He subsequently moved to Randolph County, Ill., and there died. The mother died in Preble County, Ohio, while the subject of this sketch was quite young.

During the year 1852 Mr. Bond moved to Peoria

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County, accompanied by his wife and one child, made settlement in Brimfield Township, and there lived and engaged in agricultural pursuits until com- ing here and making settlement, as stated. He was married in the county of his nativity, Dec. 21, 1845, to Eliza J. Patterson. She was born Jan. 22, 1826, in Tennessee, and is the daughter of John and Sarah (McCord) Patterson, natives of Virginia. This household has been gladdened by the birth of six children, whom they have named Sarah A., Frances, Ella C., Alice E., Augusta and Edward C. Sarah A. died in infancy ; Frances is the wife of William Pittman, a resident of Iowa, and they have seven children-Louis E., Maude, Alice, William, George E., Rosa and Lina A .; Ella C. (Bond) Barrett is the widow of William Barrett, by whom she had three children, who are living, and named Abbie, Inez and Mary; Alice E. Bond is the wife of Marion Ellison, a resident of Salem Township, and to them two children, Sarah E. and Albert H., have been born; Augusta and Edward Bond reside on the old homestead.

Mr. Bond has held some of the minor offices of his township, and in politics, although independent in his political views, he claims to be an adherent of the principles advocated by the Republican party. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

rs. Jane Stephenson. The lady of whom this biography is written is the relict of George Stephenson, deceased, who was born in Scotland, Oct. 31, 1799. His par- ents were Alexander and Elizabeth (Gordon) Stephenson. They were the parents of only two children-Margaret and George. The latter came to America in 1850, and settled in Knox County, on section 8, of Copley Township. There he purchased 80 acres of land and remained some months. until his death, Jan. 3, 1884. He was mar- ried to Miss Annabel McMillan, a native of Scotland, and one of a family of nine children, of whom still survive William, Susanna, George (see sketch), Jessie and Jane. Mrs. Stephenson departed this life in 1862. The second wife of Mr. S. was Miss Jane Allen, a native of Scotland, and a daughter of John and Mary (Love) Allen. They had a family of six

children, of whom Mrs. Stephenson is the fourth child in order of birth. She was married Dec. 23, 1863, to George Stephenson, and of this union two sons were born-John and Andrew. Mrs. Stephen- son, in 1862, with her mother, came to America. Her father had died in 1831, in his native land, and the mother lived with her children until her death, in 1869, her decease taking place in McDonough County.

Mrs. Stephenson still remains on the farm with her two sons. Andrew, the youngest, attends school in the winter. He is industrious and works out summers, and both boys are a great help and com- fort to their lonely mother. John, the eldest born, is 22 years of age and manages the farm, which he improves and cultivates in a manner worthy of an older person. He is engaged in the raising of stock and grain. In politics he is a Republican ; he is an alert thinker and a wide-awake young man.

H. Goldsmith. On the completion of the old Military Railroad, which ran from Galesburg northeast toward Chicago, a great deal of the most valuable and fertile farming land in the State was opened up. Those who could appreciate the value of these fertile prairies came in rapidly, locating here and there upon a quarter-section, and by the year 1860, most of the land had been occupied by actual set- tlers. Among those who came in immediately after the completion of the railroad was Mr. E. H. Gold- smith, to day one of the thrifty agriculturists of the county. His parents, Schuyler and Catherine E. (Howell) Goldsmith, came to Illinois in 1855, and settled in Sparta Township, on section 5. Here the elder Goldsmith secured a quarter-section of land, and improved and lived upon it until his death, which occurred Feb. 18, 1861. His wife had died on Sept. 25, 1850.

The parents of our subject were natives of the Empire State, having been born in Orange County, where they were engaged in the peaceful occupation of farming. They had a family of seven children, of whom our subject was the second in order of birth. He remained in the parental home, assisting his father in his agricultural labors, until he was 22 years

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of age. During these years he also attended the dis- trict school and received an academical course, fit- ting himself for a teacher. In 1859, in Schuyler County, N. Y., he began his labors as a schoolmaster, since which time he has spent most of his winters, until 1876, in the schoolroom, and in the summers followed farming. In 1860 he secured So acres of land on section 4 of Sparta Township. By diligence and careful management he has since been enabled to add 117 acres to his original purchase. He has also for some time been rather extensively engaged in the stock business. When he first secured his land, it was nothing but wild prairie, without any im-, provements. He has since, besides erecting good farm buildings, beautified and enhanced the value of the place by setting out trees and bringing the land to a high state of cultivation, until he now has one of the most delightful as well as valuable homes in Sparta Township.

Mr. Goldsmith was married on March 8, 1859, to Miss Ann M., daughter of William and Margaret Whiteford, natives of New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Goldsmith have two children-Julia E. and Edward W. The latter is a student at Knox College, Gales- burg. Politically, Mr. Goldsmith is a Republican, and in their religious connection the family are mem- bers of the Congregational Church.

braham W. Meeks. Conspicuous among the citizens of Knox County, as noteworthy for good citizenship as well as practical and stanch manhood, may be found the sub- ject of this personal history, the main points in whose career are briefly summarized in the following paragraphs.

Mr. Meeks was born in Monongahela County, Va., March 18, 1819. His father, Thomas Meeks, was a native of Scotland and came to America when quite young, locating in Virginia. Here he grew up and when a young man was united in marriage with Elizabeth George. To them were born 18 children, 17 of whom grew to attain the age of man and womanhood. Our subject was but seven years of age when his father died, but the mother kept her family together and reared her children, inculcating all the inspiration and good principles with which to lay the foundation for strong and true lives, teach-

ing them always that " an honest man is the noblest work of God." Ultimately they showed forth these noble principles, and to them the home circle was too sacred to be invaded by any but those who re- spected goodness and morality. One by one, as they attained their majority, they left their home shelter and went out into the great, struggling world. In 1833, with five of her children, the mother moved to Ohio and located where Abraham grew to inan- hood. This was in Champaign County, where he was reared on a farm, and in 1839 he united his fort- unes and destiny with those of Rachel C. A. Rob- ertson, a native of Preble County, Ohio. In that State he rented land, which he occupied until 1844, when he emigrated to Illinois, coming by wagon road. Their conveyance consisted of three horses and a covered wagon, and in November of that year they reached the point for which they started; the little family included himself, wife and one child. He had, besides his stock, only $33 in money, which constituted his total wealth. He hired a vacant house three miles east of Knoxville, and into this hunble cabin-as it would properly be called, being built of logs, chinked with chips and daubed with mud, besides being surmounted with a dirt-and-stick chimney and having a shake roof and puncheon floor-the family moved. Here the young couple lived cozily, despite their uncouth surroundings, and in the ensuing fall they removed to a farm a mile and a half east of Knoxville, and there lived until 1847. During the interval he was engaged in farm- ing. In 1847 he bought a tract of wild land of So acres, in Knox Township, on section to, where he still resides, and on this he erected a hewed log cabin. He then commenced and improved the land, in which he was successful, it proving fruitful and productive. Here he has lived continuously since that time and his efforts have been brilliantly crowned with success. He is the possessor, at the present time, of 350 acres of land and 20 of timber. The remainder is improved and pasture land.

On the 27th of November, 1857, he lost his wife by death, and on the 5th of September 1860, remar- ried. His second wife's maiden name was Sarah Brooner, and their wedding took place Sept. 5, 1845. She was born Oct. 15, 1822, and died ()ct. 8, 185 1. His third matrimonial alliance was contracted March 4, 1852, with Martha Ellen Bomar, daughter of Dr. Wilson Bomar, a pioneer of Knox Township, and

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she was born in Hardin County, Ky., April 25, 1830. By the first marriage Mr. Meeks had three children, now all deceased. The fruits of the second mar- riage were one daughter, by name Elvira, wife of Haney Risor, whose home is in Holt County, Neb. The third marriage was productive of the birth of seven children, by name as follows: Elizabeth F., who married Williamn Yocum, and who died the 28th of January, 1880, aged 26 years; James A., who died when a child of two years; Olive C., wife of Charles Huggins, whose home is in Orange Town- ship; John William married Annie Lessig, and lives in Knox Township, and is a farmer on section 10; Pierce T. married Capitola Wagner and lives in Monona County, Iowa; Daniel E. is single and re- sides at home and assists in conducting the farm ; Ira H. is in attendance at the business college at Galesburg ; and Lueffie K. resides at home.

Mr. and Mrs. Meeks are consistent and reliable members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He takes considerable interest in political matters and is a Republican in sentiment and vote.

illiam H. Shumaker. Within the limits of Knox County and among those espe- cially noted for enterprise and energy, may be quoted the subject of our biography, a man whose untiring perseverance and abil- ity in financial matters have brought him to his present prosperous state. William H. Shumaker was reared on his father's farm and attended the district school, gaining an ordinary education therein by close attention and faithful study. His present home is located on section 12, Indian Point Township, and he is considered one of the most able financiers of Knox County.

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 30

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