Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 32

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 32

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Mr. and Mrs. Riner became the parents of four

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children, bearing the following names : Albert, of Peoria County, married Miss Dany Tuttle, and they have two children-Eda and Jacob C. Riner; Mar- garet Angeline, wife of S. D. Enochs, resides in Yates City ; they have three children ; Dora B., wife of Martin Thompson, of Yates City ; and Jacob C., residing at home.

Politically, Mr. Riner is a Jeffersonian Democrat, and a solid, substantial man and respected citizen. He is a member in good standing of the Masonic fraternity, and holds membership with Yates City Lodge, No. 448, and is also a member of Hiram Chapter, No. 98, R. A. M., Yates City.

We feel assured that the portrait of Mr. Riner, presented in connection with this sketch, will be looked upon with pleasure by his old friends and ac- quaintances.

ames A. Shaffer, one of Knox County's successful farmers, residing on section 27, Truro Township, began his career as a farmer in the year 1864, on an So-acre tract of land which he had inherited from his mother ; or, in other words, the land had been purchased for him previously with the money he had inherited, and was at the time of purchase valued at $750. This farm included the south one-half of the north- west quarter of section 27, which he has since occu- pied. The first addition made to it was the north one-half of the same quarter, which he purchased on time. From the very first our subject engaged in the breeding of stock, his favorite being the Short-horn cattle. He also deals extensively in Poland-China hogs and Clydesdale horses. He has added to his acreage from time to time until now he is the pos- sessor of 820 acres of land, all of which is tillable soil.

The gentleman whose name heads this brief per- sonal narrative was born in Clinton County, Pa., April 15, 1841. He was kept steadily at school un- til he was 13 years of age, when he began work with his father in the lumber regions, felling trees and squaring timber. Our subject was 15 years of age when he came to the Prairie State with his father, arriving here May 20, 1856. Here he again took up his studies, attending the common schools and sup- plementing the same by attendance at Hedding Col-

lege, Abingdon. He assisted his father in the farm duties until he had attained his majority, at which time he worked for his father on shares until the year 1864, when he located on his present farm as before stated.

Nov. 22, 1864, the marriage of James Shaffer and Miss Louisa, the accomplished daughter of Joseph and Annie (Tedrow) Oberholtzer, was solemnized. Mrs. Shaffer was born in Wayne County, Ohio, July 15, 1843, and was formerly a teacher in the public schools of Knox County. She received her early education in the public schools and later attended Hedding College, receiving her first certificate when but a girl of 14 years. She graduated at St. Mary's School in June, 1886.

The happy union of Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer has been blessed by the birth of seven bright children, whose names are as follows: Vesper, Joseph O., Benjamin B., Annie, Celestia, Rosaletta, and James A.

Mr. S. is a Greenbacker, and is a stockholder in a co-operative store at Yates City, and Director in the company. He has always evinced great interest in educational matters, and has served in the capac- ity of School Director in his district. He has also represented his township on the Board of Supervis- ors.

Our subject and wife are highly esteemed by all who enjoy their acquaintance and friendship, and Mrs. Shaffer is a woman gifted with extraordinary business ability They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

rs. Martha Seiboldt, the relict of Octa- vius Seiboldt, is the subject of this bio- graphical sketch, and a woman of indom- itable and persevering energy. She owns and manages a farm of 300 acres, on which she erected a fine residence in 1885, valued at $2,000. She has instituted many improvements and steadily worked with a view to the establishment of a home worthy of the pride of its owner.

The husband of our subject was born in Sweden, in 1824, and died in America, at his home in Knox County, Ill., in 1867, at the early age of 43. He came to Amerca in 1845, and followed the sea as captain of a vessel for almost ten years. In 1854 he came to Illinois, settling in Victoria, and engaged in

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cabinet-making. He was thus engaged for two years, when he abandoned the cabinet business, and after remaining in Copley Township for two years took a trip to the Rocky Mountains, and, traveling down in the direction of Central America, was lost to the eye of the civilized world and his friends for about eight years. At the expiration of that length of time he returned to Copley Township and remained one year.

Mr. Seiboldt was united in marriage in 1855 with our subject, Martha Larson, daughter of Eric and Annie (Colson) Larson. They emigrated from Swe- den to Illinois immediately after this event. After the death of the father, which occurred on the jour- ney, it is supposed of the cholera, the family came on and settled in Copley Township. The mother, who still survives, makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Seiboldt, having reached the age of 86 years. Mrs. Seiboldt has three children living-John, Sarah and George; Emma and Mary are deceased. Mrs. Seiboldt manages her large farm with admirable tact and ability, and wins golden opinions for her womanly courage, her nobility of purpose and her strength of execution. She is a consistent member of the Swed- ish Methodist Episcopal Church, and a useful worker. In her younger days she was only a laboring girl, working in Peoria and Galesburg at housework, but, taking for her motto "there is no such word as fail," she has succeeded in securing the possession of a home which will be a rest and an abiding place throughout her declining years.

xon. John Sloan. The annals of Knox County would be incomplete without the notice of this gentleman, who has shown himself not only possessed of high mental at- tainments, but of that good judgment, strength of character and unvarying integrity that win the respect of all with whom he is connected. He is a resident of Salem Township, and the citizens of his district feel no small degree of pride in his merits, not only as a private citizen, but as a politician and a public man.

Mr. Sloan is a native of Ireland, and was born in County Antrim, Oct. 12, 1827, and is the son of James and Mary (Beck) Sloan, both natives of that

county. The grandfather of Mary Beck was origin- ally from Scotland, and emigrated to Ireland in the seventeenth century. The Sloans were from Scot- land, and our subject was reared in his native county, obtaining his education in the schools of his neigh- borhood. At the age of 18, entering a wholesale grocery store and bakery, he served an apprentice- ship and worked as journeyman for four years. Aft- er an interval of four years, as stated, he assisted his father on the farm, working there until 1850. At that time, not content with the ordinary'lot of the av- erage young man in his country, he emigrated to America, setting sail from Belfast Sept. 13, 1850. He changed vessels at Liverpool and subsequently landed at New Orleans, by way of which city he continued his journey up the river to St. Louis. At that place he took a packet, and coming up the Illi- nois River completed his trip. Accompanied by a brother who had joined hin at Liverpool, they set out on foot for Oquawka, which was 100 miles dis- tant, arriving there Dec. 13 of the same year. Our subject found employment, as do the generality of willing workers, and, engaging at $13 per month, he labored for eight months, and in the fall of 1851 joined a surveying party, going out in the employ of the Peoria & Oquawka Railroad. In December, 1851, he drove the first stake east of the Mississipi River for that corporation, and, working one month as chainman, he was promoted to the position of assist- ant engineer. Remaining with this company until 1857, he bought on section 4, of Salem Township, 7 2 acres, of land, and there erected a house and com- menced to cultivate it. He has added to his farm from time to time until he owns nearly Soo acres, of which nearly all is improved, and some pasture. He raises the small grains, and is interested in the breeding of Short-horn cattle, his favorite breed of stock.

Mr. Sloan was married June 13, 1854, to Sarah Allen, of County Antrim, Ireland. She is the daugh- ter of Hugh and Sarah (Caulfield) Allen, the date of her death being Nov. 22, 1832. Seven chil- dren have grown up about them, three of whom they have now lost by death; the remaining four are as follows: Mary, wife of Dr. J. W. Hensley, of Yates City ; Hugh; Sarah, wife of E. H. Ware, of Summit; James; Susan, one of those deceased, was born Oct. 7, 1865, and died at the early age of 14, just at the dawn of womanhood, July 27, 1879;

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Johnnie, born Oct. 8, 1872, died July 27, 1879; Jessie died the following August, aged two years and six months. The last three named died of diph- theria. Mrs. Sloan is a member of the United Pres- byterian Church.

Mr. Sloan has filled satisfactorily a number of local political offices. He served as Supervisor from 1869 to 1878, at which time he resigned, having been elected to the State Legislature. He was on the committees on agriculture, horticulture and town- ship organization. He was re-elected in 1882, and held the office in a manner reflecting credit upon him. In politics he has been a Democrat ever since he became a voter. He is connected with the Yates City Lodge, No. 488, Chapter No. 98, R. A. M. He was also appointed to serve on the building com- mittee of the jail, with other worthy citizens of Knox County, and may be found generally as having a voice and hand in her most useful enterprises.

Hugh, his son previously named, was born in Sa- lem Township, May 19, 1858, and united in marriage with Miss Nora Baird, daughter of Demetrius and Charlotte (Wheeler) Baird. They reside in Salem Township, and he is actively engaged in agricult- ural pursuits, his home being situated on section 3. Mr. Sloan is at the present time a member of the Board of Supervisors, and is on the building com- mittee of the Court House.

S amuel Shives, of section 16, Elba Town- ship, came to Knox County in April, 1851, from Fulton County, Pa. He was a single man at the time, and worked by the month several years for farmers and at other occupa- tions. This continued for about It years. In 1873, he purchased 40 acres of land in Elba Town- ship, on section 16, and went to work on this. He has continued to live there until this time, and now owns 120 acres of land acquired by occasional addi- tions to the original 40; part of this acreage is tillable.

Mr. Shives was born in Fulton County, Pa., Jan. 16, 1825. He lived there until 1851, when he came to Knox County, where he was married in Knoxville, Jan. 16, 1866. He was the husband of a lady by name Martha Kightlinger, daughter of Jacob and

Marion (Berfield) Kightlinget, both natives of Penn- sylvania. They reside in Yates City. Mrs. Shives was born in Elba Township, Jan. 14, 1844. Mr. and Mrs. Shives have four children-Flora E., Ma- rion R., John D. and Mabel M. Flora Estella died Oct. 23, 1879, when eight years of age.

Mr. Shives has been quite a prominent man in his community, and has assisted in matters educational and otherwise. He is a clear thinker and an active worker, and has been School Director 15 years. He has been Collector of the township for a number of years, and in politics he is a Democrat. His par- ents, John and Susan (Miller) Shives, were natives of Fulton County, Pa.

R obert Shelton, a retired farmer and a resi- dent of Yates City, is the subject of this biographical notice. He was a native of England, being born in Rutlandshire. His father was a laboring man, and while still small Robert was put to work. When he was nine years of age he was hired out to a farmer, and remained with him for four years, receiving two pence per day for his labor. At the end of that time he en- gaged with a traveling clergyman, and while with him visited various parts of England and Wales. After two years he resumed farming, receiving 50 shillings the first year, and 70 during the ensuing four years. He then engaged as teamster, and finding it a bus- iness that paid fairly well, he continued in it until 1840, and from that time until 1850 was employed as foreman on a farm.

On the 8th day of May of that year, he set sail from Liverpool with his wife and two children, land- ing at New York City on the 8th of June. He then proceeded via the Hudson River and Erie Canal to Buffalo, where he was obliged to remain for a time on account of sickness in the family. This was a heavy drain upon his finances, but, resuming his journey, the party arrived at Toledo, went thence to Hillsdale, Mich., and there he hired a conveyance, and the tourists were taken to La Grange, Ind. There he had friends, became hopeful and gained a foothold in the world, and after battling with fever and ague for a time he procured work on a railroad in Indiana and Mich- igan. Working there for one year, he removed to

RESIDENCE OF JOHN A. LEIGHTON, SEC. 13 . SPARTA.

RESIDENCE OF G. W. KENNEDY SEC. 30. ELBA TOWNSHIP.

RESIDENCE OF JAS. J. ELDRIDGE, SEC. 5. PERSIFER TOWNSHIP.

LIBRARY · OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINC:3

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Illinois and found employment on the I. C. R. R. He next took a contract on the Bureau Valley R. R., but was financially unfortunate, and concluded to resume agricultural pursuits. Coming to Knox County with three pairs of horses, and the meager sum of $25 in money, he bought 160 acres of wild land on section 13, of Elba Township, paying but Sio down. There was no house for the little family, and hollow- ing out a strawstack, he provided a place of refuge for his wife and children until he could build a shanty for them with lumber drawn from Bureau County. Selling two of his teams, with the proceeds he purchased farm implements, and began work on the ground all unbroken before him, His earnest efforts were crowned with good results, and he was able from time to time to make payments on his farm until he stood free from debt. The family continued in the impromptu dwelling, which seemed so comforta- ble in the days when they were roughing it, but one year. At the end of that time he built a frame house, 16 x 24, and one and one-half stories high. He has since added to this and erected neat build- ings, which stand on the farm in good condition, while his land is highly cultivated and productive. Adding from time to time to his estates, he is to-day the owner of 340 acres in Elba Township.

Desiring a change, Mr. Shelton left his son in charge of the farm and removed to Yates City. In 188r, he took up a tract of land in Butler County, Neb., remaining upon it from early spring to Novem- ber, and in the interval erecting a house and tilling 100 acres of the land. In the autumn, he rented it, and returned to Yates City, and is now the owner of three residences and a store there. Mrs. S. was for- merly Mary Jackson, a native of Rutlandshire, Eng., born Sept. 6, 1815. Their union has been blest with five children, as follows : Martha, wife of Jesse R. Hill, lives in Butler County, Neb .; Mary, Mrs. G. W. Rogers, resides in Dakota; Isaac lives in Elba Township; Annie married A. J. Kightlinger, of Yates City ; and Francis R. is in Elba Township,

Mr. Shelton is eminently a self-made man and an example to any American youth. He has shown to the world that honest effort, united with a strong en- deavor to breast the waves of difficulty, cannot fail if faithfully continued and worthily exerted. Any boy with the blessings of good health and this life before him, with the advantages of free schools, can win. Nor need he despair, be he ever so restricted finan-

cially. With the countless examples of good men of noble lives constantly before him, let him believe that we " can make our lives sublime."

N. Severin, merchant, and one of the firm of Severin & Christover, of Victoria, is one of the most enterprising business men and active workers resident within the borders of Knox County. His keen and ready foresight, unfailing energy and active disposition of all difficulties that fall in his way have gained himn victory over obstacles that others might have found unsurmountable.

Mr. Severin came to this place in 1865, but was born in Sweden, April 14, 1839, and is the son of Nels E. and Sigried (Larson) Severin, both of Sweden. The husband held many important offices, and was elected Juryman nine terms, of three years each. He was a soldier in the war against Russia, and, as is the case in Sweden, he had his name changed from Erickson to Severin. He developed consider- able ability as an orator, often pleading cases in court. He died in his own land in 1846; his wife Jan. 28, 1881. Lars Erickson was the father of Mrs. Severin. He was a farmer, owning a place in Bollnas, Paris, Safversta Village. He was elected to the old Con- gress, and there represented the farmers' interests. He was elected four terms, and each term was from one to five years; he was also elected Juryman and " Harads Domaren," meaning a wise judge, and was appointed one of the committee to receive the prince, afterward King Carl Johan XIV.

Lars Erickson was loved and respected by his peo- ple, and his loss was widely felt at the time of his death, which occurred about 1831. Our subject, the grandson of Lars Erickson, was the youngest of a family of children, and his early days were spent at school and on the farm. At the age of 21, he en- gaged in mercantile pursuits and followed the same until he left his native land to seek a home in Amer- ica, in 1865. After reaching New York he came to Victoria, Knox Co., Ill., where he worked on a farm until 1867. He then engaged in clerking for Robin- son & Sons, at Victoria, and there continued for three years. He then engaged with C. M. Ewing and remained with him two years, at the end of

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which time he went into the same business with Homer Gains, remaining until 1880. Purchasing, with David Larson, the stock and mill of Mr. Gains, he conducted the business under the firm name of Severin & Larson until 1882, when Larson sold out his interest to William Christover, and the business has since been conducted under the title of Severin & Christover. They handle dry goods, clothing, hats, caps, groceries, notions and so forth, and by their up- rightness of character and genuine devotion to bus- iness have won the respect and confidence of a wide circle, which grants them a hearty patronage.

Mr. Severin was married to Miss Matilda Swan- son, a native of Sweden, and a daughter of Charles and Christina Swanson. They came to America in 1858, and, settling in Galesburg, remained eight years. In 1864 he moved to Henry County and rented a farm for eight years, and after that bought a farm in Lynn Township. It included 12 acres, and he continued to live there until May 13, 1884, when his death took place. The mother is still liv- ing and is in Galva at the home of her youngest son. Mr. and Mrs. Severin have a family of four sons- Theodore, born March 20, 1867 ; Bismark, born Nov. 13, 1870; Oscar, Jan. 17, 1874, and Eric, Jan. 12, 1876.

Mr. Severin is politically Independent, but holds large and liberal beliefs and votes for principle, not party. His home is on Union street, is desirable and attractive, and he with his family attends the Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church, to which they are united.

ohn C. Parsons, of Henderson Township, is one of the representative farmers and substantial men of his community and is located on section 25. He is the son of John P. and Lucia M. (Stillman) Parsons. In our biography of Mr. John P. Parsons we have given brief memoranda of the family history of our subject. He was born in Henderson Township on the 12th of September, 1856, was educated at the common schools, and, as a boy, showed himself an apt pupil and devoted to his studies. He has al- ways been a resident of Knox County. He remained at home up to 1882, when he took charge of the farm on which he now lives. He was married

within his own township Dec. 25, 1884, to Julia A. Noble, this lady being a native of Venango Co., Pa., where she was born on the 7th of June, 1861. She is the daughter of Mark Noble, of Henderson Town- ship, whose history is given elsewhere in this ALBUM. She is a lady of great amiability of character and has a large circle of friendly acquaintances.

harles A. Stetson, a popular dry goods merchant of Yates City, is the subject of this personal notice, and may be counted as one of the most enterprising and solid men of Knox County. His fair dealing with his patrons and his affable courtesy of manner have entitled him to a high place among the bus- iness men of this section.

Mr. Stetson was born in Otsego County, N. Y., May 4, 1840. His father, John Stetson, of the same county, was born Jan. 11, 1805, and his grandfather was a native of Connecticut. The maiden name of our subject's mother was Eliza Robinson, of Otsego County. His father, who was engaged in mercan- tile business when he was a young man in Otsego County, gave his name to the village in which he lived, and it was called Stetsonville. Continuing there until 1855 or 1856, he sold out and came to Illinois, settling at Farmington. There he engaged in business, and, having previously purchased a build- ing, he took as associate partner his son David R., put in a general stock and superintended the bus- iness until 1870. He now lives in Farmington, hav- ing retired from active labor.

Mr. Stetson was three times married, and is the father of seven children, all born by the first mar- riage, as follows : George, who lives at Storm Lake, Iowa, where for a few years he was engaged in a wholesale grocery store, and also owns largely in real estate in that vicinity ; David R., now of Lincoln, Neb., is engaged in the grain trade; Fannie, widow of Dr. John Gregory, residing in Farmington ; Ann, wife of La Salle Yates, a merchant at that place ; Charles A., our subject ; J. Lee Stetson, who lives at Pawnee Rock, Kan., engaged in agriculture; Mary Jane, the eldest child, who died in New York State, at the age of 25.

Our subject received his education in the district

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schools of Otsego County and the public schools of Farmington. He clerked for his father and brother at times until he attained the age of 21, and after that for his brother in-law, La Salle Yates, of Farm- ington, for one year. At the expiration of that time they became partners, and thus remained, conduct- ing the business under the firm name of Yates & Stetson, until 1865. At that date Mr. Charles Stet- son bought Mr. Yates' interest, and remained there until 1869, continuing the business alone. He then removed his stock to Yates City, and adding to it he erected the building he now owns and occupies. He was married May S, 1862, to Amanda Caldwell, of Salem Township. She is the daughter of William and Sarah (Lindsay) Caldwell, pioneers of Knox County, and was born in Salem Township, Sept. IS, 1843. Two children are the result of this union -Helen and Lindsay. Mr. Stetson is a Republi- can in politics, and his wife and daughter are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church. He ranks high as a business man and is well respected by the entire community of which he is a member.

mith Rhea, Postmaster at Yates City, is a native of Ohio and was born in Preble County, Feb. 14, 1820. His father, Jehu S. Rhea, was born near Nashville, Tenn., and his father, grandfather of our subject, Robert Rhea, is supposed to have been descended from the sons of Erin. The grandfather distinguished himself as a soldier during the War of the Revolu- tion, and also rendered valuable service in the War of 1812. At the battle of Horse-Shoe Bend he was thrown from his horse, and as the result was a crip- ple the remainder of his days. He followed the calling of an agriculturist until his death, which oc- curred in Tennessee.

The father of our subject, Jehu S., grew to man- hood in Tennessee, and was there married to Miss Elizabeth Smith, a native of North Carolina. After marriage he removed to Ohio, locating in Butler County, at which place he tarried for one year. In 1816 he made Preble County his home, where he was among the early settlers. There he purchased a tract of timber land, which, through diligent toil, was cleared and transformed into a beautiful farm.

Upon this farm he lived until 1836, when, disposing of his place, he removed to Adams County, Ind. There he again purchased timber land, cleared a part of it and carried on farming to a greater or less extent for four years, when he accepted an offer to sell the same, and returned to Ohio, again settling in Preble County, where he purchased a small farm. In 1842 he again emigrated to Indiana, in search of a desirable location on the Wabash River, where he was taken ill and died. His wife had preceded him to the better land a few years earlier, her demise oc- curring in Ohio. The parental family consisted of ten children, of whom our subject was the fifth in order of birth.

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 32

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