USA > Illinois > Knox County > Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois > Part 34
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Mr. Townsend was appointed Postmaster in 1879, during Hayes' administration. He is popular among his neighbors and a useful member of the community ; is in good and regular standing in Hermon Lodge, No. 585, I. O. O. F., and was sent as representative to the Grand Lodge at Springfield, which office he holds this year. He is interested in matters relative to the welfare of his country, wide awake to the po- litical situation, and well posted in the working of the heads of the nation. He is a believer in and a supporter of the principles advocated by the Repub- lican party. Mrs. Townsend is a member of the Universalist Church.
olomon R. Sloan, a retired farmer and resi- dent of Summit, was born in County Derry, Ireland, in 1824, and is the son of William and Fannie (Campbell) Sloan. He was reared on a farm in his native county, and made his home with his parents until 20 years of age, when he emigrated to America. He set sail from Liv- erpool in the month of May, and landed at Philadel- phia on the Sth day of July, where he engaged as a contractor, tearing down and moving buildings, also in
digging cellars. He remained in Philadelphia ten years, and in 1854 came to Illinois and located in Knox County, renting land in Salem Township, where he remained for four years, and then returned to Philadelphia and lived until 1868. Soon thereaft- er, Mr. Sloan returned to Salem Township and locat- ed on section 5, remaining there for four years, at the expiration of which time he disposed of his land and purchased the southeast quarter of section 7, where he engaged in farming until 1883. He then rented his farm and purchased the place he now owns and occupies at Summit.
Our subject was married May 31, 1850, to Ro- sanna Macaulay. She was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1834, and is the daughter of Robert and Jane (Lapslay) Macaulay. She came to America in 1846. Four children have clustered around the hearthstone of Mr. and Mrs. Sloan: Nivens S. lives at Johnson, Neb. ; Rosanna is the wife of C. H. Wedmier, and they reside at Summit ; Fannie J. and Thomas N. Mr. and Mrs. Sloan are devoted men-} bers of the Presbyterian Church, and in polities Mr. S. is a stanch Republican, and casts his vote for that party whenever opportunity offers.
ark Noble. This gentleman is an exten- sive farmer, residing on section 36 of Henderson Township. He emigrated to this county in 1868, settling the following February in Galesburg. He returned, however, to Henderson Township, where he purchased 240 acres of very desirable land on sections 35 and 36, where he has since made his home. His land is of excellent quality and every acre tillable. He has 13 head of horses and 45 head of cattle, and fattens upwards of 100 head of hogs annually. He was born in Venango County, Pa., on the 22d of January, 1826. He lived in his native county until he was 40 years old, engaged in agricultural pursuits and the lumber business.
In his younger days he was ardently devoted to hunting and fishing, and looks back with pride to those days of trial and skill. On leaving Pennsyl- vania he removed to Livingston County, N. Y., and located in the Genesee Valley, where he purchased a farm from Col. Honsford. He lived in that county
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three years, when he sold his farm and came to Knox County, where he has since resided.
On Oct. 12, 1852, in Clarion County, Pa., he mar- ried Lydia Zellars, who was a native of that county, born Feb. 4, 1830. By this propitious union there were ten children -- Susan I., John B., Eva E., Julia A., Harley G., Mark, Hattie M., Jessie B. and Fran- cis D. One died in infancy.
Susan I. is the wife of Charles Shepard and is now a resident of Peoria. John B. married Allie Morrison and resides in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; they have two children-Maud and Fern. Julia is the wife of J. C. Parsons and resides in Henderson Township. All the other children are at home.
Mr. Noble, while a resident of Pennsylvania, held the office of Constable and Collector, and since his residence in Knox County has been School Director and Pathmaster.
His parents were Mark and Susan (Bush) Noble, natives of Connecticut and New York respectively. The father first settled in York State and subse- quently removed to Pennsylvania, where he died. His wife's parents were John and Elizabeth (Kessler) Zellars, natives of Switzerland and Germany respect- ively. They died in Venango County, Pa., her father being within two days of 100 years old.
Mr. Mark Noble is a substantial Republican and a thoroughly representative man. In politics his thoroughness and adhesion to principle have won him the respect and trust of a large circle of friends.
avid Hannah, living on section 7, Elba Township, is the subject of this biograph- ical notice. He is the son of Jane and Sarah (Mckinney) Hannah, natives of Scot- land and Indiana respectively. They were married and settled in Elba Township, where he died March 19, 1852 The wife survives him and is the mother of six children-Catherine, Will- iam C., James R., David, Mary and John T. David was born in Elba Township, Oct. 12, 1847.
The subject of our sketch has lived in Elba Town- ship since Oct. 12, 1847, with the exception of two years spent in Iowa and two in Missouri when he was quite young. He has received a common-school education and has always been engaged in agricult-
ural pursuits. He was married in Haw Creek Township, Feb. 6, 1873, to Miss Olive E. Harsh- berger, daughter of Jonathan and Mary (Housh) Harshberger, natives of Ohio and Illinois, of German ancestry. They reside in Haw Creek Township. The family consisted of seven children, viz .: Lenora, Alice, Olive E., Delmer, May and Ednor ; a daugh- ter, Amanda, is deceased. Olive E. (Mrs. Hannah) was born in Haw Creek Township, May 27, 1853.
Our subject and wife have become the parents of four children, viz .: Harry C., Olive P., Icel G. and Delle L. In politics, Mr. Hannah is a stanch Re- publican, and he upholds that party with all the zeal in his power. Mr. H. is the owner of 325 acres of land, much of which is in a tillable condition. He is engaged quite busily in buying and raising stock, and in this particular line of business he is exceed- ingly successful.
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homas Smith. Among the well-to-do and successful citizens of this magnificent county, in industrial pursuits, may be counted the subject of this narrative. He conducts a farm situated on section 15, of Rio Township, and is known to one and all as- an energetic and wide-awake man, and one that is master of his calling.
Mr. Smith came to Knox County in the fall of 1855, from Oneida County, N. Y., settling in his present location, the purchase having been made two years previously. Since that time Mr. Smith has made all modern improvements, erected a set of commodious and handsome farm buildings, and is now the owner of 2031/2 acres of land, 200 of which is fertile and highly productive.
Our subject was born in England, Aug. rst. 1826, and came to America when a lad of 16 years. He attained the age of manhood while a resident of New York. While in Oneida County he worked in a cotton factory, and in Lewis County on his fath- er's farm. About this time he went to Nantucket, Mass., where he embarked on a whaling vessel, and this voyage lasted three years. During this time he met with several narrow escapes, but finally returned safe and sound to his home. During the voyage Mr. Smith encircled the world, stopping at the various ports, He passed through Behring's Straits into the
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Arctic Ocean, where he remained for four months. During the three years' voyage Mr. Smith only slept off the vessel two nights. Going again to Oneida County, he engaged for the second time in a cotton factory, and there worked two years, at the expira- tion of which time he removed to Knox County. His first matrimonial connection occurred in Lewis County, in 1847, with Miss Mary Marsden, who was a native of England. To them were born one child, Thomas W., who is married and has one little girl, Ruth E. He married Miss Alice Carr, of Osceola, N. Y. His home is in Lewis County, N. Y., at which place Mrs. Smith departed this life in the spring of 1850.
After an interval of four years Mr. Smith was again married in Oneida County, celebrating his nuptials Oct. Ist, 1854, and Emily Andrews, nee Lawrence, was his chosen bride. She is the daugh- ter of Samuel and Sarah (Kelly) Lawrence, natives of Massachusetts and York State respectively, and was a relict of Winfield S. Andrews, who died in Moravia, Cayuga Co. N. Y., March 14, 1852. By ¡that marriage were born two children, Georgiana and >Irvin S., the former of whom is the wife of William Doyle, who resides in Stuart, Iowa. She has been the mother of two children, both of whom are de- ceased. Irvin married Miss Mary Victory, daughter of Elias Victory, Esq., of Rio Township, and lives in the vicinity of David City, Neb., and is the father of five children, as follows : Adelbert L., Edward, Jessie, Fred. and Ninia May.
Mrs. Smith, wife of our subject, was born in Coop- erstown, Otsego Co., N. Y., June 29, 1826, and to herself and her husband has come one child, Mary Ella, who lived to reach the age of 16 years, and died in the early bloom of girlhood, and the date of the sad event was June roth, 1875. Mr. S. has not only been prosperous in business, but useful in the community as a worker in public affairs. Both him- self and wife are members of the Congregational Church. Politically he is a Republican, and takes a lively interest in the success of the party.
Mr. Smith, in the summer of 1883, indulged in a visit to his native country, England, where his parents, William and Ellen (Thorp) Smith, natives of that country, resided until their emigration to America, in 1842, stopping first in Oneida County, then in Lewis County, N. Y. On leaving New York they came to Knox County, settling, in 1851, in Rio
Township, where they contentedly passed the re- mainder of their days, the mother dying in 1856, the father in 1872.
nderson Barnett, now residing in Knox- ville, was born in Randolph Township, Montgomery Co., Ohio, the 19th of Febru- ary, 1811. Like most retiring dispositions and lives, the even tenor of whose way influences and interests, without in any measure impor- tuning the time and surroundings in which they are cast, that of Mr. Barnett affords a striking illustra- tion. In disposition his father was not unlike him in this particular.
The latter gentleman's name was John Barnett, a native of Goochland County, Va., where he was born on the 16th day of June, 1778. The father of John was Arthenathas Barnett, a Virginian of prominence, who emigrated with his family into that State, after- ward settling in Clinton County, Ohio, where he fol- lowed the occupation of farming. Here he resided until his death. The father of Mr. Barnett grew to manhood in his native county, being brought up on his father's farm until his marriage with Elizabeth Hutchins. This lady was born in Goochland County, Va., April 15th, 1782. Her husband emigrated to Ohio and settled in Montgomery County, he be- ing one of the earliest of its settlers. He was accom- panied by his wife and three children, and his only worldly possessions on his arrival in Montgomery County were eighty-three dollars in money. Purchas- ing 80 acres of land on time, he built a log cabin for himself and family, and immediately commenced farm improvements. Here he continued to reside until 1838, when he sold his farm and removed to Indiana, settling in Fountain County. and buying an improved farm. After residing here a few years he took up his residence in Fulton County, and died October 7th, 1854, his wife having died on the 16th of December, 1850.
They were both members of the Society of Friends, but toward the close of her life Mrs. B. became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. By this marriage were 12 children, 11 of whom grew to man and womanhood. Two of these, however, Isaac and
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our subject, are the only members of the family now living.
Mr. Barnett was the seventh child, and attained to his manhood in his native county. During his boyhood he assisted his father in clearing the farm, and to obtain an education availed himself of such op- portunities as were presented at the time and under trying circumstances. Having finally fitted himself for the position of teacher, he obtained an engage- ment in this capacity, which he united with farming operations. He describes the schoolhouse as built of logs, with a puncheon floor and with wooden hinges on which to hang the door. With these crud- ities and a few slab benches the furniture of the schoolhouse was complete. At first he received a salary of only ten dollars per month, out of which he was to board himself.
On the roth of May, 1832, he married Mrs. Mar- garet Mason, a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, where she was born Sept. 29, 1815. She was the daughter of William and Nancy (Huey) Mason, natives of Virginia, who settled in Ohio, while that State was yet a Territory. At the time of this mar- riage Mr. and Mrs. Barnett located on his father's farm, where they lived contentedly until 1837, when they started with a pair of horses and wagon, and proceeded on their journey westward, bringing with them a portion of their household goods. On their westward journey they-camped as best they could, and after enduring no little hardship arrived in Knox County August 25 of that year. He had previously purchased land on section 10, in what is now Orange Township. Here he built a log cabin. During the following winter he taught the second term of school in Orange Township, and several subsequent terms in different parts of the county.
He was elected one of the first members of the Board of Trustees in Orange Township, in which ca- pacity he served for six years, when in 1846 he was appointed Treasurer, and served continuously in this office during his residence in this township. For 1 2 years he filled the position of Justice of the Peace, an office which he held with credit to himself and jus- tice to others. At one time he was compelled to sell 40 acres of his land in order to purchase stock with which to make a fresh start in life. He next in- proved and fenced 1 20 acres of land, erected a brick dwelling and suitable barn, and planted fruit trees of different varieties. This residence he occupied until
1822, when he moved to Knoxville, where he now lives.
These excellent people have ten children now liv- ing: Elizabeth, wife of Henry Allen, lives in Ne- maha County, Kan .; Nancy, wife of Thomas Colwell, resides in Coffey County, Kan ; Celia, wife of Riley Lawrence, and lives at Gilson, Knox County; Alex- ander, who lives in Taylor County, Iowa; Louisa Jane, wife of J. W. Dennis, resides in Johnson County, Kan .; Irene, wife of Milton Dennis, lives in Frank- lin County, Kan .; Alice, wife of Henry Turner, who resides in Taylor County, Iowa ; Clara, wife of M. W. Redd, resides in Johnson County, Neb .; Albert, living in Holt County, Neb .. and Warren W., who has set- tled in Coffey County, Kan.
Mr. Barnett is prominent in his community as a theological student, and is an earnest inquirer and commentator in Biblical matters. His wife is a mem- ber of the M. E. Church, and a lady remarkable for her devotion to every good cause, and earnestness in promoting the principles of s: und religion. In politics Mr. B. was first a Whig, but on the organi- zation of the Republican party he became identified with it.
illiam Mount, whose farm is located on section 20, Cedar Township, was born in Warren County, Ohio, Sept. 23, 1824. He is the son of Ralph and Lucy (Barber) Mount, who were themselves natives of the State of New Jersey. The father was born in 1790, and died in 1875, in Knox County, Ill. The mother was born in 1791 and died in 1825, in War- ren County, Ohio. The family came to Ohio in 1804, the marriage of his parents taking place in 1811. In all they had five children-Thomas, Nancy, Susan, William and Samuel. The latter died in in- fancy. William, the youngest and the subject of this sketch, married Miss Mary E. Mahon, Feb. 6, 1851. She was a native of Greenbrier County, W. Va., and born Feb. 6, 1827, her parents being Rob- ert and Mary (Groton) McMahon. Her father was born in Pennsylvania in 1803, his decease taking place July 20, 1851, in Knox County, Ill. Her mother was born in Virginia in 1805, and died in 1832, in the same State. By the marriage there
LIBRARY OF THE L'TVERSITY OF ILLINO'S
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RESIDENCE OF MATHEW PIERCE, SEC. 9. WALNUT GROVE TOWNSHIP.
RESIDENCE OF WM NEW BANKS, SEC. 29., CEDAR TOWNSHIP
RESIDENCE OF F. H. PETERSON, SEC. 8, ORANGE TOWNSHIP.
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were four children-Mary E., Margaret, Franklin and Washington.
By the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Mount there are seven children-Robert, born in November, 1851; James, Aug. 23, 1853 ; George, Feb. 14, 1857 ; Lucy, April, 1859; Jimmie, Oct. 16, 1862; Lillie, Aug. 14, 1866; and David, who died in infancy. James Mount died Dec. 12, ISSo. Lucy died Sept. 21, 1879; Jimmie, Sept, 27, 1879. James married Miss Mary E. Mendenhall. This lady died Oct. 14, 1881, leaving no children by her marriage. Mr. Mount farms 130 acres of prime land, which is considered in an advanced state of cultivation. In 1870 he erected a fine two-story house, and a desirable barn, 28 x 36 feet, to which he has put an addition of 18 feet since first building. Mrs. Mount is member of the Congregational Church, while Mr. Mount be- longs to the Methodist Episcopal body. As a poli- tician he is a prominent Democrat.
At present he is devoting his attention to the breeding of Polled-Angus cattle. Among his stock he has three thoroughbreds, one of which cost him $600 cash. This is a male, three years old, and weighs 1,450 pounds. The cow is of the same age and origin and is worth a similar sum. He recently sold a one-year-old male for $400, which is from prime stock. He is of opinion that the Angus breed is the best adapted to this country, they being of a very hardy nature.
Mr. Mount is in every sense of the word a gen- tleman, straightforward and ever ready to extend a helping hand in any good cause. He has a host of solid friends, who consider him in the light of an ex- cellent host, and will doubtless remember him into the far future.
illiam Newbanks, of Cedar Township, has followed the calling of a stone and brick mason and plasterer for more than 40 years, until within the last 15 years, during which time he has identified himself with farming. He is the possessor of 190 acres of land, 160 acres of which are situated in Warren County, the remaining 30 being within section 29, Cedar Township. On the latter 30 acres he has a
very fine residence, and a substantial dwelling-house on his land in Warren County, two miles southwest from the city of Monmouth.
Mr. Newbanks was born in County Tyrone, Ire- land, Dec. 25, 1822, and was consequently a Christ- mas gift to his parents. He came to America in 1845, landing at New York City, October 10, where he remained until 1855 and then came to Warren County, where he bought the land before referred to. This formerly belonged to A. T. Stewart, of New York City, who was even at that date one of the largest dry goods dealers in the United States. In exchange for this land, Mr. Newbanks traded a house and lot in New York City with Mr. Stewart, the lat- ter giving him $1,000 cash, together with the 160 acres.
Mr. Newbanks married Miss Margaret Reynolds, in 1843, she being a native of County Antrim, Ire- land. This good lady and excellent mother died the 20th of May, 1858. By their union there were five children-Robert, Samuel, William, John and Mar- garet J. Samuel died in infancy. On the 26th of July, 1868, Mr. Newbanks was again married, this time to Elizabeth Ingram, a native of Clear Creek Township, Ashland County, Ohio. Her birth took place on Aug. 20, 1839, and she remained with her parents until her 29th year. She came with her par- ents to Galesburg, in the fall of 1856, when in her 16th year. Her parents were James and Margaret (Buchan) Ingram, both natives of Scotland. In that country her father was born, in Invernesshire, in the year 1814. He is still living and resides in Ring- gold County, Iowa. His wife, a lady of estimable character, was born Nov. 12, 1819, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and they were married July 20, 1837, the ceremony taking place in Ohio. By this marriage there were eight children -- Elizabeth Matthews, Jane, Susan, John, James, Helen L., Harriet G. and James R. The parents of this good lady were Old-School Presbyterians, and her father was by calling a stone mason. The present family are members of the United Presbyterian Church, where they are both held in high esteem. In politics, Mr. Newbanks is a firm Republican.
Among the farm stock of Mr. Newbanks are to be found two head of Galloway cattle, the male of which is two years old. In the near future Mr. N. expects to turn his attention more particularly to the breed- ing of this class of stock. These good people, being
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childless, have adopted a little girl named Harriet Elizabeth. She came to their house when only four weeks old. The only daughter and youngest mem- ber of Mr. Newbanks' family by his first wife is Margaret Jane. She was born in Burlington, Iowa, May 20, 1855, and married William Cooper, Feb. 18, 1875. Mr. Cooper is a native of Ireland, being born in County Tyrone, Dec. 25, 1850, and is now resid- ing in Monmouth Township. By this happy mar- riage there are three children-Charles P., born May 4, 1876; Maggie May, born Jan. 29, 1880, and Lillie M., Aug. 4, 1882. Mr. Cooper is a stone mason, but also possesses 40 acres of fine land in Warren County, and 160 acres more or less im- proved, in Wilson County, Kan.
Mr. Newbanks is a member in good standing of the A. F. & A. M. In his lodge he is considered a Mason of good judgment and a lover of the fraternity, and a man whose sympathies are always on the side of every good cause. It is a satisfaction to the pub- fishers to be able to present a view of this gentle- man's home in this volume.
.... eter Gordon. Knox County is the abiding place of many citizens who, for innate worth and native force of character, are a credit to her, and prominent among these may be found the gentleman of whom we write, a re- tired farmer, living on section 12, of Copley Township. He stands high in the community as a man of solid and substantial character, and holds dif- ferent offices in his township, having been Road Com- missioner for some length of time, and is a School Director, laboring faithfully in the interests of educa- tion.
Mr. Gordon was born in Creetown, Scotland, May 19, 1819. His parents were James and Jane (Her- on) Gordon, both of Scotland. They were farmers by occupation, and their family consisted of four children-Peter, Margaret, Alex. and David. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon died in 1854 and 1857 respectively.
The subject of our narrative spent the years of his life up to his majority on the home farm, and at- tended school. In 1840 he emigrated to America with the high hopes and eager ambition of early youth, with the one idea of making himself a name and a
home. Landing in New York, he came by the way of the lakes to Chicago. From that city he came to Knox County and settled on section 10, of Copley Township. Here he purchased 40 acres of prairie land, on which he built a log house 16 x 20 feet, and there lived for six years. To his first purchase he added by degrees 560 acres, and continued to reside on this until 1885. He has at the present time 890 acres of land, and has given to his four children 160 acres each. In 1885 he built a handsome residence in Victoria, where he now lives.
He was married March 1, 1845, to Mary Ann Mc- Dowell Tait, who was born Jan. 24, 1814. She is the daughter of John and Anna (Livingston) Mc- Dowell, natives of Scotland. Her father came to America in 1839, and settled in Copley Township, on section 14. In 1867 he died, the mother having pre- ceded him in 1824, taking her departure from this life in Scotland.
Mr. and Mrs. Gordon have a family of six chil- dren, four of whom are living-James, Elizabeth M., Alexander H. and Albinus N. James married Mar- garet McQuarrie; Elizabeth M. is the wife of William Robson, and is the mother of one child, named Percy E .; Alexander is the husband of Mary Olmsted, and they have four children, as follows : Arthur, Lizzie E., John H. and James P .; Albinus N. married Miss Emma Smith, who has borne him two children-Peter T. and Leroy S.
Mrs. Gordon by her first marriage had a family of four sons, namely, John, William F., Peter G. and Houston P. These have all acted nobly in defense of their country, enlisting in the War of the Rebellion in 1862, and giving all they had to give in that noble cause. Peter G., who had become Lieutenant, was killed at the battle of Nashville; John was wounded at Dallas and died at Chattanooga, from the effects of his wounds; the other two returned to their home when the war was over, with gratitude for the boon of their lives, but with sadness for the two who had perished in the great struggle which robbed so many households of husband or father, brother or son. The four brothers all enlisted in Co. G, 89th Ill. Vol. Inf .; Col. Hotchkiss was the commander.
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