Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 36

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 36

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tlers in this township, only four others having pre- ceded him.

James M. Foster, of whom we write, was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, Jan. 2, 1808, and when he was about six years of age his parents removed to Indiana, where he lived until September, 1830. In that year he came to Fulton County, remaining there until his removal to Knox County.

Our subject was married in Maquon Township on June 13, 1841, to Eliza Combs, a native of Ohio. She bure her husband two children-Henry C. and Harriet. The latter was the wife of J. E. Foster, and a resident of Maquon Township, until her death, which occurred March 25, 1871. Henry C., now a resident of Iona, married Mary F. Osborne, and they became the parents of five children-Hattie, Eliza M., Elizabeth, Rosa L. and William H. The first wife of our subject died March 25, 1847. He was again married Sept. 17, 1848, the lady of his choice being Miss Louisa Roads, who was born in High- land County, Ohio, March 11, 1826. They have been blessed by the birth of six children, named as follows : Barbara E., John M., Harvey, Carey A., James M., Jr., and Iambia. Barbara is the wife of A. J. Suadley, and they reside in Maquon Town- ship (see sketch). John M. married Martha A. Tay- lor, and resides in Nebraska. They are the parents of three children, the two elder being Everton M. and Myrtie M. Harvey resides in Maquon Township. Carey married Alice P. Dolton, and they are at pres- ent residing in Missouri. Four children have come to brighten their family circle, the three elder being · Verniece E., Eddie L. and Minnie V. I. James M., Jr., took to wife Julia L. Hunter, and they are re- siding in Maquon Township. One child, Althea M., has blessed their union. Iambia Foster resides at home.

Mr. Foster has been Supervisor of this township, and was a member of the first Board of Supervisors. He has also been honored by the offices of School Trustee and Director and Highway Commissioner. Mrs. Foster is a devoted and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics our subject is a firm supporter of the Republican party.

The parents of Mr. Foster of this notice, Zebulon and Elizabeth (Wingate) Foster, were natives of New York and New Jersey respectively. They were married and settled in Ohio, removing thence to In- diana, where the mother died. The father of our

LIBRARY OF THE U' !! VERSITY OF ILLINOIS

John & Parsons

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subject died in Fulton County, Ill. The parents of Mrs. Foster were Philip and Barbara A. Roads, na- tives of Virginia and Ohio respectively. After mar- riage they settled in Ohio, subsequently coming to Knox County, emigrating a few years later to Kan- sas, in which State they both died.

9 illiam Snider. Among the self-made men of Knox County, who have accumulated what they have of this world's goods bytheir own energy and perseverance, is the subject of this notice. He is and has been since his residence here closely identified with the agricultural development of the county, and his suc- cess as a financier is attested by the handsome com- petency of which he is the possessor.

Mr. Snider was born in Clermont County, Ohio, Nov. 4, 1835, and is a son of Abram and Elizabeth (Myers) Snider. His parents were born in Pennsyl- vania and were of German descent. William was orphaned by the death of his parents, which occurred in 1848, by cholera, in the latter part of August and first of September, when 11 years of age, and was brought up to the occupation of a farmer in the home of strangers. He received such education as was to be acquired in the common schools of the locality at that time, and there he developed into manhood. September 14, 1856, he became a benedict by unit- ing his destiny with that of Miss Angelina C. Har- vey, a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Leming) Harvey, who was born in the same county as him- self. The same year, in company with his bride, he left Ohio for the rich prairie lands of Illinois, making the trip overland by team, and arrived at Abingdon October 17, of that year. He immediately engaged in his chosen vocation, farming, in Chestnut Town- ship, where he purchased So acres of land, 20 of which was timber, and continued to follow that call- ing in the locality named, until the spring of 1864, when he moved into the city of Abingdon. Prior to this. however, in 1862, he engaged in the stock bus- iness and has made that one of the main branches of his vocation in life, having handled as high as 150 cars of stock a year. In this branch there is probably no other gentleman in Knox County who has done more business than he, and in which he

still continues. Like many others, Mr. Snider came to the county in straitened circumstances, but, although poor in pocket, he was rich in energy and perseverance. Mr. Snider is the proprietor of a fine farm of 256 acres of land, under an advanced state of cultivation, located one mile east of Abingdon, in Indian Point Township, and another four miles southeast, consisting of 160 acres, making in all 416 acres. He is an energetic, shrewd, business man, and is an acknowledged authority on live-stock. Mr. Snider has made his residence in Abingdon since 1875, from which place he superintends the cultiva- tion of his farms, and where he is one of the leading, representative citizens. In politics he votes with the Republican party, and he is a member of the County Central Committee. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Snider joined the I. O. O. F. in 1864, of which society he is a member at this writing.

There were eight children in the family of the elder Snider; all of whom are living. All but one are married and have families, and all live in Ohio.

P. Parsons, deceased Nov. 4, 1871, arrived with his wife and one child in Knox Coun- ty and first took up his residence in Knox- ville, where he remained six months. Removing subsequently to Henderson Township, he lived here, with the exception of 15 months, up to the date of his death. During the short period named he resided in Galesburg. His farm consisted of 189 acres of good land, which he always took a special pride in, directing his farm operations per- sonally.

The marriage of Mr. Parsons with Lucia M. Still- man took place in Carthage, Hancock Co., Ill., on the roth of September, 1844. She was born in Litchfield, Conn., June 2, 1827, and was the daugh- ter of Jason and Harriet (Seymour) Stillman, and was the oldest of a family of three: Frances M. became the wife of Lester Russell, who is now de- ceased ; she was again married to Franklin Neff, who is also deceased; by the latter marriage six children were born. Charles married Elizabeth Neff, and they have a large family of children. The parents of Mrs. Parsons were natives of Connecticut

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and of English origin. The father died in 1839, in New York State. The demise of the mother oc- curred about 1865, in the Territory of Utah.

Mr. and Mrs. Parsons were the parents of six children-Hattie L., Jennie M., Lucia M., John C., Annie and Mary E. Hattie L. is the wife of David Coe, and resides in Dayton, Cass Co., Mo .; by this marriage there are four children -- Charles, Tillie, John and Robert. Jennie M. is now the widow of Moses E. Coe, and resides in Kankakee, Ill. ; Mr. Coe died on the Sth of October. 1879, leaving one child-Frederick E. Lucia M. Parsons became the wife of Charles E. Redfield and lives in Galesburg Township; she has three children-Minnie . J., Charles and Chester. John C. resides in Hender- son Township and his biography is given in another place; Annie resides in Galesburg; Mary E. is the wife of William X. Simpson, and resides at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa ; they have one child-Ruth M.

Mr. Parsons' birthplace was in Massachusetts, and he was born Dec. 25, 1823 (see sketch of Frank- lin Parsons for family history). His quiet but use- ful life and genial disposition won for him a lasting and kindly remembrance on the part of those who knew and had dealings with him.

We are pleased to be able to present his pleasant countenance among the portraits of other esteemed citizens of Knox County.

oseph Clesson, one of Knox County's re- spected citizens and well-to do farmers, residing on section 26, Elba Township, was born in Deerfield, Mass., Sept. 7, 1818. Mr. Clesson is a son of Joseph and Mehitabel (Stebbins) Clesson, natives of Massachusetts. The parents came to Shelby County, this State, away back in 1837; and there lived until their death. Their children were nine in number, and Joseph was the second in order of birth.

Joseph Clesson came to this State with his parents and lived with them in Shelby County, until his re- moval to Peoria County. He resided in the latter county two years, when he moved here, and in the spring of 1855 made settlement in Elba Township, on the place where is at present residing. His life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits, and he is

at present the owner of 80 acres of good and pro- ductive land, on which he has erected a comfortable residence, and in the prosecution of his most inde- pendent of all callings is meeting with success.

Mr. Clesson was married in Shelby County, this State, in 1839, to Miss Mary Humphrey. She bore him one child-Mary-who died when two years of age. Mr. Clesson's wife died in this county, and in 1843 he formed a second matrimonial alliance with Miss Elizabeth Humphrey, sister of his former wife, and a native of Ohio. Of the latter union, four children have been born, named Melvina J., Barbara A., Nancy E. and Joseph H .; the latter is deceased. Melvina is the wife of Samuel Patterson, a farmer of Elba Township; Barbara A. married Joseph J. Matthews, who is engaged in farming in Salem Township; Nancy became Mrs. Albertus S. Codding and resides in Victoria Township.

Mrs. Clesson died in Peoria County, Feb. 1, 1853, and our subject was again married in Lowell, Mass., March 25, 1855, to Hepsia Carr, a native of Deering, N. H., and born Feb. 22, 1815. Mr. and Mrs. Cles- son have an adopted son-Melva W. Clesson. Our subject has held some of the minor offices of his « county, and in politics is a Democrat. He and his wife are believers in the tenets of the Universalist Church.

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ervin Hale Pease, one of Knox County's retired farmers, residing upon section 20, Salem Township, was born in Starks- boro, Addison Co., Vt., Aug. 12, 1814. His father, Obed Pease, was born in Weston, Wind- sor Co., Vt., 1787. The grandfather of our sub- ject, Ezekiel Pease, was a native of the Nutmeg State, and a descendant of Capt. John Pease, who hailed from Wales, and upon arrival in America set- tled in Massachusetts. Our subject's grandfather was one of the earliest settlers in Windsor and Addison Counties. He was a member of the Society of Friends, and died in Starksboro, where his remains now lie at rest.

The father of our subject grew to manhood in his native town. He was reared a Quaker, and received his education in the Quaker schools. The maiden name of his wife was Lydia Lamos, a native of New Hampshire. After his marriage he located upon a farm which he fell heir to at the death of his father, .

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and continued to reside there until 1839, when he sold out, and, accompanied by his wife and five chil- dren, came to Illinois. He had visited Knox County the year previous, and made a purchase of land on section 7, now included in Salem Township. The journey thither was quite round-about. He took a boat on Lake Champlain, thence via Champlain Ca- nal to Troy, thence via Erie Canal to Buffalo, then by the way of the lakes to Cleveland, across the State of Ohio to the river, and by way of the Ohio, Missis- sippi and Illinois Rivers to Peoria. After purchasing his land he returned to Vermont, making his journey in part on horseback, and the remainder in a sleigh. In the spring of 1839 he started with team and wagon overland to Knox County, and located on the farm he had purchased the year previous, living there until his demise in 1845. His beloved wife joined him in the land of the hereafter Nov. 25, 1863.

The gentleman of whom we write was the second child and eldest son of his parents' family. He grew to manhood in his native town, and was reared in that most independent of all callings, agriculture. He also . received his education in the Quaker schools. In 1838 he came to Illinois in search of a location, ac- companied by Philemon Stilson. They made the en- tire journey overland. He spent the winter in Salem · Township, and in the following spring returned to Vermont, where, Oct. 31, 1842, he was married to Miss Lucinda M. Atwood. Miss Atwood was a native of Starksboro, Vt., and was born Nov. 9, 1821. She is the daughter of Almon and Amanda (Taylor) Atwood. Her father was a native of Monk- ton, Addison Co., Vt., and is the son of Paul Atwood, one of the pioneers of Addison County.

Mr. Pease, our subject, previous to his marriage, had the misfortune to lose that most indispensable of the senses, eyesight, and in consequence became a lecturer. His discourses were usually in behalf of temperance, being delivered in various portions of the United States and Canada, lecturing in Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, Maine and Canada. Previous to 1846, on the 2d day of April, he started, accompanied by his wife, for Illi- mois. The journey was made overland in a carriage, his wife assuming the responsible position of driver. This journey occupied three months, as Mr. Pease delivered lectures at various cities along the route. In the autumn of 1846 he purchased So acres of land located on section 20, Salem Township, to which they

removed the following year. Our subject continued in the lecture field, doing effective work, for several years.

Mr. l'ease has dealt in real estate to a greater or less extent for many years, always with success, and is at present owner of 700 acres of good land, all of which is located in Salem Township. He still occu- pies the old homestead, known far and wide as " Pease Hill." There he resides, surrounded by all the comforts of an Eastern home.

He has held several public positions, among them that of School Director and Superintendent; he has also been a member of the Grand Jury and Super- visor. Since the formation of the Republican party he has always voted that ticket.

Four children have blessed the union of our sub- ject and wife, whose names are as follows : Melissa L .; Alberta L., who died at the age of 12 years ; Amanda and Flora; all deceased in infancy, with the exception of Amanda, who became the wife of Leroy Thompson, and died Oct. 4, 18So, at the age of 23 years ; she left one child, who died in early infancy. Our subject has always kept apace with the current events of the day, and but few men are better posted than he. He has filled many positions of trust, and has represented his Township on the Board of Super- visors.

ohn W. Jarvis. Among the more influen- tial citizens of Abingdon, who are promi- nent for usefulness in the community, may be found the subject of this narration. He has, since the year 1883, held the office of Justice of the Peace, to which he was elected by the peo- ple of his community, who saw in him a man fitted by education and principle to dispense justice. Pre- vious to his election, he had been employed at his trade, that of shoemaker, with the exception of three years, during which interval he served as Collector of Cedar Township. At the time of his election as Justice of the Peace, he was appointed Town Clerk, which office he filled advantageously and agreeably to all concerned.

Mr. Jarvis was born in Cecil County, Md., in 1833, and in younger manhood entered the conjugal state with Sarah R. Way, daughter of Isaac and Sa- rah Way, and whose birthplace was in the State of

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Maryland. Their nuptials were celebrated in that State, April 24, 1856. Mr. Jarvis is the son of Wal- ter and Ann (Allen) Jarvis, in whose care he went to Hartford County, Md. His mother died when he was three years of age. He was reared in that county to manhood. He entered in business for himself,work- ing at his trade until 1863, at which time he came to Abingdon, his present home. His father came to Knox County in 1856, and moved to Iowa and there died, in March, 1882.

Two children have been added to the home of Mr. Jarvis, viz .: Mary F. and Charles W., the eldest of whom was born in Maryland, the younger in Abing- don. On coming to Abingdon, our subject engaged for a time at his trade, following it for some time, or until his appointment to his present office, as previ- ously stated.

He is a strong Republican in political sentiment and is largely interested in public and private affairs of State. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Abingdon.

homas E. Jones is senior member of the firm of T. E. Jones & Sons, of Oneida, popular dealers in meats, stock, etc. He came to this city in 1858 and established his present business, which he has successfully conducted. His sons, in connection with him, have operated also in grain and lumber for some time in this place, in which they are yet engaged. One of them is connected with Metcalf Bros'. hardware firm.

Thomas E. Jones was born on Long Island, N. Y., in or about the year 1806, and is of American parentage and of English descent. His father, Pe- ter Jones, who was a farmer, took his family to Onei- da County, N. Y., where he died; the mother, Ann (Walker) Jones, closing her life in the same place. She died when Thomas was but seven years of age, he being one of a family of ten children, including six sons, and he lived at home with his father, who was re-married, until he was of age, having received a good common-school education. Arriving at his majority, he entered upon the occupation of a farmer,

at which he continued for 12 years in Oneida County, afterward becoming a stock or cattle dealer and run- ning a packing house in Utica. In this latter call- ing he has been engaged almost ever since, doing business for many years on an extensive scale. His fair dealing with the public and his sterling honesty have given him a widespread reputation in Knox County, by the people of which he is highly re- spected.

His industry and strict attention to business and his upright character have secured him a fair com- petency. His sons are personally interested in the advancing of their joint interests. Some of his cap- ital is invested in the West.

Before leaving the State of New York he was mar- ried in Herkimer County, during the year 1844, to Julia A. Leonard; her parents being farmers, for- merly removed thence from Massachusetts, where she was born. Her father, Moses Leonard, was a sol- dier in the Revolutionary War. He lived to attain a ripe old age and was a prominent and respected citizen. Both himself and wife died in the county of Herkimer.

Mrs. Jones was the mother of seven children, all of whom were living at the time of her decease, Nov. 11, 1876. Of these, Caroline F. is at home; Char- lotte and Cornelia (twins), the former the wife of E. R. Proty, a grocery dealer, born and brought up in Oneida; the latter, Cornelia, is an artist and is at the head of the art department in the Female Semi- nary at Galesburg, where she is reputed to be highly talented; Charles L. is married and resides in Hast- ings, Neb., where he owns and operates a stock ranch; Arthur, also married, is a hardware merchant of Oneida; William H., married, is a stock-dealer in Holdridge, Neb .; Emma is the wife of Albert Chase, who resides in Georgetown, Colo., Mr. Chase being surveyor of the gold and silver mines in that region. Three of the daughters were school teachers, a profes- sion which they adorned and in which they were re- markably successful. Mr. Jones was formerly a member of the Republican party, but now votes with and advocates the party of Temperance. Both he and his wife were members of the Congregational Church at Oneida, as he still is, and while the snows of many winters rest on the white locks encircling his brow, the light reflected from the long years of a well-spent life brightens and cheers his pathway to a better land, while the loving reverence of chil-

RESIDENCE OF WMH. WILEY. SEC. 29, ORANGE TOWNSHIP.

RESIDENCE OF S. C. WOOD, SEC.8, GALESBURG TOWNSHIP.

C.B. & Q.

DOLLY.

C.B.& Q.

RESIDENCE OF S. H.STUCKEY, SECS. 1 & 2, WALNUT GROVE TOWNSHIP.

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dren and the respect of his fellow citizens, with the blessed faith of the Gospel, are the comfort and sol- ace of his declining years.

gary A. Roberson. The subject of this biographical notice, whose home is situ- ated on section 17, Indian Point Town- ship, is the widow of James Roberson, de- ceased. She is a lady whose strength of charac- ter and nobleness of purpose have borne her on- ward, though oftentimes she has felt the heavy hand of affliction. James Roberson, her late husband, was born Feb. 8, 1821, in Barren County, Ky.

When but 9 years of age he came with his mother to Woodford County, Ill. In 1836 they came to Knox, and settled at Knoxville, meeting Miss Mary A. Smith, who was born in Hart County, Ky., Dec. 20, 1841, a daughter of James and Margaret (Bishop) Smith ; he was born in North Carolina, Feb. 15, 1806, and died May 8, 1879, in Alexander County, Ill., and she March 23, 1804, and died April 20, 1878; they were married in 1825. The Smith family settled in St. Augustine, Ill., in 1850.

The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Roberson of this writing number, with her, 11 children, as follows : Hugh F., Oct. 11, 1825; John B., born March 15, 1827 ; Sarah J., May 31, 1829; James M., March 24, 1830; William M., May 11, 1832 ; Newton, born May 7, 1834; Richard H., Feb. 12, 1836; Ignatius M., Jan. 18, 1839, and Rachel E., June 14, 1840 Amanda, born Dec. 7, 1843-

The brothers and sisters of the deceased Mr. Rob- erson are as follows: John, born Dec. 17, 1814; Nancy, May 21, 1817; Eliza, March 26, 1818; James, Feb. 28, 1821 ; William, Dec. 7, 1823 ; Thomas, Feb. 25, 1829. These constituted the family circle.

Mr. Roberson carried a surveyor's chain to lay out the road from St. Augustine by way of Abingdon to Knoxville. He had at the date of his death 168 acres of land, and had built thereon a nice, neat dwelling-house, with convenient out-buildings. He took an active interest in public matters, and was Democratic in principle and sentiment. His father was also a Democrat.

He married Miss Mary A. Smith, Sept. 24, 1857. They have been the parents of seven children : Will-

iam F., born May 28, 1860; Luna F., April 19, 1861; Louisa MI., July 13, 1862 ; James E., Jan. 7, 1864; Marion, April 2, 1865, who died April 9, 1865 ; John T., March 19, 1866, and Clarence W., June 27, 1870.

Mr. Roberson died Oct. 31, 1881. He was a highly respected citizen and a good neighbor. His death was widely mourned, as he had been always noteworthy for a quiet, peaceable life and highest integrity. He was an affectionate husband and father, and was never so happy as when in his quiet home circle. He departed in the full faith and assurance of that blessed hope in the bright hereafter. "Oh, grave, where is thy victory ?"

Mrs Roberson does common farming, and has succeeded well in her unusual venture. She has an interesting family of sons and daughters, three' of whom, with their mother, are consistent members, living beautiful and devoted lives as Christians, under the faith of the Christian Church. They take an active interest in the Sunday-school, and are 1 workers in all good and worthy enterprises.

ames H. Nicholson. Throughout the en- tire county of Knox one may see some of the best farms to be found in any section of the State. A few short years ago these pro- ductive and fertile lands, with such magnifi- cent improvements upon them, were but an uncultivated tract of prairie land. It has required untold energy and perseverance to bring the county to its present agricultural condition. Not alone to the agriculturist, however, is the advancement of Knox County due, for the business men and men of means have done their share toward its upbuilding. As a represenative of both classes the name of James H. Nicholson stands prominently in the foreground.

The subject of our sketch is the son of Nicho- las and Mary ( Washburn ) Nicholson, who were natives of Canada and Connecticut respectively. They were married and settled in what was then Middletown, Delaware County, N. Y., and after- ward removed to Allegany County, on the Genesee River, that State, where their lives terminated. They were of Irish and American ancestry respect- ively. The great-grandfather of our subject was

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stolen from Ireland by a ship captain, and brought to Canada. Our subject's parents had six children -Edward, Sarah, Elizabeth, James H., Hannah and Abel S.

James H. Nicholson and his brother, Abel S., are the only surviving members of his parents' children. James H. was born on what was known as the " Hasbrouck Farm," located in Middletown, Dela- ware Co., N. Y , Aug. 8, 1808. His early life was spent on a farm, and his early education was re- ceived by attending the common schools during the winter season, he continuing at his labors on the farm during the summer. When he was 14 years of age he left the parental homestead and went to Philadel- phia with an acquaintance of his father, and remained there for one year, occupying his time meanwhile by attending school. Returning to the old home, he re- sided with his parents until 20 years of age, when his father removed to Allegany County, that State, and left our subject and a cousin in charge of the old farm in Delaware County, which they rented and culti- vated for five years. There was a saw-mill on the farm, which they operated during the fall and spring. During the spring of the fourth year after his parents had left the farm, our subject went to Philadelphia with lumber, and during his absence the house where " he and his cousin lived was destroyed by fire, and our subject lost all his clothing and household goods. He was not easily discouraged, and soon had a small shanty on the farm, but only remained there for a few months, when he removed to Allegany County, where his parents lived, and there purchased himself a farnı. He was occupied in the latter county in ag- ricultural pursuits and lumbering for several years, and in 1842 came west to Knox County, where he located in Elba Township, on a tract of 60 acres on section 25, then known as Spoon River Precinct, which he had purchased two years previous, in 1840. He bought the land before he had seen it, and on his arrival here found there was no house within two miles of him. He nevertheless had faith in the fut- ure development of the country, and began to im- prove his land as opportunity would permit, and worked out for nearly two years by the month. At the expiration of this time he turned his entire atten- tion to the cultivation of his land. . In 1846 he erected a residence on the place and occupied the same until the fall of 1876, when he removed to his present fine residence, which was completed at that

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 36

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