Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 40

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 40

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In politics Mr. Smith votes with the Republican party. He is liberal in his religious views, being a member of no denomination. He has held the office of School Director and Road Commissioner, and is

one of the Directors of the Knox Co. Mutual Fire and Lightning Insurance Co. He is also among the first gentlemen who introduced Short-horn cattle into this part of Sparta Township. Mr. Smith is a great reader, is the possessor of a fine library, thor- oughly posted on all the issues of the day, and is a worthy representative of the agricultural class of Sparta Township. The publishers of this ALBUM take pleasure in presenting a view of the house of Mr. Smith, in connection with this sketch.

ames W. Crane, one of the most influential and best known farmers of Ontario Town- ship, residing on section 32, came to this county during the year 1837, in the month of June. He was at that time a child of nine years; was born in Oneida County, N. Y., April 20, 1828, his father being a native of Connec- ticut, a resident of New England, and of English an- cestry. The family dates back to some time in the 16th century, and was first represented in this coun- try by three brothers, who came from England. The family took great interest in agricultural pursuits. The father of Mr. Crane, of this notice, was married to Harriet Hall, also a native of Connecticut. Im- mediately after their marriage they removed to Oneida County, N. Y. James was the fourth child, and the second son of the family, consisting of six children. His parents came to this county, as be- fore stated, in June, 1837, settling near Ontario, on a farm. The land consisted of unbroken prairie, on which place the father lived up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1848. The mother died in 1854. They were active, industrious, energetic peo- ple, possessed of a fair amount of this world's goods.

Mr. Crane was educated in the public schools of Knox County, remaining at home till the death of his father. He was married in Ontario Township, May 29, 1854, to Miss Cornelia L. Wetmore. She was born in Oneida County, N. Y., Sept. 8, 1836. Her parents lived and died in the Empire State, the father having been a successful merchant there. The daughter, Cornelia, was a young lady of high attain- ments and many personal attractions, and came to the State of Illinois, and settled in Knox County about two years before her marriage. She is the

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mother of three children : Henry, the eldest, married Miss Carrie Stickney, and resides in Ontario Town- ship, on a farm; Frank, the second son, lives in Red River Valley, Dak .; Carl, the youngest, lives at home.

Immediately after marriage Mr. Crane began farming, making a purchase of 160 acres of land, upon which he settled and where he resides at the present time. He has been successful as a farmer, and now owns 240 acres of land in a high state of cultivation, His home and surrounding farm build- ings are considered among the finest in the township. He is successful as a stock-raiser.

Mrs. Crane is a working member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Crane is independent in politics.

JE! andiville Neely. Among the prominent citizens we find Mr. Mandiville Ncely, a farmer residing on sections 29 and 30, of Sparta Township, and one on whom the sun of prosperity has freely shone. His untiring struggle for success has met with ample re- ward, and he is now the possessor of a home of peace and plenty, and Knox County has no better repre- sentative citizen. Mr. Neely was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., April 3, 1830, and is the son of James and Sabina (Arnold) Neely, natives of New York. They came from Cayuga County to Illinois in 1838, settled in Knox County, and in 1847 again moved from Henderson Township to Sparta, where they now live on section 30.

Mandiville remained under the parental roof until Feb. 20., 1853, working on the farm and attending the common school. He then took a pleasure trip to California, choosing the route via the Island of Jamaica and thence to Greytown, up the river to Del Norte, to Lake Nicaragua, which he crossed, entering Virgin Bay. Crossing the Isthmus of Pana- ma, he reached San Juan, and from there went to San Francisco. Like many others, he was in search of gold, and so sanguine were his expectations that nothing would have seemed unreasonable. Although not quite equal to the fabled Midas, he was still suc- cessful in his enterprise, and returned home in high spirits. On his return he worked for his father for

four years : then in 1861 his happiness was crowned by winning a good wife.

His bride's maiden name was Jennie A. Arm- strong. She was an English girl, and their nuptials were celebrated April 23, 1861. In 1862 he pur- chased a farm situated on section 19, consisting of 80 acres. Here the young couple lived one year, then sold out and moved to Wataga. With the enterprise which has characterized his career he engaged in buying grain on commission ; this business he con- tinued but eight months. In November, 1865, he pur- chased 80 acres in Clover Township, Henry County. On this he moved and devoted the subsequent ten years to its cultivation. At the end of that time he sold the place and moved to his present home. Here he carries on mixed farming.

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Neely consists of four sons, by name Fred. A., boru Feb. 20, 1863 ; he is running an engine on the C., B. & Q. Railroad. Will- iam M., born Jan. 2. 1867. Bertrand J., born March 19, 1869. Mortimer D., born Nov. 5, 1872. The 1 three latter are at home.

Mr. Neely is a Republican in politics, and an act- ive, wide-awake man. While in Henry County he was elected on the Republican ticket as Supervisor of Clover Township. After his term expired he was again elected to fill the same position.

loyd F. Wertman, banker, of Yates City, and one of Knox County's most able and worthy citizens, is the subject of this per- sonal sketch. He stands high in the com- munity of which he is a member, not only as a man of influence, but of sterling integrity. He is essentially a self-made man and is an instance of what may be attained by the average youth of America by a life of courage, self-denial and enter- prise.

Mr. W. was born in Bloomsburg, Pa., Nov. 7, 1845. His father, Elias Wertman, was born in the same State, Feb. 3, 1809. The grandfather was Daniel Wertman, a native of Pennsylvania, who was born in 1788, and died in New York State. His great-grandfather, Michael Wertman, was born in 1742, in Northampton County, Pa. The maiden name of our subject's mother was Mary Kistler, of Lehigh County, Pa. The maternal great-grand-

LIBRARY OF THE L'""IVERSITY OF ILLIN-"?

LB.1. Mitchell

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mother was an Everett, a native of Connecticut, who came of the old Puritan stock. She removed to Pennsylvania when quite young, in which State she was a pioneer, and where she lived to a good old age. It is said that she made a journey of 150 miles on horseback, unaccompanied, at the age of So years, carrying a child with her on her lap.

Mr. Wertman's father learned the tanner's trade, continuing at it a time in Columbia County, Pa., and in 1843 engaged in mercantile business in Blooms- burg. Prosecuting his vocation there a few years, he removed to Rohrsburg, and continued in the same business until 1863. At that date he sold out and came West, settling in Persifer Township, Knox County. He there rented a farm for three years, and at the close of that time bought a farm in Elba Township, and, removing there, engaged in agricult- ure, which he pursued up to the date of his wife's death. Since then he has made his home with his son Lloyd.

Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. W., five of whom are living : Daniel is a resident of Pitts- burg, Pa .; Sarah, wife of S. L. Finney, a merchant, lives at Milton, Pa .; Mary E. is the wife of Samuel Chester, a farmer, of Lenox, Iowa; Lloyd, our sub- ject ; Martha, wife of J. A. Wilson, is a resident of Galesburg, Ill .; and Charles, deceased ; two died in infancy.

Mr. Lloyd F. Wertman grew to manhood in his native county, receiving his early education in the public schools. This was supplemented by two years' attendance at Orangeville Academy and two at Missionary Institute, Selin's Giove, Pa. He de- veloped considerable taste for mercantile pursuits, and exhibited exceptionally bright and keen faculties and the power of concentration and application to his studies. When not at school he assisted his father in the store. He came with him, in 1864, to Knox County, and engaged in farming with him, continuing in that branch of industry until his mar- riage, which occurred Jan. 11, 1870, choosing for his life's companion Isabelle J. Oberholtzer, of Elba Township. She is the daughter of Henry and Mar- tha (Tucker) Oberholtzer, and was born Nov. 22, 1848. Mr. and Mrs. W. are the parents of four children, namely : Mary, Martha Leora, Maud S. and Norma.

He then rented a farm of 120 acres in Elba Town- ship for three years. At the close of that period he

removed to his father's farm, renting it until he bought on the same section (16), in Elba Township. In 1878 he hired his farm work done and accepted a book-keeper's position in the co-operative store in Yates City. In 18So he rented his farm and re- moved his family to Yates City, where he continued until Aug. 12, 1880, when he became a member of the firm of J. H. Nicholson & Co., bankers, and was elected Cashier. This position he has since held, performing creditably all the duties incident to it.

In politics Mr. W. is a Republican, and holds strong and worthy ideas regarding principle rather than party. He has filled the office of Township Clerk, in Elba, for ten years, that of Collector for two years, and has been a member of the Board of Su - pervisors, and represented Salem Township for two years He takes a hearty interest in education and progress, and has been for some time a member of the Board of City Schools.

ugh M. Mitchell. This gentleman is one of the wealthy farmers of Knox County, but has now retired from that occupation and lives at Oneida. He came to this county dur- ing the fall of 1864, and at first took up his

- residence in the town of Sparta, one and one- half miles east of the village of Wataga, where he lived until 1871, when he removed to Ontario Town- ship and became the possessor of 600 acres of good land. Previously he had purchased 300 acres in Sparta Township, where he had resided from 1864 to 187 t, his Ontario Township farm being a portion of section 23. He still holds the Sparta property, hav- ing gradually increased it until it now reaches 560 acres of well-improved and fertile land. He has also a good residence in Oneida.

On the 25th of May, 1820, Mr. Mitchell was born in Harrison County, Ohio. He is the son of John Mitchell, an Ohio farmer, who was reared and edu- cated in Washington County, Pa. He afterward married, in Jefferson County, Ohio, Miss Margaret McGee, a native of that county. Mrs. Mitchell, as well as her husband, was of Irish descent. Both parents early settled in Harrison County, in fact, while that district was yet an unbroken and heavily

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timbered forest. Here, amidst the native wilds, they gradually improved a farm, and on this lived until both passed away, leaving a family of 11 children. Mr. Mitchell was a soldier in the War of 1812.

The subject of this biography was the fifth child in order of birth in the above-named family. Hugh M. lived at home until his 24th year, when, on March 19, 1844, Miss Nancy Nash became his wife. This amiable lady was born in the same county on the 9th of August, 1820. Her parents were Pennsylvania farmers, who settled in Harrison County while Mrs. Mitchell was still a child, and under whose care and guidance she lived until her marriage. Both her parents passed away in the vicinity where they originally settled. Mrs. Mitchell was the third in order of birth of a family of seven children, consist- ing of two boys and five girls, all of whom are liv- ing. Six children have been born to the Mitchell family, all sons but one. Two of these, a son and a daughter, are deceased. John R. resides on a farm in Ontario Township; Samuel P. follows the profes- sion of loan and insurance agent, is married and re- sides at Columbus, Kan .; Hugh Parks is also married, and engaged in farming in Gage County, Neb., while J. Calvin is editor of the Keithsburg Times. Mr. Mitchell has given his children excellent educational advantages, all of them, except John, having at- tended the colleges at Galesburg and Monmouth. In their religious belief, Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are Presbyterians.

Starting in an humble way on 40 acres of very broken, hilly land, by dint of courage and persever- ance Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell saved enough from the proceeds of this farm to enable them to buy a large farm, to which they moved in 1847. Being success- ful in this venture, they decided, in 1853, on a new enterprise, that of keeping a country tavern in con- nection with the farm. To this farm belonged a small village, called Cassville. Here he held the office of Postmaster As there was no line of travel except overland, the tavern, in connection with the farm, proved a remunerative business; but, desiring to turn his whole attention to farming, Mr. M. de- cided to remove his family to Illinois. He came to Knox County in the fall of 1864, as above stated. Feeling the decrepitude of age and hard farm life coming on and having educated both his sons, both at school and in the art of farming, he decided to leave the management of the farms to them, and re-

tired to the village on the handsome competency left him.

Mr. M. is a Democrat in politics, and a man whose character has ever been associated with the conscious rectitude noticeable to those who know him or have been connected with him in business trans- actions. His convictions regarding duty are firm, and his integrity widely acknowledged. In the building up of his adopted State, he has faithfully performed all of a citizen's part, and displayed a sturdy interest in whatever seemed to contribute to the general good.

To crown an old age already honored, this gentle- man has seen his children grow up and enter suc- cessfully upon life's stage, while the warm wishes of innumerable friends will no doubt continue to render the remainder of his life a source of undiminished happiness. His portrait, as one of the most es- teemed citizens of the county, is given in connection with this sketch.

Charles H. Nelson, Esq., is a prominent lawyer and farmer residing at Henderson. He came to Knox County in 1843, from Beaver County, Pa., and settled in his pres- ent location. He has here established a most desirable home and has interesting occupation in the joint pursuits of agriculture and law. He was born in Munson, Mass, on the 2d of June, 1830, and when only two years old emigrated with his parents to Western New York, and thence to Pennsylvania. Here they lived until 1843, when they came to Knox County. His mother's decease took place in Penn- sylvania, his father dying later in Henderson Town- ship. Receiving only a common-school education, and being much devoted to books, he gave a great many of his private hours to the study of various worthy subjects.

Mr. Nelson, while employed in a store in Hender- son, was so anxious to make a success of his contem- plated profession that between times he would study law with an energy that often surprised himself. Dur- ing the winter of 1862 he was admitted to the bar in Chicago, and for several years devoted himself to the practice of his profession in Henderson. He has a well-tilled farm of about 300 acres, to which he has given special attention and which shows -

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the result of intelligent labor. He was married in Henderson on the Sth of November, 1882, to Miss Ruth A. Cook, the daughter of James and Mary (Chaffee) Cook, both natives of Ohio. They came to Knox County in 1861, where the mother died in 1864. The father still survives, and is a gentleman who has gathered around him a wide circle of substantial friends. Mrs. Nelson was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, June 6, 1843.

The subject of this history has held the office of Supervisor and School Trustee for some years. He is one of the very prominent men of his township and county, in whom a great number have occasion to place the utmost confidence, while his advice on mat- ters outside and apart from law is sought after by a large class of the community. Politically his sympa- thies are entirely with the Democratic party, and on all measures affecting it he keeps himself constantly posted.

amuel Rankin. Knox County claims many enterprising and industrious men, whose characters hold the elements of worthy citizens and residents, and of whom she may justly be proud. Among these may be cited Samuel Rankin, a farmer living on section 2, of Henderson Township, whose claim to a high place among the aforementioned gentlemen is undisputed. His enterprise, both as a man and citi- zen, is commendably large, and prosperity has crowned the honest endeavors which he has put forth with success.

The subject of this personal notice came to Knox County in January, 1875, from Henry County, Ill. He settled in Henderson Township, on the section above named, and there purchased 200 acres, which he has since cultivated and improved, and there built up a home. At the present day he is in possession of 280 acres of land, most of it extremely fertile and productive.

Mr. Rankin was born in Fayette County, Pa., March 10, 1844, in which section of the country he passed the time till he reached the age of 19 years, teaching school several terms. With an eager desire to " Go West, young man," he took the advice of the immortal Greeley, and set his face toward the occi- dental regions, landing at Denver, where he engaged

in teaming, and shortly after returned to Knox County, where he remained almost one year. He then returned to his native home in Pennsylvania, where he remained about one year. While in Knox County he met and married Miss Mary D. Hender- son. From Pennsylvania he moved with his wife to Henry County, Ill., where they remained seven years. Not liking his place, he sold out and removed to his present home. Mrs. Rankin was the daughter of Thomas and Hannah (Dunlap) Henderson. They were natives of Fayette County, Pa., and emigrated to Knox County in 1855, and settled on the farm where Mr. R. now lives. The demise of the mother occurred in 1869, and that of the father on Jan. 13, 1873. Mrs. Rankin was third in order of birth of a family of seven children. She was born in Fay- ette County, Pa., Aug. 25, 1842.

Resulting from the union of Mr. and Mrs. Rankin is the birth of five children, as follows: Thomas A., William F., Minnie E., Samuel S. and Horace A. Thomas A. died at the age of 18 months, at a period when he had endeared all hearts to him by the inno- cent glee of infancy.

Mr. Rankin, of this notice, is a stirring business man, both in matters relative to public and private good. He has held the office of Supervisor of his township three years, and of Assessor two years, and has reflected honor and credit upon himself and his constituents. He is identified with the Dem- ocratic party, although his principles are of the broad class that look to the man more than to the party.

The parents of our subject were William and Eliza (Junk) Rankin, natives of Pennsylvania. The father died in the spring of 1877, and his wife, who still survives him, resides in Fayette County, Pa. Mr. Rankin is of Scotch Irish descent.

ob B. Sargeant. As a representative citi- zen of the agricultural class of Knox County, and a gentleman whose sterling worth and integrity, we take pleasure in giving the few following facts regarding, is Job B.

- Sargeant. His fine farm is on section 12, Maquon Township, where he is industriously en- gaged in its cultivation, His parents, Theodore and

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Rachel (Brown) Sargeant, are natives of Maine and Virginia respectively. The father was in the War of 1812, and also in the Black Hawk War. They were married Nov. 5, 1824, and made settlement in Ful- ton County, Ill., where they passed the remainder of their lives, dying in Farmington, Ill., the father on July 15, 1871, and the niother July 17, 1881. Their family consisted of ten children, five of whom sur- vive. The record is as follows: Lydia, Daniel B., Job B., Sarah E., Joel, Mary A., Charles and Abra- ham, and two who died in infancy.

Job B. was born in Farmington, Ill., Oct. 11, 1834. His education was somewhat limited, being confined to the common schools of his district. He passed his early life in assisting his father on the farm until he came to his majority, at which time he rented a farm in Fulton, and also one in Peoria County, and operated these until his removal to Knox County, in Feb., 1868. Before his arrival in Knox County he purchased 160 acres on section 12, Maquon Town- ship, upon which he settled, and is residing at the present time. He has improved the farm by erect- ing convenient and substantial buildings, and is now the possessor of 320 acres of finely improved land, 270 of which is under excellent cultivation.

Mr. Sargeant was married in Farmington, Ill., Oct. 25, 1855, 10 Miss Annie Cook, daughter of John and Frances (Brakefield) Cook. Her parents were na- tives of England, and there they were married. They emigrated to America in the year 1845, first making a settlement in York State, and seven years later came to Fulton County, Ill., where her father followed the vocation of a farmer. He died at Farm- ington, Ill., April 28, 1857, his wife dying at the same place Feb. 11, 1868. They had been blessed by a family of ten children, six of whom grew to the age of man and womanhood, and are as follows: Ann, Charlotte, Francis, John, Harriet M., Martha H., Alfred, Mary E. and two infants, deceased.

Mrs. Sargeant was born in England, March 24, 1835, and was nine years of age when she came to the United States. Mr. and Mrs. S. were the parents of four children, named Ella M., Charles T., Frank- lin W. and John E. Ella died Dec. 11, 1857, when about one year old. Charles married Elizabeth Foster, and they are at present residing in Maquon Township; Edgar C. is their only child. Franklin and John still reside upon the old farm.

Mr. Sargeant has been School Director, and in

politics is identified with the Republican party. He is one of the solid and substantial men of the place, and his wife is one of the most amiable and intelli- gent women of the community.

16.

ndrew Cochrun, deceased, a pioneer of Abingdon of 1837, was born in Franklin County, Ohio, Aug. 27, 1809. He was a son of Simon and Margaret Cochrun, natives of Virginia. Our subject was reared on a 0 farm and received the advantages of a com- mon-school education, and at an early age was ap- prenticed to the blacksmith trade. He united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1825 ; and was married in his native county Aug. 22, 1833, to Miss Nancy I. Cannon. He emigrated to Knox County in October, 1837, locating at Abingdon. Here he engaged in blacksmithing for a time, and in 1867 7 entered the drug business in Murray, Iowa.

Mr. Cochrun was a Republican in politics, and held many of the local offices, among them those of School Director, Assessor and Postmaster. His death occurred in July, 1884. His widow still sur- vives him. The family of Mr. and Mrs. C. consisted of four children.

on. H. P. Wood. This gentleman, whose commercial transactions have borne so im- portant a part in his community, occupies the position of banker and merchant, and is closely identified with most of the business in- terests of Wataga. He came to Illinois in the spring of 1856. He had previously resided at Bos- ton, Mass., though a native of Vermont, having been born there Sept. 12, 1818. His parents, notable for their general good sense and integrity in the com- munity with whom they held intercourse, were Will- iam and Hannah (Parish) Wood. Originally they came from Connecticut and Brookfield, Vermont.

Wm. Wood was born in Lanesboro, Berkshire County, Mass., Aug. 24, 1790, and died at Westford, Vt., April 5, 1845, in the 55th year of his age. Han- nah Parish, his wife, and mother of Hon. H. P. Wood, was born in the town of Brookfield, Orange

BEAULAH DUKE 8

RESIDENCE OF THOS. WOODMANSEE, SEC. 35. KNOX TOWNSHIP.

RESIDENCE OF JOHN KRIEGH, SEC. 34., KNOX TOWNSHIP.

RESIDENCE OF MRS. M.S. LOWRY, SEC. 16, CEDAR TOWNSHIP.

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Co., Vt., March 7, 1795, and died at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Goodhue, in New Lisbon, Wis., in August, 1883, in the 88th year of her age. Her remains were taken to Vermont and buried by the side of her husband, in the old cemetery at Westford Hollow, so called, near where our subject resided until he moved to Boston, Mass., in the year 1851. They were the parents of ten children, of whom five are living at this time, H. P. being the second one of the number. His first wife, Hannah M. Bowman, was born in Binghamton, Broome Co., N. Y., Feb. 3, 1820, died at Wataga, Knox Co., Ill., Oct. 7, 1872, in the 53d year of her age. They were married at West- ford, Vt., Sept. 28, 1841, and had two children-a son, Wm. H., who has been engaged in business with him since 1868 at Wataga; and a daughter, Emma J., both of whom are living at this time. His second wife, Mrs. Mahlah (Phelps) Watkins, daughter of Warren Phelps, and widow of Henry Watkins, was born in Enfield, Tompkins Co., N. Y., May 14, 1834, and with her parents moved to this county and State in 1856. They were married at Wataga, Knox Co., Ill., Jan. 1, 1876. Her father, Warren Phelps, was born in the State of New York in 1787, where he lived un- til he moved to Knox County, Ill., in 1856. He died in 1859 in the 72d year of his age. H. P. Wood, when living in Vermont, was engaged in mer- cantile, tanning and currying and farming business ; when in Boston, Mass., in the produce and commis- sion business ; since living in this county he has been engaged in the mercantile and farming business. He has been Township School Treasurer for the last 25 years.

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 40

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