Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 41

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 41

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'The elder Mr. Wood followed the calling of leather manufacturer and merchant in Westford, Vt., and followed this business for more than thirty years, when, in 1840, his health failing, he retired, leaving his affairs in the hands of his two sons, Wm. S. and Hannibal P., who continued their father's business for ten years. The father, dying in Vermont in 1855, was lost to many friends who not only admired but were benefited by his direct and honest dealing. He was one of the old-time Whigs, and prominently showed his leanings in the politics of the hour and sociology of the period. For a considerable time he was Assistant Judge of the County Court, as well as an untiring representative in the Legislative Assem- bly. Identified to a very large extent with the various and prominent interests of his county and State, he

was sought after when his advice was needed or his judgment considered necessary in the direction of af- fairs. Being a self made man, he attracted the no- tice of such as look below the surface when seeking the characteristics of strong minds, and accordingly the earnest inquirer after aid in any one direction readily found in him the right man. He, by reason of his liberality in assisting others and the expense of rearing a large family, did not become possessed of a large estate. He was a foremost member in the Congregational Church.

The gentleman whose biography forms the chief item of interest in this sketch remained at his home until he had reached the age of 19 years, when his father's business fell to the care of himself and brother. This he actively engaged in until he was 29 years old, his academical training at this period being of great assistance to him.

Proceeding to Boston in 1850, Mr. Wood became a leading member of the produce commission bus- iness, in which capacity he met with more or less success for five years, when in the spring of 1856 he removed to Wataga, Knox Co., Ill. Here he pur- chased real estate to some extent, at the same time acquired an interest in a store with a Mr. Babcock, where he remained until 1862, when he purchased and added to his own interest that of Mr. Babcock. At this juncture his brother, Wm. S., became his partner, and the business flourished under their com- bined efforts until the year 1868, when Wm. S. re- sold his interest in favor of his brother. Since the latter date the firm has been conducted under the name of H. P. Wood & Co. At the present date Mr. Wood includes in his business callings banking, as well as other mercantile interests, these having been combined since 1862. His possessions include some excellent farm land, store, tenement houses and other property. Being returned to the Legisla- ture in 1881-2, he has shown rare aptitude in the capacity of adviser and representative. Apart from the honor shown him by his constituents, he has held the position of Postmaster from 1864 to 1867, be- sides creditably filling various other offices of the township. From 1872 to 1875 he served as Super- visor.

By religious persuasion Mr. and Mrs. Wood be- long to the Congregational Church, a community among whom both these good people have won great respect through their sterling qualities. The church

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counts in its membership some of the best and most substantial families of Knox County.

Wherever the cause of good is likely to claim an adherent, Mr. Wood and his wife are found in readi- ness to render the necessary aid. Through his di- recting agency the church to which he now belongs exercises an influence more than in proportion to its wealth and the number of its members.

In the interest of the county and State Mr. W. is considered a sound economist and practical finan- cier, and in whatever official capacity he is likely to be placed in the future, there is no doubt but that his influence will prove worthy of commendation.

ames R. Catterton. The gentleman whose name we give in connection with this no- tice came to Knox County in 1854, from Lawrence County, Ill., and settled in Truro Township, where he lived for something over a year, and then moved to Elba Township. There he purchased 200 acres of land on section 8, where he has since lived. He has erected a fine res- idence on his farm to take the place of one which was destroyed by fire Dec. 6, 1882. At this writing he is the owner of 203 acres, 1 20 of which is under an advanced state of cultivation.

Mr. Catterton was born in Bullitt County, Ky., Aug. 19, 1819. In 1820, when he was quite young, his par- ents moved to Lawrence County, Ill., and settled on the Wabash River, where our subject lived until he came to this county. His early life was spent in at- tending the common schools, and working at shoe- making and harness-making, which he followed for a livelihood until after reaching maturity. He then en- gaged in the vocation of an agriculturist. In Febru- ary, 1848, Mr. Catterton entered the regular army, en- listing in the 3d U. S. Dragoons, and served in the Mexican War till July of the same year, when the war ceased and he was discharged at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., nothing of importance occurring during his en- listment.

Mr. Catterton was married in Lawrence County, Ill., Feb. 18, 1849, to Sarah A. Organ, daughter of Daniel A. and Lucinda (Rowland) Organ, natives of Vir- ginia and Kentucky respectively. Her father was a Captain in the Black Hawk War in 1832. Her par-

ents settled in Lawrence County, Ill., where her father followed farming and where both parents died. They had three children who lived to attain the age of man and womanhood, and were named Sarah, Mary J. and John P. Sarah A., the wife of our subject, was born in Lawrence County, Ill., Sept. 28, 1830, and has borne her husband (Mr. Catterton) seven children, of whom three survive, namely : Aurora A., Mary F. and Lura B .; the deceased are Sylvester, Martha J., Sarah A. and Edward M. Aurora is the wife of Samuel McKee, a farmer who resides in Sum- mit, Ill., and they have three children-Adam E., Samuel G. and James C .; Mary Catterton is the wife of John H. Johnson, a druggist, and resides in London Mills, Fulton County; they have one child -- Stella F .; Lura is the wife of Peter Norton, a farmer of Elba Township, and their daughter's name is Meda Rosalia, born Sept. 13, 1885.

The Organ family were originally from England. Enoch Organ, the grandfather of Mrs. Catterton, was born in Virginia, and was a soldier in the War of the Revolution. Mr. Catterton's ancestry is Scotch, and his grandfather was a soldier in the War of the Rev- olution. Dilar F. Catterton, the father of the sub- ject of this sketch, was a soldier in the War of 1812, serving five years; a portion of the time he was in the command under Gen. Harrison and was in Jackson's army in the South, and at New Orleans when the English army was defeated.

The parents of Mr. Catterton were Dilar F. and Anna (Robinson) Catterton, natives of Maryland and Kentucky respectively. They were married and set- tled in the latter State, from whence they removed to Lawrence County, Ill., where the father followed the trade of a shoemaker, and where both parents re- sided until their demise; the mother died about 1832, and the father in 1867. Six children were born to them, named John, Nancy, James, Mary, Mar- tha and Isaac.

James Catterton has been Overseer of Highways and School Director in his township, and is a re- spected and honored citizen of the same.

He enlisted, in July, 1862, in Co. H, of the 102d Ill. Vol. Inf., and served his country faithfully and well until July 7, 1865. He enlisted as a private, and in November, 1862, met with a serious accident near Green River, Ky., by a mule falling upon him. This injury incapacitated him from active duty until the fall of 1863. He was detached and assigned to the

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2d Bat. of Invalids or Veteran Reserve, and was dis- charged at Rock Island, Ill., at the date above men- tioned, when he returned to this county and once more entered upon the peaceful pursuits of life. He and his wife, together with their children, are men- bers of the Christian Church. In politics Mr. Cat- terton is a stanch and active Republican.

A view of the fine residence of Mr. Catterton appears in connection with this sketch.

ohn W. Carnes is among the oldest of the settlers now residing in Knoxville. He was born near Staunton, Augusta Co., Va., on the 22d of May, 1808. His father, Abraham Carnes, was a native of the North of Ireland and originally of Scottish descent. His ances- tors emigrated from Ireland during the religious wars, his father arriving in this country while yet a young man. He located in Virginia and married Miss Elizabeth Thompson, a native of Augusta County, that State. In 1810 he removed with his wife and six children to Ohio, and settled in Knox County, which he had previously visited. He was for a short time a soldier in the War of 1812, and fought against the Indians at Upper Sandusky, Ohio. He remained in Knox County until 1816, when he again set out to go farther westward. Traveling toward the Musking- um River, he there purchased a boat and proceeded down the Ohio River until he reached Henderson, Ky., a district then known as The Yellow Banks. Subsequently his father bought a house and claim near the Wabash River, Vincennes, from which he afterward moved to Illinois and selected a location, where for a time he lived with his family, but in the following summer moved to that part of Crawford now known as Lawrence County. This was in September, 1816, at a period when Illinois was as yet a Terri- tory. Employing himself in stock-raising and strictly adhering to business, he became prominent among his neighbors, and was finally chosen to many offices of trust. Twice he represented his district in the State Legislature, where, for firmness as a politician, he became the general remark of the Assembly ; it was through his efforts that Lawrence County was formed and so named. At the time of his death he was still a member of that body. His demise took place in 1824. Subsequently, his widow died in Mor-

gan County, By this marriage there were ten chil- dren, the subject of this biography being the sixth and only one living. He was two years old when his parents came to Ohio, and he had only reached his eighth year when they removed to the Territory of Illinois. In Lawrence County he grew to manhood, and when 17 years old entered upon an apprentice- ship of four years to the tailoring trade, at which he worked until the spring of 1830, when he undertook a trip on a flatboat, loaded with produce, and bound for New Orleans. He made a second trip the next year, and in 1831 re.noved to Jacksonville, Morgan County, where he opened a tailor shop and continued in business up to 1836. He then sold out the con- cern and came to Knoxville, where he opened a dry goods and grocery store in company with John Eads. In this branch of business he continued to operate successfully until 1879. For the last few years he traded in clothing and gents' furnishing goods, giving general satisfaction to a large number of appreciative customers. Since 1879 he has lived in retirement, giving his entire attention to private interests and participating in the good work which his position en- tails upon him.

On the 8th of October, 1834 Mr. Carnes married Eleanor York, a native of Lexington, Ky., born July 28th, 1817, and whose demise took place the Sth of August, 1851. This exemplary mother left three chil- dren to mourn her loss. Of the two surviving, Mary is the wife of John Brewer, residing in Monmouth, and a druggist doing a thriving business; Sarah Elizabeth married O. A. Barnharr, and lives in Rock Island. Mr. Carnes was married the second time on the 7th of September, 1857, the lady being Sarah Zook, born in Franklin County, Pa., March 6, 1819, by whom he had one child-John Z.

In politics Mr. Carnes was originally of the Whig school and a supporter of Henry Clay. He, however, as years advanced, became a member of the Repub- lican party.

illiam Corbin, a retired farmer, and one of the influential and wealthy citizens resi- dent of Yates City, near the city limits, was born in Culpeper County, Va., Jan. 5. 1809. His father, also named William Corbin, was a native of Virginia, and was born March 10, 1785. The paternal grandfather of our subject

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bore the same name, and was of English descent. He was identified with the dying struggles of the Revolutionary War. The maternal grandfather was Elisha Anderson, also a native of Virginia, and of Irish descent, and likewise a hero of Revolutionary fame. The father of William Corbin, Sr., was a farmer by occupation, and departed this life in Mus- kingum County, Ohio.

The father of our subject was a soldier in the War of 1812, and although seriously wounded in one of the battles thereof distinguished himself for his innate bravery and manly courage, and came out of the vari- ous engagements in which he participated with fly- ing colors. He was under Col. Shackelford, whose son in later years captured the rebel Gen. Morgan. He was united in marriage in Culpeper County, Va., to Susan Anderson, a native of the same county, and born in 1790. In 1815, he removed to Charleston, where he passed two years, removed to Ohio, and settled in Muskingum County, being one of the earli- est settlers of that section. Purchasing a tract of timber, on which stood a dilapidated building, he had a part of the land cleared and sold it at an ad- vanced price. He then purchased another tract of timber, which he cleared partially and also sold. Repeating this experiment several times, he found that it paid measurably well, and was deeply en- gaged in these business ventures until the year 1867, when he died, in the full vigor of manhood. The first wife of Mr. Corbin departed this life in 1821, and he re-married, his second choice being Margaret Lewis, a native of Ohio, who died in 1877. By the first marriage there were six children, and seven by the second. Our subject was the second child in the order of birth by the first marriage, and is the sole survivor. He was but eight years of age when his parents removed to Ohio, and grew to manhood in Muskingum County, assisting his father in clear- ing the different farms and remaining with him up to the time of his marriage.

William Corbin began for himself on rented land, in the county in which he had chosen his life com- panion, and where he remained until 1836. On the 4th of October of that year, accompanied by his wife and one child, he started with two pairs of horses and two wagons to Illinois. Arriving at their destination, Farmington. Nov. 5, they passed the first night with a brother-in-law, near Farmington, and the following day visited Knox County. Liking the appearance of

the country, and for the added reason that his brother, Anderson, had settled there previously, they remained, first setting foot on Knox County soil one lovely Sabbath morning. The following day he went out gunning, killing his first deer, and on the following day attended election in Peoria County, voting for Gen. W. H. Harrison for President. Associating with his brother, they built a cabin, sharing the ex- pense, on the site of what is now Yates City, and here spent the winter. Meat was plenty, as they easily secured game, but breadstuffs were scarce, and dur- ing the winter he one day went in search of flour or wheat, driving several miles below Canton. He was disappointed, however, and on his return was glad to purchase corn, which he had ground at the mill be- low that city. On his return trip he was caught in a blizzard, which his horses refused to face, and he was obliged to put up for the night, as otherwise he would probably have perished on the prairie. The following spring he rented the farm where the village of Elmwood stands. This he kept under culti- vation for one year, then bought the southeast quarter of section II, in what is now Salem Township, and in- cluded in Yates City. The land was wild at the time he bought it and only one house in sight. He built a small frame house and bravely began the im- provement of his possessions, breaking the first land lying within the city limits in 1838. Remaining un- til 1844, he sold out and engaged in the manufact- ure of brick two years, then purchased a tract of wild prairie land lying on section 21, of the same town- ship. On this last estate he built a frame house, cultivating and fencing a part of the land, upon which he resided for two years, then exchanged for land lying on section 23, of this township. His lat- ter purchase included but So acres of plowed land, and there he erected a set of frame buildings, planted an orchard, enclosed all the homestead, and there lived until 1867. In November of that year he moved to the place he now occupies. Several years pre- vious to this he had opened a coal bank and stone quarry on his farm, which two branches of business he superintended, working the farm with hired help. After coming to town he superintended the coal works and attended to the improvement of his other property in the village. He was a wide-awake and energetic business man, and his time was fully occu- pied with his duties.

Mr. Corbin has been twice married, his first wife

LIBRARY OF THE L' !!! VERSITY OF ILLINO';

B, Ely

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being Rachel McGinnis, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Johnson and Jane McGinnis. She died in 1840, leaving four children-Mary E., wife of William Gould, of Salem Township; Charlotte, widow of Abner Arrasmith, whose home is in John- son County, Kan .; Susan J., who married Edwin R. Gooding, and who lives in the same county and State; and Rachel. His second marriage took place June 17, 1842, with Lucinda Tabor, who was born in Richland County, Ohio, May 26, 1825. She was the daughter of Philip and Elizabeth (Newman) Tabor, her father being a native of New York State and her mother of Virginia. Four children were born to this marriage-Elizabeth, wife of Thomas N. Hancock, who resides in Johnson County, Kan. ; and Sophia A., wife of G. W. Goodring, who lives in Sumner County, Kan .; two died in infancy. Mr. Corbin was the seventh voter who located in Salem Township, and has been a Republican since the formation of that party. Mr. Tabor, Mrs. Corbin's father, was a pioneer in Knox County, coming as early as 1838, and locating in Salem Township. He died here July 8, 1868 ; the mother died March 20, 1876, in Lucas County, Iowa.

B oanerges Ely. Among the large land- owners of Knox County, resident at Wa- taga, and a gentleman who is respected for his sterling worth and integrity, is the subject of this short biographical notice. What Mr. Ely has of this world's goods has not been obtained through the recipiency of any legacy, but has been acquired through his own in- domitable energy and perseverance, coupled with the active co-operation of his wife and children.

Mr. Ely was born Dec. 21, 1821, in Claiborne County, East Tennessee. His parents were Solo- mon and Rachel (Turner) Ely, natives of that State, and came to Illinois in 1834, settling in Macon County, where the father purchased a farm and where the two good old people lived until called to their home beyond. Their family of children were IT in number, named as follows : Gideon, Achsah, Abigail, Philologus, Oliver, Minerva, Susanna, Da- rius, Abimelech and Augustus W. The father of Mr. Ely was of German descent and a great Bible reader, and gave most of his children biblical names.

Mr. Ely of this notice was the third in order of birth of his parents' children. He received a com- mon-school education and lived with the old folks until he attained his majority. From the age of 16 years until he became his own man, he worked out out by the month to assist in the maintenance of the family, the remuneration for his services being ap- plied by his father toward the payment of a farm. On reaching manhood, and starting out in the world to do for himself, all he asked or all that he received from his parents was a "God bless you." Leaving the old homestead where he had spent so many pleasant days, he went forth to fight against the trials of life, and, until he arrived at the age of 29 years, he worked out by the month. Nevertheless, when 25 years of age, he came to this county and purchased 120 acres of land near the village of Wa- taga, but, having an insufficiency of means to im- prove it, continued to work for others until 1848, to procure means for the erection of a house upon his land. The time came when he was enabled to put up his little frame building, and onto this tract of land he moved and engaged energetically in its cul- tivation and improvement, and there laid the foun- dation of his present handsome competency. He has subsequently added to his original purchase from time to time, until he is at present the proprie- tor of 650 acres of rich and productive land under an exceedingly high state of cultivation and valued, every acre of it, at $70. The buildings upon his place cost him about $8,000, and there he lives, sur- rounded by a loving and happy family, retired from active labor and enjoying the accumulations of an honorable past.

Mr. Ely, Nov. 3, 1850, joined the army of bene- dicts and increased the happiness of his life by mar- rying Miss Mary Duval. She is the accomplished daughter of T. C. Duval (see sketch), and the house- hold has been brightened by the birth of three chil- dren, whom the parents have named Nancy A., Ella and William. The firstborn became the wife of John H. Deming, and is enjoying a happy life with him at Wataga; Ella married Samuel Temple and has borne him one son-Howard ; they live in South- west Kansas; William L. Ely united his destiny with Ada Willmott, and is a resident of Traill County, Dak.

Politically, Mr. Ely votes the Republican ticket. He has held the office of Street Commissioner for

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two years. As will be seen from the perusal of this notice, success has attended him in all his efforts, and he is respected and honored for what he has been as well as what he is.

We are pleased to be able to present the portrait of this excellent and representative citizen of Knox County.

U. Wetmore, one of the prominent and successful farmers and highly respected cit- izens of Ontario Township, residing on sec- tion 30, is the subject of this notice. He was born in Rio Township, Feb. 17, 1844, and is a son of Isaac M. Wetmore, a miller and mer- chant for some years, and later a farmer, after com- ing to Illinois in September, 1836, from Whitesboro, Oneida Co., N. Y., where he was born. He first lo- cated in Rio Township, and in the spring of 1845 settled in Ontario Township, when it contained only a sparse and scattered population, the prairie being mostly an unbroken waste, and the advantages of civilized life of a very primitive character. The father built, in 1845, a remarkably fine house of solid black-walnut, which is yet in an excellent state of preservation and repair, and when built was the best dwelling in the township. This brave pioneer, after nobly doing his part in laying the foundations of a great commonwealth, and witnessing some of the most remarkable changes and progress in the world's history, died May 12, 1881, aged 72 years. The mother, formerly Mary L. Morse, a native of Her- kimer County, N. Y., died in September, 1866, at her home in this township, aged about 56 years.

Mr. Isaac U. Wetmore was the youngest son and sixth child of a family of eight children. He was ed- ucated in his township and in the preparatory depart- ment of Knox College, Galesburg, otherwise having resided at home on his father's farm ever since his birth. He was married in Ontario Township, Sept. 8, 1867, to Miss Adeline Case, a native of Marcellus, N. Y., where she was born Dec. 24, 1847, and was the daughter of Erastus and Ann M. Case. The father was a traveling salesman during most of his lifetime, and both parents were natives of the East; the former of New England ancestry, and the mother, whose family name was Swift, being of direct English descent. Her ancestors came from Essex

County, England, in 1630, William Case being the first of the family of whom any account is preserved. The Wetmore family, on the other hand, settled in the west of England in 1635.

Mrs. Wetmore came to Illinois in September, 1867, having been a teacher in Wayne County, N. Y., and taught some time in Ontario Township after coming West. She is the mother of five children-Nellie E., Carrie A., Rose M., Fannie A. and Freddie I. ; the last two being twins. Since their marriage Mr. W. has resided on the old homestead, which he now owns, a well located and splendidly improved farm, con- sisting of 220 acres. They are both leading, active members of the Baptist Church, of which denomina- tion Mr. W. is a Deacon, and for many years has been Superintendent of the Sunday-school. In pol- itics he is an earnest advocate of the Republican party, as was his father before hin. The father of our subject was also an active Abolitionist, taking a prominent part in the Anti-Slavery agitation, and as- sisting as " engineer " in the piloting of many a poor slave over the " Underground Railroad " to freedom. He inherited the rugged character of his father be- fore him, gauging his duty by the lofty principles which guided that father through a long and success- ful life, and with him there was no such thing as a compromise with any private wrong or public immor- ality. He passed away after he had achieved many successes in life's battles, and it would be well for the community and State if such as he had been more frequently called into public affairs, leaving more of the self-seeking professionals at home.

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 41

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