Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 42

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 42

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on. Zelotes Cooley by profession is an at- torney at law, and has a very extensive practice from a large number of first-class clients. He was born in East Windsor, Conn., on Nov. 10, 1808, his father being Aaron Cooley, - a native of Massachusetts, and by trade a carpenter. The latter, removing to Glastonbury in 1816, continued to pursue his trade with marked suc- cess for some years. Later in life, however, he fol- lowed coasting on the Connecticut River, and died at Glastonbury in the year 1829.

The maiden name of Mr. Cooley's mother was Chloe Bidwell. She was born in East Windsor, and died at the same place as her husband, about the

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year 1875. Through this marriage there were four children-Zelotes being the the eldest; Charlotte, who died in 1882; Frederick, in 1884; and Loring, who departed this life in 1840.

The subject of this biography is the only surviving child of Aaron Cooley's family. At the early age of eight years, he removed with his parents to Glaston- bury, and until his tenth year showed a ready apti- tude in the acquirement of knowledge. As it is truly said "the boy is ofttimes father to the man," no more striking instance of this could well be found than in the lad Zelotes.

At the close of his sixteenth year, he proceeded to Hartford to learn his father's original trade of carpen- ter and joiner, and subsequently he was to be found busily engaged at work in Westfield, Mass. At Poughkeepsie, N. Y., we find him, later on, in the grocery business, which he successfully pursued. Here he remained until September, 1837. Travel- ing next to Philadelphia, and then via canal and rail [ to Pittsburg, from thence down the Ohio and up the Mississippi River and through Illinois, he reached LaGrange, and from thence proceeded to walk to Quincy, which pedestrian journey occupied him four days. Again, however, he started out, this time for Macomb, in company with Alvah Wheeler. Our travelers succeeded in riding 20 miles, then the res- olution was taken to walk the remainder of the jour- ney to Carthage. At the Court House in Carthage, they secured employment for the winter season, but in the spring of 1838 came to Knox County. Be- coming partner with Mr. Wheeler, the firm secured the contract to build a Court House in Knoxville, from plans and specifications drawn by Mr. Cooley's own pencil. This work was completed during the fall of 1839, and our subject continued in the calling of contractor and builder down to the year 1846. The Court House which they erected is the one still standing in Knoxville.

In the summer of 1846 Mr. Cooley was appointed by the County Commissioners Treasurer of the county. In 1847 he was elected County Clerk, which position he filled with honor to himself and satisfac- tion to others, up to the Ist of December, 1857, from which period he has devoted his entire attention to the practice of law and private affairs.

In December, 1833, Mr. Cooley was united in mar- riage with Miss Julia A. Hanks, whose birthplace was Lyme, Conn. Four children were born to Mr.

Cooley and wife ; two only of these are living-Ella, wife of David W. Bradshaw, residing in Galesburg; and Jennie, wife of Sam'l L. Charles, whose residence is in Aurora.

Mrs. Julia A. Cooley died in 1868. She was a wo- man of rare qualities of mind, and those who enjoyed her acquaintance are ever ready to testify of her be- nevolence and charity as exercised toward the needy and distressed.

From a political standpoint, Mr. Cooley has al- ways been considered practical in his methods and thorough in his manner of dealing with questions of moment. The readiness of his intellectual foresight has induced those who know him to place the utmost confidence in his decisions, whether these pertain to legal or political matters. His honesty of purpose stands out prominently in his daily inter- course with men, a quality which has been largely supplemented and sustained by his early training. To this latter he owes mnuch of the success of his life. In politics he is a stanch Democrat.

obias Woods. Only a brief summary of the lives of many of the residents of Knox County is given in these records, but they go to show their claim to genuine manhood, citizenship, and an honored place among the active workers of life. Among these none is better fitted to draw forth approbation than the sub- ject of our sketch, whose home is situated in the thriving little village of Maquon, and who is retired from the active labors of farm life.

The parents of our subject were James and Cath- erine (Sarver) Woods, who were natives of Pennsyl- vania. The father was of Scotch-Irish and the mother of Dutch ancestry. Their family consisted of eight children, bearing the names of John, James, Fannie, Tobias, Catherine, Sarah, Mary and Joseph.

Tobias Woods was born in Allegheny County, Pa., Oct. 27, 1820. He remained at that place until he had attained the age of majority, when he removed to Venango County, Pa., at which place he remained until the spring of 1867. While there he engaged in different occupations, his chief business being that of an agriculturist. The spring of the year 1867 was the date of his arrival in Knox County; he came hither with his parents' family, making settlement in

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Chestnut Township. He afterward rented a farm for the period of two years, subsequently purchasing 120 acres of land, on which he resided until 1882, when he made his final move to the village of Ma- quon. He is the owner of 117 acres of tillable land.

Mr. Woods was married to Miss Mary J. Hender- son, in Venango County, Pa., Oct. 31, 1850. She is the aimable daughter of Charles and Mary (Simcox) Henderson. The father was a native of Ireland and the mother of Pennsylvania. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Henderson consists of nine children. The record is as follows: Shadrach, Margaret, Robert, Archie, William, Johnnie, Mary J., Eleanor and Nancy.

Mrs. Woods, of whom we write, was born in Ve- nango County, Pa., Aug. 29, 1829. She has borne her husband nine children, namely : James, Charles, Frances M., Tobias, Jr., Henderson, Harvey, Kate, John and Robert. Charles Woods married Jose- phine Roberts, and they are at present residing in Nebraska; Frank H. is the name of their only son. The other members of the family are residing at home. In politics our subject is a firm adherent to the principles of the Democratic party.

ichard P. Foster is one of the early set- tlers in Maquon Township, and a gentle- man highly respected as a citizen and farmer, and is at present residing on his homestead, located on section 33. He is the son of Richard and Nancy (Shrives) Foster, natives of Pennsylvania. They came to Knox County in 1852, settling in Maquon Township, where he has since lived, engaged in the independent calling of an agriculturist. Here the wife and mother died. They had been blest with 11 children, two of whom died in infancy. Those living are Emanuel, Elvira, Sylves- ter, Wealthy, Charity, James M., Asenath, Richard P. and Samantha.

The subject of our sketch was born in Highland County, Ohio, June 22, 1842, and was nine years of age when his parents removed to Knox County. He had received a common-school education, and since that time has been engaged in agriculture. He was united in the holy bonds of matrimony at Knoxville, Jan. 20, 1872, with Amanda E., daughter of Samuel -

and Nancy Plummer(see sketch of Samuel Plummer). Mrs. Foster was born in Fulton County, Ill., July 26, 1854, and has borne her husband five children, namely : Albert O., Samuel B., Selden G., Norman and Lena A.

Mr. Foster has been School Director of his town- ship, and politically votes with the Democratic party. He is one of the most successful stock-raisers of his township and keeps a herd of 40 cattle and 25 head of horses, and fattens from 50 to 75 head of hogs an- nually. He is the owner of 160 acres of prime land, the major portion of which is tillable. He is one of Knox County's solid and substantial men.

V. R. Carley. Lying within the limits of Knox County are many beautiful and homelike farms, owned by those men who only by diligent perseverance and untiring energy have won their homes. Among these, conspicuous as being a substantial man and a good citizen, may be found the subject of this histor- ical notice, whose handsome home lies on section 5, of Sparta Township. He is characterized for his thrift and prudence, no less than his ability as a finan- cier, and may be pointed out to the coming gener- ation as an example worthy of imitation.

Mr. Carley was born in Montgomery County, N. Y., Aug. 4, 1819, and his parents were Brookins and Ra- chel (Bennett) Carley. They were natives of New York State, where the father was proprietor of a ho- tel. He departed this life in Schoharie County, N. Y., in 1853; the mother passed to the life beyond from Tompkins County, N. Y., in 1865. To them were given seven children, all of whom lived to reach man and womanhood. They were named as follows: Eliza, now Mrs. Lanphere; James V. R .; David W .; Mary, Abraham, Helen and Adelia. The deceased are Adelia, Abraham, Helen and Mary. James V. R., of this narrative, was the second child in order of birth and remained at home after his father's death. He then, with his sister Eliza, whose capability proved to be remarkable, took charge of the bereaved little family, sent them to school and cared for them until they reached years of maturity. Each and all are possessed of intelligence and tal- ent and reflect credit upon the brave pair who took such a responsibility upon their young shoulders. All

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the daughters became teachers, and two of the broth- ers have adopted the medical profession.

James, our subject, entered upon the life of a ped- agogue at the age of 22 and followed it for five years. In 1846 he was united in marriage with Miranda Phelps, and the result of this union was two chil- dren-Elnora and Warren M., which latter died at the age of three years. Elnora became Mrs. Gad- dis, and departed this life in 1882, at the age of 35. Mrs. Carley died in the year 1863. Soon after his marriage Mr. Carley and his sister Eliza provided a home for their aged mother, so that she was enabled to pass her declining years without care or anxiety.

The second marriage of Mr. Carley was with Mary Armstrong, in 1864, and the result of their union was three children, two of whom survive-Lester E. and James M. Ozro W. died in 1870. The sec- ond Mrs. Carley was born in Cumberland County, Eng., March 29, 1840, and died in 1872. His third wife's maiden name was Clara E. Wicks, and five children have been born to them-Edna E., Jay V. R., Arthur B., Mabel and Clara E.

Mr. Carley came to Illinois in 1850 and settled where he now lives, purchasing 77 acres of land. He afterward sold 25 acres of it, and to the 52 he has since added 10812 acres. Since comi. g here he has made all modern improvements, building a house and barn and setting out trees, until he may be pardoned for taking a just pride in his beautiful surroundings. He values his land at $75 per acre, and it is fruitful and productive in the extreme.

In politics Mr. Carley is a firm Republican, advo- cating and voting for the doctrines of that organiza- tion. With his two sons, Lester E. and James M., he belongs to the Congregational Church, living out the principles of a noble Christian faith.

ohn H. Kimler. As a representative of the energetic portion of the agricultural class of this county, the subject of this sketch deserves mention. He is pleasantly located on his fine farm of 195 acres of rich and productive land on section 1, Elba Township, and is there industriously engaged in the prosecution of his inde- pendent calling and meeting with success.

Mr. Kimler came to this county in the spring of

1852, from Tazewell County, this State, and has since been closely identified with its agricultural de- velopment. On his arrival here he first made set- tlement in Truro Township, and there resided for about four years, when he sold out and moved to Iowa. In the latter State he resided for a little over six years, then returned to this county and purchased the farm on which he is at present residing, and where he has since lived.

John H. Kimler was born in Montgomery County, Ind., Dec. 2, 1824; the name of his father was Evan Kimler; the maiden name of his mother was Love Walker. He lived in his native county until his re- moval to Tazewell County, in 1850. He lived in the latter county for two years and then came to Knox County, and his entire life has been passed in agri- cultural pursuits. Mr. Kimler was married in Mont- gomery County, Ind., June 17, 1847, to Mary J. Lane, a native of Kentucky, and they have been blessed by the birth of 12 children and their house- hold saddened by the death of six. Those living are } Benjamin F., Douglas, Evan, Walker, Otis L. and Preston; the deceased are Viola, Marena, Mary E , ! Marilla, Lillian and Percy.

Mr. Kimler has held the office of Road Commis- sioner, and in politics is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church.

C. Maxwell. Among the representative men and noteworthy citizens of Knox County may be found the subject of this notice, whose farm is located on section 14, in Sparta Township. He is eminently worthy of notice for his facility in business and his ability in his chosen vocation. He occupies a worthy posi- tion in his community, and has held many of the local offices. He has been Overseer of Highways, and is a helpful man in his township. He is somewhat in- terested in educational matters, and has been School Director for some years.

Mr. Maxwell was born in Knox County, May 10, 1849. His parents are Robert and Sarah (Maxwell) Maxwell, both natives of Indiana, who, while yet children, came to Illinois with their parents, who set- tled in Clay County, and subsequently, in 1845, came to Knox County, when they settled in Henderson

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Township. At present they live in Union County, Iowa, where he moved in 1873. He has followed school teaching combined with his agricultural pur- suits, with the exception of three years which he spent in the army To them has been born a family of five children, as follows: Eva, Joseph C., Josie, Maud and William.

Mr. Maxwell of this sketch remained under the parental roof until he reached the estate of manhood, attending school and assisting on the farm. On reaching his majority he rented a farm in Henderson Township and followed agricultural pursuits until 1874. He then purchased 280 acres in the State of Iowa, on which he lived for three years. Prosperity crowned his efforts, and with the proceeds of this venture he returned to Illinois, where he settled in Sparta Township, purchasing 130 acres of land. At the present time he has a farm of 180 acres in Hen- derson Township and an interest in 160 acres in Iowa; on this last he carries on stock raising, breed- ing and selling.

Mr. Maxwell was united in marriage in 1869, with Miss Eliza Duval, a native of Knox County and a daughter of Barryman and Mary (Wilkins) Duval. Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell have been given four chil- dren, by name Lula, Seth, Nattie and Willie.

ohn Norris, retired farmer, residing on sec- tion 1, Salem Township, Knox Co., Ill., was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, Dec. 23, 1816. He is a son of John Norris, Sr., a native of Maryland, having been born on the west bank of the Potomac River, in 1788. His grandfather, William Norris, was also a native of Maryland and of English descent. About the year 1 804, William Norris emigrated to Ohio with his fam- ily, locating in Coshocton County, where he was among the early settlers. He purchased a tract of timber land and made extensive improvement upon it, remaining there the rest of his days. He married Margaret Potto, who was also a native of Maryland.

John Norris, father of our subject, was but a lad of 16 years when he accompanied his parents to the Buckeye State. At that place he met and married Elizabeth Elson, a native of Brooke County, W. Va. He also purchased a tract of timber land, upon

which he remained until 1830, at that time removing to that part of Marion now included in Crawford County. Here he secured a tract of timber land and remained there until his death, in 1854. His wife pre- ceded him to the better land, having died in 1839. After the death of his first wife, the father of our sub- ject was married to Rebecca Crainer, but enjoyed only a few years of married life, both dying of that dread disease, cholera, which swept over the country in 1854.

The subject of our sketch was the fourth child and third son of his parents' family, and was 14 years of age when, with his parents, he came to Marion County. At that place his time was occupied in working on the farm and in acquiring a good educa- tion. He made his home with his parents until July 20, 1844, the date of his marriage with Susan Mary Arbuckle. She was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, Sept. 8, 1821, and is a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Stewart) Arbuckle, natives of Pennsyl- vania. There were eight children of the Arbuckle family, and five grew to man and womanhood. At the time of his marriage Mr. Norris rented land in Crawford County, and remained there until the year 1848, when, accompanied by his wife and two chil- dren, he started overland with a team and covered wagon for Illinois. After a tedious journey of 18 days they arrived at Peoria, where they made their home with friends, at Prospect Hill, four miles north of Peoria, until the March following, when he re- turned to Ohio with his family. Mrs. Norris was taken sick, and the physician advised a return to Ohio on account of her health. The route this time was via the river to Cincinnati and thence via rail- road to Crawford County. In June of the same year they again started with their team for Iowa, visiting Louisa, Washington, Jefferson and other counties. The prospects seeming very poor in that State, Mr. Norris returned after a few weeks to Knox County, landing here with only ten cents in his pocket, to- gether with a pair of horses and a wagon. Upon arrival in this county he engaged in teaming between Abingdon and Peoria, receiving for the same $1 per trip in cash and the balance in trade. He continued in that occupation until the spring following, when he rented a farm in Salem Township and commenced his career as agriculturist. He continued to rent land until 1854, when he purchased 80 acres on the west half of the southwest quarter of section 1.

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Upon this place he erected a dwelling and remained there engaged in its improvement until 1865. At that date he disposed of this property and purchased a farm in Elba Township, and lived upon it for one year. He then purchased the place he now owns and occupies. Our subject removed to Yates City in 1876, where he purchased village property, resid- ing there until 1880, when he returned to his farm. Hls land is located on the southeast quarter of sec- tion 1, and is one of the most finely improved and best cultivated farms in the township.

The children born to the union of John Norris and Miss Arbuckle are eight in number, and named James B., Elizabeth T., wife of D. Kelly, of Florida ; William V., a farmer residing in Adams County, lowa; Thomas A. is dead; Samuel Frank resides at home; J. Alva is a medical student; E. Bell, still at home; Ada L., wife of Dr. Royce, of Yates City. Thomas A. Norris was born June 25, 1851, and died June 5, 1871. Frank married Miss Nellie Robinson, and they have two children, whose names are Nellie Pearl and Happ F.

Mr. Norris, of whom we write, cast his first presi- dential vote for Gen. Harrison, in 1840, but has been a Republican since 1856. Mrs. Norris was formerly a teacher in the public schools in Ohio, and in 1850 taught the district school at her home in Salem Township. In religion Mr. Norris is liberal in his views.

illiam Best, retired harness-maker, was was born in Armstrong County, Pa., June 20, 1824. He is the son of Jacob and Jane (Morris) Best. He learned his trade in Pennsylvania and came to Illinois in 1854, settling in Galesburg, and for the following three years engaged in farming. He then quit the tilling of the soil and opened a shop for the manufacture of harness. He had the misfortune to suffer the loss of his establishment by fire, and in 1861 we find him opening a new shop at Abingdon, which he con- ducted for 24 years, from 1861 10 1885.

Mr. Best was married in Armstrong County, Pa., Feb. 19, 1857, Miss Elizabeth Reener being the lady of his choice. She was a daughter of John Reener, and was a native of the county in which she was married. They have been blest with five children,

two of whom were born in Pennsylvania and three in Illinois. The record is as follows: Sarah J .; John K. married Jennie Barns and lives at Helena, M. T .; Myron H. became the husband of Orpha Forreston, and they reside at Abingdon; William N. is a resi- dent of Helena ; and Lemuel N. resides at Abing- don. Mr. and Mrs. Best are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and in politics Mr. B. is a firm adherent of the Republican party.

avid Warner. In the fall of 1857, when Knox County had made a pleasant little start and when a few small dwelling- houses had begun to rise in and about section 5 in Elba Township, prominent among those who made settlement was the subject of this historical sketch, who came from Indiana County, Pa., and settled in Elba Township, where he pur- chased 50 acres of land. He has added to his original purchase until he now owns 105 acres, 80 of which are tillable and finely cultivated.

Mr. Warner was born in Armstrong County, Pa., April 19, 1819, and lived in Pennsylvania until he canie to Knox County. For 13 years he engaged in teaching school and carding wool while living there, and since coming to Knox County has given his at- tention to agricultural pursuits, and has taught school 17 winters besides. During his entire life he has taught 30 winters.

He was married in Armstrong County, Pa., Aug. 28, 1844, to Nancy A. Wells, daughter of Edward and Mary (Rareigh) Wells, natives of Pennsylvania. They had a family of nine children, five of whom were boys and four girls. Mrs. W. was the sixth child in order of birth; she was born in Indiana County, Pa., Oct. 11, 1823. Having no children, they have reared, cared for and instructed three children out of other families, believing in the prom- ise that " whoso careth for one of these, my little ones, shall be remembered of the Father, which is in Heaven." They are Agnes D. Wright, who is now the wife of Rev. William Parker, and who resides in Kansas; John W. Farster, who resides in York County, Neb .; and George Massie, who resides near Toulon, Stark County, III.

Mr. Warner has held the office of Assessor, School Trustee, Justice of the Peace and School Treasurer.

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Mr. and Mrs. Warner are congenial and consistent members of the Presbyterian Church in full and regular standing, and believe in and live forth the true principles of a noble religion. He has been Elder in the church for some 30 years. In politics he is identified with the Republican party, in the workings and beliefs of which organization he is an honest factor.

The parents of our subject were Jacob and Jane (Walker) Warner, who were natives of Pennsylvania and were of Dutch descent as well as some slight admixture of Irish blood. They pursued the peace- ful vocation of farming, honoring themselves in that branch of labor. They continued on the farm in the State where they had labored, and died and were buried within its borders.

dwin Calkins, deceased. To the early pio- neers of this county is due far more credit than can be given in a short biographical notice. For this reason we cannot enumerate in these sketches all the trials through which they passed in making early settlement here, for, as a general thing, their trials were similar, as likewise the obstacles they overcame, and we more fully refer to them in the historical part of this work. Among the early comers was the subject of this notice, who to-day is passing the sunset of life retired from act- ive labor, on his fine place on section 2, Sparta Township, he having first made settlement here in 1837 .

Mr. Calkins was born in Columbia County, N. Y., Oct. 23, 1811. His father was Elijah, and his mother Philena (Coleman) Calkins; the former a native of New York and the latter of Connecticut. The father of Mr. Calkins made a visit to this country prior to 1837, and during his stay here purchased 160 acres of land for his children, when he returned to New York and there lived until 1857, when he came back to this county ; some of his children having preceded him.

Edwin Calkins was reared to the honorable call- ing of a farmer in New York State, there received his education and lived with his parents, engaged in ag- ricultural pursuits, until 1837. At that early day in the history of this county, he became a resident of

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 42

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