Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 44

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 44

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The gentleman of whom we write learned the trade of shoemaker when quite young, but manifested a preference for milling, and upon attaining the proper age he assisted in the mill until his father rented the same, when he engaged in farming

Aug. 25, 1846, Oliver Ellison was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Sarah Truax. She was born April 12, 1821, in Bedford County, Pa., and is the daughter of William and Rachel (Pittman) Truax, natives of Pennsylvania. Her parents were of English descent. Her paternal grandfather was a soldier in the War of the Revolu- tion.

After marriage Mr. Ellison located upon the old homestead and remained there for 12 consecutive years ; then, in 1858, he removed to Knox County, and located in Salem Township. Here he secured 40 acres of desirable land on section 1, of which a few acres were broken. This property our subject had spared no effort to improve. He had beautified his place as well as increased its value by the setting out of trees and shrubbery of various kinds and the erection of all necessary farm buildings. To his original purchase he had added 40 acres, which to- day is under an advanced state of cultivation. He is now dead.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Ellison was blessed by the birth of one child, whom they named Marion. He was born Feb. 28, 1853, in the Keystone State. This son chose for his life companion Alice, daugh- ter of William and Eliza Bond. Marion resides on section 2, Salem Township. They have two chil- dren, named Eliza and Herman.

Our subject, with his wife, was a member of the New-School Baptist Church. In politics he was a stanch Democrat, having cast his first presidential -

vote for Andrew Jackson. Marion is also a Demo- crat. William Truax, father of Mrs. Ellison, was a soldier in the War of 1812.

athan A. Howe. Beside being one of the prominent farmers and active citizens of his county, Mr. Howe is the Collector of Henderson Township, for 1886. He came to Knoxville in 1840, when he was only two years old, his parents coming from Ohio and settling in Knox Township about the Ist of November. They subsequently came to Log City, in Henderson Town- ship, when the Galesburg colony first settled in and around that vicinity. He received a good common- school education and proved himself a young man of quiet disposition and well-balanced judgment. His father was a mason by trade, which later on was followed by his son, our subject, for several years. Mr. Howe had not served a regular appren- ticeship to his father's business, but was naturally a good workman.

He was born in Delaware County, Ohio, Aug. 17, 1838. His parents were Aaron and Sarah (Helsie) Howe, who were natives respectively of New York and Ohio. In 1863 they removed to Taylor County, Iowa, where the mother died two months later. Mr. Howe, Sr., still resides in Taylor County. There were ten children born to the marriage, of whom Lathan was the fifth in order of birth. On the 19th of February, 186r, his marriage took place, in Krox- ville, Ill., with Miss Narcissa Roundtree, a native of Henderson Township, born Jan. 16, 1839. Her parents were John D. and Docia (Fuqua) Round- tree, natives of Kentucky and Virginia. When they came to Knox County, in 1831, they settled in Hen- derson Township, where the father died Aug. 3, 1849. Mrs. Roundtree still survives and has at- tained to her 83d year. She now resides in Kansas with her son William. By the marriage there were II children, of whom Mrs. Howe was the ninth in order of birthi.

By the happy union of our subject and Miss Round- tree, one very interesting little hoy, George A., has been born. Mr. H. is the owner of 94 acres of highly improved land. He and his wife are active

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members of the Christian Church, in which they stand in high favor with the community.

Politically, our subject is a fervid Republican and strong supporter of that party's principles. No measure likely to promote his party's good escapes his notice, and he is accordingly looked up to by politicians of his township.

homas L. Long, dry goods merchant at Yates City, was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., Dec. 3, 1824. He is the son of Nehemiah and Sarah (Rouse) Long. Thomas L. was a lad of two and a half years when his father died. He remained at home until seven years of age, and then went to live with a neighbor, assisting upon the farm and attending the common schools. At 17 years of age he engaged with a farmer in Pompey, receiving for the same $100 and board for the year's service. The three succeeding years he spent at work in Gaines, Orleans County.

Upon emigrating to Illinois, in December, 1845, he stopped for awhile at Chicago, where he engaged with Frink, Walker & Co., as stage driver. This oc- cupation he continued for four years, when he was appointed Road Agent by the Ohio Stage Company, with headquarters at Columbus, Ohio, and Indian- apolis. He remained in the employ of this company for three years, and in 1852 he located upon a farm in Jersey County, Ill., where he had purchased land two miles northwest of Jerseyville. Upon this place he resided for two years, when he secured a farm on section 16, Salem Township. The only improve- ments upon the farm were a few acres broken and fenced and a small house. There he engaged in farming until 1865, when he rented his farm and re- moved to Yates City, and for two years was engaged in the grocery business. Disposing of this, we next find him in Kansas, whither he had gone to settle the estate of a deceased brother-in-law, residing in Johnson County. He remained in that State for 22 months, and upon returning to Illinois again became a tiller of the soil. In 1875 he again rented his farm and went to Yates City. Mr. Long was one of the organizers of the co-operative store, in which he was clerk for three years. He engaged in business

for himself in 1879, opening a dry goods and notion store, and has continued in that business until the present time.

Emily Jarboe was the maiden name of the wife of our subject, to whom he was married Nov. 16, 1852. She was born in Ohio and is a daughter of Philip and Catherine (Collins) Jarboe. Our subject and wife are the parents of two children, living-James L., born in Jersey County; and Inez S., born in Knox County, who is a teacher in the public schools. Politically, Mr. L. votes the Republican ticket, and has held the offices of Justice of the Peace, Road Commissioner, Constable and Police Magistrate. His son, James L., is a conductor on the C., B. & Q. R. R., and has been in the employ of that company about 12 years.

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„aver Gehring. Prominent among the self- made men of Knox County, who started with nothing except their own indomitable per- severance and energy, and who have made a financial success in life, and who were born in the great Empire of Germany, is the gentleman whose name heads this biographical sketch, who is living on his farm on section 13, Sparta Township. Mr. Gehring was born Feb. 9, 1825, his parents being Bennet and Elizabeth (Closman) Gehring, likewise natives of the " Faderland." His father was a farmer in the old country, and there raised a family of nine children, five of whom are living, namely, Joseph, Anthony, Xaver, Barbara and Caroline. Joseph and Barbara yet continue to reside in their native land, and there the father died in 1857, and the mother in 1842. Xaver Gehring was an inmate of the parental household until he was 18, having in the meantime received an education in the common schools. On leaving home he worked out for two years, when he was drafted into the German army and served his country for three and a half years.

In 1849, Mr. Gehring, hoping to better his finan- cial condition, set sail for the United States, arriving in safety at New York. In the latter State, for four and a half years, he worked out by the month at whatever labor he could procure that would bring him in a fair remuneration. In 1854, he came to this State and settled on the identical place on which

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he at present resides. He purchased, on coming to the county, 815 acres of land, and has followed the vocation of a farmer until the present time, meeting with success.

Mr. Gehring was married in 1853. just prior to his coming to this county, to Miss Elizabeth Hemminger, and their family circle has been blest by the birth of three children-Joseph, Henry and Amelia. The wife and mother died in 1878, and Mr. Gehring formed a second matrimonial alliance in 1879, at which time Mrs. Mary Stephenson, the accomplished daughter of William Leighton, became the wife. She had a family of five children by her former marriage -William, George, James, Isabell and Helen. Po- litically, Mr. Gehring is a Republican. He has held the office of School Director for 15 years, and is one of the large land-owners, successful farmers, and honored and respected citizens of Knox County.

liver Stream. Prominent among the repre- sentative citizens and men of solid worth resident within the boundaries of Knox County may be named the subject of this biography. His home is situated on section 28, in Sparta Township, and he follows the occupation of a farmer. He moved onto his present farm in 1855, since which time he has devoted him- self to the tillage of the soil.

Mr. Stream was born in Sweden, Dec. 4, 1833, and his parents were Olaf and Betsey (Isaacson) Stream. This couple were natives of Sweden, and the father, who was a soldier in the Swedish army, served his country 25 years. After this heroic life of labor he ended his days in 1880. The mother de- parted this life in 1844, 36 years previous. To them was born a family of seven children.

The subject of our sketch is the fourth child in order of birth, and continued at home until 18 years of age. His youth was spent on the farm and in the forests, and, being a persevering worker, he received but a limited education. After reaching the age of 18, he engaged with different farmers, working on various farms until he came to America in 1855. From the city of New York, in which he landed, he came West to Illinois, and, selecting Knox County as

his location, settled at Wataga. Here he worked one year on a farm and then engaged in coal mining, which he followed for nine years. At the expiration of this time he rented the place on which he now lives, and of which he is now the owner. The farm includes 112 acres, on which he carries on mixed farming, but mostly stock-raising, with a beautiful residence and other buildings. Although he had no school education whatever, he has learned to read and write both the Swedish and English languages, and speaks English as well as his mother tongue.

In July, 1855, a few days before he left his native country for America, he united his fortunes with those of Miss Margaret Donaldson, and this couple have six children living, by name John, Mary, Frank, Al- bert, Olive and Willie. Mrs. Stream died on the 22d of July, 1871, and on the 13th of February, 1872, he remarried, this time Mrs. Martha Johnson. Mrs. Johnson was married the first time to Gabriel John- son, on the 14th of September, 1855. By him she has four children, three of whom survive-Albert E., William F. and Franklin E. Mr. Johnson departed this life in 1864. Previous to this, in 1855, he had purchased the place where Mr. Stream now lives. He was politically a Republican, and was an active Christian, a member of the Swedish Methodist Epis- copal Church, to which he was united by profession of faith. He emigrated to America in 1849, and at this time was attacked with gold fever, which proved the destruction of so many, and went with countless others to California. Here he engaged in the mines, but, contrary to his expectations, found no El Dorado. Returning home, in the year 1851, he engaged in carpentering, to which he added farm work, until he moved onto the place he had purchased. This move was made in the year 1856, and he continued there until his death.

The parents of MrsStream are Lars and Catherine (Peterson) Oleson, natives of Sweden. In August, 1849, they removed to America with their family, consisting of three boys and two girls (one of the boys died on the sea), and located in Illinois, stopping at Victoria, Knox County, only one month. They then made a purchase of 20 acres of land, on section 13, in Sparta Township. They afterward added 30 or 40 acres thereto, and lived on the same until the father's death, in 1863, while the mother's death occurred in November, 1868. They were the parents of six chil- dren, of whom Mrs. Stream was the oldest, and their

LIBRARY OF THE L'NIVERSITY OF ILLIN''}

Israel Turner

Lucinda E. Turner

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLIN''3

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KNOX COUNTY.

youngest son, William, died from a wound inflicted by a rebel bullet at Goldsboro, March 26, 1865. Mrs. Stream is the mother by her last marriage of one child, by name Carrie.

Mr. Stream is one of the most useful men in the community, and figures actively in local affairs. He belongs to the Odd Fellows' fraternity of Wataga, and with his wife and one daughter, Olive, worships in the Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church in that city. He is a stanch Republican in politics, and supports the doctrines of that party by voice and vote.

FFFF srael Turner. Prominent among the early settlers of this county who have been iden- tified with its agricultural development ever since their first arrival here is the subject of this biographical notice. He has acquired a goodly portion of this world's goods through his own perseverance and energy alone. Coming here away back in the '3os, and having endured all the trials and privations incident to the making of a set- tlement in a new and undeveloped country, living here until the present writing, and having met with success, he certainly deserves more than a passing notice in the biographical department of this work. The trials through which he passed were identical with those of many others who first made settlement here, and which we speak of more fully in another part of this work.

Istael Turner, who is passing the sunset of life on his fine farm on section 32, Orange Township, where his years have been spent since coming to the county in that most independent of all callings, farming, was born in Chester County, Pa., March 22, 1812. He is the son of Henry and Susanna (Halderman) Turner, natives of the Keystone State and of German ances- try. The father was born April 2, 1790, and the mother May 18, 1781. They were married when the father was but 19 years of age, and the vocation of the former was that of a stone mason. Our sub- ject enjoyed no educational advantages, except such as were afforded by the district schools. He con- tinued to reside in the parental household until 1838, when, hoping to better his financial condition in life, he started for the West, making his location in this

county. Prior to this time, however, he hired out as a boat hand, when 16 years of age, and was thus oc- cupied for three years, when he engaged to learn the brick mason and stone cutter's trade, following the same until he came to Knox County. Prior to com- ing here, however, he was engaged in the erection of bridges on the Schuylkill Canal, and also for the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company.

On Mr. Turner's arrival in this county, he was so favorably impressed with the lay of the land and its productiveness that he concluded to make it his permanent abiding place. He immediately entered 240 acres of land, and in 1840 settled on the same, a portion of it being located on section 32, Orange Township, where he is at present residing. At the date of his settlement the land was in a wild condi- tion, none of it ever having brightened a plowshare, but Mr. Turner had faith in the future development of the country, and engaged energetically in the cul- tivation and improvement of his land. There he con- tinued to live and labor until Feb. 13, 1844, when, coming to the conclusion that a helpmate was neces- sary to enjoy the competency which he considered at that time he had acquired, namely, a good title to his land, he joined the army of benedicts by uniting himself in marriage with Miss Lucinda E. Ham- mond. She is the daughter of George and Elinor (Taylor) Hammond, and was born in Sidney, Ken- nebec Co., Me., Feb. 5, 1826. Her mother came to Galesburg, Ill., in 1843.

Of the union of Mr. Turner and Miss Hammond 11 children have been born-Elizabeth E., Oct. 9, 1844 ; she became the wife of Michael Enwright, April 14, 1865, and they live in Akron, Colo., and have become the parents of three children, one of whom is deceased. Henry W. Turner was born May 4, 1846, and still enjoys a life of single blessedness ; Hamilton J., born June 10, 1848, married Anna R. Grimm, and lives in Orange Township, having be- come the father of four children; Israel F. was born Sept. 21, 1850, and took to wife Anna E. Howerter, with whom he is residing in Orange Township; Anna E., born Jan. 1, 1853, became the wife of Henry A Howerter; they have an adopted child and reside in Fulton County. Isaac P., born Oct. 2, 1855, died Oct. 1, 1876; Willoughby F., born April 1, 1858, died Jan. 26, 1877. Abraham L. Turner, born Jan. 16, 1861, joined heart and hand with Hattie C. Haynes, Nov. 2, 1882, and they became

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the parents of two children, who are deceased ; they live in Akron, Colo. Elnora C. was born March 1, 1864, and departed this life May 2, 1885; Lenora A., born March 1, 1864, is a twin sister of Elnora; Otis Grant was born Feb. 6, 1867.

Israel Turner is respected for his sterling worth and integrity, and no man can point to a page of his life's history which is darkened by a wrong act against his fellow man. Those who know him will testify that he was never known to turn a deaf ear to true charity, and was always willing and ready to enter into any and all enterprises which were for the good of the community in which he lived. His suc- cess in his chosen vocation is attributable to his own energy and perseverance, coupled with the active co- operation of his good helpmate. Since making set- tlement here he has, on two or three occasions, visited his native State. He has also walked the streets of the capital of the nation, and traveled through the Canadas and many of our Western States. He commenced life a poor boy, with nothing but an abundance of determination and enterprise, and has worked his way up on the ladder round by round, until he has reached his present prominent position in the community. In his younger days he drove horses on the towpath along the Schuylkill and Union Canal, and was afterward Captain of a boat on the same. This was prior to attaining his 20th year, after which he learned the trade of his father and was thus engaged for a considerable length of time. He cut stone for the foundation of the First Congregational Church of Galesburg, in 1843, and also helped to finish the stone for the old Seminary, which stood on the public square where the Union Hotel now stands. He also assisted in the prepara- tion of the stone and mason work of many other structures, which now adorn the busy and thriving city of Galesburg.

Mr. Turner is at this writing the proprietor of 1,030 acres of land, 950 of which are located in Orange Township, 40 in Chestnut Township, and 40 in Cedar Township, all the remainder being under fence excépt 80 acres of timber. Mr. Turner has five dwellings, together with barns, granaries, hay-sheds and everything requisite to the carrying on of agri- culture in a first-class manner. He has at his home a good residence, erected in 1843. The interior is finished in hardwoods of different kinds, and the structure aids materially in beautifying the farm.

Our subject and his wife have lived together for upward of 43 years in this township, working hand in hand, with but one interest in common. They have reared a large family, and in their declining years occupy a pleasant home, where plenty sits in the lap of contentment and happiness is found by the family hearthstone. They occupy a high position among the citizens not only of Orange Township, but of Knox County. They are members of the Mission- ary Baptist Church, and politically Mr. Turner is a Republican.

We take pleasure in presenting, in this volume, portraits of this excellent couple.

homas O'Brien. One of the residents of Knox County noteworthy for good citizen- ship and excellent traits of character may be found in the person of our subject, the par- tial details of whose history are here given. He is a farmer, located on section 36, Sparta Township, and holds the position of Roadmaster in his neighborhood. He is also interested in educa- tional matters and has held the office of School Di- rector since 1884.

Mr. O'Brien was born Dec. 23, 1833, in Ireland. His parents were Patrick and Margaret (Fitzgerald) O'Brien, both natives of Ireland. Their family in- cluded three children, as follows : Annie, James and Thomas. The latter remained at home until he had attained his majority, attending the common schools and working on the farm. In 1854 he left his native land and came to America, that free land known to every foreigner as the paradise of liberty, where ev- ery man is his own monarch. He landed in New York and sought employment, which he obtained, working on a farm for two months. He then went to Massachusetts, and worked two years in the city of Taunton. At the end of that time, fired with the restless ambition of youth, he sailed for Australia, where he worked for three years and three months in the gold mines. In 1859 he returned to his native country to marry the wife of his choice. Here he re- mained two months, and together the pair, who had been made one May 19, 1860, emigrated to New York. From that city they came to Illinois, settling on section 35, in Knox County. Here Mr. O'Brien

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KNOX COUNTY.

purchased 42 acres of land, and cultivated and lived on the same ten years. On section 36 he erected a large and handsome house, which is attractive and desirable to the passer-by, and at the present time he is in possession of 350 acres of land, highly culti- vated.

Mr. O'Brien has a family of eight children, all liv- ing, to wit : Richard, John, Maggie, James, Minnie, Thomas, Edward and Johanna. Mr. O'Brien is a substantial and worthy member of society, and with his family is a member of the Roman Catholic Church of Wataga. He values his land at $35 per acre, and is an example of the truth that "all things yield to him who fears not anything."

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esse Chandler. Knox County can boast of many well-to-do and successful farmers, merchants and business men; men who have acquired a sufficiency of this world's goods through their own individual exertions and not by being the recipients of any legacy. Among this number is Jesse Chandler, who at pres- ent is living in quiet retirement at Abingdon. He has been a resident of this county since 1869. Penn- sylvania was where he first saw the light of day, having been born in Fayette County, in that State, and brought up in Green County.

The parents of Mr. Chandler were Whitfield and Sarah (Neal) Chandler. His father was born in Vir- ginia and was a direct descendant of the Welsh, and his mother, born in Pennsylvania, was of Irish de- scent. Their son, Jesse, of whom we write, first en- gaged in the vocation of farming in his native State, but, being imbued with a desire to better his financial condition, packed his carpet-sack, came to this State, and located in McDonough County, settling there in 1844. Previous to this, in Green County, Pa., on the 20th day of September, 1832, he proposed to Miss Rachel, the accomplished daughter of Justus Wright, that their lives should be united for the remainder of their years, which proposition she readily accepted, and they became man and wife. She was born in the county in which they were married, and bore her husband seven children previous to their emigration from that State-four sons and three daughters. After coming to this State she presented him with

seven more children-five sons and two daughters. Elizabeth is the wife of Dawson Nichols, a resident of the State of California; George W. is a farmer in Henderson County, his wife's maiden name being Hester Retzer; Sarah J. married J. W. Paul, who lives in Taylor County, Iowa; J. T. married Sarah Lovitte and lives in Henderson County, Ill .; Morris R. took for his life partner Louisa Webster, and is also a farmer of Taylor County, Iowa; Benson F. mar- ried Corelius Lovitte, and is likewise a farmer and stock-raiser in Taylor County ; Isaiah died when he was one year of age; Mary Ann became the wife of Levi Greeson, a resident of Keokuk County, Iowa; O. E. married Dr. R. Sutton, who is now a farmer and stock-grower in Page County, Iowa; Jonathan J. and Mary Scott were united in marriage, and re- side on a farm in Fremont County, Iowa ; Dawson died at the age of 212 years ; Albert died when ten years old ; Nevada A. is the wife of J. B. Reed, a resi- dent of Sumner County, Kan .; Justus R. took for his life partner Emma Lotzs, and they reside in Des Moines, Iowa.

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 44

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