USA > Illinois > Knox County > Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois > Part 48
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Theodore Sargent remained under the parental
roof until 1813, and at that time enlisted, in the month of April, as a soldier in the War of 1812, Capt. Prescott commanding. He served along the line from Montreal to Detroit, remaining in the army until the close of the war. He was then discharged at the last-named city, receiving for his services 160 acres of land in Fulton County, valued at that time at $1.25 per acre. In 1819, accompanied by two others, he started for Illinois, proceeding from Detroit to Fort Wayne, Ind., thence in a skiff down the Wabash River to Vincennes, and from there across the State of Illinois. Reaching St. Louis, he proceeded to Ft. Clark, now Peoria, and remained there until 1822. He had in the meantime visited Fulton County, and, finding that section of country to be one of the finest agricultural regions in the State, concluded to locate there. Accordingly he went to the land-office at Vandalia and obtained a list of all the Government land in Fulton County, but by some mistake the northeast quarter of section 27, in township 7 north, range 4 east, now included in the town of Canton, was given in this list as unentered land. He decided to preempt it, and erected a log cabin north of the present site of the High School building, breaking his land and thus becoming the first settler in Canton. He was a single man at this time, and tiring of lack of companionship and inspiration, no less than of the inconvenience of boarding himself, he employed a blacksmith named Hughland to occupy his cabin, continue his vocation as a blacksmith and give him a home in his family. Mr. Hughland was a manu- facturer of cowbells and did the first work of that kind in the county.
In the year 1824, Isaac Swan appeared upon the scene, showing to Sargent a military title to the land that he had settled upon. Our subject made no re- sistance of any kind, but immediately vacated, leav- ing Swan in possession. Swan was accompanied by his brother-in-law, Nathan Jones, who owned a quar- ter of section 34, and by mutual agreement, Jones' land being covered with timber and Swan's entirely deficient in that respect, they divided equally, Swan taking the north half of the Jones quarter-section and Jones in turn taking the south half of Swan's. The latter foresaw a fine location for a town, and proposed founding one on the west 40 acres of their prairie tract. To this, however, Jones would not assent, but a Mr. Kinney, living on section 27, joined him in the enterprise and 108 lots were platted. Kinney te -
RESIDENCE OF O. J. OBERHOLTZER SEC. IS ELBA TOWNSHIP
RESIDENCE OF PETER S. NELSON, SEC. 20. HENDERSON TOWNSHIP
RESIDENCE OF M. D. SARGENT, SEC. 15. SALEM TOWNSHIP
RESIDENCE OF D. B. SARGENT, SEC. 15. SALEM TOWNSHIP.
LIBRARY OF THE L':"VERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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mained but a short time half owner of Canton, as John Coleman, Sr., confronted him with a title to his land, and, ousting him, took possession of his quarter. No little controversy arose regarding the first street, named Adelphi.
The first couple married in Canton was Theodore Sargent, the father of our subject, and Miss Rachel Brown, a native of Virginia; the date of their nup- tials was Nov. 24, 1824. The marriage occurred in the cabin of Daniel Brown, father of the bride, and, as was common in those early days of hospitality and neighborly feeling, every one in the vicinity assembled to witness the ceremony. Although small, the house was not nearly filled, and thus the population of that section was shown to be far from large. The bridal dress was of linen homespun, and a three cornered handkerchief was arranged about the bride's neck, while her feet were incased in moccasins; the groom also wore moccasins, and was attired in linsey, colored with butternut bark. Many of the guests were similarly attired; they sat upon puncheon benches, and gave undivided attention to the cere- mony which joined the pair for life, the same being performed by Capt. Barnes, County Commissioner. When it was completed, the bride's father, producing a noggin of whisky and a new tin cup, proceeded to pledge the bride with the assembled company. It was considered a select and aristocratic affair. The guests were merry, not to say hilarious, and songs and anecdotes were the order of the day.
On leaving his land Mr. Sargent went to Farm- ington, in which section of the country he was a pio- neer. During the Winnebago troubles he was an officer under Gen. Dodge, having been appointed by Gov. Reynolds, and during the Black Hawk war he was lieutenant of a militia company. After Still- man's defeat, an order came for seven men from the Canton company. He at once mustered the com- pany in front of Childs & Stillman's store and read the requisition, calling upon those who would volunteer to fall into the ranks, but not a man obeyed. He was equal, however, to the emergency, and, going into a store, bought two gallons of whisky, which seemed at that time to be the only medium of persuasion, and passed it down the ranks, treating every man. " Boys," he reasoned, " we are compelled to have the services of seven men; one of two evils must be chosen, either fall in or I shall be obliged to draft you. You who will go, declare yourselves." Either
the liquor, the threat, or both, had the desired effect, as nine men immediately announced their willing- ness, and the required number was obtained. When peace was declared Mr. Sargent settled down to agricultural pursuits, his field of labor lying in the vicinity of Farmington, where he continued until his death, which took place July 15, 1871.
The wife of Theodore Sargent was born in Vir- ginia, Nov. 15. 1803, and died July 17, 1881. Of their union there were born eight children, five now living, who bear names as follows : Lydia A., wife of George W. Fawcett, of Ray County, Mo .; Daniel B .; Job B, now living in Maquon Township; Sarah E., married to Thomas McCann, of Richmond, Mo .; and Joel B., resident of Wataga, Knox County.
Daniel B. Sargent was the fourth child in order of birth in his father's family and was reared on the farm, receiving his education in the pioneer school and making his home under the parental toof up to the date of his marriage, Oct. 8, 1854, at which time he was united with Mary J. Brassfield, born March 13, 1837, in Parke County, Ind. She was the daugh- ter of Michael and Ruth (Freeman) Brassfield, both natives of North Carolina. They located in Peoria County, near the town of Dunlap, where they lived for two years, then removed to Fulton County and remained there until 1852. At that date they went to Knox County and settled in Salem Township. Her father departed this life in 1837, but her mother survives him, and at the present time lives in Dun- lap, Peoria County. One child only was born to Mr. and Mrs. Sargent-Devillo Sargent; he married Nettie Gould, and they have two children-Ethel and Mary Elzina.
Mr. Sargent lived on his father's homestead in Farmington for one year, then purchased land on section 15 of Salem Township, in April, 1856. The land was wild, unimproved prairie, and presented not only a large field of labor, but a cheerless appear- ance. The pioneer spirit was strong, however, in the bosoms of the early settlers, and, undismayed, he proceeded to build a small frame house on the place, and began the cultivation of his land, upon which he raised small crops that year. They have occupied this home since that time, rebuilding and adding to the house, erecting a large barn and other farm build- ings, and beautifying the immediate grounds about the dwelling with ornamental shrubs and shade trees. By subsequent purchases Mr. Sargent has become
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the owner of about 480 acres, 40 of which lie in Salem Township. In politics Mr. Sargent has been a Republican. The view of Mr. Sargent's fine resi- dence which we give on another page greatly assists in embellishing this published history of Knox County.
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athew Buffum is one of the practical and progressive farmers of Knox County, resi- dent in Salem Township, where his home- stead is located, on section 20. He is of English lineage, his early ancestors being one of two brothers, Quakers, who, to enjoy their own religion, emigrated to America from England, and thus escaped the persecution imposed on ac- count of their religious belief. They located in Con- necticut, and all the members of the family remained in the Society of Friends until the generation of our subject's grandfather. His name was Stephen Buf- fum, and he married outside the Quaker communion. He was not especially identified with that particular religious organization, but always wore the garb of the Friends. In 1826 he emigrated to Illinois, lo- cating in Fairview Township, Fulton County, where he was identified with the pioneers of that section. He next removed to Lewistown, where he remained until his death.
Our subject was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, Nov. 20, 1831. His father, Stephen S. Buffum, Jr., was a native of Vermont, where he was born in Addison County, in 1802. When but 12 years of age his parents removed to Ohio, settling in Ashta- bula County, in which place he grew to manhood. He was united in the bonds of wedlock with Esther Mann, a native of Connecticut, born Feb. 26, 1811. She was a descendent of Capt. Richard Mann, of England, one of the pioneer settlers of Scituate, Mass. At the time of marriage Mr. Buffum settled on land which he had purchased in Ashtabula County, Ohio. There was a saw-mill on the farm, and he engaged in the cultivation of the ground, fol- lowing his agricultural pursuits until 1836, when he emigrated to Illinois. He traveled on horseback to Knox County after he entered this State, and took up the northwest quarter of section 20, in 1857, in
what is now Salem Township. Upon this there was a log house and small frame barn. All the improve- ments that are now here Mr. B. has made since re- siding here. He is engaged in mixed farming and stock-raising. Mr. Buffum is among the pioneers of the county. A half century has fled by since first he made his home here; then the country was one vast, unbroken plain, stretching far away to Chicago on the north, to which place the old settlers, including Mr. B.'s father, hauled their grain. Soon after Mr. Buffum's arrival, his father-in-law followed him with his family in charge, they making the journey over- land. The family moved into the log house which was there, and he commenced farming operations. He worked with oxen, and in a few years had the entire quarter under cultivation. In 1851, he re- moved to the southwest quarter of section 20, where he erected a brick house and a frame barn. There he lived until 1858, at the end of which time he en- gaged in buying grain at Yates City, and later entered the mercantile business. At this he engaged for sev- eral years, his death occurring Feb. 6, 1871. His wife departed this life in the year 1847, leaving a family of eight children, seven of whom grew to man and womanhood. His second wife, to whom he was united in marriage April 11, 1850, was Diantha L. Atwood, who was born at Starksboro, Vt., and to them has been born one child-Eva D. Mrs. Buf- fum and her daughter reside in Yates City.
Our subject was the second child in order of birth in his father's family, and was five years of age when he came to Knox County with his parents. There he grew to manhood, was reared on the farm and attended school in Maquon Township, that being his first educational opportunity. In the early settle- ment of the county there were no schools, and the one he attended was two miles distant, but he was industrious and attended faithfully to his books and thus received a fair education. He has always en- gaged in agricultural pursuits, in which he has been very successful.
He was united in marriage with Lydia M. Jobes, Feb. 25, 1864, who was born in Erie County, N. Y., Aug. 21, 1844, and is the daughter of James and Jenette ( Candee ) Jobes. He settled on the old homestead, which he now owns and occupies. He owns other land, having in all about 233 acres highly cultivated. The home farm is supplied with good
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frame buildings, which he has erected and fitted up with all modern conveniences.
Politically, Mr. B. is a Greenbacker, and is wide- awake to the interests of the public.
iba H. Adams. Everywhere throughout the boundaries of Knox County, look which way you will from its center, one can see as fine farms as are to be found in any coun- ty in the State. But a few short years ago, where now we behold beautiful houses and splendid improvements, it was all one broad, uncul- tivated tract of prairie land. It is therefore to the agricultural class mainly that the wonderful advance- ment which the county has made during the last 50 years is due. As a representative of the class spoken of and a large land-owner in the county, as well as a respected and honored citizen and energetic follower in his chosen vocation, we take pleasure in mentioning the name of Mr. Adams, who resides on section 17, of Elba Township.
Ziba H. Adams is the son of Hazard and Eliza- beth (Wort) Adams, natives of the New England States. The parents settled in Ohio, where the father followed the calling of farmer and where both heads of the family died. The children were nine in number, and Ziba was the third in order of birth. He was born in Luzerne County, Pa., Sept. 20, 1820.
Ziba Adams was quite young when his parents re- moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio. There he lived, attending the common schools, developing into man- hood and working on the farm until about 1846. He then came to this county and made a settlement in Persifer Township, where he was occupied in ag- ricultural pursuits for about eight years. From the latter township he moved to Elba and settled on a tract of land on section 17, where he has since made his home. He is the proprietor of 7461/2 acres of land in this county, and on his home farm has a fine residence, barn and other necessary out-buildings, and surrounded by a happy family he is enjoying the fruits of a laborious and honorable past.
Mr. Adams was married in Persifer Township, April 8, 1847, to Delilah Gullet, daughter of Joshua and Barbara (Housh) Gullett, natives of North Car-
olina and Kentucky respectively. Her parents came to this county in 1844, and first made settlement in Maquon Township, from whence they removed to Persifer Township, where their lives on earth were ended. They had seven children, and Mrs. Adams of this notice was the sixth in order of birth. She was born in Putnam County, Ind., Dec. 17, 1835, and their children have likewise been seven in number, named Barbara E., Mary A., Angeline, Villa M., John A., Austin and Clara M. Angeline died when four years of age : Barbara is the wife of Enoch Dalton, a farmer of Elba Township; Mary married Henry Perkins, a resident of Nebraska; Villa became Mrs. Jacob Gray, and resides in Maquon Township; John, Austin and Clara live on the old homestead. Mr. Adams has held the office of Constable eight years, and also other minor offices. In politics he is a stanch and active Republican. He is a man of far more than ordinary ability as an agriculturist, and what he has of this world's goods he has acquired through his own perseverance and not as the recipi- ent of any legacy.
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r. Lemuel C. Brunson, deceased, a pio- neer physician of Abingdon, was born Nov. 16, 1796, in Vermont. He received his education in his native State, and was there married, July 14, 1823, to Miss Cynthia Esty. Mr. Esty was also a native of the Green Mount- ain State. Soon after their marriage they removed to Cleveland, Ohio, where Dr. B. engaged in the prac- tice of his profession. Two children were born of this marriage, named Sarah and Esty. The former is the wife of Andrew Bradbury, of Abingdon ; Esty Brunson took to wife Martha Stevens, of Galesburg, and they are now residing in Los Angeles, Cal. The demise of Mrs. Brunson occurred in Portage County, June 10, 1827. In that county the Doctor was again inarried, Feb. to, 1828, to Elizabeth Ferris. There they resided until 1836, the date of their advent into Abingdon, this county. Here Dr. B. engaged in the practice of medicine in the surrounding country, and was a popular and successful physician.
Three children were born of the second marriage of Mr. Brunson, all of whom lived to attain the age of manhood and womanhood. Cynthia, relict of Elijah l'aul, resides in Colorado; Anson married in
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Brooklyn, N. Y., and from there went to Los Ange- les, Cal., where he is Superior Judge. Mary became the wife of Richard Davis, a division freight agent of the C., B. & Q. R. R. Co., residing at Galesburg. Dr. B. and wife were members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. His death occurred Oct. 18, 1876, at Abingdon. Mrs. B. died April 25, 1854. Dr. Brun- son was one of the early practitioners of Abingdon, and in those pioneer days, when travel throughout the central part of the State was made with difficulty, he was to be found by the side of patients for many miles around. His practice was not only an exten- sive one, but his success as a physician warranted his being called so frequently and to such great dis- tances.
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homas Woodmansee. One of the leading farmers and representative citizens of Knox Township is herein named, and the princi- pal points in his life history are made the sub- stance of this biography. His handsome home includes a substantial farmhouse, with neat and commodious out-buildings, and he has planted a large number of ornamental shade-trees. His home farm includes 120 acres of the very best land in the county.
The subject of this writing was born in Clinton County, Ohio, March 2, 1832, and is the oldest of the children of George and Eliza (Holcraft) Woodmansee (see sketch). His boyish years were passed in the place of his birth, and he was educated in the public schools. Quite early in life, Aug. 18, 1853, he took to wife Miss Elizabeth Howard, a native of Clinton County, Ohio, born July 29, 1834. She is the daugh- ter of Elisha P. and Mahala (Brown) Howard. Elisha T. Howard, Sr., was the son of Joseph and Mary (Smith) Howard. They reared a family of nine children to man and womanhood. Joseph Howard died when his son Elisha T. was eight years old, and his father, Gordon Howard, was a native of Ireland. His wife's name was Elizabeth, and they emigrated to America prior to the Revolutionary War. He was a soldier in that memorable conflict, and first settled in Pennsylvania, in Greene County, about the year 1810, removing with his family to Clinton County, Ohio, where he became a farmer and lived to the extreme old age of 97 years. His -
wife died when she was about 50 years old. They had but one child- Joseph Howard, the grandfather of Mrs. Woodmansee. Two of Mrs. W.'s uncles, the eldest and the youngest brothers of her father, were on board a steamer on the Mississippi River, between St. Louis and Cairo, when the boat was blown up and they were both killed.
Mr. Howard was elected Associate Judge of De Kalb County and held the office for several years. While residing in Ohio he was Lieutenant-Colonel of the militia, and was always a leading man in public affairs, not only in Ohio, but in Missouri. At the breaking out of the late Rebellion he promptly vol- unteered in aid of the Union cause, raised a com- pany of cavalry in De Kalb County, and was elected Captain. The hard marches and exposure incident to camp life so told upon his health that he was stricken down with disease, and while the army was stationed at Springfield, Mo., he died, in September, 1862, in camp. He left a widow and two children- Mrs. Woodmansee and one son, George Howard, now a resident of St. Joseph, Mo. He was also a soldier in the late war. The maiden name of Mrs. Howard, the mother of Mrs. Woodmansee, was Ma- hala Brown. She was the daughter of James and Polly Brown. James Brown was a native of the New England States and when a boy removed to Kentucky with his parents. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and after his marriage moved to Clinton County, Ohio, where he and his wife con- tinued to reside up to the date of their demise. Mrs. Howard is now living in Stewartville. She subse- quently married William D. Totten, and with her husband is a member of the Christian Church.
Elisha T. Howard, Jr., was a farmer, born in Clinton County, Ohio, Aug. 15, 1815. In 1855 he sold his property there and came to Knox County, the same year with Mr. Woodmansee. He spent the winter with his family in Abingdon, and moved to his farm in DeKalb County, Mo., which is situated on the line of the Hannibal & St. Jo Railroad, and he engaged in agriculture and stock-raising. Stewartville, now quite a flourishing place, was laid out on a portion of his farm. He owned a large tract of land. In politics Mr. Howard was a Deni- ocrat.
Mrs. Woodmansee has presided over her husband's home with grace and dignity, and has borne him four children, three of whom are living : S. Frances is
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the wife of John Scott ; they reside with her grand- parents and carry on the farm. Martha O. and Nellie May are the remaining children. Martha O. married William Kriegh; they live in Orange Town- ship, following farming pursuits, and have two chil- dren-Charlie and Lelia May. Both Mr. and Mrs. Woodmansee are useful and respected members of the neighborhood in which they live, and are con- nected with the Methodist Church at Knoxville, of which he has been for many years Steward and Trustee. Mr. and Mrs. W. lost one child, a son, by name Grafton H., who died at the age of a year and a half.
Mr. W. has watched the advance of political inter- ests for some time, and cast his first vote for Fre . mont. He is a Republican and is a live man, both physically and mentally. He has for some time held the office of Assistant Supervisor, and has figured prominently in educational matters. He has held the position of Township Trustee 20 years.
Mr. Woodmansee has been engaged in the breed- ing of Short-horn cattle about three years. A view of the family residence is given on another page.
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amuel Mather, from the early history of the county until his decease, was a respected and honored citizen of Knox County and a successful farmer of Orange Township. He resided on his fine farm on section 24, where he followed the independent calling of an agri- culturist, until the date of his demise. He was born on a day dear to the hearts of every American citizen on account of its being the anniversary of the birth of the "Father of his Country," Feb. 22, 1828. He was born in Maryland, and was the son of Samuel and Eliza (Wiley) Mather. He came with his par- ents to Illinois in 1834, and settled in Orange Town ship, they being among its earliest pioneers.
Samuel Mather was married to Margaret Allen Jan. 4, 1849. She was the daughter of William and Nancy (Wilkins) Allen. Her father was a native of Indiana and her mother of Pennsylvania, and she was born in Jefferson County, Ind., in 1830. Samuel and Margaret Mather lived and labored with but one
interest in common, and that the welfare of their fam- ily, until his demise, Aug. 9, 1875. His remains lie buried in the Mather Cemetery in Orange Township. His good wife still survives him, and together with her children carries on the farm on the old home- stead. Eight children were born of their union- Richard A., April 6, 1850; Eliza J., a Christmas gift to her parents in 1853: Hester A., Dec. 11, 1854; Robert H., Nov. 3, 1856; Nancy E., Jan. 16, 1859; Mary, June 29, 1864, died Aug. 10, 1866; Francis was born Aug. 29, 1865, and John April 16, 1867. Richard A. married Miss Mary Norman, and resides in Norton County, Kan .; their children are named Daisy and Florence; by a former marriage with Mary Lown, deceased, there were two children, named Laura and Aminda Mather, who are staying with their grandmother. Eliza J. married James Dugger, a resident of Orange Township and a farmer; they have three children, named Samuel, Albert and Addie. Nancy E. married William Snell, a farmer in Persifer Township; they have three chil- dren-George, Jennie and Willie.
The widow of Samuel Mather owns 90 acres of good and productive land, all of it under an ad- vanced state of cultivation, with the exception of eight acres, which is young timber. She has a good frame dwelling on her place and a fine frame barn, and is carrying on her farming operations intelligently and prosperously. Religiously, Mrs. Mather is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as like- wise was her husband. In politics Mr. Mather was a Republican, and was held in great honor for his sterling worth and integrity.
Four brothers of Samuel Mather-Joseph, Lewis, David and James-were soldiers in the late war. Joseph and Lewis died in the service; the first- named was a member of Co. D, 7th Ill. Cav.
alter H. Clark, the proprietor and editor of the Argus, which paper he purchased in 1882, is the subject of this personal notice (see sketch of the paper in the history of the county). Mr. Clark first opened his eyes upon this world Feb. 19, 1846, in the vicinity of Abingdon. Here he grew from childhood to boyhood, and, entering Abingdon College, was
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