Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 50

Author: Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo and Chicago; Chapman Brothers, pub
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical publishing company
Number of Pages: 1130

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homestead was the first orchard in the county, which grew and flourished remarkably. Bringing the seeds from Indiana, from which he raised his young trees, he transplanted these, and claimed as his own enter- prise what afterward proved a profitable source of income, resulting from the bountiful bearing of the trees. While Mrs. Armstrong was yet a young girl, her mother was snatched away by death, leaving six orphaned children, of which family Elizabeth was the fourth in order of birth.

The children who have sprung up about the family hearthstone of Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong are five in number, named James L., who lives at home, the help and comfort of the parents'declining years ; he was born Nov. 29, 1855 ; associated with his father, he works the home place, and is his constant com- panion. George W., born May 20, 1862, is also a home boy. Lillian O., born Oct. 16, 1867, educated in Knox College, of Galesburg, is a bright, intelligent young lady, occupying a wide sphere of usefulness as a public school teacher. Kate E., her next younger sister, opened her eyes on things of earth Aug. 27, 1868; she is a finely educated and popular girl, and claims Knox College as her Alma Mater also. Edwin R. is the youngest, having been born Oct. 21, 1872. All are most agreeable young people and helpful members of the social circle in the home neighborhood. The family worships under Congre- gational articles of faith.

Mr. Armstrong, as will be seen, from a minute be- ginning branched out boldly and largely on every hand from his main enterprise, and his little home- stead, so humbly commenced in the year 1859, now includes 200 acres, finely located and well improved. Upon them is erected a handsome and commodious house, while the barns and adjoining out-buildings are models of taste and convenience.

„harles Markham. Among the principal men of Knox County who are engaged in agricultural pursuits, and one of the most energetic and persevering of her citizens, may be found the subject of this sketch, the main points in whose life history are given. Mr. Markham came 10 Knox County in 1839, at which time he was a child of six years, and since that time has passed the intervening years in Henderson

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Township. He resides on a farm situated on section 13, and has all his life engaged in farming pursuits and the raising of stock. At the present time he is the owner of 380 acres of land, 60 of which are tim- ber, and to this he has added many modern improve- ments and cultivated the soil until he now posseses a desirable and good home.

Mr. Markham was born in La Porte County, Ind., April 1, 1833. His early education was received in the public schools, and he gave sufficient attention to his studies, so that he is to-day above the average in the possession of general information. He is quite an inveterate reader, and has a good idea of outside af- fairs. He is a Republican in politics, and pins his faith to that party. Religiously he is an honest and worthy member of the Christian Church.

The parents of our subject were Horace and Es- ther (Lake) Markham, natives of Vermont and Ken- tucky respectively. They came to Knox County in 1839, and settled in Henderson Township, and there continued to reside until released by death from this world of care and weariness. The father was buried in that section of country, his death occurring May 7, 1875, and the mother lies beside him.

B yron S. West, one of the well-known pio- neers and highly respected and successful farmers of this county, residing in Oneida, was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., Nov. 10,

1829. The parents of Mr. West, Nehemiah and Catharine (Neely) West, were also na- tives of New York. They were early settlers in this county, and Nehemiah was one of five who laid out the present site of the city of Galesburg, a colony having been formed at Whitestown, Oneida Co., N. Y., for that purpose. He, with his family, continued to reside at Galesburg until 1847, at which time his demise occurred. He came to this county in 1836, when the hand of civilization was hardly visible, but he had great faith in the future development of the country, and during the 11 years he was a resident of the county witnessed a most wonderful change. His wife survived him until 1881, when she died at her home in Galesburg. She was born in the year 1800, as likewise was her husband.

Byron S. West, of whom we write, was but a child

when his parents came to this county, and here he has lived until the present time. He continued to reside at home, attending the common schools and assisting his father in the labors of the farm, until his father's death. He was the eldest son of his par- ents' family and at the demise of his father was 17 years of age. At this age in life the responsibility of conducting the old homestead devolved upon him, which he did with no small degree of success for some years prior to operating on his owr. account. His first adventure in business for himself was in the formation of a partnership for the purpose of platting a village, to which they gave the name Oneida, from Oneida County, N. Y., where most of the settlers formerly lived, the firm style of which was Camp & West. Before the present site of Oneida City was laid out, and before a furrow had been turned upon the uncultivated prairies surrounding that locality, and just after the railroad survey had been made, the firm of Camp & West was formed. They pur- chased 480 acres of land, which embraced the west half of section 36 and 160 acres of the east half of section 35, and immediately platted the city of Oneida, the date being July 25, 1855, and which was located on the land described. Subsequently the płat was enlarged, until it at present embraces about one square mile. In the fall of 1854, Camp & West built a hotel at Oneida, which, up to the present time, is the largest frame building in the city. They after- ward engaged in the grain and lumber business at that place, which they continued to follow, with signal success, for 18 months, and during the same time ran their hotel under the management of Mr. Camp.

After Mr. West disengaged himself from the grain and lumber trade, he turned his attention to agricult- ure, and has since been occupied in that vocation. He has a fine farm of 160 acres of good land under an advanced state of cultivation, and all lying within the city limits of Oneida. His residence is located on the corner of Pine and Knox streets, which is one of the most desirable in the city.

Mr. West was united in marriage with Miss Mary Russell, Sept. 19, 1855, at Galesburg. She was born near Columbus, Franklin Co., Ohio, Oct. 31, 1834. Her parents, S. S. and Ellen (Bowen) Russell, were natives of Ohio and Baltimore, Md., respectively, and of English and Irish descent. Her father was a merchant, and her grandfather on her mother's side, who was also a native of Maryland, was a captain in

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINA'S

Henry Arms

MA 1

Lucy of Arms.

LIBRARY OF THE L.NIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

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the War of 1812. Mrs. West came to this State with her parents when 17 years old, and located with them in this county. Her father is at present residing in Oneida, where he is engaged in the grocery business. (See sketch.)

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. West six children were born, five of whom are living. The children have all received a good education and are accom- plished and moderately well-to-do in life. Two are married-Fred and Ellen. Fred married Ellen West (no relation), and at present is in the employ of the C., B. & Q. R. R. Co., with which he has been for the past four years. Ellen became the wife of Henry J. Kapius, who is at present residing at Marengo, McHenry County, this State, where he is engaged as foreman in a tinshop. Katie and Grace are highly accomplished and intelligent young ladies, and reside with their parents at Oneida; also Sarah, who is the younger, born May 21, 1875.

Mr. and Mrs. West, together with their three old- est children, are members of the Congregational Church. With the exception of three years, Mr. West has held the office of Assessor of Ontario Town- ship since 1856. In politics he is a Republican. He has done much for the city of Oneida and the agri- cultural advancement of Ontario Township, and is truly one of the representative citizens of that town- ship as well as of Knox County.

kon. Henry Arms, one of the most widely and favorably known citizens of Knox County, formerly a farmer, but now living in retirement at Knoxville, is a native of Conway, Franklin County, Mass., where he was born Jan. 29, 1808. His father, Henry Arms, was born in Deerfield, Mass., July 1, 1769. The grand- father of our subject was Consider Arms, a descend- ant of William Arms, of English extraction. The elder Arms, of England, was a direct ancestor of Hon. Sir Henry, the living representative of the line, being of the fourth generation. The grandfather of Henry was one of the earliest settlers in the town of Conway. As a matter of interest and deserving of notice we extract the following from an address de- livered by Rev. Chas. B. Rice, at the celebration

of the centennial of the organization of the town, June 19, 1867: " At the first town meeting, held Aug. 24, 1767, a list of the first officers is given, in which it is shown that Consider Arms was elected a member of the first Board of Selectmen and Assess- ors, and was also appointed Town Treasurer. He was chosen Moderator and elected Town Clerk at the same meeting. As a chosen representative for the township, he, in the Colonial Legislature, represented the true interests of the electors." He was mainly a land-holder and devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits. His remains are at rest in the village cem- etery.

Mr. Arms' father grew to manhood in his native town, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits up to the date of his death, May 17, 1848. The maiden name of his wife was Experience Gates, who was born in the town of Conway, in April, 1775, and was also of English descent. Twelve children were the result of this union. The death of the mother took place Dec. 30, 1844. Henry, the subject of this sketch, was the fifth child and remained with his parents until his 17th year, when he was apprenticed to the tanning and shoemaking trade, working at the former in the warmer months, and at shoemaking during the winter, at his shop, which was situated in the town of Colerain. In this combined business he served a four years' apprenticeship and then pursued journeyman work up to 1831, when he went to North Carolina and engaged in peddling dry goods in Lincoln County until 1839, the time of his arrival in Knox- ville, when he commenced in trade here, and contin- ued the same up to the winter of 1845, when he sold out.

In 1843 Henry Arms was elected County Treas- urer, in which office he continued three years, his duty being also to assess the county. In 1846 he was induced by his friends to resign this office and become the Whig candidate for Sheriff, to which of- fice he was elected and re-elected in 1848. In 1850 he was elected to represent Knox County in the lower house of the State Legislature. Since that time he has served as Mayor of Knoxville, and is one of the leading Aldermen. Since the organization of the County Agricultural Board he has taken an active part in all of its deliberations, and has been Presi- dent of that Board, a post which he most creditably held. He was formerly of the Whig school of poli- tics, but became a Republican at the organization of

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that party, the principles of which he strenuously ad- heres to at the present day.

In June, 1839, Mr. Arms was united in marriage with Lucy Hamilton, of Conway, Franklin Co., Mass., where she was born July 24, 1817. By this union there were three children-Spencer D., born April 4, 1840, and dying in October of the same year; Martha H., born Aug. 18, 1843, and the wife of Albert B. Mann, living in Woodson County, Kan .; Henry W., born Oct. 3, 1850, resides in Knoxville. Mrs. Arms died Sept. 14, 1884. She was a most estimable lady, rarely gifted, and was a true and devoted wife and an affectionate mother.

Mr. Arms has been a resident of this city since 1839, and is the owner of a farm in Galesburg Town- ship, including the southwest quarter of section 24. He purchased this when in its primitive state, and has personally superintended all the improve- ments since made. At present he rents the farm and holds an interest in the stock. He is a gentle- man of genial temperament and good practical judg- ment, who includes among his acquaintances many substantial friends.

The portraits of Mr. Arms and his late wife appear elsewhere in this work, and we trust will be viewed with pleasure by the old pioneers yet remaining who shared with the subject of this sketch the vicissi- tudes incident to the early settlement of the Prairie State.

K. Beale, one of the progressive and in- fluential farmers of Knox County, whose home is on section 29, Salem Township, is the subject of this biography. He is success- ful in his chosen field of labor, and is widely known and highly respected for his sterling worth. His mechanical ability is marked, as is shown by his neat residence, which, with its surround- ings, has been finished by his own hand.

Our subject was born in Juniata County, Pa., Jan. 8, 1835. His father, George Beale, was a native of Pennsylvania, and born in 1799. He was by occu- pation a farmer in the county where our subject was born. There he lived until 1837, when he went to Ohio, and, purchasing a farm, located in Wayne County. There he lived until 1844, at which time he emigrated to Illinois, settling in Peoria County. The

journey was made overland with five horses and two wagons, and they brought with them the household goods. Cooking and camping by the way, they sub- sequently reached the point of destination, Trivoli, where the husband and father purchased land. On this was erected a log cabin, and the land was broken and fenced. There the family lived four years in this primitive structure, after which the father erected a frame house and barn and otherwise improved the place. There he made his home up to the date of his death, which occurred Feb. 20, 1881.

The maiden name of his wife was Catherine Kerr. She was born in Pennsylvania, and departed this life about 1851. There were 13 children born to this union, eight of whom grew to man and womanhood. Our subject was the eighth child in order of birth, and was but one and one-half years of age when his parents came to Ohio. There he grew to manhood, reared on the farm until he attained the age of 16 years. At that age he commenced to learn the black- smith's trade at Smithville, Ohio, serving there about two years. He left this branch of business in 1853, to accompany his parents to Illinois, and on his ar- rival engaged at journeyman work in Eugene, Knox County. From there he went to Farmington, where he labored one and one-half years, after which he went back to Ohio, opening a shop at Cedar Valley.

He was married one year later in Wayne County, Ohio, March 21, 1861, to Catherine Flory, who was born in Wayne County, Ohio. Purchasing a house and lot in Lattisburg, Ohio, he opened a shop for himself and worked at his trade for the space of four years. He then sold out and bought a shop two miles from the town, in which he continued in the same business until 1872, in which year he returned to Illinois. Locating at Farmington, he remained until September of that year and then bought 25 acres of land on section 29, Salem Township, and be- came a resident of Knox County. Here he conducted his business until 1881, when, having purchased other land, he concluded to abandon his trade en- tirely, and devote his time to farming. In 188r his house was burned, but he immediately built the house which he now occupies, and otherwise has been well prospered. He is successful in the raising of stock and grain.

Mr. and Mrs. Beale had eight children-Mary D., Curtis P., Minerva, Jennetta, Nancy E., William Mc- Coy, Freddie, Jessie and Myrtle. In politics Mr. B.

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is Democratic, stanch and strong. He is pleasantly situated, and his social relations are of the most agreeable charaeter. He has shown that " patience and perseverance, in time, accomplish much."

an Rensselaer Smith. Among the citizens of noteworthy repute and substantial worth of character stands the subject of this brief personal history, whom we take pleasure in cit- ing as an example of worthy industry and earnest labor. His home is situated on section 10, in Maquon Township. His barns, out-buildings and other improvements are as convenient and well-fin- ished as any in the county. His residence is neat and handsome, and his farm consists of 130 acres.

In April, 1836, he came from Fulton County, Ill., to Knox County, locating in Chestnut Township. where he resided for about eight years. After dis- posing of his land in that township he returned to Fulton County and rented a farm and continued on the same for a period of five years. Subsequently he came to Salem Township, Knox County, and for two years was the renter of a farm. His first purchase here consisted of 86 acres, located on section 10, Maquon Township, his present fine farm. By sub- sequent purchase he has added to his landed interest until he is now the owner of 130 acres of improved land, the major portion of which is tillable.

He of whom we write was born in Windham County, Vt., Nov. 18, 1806. When our subject was only six years old his parents moved to Cortland County, N. Y. There he remained until he had at- tained the age of maturity when he went to try his fortune in the Keystone State, remaining there for seven years, and six years later came to Fulton County, in this State, and seven years later to Knox. While residing in New York he learned the trades of tanner, currier and shoemaker, but on his arrival in the Prairie State he has followed the honorable and peaceful calling of farming. Mr. Van Rens- selaer Smith was united in marriage in Susquehanna County, Pa .; this event being solemnized Feb. 13. 1831, the lady of his choice being Miss Angeline Catlin. Miss C. was born in the county and State in which she was married, Jan. 3, 1812. The issue of this marriage has been the birth of 11 children,

six of whom are living, viz .: Mary, De Witt, Albert, Louisa, Erastus and Charlie. The deceased children all died young, with the exception of one, Dora, who was the wife of Michael Moorehead; she became the mother of five children. Mary Smith be- came the wife of Henry Humphreys, a resident of Topeka, Kan .; Albert Smith took to wife Lottie Hill, and Maquon Township is their present home ; Louisa is the devoted wife of Thomas F. Lowman, they also reside in Maquon Township; Erastus is also a resi- dent of that township; Charles became the husband of Lesta Day and they reside in Maquon Township.

The parents of Mr. Smith of this sketch were James and Elizabeth (Jacobs) Smith, natives of the Green Mountain State, and of Dutch and English ancestry. The death of the mother took place in New York State, while the father died in Knox County. The parents of Mrs. Smith were Erastus and Polly (Wright) Catlin, natives of the Nutmeg State. Polit- ically Mr. S. affiliates with the Republican party.

oseph Shearer, deceased, was one of the respected and honored citizens of this county and a well-to-do and successful merchant of Maquon. He was born in Arm- strong County, Pa., Jan. 20, 1841. From Armstrong County, Pa., he removed to Ohio, and from there to this county in 1860, and made a settlement in Haw Creek Township, where he lived until 1867. He then moved to Maquon Township and the village of that name, and there formed a partnership with his brother Gabriel, under the firm name of Shearer Bros. Soon, however, Mr. Shearer of this notice bought out his brother's interest and carried on the business until his death, which oc- curred Aug. 31. 1883.

Mr. Shearer was married in Haw Creek Town- ship, March 13, 1863, to Lucinda J., daughter of Henry and Jane C. (Guthrie) Johnson, of Welsh and German ancestry respectively. Her parents had two children -- Lucinda J. and Henry. Lucinda J. is the only one who survives of her parents' children, and was born in Williams County, Ohio, Oct. 14, 1846, and was 15 years of age when she came with her par- ents to this county.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Shearer has been blest

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by the birth of five children-Clara M., Jennie B., Essie A., Cora V. and Henry M. Clara is the wife of S. C. Dennis, who resides in Maquon and has borne him one child-Edward J. ; Essie Shearer mar- ried Decatur Rambo, a resident of Orange Township, where he is engaged in the calling of a farmer.

Since the death of her husband Mrs. Shearer car- ries on the business which he left at Maquon. It is that of general hardware and merchandise, and by strict attention to business and fair and honest deal- ing with her patrons Mrs. S. is losing none of the trade which her husband established. He was a member of the I. O. O. F. In politics he voted with the Republican party.

eorge W. Simpkins. Among the respected citizens and well-to-do farmers of this county, who have made what they have of this world's goods, not having been the recipi- ents of any legacy, is the subject of this bio- graphical notice. The parents of Mr. Simpkins were Horatio and Mary (Rice) Simpkins, natives of Pennsylvania. In that State the parents were mar- ried and lived until 1836, when they came to this county and settled on Spoon River, three miles east of Maquon village, and there the father followed farming for a number of years, and then removed to Salem Township, where the demise of both parents occurred. They had 11 children, who grew to the age of man and womanhood, and whose names are Margaret, Noah, Rachel, John, Hiram, William, Elizabeth, George W., Horatio, Jesse and Anna M.

George W. Simpkins was born in Pennsylvania, Dec. 17, 1831, and was about five years of age when his parents emigrated to this county, where he has lived ever since, with the exception of one year spent in Iowa, and one year in Ford County, this State. He is engaged in agriculture, in which he has met with far more than ordinary success. He is at the pres- ent writing the proprietor of 317 acres of ground, the major portion of which is in a good tillable con- dition.

Mr. Simpkins was married in Haw Creek Township, April 7, 1849, to Mary McCoy, daughter of David and Anna (Donaldson) McCoy. Her parents came to this county in the spring of 1806 and made settle- -

ment in Maquon Township. They afterward re- moved to Haw Creek Township, and thence to Iowa, where her father died. The mother returned to this county and died in Maquon village. Of their union LI children were born-Richard, Allen, Margaret, Andrew, Mary, Francis, Lewis, David, Marion and Betsy, and one who died in infancy. Mrs. Simpkins was born in Virginia, May 22, 1824, and is the mother of four children-Andrew, Anna, Nathan and Will- iam H. Andrew married Lydia Thiel, and is a farmer in Maquon Township; they have six children -George W., Frederick, Clara, Henry, Lovina and Gertie; Anna married David Barom, and resides in Chestnut Township; they have two children-Nathan and Fredrick; Nathan married Mary J. Winchell, by whom he has three children-Susan, Blanche and Charlie C .; William H. Simpkins married Jessie Simp- son, and is a resident of Chestnut Township, and they have one child-Clarence.

Mr. Geo. W. Simpkins has been School Director in his township, and in politics votes with the Dem- ocratic party.

W. Hulse, residing on section 5, in Sparta Township, will be found the subject of this historical notice, who may be well consid- ered one of the most substantial men of Knox County. In native worth and ability he has no superior, and his success in his chosen field of labor redounds to his credit. He came to Illinois in 1862 and settled on the homestead he now occupies, purchasing, as a foundation for his future home, 80 acres. He has since added 30 acres, do- ing general farming and improving and cultivating his farm, which he values at $75 per acre. His la- bors have been blest and profuse benefits have been his portion as a result of his exertions.

Mr. Hulse was born in Orange County, N. Y., Jan. 55, 1826, and his parents, Benjamin F. and Clarissa (Wade) Hulse, were natives of that county. They lived on a dairy farm which they owned in that State, and conducted both branches of the business, to their mutual profit. The father died in 1870, passing from earth to the great Beyond, from the farm where he first saw the light of day; his wife had preceded him to the land of the hereafter in 1841.

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They had a family of 12 children, ten of whom still live.

The gentleman of whom we write was the fifth child in order of birth, and reached bachelorhood be- fore leaving the parental roof, being 33 years of age. He received a common-school education, and on leaving home rented a farm for two years. In 1862 he came to Illinois and settled on the place he now owns. Here he began the pursuits in which he has since engaged with such gratifying success.

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 50

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