Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 52

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 52

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Mr. and Mrs. Lucas of this writing have two chil- dren, as follows : Edith, born Sept. 5, 1882; and Guy W., born Oct. 1, 1884. Mr. Lucas has been remarkably successful in his chosen field of labor, and is the owner of 145 acres of fine land. Added to this he unites with his farming pursuits the breed- ing of fine stock, as previously stated; among these he reckons high-grade and pure-bred Polled-Angus cattle, of which he owns a bull, Dandy John, two years old, weighing 1,800 pounds, which came from Kansas City, Mo., and is numbered 3651. He is no doubt the finest animal in the county of his kind. Mr. Lucas also owns a herd of 30 head, numbered un- der Dandy John, in Vol. 9, of the Scotch Herd-book. A second animal of this kind bears the name of Prince Mack, is No. 4442 of the American Aberdeen- Angus Herd-book, and was born July 18, 1885. He was purchased of J. J. Rogers to head the Tall Cedar herd. Mr. Lucas began this branch of bus- iness in 1883, and breeds all kinds of fine blooded animals, which he keeps on hand continually for sale to breeders. He also owns and breeds fine roadster horses of Kentucky blood.

Mr. Lucas and wife are useful, working members of the congregation to which they belong, being united with the Church of Christ, at Ahingdon, by profession of faith. The paternal grandfather of

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Mr. Lucas is still living in Knox County, and is a widely known and highly esteemed old pioneer of this section of the State. He is Marshall Lucas, a native of Kentucky, who was born Sept. 5, 1801. His first wife, Cynthia (Whitman) Lucas, also a na- tive of Kentucky, was born in 1803, and died during the year 1837-38. By this union there were eight children born, as follows: Thomas H., Elizabeth, Christopher W., Albert W., Emma J., Josiah C., John and Samuel C. Mr. Lucas' second matrimo- nial alliance was with his present wife, Elizabeth, nee Davidson, who still survives, and is known by her multitude of friends as " Aunt Betsey," and has been blest by the birth of four children, three sons and one daughter, the names of whom are as follows : Mary A., William, Charlie W. and Richard.

The grandparents of Mrs. Berry Lucas, John and Nancy (Lamb) Murphy, came to Warren County in 1851. The former was born June 12, 1782, and the latter May 5, 1788 This union was productive of 12 children, the names and dates of whose birth are as follows : Polly, born July 15, 1806; Seth C., Sept. 12, 1807; Rachel, Sept. 12, 1809; Keziah, May 17, 1811 ; Hannah, Dec. 19, 1812; Margaret, Nov. 25, 1814; William, Nov. 8, 1816; Sarah, Sept. 15, 1818; Elizabeth, Sept. 10, 1820; Nancy, Oct. 7, 1822 ; Theresa, Sept. 17, 1824 ; and John B., May 11, 1826. Mr. Murphy died Aug. 6, 1848, and his wife Sept. 14, 1830.

Mr. Lucas of this biography is something of a politician, and watches all the changes that darken the sky of the nation. He has been a Democrat in voice and vote for a number of years.

avid Henderson. Among the prominen, and representative men of Henderson Township, and Knox County, the gentle- man whose name graces this ALBUM and his- tory, as well as his family and antecedents stands distinctly out. His father, Stewart Hen- derson, was a native of County Tyrone, Ireland. He came to this country at the age of 18, and settled in Fayette County, Pa., where he married Ann Hunt, a native of New Jersey, of Dutch parentage. They raised a family of ten children, eight boys and two girls, viz .: Nancy, Thomas, Stewart, Isaac, Alexan-

der, Harvey, David, Jacob, Joseph and Mary A. Four are now deceased. Hailing from Fayette County, Pa., he first appeared on the record of Knox County, in December, 1851, having settled on sec- tion 12, in the township referred to. Here he has since resided, making farming and the raising of fine graded stock his chief pursuits. He now owns 640 acres in Knox County, besides numerous tracts of land in other counties and States. Mr. Henderson was born in Dunbar Township, in the county and State named, Jan. 26, 1822, and lived in his native county up to the date of his arrival in Knox. He received an excellent common-school education, and had prepared himself for the profession of teaching, but subsequently abandoned it. He keeps about 150 head of finely graded cattle, 100 head of hogs and 16 horses. Mr. Henderson may be counted among the skillful farmers of the day, and one who cultivates land almost entirely on scientific principles. In dis- cussing the matter of land culture, he holds very decided views as to the methods to be employed. He is a strong believer in raising blue-grass as a most profitable crop, as well as best suited for the food of horses and cattle.

The marriage of Mr. Henderson took place in Sparta Township, Knox County, June 5, 1854, to Mrs. Sophia (Davis) Poplett, daughter of Peter and Harriet P. (Cannon) Davis, and widow of John Pop- lett, who died in Peoria County, March 25, 1852. Mrs. Henderson was the second in order of birth of a family of 11 children, viz. : Amanda F., Margaret J., Evan, Mary, William C., Nancy, John T., Har- riet A., George W., James 1., Jacob R. Two are now deceased. All the boys, except William, were sol- diers in the Civil War ; all were honorably discharged. George was taken prisoner at Lexington, Mo., by Gen. Price's command; he was paroled and returned home, remained two months and again went into the service. By her former marriage, Mrs. Henderson had two children-Henry T. and Francis. Henry died in his ninth year; and Francis still resides in Hen- derson Township. Mr and Mrs. H. are the parents of eight children-Nancy A., Mary J., Jacob H., Nel- lie S., Peter D., Thomas, Harriet A. and David A The latter of these is now deceased ; Nancy A. is the wife of James W. McMurtry and resides in Peoria, where they have a family of two children-Nellic S. and Maud; Mr. McMurtry is in the revenue ser- vice; Mary J. is the wife of William Adcock and

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resides in Warren County ; they have also two chil- dren-Edmund D. and Mary S .; Jacob H. resides in Kansas; Nellie S. is the wife of Orlean E. Put- nam and resides in Clay County, Neb., she has one child-Claude H .; Peter D. resides in Henderson Township, and married Miss Mary Barnett; Thomas lives in Colorado.

Mr. Henderson has most ably filled the office of Supervisor and Assessor of his township. Among the A. F. & A. M. he is a member in excellent stand- ing, and thought highly of at his Lodge, Hiram, No. 26. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which community they are always ready to render any service calculated to ben- efit the institution. He has always allied himself with the Democrats in politics. He was a stanch Union man during the Civil War.

Brainard, the present efficient Postmaster, a practical agriculturist, and one of the oldest and most highly esteemed citizens of Oneida, is the subject of this biographical sketch. Mr. Brainard came to Knox County in 1860, and, locating on a farm of So acres, be- gan the work of cultivating and improving it. Feel- ing a keen interest in agricultural pursuits, he attempted some few experiments, and, meeting with success, continued his labor till November, 1884, when he moved into Oneida, having lost his house by fire. He at one time was quite prominent as a fine-stock raiser, consisting of Short-horn cattle and Poland-China hogs. He had worked the farm faith- fully, and the result of his labors were plainly visible. He still owns this property as well as a residence in Oneida.

Mr. Brainard was born in Oneida County, N. Y., March 17, 1822. His father, also named Jephtha, and his grandfather were both born in the State of Connecticut, and were of purely New England origin and birth. The history of this family is an extended one, and the ancestors are largely of English stock. The father of our subject was a farmer, who. when 14 years of age, went from the State of Connecticut into what is now known as Whitestown, Oneida Co., N. Y. His father numbered one of the first settlers of that place, which was then a little settlement,

sparsely populated and barely deserving the title of village. After Jephtha's father was married in Oneida County, N. Y., the grandfather having died on the farm on which he settled, he moved onto a farm in Western Township, Oneida County, where he died nearly 30 years ago.

Mrs. Brainard, the mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Catherine Comstock, departed this life at the same place some few years after the death of her husband. To them had been born seven chil- dren, who had grown to man and womanhood, our subject being the youngest of the number. Mr. B. of this notice passed the earlier years of his life in the county of his birth, and was educated in Rome Academy and at Clinton, the same county. He was married in Western Township, in the year 1854, to Miss Sarah A. Van Wagenen, whose ancestry was German on one side. She was born on a farm to parents who passed their entire lives in this town- ship. The mother passed from life some years since, and the father, yet living, has reached the advanced age of So years.

Mrs. Brainard is the mother of four children-J. Herbert, married and residing on a farm in Madison County, Iowa ; Lois K .; C. Comstock, married, and who, having lost his wife by death, resides at home, and Wealthy. In politics Mr. Brainard is a stanch Democrat, is wide-awake and active in public affairs, and received his appointment to the post-office in August, 1885.

kaniel Schwartz, a farmer on section 2, Ce- dar Township, was born in Franklin County, Pa., Oct. 26, 1819. He is the son of Daniel and Catharine (Etter) Schwartz, both parents being natives of Pennsylvania. There were seven children born to the union-Chris- topher, Mary, Susan, Catharine, Jolin and Daniel, the latter being the subject of whom we now speak. He is the youngest of his father's family now living, and on Oct. 5, 1843, married Miss Elizabeth Williamson, in Knox County, Ill. She was born Jan. 12, 1825, in the State of Indiana; her father's name was Thomas and her mother's Elizabeth Williamson, both of whom are now dead. Their children were John, William T., James, Eli, Francis, Robert, Rachel, Pollie, Sarah, Elizabeth and Virginia. On May 7, 1874, Mrs.

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Schwartz died, and now lies at rest at Knoxville, Ill. By her marriage there are eight children, living- Mary, born Nov. 5, 1845 ; John W., Sarah, Ellen, Edwin, Francis, Thomas J. and Albert. John, Ellen, Edwin, Francis and Thomas W. are married. John married Miss Nancy Boatman and lives in Page County, Iowa ; Ellen married Mr. Joseph Chester, and lives in Fremont County, Iowa; Edwin married Miss Alice Reardon, and now resides in Knoxville; and Francis married Miss Ellen Goligar, and also lives in Knoxville; Mr. Wm. T. married Miss Em- ma Willits, Jan. 23, 1886. Altogether Mr. Schwartz has 12 grandchildren of varying ages. Mrs. Schwartz was born Aug. 9, 1859, in Highland County, Ohio, but arrived in Illinois in 1883. During the Re- bellion her father was taken prisoner and confined in Andersonville prison, where he died in July, 1864, his confinement lasting 18 months; he numbering one other among the patriots who suffered in a great cause.

Mr. Schwartz possesses 360 acres of land in a very fair state of cultivation, and his farm is among the best in this township. His dwelling-house is a two- story, 30 x 40 feet, with a very commodious barn of 44 x 58 feet, together with some substantial out-build- ings. He has recently erected a fine dwelling-house on section r, to which he has attached a spacious barn of 35 × 36 feet. His farming is of a general character and in every particular receives his de- voted attention. He came to Illinois June 10, 1842, and lived with his parents, who died at Knoxville.

Mr. Schwartz is a member of the Christian Church, as is also his wife. By political persuasion he is a Democrat ..

ilton D. Burner, whose name gives point to this biography, is a native of Knox County, Ill., being born Jan. 30, 1844. He is the son of Daniel and Melissa (Gumm) Burner, natives of Kentucky and Illinois re- spectively. The father was born July 6, 1814, in Barren County, Ky. The mother of our subject is a native of Sangamon County, Ill., was born Jan. 29, 1822, and was the daughter of John B. and Ca- sander (Deal) Gumm, both being natives of the State of Kentucky. The dates of the births and deaths of these latter parents are unknown to the Burner fan-

ily at the date of writing. They were parents of two children-Jacob D. and Melissa R. Mr. Daniel G. Burner, the father of the present gentleman, married the lady just named, she dying June 9, 1853.

On March 28, 1854, Daniel Burner married Miss Elizabeth Martz, this being his second wife, who was born in Rockingham, Va., in February, 1821. There were eight children born to the union-John G., Oct. 25, 1840 ; Milton D., Jan. 30, 1844 ; Casander, Jan. 22, 1847 ; Susan, March 6, 1850; Melissa J., March 29, 1853; Mary A., Feb. 20, 1855 ; Ellen, Aug. 6, 1856; Ada, Sept. 17, 1858. Of these children two are dead. Daniel, the father of our subject, has 547 acres of fine land in an advanced state of cultivation.

Mr. Milton D. Burner married Miss Susie Burns, Aug. 16, 1868. She was a native of Knox County, Ill., her parents being John and Rebecca (Lightner) Burns, who are now both dead. By the marriage there were two children, namely, Elizabeth and Susie. Mr. and Mrs. Burner are the parents of nine chil- dren, namely, Edwin, born May 30, 1869; Willis J., born in May, 1870; James, Jan. 29, 1872 ; Melissa R., Oct. 24, 1873 ; Georgiana, Oct. 31, 1874; Ettie M., March 1, 1877; Bertha J., Dec. 8, 1878; Henry L., Jan. 22, 1881, and Jesse, Feb. 6, 1883. Mrs. Burner's family came West in 1846, and settled in Knox County.

Mr. Burner is at present owner of 184 acres of ex- cellent land in a fair state of cultivation. Turning his attention to the raising and breeding of cattle, he has produced some high grades of Short-horns, and is eagerly pursuing the breeding of Norman horses. He is the owner of "Black Diamond," an imported Norman stallion, now four years old, the animal weighing 1,800 pounds, whose value is estimated at $2,000. For an animal of his size he is exceedingly active, and in color jet black.

Mr. Burner is considered a very active member of the I. O. O. F., at Abingdon, Ill., and a devoted reader of the best works whenever his time permits. He has a most interesting family of small boys and girls, while his wife is a lady of many estimable qualities, being a devoted mother and a faithful wife. Altogether their home is one of the pleasantest in the district. The family are all members of the Chris- tian Church at Abingdon. In politics, Mr. Burner is of the Jacksonian school, and has always been active in the Democratic party. Enjoying the goods of this

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world and his own labors, his highest desire is to see everybody happy, and many good and substantial friends share his views in this particular.

W. Olson. Of the active, energetic bus- iness men of Wataga, in the past, and who through their straightforward and honest dealings with their fellow man have succeeded in acquiring a sufficiency, is the subject of this notice. In the days past and gone he was an active merchant in the now thriving village of Wataga, but at this writing has retired. He was born in the little kingdom of Sweden, Jan. 14, 1839.

The parents of Mr. Olson were Lars and Catherine (Peterson) Olson, natives of Sweden. They left their native land in 1849, and emigrated to the United States, coming directly to this county. Arriving here, they made settlement in Sparta Township, with their little family of four children, divided equally as to gender. They first purchased 20 acres of land and subsequently added thereto 60 acres more. The two tracts were located on section 13, Sparta Township. There the father lived and labored, working to estab- lish a home for himself and family, and there died in 1863, his good wife surviving him until 1868, when she passed beyond to join him in the better land.

The subject of this notice was an inmate of the parental household until he attained the age of 22 years. His early years were passed in obtaining an education at the common schools and in assisting his father in the labors of the farm. Arriving at the age last named, our subject took charge of the old home- stead and was diligently occupied in its cultivation until 1866. He then moved to Rio Township, where he rented a farm for two years. At this period in his life's history he came to Wataga and engaged in the grocery business, and conducted the same for about 18 months. Again returning to his first love, agri- culture, he located on a farm on section 27, in Sparta Township, the same comprising 80 acres, which he had purchased in 1869. There he lived and labored, energetically engaged in his chosen vocation, for seven years, when he again returned to Wataga, pur- chased a store and was occupied in general mer- chandising until 1885, in the meantime renting his farm until 1883, when he sold it and purchased 16Q

acres on section 10, Sparta Township. Mr. Olson erected his present residence in the village of Wataga, in 1881, the same costing him about $1,800.

Our subject was united in marriage in the fall of 1861, with Miss Ellen Olson, likewise a native of Sweden. Her parents, Olof and Eliza Olson, were natives of Sweden, and came to the United States in 1857, accompanied by their seven children, and came to this county and made settlement in Sparta Township, where they purchased 60 acres of land. The father died in 1857, and the mother is still liv- ing with her son, Jonas, who resides about two miles from the village of Wataga. Mr. and Mrs. Olson are the parents of five children, viz .: Eugene, Minnie, Ansfrid, David and Olof. In politics Mr. Olson is Republican, and he and his wife, together with their children, are members of the Swedish Lutheran Church of Wataga.

Mr. Olson has held the offices of Road Cominis- sioner, Township Collector, Village Trustee and School Director. In 1859, he took a trip to Califor- nia, and on arriving there worked in the mines for a time, but, like thousands of others who visited that land of gold expecting to realize a fortune, he had no success, and in 1861 returned. In 1880, his health being impaired, Mr. Olson visited his native land, and after spending a time among the old associates of his youth and boyhood, he again returned to his adopted country, and has since lived in Wataga, respected and esteemed by all who know him.

ewis Matson. An instance of the reward that fortune bestows upon the worthy and industrious may be found in the person of Lewis Matson, whose history is herein narrated. He is a farmer, residing on sections 28 and 33, Sparta Township, and may be considered, in point of energy and active enterprise, as one of the most substantial men of Knox County.

Mr. Matson was born in Victoria Township, Knox County, on the 25th of November, 1852. His par- ents are George and Catherine (Olson) Matson, na- tives of the northern part of Sweden. They emigrated to America in 1848 and 1850 respectively, and were married in 1851. Settling at Victoria village, they engaged in farming, and, the mother dying in 1853,

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in Victoria Township, the father removed to Polk County, Neb., of which he is now a citizen.

The subject of this sketch, after reaching the age of three years, lived with his grandparents until their death, in Sparta Township. In this section of the country he now lives and is the owner of SS acres of land. He has highly cultivated and improved his farm, and takes just pride in the success of his ex- periments. He took to himself a life companion, the 25th of August, 1879, in the person of Miss Carrie, daughter of Anderson Monson. His wife was a na- tive of Sweden, and to them have been born four children-Clara Evelina, Melvin Fernando, Vinnie Semeda and Grace Evangeline. He has added a fine barn and out-buildings to his property, and is quite extensively engaged in the manufacturing of sorghum molasses, which has proved a well-paying enterprise and a great convenience to the neighbor- hood.

Mr. Matson has held the office of Roadmaster, and is a helpful and useful man in the community. In politics he is a Republican, which party he aids and abets in sentiment and vote. Both he and his wife are prominent members of the Swedish Church, are congenial friends, consistent Christians and good, desirable neighbors.

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A. Lee. Among the townships of Knox County, Sparta can certainly boast of her quota of energetic, well-to-do farmers. Many of those who have fine farms in Sparta Township came here poor in pocket, but with the firm determination of establishing per- manent homes for themselves and families, and having faith in the development of the country, lo- cated and for years have labored to accomplish their desire, and have succeeded. Among this number is the gentleman whose name heads this notice, who is at present residing on his fine farm on section 5, in the township named. Mr. Lee was born in Onta- rio County, N. Y., Sept. 26, 1822, his father being Amos and his mother Mary (Willard) Lee, natives of Massachusetts and Vermont respectively. The calling of his father was that of a farmer, and the children of the parental household were ten in num- ber, seven of whom are living at this writing-Elias

W., Myron H., William A., George C., Benjamin F. and Thaddeus C. Those deceased are Charles H., Harriet H. and Hannah A. Both heads of the house- hold died in New York State, the mother in 1877 and the father in 1879.

W. A. Lee lived with his parents until he was 25 years of age, having in the meantime received a rudi- mentary education at the common schools, which was supplemented by an academical course. After leaving school he clerked for his brother, and worked on a farm until 1846. It was during this year that he made up his mind to go West and grow up with the country, and following up his determination he came to Galesburg and made settlement. On arrival there he engaged in buying stock, and a year later, in r847, embarked in the brick business, and was occupied for a year. In 1848 he erected the first meat-market in the present active, thriving city of Galesburg, and conducted the same with signal suc- cess until 1853. Selling out his market, he purchased a farm of So acres located three miles north of Galesburg, and engaged in that most independent of callings, farming. Subsequently he added another So to his original purchase and lived on his land, actively engaged in its cultivation, until 1857. He then sold his real estate and purchased a farm in Sparta Township, of 160 acres, the same being lo- cated on section 6, and to which he added an addi- tional 80 on section 5, in the same township, by a subsequent purchase. In 1865 he purchased a store in Wataga, and a block of ground known as the Wat- kins property. Since he moved to Sparta Township he has engaged to no inconsiderable extent in stock- raising, making a specialty of the Poland-China swine.

Mr. Lee has been twice married, first in 1848, to Miss Laura S. Booth, the accomplished daughter, by adoption, of Noah W. Stanley, of New Britain, Conn. She was only a wife for two short years, her demise occurring Sept. 6, 1850, at Galesburg, where she lies buried. The second matrimonial alliance of our sub- ject was solemnized Ang. 23, 1853, on which occasion the destiny of Miss Betsey Knowles and that of our subject were united. She was the daughter of Judge Paul Knowles, of West Avon, Livingston Co., N. Y., and of her union with Mr. Lee two children, George K. and William A., were born. The good wife and kind mother departed this life in 1873. George K., her eldest son, married Miss Kate Bowman, a native of

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this State, in 1880, and by her has one child, a daughter, Maude. William A. Lee selected as his companion in life Miss Jannie, the intelligent and accomplished daughter of William Patterson, of Sparta Township. Their marriage took place in 1880, and they also have two children to brighten their household-Freddie P. and Betsey K.

Mr. W. A. Lee is a self-made man in every sense the word implies. He started in this life with noth- ing, and what he has he has made himself. In poli- tics he votes with the Republican party, and as a social gentleman and a prominent citizen he is the peer of any.

obert Kelly, a prominent farmer residing on section 29, Salem Township, was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., Oct. 15, 1841. His father, Samuel Kelly, was a native of Pennsylvania, and was of Irish descent. The father of our subject always followed the calling of a farmer, and resided in Westmoreland County, Pa., until 1865, the date of his removal to Illinois. He located about four miles from Farm- ington, remaining there four years, coming thence to Knox County, where he resided with his son, R. L., until his death, which occurred May 22, 1883. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Elizabeth Mitchell. She was a native of Indiana County, Pa., and is at present residing with her son, R. L, in Fulton County. The parental family of Mr. and Mrs. Kelly numbered six children, our sub- ject being the fifth in order of birth.

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 52

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