Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 53

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 53

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Mr. Kelly grew to manhood in his native county and was reared to the calling of a farmer. He re- ceived his education in the district schools, and in February, 1861, started west in search of a home. He located in Knox County and was engaged in farming during the summer months He enlisted Sept. 20, 1861, in Co. B, 11th Ill. Cav., spent the winter, until Feb. 22, in camp, then went to Benton Barracks, Mo., where he remained two weeks, then pushed to the front. The first battle in which he was engaged was Pittsburg Landing. His regiment subsequently participated in many other engagements. He received an honorable discharge three months after the expiration of the time of his service, when he returned to Illinois and engaged in farming. The

following spring he went to Pennsylvania, where he purchased a carload of horses, shipping them to Galesburg, and sold them in different parts of the county. After this venture he resumed his vocation as a farmer. In the spring of 1870, Mr. Kelly pur- chased the place which he now owns and occupies, and which consists of 80 acres of well-improved land. In 1884 he purchased an additional farm, consisting of 7834 acres, and furnished with a good set of frame buildings.

The maiden name of the wife of Mr. Kelly was Harriet M. Marshall, to whom he was married Feb. 8, 1866. Mrs. Kelly was born in Westmoreland County, and is the daughter of John and Margaret (Rainey) Marshall. The children born to them bear the fol- lowing names: Edwin N., Anna N., Samuel M., Louisa M., Nannie Belle, Alice, Harry and Hattie M .; Edith died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly are members of the Presbyterian Church, and in pol- itics Mr. K. adheres to the doctrines of the Repub- lican party, and cast his first vote for Gen. Grant for President in 1868.

ohn E. Edmundson is a farmer, successful and prosperous, whose home lies within the limits of Knox County, being situated on section 29, in Indian Point Township. He is of English extraction, and is well known both for his success in his chosen occupation as a farmer and that of breeding blooded stock-Norman and English horses and Short-horn cattle. He is the owner of a handsome homestead, including 200 acres of finely cultivated land, on which are erected convenient buildings.

Mr. Edmundson was born on the section a part of which now constitutes his home, May 29, 1852, and is the son of Bry and Matilda (Boydstun) Ed- mundson, natives of North Carolina and Kentucky respectively ; Bry Edmunson died Dec. 29, 1884, in this township. He had been a member of the Chris- tian Church for 30 years, and was a man widely re- spected and beloved. He came to Illinois in the fall of 1839, and the next year located on the farm where he resided until his death. Politically he was a Demo- crat, stanch and unvarying. He came to his death by receiving a kick from a horse. He was united in marriage with Miss Eleanor Elliott, Aug. 23, 1835,

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

B. Ramp

Sarah Ramp

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

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who died July 8, 1844. To them were born four children, all of whom have passed from earth but one son. One of the children died at Denver, Colo., March 22, 1884, and one was killed at the battle of Fort Donelson. Feb. 3, 1845, he chose Miss Matilda Boydstun as his life companion, and to them were born four children, three of whom are still living, as follows: Isabelle, Nancy A., Sarah E. (died in in- fancy), and John, who is the subject of this sketch.

On Oct. 30, 1877, the gentleman of whom we write was united in marriage with Miss Isabinda Merriss, who was born in Warren County, Ill., May 23, 1855. She was the daughter of Stanton J. and Lavinia (Coultas) Merriss, both natives of Illinois, the former born in 1828, and the latter in 1839. Mrs. Merriss died Sept. 20, 1860, leaving four children, of which family but one survives. Mr. and Mrs. E. are the parents of two children-Clyde M., born May 16, 1879, and Mary I., Feb. 24, 1881.

Mr. Edmundson is well situated in the community, financially and personally, and is a Republican in politics, which party he defends with much spirit and courage. He is an Elder in the Christian Church, and takes an interest in all matters pertaining to religion. His father before him was an Elder for 15 years, was a faithful and affectionate husband and father, and when he was taken from earth was sincerely mourned as one whose place could not be easily filled.

B enjamin Ramp. One of the important factors in the prosperity of Knox County is found in the person of the subject of this biography, who is a farmer and stock- dealer, living on section 3, of Haw Creek Township. He is one of the solid men of the county, owns considerable property, and is an in- stance of what energy of purpose combined with in- dustry and persistent toil can accomplish.

MI. Ramp was born in Cumberland County. Pa., Nov. 20, 1815, and is the son of William and Mary (Hebberling) Ramp, both natives of Pennsylvania. This family was originally of German lineage, as their patronymic goes to show. The subject of this recital removed to Miami County, Ohio, in 1844, and engaged in farming. In 1848 he removed to Knox County, Ill]., and took up his abode on section 3, of Haw Creek Township, where he now resides. He

owns 2,000 acres of land in this county, located in Haw Creek, Persifer and Truro Townships, all, ex- cept 300 acres of pasture, under a high state of culti- vation. Mr. Ramp has one of the best dwellings in the township, built of brick, and costing upward of $6,000. The grounds are laid out in a tasteful and picturesque manner, and the barn, corn-houses and out-buildings are first-class in every respect, and second to none in the county.

On the 26th of October, 1837, he deserted the ranks of single blessedness and was united in mar- riage to Sarah Mapps. She was the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Highland) Mapps, and was born in New Jersey. Her mother was a native of Pennsyl- vania, from a family of English origin on the father's side and Irish on the mother's side. To Mr. and Mrs. Ramp have been born 13 children, as follows : Elizabeth, born April 10, 1839, was the wife of John W. Cook, and deceased Jan. 14, 1862; William was born Oct. 4, 1840, united in marriage with Octavia Fravel, and lives near Yates City, Ill .; Mary Jane, born Oct. 28, 1843, is the wife of Henry Bell, resid- ing in Persifer Township; John, born March 10, 1842, died Aug. 11, 1842; David was born Sept. 6, 1845, was married to Virginia Vores, of Persifer Township, their present home ; Aaron, born March I, 1847, died Jan. 14, 1854; Benjamin, born Dec. II, 1848, died June 5, 1850; Samuel, born Nov. 11, 1850, united in marriage with Amanda Jacobs, who lives in Truro Township, this county; Jesse M., born Feb. 11, 1853, died Oct. 31, 1853 ; Asa M., born Jan. 24, 1855, married Deborah Westner, and lives in Truro Township; Cephas A., born Nov. 18, 1856, married Julia Biggerstaff, and lives in l'ersifer Township; James W., born Feb. 22, 1859, married Mary Biggerstaff, and resides in Haw Creek Town- ship, and Charles A., born Aug. 12, 1862, is married to Sarah E. Green, of Haw Creek Township. They reside at home, assisting to carry on the home place. Mr. and Mrs. Ramp have 40 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

When Mr. Ramp moved to Ohio, in 1844, he only had about $150; and when he came to Knox County, in 1848, his possessions amounted to only about $1,200, on arrival. On arriving here he purchased a farm of 8; acres. He rented a house and spent the winter in Knoxville, and desiring to earn a little money he engaged in teaming from Knoxville to Peoria. On the third trip, going down the Spoon

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River hill, the staple on the neckyoke broke; Mr. Ramp was walking, and in attempting to catch the team he was thrown to the ground, the wheels pass- ing over his left leg, which necessitated its amputa- tion at the upper part of the thigh. From this acci- dent he was all winter in recovering, and when in the spring he moved out to the farm with his wife and six small children, he had but a few dollars and was in debt on account of his sickness. Now a man of less courage would have been disheartened, but not so with Mr. Ramp. With commendable energy he set about to recover his fortunes, and by the exercise of foresight and good judgment he finally carved out success. Little by little he added to his landed es- tate, until now his broad acreage comprises one of the finest farms in Knox County. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ramp refer with much gratitude to the kind atten- tions bestowed on them by the citizens of Knox- ville, during their sore trials ; the remembrance of those kind acts will ever be green in their memories. The people of Knoxville wished to present them with two hundred dollars, but they would not accept it. In 1860, on the 28th of August, while Mr. Ramp was driving a mower, one of the wheels fell into a blind ditch, and he was thrown on the ground in front of the sickle-bar, which cut off his right arm below the elbow. Even this did not discourage him, and he still continues to manage his farms.

Mr. Ramp has held many minor offices of this county and township, and has been Justice of the Peace for four years. Both himself and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church at Knoxville, and in politics he is a Republican. At their beauti- ful home Mr. and Mrs. Ramp dispense a liberal hospitality. He ranks as one of the enterprising and public-spirited citizens of Knox County. The por- traits of Mr. and Mrs. Ramp are shown on pages 526 and 527 respectively.

amuel McFarland may be cited as one of the pioneers of Knox County, as he came to this section of the country at an early date, in which he has grown up, noting its gradual growth and progress. His home lies on section 21, in Chestnut Township, and he is well known as a man of success and ability.

Mr. McFarland was born in Richland County,

Ohio, March, 1, 1837. He came to Illinois with his parents in 1839, and they located on section 18, Chestnut Township, purchasing 80 acres of land, where our subject has passed nearly all his life. Shortly afterward, however, they purchased 80 more, or 160 in all. Mr. McFarland was a mere child at that time, and his parents were by name William and Catharine (Bowden) McFarland, of Virginia, the father being born in 1803, and died April 9, 1879. The mother was born in 1807 and died Oct. 5, 1877.

William McFarland was a native of Loudon County, Va., and his father, Robert McFarland, was of Scotch ancestry. His grandfather was a native of Scotland. William McFarland moved to Ohio in 1828, and remained there ten years, then emigrated to Illinois, as above stated. He was a strong Meth- odist for 50 years, and was an upright, conscientious man in his walk and conversation.

They were the parents of 11 children, namely : Elizabeth, Mahala, Ann ; Hamilton, who died at the early age of four years, and whose burial was the first made in the Methodist Episcopal Cemetery at Her- man; Samuel, of this sketch; three who died in infancy ; Cornelius, Jane and Emma.

Mr. Samuel McFarland was united in marriage with Miss Sophronia G. Terry, Nov. 1, 1861. She was born in Chestnut Township, in 1841, and was the daughter of John and Nancy (Benson) Terry. They were natives of Virginia. The father was born April 1, 1807, and came to Illinois in 1834, and his wife was born in 1813, and died in January, 1885. They were the parents of 11 children, as follows : Ann, Thomas, Sallie, John, Rachel, Sophronia, Julia, Marshall, Rufus, Haney and Jane. Five of them are living.

The subject of our history lost his wife by death in January, 1881, and in her loss mourned that best of all possessions, a true woman and wife. She was a noble Christian, being associated by membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Herman, Ill., and with which she united under the preaching of E. O. Raymond. She had belonged to this organ- ization 18 months previous to her death, and had grown rapidly in grace, evincing the qualities that distinguish the followers of the meek and lowly Jesus, and was laid to rest in the Christian Cemetery of Herman, Ill., leaving to mourn her a family of five children besides her husband. The names and dates of birth of their children are as follows; Elnora,

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Feb. 14, 1863; Isola J., April 30, 1865; Anna K., April 30, 1867 ; Emma I., Aug. 27, 1869, and Rolla J., Jan. 7, 1882. Elnora was united in marriage with Mr. James Davis, the date of their union being Dec. 21, 1883, and their home is in this township.

Mr. McFarland ranks high as a wealthy farmer, and is the possessor of 160 acres of land under fairly good cultivation. He is united by membership with no church, but is strongly moral and upright, owning no creed save that of common good and charity and „a generous heart. He has filled offices of trust in the township for a number of years, and has been Supervisor for eight years. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party.

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oshua B. Boynton, one of the prominent and successful merchants of Maquon and Supervisor of Maquon Township, came to Knox County in the fall of 1866 from Fort Wayne, Ind. For one year after his arrival he resided in Orange Township, where he was en- gaged in farming. Subsequently he removed to Haw Creek Township and there followed agriculture. In 1869 he came to Maquon and was engaged in the butcher business in that place for one year. Soon afterward he formed a partnership with G. G. Shearer for the purpose of carrying on the grocery business, under the firm name of Shearer & Boynton. This partnership existed for one year, when Mr. B. bought out the interest of his partner and conducted the trade alone until 1877. He then formed a part- nership with William Swigart, and since that time the business has been carried on under the style of Swigart & Boynton. They do an average business of $20,000 annually.

Mr. Boynton was born in Augusta, Me., June 4, 1828. He was but a lad of five years when his par- ents moved to Lorain County, Ohio, where Mr. Boynton spent the early years of his life. He had received but a limited education, and assisted his father, who was a merchant, in the store. In 1865 Mr. Boynton came to Fort Wayne, Ind., but was en- gaged in no regular business until his arrival in Knox County, in 1867.

The marriage of Mr. Boynton was solemnized at Maquon, in September, 1870, at which time he was

united with Miss Rachel, daughter of Walter and Betsey Bull, natives of Maryland. The parents re- sided for a number of years in Ohio prior to their coming to Knox County. They both died in Haw Creek Township.

The wife of our subject was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, in the year 1842. Mr. and Mrs. Boyn- ton have had born to them six children, five of whom survive. The record is as follows: Harriet May, born in 1872; Elizabeth Ann, 1874; William Walter, 1876; Emma Josephine, 1878; Edna Es- telle, 1880; Sarah Isabella, 1885. William died at the age of two years.

Mr. Boynton was elected Supervisor of Maquon Township in the spring of 1881, and has been the incumbent of that office up to the present time, fill- ing the same with credit to himself and satisfaction to the community. He has also been Township Treasurer and Trustee for several years and School Director for six years. He was one of the number who enlisted in the Home Guards and was in the Morgan raid in Ohio. Politically he is a supporter of the principles advocated by the Republican party.

The parents of our subject were Daniel T. and Harriet O. (Louton) Boynton, natives of Maine. The father was of Irish and the mother of English ancestry. The grandfather of our subject was in the War of 1812. The parents of Mr. Boynton removed to Ohio, and thence to Fort Wayne, Ind., at which place the mother died. The father still survives and is a resident of Kansas.

efferson Bellwood. One of the most prominent citizens and enterprising men included within the borders of Knox Coun- ty is the subject of this personal history, a man who has grown up from boyhood on his father's farm, and to whom other scenes and faces are wholly new. In him was verified the state- ment that "the child is father to the man," for he was from his early youth active, energetic and go-ahead, and in the district schools, which he attended, proved himself an apt scholar and a bright, original thinker. Passing through the intervening years before arriving at man's estate, he filled them with honest toil and the fruits of a young man's life containing no gigantic

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KNOX COUNTY.

growth of " wild oats." His present home is situated on section 11, Indian Point Township, Knox County, Illinois.

Mr. Bellwood was born in Chestnut Township, Knox County, Aug. 31, 1838, and is the son of Seth M. Bellwood and Polly (Shumaker) Bellwood, both natives of Ohio. The father was born in 1809, and died in 1858, in Indian Point Township. In 1831, he married Miss Polly Shumaker, who was born in Ohio in 1811. In the year 1837 they came as pioneers to Illinois, locating in Knox County, and building up a home which afterward was enlarged by the advent of 11 children.

The names of this family of brothers and sisters are as follows : John W., who married Miss Jane Morgan, and now lives in Kingman, Kansas; Mary and Martha, twins, who died at the age of two years ; Alfred, who married Miss Susan Shay, and now lives in Mills County, Iowa; Jefferson, our subject; Mil- ton, who was killed at the siege of Vicksburg; Levi, who died at Corinth, from fever, a soldier, fighting for his country's honor; James, who married Sarah Shumaker, who died in June, 1878, and he married the second time, uniting with Miss Nellie Jones ; Harvey H., who married Miss Minnie Cadwalader, in December, 1878; Rebecca, who married Mr. John Cox, and Adelia, now living at home. His mother yet survives and is a resident of Abingdon.

Milton Bellwood, mentioned above, was a member of Co. K, 55th III. Vol. Inf., enlisted for three years, and was killed in the storming before Vicksburg, in the volunteer party which made the attempt to carry the works. Levi was a member of Co. K, 7th Ill. Cav., and enlisted for three years. He died at Corinth, of fever. Joseph Harvey, a brother-in-law, was in the same company and died in the service.

Mr. Bellwood united in marriage with Miss Mary Harvey, Feb. 2, 186r. She was born Oct. 18, 1842, and is the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Lemon) Harvey. They were natives of Ohio, he being born in 1810, and living in Abingdon, she in 1811, and now dead. The fruits of their union were ten children, viz: Phebe, who died at the age of three years; William, died at the age of one and a half years ; John, who married Susan J. Mount, and died in 1875 ; Ambrose, who married Hannah Baldwin; George, who married Miss Frank Oliver; James, who died in infancy; Joseph A., who died in the army before

Memphis, Tenn., and Caroline, who married E. Baldwin.

Mr. Bellwood has six children-Amanda, born Aug. 30, 1863, died Feb. 25, 1865 ; William S., born March 21, 1866; Eva Dell, born Jan. 31, 1868 ; Ada M., Sept. 8, 1873; Ardie, Sept. 27, 1875, and Clara, Oct. 15, 1882. He is the possessor of 199 acres of fine land, well cultivated and highly productive, with a good barn and a superior dwelling-house. He is a skilled agriculturist and a breeder of blooded stock, raising Short-horns and half-blooded Polled- Angus cattle. He is active in all outside work and helpful in most public matters. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 184, at Abingdon, and a stanch Democrat in politics. He is interested in educational matters to some extent, and has been School Director for some length of time.

ames O. Housh. Tracing the history of Knox County, and examining the origin of many points in its growth, we find as its support and help the names of many good and worthy men, who aided in its foundation and assisted in its progress. Among them stands prominently the name of our subject, who resides at present on section 22, Haw Creek Township, and who is one of the important factors of its prosperity.

Our subject is the son of David and Elizabeth (Thornbrough) Housh (see sketch of A. C. Housh). He was born in Putnam County, Ind., Sept. 10, 1829. He was about seven years of age when his parents came to Knox County. He received only a limited common-school education, and has most of his life followed the vocation of a farmer. While at Maquon he was engaged in mercantile business in company with his father and two brothers, for a period of ten years. He disposed of his interest to A. C. Housh, nevertheless continuing to carry on farming interests in Haw Creek Township. He is at the present writing the proprietor of 617 acres of highly cultivated and improved land in the township last named, and is extensively engaged in the breeding and raising of stock, being one of the largest agriculturists in Haw Creek Township.

Mr. Housh was married in Haw Creek Township, Oct. 26, 1855, to Ann Eliza, daughter of Jared and

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KNOX COUNTY.

Jane (Wilson) Strong. Her parents came from Ohio to Knox County in 1847, selecting Haw Creek Town- ship as their abiding place. The father left his fam- ily in Haw Creek Township in 1850, and went to California and was occupied in mining for eight years. Subsequently he came back East with his family, and in the year 1869 returned with his wife to California. His demise occurred Nov. 8, 1885. His widow still survives him. His family consists of seven children, by name as follows : Elizabeth J., Nancy Ann, Ann Eliza, John D., Henry Clay, Emily S. and Samantha E.

Mrs. H. of this sketch was born in Ohio, April 5, 1838, and has borne her husband four children, the record being as follows : Alonzo M., Florence E., Frank J. and Amanda E. Alonzo Housh married Ella Barlow, and they are residing at Haw Creek Township. They are the parents of one child- Glenny. Florence Housh became the wife of Will- iam B. Bland, and they reside in Los Angeles, Cal .; Frank J. Housh is the husband of Luella Dennison, and they reside at Haw Creek; their two children are named Teresa E. and Florence E. Amanda E. Housh became the wife of A. S. Potter, and resides in Hamilton County, Neb.

Mr. Housh has been School Director for 22 years. Mrs. H. has been a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church for a period of 33 years. Politically speaking, Mr. Housh is a Greenbacker.

david McMaster. One of the representa- tive farmers of Knox may be found in the subject of this sketch, whose handsome home is situated on section 4, including up- ward of 400 acres of land, on which he has erected a fine residence and neat barns, sheds, and other convenient out-buildings, the whole approx- imating a value of $7,000 or $8,000. He is largely engaged in the raising of stock and the cereals, and may be considered as one of the most solid and sub- stantial citizens of this county.

Mr. McMaster was born in Scotland, March 15, 1836, and was a son of John and Ann (Struthers) McMaster, both born in Scotland. They came to America in 1852, and settled in Copley Township, on section 7, there purchasing 80 acres, on which they

lived five years. The mother departed this life in 1884, but the father still survives, living in Walnut Grove with his son. They had a family of seven children, six of whom are still living, as follows : Mary, John, James, David, George and Thomas. In 1863 Mr. McMaster purchased a farm in Walnut Grove Township, on which he lived, working and improving it, for five years. In 1869 he purchased 240 acres, on which he now lives, having since added 160 acres. In 1882 he built a fine house, costing about $5,000, and other buildings, as before stated.

In 1863 he was married to Miss Susan C. Multer, the daughter of Philip and Mary (Comstock) Multer, natives of New York. They remained in their native State until their death. A family was born to theni, consisting of four children-Emeline, Joseph, Lewis and Susan C. Mr. McMaster has a family of seven children-John P., Mary A., James M., David W., Arthur T., Oscar P. and Guy A.

Mr. McMaster is in politics a Republican, voting for and supporting that organization. He is a mem- 1 ber of the Masonic fraternity, and may be reckoned as one of the best of Knox County's citizens. Of him may truly be said, " a good man leaveth an inherit- ance to his children's children."

artin B. Mason. Few, if any, of the pio- gressive and influential farmers resident within the borders of Knox County have rightfully a higher place among the pioneers or early settlers of that section than Mr. Ma- son. His residence stands on section 15, in - Salem Township. He is a native of Pennsylvania and was born in Fayette County, May 6, 1808. His father, Jacob Mason, was a native of the same county, and his grandfather, Martin Mason, was of German ancestry, and came to this country with his parents when a small child. During the Revolution- ary War, when our subject's grandfather was but 14 years of age, he was taken prisoner by the Indians and sold to the French Canadians, who removed him to Fort Duquesne. He was the companion for eight years of a French Major, at the end of which time he secured a pass to return to his people in Virginia. After the close of the war he went to Western Pennsylvania and took up a tomahawk claim, as it was then called, and which was marked

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 53

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