Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 54

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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KNOX COUNTY.

out by blazing the trees. He secured the title to the land and there lived until 1814. From there he removed with one of his sons to Ashland County, Ohio, where he died at the mature age of 93 years.

The father of our subject was the youngest of a family of nine children, and early in life married Catherine Riddenger, who was born in Virginia of German parents. In 1814 he removed to Ohio, set- tling in that part of Richland County now included in Ashland County, in which section he was one of the first settlers. There he bought timber land, cleared a farm and lived until 1837, when he sold out and came to Illinois, choosing Fulton County as his point of destination. At Farmington he pur- chased property, upon which he resided until his death, which occurred a few years later. There were four children born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Mason, as follows: William, who lives in Stark County, Ill. ; Martin R., our subject; James, whose home is in Farmington ; and Nancy, now deceased.

Martin was but six years of age when his parents removed to Ohio, where he grew to manhood, being reared on the farm. He married, Oct. 18, 1842, Mary Ann Slason, of Troy, N. Y. She was born Jan. 21, 1817, and is the daughter of Dutcher and Sarah (Sampson) Slason, her father being from Westchester County, N. Y., and the mother from Massachusetts. She came with her parents to Ful- ton County in 1835, and Mr. Mason came in 1837. They were united in marriage in Fulton County, where they resided until 1843, and then came to Knox County, buying the land he now owns and oc- cupies in Salem Township, where they have since continued to live.

Mr. Mason, although blest in a minor degree with this world's goods, has always been quoted as one of the reliable men of this section, and as a substantial citizen. He cast his first political vote for Andrew Jackson, and remained a Democrat until 1872, since which time he has been a stanch Greenbacker. He takes an active interest in all matters relative to the improvement and good of the community, and is foremost in educational affairs, serving as Trustee in his school district. He has been County Commis- sioner and has served on the Board of Supervisors since the organization of the township. In religious belief he is a Universalist.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Mason has been pro- ductive of the birth of seven children : Charles H.,

whose home is in Jefferson County, Iowa ; Sarah J. ; Harriet E., who was the wife of James Broherd, now deceased; Cassie ; William J. J., who lives at home ; Mary A., wife of Frank Coon, of Phelps County, Neb .; and Martin S., who lives in Farmington, Ill.

harles L. Roberts, Esq., President of the Council of Yates City, was born in the town of Brooks, Waldo Co., Me., April 14, 1821. His father, Jacob Roberts, was also a native of Maine, and the maiden name of his mother was Huldah Merrick, also a native of the Pine Tree State. Jacob Roberts, father of our subject, was a physician by profession and practiced medicine in his native town for many years. He then removed to North Vassalboro, Kennebec Co., Me., and continued the practice of medicine until his death, which occurred in 1857.

The gentleman of whom we write was reared in his native town, in Waldo County, and educated in the public schools. At the age of 20, having acquired a fair English education, he began teaching in they public schools of Waldo County, serving in this ca- pacity for two terms. He next went to New York, and engaged in teaching at Pittstown, Rensselaer County. He also taught in Lansingburg and at Schaghticoke, in the last named county, for ten years. He then returned to Maine, again accepting a posi- tion as pedagogue in North Vassalboro, Kennebec County. In 1856, Mr. Roberts went to Connecticut . and followed the occupation of a provision merchant, in Bridgeport, for a period of five months, after which time he emigrated to Iowa, making a location in New Hampton, remaining there one year and a half, teach- ing one term of school, and during the remainder of his stay there was engaged in farming. October, 1858, Mr. Roberts removed to Peoria, where he re- sided until the January following. At the expiration of this time he went to Salisbury, where he was ap- pointed freight agent for the Oquawka Railway. In May, 1859, our subject went to Yates City and pur- chased a half interest in a general store, and engaged in trade the greater portion of the time until 1866. Mr. Roberts has held various official positions in his township, and was appointed Postmaster in 1860, which office he retained until 1866, and then re- signed. In 1881 he was re-appointed, this time

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holding the office until 1885. Mr. R. has been Town- ship and City Clerk, also Notary Public, Highway Commissioner, member of Council, City and Police Magistrate. At this writing, besides being President of the Council of his township, he is School Treas- urer and Notary Public, which office he has held since 1869. Politically Mr. R. adheres to the doctrines of the Republican party.

Mr. Roberts was joined in the holy bonds of mat- rimony to Miss Caroline P. Metcalf, a native of the Bay State. The death of Mrs. Roberts took place Sept. 15, 1877. Of this union there were five chil- dren born, by name as follows : Carrie L., Charles A. M., Georgie A., Ellen L. and Blanche L.

on. James M. Hunter. Identified with those men who have builded and watched the growth of Knox County, may be found the subject of this personal sketch, who is a retired farmer of wealth and influence, residing on sec- tion 18, in Salem Township. He has filled many positions of trust in this section of country, is honored and respected by his entire circle of friends, and was appointed Associate Judge of the county in 1849. He is possessed of unvarying dignity of man- ner and of kind and genial disposition.

Mr. Hunter was born in Franklin County, Ohio, Dec. 31, 1811 His father, Robert Hunter, was a na- tive of Pennsylvania, and his grandfather, Joseph Hunter, was born in Scotland, and came to America with his family before the Revolution. He spent the last year of his life in Franklin County, Ohio, where the father of James grew to manhood, and subse- quently removed to the State of Ohio with his par- ents. They settled in that State while it was yet a Territory, and were identified as pioneers, and there Robert Hunter was married to Deborah McGowan, who was born in Nova Scotia, and was of Scotch-Irish descent. He was a carpenter by trade, and alternated between that branch of industry and farming, dy- ing in Franklin County in 1815. He left to mourn him, besides his widow, five sons, of whom the sub- ject was the third in order of birth, and was four years of age at the death of his father. He subse- quently resided with an uncle until he attained the age of nine years, after which he lived with a man

named Cutter, whose farm joined the city of Colum- bus, Ohio. It was while living in this latter home that he attained all the education which he after- ward possessed, by attending both the country and city schools. At the age of 17, he purchased a half interest in a team, and engaged in carrying goods from the different lake ports to the cities of Dayton and Cincinnati. Three years later he bought his partner's interest and concluded to carry on the bus- iness alone, and went on transporting goods across the State until 1833. At that date he sold out and en- gaged in farming, two and one-half miles from Co- lumbus, on rented land, and after the lapse of 18 months he removed to Union County, where he pur- chased 80 acres of land, on which he lived for three years. Removing to Madison County from his first estate, he bought 240 acres, and, in 1846, sold this out and, with six horses, two wagons and a carriage, occupied by his wife and five children, emigrated to Illinois. At the close of 17 days they arrived at Ful- ton County, where they stopped for a few days and then came to Knox County, found a location on sec- tion 18, in what is now Salem Township, and have here resided ever since.

The date of his marriage was March 6, 1833, with Miss Eliza Hunter, of Franklin County, Pa., who was born Oct. 12, 1817. Their family consisted of five children, as follows : Joseph, Charles, James M., Eliza J. and May. Mr. Hunter in politics is a Dem- ocrat, stanch and strong, and cast his first presiden- tial vote for Gen. Jackson.

ugustus M. Maple, a prominent merchant at Maquon, came to Knox County in March, 1848, from Lewis County, Ky., and engaged as clerk for the firm of Israel S. Piper & Co. In company with John Morton, Mr. Maple purchased the stock of goods from his employer, which consisted of general merchandise, and they did business under the style of Maple & Morton. The partnership existed for four years, when they dissolved and divided the stock, and Mr. Maple engaged alone in the business, which he has since successfully carried on. In 1857, a $3,500 stock of goods, together with his building, was de- stroyed by fire, the total loss amounting to $6,100. Mr.

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M. sustained another loss by fire in the year 1871 ; this was, however, not of so serious a nature as the former, his loss being about $500. He has followed mercantile pursuits the greater portion of the time since coming to Maquon, having in the interim car- ried on farming pursuits with the grain trade for about two years.

The gentleman whose name stands at the head of this biographical notice was born on Cabin Creek, Lewis County, Ky., April 9, 1819. The father of our subject followed the honorable calling of a farmer, and Mr. Maple, of this notice, passed his early life on the farm in his native county, with the exception of 18 months which he spent in farming in Highland County, Ohio, in 1840-41.

Our subject was joined in the bonds of wedlock, April 3, 1851, in Canton, Ill., with Miss Mary Sheaff. She was born in Delaware County, Pa., Aug. 16, 1819, and is the daughter of Phillip and Harriet Sheaff, also natives of the Keystone State, where their de- mise occurred. Mr. and Mrs. Maple are the happy parents of four children-Harriet L., Emily Ann, Charles F. and Abraham L. Emily Ann died in in- fancy; Harriet resides with her parents at Maquon ; Charles assists his father in the duties of the store ; while Abraham is a telegraph operator, and follows his profession in Dakota.

Mr. Maple has been Supervisor and Overseer of Highways and Township Clerk, which offices he has held in a manner reflecting much credit upon himself and to the entire satisfaction of the community. In politics he is a firm supporter of the Republican party. Both our subject and wife are members of the Christian Church, by which they are held in high es- teem.

He is the son of David and Mary (Buchanan) Maple, his mother being a cousin of President Bu- chanan. They were natives of New Jersey and Penn. sylvania respectively, and were married in Lewis County, Ky., Jan. 6, 1814. At the latter place the demise of the father occurred in 1844. Upon the death of her husband, Mrs. Maple came to Knox County to reside with her son, our subject, in 1849, and died at his residence in Maquon, Ill., in 1856. The parental family consisted of six children- Thompson, Louisa, Augustus M., Naomi, Amanda and Henry K. Our subject has outlived all the original settlers of the village of Maquon, with the ex-

ception of Mrs. Mary Allen, widow of Benjamin F. Allen, deceased, and Mrs. Calista Barbero, wife of Nathan Barbero, deceased.

illiam B. Dunlap, one of Knox County's prominent farmers and stock-growers and also breeders of Short-horn cattle, is re- siding on his fine farm, located on section 7, Chestnut Township. He was born in Cedar Township, this county, Aug. 27, 1849, and is the son of E. P. and Matilda F. (Belt) Dunlap, na- tives of the State of Kentucky. His father was born March 22, 1811, and died March 29, 1865. His mother was born in 1816, and bore her husband ten children, namely : Mary J., Margaret B., G. W., T. F., H. P., William, Martha F., Alice and Ellen (twins), and Cornelia A.

Wm. B. Dunlap was the sixth in order of birth of his father's family. Sept. 30, 1878, he was mar- ried to Miss Ida E. Latimer. She was born in Knox County, Sept. 2, 1855, and is the daughter of J. S. and Sarah A. (Beard) Latimer, natives of Tennessee. Her father was born Nov. 27, 1835, and was married Nov. 27, 1854. Mrs. Latimer was born June 23, 1833, and has become the mother of six children -- Ida E .; Ellura died at the age of four years ; Walter, William A., Oran L. and Washington B.

Mr. Dunlap is the possessor of 230 acres of fine land in Chestnut Township, where he is engaged in the breeding of Short-horn cattle, numbering among his herd 30 head of full-bloods. He has a bull called 6th Duke of Sharon, No. 29364. He was bred by Abraham Renic, of Clintonville, Ky., and is one of the finest animals of the kind in the country; his weight at the age of nine years, 2,160 lb. He is a deep-red color, magnificently built, and is regarded as of the highest standard of that stock in the United States. Mr. Dunlap has owned this animal since 1882. All of his splendid herd is from the Rose of Sharon stock. He gives his attention to stock-raising for the purpose of supplying his customers with young cattle of the finest grade, and for breeding purposes. He finds a ready sale for all he can raise. He re- ceives for his male calves from $125 to $400 per head. His farm is admirably adapted for the grow- ing of grain as well as stock-raising.

The father of our subject, E. P. Dunlap, came to

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINO'3

J. J. Reynolds

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KNOX COUNTY.

Illinois in 1837, accompanied by his young bride, making the journey overland and on horseback. He brought with him some Short-horn cattle, and these were supposed to be the first introduced into this county, of high grade, but not pure blood. Mr. Will- iam Dunlap came to this farm in 1880, and it is now known as the Walnut Grove Farm. Mr. Dunlap is a man of sterling worth and shrewd business quali- ties, and is favorably known in his township as the most extensive Short-horn grower residing there.

Mr. and Mrs. Dunlap were the parents of three children-Eldora, born April 26, 1879; Glenn, born Feb. 8, 1881; Dean, May 7, 1883. Mrs. Dunlap is a member of the Congregational Church. Politically, Mr. D. is a strong adherent of the principles of the Democratic party.

eorge F. Reynolds, a resident of Victoria, Knox County, was born near Dover, N. H., Oct. 10, 1799. His parents were Win- throp and Hannah (Locke) Reynolds, na- tives of the Granite State, and of Irish and Welsh ancestry. Winthrop Reynolds, the father of our subject, was by trade a carpenter and joiner, and followed the same through life. The family of Mr. Reynolds, Sr., numbered nine children, our subject being the only one surviving. Winthrop Reynolds and wife were members of the Congrega- tional Church. They spent their lives in New Hamp- shire, their native State. George F. Reynolds re- mained at home until he was nine years of age, when he went to live with an uncle, Elisha Locke, remain- ing with him until he had attained his majority. During that time he had received a first-class educa- tion, and upon leaving his home worked out for three months for the small sum of $5 per month. After this he engaged to work in a mill, remaining there for two years and eight months. Our subject worked and had charge of a farm for four years near Boston, with Judge Robbins, and in 1827 made a purchase of 80 acres at Barrington, N. H., remaining on the same for eight years. After disposing of this place, accompanied by his wife, three children and a sister- in-law, he started for the Prairie State. After a pro- longed journey of seven weeks he reached Tazewell County, where the father rented a farm and also

til 1836, when he sold it and came to Knox County, arriving here Oct. 7, 1837. In the latter county he took up a fractional quarter of 130 acres, and erected thereon the first house, made of logs, 24 × 24 feet in dimensions, where the village of Victoria now stands. He was proprietor of a hotel at that place for four years, and in 1841, his business having greatly in- creased, he erected a hotel 33 × 50 feet, and contin- ued the business for 11 years, Our subject was the first Postmaster in Victoria, in 1838, was ap- pointed by Amos Kendall and held the position for five years. The greater part of the village of Vic- toria was laid out on land that he once owned.

George F. Reynolds was married in March, 1825, to Abigail P. Locke, a native of New Hampshire. Their family consisted of four children, as follows : George W., Charles C., John W. and Julia A. Charles C. married Jane Thorp, a native of Illinois, and they are the parents of four children-Percy, Mercy, Oliver and May ; they reside in Iowa. John W. be- came the husband of Ann Peterson, and they have born to them four children-Frank, Clara, Abner and Albert ; John W. died in September, 1884. He en- listed in the 17th Ill. Vol. Inf., and was the first to enlist here, being mustered in at Peo- ria. (See sketch of George W. and John W. Reynolds, in this volume). Julia married Theodore Hammond; they have seven children-two boys and five girls. Mrs Reynolds died Nov. 24, 1876, aged 72 years, 7 months and 17 days. Our subject chose, for his second wife Mrs. Anna E. Woodward, nee Reed, a native of Oneida County, N. Y. Her parents were Louis and Roxy S. (Richardson) Reed, natives of the Empire State.

Politically Mr. Reynolds belongs to the Republican party. He cast his first vote for Jaines Monroe in 1820; voted for Jackson in 1824, 1828 and 1832; for Martin Van Buren in 1836 and r840 ; James K. Polk, 1844; Lewis Cass in 1848; Franklin Pierce in 1852; John P. Hale in 1856; Abraham Lincoln in 1860 and 1864; U. S. Grant in 1868 and 1872; R. B. Hayes in 1876; James A. Garfield in 1880, and James G. Blaine in 1884. He is also connected with the Congregational Church, in which denomina- tion he has been a Deacon for the last 30 years. He has also been very liberal in matters pertaining to religion and has given freely to erect the church building and to keep the society active and prosper- entered an 80-acre tract of land, remaining there un- I ous. He has held the offices of Justice of the l'eace,

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Township Treasurer, Postmaster, etc. Mr. Reynolds is a self-made man and always ready to assist in any good cause. He has always been active in business and is one of the solid and substantial men of Vic- toria Township.

The publishers of this ALBUM take great satisfac- tion in placing the portrait of this excellent citizen among those of other honored men of Knox County.

homas W. Collinson is a member of the well-known family bearing that good old name and occupying a position among the representative men of his township. He is one of the most successful farmers in Walnut Grove Township and Knox County. The sub- ject of this biography is the eldest member of a fami- ily of eight children still surviving, all married and having a good social position in their community. The parents had four sons and four daughters.

Mr. Thomas W. Collinson was born near Carbon- dale, Luzerne County, Pa., July 2, 1835. He was only three years old when his parents came to Knox County, in 1838. Schools in those days were limited, and accordingly his educational advantages were very meager. In his early days he assisted in breaking up many an acre of raw prairie soil. Up to the date of his marriage, which took place Nov. 25, 1858, he lived at home. In Walnut Grove Township, at her par- ents' home, he married Miss Sarah Brooks. She was born at Walnut Creek, Victoria Township, July 16, 1839, on her father's homestead. She is the daugh- ter of Solomon and Mary (Collamer) Brooks, farmers of standing in their district. Her father was a native of New England and of English descent. Her par- ents were married in Lincoln County, Maine, and subsequently removed to Ohio. In the spring of 1838 they came to Knox County, Ill., and took up a home in Victoria Township, being among the early settlers there. The land attached to his new home was well improved before the death of Mrs. Collinson's father, which took place March 20, 1873. The mother died Dec. 30, 1885. Both these good people were members of the Free-Will Baptist Church.

The lady whose husband is the subject of this no- tice is the mother of nine children, two now de- ceased. The elder, Leander, was inarried to Emma

Patty, and they reside on a farm in Lynn Township; David, Frank, Solomon, Thomas, Theodore and Sarah Jane reside at home. The children deceased are William, dying when only three weeks old, and Henry, three years and two months old. Since the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. C. they have lived on their large and well-improved farm on section 25. He owns in Knox County a section of 640 acres, and besides this a highly-cultivated farm of 40 acres, also 160 acres in Clarke County, Iowa. Mr. Collin- son's excellent wife is a consistent Baptist, held in great esteem by that body. Mr. C. is a Democrat of the decided school, representing the views of that party in the most thorough-going fashion. His good sense and clear judgment cause him to be looked up to and frequently sought after in matters needing his counsel.

A view of Mr. Collinson's residence will be found on another page of this work.

obert John McKeighan, one of Knox County's most successful farmers, residing on section 22, Salem Township, was born in Fulton County, March 21, 1849, and is an only son living of James and Elizabeth (Cun- ningham) McKeighan (see sketch). Our subject was a child of six years when he accompa- nied his parents to this county. His early education was received in the common schools of his district, he supplementing the same by attendance of one year and a half at Monmouth College. When R. J. was 21 years of age, his father took him as a part- ner in business, that of farming, and they thus con- tinued for two years. During that time our subject invented a gang and sulky plow. In 1874 he filed a caveat in the Patent-Office for his invention, and from that time on devoted his attention to the mak- ing of his plows. It was not altogether a success, and he changed the plan of construction and con- verted his design into a single-sulky plow. This latter he continued to manufacture and sell until 1878, when he gave up the business and moved to his farm, on section 17, and there occupied his time in agricultural pursuits. Remaining on his place until 1881, he removed to the farm which he now occupies and owns, and in his chosen vocation is meeting with far more than ordinary success.

KNOX COUNTY.

Mr. McKeighan formed a matrimonial alliance, Feb. 14, 1878, with Miss Ximena Corey, who was born in Kent County, Md , and was the daughter of James M. and Martha (English) Corey, a sketch of her parents being given in another part of this work. Of Mr. and Mrs. McKeighan's union there has been born one child, a son, by name James L. Both hus- band and wife are true and devoted followers of Christ, and carry their religion into their daily lives, showing forth the fruits of the Spirit. They are con- nected by membership with the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. McK. is one of the Ruling Elders in the Church. In politics he is a thorough and strong Republican, upholding the party and voting for and with it. He is one of the most worthy men and conscientious, able workers in Knox County. His vocation as a farmer includes not only pursuits in that direction, but the breeding and raising of cattle, Short-horn and other blooded stock, together with . blooded swine.

B enjamin Leigh is one of the practical and progressive farmers whose names are in- cluded in the history of Knox County, and whose perseverance and energy win them places among the workers. His home resi- dence, Maple Nook Farm, lies on section 19 of Chestnut Township, and to his farming labors he adds the breeding of fine stock, consisting largely of Short-horn cattle, of which he has some of the finest in the country, and also Clydesdale horses.

Mr. Leigh was born in Chestnut Township, in this county, Sept. 11, 1842. He was reared on his father's farm, the common schools furnishing his education. His parents were Robert and Mary (Booth) Leigh, both natives of Massachusetts, the former being born in 1795, and dying June 18, 1866. He emigrated to Illinois in 1835, and thus became one of the pioneers of the county. Mrs. Leigh, born in 1805, was also a native of Massachusetts, and is now living in Her- man. To them were born seven children, as follows : Abigail, Adeline, Clark, Caroline, David B., Benjamin and Elizabeth H. Benjamin married Miss Mary A. Martin, Jan. 26, 1870. She was born May 31, 1848, in Indiana, and came to Illinois with her parents, William and Mary (Headly) Martin, when a mere

child, in the year 1851. They still live in Iowa. " William Martin was born Feb. 24, 1821, and his wife Nov. 10, 1822. They are the parents of ten chil- dren, seven living, as follows : Caroline, who died in infancy; Mary A., Rufus H., Emma, James W., Ann Eliza, who died in infancy; Laura, Abraham L. and Charles E. Sarah J., the eldest, wife of William Barnes, died, leaving one child.

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 54

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