Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 55

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 55

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Leigh has been blest by the birth of one child, a son, by name Harry A., who was born Nov. 7, 1870. As previously stated, Mr. Leigh makes a specialty of blooded animals. He has an interest in two imported stallions, Western Monarch and Romeo, and ten head of Short-horns. The latter include three families, and one male, one year old, is from the Rose of Sharon 6th, and Lady Athol. In the year 1883, he erected a fine dwelling- house, at a cost of $2,000, with which his out-build- ings correspond in general convenience and modern improvements.

Mr. Leigh has successfully filled many of the difficult offices of the county. He was Collector of the township for one year. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Herman, he being a Steward of that body. He has also acted as Superintendent of the Sunday-school in his church, and has been an active personal worker in all causes of good. In politics he is Republican

bram Lotts, deceased. The subject of this personal narration, who, while living, oc- cupied a wide field of usefulness, was one of the most prominent and worthy citizens of Knox County. His home lies on section 5, in Haw Creek Township, and in his particular line of labor he was remarkably successful. Years of persistent industry and unremitting and arduous labor had brought him landed possessions, and the wife and family who were left to mourn his loss were well provided for in this world's goods.

Mr. Lotts was born in Ohio, and met his death at the hands of Indians at Ophir, near Ft. Benton, in Montana. He was killed while on a prospecting tour, in company with ten other men, being surrounded by a hostile band of Indians. All were buried in the same grave. This sad event occurred May 25, 1865. His widow, Mary P. (Carey) Lotts, with the assist-

542

KNOX COUNTY.

ance of her son, William, carries on the farm. Mrs. Lotts has shown herself to be a woman of much energy of purpose and activity, and the farm under her direction is a credit to her. She and her deceased husband were united in marriage April 15, 1858, in Knox County, Ill.

Mrs. Lotts is the daughter of Luther and Jane (Wilson) Carey, and she was born in Champaign County, Ohio, Jan. 30, 1840. The union was crowned by the birth of three children-Ion Helena, born Jan. 29, 1859, who is the wife of John J. Pow- ell, residing in Johnson County, Neb .; Isaac E., born Aug. 12, 1860, who died March 6, 1880, at the early age of 20 years; William, born Oct. 10, 1862, who is her most valued support and helper. Mrs. Lotts afterward married Sanford Townsend, a physician, and of this marriage two children have been born- Reece C., born Aug. 25, 1867 ; Mary Jane, born Feb. 3, 1869. Her second husband left his family with the boy, Reece, in 1870.

Mrs. Lotts is in possession of 160 acres of finely cultivated land, lying on section 5, which is bounte- ously productive, and also 15 acres of timber land, five situated in Haw Creek and ten in Orange Town- ship. She has a neat and substantial frame dwell- ing- house and convenient out-buildings. She is an earnest and consistent Christian, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

ev. David F. Bair. The subject of this bi- ography is a minister of the Gospel and a farmer, residing on section 4, Hender- son Township. He first came to Henry County in the spring of 1855, from Franklin County, Pa. Subsequently, in the year 1868, he located on the farm where he now resides. He was a native of Franklin County, Pa, where he was born May 11, 1827. It was his custom during the winter season to attend school, and up to his 18th year he had attained a very fair education. He was apprenticed to the tanner's and currier's trade and made Franklin County his home up to 1855, pursu- ing his trade successfully in the meantime. In the month of April in that year, he came to Ipava, Ful- ton County, Ill., residing there until the following February, when he moved to Henry County. At this -

latter place he lived until he came to Knox County. Mr. Bair is in the fullest sense of the word a self- made man, whose energy during latter years has been thrown into his ministerial profession, devoting only such time as was necessary to his domestic and farm business. Previous to his preaching in Henry County, in 1857, he became connected with and pre- sided over the United Brethren Church in that locality. With the exception of one year, when he was afflicted with throat troubles, he has steadily preached from the date referred to. In September, 1885, he assumed charge of the church at Astoria, Ill., and is their present preacher. Nine of the above years he served as Presiding Elder in Gilson, Good Hope and Astoria Districts.

He is the owner of 397 acres of land, of which over 200 are tillable. On the 6th of November, 1846, in Franklin County, Pa., he married Miss Susan Rine, a native of that county. This estimable lady was born on the 28th of April, 1825, and by the happy union ten children have been born, viz .: John, Michael, Sarepta, Elizabeth, Mary, William O., David E., Eli, Laura and Bessie. Of these John and Mary are deceased. Michael is a United Brethren minister, and is at present located at Dayton, Ohio; Sarepta is the wife of George Davidson and resides in Henderson Township; Mrs. Davidson has had three children-Minnie, Robert and David E. Elizabeth is the wife of George Leitner and resides in Kansas; she is the mother of two children-Mor- rill and Mary. Michael has three children-Saba E., David A. and McCleod R .; William is a successful physician, practicing in Henry County; David is at Westerfield, Clark Co., Ill .; Eli resides at home; Laura is the wife of Samuel Hickman and lives in Ontario Township, and is the mother of one child; Bessie, the youngest, resides at home.

The parents of Mr. Bair were people of the high- est integrity, of honest, persevering habits, and had such a belief in bringing up their children in the right way that it would have been remarkable if Mr. Bair, their son, was other than the practical and ami- able character he is. His father's name was David and his mother's Elizabeth (Flickinger) Bair, natives of Pennsylvania ; their decease took place in Frank- lin County, in that State. The mother's parents were Michael and Elizabeth (Dunkle) Rine, natives of Pennsylvania also. They came to Knox County in

545

KNOX COUNTY.

the year 1855, settling in Henderson Township. There they lived and died.

In politics, our subject is a stanch Republican, while as a minister of the Gospel his consistent and useful life gives a power and point to his preaching, easily recognized not only by those who are imme- diately connected with him in his church, but by a large circle, apparently outside and beyond his influ- ence.

ohn H. Mathews ranks among the well-to- do and popular agriculturists who in early life engaged energetically in the labor inci- dent to the cultivation of the farm, and whose efforts have been crowned with success, thus enabling him to pass the sunset of his life in retirement upon his fine farm, situated on section 10, Salem Township. He was born Sept. 9, 1840, in the township in which he has always been a resident. He is the eldest son of Robert and Margaret (Wat- son) Mathews. In his earlier years Mr. Mathews attended the district schools and assisted his father in the duties of the farm.

Aug. 14, 1862, our subject enlisted in the war for the Union, joining Co. I, 77th Ill. Vol. Inf., and served until the close of that great struggle. He participated in the second battle of Vicksburg, and at the capture of Arkansas Post. His regiment was the first to raise the Union flag over the captured fort. He afterward participated in the battles of Fort Gibson and Black River Bridge, and on the 22d day of May, 1863, in the battle of Fort Pulaski, his regiment charged on the fort, and when within 30 feet of it our subject was wounded by a musket ball passing through his body. He was confined in the hospital for ten months and then joined the Vet- eran Reserve Corps and went, via Washington, to Alexandria, and there served on guard duty for three months. From the latter place he went to Point Lookout, Md., to guard prisoners. His regiment was sent to Concord, N. H., May 25, 1865, where it did garrison duty until July of that year, when the regiment was mustered out and discharged. After- ward he returned home. He had during the mean- time visited 19 different States and the District of Columbia. After returning home he attended the Soldiers' College, at Fulton, Ill., and in 1866, his

wound breaking out afresh caused him five months of severe illness. In 1866 he purchased his present farm on section 10, Salem Township, and com- menced farming.

Mr. Mathews has been twice married, first on Dec. 23, 1871, when Adelia Mussena became his wife. She was born in New Orleans and was the daughter of Jacob Mussena, who was a pioneer of the city of Cincinnati, where he erected some of the first brick buildings. He was one of the few loyal men in New Orleans during the war. Mrs. Mathews met her death at the hand of an assassin Aug. 5, 1872, after a little more than seven months of mar- ried life. The assassin was convicted and paid the penalty of his crime upon the gallows, being the first and only man ever hung in Knox County.

The second wife of Mr. Mathews was Miss Mary H. Spikard, to whom he was married Dec. 21, 1879. She was born in Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio, and was a daughter of Thomas and Eliza (Fisher) Spi- kard. Her father was a native of Ohio and her mother of Virginia. Ethel J. and Giles A. are the names of their two children. Mr. and Mrs. M. are members of the Presbyterian Church. Politically speaking, Mr. Mathews is a firm adherent of the principles advocated by the Republican party.

ames DeWitt Clinton Hoit, M. D., of Yates City, Ill., is a native of the Granite State, and was born in Laconia, Belknap County, Aug. 25, 1842. His father, Col. James S. Hoit, was born in Hampstead, Rockingham County, N. H., Feb. 13, 1794, and was the son of Thomas and Hannah (Stevens) Hoit. Thomas Hoit was also a native of the same State, and stood high on the records of the U. S. Navy, in which he served as Captain of the Marines. He died at sea and was buried in Surinanı, l'ortugal.

James S. Hoit, the father of our subject, was but four years of age when his father died. He remained with his mother, attending the district school at Barnstead, N. H., and while there learned the trade of carpenter and cabinet-maker. During the latter part of the War of 1812, and before he was 21 years of age, he became a member of the militia company, in which he was appointed Second Sergeant, and also

546

KNOX COUNTY.

acted as Orderly, remaining in the service three months and three days. He went with his company to Fort Constitution, at the entrance of Portsmouth Harbor. While there Walbach Tower was built, Col. Hoit assisting in its construction, having charge of the carpenter work, and at one time, while in com- mand, doing garrison duty, three British men-of-war were seen hovering around the shoals with the evi- dent intention of entering the harbor. A signal was given from the mounted gun in the tower, but the vessels did not respond, and gradually retreated from sight. Col. Hoit assisted in giving the enemy to understand that the handful of troops was ready for an active engagement if desired. In the regiment was the late Gen. John A. Dix, who was adjutant. After his term of service as a soldier expired, Col. Hoit returned to Barnstead, where he engaged for a a short time in farming. He then went back to his trade, which he followed in Lake Village for a few years, thence to Dover, where he built several dwell- ings and stores, also framing and finishing the print factory, which still stands, and is claimed to be the largest establishment of the kind in the State. Subsequent to this he entered the employment of the Avery Manufacturing Company, at Meredith Bridge, and after a short time assumed full charge. He re- tained his position until 1846, then resigned, erecting the residence he now occupies. He is now 93 years of age, and enjoys the best of health, and is in full possession of his faculties. He has been three times married, his second wife, whose maiden name was Abigail Clay, being the mother of our subject. She was born in Sanbomton, N. H., and died Oct. 22, 1860. Col Hoit has held several important posi- tions during his life, and has been an active public worker. After the War of 1812, he was proffered a commission, which he accepted, as Captain in the roth N. H. militia. From there he was promoted to higher offices, until in 1828 he was appointed Colo- nel of a regiment, by Gov. Bell, receiving an honor- able discharge May 5, 1830. In 1840 he conveyed the presidential vote to Washington, and in 1856 was elected to the State Legislature. To this office he received re-election-a fair proof of his standing in the estimation of the people.

Dr. Hoit, the subject of this notice, stands high in the medical profession, and has a flattering patron- age, his practice employing his entire time. He is a man well educated and of considerable literary tal-

ent, having produced a number of poetical sketches well worthy of notice. His early advantages were excellent and he availed himself of the opportunities afforded. After quitting the public schools he en- tered Gilford Academy, and subsequently the New London Literary and Scientific Institute. At the age of 18, desiring to adopt the profession of medi- cine, he entered the office of Dr. A. J. Thompson, of Laconia, and applied himself to his books with in- dustry and zeal. He entered Harvard University, at- tended medical lectures, and, after examination, was assigned to a position in the Medical Corps of the U. S. Army, and stationed at St. Louis and Jefferson City, Mo., where he did duty until the close of the war. In 1866 he came to Illinois, and commenced practice at Morristown, in Henry County. There he remained for eight months, receiving a good patron- age, and then removed to Yates City, where he has since continued to reside and practice. Dr. Hoit took a degree from Missouri Medical College, St. Louis. He has been a member of the Yates City Board of Education for 15 years. He is a respected member of the ancient and honorable fraternity of Masons, and holds membership in Yates City Lodge, No. 448, Eureka Chapter, No. 98, R. A. M., and Galesburg Commandery, No. 8, K. T. In politics he is a Republican.

On the 15th of October, 1867, Dr. Hoit was united in marriage with Miss Mary, daughter of Isaac P. and Martha G. (Scidmore) Taylor, pioneers of Pe- oria County. The date of Mrs. Hoit's birth was July 27, 1845. The names of the children are Arabella, Ella M., Virginia and Mattie A.

li M. Benfield, dealer in groceries and pro- visions, established his business in 1883, in Abingdon, of which city he is a resident. He may be considered one of Knox County's most wide-awake and industrious citizens, and is respected by all who know him for his up- right character and his ability in business. He en- gaged in his present vocation, leaving his occupation as a butcher to do so, at which he has been fairly successful.

Mr. Benfield is of German descent and was born in Crawford County, Pa., May 27, 1838, and is the son of Daniel and Catherine (Baughman) Benfield.

547

KNOX COUNTY.

He came to DeKalb Co., Ill., in 1857, and, removing to Maquon in 1858, began farming. Entering the Government service as a mechanic in the late war, he was engaged six months at Nashville, Tenn.

He was united in marriage Jan. 13, 1858, at Ma- quon, with Elizabeth Housh. She is the daughter of David Housh, and was born July 28, 1841, at Ma- quon. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Benfield has been productive of the birth of eight children, one son and seven daughters, as follows : Charles D., born Sept. 8, 1860, Principal of the Commercial De- partment of Hedding College; Bessie Belle, born May 23, 1867; Amanda Jane, born Feb. 26, 1869; Catherine Lulu, born June 27, 1871 ; Melissa D. H., born Sept. 3, 1874; Sarah Blanche, born March 6, 1876; Mary Adeline, born March 11, 1878, and died Sept. 6, of the same year, and Jessie Eveline, born Dec. 25, 1884, in Abingdon. All the above children, except the last named, were born in Haw Creek Township.

Mr. Benfield's father was born in Lehigh County, Pa., and was of German descent. His mother was a native of the same place and of like ancestry. Mrs. Benfield's parents were pioneers in Knox County, and her mother, who was born in Greencastle, Ind., claimed as ancestors people of English, Irish, Scotch and Welsh nationality.

Her father, David Housh, was born in Kentucky, July 29, 18So, and died May 24, 1879. At the age of three years he moved to the frontier north of the Ohio River and settled in the wilds of Indiana, among the Indians, where the face of a white man was seldom seen. At the beginning of the War of 1812 the white families were compelled to move into forts, which they occupied for three years. He wit- nessed one or two massacres, in one losing some rel- atives, after which, with a brother, he started out to avenge them through the blood of whatever In- dians they were able to put to death. He heard the great and noted speech of the warrior Tecumseh, before the battle of Tippecanoe, and was often heard to pronounce it one of the best of efforts. In 1826, he married Elizabeth Thornbrough and again moved to the frontier, where they lived until 1836. At the close of that year he moved to Knox County and set- tled in Haw Creek Township and made a few ac- quaintances, Daniel Meek and John Dawdy being among the first, and as all three were extremely fond of hunting, and possessed a love for fast horses, a spirit

of rivalry existed in the endeavor to see who could get the best. Mr. H. laid out a mile track, which aft- erward became quite a resort for patrons of the turf. He raised fine blooded horses, in which he took much pride, and also engaged in milling and distilling, and later in mercantile pursuits. He cast his first vote for President with the Jackson Demo- crats, and has voted at each election the same ticket. He retired from business with the exception of giv- ing some attention to farming, enjoyed a ripe old age and died honored and respected.

Eli M. Benfield moved to Abingdon in December, 1879. While at Maquon he was a contractor and builder, and had also an interest in a harness business. He possessed a love for farming pursuits, which he followed in a small degree, but after the war came to the city in which he at present resides, and engaged in the occupation of a butcher until 1883. In that year he established his present business, as previ- ously stated. He and his wife are parents of three children, and they are people of influence, kindly feeling, and labor for the good of others. They are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church and are respected by the community of which they are members. Politically he votes the Democratic ticket.

illiam Mathews, a retired farmer, and one of Knox County's prominent citizens, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, April 6, 1810, and is the eldest son of John and Sa- rah Mathews. There were four brothers in the family. He was reared on a farm in his native county, and when 20 years of age left the Emerald Isle in a steamer bound for the United States. He set sail from Derry. in the month of April, and after a tedious voyage of six weeks landed at Philadelphia. At that place he was variously employed until 1839., the date of his removal to Illi- nois. He came via the canal, and the Ohio, Mis- sissippi and Illinois Rivers to Peoria, and thence to Knox County. Our subject had been very unfort - unate in Philadelphia, losing his hard-earned savings, and upon arriving in this county had to begin life anew. His first employment was on the Peoria & Warsaw Railroad, which was in process of construc- tion, and again he was so unfortunate as to lose all his earnings. We next find him on the Mississippi

548

KNOX COUNTY.

River, where he was employed for a short time. Mr. Mathews continned to work at different places until 1845, when purchased the northwest quarter of sec- tion 22, Salem Township, making a payment of $400, the sum total of his savings. He moved upon his place a log house which he had purchased at Farm- ington, known as the Hotel of Farmington, and at once commenced to cultivate and improve his farm. At the time of purchase the land was a wild, un- broken tract, but he has cultivated and improved it until at the present time it is one of the best farms in the township. In 186r, he erected a commodious residence upon his farm, and to-day his place is numbered among the finest in the township, contain- ing 340 acres of excellent land, which is under improvement. Our subject also owns a fine and highly cultivated farm in Fulton County, of 120 acres. His occupation is that of farmer.

April 6, 1856, William Mathews was united in marriage with Mary J. Montgomery, She was born in Crawford County, Pa., Nov. 7, 1827, and is the daughter of Simpson and Nancy (Caldwell) Mont- gomery, natives of Pennsylvania. Her father died when she was 12 years old, and her mother brought the family here in 1857. Our subject and wife are the parents of six children, as follows : Sarah N., wife of Joseph Maxwell, residents of Yates City; the next in order of birth are John S., William C., Minerva J., Robert T. and Clarinda B. Both Mr. and Mrs. M. are members of the Presbyterian Church. In politics he has been a Republican.

eter Frans. This gentleman, now deceased, came to Knox County from Kentucky in 1853, and settled in Henderson Township, where he at once' engaged in agricultural pur- suits, and at the date of his death was the owner of about 800 acres in this county. His demise took place on the 13th day of April, 1861, to the great sorrow of a large circle of friends. He was married in Meade County, Ky., Oct. 20, 1825, to Sarah Brown, the daughter of Simeon and Henrietta (Hobbs) Brown.

This good lady was born in Nelson County, Ky., Feb. 8, 1806, and by her union with Mr. Frans be- came the mother of 12 children, viz .: Henrietta,

Harrison, Simeon, Margaret, Henry, Fauntleroy, Mary, Martha, Sallie, Josephine, Annie and Maria. Of these Henrietta, Mary, Annie and Maria are de- ceased. For ten years the subject of this biography honorably filled the post of Sheriff of Knox County. As a consistent Democrat in politics, he won the ap- probation of his party and was always looked up to as a man whose judgment was worthy of consulta- tion. His widow resides on the old homestead, and by her amiability of character and the consistency of her life has secured a large number of stanch friends.

Mirklin Slater is one of the respected citi- zens as well as successful and energetic farmers of Sparta Township. His resi- dence is located on section 17, where he is diligently engaged in the most independent of all callings, and in which he is meeting with more than ordinary success. He was born in Chau- tauqua County, N. Y., April 8, 1838, his father being Jonathan and his mother Betsey (Wheaton) Slater, both natives of Vermont. The father of our subject was a farmer, at which vocation he continued to labor during his lifetime. Their children were seven in number, named Perry, Julia, Mary, Albert, Kirklin, Susan and Benjamin. The mother died in Chautau- qua County, in 1852. In 1872, the father came to this State and made his home with his son, the sub- ject of this notice, and also with his son-in-law, Will- iam Palmer, until his demise, in 1874.

Kirklin Slater was an inmate of their parental household until 24 years of age. His education was received at the common schools and supplemented by an academical course. On August 19, 1863, he enlisted in the Ist Batt. N. Y. Sharpshooters, and was engaged in the battle of the Wilderness, at Spottsylvania Court House, Cold Harbor, North Anna River and Petersburg. At the last-named place he was wounded, in consequence of which he was confined to the hospital for ten months. - After con- valescing he joined his regiment and participated in the battle of Five Forks and did a great deal of picket and guard duty, and also skirmishing. He was also present at the time Robert E. Lee surrendered his army to U. S. Grant, at Appomattox Court House, Va., April 9, 1865. He was in the army from Aug.

549

KNOX COUNTY.

19, 1863, to July 10, 1865, and received ar honora- ble discharge at Washington, D. C. Returning home, he again engaged in farm labor and was thus occu- pied until the fall of 1865, when he came to this county, and for 18 months resided at Wataga, when he again returned to New York. In 1867, Mr. Slater visited Tennessee, and viewed the old battle grounds at Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain and Chickamau- ga, when he again returned to York State and was married to Miss Catherine B. Mechling, in Butler, Butler Co., Pa. The date of their marriage was 1870, and the bride's parents were Christian and Susan (Robinson) Mechling, natives of Pennsyl- vania.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 55

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