Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 56

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 56

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After marriage, Mr. Slater and his bride came to this State and county and made settlement on sec- tion 17, Sparta Township, where he purchased 20 acres of land. He has since increased his acreage by an additional purchase of a 40-acre tract. On his farm he has a good residence, and in addition to his farm property has a house and lot in Wataga. Mr. Slater has made all the improvements on his place himself, has brought the land to a high state of cultivation and adorned the farm by the setting out of trees, etc. He and his wife are the parents of one child, a daughter, Sidney. Politically Mr. Slater votes with the Republican party. He is an enter- prising, wide-awake man, who generally accomplishes his undertakings, and is meeting with success in his chosen vocation.

eremiah Mason, deceased, was a pioneer in Salem Township, and one of those men whose names are associated with the growth and enterprise of Knox County. He was a Pennsylvanian, and was born in 1803. While still young, his parents moved to Ohio, and settled in Stark County, in which section of country they were early settlers. He grew to manhood, and was there married to Eliza Sayler, of Pennsylvania. In 1844, he sold his interest and came West to Illi- nois, locating at Rushville. The journey was made across the country with a pair of horses and a wagon, besides one extra horse, which was hitched to a buggy. They spent the winter there, and in the spring of 1845 they removed to Farmington, where

he worked at his trade as blacksmith for two years. At the expiration of that time he purchased land on section 2, in Salem Township, wholly raw prairie, on which he built a log house. Removing his family in 1857, he lived there until 1867, when he sold out and went to Warren County, and there spent the remainder of his days. His death occurred Oct. 10, 1870, and his wife followed him seven years later. Of his first union were born two children, and the second marriage has resulted in the birth of 11, six of whom still survive.

ev. Vachel Metcalf is well known in Knox County as a man of high mental and moral attainments, and for his vigorous and pro- gressive attention to the religious interests of the section of country of which he is a resi- dent. His home is on section 1, Salem Town- ship. Rev. Mr. Metcalf was born in that part of- Richland County, Ohio, now known as Ashland, March 20, 1811. His father, also named Vachel, was a native of Virginia, and born near the Potomac River. The grandfather of our subject, Amos Met- calf, was of English parentage, and probably was born in the old country. He was a man of large pro- portions, being six feet and four inches in height. He figured actively in the Revolutionary War, and was proud of the distinction of serving under Gen. Wash- ington. He was present at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, and was known as a brave and loyal soldier. He died in Ohio, about the year 1820. Our subject's father served in the Indian War for six years. He was a man of undisputed ability as a soldier and knew no fear. He was asso- ciated with Anthony Wayne, participating in many important battles, in one of which he was severely wounded.

He located in Ashland County, Ohio, in 1812, and was well known as one of the pioneers of that sec- tion. Purchasing timber land from the Government, he cleared a farm four miles from Ashland, to which he gave his attention up to the date of his death, in 1874. He departed this life at the ripe age of 90, having been blest with more than the usual years of mankind, and with the knowledge that he had been no idler in the battle of life. He was twice married. Ilis first wife was Diana Green, of Lan-

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caster County, Ohio. Their home circle included three children. His second wife, mother of our sub- ject, was Deborah Green, sister of the first wife, and became the mother of 12 children.

The subject of this writing was the fourth child of the second marriage, and was reared in his native county. His early life was spent in the days when free schools were as yet unknown. The schools he attended were of the subscription class. Mr. Met- calf was extremely studious and attentive, and was possessed of a most remarkable memory, retaining largely all that he learned. At the age of 19 he be- gan the life of a schoolmaster and taught during the winter seasons in Ohio, until 1840. In the spring of that year he emigrated to Illinois, locating in Peoria County, where he lived for one year, at French Grove. He then purchased a farm in Elba Town- ship, to which he removed. He still continued his profession as a teacher at intervals, completing 25 winter terms while in the State of Illinois. Mean- while he continued improving his farm, and in 1866 removed to Peoria. His landed possessions in that city included ten lots, and his main efforts were in the direction of horticulture. He raised small fruits for the Peoria markets, and there continued to reside until 1879, when he removed to the farm which he now owns and occupies.

Rev. Mr. Metcalf has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church from his youth. He was licensed as a local preacher of the Gospel by that denomination in the year 1831. He was or- dained as Deacon by Bishop Edmund S. Janes, at Kewanee, in 1854, and as an Elder by Bishop Scott, in 1865. He filled offices of trust in Elba Township many times. Was Trustee four years and Justice of the Peace eight, after which he served as 'Township Clerk. That position he resigned on removing to Peoria. He has been twice married, as previously stated. His first connection was celebrated Dec. 31, 1835, with Eliza Mickey, of Richland County, Ohio. She became the mother of two children, one of whom survives-Louisa, who is the wife of J. M. Burch, and whose home is in Elmwood, Ill. Mrs Metcalf died Dec. 6, 1882, and the second marriage of our subject was contracted Sept. 6, 1883, with Mrs. Amelia (Kerr) Natrib. She was born in Washington County, Pa., April 8, 1820, and is the daughter of Archibald and Nancy (Nichol) Kerr, natives of Penn- sylvania. This is likewise Mrs. Metcalf's second

marriage, she being first married in 1842, to Andrew Natrib, after which they located in New Orleans, where he died in 1872. Mr. Metcalf is a man well known and highly respected throughout the com- munity, and is honored for his good works no less than his genial kindliness of disposition. He is an agreeable neighbor and a genial friend as well as an ornament of the society of which he is a member. He is a Republican in politics, but is not a strong partisan.

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ackson Mason, one of Knox County's wide- awake and energetic farmers, residing on section 14, Salem Township, was born in Farmington, Fulton County, Ill, March 15, 1850. His father, James Mason, was born in Fayette County, Pa., Jan. 21, 1810, and was the third son of Jacob and Catherine (Binninger) Mason. (See sketch of Martin Mason.)

The father of our subject was but four years of age when his parents removed to Ohio, and settled in Ashland County. He was reared upon the farm, re- ceiving his education in the common schools of his neighborhood. When a young man he learned the trade of civil engineer. In 1837 he came to Fulton County, accompanied by his parents, locating in Farmington, where the father of our subject for the first time engaged in surveying. At the time of his father's death he began the management of the Na- tional Hotel, and continued to act the part of " mine host " for a period of 45 years, retiring from active duty in 1882. He now lives a retired life at Farm- ington. James Mason has been twice married. The first alliance was made with Miss Jane Jackson, who lived but a short time after her union with Mr. Ma- son. The maiden name of his second wife was Sarah Gaylor, whom he made his bride April 16, 1849. This lady was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, Dec. 9, 1824. The latter union of Mr. M. has been blest by the birth of four children, of whom our subject is the eldest. The remaining three are Josephine, Emma and Minnie.

The gentleman of whom we write was reared in the pretty village of Farmington, where he attended school during the summer season, and the remainder of the year assisted in the duties of the farm upon arriving at a suitable age.

Mr. Mason was married Oct. 8, 1871, Charlotte

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Meeker being the lady of his choice. She was born in Peoria County, Ill., Dec. 30, 1848, and is the daughter of Nathaniel and Rachel (Hunt) Meeker, natives of the Buckeye State. Immediately after marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Mason took up their resi- dence at their present farm, in Salem Township. Politically our subject adheres to the doctrines ad- vocated by the Democracy. He has been a member of the Board of Road Commissioners for eight years.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Mason has been blest by the birth of four children. The first they had the misfortune to lose in infancy. The second, Myrtie, died at the age of five years, while those who sur- vive are named Edna and Nellie.

lexander H. MeKeighan, editor and pro- prietor of the Industrial Banner, at Yates City, was born Aug. 13, 1836, in Camden County, N. J. His father, Alexander Mc- Keighan, was a native of County Antrim, Ire- land, and emigrated to the United States with his wife and one child in 1835. Upon arriving in this country he located in New Jersey, where he re- mained until 1849, the date of his removal to Fulton County, Ill. There be purchased a farm four miles west of Farmington, upon which he remained until his death in June, 1877, aged 73 years. The maiden name of the senior Mrs. McKeighan was Elizabeth Torrens, also a native of County Antrim, and the date of her birth was March 10, 1810. She still re- sides on the old homestead in Fulton County, and has become the mother of 12 children, ten of whom grew to attain the age of man and womanhood. All were born in America except the eldest son.

Alexander H. was the second child of his parents' family, and was 12 years of age when he accom- panied his parents to Illinois and located in Fulton County. There he labored upon the farm and at- tended a district school, and for a short time a select school at Farmington. He remained at home until 1858, the date of his marriage to Sarah Berry. She was born in Indiana. At the time of his marriage our subject was teaching school, which occupation he followed for 20 years, teaching in the winter season and farming the remainder of the year. In 1879 he purchased a paper at Ipava, Fulton County. This

he continued to run for 43 weeks, or until the year's subscription had been filled. He then removed to Yates City, where he has published the Industrial Banner since that time. In politics this paper sup- ported the Greenback party until 1884, when it ad- vocated the principles of the Prohibition party, but is now independent in all things.

In 1878 A. H. McKeighan was a Greenback can- didate for Congress in the then ninth district, com- prising Fulton, Knox, Peoria and Stark Counties, receiving the largest vote ever cast for a Greenback candidate in his district, carrying several townships and wards. In 1884, he was elected Chairman of the Greenback State Central Committee. He was also candidate for the State Legislature in 1882, and has been delegated to several of the State conven- tions in the interest of the Greenback party. He has made a canvas of the district at each election from 1878 to 1884.

Of the children born to our subject and wife we give the following names: William A., Merrettie V., Al- bert A. A. and Cora I. In 1881 Mr. Mc Keighan started a paper at Maquon, superintending the management of both of these journals. He spends from one to two days of each week at Maquon. In April. 1882, he opened a hotel, which his wife managed until the spring of 1885, when he closed out on account of ill- ness in his family.

R obert McCornack. The different residents of Knox County are distinguished for various acts of helpfulness and honor, re- flecting back on themselves, in the building up of her success and advancement. One of the more important factors of her internal ma- chinery has been the subject of this personal sketch, whose home is situated on section 8, Copley Town- ship, and who has shown himself able and willing to forward all worthy and good things calculated to aid in the uprising and going forward of this section of country.

The gentleman of whom we write was born in Scotland, Jan. 14, 1803, and is the son of Andrew and Jennette (McClymont) McCornack, natives of Scotland. They came to America and made the home of their children their own until their death, Nov. 11, 1845, the mother dying at the age of 73 years, and

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the father Oct. 29, 1860, at the age of 87. Their family circle was large, including 11 children, all of whom lived to be men and women grown, but only three of whom survive at the present time.

Robert, the subject of our writing, is the second child, and he remained at home until he attained the age of 15. During this time he assisted in the home work, atttending the common school and gaining all the education he could in the interval, which, al- though not extensive, enabled him to make his way. In addition to this, his quick observation and his con- tact with the world caused him to become an agree- ably intelligent young man. At the age of 15, he left home and attended school. He then left his native land and went to London, and engaged as clerk in a dry goods store. There he continued for four years, and then became one of the partners, remaining as- sociated with the firm. He then sold and returned to Scotland and engaged in farming for the next seven years. At the expiration of this time he bade adieu to Scotland and went to Nova Scotia in 1835, spending the winter in Canada. He then went to New York and from there to Illinois in 1836, and settled in Copley Township, on section 7. There he pur- chased 160 acres of land, on which he built a small log house, 16 x 16. He did the work himself, and rolled the logs with his own cattle, cutting and smoothing them to fit the floor. There he lived for a number of years, and then erected a brick house. This he sold, purchasing where he now lives to the extent of 700 acres. This was divided among his children, and he now lives upon 80 acres. He was married April 22, 1833, and has eight children- Elizabeth, Jessie A., Mary A., Sarah M., Robert, John, Jane and James. Jessie, Elizabeth and Sarah M. are now deceased. Mary A., now Mrs. Alex. Scott, has 13 children-Elizabeth, Jennette, Agnes, Margaret, Robert, John, William, Cassa, Mary, James, Walter, Ellen and Alice. The brother is now deceased. John united in marriage with Elizabeth Milroy, and both are deceased; they had two chil- dren-Nettie and Mary. Jane who married Dr. B. F. Brown, with her husband, is deceased, and left five orphan sons-Edwin, Ely, Mark, Charles and Ar- thur. Robert married Mary Milroy, and he lost his wife by death; she was the mother of four children- Leon, Maggie, Jennie and May.

Mrs. Robert McCornack died Dec. 14, 1849, and for his second wife he married Agnes, daughter of

James and Mary (Borland) Anderson, Dec. 20, 1860 ; they have one son -- Alfred C. McCornack. Robert McCornack is Democratic in politics, and has held the office of School Director and Overseer of High- ways, and proven himself one of the most genial and helpful men in Knox County, besides being possessed of innate worth and substantial strength of character. With his wife he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a helper in religious work as well as in that of any other good character.

tanton J. Merriss, one of our most suc- cessful farmers, who is also engaged in stock raising and breeding, is the subject of this sketch, and has for some time been a res- ident of Knox County and is one of its most reliable citizens. His home lies in Indian Point Township, and is situated on section 28. He is the possessor of 2971/2 acres of fine land, 280 of which are highly cultivated. Mr. Merriss may be con- sidered really as one of the pioneers of the State of Illinois, as he faced the privations and hardships of those early days, when that now flourishing West consisted of prairie land.

Our subject was born in Scott County, Ill., Oct. 5, 1828, his father coming to the State in 1818, where he first stopped at Springfield, and there remained for two years. From that city he went to Scott County, took up some land and passed two years. While a resident there he went back to his na- tive State, Ohio, where his marriage took place with Miss Eliza Piper, and the young couple immediately started for their home in Illinois. This was John B. Merriss, father of our subject, who was born in 1800, and died in 1848, in Scott County, Ill., of typhoid fever ; his wife died May 13, 1831. They were the parents of three children -- Bethuel M., Stanton J. and Charles. Mr. Stanton Merriss, of this writing, was the second son in order of birth of John B. and Eliza Merriss, and while still young was united in marriage with Miss Lavina Coltas, March 28, 1854. She was born in Scott County, Ill., Dec. 7, 1838, and died Oct. 3, 1860. To them were born four children -Icabenda R., who married John E. Edmunson ; Mary E., born Aug. 6, 1856, who married Samuel Cox; Francis S., born Feb. 12, 1859, who died in the

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following fall ; Mary E. died March 20, 1879; and Lydia L., who was born Aug. to, 1860, and died Dec. 25, 1885, of consumption. The latter was the wife of John Burnaugh ; she left one child, named Gertrude. Mr. Merriss formed a second matrimonial alliance, the other contracting party being Miss Indiana But- ler, Dec. 31, 1861. Miss Butler was born in Ohio, Oct. 4, 1835, and their marriage has been blest with the birth of two children-Sallie, born Sept. 17, 1872, and Stanton E., born Dec. 22 1874. The [ arents of Mrs. Indiana Merriss are Eli and Sallie (Robinson) Butler, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. Merriss lost his second wife by death, Feb. 20, 1879.

September 10, 1879, Mr. M. united in marriage with Mrs. Sarah Bevins, a native of Illinois, who was born Feb. 22, 1842. Her parents' names were George W. and Sarah (Bloom) Lewis. The former was born in Kentucky in 1804, and the latter in IS11, in the State of New Jersey. She departed this life May 10, 1870, leaving to mourn her loss five children-Sarah, born Feb. 22, 1842, in Vermilion County; Mary E., born Sept. 12, 1847, who married Mr. Andrew Lackey, of Rushville, Ill. ; Cornelius, born July 29, 1852, who now lives in Nebraska. Mrs. Lewis Mer- riss united in marriage with Mr. Jesse Bivens, Sept. 18, 1859, and his death occurred April 25. 1874. There were four children born of this marriage, all living-Sarah E. Bevins, born Jan. 6, 1861, is the wife of John E. Smith; their home is in Knox County; John L. was born Sept. 5, 1862; Mary E., March 6, 1864, is the wife of Leonard J. Cutler, and their home is in Knox County, Ill. ; Anna L., born April 27. 1868.

Thomas Bevins, the father of Jesse, married a lady by the name of Anna Gundy. Both she and her hus- band were natives of Maryland. Jesse Bevins was born in Franklin County, Ohio, and came to Illinois while he was yet a youth. His parents died while he was yet young. The names of Mrs. Merriss' grand- children are Daisy L., Claude Evert and Leroy R. Smith.

George W. Lewis was a soldier in the Black Hawk War and also in the Mexican War. When the elder Mr. Merriss came to Scott County, there were but 20 settlers in 40 miles. The Merriss family is Irish on the paternal side.

Mr. James B. Meriiss married his second wife, who was Caroline Matilda Draper, and by this union there were five children who lived to maturity. She

died March 25, 1853. He was a Free-Will Baptist in religious belief.

Mr. S. J. Merriss received such education as the schools of his native county afforded, and was reared upon the farm. He purchased the land where he now lives in the year 1856, and moved here the year following. It was but slightly improved, and the build- ings, fencing, improvements and adornments have been the result of his own labor with his own hands.

The home of Mr. Merriss is one of culture and re- finement, his wife being an intelligent lady. He is an extensive breeder of Short-horn and Jersey cattle. Both he and his wife are active and useful members of the society in which they move, and he is an active member of the Missionary Baptist Church, of which he is an adherent. His wife is united with the Christian Church, and is an earnest Christian in soul and purpose. In politics Mr. Merriss is a Demo- crat.

wan Larson. A summary of the lives of many of the residents of Knox County is given in her records, and goes to show what claim may be made to genuine manhood, citi- zenship and a place among the active workers in life. Among these none is better fitted to draw forth approbation than that of our subject, whose home is situated on section 11, Copley Town- ship, and who is an American by adoption and a farmer by occupation.

Mr. Larson was born in Sweden, March 21, 1821, and his parents were Lewis and Christine (Swanson) Larson. They came to the United States in 1856, and settled at Bishop Hill, Henry Co., Ill., at which place the mother died in 1850. The father came to America and lived with the son Swan until his death, in 1859.

The subject of this sketch was under the parental roof until he reached boyhood, being but 15 years of age, and attending school in the meantime. After leaving home he worked about on farms until he came to America, in the spring of 1846. Here he re- mained working at farming in New York State, until August of the same year. He then came to Illinois, and, spending a few weeks in Copley Township, de- cided that he could find no location more desirable. He then went to Bishop Hill, Henry Co., but only

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remained eight weeks. He then removed to La Fayette, Stark County, and stayed one year. Re- moving from there, he went to Galesburg and engaged to work in a wagon-shop. There he remained three years. He then went to Copley Township and rented land for 18 months, but the country was of delightful soil and climate, so, in partnership with his brother, the purchase of 160 acres was made. This land lay on section 2, in Copley Township, and there he lived for about two years. He afterward sold out his half to the brother, who remained on the place, while Swan Larson moved to Victoria village. There he purchased a house and lot. To this he added 80 acres in Walnut Grove Township, on sec- tion 36, and moved onto the same and lived there continuously for ten years. He has improved, beau- tified and modernized the place, until one would hardly know it for -the same; but after laying out this labor upon it he again sold, purchasing the spot where he now lives; 160 acres are included in the grounds, and to it he has since added 80 acres, and he now has an extensive landed estate. He has a fine residence and barns on his place, costing him nearly $4,000.

He was united in the bonds of wedlock with Miss Catherine Oleson, a native of Sweden, who was born on the 17th of May, 1830. Mrs. Larson is the daughter of Olaf and Catherine (Matson) Oleson. Mr. Oleson died in 1835, and the mother came to America in 1846, where she died the same year.

Mr. and Mrs. Larson, of this writing, have a fam- ily of six children, all living and named as follows: Mary A., David E., Emma J., Frank A., Harvey E. and Henry V. E. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Larson are located as follows: Mary A., now Mrs. Sedarburg, is the mother of five children-Caroline E., Warner, Edna, Rena and Hester. David E. married Susan Swigart, and they are the parents of two children-Fred and Ruth B. Emma J., now Mrs. Swanburg, has three children-Lila A., Rosa E. and Edith C.

Mr. Larson is among the foremost men in the county in shrewdness, thrift and enterprise, and he is well suited to any office to which he may be elected, and worthy the confidence of any who may bestow it upon him. He, with his wife, belongs to the Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church, and they take an active interest in the religous matters of the com- munity. In politics he is a Greenbacker, and holds

strong, sensible ideas. He is Overseer of Highways, and under his management the public roads are in good condition, as whatever Mr. Larson undertakes will be well done.

aniel T. Wilson is Professor of the Nat- ural Sciences of Hedding College, Abing- don, which position he has held since the fall of 1884, previous to which he was Pro- fessor of the Higher Mathematics and Natural Sciences from the fall of 1867 to the summer of 187 r. Prof. Wilson was born in Madison County, N. Y., March 28, 1836, and is the son of Hulit and Lydia (Southworth) Wilson, the former of New Jersey and of Scotch-Irish parentage, and the latter of English progenitors and New England birth. Daniel T. Wil- son, when a boy, showed keen intelligence and dis- played commendable perseverance and application to his studies, and as educational advantages were granted him he took, first, a preparatory course at the Oneida Seminary, at Cazenovia, N. Y. and afterward a collegiate course at Evanston, Ill. He also took a theological course in Garrett Biblical Institute, and was ordained Deacon in 1867, and in 1869 was pro- moted to the Eldership, holding the office of Deacon in the Rock River Conference. Two years prior to his ordination he served on probation, in connection with the conference spoken of, received the office of Deacon, was transferred to the Central Illinois Con- ference, and in 1869 received the office of Elder, as stated before. In the fall of 1867 he was appointed to his office at Hedding College. From 187 1 to 1884, he served as pastor in various charges, and contin- ued his connection with this conference until the fall of 1884, when he entered Hedding College in his present capacity.

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 56

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