Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 57

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 57

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In Evanston, he made the acquainance of Martha, daughter of Rev. Samuel Richardson, of McHenry County, and the two were united in marriage Sept. 27, 1866. Mrs. Wilson was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., and is a lady of high mental attain- ments and personal attractions. She was educated at the Woman's College, of Evanston, Ill., and grad- uated in the class of 1865. She was the teacher of English Literature in Hedding College, during the years 1867-68 and 1869-70.

As may be supposed, this home, made lovely by

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mutual respect and affection and more than ordinary endowments of mind, is an attractive spot. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have become the parents of six children, four boys and two girls: The eldest son, George A., was born Sept. 18, 1868 ; Frank M., July 25, 1870; Fred. T., Sept. 1, 1872; Nellie, March 23, 1876; Guy B., July 2, 1881 ; Halo, Sept. 10, 1883 ; Grace, born July 1, 1878, and died Aug. 5 of the same year ; and Justina, born Dec. 6, 1879, died July 21, 1881.

amuel M. Taylor, carpenter and builder, residing at Yates City, Ill., was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., Dec. 5, 1817. His father, John Taylor, was a native of Phila- delphia, and born in 1791. His father, grand- father of our subject, James Taylor, hailed from the North of Ireland, and was of Scotch descent. He came to America shortly after the close of the Revolutionary War, and for a short time resided in Philadelphia. He then removed to Westmoreland County, where he procured a farm, and later removed to Indiana County, where, in 1839, his demise oc- curred.

The father of our subject was reared to the honor- able calling of a farmer. His wife was Miss Ellen Miller, a native of the Emerald Isle, who came to the United States with her parents while yet a child. At the time of his marriage the senior Mr. Taylor settled upon his father's farm, but did not engage in the cul- tivation of the soil exclusively, as he was also engaged in teaming from Philadelphia across the mountains to Pittsburg. In 1832 he sold his farm in West- moreland County and removed to Indiana County, where he secured a farm and lived on it until his his death, which took place in 1853. His wife sur- vived him several years, dying in 1879. The parental family consisted of six sons, five of whom are still living, our subject being the second in order of birth.

Samuel was reared upon his father's farm, remain- ing there until he was 13, when he went to Salts- burg, at which place he served an apprenticeship of five years at the joiner's and carpenter's trade. This trade he followed in Indiana County, until the year 1857, when he removed to the city of Pittsburg. There he continued to work at his trade until 1870. At the expiration of this time he came to Yates City,

Illinois, where he purchased 19 town lots and 48 acres of prime land within the limits of Yates City. Mr. Taylor gives his entire attention to the prosecu- tion of his trade, and either rents his farm or has the same cultivated by hired labor. Our subject spared no money or effort toward the improvement of his property. He has built him a desirable residence and suitable stables. His farm is well provided with tile drain, which makes it exceedingly productive and increases its value.

Dec. 29, 1839, our subject was married, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Harbison. She was born in Indiana County, Pa., May 17, 1817, and her demise occurred April 29, 1852. The result of this union was the birth of six children, of whom we give the following brief memoranda: Sarah E. became Mrs. William S. Richey, and her demise occurred in Chicago, Aug. 10, 1874; James M. resides at Chi- cago; Robert R. departed this life at Pittsburg, Pa., Aug. 14, 1858 ; John died Feb. 8, 1854; Anna M. and Frank M. (twins). Anna died in infancy and Frank lives with his parents.

Mr. Taylor formed a second matrimonial alliance April 2, 1857, this time with Mrs. Susan Smith. She was born in Indiana County, Pa., May 11, 1828, and is the daughter of Thomas and Catherine (Gamble) McGough, and was first married to Robert M. Smith, in 1851. His demise occurred in January, 1855. By her first marriage she became the mother of two children-Alsinus M., who lives at Irving Park, Ill., and Nannie, wife of Sylvester E. Kent, of California.

Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are members of the Presby- terian Church. In politics our subject affiilates with the Republican party.

adison C. Bates is a native of Illinois, born in Morgan County, July 7, 1836. He is the son of Joseph H. and Nancy B. (Goodpasture) Bates, who are natives of Tennesee and of Scotch-Irish descent. The father, Joseph H. Bates, was born May 4, 1806, while the birth of his wife, Nancy, took place Dec. 25, 1807. Their marriage was celebrated March 11, 1828, in Overton County, Tenn. They came to Illi- nois in the summer of 1830, and located where the city of Jacksonville now stands, it being then little

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more than an open prairie. Their first winter in the State was that known as the "winter of the deep snow." Moving subsequently to Adams County, in 1847, they remained there until the fall of 1860, when they came to Knox County for the purpose of availing themselves of the advantages then offered by Cherry Grove Seminary for educating their chil- dren.

In 1867, Cherry Grove Seminary was closed, hav- ing been merged into Lincoln College, located in that year at Lincoln, Logan Co , Ill. Soon after Mr. and Mrs. Bates removed to that place, that they might continue the education of their children. There they still reside, surrounded by friends and enjoying the comforts of a competency secured by the frugal- ity and industry of their earlier years.

Madison C., the seventh of a family of 14 children, was brought up on his father's farm, having the ad- vantages of a common-school education, until in his 1 9th year. The following five years he spent in ob- taining an education and in teaching, attending during the time Cherry Grove Seminary, and spending one year at college. At the end of the first year he was compelled to give up the cherished idea of a college course on account of ill health. While at Cherry Grove Seminary he became acquainted with Miss Emma Latimer, whom he married May 16, 1861. Mrs. Bates is the daughter of Col. George Griswold and Rebecca (Drennan) Latimer. Col. Latimer was a native of Tennessee, and a son of Joseph Latimer. He was born Feb. 28, 1810, and descended on his mother's side from the New England family of Gris- wolds, whose history dates almost to Plymouth Rock, and many of whom were distinguished in the Revolu- tion and have since had national reputation.

Col. Latimer, with his father's family, settled in Cedar Township, Knox County, in 1831, and was married to Rebecca Drennan, of Sangamon County, Oct. 25. 1832. He fought through the Black Hawk War. In founding and maintaining Cherry Grove Seminary, he gave liberally of both time and money. His early death, which occurred Feb. 5, 1848, was felt to be a great loss to both the school and the church of which he was a member, and in whose welfare he was deeply interested. His widow, twelve years afterward, married William Allison, Esq., of McDonough County, who died in August, 1878. Mrs. Allison was born Feb. 26, 1814, and is still living in Abingdon, where she is highly esteemed by

all who know her, having always been noted for her hospitality and liberality.

After their marriage in the spring of 1861, Mr. and Mrs. Bates rented some land and began farming, having barely means sufficient to begin housekeeping. They were, however, young and hopeful, and pos- sessed of the confidence of all who knew them. Mr. Bates very soon began in a small way to deal in cat- tle. With the first corn he raised he fed four steers through the winter, and sold them in the spring at $2.25 per hundred weight. However discouraging this beginning must have been, he followed it up with better success later. In the course of a few years he became the owner of a few acres of land. This he used only for grazing and feed lots. Fol- lowing mainly this one thing of feeding and grazing cattle, he has succeeded in adding to these first acres, until he now owns over a half-section of land, as good, perhaps, as there is in the county and highly improved, lying just north of Abingdon, and in the neighborhood where he has lived all his married life."

Although Mr. Bates has always lived in the coun- try, he has for a good many years been identified with the business interests of Abingdon. He was one of the prime movers in founding the People's Bank at Abingdon. This institution commenced operations Dec. r, 1879, he becoming a Director and the first President. The capital was placed at $30,- ooo, and in less than two years the stock was in- creased to $50,000. Mr. Bates' well-known char- acter for honorable dealing, promptness and fidelity in all his transactions contributed largely to the suc- cess of this business venture, which was assured al- most from the first. He continued President up to the close of 1883, when he resigned the position through pressure of other business. He was in- duced, however, by those associated with him in the bank's interest, to retain the office of Director. On the ist of September, 1885, the People's Bank was changed to the First National Bank of Abingdon, in which institution Mr. Bates still holds a money inter- est, and to which he gives both of his time and in- fluence.

Mr. Bates is a Republican in politics, and in the years gone by was active in promoting the suc- cess of his party. He has at different times held office in the township, having been elected Supervisor for six or more years, besides holding the office of Road Commissioner for a long term of years, and

LIBRARY OF THE L"NIVERSITY OF ILLINA'S

Willfer Evans

Eleanor Evans

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLING'S

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having also filled other positions of trust. Mr. Bates is a strong advocate of temperance and other moral reforms.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Bates united with the church while young, and have always been active in pro- moting the interests of religion. They are members of the Congregation.al Church and give liberally and cheerfully to the support of that church and to worthy charities. They are the parents of five chil- dren-George Griswold Latimer, born March 21, 1863; Eula Goodpasture, May 28, 1865; Mary Drennan, Feb. 22, 1867; Harriett Myrtle, Feb. 27, 1878, and Madison Clair, Oct. 26, 1881. The oldest of these graduated in June, 1885, at Knox College. where the next two are at present in attendance.

5 illfard Evans. Conspicuous among the capable and enterprising men of Knox Township, and known to one and all as a self-made man and one of substantial worth, is Willfard Evans, of whom this biography is written. He is said to be one of the most suc- cessful farmers in this entire section of country, and is greatly esteemed and respected from the fact that he has acquired a competency by his own efforts.

The subject of this personal history was born in Washington County, Va., March 24, 1814. His father, John Evans, was also a native of Virginia, and his mother's maiden name was Nancy Haw- thorne. When Willfard was four years old his parents moved to Mason County Va., where the father, in 1831, departed this life, and the child, who had lost his mother some years previous, was thus left doubly orphaned. At the early age of 13 years, when so many boys find time only for amusement, he entered the home of a farmer in Mason County, laboring faithfully four years for his board and clothes, and then, at the age of 17, started out to seek his fortune. He made his way laboriously into Ohio, in company with an uncle. Here he found employment in Ham- ilton County, and began work for the meager pit- tance of $6 and afterward $7 per month. Later, having proved his usefulness, .his honorable inten- tions and his honest principle, his wages were in- creased. In 1835 he found he had saved from his earnings $200, and with this little all he went into

Indiana, and purchased, in Elkhart County, 80 acres of unimproved land. Beginning work on his farm, he remained until the following winter, at which time he returned to Hamilton County, Ohio, where he worked until 1838. Soon after this he went to the State of Mississippi, where he engaged in shipping wood for five years.

In 1843 Mr. Evans came to Knox County. He was a single man at this time, and was engaged in chopping wood, getting out posts and splitting rails. In 1846 he bought 160 acres of unimproved land on section 36, of Knox Township, and also 40 acres of timber land on section 7, of Persifer Township. About this time, feeling the need of that sympathy and companionship which it seemed to him that marriage would bring, on Nov. 17, 1845, he wedded Eleanor Rambo. She was born in Gallia County, Ohio, Aug. 23, 1823, and was the daughter of Reu- ben and Charity (Haptonstall) Rambo. Her parents were both natives of Virginia, the mother being born in Greenbrier County, and the father also of that State, coming of German ancestry. Reuben Rambo removed with his family to Knox County in the fall of 1842, and settled in Persifer Township, where he carried on blacksmithing and farming until his death, which took place in 1851. His wife, the mother of Mrs. Evans, died prior to the death of her husband ; they had a family of five daughters and two sons, all living except one.

In 1847 Mr. Evans and his young wife moved into a frame house which the husband had erected on his land, and he continued the improvements which he had begun by breaking up the land. In a short time he had it in a high state of cultivation, neatly fenced and in good order. He was from the first markedly successful, and was crowned with prosper- ity in all his undertakings. Continually adding to his possessions, he eventually owned 672 acres of land, his present property.

Mr. and Mrs. Evans are the parents of a family of children, six of whom are living: Allen T., living in Knox Township; Nancy M., deceased ; Almeria E .; Alice is the wife of Frank Mastin, and lives in Per- sifer Township ; Sarah C., deceased ; Emma S. is the wife of Frank Johnson, and lives in Persifer Town- ship; Ida Augusta; Luella is the wife of Michael Tarpy, whose home is in Ness County, Kan. The eldest daughter, Nancy, was born July 13, 1850, and united in marriage with Timothy West. She departed

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this life Sept. 23, 1879, leaving four children to mourn her loss ; three now reside with their grandpar- ents, and are by name as follows : Edna G., Oscar D. and Forrest E. W. Emma Gertrude died after coming to live with their grandparents.

In politics Mr. N. was first a Whig, and on the or- ganization of the Republican party he became identi- fied with and a supporter of its principles. During the late war he was a stanch Union man.

The portraits of Mr. Evans and wife appear on another page.

on. Michael Dougherty, Postmaster at Galesburg, was born at Monongahela City, Pa., March 18, 1850. His parents, Thomas and Isabel (Campbell) Dougherty, natives of Ireland, at the close of the war of 1812 were married in Pittsburg, Pa., came to Illinois in 1854, and lived in Fulton County, this State, the rest of their lives; the father dying in April, 1882, aged 87 years, and his widow in February, 1883, aged 72 years. Of the six sons and three daughters reared by them, the subject of this sketch was next to the youngest. He was educated primarily at the com- mon schools in Fulton County, and graduated from St. Vincent's College, Wheeling, W. Va., in the class of 1869. After he graduated in 1869 he began clerk- ing in the Baltimore & Ohio depot at Wheeling, W. Va., and remained in the employ of the railroad com- pany there up to the time of his return to Illinois in 1876. In 1876 he began reading law at Avon, this State, in the office of John M. Heller, walking from his home to the office and back daily, a distance of two and one-half miles, and paying for his board in labor. In 1878 he was admitted to the bar at Ottawa, and at once began the practice of law at Avon. In 1879 he came to Galesburg, where he has since resided. Here he formed a law partnership with Hon. F. A. Willoughby, which continued up to his assuming the duties of Postmaster, since which time he devotes only such time to his law practice as his official duties will allow. As a lawyer Mr. Dougherty soon took rank with the leading members of the bar, and the law firm of which he was a member has had entrusted to its management some of the most important cases which have been tried in

the courts of Knox County for years. In his prac- tice he is regarded as a safe counselor and painstak- ing lawyer. His mind has a peculiar judicial bent, and he is enabled to grasp a question quickly and analyze it thoroughly. As a pleader, his papers are prepared with thoroughness and accuracy, and thereby receive due recognition from the courts. As an advocate he ranks deservedly high. He is a pleasing, graceful and logical speaker.

July 2, 1884, the Democratic Convention at Peoria nominated Mr. Dougherty, by acclamation, as their candidate for Secretary of State, and as that memor- able campaign already forms a part of the history of the State, it is not necessary to speak further of it in this connection. From early manhood Mr. D. has been more or less identified with the politics of the county. In 1882 he was placed at the head of the Democratic Central Committee of Knox County, and filled the position with much ability until appointed Postmaster, in April, 1885. Upon his assuming the duties of the office, the administration determined to secure new quarters for the post-office. A new and commodious building was erected and equipped with the best and latest improvements. This change the people of the city universally applauded. From the dingy old quarters occupied so many years by his worthy predecessor, Mr. Dougherty transferred the office to one of the brightest, handsomest and most convenient post-offices in the State of Illinois.

Our subject was married at Galesburg, May 18, 1882, to Miss Jennie E. Brown, the accomplished daughter of James E. Brown, Treasurer of G. W. Brown & Co. Corn-Planter Works, and she has borne to him one child.

illiam R. Mathews, one of Knox County's prominent and successful farmers, resid- ing on section 4, Salem Township, is the eldest son of John and Clarinda (Robertson) Mathews (see sketch). He was born in Fulton County, Ill., March 8, 1839, and was an infant in his parents' arms when they came to Knox County. He grew to manhood in Salem Township and received his education in the home schools. The first building in which he attended school had previously served as a blacksmith-shop and granary.

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He took advantage of every opportunity for educa- tion offered in the district school, and thus fitted himself to teach at the age of 21. His first three terms of school were taught near his old home, and with that exception he has always been engaged in farming pursuits.

Mr. Mathews was married Dec. 25, 1862, to Esther Cratty. She was born in Delaware County, Ohio, May 5, 1841, and is the daughter of William and Candis (Bennett) Cratty. Our subject remained upon the home farm for about three years after his marriage, when he located on the place he now owns and occupies. The farm is under excellent cultiva- tion, the proprietor having improved it by the erection of substantial farm-buildings and continual tilling of the soil. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Mathews three children were born-Jennie, who died at the age of six years ; Charlie L. and Lewis E.

Religiously our subject and his wife are members in high standing in the Presbyterian Church, Mr. Mathews having been Superintendent in the Sunday- school for 16 consecutive years. In politics he is a supporter of the Greenback party. His first vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln, but upon the forma- tion of the Greenback party he joined its ranks. He was one of the delegates to the State Greenback Convention at Peoria in 1880.

dward Young, a successful farmer and re- spected citizen of this county, resides on section 35, Knox Township, was born in Persifer Township, Feb. 5, 1847, and is the son of Robert and Mary (Fowler) Young, whose sketch is given in this work. Mr. Young was brought up to the vocation of a farmer ; received his education in the public schools of this county and supplemented the same by an attendance of three terms at Knox College, two terms at Wesleyan Sem- inary, Bloomington, and two terms at Abingdon College. After leaving college Mr. Young taught two terms of winter school, one in Persifer and one in Victoria Township, and, aside from that, his years have been devoted to agricultural pursuits.

He was married Jan. 25, 1870, to Miss Hattie Wil son, daughter of George and Rosana Wilson, who was born in Knox Township. After their marriage

they located on his father's farm in Persifer Town- ship, where the honeymoon was passed, and where they continued to live and labor, with but one inter- est in common, until 1875. During that year our sub- ject removed with his family to the farm which he at preseut owns and occupies. The place at that time contained 78 acres, to which he added by subsequent purchase 68 acres, making his total acreage 146. He has a brick house on his farm, and a good, substan- tial frame barn, together with necessary sheds for the shelter of stock, and in his chosen vocation is meeting with that success which energy and perseverance are sure to bring. Their union has been blessed by the birth of four children, whom they have named Mary R., George W., Florence E. and Elmer L. Relig- iously Mr. and Mrs. Young are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Knoxville.

phraim Stonesipher was born in Adams County, Pa., June 19, 1818. His father, Solomon Stonesipher, was born in that part of Baltimore Co. now included in Carroll Co., Md. His father, the grandfather of our subject, Jacob Stonesipher, was also a native of the same county and of German descent. Our subject grew to manhood in his native county and was reared on a farm, receiving a good common-school educa- tion, which was supplemented by an attendance at the Academy at Littleton. Our subject was 16 years of age when he commenced to learn the trade of a plasterer, which he followed in Adams County for eight years, and then took up the butchering bus- iness, in which he continued for eight years. He disposed of his batcher-shop in the following year, and in 1856 came to Illinois, making a location in Knoxville. At this place he purchased a lot on Mill street, and erected thereon a dwelling, after which he engaged in his trade as plasterer until 1861. At this time he embarked in the grocery business with James P. Coons, the partnership existing about 18 years. A few months after he had disposed of his grocery store he purchased a half interest in a drug business with James Wertz. They soon added gro- ceries to their stock, the partnership existing for one year, when Mr. Stonesipher carried it on alone for about three years, after which he took charge of the

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store belonging to his former partner. For the last five or six years he has lived retired from active bus- iness in life. His residence is a handsome brick structure with all modern conveniences, and is lo- located on West Main street. Mr. Stonesipher was married in July, 1840, the lady of his choice being Miss Cordelia McIlvain. She was born in that por- tion of Baltimore County now Carroll County, Md., Oct. 28, 1819. She is the daughter of William and Sophia (Messing) McIlvain. Her father was a na- tive of Pennsylvania and of Scotch descent, while her mother was born of German parents.

Mr. and Mrs. S. are the parents of one daughter, now the wife of J. S. Brewer, of Knoxville. Two children died in infancy. The third and youngest child, named William, was born Feb. 7, 1848, and died June 29, 1872. He was married to Mary Star- rett, who is a native of Sidney, Ohio. They had be- come the parents of one child, named Charles. Will- iam S. served in 1864, in the 138th Ill. Vol. Inf., for 100 days, or from May until October. The widow of William S. married G. W. Hagy, who was born in Toronto, Kan. Mrs. Stonesipher, wife of our sub- ject, is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In politics Mr. S. is a Democrat.

illiam H. Newell. Among the leading business men of Knox County may be reck- oned the subject of this sketch. He is engaged in agricultural pursuits, which consist mainly of cultivating the home farm, located on section 13, in Indian Point Town- ship. Mr. Newell was born in this county Dec. 9, 1849, and is the son of Thomas and Louisa (Smith) Newell, the former of whom was born in Brown County, Ohio, Sept. 19, 1821, and is now living in Abingdon. He came to Illinois in 1828, is a retired farmer, with an interest in the banking business in Abingdon. In 1842, he married Miss Louisa Smith, whose birthplace was Vigo County, Ind., and the date of whose birth was May 17, 1824. Her parents were named respectively Hector and Mary (Sibley) Smith. She was of English extraction, and her hus- band came of Scotch lineage.

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 57

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