Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 60

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 60

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Mr. Gould of this personal history was but 11 years of age when he came to Illinois with his par- ents, and retains in his memory all the interesting incidents connected with the overland journey. He made his home with his parents until he arrived at the estate of manhood. His marriage was cele- brated May 6, 1854, with Mary E. Corbin, daughter of William and Rachel (McGinnis) Corbin (see sketch).

Previous to his marriage Mr. Gould rented his father's farm for two years, inhabiting the old home- stead, the lumber for which his father had hauled from Chicago by teams. There he remained for two years, and at the expiration of that time he bought a farm on section 22, in Salem Township, on which he

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remained for one year, when he returned to the old home and rented it for two years. His next move was to go back to his own farm, where he lived for another two years, then sold out and bought the old homestead, which he has occupied continuously since. The first house was burned April 12, 1880, but its owner immediately set to work to repair the damages and rebuild, the house then erected being the one now occupied by his family. This a modern frame house, pleasantly situated on a rise of ground, and with convenient out-buildings constitutes one of the pleasantest homes in the county.

Mr. Gould is a man of fine mental attainments and takes a keen interest in matters relative to pub- lic interest. He cast his first vote for J. C. Fremont, and has been a Republican since. Both he and his wife are united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are active, working members in that organiza- tion, eminently believing in " traveling in the good old way." They are the parents of two children- Sylvester S., born June 6, 1855, united in marriage with Mary E. Knable; she was born in Ohio and is the daughter of John E. and Mary A. Knable, and with her husband resides on section 10, Salem Town- ship; William C., born June 15, 1859, resides at home.

Mr. Gould has added to his landed estate from time to time until he is now the owner of 400 acres. He possesses not only worldly wealth, but has hope of treasures laid up above. A view of the pleasant family homestead is given on another page in this work.

A lexander Shannon first came to Knox County in 1845, having previously reside 1 in Franklin County, Ind. Settling in Hen- derson Township, he has continued to live " te here, with the exception of two years which he spent in Sparta Township. He has been in- dustriously engaged in agricultural pursuits, and is the owner of 285 acres of excellent land. He was born in Union County, Ind., Feb. 27, 1828, and resided there until about seven years of age. He went from that place with his parents to Franklin County, and then came to Knox County, as before stated. Mr. Shannon was married in Henderson Township Sept. 5, 1807, to Miss Mary M. Dunlap, who was born in

Fayette County, Pa., June 11, 1842. By this mar- riage there have been born five children-John, born Aug. 8, 1868, died Aug. 30, 1870; Charles N., Oct. 14, 1870; George D., June 6, 1872 ; Fred. W., Dec. 10, 1874; and Alexander Rex, Sept. 1, 1877. Mr. Shannon has held the office of Collector, Road Com- missioner and School Director, in each of which he has faithfully discharged the duties devolving upon him.

The parents of our subject were John and Mar- garet (Carmichael) Shannon, natives of Pennsylvania and Kentucky respectively. They arrived in Knox County in 1845, settled in Henderson Township and subsequently died there. The father of Mr. Shan- non was born Feb. 8, 1798, in Pennsylvania. His parents, Sam and Sally Shannon, were of Irish and English extraction respectively. The father of our subject died May 26, 1870, in Henderson Township, and his mother was born Dec. 15, 1801, and died in the same township as her husband June 5, 1868. Mr. Shannon was the third in order of birth of a fam- ily of seven children, as follows : Sarah married James Cook ; Elizabeth became the wife of William Freeborn and they are the parents of six children ; William died in Oregon in 1854; Isabel became the wife of Bennet Freeman and they have two children ; Hannah became the wife of Edward Martin, who is now deceased; they had four children; she was a second time married to Jerry Green and by this union there were two children; Jane is deceased.

Mrs. Shannon's parents were Alexander and Mary (Rex) Dunlap, both natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Dunlap's decease took place in Kansas, and that of his wife in Pennsylvania. The father of Mrs. Shan- non was born Feb. 1, 1810, and he died in Kansas, Aug. 23, 1879. The mother was born Aug. 17, 1811, and she died in Pennsylvania, Feb. 20, 1869. They reared a family of 1 1 children, namely : Martha J. and Hannah L., deceased; John R., who married Luveina Faddis, and has six children ; Samuel R., de- ceased ; Sarah A., deceased, married Huston Kerr, and was the mother of two children; Geo. W. mar- ried Anabel Shriver, and they are the parents of five children ; Joseph A. married Harriet Billinger, and they have seven children ; Andrew J. married Lizzie Sutherland ; Elizabeth C. married Cyrus C. Cilla- baugh, and they have two children ; Louisa married David Henderson, and they have four children. Of

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those that were married, Andrew J., Sarah A. and Elizabeth C. are deceased. The parents of Mrs. Shannon were of Dutch and English origin respect- ively.

In politics our subject identifies himself with the Democratic party, of which he is an ardent upholder. He is a good and useful citizen and is a thoroughly representative man in the township, whose popula- tion is above the average for moral worth and intelli- gence. A view of the home of Mr. Shannon is given in connection with this sketch.

wen W. Swenson. Many industrious citi- zens of Knox County who came here poor in pocket, but rich in an abundance of en- ergy and perseverance, and who by honest toil and good judgment have succeeded in acquir- ing a handsome competency, were born in the kingdom of Sweden. Of this number is Mr. Swenson, residing on section 32, Sparta Township, where he is passing the evening of life in retirement from active labor. He was born June 14, 1833, his parents being Swan Benjta (Peterson) Swenson, likewise natives of Sweden. The parents of Mr. Swenson died in Sweden, the father living to the ripe old age of 87, and the mother dying some years previously. Mr. S. had three brothers and three sisters. The sisters and two of the brothers never came to this country. The name of the other brother besides Mr. S. who came to this country was Nels; he is now living in Iroquois County, Ill.

Mr. Swenson, of this notice, received an education in the common schools of his native land and assisted his father in the labors of the farm until he was 19 years of age. In 1852 he bid adieu to his native land and set sail for the United States, hoping to find a place where he would better his financial condition and where he might establish a home for all future time. Disembarking at New York, he came almost directly to Galesburg, this county. We wish the reader to understand his financial condition on ar- rival in this country, and therefore will state that all his worldly possessions were the clothes he had upon his back and a $5 gold piece. The latter was stolen from him, and he consequently had not a dollar or anywhere to lay his head on his arrival at Galesburg.

But he found work and immediately engaged with a Mr. Conger, receiving as a remuneration for his serv- ives the then, to him, magnificent salary of $7 per month, and continued to work for those wages for nine months. He then rented a farm, which he cul- tivated for one year, and was engaged in that occu- pation till his marriage in 1855. The lady whom he chose to become his wife was Nellie Trudson, daughter of John Trudson. She was born in Swe- den ; her father came to this country about the same year Mr. Swenson arrived. She was the oldest in a family of five children, viz. : Nellie, Carrie, Anna, Betsey and T. J. Trudson. They are all living in this country.

After his marriage Mr. Swenson engaged in work- ing his father-in-law's faim on shares for one year, after which he continued farming on rented land near Galesburg for a few years, during which time he also engaged in the milk business, supplying the good people of Galesburg with unadulterated, anti- Chicago milk, for seven years. At the expiration of this time, in company with a Mr. Hawkinson, he pur- chased 80 acres of land, a portion of it lying within the present corporate limits of Galesburg. They sub- sequently purchased another tract, lying in close proximity to their original purchase, and continued in partnership for some years. On dissolution of the partnership, Mr. Swenson received as his portion the land lying inside the corporation. While living there he was also engaged in the stock business, the rais- ing of broom-corn, and for three years in the grocery trade. In 1868 he purchased the place where he is at present living, and moved on the same in 1869, and has there been occupied in the active prosecu- tion of his vocation until the present time. He has a fine place of 480 acres of land in this township, and 127 acres in Knox. He has expended so.nething over $2,000 in the improvement of his home place, and increased its value and beauty until it is one of the most valuable as well as handsomest farms in Knox County. Mr. S. is also one of the stockholders of the Galesburg National Bank. His past career has been an honorable as well as successful one, and his hand- some property has been accumulated through his own energetic effort and good judgment. Coming to this county without a dollar, and having made such a wonderful success, he certainly deserves great credit, considering that his accumulations have been made in a straightforward and legitimate man-

KNOX COUNTY.

ner, and not by speculation. He with his family be- longs to the First Lutheran Church of Galesburg.

Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Swen- son, Samuel married Hannah Oleson, and resides in Galesburg; Joseph selected as his life companion Miss Carrie Nelson, and they have one son-Earl N .; Mary became the wife of L. O. Williamson, a resident of Galesburg; Hannah, David, Amelia and Freddie are married ; Esther died in infancy.

W. Sumner. One of the oldest residents of Knox County and a general farmer and stock-grower, whose homestead is situated on section 23, of Orange Township, is found in the subject of this notice. He settled in this section of the country at an early day and has proved himself a highly esteemed and reliable citi- zen. He has held many of the offices of his county, has been Supervisor six terms and Township Clerk one term, also Commissioner, and at the present time is School Treasurer.

Mr. Sumner was born in Highland County, Ohio, Feb. 22, 1820. He is the son of Bowater and Let- tice (Walters) Sumner and the third child in a family of four children, all of whom are living. His father was a native of North Carolina, and of the Quaker faith, and his mother of Virginia; both are now de- ceased. In the fall of 1837 they removed from Ohio to Canton, Fulton Co., Ill., where they passed the winter, and in the spring of 1838 removed to Knox County ; here both father and mother departed this life, while Mr. Sumner of this writing has remained here up to the present time, pursuing his chosen vo- cation.

He is interested in the breeding and raising of English thorough-bred race-horses, of which he has at this writing 20 head. He is the owner of three horses who carried off the blue ribbon at the Knox County Fair in 1885. Several others have taken premiums at fairs in adjacent counties, and Mr. Sumner may well feel that no one in the county is his superior in this respect.

The subject of our sketch was married to Sarah Ashby, Feb. 22, 1849, who is the daughter of David and Ruthanna (Gaddis) Ashby, who were old settlers in this county, where they both died. She was born

Dec. 2, 1829, in Clinton County, Ohio, and is the mother of ten children, the names and dates of whose births are as follows: James, born Nov. 17, 1849 ; Ashby, Sept. 27, 1852, died Nov. 11, 1857, at the early age of five years; Wilshire, Jan. 17, 1855, died Nov. 22, 1857; Lettice, Jan. 12, 1858, is the wife of Loren Brown, and resides in Seward County, Neb .; Anna, April 5, 1860; Bowater, April 9, 1864, and deceased Oct 3, 1867; Nancy, March 28, 1867; Robert, June 21, 1870; David, Nov. 14, 1872, and one who died in infancy, Aug. 27, 1862.

Mr. Sumner is an extensive owner of landed es- tates, his farms including 610 acres, all fenced, cul- tivated and improved ; 80 acres of this is timber. His home buildings consist of a neat and substan- tial frame house, besides barns, sheds, cribs and out- buildings of all kinds, all in good repair. He is a liberal-minded man, believing in principle rather than party, and is one of the most respected citizens of that section. In politics he is a Republican. Mrs. Sumner is a member of the United Brethren Church.

ohn Turney follows the occupation of a farmer on section 1, Cedar Township. He is a native of Somerset County, Pa., and was born Aug. 29, 1816. He remained with his parents on their farm, at the same time at- tending the district schools, up to the age of 21. His parents were Philip and Sallie (Bird) Tur- ney, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia respect- ively. His father was born in 1789, his death occurring in 1854, while his mother's birth took place in 1795 and her death in 1870. There were II children from the union-Andy, Eliza, Elizabeth, Philip, Polly, William, Catherine, Harrison, Thomas and Valentine.

The subject of this biography married Miss Mary A. Ruger, Sept. 19, 1859, in Brandonville, Preston Co., Va. She was born May 18, 1829, in Fayette County, Pa., and was the daughter of Louis and Catherine (Miers) Ruger. The latter was married at the age of 14, and had nine children, viz. : Jacob, Elizabeth, Nancy, Andy, Mary A., George, Samuel, Susanna and H. H. Four of these are still living and in prominent positions.

There have been r children born to the subject

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of this biography-Leroy, June 9, 1851 ; Calvas, March 9, 1853; Lucian, May 17, 1855; Daniel G., Oct. 20, 1857 ; following these in order there were two children, both boys, and twins, born Dec 6, 1859, but dying in infancy; William E., born in October, 1860; Virginia, Nov. 23, 1863; George G., May 15. 1866; Louis, March 4, 1869; Franklin, March 11, 18;1. Mr. Leroy Turney married Miss Mary Wogoman. This gentleman is in the service of the C., B. & Q. R. R. Co., and has three children living-Lillie L., born Dec. 18, 1875 ; Osro, Oct. 7, 1877; and Mabel, Feb. 12, 1879.

Our subject first came to Illinois in 1856, and lo- cated on this section. He possesses 110 acres of prime land on sections 1 and 12. He has erected a very fine dwelling-house, to which is attached a suit- able barn. Being a Republican in politics, he has always consistently voted with that party. His family are all members of the Lutheran Church, of Knoxville, Ill.

The following obituary notice of Mr. Turney's son appeared in a local paper at the time of his decease : ' " Daniel G. Turney, the subject of this brief sketch, was the son of John Turney, living five miles southeast of Galesburg. He was born in Knox County, Ill., Oct. 20, 1857. He came to his death by being thrown from a freight train, on which he was a brakeman, at Wyoming, Ill., July 9. He had been on the road for several months, but had no regular run. This was said to have been his first trip on the Buda & Rushville branch. Being so suddenly cut off, no dying word was left for surviv- ing relatives. The C., B. & Q. R. R. Co. did them- selves credit and showed great respect for the deceased and his friends by the very handsome manner in which they prepared his body for the grave. The young man was respected and loved by all who knew him. This was abundantly evinced by the very large and deeply-affected audience who were present at his funeral, on Sunday morning, July 11, in the neighborhood where he had lived from in- fancy. At the close of the solemn services he was laid to rest by the side of three brothers and one sister who had preceded him to the spirit land. Deeply afflicted parents, six brothers and other relatives remain to mourn his untimely departure. They have the sympathy of the entire community in their deep affliction."

As already referred to, Miss Wogoman, who mar-

ried Mr. Leroy Turney, was born in 1854, her mar- riage taking place Aug. 19, 1874. She is the daugh- ter of Michael and Martha (Millen) Wogoman. Her father died in the army, at Springfield, Ill., about 1865, and six children were left by the marriage- Charlie, Lottie, Chauncey, George, John and Mary. In politics Mr. W. was a Democrat and a firm sup- porter of his party. By religious persuasion he be- longed, with his wife, to the Christian Church. Mrs. Wogoman is still a widow, living near Galesburg, Ill. During the past eight years, Leroy Turney has been conductor on the railroad, his run being to and from Galesburg, the headquarters. He is a good Republican in politics and a friend very much re- spected.

lark Shumaker, one of the most promi- nent and worthy farmers of Knox County, well known for his integrity of purpose and untiring perseverance, is the subject of this historical sketch. His home lies on section. 20, of Chestnut Township, and although young in years, he has characterized himself as one bound to succeed.

Mr. Shumaker, of this writing, is the son of John and Abigail (Lee) Shumaker, and was born in Knox County, Ill., Jan. 24, 1857. He was united in marriage with Miss Annie R Fuller, Feb. 11, 1883. She was born Sept. 19, 1863, in Knox County, and is the daughter of Cyril and Ann C. (Terry) Fuller. Mr. Fuller was born in Tioga County, N. Y., in February, 1827, and is still living, and his wife in January, 1828, claiming Greenbrier County, Va., as the place of her nativity. Mrs. Fuller came to Illinois at the age of seven years with her parents. She became the mother of eight children, as follows: Nancy L., Emma L., Loring T., Annie R., Cyril T., John L. and two who died in infancy.

Mr. Shumaker is the owner of 90 acres of good land in this township, and has just erected a fine barn, 40 x 30 feet. Besides entertaining a deep inter- est in agriculture, Mr. S. is also engaged in the breeding of fine blooded Short-horn cattle, Clydes- dale horses and Poland-China hogs.

Clark Shumaker came to this township in 1883, and has prospered in his hearty endeavors todo well. The little family circle has been blest by the birth of

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one child, a son, by name Carl Fuller Shumaker, born May 24, 1885. Mr. Shumaker is a Republican in political sentiment and belief, and is active and en- terprising in all matters relative to public good. The parents of Mrs. Shumaker came West as early as 1849.

"oshua L. Crawford, a minister of the Gos- pel, preaching the doctrines of the Presby- terian denomination and resident in Cedar Township, owning a farm on section 14, is the subject of this biographical notice. A part of his labors are confined to Foster's Point, Mc- Donough County, Ill., while he occupies the pulpit at West Prairie Church, preaching in these two places alternately. In connection with his religious work, he is interested in agricultural pursuits.

Rev. Mr. Crawford was born in Indian Point Township, Sept. 28, 1844, and is the son of John and Elizabeth (Howard) Crawford, natives of Virginia and Kentucky respectively. His father was born in 1798, and died Aug. 14, 1875. His mother, Eliza- beth, born Nov. 29, 1808, is still living. This union was blessed by the birth of 11 children, of whom Joshua is the youngest member. The names of his brothers and sisters are James, Charles H., John W., Elizabeth A., Nancy, Henry, Cynthia M., Peter D., Rebecca, Matilda F. and Joshua.

In the year 1856, April 4, occurred the union of our subject with Miss Ella Marsh, who was born July 18, 1847, in the township of Cedar, Knox County, and who is the daughter of Thomas B. and Sophronia (Alden) Marsh, both natives of New York. Mrs. Crawford's father and mother reckon in their family circle Sophia J., Benjamin A., Noble L., Han- nah P., Francis E., Harriet A. and Ella, besides two sons lost in infancy.

The fruit of the Crawford family tree has been nine children, namely : Charles A., born Jan. 7, 1867 ; Sophronia E., Oct. 2, 1868; Harriet E., June 12, 1870; Edna B., June 2, 1872; Leroy W., Oct. 20, 1874; John B., May 26, 1876; Philena B., Nov. 2, 1879; Edith E., Sept. 8, 1882, and Agnes J., Oct. 5, 1884; of these two are deceased.

Mr. Crawford follows his profession as minister of the Gospel, preaching in the Cumberland Presby- terian Church, in the towns previously spoken of.

He entered the ministry in 1872, and was ordained in August of that year, since which period he has successfully labored in this field of work. In this position he is kind, genial and friendly, and is popu- lar both as a man and a minister. He is noble in principle, large-hearted and intellectually strong. He joined the church at the age of 14 years, since which time he has lived an upright, consistent life, winning many friends and supporters. John, the father of our subject, occupied the pulpit in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, laboring earnestly and winning many souls to Christ, also assisting in many large revivals throughout the States of Illinois and Iowa. He closed a worthy and useful life-work in behalf of his chosen church, after an extended period of 50 years' faithful labor.

Mr. Crawford was a Union soldier, enlisting in the late war Aug. 7, 1862, at Abingdon, Ill., in the 83d Ill. Vol. Inf., under Col. A. C. Harding, of Mon- mouth. He fought for the stars and stripes, partici- rating in the second general battle of Fort Donelson, served 2 years and 11 months continuously, doing, as a rule, post duty in the United States service, and receiving an honorable discharge, June 26, at Nash- ville, Tenn., and was mustered out at Chicago, July 5, 1865. He supports and voices the sentiments of the Republican party, and is wide awake and inter- ested in public matters. He may be esteemed, in general characteristics, as an able citizen and a de- sirable friend and neighbor.

ohn G. Emery, a successful and promising farmer, is the subject of this historical sketch. His home is situated on section 2, of Lynn Township, and he is one of the men who by perseverance and prompt activity have succeeded in many a difficult undertaking. Knox County has been the home of Mr. Emery since his younger years. He has seen it advance and pros- per, and from a tract of country thinly populated he now sees the smoke of civilization rising from the homes that dot its verdant surface, and all day can hear the ringing of the hammers of toiling industry and progress.

Mr. Emery is the son of Frederick W. Emery, a native of Westmoreland County, Pa., who was of German-Scotch ancestry, and who went to Ashland

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

YOUNG JOHNIE COPE

LORD ARTHUR ( 29 53)

SCHOOL HOUSE DIST. 7 ORANGE TP.

SCALE

RESIDENCE OF JAMES R. RANDALL SEC. 27, ORANGE TOWNSHIP.

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County, Ohio, when but a boy of 12, and there grew to manhood. He was married in that section to Han- nah Gaffney, who was born and reared in the same county as himself. The parents came to Illinois in 1835, lived in Fulton County until the spring of 1839, and then moved to West Jersey Township, Stark County. There they lived until their death, that of the father occurring in 1846, and the mother's in 1884, in Henry County. They settled in Fulton County when the country was mostly unbroken and where the father became well-to-do before his de- mise.

John G. Emery was born while his parents were living in Stark County, Sept. 24, 1839. He was the youngest but one of five children, one daughter and four sons. The youngest was killed during the late Re- bellion, at the battle of Murfreesboro, Tenn., by a gunshot through the breast. His name was William E., and the date of his death was Dec. 30, 1862. He was a member of Co. C, 42d Reg. Ill. Vol. Inf. An- other brother, David H, was wounded in the battle of Champion Hills. He was First Sergeant of his company. He now resides at Ottumwa, Iowa, and is by profession an attorney at law. He was a member of the roth Iowa Vol. Inf. Another brother, Oliver P., resides at Galva ; he is a Justice of the Peace and fire insurance agent. The oldest, Amanda J., is the wife of Samuel Pritchard, who re- sides at Woodhull, Henry County, and is a well-to-do farmer.

After his father's death, John G. remained at home attending the public schools and working on the farm until he was 21 years of age, when he came to Henry County, Ill. In Weller Township, this county, Dec. 24, 1862, he was married to Miss Ruth A. Friend, daughter of Jacob J. and Fannie (Knable) Friend, the former from Maryland and the latter from Fulton County, Pa. The father was of American lineage and birth and the mother of pure German ancestry. He was by occupation a farmer, and they were mar- ried in Fulton County, Pa. It was there Mrs. Emery was born March 20. 1844. She was only nine years of age when her father came to the great West and settled for a short time in Farmington, Fulton County, and from there moved to Weller, Henry County, where the parents are yet living. They are well-to-do people, with a fair supply of this world's goods.

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 60

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