Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 62

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 62

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In the capacity of a Highway Commissioner, Mr. Cole has shown himself admirably suited to fill that office, from the fact that for 20 years the post has been solely under his direction. He has also held the office of School Director for the same number of years. Politically, the Republican party has a trusted representative in this gentleman, and while he does not obtrude himself in politics he quietly maintains an influence that is at once direct- ing and sustaining. Before the passage of the Fugi- tive Slave Law he was a consistent Democrat.

rancis T. Derby, a farmer, residing on sec- tion 28, Galesburg Township, was born in Andover, Windsor Co., Vt., July 10, 1822. He is the son of Nathan and Betsey (Thomas) Derby, who were natives of Massachusetts, the father being born in 1792 and dying in 1880, in Vermont ; the mother was born in 1797 and died in 1822. They were married about 1814, and had four children, as follows; Almira, Eliza, Francis and one son deceased in infancy.

Mr. Derby, of our sketch, was married to Miss Ann Thompson, Oct. 6. 1851, in New York City. She was born July 19, 1830, in the same place, and was the daughter of James and Annie (Thomas) Thomp- son, her father dying in 1845 and the mother in 1842, in New York. They had three children-An- nie, John and an infant son deceased. Mr. Derby, the subject of this sketch, has five children, as follows : Frank, born Aug. 5, 1854; Willie, May 20,

1858; Eddie, Dec. 31, 1862 ; Allie, April 22, 1867 ; and Mary, Dec. 8, 1873.

Mr. Derby has 160 acres of fine land and a good dwelling. Among his stock are fine Poland-China hogs, and his cattle are of high grades. As a farmer- boy he received but a limited common-school educa- tion, the native talent of the New England ancestry supplying the place of a higher education. He has been a successful business man and skillful farmer, securing for himself and family a competency. He came to Illinois in 1851, when the country was com- paratively new, and has witnessed its rapid develop- ment until it now almost equals, in all the elements of advancement, his New England home. Mr. Derby votes the Republican ticket and is earnestly devoted to the doctrines of that party.

range Lowell Campbell, whose authority and influence constitute the chief factors that shape the policy of the Knox County Republican, and who is the subject of this sketch, was born in Knoxville, March 7, 1852. His father, Elisha Campbell, was a native of Gallipolis, Ohio, where he was born the rst of Au- gust, 1822. His grandfather was second cousin to Campbell, the poet.

As a prominent physician the grandfather of the present representative of the Campbell family won for himself, during the time of his practice, a name that is still remembered. First coming to Illinois, in 1850, and locating in Quincy, where he lived up to the date of his demise, he attracted very general attention by the devotion shown in his profession. The father of the present subject attained to man- hood in Ohio, and in his 16th year commenced to face the world on his own account. He learned the trade of a plasterer, and followed this occupation in Ohio, up to 1850, when he came to Illinois. He had been previously well educated, and on his arrival at the last-named place engaged in teaching both in Quincy and Peoria. In 1852 he came to Knoxville, and here employed his time in teaching school dur- ing the winter, while for the remainder of the year he worked at his trade. At the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion ( 1861) he shouldered his musket and went forth to battle for the defence of his

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country, enlisting in the 83d Reg. Ill. Vol. Inf. He was a brave soldier and held in high esteem by his comrades in arms, being promoted four different times. He assisted largely in raising a company of colored soldiers, by whom he was greatly beloved, but through the chicanery of others he was deprived of any pe- cuniary reward for the untiring and intelligent labors whereby he might have had something with which to support his family in comfort through the balance of a life prematurely broken down by the disease-breed- ing districts of the South. While hunting for guer- rillas near Fort Donelson, Tenn., he was injured in attempting to remove a gun carriage from a ditch, and from the effects of this he is slightly though per- manently crippled. Aside from this, and a slight wound in the hand from a rebel bullet, he was mus- tered out at the close of the war without further injuries.

In 1872 he removed to Red Oak, Iowa, and re- sumed his trade, working continuously, with the spirit of a man broken down, for the next few years, when he removed to Emerson, Mills County, where he still resides. In 1851 his life was destined to experience a change, and he married Mary A. Lowell, the lady being a native of Maryland, and the marriage re- sulting in the birth of ten children, of which Orange Lowell was the eldest.

The subject of our sketch received his earliest ed- ucation in the public schools of Knoxville, until, at the age of 13, he entered the office of the Knox County Republican, where he became acquainted with all the necessary routine of printing and publishing a local journal, at the same time supporting his fath- er's family, while the latter was fighting for his country. He afterward entered the office of the Quincy Herald, and remained there for one year. He became proprietor, Feb. 24, 1876, of the journal of which he is now editor-in-chief, enlarging it from four to eight pages, only issuing in all two numbers of the four-page paper that had been. He married Augusta S. Bull, the daughter of William and l'hœba (Stowe) Bull. This lady was a native of Milford, Conn., and became the mother of two children- Sterling H. and Lottie W.

It is almost needless to state that Mr. Campbell in politics is a true representative of the Republican party, and while maintaining his principles with all the vigor and eloquence necessary to present them to public notice, he is sufficiently just to fairly inves-

tigate opposing views and opinions. At the present date he holds the positions of City and Township Clerk. As members of the Presbyterian Church, himself and wife take a decided interest in the wel- fare of that body, beside being recognized members of the Knox County Bible Society. He is also a member of the Knox County Agricultural Society, and Secretary and Treasurer of the Old Settlers' Association. In him the Illinois Press Association has found an exceedingly active member. No meas- ure likely to promote the advancement of that body escapes his notice, or is passed without his having a voice for or against its adoption. He is a member of Knoxville Lodge, No. 66, A. F. & A. M., and Knox Lodge, No. 126, A. O. U. W. Of this latter he is a charter member, being one of the earliest to organize.

This gentleman has created for himself so numer- ous a body of personal friends that is is not likely that his name or influence will soon pass out of the com- munity in which he has so long been recognized as a directing spirit.

obert B. Coe, a farmer on section I, of Galesburg Township, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, Nov. 7, 1840. His father, Moses Coe, was also a native of Jefferson County, in the same State, and was born in 1810. He first settled in Illinois in 1853, located in Fulton County, near Canton, where he re- mained one year. He then moved to Knox County and settled in Sparta Township. He married Miss Matilda Maxwell on Dec. 30, 1834. This lady was born in Ohio in 1815, and married Mr. Moses Coe in the same State. Five children were the result of the marriage-Charles B., David P., Robert B., Sarah E. and Moses E.

Robert B. Coe married Miss Lillian F. Jones on June 12, 1877. The marriage was performed by the Rev. A. Swena, of the Presbyterian Church. This amiable lady and faithful wife was born Nov. 7, 1858, in Jefferson County, Ohio, where her mother still resides. Her parents were Charles and Emma C. (Long) Jones, both natives of Ohio, the father be- ing born July 31, 1833, and his decease occurring

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Aug. 13, 1878, in the same State. They were mar- ried on the 28th of January, 1858. His wife was born Aug. 5, 1837, and is still living in Ohio. The issue by the marriage were nine children-Francis L., Morris C., Margaret A., Charles E., William P., Alva G., Louisa B., Jessie A. and Leoni L.

The subject of this biography has one child, a son -Charles B., born June 23, 1878, and a very promis- ing youth. Mr. Coe farms 137 acres of good land in this township, worth $75 per acre. He has a very comfortable dwelling-house, one and one-half stories high, and his barn measures 45 × 45 feet. He is at present engaged in a general farming business. His wife is connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church in Ohio, but never united with a similar con- gregation since coming West.

Mr. Coe enlisted in the service of his country on the rst of October, 1861, and was mustered in at Camp Butler, Ill, when he soon joined his regiment at Pilot Knob, Mo. He was in Co. I, of the 33d Ill. Vol. Inf. His first engagement was fought at Fred- rickstown, Mo .; the regiment was quartered at Pilot Knob. In the spring he was marched to Arkansas, and at Helena camped below the town some 20 miles. This continued nearly all summer. In the fall the command returned to Pilot Knob, where he was taken sick and sent home on a furlough. Here he remained during the following winter, and the next spring joined his regiment at Milliken's Bend. He assisted at Port Gibson and Champion Hill, and was at the charge on Vicksburg, on the 22d day of May, 1863, where he received a wound in the left arm and side. From here he went to the hospital at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., where he was detained two months. He then returned to join his regiment at New Orleans, and participated in the siege of Mo- bile and battle of Spanish Fort. He also took part in the engagement and capture of Fort Esperanza, Texas. On the 15th of December, 1865, having served in the army four years and four months, he was discharged at Springfield, Ill.

Politically Mr. Coe is a Greenbacker and a firm believer in the policy of his party. In connection with this sketch it is only correct to note that Charles M. Jones, the father of Mrs. Coe, was killed by a steam boiler explosion occurring at a saw-mill in Jef- ferson County, Ohio. He was pursuing the occupa- tion of sawyer in the mill at the time of the accident, when he was thrown against a log and his body ter-

ribly mangled. He was a good Republican and an ardent patriot, having joined with enthusiasm in the 100-day service during the war.

K. Byers is Postmaster of Altona, Notary Public, attorney at law, real estate and in- surance agent. Mr. Byers came to Altona in 1871, from Oneida, where he had lived for two and a half years as law student and teacher, acting the while as clerk for his legal instruct- - ors, G. W. Ford and Gen. F. C. Smith, the latter of whom was United States Assessor. While at Oneida he was admitted to the bar, March 9, 1869, but for some time thereafter gave his time to the profession of teaching in the public schools, being employed till the year 187 1, when he came to Altona and entered the regular practice of his profession, which he has since pursued.

Mr. Byers has been Village Attorney for about ten years, Police Magistrate, Township Treasurer and Clerk, and has held nearly all the local offices of both village and township. This he has done noiwithstanding he is a member of the Democratic party, which is very decidedly in the minority in his section of the country. But such is the esteem in which he is held by all parties, and such is the con- fidence of the people in his ability and integrity, that all shades of political sentiment and differences of opinion were forgotten in the voting for and election of Mr. Byers to the various positions of trust which he has so acceptably filled in his home community. He has always taken an active and leading part in the temperance work in the community. His party twice nominated him as their candidate for County 'Treasurer, in which he was defeated by a greatly re- duced majority in a county largely against him in political sentiment. Like every intelligent man and good citizen he takes a lively interest in politics, an interest surpassed by no man in the county, and has been Secretary of the Democratic County Central Committee for ten years, still holding the position acceptably, as all other positions he has filled, com- manding even the respect of his political opponents by fairness and courtesy to all. He has been an

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active member of the Masonic fraternity for many years, holding the position of Master of Altona Lodge.

Mr. Byers was born in Winchester, Conn., Feb. 12, 1845, and before he was one year old his parents came to Milton Township, Jackson Co., Ohio, where they resided many years. He was the eldest but two of nine children -- five sons and four daughters. His father, James Byers, was a native of Connecticut and of Scotch and German descent. He tilled a a farm, but was by trade a cabinet-maker. He was married in Litchfield County, Conn., near Winches- ter, to Sarah Knox, eldest daughter of Levi Knox, for whom the subject of this sketch was named. Her parents were of Scotch descent and she was a native of the State of Delaware. When the family came to Ohio the father began farming, working as oppor- tunity afforded at his trade, cabinet-making, bringing with him to the West his New England habits of in- dustry and frugality. Prospering thus in Ohio, the golden promises and better opportunities of the fer- tile regions further west beckoned them forward, and in 1862 the family came to Clover Township, Henry Co., Ill., and settled on land near Woodhull, pur- chased some years before moving to the State. This land was all new and untouched by the plow, but, under the industrious and intelligent direction and labor of the father and his sons, improvements were rapidly made, till it was transformed into a beautiful farm. He afterward bought and sold land in Henry County for some years, and died Aug. 3, 1874, the widowed wife and mother following him March 7, 1883, both passing away ripe in years, aged respect- ively 64 and 66, their lives and memories crowned by the grateful affection of loving children and the respect of all who knew them. The father's death resulted from a kick by a vicious colt. He was an old-line Whig and had held most all of the local offices of his township, which he filled with credit and satisfaction to all. The mother was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, having united with that organization when 19 years of age. She was a devoted Christian mother and died in hopes of a heavenly reward.

The subject of this sketch, while at home on his father's farm, was not neglectful of mental improve- ment, and at the early age of 18 years had mastered the common English branches and began teaching

school, in which he was successfully occupied for several years. He entered Knox College, at Gales- burg, Ill., where he remained four years, but, not being desirous of graduating, quit school in the first term of the Junior year. Mr. Byers make his own way in college, without any pecuniary aid whatever, and bore his expenses by teaching school and work- ing on the farm during vacation. He improved his spare time reading Blackstone and other elementary works on law. So well did he improve his time that he was admitted to the bar of the Illinois Supreme Court after a course of six months' reading under an instructor.

On the 25th of May, 1876, centennial of American independence, Mr. Byers surrendered his bachelor freedom and the silken cords of Cupid were woven about him for life, marrying in East Brady, Pa., Miss Jennie Foster, a native of that place. She was born there Oct 9, 1853. Her mother, whose maiden name was Jane Glenn, was from Butler County, the same State, and she closed her earthly career in Armstrong County, Pa. She was of Scotch-Irish blood and died when the present Mrs. Byers was two months old. The father, C. Foster, one of the oldest settlers in Western Pennsylvania, lived and died in the same county and tenderly cared for his motherless child until her marriage. Mrs. Byers is now the mother of three bright children-Herbert F., born May 20, 1877 ; Lena R., Oct. 29, 1879; and Candace T., June 26, 1881. Having received a good academic education at West Sunbury Academy, she, too, made good application of her talents, teach- ing school, thus, like many other noble wives and mothers of the land, wisely being fitted for the still higher duties which were to devolve upon her, and which she now performs with such grace and good- ness. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church, of which her husband is Trustee and Treasurer.

Through his wife Mr. Byers has an interest in a large tract of land, on which is a valuable natural- gas spring, in Armstrong County, Pa., on which also is a lampblack factory, which yields about 500 pounds of lampblack per day. In addition to this he owns several houses in Altona, Ill., and 140 acres of land near Woodhull, Henry Co., Ill. Success has followed him-the just reward of industry and in- tegrity-and while yet a young man he has attained a position reached by few in a lifetime, while we may

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confidently trust that he has yet many years before him in which to care for his family and serve the community and State.

Ider Joseph Latimer (deceased). This gentleman has the honor of being the founder of the Latimer family in Knox County, Illinois. It is almost needless to add that a splendid line of stanch men and good citizens are numbered among the Latimers. Elder Joseph was a native of Connecticut, and was born seven miles from New London, June 8, 1766. Previous to his death he often related his recollection of distinctly seeing the smoke at the burning of that town by the traitor Arnold. There were many other events of moment connected with the Revolutionary War, of which this gentleman had a distinct remem- brance, among them the casting overboard of tea in Boston Harbor, necessitating the use of Yankee tea. His father was a Colonel in the War of Inde- pendence, and his twelve sons in their turn served under their parent's command-one of the most re- markable events of family history on record. The gentleman under consideration came with his father's family to Tennessee in 1790, and took an active part in several of the battles fought by the Indians in the vicinity of Nashville, as well as on the Cumber- land River, east of that city. In one of these battles his drinking cup was shot from his shoulder, and in another his younger brother, Nathaniel, was killed by his side. Not long after the suspension of Indian hostilities, Nov. 10, 1796. he was married to Anna Dobbins, and settled in Robinson County.

In the very memorable revival of that year both he and his wife experienced religion, and when the Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized they were among its earliest members. He was early or- dained an Elder, and became an active supporter of that church. His sympathies therewith remained undiminished to the date of his death. In company with his family he emigrated to Sangamon County, Ill., in 1826, and in 1831, with a part of his family, moved to Knox County and settled in Cherry Grove, where the remainder of his children soon followed him. This district was then almost entirely unsettled. The marriage of his daughter Susan to U. D. Coy,

in 1833, was the first marriage in Cedar Township, and his son David, who died in 1836, was the second person buried in Cherry Grove Cemetery.

While still quite advanced in years he superin- tended the building of a very comfortable home, aside from acquiring valuable property. He lived to see seven of his ten children prosperously settled around him. In organizing the Cumberland Presby- terian Church at Cherry Grove, which was the first church building in Knox County, the aid he ren- dered to the project was noticeable to everyone. The building of the structure had his constant attention. This was ten years prior to his death, which occurred at his home, Aug. 18, 1846.

Personally, Elder Joseph Latimer was a man of ardent religious sentiment, and remarkable for his quiet, peaceable and patient disposition. He lived to enjoy the friendship of a large circle of admirers, and it has been said that he had not an enemy in the world. His descendants throughout Knox County are very numerous, and are very likely to impress their influence on the coming generations.

eter M. Cronland, one of the leading gro- cers of Altona, was born in Smalandia, ' Sweden, April 26, 1840. His father, J. P. Cronland, was a farmer by occupation and died in his native land. His mother, M. E. Alm, also of the same part of the old country, after the death of her husband came to the United States, in 1867, her son having preceded her the pre- vious year. Three years later she went to Denver, Colo., where she now resides. After living in. Knox County three years, Peter, in 1867, went to Bland- insville, McDonough Co., and in 1868 to Henry County, where he pursued the calling of a farmer for one year in Clover Township. He next came to On- tario Township, Knox Co., and two years later located near Oneida, where he farmed for three years. In 1874 he visited Sweden, returning a year later to America and making a brief stay at Galesburg. From that city, in 1876, he came to Walnut Grove Township, where he purchased 120 acres of improved land, a part of section 19, which he worked till 1883, when he came to Altona, and there established the present mercantile house, where he has since done a good business.

Mr. Cronland was married March 15, 1870, in

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Galesburg, to Johanna Nelson, who was born in Swe- den, where her parents yet live, her father being a country merchant, and where Mrs. C. was educated. She came to the United States at the same time as her husband. The latter resided with his father till of age, having been educated in the Forest Institute, of Jonkoping, and from which he graduated in 1863. He afterward occupied the position as overseer of an agricultural boarding-school, in which he continued till 1866, when he emigrated to America.

Mr. Cronland's family includes three children- Edah Olive, Augusta Caroline and Arthur B., one child, Edwin E., being deceased. Mr. and Mrs. C. are both active members of the Lutheran Church, of which he is Secretary. He has held the office of Village Trustee for two years, and is, in politics, a Republican. Strictly upright in all the relations of life, possessing a character built upon the enduring truth of religion, and evading no duty or obligation devolving upon him as a member of society, Mr. C. is an example of that kind of citizenship most needed in the country, and most useful to a com- munity whose confidence he has both in business and as a neighbor.

amuel K. Barlow, a successful farmer, re- siding on section 13, Lynn Township, where he owns a good farm of 128 acres of rich and productive land, was born in Lynn Township, April 13, 1846. Mr. Barlow, in ad- dition to the raising of the cereals, is engaged to no inconsiderable extent in stock- breeding, and in the latter department of his vocation is meeting with excellent success.

The father of our subject, Nathan Barlow, de- ceased, was an early settler in this county, and ex- perienced all the trials incident to the establishment of a home and the cultivation of a farm in a new and sparsely-settled country. Samuel Barlow was edu- cated in the public schools and lived at home, assist- ing in the cultivation of the farm, until his marriage. That event occurred at the residence of the bride's parents Nov. 27, 1865, in Lynn Township, and the lady of his choice was Miss Lavina E. Gross, daughter of Freeman Gross, whose biography is given elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Barlow was born in -

Fredericksburg, Pa., June 23, 1845. She was the oldest but one of her mother's children, and the old- est of two now living. Mrs. Barlow was educated after the removal of her parents to Lynn Township, being at that time but nine years of age, and lived with her parents until her marriage. She has borne her husband eight children, four of whom are de- ceased. The living are Fannie L., born Feb. 12, 1868; Freeman S., Aug. 1, 1872 ; Mollie L., Jan. 28, 1874 ; and Blanche G., Aug. 5, 1880.

After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Barlow they settled on the farm where they are now living, and since that time Mr. B. has made wonderful improve- ments on the place, and now has a good and pro- ductive farm. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. In politics Mr. B. is a Democrat. Their children who have passed to the land beyond were Helen L., aged 14 years ; Jessie M., aged 4 years ; Freddie G., I year ; and an infant son.

eorge E. Challman. This gentleman is an extensive land-owner and a prominent farmer in his neighborhood, now retired from active labor. His residence is one of the best in the eastern part of the county, and is located on his beautifully improved farm of 400 acres, on section 35, of Walnut Grove Township. He was born in Helsingland, Sweden, Dec. 22, 1825. His father and mother were both natives of the same Province. In Helsingland the art of farm laboring was well understood and thoroughly practiced. There were four children to this union, born in Swe- den. The subject of this sketch was the youngest.

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 62

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