Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 64

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 64

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The farm where Mr. Woolsey resides is all under a good state of cultivation. There is a substantial residence on the place, together with a good barn and out-buildings, and everything about the farm is in- dicative of that push and energy of which its proprietor is possessed. Mr. Woolsey started in life a poor boy, received his education in the common schools, and has attained success through honest toil and individ-

ual effort. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics he votes for the success of the Republican party.

eter Gibson is a retired farmer and resides on Walnut street, in Altona. He is a na- K tive of Sweden, and emigrated fiom there to America, arriving in this country in 1854, at a period which witnessed the earliest strug. gles of our most sturdy pioneers. Mr. Peter Gibson was born in June, 1829, and was a son of a Swedish farmer. As was the custom in those days, he remained at his parents' home far into his boyhood years. After the decease of his father and mother he resolved to seek the Western hemi- sphere, and set to sea, accompanied by some friends and a few relatives.

It was only for a few months that he settled in Bu- reau County, Ill., locating subsequently, in 1855, in Ontario Township, Knox County, where he rented a farm for some years, and he afterward rented a larger tract of land near Galva, Henry County, remaining there until his departure for Knox County, where he purchased 80 acres in Rio Township. Four years later, however, having made some important improve- ments, he sold this estate and came to Walnut Grove Township, where he bought 196 acres on sections 15 and 22. The land was in a high state of cultiva- tion, and soon became one of the most productive farms in that locality. As a successful stock-raiser and dealer in Short-horn cattle there are a few men among Mr. Gibson's acquaintances who can equal him in this respect.

On the 26th day of March, 1856, Mr. Gibson was married to Anna Lierburg, a native of his own coun- try. To the great sorrow of Mr. Gibson, this lady died at her home in Galva, Henry Co., and on the 30th of April, 1861, our subject married Anna Eng, also of Swedish descent. This latter lady died at her home in Walnut Grove Township, June 3, 1880, leaving three children-Oscar W., now in Nebraska ; Mary O. and Emma H., the latter two being yet at home.

For a third time Mr. Gibson married, the lady be- ing Mrs. Barrie Buckley Engstrom. This occurred Aug. 26, 1885, in Aldrich, Phelps Co., Neb. This last wife was born in Sedden on the 11th of October,

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1852, and came to this country with her parents while yet a girl. She had no children by her former marriage. Her parents, remarkable for their integ- rity, reside in Phelps Co., Neb., where they will prob- ably remain for life.

As a member of the Baptist Church, and filling the position of Clerk, Mr. Gibson has gathered around him a number of substantial friends willing to aid in any particular or further any movement affecting the good of the congregation. While hold- ing not a few of the township offices, this gentleman, by his adhesion to principle and efficiency in work, has won to himself the good-will and regard of his associates.

Being a solid Republican in politics, and differing from those " who would depart," as he terms it, from the direct path, Mr. Gibson furnishes a favorable ex- ample of the old-school politician. Without waver- ing or looking back, through a long course of years he has steadfastly shown himself in favor of sound political principles and men.

With persistent industry, and sometimes under ad- verse circumstances, this gentleman has achieved a place among his fellows deserving our thoughtful consideration. · Amidst trials and losses he has bravely and manfully pushed forward, with a clear conscience and little cause to feel that he has acted unwisely in the emergencies of life. While he has secured to himself a goodly competence he withal trusts in Providence. The sustaining effect of this course, coupled with the good will of his commu- nity, ensures him a happy close to a life alike honor- able and useful.

ans Johnson is a general farmer and stock- raiser, residing on section 7, Lynn Town- ship, and is the son of Hans Johnson, Sr. He was born in Northern Sweden, Mar. 24, 1837, and his father lived and died in that country. Our subject was, at the time of his father's - death, about six years of age. His mother, Cathe- rine Carlson, came to this county and died in 1857, shortly after her arrival here.

Our subject was the younger of four children, and came with his mother and two sisters to the West, arriving here Sept. 29, 1857, locating in Galva, whither one of his sisters had preceded them in 1855.

After his mother's death, Hans began to work about at odd jobs on farms, to earn his own living. His efforts were crowned with success, and he purchased his present home with his first earnings, in 1882, which contains 80 acres of well-improved and highly cultivated land.

September 21, 1878, he met and married Miss Betsie M. Johnson, born in Northern Sweden, Oct. 22, 1855. She was the youngest daughter of her mother's family, consisting of two girls, and was nine years of age when her parents came to this county, arriving July 14, 1865. They settled in Walnut Grove Township, where they now live, owning So acres of land. Mrs. Johnson of this notice lived at home and received the benefits of a limited education in the common schools. She is the mother of two children, one of whom is deceased-Emila E., born March 24, 1882, a remarkably sweet and intelligent child, and Albert E., born Dec. 17, 1879, died Jan. 3, 1886, and buried in Altona Jan. 6, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the Lutheran Church of Altona, and are true and devoted Chris- tians.

heophilus T. Parmenter. Among the

early settlers of Knox County is the re- spected citizen whose name heads this bio- graphical notice. He was born near the village of Greenfield, Franklin Co., Mass., in 1809. The death of his mother occurred when he was seven years of age. The boy, Theoph- ilus, was sent to his grandfather Parmenter, with whom he remained about two years, after which he made his home with his uncle, who resided at Ver- non, Conn., for seven years, assisting in the duties of the farm. At the age of 16 he went to North- field, Mass., where he served an apprenticeship of four years at the tanner's and shoemaker's trade. Having completed this, he went to Rutland, Vt., where he worked for a few months at the tanner's trade. From that place he went to the village of Brandon, and engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes for a short time. In the spring of 1829 he entered into partnership with Isaac Patch, in the town of Fairhaven, Vt., and followed his trade.

October 16, 1832, Mr. Parmenter was married, the lady of his choice being Miss Roxana Warner. In the spring of 1833, he sold out his interest to Mr.

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Patch, and, accompanied by his wife, emigrated to Albion, Erie Co., Pa., where he engaged in the boot- and-shoe business, and in the fall of 1837, with his wife and family, came to Knoxville, and has since made this his home. Until within the last few years he has been engaged in the boot-and-shoe trade. The household of Mr. and Mrs. Parmenter has been brightened by the birth of eight children-six boys and two girls, seven of whom survive.

The life of our subject has been a very checkered one ; sometimes light and sometimes very dark. He has always found friends who have been ready to extend a hand of sympathy. Some of them have been called to their reward, while others still remain.

The names of the children born to our subject and wife are as follows : George, who lives in Knoxville ; William, resident of Cambridge, Mass .; Allan, who lives at Knoxville; Charley also resides at that place ; Elizabeth became the wife of J. W. Craig and lives in Warren County ; Frederick resides at Peoria ; John, deceased ; and Mary A, for several years a successful teacher in the public schools in Knoxville.

ideon A. Barlow. Prominent among the well-to-do and successful farmers of Knox County, as well as respected and honored citizens, is the gentleman whose name we place at the beginning of this sketch. He is a farmer by vocation, and resides on section 16, Lyrn Township, on a fine and well-improved farm of 600 acres, where he is actively engaged in the prosecution of his independent calling.

Gideon A. Barlow was born in Sullivan County, N. Y., July 16, 1833, his father, Nathan, being a native of the same county, and a farmer by vocation. The parents of our subject were for a portion of the time residents of Virginia and Rhode Island, and were of English lineage. The grandparents of Gid- eon A. came with their families to the United States and located in Sullivan County, N. Y., during the early settlement of that part of the State. They lived to attain a ripe old age, and died in that county, with no stain upon their past record.

The father of our subject was the second in order of birth of a family of three sons. The eldest lived and died in Sullivan County at an advanced age. He was a boot-and-shoe merchant, and reared a large

and prosperous family. The father of our subject was next in order of birth. Thomas lived in Sulli- van County until after his marriage, when he went to Ulster County, and there died in the fall of 1884, after having passed an active and useful life upon the farm. Nathan, Gideon's father, was reared in Sulli- van County to the independent calling of a farmer, and was there married to Athalia Gillett. She was of Irish descent and American parentage, and resided with her parents until her marriage. In 1838 the parents of our subject came West and made settle- ment in La Fayette, Stark County, when that village was a hamlet of three houses. Some two years after their settlement there the family came to this county, and located in Lynn Township, on a tract of land in the east part of the township, on section 24. The father erected a house at Fraker Grove, named in honor of Michael Fraker, the first settler in Lynn Township, the settlement being made in 1832. After settling at the Grove and residing there for awhile, Mr. Fraker found that it was necessary, in order to. protect the lives of his family from the Indians who were so numerous at that time, that he leave there, but he was told by the Indians that, for his kindness in grinding their corn with his buhrs, neither he nor his family would be molested. Notwithstanding this, he feared treachery and moved to Henderson Grove. Mr. Barlow built a house at the Grove, on the east of Fraker's, which was erected for use as a country tavern, and known as the Travelers' Home. During the years 1849, '50 and '51, his house was a great resort for travelers en route for the gold fields of California. Mr. Barlow continued to run the Trav- elers' Home until 1852, when he disposed of it and went to La Fayette, where he ran the La Fayette House until 1861. It was at the latter place that his good wife died, the date of her demise being 1859. Mr. Barlow afterward lived with his son, the subject of this notice, until his death, Feb. 16, 1867, aged 63 years. He was a kind father, loving hus- band and respected and honored citizen of all com- munities in which he resided, and had the happy faculty of retaining the friendship of all with whom he became acquainted.

Gideon Barlow was about six years of age when his parents came to this State. He is the second of a family of three sons who lived to maturity, two having died in infancy. Gideon was reared on his father's farm and there alternately labored and

LIBRARY OF THE L'"TIVERSITY OF ILLINA'S

W. W. Campbell

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attended the common schools until 23 years of his life had passed. At that age, accepting the advice of his father, he moved to Lynn Township and selected an So-acre tract of land from the 320 acres which his father owned, and which the father gave him. With nothing but a yoke of oxen, a span of horses and a breaking-plow, he moved upon his unbroken tract of land and at once commenced its improve- ment. All around on every hand stretched the broad, unbroken prairie, with but few, if any, settle- ments upon it. Mr. Barlow was nevertheless deter- mined to succeed and had great faith in the future of the country. He therefore labored hard upon his land and raised his first crop thereon prior to the erection of a building. He camped out on the tract and the night was made hideous by the howling wolves, and deer were plenty. Subsequently he erected his residence on the land and continued to add improvements as the years rolled by until to-day he has one of the finest farms in Knox County. His success in his calling and against the trials through which he passed and the obstacles he overcame is attributable to his energy, pluck and perseverance.

Mr. Barlow was united in marriage in Stark County, Ill., May 20, 1856, to Miss Martha B. Peterson. She was born in Sweden Oct. 8, 1836, and came with her parents to this country when seven years of age, at the same time the Johnson colony came here and with whom the parents were connected. Three years later the parents left the colony and came to this county, making settlement in Copley Township. It was there the mother of Mrs. Barlow died. Sub- sequently her father removed to Henry County, where he is at present residing and the proprietor of 240 acres of good farming land. He is past S2 years of age, and lives retired from the active labors of the farm. Mrs. Barlow is the eldest but one of her parents' family of three children now living. She lived with her husband's parents for seven years prior to her marriage, and is the mother of eight children: Ames married Celinda Hathaway and is a farmer in Lynn Township; William Frederick married Clara Fisher and is also a farmer on his father's farm; Gid- eon B. resides on the old homestead; Ada L. lives at home and is a teacher in the public schools; Sher- man A. also lives at home, but is attending school at Galva; Franklin, Horace and Lewis likewise reside with their parents.

Mr. and Mrs. Barlow are members of the Baptist

Church. Mr. Barlow is the present Assessor of his township, and has also held the office of Collector and Commissioner of Highways. He takes great interest in educational matters, and votes with the Republican party.

illiam Wallace Campbell, whose portrait we present in connection with this brief outline of his life, was for many years one of the leading and most influential men in Knox County. He was born April 6, 1819, in Bourbon County, Ky. He came to this county in 1863 and at once took an active part in the affairs of the community in which he settled. Before coming here he had resided in Scott County, Ky. His parentage is referred to in the sketch of his brother, James L. Campbell, on page 237. From the notice of his death, appearing in the Abingdon paper Dec. 20, 1876, two days after his death, we glean the following facts, as well showing forth the exalted opinion the community in which he lived had of him. It says :

" Although he came to us in stormy times from a Southern State, he won his way at once into our con- fidence and esteem, and as early as 1869 was elected Township Assessor, and was re-elected four success- ive times.

" In 1870 he received the nomination of his party io the Legislature, and though his party was unable at that time to elect, he was seldom afterward allowed to pass an election without some office voluntarily be- stowed by his township, and in 1874 was elected Supervisor, which position he continued to fill with great satisfaction during the rest of his life.

" On coming to Illinois he imported from Ken- tucky, for his sister, with whom he thenceforward re- sided, the nucleus of that herd of Short-horns which, under his guidance and direction, has since become so famous throughout the Northwestern States as Mrs. Byram's herd. Fond to enthusiasm of the Short-horn cattle, and devoted to his sister and her fine family of children, who returned his affectionate and almost more than fatherly solicitude and care with usurious interest, and the pet man of all the country round, he lived his serene and cheer- ful life literally in an atmosphere of love. His aged mother was able to follow his remains to the chapel and sustained her burden of grief with more fortitude

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than her descendants, strengthened, doubtless, by the confident hope of an earlier reunion in the hap- pier land.

" But ' Billy ' Campbell is no more. Indian Point has lost her Supervisor and cannot replace him. The Christian Church has lost a loyal friend and will greatly miss him. Hickory Grove herd has lost its masterful hand and will mutely mourn him. The neighborhood has lost a genial and a useful man. On the streets in Abingdon he was like a morning in June. As he moved along with his burly figure and his merry smile and his kindly greeting, the icicles would drop from the chilled heart, and cankering care would hide itself and even grief would feel as- suaged. Rich and poor, high and low were all the same, for it was only the golden nuggets within the man he valued. Both rich and poor himself, by turns, he mourned no change of fortune, nor let down in dignity and self-respect at the beck and frowns of fortune. He loved a good preacher, a good lawyer, a good stump speaker, and a farmer. and loved to praise them and show their points. In the show- ring he was himself without a rival, and often won the judges as much as his cattle. As a breeder of Short-horns, his reputation extended over the best cattle States, and in his line he had no superior. He bred for use and beauty more than fashion, and his judgment was sound and his taste most excellent. It is probable he contributed more than almost any one man toward bringing the general stock of this region to its present high standard. But we shall see him no more in the show-ring, no more at our homes, no more at church, no more at public meetings. May perennial flowers bloom around him, reflecting his memories and his traits.

"He died in full communion with his beloved church, enjoying the richest comfort of a Christian's faith. Calinly, like an infant on its mother's breast, he dropped asleep, sitting in his chair, and never awoke."

illiam T. Moore, one of the leading farmers and prominent men of Knox County, is the subject of this biographical sketch, a brief narration of the particulars of whose life is given in the ensning para- graphs. He owns 160 acres of land in Indian Point Township, situated two and three-quarters -

miles from Abingdon, and his home is located on section 2. He makes a specialty of the breeding of fine cattle and has a male of the Short-horn breed. He also possesses a fine lot of hogs of the Poland- China breed.

Mr. Moore was born March 17, 1845, and reared on his father's farm in Ohio, coming to Illinois in 1856 with his parents, Paul and Jane (Hartsook) Moore. His father was born in Virginia and his mother in Ohio, but his mother died in Knox County May 8, 1875 To them were born five children : Sarah J. is the wife of Morgan Carruthers ; William T. is next in order; Charles, who married Miss Panina Richmond; Catherine, the wife of a Mr. Clarke; and Martha, who married Mr. James Spencer.

The gentleman of whom we write was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Hardsty, Feb. 24, 1870. She was born April 3, 1852, in Indiana, and is daughter of John and Abigail (Callison) Hardsty: Her father died in 1885, and her mother Aug. 5, 1877, in the State of Indiana. There were born to them six children, consisting of four girls and two boys.

Mr. and Mrs. Moore are the parents of five chil- dren -- Daisey A., born Ang. 24, 1875 ; John C., Sept. 6, 1877 ; William H., Nov. 28, 1882; George C., Nov. 8, 1885; and Leonard P., born Feb. 4, 1872; Tondella died in infancy. Mr. Moore is an active public man, and takes a keen interest in politics. He is a Republican in sentiment and vote.

Ifred Thurman, deceased, came to Knox County about 185 1, and for a time taught school in Salem Township, after which he worked out by the month on a farm. He sub- sequently formed a partnership with a Mr. Steel in the dry goods business in Farmington. This they carried on successfully for a short time, when our subject removed to Uniontown, Salem Township, where he purchased a dry goods store and remained there for four years, then returned to Farmington, carrying on this business for some months. His next removal was to Maquon Town- ship, whither he removed his stock of dry goods, locating his store near the distillery. He remained there for some time, after which he went to Leaven-

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worth, Kan., and one year later again returned to Maquon. During all this time he was engaged in the mercantile business. Upon his final settlement at Maquon he formed a partnership with David Housh, where he remained until his demise.

Mr. Thurman was married to Barbara Housh, at Knoxville, Aug. 3, 1854. She was the daughter of David and Elizabeth (Thornbrough) Housh. (See sketch of A. C. Housh.) Mrs. Thurman was born in Haw Creek Township, Aug. 20, 1836, and by this union became the mother of two daughters-Flor- ence and Emma C. Florence M. is the wife of Benjamin S. Green, and they are at present residing at Peoria ; Mrs. Green is the mother of three chil- dren, viz .: George A., Sophia B. and Benjamin J .; Emma C. died when three months old.

Mrs. Thurman was again married, in Haw Creek Township, this time to William H. H. Green. Mr. Green was a native of Maryland, and settled in Maquon Township, where he and his brother pur- f chased a distillery of David Housh, which they ear- ried on for some years. He afterward followed farming and subsequently removed to the village of Maquon, where his death occurred Sept. 5, 1882. Mr. Green's first wife was Amanda Housh, a sister of his second. The former was the mother of two children-Sophia E. and George B. Her demise took place in November, 1870. George died in in- laney. By his second marriage he had born to him three children-Harry D .; Clinton B. and Annie E .; the first died in infancy.

Mrs. Green is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

ohn Shumaker. Conspicuous among the leading citizens and farmers whose names are recorded in the annals of Knox County, and stand out in that bold relief which the re- flected honor of well-spent and industrious lives lends to them, is that of John Shumaker, whose homestead stands on section 12 of Indian Point Township, and who is said to be one of the best informed agriculturists in this section of the country.

county in 1839, settling here where John Shumaker now lives. The name of his father was John and of his mother Sally (Wolfenbarger) Shumaker; the former was born in Germany and came to America when but four years of age, settling in Greenbrier County, Va. Subsequently he moved to Ohio, where he died. The date of his birth was March 26, 1785, and he passed from earth in 1859. The mother, who survived him ten years, died in 1869, the date of her birth being March 3, 1780. She was born in Greenbrier County, Va.

The subject of this personal narrative was united in marriage with Miss Abigail Leigh, who was born Sept. 2, 1827, in Gallia County, Ohio. She was the daughter of Robert and Mary (Booth) Leigh. The date of their marriage was Sept. 4, 1844, and the ceremony performed by Esquire Massey, of Herman. The parents of Mrs. Shumaker were born in Mas- sachusetts, the father in 1795, and his wife Sept 14, 1805. He died at Illinois in May, 1866, and his wife, who survives him, resides at Herman. The broth- ers and sisters of Mrs. Shumaker are: Adeline, who married A. Long, is dead ; she left two children, both sons; Booth; Caroline, who married William Berry ; both she and her husband are dead, having left two daughters and one son ; Benjamin died in September, 1866, and left a widow and two children; Clarke and Elizabeth. The brothers and sisters of her hus- band are as follows : Polly, Catherine, Jacob, James, Peggy and two who died in infancy. Jacob died Nov. 19, 1881, in his seventh year.

Mr. and Mrs. Shumaker have a family consisting of 17 children, one of whom died in infancy, viz. : Robert, born Sept. 2, 1845, married Jane Shumaker and lives in Knox County ; Fidelia, born Oct. 27, 1846, died May 22, 1862; Harrison, born April 9, 1848, married Miss Prudy Shumaker; Sally, born Oct. 25, 1849, is the wife of Mr. S. Meek; Mary, born Aug. 25, 1851, married Mr. M. Snyder ; Will- iam, born March 29, 1853, married Miss Ella Cash- man; Charles E., born Feb. 29, 1855, died at the early age of two years, Sept. 20, 1856 ; Clarke, born Jan. 24, 1857. married Miss Annie Fuller; Ida, born April 24, 1858, died Nov. 30, 1878; she was the wife of Franklin Bond, of this township, and they had one son, named Harley Bond; Niles, born March 12, 1860, died Dee. 24, 1863; James, born Jan. 8, 1862, died April 5, 1864; Theodore, born

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 64

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