Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 66

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 66

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ried Rosa A. Williamson, April 24, 1879; is a farmer in Phelps County, Neb. Mary Francis, born Feb. 7, 1859, died Jan. 14, 1863. Florence J., born Jan. 23, 1861, married Nelse A. Nelson, Sept. 3, 1884, and is residing in the township. All of the above children were born in Adams County, Ill.

Mr. Earel contracted a second marriage on the 27th of November, 1862, with Miss Abigail Linn, who was born March 13, 1831, in Indiana. She is the daughter of John and Nancy (Gaunt) Linn. John Linn was of English extraction, while his wife was of Irish descent. Mr. Linn was born May 1, 1804, and died Nov 17, 1881. His wife, the mother of Mrs. Earel, is still living. She was born March 9, ISog. John and Nancy (Gaunt) Linn were married Sept. 9, 1828, in Indiana. There were 11 children, the offspring of John and Nancy Linn. The follow- ing are their names and the dates of their birth : William, born Oct. 17, 1829; Abigail, born March 13, 1831; George W., born Aug. 17, 1832; David C., born March 18, 1834; Amos L., born Dec. 5, 1836 ; John F., born March 29, 1838; Albert, born Feb. 25, 1 840, died March Ir, 1875; Mary J., born June 30, 1844; Francis A., born Nov. 12, 1846; Charles W., born April 8, 1850; Emma, born March 23, 1852.

By the union of Hervey D. and Abigail (Linn) Earel there have been born three children ; their names are Charles F., born Sept. 10, 1863, and died Jan. 6, 1865; Albert M., born June 22, 1866, is now a student at Knox College, Galesburg; John W. H., born April 22, 1869, at the present time still beneath the parental roof. Mr. Earel came to Knox County in 1865, and engaged in the livery and hotel business in Abingdon for a few months. In the fall of the same year he purchased the farm on which he now resides. In 1869, he built the present large and commodious farm-house. He lias a fine farm under a good state of cultivation. He is, in addition to farming, engaged in the raising of fine stock, and has a herd of 70 head of high-grade cattle. His horses are of the Clyde and Norman breeds.

Politically Mr. Earel is a Republican, and takes an active interest in the promotion and advancement of the principles of that party. Both Mr. and Mrs. Earel are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They joined the church at Columbus, Adams County, in 1842. Both were connected with the same society, and not long after Mr. Earel was appointed Class Leader as well as Steward and

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Trustee. In this county he has filled similar posi- tions. He also served as Supervisor for Columbus Township, Adams County, for two years, and acted as Road Commissioner for seven years, and served as Commissioner in Cedar Township for 15 years. He, in company with J. M. Earel, Givens and oth- ers, in 1872, started the first bank in Abingdon.

oshua Moore. Knox County includes within her borders many worthy and enter- prising citizens, and prominent among them for strength of purpose and prompt execution may be found the subject of this biographical notice, who resides on section 10, Indian Point Township. Mr. Moore is a native of the North of Ireland, and was born April 5, 1827. In the fall of 1851, when a young man of 24, he emigrated to America, and landed in New York City, where he re- mained for seven years, working for R. G. Dun & Co., who were engaged in the mercantile agency bus- iness. He pleased them by his application and in- dustry, and had charge of their books of reports, devoting himself assiduously to his duties, and at the expiration of his service removed to Abingdon, Ill. Here he rented a farm near by, and in 1874 purchased 80 acres of land on section Io, one and three-fourths miles from the city of Abingdon, on which he now resides. To this he has added 40 more, makirg in all 120 acres.

Mr. Moore is the son of John and Alice Moore. Both were born in Ireland, from which place they de- parted this life. The father was born in 1794, and died in 1866, at the advanced age of 72. His wife followed him in 1878, and the date of her birth was 1806. Their family consisted of 12 children, as fol- lows : George, Mary, Thomas, Jason, Amelia, Mar- garet, Angelina, John, Risdon, Joshua, William and Fannie.

The gentleman of whom we write united in mar- riage with Miss Catherine Sylvia McCarty, April 26, 1854, and their nuptials were celebrated in New York City, where she was born Feb. 7, 1836. Her father was from Ireland and her mother from Con- necticut. The former parent was born in 1802, and after 64 years of life and usefulness closed his eyes to things of earth in 1866, and was buried in Lee

County, Ill. Her mother was born July 7, 1808, and died Sept. 5, 1861, at Abingdon. Their family consisted of seven children, their names being as follows : Sarah A., Catherine S., William R., John D., Mahala, James and one who died in infancy.

To Mr. and Mrs. Moore of this notice have been born ten children, two of whom died in infancy. The living are as follows: Emma, George L., Mahala E., William J., Carrie A., Charles M., Eddy A. and Minnie M.

Mr. Moore makes a specialty of breeding graded stock, among them Short-horn cattle and Poland- China swine. He is also said to have the finest col- lection of poultry in the county. They are pure- blooded ; among them are the Light Brahmas, and his stock includes pure breeders which cost as high as $6 apiece.

Mr. and Mrs. Moore are kind-hearted and genial friends and neighbors and are exceedingly hospita- ble. They are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Abingdon. Politically he is a Republican and upholds and votes with that party, the doctrines of which he frankly and earnestly believes in.

eorge S. Moshier is a farmer residing on section 2, Galesburg Township. He was born in Warren County, Ill., or the 22d of February, 1844, and is the son of Timothy Moshier, a native of New York, born in 1812, but coming to Illinois in 1842. Mr. Moshier, Sr., married Miss Sarah Garwood, who was a native of Michigan, where she was born in 1815, her de- cease taking place Feb. 22, 1851.

The gentleman whose name heads this biography married Miss Hattie Meeks, Feb. 24, 1868. She was born on the 23d of February, 1848, in Knox County, and by her marriage has four children-Claudie, born Dec. 14, 1868; Maud, Dec. 4, 1870; George, Aug. 22, 1872, and Clay, Feb. 15, 1876. The father of our subject had also four children, all of whom are still living-David H., George S., H. C. and Addie. The parents of Mrs. Moshier were Daniel and Salina (Dolph) Meeks. The father, Daniel Meeks, was born in 1798, in Pulaski County, Ky., and his de- cease took place March 16, 1873. His wife is also deceased.

Our subject has a farm of 260 prime acres of land,

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on which is erected a fine brick dwelling-house, three stories high and measuring 32 x 50 feet. The house is finished in the most modern style, and is un- doubtedly the handsomest farm residence in Knox County. Mr. M. is engaged in breeding trotting stock from the best blood of Kentucky. This de- partment Mr. Moshier has made a specialty until he has produced some of the finest trotting and running horses in the country. Of these latter he has 15 head at present in his possession, which number among the finest stock in Illinois.

Mr. Moshier is a Republican of the most decided type, and enlisted in Co. D of the Ist Ill. Cav., in April, 186r. He was mustered in at Quincy, Ill., in the same month, under Capt. Smith and Col. Mar- shall. He participated in the celebrated battle of Lexington, and fought during the month of Septem- ber of the year named. Here he was wounded in the left leg just below the knee, and was taken pris- oner by Gen. Price's force. The wounded were re- tained by the General for ten days, and were then removed to St. Louis. Here Mr. Moshier's discharge took place. He was a good soldier, and for his wounds is drawing a small pension. He is a man genially disposed and makes a host of friends.

ustin Grant. It is with pleasure that we write these few facts gathered from the life of one of Knox County's most respected and honored citizens as well as successful and well-to-do farmers. Austin Grant is one of the oldest settlers living who made settlement in Lynn Township, and there, on section 13, he may be found actively and energetically engaged in that most independent of all callings, agriculture, together with the raising of stock. His farm is a fine one, and surrounded by a happy family he is passing the sunset of life in the enjoyment of a well-earned com- petency, respected by all who know him and hon- ored for his sterling worth and integrity.

Mr. Grant was born in Windsor, Broome Co., N. Y., Dec. 30, 1807. His father, Joshua Grant, was a native of Connecticut and was formerly engaged in the lumber business, but during the latter portion of his life followed the vocation of farming. He was married in Sullivan County, N. Y., to Thalia Howard,

who was born and reared in that county. The Grants were of New England parentage and Scotch descent, and the Howards of English ancestry. The grandmother of our subject, Bettie Davis, nee Stone, was born in England, and while yet young in life em- igrated to the United States. By her former marriage with Josiah Stone she had two children, both of whom are deceased, one having been drowned in a well. The paternal and maternal grandparents of our subject died in the Eastern States.

The parents of Austin Grant came West in 1839, and made settlement in Walnut Grove Township, near Altona. They were very early settlers there, and at that time the country was unimproved and the hand of civilization hardly visible. The father of our subject secured a tract of raw prairie land, on which he located with his family and engaged actively in its cultivation and improvement, and there lived and la- bored until his death, which occurred Jan. 6, 1867. He was a Whig prior to the organization of the Re- publican party, at which time he joined the ranks of the latter and continued to vote with it until his de- mise. The mother of our subject died May 4, 1853. They were in moderate circumstances, honest, genial and industrious, and members of the Christian Church.

Austin Grant's early life was spent with his father and mother, and he succeeded in securing a fair ed- ucation at the common schools. While he was yet young his parents moved to Ontario County, N. Y. On becoming a young man, at the age of 18, he bought his time of his father, and went to Sullivan County, in his native State, and while there worked for a second cousin, Amos Grant. When 20 years of age our subject formed the acquaintance of Sarah J. Gillette, of Sullivan County, to whom he was mar- ried Nov. 27, 1828. She was born and reared in Sul- livan County, and her father followed farming and turning of woodenware for a livelihood, and died in that county and State. Mrs. Grant continued to re- side with them during her early life and until her marriage with the subject of this notice. She became the mother of three children, two of whom are de- ceased : Helen became the wife of Maj. Samuel White, a resident of La Fayette, Stark Co. Ill., a successful business man and manufacturer of tile, etc. Mrs. White has borne her husband four chil- dren, two of whom are living-Gillette Jane and

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Ulysses Grant ; Louisa and Austin John died, aged II and 101/2 years respectively.

Mr. and Mrs. Grant for ten years after their mar- riage lived in Sullivan County, where Mr. Grant was engaged in the lumber and tanner's business and va- rions other interests. In 1838 he and his brother-in- law built a flatboat and came down the Ohio River to Cincinnati, and thence by steamer to St. Louis, and lived on the American Bottom, near East St. Louis, where Mr. G. worked for Ames Hall, who recognized his energy and ability to such an extent that he was willing to pay and did pay twice what he paid to others for the same work. Mr. Grant returned sev- eral times to work for Mr. Hall, and received good wages, this being all the ready money he could then obtain. After coming to this county he worked around for a while, and finally determined to " make a stake," and consequently went to California, hoping to better his financial condition by digging gold. He left Knox County May 11, 1849, during the year that the gold fever was at its height in this country, ar- riving in Salt Lake City in October of the same year, and in California in July, 1850. He was gone from here three years and a half, and contrary to the ex- perience of a large majority of persons who went there to dig a fortune from the earth, and who returned penniless, our subject was successful and made con- siderable money. He nevertheless, while in Califor- nia, went through many trials and suffered consider- ably from sickness, but his success was assured and he returned to this county well remunerated for his time and labor. Coming back to this county in No- vember, 1852, our subject, in the spring, bought the land where he now lives, the northeast quarter of section 24, and at once began to make improvements and perfect his title thereto. His landed possessions at the present time are 264 acres, and he has one of the best improved farms in the county, well stocked. In addition to the cultivation of his land, he has to no inconsiderable extent devoted his time to the raising of stock. He has given his daughter a goodly prop- erty, and yet has a sufficiency for himself. The sad- dest event which has marked the life of our subject was that which occurred Ang. 21, 1875, when his faithful companion, who had borne her part of the trials through which they passed to prosperity, died. She was a most estimable lady, a good wife, a kind mother and a generous friend and neighbor ; relig- iously a Baptist. Mr. Grant is a Universalist in his

religious views, and politically a Republican. He is a gentleman who has never sought office, but has been honored with that of Road Commissioner, as well as others of minor import. Seventy-nine years of life have silvered his bairs, and his reputation is that of an honorable and upright man, generous to a fault and ever turning a listening ear to charity. Ev- ery enterprise that is calculated to benefit the com- munity in which he resides finds in him a strong ad- vocate and friend. He has contributed largely of his means to the Lombard University at Galesburg, and the poor of Lynn Township recognize in him a true friend and benefactor.

mes A. Barlow. Knox County is dotted over with as rich and productive farms as are to be found anywhere within the bor- ders of the great Prairie State, and on them are found fine improvements, brought about by the economy and energy of the proprietors. As a truly representative citizen of this county, and one possessing the necessary qualifications for success as an agriculturist, we take pleasure in mentioning the subject of this biographical notice. He is a son of Gideon A. Barlow, of whom we have spoken else- where in this work. Ames Barlow was born in La Fayette, Stark Co., Ill., Feb. 25, 1857. His early life was spent at home, assisting his parents and attend- ing the common schools, until he was about 22 years of age. His education was supplemented by attend- ance at the Galva and Davenport (Iowa) schools, from which latter he graduated in the commercial department, March 29, 1879.

Soon after graduating at Davenport, Mr. Barlow, Aug. 17, 1879, was united in marriage with Miss Celinda Hathaway, the intelligent and accomplished daughter of Arthur T. and Jane (Mowatt) Hathaway, natives of Massachusetts and Scotland respectively. Miss Mowatt's father came to the United States when quite young. Mr. Hathaway was married in Chicago, and later went to Muskegon, Mich., where he was engaged in the lumber business, and whence he came to Galva, Ill. Mrs. Barlow's father was born Oct. 21, 1821, in Berkshire County, Mass., of En- glish parentage. He was reared in Massachusetts, and when 15 years of age came West. In 1839 he went to Chicago, and 11 years later, in 1850, made

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a trip to California overland. He remained in that country until 1852, when he returned to New York, and from there he went to Michigan and engaged in the lumber business. Jan. 12, 1856, he went to Galva, and was occupied in the lumber business in that place until 1874. then farmed till 1883, when he removed to Galva, where he is at present residing. He has been successful in business and is the owner of 600 acres of land near Galva, besides considerable in Iowa. His wife was Jane Mowatt, of Scotland, who was the mother of six children, four of whom survive. Celinda, who married the subject of this biographical notice, was born July 10, 1856; she was a resident of her father's household until her mar- riage with Mr. Barlow, having prior to that time re- ceived a good education at the High School in Galva.

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Barlow two children have been born-Lawrence W., Dec. 4, 1880, and Mabel, April 1, 1883. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Barlow settled on the farm of 60 acres which Mr. B. had previously purchased. At this writing Mr. Barlow, in partnership with his brother-in-law, is operating some 400 acres of land. They are to a considerable extent engaged in stock-breeding, the Percheron horses being their specialty.

Mr. Barlow has held the office of Township Clerk for five years, and is the present incumbent of that office. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and in his chosen vocation is meeting with that success which energy and perseverance are sure to bring.

oshua Brown. Prominent among the old and reliable citizens of Knox County, and more especially among the members of the agricultural community, may be found the sub- ject of this biography, some of the important points in whose life history are herein written. Mr. Brown was born in Meade County, Ky., May 10, 1815, and was the son of Samuel and Henrietta (Hobbs) Brown, The former was a native of Penn- sylvania and moved to Kentucky, where he married. His wife was a native of Kentucky, and Mr. Brown died in that State when his son was about 14 years of age. His widow subsequently, in November. 1830, removed with five of her unmarried children

to Knox County. Her elder sons purchased land and commenced farming, while the mother continued to live with her children until her death, which took place in 1861. Joshua Brown was in the Black Hawk War, under Capt. McMurtrie, and received his land warrant for 160 acres. He was too old to take an active part in the late war, but he con- tributed of his means and with his influence from his home. He was selected by the members of Co. B, 102d Ill. Vol. Inf., to distribute to their families their hard earnings, all uniting in desiring Mr. B. to accept the trust.

In the fall of 1830 our subject emigrated from Kentucky to Knox County. In this place he settled, with a heart full of energy and a strong right arni to work out his projects. He made Henderson Town- ship the field of his operations, and has lived in that section of country ever since, with the exception of two years spent in the city of Galesburg, while still continuing to direct the cultivation of the farm. He has devoted his attention wholly to agricultural pur- ? suits since his initiatory steps into Knox County, and at the present time is in possession of about 200 acres in Knox County, under good cultivation, and So acres in Warren County, with good, substantial buildings.

In Warren County he took to his heart and home a life companion in the person of Miss Mary Ste- vens, daughter of James and Nancy (Miles) Stevens, natives of Indiana. Mrs. Brown was born in Harri- son County, Ind., April 3, 1823, and has borne her husband two children-Henrietta and Marshall J., the latter of whom died Aug. 11, 1876, and since the death of his son Mr. Brown has rented his farm, though continuing to live on the old homestead, having on his place a comfortable tenant house. Marshall J. was married to Martha Bandy, and at the time of his death left three children-George F., Mary and Laura, an infant who died at the age of ten months. His farm joins that of his father on the south. He was a member of the Universalist society in this neighborhood, and a man of fine char- acter and integrity. He was active and enterprising in his business and more than ordinarily successful. Henrietta is the wife of Samuel Fletcher, and has a home in the city of Galesburg. Mr. Fletcher is a merchant tailor. They are the parents of four chil- dren-Mark Brown, Samuel Earl, Carl Joshua and Ralph Benjamin; the two eldest are deceased.

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In religious faith Mr. and Mrs. Brown are Uni- versalists, and Mr. B. is a Republican in politics. Agriculture has been his leading pursuit, although for many years he has been engaged in stock raising and breeding. A view of the homestead of Mr. Brown is given on another page in this ALBUM.

A ddison P. Higgins resides on section 4 of Galesburg Township, and follows the call- vå ing of farming. He is largely a self-made man, and was born Nov. 2, 1844. He is the son of Americus C. Higgins, the latter being born in Onondaga County, N. Y., in 1815, on the 7th of August. This latter came to Illinois in 1807 and located in Knox County, where he married Miss Lucy Gridly, in 1840. She was a native of Onondaga County, N. Y., where she was born April 3, 1815. This lady was of English origin, and by her union with Americus Higgins became the mother of three children-Phineas C., born in 1842; Addison P. on Nov. 2, 1844, and Frank G. on Dec. 22, 1846. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch mar- ried Mattie J. Meacham on Feb. 19, 1874. She was born Nov. 23, 1848, in DuPage County, Ill., at her home in Bloomingdale. Her parents were Cyrus and Lyma S. (Atwood) Meacham. Her father was born in Oswego, N. Y., Nov. 18, 1811. Her mother was bora in New Elstade, N. H , in the year 1812. This good lady died on the 5th of April, 1865. She was the happy mother of five children, viz .: Almeda E., born June 23, 1843; Harriet L., born April 2, 1844 ; Sarah A., in 1846; Mattie J., Nov. 23, 1848, and Helen, April 13, 1852. This latter child died on the 16th of May, 1884.

With the exception of Almeda, all these children are married and settled in life. Mr. Meacham mar- ried Mrs. Phelps on the 8th of October, 1866, for his second wife. She was born in New York in 1840, and located in Galesburg subsequently. There were no children born to this last marriage, and Mr. Meacham and his wife now reside at Oak Park, Ill. Mr. Higgins' brother, Phineas, is the father of six children, viz. : Jennie, born in 1874; Paul, 1866; Lucian, 1868 ; Alva, 1870; Money, 1883, and Thyra in 1884.

The marriage of which the above children are the issue proved exceedingly happy. Ou the 18th of

February, 1864, Mr. Higgins' brother married Miss Mary R. Jinks, and is now residing in California. The father of the present Mrs. Higgins was Cyrus Meacham, a direct descendant of Miles Standish, Captain of the Mayflower, that landed the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock in 1620.

The subject of this history has r60 acres of land, all of which is first-class in quality, also 640 acres in Nebraska. His home farm is well improved, on which there are four barns erected, and a good two- story dwelling-house. Fronting the dwelling there is a fine grove of evergreens, and altogether the home of this gentleman strikes one with a sense of com- fort. He possesses 20 head of Jersey cattle, three high grades of Holsteins, and has one span of draft horses. The family are members of the First Church of Christ in Galesburg, where they are regular at- tendants, and stand high in the estimation of that body.

Our subject is a stanch and consistent Prohibition Republican.

ichael Hahn. This worthy citizen, now deceased, came first to Knox County in 1836. He was accompanied by his wife and three children from Hamilton County, Ohio, and settling in Henderson Township, re- solved to take up agriculture as his occupation. This calling he pursued up to the date of his death, July 21, 1876. His marriage, which was a most pro- pitious event, took place in Hamilton County, Ohio, Nov. 22, 1829, with Miss Rebecca Edwards, a lady of very estimable character, and a native of Clermont County, Ohio, born Feb. 1. 1807. By this happy marriage there were nine children, only three of whom are now living-Ira, Wilson and N. S. Ira resides in Kansas and is becoming successful in life. Wilson and N. S. reside in Henderson Township.

Mrs. Hahn, the widow of the subject of this biog- raphy, is the owner of 255 acres of good land, 100 of which is, however, under timber. She is a woman of rare qualities of mind, and very much beloved by those who know her best. She is of Welsh extrac- tion; her grandfather, Samuel Edwards, was born in Wales. Mrs. Edwards to-day is a woman well pre- served, and has all her intellectual powers, though she is 80 years of age. Her brother, William Ed-

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 66

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