Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 70

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 70

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The gentleman whose name heads this notice is one of the eighth generation of that family in this country. The father of J. F. Hubbell arrived in Delaware County, Ohio, while a boy, and on Nov. 20, 1827, married Philena Buck, who was born in Seneca County, N. Y. She was a descendant of a large family by that name, whose influence in the Empire State was known far and wide.

Our subject was the oldest child but one of ten children. By the union there were six sons and four

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daughters, two of the latter being now dead. Six of the children were born in Delaware (now Morrow) County, Ohio, and one child in Christian County, III. The parents came to Illinois in 1840, at which date the father was in very feeble health. Moving from Christian into Knox County in 1841, they located in Victoria Township, where, after three years' stay, the father regained his broken health, after which he lived to secure a fair competency, and died Dec. 28, 1884. This gentleman was born April 6, 1806. His wife still survives, and is in her 79th year, her place of residence being still in Victoria. Our subject's father was of the old school of Whig politicians, but ultimately became a Republican and Abolitionist, and took an active part in that direction. For some time he held many important and minor offices.

The present Mr. Hubbell was only in his tenth year when he came to this country. Here he was educated until his nineteenth year had been attained, when he engaged in teaching, and followed this pro- fession during the winters of six years. During this period he was married in Knoxville, on March 16, 1854, to Miss Mary Maxey, from Hart County, Ky. This lady was born March 22, 1834. She was of Southern parentage and arrived here with her people in 1838. While yet a child, her parents died in Knoxville, Ill. Her death took place at her home in Altona May 14, 1878. She was the mother of nine children, seven of whom survived her. She was an admirable mother and a good woman, and a very active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church during her life. As a wife she was remarkable for her good sense and devotion to her husband's interests.

The children born to this union are as follows : Emma A.,, wife of Dr. J. D Stocking, now residing in Clarendon, Tex. ; Charles, residing at Denver, Colo., and assistant treasurer and cashier in an insurance office ; he is also civil engineer and stenog- rapher ; for some time he worked for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Company, and is a very promi- nent business man. Ruth is now a telegraph oper- ator in Terrill, Tex., and one among the most skillful in the office. Frances is in Omaha, Neb., and follows the occupation of stenographer and type-writer, being considered well educated and skillful in her profession. Hattie is at present a stu- dent in Knox College, and, it is hoped, will complete her course in two years. John E. lives at home. Of those deceased are Arthur, who died in infancy;

Martha Alice, who died at 27, and was a good scholar and ardent student. She had attended Hed- ding College, Abingdon, where she graduated, and Mr. H. remembers her with pride as one who by her scholarship and noble life shed a halo around her family and won the esteem of friends far and near. Maxie died aged 20 months.

Mr. H. celebrated his second marriage at Ma- comb, Ill., on the 13th of January, 1880, with Miss Mary Kersey, a native of Knox County, born at Knoxville March 16, 1837. Her parents, Levan and Prudence (Godfrey) Kersey, were early settlers in Knox County, having come here from Ross County, Ohio. Settling in this State in 1830, they commenced farming; three years later in Knox County. In 1867 the father died. The mother was born Jan. 1, 1799, and died March 3, 1886. Mrs. H., wife of the subject of this sketch, was educated and reared in this county, and remained with her parents to the time of her death.

Mr. H. made his first purchase of land in 1852, which consisted of 40 acres with improvements. He subsequently purchased other land in another part of the township, on sections 26 and 35, containing 320 acres of excellent farm land. He also is the owner of 95 acres, which is all within the village limits and on which is located a very desirable resi- dence. Mr. H. is quite an extensive cattle-breeder, and in this particular has been most successful.

Mr. Hubbell is a gentleman of whom anyone can- not speak too highly, his good sense and large sympathies attracting many and substantial admirers.

ohnston S. Brewer. One of the principal business men and leading citizens of his sec- tion, and a prominent druggist of Knox- ville, is Johnston S. Brewer, who is named as the subject of this detailed personal narration. His business relations to the community are of the most satisfactory character, and he carries a first- class assortment of all such goods as are essential to his special line of trade, while his courteous treat- ment of patrons and friends makes him one of the most popular men in that vicinity.

Our subject was born in Franklin County, Pa., on the toth day of July, 1831, and his father was Adam Brewer, a native of the same county. Jacob Brewer, his grandfather, came of a direct line of old German

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLIN 13

Gromanoury

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ancestry, and the patronymic was originally spelled Brua. He came to America, accompanied by his family, and settled in Franklin County, where he passed his entire life. His son, father of the subject, was reared from boyhood on the old homestead in his native county, and received his early education in the common schools, fitting himself for a teacher. He engaged in this work and occasionally did a lit- tle surveying, remaining in Franklin County until 1839, when in the fall of that year he emigrated to Fulton County, Ill., where he located at Canton. In this section of the country he bought a farm, be- coming interested in agricultural pursuits, and en- gaging in them until 1849, when he removed to Knoxville and lived a retired life, which was closed by the grim destroyer of all men in 1877.

The maiden name of Mr. Brewer's wife was Marie Johnston, and she was born in Washington County, Md. Their union was a happy and productive one, blessed by the birth of eight children, five of whom still live, viz. : Jacob W., M. D)., who is a druggist at Monmouth; Margaret, wife of A. H. Boyd, who lives in Tarrant County, Texas; Laura, wife of Brewer Cushwa, who lives in Mercer County, Pa .; Marion, wife of J. W. Sample, whose home is in Knoxville, and our subject, who is the youngest child of the family. He was eight years of age when brought by his parents to Illinois, and 18 when he came to Knoxville. He received his education in the public schools, and entered his brother's store as clerk with a view to learning the business. Here he worked from 1850 till 1854 as prescription and compounding clerk, and at the end of that time removed to Mus- catine, Iowa, where he went into a drug store and there remained, learning thoroughly the secrets of that branch of commerce, until 1860. From this city he came back and bought out his brother's bus- iness, and has figured as one of the best druggists in that section of the country ever since.

Matrimonial honors were conferred upon him by Miss Georgie, daughter of Ephraim and Cordelia (McIlvain) Stonesipher, who was born in the State of Pennsylvania, and was a much admired and popu- lar young lady. Resulting from their alliance has been the birth of two children, Clifford W. and Pansy L., and their family circle includes the joys of a home blessed with contentment and the true beauties of genuine goodness.

Mr. Brewer is an active public worker and a stir-

ring, wide-awake member of the social circles to which he belongs. He is a stockholder and Director in the Farmers' National Bank of his home town, and politically is alive to the questions of the day. He is Democratic in belief and sentiment, and votes in the interests of that party.

eorge W. Brown, distinguished as the in- ventor and manufacturer of the famous corn-planter bearing his name, is a native of Saratoga County, N. Y., where he was born Oct. 29, 1815. His parents, Valentine and Bethany (Spink) Brown, were New Englanders, and moved West to York State when the latter place was comparatively a new country. Valentine Brown was a farmer by occupation, and had he lived would probably have trained his sons up to that vocation. He died when the subject of this sketch was about . two and a half years of age.

One of the elder sons of Valentine Brown became a carpenter, and at the age of 14 years George W. left the farm and began with his brother to learn the trade of a carpenter and joiner. When about 21 years of age, or in 1836, after having assisted in the construction of the second line of railroad in New York, viz., the line between Albany and Schenectady, of which road he was for a time Trackmaster, he came West. He located first in Warren County, where he carried on farming and carpentering up to 1855. In 1848 he conceived the idea of a machine for planting corn, and his first effort at such a con- struction was an attempt to combine the planter with the corn cultivator, which he had previously invented. The idea was to plant three rows at a time. The shovels of the cultivator were placed a proper distance apart for the separate rows ; a man walked in the rear and manipulated the "dropper," and three sections of a sawlog took their respective places in- mediately behind the plows to press the dirt over the grain. The roller principle is the same to the present day.

The spring of 1851 arrived, and with it Mr. Brown's " two-wheeled corn-planter," which was to revolutionize the planting of the principal cereals of the world ; this brought the unknown Warren County farmer forth from obscurity, elevated him to the top-

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most rung in the ladder of local invention, and made him one of the wealthiest men in the vicinity where he resided. Mr. Brown has added to the planter of 1851 hundreds of minor appliances, all tending in the direction of real improvements, but the essential features of the first machine remain unchanged. In 1855 Mr. Brown removed to Galesburg and began the manufacture of planters in earnest. The demand for them increased according as their merits became known to the people, and the success attained in a financial way was fully commensurate with the great value of the invention to the corn-belt of the coun- try. From 1861 to 1864, inclusive, George W. Brown reaped a harvest. By this time dealers in farm im- plements began to exhibit a lively interest in the great enterprise, and, contrary to Mr. Brown's better judgment, a large number of machines, almost doub- ling that of any previous year, were ordered and built for the market of 1865. As is known, the spring of that year saw the close of the war, consequent upon which agricultural commerce came to a standstill. Mr. Brown had thus scattered throughout the entire country over 2,500 planters, and his balance sheet the following spring showed that the accumulations of ten years were about swept away. However, with credit unimpaired, and with a brave heart and a strong arm, he borrowed in the summer of 1866 $25- ooo, and proceeded to build 3,000 more machines, which he threw upon the market and realized upon and closed the year with a handsome profit. And so it has since been. To meet an increasing market the capacity was increased from time to time, and the product has yielded proportionate results.

In 1880 Mr. Brown re-organized his business and converted it into a stock company, of which he is not only the President, but the head and front, and it is his great ability, his unswerving integrity and his genius more than all else that has given character to the firm, and ranks its transactions among the lead- ing industries of the Great West, placing it pre- eminently at the head of Knox County enterprises. (See history of the Brown Corn-Planter Works, this volume.)

George W. Brown is purely a self-made man. The sum of his inheritance did not exceed $150, and he brought with him to Illinois. aside from his family, a wagon and a span of horses, and on arriving here had only $28 left. His schooling was meager indeed, but his good common sense, sound judgment and de-

termination (without ostentation) to succeed were more than equivalent to academic accomplishment.

His inventive genius from time to time has found outlet in various agricultural implements, but the things to which his attention is most directed are the planter, cultivator and check-rower. Public spirited at all times and liberal to a fault, Galesburg will find it difficult, if not impossible, to replace this man when in time he shall be gathered unto his fathers. At no time in his life a politician or office-seeker (his only official experience being limited to one term as Mayor of Galesburg), Mr. Brown has found plenty of time to attend to his own business. He has never been a man for " dress parade," but is quiet and un- assuming in his demeanor, consistent alike in his pretensions and his actions. Such was George W. Brown as Roadmaster, as farmer, as manufacturer, and now as capitalist.

Mr. Brown was married at Clifton Park, Saratoga County, N. Y., Sept. 1, 1835, to Miss Maria Turpen- ing. His son, James E. Brown, is Treasurer of the G. W. Brown & Co. Corn-Planter Works; one of his daughters is married to M. T. Perrin, and another to WV. S. Cowan, both of Galesburg.

Mr. Brown and wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 1835, and during the early days as a farmer his house was frequently made a temporary home by the clergymen. He has contributed very largely to the erection of the hand- some church building owned by the congregation in Galesburg of which he is a member, and the church and the cause of Christ have always found in him a most earnest and pious supporter, and the missionary and Sunday-school cause a devoted friend and lib- eral patron. His residence is about two miles from the center of Galesburg, on his handsome and well- improved farm, which consists of 400 acres all well tilled. There is a beautiful lake of five acres, sit- uated about a quarter of a mile from his residence. There is a pumping-house, with large boilers and pumps that force water up to his residence and barns through a series of water mains, which are tapped at short intervals, and water plugs placed in position. He has several hundred feet of rubber hose for watering his gardens and for fire purposes. Taking it all together, it is one of the model farms in this State. His city residence, corner of Kellogg and Tompkins streets, is one of the most attractive in the city. The lawn is beautifully laid out with walks

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and flower beds. In politics Mr. B. has been a Re- publican since the organization of that party. We give the portrait of Mr. Brown in connection with this sketch, and a fine double- page view of his resi- dence is shown on page 652.

Ilen Moore Parmenter. One of the lead- ing citizens of Knoxville in matters con- cerning public good, and prominent in works of temperance and morality, is the sub- ject of this biographical notice, the principal hardware merchant of the town. He holds malty local offices, is foremost in the church circles, upholds prohibition and is an active, hearty laborer in all the societies organized for the good of the people at large.

Mr. Parmenter was born in Knoxville, Dec. 25, 1846, and was the fifth son of Theophilus T. and Roxana (Warner) Parmenter (see sketch). His early education was attained through the medium of the public schools, and at the age of 14 years he went to the city of Peoria and there served three years' apprenticeship to a tinner, learning the trade. At the end of this time, a youth of 17 years, he trav- eled East with a view to seeing the country and pur- suing his vocation, and stopped at Boston, Mass. In this city he worked at his trade for the Eastern Railroad Company for one year, and afterward for Seavey & Co.'s stamping and manufacturing works. With this company he continued three years and at the end of that time returned to Knoxville, and pur- chased the patent right of the " Monitor Brace and Bit," and subsequently went back to the Eastern States, stopping in Seymour, Conn. In this place he entered the Humphreysville Manufacturing Com- pany, and under their auspices manufactured the patent bit, representing the company, with it, as traveling salesman, one year.

From here he went to Troy, N. Y., where he worked as coppersmith one year, then entered the firm of Tibbetts & Co., as tinsmith, where he worked for two years, at the end of which time he returned to Knoxville, and, with his father as partner, en- gaged in the boot-and-shoe business. In 1875 he opened a house-furnishing store, with a small stock of goods, adding to it as his success in business warranted him in doing. To this, in 1881, he added

a hardware department, the first bill of hardware being §8, and in time built up a good trade, so that at the present time he has a well-stocked business house, carrying every kind of article included in this class of goods. He has gained a fluttering patronage and has been very successful in his undertaking. Added to his business house is a tinshop, and in 1883 he began the sale of agricultural implements and in that particular line has had a big " boom."

In the year 1872, Dec. 25, he espoused Miss Kate E. Rosenberg, of Quincy, Pa., who was born in that city March 28, 1850. Into their pleasant household have come four children-Willie, Harvey, Harry and Morris. Willie was born Sept. 23, 1874, but was early taken away by diphtheria, Dec. 25, 1880, which dread disease also attacked Harvey, who was born June 7, 1876, and died at the interesting age of five years, on the 14th of January, 1881, so that to the parents of this happy family there remain but two of their little flock-Harry A., who was born Aug. 8, 1882, and Morris, born Feb. 16, 1884.

Mr. Parmenter is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in good and regular standing, and his wife worships under the doctrines of faith as represented by the Lutheran Church. Ile is a Sun- day-school worker of much ability and has filled the office of Superintendent for six years. Ile is a charter member of Knox Lodge, No. 126, A. (). U. W., and of the Supreme Lodge and Grand Lodge of the same order. Upon him was conferred the some- what difficult honor of selecting a title for the first- named lodge, and to it he gave the one previously mentioned. He is a member as well of Knoxville Lodge, No. 66, A. F. & A. M., Rabboni Chapter, No. 95, and Illinois Council, No. 1. He is ably qualified for the social position he holds, and is in life and character a direct proof the assertion that " life is what we make it."

amuel F. Patton. Situated on section 32, of Copley Township, is the pleasant home of the gentleman of whom th's history is written. He may quoted as one of the sul- stantial and reliable men of this section of country and as one of the representative citi- zens of Knox County. In his chosen sphere of labor, that of a farmer's life, he has achieved that success

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which is the outgrowth of unwearied perseverance, thrift and a true idea of "the eternal fitness of things."

Mr. Patton was born in Highland County, Ohio, March 13, 1839. Both parents were from Highland County and emigrated to Illinois in 1843, settling in Persifer Township, Knox County. Their names are recorded among those of the pioneers, and they have taken a keen interest in the rapid growth and develop- ment of the county. They purchased So acres of land after arriving and soon afterward added 360 acres, on which he has since resided. To their home a family of six children was added, as follows : William, San- uel F., James H., Elizabeth S., Hugh T. and John J. Mrs. Patton died May 10, 1876.

Our subject remained at home until he was 22 years of age. He then enlisted, determined to go forth in behalf of the country. He was in Co. A, 59th Ill. Vol. Inf. This regiment was organized as the 9th Mo. Inf. and changed to the 59th Ill. Mr. Patton remained with it from June, 1861, to January, 1866, taking part in the terrible battles which in one's remembrance stand out vividly in " the gallery of tragedy "-Pea Ridge, Ark. ; Perryville, Ky .; Stone River, Tenn. ; Tullahoma, Tenn. ; Chickamauga, Ga .; Lookout Mountain, Tenn .; Missionary Ridge, Tenn .; Ringgold, Ga. Mr. Patton was also in the Atlanta campaign, passing through the entire ser- vice. He was wounded several times, and almost fatally Dec. 16, 1864. At that time a minie ball passed through his body and lodged near the back- bone. He remained in a hospital about five months, lying in a very low condition, and was then returned to the regiment, where he staid until the close of the war. He received an honorable discharge after he was wounded and was promoted to a First Lieuten- antship for his undaunted courage, that " never flinched a single inch when cannons played," and after the war he returned home with honor attending him.

On leaving the service Mr. Patton went onto his farm, which he engaged in improving and cultivating for two years. At the end of that time he was ap- pointed Deputy Sheriff of Knox County. This office he held from 1868 to 1870, being then elected as Sheriff. At this he served two years, living in Knox- ville. After returning from his public duties to the quiet and unexciting vocation of farining, he settled in Copley Township, and there lives at the present

time. In company with a brother, William N., he owns a farm of 350 acres, on which they are engaged in stock and grain raising.

Samuel F. Patton was married Nov. 4, 1871, to Miss Frances, a daughter of Hugh D. and Sallie (McKnight) Heagg ; both were from Pennsylvania and emigrated to Illinois in 1851. They settled at Knoxville, where he lived up to the date of his death, which occurred in 1882. The mother, who still sur- vives him, lives at Knoxville and has attained a good old age, remaining in full possession of her faculties. Mr. Patton is a public worker and has held the of- fices of Sheriff, Assessor, Commissioner of Highways and Collector, and is at present a Justice of the Peace. While acting in the capacity of Deputy Sheriff it fell to the lot of Mr. Patton to assist in the execution of John M. Osborne, who, during the year 1872, brutally murdered Mrs. John H. Mathews- one of the most heinous crimes that was ever com- mitted in the county. He is a Republican in politics, devoting himself exclusively to the interests of that party. In common with other soldiers, he belongs to the G. A. R., which organization holds him in high esteem.

ornelius Runkle. If anything can be said that will add credit to the already widely-known reputation of the name above given, to pen this here would be a pleasing task. In the bustle of life much good in the the lives of prominent men, though not prac- tically lost to the community at large, is rarely re- corded and remembered. This is most true of the present subject, whose quieter and less ostentatious deeds have so often borne good fruit.

Cornelius Runkle was born in the town of Water- vliet, Albany Co., N. Y., Jan. 19, 1810. His father, Mr. John Runkle, was a native of the same State and of Holland descent. His mother was Helen Van Woort, also of New York State and descendant of Holland parentage. Mr. Runkle was but a child of three years of age when his father died, and with his mother succeeded to the old homestead, the lat- ter's death occurring when he was in his 16th year. By this time he had acquired what is considered a good business education in the common school. At this date four brothers and two sisters were at home, where they remained until August, 1834,

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when Mr. R. set out westward in search of a location for the future. His elder brothers, John and Henry, had come to Illinois the year previously, the former settling in Peoria County, town of Hanna City, where he still resides, while Henry located in Knoxville.

In the year 1835 the subject of this biography ar- rived in Knoxville, and with his brother formed a partnership in the mercantile trade, which lasted over one and a half years, at the close of which Mr. Runkle proceeded to Mt. Pleasant, Henry Co., Iowa, where he became one of the earliest settlers. Here he engaged again in trade until 1847, when, return- ing to Knoxville, he became clerk to his brother Henry, a position which he filled successfully until elected Sheriff in 1854.

The Whig party discovered in Mr. Runkle a man whose aptitude in politics and bearing as a straight- forward business man were calculated to secure him the ear of those possessing influence with the party. Through his direct agency numerous and important measures were considered and finally adopted that helped largely to promote his party's interests. He held the office of Sheriff two years, and then, enter- ing into partnership with his brother, the firm of Runkle & Co. was established, the house running successfully for eight years. It was finally wound up and a National Bank opened. This was des- tined to become in time the First National Bank of Knoxville, with Mr. Cornelius Runkle at its head as President. In this position he continued to direct the affairs of the institution until January, 1885. For financial sagacity and a keen insight into human nature the President of the First National Bank was notable and was met by very few men who did not speedily recognize these qualities. Often when questions of financial importance, affecting alike his own community and that of adjoining districts, might have fallen to the consideration of men in higher places, the good sense of those connected with Mr. Runkle induced them invariably to seek his advice and help. During his connection with the bank the following occurrence startled the community :

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 70

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