Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 74

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 74

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KNOX COUNTY.

his choice, Miss Frances Sydan. She was born Dec. 18, 1848, and is the daughter of John T. and Hen- rietta (Sholett) Sydan, natives of the Empire State, whence they came to Victoria Township, Knox County, in 1852. Mr. Sydan enlisted in 1862, in Co. K, 83d Ill. Vol. Inf. He is now deceased. His wife is still living and residing at Galva with her son, William O. Of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Sydan, two still survive-Frances E., wife of our subject, and William O.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Sornborger of this notice are Clarence T., born Sept. 20, 1866 ; George A., Dec. 29, 1868; Lolette K., Sept. 1, 1872 ; Mary E., Oct., 28, 1876; Claude, May 25, 1878; Floyd, Sept. 10 1881 ; Gracie F., April 5, 1884. Our sub- ject is a supporter of the Greenback party, and has served his township as Assessor.

ames Alexander Wilson, one of the repre- sentative farmers of Galesburg Township, residing on section 27, was born in Persifer Township May 20, 1843, and is a son of Francis and Elizabeth (McPherrin) Wilson (see sketch). He was reared on his father's farm, at intervals attending the district schools, which was all the schooling he ever received. He remained with his parents until he gained his ma- jority, when he married Miss Martha Wertman, in January, 1868. She was born Sept. 13, 1848, in Columbia County, Pa.

Mrs. Wilson came to Illinois with her parents in 1862 and located in this county. Their names were Elias and Mary (Kistler) Wertman. They were na- tives of Pennsylvania ; the father, born Feb. 3, 1809, is still living ; the mother was born in 1813, also in Pennsylvania, and died Sept. 23, 1875. They had eight children, namely: Agnes (deceased), William, Daniel, Sarah, Mary E., Lloyd, Martha J. and Charlie. The parents of Mr. Wilson of our sketch had eight children-George, Thomas, Elizabeth, John, James Alexander, Francis, Drusilla and Mary.

Mr. Wilson has erected an elegant residence on his farm, two stories high, 60 x 32 feet in dimensions, with a fine cellar under the entire structure. It is finely finished inside and cost $4,000. He is doing a general farm business, and is a Democrat in poli-

tics and one of the most enterprising farmers in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are the happy par- ents of five children, as follows: Charles E., born Nov. 30, 1869; Arthur C., born July 12, 1872 ; Lyle, Aug. 29, 1874; Ray, June 5, 1877 ; and Mary A., May 16, 1885.

Mr. Wilson has been a life-long resident of this county, is highly esteemed by his many friends, is faithful in all the relations of life and is a successful business man.

atrick Shehan. The subject of this narra- tive is a general farmer, residing on section 11, Walnut Grove Township. He is the son of Patrick and Berdelia (Riley) Shehan, both natives of Ireland, where they were mar- ried, but subsequently came to the United States. They at first located in New York City, where all their children were born. By this happy union there were four sons and four daughters, Mr. She- han, Jr., being the younger son, and the youngest but two of the family. He was born on the 5th of Au- gust, 1857. In 1866, the family all came Westward and settled on a farm of 160 acres in the township above referred to. A portion of the family still re- side on the original homestead, where the father died Oct. 14, 1874. The mother is in her 65th year, a venerable and kindly-hearted old lady, still living on the homestead, and to which the children have added 80 acres since the death of their father. The farm is now owned and operated by the son, Thomas S.

Mr. Shehan, of this biography, resided at his par- ents' home until he was married, in Wataga, Knox County, Sept. 1, 1880, to Miss Dora Wickham, a native of New York City, where she was born March 12, 1862. She was the daughter of Elias and Nettie Davis, of New York State. The parents were farm- ers, and first came to Illinois in 1865, settling in Galva, later at Altona, where they purchased a farm of 240 acres in Walnut Grove Township. This they made their home for eight years and then proceeded to the State of Nebraska, where they arrived in 188 1 and took up a farm of 1, 120 acres in Merrick County. This opened an opportunity for extensive stock-rais- ing, which was carried on with success and profit. Mrs. Shehan was educated in Knox County and re- sided with her parents until her marriage. By this

LIBRARY OF THE L' .: IVERSITY OF ILLIN 'S

Will S, whiting

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KNOX COUNTY.

union one child has been born-Maud, May 17, 1881. For a few years after his marriage Mr, She- han operated a portion of the old homestead farm, but in the spring of 1885 he took up hus present loca- tion, which consists of about 144 acres, in an ad- vanced state of cultivation.

These good people are both active and consistent members of the Roman Catholic Church, in which they are held in the highest esteem. By political per- suasion Mr. Shehan is a Democrat, who is always willing and ready to give his earnest support to any measure calculated to further the interests of the party whose policy he believes to be for the good of the country.

enry K. Whiting is a prominent represent- ative farmer, residing on section 21, in Walnut Grove Township, and the owner of × 164 acres, mostly improved land, and 57 acres of timber. He is numbered among the most successful farmers who early came to Illinois. lle located here in 1851, and was born in Hartford, Conn., April 1, 1808. His father, Joseph, was a farmer and native of Connecticut, the family having their origin in the United States nearly two centuries ago. Three brothers from England were the found- ers of the family. The mother of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch was Mary Goodwin, also a native of Connecticut and of old American ancestry.

The family consisted of 11 children, Mr. Whiting being the youngest and the only one living. The father of this large family was born Aug. 7, 1763; the mother March 16, 1766, the children resulting from this union being as follows : Joseph, born July 23, 1784; Mary, June 29, 1786; Allen, Joly 4, 1788; Delia, Sept. 18, 1790; Sallie G., Dec 8. 1792; Emily, June 20, 1795; Flavia, Ang. 17, 1797 ; David, Ang. 4, 1799; Nathan, Sept. 1, 1801 ; and Eliza A., Feb 19, 1804. These men and women have all lived useful and successful lives, their de- cease taking place in their native State.

Henry K. Whiting was educated in the public schools of Hartford, Conn , and in his boy hood lived at home on his father's farm. He was married in his native county on the 3d of May, 1835, to Miss Mary Philleo. She was a native of Farrington,

Litchfield Co., Conn., and was born Der. 28, 1814 Her parents were natives of New York State and Connecticut respectively, and of French descent on the father's side, who was a stone-cutter by trade Toward the latter part of his life, however, he had taken to farming. The mother's decease took place in Connecticut, while the father lies buried in Rock Island, Ill. The former died at the age of 44, and the latter at the advanced age of 88.

The present Mis. Whiting was one of a family of fifteen children. She is herself the mother of five children, two now living, viz .: Virgima, wife of W. 11. Ware, of Walnut Grove; and Deloss P., who married Miss Mary A. Mack and is residing on their farm near Galesburg. This marriage took place Jan. 1, 1862.

C. 11. Whiting, the second son, was born March 21, 1840, and proceeded South to Texas before the war. Here he enlisted in defense of the Lost Cause, and died soon after his return North. Wilbert L. was a volunteer in the Army of the Republic, in the 42d 111. Vol. Inf., and was killed by a gunshot from the enemy at the battle of Resaca. He was born Nov. 30, 18445, and enlisted in defense of the Union r Aug. 10, 1861, when he was but 15 years old. It will be seen hereinafter that this made him a veteran soldier before he reached the age of 19 years. He j then re-enlisted for the war, receiving $400 bounty with 30 days' furlough. This was on March 2, 1864. He returned to his regiment and started with Sherman on his march to the sea This time, how- ever, the fates ordained that he was to forfeit his young life in defense of his country. He fell at Calhoun, Ga., May 16, 1864 Being under age, he had never as yet cast a vote in deciding the politics of his country, but for all that was a patriot of the first standing Ilis remains lie at rest, over which . monument has been erected to his memory, in Altona Cemetery The following is a copy of this young soldier's discharge :

" Wilbert 1. Whiting, a private of Capt. Wal- worth's Company C, 42d Regiment of Illinois In- fantry Volunteers, who was enrolled on the toth day of August, 1861, to serve three years or during the wat, is hereby discharged from the service of the United States, to date the 31st day of December. 1863, at Stone Mills, Tennessee, by reason of re- enlistibent is a Veteran Volunteer Given at Chat- tanooga, Tenn , the 16th day of February, 1864."

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KNOX COUNTY.

After Mr. Whiting's marriage he took up his resi- dence in West Hartford from 1835 to 1851, when the family removed to Illinois and located on the land where they are now living. This farm had been secured by a brother of Mrs. W. early in the history of the county and township. Since making their home here they have as citizens rendered val- uable service to the community, their sterling worth and honesty being noticeable throughout the vicinity. As a Republican in politics Mr. W. has shown him- self a strong supporter of the party. He and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

M. Tiffany, of Altona, is manager of a large drug and notion store, and carries on bus- iness under the firm name of H. Tiffany, and which was established Jan. 26, 1885, suc- ceeding John Becker, M. D., the previous owner and manager. Mr. Tiffany, before en- gaged in the drug trade at Altona, had been in the same business at Union, Hardin Co., Iowa, where he continued for seven years, removing, after success- fully carrying on the business there, to his present location.

Mr. Tiffany was born in Schoharie County, N. Y., October 11, 1854. His father, Horace Tiffany, was formerly by occupation a farmer, but feeling himself called to the ministry, he abandoned this work, en- gaging with the Methodist Episcopal denomination, in which church he has since labored. He resides at Cornell, Livingston Co., Ill., to which place he came in 1871. He was married while in the State of New York, to Lucy J. Teel, who was a native of that State, and who with him entered his chosen field of work. She is yet living and is his helpful and ap- preciative compar ion.

Our subject is the second in order of birth in a family of seven children. At the time of his parents removal to Illinois he was two years of age, and after attaining a scholastic age was sent to the public schools of Livingston County, and after reaching years of discretion, during which he grew to truly es- timate the value of an education, he was sent to Hedding College, Abingdon, Ill. He was 15 years old at this time, but developed beyond his age, men- tally, and was of serious and dignified disposition.

He began teaching in the public schools in this State and in Iowa, about this time. He pursued his chosen vocation up to the time that he engaged as druggist at Union, Iowa. In Cornell, Ill., he made the acquaintance of Miss Flora C., the daughter of Harrison Carroll, a farmer of Livingston County. Their friendship ripened into a warmer sentiment, and on April 15, 1877, their marriage took place. Her father still lives in this section of the country, in which Mrs. Tiffany was born, receiving her educa- tion in the public schools.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Tiffany has been blessed by the birth of three children, named re- spectively Harry M., Nellie M. and Frederick. Mr. Tiffany is a wide-awake and energetic member of society, and takes a keen interest in public matters, upon which he is an able thinker. Politically he is a Republican.

ric Ericson is a farmer on section 10, Vic- toria Township. He was born in Sweden, March 20, 1836, and is a son of John and Sarah (Monson) Ericson, natives of Sweden. The parents were married in 1831, and left their native land, coming to the United States in 1850, making their first settlement in Manitowoc County, Wis., where they purchased 160 acres of land, remaining there for 20 years. Upon disposing of his farm Mr. Ericson came to Knox County and located 80 acres on section 15, Victoria Township. Upon this place they resided until 1882, since which time they have made their home with their son Eric. They were the parents of six children, the three liv- ing bearing the names of Eric, Magnus and Mar- garet, now Mrs. Ryan. The mother of our subject died in 1871, in Wisconsin.

Eric Ericson remained at home until 28 years of age, assisting his father in the duties of the farın. On coming to Knox County, in 1864, he located in Victoria Township, section 13, where he purchased a farm of 70 acres. This had some improvements on it which had been there since 1853. He has since added 99 acres to his landed interests. In 1884 Mr. Ericson erected on his fine farm a handsome resi- dence, with all modern conveniences, valued at $2,000. He also has a fine granary and has made many other substantial improvements.

His marriage took place Feb. 6, 1862, at which

LIBRARY OF THE L':"VERSITY OF ILLINA'S

Alexander Latimes

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KNOX COUNTY.

time Miss Christina Bloom, daughter of Michael and Gurlin (Swanson) Bloom, became his wife. Her par- ents were natives of Sweden, and in 1850 canie to America, and for three years stopped in New York. In 1853 they purchased 120 acres of land in Mani- towoc County, Wis., remaining on the same until 1872. The mother died in 1860, and the father re- moved to Dakota, which Territory he has since made his home. Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Ericson, four are still living and are named Samuel; Christina, wife of our subject; l'eter and Mary, who became Mrs. Norse.

Mr. and Mrs. Ericson are the parents of one son, John E., who is in attendance at the Business Col- lege at Galesburg. In political faith our subject affiliates with the Republican party. Both himself and wife are consistent members of the Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. E. has served his township in the offices of Commissioner of Highways and Pathmaster; while residing in Wisconsin he was School Director.

lexander Latimer. The subject of this sketch, formerly a pioneer of Knox County. was born in Tennessee, Sept. 7, 1807. He is a son of Elder Joseph Latimer, born in New London, Conn., in 1766, and grandson of Col. Latimer, of Revolutionary fame. (See sketch of Elder Joseph Latimer.) The Latimer family are descended from English stock. They orig- inally settled in Connecticut at a period long before the Revolutionary War. The grandfather of Alexan- der, and great-grandfather of the present family of Latimers in Knox County, was a Colonel in the War for Independence, and his 12 sons served under him.

The Latimer family removed to the Territory of Tennessee, in 1790, where Alexander was born, as above stated. In 1828 he married Miss Eunice Guth- rie, a native of Robinson County, Tenn .; she was born in 1808 and departed this life in 1842. Soon after his marriage Alexander removed to Illinois and stopped in Sangamon County. The Black Hawk war was in progress at this time, and he joined the forces under Col. G. G. Latimer, and continued in the service until the Indians were driven across the river. Soon after the settlement of the Indian diffi-

culty he was joined by his wife and they came to this county in 1834, locating in Indian Point Township, and two years later settled on section 21, Cedar Township. In 1851 he engaged in mercantile pur- suits in the village of Abingdon, in which he con- tinued for a number of years. In 1860 he removed to Minnesota, and there engaged in agricultural pur- suits, and is still a resident of that State.

By the union of our subject and Eunice Guthrie there were six children born. The following is the record : Elizabeth, born in 1834, died in 1842; Wm. G. is a resident of Washington Ter .; Mary Louisa is the wife of Henderson Ritchie, a native of Hender- son County, this State, and the first white child born in that county ; he now resides in Council Grove, Kan .; James S. is a resident of Knox County ; Rob- ert A. and Joseph M. died in infancy. After the death of his first wife Mr. Latimer married Miss Julia Hart, a native of Indiana. She died in 1850, leaving four children, whose record is as follows : Washington K., Pleasant H .; Sarah J., wife of John W. Dawdy, and Cora A., wife of C. M. Phipps, a resident of Minnesota. In 1852 Mr. Latimer contracted a third marriage, Miss Sarah Chesney, a native of Indiana, becoming his wife. By this union there are five children, named as follows: Narcissa L., who is a teacher in the High School of Seattle, Washington Ter .; Alice, who occupies a similar position in Min- nesota; Harriet E., wife of Charles Stephens, a farmer al.d resident of this county; Clara C., a teacher in Minnesota ; Emma C., wife of Charles B. Reynolds, telegrapher, Lanesboro, Minn.

As intimated before, the Latimers came from a patriotic race. During the late war all the sons of Alexander Latimer were in the service. William G. enlisted in Co. G., 83d Ill. Vol. Inf., and upon the organization of the company was elected Second Lieutenant. He was soon after promoted to First Lieutenant and then to Brigade Inspector, and served in that capacity until the close of the war. After his three years' enlistment had expired he veteranized. He distinguished himself at the battle and capture of Fort Donelson, and the sword he captured there from a Confederate officer still remains in his posses- sion as a trophy of his prowess. Washington K. was a private in Co. K, 9th Reg. Minn. Vol. Inf. He was in the command under Gen. Sturgis, in his ill- fated expedition and disaster in 1863, and was capt- ured, taken to Andersonville, and there died in

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KNOX COUNTY.

1865, only a few days before the surrender of Lee's army at Appomattox. Pleasant H. was also a mem- ber of Co. K, 9th Minn. Vol. Inf., was in same en- gagement, but escaped the disaster of his brother; served until close of the war, and at present resides at Seneca, Kan.

Alexander Latimer in politics was originally a Democrat, but opposed to the system of slavery. Upon the organization of the Republican party he joined its ranks and has ever since voted with it. He was for many years a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. During his early life, he, in connection with his brothers Jonathan and George, was the principal originator and builder of the Cherry Grove Seminary, and they contributed largely of their means to aid in its construction. From the fact of there being no church of his denomination in the locality where he now lives, both he and his wife joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. During his residence here he was for many years Justice of the Peace, and in fact held the office until his re- moval from the State, and was known by everyone as 'Squire Latimer.

The publishers of this ALBUM are pleased at being able to present the features of this well known "grand old man " among the portraits of other distinguished citizens.

saac Q. Armstrong, a farmer, residing on section 18, Knox Township, is the subject of this biographical sketch, and is note- worthy as being a substantial citizen, and suc- cessful in his chosen field of labor. His farm is in a good state of cultivation, highly improved and supplied with a first-class set of farm buildings, furnished with all modern conveniences. The farm is well stocked with blooded animals, and nothing is lacking to complete and perfect his possessions. Mr. Armstrong was born in Adams Co., Pa., June 21, 1831, and his father, Isaac Armstrong, Sr., was also born in Adam> County, April 6, 1797. The grand- father of our subject likewise bore the Christian name of Isaac, and was a resident of the same county as the son and grandson at the time of his death. He was born of English progenitors, but was of Ameri- can adoption.

The father of our subject grew to manhood in his

native county, and was married there to Miss Mary Campbell. She was born in Adams County in 1808, and was of Scotch-Irish ancestry. In 1835 he removed to Franklin County, Pa., and there rented land. He lived there 19 years, and in 1854, accom- panied by his wife and eight children, emigrated to Illinois. They started the 4th day of May with horses, covered wagons and a rockaway carriage, and drove overland to their destination. They landed in Knoxville, June 12, where the father rented a house for his family in the village, and started out to find a suitable and permanent location. He purchased 307 acres on section 18, Knox Town- ship. There was a log house and stable on it, and the land was partly under cultivation; the family lived in the cabin for a few years, then erected a frame house and added other improvements. He died on this place in June, 1878, and his wife in May, 1879.

Eight children were born to Isaac Armstrong : Alex- ander lives in Nemaha County, Neb. ; Isaac, of whom we write; James, who lives in Knox Township; Agnes, whose home is in Orange Township; Jane, wife of D. H. Stewart, lives in Jefferson County, Ia .; Rebecca, wife of Wilson Wood, lives in Cheyenne, Wyoming Ter .; Thomas resides on the old home- stead in Knox Township; Mary is the wife of Webb Sipherd, and lives in Polk County, Neb.

The subject of this history was but four years of age when he removed to Franklin County, Pa. He grew to manhood there, was reared on the farm, and educated in the district schools. He came to Illi- nois with his parents, and remained with them until his marriage in 1862. At that time he united with Margaret Saddler, who was born in Adams County, Pa. Eighteen months afterward she died, leaving one child, a son named Harry. His second marriage was contracted Nov. 13, 1866, with Elizabeth Rogers. She was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, and is the daughter of Charles and Eliza (Phillips) Rogers, the father a native of Connecticut, and her mother of England. One child was the result of this latter union, a daughter named Lottie. At the time of marriage they settled on that part of their homestead which Mr. Armstrong now owns and occupies.

In the spring of 1865 Mr. Armstrong, with others, engaged in the employ of the Government, and went South to Chattanooga and to different parts of East

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KNOX COUNTY.

Tennessee. There he continued until the close of the war. At the present time he is engaged in the joint business of farming and stock-raising. Mr. Armstrong is a valued member of the community, an alert thinker, and wide-awake to the political situation. He is a Republican in politics, and warmly supports that party with sentiment and vote. His wife is an enrolled member of the Presbyterian Church and he is liberal in religious sentiment, though connected with no special organization.

B W. Sornborger. One of the most exten- sive farmers and large land-owners of this county is B. W. Sornborger, residing upon section 9, Victoria Township. He is a native of the township in which he is at present residing, the date of his birth being May 22,

1829. His parents were Peter and Phelia (Wilber) Sornborger. They were natives of New York, and in 1836 came to this State, where the father secured 126 acres of land located on section 7, Victoria Township. Upon this farm he resided until his de- mise in 1845. The marriage of the senior Mr. Sorn- borger was the first wedding celebrated in this town- ship, and took place April 16 (Easter Sunday), 1838. Both Mr. and Mrs. S. were members of the Methodist Church. The family of Peter Sornborger remained upon the old farm on section 7 until the year 1878, when, selling it, they purchased the place where the subject of this sketch now resides, and where the mother died in 1879, one year later. Of the parental family of our subject, B. W. is the only one who lived to attain the age of majority.

Briggs W. Sornborger, of this personal notice, spent his earlier days upon the farm, and in acquir- ing a good English education. He has had the entire management of the farm since 16 years of age, with the exception of one year when he worked out. He is at present extensively engaged in stock and grain raising, and is meeting with success in his chosen vocation. Besides possessing the old home- stead, he also owns 25 t acres of well-cultivated land in Truro Township.

The marriage of Mr. Sornborger with Miss Helen A. Cadwell was celebrated March 6, 1859. She was a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of

John P. and Mary E. (Porter) Cadwell. Her parents came to Illinois in 1840, and purchased a large tract of land upon sections to and ri, Truro Township. They remained upon this farm until 1866, and then removed to the village of Altona, where they lived for six years, at the end of which time they returned to the old farm in Truro Township, where the mother died in 1874. Two years later the father returned to Altona, residing there until his death in 1880. We give the following brief memoranda of the seven surviving children of Mr. and Mrs. Cadwell: Sarah A. married S. S. Seward, and they reside in Missouri ; James M., next in order of birth ; Mary J., at pres- ent Mrs. J. W. Stanley, with her husband makes Kansas her home; Helen A., the wife of our sub- ject ; Sylvia is the wife of D. A. Pierce, and resides at Altona ; Nancy E. married J. W. Hopkins, and also resides at Altona ; Malinda married Nehemiah Gale, and they are residing in the State of Nebraska.

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 74

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