Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 77

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 77

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After Austin Smith had accompanied his parents to this county, he still continued to reside with them for two years, assisting by his labors in the mainten- ance of the family. He was married in Toulon, Stark County, this State, Jan. 10, 1855, to Miss Sarah McNaught, daughter of Thomas and Eliza (Custard) McNaught, natives of Pennsylvania. Her parents were married near Pittsburg, Pa., and after the birth of four children in that State, they removed to Rich- land County, Ohio, and subsequently six additional

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children were born to them, Mrs. Smith being the youngest but one.

Of the children of Mrs. Smith's parents, five are yet living, and one beside Mrs. Smith is a resident of this State. Mrs. Smith was about six years of age when her parents came to this county and settled in Lynn Township. There her father died, Nov. 23, 1857, and her mother in Stark County, Dec. 15, 1873. Her father was a carpenter and cabinet- maker by trade.

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Smith seven chil- dren have been born, three of whom are deceased. May C. is a graduate in dentistry, having received her honors at Ann Arbor, and is at present following her profession in Minneapolis, Minn. Ruth B. was edu- cated at Galva and Geneseo, and is a teacher in the public schools. A. Furn resides at home, as does Charles A. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have resided on their present farm, which comprises 120 acres of good and productive land, since 1857, a period of nearly 30 years, and have met with success in their united labor. She and her eldest daughter are members of the Christian Church. In politics, Mr. Smith was formerly a Democrat, but since the Prohibition party has sprung into existence he has been an earnest advocate of its principles.

homas L. Gilbert, who was born March 17, 1830, and w hose business as a lumber dealer Å has so successfully increased within recent date is a gentleman of whom it may be truly said that perseverance and rectitude will lead to any position to which one may aim. The father of Mr. Gilbert was a farmer in Knox County, and originally a native of New Lebanon, Columbia Co., Conn., where he was born Oct. 26, 1788. He was the son of Thomas and Zelpha (Fellows) Gil- bert. Thomas Gilbert was born at Middletown, Conn., April 1, 1752, the birthday of his wife Zelpha being May 19. 1755. He was a soldier in the Revolution- ary War, under Washington's command, a position in which his valor won him distinction. Early in his life he removed to Oneida County, N. Y., where he was considered one of the earliest pioneers. Here he purchased land five miles from the present site of

Rome. Seeing the necessity in this part of the coun- try for a good hotel, he opened his house to the trav- eling public, and in this calling remained until his death, Aug. 15, 1818, his wife having died four years previously.

The father of our subject was six years old when he went to Oneida County with his parents, and there grew to manhood. From here he proceeded to Ogdensburg, and engaged in mercantile business, and while prosecuting this calling enlisted in the War of 1812 in defense of the city. During the capture of the place by the British, he was wounded in the foot and the musket ball fired is still in the possession of the family. At the close of the War of 1812, he went to Mackinaw and to the headwaters of the Missis- sippi River, to participate in the Indian trade being then carried on there. This was about the date of his father's death, and after this he returned to Oneida County and settled on the old homestead, managing the farm and hotel.

The marriage of Thomas Gilbert with Annis Dib- ble occurred Dec. 4, 1807. She was a native of Stanford, Dutchess Co., N. Y., born Feb. 23, 1801, and was the daughter of Thomas and Rachel ( Mitch- ell) Dibble, her father being a native of Long Island and her mother of Connecticut. They occupied the old homestead until December, 1833, when they re- moved to the Wright settlement, two miles from Rome. Leaving his family here, in 1833, he started west- ward in search of a home, coming via canal and the lakes a part of the way, then purchasing a horse and riding and exploring the country while in the saddle. In the fall he returned with stock, and in the spring of 1835 was appointed one of the committee to seek a location for a colony. His assistants were Nehe- miah West and Timothy Jarvis. They visited Knox County, and Mr. Gilbert bought a claim on section 5, township to, range 2 (now Orange). His assist- ants were far from pleased with the county and ac- cordingly reported adversely. On this account Mr. Gilbert did not return with them, but soon after re- traced his step; and gave an excellent account of Knox County, reporting that he had purchased a claim and entered upon a half-section of land. On making it known that it was his intention to settle here, and on his representation, the colony sent their purchasing agent out to buy the present site of Gales- burg Township. Mr Gilbert of this sketch has still in his possession the letter of instructions in regard

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to the site the committee were recommended to select. In this there is a minute description of a desirable location, the document being carried by his father on the trip westward. In the fall of the year Mr. Gilbert started with his wife and four children, trav- eling via the Erie Canal to Buffalo, then to Cleve- land via the lakes, and thence by canal to Ports- mouth and by the Ohio, Mississippi and Illinois Rivers to Copperas Creek Landing. Here, hiring a team, he proceeded to Knox Township and staid for a short time in Knoxville, until he could put a roof over his cabin and put in a puncheon floor and chink in with clay, as was then the method. He entered this land in the Land-Office at Dixon, the only great central place in those days. Soon he im- proved his farm and erected a brick house and de- termined to remain there until 1865, when he re moved to Knoxville, where he purchased land and a very desirable residence, which he retained up to the date of his death, Feb. 16, 1872. He was Super- visor of Orange Township, a post he admirably filled, and himself, wife and children were members of the Presbyterian Church. His widow still resides in Knoxville. By the marriage referred to there were six children born, four of whom are now living- Mary, who is the wife of A. C. Chaffee ; Thomas L., the subject of this sketch ; Zenana, a maiden lady residing with her mother, and Jane, wife of S. H. Tompkins.

In politics Mr. Gilbert, the subject of our sketch, is a Republican ; he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. When he first came to the county he was only in his fifth year, and not far in advance of this tender age assisted his parents on the farm and attended the public school. Up to the date of his marriage he made his home with his parents, this latter event occurring April 24, 1856, his wife being Harriet Hebard. This lady was the daughter of Benjamin and Eliza (Clisby) Hebard, and a native of Ohio. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert, a daughter, Effie, resides with her parents. At the date of his marriage he settled on a farm then included in section 8 of Orange Township, and fol- lowed farming until the spring of 1866, when he rented his farm and removed to Knoxville, where he engaged in the grocery and live-stock business, and was thus occupied until 1868, when he sold out and bought a half interest in a hardware store, which re- ceived his attention until 1871, when he disposed of

his interest therein. In 1873 Mr. Gilbert became engaged in the lumber business, to which he has since devoted his attention with the exception of one and a half years.

C. Brooks is one of Knox County's promi- nent farmers, residing on section 3, Victo- ria Township. He was born in Ohio, Feb. 5, 1834, and his parents were Solomon and Mary (Collamar) Brooks, natives of Lincoln County, Maine. The grandparents of our subject were David and Thankful (Collamar) Brooks, natives of the Pine Tree State. They trace their ancestry back to the English. The grandfather of our subject came to Ohio at a very early day. He was born July 27, 1772, and died in the State of Ohio, Jan. 24, 1831. His wife was born April 17, 1771, and her demise occurred in Victoria Township, Ill., Aug. 13, 1837.

Solomon Brooks, father of our subject, was mar- ried Jan. 24, 1825. Three years later he removed to the State of Ohio, where he resided for nine years, and in 1837 came to Knox County, where he passed the remainder of his days. The mother of our subject was born Jan. 18, 1800, in Lincoln County, Maine, and after 48 years of married life she and her husband were compelled by death to part company for a season, his demise occurring March 20, 1873, the faithful wife following Dec. 29, 1885.

Solomon Brooks was born May 13, 1803, and on coming to Illinois settled on section 3, Victoria Town- ship, where he purchased 240 acres. This he im- proved and beautified, making his home there until his death. The family consisted of seven children, four of whom are living, namely : Caleb, Frances, Thomas C. and Sarah F., now Mrs. Collinson. Caleb, who was born Nov. 19, 1827, resides in Webster County, Iowa; Frances, born Aug. 26, 1831, is a resident in Henry County, Ill .; Thomas C., born Feb. 5. 1834, resides in Victoria Township; Sarah F., born July 16, 1839, resides at Walnut Grove, Ill.

The subject of this notice has always remained upon the old homestead, and is now the possessor of 293 acres of fine farm land, and is engaged in grain and stock raising. August 27, 1868, he was married to Miss Sarah Murphy, who was born April

LIBRARY OF THE LINVERSITY OF ILLIN 3

Elizabeth H. Ferris

Henry Herris

LIBRARY OF THE L.VVERSITY OF ILLIM 3

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9, 1850. Her parents were John and Martha (Hes- ter) Murphy, natives of Richland and Clinton Coun- ties, Ohio. The father was born May 25, 1816, and the mother April 10, 1818. They came to Illinois about the year 1845, and are at present residing in Victoria Township. There were eight children. The family on the father's side was of Scotch-Irish an- cestry. Our subject and wife have been blest by the birth of four children-John H., born Sept. 10, 1869 ; Lucy B., March 12, 1875, and Eldo M., May 25, 1883 ; David Harrison died April 5, 1882. Mr. Brooks is a stanch Republican, and has held the office of Pathmaster of his township. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Stark Lodge, No. 501, La Fayette, and the I. O. O. F. at La Fayette, Lodge No. 657, also Galva Camp, No. 174. The parents of Mr. Brooks were Free-Will Baptists, and in politics he was an old-line Whig, and latterly a Republican. Mr. Brooks, during the war, enlisted in Co. F, 83d Regt. Ill. Vol. Inf., but was soon after discharged for disability.

enry Ferris, now a retired capitalist, was the first one of the settlers in the Galesburg Colony. Mr. Ferris was born in Herki- mer County, N. Y., Oct. 18, 1809. His father was Sylvanus Ferris, and his mother a Miss Sallie Olmsted. They were united in mar- riage in Connecticut, and moved at once to Norway, in the above-named county, and while living in that State they had a family of seven sons and three daughters born to them.

Henry, our subject, was his parents' sixth child in order of birth, and was brought up on the farm, and at the district schools acquired the rudiments of an English education, with one year at Oneida Institute, N. Y. ; one year in an academy, where he studied languages, and one year at Marion College, Ma- rion County, Mo. In 1833 he emigrated to Mis- souri ; was there two years and came to Knox County, Galesburg, in 1835. His father there made an entry of some lands and was a member of the Galesburg Colony, and was one of the purchasing committee. Upon the grounds now occupied by the Female Department of Knox College, and south be- yond the present depot grounds, young Ferris first

broke prairie. He quitted the vocation of an agri- culturist in 1857, and engaged in the lumber bus- iness, which he followed for a few years only, and then returned again to his old occupation of farming. It is on record that he tried his hand awhile at mer- cantile business, but for a short time only, as he found it unprofitable. Farming appears to have been his favorite pursuit, and at this he has been ex- tremely successful. He was one of the first men to agitate the construction of what took form as the Military Tract Railroad, and to it subscribed the first $1,000, soon after increasing his subscription to $10- 000; and his father and brother-in-law each took $10,000, making in all $30,000 in the family. He is the owner of and has in his possession one of the first certificates of stock issued by the company. As it is probably the only one in existence, we give a copy of it in full. It is a printed form, written in with pen and ink, upon a piece of common writing paper 2 1/2 × 43/4 inches in size :

" CENTRAL MILITARY TRACT RAILROAD COMPANY, GALESBURG, April 12, 185 1.

" This is to certify that Henry Ferris is the holder of ten shares to the capital stock of Central Military Tract Railroad Company, and that ten dollars on each has been paid.

(Signed) "W. A. WOOD, Sec."

"No. 26, N. B .- This certificate transferable on books of the company."

In this connection we will simply add that Mr. Ferris from the beginning was possessed of wisdom and foresight enough to hold onto all the railroad stock that came into his hands, and the large revenue derived therefrom has had much to do in making him one of the wealthiest men of the community.

Aug. 31, 1836, in a little, old log cabin, at Hen- derson Grove, the first marriage ceremony occurring in the Galesburg Colony was performed, and the contracting parties were Henry Ferris and Elizabeth Hudson. Miss Hudson was a native of New Hamp- shire, and came West with Nehemiah West's family as a school teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Ferris have be- come the parents of seven children, of whom we have the following memoranda: The oldest, Alfred G., was born Nov. 17, 1837, grew to manhood, emi- grated to Nevada and has not been heard from for 20 years; Harriet M. (Mrs. Charles A. McLaughlin), born Dec. 11, 1839; Ella G. (Mrs. Frank Arnold),

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Nov. 29, 1842; Timothy H., born Nov. 27, 1845, married Mary Drew; Henry B., born Sept. 29, 1848, is deceased ; Caroline E., born June 18, 1851, is also deceased; Lillie C. (Mrs. George Prince), born April 13, 1856.

Mr. and Mrs. Ferris are members of the "Old First Church," the Congregational. During all his life Mr. Ferris has never held or sought office. He boasts of having voted for every Abolition candidate for the Presidency from James Gillespie Birney down to James Gillespie Blaine.

The portraits of Mr. Ferris and wife will be seen elsewhere in our ALBUM, and will be recognized by friends and neighbors with pleasure. For years the genial light of his countenance has beamed upon them, and the volume would be indeed incomplete without their pleasant faces and personal history.

dwin Lafferty. Throughout this county the observing traveler cannot fail to note the large number of fine and productive farms with their substantial improvements, where live men of enterprise, industry and economy, whose interests have been long identi- fied with the prosperity and development of the county. Among the class referred to is the subject of this notice, residing on section 13, of Victoria Township, who has lived here all the days of his life, having first seen light within its boundaries Sept. 4, 1842.

His parents were John and Sallie (Slocomb) Laf- ferty. They were natives of Ashland Co., Ohio, and came to Illinois, settling in Lynn Township, Knox County, at an early day. He was one of the first settlers on section 36, where he purchased the sec- tion, on which he built a log cabin 16x28, and made all necessary and desirable improvements, and where he remained until his death in 1867. The mother still survives and is spending the sunset of her life on the homestead. They had a family of eight children, six of whom still survive and who are named as follows : Euphemia, Eleazar, Edwin, Rosa, Ophelia and John.

The subject of this sketch remained at home until he was 19 years of age, receiving a good common- school education and at intervals assisting his father

on the farm. Upon leaving home, our subject's father presented him with 80 acres of land, upon which he at present resides, having improved the same by setting out various kinds of trees and build- ing good and substantial fences. Here he has suc- cessfully carried on the raising of cereals and stock.

Mr. Lafferty was united in marriage Feb. 28, 1861, with Miss Margaret Johnson, daughter of Joseph and Margaret Johnson, natives of Sweden, who came to America in 1846 and settled in Victoria Town- ship, on section 16, where they purchased 40 acres of prime land, and there continued to reside until his demise, which occurred in the same year of their settlement here. The mother died in 1863. Their children were seven in number-Christina, Peter, Jonas, William, Andrew, Margaret, who became Mrs. Lafferty, and George.

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Lafferty, six children been born : Sarah, who became Mrs. Wilber, and bore her husband two children-Arthur and Susan B .; Wealthy Lafferty married a Mr. Grant, and the remaining children are Nellie, Huldah, Hat- tie and Edna R.

Mr. Lafferty is a Republican in politics, is Path- master in his township and one of the representa- tive citizens of the agricultural class of Victoria Township.

oward P. Grant, present Supervisor of Lynn Township, and one of Knox County's respected and honored citizens, as well as a successful farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Peoria County, Il1., Aug. 26, 1835. His father, Nelson Grant, was also a farmer by vocation, and born, reared and married in New York. Shortly after the father's marriage he came to this State and located in Peoria County, and at that time was one of the early pioneers on La Salle Prairie, where he located.

The father of our subject, when he arrived in Peo- ria County, had but $1.50 in money, and gave that to a gentleman to take him 12 miles into the country. It was shortly after the parents arrived there that the subject of this notice was born. They soon left there and came to this county, making settlement in Lynn Township They afterward moved to Mis- souri, where they resided for some time, and are at

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present living in La Fayette, Stark County, Ill., where they are passing the sunset of life in peace and quiet, enjoying the accumulations of the past. They have been man and wife for 51 years, and have left an honorable record for their children to pattern after. The mother's maiden name was Polly Chat- field, and she was born and reared in Rochester, N. Y., living there until she attained womanhood, and, as stated, was there married. She bore her husband eight children, five sons and three daughters ; and one of the former is deceased. The remaining chil- dren are all married and settled down in life.

Mr. Grant, of this notice, received his education in the common schools of Stark County, and was an inmate of the paternal household until 17 winters of his life had passed. He was united in marriage at Toulon, Ill., with Lucy, daughter of Birdsey and Clarissa (Wilcox) Norton. Her parents were natives of Connecticut and were married in New York, where Mrs. Grant of this notice was born, June 11, 1837, being the only child born of her parents' union. Her parents had both been previously married and had children by their former unions. The father of Mrs. Grant was a carpenter by trade and died in Connect- icut, when Mrs. Grant was but 11 years of age. His widow afterward came to this State, locating in Stark County, in 1855, whither her daughter, Mrs. Grant, had preceded her in 1853, and where, in Goshen Township, the mother died June 15, 1861, aged a little more than 70 years. Mrs. Grant had come to this State and located in Stark County with a half brother, with whom she continued to reside until her marriage, being occupied in the meanwhile, a portion of her time, in teaching school in Henry and Knox Counties.

Mr. and Mrs. Grant have seven children : F. Ellen is the wife of John Reed, a farmer of Victoria Township; Arthur N. married Wealthy Lafferty, and is a farmer of Lynn Township. Jessie I., Fred I., Maude, N. Birdsey and Harold reside at home. Shortly after marriage Mr. and Mrs. Grant located in this county, and some three years afterward be- came permanent settlers of Lynn Township. Mr. Grant is at this writing proprietor of a fine farm of 200 acres of rich and productive land. When he first made his location on his present farm, his means only footed up $300. The first day he began to plow one of his horses died, which made him still poorer ; but he was not the man to become discouraged, and

kept on in the even tenor of his way, working hard and economizing, and the fruits of his success are shown in the fine place on which he lives at the present time. It is true that our subject is a self- made man in every sense. He began life with noth- ing and has accumulated a handsome competency through his own energy and perseverance, and on his fine farm, surrounded by his happy family, he is enjoying life, as well he may. Mr. Grant was Assess- or of his township and also Collector and Road Com- missioner. In 1885 he was elected Supervisor of Lynn Township, of which office he is the present in- cumbent. In politics he is a stanch Republican.

- nson Sornborger is one of the representa- tive citizens and progressive farmers of Knox County. His home is located on section 11, Copley Township. He was born April 24, 1817, in Delaware County, N. Y., and his parents were George and Katie (Wol- cott) Sornborger, natives of New York. They were farmers by occupation and had a family of 13 chil- dren, of whom the subject of our sketch was the youngest. His father was a teamster in the Revo- lutionary War, who came from his home to Illinois in 1838, and settled at Victoria with his family.

Anson Sornborger took up 63 acres of land on section II, in Copley Township, which he improved, by fencing, building a log house, setting out trees, etc., and in this pleasant little home, cozy notwith- standing its inconveniences, they lived until 1850. At that time he sold out and purchased the place where he now lives, including 160 acres prairie and 40 acres timber. On the 160 acres he has made all the improvements possible and values his land at $65 per acre. His parents made their home with him up to the time of their deaths, which occurred in 1841 and 1846 respectively. He has been more than successful in his chosen field of labor, and has a branch interest in the raising and shipping of stock.

Mr. Sornborger was united in marriage in 1840 with Miss Catherine Wilbur, who was born in Coo- perstown, N. Y., in 1814, and is the daughter of John and Dorothy (Frymyer) Wilbur. Her parents were natives of New York and lived in that State up to the time of their death. Mr. and Mrs. Sornborger

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are the parents of ten children, four of whom are de- ceased : George M., Charles D., Ford W., Alexan- der, Cass and Loue E. Those deceased are Willie, Clare, Henry and Jordan.

George M. is the husband of Frances Sydam, and they have seven children-Clarence, George A., Lolette, Mary, Claude, Floyd and Grace. Charles married Marion Clarke, and they are the parents of two children -- Clifford and Clyde; Mrs. Sornborger died in 1879, and her husband renmarried. His sec- ond matrimonial alliance was with Irene Brown. Henry was the husband of Emily Files, but died in 1870. Jordan united in marriage with Hannah Woolsey and they were the parents of two children -Minerva C. and Harold J .; Jordan died in May, 1878. Ford W. married Viola Abernathy; she is deceased and he was again married, to Viola Childs, who has borne him two children-Bertha and Ella A. Alexander married Frances Clarke and they have two children-Lillias A. and Susie M. Cass mar- ried Isabelle Cummings ; they have one child.

Mr. Sornborger is a Greenbacker in politics and has been Commissioner of Highways and Overseer of the Poor for some time. With his wife and daugh- ter he is an earnest member of the Congregational Church of Victoria, and is one of the best and most helpful men that the county contains.

kavid T. Kennedy, son of Andrew J. and Catherine (Raney) Kennedy, and a farmer, residing on section 7, Rio Town- ship, is the subject of this historical sketch, and is known and respected for his persevering industry and the unflagging zeal and energy with which he carries on his chosen vocation, that of a farmer.

The subject herein written of was born in Orange Township, Knox County, May 4, 1858, and was reared to manhood by his parents, receiving the ad- vantages that were to be acquired from the common schools of his county. He grew up familiar with no other home than this immediate section of country, in which he knows every rock and rill, every dale and running brook.

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 77

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