Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 80

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 80

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Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson are agreeable and con- genial people, who occupy a wide sphere of useful- ness, and belong to the Swedish Lutheran Church. Mr. Stephenson is an earnest Republican, and sel- dom fails to vote for his party.

illiam Overlander, one of Knox County's prominent and successful farmers, resid- ing on section 30, Victoria Township, was RF born in Richland County, Ohio, April 17, 1835. He was a son of William and Mary (Neal) Overlander, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. The parents were married - in Ohio, where they remained until 1835, the date of their removal to Illinois, and to Victoria Township in the following year, locating on section 30, their present home, where the father had purchased some 400 acres of land. Upon this place they remained until their death, Dec. 10, 1847, and in 1877 respect- ively. Their family consisted of eight children, five of whom still survive and of whom we give the fol- lowing brief memoranda : Rebecca Overlander, now Mrs. Wilcox; William ; Nancy, now Mrs. Wilson ; Sarah Ann, now Mrs. Gillaspi, and Mary J. Haw- kinson.

The subject of this biographical notice came to Victoria Township with his parents when but one year of age. At this place he attended the district schools, and when a lad of 17 years emigrated to California, in search of gold, and remained there two years, when he returned to Victoria Township and made it his home until 1855. We next hear of him in the States of Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri and Kan- sas, looking for a location in which to invest his means in productive land. He afterward purchased

200 acres in Nebraska, in 1858, 14 miles from the city of Omaha, and lived on the same for two years, when he again returned to Victoria Township and made a purchase of 67 acres on section 30, to which he has subsequently added until at present he is the owner of 180 acres. He has always followed farm- ing pursuits and is at present engaged in the raising of cereals and also the breeding of stock.

In 1860 occurred the marriage of Mr. Overlander, at which time Miss Lucy J. Olmstead became his wife. She is the daughter of Stephen and Clarissa (McMorris) Olmstead, natives of the Empire State. The parents emigrated to the Prairie State in 1856, and located in Victoria Township. Their family circle numbers ten members, nine of whom still sur- vive. The record is as follows : Phœbe A., now Mrs. Harrington ; William H., John R .; Lucy J., wife of our subject ; James L., Stephen A., Elmer D., Sarah J., now Mrs. Waffle, and Walter M.

Mr. and Mrs. Overlander have a family of nine children, of whom we give the following : Ellen M., Lillie V., William S., Effie N., Katie, Eveline, Lucy, Reuben and Clara.

Our subject is a Democrat, and has held the office of Pathmaster and also that of School Director, and is considered one of the solid and substantial men of Victoria Township.

dward M. Collins. In 1848 there came from Pickaway County, Ohio, Michael Col- lins and his family, and located in Knox Township. He was a native of Ireland, and had chosen for his wife Miss Margaret Griffith. Early in life she came to this country, and in the year stated had become one of the pioneers of this beautiful county. The family later moved into Cop- ley Township, where the husband and father died in 1861, and the widow and mother in the autumn of 1864. They had reared a family of eight children, of whom Edward M. was the fifth in order of birth. He was born April 29, 1839, while his parents were residents of Pickaway County.

Our subject was only nine years of age when he was brought to this county with his parents. Here he was reared, spending his youth in assisting his father in cultivating the farm, and attending such

LIBRARY OF THE L .¡ VERSITY OF ILLINE.J

Jot Stuckey

KNOX COUNTY.

schools as the neighborhood afforded. When he grew to manhood he embarked on the uncertain sea of life, himself alone at the helm. He has steered his craft free of the breakers upon which so many go down, and to-day is recognized as one of the well-to do and leading agriculturists in his township. He is the possessor of 290 acres of land, 200 of which are tillable.

Dec. 29, 1868, Mr. Collins and Miss Hannah E. Young united their fortunes in the holy bonds of matrimony. Mrs. Collins was the daughter of Robert and Mary (Johnston) Young. (A sketch of the former is given in this volume.) She was born in Persifer, Feb. 10, 1850. The names of the five chil- dren born to them are Katie M., Robert R., Ella G., Rollin E. and Jessie M.

Mr. Collins takes considerable interest in the public affairs of his community, and lends his as- sistance toward the progress and welfare of the neighborhood. He is especially interested in edu- cational matters, and at present is serving as School Director. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and politically is a Democrat. He and his wife and eldest daughter, Katie, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

edmund Smith. Of the names among the records of Knox County there stands out in bold relief that of Edmund Smith, who entered its precincts in 1844, settling on section 31, Persifer Township, in which township he now owns 55 acres. He has watched the gradual growth of this section of country, and feels that keen interest in its progress known only to those who first knew it in its lonely primitive state, dotted here and there with the humble log cabins which constituted the homes of its residents in the early days.

Our subject first saw the light of day in Granby, Mass., June 9, 1809, and had attained the age of 23 years when he came to Ohio. In that State he re- sided until moving to Knox County; he had followed the vocation of clerk in a store, after which he pur- sued mercantile business for himself a short time On coming to Knox County he bought a farm in Haw Creek Township, where he lived for seven years. Accompanied by his wife and four children, in 1844,

he settled in Persifer Township, renting land, soon after which he purchased 40 acres in the same town- ship, upon which he remained four years. The third year of Mr. Smith's residence upon this little farm, his dog went mad, and, attacking his master, bit him severely. Mr. Smith heard of a madstone at Liver- pool, a little town on the Illinois River, and immedi- ately repaired there to test its efficacy. To his great joy, it proved all that had been claimed for it ; his life was saved, and he has since felt no discomfort from the wound. Mr. Smith naturally recommends the madstone to all who may meet with the misfort- une which he did. He states that the animal was raving mad and chewed its own tongue off.

Mr. Smith subsequently sold this land and en- gaged in the grocery business at Gilson. He was married in Gallia County, Ohio, August 15, 1837, to Sarah P. Rambo, who was born in the same county, June 9, 1818. Their family was large, consisting of 12 children, as follows : Benjamin, Reuben and Henry are deceased; Louisa is the wife of Lewis F. Roe, and resides in Adams County, Ill .; Charles makes his home in Haw Creek Township; Abraham is under the parental roof; William resides in Iowa ; Rachel has a home in Knoxville; Cynthia is the wife of John Hughes, and resides in Haw Creek Town- ship; Edmund's home is in Texas; Sarah is the wife of John Lindsey, and lives in Haw Creek Town- ship, and Maggie still continues at home. Two sons were in the Union Army, in the 77th Ill. Vol. Inf .- Charles and William; the latter was for a time in a Texas prison, and both served until the close of the war.

In politics Mr. Smith is a Republican, which party he supports with voice and vote, and is an energetic worker in public affairs. He is also intelligent and interested in educational matters.

.ohn A. Stuckey, Sheriff of Knox County and one of the most faithful officials the county was ever favored with, is the son of George W. and Mary (Compher) Stuckey, na- tives of Pennsylvania and of German and En-

- glish extraction respectively. He was born in Bedford County, Pa., Nov. 29, 1835. The senior Mr. Stuckey was a farmer in earlier life, and still re- sides in his native county at the age of 73 years.

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His wife's death occurred in 1861. They reared three sons and three daughters, the subject of our sketch being the eldest of the family.

John A. Stuckey grew to manhood upon his fath- er's farm, alternating the duties thereon with attend- ance at the common schools, where he acquired the rudiments of an English education. He came to Knox County in the fall of 1856, locating first at Al- tona. He removed from there in 1862, to a farm near Knoxville, but returned in 1865 to Altona and there was engaged in the hardware and agricultural implement business up to 1873. From the year 1873 to 1877, he devoted his time to ditching and ditching machines, and in 1877-80, he was Deputy Sheriff un- A. W. Berggren. In the fall of 1880 he was elected Sheriff on the Republican ticket, and served two years, at which time, the law increasing the tenure of the office having gone into effect, he was re-elected in 1882 for the ensuing four years.

Mr. Stuckey was united in marriage at Knoxville, in 1860, with Miss Margaret Norris, a native of Mary- land, and the four children born to them are George N., a bookkeeper; Samuel B., Deputy Sheriff; Nel- lie and Johnnie. Mr. Stuckey is known as an active Repul lican; has filled many minor offices of the township in which he so long resided ; is a member of the I. O. O. F .; identified with no particular church, and enjoys the friendship and confidence of all the better elements of the community. Though not wealthy, he is in comfortable circumstances, and. like a majority of the men worthy of a place in this volume, what of this world's goods he has has been acquired by his own individual effort and industry. It is gratifying to the publishers to present a portrait of this gentleman in connection with this brief outline of his life, and we know his friends, who are found in all parts of the county, will be highly pleased. Mr. Stuckey is a stern, matter-of-fact sort of a man and admirably fitted for the responsible position he holds.

- owry J. Edgar is one of the enterprising farmers of Knox County, and resides on section 25, in Galesburg Township. He was born in Hart County, Ky., in 1827, and came to Illinois in 1835. with his parents, who located on the above section. He is the son of James and Sarah (Trowbridge) Edgar. The

father was born in Iredell County, N. C., Jan. 5, 1781, and died Jan. 17, 1863, in this county. The mother was born in Essex County, N. J., April 10, 1787, and died Jan. 11, 1877, in Knox County.

They were married in Kentucky in the year 1807 or 1808, and were the parents of rr children, born and named as follows : Thomas, born Jan. 19, 1809; David, May 27, 1810; William, Jan. 15, 1812; Jane, March 11, 1814; Job, May 5, 1816; James, Feb. 1, 1818 ; Martha, Jan. 4, 1820; John, Sept. 12, 1822; Sarah, Oct. 5, 1824; Emma, Sept. 12, 1829, and Lowry J. as above stated.

Lowry J., the tenth child, married Miss Martha A. Brown, March 6, 1859; she was born in June, 1833. in Hart County, Ky. Her parents, Armsted and Sarah (Ferguson) Brown, were also natives of Kentucky, the father being born Dec. 18, 1808, and dying Dec. 17, 1851, in Knox County, and the mother was born Nov. 23, 1808, and died Feb. 25, 1874, also in Illinois. They were married March 3, 1831, in Kentucky. and had six children- Martha A., born June 18, 1833 ; David M., Nov. 15, 1835 ; Mary J., May 9, 1838; William T., March 12, 1841; John H., Sept. 23, 1843, and James L., April 1, 1848. Mrs. Edgar's father belonged to the Democratic party, and both father and mother were members of the Baptist Church. All of these children were born in this county except Martha A. She is the only sur- viving member of her family. all the others having died in this county. Mary J. died Aug. 17, 1851, aged 13 years 3 months and 8 days ; William died Aug. 4, 185 1, aged to years and 5 months ; John H., Aug. 23, 185 1, aged 7 years and 11 months; James L., Ang. 5, 1851, aged 3 years 4 months and 5 days.

Mr. and Mrs. Edgar have four children, one of whom is deceased : Willett S., born Dec. 27, 1859; Lillian J., born Sept. 23, 1861, now deceased ; Frank L., born Ang. 30, 1865, and Charlie C., born Jan. 16, 1869. The following obituary of Lillian J. is copied from a local paper : "Lillian J., only daughter of L. J. and Martha Edgar, died Sept. 12, 1880, of con- sumption, at her father's residence in Galesburg Township, three miles west of Knoxville, aged 18 years 11 months and 11 days. She was a young lady of unusual promise, and was dearly beloved by a large circle of acquaintances, and her sorrowing parents have the sympathy of the community in this sore bereavement."

Mr. Edgar has 180 acres of fine land, on which is

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an elegant residence 35 × 35 feet in size, and two stories high. His barn is 30 x 44. He is doing a general farming business. Nov. 20, 1849, he started for California, going via New Orleans and the Isthmus of Panama, landing at San Francisco and going into the gold mines. Remaining on the Pacific slope four years and a half, having accumulated a little stock in the world, in the spring of 1854 he returned to Illinois, where he has ever since remained.

Mr. Edgar is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and was made a Mason in Pacific Lodge, No. 400, Knox- ville, Ill., in 1864. In politics he is a Democrat. Coming of pioneer parentage, and growing up with the country, he has well kept pace with the advance of his time and has carved out for himself in his adopted county and State not only a competency, but a character for rigid honesty, and has secured the confidence and respect of his neighbors.

H erbert Judd, M. D., a distinguished physician and surgeon, residing at Galesburg, was born at Franklin, N. Y., Dec. 22, 1843. He graduated at Auburn, N. Y., in 1867, and came to this city in 1868.

B. Olmsted, a gentleman who is closely identified with the agricultural progress of Knox County, is a retired farmer, residing on his beautiful farm, located in the township of Victoria. He was born Dec. 18, 1809, in Schoharie County, N. Y. His parents were Stephen and Cornelia (Van Buren) Olmsted, natives of Connecticut and New York respectively. The father departed for the better land in 1834, his de- mise occurring in New York State. The mother came to Illinois in 1832 and settled near Alton, Madison County, and her death occurred about 1850. The parental family of Mr. Olmsted consisted of It children, five now living-Henry B., Stephen, John, Sarah and Eunice. Stephen Olmsted and wife were devout members of the Baptist Church. Mr. O. was a Jacksonian Democrat, and professionally a teacher, giving instruction at the district schools ; he was also a teacher of vocal music of considerable talent.

Our subject remained under the parental roof un-

til 16 years of age, when he engaged with a mer- chant as traveling salesman. This he followed up to the age of 21. Then, with the money saved from his earnings, Mr. Olmsted purchased an 80-acre farm, to which he subsequently added 100 acres. This farm was located in Otsego County, N. Y. He remained upon this purchase, cultivating the same, until 1857, the date of his arrival and settle- ment in Copley Township, Knox County, upon So acres of land. Here he remained for the space of six years, when he came to Victoria village. In Victoria he engaged in the mercantile business for a period of three years. He then removed to the place where he now lives, which consists of 40 acres. He is also the owner of village property.

The gentleman whose biography we write was mar- ried Sept. 16, 1831, to Miss Sarah Bemis, daughter of Zacheus and Susanah (Farnham) Bemis. They are the parents of three children, only one of whom is living, named Susanah, and now Mrs. William G. Carnes. She is the mother of one child, a son, Amos. Mrs. O. died in 1838, and our subject was the second time married, to Catherine Wilder, Aug. 4, 1838. She was the accomplished daughter of Charles and Leah (Romans) Wilder, natives of the New York, who died in Otsego County, the mother in December, 1831, and the father in October, 1836. Their family consisted of eight children, five of whom are living and bear the names of Catherine, wife of our subject; Bernard, the second in order of birth ; Jane, now Mrs. Osman ; John L., second son, and Rachel, now Mrs. James Marshall.

The result of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Olmsted was ten children ; Charles W. married Mary V. Wet- more, and they have become the parents of five chil- dren-Edgar, Arthur, Cora, Pearl and Harry G. Sa- rah Olmsted became the wife of William M. Wool- sey, and four children have been born to them, by name Harriet H., Henry B., Bert and Catherine (Harriet Woolsey married Enoch Robinson and is the mother of one little girl, Milred). Mahlon M. be- came the husband of Annie Ostrander, and to them have been born four children, viz .: Jennie, Elroy, Mertia and Charles. Milton Z. Olmsted took to wife Luna Foster, and they have one child-Jack. Henry K. married Agnes Ross ; he had previously married Charlotte Tripp : she died, leaving no issue. Will O. Olmsted is the husband of Ora Whitman, and their children are Maud, Susie, Lucy and Robert.

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Aaron W. Olmsted is the husband of Ettie Robbins and their family circle numbers four children, namely, Lester, Harry, Paul and Blanche; Mary C. Olmsted became the wife of Alexander Harry Gordon, and to them four children have been born-Arthur, Effie, John and James P. Stephen Edgar Olmsted was an Orderly in the 7th Ill. Cav., in the War of the Rebellion. He was taken ill, and died at the age of 25 years, in 1862, from typhoid fever contracted while in Camp Butler, Springfield, Ill. Reuben died at the age of six years, and Osman died when an in- fant of nine weeks.

Our subject and wife are members of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, in which denomination he is Trustee and Steward. In politics the entire family adheres to the principles of the Republican party. Mr. Olmsted has served Copley Township as Assess- or for four consecutive years, and is one of the prominent men of Victoria Township.

imeon L. Collinson. Among the most substantial business men and best known farmers of Walnut Grove Township is Mr. Collinson, who has always maintained a posi- tion entitling him to the confidence and good will of the community. He is now retired and resides on section 25, in this township. He was born in Yorkshire, England, July 7, 1806. His father was a farmer in the same county and died at the age of 82 years, at that place, after the son was grown to manhood.

The gentleman whose name graces this history spent his early days in farm life in England until his 25th year, when he emigrated to the United States, embarking Nov. 4, 1831. He was seven weeks and five days crossing the Atlantic, and landed at New York City. In January of the following year he proceeded to Luzerne County, Pa., and took up his abode in Wilkesbarre. In 1838 he first came to Knox County, where he has remained ever since, becoming one of the wealthiest land-owners in the district. At a period not long ago he owned not less than 2,400 acres of good land, and gave to each of his children by his first wife 200 acres of this, improved. To one child by his last wife he deeded 300 acres. His farm at present consists of 200 acres of improved property.

Much of his land has been worked up to its present state of cultivation from originally unbroken prairie land, indicating an energy and perseverance in Mr. Collinson not often met with.

He was first married in Pennsylvania to Mary M. Craver. She was a German lady and born in that State. After a short illness she died at her home in this township, April 18, 1874, aged 61 years and 28 days. She was an earnest and thorough helpmate to Mr. C., a careful mother, and respected near and far by those who knew her best. Mr. Collinson's family consists of eight children, who evince to the observer the good bringing up and careful Christian training of devoted parents.

His marriage with Mrs. Jane McClure, nee Carna- han, in Victoria Township, was an event of much in- terest and took place Nov. 1, 1874. This amiable lady was born in Scotland, Sept. 17, 1837, and arrived in the United States in July, 1867, and at once settled at Altona, Knox County. She is the mother of one child by the latter union, named Er- nest T., born October 17, 1875. By her first marriage she has had three children, one deceased. The two now living are named Robert and Thomas. The fam - ily are attendants of the Methodist Episcopal Church, where they are held in high esteem. Almost all the offices in connection with the township have been ably filled from time to time by Mr. Collinson. He was Assessor during the first two years after the or- ganization of the township of Walnut Grove. His political convictions are in the fullest sense Demo- cratic, his consistent attachment to principle in this regard winning him the good will of the party.

amuel O. Stevens, one of the representa- tive men of Walnut Grove Township, is a resident of his farm of 150 acres, situated on section 30. This gentleman was born in Castile, Oneida County, N. Y., on the 24th of July, 1830. His father, Orange Stevens, was a native of Connecticut and married Parmela Belden, who was from Oneida County, N. Y.

Mr. Stevens was the oldest but one of six children, two sons and four daughters. Three of these daugh- ters and one son survive. His father followed the calling of tanner, currier and shoemaker, in which

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business he operated successfully. When our sub- ject was five years old, the whole family went to Pennsylvania, and in the year 1835 they settled in Erie County. It was only two years subsequent to this that the father was accidentally killed by the falling of a tree while chopping in the woods. His death took place in September, 1837. The mother, being an educated lady, became a proficient teacher, and practiced medicine for a number of years before her death, which occurred in Galesburg, Ill. Many prominent students of Illinois, now grown to man and womanhood, will remember her genial disposi- tion and earnestness as a teacher. Her arrival in Chicago occurred in 1839, when she first came from Pennsylvania. Finally the family arrived in Knox County, and, to maintain her family, Mrs. Stevens took up the occupation of teacher in the public school. Her family were educated by her own efforts.

Mr. Stevens received his education at Knox Col- lege, Galesburg, Ill. With his two sisters, he com- menced teaching while yet young, attaining to proficiency in his 17th year. At 14 he had attained to great proficiency in mathematics, and at Galesburg assisted in this department. Up to the year 1831 he vigorously pursued his pro- fession as teacher, in connection with farming. In this capacity his success has been assured beyond a doubt. The mother of this gentleman died at Cen- ter Point in 1859.

Mr. Stevens was married in Galesburg, III., Nov. 25, 1851, to Miss Marinda Burge, who was a native of Lorain County, Ohio, and born September 15, 1831. She was the daughter of Dr. Adam and Ma- rinda (Close) Burge, both natives of New York State. Her mother's decease took place in Sullivan, Lorain County, Ohio, in 1833. The present lady was her mother's only daughter and came to Illinois in her seventh year in 1838, and she has since been a resi- dent in Knox County. In Galesburg she received her education and began teaching in her 18th year, which profession she pursued for three years. She has been the happy mother of ten children, one of whom is deceased ; Adella is the wife of Leslie W. Close, a grain-dealer, who resides at Deer Creek, Minn .; Orange B. married Amanda Stake and lives in Page County, Iowa ; has for several years been en- gaged in teaching; Martha O. is the wife of Albert Wallace Kendall, a farmer of Garden City, Blue Earth County, Minn .; Arthur A. is now in Lincoln,

Neb., and a teacher by profession; Edwin L. is in Western Kansas; Mary A. is engaged in dressmak- ing and resides at home; Addie E., a milliner, also residing at home; Alva R. and Minnie E. are at home, and Frank E. is deceased.

The family are connected with the Congregational Church at Oneida. Politically, Mr. Stevens may be numbered among the solid Republicans of his vi- cinity.

illiam Main is a general farmer and stock- raiser on section S of Walnut Grove Town- ship. He was born in Ayrshire, Scot- land, on the 12th of May, 1845. The his- tory of his parentage is referred to at length in our sketch of Andrew Main. After the death of our subject's mother, he came with his father and other members of the family to the United States.

Mr. Main was the oldest of his parents' children. About one year after his father came to this country, locating as already stated, William set out to make his own living. In July, 1862, he enlisted in the cause of the Union, joining the 102d Ill. Vol. Inf., Co. I, Capt. E. H. Conger. He participated in the battles of Resaca, Dalton, Cassville, New Hope, Burnt Hickory and Lost Mountain ; also Peach Tree Creek and the siege in and around Atlanta. In Sa- vannah, Ga., he also saw some active service, and subsequently at Bentonville, which closed the list of principal battles.

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 80

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