Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 83

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 83

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obert McIlravy is one of Knox County's successful farmers, residing on section 8, Victoria Township. He was born in Har- rison County, Ohio, March 1, 1835, and is the son of Hugh and Ellen (Quigley) Mellravy. The father was a native of Ireland, and ar- rived in New York June 17, 1812. The mother was a native of the Keystone State. They were the par- ents of seven children, three of whom survive and who bear the names of David, Nancy and Robert. The mother of our subject died in Ohio, in 1852. The senior Mr. McIlravy came to Illinois June 11, 1866, and located at Victoria, where he purchased a half interest in So acres of fertile land. In 1877 he disposed of this property and made his home with his son, Robert, until his demise, which occurred March 20, 1878, at the venerable age of 88 years and 8 days.

The gentleman of whom this brief personal sketch is given remained at home with his parents until 26 years of age, in the interim assisting his father upon the farm and attending the common school. In the year 1863 our subject came to Illinois, settling in Piatt County, where, with his brother, David, he pur- chased 217 acres of good farm land, and engaged ex- tensively in farming and stock-raising. After a stay of one year upon this, he disposed of it and came to Knox County, making his home in Victoria Town- ship, where he had purchased 160 acres on section 8, in partnership with his brother, David. Three years later, Mr. McIlravy bought his brother's inter- est in the property, of which he has since been the sole owner, and where he has since been occupied in the joint business of stock and grain raising. When our subject came to this county he was penni- less, and what he has of this world's goods, and a goodly portion it is, he has attained through unflinch- ing perseverance and by practicing the closest econ- omy. As a result of these admirable traits of char- acter, he has known no such word as fail, and may truly be called a self-made man. He erected the store in Victoria now occupied by Mr. Coleman, and put in the same a stock of goods valued at $3,500. This business he carried on about three months, when he sold out to Messrs. Coleman & Robinson. Our subject was married June 20, 1861, to Miss

Sarah West, who died on the 20th of August one year later, and for his second wife he chose Miss Mary E., the accomplished daughter of John and Matilda (Robinson) Garrett, to whom he was mar- ried Oct. 11, 1866. Her parents were natives of In- diana and came to the l'rairie State in 1840, making settlement in this county. Mrs. Garrett died in 1870. She was the mother of ten children, four of whom are living-Fannie E., Mary E., Leah A. and Ora M. Four children have been born to Mr. Mellravy, and are Jesse O., Chauney 1)., Fannie M. and Fred.

Mr. MclIravy in politics votes with the Republi- can party. He has held the office of Township As- sessor four terms, and also that of School Trustee, and is one of the respected and honored citizens of this county and a good representative of the agricult- ural class.

ranklin Jones, deceased, was a general farmer, residing on section 6, Lynn Town- ship, and during his life was successful in 2 his vocation. He was born in Erie County, N. Y., Feb. 20, 1816. He lived in his native county, working at the vocation which he fol- lowed during his lifetime and receiving an education in the common schools. He was married in Chau- tauqua County, June 10, 1844, to Miss Martha N. Carpenter. Miss Carpenter was born in Windham County, Conn., July 19, 1826, of New England pa- rentage and of English extraction. Her father was a farmer in Connecticut, was there reared, married and followed his calling until his death, which occurred in New York State, whither they had removed some years prior, and where his good wife also died.

Mrs. Jones, of this notice, by her union became the mother of seven children, four of whom are de- ceased : Franklin W., third son, but eldest living, first saw light in Erie County, N. Y., Sept. 25, 1851, and was there reared to manhood and married Ber- tha P. Welch. Miss Welch was born in Galva, and they now reside on 80 acres of the old homestead of our subject. Alfred B. Jones married Bessie H. Welch, and is engaged in farming in Stark County, Ill. Jacob Henry lives with his mother on the old homestead, in Lynn Township, and was born March 8, 1864.

Mr. Jones and his family, consisting of his wife and

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four children, came to this State in 1855, and imme- diately located on section 6, Lynn Township, where he purchased 160 acres of good farm land, but which at that time was unbroken. Like many others, he set- tled here determined to make it a future abiding place for himself and children, and succeeded to the extent that at the date of his demise he left a hand- some property, his land having been brought to a high state of cultivation and good and substantial improve- ments having been erected upon it. His demise oc- curred Oct. 21, 1867. He was an active anti-slavery man in politics, and he and his wife were both mem- bers of the Congregational Church. Mrs. Jones sur- vives her husband and resides on 80 acres of the original homestead, which, with the assistance of her son, she cultivates, and is there passing the sunset of life in peace and the quiet enjoyment of her com- petency.

scar Finch follows general farming upon section 20, in Walnut Grove Township. He was born in Ontario County, N. Y., Jan. 21, 1840. His father, Benjamin Finch, was a mechanic and farmer by calling, and a native of the same State. In Ontario, he married Matilda Bennett, of his own State, and came West to Illinois, in 1855, bringing with him four of his children, one having preceded him some years before. Twelve children were born to them. Four died in infancy and one at the age of 18. A married daugh- ter came to Illinois in 1854. He followed with his wife and six children, two of whom afterward died.

Mr. Finch remained with his parents until his father's death, which took place in 1859, when he at once commenced on his own account to face life and win a competency. The farm which he now owns consists of 192 acres, well improved. On the 29th of September, 1884, his mother died at his home, beloved by her surviving relatives and mourned by many who had known her integrity and steadfastness in duty during life.

Our subject was married in Ashtabula County, Ohio, Oct. 18, 1870, to Miss Sarah J. Allyn. This lady was a native of Hart's Grove, in that county, and her father still lives in that county, where he fol- lows the occupation of a farmer. Mrs. F. was reared at home with her parents up to the date of her mar-

riage. By this union she has become the mother of seven children, one of whom is deceased. There are living Dean L., Ettie R., Clarke E., May T., Lee and Jay, twins. The name of the deceased was Winnie D.

Since the arrival of our subject in Walnut Grove Township, he has made this vicinity his home, and will probably close here a very useful life.

In politics Mr. Finch is of the Independent school, and by the soundness of his judgment and adherence to those principles which he deems most favorable to the country's good has won to himself the good will and alliance of his political friends.

„harles A. Hopkins, junior member of the firm of Hopkins Bros., liverymen, of Al- tona, also figures prominently as grain- buyer for George W. Barnett, of Galesburg, he being engaged in grain buying and ship- ping. He entered the livery business in the year 1865, and was joined by his brother, John W., senior member of the firm, in the year 1876, which was at that time styled and has since been known as Hopkins Bros. Their business is conducted on first-class principles, and their stables are fully. equipped with some of the most creditable turnouts in the village.

Mr. Hopkins possesses undisputed ability in all questions relative to business. He is an able finan- cier, keen, wide-awake and shrewd in all moneyed transactions. He commenced business as Mr. Bar- nett's grain-buyer in July, 1885, to which branch he has given marked attention ever since, carrying it on, however, in connection with his livery business.

Mr. Hopkins was born in Oswego, Kendall Co., Ill., Aug. 19, 1846. His father, Samuel B. Hopkins, by vocation a merchant, was born with a New En- gland record, coming of a long line of Eastern ances- tors, whose history includes many interesting remi- niscences. He lives at Altona. His wife, mother of Charles, whose maiden name was Sarah A. King- man, now deceased, was born in Fulton County, N. Y., and departed this life at Exira, Iowa, in 1855. She was of American parentage and a lady of many physical and mental endowments and graces.

Charles, our subject, was educated in the Kendall County schools, and passed his boyish years and the

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earlier part of his young manhood at home. In the year 1869, he went to Chicago and engaged with Parrish & Bryden, grocers, as clerk. He afterward entered the employ of C. Grunewald. A short time later he passed one year in the vicinity of Memphis, Tenn. He held the position of collector for Rice Bros., of Memphis, and in 1870 again returned to Chicago, figuring as a clerk, this time with Hopkins & Rogers, stationers and book-dealers. Soon after the great Chicago fire of 1871, which caused such wide-spread financial havoc and panic, he left the city, and during that autumn went prospecting to Portland, Oregon. Returning from his Western trip, he again headed for Chicago, and entered the gro- cery house of J. J. Dwyer, 427 State street. Here he served as confidential clerk. In 1873 he left their employ, and with a vague desire of seeing more of the country, went this time to San Francisco, later to Los Angeles County, Cal. Here he remained somewhat longer than he had originally intended, lengthening his stay to three years. It was here that he exercised his mechanical ability in the run- l ning of a stationary engine. In 1876 he entered the business in which he is now engaged, as before stated. Mr. Hopkins occupies a wide sphere of use- fulness, and is prominent in public affairs. He has held the office of President of the village Board of Trustees for the past two years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and has been for 12 years, and is Secretary of that organization. Politically, he is a stanch and liberal Republican.

ohn Thompson, one of Knox County's promising, pleasant and genial young men, is a resident of section 17, Lynn Township. For one of his years, he has gained prominence and made his vocation a success. He makes a specialty of raising cereals and takes a large and deep interest in the breeding of fine blooded animals. His property includes 160 acres, ample room in which to prosecute his vocation.

Mr. Thompson was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, July 23, 1853, and was but a small child when his parents moved to County Antrim, Ireland. There he received a good common-school education, and there his father, William Thompson, died in August,

1874. His mother, Effie Thompson, still resides in County Antrim.

Our subject was reared as a farmer boy, lived at home most of the time until he removed to the United States in 1873, and for three years previous to his coming to Knox County he lived in Montgom- ery County, l'a. On coming here he began to work as a farm laborer. He was married, Sept. 21, 1882, to Miss Belle Stanton, who was born in Ohio, Dec. 13, 1855. Her parents came to Illinois, and settled in Lynn Township. She received her education in the public schools, and is the mother of three chil- dren, as follows : William G., born Sept. 20, 1883 ; Harry S., Nov. 18, 1884, and an infant unnamed, Jan. 5, 1886.

Mr. Thompson has the hardihood and conscious integrity of his nation, while his persevering industry and strength of character give him a high place among the best citizens of this section. In politics he is a leader in and a supporter of the principles advocated by the Republican party.

ilkins Seacord, Superintendent of the C., B. & Q. R. R. stockyards at Galesburg and Quincy, resident on South Broad street, Galesburg, Ill., traces the blood of his pater- nal ancestors to the Huguenots of France. His grandfather was a subordinate officer under Marquis de La Fayette, and, coming to America with the gallant hero, decided to remain. His son, Wil- kins, the immediate ancestor of the subject of this notice, married Hulda J. Morris. Both were natives of New York, and of the two sons and three daugh- ters reared by them, Wilkins, Jr., was next to the youngest. Wilkins, Sr., was for many years a mem- ber of the General Assembly of New York, in which State he spent his entire life, dying in 1862, at the age of 62 years. His widow survived him some 15 or 16 years, and died at the age of 7 r or 72 years.

The subject of this sketch was educated at the common schools; learned something of the black- smith's trade, worked at farming awhile ; left home when about 22 years of age; drifted about through Ohio, Michigan and Indiana, and finally, in October of 1855, landed at Galesburg. Here he taught school awhile, broke prairie, and in the spring of

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1857 engaged in business at Oneida. From the spring of 1862 to 1868, he was engaged in the meat and live stock business, which he abandoned in the latter year and removed to Knoxville, then the coun- ty seat of Knox County, and there filled the office of Sheriff during the two years for which he was elected. In 1870 he returned to Galesburg and took charge of the stockyards. In 1876, the Superintendency of the Quincy yards was added to his duties, and the two places have since been under his care. In con- nection with his stockyard labors, his extensive ren- dering establishment, his three large farms, his bank- ing interests, etc., it is safe to say that Mr. Seacord has quite enough to keep him busy.

Our subject was born in Orange County, N. Y., Sept. 20, 1833; he was married in Knox County, Oct. 1, 1857, to Miss Keren L. Courtright, who died November, 1869, leaving three children-Fred, now a prominent stock- grower and farmer; Louisa (Mrs. John Wilcox) and D. F., an importer and breeder of thoroughbred horses. Mr. Seacord married his pres- ent wife, Mrs. Fannie M. Hollowell, nee Turner, at Kansas City, Sept. 20, 1883. He is Republican in politics, and a member of the A. F. & A. M. He is liberal in religion, and at one time took an interest in the Universalist Church.

r. John L. Fifield, residing at Victoria village, was born in Salisbury, Merrimac Co., N. H. His parents were Peter and Lydia (Eaton) Fifield, natives of New Hamp- shire, who came there from Scotland, to which

NO the parents trace back their ancestry. The parental family consisted of six members, all of whom grew up to attain the age of man and woman- hood. The record is as follows: John L., Peter, Samuel E., Hiram, Silas C. and Lucy J. The par- ents died in 1856 and 1880, respectively.

The subject of this sketch remained at home until 17 years of age and then engaged as a teacher and attended school at times until 1830. He commenced to study medicine in 1826, and began the practice of his profession in the same year he left Dartmouth College, at Boscawen, where he remained two years. Then he went to Sutton, in his native State, and there lived seven years. One year later he came to -

the Prairie State and settled in Rochester, Peoria Co. At this place he continued the practice of medicine for ten years and then removed to Victoria village, and was in active practice until 1870, when he re- tired from his medical labors. He had often to ride a distance of 40 or 50 miles when he first came to Illinois, before the country was fairly settled, and never refused to go when duty called. In 1850 he made a purchase of 53 acres of desirable land, lo- cated on section 17, Victoria Township, subsequently adding to his acreage an additional 160, upon which he has since lived. Dr. Fifield entered the matri- monial state in 1836, at which time he was married to Laura, the accomplished daughter of Joshua Cushman. Her parents are residents of Lebanon, N. H. The family of Dr. Fifield numbers five men- bers: Laura A., now Mrs. G. S. Smith, who is the mother of four children-Herbert, Clifton, Franklin and Nellie. Lydia E. married E. S. Brooks, and their union has been blest by the birth of eight chil- dren-Lora, Frank, Sherman, Etta, Lulu, Elliottena, and two others not named. Marie Fifield became the wife of Charles Foster, and to them have been born five children-May, Lillie, Carrie, Katie and an infant unnamed. Mary H. has for a husband J. N. Woolsey, and they are the happy parents of four children, by name Ralph, Ross, Laura and Robert. John L., Jr., married Miss Emily Hammond; they had two children-Roy and Otis, and he departed this life in 1877. Mrs. Dr. John Fifield died in 1865.

Our subject affiliates with the Democratic party, and has been honored with the office of Justice of the Peace, and is considered one of the prominent and substantial men of his village.

rancis Orman Crocker. After an active business life covering full half a century, Mr. Crocker finally retired to private life in Galesburg in 1883. His parents, John and Rebecca (Tibbetts) Crocker, natives of Maine, where they were married, emigrated to Dear- born County, Ind., in 1818, and Mr. C. lived there until 1836, when the senior Mr. C. died at the age of 55 years. His widow survived him nearly a quarter of a century, and died in St. Joseph County, Ind., in 1872.

Our subject was born in Exeter, Me., Aug. 20, -

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1815, and was the third child and first son born in the family that reared six sons and three daughters. The paternal ancestor was a farmer by occupation, and the six sons were brought up to that honorable vocation, and received such learning as was readily attainable at the log-cabin schoolhouse at that day in a State famous for its primitiveness even unto this time. In 1841 the subject of this sketch came to Illinois, and for 12 years farmed in Henderson County. In 1855 he became a resident of Gales- burg and entered soon afterward in the grocery bus- iness, from which he retired in 1883 with a handsome competency, the result of his individual effort and industry. He has held no offices, figured not in politics, joined no secret order, and proclaimed no sanctification at the shrine of any church.

He was married in Dearborn County, Ind., Sept. 26, 1840, to Miss Mary Brimhall. and their three children are: Oricy Villa, born April 3, 1843, married George Nead, and on January 23, 1880, she died at Galesburg; she left an infant son, Benjamin, who resides with his grandparents ; George D., born July 12, 1845. engaged in the grocery business at Galesburg; and Emeline, born Aug. 28, 1848, mar- ried LeRoy Bates, and she died June 12, 1882, at Galesburg, leaving a son-Nealy Bates.

dolph F. Nelson. Mr. Nelson is a native of Sweden, where he was born in February, 1839. He may be numbered among those who have carved out for themselves, by per- severance and steadily adhering to duty, a position in life only attainable by self-made men. He is now engaged in general farming, on sec- tion 23, in Walnut Grove Township. His father, Nels P. Johnson, is still residing in his native coun- try, with his wife, Joanna (Stinson) Johnson.

The gentleman whose name heads this notice lived with his parents up to the date of his marriage, June 24, 1864. His wife, Miss Christina C. Freid, was born in Sweden, June 11, 1837, and lived with her parents up to the date of their demise. By her union with Mr. Nelson she has become the happy mother of four children, two of whom are now deceased. Carl G. was born in Sweden, Nov. 1, 1865, and Anna C. June 11, 1868, while her parents were on their

way to the United States. In 1868 Mr. Nelson took up his residence in the State of Illinois, first locating in Altona, where he began work as a general laborer on a farm. His first land was purchased in Walnut Grove Township, in the year 1874. This, however, he had rented for some years. He is now the owner of two farms, in all consisting of 280 acres, and this in a highly improved condition. One of these farms lies in Lynn Township, and includes 124 acres. His Walnut Grove farm has upon it some very fine farm buildings.

The family are all members of the Swedish Lu- theran Church at Altona, where Mr. and Mrs Nelson are held in the best of esteem by their community. Politically Mr. Nelson is a sound Republican and keeps himself well informed upon all matters asso- ciated with the body politic.

ilas C. Whitcomb, M. D. The subject of this historical sketch is station and express agent of the C., B, & Q. R. R. Co., at Oneida, and became connected with the com- pany during the year 1868, operating in dif- ferent places on the main line and its branches ever since. While occupying a situation on the Keithsburg branch of this line of road, he began the study of medicine, giving to it a small share of his time. After pursuing it during his spare hours, he, in the winter of 1881-82, went to Hahnemann Medical College, in Chicago, from which he graduated Feb. 20, ISS3. After returning to his home in Oneida, his medical practice, in which he was largely suc- cessful, engrossed a fair share of his time, and at this he continued for six months, but, owing to a vacancy in the office of station agent of that place, which was tendered him, he at once assumed its duties, which he has from that time successfully dis- charged, continuing in the practice of his profession a small share of his time.

Dr. Whitcomb was born in Oxford, Henry Co., Ill., Jan. 18, 1848. His father, Henry Whitcomb, a farmer, resides in Montgomery County, Kan., where he owns a valuable and productive farm, and is highly esteemed as an industrious man and a worthy citizen. He claims the Empire State as his place of birth, and, though of American parentage, is of En-

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glish ancestry and blood. His marriage to Miss Fally Woodman, who was born in Hamilton, Madison Co., N. Y., was celebrated in Hamilton. Mrs. Whit- comb lived, previous to her marriage, in New York, and was reared on a farm. Her father was a hero of Revolutionary fame, and claimed Washington as a commander. He died a few years after that never- to-be-forgotten struggle for American liberty that stands out with such distinctness on the records of the nation. He closed his life in Madison County, N. Y., having attained to a hale old age. The fam- ily ancestry was similar in origin to that of the Whit- comb line.

Dr. Whitcomb was the youngest of a family of seven children, consisting of five sons and two daugh- ters, of whom three of the former and one of the lat- ter yet survive. His parents, with their little family, came to Illinois, purchasing new land, from which they hoped to create a home for future years, in Ox- ford, Henry County, after having first lived one year in Knox County, which was at that day an unbroken expanse of prairie land. Locating on this wild tract, in Oxford Township, the father and sons began cul- tivating and improving the land, which they con- tinued to reside upon till 1866, when they removed to Altona, Knox County. From this time the father took no specially active part in farm work, but operated land through the agency of others, and finally closed his business in this State by removing to Kansas, as before noted, in the year 1871. The death of the mother occurred at Coffeyville, Kan., Sept. 10, 1885, which was the 56th anniversary of her marriage to Mr. Whitcomb. She had reached the advanced age of So years.

Dr. Whitcomb grew to manhood on his father's farm, and was educated in the public schools of Ox- ford and Altona. At the age of 20 years, naturally being bright and intelligent, with promising mind and an intellectual bearing, he entered the C., B. & Q. R. R. office and began the study of telegraphy. Completing his knowledge of this art, he soon after assumed the duties connected with the office and dis- charged them skillfully and to the entire satisfaction of his employers.

In March, 1865, he enlisted and entered the Civil War as a Union soldier, in the 83d Reg. Ill. Vol. Inf., Co. D, Capt. Snyder, of the Cumberland Divis- ion of the Federal Army. He participated in no active engagement, but did garrison duty, at which

he continued till he received an honorable discharge at the cessation of hostilities, in September, 1865, at Springfield, Ill. At Altona, Knox County, March IT, 1871, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Hill, daughter of O. B. Hill, who was born in Ohio, and who, having lost her mother early in childhood, was reared by her father and friends, with the former of whom she made her home until her marriage.

To Dr. Whitcomb and wife have been born three children, as follows: Bertie E., born Jan. 25, 1872 ; Mabel V., May 1, 1873, and Silas C., Nov. 22, 1878. While at Altona, the Doctor was Village Clerk one term ; at New Windsor he held the same office two terms, and, though far from being an office-seeker, he is eminently well-fitted to fill any official position to which he may be elected. In politics he is an in- dependent Republican, and takes a lively interest in the workings of that party.

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 83

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