Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 86

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 86

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ohn D. Besler, General Superintendent of the C., B. & Q. R. R., residing at Gales- burg, takes prominent rank among the cit- izens of that city and Knox County as a bus- iness man and citizen, and is a worthy example of what may be attained by a steady, persistent application to any line of business. He is a native of Southern Germany, and was born in Redingen, in the kingdom of Wurtemburg, April 10, 1833. His parents were Sebastian and Frances Besler, worthy people of that place, who gave to their son as good

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advantages for obtaining an education as their cir- cumstances would permit.

At the age of 19 years young Besler set sail for the United States to try his fortune in the New World. He landed in New York in 1852, and, being depend- ent upon his own exertions, he turned his attention to railroading, which at that time offered him an op- portunity. After spending some months in New York State, he came West, and after remaining in Wisconsin a few months longer he came to Illinois, arriving here in 1853. He then spent some time in working for what is now the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Railroad, and in 1855 first began to work for the C., B. & Q. R. R. Co. on their track between Mendota and Aurora. In 1856 he went to Galva, and the following year he became section foreman at Prairie City. He held the latter position until 1859, when he was transferred to Augusta, and there spent four years, and during which time he ran the con- struction train. In 1863 he came to Galesburg as Assistant Roadmaster, a position he worked at until 1865. He was then appointed Roadinaster and con- tinued to hold the position with credit to himself until 1873, when he became Assistant Superintendent of track, bridges and building. In 1878 the cor- poration with which Mr. Besler had been so long and creditably connected again recognized his abili- ties and promoted him to the position of Assistant Superintendent of the road, and in 1881 again ad- vanced him, making him Superintendent of the Illi- nois lines. In 1885, the company once more recog- nized the valuable services of our subject, and promoted him to the General Superintendency of the road. Thus we see, as an official of this enterprising corporation, one of merit advancing steadily step by step, from the lowest round of the ladder to the higli- est, and this in the face of many competitors. To. the foreigner landing on our shores without a knowl- edge of our language, customs or manners, his case is, to say the least, embarrassing; but Mr. Besler rose above all embarrassment, and in his progress upward as an official of this road he has had to contend with a fair share of " native " talent.

Nor is this all. He was happily married in Mil- waukee, Wis., to Miss Anna Chopin, a lady of very estimable attainments, and a native of Northern Prussia. The result of his alliance has been one son and two daughters living. William, the son, is a young man of considerable ability, who, after

graduating from the High School, completed a course of study in the Boston School of Technology, of Boston, Mass., and is now serving as private secre- tary to his father. Othelia, the eldest daughter, is an accomplished and intelligent lady, and is the wife of Mr. Van Clute, of Galesburg. They are the par- ents of one child, named Jessie. Laura, the young- est daughter, is a graduate of Knox College, and still shares the domestic circle of her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Besler have buried two sons and three daugh- ters, of whom Theresa became an exceptionally in- telligent lady, and departed this life in 1877, at the age of 24. The other children died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Besler attend worship at the Universalist Church. He has always held himself aloof from any connection with public office or secret society organ- ization, although he contributes liberally to all meas- ures attending the city's social and industrial life. He is a stockholder and member of the Board of Directors of the Galesburg National Bank.

ames J. Eldriedge. On section 5, of Per- sifer Township, may be found the subject of this personal sketch, who is one of the prominent citizens and successful farmers of Knox County, and whose name is identified with its history. He is the son of Gardner and Permelia (Mecham) Eldriedge, natives of New En- gland. On the paternal side of the house Mr. El- driedge is of Irish origin. On the maternal side he is of Scotch descent. They lived in Ohio and Penn- sylvania, but removed to Iowa in the fall of 1840, and remained in that State until the spring of 1845, when they came to Knox County and settled in Cop- ley Township. There they lived until called home by death, the mother June 23, 1868, the father Jan. 18, 1870.

Their family consisted of 12 children, of whom James J. was the seventh in order of birth. He was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, April 20, 1832, and came with his parents to Iowa and Illinois, living with them until he reached the age of 19 years. At this time he bought 80 acres of land in Persifer Township, on section 5, where he settled and has since lived. He has erected a fine set of buildings on his farm, and is the possessor of 880 acres of land, 500 of which are tillable and highly productive.

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His marriage with Miss Sarah E., daughter of Bruce and Rachel (Haptonstall) Cherington, took place in Persifer Township, May 11, 1851. Mrs. Eldriedge's parents were natives of New Hampshire and Virginia respectively, and she was born in Gallia County, Ohio, Sept. 24, 1834. The father died March 4, 1885 ; the mother is still living with her daughter.

Mr. and Mrs. Eldriedge are the parents of nine children, six of whom survive: Rachel L. became the wife of Isaac Nivel, and they are the parents of one child-William D .; they live in Copley Township. Permelia C. married Sylvanus Westfall ; four children have blest this union-Clara B., James A., Clarence R. and Minnie E. Mary E. married Byron Parkins, and they have two children-George F. and Nellie P. William E. took to wife Lucinda J. Myrick ; two children are the result of this union-Edna May and Jessie F. These all reside in Persifer Township. James E. married Elizabeth E. Evans; one child has come to bless this union-Katie L .; they live in Copley Township. Maggie resides with her par- ents. The deceased are Agnes E., Angeline C. and Augustus F.

He is an active, energetic worker in public affairs, and has held several of the minor offices of the town- ship. Both himself and wife are members of the United Brethren Church, and active workers in the same. In politics he affiliates with and supports the principles of the Republican party. He is a progress- ive and enterprising farmer and a leader in the com- munity in which he lives.

L. Arnold, Superintendent of the Carriers' Department in the Post-office at Galesburg, is one of the worthy young men of Gales- burg, whose prowess in all the departments of industrial life but few cities in Illinois can ex- cel. Our subject was born in 1858 and is the son of George L. and Emily (Johnson) Arnold, na- tives of the Empire State and pioneers of this county.

Young Arnold received a good literary training in the public schools of this city and attended Lombard University, which latter institution he left to accept a position in the grocery business. In 1882, and

upon the establishment of a letter carriers' depart- ment at Galesburg, he accepted the superintend- ency, with which he has been very reputably con- nected since that time. He is not alone in his work, as he has taken a helpmeet in the person of Loha, daughter of Mrs. L. C. Stringham, widow of C. P. Stringham, deceased.

H. L. Arnold is a worthy member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity and of the Galesburg Club (see sketch). He and his amiable wife attend services at the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. Our subject is a success- ful public official, an active and progressive citizen, and we predict for him a successful future.

rof. George Churchill, Principal of Knox Academy since September, 1855, was born in Winfield, N. Y., April 2, 1829, and came with his parents, Norman and Anna (Eggles- ton) Churchill, to Galesburg, Ill., in 1839· He graduated from Knox College in June, 1851, and was immediately attached to the engineer corps of the Central Military Tract Railroad. One year later he opened a High School in Farmington, Ill., and in the two years spent there demonstrated, by his success, his adaptation to the life of a profes- sional educator.

In 1854 he went to Europe and spent an entire year in travel, in visiting the great cities with their treasures of art, but especially in examining the great schools and school systems of the continent, thus preparing himself for his chosen profession of teaching. Upon his return home, he found in the eight separate district schools of his own town an object for educational reconstruction and improve- ment. By means of numerous newspaper articles furnished by himself and others, by lectures given by educators from the East brought here for the pur- pose, sufficient enthusiasin was aroused among the best citizens to set in motion a movement which re- sulted in obtaining from the State Legislature a special charter for the schools of Galesburg. from which has sprung the present popular system of pub- lic schools for which the city has been justly cele- brated.

Prof. Churchill's strongest accomplishment as a teacher is found in his skill in inspiring young men and boys with a desire for a higher and better edu-

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cation than is afforded by the ordinary country school.

Prof. Churchill has served his city 14 years on the Board of Education, nine years in the Library Asso- ciation, four years as an Alderman of his ward, and is now serving his 18th year as City Engineer.

His family consists of his wife, Mrs. Ellen (San- born) Churchill, daughter of Hon. David Sanborn, deceased ; Milton E., instructor in Latin in Knox College, of which he is a graduate, as also of Yale Divinity School ; Charles E., a law student at Min- neapolis, and George B., engaged in the hardware business in Galesburg, and his daughter, Mrs. Nellie W. Wetherbee, of Galesburg. The religious connec- tion of the family is with the Congregational Church.

arvin S. Carr, M. D., physician and sur- geon, of Galesburg, is the son of Rev. Stutely and Elizabeth (Marvin) Carr, na- tives respectively of the States of New York and Vermont, and of English descent, was born Oct. 6, 1823.

Rev. Mr. Carr, of the Baptist Church, was mar- ried in Saratoga County, N. Y., and there his son and two daughters were born. He accepted a charge at Springfield, Erie Co., Pa., where he died in 1852, at the age of 54 years. His widow lived to be 62 years of age, and died at Aurora, Ill., in 1867. The Carrs appeared first in Rhode Island with Roger Williams. They are now found in every State in the Union, numbering among them men eminent in the leading professions, as well as an industrious line of laymen and husbandmen. Dr. Carr prepared for col- lege at the common schools and academies of his native State, and in 1842 began the study of medi- cine at Unionville, Ohio, with an uncle who was a prominent physician of that place. In 1845 he took a course of lectures at Castleton, Vt., then returned to Unionville, pursued his studies and began prac- tice. He next removed to Erie County, Pa., and there practiced until 1847. He returned then to Castleton, Vt., finished his course, and graduated in 1848. In the fall of 1850 he left Erie County and came to Peoria, where he enjoyed a lucrative prac- tice till 1858. His health failing, he retired from the profession until 1860. He removed to Galesburg,

where he resumed the practice and continued until 1862, when he enlisted in Co. A, 14th Ill. Vol. Cav. On the organization of the company he was elected Captain. He remained in the service until Feb. 14, 1864, when, his health having again failed, he re- signed and returned home. When he left the ser- vice he was the ranking Captain of his regiment, and had been Acting Major nearly all the time he was in the service. Returning to Galesburg, he turned his attention to mercantile business, from which he re- turned to his profession in 1868. Since 1849 he has practiced after the homeopathic school, and his success therein confirms him in the wisdom of his selection. His patrons are numbered among the best families ; his practice is general, though gyne- cology receives his special attention.

Dr. Carr was married at Peoria, Ill., May 16, 1854, to Miss Susan Esby, a native of Harrisburg, Pa., and they have become the parents of three children, viz .: Nettie (Mrs. William A. Robbins), Lillie and Rev. Edward S. Carr, of the Congregational Church, of Humboldt, Iowa. The Doctor is a prominent mem- ber of the American Institute of Homeopathy and the State Homeopathic Association of Illinois. He takes no part in politics ; devotes his time to his pa- tients, and worships in the Congregational Church.

enry Biedermann, proprietor of the Em- pire Meat Market, at Galesburg, is a worthy representative of the meat interests of that place. He is a native of Bavaria, being born in Gærshersdorf, in the town of Steinach, July 8, 1832. He is a son of John and Elizabeth - (Munich) Biedermann.

The subject of our sketch acquired a thorough knowledge of his business in his native land, and concluded to try his fortune in the New World. He consequently set sail from Bremen, and landed in New York City Sept. 2, 1854. From this city he traveled westward and settled at Joliet, Ill., where for nine years we find him successfully engaged at his trade.

At Joliet he was married to Caroline Ackerman, the daughter of Louis and Charlotte (Streiber) Ack- erman. The parents were natives of Wittenburg, Germany, and came to this country in 1847. Mrs. Biedermann, of this sketch, was born at Wittenburg,

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Dec. 29, 1840. After a successful business career at Joliet, Mr. Biedermann spent two years in Chicago, and on Oct. 20, 1866, he came to Galesburg, where he has since been favorably known, building up, in the meantime, an excellent. business, and contribut- ing in no small degree to the general development of the social and industrial life of the community.

To Mr. and Mrs. Biedermann have been born a family of one son and three daughters, all of whom are well educated and occupying good positions in the social life of their respective localities. Henry Biedermann, the only son, is associated with his father in the meat market, and is a young man of excep- tionally good qualifications. The eldest daughter, Lizzie, is the wife of August Rosenau, also with the firm ; Amelia Biedermann became the wife of John J. Shubert, Esq., druggist, of Kankakee, Ill .; the young- est daughter, Julia, is residing at home, and is un- married.

Mr. Biedermann is a worthy member of the I. O. O. F. Society and Encampment, and of the Masonic fraternity, in which latter, having received an honor- able knighthood, he has been accepted in the Consist- ory of the Order. In political matters, while taking an active interest, he has refused office, though often requested to become a candidate. He is a thorough- ly practical man, unostentatious but substantial, a strong friend of those whom he considers worthy, a genial gentleman, a kind husband and father.

eorge Donald Mackintosh. Prominent among the citizens of Ontario Township who have accumulated a competency, and who have beautiful homes upon large and pro- ductive farms and are there passing their lives in that real enjoyment which can never be obtained in a crowded city, is the gentleman whose name heads this biography, and a view of his pleasant country home is presented in this volume. He is the youngest son of his parents' family of eight children, and was born in Banff, Banffshire, Scotland, Feb. 23, 1831.

The father of Mr. Mackintosh was a somewhat re- markable man as regards financial success. He began with nothing, except a large amount of per- severance and energy, and rose to be one of the wealthiest and most prominent citizens of his shire

'in Scotland. He was born near Banff, Banffshire, Scotland, and early in life learned the ship-carpen- ter's trade in one of the ship-building yards of that city. Soon after, he was taken to Calcutta on board an Indiaman, and on his arrival in that city, through the influence of Dr. Wilson, of notoriety as a traveler and explorer, young Mackintosh secured an engage- ment as an employe of the great firm of Burns & Co., builders. He at first accepted a position which brought him but little remuneration for his services, but he worked early and late, ever having the inter- est of his employers in view, and was promoted step by step until he rose to the head of one of the de- partments of their business. The time came when both members of the firm were obliged to be absent from their business on account of their health, and young Mackintosh had the running of the entire bus- iness upon his hands, and conducted it with such a degree of success that it even surpassed that which was accomplished during the presence of the pio- prietors. Year after year passed by and success fol- lowed success until about the year 1822, when Mr. Mackintosh returned to Banff with a handsome fort- une. Having been married in the meantime, he took one of the best mansions in that city, and there lived and entertained like a prince. For many years he continued to reside in Banff, surrounded by all the luxuries wealth could procure, and would gladly have remained there could he have obtained such property as he desired. Such not being the case, he visited South Scotland, and on hearing that the es- tate of " Lamancha," in Pebbleshire, was for sale, he purchased the property, which had previously been the residence of Lord Cochrane. To the old mansion on this estate he moved his family and began the improvement of the estate, which had been neglected to such an extent that it presented a somewhat di- lapidated appearance. In various ways he effected the most remarkable improvements that were ever made upon an estate in that portion of Scotland. He remodeled the mansion and improved the garden, adapting them to modern taste, and there lived in the enjoyment of his large accumulation and pleas- ant surroundings, until Feb. 23, 1869, the date of his death. He was an Elder in the Church of Scotland. His marriage took place in the East Indies, at which time a Scottish lady who had gone there when in childhood became his wife. Her death occurred subsequent to that of her husband.

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Mr. Mackintosh of this notice was but a child when his parents removed to South Scotland, and yet he distinctly remembers the old mansion, together with the beautiful surroundings, which his father owned and where he lived. Early in life he was sent to Edinburgh, where he received a good education. Afterward by permission of his parents he learned the cabinet-maker's trade. He was then sent to Cal- cutta, East Indies, and was there during Lord Dal- housie's administration. While there he became engaged in the superintendency of his father's bus- iness, which was conducted under the firm name of Mackintosh, Burns & Co., architects, builders and general agents for all kinds of house material. Our subject remained there engaged in business for five years, when he returned to Edinburgh, Scotland, and there remained until the spring of 1861, when he set sail for the United States. Disembarking at an Eastern seaport, he came directly to Oneida, this county, and the same year, even before he had taken out his naturalization papers or become a citizen of the country, he enlisted in her defense, joining Co. C, 42d Ill. Vol. Inf , under Capt. Wadsworth. His regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumber- land, and participated in the battles of Fort Pillow, Island No. 10, Corinth and many others of minor import, and he came out of the conflict without ever having been a prisoner or receiving a wound. He was honorably discharged Dec. 19, 1862, and at once returned home. He afterward engaged in farming, and in 1866 he purchased 320 acres of good, tillable land, where he has since lived. He has a fine resi- dence upon his place, together with handsome out- buildings, and his land is under an advanced state of cultivation. In fact, the scenery of his home farm is almost equal to that upon which the old mansion stood in the South of Scotland. In addition to his home farm he has 180 acres of land in Victoria Township, all of which is well improved, besides seven and a half acres of timber in the same town- ship.

Mr. Mackintosh has a sufficiency of this world's goods to enable him to retire from the active labors of life, and spends much of his time at prominent places of resort. Mr. M. owns a summer cottage on Lake Michigan, eight miles from Petoskey, Mich. In September, 1871, he was united in marriage, at Altona, Ill., with Miss Grace Kirk. She was born n Scotland, in 1835, and emigrated to this country

with relatives when 33 years of age. Mrs. Mackin- tosh's parents were Robert and Jane (Linton) Kirk. She is the youngest of a family of two children. Alexander Kirk, of Liverpool, England (her brother), is a member of the firm of Pattinson & Kirk, general importers of East India products. The firm is one of the largest in Liverpool. The father and mother of Mrs. M. are deceased, the death of the father taking place in Whiteside, Scotland, in the year 1870, that of the mother in 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Mackin- tosh are members of the Swedenborgian Church. Politically, Mr. Mackintosh is a believer in and sup- porter of the Republican party.

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eorge F. Abernethy is one of the most intelligent farmers of Knox County, resid- ing on section 24, of Galesburg Township. He was born in Cornwall, Addison Co., Vt., June 10, 1842, and remained with his parents until he gained his majority, working on the farm and attending the district schools. He came to Illinois in 1854 with his parents, and located near Altona. He is a son of Abraham F. and Mary F. (Goodridge) Abernethy, who were natives of Ver- mont, the father being born in 1812 and dying in 1875. The mother was born in July, 1813, and is still living on the home farm. They were the parents of eight children, as follows : Cornelia S., George F., Mary J., Martha A., David T., Annie V., Albert P. and Hattie, who died in infancy.

Mr. Abernethy married Miss Phebe A. Mc- Clatchey in 1877. She was born May 19, 1853, and to them have been born two children-Nellie E., Nov. 29, 1880, and George E., Dec. 14, 1883. The parents of Mrs. Abernethy were William and Martha (Foster) McClatchey, natives of Pennsylvania, her father being born Nov. 2. 1818, and her mother Dec. 25, 1825 ; both are still living at Knoxville, having become the parents of eight children, named James, Martha E., Phebe R., Fremont, Sarah E , Keziah G., Mead and Nettie E., all now living. The parents are members of the Presbyterian Church; he is a Republican and a retired farmer.

Mr. Abernethy, the subject of this biography, hav- ing come to Illinois nearly a generation ago, has witnessed the grand development of the West, and -

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especially of his adopted State, which has grown in that period from a small population to be one of the leading States of the Union, fourth only in pop- ulation, while in material resources and development she stands in some respects first among the noble sisterhood of States. He is the owner of 6r acres of land in this county, having a fine dwelling-house two stories high, 35x35 feet in size, with an addition of 14x14 feet on the north side; his barn is a com- modious structure, 26x38 feet in size. He is engaged also, in addition to his farming operations, in breed- ing fine stock, principally Poland-China swine of pure blood. In this he has been very successful, disposing of his fine pigs to farmers for breeding pur- poses, and thus promoting the growth of graded stock among his neighbors. He generally raises about one hundred of these fine swine per annum, and also deals somewhat in Short-horn cattle.

Mr. and Mrs. Abernethy are members of the Con- gregational Church, and the former belongs to the Republican party. Coming from New England and Pennsylvania stock, it is not strange to find in these good people those excellent traits of character which years of cultivation in New England and Pennsyl- vania homes have made almost if not quite heredi- tary, and to find that a community whose population is largely composed of people of their sterling worth is so justly famous for its advancement in all that adorns our best civilization.

J. Allen, Civil Engineer of the Galesburg Division of the C., B. & Q. R. R., located at Galesburg, is a native of Illinois. He was born at Prophetstown, Whiteside County, Dec. 2, 1854, and is a son of Warren and Mary A. (Brown) Allen. The parents are natives of Erie Co., N. Y., and settled in Whiteside County at an early period in its history.

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 86

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