Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 89

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 89

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

J. Wilber, of Victoria Township, is one of the leading agriculturists of Knox County, where his farm is located on section IT. He is the son of Briggs and Rachel (Jones) Wilber, and was born in Otsego County, N. Y., April 15, 1829. His parents were natives of New York and had a family of 13 children, six of whom are deceased. Those living are Sallie A., who became Mrs. Sornborger; Eliza, now Mrs. Fair- childs; Ferris, third child; Susan, now Mrs. Hoag ; Rachel, who married a Mr. Snyder ; Robinson J., the subject of this sketch, and Deborah A., at present Mrs. Spencer. The father of our subject followed the calling of a farmer until his demise, in 1831. His widow came West with her daughter, Mrs. Spencer, and located at Victoria, where her death occurred Dec. 6, 1873.

R. J. Wilber, of whom we write, remained at home until 21 years of age, in the meantime assisting in the farm duties and attending school. In 1852 he came to Illinois, making settlement in Victoria Township, where he engaged with Alexander Sornborger in the stock business. He crossed the plains to California in 1853, and on October 9 of that year arrived at a place called Hangtown; from there he went to Coloma, and thence to a place bearing the name of Dry Diggings, where for three years he was engaged in gold mining. In 1857 he returned to Victoria Township, where he engaged in breaking prairie the first year, and in the year following worked out by the month. For three years, until 1860, he rented land in Victoria Township, subsequently purchasing his present farm, which contains 80 acres, only half of which at that time was broken. He has improved his farm by erecting a comfortable residence and convenient and commodious barn. His place is well fenced and beautified by shade and ornamental trees. He has been extensively engaged in the raising of grain and stock, and is meeting with much success in his chosen vocation. Miss Almina Lyons, born

773

KNOX COUNTY.

in Black Rock, N. Y., April 21. 1842, and daughter of David and Jane (Sornborger) Lyons, was the lady chosen by R. J. Wilber to be his companion through life. The marriage ceremony was celebrated Sept. 29, 1859. The parents of Mrs. Wilber came to Illi- nois in 1844, and located on section 7, Victoria Township, at which place the father died two years later. His widow followed him to the land of the hereafter in 1852. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Lyons numbered ten children, five of whom are de- ceased. Those living are Catherine, who became Mrs. Sansbury ; David, Edward, Charles and Almina, wife of our subject.

Our subject and wife have become the parents of four children, concerning whom we give the follow- ing: Willis became the husband of Sarah Lafferty, and to them have been born three children-Arthur, Charles and Belle. The next in order of birth are Olive, Ferris J. and Earl.

Mr. Wilber affiliates with the Greenback party. " He has held the offices of Road Commissioner, School Director and Pathmaster, and is a prominent member of the I. O. O. F.

We have in the life of this gentleman an excellent illustration of how many of the wealthy and influen- tial men of Knox County began their business careers. . Coming here without means, and sur- rounded by obstacles that would discourage the young men of to-day, we find Mr. Wilber has not only accumulated a good property and wielded an in- fluence for the welfare and good of the community, but has won and retained the respect of all who know him.

arshall Bruner, Marshal of the city of Galesburg, is the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Bearers) Bruner, natives of the State of Pennsylvania and of German descent, was born in Morris Co., N. J., May 15, 1842. He was educated at the common schools and in early life learned the carpenter's trade. In June, 1862, he enrolled in his native county as a private soldier in Co. H, 15th N. J. Vol. Inf., and served three years with the Army of the Potomac. During the entire term of his service he was never absent from duty. He participated with his regiment in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville,

Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, through all of which, together with many other minor engagements not dignified in history with the name of battles, he passed without injury. He had been in the service about one year when he was promoted for bravery to the rank of Sergeant.

At the close of the war our subject returned to New Jersey, whence he came, in the spring of 1866, to Chicago, where he was employed as traveling salesman by the Fairbank Scale Co., for 19 consecu- tive years, making his headquarters, since 1868, at Galesburg. Since the beginning of 1885 he has held by appointment the office of City Marshal.

Our subject was married in Fulton Co., Ill., on New Year's Day, 1869, to Miss Melissa Todd, and they have become the parents of two children, both daughters. Mr. Bruner is a Mason and a prominent member of the G. A. R.

dwin A. Cooley, of Galesburg Township, resides on section 3, where he is engaged in operating a well-cultivated farm. He was born in Sunderland, Franklin Co., Mass., - Feb. 2, 1831. This gentleman's father, Charles Cooley, was a native of the same place, where he was born on the ist of September, 1790. He was a prominent fariner in his vicinity and filled the office of Supervisor for many years, besides being Justice of the Peace for a long period. Other minor offices were filled by him with credit, and he was universally acknowledged to be a man of considerable tact and judgment. His demise took place on the roth of November, 1870. On the 16th of February, 1815, he married a most estimable lady, Miss Mary Stowell, born in Petersham, Mass., Dec. 17, 1795. Before her demise, in 1844, she was the mother of 11 chil- dren-Eliza A., born Nov. 18, 1815; Simon F., Oct. 28, 1817 ; Charles A., Aug. 3, 1819 ; Dexter S., Sept. 19, 1821 ; P. Maria, Nov. 24, 1823; Avery W., Nov. 1, 1825; Fanny, Oct. 29, 1827 ; an infant daughter, May 18, 1829, who died early ; Edwin A., Feb. 2, 1831 ; Clara C., Jan. 17, 1833, and George, Nov. 6, 1839. Of these only four children are now living- George, Edwin, Clara and Eliza.

Edwin A. Cooley married Nellie Davis, Aug. 30,

774

KNOX COUNTY.

1857, in Madison, Wis. She was a native of Rock- ingham, Vt., where she was born June 20, 1834. They have one child living-Louise, who was born Dec. 11, 1878; George L., born March 1, 1876, died on July 18. 1879. The parents of Mrs Cooley were John and Susan (Billings) Davis. Mr. Davis was born Ang. 30, 1797, in Vermont, and died at Galli- polis, Ohio, June 19, 1861. May 2, 1823, he mar- ried his wife Susan, whose death took place on July 30, 1879, at Galesburg, Ill. They had seven children, viz .: Harriet, who died in infancy; Louise, born July 13, 1826 ; Susan, Nov. 18, 1827 ; Nathaniel, Oct. 14, 1830; Sarah, Sept. 26, 1832; Nellie, June 20, 1834, and Flora, March 22, 1838. Of these chil- dren five survive. Mr. Cooley of this sketch, together with his wife, is an old and accomplished teacher. She first gave instruction in Vermont, then in Massachusetts and Ohio. Altogether she has had twenty years' professional experience. Mr. Cooley has taught in Massachusetts, Ohio and Iowa, and during one year was engaged in the State of Georgia. He has taught about the same time as his wife. Having graduated at Amherst College in 1854, he at first proceeded to Ohio and taught one year in the Academy, then studied at Yale for another year in the scientific department. This gentleman and his wife are both Sunday-School workers in the Con- gregational Church, in which they are prominent members. In politics he is a consistent and promi- nent Republican and takes a deep interest in all leading questions of the hour. For two years he was connected with the Geological Surveys of Iowa. During his Georgia experience he was Superintendent of Schools at Savannah, an office which he filled with becoming merit.

His home in Galesburg is among the prettiest in the township, and situated on 80 acres of good land. It is of some moment to note here that Benjamin Cooley, the first of the name in this country, came very early and settled in Springfield, Mass. He was an Ensign in the army, and was the father of eight children. He died Aug. 23, 1684. Daniel was his fourth child, and married Elizabeth Wolcott, daugh- ter of Hon. Henry Wolcott, of Connecticut, on the 8th of December, 1680. There were five children by this union, and Simon, one of the issue, moved later as one of the first colony who settled Sunderland, Mass., in 1717, and was the father of eleven children. Ab- ner, his second child, was born Jan. 23, 1712, and

was the father of seven children. The grandfather, Simon Cooley, next in the line of descent, commis- sioned by Gov. Hancock as Lieutenant in the Revo- lutionary Army, had five children born to his mar- riage ; he died Feb. 9, 1797. Charles, the father, was the fourth child of Simon, and the father of eleven children. George, the eleventh, the brother of Edwin Cooley, served three years in the Civil War, in the Army of the Potomac, and now occupies the same old farm that five generations of the Cooley family have dwelt on.

osiah Multer, real estate agent and capi- talist, owns a fine and commodious resi- dence on Wall street, one of the principal thoroughfares of Altona, which is considered one of the handsomest and most attractive homes in that town. He occupies the position of Police Magistrate, and is an active worker in all public affairs. His birthplace is Worcester, Otsego Co., N. Y., where he first saw the light April 22, 1825. His father, Joseph Multer, of pure German ancestry, was born in Schoharie County, N. Y., where he was reared and educated and grew to man- hood. His father, Josiah's grandfather, a native German, whose name was Philip, accompanied by his wife, Catherine (Hart) Multer, left his fatherland and located in the United States, purposing to build up a new home, in the year 1786. At this period the name was spelled Moller. He was by profession a German physician of no mean skill and ability, hold- ing fair rank in his own country. He was, as well, keeper in the king's hunting park. Soon after enter- ing Schoharie County, he caused to be erected the first glass-manufactory in the United States. This was situated near the city of Albany. He contin- ued his medical practice in the United States up to the time of his death, which occurred in the begin- ning of the eighteenth century, resulting from epi- demic fever, which was then prevalent in Otsego, N. Y.

Like the noted Pasteur, he entertained a firm belief that he had discovered a sure antidote for hydropho- bia, but he never disclosed his knowledge, so that his discovery, if indeed valuable, was a " talent hidden in a napkin." His life companion, the grand-

775

KNOX COUNTY.

mother of Josiah, is buried at South Worcester, N. Y. The results of this marriage, three sons and four daughters, are as follows: Christian J., Joseph (Josiah's father), John, Betsey, Susan, Mary and Margaret. Of the entire family circle but one sur- vives-John, who has attained the age of 87 years, and who resides at Painesville, Ohio. Margaret, who recently departed this life, was 80 years of age. Joseph Multer, the father of our subject, united in the bonds of holy matrimony with Susan Becker, a young lady of German parentage, like his own. Her family history contains many points of interest, dat- ing far back in the annals of German history. Im- mediately after their union her husband engaged in farming. Success crowned his active efforts, and he became one of the wealthiest and most influential farmers of Otsego County. Many valuable improve- ments were made and eventually a most desirable home was established. They occupied the Multer homestead, at which place he died. Several years later the mother followed him to her long home; the date of her death was 187 1. Both lived to a grand old age. Their family was large, comprising 13 chil- dren, seven sons and six daughters. Three of the former were buried in Otsego County. Josiah, the fourth in order of birth, attended school and re- mained in the family, a dutiful and helpful son, up to the date of his marriage with Anna M. Titus, daughter of a farmer, at Harpersville, N. Y., Feb. 17, 1868. His wife's birthplace was Delaware Coun- ty, and the date of her birth Sept. 8, 1846. She was the daughter of Isaac B. and Jediah B. (Tiffany) Titus, both of English origin, who first settled in Delaware County during the last century, and who owned hundreds of acres of land, much of which has since fallen into the hands of railroad companies. Mrs. Multer's father lived and eventually died in the county and township in which he began his married life, Aug. 26, 1872. His wife survives him and lives with her daughter. Mrs. Multer received liberal educational advantages, and was a graduate of the New York Conference Seminary. She entered the ranks as teacher and successfully taught three years in the public schools of Stark and Tuscarawas Coun- ties, Ohio. Soon after marriage she and her hus- band removed to Altona, where they have lived up to the present writing. Mr. Multer entered Knox County in February, 1856, and bought and marked out the boundaries of his first farm, in Galesburg

Township, consisting of 177 acres, 17 of which were timber land. Here he began active labor, which he continued for five years ; from here he went to Walnut Grove Township and purchased 240 acres. He sold this farm and purchased 170 acres in the same town- ship and 80 in Copley Township. All his landed possessions are finely improved and highly cultivated. He rents his farms, turning his personal attention to real estate sales, money loans, etc. He carries on a co-operative business as dealer in bank stock at Creston, Iowa. He was unanimously elected to his present office, which he has acceptably filled to the entire and marked satisfaction of his constituents. He is popular, genial and well liked, personally and as a business man. He is Republican in politics, and both he and his wife are members of the Meth- odist Church, he being Class Leader, President of the Board of Trustees and Steward in that body.

eorge M. Collinson, a prominent and suc - cessful farmer and breeder of Poland- China swine and Short-horn cattle, residing on section 30, Lynn Township, is the fifth in order of birth of a family of ten children, equally divided as to gender.

Mr. Collinson was but six years of age when his father, Thomas Collinson-of whom a biographical sketch is given in this work, in connection with that of Charles Collinson-came to this county. The parents located in Lynn Township, and it was there that our subject spent his early days on his father's farm. His education was acquired at the common schools, and he continued to reside with the old folks until his marriage, which event took place on the farm on which he is at present residing, March 22, 1868, at which time Miss Mary, daughter of C. W. and Eliza (Thompson) Murray, became his wife. Her parents were natives of Ohio, were married in Belmont County, and came to this State in the fall of 1851, and located near Abingdon, where her father was engaged in farming for some time. Later he moved to Lynn Township, and was there occu- pied in his vocation until after the breaking out of the late war, when he enlisted in Co. G, 89th Ill. Vol. Inf., and was assigned with his regiment to the Army of the Cumberland. In the beginning of the battle

776

KNOX COUNTY.

of Stone River Mr. Murray was shot through the neck and instantly expired. This was his first engage- ment and just at the beginning of the action. His widow, mother of Mr. Collinson, afterward married F. L. Rice, and they now reside on a farm in Walnut Grove Township. It was while the parents were liv- ing near Abingdon that Mrs. Collinson was born, the date being March 14, 1852. She received her edu- cation in this county, and continued to reside with her mother until her marriage. Mrs. Collinson is a very intelligent and accomplished lady, affable and winning in her social life. She has borne her husband four children-Nettie B., born Oct. 20, 1869; Myr- tie M., July 4, 1871 ; Isabella, Oct. 16, 1874; Nellie E., July 18, 1879.

Since his marriage Mr. Collinson has made his home on the farm on which he is at present residing. His place consists of 200 acres of good farm land, on which he lives, actively and energetically engaged in the prosecution of his vocation, surrounded by a happy family and all that goes to make up a happy life. In addition to the cultivation of the cereals he is devoting considerable of his time to stock-raising. He is at present Justice of the Peace, and has held the office of Assessor and others of minor import. In politics he is a strong supporter of the Democratic party, and never fails to cast his vote for the same when opportunity affords.

rs. Mary A. Coleman, widow of Samuel Coleman, Jr., is residing on section 13, Victoria Township. Samuel Coleman was born April 29, 1832. His demise oc- curred June 2, 1884. His parents were Samuel and Sarah (Alvin) Coleman, natives of Penn- sylvania, and came to Illinois in 1855, locating in Victoria Township. On section 13, in that town- ship, the father purchased 160 acres and there lived until his demise, in 1875. His wife still survives and resides on the old farm.

Samuel Coleman, Jr., resided at home until 33 years of age, and was married in July, 1865, to Mrs. Mary A. Nelson, the daughter of John and Mary A. (Jobe) Thomson, natives of Ireland. Her parents moved to Ohio at an early day, locating in Belmont County, where their demise occurred.

Mrs. Samuel Coleman, Jr., the subject of our

notice, has a family of four children living, namely : George W., Charles, Emma, Sarah B. and May.

The husband of Mrs. Coleman was a Republican in politics, and both he and his wife belonged to the Congregational Church. He held the office of School Director and also that of Roadmaster, and was lib- eral and always ready to assist in any good cause. His farm consists of 160 acres, and during life he was engaged in mixed farming. Since his death his widow retains and manages his farm. He was considered one of the representative citizens of Victoria Township.

L. Overstreet, retired farmer, resident at Galesburg, was born at Nicholasville, Jessamine Co., Ky., Jan. 16, 1819. His parents, Robert D. and Jane (Lowrey) Overstreet, traced their ancestry back to En- gland and the Scotch-Irish, they themselves - being born in old Virginia and Kentucky respect- ively.

Mr. O. was the second of six sons and had four sisters, all of whom grew to attain the age of man and womanhood on a farm. From Nicholasville the family removed to Mercer County, Ky., where the senior Mr. Overstreet afterward died.

The subject of our sketch came to Knox County in 1841, and here he has since lived and accumu- lated sufficient of this world's goods to enable him to retire handsomely to private life and spend his old age in the enjoyment of the fruits of correct liv- ing. He owns two large farms in the immediate vicinity of the city; is an extensive stockholder in some of the great banks of the place ; is President of the Knox County Agricultural Society, and a mem- ber of the Galesburg City Council. These facts are not written by the author in parade of the abstract qualities, but presented to illustrate the possibilities of a man, be he ever so poor at the outset, if he makes proper use of the means, however small, which the Maker has placed in his hands.

Mr. Overstreet was married near Harrodsburg, Ky., Oct. 17, 1838, to Miss Catherine Martin, a na- tive of the State of Connecticut. She was a daugh- ter of Joel and Phœbe (Moore) Martin, her parents being natives of Connecticut. She was one of a

777

. ..

KNOX COUNTY.

family of nine children, all of whom died young ex- cept herself and Mary, who became the wife of David E. Day ; Mr. Day is now deceased.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Overstreet are : Mitchell, a farmer, residing in Henry County, was in the 33d Ill. Vol. Inf. during the Rebellion; Robert, a farmer in Nebraska; L. Henrietta; Maggie I. ; H. Smith, a farmer in Nebraska; Joel M., a farmer, also a resident of Nebraska; W. Dudley, farmer in Nebraska ; and John L., farmer in Knox County. Mrs. Overstreet is a member of the Congregational Church and has brought her children up to an ob- servance of that faith. In his political views Mr. Overstreet votes the Republican ticket. The father of Mr. O. was in the War of 1812.

apt. Francis Fuller. The subject of this biography is President of the First National Bank of Galesburg, and is the son of Frederick A. and Rachel (Gordon) Fuller, both natives of the State of Connecticut, and of English and Scotch descent respectively. Capt. Fuller was born at Rutland, Vt., May 20, 1815. The senior Mr. Fuller was a merchant at Rutland for 25 years. His four sons and one daugh- ter were born, reared and educated there. Francis was the third child in order of birth. His eldest brother was lost in 1847 on the steam packet " Home," en route from New York to Charleston. The " Home " was the first Atlantic steamer to which this calamity happened.

The subject of our sketch received an academic education at Rutland, and at the age of 20 embarked in mercantile business at Richmond, Vt. At the end of the second year he was married, closed out his business, came West and at Grayville, Ill., for two years followed the vocation of merchant. From that place he moved to Mt. Carmel, this State, where he edited the Mt. Carmel Register, a weekly Whig paper, in which position he continued for five years. In 1848 he again embarked in the mercantile bus- iness, this time at Newton, where he remained for nine years.

When the war broke out the dauntless spirit of enthusiasm stirred his blood, and with his countless fellow-soldiers he arrayed himself under the banner of the United States and entered the service in de-

fense of his country. On the 6th of August, 1861, Gov. Yates appointed him Quartermaster of the 38th Ill. Vol. Inf. In the spring of 1862 he was placed upon Gen. Steele's staff. In the fall of the year 1863 Capt. Fuller was made Disbursing Quarter- master of Sherman's corps, the 15th, which position he filled until ill health compelled him to resign, on July 26, 1864. He left his command at Kenesaw Mountain. During all his experience as Quarter- master the records show that Capt. Fuller never lost a wagon. His final settlement with the Government was not reached until Nov. 18, 1873, when it was found that he owed Uncle Sam $29.36, while Uncle Sam in return was indebted to him between $700 and $Soo.

In 1864 he bought a home and settled at Gales- burg, and in August of the following year was made President of the First National Bank of that city. The policy of this great financial institution, under the management of Capt. Fuller, needs no comment in this connection. The fact that he is by no means one of the largest stockholders of the concern attests that his continuation as its head is in response to the wishes of those most interested in the welfare of the bank.

In December, 1838, Mr. Fuller was united in marriage, at Richmond, Vt., with Miss Adelia A. . Rhodes, of that place, and their only son, Francis W., is now a successful ranchman in Nebraska, where he went a few years since on account of declining health. He married Miss Jennie Hall at Burlington, Vt., and they have one child, named Frank H. Fuller.

eorge Whitney Robinson, Depot Master of the Galesburg Depot of the C., B. & Q. R. R., was born in Glastonbury, Conn., Nov. 29, 1824. His parents were Samuel and Thankful (Adams) Robinson, natives of Mas- sachusetts. Shortly after our subject's birth, they removed to their native State, Massachusetts, and remained about three years, and then moved to the State of Maine and settled at Monson, where the father died in 1845. Our subject was at his trade (merchant tailoring) in Bangor, Me. He afterward spent some years at the same business at Rockland, Me., but in 1854 he came West and located at Bur- lington, Iowa, whither an uncle (R. S. Adams,

778

KNOX COUNTY.

wholesale dealer in boots, shoes and leather) had located in 1839, and where he engaged in the mer -. chant tailoring business. This he subsequently abandoned to take up the railway business, the roads just having been constructed in this part of the country. He assisted in taking across the Missis- sippi River the first cars of the B. & M. R. R. In 1857 he located at Galesburg, Ill., where he en- gaged in the real estate business until 1866, after which he carried on the hotel business, which he conducted for five years, when he left Galesburg for Beardstown and carried on the railroad hotel and eating-house for one year and returned to Gales- burg and engaged in real estate and other interests until 1880, when he accepted a position with the C., B. & Q. Railroad as shipping and transfer clerk. He remained in this position until the opening of the new depot, when he became installed its worthy Master, in which position we find him a respected official and genial gentleman.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 89

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