USA > Illinois > Bureau County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 96
USA > Illinois > Marshall County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 96
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 96
USA > Illinois > Stark County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark Counties, Illinois > Part 96
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97
"On the 12th of June we met a man with a yoke of oxen, driving them in a cart. He in- quired of us if we were going over to the ' Yanks.' We told him we were and asked him to go along. He said he had been think- ing of going over, but would wait a few days.' In reply to our question he informed us that 'our' (rebel) pickets were about a mile from us, and that it was six or seven miles to the Yanks' camp. That night we could see hun- dreds of camp fires, but could not tell whether they were those of the Union or rebel forces. We concealed ourselves among the rocks in
the mountains and awaited impatiently for daylight.
" In the morning we made one mountain top after another, until we could get near enough to distinguish the blue uniforms of the Union forces and knew we were safe. We went in and surrendered ourselves; for we still wore our underclothes on the outside, and our appearance was more like rebels than like Union soldiers. The troops proved to be the Third Iowa Regiment, guarding the bridge across the Etowah river. We were taken to the colonel's headquarters and there told our story. He ordered dinner for us, and for the first time since our capture, September 13, 1863, we tasted sugar, coffee, pork, beans and crackers, and saw and used soap. After din- ner the colonel sent us down to General Sher- man's headquarter at Big Shanty. General Sherman asked us innumerable questions, all of which we answered satisfactorily, when he told us to go down to the regiment and see the boys, and then we should have a furlough and go home. We reached the regiment on the 13th of June, and it is unnecessary to state that we had a hearty welcome. On the 14th we started north and reached home on the 27th day of June, on a thirty days' furlough. After the expiration of the furlough I joined my company and served until the close of the war. Of the twenty-four men captured at Cleveland only two-Orland Bevier and Abram Deyo-died in rebel prison, and one, George Ludlum, died a few days after he was ex- changed. I have yet to learn of so few deaths among the same number of men of any other company in the service. "
W ESLEY T. FOSTER, one of the repre- sentative citizens of Bradford, as well as one of its leading contractors and builders, is a native of the Pine Tree state, his birth having
763
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
occurred in Penobscot county, near Bangor, March 31, 1844. His father, Alfred Foster, was also born in Maine, and emigrated to Illi- nois in 1857, settling in Bradford, which at that time contained but three houses. Here he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He married Fannie Wiggins, a native of Bel- fast, Maine, and they became the parents of five children, Charles; Stephen; Eliza, who died in 1860; Wesley T., of this sketch; and Nathan. The father was called to his final rest in August, 1871, but the mother long sur- vived him, passing away on the 4th of May, 1894. They both held membership in the Universalist church and were held in the high- est regard by all who knew them.
Although quite young on the outbreak of the Civil war, Wesley T. Foster manifested his loyalty and patriotism by enlisting in the Union service, becoming a member of Com- pany K, Ninth Illinois Cavalry, and for four years and three months faithfully followed the stars and stripes on southern battlefields, par- ticipating in over fifty important engagements including the following: Franklin, Moscow, Nashville, Columbia, Tennessee, Wyatt, Mis- sissippi, Selma and Campbellville, Tennessee.
On his return home from the war, Mr. Fos- ter finished learning the carpenter's trade which he had previously begun, and has since successfully engaged in contracting and build- ing, erecting some of the finest residences in Bradford and also many good barns and houses in the surrounding country. He is a prom- inent member of the Grand Army post and Masonic lodge at Bradford, has efficiently served for several years in the town council, and has also been tax-collector for several years, which position he still holds. He is a wide-awake, progressive citizen, who does all within his power to promote the best interests of his town and county.
On the 3d of September, 1867, Mr. Foster was united in. marriage with Miss Sarah Shaw, and as they have no children of their own they have reared two others-Eva Reed, a niece, who lived with them from the age of twelve until twenty; and Mary Spangler, who on reaching womanhood married and now lives in Spokane, Washington. Mrs. Foster is a mem- ber of the Eastern Star, of the Woman's Relief Corps, a consistent member of the Episcopal church, and a most estimable lady. Her father, Samuel Shaw, was born in Man- chester, England, December 20, 1814, and on coming to the United States in 1828 lo- cated in Providence, Rhode Island, where he remained until 1837, when he emigrated to Bureau county, Illinois, settling at Providence. Throughout his active business career he en- gaged in farming, but spent his last days in Bradford, where he died on the 20th of Octo- ber, 1877.
On the 29th of November, 1841, was cele- brated the marriage of Samuel Shaw and Ann Eliza Harrington, a native of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and a daughter of James J. Harrington, now deceased, who came to Bu- reau county, Illinois, in 1840, and settled at Providence, residing for one season in the old Colony House at that place. This house was erected by a colony of settlers who came to the state in 1837, from Providence and Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and was known as the Provi- dence and Pawtucket Colonization Society. The house was arranged for the convenience of several families, was owned by the society and kept for the exclusive use of families newly arrived from the east, who would make their home there while their own houses were being erected. Mrs. Shaw had the honor of teach- ing the first school in Providence and con- ducted it in the old Colony House. Her mother bore the maiden name of Eliza Sherman and
764
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
was a distant relative of Hon. John Sherman, of Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Harrington were born six children, five of whom are still living : William W., a resident of Providence, Illinois; Mrs. Shaw ; James J., living near Jefferson, Iowa ; John A., of Moline, Illinois ; and Mrs. Amanda M. Campbell, of Billings, Montana.
Mr. and Mrs. Shaw became the parents of ten children, seven of whom survive : Mary S., wife of Bela H. Curtis, of Chicago ; Sarah, wife of our subject ; Hannah, wife of Ira C. Reed, who lives near Jefferson, Iowa ; John B., of Jefferson, Iowa ; James H., of Fenton, Minnesota ; and Thomas S. and Annie, who reside with their mother in Bradford.
W ILLIAM H. DAVIDSON, a leading agri- culturist of Penn township, Stark coun- ty, whose home is on section 24, was born April 1, 1864, in La Prairie township, Mar- shall county, Illinois, where his parents, Rich- ard and Mary (Scott) Davidson, are still living. They were both born in Scotland, where they grew to maturity, but were married in this country, whither they had accompanied their respective parents. From an early age the father made his own way in the world, and by the aid of his five sons has become a wealthy and prosperous man, owning at one time over one thousand acres. As a prominent repub- lican of his locality, he has served as a dele- gate to various conventions, and has been elected to a number of official positions of honor and trust, being supervisor of his town- ship several years and justice of the peace for over twenty years. Fraternally, he is a mem- ber of Lawn Ridge Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of which he is a charter member, and has held various offices in that lodge.
Of the seven children born to Richard and Mary (Scott) Davidson, one died in infancy, but the others are still living, namely: James,
a farmer of Cass county, Iowa, who married Ida Mahley and has two children; Thomas, a gold miner at Breckenridge, Colorado, who is married and has two children; John, a farmer of La Prairie township, Marshall county, Illi- nois; William H., of this sketch; Grant, of La Prairie, Marshall county; and Mary, at home.
During his boyhood and youth our subject attended the local schools, where he acquired a good practical education, and his business training was upon the home farm, where he remained until twenty-six years of age. On the 12th of February, 1890, he wedded Miss Anna Ditewig, of Penn township, Stark county, a daughter of Mrs. Eliza Dexter, and since their marriage they have made their home in Penn township, although Mrs. Davidson is the owner of a fine farm of eighty acres in Valley township. They have had two children: Anna, born May 5, 1893; and George W., who was born April 29, 1891, and died September 5, of the same year. Mr. Davidson cast his first vote for Benjamin Harrison, in 1888, and has since been a pronounced republican in politics. He is a prominent member of Wyoming Lodge, No. 479, F. & A. M., also belongs to the Royal Arch Chapter, at Wyoming, No. 133, and is a charter member of Camp Grove Camp, No. 3350, M. W. A. As a farmer he is enter- prising, industrious and skillful, and as a citi- zen does all in his power to advance the inter- ests of his community or promote the general welfare. .
G EORGE ARMSTRONG .- Quite a num- ber of the leading and prominent citizens of Stark county are of Scotch birth, and have transported to this land of fertility and plenty the thrifty habits of their native country. Among these there is none that is better known or more widely respected than the gentleman
765
1
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
whose name appears at the head of this sketch. He is one of the most extensive farmers and stock-raisers of Elmira township and resides on section 32. Together with his brother Adam he owns and operates thirteen hundred acres of valuable and well-improved land.
Our subject was born in Roxburgshire, Scot- land, April 4, 1848, a son of James and Sibella (Eliott) Armstrong, who were also natives of that country, the former born in Roxburgshire, where he grew to manhood and married. With his family, in 1855, the father crossed the broad Atlantic to America, and came direct to Stark county, Illinois, where he first pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of raw land, upon which his sons now reside. Erect- ing a small frame house there the family lived while he began the improvement and cultiva- tion of his land, and he soon transformed the wild tract into a highly productive farm, im- proved with good and substantial buildings, which testified to his thrift and industry. He also added to his original purchase, owning at the time of his death, in August, 1876, an ex- tensive farm. His wife survived him only a few years, passing away in February, 1880, and was laid by his side in Elmira cemetery, where a neat and substantial monument marks their last resting place. Both were consistent inembers of the Canadian or Knox Presbyterian church, and enjoyed the high regard of all with whom they came in contact.
George Armstrong, of this review, is the youngest in the family of six sons and two daughters, the others being as follows: Eliza- beth, who married Andrew Oliver, a prominent and substantial farmer of Stark county, but both are now deceased; Abel, who married and settled in Toulon township, Stark county, where his death occurred; Adam, a partner of our subject; Jane, deceased wife of George Rutherford, of Stark county; Robert, a pros-
perous agriculturist of Stark county, now de- ceased, who served for several terms on the county board of supervisors; John, a repre- sentative farmer of Henry county, Illinois; and James, a practical mechanic and inventor, who died in 1876. He invented the Keystone corn- planter, which far excelled any machine of the kind at that day.
Our subject was a child of only seven years when brought by his parents to Stark county, where he was reared and obtained such edu- cational advantages as the public schools of his day afforded, but has greatly supplemented the knowledge there acquired by reading and observation in later years. As soon as large enough he began assisting in the arduous task of developing a farm from wild land, and since he and his brother have had charge of the homestead they have made many valuable and useful improvements thereon, including the erection of a fine, commodious residence and substantial barns and out-buildings. They have also purchased more land, so that they now have thirteen hundred acres of the best farming property to be found in the county, and in connection with general farming they have made a business of breeding and dealing in standard-bred horses and also the feeding of cattle for market. Energetic, enterprising and industrious, their success is well deserved, and to-day they rank among the most prosper- ous and substantial agriculturists of Stark county.
Mr. Armstrong, of this review, has made a number of trips to Scotland, visiting the friends and scenes of his boyhood, and in 1884 was there united in marriage with Miss Mary Thain Murray, a native of Roxburgshire, and a daughter of Dr. William Murray, a prom- inent and highly respected and successful physician and surgeon, now deceased. Four children bless this union, namely: Sibella Ag-
766
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
nes and James Murray, who are attending the home school; Robert and John William M.
Politically, Mr. Armstrong has been identi- fied with the prohibition party, but has never cared for the honors or emoluments of public office, preferring to give hisentire time and at- tention to his extensive business interests. Re- ligiously he and his wife are active members of the American Presbyterian church of Elmira, in which he is now serving as elder. Sur- rounded at his home by those who are his warm personal friends, and favorably known to hosts of men who have transacted business with him, his career is one that he can look upon with just and pardonable pride. He cer- tainly deserves an honored place among Stark county's representative business men and honored and valued citizens.
H ENRY A. MAHLER .- The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch is a general farmer, pursuing his pleasant and prof- itable occupation on section 25, Penn town- ship, Stark county. He was born on the north- west quarter of the same section May 8, 1864, a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Hamilton) Mahler, and upon the home farm became thoroughly familiar with agricultural pursuits, while his literary training was obtained in the country schools of the neigborhood.
On the 18th of February, 1885, was per- formed a marriage ceremony which united the destinies of Mr. Mahler and Miss Annie Coats, of Wyoming, Illinois, who was born in Kicka- poo, Peoria county, and is a daughter of Rob- ert and Sarah (Coats) Coats. They now have two interesting children: Oliver, born on sec- tion 26, Penn township, Stark county, July 13, 1889; and Elsie Gertrude, born on section 25 of the same township, April 8, 1893.
For five years after his marriage, Mr. Mah- ler resided upon his father's farm, on section 25,
Penn township, but in 1890 removed to his present home, whose neat and thrifty appear- ance plainly indicates the supervision of a care- ful and painstaking manager. His political support is ever given the men and measures of the republican party, but for himself he cares nothing for official honors. Being interested, however, in good schools, he has most ef- ficiently served as school director for three terms. He is a charter member of Camp Grove Camp, No. 3350, M. W. A., which he has represented at the state camp.
H ARMON PHENIX, president of the Phe- nix Banking Company and a dealer in furniture, at Bradford, Illinois, is one of the most prominent and successful business men of Stark county. He is a native of Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, born March 20, 1834, and is a son of John P. and Lida (Daniels) Phe- nix, the former a native of New York and the latter of Pennsylvania. They came from the Keystone state to Illinois in 1836 and settled in Stark county, which was then a part of Putnam county. The father was a carpenter by trade, but followed farming almost his en- tire life. He was one of the pioneers of this part of the state and endured all the hard- ships and privations of pioneer life. At the time of their settlement here roving bands of Indians were frequently seen and were always unwelcome visitors to the cabins of the early settlers. The father entered land in what is now Penn township, and commenced to make a home, but soon sold out and moved into what is now Osceola township, where he pur- chased eighty acres on section 33, on which he made his home until his death. Under the old law he served as county commissioner for several terms and subsequently held various township offices. He was a very careful man, and although industrious never accumulated
767
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
much property. As a pioneer he was honored and respected and widely known throughout Stark and adjoining counties. His death oc- curred in 1868, at the age of seventy-five years. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in the early days his house was used for preaching purposes and also class-meetings. The mother, who was also a worker and a zealous member of the Methodist church during almost her entire life, passed from labor to reward in 1887, at the age of ninety years. In their family were six children, all of whom are yet living.
Harmon Phenix was reared on the home farm and for many years followed the occupa- tion of a farmer and still owns several farms, two of which are in Osceola township, Stark county, and others in Iowa and Kansas. In 1881 he went into the banking business under the firm name of C. W. & H. Phenix. In 1894 the bank was incorporated and its name changed to the Phenix Banking Company, with Harmon Phenix, president; Daniel B. Phenix, vice-president; Daniel J. Phenix, cashier; and Bardwell D. Phenix, assistant cashier. They do a general banking business and carry a good line of deposits, and the bank is considered one of the strongest in this sec- tion of the state. Our subject is also engaged in the furniture trade and has a complete line suitable for all demands of the trade, and also does a general undertaking business.
In 1864, Mr. Phenix was united in marriage with Miss Emily Libby, a native of Canada, who came to the United States in 1863. By this union five children have been born: Oscar H., senior member of the firm of Phenix & Owens, general merchants of Bradford; Lillian C., wife of Edwin Plummer, of Bradford; Nancy A., wife of Otto Boyd, of Chicago; Daniel J., cashier of the Phenix bank; and Albert, who is engaged in clerking in Bradford.
Mrs. Phenix is a lady of pleasing presence, culture and refinement and was educated in Canada. She was formerly a teacher and fol- lowed that profession both in Canada and Illi- nois prior to her marriage. A member of the Baptist church she takes much interest in the Master's cause.
Mr. Phenix is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, and served a term of seven successive years as worthy master of the lodge at Brad- ford, and after an interim again served as mas- ter of the lodge. He is also a member of the Wyoming Chapter, R. A. M., and takes an active interest in the principles of the order. Probably no man in Stark county is more widely known or inore universally respected than Harmon Phenix, the subject of this sketch.
R OBERT ALEXANDER ADAMS .- Among the representative and prominent farmers and stock-raisers of Stark county, who are noted for their eminent success in their chosen calling, is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He has one of the finest farms of Penn township, pleasantly located on section 16. Like many of the leading citizens of this region, heis a native of the Keystone state, his birth occurring in Bedford county, July 16, 1845. His parents, John and Mary (McGregor) Adams, were also born in Pennsylvania, the former in Bedford county, where he was reared and married. For a number of years he kept a toll-gate there, but in 1852, with his wife and only child, our subject, 'started for Illinois. From Johnstown to Pittsburg, Penn- sylvania, they traveled by cars, and thence to St. Louis by boat, and in the same manner proceeded up the Illinois river to Peoria, where the father engaged in teaming for about two years. He had some capital, having brought eight hundred dollars with him from the east.
768
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
From Peoria he removed to Farmington, Illi- nois, where he took a contract for hauling timber for railroad bridges, and next located near Princeville, at the present site of Duncan, where he not only engaged in teaming, but also followed farming to some extent. In 1856 he purchased eighty acres of land in Penn township, Stark county, making his home on section 16 until a couple of years before his death, which occurred May 8, 1893. He added to his land until he had two hundred and forty acres all in one body.
The mother of our subject died in Peoria, and the father later married Mrs. Sarah Jane Imes, nee Suter, by whom he had five chil- dren-Mary, wife of Alonzo Markland, of Penn township, Stark county, and the mother of four children; Samuel, residing on the homestead; Charles and William, both resi- dents of Chicago; Lincoln died at the age of eight years. John Adams, the father of our subject, cast his first presidential vote for the whig candidate in 1836, four years later sup- ported William Henry Harrison, and in 1856 became a republican. He served as school director for a number of years, but never cared for official distinction. Religiously he was a consistent member of the Methodist Protestant church.
Our subject, who was the only child born of the first marriage, received a good common- school education, and continued under the pa- rental roof until twenty-two years of age. On the 29th of December, 1868, he married Miss Mary Elizabeth Earhart, of Penn township, Stark county, who was born in Columbus, Ohio, a daughter of John W. and Carrilla (Sain) Earhart. She was only about two years old when her parents removed to Wyoming, Illinois, where they remained three years, and then located on section 16, Penn township, on a farm adjoining the early home of our sub-
ject. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Adams, namely: Anna C. died at the age of five months; Harry F., born on the present farm of our subject, graduated from a business college in Davenport, Iowa, and on the 20th of May, 1896, married Clora M. Gleason; he lives in Penn township; Jennie C. died at the age of four years; Alva J. was born on the home farm April 5, 1878; Laura A. died at the age of six years, she and her grandmother Earhart being run over by the cars September 22, 1889.
Mr. Adams inherited twenty acres of land from his father's estate, and his wife also re- ceived some property from her people, to which he has added from time to time until he now has five hundred acres of rich and valu- able land that he has placed under a high state of cultivation and improved with good build- ings, which stand as monuments to his thrift and industry. He is progressive, public-spir- ited and enterprising, and possesses good busi- ness and executive ability, which have been important factors in his success. Like his father, he is also an ardent republican, casting his first vote for General Grant in 1868.
AMES HARVEY EMERY .-- The gentle- J
man whose name stands at the head of this sketch is one of the representative and promi- nent agriculturists of West Jersey township, Stark county. He is meeting with a well-de- served success in his calling, and his fine, well- ordered farm, which is pleasantly situated on section 5, with its carefully cultured fields, its neat buildings, and all their surroundings, de- note the skillful management and well-directed labors of the owner. Throughout his entire life he has been identified with the growth and development of this region, his birth occurring June 6, 1851, in the house where he still resides.
-
769
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Joseph and Hannah (Albright) Emery, the parents of our subject, were born and reared in Pennsylvania, whence they removed to Ohio, but only remained there a short time, and then proceeded to Illinois, driving the entire distance. They started with an ox team and one cow, but after going a short distance they found their load too heavy for the former, and so purchased another cow, and yoking the two together they continued on their way. They arrived in Stark county in 1834, and after living for a time in their wagon a rude log house was constructed, having only a dirt floor. It is now used by our subject as a cow stable. At that time there were only two other families in the neighborhood-Henry McClennehan and Silas Richards. After pre- empting forty acres of our subject's present farm, the father had but twenty-five cents re- maining, but he went resolutely to work and before his death became the owner of four hundred and fifty acres of rich and arable land. By his straightforward, honorable course he gained the confidence and respect of all with whom he came in contact. In politics he was originally a whig and later a republican. He died September 27, 1856, leaving three chil- dren: Eli, James H. and Mrs. Sarah Jane Wilson, of West Jersey township, Stark county.
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.