USA > Illinois > Bureau County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 56
USA > Illinois > Marshall County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 56
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 56
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
Our subject is the second in order of birth in the family of six children, four sons and two daughters, the others being Camilla B., widow of John P. Richardson, a hardware merchant of Princeton; Mary, wife of H. H. Ferris; Edward B., a druggist of Lenora, Kansas: Charles J., a member of the firm of Dunbar & Company, who married Gertrude Henderson (see sketch of Gen- eral Henderson elsewhere in this work), and Holmes, who died at the age of six years.
Mr. Dunbar, of this review, was educated in the academy at Waterville, Maine. On the 6th of September, 1868, he married Miss Kate Mar- tin, a native of New York, and a daughter of John H. and Catherine Martin, of Minnesota. Three children were born of this union-Mary, who died at the age of nine years; George A.,
438
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
now clerking in the store of C. J. Dunbar & Company, and Ruth Martin. Mrs. Dunbar, who was a consistent member of the Congrega- tional church, died in 1887, at the age of thirty- nine years. Mr. Dunbar was again married October 1, 1890, his second union being with Miss Sarah E. Kennon, daughter of the late Judge Kennon, of Princeton, and a native of Ohio. One child has been born to them-Ca- milla.
From September, 1859, until April, 1861, Mr. Dunbar worked as a journeyman watchmaker in North Carolina, and left at an opportune mo- ment-the day on which President Lincoln called for seventy-five thousand troops to put down the rebellion. He was in that state during the excit- ing presidential campaign of 1860, and through the courtesy of a state senator who vouched for him, he was a visitor at the Virginia state con- vention at Richmond when the ordinance of secession was passed. Mr. Dunbar has been an ardent republican since the second election of President Lincoln, and socially is a prominent member of the Masonic order, belonging to the blue lodge, chapter and commandery. Both himself and wife are earnest members of the Con- gregational church, in which he is a deacon. The pleasant and hospitable qualities of this worthy couple are well known, and they enjoy the esteem and respect of the entire community to a marked degree.
R ICHARD DAVIDSON, who resides on section 17, La Prairie township, is a worthy representative of that land which can with pride boast of its great warriors and statesmen in the persons of Bruce, Wallace and others; its great- est of all novelists, Sir Walter Scott, and in later days of Black, Maclaren and Crockett ; and of its great poet, the immortal Burns. No braver, prouder or more steadfast people ever lived than those inhabiting the land of poetry and song, "Bonnie Scotland." However far from the land of his birth, the true Scotchman never forgets and often sighs for its blue-clad hills, its beautiful lakes and its heavy forests. Its manners and
customs are ever dear to his heart, and while he may discard the highland garb for the more modern garment, his heart will thrill with rapture at the sound of the bagpipe as it plays an old fa- miliar tune, and however staid he may be in other matters, he will dance with you the high- land fling. Scotch games and amusements ap- peal to every fiber of his being, and he is seldom so busy but he will take at least one day in the year to join with others in Scottish festivities. Marshall county has within its borders many rep- resentatives of this hardy race, and none stand higher in the estimation of the people than the subject of this sketch, who, leaving his native land to seek a home and fortune in America, can say with Burns,
" Adieu, a heart-warm, fond adieu. * * *
Tho' I to foreign lands must hie, Pursuing fortune's slippery ba' With melting heart, and brimful eye, I'll mind you still, tho' far awa'."
Mr. Davidson comes of good, old stock, a grand uncle of his being a famous character in Sir Walter Scott's novel, "Guy Mannering." "Dandie Dinmont," the grand-uncle, was the originator and breeder of the celebrated terriers known as the Dandie Dinmont breed, and called "Pepper" and "Mustard." His home was in the South Highlands and the family were devoted to the chase and other active pursuits. His son, John Davidson, who lived in Steuben township for a time, inherited his father's characteristics. In 1849 he went to California, but returned and died in Steuben township. A daughter, Jean- nette, is now Mrs. John Williamson, and lives on the old homestead, in Steuben township.
James Davidson, the father of our subject, was reared on a farm and in early manhood married Margaret Pringle, a sister of Andrew Pringle, late of La Prairie township, who was the father of Robert Pringle. In 1845, he rented a farm in Peebleshire, Scotland, but the low prices ex- perienced before the Crimean war, caused him to lose almost his all, leaving him barely enough to bring him and his family to America. With
+39
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
his family, consisting of wife, four sons and two daughters, he came direct to Marshall county in 1850. His brother, George Davidson, six years previously, had settled in Steuben township, Marshall county, and by his advice he deter- mined to try his fortunes in the new world. On his arrival he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land at government price. He did not have the money with which to make the pur- chase, but borrowed it of Mr. Bradus, of Lacon, paying fifty dollars for its use a period of three months. The land was bought of Rev. Seth Bliss, of Boston, and is now the home farm of Adam Davidson, on section 23. It took several years to pay off the debt incurred in the pur- chase of the land and in making the improve- ments thereon. But it was finally done and other tracts were added from time to time. This farm remained his home until called to the better land June 20, 1880, in his eighty-third year. His good wife survived him nearly four years, dying January 14, 1884, also in her eighty-third year.
In the old country, James Davidson and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church, but on coming to America their religious con- victions underwent a change and they united with the Baptist church in Steuben township, with which they were faithful members till death. In speaking with old friends and neighbors about this worthy couple, with one accord they assert that in James Davidson was found a man of kind impulse, one in whom there abode nothing of a selfish nature, nor would he dissemble in the least. Always plain and outspoken, none were ever at a loss to know where he stood upon any subject which he had given any thought. A close Bible reader, he was thoroughly posted on the religious controversies of the day, and while not disposed to be argumentative, he had fixed opinions on all subjects and could express him- self plainly and satisfactorily. A kind husband, a loving father, and a steadfast friend, his death was mourned by family and friends alike. Mrs. Davidson was also known and loved by many throughout Marshall and adjoining counties. She was a woman of superior natural ability, but
her educational advantages were limited in child- hood, but she, too, could express herself intelli- gently upon the various questions of the day. To James Davidson and wife were born six children, all of whom grew to man and womanhood with the exception of one-Richard, the subject of this sketch; Adam, now residing on the old homestead; James, the present supervisor from La Prairie township; Jeannette, who died in mid- dle life; Margaret, now the widow of Alexander Burnett, of Ford county, Illinois; and Walter, who died at the age of fifteen years.
Richard Davidson, of whom we now write, was born in Roxburghshire, Scotland, July 13, 1830, and his boyhood and youth were spent in his na- tive country. He was twenty years old when he came with the family to the United States, and continued under the parental roof for seven years longer, assisting his father in the cultiva- tion of the home farm and in his getting a good start in the new world. On the 9th of January, 1857, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Scott, a daughter of Thomas and Jennet (Elliott) Scott. Her father was also a native of Rox- burghshire, Scotland, a shepherd by occupation in his native country. He came to America in 1845, driving from Chicago to Marshall county, and making his first stop with George Davidson, in Steuben township, and first locating just across the line in Peoria county ; but in 1848 he settled on section 16, La Prairie township, where he opened up a farm and there died in 1855. His wife survived him many years, dying in 1874. Their family consisted of two sons and three daughters. One son, Henry, lived on the old homestead, married, and died in 1875, leaving a widow, but no family. William was drowned in the Illinois river, while crossing on the ice at La- con, stepping into a hole made by the ice men. His wife and children still reside on a farm in La Prairie township. Of the daughters, Jeannette, married John Wiley, and both have since died, leaving no family; Mary is the wife of our sub- ject; while Ellen married Robert Grieve, moved to Stark county and there died.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Davidson
440
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
commenced life on a rented farm, where they re- mained three years, when he purchased eighty acres of land on section 17, giving his notes for two thousand dollars, the purchase price. With characteristic energy he went to work to pay off the indebtedness and improve the place. Wheat at that time was almost a sure crop and brought a good price, and to this cereal he devoted a good part of the farm. It was not many years before the indebtedness was paid off, and other tracts were added, until to-day his fine farm con- sists of two hundred and eighty acres under the most substantial improvements and also two hundred acres in Cass county, Iowa. For one eighty acre tract of his land he paid five thou- sand, five hundred dollars.
Mr. Davidson is a thorough, practical farmer, and has never taken up with any special hobby, either in regular farming or stock-raising. When grain was thought to be the most profita- ble he would raise grain; if, on the other hand he thought best to give special attention to stock, he would do so. He endeavors at all times to raise a good breed of animals, and therefore has invested largely in Poland-China hogs, some of which he has with success exhibited at local fairs. He usually ships his own stock and therefore does not divide profit with the middleman. For some years he has been a stockholder and direc- tor in the Wyoming fair, and served one year as its president.
In 1895 Mr. Davidson erected what may be termed a model country home, one having all the conveniences of the city home, and here with his pleasant and happy family life will indeed be en- joyable, and he proposes to make the most of life. He sees no reason why the farmer should live more of a humdrum life than the many in any other profession. With time well spent, prop- erly divided between work and recreation, the farmer could be well posted in all the standard and current literature of the day.
In politics Mr. Davidson is a republican, and has voted with that party since first he became a naturalized citizen. His first presidential vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. He be-
lieves it to be the duty of every legal voter to at- tend the primaries of his party, and use his influ- ence for good, without fear or for reward. For many years he served as delegate from his town- ship and county to the county, district and state conventions. He has satisfactorily filled almost every local office, including collector, assessor, commissioner of highways and justice of the peace, which position he now holds.
To Mr. and Mrs. Davidson seven children have been born: James, now residing in Cass county, Iowa, where he is engaged in farming : Thomas, engaged in mining in Summit county, Colorado: John, who took a course in a business college at Quincy, at home: William Henry, a farmer of Stark county, Illinois; Richard Grant, at home: Mary Scott educated at Monmouth College, Monmouth, Illinois, at home; and Richard Walter, who died in infancy. The fam- ily are members of the United Presbyterian church. Mr. Davidson belongs to Lawn Ridge lodge, No. 415, F. & A. M., and has taken a fairly active part in its work.
He is a man of literary tastes and spends some of his most pleasant hours in the companionship of the friends in his library. His special favorite may well be the poet of his own native land, Robert Burns, who is not only the poet of Scot- land, but of all lands, for he is beloved by thou- sands throughout the whole world. His is "the touch of nature" that "makes the whole world kin." His songs, so sweet, appeal to every heart, and the spirit of the reader attunes to the rhythm of-
" Ye banks and braes and streams around The castle o' Montgomery."
Again we seem to see and know that kindly, sympathetic nature, who could write-
" I truly sorrow man's dominion Has broken Nature's social union, An' justifies that ill opinion Which makes thee startle At me, thy poor earth-born companion, An' fellow-mortal!"
Mr. Davidson is now acting as president of the Burns Anniversary meeting at Chillicothe to
441
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
celebrate the birthday of the immortal bard and foster love for the man in whom honor and pathos, strength and weakness, firmness and ten- derness were so strongly blended, yet who was "a man for a' that;" nor can we better close this record than with the words of the well-loved Burns:
" Then let us pray that come it may, As come it will for a' that, That sense and worth, o'er a' the earth, May bear the gree, and a' that For a' that, and a' that, It's coming yet, for a' that, That man to man, the warld o'er Shall brothers be for a' that."
JACOB KEMP. Marshall county has many well-to-do and successful farmers, men who have accumulated what they have of this world's goods through individual effort. Among this class the name of the subject of this notice is en- titled to a place. On beginning life for himself his only property consisted of a rather worn-out team and one dollar and a half in money. The latter he paid out for one hundred pounds of flour, which he then thought would last him a life time, and arrived in this state with only a pair of willing hands and a determination to suc- ceed. He is now residing on section 15, Evans township, where he is industriously engaged in the prosecution of his noble calling, and is meet- ing with more than ordinary success.
His paternal grandfather. John Kemp, who was a native of Germany, married a lady of Welsh birth, and settled in New Jersey, where Charles Kemp, the father of our subject, was born in 1791. At an early day the latter removed with his family to Somerset county, Pennsylvania, where he was reared upon a farm, and on reach- ing his majority he engaged as a stage driver on the old National road, then called the Braddock road. He was united in marriage with Sarah Smitlı, daughter of Jacob Smith, who kept a tav- ern along that highway, and for whom Mr. Kemp worked for a time. She died in 1818, leaving one son, Julius, now living in Somerset county, Penn- sylvania, at the age of eighty-two years.
Charles Kemp was engaged in teaming while the National road was being built, and drove the first stage from Chambersburgh to Uniontown across the Allegheny mountains, which occupa- tion he followed until his second marriage. He wedded Saralı Clements, who was born in Fay- ette county, Pennsylvania, in 1798, and was the daughter of Jacob Clements. In 1824 the father gave up stage driving and purchased a farm in Fayette county, on which he lived until his death. His wife died in 1867, a faithful member of the Methodist church. In their family were ten chil- dren-Jacob, of this review: Lucinda, Katie Ann and John, all deceased; Thomas, of Wenona, Illinois: Elizabeth Ann, deceased; William, of Wenona; and Anna Belle, Charles and an infant daughter, all deceased.
Jacob Kemp was born in Somerset county. Pennsylvania, November 25, 1821, but was reared upon a farm in Fayette county, and there secured his education in the common schools. He was married March 2. 1843, to Sarah Parnell, who was born in that county, April 25, 1822, and died June 6, 1854. Five children graced their union. three still living-Nicholas M., of Ford county. Illinois, who married Catherine Axline, and has eight children; Jasper N. and Thomas M., de- ceased; Sarah M., wife of William H. Griffin, of Livingston county, Illinois, by whom she has three children and Mariam E. On the 15th of February, 1855, Mr. Kemp was again married. his second union being with Catherine Brown, who was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania. Tine 28, 1818, and died in August, 1868. To them were born three children-Laura Belle and Jervis B., deceased; and Jennette B.
On the 31st of March, 1870, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Kemp and Sarah Dilliner, who was born on the old home farm in Greene county. Pennsylvania, May 31, 1838, and is the daughter of Ambrose and Elizabeth (Griffin) Dilliner, also natives of Greene county, the former born in 1815, and the latter in 1813. Her parents have lived upon their present home since 1825. In their family were seven children-Mrs. Kemp: Mrs. Caroline Everly, deceased; Mrs. Lydia F.
.
442
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Sturgis, who has three children; Lizzie, deceased; William L., of Greene county, Pennsylvania, who is married and has three children: and George S. and Walter, both deceased. By this union six. children were born to our subject-Ambrose G., of Belle Plain township, Marshall county, who married Carrie Carrithers, by whom he has one child; Anna Belle, who has taught for three years in Ford county, Illinois; Emeline, deceased; Jacob Ezra; Lucy May and Franklin Rogers.
After his first marriage, Mr. Kemp located upon his father's farm in Fayette county, where he made his home until 1856, and then removed to Illinois, at first settling in Hope township, La Salle county, where he continued to reside until 1864, when he removed to his present farm-a valuable tract of eighty acres, highly cultivated and improved. Besides general farming he has also operated a thresher and corn sheller for eighteen years.
For forty years, Mr. Kemp has been one of the most active and influential members of the Meth- odist church at Cherry Point, during which time he has served as steward and class leader, and has also been superintendent of the Sunday school; while socially, for forty-five years he has held membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Although reared a democrat, he became a republican after Fort Sumter was fired upon, and his son, Nicholas M., valiantly served in the Union army. He has been road overseer, collector and assessor, and for fifteen years school director, in which offices he gave general satisfaction.
P HILIP F. McGOWAN, of Princeton, was formerly a cabinetmaker, but is now living retired from active labor. His name stands high on the military records of the late civil war, as he was one of the brave defenders of the Union, risking his life on many a southern battle field. A native of Ohio. he was born at Pickerington, Fairfield county, January 30, 1818, and there learned cabinet-making with his father, Samuel MeGowan, who was a native of County Down, Ireland, and came to America when ten years of
age. The latter first located in Pennsylvania, but in 1795, located in Ohio, being numbered among its earliest settlers. In 1856, he came to Illinois, and died in McLean county at the age of seventy- four years. In the war of 1812 he served under General Hull, and was at the surrender of De- troit, for which service he never received a pen- sion. The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Sarah McIntosh, was from Scot- land, was married in Pennsylvania, and died at Pickerington, Ohio. In the family of twelve children only two survive-Philip F., and Sam- uel, of Decatur, Illinois.
On attaining to man's estate our subject was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Parish, of Fairfield county, Ohio, and they began their do- mestic life upon a farm in Hancock county, that state. Removing to Findlay, Ohio, he later en- gaged in the furniture trade, and subsequently took up carpentering, which he followed in Han- coek county until coming to Illinois in 1856. He accompanied his father to this state, locating at Lytleville, ten miles south of Bloomington, in McLean county, where he worked at the carpen- ter's trade, becoming an extensive contractor. having in his employ from ten to fifteen men. He next went to DeWitt county, Illinois, where he continued carpentering until the breaking out of the civil war.
Laying aside personal interests, Mr. McGowan enlisted August 5. 1861, in the Forty-first Illinois Infantry, and was made sergeant of his com- pany, with which rank he took part in the bat- tles of Fort Henry, Fort Donelson and Shiloh. He was with Van Dorn at Hatches river, where they took three hundred prisoners. This was a severe engagement, and the bridge was an es- peeially dangerous place, as it was guarded by six-pounders. After being promoted to lieuten- ant, Mr. McGowan participated in the siege of Vieksburg, which lasted for forty-seven days, most of the time having charge of his company. They were in the ditches during the day time, which they would hold until night, when they were relieved and would rest until the next day. After the fall of Vicksburg, with his company,
443
THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Lieutenant McGowan was ordered to go in pur- suit of Johnson, who had made a stand at Jack- son, Mississippi, having already fortified that place, and his was the last division to reach Jack- son, and filled the space from Pearl river to cen- tral Mississippi where vacancies existed. They were ordered to drive back the rebel pickets. Under General Laughman, the Forty-first, Fifty- third and Twenty-eighth Illinois and Third Fowa regiments charged upon the enemy, whom they followed until within sixty yards of the latter's breastworks, when the rebels turned loose their musketry and cannon, and one-half of Mr. Mc- Gowan's company was killed within a space of fifteen minutes. This was the hottest engage- ment in which he participated, and resulted in a terrible slaughter. He had command of the com- pany at this time. His division was then ordered to Natchez, where they did guard duty, and later did similar service in the rear of Vicksburg. While at the latter place his term of service ex- pired and he returned home with an honorable war record, of which he is justly proud. He was always found at his post of duty, being in all the engagements in which his company took part, was badly wounded in the right shoulder at the battle of Shiloli, and at Fort Donelson his clothes were pierced by many bullets. Samuel was also in the army, enlisting from Clinton, Illinois, where he raised a company.
On leaving the service, Mr. McGowan came to Princeton, where his wife had removed during his absence, and has here since made his home. He resumed work at his trade, and for ten years was foreman of the wood work of the Princeton Agricultural Manufacturing company. He has never recovered from the effects of his army service, and was obliged to give up work at his trade, and for a time handled sewing machines. The government now gives him a handsome pen- sion, which enables him to live comfortably, and he has erected a pleasant dwelling on West Peru street, where he expects to spend his remaining days in ease and retirement.
Mr. McGowan has been called upon to mourn the loss of his loving wife, who died on the 22nd
of April, 1894. In their family were the follow- ing children: Della, who is now her father's housekeeper : Emma, wife of George Harrington, of Chicago; Lena, wife of Fred Pelly, of the same city; Mary, wife of Calvin Coddington, of Wy- anet township, Bureau county; Parker and Bige- low, twins, both of whom enlisted in the union service at the age of seventeen years and served until the close of the war, but the latter has since died in Clay county, Illinois, and the former is now a resident of Pike county, Missouri: and Frank, the youngest, who is engaged in the lum- ber business at Carlinville, Macoupin county, Illinois. The parents were both members of the Methodist Episcopal church for thirty years, and Mr. McGowan has served as steward and class leader of the same. Fraternally he is connected with the Grand Army post, and also the Masonic order, while politically he is identified with the prohibition party.
T 'HEODORE POSCHARSKY, a wide- awake and progressive farmer, residing in Wyanet township, Bureau county, is a native of Prussia, Germany, born on the banks of the Elbe, June 2, 1833, and is a son of Charles Poscharsky, whose death occurred in that country in 1866. In the family were three children, the two broth- ers of our subject being William, who now makes his home in Princeton, Illinois, and Her- man, yet a resident of the old world.
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.