Knox County, Illinois - The whole text, 1912 (part 31 of 56)
From History of Knox County, Illinois [microform] : Its Cities, Towns and People, published 1912. 15,957 words, reproduced complete and unedited. Source changes inside the text are labelled in place.
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The text
15,957 wordsMachine-read from scans of History of Knox County, Illinois [microform] : Its Cities, Towns and People, published 1912. Nothing has been corrected: fixing what looks like a misspelled name is how an invented one gets published. Source changes are marked where they occur.
Rev. George Preston Doubleday, whose labors have been a potent factor in the moral and educational development of Knox county, is now serving as president of Corpus Christi College at Galesburg. His birth occurred in Pieter- . maritzburg. Natal, South Africa, on the 23d of June, 1869, his parents being George and Mary (Curry) Doubleday, who were natives of England and Ireland respectively. The father . passed away in London, in 1902, when sixty-two . years of age. His wife also lived to attain the age of sixty-two, being called to . her final rest in 1897. Both were faithful communicants of the Catholic church. ' Their children were five in number, as follows: Rev. Arthur Doubleday, repJgr - of the seminary in Guildford, England; Rev. George Preston, of this review;
Rev. George P. Doubleday was two years of age when 'taken to England by his parents, who settled in Canterbury, where he received his common and classical education. In 1889 he entered the Order of Charity at Wadhurst, England, where he studied for three years, later spending five and a half years . --' at Domodossola, Italy, in preparation for the priesthood. In November, 1898, he was ordained at Novara, Italy, and on the 24th of December of the same year arrived in America, making his way direct to Galesburg, Illinois. Here - he acted as assistant to Rev. Father Costa for two years and then became pastor of St. Patrick's church, thus officiating for seven years. On the expiration of that period he became president of Corpus Christi College and has remained in that capacity to the present time. The institution has an attendance of one hundred and three boys, who are under the instruction of four professors, namely: Rev. Doubleday, Rev. John Phelan, Rev. James Lyons and Rev. Francis '
Charles F. Hurburgh, state senator from Knox county and recognized as one / of those who is close to the present administration, in an effort to secure the -- passage of meritorious measures and prevent the corruption and graft which ^ have been entirely too prominent in the political history of the state, was born . January lo, 1872, in Smaland, Sweden, a son of Gustav and Susanna (Johnson) "' Hurburgh, the latter a daughter of Yngakarin Johnson. The father died in Sweden in 1885, at the age of fifty-five years, and the mother passed away in 1909, when nearly seventy years of age. There were two children in the family but the elder, a sister, died in infancy. Charles F. Hurburgh was a little lad of four years when, owing to the illness of his mother, he went to live with his uncle, A. J. Johnson, who was born in Sweden, November i8, 1842, and came . to America in 1868. He first located in Plymouth, Indiana, and in 1873 he married Mrs. Louisa Christina Anderson, the widow of Swan Anderson. She also bore the maiden name of Anderson and was born in Sweden, May 18, 1830, a daughter of Samuel and Analine (Hansen) Anderson. She came to the new world when twenty-four years of age, making her way to Laporte, Indiana, . where she lived until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson established their . home in Knox county and his energies were devoted to farming up to the time of his death, which occurred about 1907. His widow still resides upon the home farm. Her only child was David Anderson, who was born February 8, 1875, and is now a farmer of Walnut Grove township. He married Hannah Linderholm. a daughter of John and Hedda Linderholm, her father a merchant of Galesburg. ;.: o -^ .- ^ /-/ '''-.^'^--"-V-'^.'^ -'.../':.- '..I ^--' -.'^-'^-r'v-;'-'i-'
Spending his youthful days in the home of his uncle, Mr. Johnson, Charles F. Hurburgh, whose Swedish name was Frederick Carl Hurburgh but who adopted the simpler American name of Charles F. pursued his education in the district schools and afterward in the Swedish Lutheran school. He also at- ;
Rev. (ieorge I'. Doubleday was two years of age when "taken to England by his parents, who settled in Canterbury, where he received his common and classical education. In iXS'9 he entered the Order of Charity at Wadhurst, England, where he studied for three years, later spending five and a half years at Domodossola, Italy, in i)reparation for the priesthood. In November, 1898, he was ordained at Xovara, Italy, and on the 24th of December of the same year arrived in America, making his way direct to (lalesburg, Illinois. Here he acted as assistant to Rev. l-'ather Costa for two years and then became pastor of St. I'atrick's church, thus officiating for .seven years. On the exi)iration of that i)eriod he became i)resident of Corjius Christi College and has remained in that cai)acity to the ])resent time. The institution has an attendance of one hundred and three boys, who are under the instruction of four professors, namely: Rev. Doubleday. Rev. juhii I'helan, Rev. James Lyons and Rev. Francis TJaines.
Charles !-'. llurburgh. state senator from Knox county and recognized as one of those who is close to the present administration, in an effort to secure the passage of mcritcjrious measures and prevent the corruption and graft which have been entirely too prominent in the i)olitical history of the state, was born [anuary lO, 1872, in Smaland, S\veden, a son of (justav and Susanna (Johnson) llurburgh. the latter a daughter of ^ ngakarin Johnson. The father died in Sweden in iXS5, at the age of fifty-five years, and the mother passed away in i(jO9, when nearly seventy years of age. 'I'here \vere tuo children in the family but the elder, a sister, died in infancy. C'harles !-'. llurburgh was a little lad of four years \vlien, owing to tlie illness of his mother, he went to live with his uncle, A. J. Johnson, who was born in Sweden, .November iX. 1842, and came to America in iXOS. lie first located in I'lymouth, Indiana, and in 1873 he married Mrs. Louisa Christina Anderson, the widow of .S\van Anderson. She also bore the maiden name of .\nderson and was born in Sweden, May ;8, 1830, a daughter of Samuel and Analine (llaiiseii) Anderson. She came to the new world when twenty-four years of age, making her way to Laporte, Indiana, where she lived uiilil her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson established their home in Knox county and his energies were devoted to farming up to the time of his death, which occurred alxjut iix)7. Mis widow still resides upon the home farm, ller only child was David Anderson, who was born I'ebruary 8, 1875, and is now a farmer of \\'alinu drove townshi]). lie married Hannah Linderholm. a daughter of John and I ledda Linderholm, her father a merchant of (lalesburg. , . : ' 1. .
S])en(ling his youthful days in the home of his uncle, Mr. Johnson, Charles V. llurburgh. whose Swedish name was I'rederick Carl llurburgh but who ado])ted the simi)ler American name of Charles !-'. pursued his education in tlic district schools and afterward in the Swedish Lutheran school. He also at- tended the high school of Altona, from which he was graduated, and for a time was a student in the Abingdon normal school, in which he completed a course in 1892. He afterward entered Knox College and is numbered among its alumni of 1895. Taking up the profession of teaching, he was principal of the Maquon school from 1895 until igoo. During that period he took up the study of law in Galesburg, devoting his leisure hours to the mastery of the principles of jurisprudence. All through his boyhood days he had worked when opportunity offered and had thus largely supplied the means for meeting the expenses of his education. At different times he worked at farm labor in the home neighborhood and assisted in threshing until an accident finally prevented his further work in that direction. His entire life has been one of unfaltering activity and his intelligently directed labors have constituted forceful factors in the accomplishment of what he has undertaken. In 1900 he withdrew from educational work to accept the position of deputy sheriff under R. G. Mathews and after two years' service in that capacity was elected sheriff of Knox county, which position he filled until 1906, when he was elected to the state senate.
Charles F. Hurburgh has made an excellent record as one of the Illinois legislators. He found the senate in the grip of a powerful combine and united with other men of high principles holding to high ideals of government to break the force of this combine and wrest the state from machine rule. History records the success of their efforts and indorsement of his course was given him in his reelection. When he entered upon his second term he was recognized as one of the senate leaders and all through the regular and special session was in close association with the' governor in urging the passage of meritorious measures. His efforts were an effective force in promoting the passage of the two-centpassenger-fare bill and he was made chairman of the committee on appropriations, one of the most important of the senate, doing much to keep the demands made upon the state treasury within the limit. His work on that committee disclosed his large grasp of details and his broad understanding of a multitude of situations which came up for discussion. When the facts developed regarding the scandal attached to the election of a United States senator Mr. Hurburgh, who had respected the vote of his district on the senatorship, was one of the foremost in the senate to urge an investigation and as the result of his position and that of a number of his colleagues a committee was named that brought out many facts relating to the case and helped purge the legislature. In all this he disclosed himself a foe to graft.
In his home town of Galesburg and throughout the county, where he is very widely known, Mr. Hurburgh is popular. He is a member of the Trinity Lutheran church and his influence is always on the side of progress, reform and improvement. As a republican leader in Illinois he is today prominently before the state and his fellow citizens are strongly urging his candidacy for governor. In a recent meeting held in Galesburg the following resolutions were unanimously passed : . .
We, citizens and residents of Galesburg and of Knox county, friends and neighbors of Charles F. Hurburgh, one of our leading citizens, distinguished member of the state senate of Illinois, having noted with a great deal of pride the favorable comment upon the announcement of his candidacy for the republican nomination for the governorship at the April primaries. Resolve that.
;' Whereas, Charles F. Hurburgh has grown up among us and in all his life has walked on the high plane of good citizenship, never swerving from right conduct, actuated by lofty motives, and has been untiring in his efforts to promote the material and moral welfare of this city and county in all its enterprises, and has been a public-spirited citizen whose aid has always been freely given to worthy undertakings ; and, ;;..'.;:; ' I , -.-'.''"
Whereas, both as county officer and state senator he has by his wisdom and courageous course reflected honor upon himself and credit upon the city and county and district ; and,
..: Whereas, while a member of the senate, Charles F. Hurburgh has been one of the chief supporters and advocates on the people's side of legislative questions, always a foe to the spoils and to corrupt practices of all kinds, and in general always identified with all that is best in legislation ; and.
Whereas, he has shown himself in all his official acts a true believer in progressivism in the sense that progressivism means the doing away with special privilege, the defeat and extinction of spoils politics, the conservation and development of natural resources and the restoration to the people of the essential powers of governm'^nt ; -
.. Therefore, Be It Resolved, that as citizens vitally interested in the future welfare of this city and community and of this state, we hereby express the utmost confidence in Charles F. Hurburgh as a candidate for governor of Illinois and recommend his candidacy to the people of the state; that we aid his candidacy in every possible way and tender him our heartiest support in his efforts to secure the nomination at the primaries and to this end we pledge our loyal and active support and resolve that we will individually exhaust every honorable means to bring about the nomination and election of Charles F. Hurburgh as governor of Illinois. iv '--:<,- - -.: --> : t'^/^ ' ; 'v
Whether elected to office or not, there is no question in the minds of his friends that Charles F. Hurburgh will ever stand, as he does today, for clean government and for the exercise of party strength in behalf of the entire people and not for the benefit of a coterie of politicians. -: V: '
The late Joshua R. Crouch, who for sixteen years prior to his death had followed the brick-mason's trade in Knox county, was born in Rising Sun, Indiana, on the 7th of April, 1828. His parents were Nehemiah and Mary (Clark) Crouch, the father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Rising Sun. The former passed away when our subject was a child of two years, but the mother lived to attain the venerable age of eighty-three years, spending her entire life in her native town. Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Crouch there were born two sons, both of whom are now deceased. The younger was Nathaniel C., who fought in the Indian wars with General Custer.
Joshua R. Crouch attended the common schools of his native town until he had mastered the common branches and then began working at the mason's trade, first in Rising Sun and later in Covington, Kentucky. He continued to follow this occupation until the Civil war broke out, when he offered his services to his country. He enlisted at Lawrenceburg, Indiana, in Company C, Eightythird Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and spent the three succeeding years on the battlefields of the south. He took part in many of the notable battles and was present at the siege of Vicksburg and was with Sherman when he made his famous march. He was mustered out at Washington, D. C., and returning to Rising Sun he joined a party of gold seekers, who were going to California. In 1892 Mr. Crouch with his wife and family came to Rio, this county, where for nine years he followed his trade and also did general contracting. At the expiration of that time they became residents of Knoxville, purchasing the property still owned and occupied by Mrs. Crouch. Here he continued to engage in brick masonry until the week before his death, which occurred on the i6th of August, 1908. ''.'-:\"'- .\^:: -./.''---':':': '^ "-'\.:-.7- "
Mr. Crouch was married in Switzerland county, Indiana, on the 27th of August, 1873, to Miss Mary J. Wilson, a native of that county, her birth having occurred on the 8th of July, 1843. She is a daughter of Alfred and Jane (Monroe) Wilson, the father a native of Kentucky, and the mother of Indiana. Mr. Wilson was an agriculturist and for many years engaged in farming in Switzerland county, and he also ran a flatboat from Lawrenceburg to New Orleans, conveying produce to the various markets along the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. Later he and his family, consisting of his wife and two daughters, removed to Kansas, where the parents both died, their last days being spent in Hutchinson, that state. They had each reached the age of seventy-four years at the time of their demise. Their other daughter, Mrs. Maggie Geary, has for many years been a resident of Hutchinson, Kansas. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Crouch there were born three daughters and one son. Maggie, who is the eldest, married James S. Hemphill, of Rising Sun, and they have two children, Joseph and Mills. Clara is the wife of La Verne Bloomfield, of Galesburg, and they have two children, Verna and Leona. Bessie married Clifton Weedin, a blacksmith of Burns, Missouri, and they have five children, Lyman, Nina, Flora, Joshua and Marion. Nathaniel W., who is the youngest of the family, resides in Knoxville and makes his home with his mother.
Mr. Crouch was an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic, having joined the post at Rising Sun after leaving the army, while at the time of his death he belonged to the one at Knoxville. His political allegiance he accorded to the republican party and in matters of faith he was a Methodist, holding membership in the church at Knoxville, with which his widow is still identified.
Lucien F. Sennett, superintendent and headmaster of St. Alban's School at Knoxville, was born in Syracuse, New York, August 6, 1868, a son of Lucien and Elizabeth (Frank) Sennett. The father's birth occurred near Syracuse, while the mother was born in Schenectady, New York. The Sennett family comes of Irish lineage, the first American ancestors leaving Dublin preparatory to emigrating to the new world, and at a very early period the family was founded at Syracuse, New York, where the death of Lucien Sennett occurred in 1869. His widow still survives and now makes her home in Knoxville with her son Lucien.
Professor Sennett of this review was only about a year old at the time of his father's demise. He spent his youthful days with his mother, who carefully reared him and stimulated in him that love of learning which has been the foundation for the successful work he has done as an educator. His youthful days were spent in Auburn, New York, where he pursued his education until graduated from the high school of that city. He afterward attended Trinity College of Hartford, Connecticut, and was graduated therefrom with the class of 1889, winning the degree of Bachelor of Arts, while three years later the Master of Arts degree was conferred upon him by his alma mater. Determining to devote his life to educational work, he became master of St. Mark's School near Boston, Massachusetts, where he did excellent work for nine years. He then accepted a position at the head of the Pomfret School in Pomfret, Connecticut, where the succeeding four years were passed, after which he went to Lake Forest, Illinois, and was connected with the academy at that place for two years. On coming to Knoxville he accepted the position of superintendent and headmaster of St. Alban's School and under his guidance the institution has made continuous and substantial progress, promoting its standards of teaching and of scholarship. Professor Sennett holds to high ideals in his work and is never content until he has accomplished the task to which he has set himself. He belongs to two college fraternities, the Phi Beta Kappa and the Alpha Delta Phi, and is a member of the Episcopal church.
When the history of Galesburg and her prominent men shall have been written its pages will bear no name better known than that of Colton, which has long been a potent factor in the activities and resultant prosperity of the city. It is not only compatible, but absolutely imperative, that mention be made of the Colton family if a true history to commemorate and perpetuate the lives of those men whose records have been intimately connected with the growth of Galesburg is to be made. He whose name introduces this review is today the eldest descendant of the family which has left its impress upon the progress and civilization of two states. I- -' V :-.
He was born August ii, 1831, in the state of Maine. Quarter Master George Colton, who was the first of the family to settle in America, emigrated from Sutton, Coldfield, Fngland, about 1640, settling at Long Meadow, Massachusetts. The family was especially prominent during the Revolutionary war, and Captain Thomas Colton, a son of George Colton, had previously been very active in the Indian wars. Since 1714 the name of Colton has frequently occurred in the civil list of representatives in the town of Long Meadow and in the Massachusetts legislature. The family traces its lineage from Quarter Master George Colton through the eldest sons down to the present time as follows : Quarter -Master emigrating to the new world, and at a very early period the family was founded at Syracuse. Xew York, wlicre the death of Lucien Sennett occurred in 1869. His widow still survives and now makes her home in Knoxville with her son Lucien.
Professor Sennett of this review was only about a year old at the time of his father's demise. He spent his youthful days with his mother, who carefully reared him and stimulated in him that love of learning which has been the foundation for the successful work he has done as an educator. His j'outliful days were spent in Auburn. Xew York, where he ])ursued his education until graduated from the high school of that city. He afterward attended Trinity College of llartfor<I. Connecticut, and was graduated therefrom with the class of i8{^9. winning the degree of llachelor of Arts, while three years later the Master of Arts degree was conferred upon him by his alma mater. Determining to devote his life to educational work, he became master of St. Mark's School near Uoston, Massachusetts, where he did excellent work for nine years. I le then accepted a position at the head of the I'omfret School in I'omfret. Connecticut, where the succeeding four years were passed, after which he went to Lake Forest. Illinois, and was connected with the academy at that ])lace for two years. On coming to Knoxville he accepted the position of superintendent and headmaster of St. Alban's School and under his guidance the institution has made continuous and substantial ])rogress. i)romoting its standards of teaching and of scholarship. Professor Sennett holds to high ideals in his work and is never content until he has accomi)lished the task to which he has set himself. I le belongs to two college fraternities, the I 'hi Ucta Kajipa and the Alpha Delta I 'hi. and is a member of the K])iscoi)al church.
When the history of Galesburg and her prominent men shall have been written its pages will bear no name better known than that of Colton, which has long been a potent factor in the activities and resultant prosperity of the city. It is not only compatible, but absolutely imperative, that mention be made of the Colton family if a true history to commemorate and perpetuate the lives of those men whose records have been intimately connected with the growth of Galesburg is to be made. He whose name introduces this review is today the eldest descendant of the family which has left its impress upon the progress and civilization of two states.
He was born August ii. 1^31, in the state of Maine. Quarter Master George Colton, who was the first of the family to settle in America, emigrated from Sutton. Coldtield. England, about 1640. settling at Long Meadow, Massachusetts. The family was especially i)rominent during the Revolutionary war. and Captain Thomas Colton, a son of George Colton. had previously been very active in the Indian wars. Since 1714 the name of Colton has fre(|uently occurred in the civil list of rei)resentatives in the town of Long Meadow and in the Massachusetts legislature. The family traces its lineage from Quarter Master George Colton through the eldest sons <lown to the present time as follows: Quarter Master
On the prairies of Knox county, John B. Colton was reared to manhood under the parental roof. He acquired such education as the common schools and academy afforded, but his interest was always in the pioneer life, which was ever present before him. When a mere boy, he would lie in the high grass along the little creek which then ran through what is now the public square and always held his bow and arrow ready to shoot the deer or wolf that came across the prairie at sunset. At the age of eighteen years, after he had completed his education and while the spirit of adventure was still strong within him, he joined a train of '49ers, setting out for California. He spent five years in the camps in that state and on the trails in search for adventure and gold. His reminiscences of those days if they could be reproduced minutely would of themselves give a valuable account of the interesting experiences that the pioneers encountered in those early days on the frontier. He became personally acquainted with many of the most prominent western characters, such as Kit Carson, Jim Baker, and Jim Bridger, the latter of whom he was a personal friend. He assisted in building a monument to him at Kansas City and was one of his friends to exhume his body on December 4, 1904, when they removed the remains from the grave near Dallas, Missouri. At the present time, Mr. Colton has in hif possession several small pieces of the old casket in which his friend was buried. Mr. J. B. Colton is one of the four surviving members of a party of thirty-six who undertook to shorten their journey to the mines by crossing the desert country between Little Salt Lake to the head of the San Joaquin valley. They were lost for three months, fifty-two days of which they were without provisions except their starved cattle and going at times five days without water, undergoing great suffering, four of the party died in the desert ; they discovered Death Valley and arrived at a ranch on the Pacific coast, February 4, 1850. He returned to Galesburg in 1854 and was still residing here when the Civil war broke out. He assisted General Harding in raising the Eighty-third Regiment of Illinois Infantry and was an officer in this regiment. Later he was on the staff of General Grant. Although later in life he resided in Kansas City for several years, he has always maintained his interest in Illinios politically and otherwise. He is an extensive property owner of the state of Nebraska and his ranch is one of the most highly cultivated in the state. He is at present residing on North Broad street, Galesburg, Illinois, where he is surrounded by the comforts and luxuries which are the fitting rewards of the useful and industrious life which he has led.
Mr. Colton has been twice married. His first union occurred in Chicago, where he was married on the 3Oth of March, 1857, to ^liss Flizabeth McClure, whose birth occurred in Philadelphia on the i6th of September, 1835. To this union two children were born, both of whom are now deceased, Chauncey Mc- Clure and Flizabeth. The mother's death occurred in Galesburg on the iQth of January, i86i. "Col." Colton was again married on the ist of December, 1868. at Galesburg, his second union being with Miss Mary A. Thomas, who was bom May 8, 1849, ^t Homer, New York. To this union three children were born, John B., Jr., Chauncey S. and Fdward T.
seventy-five years, his fellow townsmen have come to know him as a man of honor and worth and give him that tribute of respect and admiration which the world instinctively pays to him who uses his talents for the benefit of the community as well as for individual gain.
Fred L. Reed, a member of the firm of E. S. Willard & Company, with which he has been connected since 1910, was born in Knoxville, this county, on 1876. He is the eldest son of William and Mary A. (Heagy) Reed, the father a native of Monmouth, Illinois, and the mother of this county. In his early manhood, William Reed came to Knoxville and opened a meat market, which he successfully conducted for some years. He was living at Monmouth at the time of his death, however, which occurred when he was forty-two years of age. Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Reed there were born three children, two sons and one daughter. The latter, Eva V., died at the age of four years, and the other son, William, is a resident of Boise City, Idaho.
Knox county has always been the home of Fred L. Reed, who received his education in the public schools of Knoxville, terminating his student days upon his graduation from the high school. He subsequently turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, taking a position on a farm in Copley township. When he had become familiar with the practical methods of plowing, sowing and caring for the crops, as well as the other tasks connected with general farming, he purchased some land, which he operated on his own behalf. He continued to follow this occupation until 1910, and being a man of practical ideas and progressive methods he prospered in his undertakings. In the latter year he disposed of his farm, deciding that he preferred commercial to agricultural pursuits and, coming to Williamsfield, he bought the interest of the late E. T. Merry in the firm of E. S. Willard & Company. Financially this has proven to be a very successful undertaking, as the business has increased in a most gratifying manner during the two years he has been connected with it, and is steadily developing. This is the only company of furniture dealers in the town, and they also have a very good assortment of crockery, hardware, wall paper, musical instruments and carpets. Besides their varied stock, of house furnishings, they have an undertaking department, which is unquestionably equal or superior to any maintained by a town of similar size in the state. They are located on Main street and have a very attractive store, every department of which is fiourishing. They have an unusually good assortment of merchandise for a town of this size, which they offer at reasonable prices, the quality of their wares in every instance being fully commensurate with the amount charged. , For his wife Mr. Reed chose Miss Doris A. Harmison and unto them has been born one child, Harold S.
Mr. and Mrs. Reed both hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and fraternally he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, while his political support he gives to the republican party. As he has spent his entire life in Knox county Mr. Reed is widely known in the vicinity of Williamsfield, where he has a large circle of friends who accord him the esteem and respect his honorable business methods well merit.;. ,./'-^\ -:--'...-->-:-'- ^': :---,"'- '-'.v';'-^' 'X.;. 'v..^.? '^-. '-'---':'-'"."
N. E. Olson is the owner of a valuable farm of eighty acres on section 22, Galesburg township, the rich prairie land of central Illinois returning to him a substantial income for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields. He has resided in this county continuously for more than a third of a century and during that period has become widely known as a representative of agricultural interests here. He was born in Broby, in the southern part of Sweden, November 7, 1857, his parents being Ola and Kama (Benson) Nelson, both of whom were natives of Sweden. The father was a farmer and brewer and built the first brewery in Sweden outside of the large cities. He devoted some time to general agricultural pursuits but brewing was his principal occupation and . he continued in business at Broby up to the time of his death. He was well educated in music and was a man of liberal culture as well of good business ability. His widow still lives in Sweden and has now reached the advanced age of eighty-two years.
N. E. Olson was the eldest of a family of three children and in the acquirement of his education attended the common and high schools of his native town, after which he took up the profession of teaching but was also employed by an uncle in business there. At the age of nineteen years, however, he bade adieu to friends and native country and sailed for the new world, making his way at once to Knox county. He arrived in Galesburg in 1877 and afterward went to Alexis, Illinois, but soon returned to Knox county where he has since lived. For five years he was connected with a second-hand store in Galesburg and then embarked in business on his own account, conducting a house-furnishing-goods establishment in which he continued until 1897. At length he withdrew from commercial pursuits to turn his attention to general agricultural pursuits and purchased his present farm of eighty acres, which is situated on section 22, Galesburg township. The land is unusually rich and productive, and the progressive methods which he follows in its cultivation enables him to annually gather substantial harvests. In addition to general fanning he is engaged in feeding hogs and thus adds in considerable measure to his income.
In February, 1889, Mr. Olson was united in marriage to Miss Helen Behringer, a daughter of Michael Behringer, and they have two children, Edna and Florence, the former a pupil of Knox College. Mr. Olson is a republican in his political views and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but has never sought nor desired public office. He has served, however, as school clerk of his district and is a stalwart champion of a high standard of education. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity in Galesburg and finds pleas- ant relations with his brethren of the craft. He has always lived a busy, active and useful life and his energy, determination and honorable dealing have been the basic elements of success which has crowned his efforts.
, :- Charles A. White, who has been engaged in the real-estate and insurance business at Galesburg since 1890, has built up an extensive clientage in these : connections. His birth occurred in Greenville, Illinois, on the 26th of February,
" 1860, his parents being Richard and Nancy (McAdow) White, both of whom I were natives of Bond county, Illinois. The paternal grandfather, Wesley White, : was bom in North Carolina and became an early settler of Bond county, Illinois;
He was an agriculturist by occupation and lived to attain the age of about eightyseven years. He was three times married and reared a large family of children. Judge Samuel McAdow, the maternal grandfather of our subject, served at . . one time as county judge of Bond county. He was a native of North Carolina, . - followed farming as a life work and lived to attain a ripe old age. His wife, -I : who bore the maiden name of Paisley, died when still a comparatively young woman. To them were born four daughters and two sons, namely: John, William, Emily, Elizabeth, Lucy and Nancy.
- on an extensive scale. He erected the courthouse at Greenville, where his demise occurred in 1886, when he had attained the age of fifty years and five months. His first wife died when our subject was but two years of age, and ,' for his second wife he chose Miss America Moss, by whom he had four children, as follows: Anna, who married a Mr. Kelly; Frank; Sarah; and Elsie.
In politics Mr. White is a republican, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church, to which his wife and daughters all belong. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Vesper Lodge, No. 584, A. F. & A. M. ; also Council No. i, at Knoxville; and Galesburg Chapter, No. 46, R. A. M. He is likewise a member of the Court of Honor and the Illinois Commercial Men's Association. He is alert and enterprising, possessing the progressive spirit of the times and accomplishing in business circles what he undertakes, while his geniality and deference for the opinions of others have made his circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
Dentistry may be said to be almost unique among occupations, as it is at once a profession, a trade and a business. Such being the case, it follows that in order to attain the highest success in it one must be thoroughly conversant with the theory of the art, must be expert with the many tools and appliances incidental to the practice of modern dentistry and must possess business qualifications adequate to dealing with the financial side of the profession. In all of these particulars Dr. Griswold is well qualified and therefore has attained prestige among the able representatives of dentistry in Galesburg, where he has practiced for the past seventeen years. His birth occurred in Jasper county, Indiana, on the agth of September, 1865, his parents being Ames A. and Elizabeth (Adams) Griswold, who are natives of Vermont and Indiana resi>ectively. The paternal grandfather was also born in the Green Mountain state and was a gentleman of English descent. He died when past middle life, while his wife lived to attain the age of about seventy years. Their children were four in number, namely : Ames A. ; Abner ; Mrs. Letitia Hall ; and Abbie, the wife of Charles Long. The maternal grandfather of our subject was an agriculturist by occupation and both he and his wife passed away in Jasper county, Indiana, at an old age. Their children were as follows : William, Joseph, Marion, Henry, Mrs. Ann Hoover, Mrs. Milton Beal and Mrs. Elizabeth Griswold.
Ames A. Griswold, the father of Daniel J. Griswold, was successfully identified with farming interests throughout practically his entire business career. He became an early settler of Marshall county, Illinois, and there resided for many years or until the time of his retirement, when he removed to Washburn, Illinois, where he now makes his home. In 1852 he made an overland trip to California and engaged in mining for a short time. Both he and his wife are Baptists in religious faith. Unto them were born twelve children, eight of whom still survive, namely: Ida, who is the widow of Thomas Lee Goodell and resides in Washburn, Illinois; Marcia, the wife of J. W. Rains, of Minnesota; Lillie, the wife of A. L. Kuhn, of Chicago; Daniel Judson, of this review; Florence, who gave her hand in marriage to L. L. Hester and now lives near Minonk, Illinois ; Delia, who is the wife of Basil Tustin and lives near Washburn, Illinois ;
Nora Bell, who is the wife of Byron Stitt, of El Paso, Illinois ; and Cora Bell, twin sister of Nora Bell, who is the wife of George Stauter and lives near Washbum, Illinois.
Dr. Daniel J. Griswold was reared on his father's farm in Marshall county, Illinois, and obtained his early education in the district schools. He was graduated from the Washburn high school in 1885 and subsequently spent almost four years in Knox College, while later he prepared for the practice of his chosen profession by a three-years' course in the Philadelphia Dental College, being graduated from that institution in 1894. On the igth of March of that year he opened an office at Galesburg, which city has since remained the scene of his professional labors and where he has been accorded an extensive and remunerative practice. Dr. Griswold has extensive property holdings, owning one thousand acres of land in the province of Alberta, Canada ; farm lands in Finney county, Kansas ; and also property in Lee and Van Buren counties, Iowa ; Meade county. South Dakota ; Otsego county, Michigan ; and lola, Kansas, as well as a house and lot in Galesburg. He likewise owns fruit land in Colorado and has mining interests in Gilpin county, that state.
On the I2th of September, 1899, ^^- Griswold was united in marriage to Miss Grace Agnes Ballard, a native of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and a daughter of Dr. J. A. and Henrietta (Sutor) Ballard, who were born in Maine and Canada respectively. They became early settlers of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and are now residents of Galesburg. Dr. J. A. Ballard served as a soldier of the Civil war. Dr. and Mrs. Griswold had three children : John Ballard, who died in infancy ; Frederick Anthony, who passed away at the age of two years ; and William Ballard.
In his political views Dr. Griswold is a republican, while fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Veritas Lodge, No. 478 ; he also holds membership in the Galesburg Club and the Young n Men's Christian Association. Both he and his wife are devoted and consistent members of the Central Congregational church. His personal characteristics render him popular with many friends and he is much esteemed in social and professional circles of Galesburg. , ' .:;
The name of August Werner Berggren is closely interwoven with the history ; - ;- of the industrial, commercial and financial enterprise in Galesburg and also with the political history of county and state, for he has been called to various positions of public honor and trust. At the present time, however, (1912) he is N living retired, having with the incoming of the twentieth century given up all ; active business associations save for the supervision of his interests in property > and investments. He was born August 17, 1840, in Amots Bruk, Ockelbo Socken, - Sweden, his parents being Johan and Karin (Hanson) Berggren. The father .V was the third in a family of six children whose parents were Jan and Stina (Person) Larson, who were married in 1787. The latter was a daughter of Anders - and Maria (Hanson) Person and they were married in 1759. Johan Berggren
Nora Bell, who is the wife of Byron Stitt. of El Paso, Illinois; and Cora Bell, twin sister of Nora Bell, who is the wife of George Stauter and lives near Washburn, Illinois. . .
Dr. Daniel J. Griswold was reared on his father's farm in IMarshall county, Illinois, and obtained his early education in the district schools. He was graduated from the Washburn high school in 1885 and subsequently spent almost four years in Knox College, while later he prepared for the practice of his chosen profession by a three-years' course in the Philadelphia Dental College, being graduated from that institution in 1894. On the iQth of March of that year he opened an office at Galesburg, which city has since remained the scene of his professional labors and where he has been accorded an extensive and remunerative practice. Dr. Griswold has extensive property holdings, owning one thousand acres of land in the province of Alberta, Canada ; farm lands in Finney county, Kansas ; and also property in Lee and \'an Buren counties, Iowa ; Meade county. South Dakota ; Otsego county, Michigan ; and lola, Kansas, as well as a house and lot in Galesburg. He likewise owns fruit land in Colorado and has mining interests in Gilpin county, that state.
On the 1 2th of September, 1899, ^^- Griswold was united in marriage to Miss Grace Agnes Ballard, a native of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and a daughter of Dr. J. A. and Henrietta (Sutor) Ballard, who were born in Maine and Canada respectively. They became early settlers of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and are now residents of Galesburg. Dr. J. A. Ballard served as a soldier of the Civil war. Dr. and Mrs. Griswold had three children : John Ballard, who died in infancy; Frederick Anthony, who passed away at the age of two years; and William r.allanl.
In his political views Dr. Griswold is a republican, while fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to \'eritas Lodge, No. 478 ; he also holds membership in the Galesburg Club and the Young Men's Christian Association. Both he and his wife are devoted and consistent members of the Central Congregational church. His personal characteristics render him popular with many friends and he is much esteemed in social and professional circles of Galesburg. ' . ' - .
The name of August Werner Berggren is closely interwoven with the history of the industrial, commercial and financial enterprise in Galesburg and also with the political history of county and state, for he has been called to various positions of public honor and trust. At the pre.sent time, however, (1912) he is living retired, having with the incoming of the twentieth century given up all active business associations save for the supervision of his interests in property and investments. He was bom .\ugust 17, 1840, in .\mots Bruk, Ockelbo Socken, Sweden, his parents being Johan and Karin (Hanson) Berggren. The father was the third in a family of six children whose parents were Jan and Stina (Person) Larson, who were married in 1787. The latter was a daughter of Anders and Maria (Hanson) Person and they were married in 1759. Johan Berggren was bom in 1793 and he and two of his brothers adopted the surname of Berggren, which he afterward bore. It was in 1828 that he wedded Karin Hanson, who was bom in 1800. He was a self-educated man and won his way to success by his shrewdness and native ability. He read broadly but learned his most valuable lessons in the school of experience. At different times he held minor offices and looked after cases in court, also administered estates and did other public service of similar character. For thirteen years he operated a flouring mill and afterward purchased a farm, on which he resided until he emigrated to America in 1856. His death occurred February i, 1863, while his wife passed away in Sweden, February 24, 1845.
August W. Berggren was a pupil in the village schools of Sweden until fourteen years of age, during which time he lived on the home farm. He also later attended the public schools of Galesburg for a short time, when not employed at his trade. In his fourteenth year, he was apprenticed in his native land to learn the tailor's trade, the contract, drawn by his father, providing that for the first three years he should work for his master without remuneration and for the fourth year he was to receive thirty-five riksdaler and for the fifth forty riksdaler, each coin of that denomination being equal to about twenty-seven cents in American money. His father was also to fumish the cloth for the tailor to make the apprentice's clothing. In case of the death of the boy during the first year of his apprenticeship, the father should pay the tailor fifteen riksdaler, and when Johan Berggren decided to emigrate to this country he was obliged to pay the master tailor fifty riksdaler for the release of his son.
The family home was established in Knox county, and at Victoria August W. Berggren first found employment in the tailoring establishment of Jonas Hall-'^ Strom at eight dollars per month, in addition to which he was to receive his board and laundry for a year. In 1857 he came to Galesburg, where he followed his trade as opportunity offered and in 1860 he went to Monmouth, Warren county, where he was employed by Captain Denman, a merchant tailor of that place. Before the close of the war he returned to Galesburg and became a solicitor of life insurance. During that period he devoted considerable attention to music, play--, ing the violin and acting as leader of string bands in both Galesburg and Monmouth and arranging the music for these bands. For many years after the war his time and energies were largely devoted to public service and eventually he became closely associated with the important business interests of Knox county as an investor in the Galesburg Stoneware Company, the National Perefoyd Company, the Galesburg Paving Brick Company, the Galesburg National Bank, the Bank of Galesburg and the firm of Berggren & Lundeen, which was succeeded by the J. A. Lundeen Company and still later by the Berggren Clothing Company. In 1884 he was one of the petitioners for the charter of the Galesburg National Bank and has since been a member of its directory, while for several years he has served as its vice president, in which connection he still continues. r'ViV- / - ' .t
Mr. Berggren's military experience had its beginning at the first call for volunteers to put down the Rebellion, at which time he went to Knoxville and joined the Swedish company commanded by Captain Holmberg. Two companies were there - one composed of Americans, the other Swedes - and the former was mustered into the service, while the latter was disbanded. He then went back to Tci n - 1ยป
Monmouth, where he remained until returning to Galesburg in 1864. It was five years later that he was elected justice of the peace and while serving in that office he was appointed one of the supervisors for the city. His efficiency and fidelity in each position which he filled recommended him for other official service. In 1872 he received the republican nomination and was elected sheriff of the county, to which office he was reelected in 1874, 1876 and 1878. In 1880, while still the incumbent in that position, he was nominated and elected senator from the twenty- - second district, composed of Knox and Mercer counties. Four years later he was reelected from the new district composed of Knox and Fulton counties, and when the senate was organized in 1887 he was chosen president p'ro tempore of that body. On the ist of May, 1889, there came to him the appointment of warden of the Illinois state penitentiary at Joliet, which position he resigned in March, 1891, to take active supervision of the Covenant Mutual Life Association of Illinois, with principal offices in Galesburg. He had been president of the company from its organization and during the last three years prior to its consolidation with the Northwestern Masonic Association of Chicago, W. H. Smollinger served as its president, with Mr. Berggren as treasurer of the association. On the 8th of March, 1866, at Knoxville, Illinois, Mr. Berggren was 'married to Miss Christina Anderson, a' daughter of Olof and Brita Anderson, who with six of their seven children emigrated to this country in 1854, joining the Bishop Hill colony. Mr. and Mrs. Berggren became the parents of six children: Capitola Maud, the wife of the Rev. Franklin E. Jeffery ; Guy Werner, who married - Minnie Flanders of New York; Ralph Augustus, who was run over by a train of cars and killed in 1887; and Qaus Eugene, a bachelor. Jay Valentine, who married Bessie Sears, and Earl Hugo, who married Margaret Newton, all of Chicago. . '- -' ; : - I . ^ -- ~ > J -'
: In politics Mr. Berggren has always been a republican and was for a long -v . ': period a recognized leader in the ranks of his party in this county. He is an Odd Fellow and a Mason, having joined the former order in 1868 and the latter in 1869. He is now affiliated with the several Masonic bodies in Galesburg and . in the Odd Fellows society has taken a very active interest, filling every office in ; -' - the subordinate bodies and the principal offices of the grand lodge. He was grand master and presided over the deliberations of the grand lodge at Danville, Illinois, in 1880, and represented the grand lodge in the sovereign grand lodge at '': Baltimore, Maryland, in 1885. Through his influence the First Scandinavian Lodge, No. 446, of Galesburg, was organized in 1871. It was the first Odd Fellows lodge in the world composed exclusively of Scandinavians, as its name indicates. Mr. Berggren has also been a member of the Galesburg Club from an '- early period in its existence. He was confirmed in the Lutheran church in Sweden the year in which he emigrated to America and since coming to this :. country has affiliated with the Swedish Methodist church, in the work of which he has taken an active and helpful interest. He served as a lay delegate to the general conference of the Methodist Episcopal church in Cincinnati, Ohio, in :," ment. In business his well formulated plans have brought him success, and his energy and determination have carried him into important relations, enabling him at length to put aside all business cares and enter upon a well earned rest. His official record, too, is most commendable, for over the record there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. All through his life he has been actuated by high and honorable purposes and his labors, whether for the benefit of himself or for the community, have been fruitful of good results.
. ; ' -' Marcus T. Perrin is a self-made man who as the architect of his own fortunes has builded wisely and well. His record is another proof of the fact that it is only under the stimulus of necessity and of opposition that the best and
- he has been dependent upon his own resources and his advancement marks the wise use of his time, talents and opportunities. He was born in Southbridge,
- away in the same city, in August, 1890. Horace Perrin had given his early political allegiance to the democratic party but when Lincoln and Douglas be-
- came candidates for the presidency he supported the former and was ever >' afterward a stanch republican. He held membership with the Independent
. Order of Odd Fellows and both he and his wife were members of the Congre- ; gational church. They had but two children, the younger being a daughter, --/ Lucinda Josephine, who is now the widow of Manson P. Shaler and resides in Lee, Massachusetts. ^^ ;>^ '^^ -'
Marcus T. Perrin pursued his education in the district schools and in the Lee Academy, which he attended for one term. At the age of sixteen years he was apprenticed to a woolen manufacturer for a term of three years and followed ; that business until twenty-two years of age, when he came west to Illinois, traveling by rail to Rock Island, which was the terminus of the line and thence walk-- ing to Mercer county. He made his way to the home of an aunt about twelve miles east of Keithsburg, Illinois, but after a brief time left there and entered the employ of George W. Brown as a traveling salesman, spending five years '' upon the road. He next began farming in Warren county, where he carried on agricultural pursuits for six years, after which he sold his land and in the , - winter of 1871 engaged in dealing in corn. He was for a time connected with a corn-planter works and for a period of six years was identified with a bank .. in Creston, Iowa. On the expiration of that period he returned to Galesburg, /; where he was superintendent of the corn-planter works for several years, after .: which he was elected to the presidency of the company and continued as its - . chief executive head until his retirement from active business in 1904.
On the 27th of June, 1858, Mr. Perrin wedded Miss Elizabeth A. Brown, a .daughter of George W. and Maria (Terpening) Brown, of Galesburg, who were natives of Saratoga county, New York, where they were reared and married. The father was a carpenter by trade and in 1833 made his way westward, settling in Warren county, Illinois, about seven miles from Galesburg, when the entire district was largely a wild and undeveloped region. He at once began the occupation of farming and later followed carpentering. Realizing the necessity of improved farm machinery, he called his inventive genius into play with the result that his skill and ingenuity brought forth a corn planter which he began to manufacture in Galesburg. The new machine filled a much felt want and he continued in its manufacture until five or six years prior to his death, when he retired. His life -work was of value to the community as well as a source of profit to himself. It greatly facilitated the work of the farmer and his manufactory in Galesburg furnished employment to many workmen. He also figured prominently in many public connections, serving for one term as mayor of Galesburg. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he was ever loyal and unfaltering in his devotion to its principles. Both he and his wife were lifelong members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he served on the official board of stewards for about half a century. He died on the 5th of June, 1895, a man honored and respected wherever known and most of all where he was best known. His life was indeed of worth to the community in which he lived, as a factor in its material, political, social and moral progress. He made wise use of his time and opportunities and of his native talents and his well directed energies brought to him the material reward of his labor and the respect of his fellowmen as well. His daughter, Mrs. Perrin, was born March 21, 1839, in Warren county, and by her marriage became the mother of four children: George, who died April i, 1901, at the age of forty years ; Arthur E., of Chicago ; Myra Theresa, the wife of Clarence A. Hurlburt, of Galesburg; and Genevieve Josephine, the wife of Herbert A. Smith, of this city. Both Mr. and Mrs. Perrin hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which he has taken an active and helpful part, serving for many years on the board of stewards and cooperating in all of the projects to promote the growth and extend the influence of the church. His political indorsement is given to the republican party. A well spent life has brought him the merited reward of labor and the respect and good-will of his fellowmen.
Herbert Arnold Smith, who has remained a resident of Galesburg from his birth to the present time, is well known as an extensive dealer in lands and also devotes considerable attention to the insurance business. His natal day was August 12, 1871, his parents being Hiram C. and Harriet (Arnold) Smith, both of whom were natives of the state of New York. The paternal grandfather was likewise born in the Empire state and both he and his wife lived to a ripe old age. They reared a large family of children, including John, William and Hiram C. . . . .
' : ^ -- The last named, who became the father of our subject, was reared in New ; York and took up his abode among the early settlers of Galesburg, Illinois.
- Here he was successfully engaged in the nursery business for a number of years or until his health failed. Subsequently he served as constable for about twenty
- past sixteen years, however, he has been in business alone, handling large land deals in the Saskatchewan country of Canada, where he also owns several farms.
. He is a stockholder and director in the Hope Abbey Mausoleum and likewise , a director in the Fidelity Savings & Loan Association. In all of his business affairs his judgment is sound, his sagacity keen and his enterprise unfaltering. On the 8th of December, 1903, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Genevieve Perrin, a native of Galesburg and a daughter of Marcus T. and Elizabeth (Brown) Perrin, who were born in Connecticut and Illinois respectively. '. They have remained residents of Galesburg since their marriage, which was here celebrated fifty-three years ago. Mr. Perrin was connected with the corn-
- planter works conducted by G. W. Brown until the business was closed out. : To him and his wife were born six children, four of whom reached mature years, namely : George, who passed away in 1902 ; Arthur ; Myra ; and Genevieve. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Smith were George W. and Maria (Tur-
- pening) Brown. Our subject and his wife have one daughter, Harriet Eliza- ' . beth. The family residence is at No. 474 North Academy street.
- In the city where they have spent their entire lives both Mr. and Mrs. Smith are well and favorably known, the circle of their friends being coextensive with
During the thirteen years of his residence in Galesburg, Joseph Gross has won recognition as a resourceful and enterprising business man and his manufacturing interests have constituted an important element in the commercial activity of the city. As a member of the firm of Gross Brothers he is now conducting a successful overall manufactory which was established in 1901.
He has wisely used his time and opportunities and the splendid business concern which he has built up is a monument to his labors, his enterprise and his ability. He was bom in Russia, March i6, 1866, a son of Isaac and Rachel Gross. As a boy he came to the United States, first settling in Omaha, Nebraska. He started in business by making a house to house canvass as a peddler in the sale of merchandise at Creston, Iowa, and in 1892 he opened a second-hand store in Creston. Four years later, in 1896, he established a branch business at Burlington and in 1898 sold out in Creston. In that year he removed from Burlington to Galesburg, disposing of his business in the former city to his brother, and in this city he established a retail general merchandise store, which he conducted successfully for about three years. In February, 1901, he began the manufacture of overalls on the second floor of the building on East Main street, where he continued for a year. Then in order to secure more commodious quarters he removed to the third floor of a building, where he continued for five years or until the 1st of June, 1906, when he came to his present location at the corner of Mulberry and Seminary streets. He erected the building here - a four-story structure, sixty-six by one hundred and twenty feet, having thirty-one thousand, six hundred and eighty square feet of floor space. Something of the rapid and gratifying growth of the business is indicated in the fact that while he at first employed only ten people, he now has one hundred and seventy-five names on the pay roll. The plant is thoroughly equipped with modern machinery and independent motors and the business is represented on the road by seven traveling salesmen who cover the territory of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Iowa, Oklahoma and Kansas. The output is now very extensive, being shipped to nearly all of the middle west states, and the business has assumed proportions which make it one of the most important productive industries of the city. On the 20th of October, 1901, Mr. Gross was united in marriage to Miss Libby Oppenheim, a daughter of Max and Yetta Oppenheim, of Peoria, Illinois. Mr. Gross holds to the religious faith of the Jewish church and in politics is an independent voter. He belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and to the Galesburg Club and is well known in the city socially as well as in business circles, where he is regarded as a most enterprising, progressive man, who with resolute spirit carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. ''--'"-'.--'':-!.-- ''-<~:^"-. '' -I:-''"
S. w. May, who is living retired on his farm of five hundred and thirty acres in Rio township, has been actively connected with this district for many years both as an agriculturist and as a manufacturer. He was born March 20, i836j in Genesee county, New York, his parents being Harvey H. and Delia Duwayne (Ray) May. The family comes of English and Dutch ancestry on the paternal side and is of German and French lineage on the maternal side. Harvey H. May was born in Washington county. New York, and his wife's birth occurred in the Empire state in 1806. The former was a son of Nathaniel May, a very prominent church worker of New York and a farmer by occupation. He owned four hundred acres of rich and valuable land and always continued his residence in New York.
In that state Harvey H. May was reared and educated and in 1837 came to Illinois, accompanied by Dr. Gorham, to look over the country. They made horseback trips throughout this district, viewing the land with the idea of locating here in the near future. A year later H. H. May brought his family and household goods to Knox county, traveling by raft from the state of New York by way of Lake Erie and the Ohio river and bringing with him the lumber from which he built the first pine building in Log City. This he placed on skids and hauled it to Galesburg with ten yoke of cattle. He possessed marked mechanical skill and ingenuity and was proprietor of the first factory in Galesburg. For some time he prospered in business but during the financial crash in the '5O's he lost nearly all that he had made. He is most entitled to honor and remembrance by reason of the fact that he was the inventor of the first steel plow which he made from two old mill saws, molding them to the shape desired. He applied for a patent for the use of steel in manufacturing plows so they would scour, in 1842 but it was not granted at that time. He had considerable difficulty in getting a plow that would scour bright but after much discouragement and many trials he finally succeeded in securing material that could be highly polished and would remain that way. Through political reasons he was never able to obtain a good patent but between the years 1867 and 1871 the case was decided by Judge Sidney N. Breese in the United States supreme court. In his decision Judge Breese said: "The history of the plow goes back to 1841." Later he said that "May of Galesburg manufactured a plow in shape nearly the form of that manufactured now." This is S. W. May's earliest recollection of seeing a steel mold board as referred to by Robert N. Tate in the testimony. The share and mold board were combined at that time and May was the first man that laid any claim to the improved steel plow. Later the judge referred to seven working models of plows " copied strictly after the May plow." and added : "I essentially consider May the sole constructor in the form of the western steel plow." By this decision Harvey H. May had the honor and credit of giving to the world this most useful implement. By this invention he demonstrated that a man could do two days' work in one day. In 1842 H. H. May began the manufacture of his plow and continued until about 1859. During the early '4Os he had begun the purchase of land in this country and at one time had several thousand acres but through speculation and widespread financial panic in which the country became involved he lost nearly everything that he had. The little that remained was turned over to his son, Samuel W. May, who although a young man took up the work laid down by his father and assumed the task of regaining the fortune his father had lost. H. H. May continued to reside in Galesburg until the time of his death, which occurred in 1886, when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-four years. In politics he was independent, voting as his judgment dictated. In early life he attended the Presbyterian church but was afterward a member of the Congregational church for many years.
In his youthful days Samuel W. May attended the public schools and at the age of thirteen assisted his father, going upon the road as a traveling salesman and selling the plows which the father manufactured. He continued successfully in this work for some time but afterward engaged in teaming between Galesburg and Peoria. Realizing his need and also the value of education, Mr. May when twenty-two years of age entered Knox Academy and diligently applied himself to the mastery of a course of study which prepared him to enter Knox College, where he remained as a student for two years. He next rented a farm in Henderson township which he cultivated for two years prior to his removal to Rio township in 1 86 1. There he purchased farm land which was the nucleus of his present extensive possessions, now comprising five hundred and thirty acres. He has brought his farm under a high state of cultivation and as the reward of his fifty years of labor now has one of the finest properties in Rio township. He has always followed progressive and scientific methods, carrying out his plans with persistency and energy, his labors proving effective in developing the farm for general agricultural purposes. In former years in addition to the cultivation of the soil he also engaged in raising cattle and hogs which proved a profitable branch of his business, nor were his efforts confined to agriculture alone for he engaged in the manufacture of the May windmill which he invented. This has been very successful and has been commonly used in this county for more than thirty years. The first two hundred mills were manufactured on his farm in Rio township but afterward, in order to meet the increasing demands, he made arrangements for their construction with Candee & Company, at Oneida, with Nelson Latueratt & Company, at Bushnell, and with H. L. May, at Galesburg, there operating under the firm name of May Brothers, the business proving very profitable. Although Mr. May now rents his land, he still resides at the old home and is one of the prosperous agriculturists of the county.
On the 27th of November, 1870, occurred the marriage of Mr. May and Miss Elizabeth Hanan, a daughter of William and Eleanor (Handlen) Hanan. On the paternal side the family is of Scotch origin and was founded in America in colonial days, her great-grandfather serving as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Her paternal grandfather, George Hanan, died in the war of 1812. In politics Mr. May has always maintained an independent attitude, voting for men and measures rather than for party principles. His fellow townsmen frequently called him to office and for ten years, beginning in i88o, he served as township supervisor. He is one of the oldest and most prominent residents of Rio township. His life has been spent in persistent and diligent labor for the improvement of his own interests and for the development of the community. In all his business and social relations he has never been neglectful of any duty whether of a public or private nature, and his conduct has always been in accordance with his high sense of citizenship.
Smiley S. Rickords, who for the past fourteen years has been en one of the rural mail routes of Knoxville, was born in Pike county, Ohio, on the 8th of February, 1842, his parents being Benjamin and Sabrina (Kilpatrick) Rickords. His father was born and reared in Maryland, of which state the family had been residents for several generations. He received a common-school education in this work for some time but afterward engaged in teaming between Galesburg and Peoria. Realizing his need and also the value of education, Mr. May when twenty-two years of age entered Knox Academy and diligently applied himself to the mastery of a course of study which prepared him to enter Knox College, where he remained as a student for two years. He next rented a farm in Henderson township which he cultivated for two years prior to his removal to Rio township in i86i. There he purchased farm land which was the nucleus of his present extensive possessions, now comprising five hundred and thirty acres. He has brought his farm under a high state of cultivation and as the reward of his fifty years of labor now has one of the finest properties in Rio township. He has always followed progressive and scientific methods, carrying out his plans with persistency and energy, his labors proving effective in developing the farm for general agricultural purposes. In former years in addition to the cultivation of the soil he also engaged in raising cattle and hogs which proved a profitable branch of his business, nor were his efforts confined to agriculture alone for he engaged in the manufacture of the May windmill which he invented. This has been very successful and has been commonly used in this county for more than thirty years. The first two hundred mills were manufactured on his farm in Rio township but afterward, in order to meet the increasing demands, he made arrangements for their construction with Candee & Company, at Oneida, with Xelson Latueratt & Company, at Bushnell, and with H. L. May, at Galesburg, there operating under the firm name of May Brothers, the business proving very profitable. Although Mr. May now rents his land, he still resides at the old home and is one of the prosperous agriculturists of the county.
On the 27th of November, 1870, occurred the marriage of Mr. May and Miss Elizabeth Hanan, a daughter of William and Eleanor (Handlen) Hanan. On the paternal side the family is of Scotch origin and was founded in America in colonial days, her great-grandfather serving as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Her paternal grandfather, George Hanan, died in the war of 1812. In politics Mr. May has always maintained an independent attitude, voting for men and measures rather than for party principles. His fellow townsmen frequently called him to office and for ten years, beginning in 1880, he served as township supervisor. He is one of the oldest and most prominent residents of Rio township. His life has been spent in persistent and diligent labor for the improvement of his own interests and for the development of the community. In all his business and social relations he has never been neglectful of any duty whether of a public or private nature, and his conduct has always been in accordance with his high sense of citizenship.
V Smiley S. Rickords
Smiley S. Rickords. \vho for the past fourteen years has been en one of the rural mail routes of Knoxville, was born in Pike county, Ohio, on the 8th of February, 1842, his parents being Benjamin and Sabrina ( Kilpatrick) Rickords. His father was born and reared in Maryland, of which state the family had been residents for several generations. He received a common-school education and subsequently learned the blacksmith's trade, but in common with many young men he decided to pursue his business career amid new environments. With this purpose in mind he came to Ohio, at that time termed the west, locating in Pike county, and there he met the lady who was destined to become his wife. She was a native of that county, of Irish extraction, her father, Brice Kilpatrick, havirtg been born and reared in Dublin, Ireland. Benjamin Rickords established a shop and engaged in blacksmithing and horseshoeing and also manufactured wagons in Pike county until May, 1857. The lure of the west once more proving irresistible, he disposed of his interests and with his wife and family of eleven children started for Illinois, with Lx>gan county as his destination. He settled in the vicinity of Lincoln and there resumed his trade, which he followed until 1874, when he and the mother made their home with their son John in Arkansas. There she passed away on the 27th of September, that year, and was survived only a few weeks by the father, his death occurring on the I4th of October. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Rickords consisted of six sons and five 'daughters, as follows: Richard E., who is a resident of Belle Plaine, Kansas ; William, who is living in Lincoln, Illinois ; Sarah E., who is deceased and was the wife of Samuel Watts ; Mary J., also deceased, who married Andrew Lawson ; Eliza Ann, the deceased wife of John Lawson ; Smiley S., our subject; John W., who was a member of Company H, Sixty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war, being discharged with the rank of corporal, now living in King^sher, Oklahoma ; Joseph A., who is deceased ; Samuel B., a resident of Seymour, Iowa ; Druzilla, the deceased wife of Andrew Laswell ; and Rebecca, the wife of Mahlon Lawson, of Williamsville, Illinois.
Smiley S. Rickords was a lad of fifteen years when he removed with his parents to Logan county, in which public schools he completed his education. After leaving school he entered his father's shop and learned the blacksmith trade, following this occupation for many years in Logan county. From there he went to Hancock county, settling at Carthage where he spent several months before coming to Knoxville. In the late 'QOS Mr. Rickords withdrew from his trade in order to assume the duties of his present position. He is one of the soldier boys whom Illinois sent to the battlefields of the south during the Civil war, and first enlisted for three months in Company H, Sixty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry and at the expiration of that period reenlisted in Company F, Fifty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, remaining at the front until the close of hostilities, receiving his discharge at Springfield, Illinois. -:;- On the 7th of June, 1864, Mr. Rickords married Miss Eliza J. Porter, who was born in East Liverpool, Ohio, on the 3d of August, 1849. She is a daughter of John Thomas and Mary (Hickey) Porter, natives of Maryland, whence they removed in early life to Ohio. Farming always engaged the energies of the father, who with his wife and family again started westward. He crossed the prairies of Ohio and Indiana to Illinois, settling on a farm in Logan county and there both he and the mother passed away. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Porter and beside Mrs. Rickords they are as follows : James H., who enlisted from Bloomington in Company H, Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry and was wounded at the battle of Richmond, when last heard from residing at Edinburg, Illinois ; John, who was killed at the battle of Hilton Head, South Carolina, during the Civil war ; Rebecca Jane and Josephine, who are deceased ; and George, who is living at Galesburg. The children of Mr. and Mrs. S. S. Rickords are named below : Mary, married Louis Faass, a farmer at Billings, Oklahoma, and they have five children: Clarence, Raymond, Mabel, Donald and Walter. George T., who is living at Knoxville, married Zona B. Miller and they are also the parents of five children : Elma, Spencer, Wesley, Edith and Mabel. Fred, who is a resident of Knoxville, chose for his wife Nora B. Way, and to them have been born three sons : Stanley, Charles and Harry. Gertrude is the wife of Jesse Ward of Oregon and the mother of seven sons : James, William, Roy, Harvey, Charles W., Owen, and Howard. Garfield B. married Lottie Foster, of Knoxville, where they continue to reside, and has two sons, Cecil B. and William Dean. The two next in order of birth are William B. and Lincoln Grant, both of whom are still at home. Bessie, who is the youngest member of the family, married Clyde Brown, a brakeman on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and they live at G&lesburg.
His political allegiance Mr. Rickords has always given to the republican party, considering its policy best qualified to serve the highest interests of the nation. In matters of faith the family affiliate with the Methodist Episcopal church of which the mother is a member. Mr. Rickords is identified with the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic, through the medium of which he maintains relations with his comrades of the war. The life of Mr. Rickords has been similar to that of hundreds of American citizens, who do their duty steadfastly to the best of their ability, discharging their obligations to their families and society, while at the same time they establish the nation's standard of citizenship. : ' ' ; -' . ' ; C'X '. >^' - ''- r
Henry Alonzo Allen is a native son of Galesburg and has spent much of his life in this city, although at intervals he has resided elsewhere. In 1908 he erected a comfortable residence here and now divides his time between Galesburg and Tennessee, where he has important lumber manufacturing interests. His birth occurred December lo, 1842, his parents being Sheldon William and Fidelia (Leach) Allen.
Sheldon W. Allen was born September 28, 1808, in Oneida county. New York, and was a son of Chester Ephraim Allen, who was born at or near New Haven, Connecticut. The latter married Eunice Baldwin, of Bethlehem, Connecticut, and removed to Augusta, Oneida county. New York, where they reared their family of nine children, namely, Sophia. Juliette, Sheldon, Algenia, Amanda, Adaline, Mary, Homer and Asahel. In the county of his nativity, Sheldon W. Allen was reared and after arriving at years of maturity he was married in January 1834, to Miss Fidelia Leach, who was born in the Empire state in 1812. Three years after their marriage they removed westward, settling in Galesburg, Illinois, in 1837. They were the parents of eight children, James Sherman, Shel- fantr\- and \vas wounded at the battle of Richmond, when last heard from residing at Edinl)urg, Illinois; John, who was killed at the battle of Hilton Head, South Carolina, during the Civil war ; Rebecca Jane and Josephine, who are deceased: and George, who is living at Galesburg. The children of Mr. and Mrs. S. S. Rickords are named below : Mary, married Louis Faass, a farmer at r>illings. Oklahoma, and they have five children: Clarence. Raymond. ^label, Donald and \\'alter. George T.. who is living at Kjioxville. married Zona B. Miller and they are also the parents of five children: Elma. Spencer, Wesley. Edith and Mabel. Fred, who is a resident of Knoxville. chose for his wife Xora I>. Way. and to them have been born three sons : Stanley. Charles and Harry. Gertrude is the wife of Jesse Ward of Oregon and the mother of seven sons : James. William. Roy. Harvey, Charles \\'.. Owen, and Howard. Garfield B. married Lottie Foster, of Knoxville. where they continue to reside, and has two sons. Cecil B. and William Dean. The two next in order of birth are \\'illiam 15. and Lincoln Grant, both of whom are still at home. Bessie, who is the youngest member of the family, married Clyde Brown, a brakeman on the Chicago. Burlington i!<: Ouincy Railroad, and they live at (I.Mesburg.
His ]K)litical allegiance Mr. Rickords has always given to the republican party, considering its ])olicy best cjualified to serve the highest interests of the nation. In matters of faith the family affiliate with the Methodist Episcopal church of which the mother is a member. Mr. Rickords is identified with the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic, through the medium of which he maintains relations with his comrades of the war. The life of Mr. Rickords has been similar to that of hundreds of American citizens, who do their duty steadfastly to the best of their ability, discharging their obligations to their families and society, while at the same time they establish the nation's standard of citizenship.
Iiexrv Aloxzo Allex
Henry Alonzo Allen is a native son of (ialesburg and has spent much of his life in this city, although at intervals he has resided elsewhere. In 1908 he erected a comfortable residence here and now divides his time between (ialesl)urg and Tennessee, where he has important lumber manufacturing interests. His birth occurred December lo. 1842. his i)arents being Sheldon \\iniam and Fidelia ( Leach) .Mien.
Sheldon \\'. .\llen was born September 28. 1808. in Oneida county. Xew York, and uas a son of Chester ICphraim .\llen. who was born at or near Xew Haven, Connecticut. The latter married Eunice I Baldwin, of I'>etblehem. Connecticut, and removed to Augusta. ( )neida county. Xew ^'ork. where they reared their family of nine children, namely. Sophia. Juliette, Sheldon, .\lgenia. Amanda, Adaline. Mary. Homer and Asahel. In the county of his nativity, Sheldon W. Allen was reared and after arriving at years of maturity he was married in Januarv 1834. to Miss I-'idelia Leach, who was born in the EmjMre state in 1812. Three years after their marriage they removed westward, settling in Galesburg, Illinois, in 1837. They were the i)arents of eight children, James Sherman, Shel- don Oberlin, Albert Herman, Henry Alonzo, Norman Taylor, Chester Ephraim, Mary Fidelia and John Stebbins. The wife and mother passed away November 23, 1855, and Sheldon W. Allen afterward married Nancy Shaver, by whom he had Seven children, George, Frank, Alida, Fred, Ida, Minnie and Willie. Of these Frank, Alida and Fred are still living. Of the children of the first marriage all are yet living with the exception of Sheldon and Mary.
Galesburg was but a tiny western town when the Allen family was established there and had not advanced far toward its present prosperous and progressive condition when Henry A. Allen was pursuing his education in its public schools. He afterward entered Knox College, wherein he continued his studies until the I5th of October, i86i, when he left the junior class to enlist as a soldier in the Civil war. Later he continued his education in Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York, from which he was graduated on the 226. of March, 1866. In the meantime he had seen four years military service, having on the I5th of October, i86i, joined Company C, of the Eleventh Regiment of Illinois Cavalry. He was injured in action near Boliver, Tennessee, August 30, 1862, sustaining a gunshot wound through the left hand and left leg. On the ist of June, 1863, he was promoted to the rank of commissary sergeant and was mustered out with his regiment October i8, 1865. He had participated in a number of important engagements and for four years had given tangible proof of his valor, his loyalty and his patriotism.
After completing his education in Eastman's Business College of New York Mr. Allen became connected with the butchering business at Galesburg, where he remained until the spring of 1869. He then removed to Viola, Illinois, where he conducted a lumberyard until the spring of 1871. At that date he became a resident of Pettis county, Missouri, where he engaged in fanning, but in December, 1873, returned to Galesburg, where he followed farming and butchering until the spring of 1877. He was then elected justice of the peace and served for four years, his decisions being strict and impartial so that his course won the approval of the public. On the ist of August, i88i, he was appointed United States storekeeper and while discharging the duties of that position resided in Peoria until the ist of February, 1886, when he removed to Russell county, Kansas, where he engaged in farming. In September, 1896, he returned with his family to Galesburg but in the spring of 1899 removed to Fayette county, Tennessee, where he again took up the occupation of farming. In 1904 he purchased a sawmill, which he operated in connection with his agricultural pursuits. In 1908 he returned with his family to Galesburg, erecting an attractive home here, and has since divided his time between this city and Tennessee, giving supervision to his agricultural and industrial interests in that state. In addition to his other interests Mr. Allen was a director and president of the Farmers Alliance Exchange Company of Russell, Kansas, for several years and was also a director and secretary of the Fanners Union Warehouse Company, of Somerville, Tennessee. ' '.' '--'-''.-; - -'-''---- - ':'^- ':;:'.-:---' ''^--': :- ^ "'- / -:-
On the i6th of September, 1867, at Denison, Iowa, Mr. Allen was united in rrtarriage to Miss Sue McIIhenny Cobean, a daughter of Robert and Nancy (Mc- Tlhenny) Cobean. Her father was a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Cunningham) Cobean. The latter was a daughter of Robert and Martha (Watt) Cunningham, whose parents were John and Elizabeth Cunningham and David and Mary Watt respectively. John Cunningham, the great-great-grandfather of Mrs. Allen, came to this country from the aorth of Ireland about the year 1748. His son Robert settled in Adams county, Pennsylvania, abou^ I77O, and served in the Revolutionary war, being commissioned a lieutenant. David and Mary Watt, greatgreat-grandparents of Mrs. Allen, came to the new world from the vicinity of Glasgow, Scotland, in the decade between 1740 and 1750, settling near Oxford, Chester county, Pennsylvania. The tall monument to John Watt in the burial ground of Trinity church on Broadway, opposite Wall street. New York, and . the Watt monument in Glasgow, Scotland, both indicate where ancestors of Mrs. Allen lie buried. Mrs. Nancy Cobean, the mother of Mrs. Allen, was a daughter of Victor and Agnes E. W. (Orr) Mcllhenny, the latter a daughter of George Orrand the former a son of Robert and Martha (King) Mcllhenny. This Robert : Mcllhenny was a son of Robert Mcllhenny, Sr., and his wife, Martha King, was a daughter of Victor King. Both of these were great-great-grandfathers of Mrs. Allen and both came from the north of Ireland, settling in Adams county, Pennsylvania, in 1767. Hier great-great-grandfather Victor King and her great-grandfather Robert Mcllhenny both served in the Revolutionary war and both were commissioned lieutenants.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Allen were born seven children. Sue Fidelia, the eldest, born August 25, 1869, was married February 14, 1889, to George W. Chew, and they had three children : Anna Grace ; Mary Allen ; and William Henry, who died in childhood. Harry Myrtle Allen, born October 4, 1874, wedded on April 15, 1896, Anna Melissa Bunner, and they have three children, Thomas Henry, Donald Ray and Harry Bunner. Nettie Cobean Allen was born April 15, 1877, and is at home with her parents. Bessie Leach, born December 7, 1879, is a missionary at Teheran, Persia. Ralph Chester, born April 15, 1882, was married January 3, 1904, to Pearl Lavinia Kolla, and they have three children, Chester - Robinson, James Everett and Robert Cobean. Sheldon Robert, born April i8, 1884, was married July 12, 1906, to Edna Josephine Parnell. Willis Ray, bom July 23, 1889, died February 17, 1893.
Mr. Allen has always been regarded as a man of prominence and influence in the different localities in which he has lived and has done not a little toward molding public opinion. In politics he is a republican, always stanch in support of the party. While living at Viola, Illinois, he was elected village trustee in the spring of 1869. In April, 1877, he was elected justice of the peace in Galesburg and filled the position for four years. This was followed by his appointment to the position of United States storekeeper at Peoria, in which capacity he served from August i, i88i, until February i, 1886. In November, 1888, he was elected county commissioner of Russell county, Kansas, for a term of three years, and was reelected in November, 1891. During five of the six years of his service he was chairman of the board and he also served for several years as school director in the same county. As president of the Russell County Farmers Alliance he attended the meeting of county presidents at Topeka, Kansas, and voted against the formation of the populist party. He was a delegate to the sixth district republican congressional convention at Colby, Kansas, in 1892. There several ballots were taken yet no candidate received a sufficient number of votes to become the party nominee. Then his name was presented and he received so many votes on the first ballot as to alarm the regular candidates, who secured an adjournment and fixed up their differences, which resulted in the nomination of Webb McNall. He was urged by his friends in Russell county to allow his name to be presented as a candidate before the populist convention but declined.
He has been elected to various offices outside the pale of politics, serving as president of the Fanners Alliance at Russell, Kansas, and also as president of the County Alliance of Russell county, Kansas. He has likewise been secretary of the Fayette County Farmers Union at Somerville, Tennessee, and was president of the Farmers Institute at Russell, Kansas. In fact, he has been a very prominent worker in behalf of organized effort for the benefit of the agricultural class and his labors have been productive of much good. He is well known, too, in fraternal relations and has the highest regard of many of his brethren in the different lodges to which he belongs. In 1879 he joined the Masonic order and has since taken the degrees of the chapter and commandery. He has served as high priest of Russell Chapter in Russell, Kansas, and also as high priest of the chapter at Somerville, Tennessee. He was a charter member of the Grand Army post at Galesburg, served as its first officer of the day and its third commander, and he was also commander of the post at Russell, Kansas.
His has been an extremely active, busy and useful life. His labors have been attended by substantial and gratifying results for the benefit of the different organizations with which he is identified, while in business affairs his well directed efforts have brought him a substantial and gratifying measure of success.
Dr. Edwin Nash, a physician and surgeon of Galesburg, has there practiced his profession since 1904 and has won an enviable reputation as a skilled representative of the medical fraternity. His birth occurred in Chicago, on the 2ist of November, 1876, his parents being Orrin and Martha (Heald) Nash, who are natives of Massachusetts and Illinois respectively. The paternal grandfather, Hervey Nash, was bom in the state of New York and became a railroad contractor. He and his wife, Mrs. Anna (Swift) Nash, settled in Chicago about 1856 and spent the remainder of their lives in Illinois, passing away in Gibson City at an old age. They had quite a number of children, including : Nicholas ; Milton; James; Hervey; Orrin; Loraine, who gave her hand in marriage to John Carver; Marilla; and Marietta. Alexander Heald, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of New York and a contractor by trade. He and his wife, Mrs. Naomi (Pope) Heald, took up their abode among the early settlers of Lake county, Illinois, and passed away in Chicago when well advanced in years. Their children were four in number, namely: Martha, Mary, James and Nelson.
Provenance
Text from History of Knox County, Illinois [microform] : Its Cities, Towns and People, published 1912, in the public domain in the United States and digitised by the Internet Archive.