Knox County, Illinois - The whole text, 1912 (part 39 of 56)

Carl V. Nelson, reared under the parental roof where he still resides, was educated in the public schools of Victoria and after completing a high-school course began work in the State Bank of Victoria as a bookkeeper. Ever faithful and efficient, he was soon promoted to the position of assistant cashier. In this place his splendid business qualities were shown more strongly, and on July i, 1911, he was again promoted, this time to the position of cashier, in which capacity he is now serving. He takes an active part in all local politics and is known in his township as a conscientious and efficient public servant of the city party. He has been for three years town clerk of Victoria township and is now serving a first term as village treasurer. With whatever organization he is allied, he usually is entrusted with positions of trust and responsibility. Fraternally, he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and is clerk of the local lodge. He is an earnest worker in the Swedish Methodist church of Victoria, of which he is a member, and is treasurer of the Epworth League and also of the Galesburg District League. Mr. Nelson's rapid progress so far in life gives promise of his being one of the most prominent and successful business men of the county, as well as one of its most honest and useful citizens. ; , - - - - ; . , .

Prominent among the business men of his part of the county is Peter Strom, cashier and general manager of the Victoria Exchange Bank. He was born in Victoria township, on the 28th of February, 1876, and is a son of Eric Strom, who is now living retired one-half mile south of Victoria, on section i8, Victoria township. The father was born in Bollnas, Helsingland, Sweden, August 4, 1839, his parents being Eric and Martha (Peterson) Strom. The grandfather of our subject spent his entire life in Sweden, dying in that country when his son Eric was seventeen years of age. His widow come to this country in 1846 with her son Peter and made her home in Bishop Hill until her death in December, 1907. Here she married Suralla Helborne, of Bishop Hill. She was a member of the Adventist church.

Eric Strom, father of our subject, was reared and educated in his native land and was there married in 1862 to Miss Carrie Nelson, who was also born in Bollnas, August 20, 1841, and was a daughter of Nels and Carrie Nelson, who were lifelong residents of Sweden. By this marriage the following children were born. Eric, Jr., who controls and manages a coal bank for C. S. Clarke and resides in Victoria township, married Ida Grimm and they have eight children, Harry, Merle, Earl, Grace, George, Archie, Ross and Gehrl. Carrie, the second child of Eric Strom, Sr., died at the age of seven years and was buried in Bishop Hill. Delia is the wife of Oliver Peterson, a barber of Victoria, and they have three children, Roy, Floyd and Alice. Annie died at the age of fourteen months and was buried in Victoria cemetery. Emma, who died at the age of thirty-one years and was buried in Victoria cemetery, married Fred Goodspeed, of California, and to them were born three children, Gladys, Wayne and Vans. Henry is unmarried. Carrie is the wife of Ned Cadwell and has two children, Lavone and Winthrop. Peter, of this review, completes the family. It was in 1867 that his parents came to America, arriving at Bishop Hill, Illinois, on the 6th of August of that year, but the following year removed to Victoria, where the father worked as a farmer and coal miner until 1874, when he

Peter Strom was reared in Victoria township, where as a youth he attended the public schools. After finishing a business course at Quincy, Illinois, he was employed for a while in the Victoria Bank, leaving there to become a bookkeeper in the State Bank of Galva, Illinois, where he remained until November, 1903, when he entered upon his present position.

He was married December 25, 1910, to Etta Conner, a daughter of William D. and Sarah A. (McMullen) Conner, of Victoria township. Her father was born in Licking county, Ohio, in August, 1832. He was a son of Samuel and Anna (Griffith) Conner, who came from old Virginia families that migrated to Ohio at the time when Anna Griffith was fifteen years of age. William D. Conner was married in Licking county in 1856 to Sarah A. McMullen, who was the daughter of M. M. and Harriet (Pyle) McMullen, also descendants of old Virginia families, but both born in Ohio. M. M. McMullen was reared in Bowling Green, Ohio, and spent all his life in Licking county. He died at the age of forty-four years and his wife at the age of seventy-eight, both being buried at Brownsville, Ohio. They were members of the Methodist church. Mr. Mc- Mullen was a democrat in politics, served as a school director and held many township offices, always performing his duties faithfully. The children of M. M. and Harriet (Pyle) McMullen were: George; Joseph, who went to California in 1849; Drusilla, the deceased wife of Stephen Smith, of Missouri; Sarah A., the mother of Etta (Conner) Strom; Lemuel, who died in Knox county, Illinois, at the age of twenty-two years ; Robert, who died in Knox county ; Mary, who is the present wife of Stephen Smith, of Missouri, the former husband of her sister; Margaret, the wife of a Mr. Chaplear, of Mount Vernon county, Ohio ; and Lewis, who resides on the old home farm in Licking county, Ohio, and is the father of five living children. After the marriage of William Conner he spent eighteen months in Iowa, and then moved to Stark county, Illinois, living there six years. He came in 1895 to Knox county, Illinois, where he resided until the time of his death, which occurred September 6, 1909, on his farm of seventy-four acres, which is within the corporation limits of Victoria and is now the home in which his wife, Sarah (McMullen) Conner, and Mr. and Mrs. Peter Strom live. To William and Sarah Conner were born eight children, of whom Etta Strom is the fourth in order of birth. The other children are as follows. Edgar, of Victoria, wedded Mary Sornborger and they are the parents of eight children, Clarence, Albert, Sadie, deceased, William, Florence, Earl, Eva and Mary. Belle is the wife of Charles Johnson, of Beardstown, and is the mother of three children : May and Maud, twins, and Sadie. Carrie, the wife of William R. Church, of Bureau county, Illinois, is the mother of three children, Russell, Niles and Nettie. William, Elmer, Mamie and Alice May are deceased, William dying at the age of five years and the other three in infancy. William Conner, always a leading man in his community, was a democrat in politics, a trustee of the town board and school director when in Iowa. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

.-. Peter Strom is very active in all local politics and is a stanch prohibitionist, believing the principles of this party to be most conducive to good government. Both he and his wife are faithful workers in the Methodist church, he being a member of the board of trustees. Mrs. Strom is also a great worker in the Ladies' Aid Society. Mr. Strom belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has filled all the chairs in the local lodge. Ever conscientious and efficient, his faithfulness to his tasks and his duties make him one of the leading citizens of his town. . .

Karl R. Haggenjos, well known as a representative of journalism in central Illinois, now owning and publishing the Illinois Democrat at Galesburg,^ together with a number of other papers in different towns in this section of the state, was born in Chicago, February 19, 1859. His parents, John and Fortunata (Siedle) Haggenjos, were both natives of Villingen, Germany, the former born on the 25th of December, 1833, ^"d the latter on the 2d of September of the same year. It was in 1856 that John Haggenjos sailed across the broad Atlantic to the United Slates and made his way into the interior of the country to Chicago, where he followed carpentering and contracting. For a long p>eriod he was associated with the building interests of that city but retired about five years prior to his death, which occurred July 30, 1890. He was survived for seventeen years by his wife, who passed away May 6, 1907. His political support was given to the democracy and his religious faith was that of the Catholic church, St. Michael's numbering him as one of its communicants. It was in Chicago, in April, 1858, that he wedded Fortunata Siedle, who came to America in the spring of 1847, with her brothers and sisters and settled in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, she, however, coming to Chicago in 1858. Unto them were born nine children : Karl R., of this review ; Emily, Michael, Albert, Stephanie and Josephine, all of whom are residents of Chicago, Illinois; Wilhelmine and Mary, both deceased; and Wilhelmine, the second of the name, who makes her home in Chicago.

In his youthful days Karl R. Haggenjos was a pupil in St. Michael's parochial school of Chicago and when his school days were over at the age of twelve years, he sought and obtained a position on the Freie Presse, a German newspaper, serving as compositor for five years, during which period he gained intimate knowledge of various branches of newspaper publication. In 1877 he came to Galesburg and entered the employ of his uncle, Charles Haggenjos, in the rendering business. Another five years was thus passed, at the end of which time he went to Denver, Colorado, and worked on the Rocky Mountain News. He afterward had charge of the Colorado Journal at Denver and subsequently began the publication of the Denver Freie Presse. He also established the Denver Volksblatt, a morning paper. After his removal to Pueblo, that state, he started the Colorado Freie Presse of that city and when he sold out returned to Galesburg in 1891. He began the publication of the Tribune in East Galesburg, in 1892, but has since changed the name of the paper to the Illinois Democrat, removing the plant to Galesburg. In addition to its conduct he also publishes the Rio Reporter, at Rio ; the St. Augustine Eagle, at St. Augustine ; the North Henderson Review, at North Henderson ; The Maquon Tomahawk, at Maquon, Illinois ; and the Cameron Gazette, at Cameron, Illinois.

Karl R. Haggexjos

member of the board of trustees. Mrs. Strom is also a great worker in the Laches' Aid Society. Mr. Strom belongs to the In(lei)endent Order of Odd Fellows and has tilled all the chairs in the local lodge. Ever conscientious and efficient, his faithfulness to his tasks and his duties make him one of the leading citizens of his town.

Karl R. Haggenjos, well known as a representative of journalism in central Illinois, now owning and publishing the Illinois Democrat at Galesburg, together with a nuniljer of other papers in different towns in this section of the state, was born in Chicago, February ig, 1859. His parents, John and Fortunata (Siedle) Haggenjos, were both natives of \'illingen, Germany, the fomier torn on the 25th of December, 1833, and the latter on the 2d of September of the same year. It was in 1856 that John Haggenjos sailed across the broad Atlantic to the United Slates and made his way into the interior of the country to Chicago, where he followed carj^entering and contracting. For a long period he was associated with the building interests of that city but retired about five years prior to his death, which occurred July 30, 1890. He was survived for seventeen years by his wife, who passed away May 6, 1907, His |>olitical support was given to the democracy and his religious faith was that of the Catholic church, St. Michael's numbering him as one of its communicants. It was in Chicago, in April, 1858, that he wedded Fortunata Siedle, who came to America in the spring of 1847, with her brothers and sisters and settled in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, she, however, coming to Chicago in 1858. Unto them were born nine children: Karl R., of this review ; Emily, Michael, .\lbert, Stei)hanie and Josephine, all of whom are residents of Chicago, Illinois; \\'illielniine and Mary, both deceased; and Wilhelmine, the second of the name, who makes her home in Chicago.

In his youthful days Karl R. Haggenjos was a pupil in St. Michael's parochial school of Chicago and when his school days were over at the age of twelve years, he sought and obtained a position on the Freie Presse, a German newspaper, serving as comjjositor for five years, during which period he gained intimate knowledge of various branches of newspaper publication. In 1877 ^^^ came to Galesburg and entered the employ of his uncle, Charles Haggenjos, in the rendering business. Another five years was thus passed, at the end of which time he went to Denver, Colorado, and worked on the Rocky Mountain Xews. He afterward had charge of the Colorado Journal at Denver and subsequently began the publication of the Denver Freie Presse. He also established the Denver \'olksblatt, a morning ])ai)cr. After his removal to Pueblo, that state, he started the Colorado Freie Presse oi that city and when he sold out returned to Galesburg in 1891. He began the publication of the Tribune in East Galesburg, in 1892, but has since changed the name of the jiaper to the Illinois Democrat, removing the ])lant to Galesljurg. In addition to its conduct he also publishes the Rio RejKirter, at Rit); the St. Augustine Eagle, at St. Augustine; the North Henderson Review, at North Henderson: The Maquon Tomahawk, at Maijuon, Illinois; and the Cameron tiazetto. at C'amcrun, Illinois.

On the lOth of August, 1884, Mr. Haggenjos was married at Denver, Colorado, to Miss Minnie Haessel, a daughter of Peter and Catherine (Brill) Haessel, of Peoria, Illinois, who were natives of Bavaria, Germany. The father, who was a soap manufacturer, was born September 7, 1813, and his wife's birth occurred on the 29th of January, 1819. On coming to the United States they settled in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where they remained for a year, and then removed to Peoria, Illinois. In 1867 the family removed to Galesburg, where Mr. Haessel died July 3, 1872. He was survived for almost a third of a century by his wife, whose death occurred March 28, 1904. In politics he was a republican and both were consistent members of the Lutheran church. Unto them were bom four children: Philippine, the wife of Charles Haggenjos, of Galesburg, Illinois, who is deceased; Catherine, living in Galesburg; Adam, who has passed away; and Mrs. Karl R. Haggenjos, whose birth occurred in Peoria, Illinois, on the 6th of August, 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Haggenjos have become the parents of seven children: Albert, who was bom in July, 1885, and who is still at home ; Mabel, the wife of Bertrand Weingartner, of Galesburg ; Maude, twin sister of Mabel, who is at home ; Carolyn ; Virginia, the wife of J. Glenn Bragg, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; and John and Philippine, who are also yet under the parental roof. The first four were born in Denver, Colorado, while Virginia and John were bom in Pueblo, Colorado, and Philippine in East Galesburg, Illinois.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Haggenjos has supported the democratic party and publishes his papers in its interest He is a member of the Typographical Union and is very widely known in newspaper circles. Gradually he has worked his way upward to success and the prominent position which he now occupies, and in the publication of his papers he has held to the high standards of modern journalism, giving to his readers a comprehensive review of the chief points of interest as the days go by. , , .....

Fred G. Smith, who for^en years has been engaged in the cultivation of his home farm in Henderson township, was born on the 2Sth of August, 1882, in Henderson. He is the son of Anthony L. and Margaret A. (Davidson) Smith, more extended mention of whom is made under the caption of a sketch of George A. Smith.

Fred G. Smith acquired his education in the common schools and since then has been connected with the agricultural pursuits of the county, at first as an assistant to his father and for the last few years as an independent agriculturist on the farm of one hundred and twenty acres which he has recently purchased. This is a valuable piece of land and by capable management and progressive methods it can be developed into a highly productive farm.

On October 25, 1905, occurred the marriage of Mr. Smith to Helen M. Rhodes. To this union two children, Charles Anthony and Robert R., have been born. Mrs. Smith is the daughter of Charles H. and Frances Rhodes, prominent agriculturists of Henderson township. . .:

In politics Mr. Smith accords his support to the candidates of the democratic party and his interest in the welfare of the schools of his district has led him to act as school director but otherwise does not seek office as a reward for party fealty. In political and social questions, as well as in his agricultural pursuits, his ideas are practical and intelligent and throughout his community he has made himself felt as a man standing for the best development of his county.

Benjamin Dayton, deceased, was numbered among the successful and prominent agriculturists of Walnut Grove township, the energy which he displayed in this pursuit bringing to him the success that enabled him to rest from labor during his last days. He was bom in Delaware county. New York, March 13, 1834, his parents being Bryant C. and Lydia (Copley) Dayton. The father was bom in 1800 in New York, in which state he always resided, giving his attention to general farming. His death occurred in 1845. The mother, also a native of Delaware county, was bom in i8io and was a daughter of Joseph and Lydia (Birdsall) Copley, who moved to Copley township after their children were grown and after whom the township was named. Mrs. Dayton's death occurred April 14, 1885, at the home of her son Benjamin Dayton, with whom she had resided for some time. The paternal grandfather, Plyment Dayton, who was a native of Connecticut, married a Miss Bryant and died in 1834. The great-g^andfather, Charles Dayton, and four of his family were soldiers in the Revolutionary war, one of them having been killed in battle. To Mr. and Mrs. Bryant C. Dayton seven children were born, five of whom died in infancy and one son, William O., died in Oneida, Illinois, in 1909. -,' 'I

At the early age of twelve years, after having laid aside his text-books, Benjamin Dayton started to earn his own livelihood by working on a farm for three years at five dollars per month. Subsequently, at the age of fifteen years, he went to work on his mother's farm doing a man's work, and five years later came to Knox county, Illinois, where he was employed in Victoria at ten dollars per month. During the same time in which he was engaged at the carpenter's trade he taught school for several terms in this county, receiving fifteen dollars per month, and in 1859 he removed to Walnut Grove township and in 1864, after his mother arrived here, he purchased the farm where he continued to reside throughout the remainder of his life. About the same time his brother William O. Dayton enlisted in the Civil war in the Eighty-ninth Illinois Infantry and was made corporal in Company G, the company in which Ira B. Copley was first lieutenant, Mr. Copley being a prominent merchant of Victoria and the father of Ira C. Copley, who was elected to congress from the Aurora and Joliet district in 1909. In his younger days Benjamin Dayton was also employed in a clerical position in Victoria and neighboring towns. Among the many trying experiences he had to encounter was when he first arrived in Peoria and had but fifteen cents in his possession. His first night was spent in a lumberyard and because the team he had intended to drive had departed he was forced to walk to his uncle's home in Victoria. Throughout the greater part of his life Mr. Dayton continued to engage in his agricultural pursuits and placed his farm under high cultivation. His was the first brick house erected in Walnut Grove township. Many of the difficulties he encountered would have discouraged a less ambitious and determined man, but Benjamin Dayton worked steadily and faithfully and his record is evidence of what industry and perseverance will do if reinforced by intelligence, for he began with neither means nor influence and became a prominent man in his community and the owner of a highly profitable farm.

In politics Mr. Dayton gave his support to the men and measures of the republican party and he served as delegate to many conventions, being an active worker in his party. He also served as highway commissioner and school trustee and for six of his fifteen years' service as director of the Altona Library served as its president. In all of his social, business and political relations he was thoroughly reliable, helpful and progressive, giving his aid and influence to many measures for the public good. He died on the 3d of November, 1911, and was laid to rest by the side of his mother and brother in Oneida cemetery.

- William O. Dayton, a soldier of the Civil war and a highly esteemed citizen of Knox county, was born on the nth of July, 1841, in Harpfersfield, New York, a son of Bryant C. and Lydia (Copley) Dayton. He spent the first seventeen years of his life in his native state, attending the schools of Harpersfield and assisting in the work of the home farm. It was in 1858 that he came to Illinois and took up his residence in Knox county, where he was living at the outbreak of the Civil war. Feeling that his country needed his services, he enlisted in 1864 as a corporal in Company G, Eighty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and after one year's service was discharged for disability.

-.C On the 6th of March, 1870. Mr. Dayton was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Churchill, a daughter of Levi and Mary Churchill, of Imlay City, Lapeer county, Michigan, where her father was engaged in farming. By this union one son was born, Edmund O., who is now a resident of Oneida, Illinois. Mr. Dayton died on the Qth of May, 1909, and is still survived by his widow, who also makes her home in Oneida. He was one of the prominent and influential men of his community and stood high both in business and social circles.

Among the residents of Victoria township who are closely associated with agricultural interests in this part of the state is George W. Reed, the owner of an excellent farm of two hundred and forty acres on section i of Victoria township, Knox county, and the adjoining eighty acres of section 6, West Jersey township. Stark county. He was born November 2, 1858, in Galva township, Henry county, and was reared in Victoria township, where he received his education at the Union schoolhouse. After his school days he began farming on his home

'^ place, where he remained until 1882, when he came to his present farm, part of : which was inherited by his wife. He has worked diligently and persistently to develop and improve his farm, has erected all the buildings on the same, and he now owns one of the most valuable tracts of land in the community. At the present time all of his land is rented but he owns a half-interest in all the hogs, sheep and cattle on the farm.

On the 27th of December, 1882, Mr. Reed was united in marriage to Lenora : C. Gibbs, who was a native of Lynn township and a daughter of Joseph D. and . Elizabeth (Gitzenger) Gibbs, both of whom have passed away. Mrs. Reed received her early education in the public schools of her home community and later attended Knox College at Galesburg, Illinois. She passed away in January, 1905, and is buried in Galva cemetery. Her death was deeply regretted by a host of - friends and acquaintances throughout Knox county. She was a member of the Christian church, and socially was connected with the Royal Neighbors. After , her death Mr. Reed gave up housekeeping but he remains on his farm. He has been a lifelong republican and has filled the office of commissioner of highways, in which capacity he served for twelve years. In all his business dealings he is straightforward and reliable and enjoys to the fullest extent the confidence and good-will of those with whom he comes in contact. . .

J. B. Merris, who for twenty-seven years has been engaged in general farming .in Knox county, was born in Scott county, Illinois, October 22, 1849, being a son of Bethol and Mary (Crawford) Merris. The father was also a native of Scott county, and there he married Miss Crawford, whose birth occurred in the vicinity of Columbus, Ohio. In 1851 they removed to Warren county, Illinois, . locating on a farm near Greenbush, where the father passed away in 1891. The ": mother survived for seven years thereafter, her demise occurring on the 24th of December, and was laid to rest beside her husband in Olive cemetery in Warren county. In the paternal line the family was originally of Irish extraction, but for several generations have been American citizens, while the Crawfords ^ came from New England. Six children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Merris:

. Meribah, who passed away on the 23d of October, 1910; J. B., our subject; and , - Liza and Flora, both of whom are deceased; Almira, who is the widow of G. Ray, of Warren county ; and Malissa, who is unmarried and living in Avon, ' - Illinois. The family always affiliated with the Christian church of which the . ' ; mother was a member.

- . Illinois has always been the home of J. B. Merris, who obtained his education ,v- - in the common schools of Warren county. Having been trained in agricultural .' pursuits from his earliest boyhood upon attaining his majority he decided to ' .. ' ; make farming his life vocation and continued to remain at home assisting his ;- . father with the work of the farm until he was thirty-one. He then decided on

. an independent career and coming to Knox county located in Indian Point township, where he now owns seventy-one acres of land. This is devoted to general farming and in a high state of cultivation and well improved. He has met with

Mr. Merris has never married. He attends the Christian church, while his political allegiance is given to the democratic party. He is one of the energetic x,-;; and capable farmers of the community in which he resides and has met with --7 substantial rewards through the intelligent direction of his energies. ,--..-.:

W. H. Selby, who is now living retired, was for many years successfully ;. , ; engaged in the operation of his homestead of three hundred and seventy-five u.' .-'-..,;: acres, located a half mile east of Maquon, that is now being cultivated by his son. His birth occurred on this place in 1850 and here he has spent practically . ; -, his entire life, and is watching his grandchildren grow to manhood and woman- :,;-;/''' hood surrounded by the scenes familiar to his own youth. His father, Philemon ,;.; ^^: : B. Selby, was born in Lancaster, Ohio, in 1807, and there he grew to manhood :'-;-'. .' and studied to be a physician, but later engaged in the cattle business. In 1834 ': . v ; ,; he came to Illinois, locating on some land in the vicinity of Aqua Vitae Springs, >- ; : but later he disposed of this and bought the farm where our subject now lives. V- /; Here he devoted his energies to general farming and stock-raising until his demise - , . . in 1868 at the age of sixty-one years. He was one of the very early settlers in .- .^ the county, and one of the first to build a dam across the Spoon river and erected 'fl ."-'.' a sawmill, which was the first one in Knox county and which he afterward -.....'' remodeled into a gristmill. There were no bridges in this section of the state '; ' at that time and soon after locating here, Mr. Selby drove a herd of five hundred '^V . cattle to Ohio, being the first man in this vicinity to assume such an undertaking ' .j-; / . as they had to be driven across the Illinois river. He was one of those men -=; ' who possess the essential characteristics for pioneering, having the determination f- :. and indomitable purpose that enabled him to carry to a successful issue, in the ...%.. 7::.;. face of every discouragement, whatsoever he undertook. He was married on November 12, 1837, to Miss Elizabeth Gullett, a native of Indiana and a daugh- ; ./

Housh, an aunt of the family of that name now residing in Maquon. Of the * ^^ ' '-. marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Philemon B. Selby were born the following children: !-; .

Nelson and Mary, both of whom are deceased; Elisha, who owns a farm in / Maquon township, but is now a resident of Kansas; Amanda, who married > -; Arthur Summers, of this county; Salina, the wife of Thomas A. Clark; W. H., , 'X - our subject; and Ruth, who became the wife of George Bigelow, of Haw Creek^- > ^ . . township. ;"-'-; V .

The youthful years of W. H. Selby were very similar in every respect to'/ ::.''.:' those of other lads of that period and circumstances. He attended the public -.' j.^.^r schools of Maquon in the acquirement of his preliminary education, later sup- >:;.;-;. plementing the knowledge therein gained by a course in a business college at =«---: Galesburg. While attending school he always assisted in the work of the farm, - : ' ': '. his duties being increased from year to year as his strength and ability developed. V- '. After laying aside his text-books, he returned home and resumed agricultural .' , . .

pursuits, giving his undivided attention to the cultivation of the fields and care of the stock. When he came into possession of the property, Mr. Selby erected all of the buildings now standing and made other extensive improvements, thus making his one of the most attractive and valuable farms in this section of the county. It has many natural beauties and advantages not common to the majority of farms in this vicinity, being plentifully supplied with springs, which furnish water for both household purposes and the stock. Across one portion of the land runs an old Indian trail. In connection with his general farming Mr. Selby made a specialty of raising stock, meeting with most substantial returns from both undertakings.

Mr. Selby married Miss Florence Isabel Allen, a daughter of William Allen, of Orange township, a well known agriculturist at that time. Of this union there was born one son, William Floyd, whose birth occurred in 1880. He was educated in the public schools of Maquon, following which he attended Lombard College. After the completion of his education he returned to the farm, the entire control and management of which is now vested in him. He married Miss Myrtle Harler, a daughter of W. W. Harler, and they have became the parents of three children : Walter Ferree, Helen Isabel and Grace Maurine. Mrs. W. H. Selby is now deceased, her demise occurring on the 24th of January, 1904.

Fraternally Mr. Selby is a Mason, to which organization as well as to the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, and the Mystic Workers of the World, his son also belongs. The political views of Mr. Selby coincide with the principles of the democratic party, but he has never been an aspirant to official honors, preferring to give his entire attention to the direction of his own affairs, in the conduct of which he met with a most gratifying measure of success. He is a well known and highly respected representative of Knox county's esteemed pioneer citizens, to whom must be given much credit for the development of Maquon township, where the family has now resided for more than seventy years. ' .' ' -':-"- ' ; ';--..--.. '-';;: ;",:'''f^V'Vy^';^'-;^;v'-^,

Philip H. French is well known in Sparta township, being connected with the railway mail service. He was born in North Henderson, Illinois, September II, 1885, and is a son of Hugh French, a native of Cum^berland county, Pennsylvania, who was born in 1838. The latter was a son of John and Sarah (Young) French, who with their family removed westward during the boyhood of their son Hugh, the family settling first in the vicinity of Knoxville but afterward removing to Mercer county. Following the death of his parents Hugh French responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting in Company A, of the One Hundred and Second Illinois Regiment, at Knoxville. He served with that command until the close of the war, the regiment being attached to the Army of the Cumberland. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Hugh French chose Miss Louisa Schroeder, who was born in the state of New York, July 31, 1848, and was a daughter of Henry F. and Mary (Stahl) Schroeder. The Schroeder family removed from the east to Henderson, Illinois, where the pursuits, giving his undivided attention to the cultivation of the fields and care of the stock. When he came into possession of the property, Mr. Selby erected all of the buildings now standing and made other extensive improvements, thus making his one of the most attractive and valuable farms in this section of the county. It has many natural beauties and advantages not common to the majority of farms in this vicinity, being plentifully supplied with springs, which furnish water for both household purposes and the stock. Across one portion of the land runs an old Indian trail. In connection with his general farming Mr. Selby made a specialty of raising stock, meeting with most substantial returns from both undertakings.

Mr. Selby married Miss Florence Isabel Allen, a daughter of William Allen, of Orange township, a well known agriculturist at that time. Of this union there was born one son, William Floyd, whose birth occurred in 1880. He was educated in the jniblic schools of Matjuon, following which he attended Lombard College. After the comjiletion of his ethication he returned to the farm, the entire control and management of which is now vested in him. He married Miss Myrtle Harler, a daughter of \V. W. Harler, and they have became the parents of three children: Walter Ferree, Helen Isabel and Grace Maurine. Mrs. W. H. Selby is now deceased, her demise occurring on the 24th of January, 1904.

Fraternally Mr. Selby is a Mason, to which organization as well as to the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, and the Mystic Workers of the World, his son also belongs. The political views of Mr. Selby coincide with the principles of the democratic party, but he has never been an aspirant to official honors, preferring to give his entire attention to the direction of his own affairs, in the conduct of which he met with a most gratifying measure of success. He is a well known and highly respected representative of Knox county's esteemed pioneer citizens, to whom must be given much credit for the development of Maquon township, where the family has now resided for more than seventy years. : .

Philip H. French

Philip H. French is well known in Sparta township, being connected with the railway mail service. He was bom in North Henderson, Illinois. September II. 1885, and is a son of Hugh French, a native of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, who was born in 1838. The latter was a son of John and Sarah CN'oung) French, who with their family removed westward during the boyhood of their son Hugh, the family settling first in the vicinity of Knoxville but afterward removing to Mercer county. Following the death of his parents Hugh French responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting in Company A, of the One Hundred and Second Illinois Regiment, at Knoxville. He served with that command until the close of the war. the regiment lx:ing attached to the Army of the Cumberland. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Hugh French chose Miss Louisa Schroeder. who was born in the state of New York, July 31, 1848. and was a daughter of Henry F. and Mary (Stahl) Schroeder. The Schroeder faniilv removed from the east to Henderson, Illinois, where the father of Mrs. Hugh French followed the cabinet-maker's trade, which he had previously learned. Later he opened a mercantile establishment at Henderson and also filled the office of postmaster there. After conducting his business successfully for a number of years he sold out and retired, enjoying well earned rest up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1885, when he was seventyfive years of age. His wife survived him until 1893 and passed away at the age of seventy-six years. It was their daughter Louise who became tiie wife of Hugh French, and unto them were bom three children : Minnie, who is now the wife of E. W. Goldsmith ; Charles, a resident of St. Paul, Minnesota, who married Ethel Daniels and has two children, Edward and Harvey; and Philip H,, of this review. The father, long a valued and respected resident of Knox county, as loyal to his country in days of peace as when he followed the old flag on southern battlefields, died on the I2th of December, 1907.

Philip H. French, whose name introduces this review, spent his youthful days in his parents' home and acquired his education in the public schools. He now gives his attention to official duties as a clerk in the railway mail service, his , run being over the Burlington road.

Mr. French was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Williamson, who was bom April 3, 1889, in Sparta township, and is a daughter of John E. and Christina (Hanson) Williamson, who are residents of that township, her father being now forty-nine and her mother forty-seven years of age. The former was a son of Jonas Williamson, a native of Sweden, now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. French have become the parents of two children: Constance, who was bom January i, 1910; and Delwin, born July 29, 1911. Both Mr. and Mrs. French have spent their entire lives in this county and are well known among a circle of friends who entertain for them warm regard and who extend to them the cordial hospitality of their home.

C. E. Shumaker, a former agriculturist of Knox county and now living in a comfortable home at No. 402 Carlisle avenue, Abingdon, is a native of Knox county, born in Indian Point township, February 3, 1864. Gallipolis, Ohio, was the birthplace of his father, James Shumaker, who came to Indian Point township, Knox county, when a boy and became one of the pioneer agriculturists, joining in the widespread movement that converted the raw prairie lands of Illinois into richly producing farmlands. He pursued farming until his death terminated his labors. His widow, who is still living and is now in her seventysecond year, is a native of Knox county, Illinois, a daughter of one of the early settlers of this community. She resides in Abingdon where her declining years are often gladdened by the happy occasions when her children gather about her. The latter are seven in number, all but one inhabitants of Illinois and living within easy distance from her. C. E. Shumaker is the eldest child. The others are : Ella, the widow of L. Blisa, of Abingdon ; W. F., living near Hermon, Illinois; J. L., farming in Swaledale, Iowa; Myrtle, the wife of J. R. Stephens,

C. E. Shumaker had a common-school education supplemented by training in commercial branches at the General City Commercial College, of Quincy, Illinois. He remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-four years old, when he bought a farm on section ii, Indian Point township, and engaged independently in farming. After some years he removed to a farm on section 13 and gave his efforts to the improvement of the land which soon yielded abundant crops. Four years ago, in 1907, he retired from farming, purchasing a handsome new house in Abingdon where the family now resides. He still has valuable farm holdings, two hundred and forty acres in Knox county which he rents, and a half section in the Saskatchewan valley in Canada. From these and from investments in various industrial plants in Abingdon he enjoys a liberal income enabling him to live not only in ease but in affluence.

Twenty-five years ago, in 1886, C. E. Shumaker was united in marriage to Miss Ella Davis, a native of Knox county. They are the parents of two children, Verda Maud, aged twenty, a graduate of the Abingdon high school and now attending college at Lynchburg, Virginia ; and James Harry, aged seventeen, a student in high school. Mr. Shumaker and his family are members of the Christian church. Like his father before him, he is republican in his political predilections and, although loyal to his party, he has never cared for the honors of public office. Fraternally he is connected with the Abingdon lodge of the Knights of Pythias in which organization he has passed through all the chairs. He is a man of determination and excellent judgment, qualities which have been no small factor in winning for him the success that is justly his. ,..

For the last year George A. Smith has been engaged in cultivating the two hundred acre farm in Henderson township upon which he resides. He was born in Henderson township, April 28, 1876, and is the son of Anthony L. and Margaret A. (Davidson) Smith, who were among the early settlers of Knox county. The father, whose birth occurred June 24, 1839, in Ulster county. New York, was the son of Samuel and Clarissa (Gosso) Smith, both natives of Brooklyn, New York, having been born there in 1792 and 1795, respectively. Samuel Smith served for two years in the war of 1812, under General Jackson, and was colonel of his regiment. He engaged in various pursuits during his active career, such as agriculture, the tanning business and the lumber business. At the same time that he owned and managed his five hundred acre farm in Ulster county he also built and ran a tannery for twenty-five years and engaged to a considerable extent in the lumber business, which he continued even after he had sold the tannery. After having disposed of this, his last business interest, he retired from an active life and lived with his son. In politics he was a member of the whig party, and in religious faith, a Methodist. Both Mr. and Mrs. Smith died at the age of eighty-three years, the former passing away at the home of his son, Anthony Smith.

Anthony L. Smith was the eleventh of the twelve children bom to his parents. After receiving what education the common schools could give him, he began to earn his own livelihood by working in a sawmill and hauling logs and subsequently accepting employment on a farm, at which work he continued until eighteen years of age, when he came west. He left New York, September 27, 1857, and after arriving in Illinois settled in Henderson Grove, where he worked in a sawmill for more than thirty years. At that time he purchased a farm of two hundred acres, the cultivation of which occupied his time until his retirement, in February, 1906. He is now living comfortably in Henderson and his sons are managing the farm. On February 7, 1867, he was married to Maggie A. Davidson, a daughter of Robert and Julia A. (Flishier) Davidson, who were among the early settlers in Knox county. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith three children were born, namely : George A., the subject of this sketch ; Fred G., who married Helen Rhodes and to whom two sons, Charles A. and Robert, have been born ; and Harvey. The two oldeF sons are residng on the father's farm and Harvey makes his home with his parents. In religious faith Mr. Smith is a member of the United Brethren church, and in politics gives his support to the democratic party, by whom he has frequently been elected to office. Among the offices he has held are those of supervisor, collector, assessor and school trustee.

George A. Smith acquired his education in the common schools, the Henderson high school and Brown's Business College. His first employment after finishing these courses was on a farm, but in 1903 he accepted a clerical position in Galesburg and for four years was stockman for the W. A. Jordan Company, wholesale grocers. During the next two years he was employed by the Galesburg office of the Prudential Life Insurance Company, remaining with them until he removed to the two hundred acre farm upon which he now resides.

On September lo, 1895, Mr. Smith was married to Rebecca Windom and to this union one child has been born, Irene, who is a student in the Galesburg high school and the Knox Conservatory of Music. Mrs. Smith was the daughter of William and Mary Windom. The father was a native of Ohio, where his death also occurred, and the mother has been a resident of Knox county since she was twenty-seven years of age.

In politics Mr. Smith gives his support to the republican party and is a loyal supporter of its principles and an advocate of its policies as being the most efficient for good government. He is a member of the Elks Lodge of Galesburg, No. 894. In the various business positions he has held and in his social relations Mr. Smith has always shown himself to be a man of integrity and ability, one, who is an advocate of any measure standing for improved social conditions or business progression.' ',.'^; ;'--'- "'-;'^. 'v^

Our modern improved methods of education and the more comfortable mode of life amid which our young people are being brought up, these, it has frequently been demonstrated, are not a hindrance but a help in the better administration of affairs whether in business life, on the farm or in the home. A good illustra- tion of this fact may be noted in Arthur Joseph Gehring, one of the rising generation of young farmers rapidly coming to the front and .commanding the recognition of their elders for their alertness and efficiency. He has been operating the home farm since the retirement of his father, Joseph Gehring, in 1903 and is now only twenty-six years old.

His birth occurred August 21, 1885, in Sparta township, Knox county, on the homestead where he is living. He is a son of Joseph and Cora (Peterson) Gehring. His father is a resident of Wataga and was bom east of that town, in Sparta township, March i6, 1856. He lost his mother when a boy ten years of age, her death occurring in 1895 when she was thirty-five years old. The family took possession of the farm in 1869 and for twenty-four years the father carried on general farming and stock-raising, devoting himself to improving the land and enriching the soil until he had greatly enhanced the value of the property.

In the district schools of Sparta township Arthur J. Gehring obtained his early education, following this by a course at the Wataga -high school and thereafter attending the Brown Business College at Galesburg. In 1903 he undertook the management of the farm for his father, continuing the former policy of general farming and stock-raising in accordance with improved methods and progressive ideas.

Mr. Gehring was united in marriage to Miss Nina McDonald December 27, 1911. She was born May lo, 1889, in Burlington, Iowa, and, being left an orphan in her infancy, was reared by Mrs. Ella (Woods) Bird, of Girard, Kansas, a sister of her mother, whose maiden name was Laura Woods. Mrs. Gehring has two brothers : Vernon, a farmer in Knox county ; and Frank, living in Denver, Colorado. '.: -' ' - - - -'^-^. '. '. ^. -

Mr. Gehring and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Gehring is a member of its official board. In the social life of the community they are popular with young and old alike.

. Cornelius Wayman is now living retired in Altona. He has passed the seventy-fifth milestone on life's journey, his birth having occurred in Otsego county, New York, June 3, 1836. His father, Thomas Wayman, died in 1860, when sixty years of age. He had followed farming throughout his entire life and was long known as an industrious, energetic agriculturist of Otsego county. His wife died when their son Cornelius was a boy, and of the three children of the family he is now the only one living. His educational advantages were limited, for his services were needed upon the home farm and he worked diligently and with determination through the period of his boyhood and thus laid the foundation for whatever success he has enjoyed. He first came to Wisconsin in 1857, when twenty years of age, making his way from there to Victoria, Illinois. Soon he secured a situation as a farm hand and was thus employed until after the outbreak of the Civil war. The country was but entering upon the long, four-year period of hostilities when he offered his services, enlisting on the 25th of May, i86i, as a member of Company D, Seventeenth Illinois Infantry, under Captain tion of this fact may be noted in Arthur Joseph Gehring, one of the rising generation of young farmers rapidly coming to the front and commanding the recognition of their elders for their alertness and efficiency. He has been operating the home farm since the retirement of his father, Joseph Gehring, in 1903 and is now only twenty-six years old.

His birth occurred August 21, 1885, in Sparta township, Knox county, on the homestead where he is living. He is a son of Joseph and Cora (Peterson) Gehring. His father is a resident of Wataga and was born east of that town, in Sparta township, March i6, 1856. He lost his mother when a boy ten years of age, her death occurring in 1895 when she was thirty-five years old. The family took possession of the farm in 1869 and for twenty-four years the father carried on general farming and stock-raising, devoting liimself to improving the land and enriching the soil until he had greatly enhanced the value of the property.

In the district schools of Sparta township Arthur J. Gehring obtained his early education, following this by a course at the Wataga high school and thereafter attending the Brown Business College at Galesburg. In 1903 he undertook the management of the farm for his father, continuing the fonner policy of general farming and stock-raising in accordance with improved methods and progressive ideas.

Mr. Gehring was united in marriage to Miss Xina McDonald December 27, 191 1. She was born May lO, 1889, in Burlington, Iowa, and, being left an orphan in her infancy, was reared by Mrs. Ella ( Woods) Bird, of Girard, Kansas, a sister of her mother, whose maiden name was Laura Woods. Mrs. Gehring has two brothers : \ ernon, a farmer in Kno.x county : and I'rank, living in Denver, Colorado. ' . ' , ' t

Mr. Gehring and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Gehring is a member of its official board. In the social life of the community they are popular with young and old alike.

Corxelius Wayman

Cornelius Wayman is now living retired in Altona. He has passed the seventy-fifth milestone on life's journey, his birth having occurred in Otsego county, Xew York, June 3, 1836. His father, Thomas Wayman, died in 1860, when sixty years of age. He had followed farming throughout his entire life and was long known as an industrious, energetic agriculturist of Otsego county. His wife died when their son Cornelius was a boy, and of the three children of the family he is now the only one living. His educational advantages were limited, for his services were needed upon the home farm and he worked diligently and with determination through the period of his boyhood and thus laid the foundation for whatever success he has enjoyed. He first came to Wisconsin in 1857, when twenty years of age. making his way from there to X'ictoria, Illinois. Soon he secured a situation as a farm hand and was thus employed until after the outbreak of the Civil war. The country was but entering uix>n the long, four-year period of hostilities when he offered his services, enlisting on the 25th of May, i86i, as a member of Company D. Seventeenth Illinois Infantry, under Captain

Henry Bush, of Galva. The regiment was with the Western Army under General Grant. Mr. Wayman served for his three years' term of enlistment and then veteranized, at which time he was transferred to the Eighth Illinois under Captain Caldwell and was with the Army of the Gulf until the close of the war. His last commander was General Canby, who commanded the Department of the Gulf. With his regiment he went to Mobile and later through Texas and afterward was sent up the Red River gathering up arms following the cessation of hostilities. He was mustered out at Baton Rouge in 1866 and left that place for Springfield, Illinois, where he was honorably discharged, having made a most creditable military record during the five years in which he wore the country's blue uniform. Mr. Wayman returned to Victoria and was again engaged in farming for nine

- years, after which he removed to Wataga, where he followed teaming for two years. He then came to Altona and is now living retired. For a long period, however, he was janitor of the high-school building, occupying that position for thirty years beginning in i88i. During that period his daughter and his grand-

Mr. Wayman married Letitia Blackwood, who was bom in Ohio and died October 14, 1911, at the age of sixty-four years. She was a daughter of Beverly D. Blackwood, a carpenter by trade. Mrs. Wayman was a devout member of the Methodist church and an active worker in its various departments, partic-

- ulariy in the Ladies' Aid and Missionary Societies. When she was quite young her mother died and her father married again. She remained at home with her stepmother up to the time of her marriage, which was celebrated in Knoxville,

; Illinois, on the nth of September. 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Wayman began their . domestic life near Victoria in the plain, old-fashioned way. As the years passed, four children came to brighten their home but death entered the household and . only one is now living, Mrs. Harriet E. Peacock, who was bom February i6, 1868. She is the wife of James J. Peacock, who was born near New Brenton, Illinois, July i, 1864, ^ son of Joseph Peacock, who was bom in 1820 and was f a brickmaker. He wedded Mary D. Kindred, who was born in 1825. Mr. Peacock was a native of England but was only seven years of age when brought by ':. his parents, Thomas and Ann (Payne) Peacock, to the new world. Joseph Pea- ; cock, after reaching manhood, engaged in brickmaking in the state of New York r but in early manhood removed westward to Peoria, Illinois, where he married. He operated the first brickyard at Peoria, Illinois, its location being near the old fair grounds on Knoxville avenue. In early manhood he served as a soldier in

- the Indian war which occurred in Florida. It was his son, James J. Peacock, who wedded Harriet E. Wayman and unto them were bom three children : Claude J., nineteen years of age ; Eldna B., seventeen years of age ; and Ralph E., a youth of fifteen. In early manhood James J. Peacock leamed and followed the brickmaker's trade, continuing in that line of business in Iowa county, Iowa, until thirty-two years of age, when he came to Altona, where he has since made his home, being now recognized as one of the representative residents of that place.

Mr. Wayman is classed with the most widely known and highly esteemed citizens of Altona, his upright life having gained for him the warm regard of all who know him. He is a devoted member of the Methodist church and has served as one of its trustees for many years. Fratemally he is connected' with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has passed all of the chairs in the local lodge to which he belongs. His life has been well spent and his devotion to duty and his irreproachable integrity have been the salient qualities which have gained for him the confidence and good-will of all who know him. His life has been in many respects an exemplary one and furnishes many an example that might well be followed by others. . . . . ; --.;,;-:. . -

John Heffernan, a retired farmer and now proprietor of a boarding house on Main street in Victoria, Illinois, was bom June 15, 1841, in Medina county, Ohio. He is the grandson of John HefFeman, who resided all his life in Charleston, South Carolina. The father, Francis Heffernan, was born, reared and educated in Charleston. After leaving school he chose to take up as his trade the work of shoemaking, a business which he followed with much success all his life. In youth he married Miss Caroline Hodgeman, a daughter of William Hodgeman and a native of Vermont. A few years after his marriage he settled in Medina comity, Ohio, where he lived for fourteen years, and then moved to Victoria, where he began his trade in the old shop that is still standing. He was a republican in politics and although he was not an office seeker, he took a great interest in a private way in helping t'o better the conditions of his town. He followed his trade loyally all his life and up to the time of his death, when he had reached the venerable age of seventy-eight years. Untiring and faithful labor netted him an income ample for his wants and comforts. His wife passed away at the age of seventy-four years and they are both buried in the Victoria cemetery. Their family consisted of two children : Isabelle, who died in Ohio, at the age of fifteen; and John, of Victoria. v > - '- .: - I

John Heffernan after finishing his course in the public schools of Victoria began farming, working by the month for seven years for David Swickard, now of Victoria. After leaving that employ he was married, in 1866, to Miss Margaret Smith, who was born in Victoria township, December 5, 1840, a daughter of John and Mary (Gingrich) Smith, both of whom were bom in Little York, York county, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were the parents of ten children, eight of whom lived to maturity. The parents, leaving Pennsylvania with their two children, went to Ohio where they remained one year, moving to Illinois in 1835 and settling on a farm of three hundred and twenty acres upon section 24, Victoria township. Having made the trip from Ohio in wagons, Mr. and Mrs. Smith lived in this fashion of camping until they had constructed a log house which contained one room on the first floor and one above. Later this log house was moved to another part of the farm and used as a tenant house. Mr. Smith was a stock-raiser and farmer whose labors won much success. Although willing to do all he could for his community, he never sought office. He was a democrat in his political views and a Lutheran in religion, of which church both he and his family were faithful members. He died in 1889, at the age of eighty-three, and his wife passed away in 1892, at the age of eighty, both being laid to rest in the Victoria cemetery. ^ . . .

After his marriage John Heffernan settled in Victoria township, where he lived for about five years, or until 1870, at which time he moved to PCansas, where he resided for four years. Returning to Knox county in 1874, he lived in Copley township until 1887, when he moved to Victoria township, residing at the old Smith homestead for six years, at the close of which time he took charge of the boarding-house which he now has at Victoria. He is the father bf two children. The elder, Frank W., of Victoria township, married Miss Susan Mosher, a daughter of Charles Mosher, and they are the parents of four children, Mabel A., Edna Lucy, Bessie Courtney and Jessie May. Their other child is Mary C., the wife of Charles F. Nelson, of Walnut Grove township, and mother of seven children, Clio L., Vera B., Vaun O., Clem A., Vivian I., Clare D. and Willard Ivan.

.' ; Fraternally Mr. Heffernan is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, while politically he adhers to the republican party. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church with his wife, who is a member thereof, and alsc an active worker in the Ladies' Aid Society and a member of the Royal Neighbors. Mr. Heffernan while in Kansas was a trustee of the school board and although he has never cared for positions of public trust, whenever such occasion did arise, he rendered services which have been most beneficial to the community and township of his residence.

- , Jonas Johnson owns a farm of eighty- four acres located on section 5, of Victoria township, where his well tilled fields manifest his agricultural skill. He is one of the worthy citizens that Sweden has contributed to Knox county, his natal day being the 5th of February, 1872, and his parents Jonas and Annie Johnson passed their entire lives in the old country.

In the common schools of his native land, Jonas Johnson obtained a good, practical education and there he also received his early agricultural training. By the time he had attained the age of twenty years he felt oppressed by the limitations of expansion and opportunities in his native land. Carrj^ing the conviction that conditions more admissible of ambition and more conducive to progress were prevailing in the western hemisphere, he determined to put to the test the wonderful stories he had heard regarding the advantages awaiting the ambitious and enterprising young man in America and. in 1892, took passage for the United States. Upon his arrival in this country he came directly to Knox county, first locating in Galva. Later he purchased his present farm, at that time the property of a Mrs. Brott, and here he has ever since lived. Although the place was improved and under cultivation when he bought it, during the period of his ownership Mr. Johnson has wrought many and extensive changes. The greater part of the buildings now standing have been erected since he located here, and he has also added various other improvements, thus thoroughly modernizng it and at the same time greatly enhancing its value. He is industrious and practical in his methods and has always given his personal attention to the tilling of his fields and gathering of his crops. His labors are annually rewarded by abundant barvests, tbe quality of wbicb is in every way fully equal to tbe quantity. Stock-raising as well as general farming bas engaged tbe attention of Mr. Jobnson, wbo bas met witb lucrative returns from botb brancbes of bis business. Clear judgment, persistence and tbe determination of purpose tbat refuses to accept defeat bave been tbe most striking cbaracteristics manifested by bim in tbe direction of bis activities. Owing to bis painstaking efforts and the intelligent direction of his endeavors he has prospered from the first and is now numbered among tbe substantial citizens of tbe community. In addition to bis fine bomestead Mr. Jobnson owns stock in tbe Victoria Telepbone Company. In tbe attainment of prosperity Mr. Jobns.on bas been capably assisted by tbe efficient management of tbe bousebold affairs by bis wife, wbose maiden name was Anna Jobnson. Sbe, too, is a native of Sweden, wbence sbe emigrated to tbe United States by berself as a cbild of ten years. Six cbildren bave been born to Mr. and Mrs. Jobnson, as follows : Vema, Elmer, Herman, Clinton, Helen and Hilda.

- . Tbe parents botb bold membersbip in tbe Metbodist Episcopal cburcb at Victoria, and Mr. Jobnson is affiliated witb tbe Modern Woodmen of America, bolding membersbip in tbe camp at Victoria. Ever since attaining rigbts of citizensbip be bas given bis political support to tbe candidates of tbe republican party but bas never been an office seeker. His private interests always required bis undivided attention and be bas concentrated bis energies upon the development of the farm. He now has bis land tiled and under bigb cultivation, and is making sucb furtber improvements as bis returns warrant, from year to year, and takes great pride in bis bomestead, wbicb be desires to make one of tbe most attractive properties in tbe townsbip. . . - 'r "- - ' /.

Ambrose L. King

One of Knox county's patriotic citizens wbo donned tbe blue and went to tbe front during tbose troublesome days in tbe '6os is Ambrose L. King. He is now and has been for a long period engaged in general farming and stock-raising in Victoria townsbip, wbere be bas resided for fifty-eigbt years. His birtb occurred in Wyandotte county, Obio, on tbe 27tb of December, 1843, bis parents being Ambrose and Harriet (Porter) King. Tbe fatber was born in tbe state of New York, in 1798, and tbere be was reared and educated. In bis early manbood be went to Pennsylvania, locating in tbe vicinity of Erie, wbere be met tbe lady wbo later became bis wife. During tbe early years of tbeir domestic life tbey removed to Obio, residing tbere until 1853. In tbe latter year tbey crossed the prairies of Indiana to Illinois, settling in Victoria townsbip, a mile east of our subject's farm, wbere tbe fatber acquired six bundred and forty acres of land. Here closed bis active and useful life in its eightieth year, while the mother was only sixty-six years of age at the time of her death. They were botb members of tbe Seventb Day Adventist cburcb and be was a stancb advocate of tbe political principles of tbe republican party, but never beld an office. Tbe family of Mr. and Mrs. King numbered six, as follows : Nelson ; Herman ; Homer ; Ambrose, our subject ; Sarab ; and Corwin.

Ambrose L. King was only a lad of ten years when he removed with his ' . -' ^. , parents to Knox county, where he was reared to manhood, completing his educa- ' ' . - tion in the common schools of Victoria township. He had early been impressed ; . : j, with a fine appreciation of patriotic duties and responsibilities toward one's .. :.

country, so when the nation's chief sent out a call for volunteers in the early days ' ; .- of the war, it aroused his fervor and he responded by enlisting in Company B, ' One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. During the period .- ;- of his service he participated in several of the notable conflicts of the war but ' , was never wounded or captured by the enemy. When mustered out he returned to Knox county and resumed the duties of civil life as an agriculturist and has - ,,; always continued to be identified with this vocation. He now owns eighty acres of land located on section 5, Victoria township, where he has resided ever since. - -- his marriage. Here he engages in general farming and stock-raising and has met . ' -" with lucrative returns from both. He is a man of practical ideas and progres- ' , sive methods, who uses intelligence and discretion in the direction of his under- ... ^

The lady who now bears the name of Mrs. Ambrose L. King was known T - during her girlhood as Miss Sarah Collinson. She was bom and reared in Wilkes- :. . ; ; ! Barre, Pennsylvania, whence she removed with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles - ! -- Collinson, to Lynn township, Knox county. Six children were born to Mr. and ' . ' Mrs. King, as follows: Ivy, the wife of Charles Spencer, of Williamsfield ; Ida, ^. .

who married Fred Grant, of Victoria township; Kate, who became the wife of - . . . ':V ' Homer Patty, of Riverside, California; Sarah; Ora, who married Bert Thomas; ' A ' , and Avery, who is at home. -, . s to subserve the highest interests of the country. He takes a deep interest in the :' . development of the community and its political activities, but he has never aspired to public office. During the long period of his residence in Knox county he has .; ' - been an interested observer of its development and increasing prosperity, having ' tion and on-march have completely revolutionized commercial, industrial and _- -- \ agricultural life. His early manhood covered that formative period in the state's - -

A resident of Knox county for the past twenty-seven years Abraham L. - ;-. Hoofnagel has not only witnessed the agricultural development of this section of V ; the country but he has been an active participant of the movement, being sue- - . cessfully engaged in the pursuits of general farming. He owns and operates :--:-:' a fine farm on section 15, in Orange township. He claims Adams county, Pennsylvania, as the place of his birth, which there occurred April 25, i86i. His . parents were Henry and Nancy (Caldwell) Hoofnagle, both natives of Penn- .;>,;- sylvania. The father, who was a farmer and carpenter by occupation, and lived ' -s : until his death in Adams county, enlisted in the army at the time of the Civil war and saw active service in a number of important battles. There were seven children in the family, two daughters who are deceased, and five sons, all living. They are : Samuel, at Fairfield, Pennsylvania ; Robert and John, also of that state ; Grant, who lives in the state of Washington ; and Abraham, of this review.

During his boyhood days spent in Adams county, Pennsylvania, Abraham Hoofnagle obtained an elementary education in the rural schools of his locality, and when not engaged with his text-books was employed in various occupations about the farm thus learning at an early age the many details necessary to know in connection with the tilling of the soil and the raising of cattle. In 1874 he came to Knox county, settling in Knox township where he first worked on a farm in the employment of another. Later he engaged in agriculture on his own account. Seven years ago, in 1904, he purchased the tract of land on which he now lives, eighty acres of the soil of which is particularly rich and productive. He is progressive in his methods and untiring in his efforts to make his place one of the attractive spots in the county, conspicuous for its good equipment and its thorough cultivation. . -.-',;'. .',..-'

Mr. Hoofnagle was united in marriage to Miss Amy Brown, the marriage occurring in Knox county in 1895. She was a daughter of Amos Brown, an early pioneer settler in the county. Both parents are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hoofnagle are ihe parents of six children : Mabel, Alva, Bernice. Russell, Eva and Cecil, all living at home. Surrounded by an interesting family for whom he wishes to provide a comfortable living and make larger opportunities possible, Mr. Hoofnagle finds that impelling inspiration in his work that urges him on to constantly renewed effort and cannot fail of winning success. ; .. .

J. Orton Finley, who resides on section 24, Ontario township, was bom on the iSth of December, 1874, and is a son of J. Alexander and Mary E. (Cox) Finley, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume.

Mr. Finley of this review received his early education in the common schools and later was a student at the University of Illinois. As soon as he had completed his education he took up farming on the old homestead, where he worked according to the modern and scientific principles, which he acquired in his university course. In the spring of 1905 he started in for himself and is now operating four hundred acres of land, all under a high state of cultivation, which he devotes to live-stock raising. He feeds over a thousand head of sheep, many of which are used for exhibition purposes, as, for instance, Mr. Finley is the largest and most successful exhibitor of sheep, at the International Fat Stock Show in Chicago. He also exhibits cattle. In addition he carries on general farming and also feeds cattle and hogs.

On the 24th of December, 1904, Mr. Finley was married to Miss Anna S. Fox, a daughter of the Rev. J. W. and Charlotte (Stanley) Fox, the former a Congregational minister. Mrs. Finley received her education at Wheaton, graduating with the class of 1900, and at Oberlin College, of Oberlin, Ohio. To Mr.

J. Ortox Fixley

until his death in Adams county, enlisted in the army at the time of the Civil war and saw active service in a numher of important hattles. There were seven children in the family, two daughters who are deceased, and five sons, all living. They are : Samuel, at Fairfield, Pennsylvania ; Robert and John, also of that state ; Grant, who lives in the state of Washington : and Abraham, of this review.

During his boyh<io(l days si>ent in Adams county. Pennsylvania, Abraham Hoofnagle obtained an elementary education in the rural schools of his locality, and when not engaged with his text-books was employed in various occupations about the farm thus leaming at an early age the many details necessary to know in connection with the tilling of the soil and the raising of cattle. In 1874 he came to Knox county, settling in Knox township where he first worked on a farm in the employment of another. Later he engaged in agriculture on his own account. Seven years ago. in 1904. he purchased the tract of land on which he now lives, eighty acres of the soil of which is particularly rich and productive. He is i)rogressive in his methods and untiring in his efforts to make his |)lace one of the attractive sjmts in the county, conspicuous for its good ecjuipment and its thorough cultivation. :. )

Mr. Hoofnagle was united in marriage to Miss Amy P.rown, the marriage occurring in Knox county in 1895. She was a daughter of Amos Hrown, an early pioneer settler in the county. IJoth parents are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. lloofnagle are the parents of six children: Mabel, .\lva, P.ernice, Russell, Eva and Cecil, all living at home. Surrounded by an interesting family for whom he wishes to provide a comfortable living and make larger oi)])ortunities possil)le. Mr. lloofnagle finds that inijjelling inspiration in his work that urges him on to constantly renewed effort and cannot fail of winning success.

J. Orton Finley, who resides on section 24, Ontario township, was born on the iSth of December. 1874, and is a son of J, Alexander and Mary E. (Cox) Finley, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this voltime,

Mr, Finley of this review received his early education in the common schools and later was a student at the University of Illinois. As soon as he had completed his education he took up farming on the old homestead, where he worked according to the modern and scientific principles, which he acquired in his university course. In the spring of nx^S he started in for himself and is now operating four hundre<l acres of land, all under a high state of cultivation, which he devotes to live-stock raising. He feeds over a thousand head of sheep, many of which are used for exhibition purposes, as, for instance, Mr. Finley is the largest and most successful exhibitor of sheej). at the International Fat Stock Show in Chicago. He also exhibits cattle. In addition he carries on general farming and also feeds cattle and hogs.

On the 24th of December, 1004, Mr. Finley was married to Miss Anna S. Fox, a daughter of the Rev, J. W. and Charlotte (Stanley) Fox. the former a Congregational minister. Mrs. Finley received her education at Wheaton, graduating with the class of 1900, and at Oberlin College, of Oberlin, Ohio. To Mr.

and Mrs. Finley three children have been born, Mary C., Sarah E. and Anne Josephine. In political views Mr. Finley is a republican and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He has served as school director for a number of years and the cause of education finds in him an ardent champion whose labors in its behalf are practical, beneficial and far reaching. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Congregational church of Oneida. He occupies a prominent position in agricultural and social circles and has aided materially in the upbuilding and advancement of the county, being widely recognized as a public-spirited citizen. ^ :

- is one of the leading law firms of the city under the name of Williams, Lawrence, '; Welsh & Green, was bom in Mendon, Adams county, Illinois, June 6, 1875,

- John McFarland, who was born near Clearland, Ohio, but became one of the y; early residents of Adams county, Illinois. He died when seventy-five years of , age. The children of his first marriage were David, Thomas, Elizabeth, Josephine and Mary J. After losing his first wife he married Catharine Taylor, a

Adam McFarland was reared in Adams county, Illinois, and in early life ' learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until his death, in 1882. He '. married Deborah Ely, a native of this state and a daughter of Ralph and Per-

- melia Ely. Her father was a native of Ohio and became one of the pioneer set- { tiers of Adams county, Illinois, where both he and his wife died when well ': advanced in years. Their family numbered five children, Jared, Phoebe, Emma,

: . them were born five children, of whom four reached years of maturity : Fred ^ O. ; Herman, who died in the Spanish- American war; Ralph; and Floyd, who is living in Norman, Oklahoma.

clerk's office in the position of deputy in September, 1902, and so continued for seven years, his service being entirely acceptable in this connection. It was during that period that, in 1906, he took the bar examination and was admitted to practice in the month of June. However, he continued in the circuit clerk's office until December, 1909, when he entered the office of Williams, Lawrence, Welsh & Green as a member of the firm.

On the i6th of December, 1903, Mr. McFarland was married to Miss Edith Simpson, a native of Knoxville and a daughter of James S. and Mary (McGowan) Simpson. Her paternal grandfather, William Simpson, was a native of Pennsylvania and an early settler of Knoxville, Illinois, where he operated a mill for many years. He married Susan Gallagher and to them were born three children, James S., Jane and Nancy. The maternal grandfather was William Mc- Gowan and he, too, was an early resident of Knoxville and a prominent citizen there in pioneer times. Unto him and his wife were born twelve children, of whom eight reached maturity, Henry, Curtis, Mary, Harry, Charles, Frank, Carrie and Belle. James S. Simpson was a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and his wife was bom and reared in Knoxville, Illinois. Mr. Simpson died August ii, 1911. They became parents of two sons and a daughter, Irvin, Edith and Harry. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McFarland has been born but one child, Maxine. Mr. McFarland holds membership in the Congregational church and his wife in the Presbyterian church. He has voted with the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and is somewhat prominent in its local ranks. He is a member of the county central committee and is serving now as a member of the city council, having been elected from the sixth ward in 1909 and reelected in 1911, thus receiving indorsement of his first term. He is deeply interested in all matters pertaining to the city's welfare and improvement and in the questions which come before the council for settlement he seeks ever to support those plans and projects which eliminate useless expenditure and misrule in public affairs and promote the general good. ': - .

George Patty, a well known agriculturist of Victoria township, who has retired from the active work of the fields but still makes his home on his farm, is a native of Knox county, his birth having occurred in the township, where he now lives, on the lOth of July, 1849. His parents were Josiah and Rebecca (Brown) Patty, the father a native of Tennessee, where he was also reared, and the mother of North Carolina. They were married in Tennessee and there they passed the early years of their domestic life, coming to Knox county in 1837. Upon their arrival they located in Victoria township, where the father successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits during the remainder of his active life. He acquired extensive property interests, and at the time of his death owned five hundred and twenty acres of land, three hundred and twenty of which was under cultivation and the remainder in timber. Both parents passed away on the homestead and were buried in Salem cemetery. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Patty numbered eight, the two eldest of whom were born in Tennessee and the others in this county. In order of birth they are as follows: James ; William ; Sarah J. ; Nancy A. ; Obed ; Robert ; George ; and Josiah. The parents originally joined the Baptist church, but after locating in Victoria

The entire life of George Patty has been passed in the immediate vicinity ' of his present home, his education having been obtained in the Center Prairie

- vocation until 1904, when he turned over the operation of his farms to his son : V and son-in-law. He early manifested the energy and perseverance that have

- been the salient factors in his success, so intelligently directing his undertakings . . that he acquired three hundred and eighty acres of valuable land, all of which . \- is under high cultivation. His holdings are located on section 14, of Victoria

: Ever since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, Mr. Patty has .: -; cast his ballot for the candidates of the democratic party. He has always taken ' . an active interest in township affairs, and during his early manhood assumed : his share of public office, serving with efficiency both as justice of the peace and -' ; constable, having resigned from the latter office before the expiration of his , term. His energies were equally divided between general farming and stockraising during the long period of his agricultural career, both occupations proving to be remunerative under his intelligent and capable supervision. He is now . enjoying the ease and comfort afforded by the goodly income received from his ; > property; the reward of the well ispent years of his early life.

as thrifty and enterprising, and about 1882 he purchased stock in the company, and later was made foreman of his department. In 1894 he withdrew from active work, having acquired a competence that provided him and his wife with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life, and has ever since lived retired. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were married in Ascarshamn, Sweden, in the fall of 1863, and to them were born three children, of whom our subject is the eldest. The second member of the family, Selma S., the wife of Nathan Hoogner, lives in Minneapolis, and Hulda A., the youngest, is deceased. The parents are members of the Swedish Lutheran church, in the faith of which they reared their family, always taking an active interest in the work of the various departments of this organization, Mr. Johnson having for many years been one of the deacons. He gives his political support to the men and measures of the republican party, but has never been an office seeker.

As he was only a lad of four and a half years when he came to Galesburg with his parents. Dr. Johnson has passed practically his entire life in this city. He acquired his preliminary education in the common and high schools of the city and then entered Augustana College at -Rock Island, graduating from the scientific department with the class of 1889. Having decided to adopt the medical profession for his life vocation, the following autumn he matriculated in the Long Island College Hospital, of Brooklyn, New York, being awarded the degree of M. D. with the class of 1892. In order to better qualify himself for the duties of a general practitioner, immediately following his graduation he became an interne in the Eastern District Hospital, being identified with this institution from June to September. Resigning his position in the latter month, he went to Minneapolis and entered the City Hospital in the same capacity. He remained there until June, 1895, when he came to Galesburg, where he was associated with Dr. Wilson until November, 1896. His various experiences had brought him to a full recognition of his deficiencies and needs and he subsequently went abroad, spending four months in post-graduate work in the hospitals of London, Berlin and Braunschweig. Upon his return to Galesburg he established an office and has ever since been engaged in general practice. In addition to an excellent equipment for the profession. Dr. Johnson is by nature well qualified for the varied and exacting duties of a physician. He possesses a kindly sympathetic nature, an abundance of vitality and the ease and assurance as well as the perception that inspires confidence in him and the school he represents. During the period of his connection with the medical profession of Knox county, he has had ample opportunity to manifest his skill both as a physician and surgeon. In his diagnosis he is seldom if ever at fault, while he possesses the acute mental faculties, delicate yet firm touch and deft hand so essential in the operating room. His abilities have received their full recognition, and he is enjoying a large and lucrative practice. He was a member of the Galesburg City Hospital board for fourteen years, during four of which he was chief of the staff and for the past seven years he has been a member of the staff of Augustana Hospital in Chicago.

On the 5th of August, 1896, Dr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Larson, a daughter of Paul and Hannah Larson, of Moline, Illinois, and they have two children: Helena Katharine, whose birth occurred in Galesburg, on the 3d of October, 1900; and Fritiof Paul, bom in Chicago, February 8, 1909- , .... . . ...

For the past seven years, Dr. Johnson has been a trustee of the Swedish Lutheran church, in which both he and Mrs. Johnson hold membership. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he also belongs to the Galesburg Club, while he maintains relations with the members of his profession, through his connection with the City and Knox County Medical Societies and the Illinois State and American Medical Associations. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he takes aft active interest in all municipal questions, and during the years of 1904-5 represented the second precinct of the second ward as alderman, while he filled the office of health commissioner of the city during 1906 and 1907 to the general satisfaction of the constituency. Dr. Johnson is a man who takes a deep interest in all matters pertaining to the community and its welfare, and cooperates in every progressive movement. Educational matters in particular engage his attention and for twelve years he was a member of Augustana College board of trustees. Efficiency is one of the most striking of Dr. Johnson's characteristics, and is especially marked in his conscientious devotion to the interests of his patients and his loyalty to every trust reposed in him. ' - : ; , ' :

Joseph G. Reed owns and controls one hundred and sixty acres of rich and valuable land on section i, Victoria township, where he makes a specialty of raising thoroughbred Hereford cattle, on which he has won several prizes. He was born in Henry county, Illinois, November 27, 1860, the son of George and Jane (Cockburn) Reed, both of whom were natives of England and were married in that country. The parents on coming to the United States, located in Henry county and after several years removed to Knox county, residing first in Victoria township and later in Lynn township, where the father still resides, at the venerable age of ninety-one years. The mother passed away at the age of eighty-one and is buried in Lynn township. She was a member of the Baptist church and her husband belongs to the Christian church, although in their native country both were natives of the Church of England. The father even at his advanced age has a remarkable memory. He is a stanch republican and has been a very active politician in his time. Fraternally he is associated with the Masonic lodge. In their family were ten children, namely: Annie, Mary and John, who were born in England; Gabriel and Mary, whose birth and demise occurred in that country ; and George, Joseph, Emma and two who are deceased, - William and an infant girl - all of whom were born in Henry county, Illinois.

Joseph G. Reed was three years old when his parents removed to Victoria township, where he was reared and received his education. On reaching man's estate he was employed for some time on a farm in Victoria township, after which he engaged in farming for two years in Lynn township. Subsequently returning to Victoria township, he rented land for a few years and, in 1895, purchased of Lafe Kennedy his present farm, on which he has made all of the improvements and erected all of the buildings. He engages to some extent in general farming but does not attempt to raise more g^ain than is needed to feed his Hereford cattle, of which he has yearly about thirty head. Besides his fanning interests Mr. Reed owns stock in the Farmers' Mutual Telephone Company and is vice president and director of the La Fayette Fair Association.

Mr. Reed was united in marriage to Miss Jessie I. Grant, a native of Lynn township and a daughter of H. P. and Lucy (Norton) Grant, the father bom in Peoria county, Illinois, and the mother in the state of Connecticut. The parents were married in Stark county and lived in Lynn township until the time of the retirement of. the father who first removed to Galva, Illinois, and later to La Fayette, where he now resides, making his home with his daughter. The mother died at the age of seventy-one years and is buried in La Fayette. The father followed the occupation of farming and in connection was an auctioneer and also served as assessor and later as supervisor of Lynn township, being elected on the republican ticket. They were the parents of seven children: Ellen, the wife of John Reed, of Galesburg township ; Arthur, who resides in Stark county, Illinois ; Jessie I., now Mrs. Joseph G. Reed ; Fred, who re^des in Victoria township; Maude, of Galesburg; N. B., of Stark county; and Harold, of Victoria township. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have become the parents of two sons : Walter A., who was born in Lynn township and lives at home ; and Roy W., who was born in Victoria township and died there at the age of eight years. He is buried in the Galva cemetery. Mr. Reed in political allegiance is indei>endent and fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order and is master of the lodge. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian church at La Fayette and all their acquaintances entertain for them the highest regard.

Charles C. Craig, lawyer, was bom in Knoxville, this county, on the i6th of June, 1865, his parents being Alfred M. and Elizabeth P. (Harvey) Craig.